Barackface: President of the United States

Showing posts with label President of the United States. Show all posts

Friday, May 15, 2015

Indian Farmers Going Through A Downturn

The land bill, even if passed, will impact a very small part of land held by the farmers in India. But a bad monsoon or an unfavorable global market, neither of which are the doings of the government, can drag the government down, because India is a democracy, and one of the ways voters vent their anger is by voting one way or the other. The farmers of India are going through a downturn right now, and the land bill has become the punchbag for it.

For Modi's year-old government, storm brewing in rural India

From the start of the crop season last October through March, India's farm exports have fallen more than 11 percent to $15 billion, as the impact of the global commodities glut has been sharpened by events like Iran's nuclear talks and a currency dip in Brazil......... The fall in exports has depressed domestic farmgate prices just as unseasonal rain damaged winter crops such as wheat, potato, chickpea and rapeseed. Farmers have little money now to buy seeds for the summer sowing, and meteorologists have predicted the annual June-October monsoon will be below par, which means the next crop may also fail. ..... some of the events that have led to the crisis are beyond the government's control....... Until last year, for example, Iran paid a premium for Indian sugar, soymeal, barley and basmati rice. Now, with the easing of some Western sanctions, Iran is looking to buy elsewhere........ Cotton exports have been hit by China's decision to abandon a stockpiling plan, while non-basmati rice shipments face headwinds after Thailand decided to run down its stockpiles....... On the other side of the world, a decline in the Brazilian real following a scandal at oil giant Petrobras last year has weighed on sugar prices, making Indian exports uncompetitive......... Meanwhile, the fall in global crude oil prices has depressed prices of grains and oilseeds used for biofuels. It also trimmed freight rates, making imports of commodities such as corn and soymeal from South America cheaper for Asian buyers........ A strong rupee - despite a fall last week - has further made India's farm exports uncompetitive and imports cheaper......... A major commodities trader has said the decline in agricultural exports could be as much as $5 billion, or nearly 20 percent, for the crop year to September, which would be the steepest on record....... In the villages, farmers struggle to understand why they are earning less. "How come prices of all crops are going down?" asked Anil Sathe, a farmer in Kamargaon who said he has had to start working as a part-time labourer to make ends meet........

Farming accounts for only 15 percent of India's $2 trillion economy but provides a livelihood to 60 percent of its 1.25 billion people. A crisis in the countryside would have severe political impact.

India's powerful farming lobby turns on Modi

Farmer Tarachand Mathur was one of millions of Indians who voted Narendra Modi into power last year, but the government's push to make it easier for big business to forcibly acquire land means he won't be backing the premier again. .... "The rain gods don't hear us and Modi has also turned deaf to our cries.".... "We thought Modi's government would address our problems, that is why we voted for him. But look what he is doing. We will not back him again," said the 70-year-old as he smoked a hookah pipe.

Rahul Gandhi asks ‘visiting’ PM to meet farmers

"Our PM is on a tour of India right now. He has come here for some days. ..... The insinuation that Modi was jet-setting around the globe while farmers were committing suicides forms part of Rahul's now-familiar attacks at the PM in his post-sabbatical avatar.

Land bill: I live for the poor, says PM Modi

Talking in the context of the government's affordable housing scheme and that land acquired under the new law would benefit the poor, Modi asked, "Who is going to live in them? Are industrialists going to stay there... will Mukesh Ambani live there?" ...... "the US President (Barack Obama) as also the head of the World Bank and IMF all accept that India is the fastest growing economy of the world".

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Barack Obama Africa Foundation

English: Barack Obama delivers a speech at the University of Southern California (Video of the speech) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have no advice for how Hillary should run for president, but I do have advice on how Barack Obama could retire. I think he should launch, wait. There was speculation somewhere that he could become Supreme Court Justice. I don't believe that rumor. There was a similar rumor in Bill Clinton's final year in office. So I don't believe. But I would like to believe. I think Barack Obama becoming Supreme Court Justice would be awesome, for the black community. The constant reminder that this dude was in the White House might impact an entire generation. Heck, he might even become Chief Justice some day.

But he should do what would make him happy. And, perhaps, just like Billie Clinton, Barack Obama is a little too kinetic to sit on the Supreme Court.

