From The White House:
On January 29, 2009, with the new law's namesake Lilly Ledbetter there to witness, President Obama signed into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- legislation to fight pay discrimination and ensure fundamental fairness to American workers.
(This video is public domain per White House copyright policy)
This is a historic moment as a fact that was never adressed by the Federal Government, has been. This is why we backed Obama.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
President Obama Signs the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
Attorney General Eric Holder's message to the Department of Justice
From The White House:
After being sworn in on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009, Eric Holder became the first African American Attorney General in the history of the United States. In a brief video address to the employees of the Department of Justice, he promises the beginning of a new era.
I wish him well and am confident he will do a fantastic job. The question is what's first on his agenda? Stay tuned here.
Daschle Withdraws Nomination for HHS Secretary
AP Video: Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination for secretary of health and human services amid a tax problem. (Feb. 3)
Iraq's Shocking Human Toll: About 1M Killed, 5M Orphans
Now that Bush is gone, perhaps we can honestly face the damage we have wrought and the responsibilities we must accept from it. We are now able to estimate the number of Iraqis who have died in the war instigated by the Bush administration. Looking at the empirical evidence of Bush's war legacy will put his claims of victory in perspective.
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Marijuana charges against Obama's half-brother dropped
All charges against George Obama, half-brother to U.S. President Barack Obama, have been dropped after his arrest in a drug raid, according to police in Kenya.
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Man killed by 'exploding mobile phone'
A man has died after his cellphone exploded, severing a major artery in his neck, according to reports.
read more | digg story
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US Army Suicide Rate Reaches Record High
The U.S. Army said the number of soldiers who committed suicide last year has increased for a fourth straight year. This is the first time since the Vietnam War that the rate of suicide in the Army, about 20 deaths per 100,000 soldiers, has surpassed the civilian suicide rate. As the suicide rates increase what's being done to address the problem?
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Iran says it sent own satellite into orbit - Yahoo! News
Iran has successfully sent its first domestically made satellite into orbit, the country's president announced Tuesday, claiming a significant step in an ambitious space program that has worried many international observers. News, Headlines and Latest Stories on Yahoo! News
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Michael Phelps Should Not Apologize for Smoking Pot
Plastered all over the internet right now is a photo of Michael Phelps smoking marijuana out of a bong. Phelps struck another blow to the myth that marijuana smokers are lazy couch potatoes. Here is the guy who has won more gold medals than anyone in history, and obviously his health and accomplishments are not hindered by smoking some pot.
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Daschle withdraws as nominee for HHS secretary
Due to tax problems, Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to be Health and Human Services secretary. The question is who will replace him?
read more | digg story
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HHS Nominee Daschle Faces Tax Questions
ABC News has learned that the nomination of former Senator Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., to be President Obama's Secretary of Health and Human Services has hit a traffic snarl on its way through the Senate Finance Committee. The controversy deals with a car and driver lent to Daschle by a wealthy Democratic friend...
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Zennie Abraham Posts 500th YouTube Video Today: Obama Video is #500
Wow, I never thought it possible, but I posted 500 YouTube Videos at Zennie62 on YouTube, the latest one being today, or really it was after midnight, which makes it early in the morning. It was my video on what the Obama Inauguration meant to me. This one:
Now, the chase is to get to 600 videos! Then 1,000! But seriously, I'm going to embark on a strategy of segmenting the channels into "Playlist shows" with different titles so the whole of the offerings is accessible. Keep watching!
Now, the chase is to get to 600 videos! Then 1,000! But seriously, I'm going to embark on a strategy of segmenting the channels into "Playlist shows" with different titles so the whole of the offerings is accessible. Keep watching!
Obama Inauguration: What The Inauguration Meant To Me
In this video I share what the day of the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of The United States means to me, set to music - a piece called "ritual".
Monday, February 02, 2009
Eric Holder Officially Confirmed As Attorney General, 75 to 21
According to Wolf Blitzer on the CNN Situation Room, Eric Holder was just officially confirmed as U.S. Attorney General by the Senate, 75 for to 21 against. Holder becomes the first African American AG.
BART Shooting: Nancy Nadel On Police and People of Color
I talked with Oakland District 3 Councilmember Nancy Nadel at the BART Shooting Community meeting held January 8th 2009. Here, Nadel expresses her concern about the use of police "deadly force" on people of color.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Zennie Abraham's No-Do-Over-Day: Jerry Brown The Super Bowl and The Email
The iReport team at CNN wants to know what my do-over-day would be. Well, the one I was thinking of, when I -- as Chairman -- wrote an email to the board of the Oakland Super Bowl Bidding Committee. It's a day that really I don't want a do-over because it helped me in a lot of ways.
