President-elect Obama's Weekly Address Dec. 24, 2008
By Heather Thursday Dec 25, 2008 4:00pmIn the final weekly address of 2008, President-elect Barack Obama calls for the season of giving to also be a season of common purpose and shared citizenship.
Good morning. This week, Americans are gathering with family and friends across the country to celebrate the blessings of Christmas and the holiday season.
As we celebrate this joyous time of year, our thoughts turn to the brave men and women who serve our country far from home. Their extraordinary and selfless sacrifice is an inspiration to us all, and part of the unbroken line of heroism that has made our freedom and prosperity possible for over two centuries.
Many troops are serving their second, third, or even fourth tour of duty. And we are reminded that they are more than dedicated Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guard – they are devoted fathers and mothers; husbands and wives; sons and daughters; sisters and brothers.
This holiday season, their families celebrate with a joy that is muted knowing that a loved one is absent, and sometimes in danger. In towns and cities across America, there is an empty seat at the dinner table; in distant bases and on ships at sea, our servicemen and women can only wonder at the look on their child’s face as they open a gift back home.
Our troops and military families have won the respect and gratitude of their broader American family. Michelle and I have them in our prayers this Christmas, and we must all continue to offer them our full support in the weeks and months to come.
These are also tough times for many Americans struggling in our sluggish economy. As we count the higher blessings of faith and family, we know that millions of Americans don’t have a job. Many more are struggling to pay the bills or stay in their homes. From students to seniors, the future seems uncertain.
That is why this season of giving should also be a time to renew a sense of common purpose and shared citizenship. Now, more than ever, we must rededicate ourselves to the notion that we share a common destiny as Americans – that I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper. Now, we must all do our part to serve one another; to seek new ideas and new innovation; and to start a new chapter for our great country.
That is the spirit that will guide my Administration in the New Year. If the American people come together and put their shoulder to the wheel of history, then I know that we can put our people back to work and point our country in a new direction. That is how we will see ourselves through this time of crisis, and reach the promise of a brighter day.
After all, that’s what Americans have always done.
232 years ago, when America was newly born as a nation, George Washington and his Army faced impossible odds as they struggled to free themselves from the grip of an empire.
It was Christmas Day – December 25th, 1776 – that they fought through ice and cold to make an improbable crossing of the Delaware River. They caught the enemy off guard, won victories in Trenton and Princeton, and gave new momentum to the beleaguered Army and new hope to the cause of Independence.
Many ages have passed since that first American Christmas. We have crossed many rivers as a people. But the lessons that have carried us through are the same lessons that we celebrate every Christmas season – the same lessons that guide us to this very day: that hope endures, and that a new birth of peace is always possible.
Thank you, and have a wonderful New Year.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOUo3E3VGPM
This says it all Bush has left the building before his term is even up. Americans are in a crisis and we are waiting for a President to lead the recovery. Republicans will have to live with the fact their Party Leaders is a ture loser. This will be part of George W. Bush's legacy. Cheney is also no where to be found as he hiding his stolen money. Thank you Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden for helping Americans when no one else would.
"where's the current president"
I don't know but let him stay where ever he is until Jan 20th. He's done enough damage already.
this psychopath is in power for a few more weeks ... I'm just a tad uneasy.
How about the POS get out on a Seattle or Portland street and shovel snow if he ain't gonna talk at his subjects...
... an elected official - from ANY religious tradition or NO religious tradition - actually call us out, as a nation, with the responsibility of being a keeper to our brothers and sisters.
Would that the superficially Christian denizens of the current administration and the jerks whose support got them into power had taken that message to heart.
I thought Christianity meant more than what they've shown.
Well, here are prayers for Mr. Obama, his family, and all of us - America and the world.
Christianity means more than HE shows. He has chosen to deny (and support others who deny) my right to marry. How is that being a keeper of anything? More, how is that change?
Mr. Obama courted LGBTs, promising change and "fierce" support. Yet, he's openly against my right to marry. He talks of support, but hasn't done a thing. More, he's invited one of Prop 8's biggest supporters to share the stage with him on Day One. DAY ONE.