My advice is, he should launch a Barack Obama Africa Foundation. Africa is the last continent. There is still so much political chaos on that continent. Much of the poverty and disease emanates from that chaos. As a former POTUS he might have both the stature and the distance to be able to bring people together. The foundation would be dedicated to (1) a total spread of democracy on the continent through peaceful means, (2) strengthening of democracies, (3) rooting out corruption, (4) attracting large scale FDI into the emerging economies, and to (5) eventually bring about an economic union of the continent.

That is my advice for Barack Obama.

I said very early on, the best thing Barack Obama can do as president for the black people, is to do the very best he can do as president. Just do your job. Now I am saying, in retirement he should perhaps consider giving himself fully to the continent of Africa.

Monday, May 11, 2015

The R Word

Blackmon’s book describes what he calls the “Age of Neoslavery,” in which newly freed slaves found themselves entangled in a legal system built upon involuntary servitude — which included the selling of black men convicted of crimes like vagrancy and changing employers without receiving permission........ “The constitutional amendments that were supposed to free African-American slaves did something for about 10 years, then there was a North-South compact that granted the former the slave-owning states the right to do whatever they wanted,” he explained. “And what they did was criminalize black life, and that created a kind of slave force. It threw mostly black males into jail, where they became a perfect labor force, much better than slaves.” ...... “If you’re a slave owner, you have to pay for — you have to keep your ‘capital’ alive. But if the state does it for you, that’s terrific. No strikes, no disobedience, the perfect labor force. A lot of the American Industrial Revolution in the late 19th, early 20th Century was based on that. It pretty must lasted until World War II.” ....... by the 1970s and 1980s it’s going back to the criminalization of black life.” ....... “It’s called the drug war, and it’s a racist war. Ronald Reagan was an extreme racist — though he denied it — but the whole drug war is designed, from policing to eventual release from prison, to make it impossible for black men and, increasingly, women to be part of [American] society.”

Obama shared personal anecdotes about the racist double standard she had encountered as the wife of the nation’s first black president

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Hillary Clinton And The Global Gender Basics

When Hillary Clinton's email "scandal" took over the proverbial airwaves, I chuckled. I had to restrain myself from sending out a blog post missive, Saturday Night Live style, making fun of the fact that no, I don't think Hillary Clinton has sent out 30,000 emails in her lifetime ("Deleter In Chief," one tabloid headline screamed), the number of emails she is "accused" of deleting. I truly don't think Hillary Clinton has written and sent out 30,000 emails in her lifetime. But then when did facts get in the way of fiction in the Clinton "scandals!" Why will they start now?

When the dude Clinton launched his foundation, I feared even his disease trips to Africa might be spun into sex scandals. I am glad it did not happen, at least not to my knowledge. Whereas there are still big chunks of the country that think the Clintons murdered Vince Foster, and "Whitewatergate" (a small, failed land deal in a part of Arkansas, the remotest American state, that was remote even by Arkansas standards) was the Clinton Enron. Some black folks called Bill Clinton the first black president because the criminal justice system failed him so monumentally. How can Ken Starr do so much damage and get away with it! He is still walking around free!

Pretty much every detail of Hillary Clinton's life is out there. And I still do not underestimate the vast right wing conspiracy's (yes, such a thing exists) ability to stay fascinated by The Hillary. Her candidacy and presidency for that reason will stay interesting to even those who routinely err on the side of thinking she is better than she is.

It truly is about gender. And gender is all around you. Your mother, your grandmother, and her mother, your sister, cousin, daughter, friends, colleagues. There are a lot of women, look around, to paraphrase Larry Summers. The thing about sex is that is how you were born, Hillary once chided a young something reporter.

For me personally, Hillary 2016 only gets interesting after she puts a second woman on the ticket. A minority woman would be perfect. If you think gender is awkward, try race plus gender. I do not expect any of her policy positions to surprise me. I don't expect to "stay glued to the screen." I don't expect to follow closely. I read tech news mostly.

But you can not be the first woman to occupy the most powerful office on the planet, political and otherwise, and pretend you only owe it to those who voted for you. As soon as an American president is sworn in, she is no longer just president of those who voted for her, but also of those who might have voted against her. In this case, Hillary is going to belong to women across the world in ways the German Chancellor simply can not. Her having been Secretary of State and traveled the world so very extensively helps me relate to her. I am a Third World Guy. That is who I am for this lifetime.