MICHAEL PHELPS SMOKES POT FROM A BONG!
Ok, so he smoked pot from a bong. Frankly, I'd be surprised if he didn't do it. But let's see how this plays out.
"G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" Superbowl Spot
I have to admit I don't remember G.I. Joe doing all of this stuff, but whatever. It was a cool trailer -- not the best one but cool.
Pittsburgh 27, Arizona 23: President Obama's Prediction Comes True
This ESPN summary says it all . It was the most exciting Super Bowl I've ever seen and it seems America agrees with me. Congratulations to the Champion Pittsburgh Steelers for winning their sixth Super Bowl ring. It also keeps President Obama's prediction of who will win safe, because he picked the Steelers, who helped him campaign in Pennsylvania and win that state.
And while the MVP went to Santonio Holmes, part of it should be share with Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arens, who created the plays that isolated Holmes and put him in position to make the plays he made. Here's ESPN's take:
TAMPA, Fla. -- Do you believe in miracles?
The longest play in Super Bowl history -- a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown by Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison -- was overshadowed by a breathtaking, helter-skelter second half of what may have been the most exciting Super Bowl ever.
Just when it looked like the Arizona Cardinals had authored the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history -- scoring 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter -- the Steelers answered with a monstrous, improbable drive. Ben Roethlisberger's 6-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes with 35 seconds left gave Pittsburgh a soaring 27-23 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday night at Raymond James Stadium.
When Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley knocked the ball loose from Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner and Brett Keisel recovered with seven seconds left, it was over.
From end to end, this one was even better than last year's crazy Giants victory over the undefeated New England Patriots.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sarah Palin attends Alfalfa Club Dinner - Video
Even though the Alfalfa Club Dinner was reportedly closed to the media, someone forgot to tell this New Media maven, who posted this video at a YouTube channel called nxrisetaker2003 but which is really about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, shown walking into the event in this video. It's reported that Palin attended the Alfalfa Club Dinner specifically because President Barack Obama was there.
I don't yet know if Palin managed to talk with Obama. directly, but stay tuned.
As for Palin's new political action committee, it has a new website called Sarahpac.com, and has this message:
Dedicated to building America's future, supporting fresh ideas and candidates who share our vision for reform and innovation.
SarahPAC believes America's best days are ahead. Our country, founded on conservative principles and the fight for freedom, must confront the challenges of the 21st century with integrity, innovation, and determination.
SarahPAC believes energy independence is a cornerstone of the economic security and progress that every American family wants and deserves.
SarahPAC believes the Republican Party is at the threshold of an historic renaissance that will build a better future for all. Health care, education, and reform of government are among our key goals. Join us today!
But other than that message and a page to donate, there's a bio about Palin, and that's it. If one's going to give money to a PAC, the website has to be more substantial than this. Take MoveOn.org as an example. That site has pages explaining its current campaigns. You know where your money is going. With SarahPac, the only person that seems to collect money is...Sarah Palin.
Maybe that's the idea.
Ashton Kutcher's Cell Phone Video Rant Good For Property Values
Ashton Kutcher's Cell Phone Video Rant was Good For Property Values -- for the perso next door to him!
Ashton Kutcher's Cell Phone Video Rant Good For Property Values
Ashton Kutcher's Cell Phone Video Rant was Good For Property Values -- for the perso next door to him!
Mayor Dellums: Dan Lindheim and Walter Cohen Not Best For Oakland
On Thursday, Mayor Ron Dellums appointed five new staffers. Of them I don't think Dan Lindheim, the new Chief Administrative Officer or Walter Cohen, the new Community and Economic Development Director are the best choices for Oakland
Michael Steele Is The New RNC Chairman - First Black Person To Have Role
Michael Steele Is The New RNC Chairman - First Black Person To Have the Role.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Jet Li joins the Davos Debates
Jet Li, the famous martial arts movie star, takes time to share the idea that it's people and the hear who matter more than money. He's right. Our first responsibility is to each other.
Kofi Annan on The Need For Understanding In The Global Economic Crisis
Former UN head Kofi Annan is sorely missed and this speech is one reason why. Here's Kofi Annan his the nail on the head when he says that people see trillions going to big companies and rich people and lose confidence in Government. He talks about the global economic crisis at the Davos Forum with clarity and with care.
Mayor Bloomberg paints grim economic picture for New York City 2009 budget
More at NY Daily News: “Mayor Bloomberg's bad-news budget tries to plug a $4 billion hole with less than $2 billion worth of spending cuts and new sales taxes - and counts on unions, Albany and the federal govermment to come up with the rest.