And before anyone suggests Reverend Lowrey supports gay marriage, he doesn't. He, too, is hiding his ignorance and bigotry behind language, behind the "redefinition" argument.
So, on Day One, we get 3 people who don't support me, on stage, supporting one another. If I wanted conditional support from my President, I'd have voted for my Mother. Obama promises to repeal DADT. Goodie. Now I can fight and die for a country that denies me rights. No thank you. Me, I still believe that all men are created equal.
I had the audacity to hope. And don't get me wrong, I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I'm angry. Angrier than I have ever been. Mr. Obama has lost my support before he even takes the oath.
You write of superficially Christian denizens of the current admin. How are the any different than Obama, who considers his relationship "sacred." What does that say about mine? Or how he FEELS about mine.
Merry Christmas, indeed.
Im bout sick of these anti christian whinning gays. There are many gay "christians", "jews", "muslims" and etc..
MLK was a christian and many of the civil rights leaders were and are of the christian, jewish and islamic faith.
Stop bashing the faith! Bash the people that use faith and religion against others!
I didn't bash the faith.
My entire post "bashes" Obama and the people that use faith and religion against others. Unless you can point to a quote that bashes faith or is even anti-Christian.
So, I'd appreciate an apology for referring to me as an anti-Christian whinning gay. Name-calling isn't terribly Christian.
Mark (St. Pat's Elementary, St. Ignatius High School, Loyola Uniersity of Chicago)
I am more than sick of religious nut jobs using a couple of exceptions to excuse the damage brought forth by the common case that is religious bullshit.
Here is a hint: when you are the ones abusing other people's rights, you don't get to play "victim." Talk about wanting to have it both ways.
So a couple of christian people did a good deed long ago, woopie doo. So what? Plenty of non christian people have done plenty of good deeds. The point is that homosexuals have been proactively denied their civil rights by religious organizations. The fact as I said, that a couple of christian fellers did something right for a change, does not excuse homosexuals from complaining about their civil rights been violated.
I think America needs to hear the other shoe drop and for CheneyCo and its principals to be arrested for charges against humanity, convicted and subject to execution on world television. The US can only begin reclaiming its credibility by bringing these criminal dogs to justice. Dream of Caligutard whimpering, "Pweeze, don't kill me!" before being strapped to a gurney at Huntsville!
wants so much from Obama.
So much.
But he is a politician. He'll do what he thinks he must.
And America will be worse off and poorer.
Yeah. Criticise me. It's OK.
Obama is a pilot on a plane that's lost both engines and is headed downward.
"Obama is a pilot on a plane that's lost both engines and is headed downward."
He's thrown out his gay supporters to lighten the load. Pro-choice women you're next, please step to the back of the plane! Republicans and Christ-o-fascists who didn't support me and will do everything you can to sabotage me, you may stay seated for now. Hopefully when I throw out my base supporters the load will be light enough whereby I can land the plane safely with you all still on board.
Nearly 75% of gays and lesbians voted for Barack Obama. On Day One, he's giving us all the finger. Once again, my communtiy has been used to elevate. And now it's being used to divide.
Change is coming?
You're both exactly right.
And these are the same "white" gays that just loooove Hillary Clinton.
Even she is against gay marriage.
If you think Obama can snap his finger and make changes then you are crazy.
Oh Hillary was most definitely NOT my candidate. I voted for Barack in the primary -- and, was the very first person in line to vote for him on election day at city hall. That is no joke. I took a pic of my ballot voting for Barack, I so wanted to be part of the change.
This has nothing to do with race, so I'm not sure why you're a)assuming mine and b)bringing it up, let alone c)in a negative way.
Rick Warren is white - so, again, I don't get it.
You are so right, when you say Barack can't snap his fingers and make changes. But, he doesn't have to GIVE the finger, let alone on Day 1. And it is his selection that I object to. Rick Warren played a major role in passing Prop 8. His selction,when the wound is so fresh, is especially hurtful.