And just like Barack Obama to me was about 500 years of world history, Hillary to me is about three and a half billion women. She needs a woman running mate because a woman running for and being president should no longer be news, not after her. It should feel normal. We should enter an era where half the time the best candidate on merits just so happens to be some woman.

FDR won a fourth time. Hillary doing two terms will be Barack Obama pulling a FDR. They are comrades.

On issues for me Hillary 2016 is all about Third World women. Nixon went to China, Hillary went to Burma. I was so impressed by what she was able to do for Burma. Especially because I was not even following the developments until the Big Splash showed up in the news. And I grew up practically next door to Burma.

The basics are pretty simple. Slavery should long have been extinct. But it still exists. Sex slavery should be so past tense, but it exists in huge numbers. There are more women sex slaves today than there were black slaves in Abraham Lincoln's time. Poverty is hard knocks, and micofinance is known to work, and Hillary bought into it a long time ago. Gender violence is cut and dry. It is no grey zone. Policing globally has to reorganize itself to bring an end to gender violence. Violence is violence, inside the home, outside the home, does not matter. Women face it both inside and outside.

And if a capable woman who by now knows the government machineries like the back of her hand (I think she will prove why she got better grades than Bill Clinton at Yale) can not put a firm stamp on these issues, then the world will be waiting a long, long time. I think that wait unnecessary.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

2016 Needs Two Women On The Ticket

She is not old news, but I have watched Hillary my entire adult life. I can't get excited about 2016 unless there are two women on the ticket.

Also, Hillary becoming president makes Barack Obama look extra good. It is like, so he beat someone who did go on to become president. Kind of like Kennedy did. Only Nixon and Hillary are night and day. Hillary is progressive sunshine.

Saturday, February 07, 2015

Hillary 2016

That woman deserves her revenge.

Friday, January 02, 2015

A Bush Clinton Race?

It might happen. You might see a Bush-Clinton race in 2016. The two might have famous last names, but both are political figures in their own rights, with proven records all their own. So I guess it's fair game. It is not exactly dynasty politics. Or maybe it is.

But since the two families are so close, 2016 might end up being a decent election. That would be a far cry from the witch hunts pre-Lewinsky. A decent contest would be a good thing, a contest where you think both are good individuals, just with different worldviews.

I was just hoping Hillary would pick a woman for running mate. That is my only ask.

I have been reading George W's book about his father. The book is simply called 41. Democrats never thought W was a man of words. They stand proven right. The book is a great read.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Gonna Find Out The State Of The Union

@paramendra
Paramendra Bhagat Going to find out the state of the union tomorrow. http://t.co/Zu2RP6T1 Riviera Cafe (225 West 4th St.) 7:30 - 11:00 pm
Jan 23 via web Favorite Retweet Reply

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Charlie Bit My Finger

Sunday, May 01, 2011

Why The Donald Asked For Obama's Birth Certificate

The Donald found himself facing the prospect of yet another bankruptcy, but he could not go for a supermodel like he had every other time before, he was already married to one. And so he decided he was going to create a scene for superman, the President Of The United States. The Donald overnight became a Republican and a birther. Jesse Ventura's feelings got hurt.

The president dashed his hopes and dreams. He went ahead and released his birth certificate.

"This is not good, this is not good at all," The Donald said to his aides. "Now this means I just might have to read up a little on foreign policy, otherwise I was hoping to ride the birther issue all the way to a nomination."

Obama: Funny Fun
Donald Ratass Trump, And So, I Was Born In India
Donald Trump: Racist Bitch Motherfucker, Jackass, Punk
I Am Going To Act Like This Is 2007
Donald Jackass Trump

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Looking For Professor Obama

These are turbulent times. But right now it is looking to me like this will not be like 1994, but rather like 1982, if that. The president will keep the Senate, and will keep the House, but he will end up with a thinner margin in the House.

This Is Not 1994
Or Maybe Bill Clinton Is Running On Empty
The Hammer Effect, The Butterfly Effect
Obama Needs To Ride The Reshma Insurgency Wave To November Victory
A President Is Like A Political Billionaire
Credit For Credit Card Bill Goes To Barack Obama
How My Grandfather Became Mayor The First Time
The First Time I Heard The Obama Name
Obama, Reshma
Keeping The House And The Senate

Course deviation will not work.