He proposed a $43.4 billion budget Friday for the fiscal year starting July 1, up $123 million from the year before - one that slices deep into the pockets of city residents and the ranks of city workers.
"Are we going to go through some difficult times? I don't think there's any question about that. But we have a plan to balance our budget," Bloomberg said. "It is serious, but I think it is manageable."”
He proposed a $43.4 billion budget Friday for the fiscal year starting July 1, up $123 million from the year before - one that slices deep into the pockets of city residents and the ranks of city workers.
"Are we going to go through some difficult times? I don't think there's any question about that. But we have a plan to balance our budget," Bloomberg said. "It is serious, but I think it is manageable."”
MADAM OF EMPEROR'S CLUB VIP SENTENCED TO 6 MONTHS IN JAIL - New York Post
More at New York Post: “She was the property of her overbearing partner, and the madam who helped run the prostitution ring that brought down Gov. Eliot Spitzer has the tattoo to prove it.
Cecil "Katie" Suwal was sentenced yesterday to six months in jail for her role in operating the Emperors Club VIP that serviced the notorious "Client 9," but not before her lawyer said she was controlled by her Svengali-like boss who branded her in the most humiliating of places.
"Her strategically placed tattoo eliminated any doubt," said her lawyer, Alberto Ebanks, as he made quote marks in the air. "Property of Mark Brener."”
Cecil "Katie" Suwal was sentenced yesterday to six months in jail for her role in operating the Emperors Club VIP that serviced the notorious "Client 9," but not before her lawyer said she was controlled by her Svengali-like boss who branded her in the most humiliating of places.
"Her strategically placed tattoo eliminated any doubt," said her lawyer, Alberto Ebanks, as he made quote marks in the air. "Property of Mark Brener."”
Michael Steele Is The New Chairman Of The Republican Party
Who is Michael Steele?
Steele was Liutenant Governor of the State of Maryland from 2003 to 2007. Steele's also well-known as a regular contributor to several political news programs. And Steele ran for several offices, most notably for Senator of Maryland where he reportedly bussed in homeless people to distribute information flyers. Steele lost that race to Ben Cardin.
Steele has been a Republican since he was a small boy, and he's received backing from such conservatives as Karl Rove and former-VP Dick Cheney.
Steele has an uphill battle in repairing the Republican Party, but he's been able to destroy the idea that the RNC was the "White Southern" party just by his election. In my view his election actually makes the party more attractive to Women, who not only were his greatest supporters but who share the same "outsider" status in the RNC.
I think now the Republican Party has a split between the moderates, led by Steele and the wingnuts, led by Rush Limbaugh. It's going to be an interesting year.
Obama Security Poor, Alarms Some VIP Donors - washingtonpost.com
More at washingtonpost.com: “Downtown Washington resembled a militarized zone last week for the inauguration of President Barack Obama, but some major contributors who had direct contact with Obama said they were surprised to find what they viewed as porous security surrounding the president-elect and vice president-elect.”
-- This is an outrage, to say the least! For someone as important and as targeted by White Supremacist and some Black Nationalist groups and persons as Barack Obama to be the focus of poor security efforts is a scandal that should lead to someone's firing before its too late.
-- This is an outrage, to say the least! For someone as important and as targeted by White Supremacist and some Black Nationalist groups and persons as Barack Obama to be the focus of poor security efforts is a scandal that should lead to someone's firing before its too late.
Super Bowl Party: Playboy Party At American Airlines Arena
I'm not in Tampa, but the 2010 Super Bowl is in -- drumroll -- Miami! That's what I'm looking forward to.
And besides, there's no Playboy Super Bowl Party this year. RATS! The reasons they give are well...
""While we are huge fans of Super Bowl weekend and are participating in the DirecTV Celebrity Beach Bowl event, we will not be hosting a separate party in Tampa,"
But I'll bet they'll be back in Miami and Zennie62 will be there!
SF Bayview Hunter's Point CAC/PAC Lennar Community Meeting
This is a video of the meeting held Wednesday night and regarding the Urban Design plan for the proposed Bayview Hunter's point Lennar development which would include a stadium for the San Francisco 49ers.
The video captures the anger that community members had over the process, expressing a desire to see the committee just approve the plan and build the project, but making sure the site is cleaned up and jobs are provided for them,
It's the second video on this community process and includes the roll call vote. You can hear who voted and how they voted.
SF Bayview Hunter's Point CAC/PAC Lennar Community Meeting
This is a video of the meeting held Wednesday night and regarding the Urban Design plan for the proposed Bayview Hunter's point Lennar development which would include a stadium for the San Francisco 49ers.