Here's what I'd like to see: I'd like to see Barack Obama say something like, "While I'm against it personally, I realize that marriage is a right that is afforded to LGBTs, if only under then tenet that, in this country, all men are created equal." I know, I watch WAAAAY too many Frank Capra films -- and this isn't a movie
But, oh, Hillary just gives me SHIVERS. I'm almost more insulted by THAT accusation (that I love her) than when you referred to me as an "anti-Christian whinning gay" a few posts up. Almost.
When you called me a whiner, you dismissed the pain that I (and many in the LGBT community) have experienced over having a right that was granted get taken away. Rights have been TAKEN AWAY. If that isn't enough to get us all angry, we're in trouble.
Is that the only word Obama supporters can use? You are obviously uneducated in this situation, but I am pretty impressed by committed you are to the "change". You're one of the many reasons America sucks.
I'm uneducated? Enlighten me, then, please -- rether than resort to name-calling, please enlighten me.
I hope Obama turns out to be as good a President as he is a speaker. I hope his actions match his words. I hope he manages to unite and galvanize people into a positive energy forceful enough to overcome the decades of pessimism and corruption and entrenched political obstructionism that has paralyzed the country and decimated its economy and spirit.
I hope. I so do. It's all I've got left to hang on to, at least until Inauguration Day.
When Obama is throwing a segment of his base supporters under the bus for Rick Warren and when Pat Robertson seems ecstatic about Obama thus far I'm not holding out quite as much hope as you at this point. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKk7TDYH_tc
Amen, brother.
Because there is a foreign enemy?
Or because there are domestic enemies?
Sing it.
I hope that Obama turns out to be a much better president than he is a speaker - because this latest effort is really a pile of clichés and bullshit.
I sense zero sincerity.
Looks like we got us another Reagan.
But I'm with you, Nonny.
Let's hang on by the thread we have left and hope that after inauguration day Obama will rediscover the remnants of his heart and intellect and do something to help the American people.
I just happened to come across this 'blog' and have read numerous postings most of which, except for this one, have already decided that President Elect Obama has failed at following through on his promises. Well for cripes sake, the man isn't even in office yet. And if you think that anyone can take over as President and fulfill all of his promises and/or wants and desires for this country you live in some sort of dream world. There isn't anyone who can take over this job (with all the problems, that this country has because of the lack of leadership and piss poor leadership when taken) and deliver change his first day in office.
It appears that all a lot of you can see is your own issue; gay/lesbian rights, econonomic issues, military issues etc., etc., ad nauseum.
Take a deep breath, give the man a chance. These problems were not created in a day and will not be solved in a day, especially before the man even takes office.
I must confess, ...I didnt think of the troops at all.
However I did think about the Ilegal war in Iraq, and this bogus endless war on terror we continue to fight with no result, and how it has bankrupted our country and sent the whole world into a slow steady dive into what is lookin' like another great depression.
Hey Obama
...How about you unite with the majority of the people in America and admit this war is bogus...and bring all the troops home now!
Best to you milquetoast this holiday season.
And may Obama turn out to be the great president he says he wants to be but behaves, in some ways, like a fool.
Change, that we hope, will be worth waiting for?...
what an unmitigated bunch of bullshit.
You were elected on the promise, long since muted, that you would get our troops out of there-
not to offer these same worn-out bromides about the empty seat at the dinner table and the rest of that bullshit.
What are you going to do for them?
You called it a dumb war
Now you are equally as dumb.
No courage.
No bravery.
No change whatsoever.
What I want to hear is:
My fellow Americans:
We were lied into a catastrophic war.
The current administration has perpetrated a terrible hoax on the American people - with devastating consequences.
As soon as it is within my power, I will respect the mandate you have given to me and to my party.
I will begin an immediate withdrawal from Iraq and bring the troops back home where they are needed and where they can be of truly useful and noble service.
As the holiday gatherings end and family head back to their homes, in the quiet of my own home, I ponder the future. A new president and the audacity of hope is the new mantra, but is hope enough?
When it comes to the economy, Obama the agent of change has surrounded himself with retreads from the Clinton administration. People like Robert Rubin who is being sued for 122 billion along with others in a civil lawsuit by Citibank share holders.