These are not Clinton or Reagan times. These are FDR times. Parallels with 1994 and 1982 are out of place. America has been going through the birth pangs. Either it will emerge a stronger country than ever, a post-industrial society, a knowledge economy, in tune with the environment, or it will emerge as yesterday's power. We already live in a multi-polar world, but America is capable of having its best days lie ahead. That is where leadership comes in. Shanghai might have the tall buildings, and the shiny streets and the fast trains, but it does not have New York City's diversity. America is going to save itself when it finally does comprehensive immigration reform next year.

America's 13 trillion dollar debt is like the bulging waistlines of Americans. If America can lose weight, American can reign in the debt. The leader has to know and stand by what the right thing to do is. Polls and sometimes even election results don't give you the best message.

I want the president to be able to keep the House and the Senate.

When the American people stop thinking they vote Republican. The trick is to keep them thinking. The president needs to get very active in these final weeks. He has to explain. He has to become the professor again that he once was in Chicago.

The Republicans have not offered any new ideas. Their plank is that they are the party of no. Their message is, this guy Obama wants to take away your French fries. And some Americans are like, I am not sure I like the guy who will take away my French fries. Obama's tough job is to explain why French fries are making you fat. Fat is unhealthy.

Obama was not handed a normal, cyclical recession like Clinton and Reagan were. Obama was handed a generational recession, and that gives him the opportunity to be a transformational president. These bad times are an opportunity for greatness. And these November elections are important. He has to communicate directly with the American people.

Time

How Twitter Helped Resurrect Kanye West:the VMAs incident solidified a long-held suspicion: Kanye West was unlikable. Even President Obama called him a "jackass." .... "redeeming yourself through arrogance is like smoking with cancer" ..... the secret to Kanye's appeal is his ability to balance his egotism with humor, and in his fallow period he rediscovered that equilibrium through Twitter. ..... He drinks wine out of gold goblets and eats cereal out of a turquoise chalice...... He has now written more than 300 tweets, ranging from the insightful ("Don't you hate it when you say bye to someone then yall get on the elevator together and it's like, now what?? Awkwaaard") ...... he mused on Twitter, "Fur pillows are hard to actually sleep on."

How Barack Obama Became Mr. Unpopular:When Obama arrived in office in January '09, his Gallup approval rating stood at 68%, a high for a newly elected leader not seen since John Kennedy in 1961. Today Obama's job approval has been hovering in the mid-40s ..... the President's party teeters on the brink of a broad setback in November, including the possible loss of both houses of Congress...... By a 10-point margin, people say they will vote for Republicans over Democrats in Congress, the largest such gap ever recorded by Gallup ..... Midterms are almost always bad for first-term Presidents, and worse in hard times...... In 2008, Newport notes, trust in the federal government was at a historic low, dropping to around 25%, where it still remains. Yet Obama has offered government as the primary solution to most of the nation's woes ..... roughly 1 in 3 of the President's 2008 supporters had serious questions about government spending solutions for the economy....... "We have a lot of government activism at a time when skepticism of government efficiency is at an all-time high." ....... For someone who so carefully read the political mood as a candidate, Obama has been unexpectedly passive at moments as President...... His appeals to the grass-roots army that he started, through online videos for Organizing for America, took on a formal, emotionless tone. He acted less like an action-oriented President than a Prime Minister overseeing some vast but balky legislative machinery. When challenged about his declining popularity, the President tended to deflect the blame — to the state of the economy, the ferocity of the news cycle and right-wing misinformation campaigns........ By the end of the summer, the disconnect had grown so severe that only 1 in 3 Americans in a Pew poll accurately identified him as a Christian, down from 51% in October 2008. At the same time, the base voters Obama had energized so well in '08 went back into hibernation. ....... many of the same groups Obama turned out for the first time in record numbers had suffered the most from the recession ..... at this point in their presidencies, both Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton scored slightly lower approval ratings than Obama...... at this point in their presidencies, both Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton scored slightly lower approval ratings than Obama. ...... Reagan was facing rising discontent at the midterm, driven by huge unemployment numbers that peaked at 10.8% at year's end. ..... won re-election by an enormous margin. ...... it is clear that Obama's brief window of one-party rule has closed...... "I think the next couple of years, we've got to focus on debt and deficits," Obama told NBC News after his summer vacation