The video captures the anger that community members had over the process, expressing a desire to see the committee just approve the plan and build the project, but making sure the site is cleaned up and jobs are provided for them,
It's the second video on this community process and includes the roll call vote. You can hear who voted and how they voted.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Obama Inauguration - Zennie Gets Home In First Class
After being stuck in Dulles for about three days after the Obama Inauguration I finally got out -- to Chicago. But then stayed overnight and then got a nice treat on the way back to the SF Bay Area.
Obama White House Unbuttons Formal Dress Code
More at NYTimes.com: “WASHINGTON — The capital flew into a bit of a tizzy when, on his first full day in the White House, President Obama was photographed in the Oval Office without his suit jacket. There was, however, a logical explanation: Mr. Obama, who hates the cold, had cranked up the thermostat.
“He’s from Hawaii, O.K.?” said Mr. Obama’s senior adviser, David Axelrod, who occupies the small but strategically located office next door to his boss. “He likes it warm. You could grow orchids in there.”
-- When I first saw this, I thought they were referring to the shirt open at the neck, but to me, this is still formal. It's not business casual.
“He’s from Hawaii, O.K.?” said Mr. Obama’s senior adviser, David Axelrod, who occupies the small but strategically located office next door to his boss. “He likes it warm. You could grow orchids in there.”
-- When I first saw this, I thought they were referring to the shirt open at the neck, but to me, this is still formal. It's not business casual.
House Passes Obama Economic Stimulus Package 244 - 188
More at washingtonpost.com: “The House approved an $819 billion stimulus package on a near party-line vote yesterday, a plan breathtaking in size and scope that President Obama hopes to make the cornerstone of his efforts to resuscitate the staggering economy.
Obama engaged in an all-out lobbying push for the bill, which is among the most expensive pieces of legislation ever to move through Congress, and marked a big victory for his presidency a little more than a week into his term. He will now turn his attention to the Senate, where Democrats are scheduled to begin debate on the measure on Monday and the price tag is likely to reach $900 billion.”
-- I still think it's not enough. We're looking at a spending need of almost 4 trillion to get ourselves on the right economic track.
Obama engaged in an all-out lobbying push for the bill, which is among the most expensive pieces of legislation ever to move through Congress, and marked a big victory for his presidency a little more than a week into his term. He will now turn his attention to the Senate, where Democrats are scheduled to begin debate on the measure on Monday and the price tag is likely to reach $900 billion.”
-- I still think it's not enough. We're looking at a spending need of almost 4 trillion to get ourselves on the right economic track.
Black Juan Williams On Fox News Seen as "Black Basher" By Many - AlterNet
More at AlterNet: “"… The matter is that, when Bill O'Reilly gets Juan Williams, the eternal happy Negro, on his show to congratulate him on his racism, that's like Hugh Hefner getting a stripper to come on the show and tell him that he's not a sexist.” --Syracuse University Professor”
-- And he does it for money, which means in his case we do not know how he feels, but that he can't be trusted.
-- And he does it for money, which means in his case we do not know how he feels, but that he can't be trusted.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Left In The Cold: The 2009 Inaugural Youth Ball
This is a great video explaining how this band of ticket holders never got in to this ball and affirming why I didn't care that I didn't go to the Youth Ball in the first place.
Bowoto v. Chevron Is Back In Court Feb 6th 2009
Bowoto v. Chevron Is Back In U.S. 9th District Court, Northern California, San Francisco, Feb 6th 2009 and for the purpose of the plaintiffs explaining why a new trial is needed.
The plaintiffs (Bowoto) believe that the core idea that claims Chevron acted in violation of the Alien Tort Act was not understood by the jury, but given the nature of the incident -- tresspassing by Bowoto -- it's hard for me to see how they can make that claim.
Mireya Grisales high-fives Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons
All I can say is who's Mireya Grisales? She's a super hot reporter for Telemundo who's wowing them in Tampa. Wish I were there --- sort of.
Kurt Warner: Arizona Cardinals QB At Super Bowl Media Day
This is a great pict of Arizona Cardinals QB holding court at NFL Media Day. I'm not there as I didn't plan to go to Tampa last year. Still, I miss the parties but I don't miss not being able to get into some of them and the weird behavior of some people just because they're there.
Heck, I've been to six Super Bowls.
Super Bowl T-Shirts Boxes
Just in time for Super Bowl XLIII, shirts! But I've never seen so many and in their boxes.
Obama Pick Eric Holder’s AG Nomination Approved, GOP Caves In: 17 to 2
Judiciary Panel Approves Holder’s Nomination - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com: “The Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday overwhelmingly approved, and sent to the full Senate, the nomination of Eric Holder Jr. to be the nation’s 82nd attorney general.