Is Wisconsin's Paul Ryan Too Bold for the GOP?: At a time when most of his Republican colleagues are content to posture as the Party of No, Ryan is virtually alone in his determination to detail exactly what the U.S. must do to cut federal spending and make a dent in the nation's $13 trillion debt. In a very short time, he has become a hero to deficit hawks. Ryan, says former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, is "one of three, maybe four, young Republicans who are going to change the face of the party." ...... In 2006 he wrote legislation that would give the President line-item veto power--a move lawmakers on both sides have long resisted. In 2007 he called for earmark transparency ...... Paul Krugman took a whack at Ryan's plan and declared it as hollow as a piñata. "Mr. Ryan isn't offering fresh food for thought," he wrote in the New York Times. "He's serving up leftovers from the 1990s drenched in flimflam sauce.".... Ryan is the most intellectually serious Republican at the moment ...... "The appetite is much stronger outside the Beltway than inside," he says. "The political class up here is in the old thinking, which is, This is such a political weapon, don't touch it, don't touch it, don't touch it, you'll die. Because they listen to the pollsters." ....... runs a grueling daily exercise class in Washington for members of Congress--think 200 push-ups.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Extrapolations

South façade of the White House, the executive...

Image via WikipediaExtrapolations

At the first community conversation on the Lower East Side I thought Reshma was in a presidential mood. She talked of her campaign that she has been running full speed for over 10 months now. I have told staffers - not jokingly - that she has been running for Congress like she were running for president. And she did talk of a four year term, when a Congressperson has a two year term. That totally went up my alley. I struggle to get excited about the legislative branch. Legislative is like, meh. I need a little more action to my routine than that. Once I was reading a book about the Bush presidency while Bush was in office, and I was gripped, and I remember thinking, I don't seem to care who is president as long as someone is, and I get to read up on the details.

Extrapolations To Reshma 2016

But at the second community conversation on the Upper East Side, she was more of in a legislative mood. She hinted at going from the House to the Senate and off to retirement to go build "schools for young girls in Afghanistan." She mentioned Dianne Feinstein and Chuck Schumer in the same sentence. I think that is a hint at a state with two female Senators. If I were Schumer I'd get worried or I'd convince her to look in the direction of the White House instead, if she needs any convincing that is.

Community Conversation: Upper East Side
Reshma's Lower East Side Community Conversation

Thank God Reshma has not hinted at the judiciary. That is even less action than the legislative. Judiciary is not action, it is deliberation. I like to leave that to the judges. I am glad they are there, but I am glad I am not one of them. Respect.

Two Routes

One is to win in 2010, become Obama's running mate in 2012, and run for the top job in 2016. Another is to lose in 2010, run again and win in 2012, and then run for the top job in 2016. The first route is a surer path to a 2016 win, the second route is a surer path perhaps to a two term presidency.

My preference is for the first path. I am looking at a 2010 victory. I think we stand at 50-50 right now. We got enough time to tilt this thing. I think about a week before the election, the East Side is going electric, and then we should be able to totally swamp Maloney.

The thing is this. 2016 is to be the year of the first woman president. And it is for Reshma to make sure she is that woman. I think she is the best positioned. I mean, when was the last time a New Yorker went to the White House? FDR was the last one. And Albany has been in a flunk since. The best way to "reform" Albany is to send a New Yorker to the White House. What Albany has is a self esteem problem.

Power Shoe
Dress Code
Reshma Is Bigger Than Hillary
How My Grandfather Became Mayor The First Time
An Empire State Of Mind: The Final Countdown

In The News

New York Magazine: Maloney: Saujani Is Using ‘Karl Rove’ Tactics:Saujani says that her fellow Upper East Side Democrat has "questionable ethics" when it comes to fund-raising, and that "Maloney ranks at the bottom of our New York delegation, and I’m saying that on the record. And I think Carolyn Maloney represents the problem. We have in Congress, I think, a lot of mediocre representatives.”

The Villager: Campaign Wedge Issue?: The reporter, it seems, was simply blown away by Saujani’s cool-looking black patent leather Kate Spades, with 3-inch wedge heels — which resulted in her writing 24 column inches all about them..... Community Media’s editorial board met with Saujani for an endorsement interview on Tuesday, and, of course, we naturally had to check if she was wearing the Kate Spade wedges. She wasn’t, and in fact, says she’s NEVER going to wear them again after the Times article. She said she was really disappointed by the Times story — especially after having spoken to the reporter at length on policy issues. “She spent four hours with me — and she wrote about my shoes!” Saujani said incredulously.... The 14th District includes Stuyvesant Town, runs down the middle of the East Village and includes a swath of the Lower East Side. Saujani lives in the East Village, where she is a huge fan of Native Bean cafe on Avenue A.

The Buzz Log: Power Shoes Turn Heads On The Web:Forget about the power suit. For a bunch of young politicos, it's all about the power shoe. When Reshma Saujani, a candidate running in the New York Democratic primary, admitted to wearing a Kate Spade wedge to pound the pavement, the news inspired a stampede of searches. The three-inch, round-toe, black-patent wedge called the "Halle," has become the "it" shoe for a circle of female political types, according to a story in the New York Times. Word of the must-have item caused a run on the shoes on Yahoo!: One-day lookups for "kate spade halle" spiked 625%. Shoe lovers voted with their feet with searches on "Kate spade wedges," "kate spade wedge shoes," and "kate spade halle wedge."

Roosevelt Islander: Newcomer Reshma Saujani Challenges Incumbent Carolyn Maloney For Roosevelt Island Congressional Seat - Meet Ms Saujani At Town Hall Sunday August 29:Roosevelt Island's longtime representative in Congress, Carolyn Maloney of the 14th Congressional District, is facing a strong challenge from relative newcomer Reshma Saujami, a lawyer.... Ms. Saujani will be visiting Roosevelt Island this Sunday.

Brief Wit: Carolyn, No.: It’s taken some two months of bickering (and felt like six) but Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney has finally agreed to debate challenger Reshma Saujani a week before the September 14th primary for New York’s 14th District. Thanks to Celeste Katz at the Daily News for being beyond patient in continuing to cover this topic. This is terrific news, the East Side of Manhattan and Queens will have its first debate in eons. File into the auditorium, dim the lights, dab on some makeup, and let the cameras roll. I hope Gabe Pressman comes out of the woodwork for this one! Wait–what’s that you say? The debate’s not going to be on TV? Why not? Can I even go see it in person, Lincoln/Douglas style? No!? Then, where is it? And how will we know who is wearing the infamous Kate Spade wedge? It’s on the radio? What’s that, some doohickey that emits live podcasts? Sounds experimental..... Huh? It’s on in the middle of the afternoon on a Tuesday? But who can listen to it then? .... Oh, I think I cracked the code on that one, along with anyone else who spent a second considering it: she’s afraid she has a face made for radio.....Reshma, who has probably crossed the East River campaigning more times than the Roosevelt Island Tram...... Maybe Team Maloney is trying to pay homage to the 50th anniversary of the Nixon/Kennedy debates or something? ...... Being good in-person is important to being good in Congress. .... having to debate at all opens up the possbility of a Maloney gaffe ..... It’s hard to say where this race is right now with a lack of recent polling. Reshma probably has the momentum, but how far up the hill will it push her? I’ve seen more Reshma placards pasted around restaurants and bodegas in my neighborhood than I expected...... A smuggled-in cell phone camera wouldn’t hurt either.

Fair: NYT Piece On Candidate's Shoes Is Irrelevant, Trivial And Sexist--According To Its Author:This might be the first time that a reporter has attempted to justify covering a non-newsworthy topic on the grounds that it is not particularly newsworthy.

Capital Tonight: Here And Now

Monday, August 23, 2010

Political Office, Political Essence

Image via WikipediaJimmy Carter was President Of The United States. Bill Clinton was a first term Governor of a small state occupied by "four men and a dog." Their political offices did not even compare. But even then Jimmy Carter was able to see Bill Clinton was a bigger deal than him. Jimmy Carter's political office was bigger, but Bill Clinton's political essence was bigger, and Carter could sense that already. And so he did the natural thing to do, he shit on Clinton. He unleashed a whole bunch of Cuban refugees on Arkansas costing Bill Clinton reelection. Bill Clinton was Jimmy Carter's chosen one. Carter wanted Clinton to feel the pain of an electoral loss. It is not much fun being a one term president. You are not even considered for greatness by historians if you are a one termer.