The committee vote was 17 to 2, with most Republicans supporting the nomination of Mr. Holder to head the Department of Justice. The two Republicans who opposed the nomination were Senator John Cornyn of Texas and Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.”
- YEAH! Now, Eric Holder and Tony West as Assistant AG for Civil Rights can get to work on making sure human rights laws are followed in America. Meanwhile the GOP has been swooned by Obama. I know their constituents are saying "Give Obama a chance" otherwise they would not have voted so overwhelmingly for Holder.
The committee vote was 17 to 2, with most Republicans supporting the nomination of Mr. Holder to head the Department of Justice. The two Republicans who opposed the nomination were Senator John Cornyn of Texas and Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.”
- YEAH! Now, Eric Holder and Tony West as Assistant AG for Civil Rights can get to work on making sure human rights laws are followed in America. Meanwhile the GOP has been swooned by Obama. I know their constituents are saying "Give Obama a chance" otherwise they would not have voted so overwhelmingly for Holder.
Some Democrats Among Stimulus Skeptics - Why?
More at washingtonpost.com: “President Obama, who promoted the $825 billion package at the Capitol yesterday, says the proposal serves two functions -- creating jobs and stimulating the economy in the short term, and laying the groundwork for overhauls in energy, health care and infrastructure that would be felt for decades. But some administration supporters say that while they appreciate Obama's intent, the two goals are competing with each other, and that the package could end up missing both targets.
In testimony before the House Budget Committee yesterday, Alice M. Rivlin, who was President Bill Clinton's budget director, suggested splitting the plan, implementing its immediate stimulus components now and taking more time to plan the longer-term transformative spending to make sure it is done right.”
-- What I don't get is why some Dems are waisting time in doing something to solve this problem. It's almost as if some officials are afraid to 1) take action because it 2) may work, making Obama 3) even more popular. I don't think it's just the GOP who has jealously regarding President Obama. Meanwhile the economy continues to tank.
In testimony before the House Budget Committee yesterday, Alice M. Rivlin, who was President Bill Clinton's budget director, suggested splitting the plan, implementing its immediate stimulus components now and taking more time to plan the longer-term transformative spending to make sure it is done right.”
-- What I don't get is why some Dems are waisting time in doing something to solve this problem. It's almost as if some officials are afraid to 1) take action because it 2) may work, making Obama 3) even more popular. I don't think it's just the GOP who has jealously regarding President Obama. Meanwhile the economy continues to tank.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
ABC News: High-Flying Citigroup Grounds Plans for $50M Jet
More at ABC: “The high-flying execs at Citigroup caved under pressure from President Obama and decided today to abandon plans for a luxurious new $50 million corporate jet from France.
The bank used TARP funds to purchase a new corporate jet for executives.
The decision came 24 hours after the banking giant, which was rescued by a $45 billion taxpayer lifeline, defended buying the state-of-the-art Dassault Falcon 7X -- one of nine to be flying in U.S. skies -- as a smart business deal.
The jet, the epitome of corporate prestige and privilege, can carry 12 passengers in elegant comfort.
ABC News has learned that on Monday officials of the Obama administration called Citigroup about the company's new $50 million corporate jet and told execs to "fix it."”
-- Thank God for Obama! That $50 million could be used for a plan to extend emergency credit to small businesses in selected cities. Wow, the desire to waste money among those who have it. Fortunately, we have a President who's putting a stop to this.
The bank used TARP funds to purchase a new corporate jet for executives.
The decision came 24 hours after the banking giant, which was rescued by a $45 billion taxpayer lifeline, defended buying the state-of-the-art Dassault Falcon 7X -- one of nine to be flying in U.S. skies -- as a smart business deal.
The jet, the epitome of corporate prestige and privilege, can carry 12 passengers in elegant comfort.
ABC News has learned that on Monday officials of the Obama administration called Citigroup about the company's new $50 million corporate jet and told execs to "fix it."”
-- Thank God for Obama! That $50 million could be used for a plan to extend emergency credit to small businesses in selected cities. Wow, the desire to waste money among those who have it. Fortunately, we have a President who's putting a stop to this.
Oakland State of The City Dellums Speech Highlights
Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums gave a great 2009 State of The City Address but it was twice interrupted by Oaklanders concerned about the matter of police brutality in the wake of the murder of Oscar Grant by BART Police Officer Johannes Mehserle two weeks ago. The Mayor responded to them well. Later, I talked with new At-Large Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan and Brother Keith Muhammed on their views of Dellums' speech.
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