It can be argued Jimmy Carter was Bill Clinton's Charlie Rangel. (Charlie Rangel: Motherfucker)

Barack Obama has surpassed Bill Clinton in the greatness department. Barack has been wading FDR waters since the passage of health care reform.

My Progressive Political Religion
Positivity, Excellence, Dark Matter

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

A More Active 2010

WASHINGTON - MAY 02: Louisana Governor Bobby ...

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

2009 has been my year for Netizen. That has been my active blog this year. But one of the things I want to do going into 2010 is jack up my activities with my other two blogs Barackface (this blog) and Democracy For Nepal. Part of the reason is I wish to seriously consider blogging (Twitter included) as my secondary career. Tech entrepreneurship my primary career, blogging my secondary career (John Chow), and politics my baseball. And I would like to monetize all three blogs.

I wish to follow the Obama presidency more closely in 2010 than I have in 2009. I think the office of the US presidency fascinates me. It is the ultimate executive office. But I also find myself wanting to follow Bobby Jindal and John Liu in the news. It is so easy to do with Google News. I guess there is an element of Blac (Black Latino Asian Coalition) Male identification in there. So be it.

Image via Wikipedia

Netizen will continue to be my primary and most active blog. That is my primary passion. JyotiConnect Inc. distills it for me. My fascination with politics and technology, my impatience with the legislative process, my wanting to find that one big cause for the Global South, all that come together in wanting to get more of the planet's people online. It is a my people thing.

I hope to put out one or two blog posts each week here at Barackface.

And I am so excited I will be there for John Liu's inauguration on January 1.

John Liu Inauguration January 1: I Am Invited

Monday, July 27, 2009

Off To Get Some Political Juice

Image by tsevis via Flickr

Going To A Political Event

This headline would have sounded oddly odd last year. But this year it sounds just right. So far I have managed to stay away from political events. Even last year my complete digitality meant I would largely pass through people's fingers. People would have a hard time pinning me down. He has a blog. Does he want to be on the media committee? No? He shows up for every event everywhere. Does he want to be on the insider conference call? No? Weird. He knows all the top Obama volunteers in all four boroughs - the five families - but what is his title? No title?

I was only interested in showing up for events - event planning not being my cup of tea - and getting my word out on the big picture. My presence was utterly local, I never stepped outside the city boundaries as an Obama volunteer, but my focus always was national.

Long Walk To Freedom: Just A Third World Guy Dazzled By The City April 2007
Long Walk To Freedom May 2007
Barack Has To Talk Much About His Mother
Barack's Mother Makes An Appearance
Give Me A Huge Rally In This City Before Summer Is Over September 2007
The Largest Rally In US Presidential Campaign History September 2007

But that was last year. Our guy is in office. We won. We are the new regime. It is befitting that we do the big political events in town. We are running for reelection in a few short years. Got to keep the networks alive and humming.

I might have been absent from the active political scene in the city so far this year, but I have not become non-political. Anything but. I have become a single issue politician. I am a Third World Guy. Internet access is the voting right for this 21st century. So help me God.

Iran

Iran is of interest to me this year like Obama was of interest to me last year. It will break my heart to see this revolution also go to waste. I feel like I could contribute, since we did this in Nepal in 2006 and again in 2007. It can be done. The President of the United States might have boundaries and limitations, as might the US Congress. But we the netroots face no limitations. We can do all we can imagine. The basics of a revolution like in Iran are not that different from that of a US presidential election.

Money
Message
Organization

The goal has to be to overthrow the theocracy, to establish a democracy, and to seek a domino effect to topple dictator after dictator after dictator across the Arab world.

Rangel

I don't give a flying fuck about Charlie Rangel. I never did. I could smell Charlie Rangel's mediocrity from 10,000 miles away. It is so much easier to smell that mediocrity from less than 10 miles away. That little pumpkin motherfucker, that little hippopotamus motherfucker. Okay, we got both the plant kingdom and the animal kingdom covered. Now we can let go of old man Rangel.

Now you know I don't like a-l-l black politicians. Barack is special.

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Friday, May 15, 2015

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