Timothy Geithner the head of the NY Fed who was instrumental in orchestrating the movement of bailout funds and backroom deals on Wall Street while all this really did was pick the pockets of the American tax payer while using spit and bubble gum to keep the Titanic afloat. Are these people really the face of change?
Like others, I doubt that our perpetual war for perpetual peace will ever end because as long as we are under the war powers act, afronts to the Consititution will continue. Our rights are still being infringed on all in the name of keeping us safe. Ben Franklin knew that giving up our rights for the illusion of feeling safer would niether make us safer or protect our freedoms. Smart guy's these founders.
The American tax payer has already had the burden of over 8.5 trillion dollars placed on their backs and Obama re-building our infrastructure will probably end up costing over another trillion. Where is all of this money going to come from? We have a central bank in the Federal Reserve that defies lawmakers in Congress. Yes we took your money and we're not going to tell you what we did with it. Talk about gall. A congress that is as worthless as tits on a bull and the best we can do as a people is turn the other cheek and ask for more.
An agent of change in Obama? I'll believe it when I see it and Mr.Pesident elect when you ask the American people to sacrifice more in the months and years to come, you won't get the masses behind you unless and until your ready to uphold the laws we have on the books now while extracting our pound of flesh from the greedy bastards that have brought all of us to the brink of financial collapse, your buddies in the Senate and the House as well.
well put , we have been had and thats the name of that tune!
He's thrown out his gay supporters to lighten the load
I wonder with all the out rage about Obama not supporting gays where was this out rage and demads for the pass 8 years. I remember the 2000 and 2004 election as Bush got Gay votes. Even when Dick Cheney had to disagree with Bush because his daughter was Gay, nothing was heard like it is today. Not one Gay Group demanded anything from Bush but their all over Obama. Many Gay Groups gave donations and went to the Republican events without a problem. Yes for 8 years Gays asked for equal rights from then President Bush but he pretty much blow them off. Each year the topic came up and it was shot down by Bush. Even the Churches who had an Office in the White House wouldn't hear of Gay Rights. Ordering or making demands on Obama wont work. He might be a listener and mild with the smile of a kid and the big ears but he's as smart as they come. He wont be pushed into taking order groups orders. Think about it for a minute. He's got brown skin and his Father is from Africa yet he's not taking orders from Black people. He said he represents all Americans. Show as much respect that you showed Bush who did nothing and wouldn't even listen to your request. It's best not to demand from Obama you'd do better asking him to consider you opinion and request. He might take it under advisemen if you do like the rest of us and ask politely.
Many gay groups gave donations? Or supported Bush? On what planet exactly? The Log Cabin Republicans and their ilk are a vast minority within a minority. How that becomes "many" gay groups donating to or supporting Bush is beyond me.
But if you're going to compare this situation with the GLBT community's relationship to Bush, allow me to put the current Obama and gays situation in easy to understand terms using the ever popular Batman and Robin (Robin in this case represents the GLBT community; Batman is Obama).
See, Bush is like the Joker to gays. He's one of Batman and Robin's worst enemies. Robin fully expects that the Joker is going to do everything he can to mess Robin up in a bad, bad way. It's what the Joker does. Robin doesn't plead with the Joker to help him because he knows the Joker is one of the most loathsome nutcases in the world and has no interest whatsoever in doing anything but what will harm Robin.
On the other hand, Robin looks up to Batman. They're the "Dynamic Duo." Robin's done a lot to help Batman, and he expects that they have a good relationship and will work to help one another make the world a better place for a long time to come. So just picture Robin's sense of pain and betrayal if, one day, Batman suddenly and unexpectedly stabs Robin in the back with the sharp end of the Bat-a-rang. As Robin lies there in a pool of his own blood, whispering the word "w--w---why?" Batman smiles and says that he's decided that he's going to team up with the Penguin instead (Oh, I forgot to mention, Rick Warren's the Penguin in this scenario) because the Penguin is trying to clean up his act, and the Penguin, Batman feels, can help Batman make greater inroads with Gotham City's criminal community, one or two of whom might possibly help Batman at some vague time in the near future.
As Robin starts to say "but what are you thinking...I've been your loyal crime-fighting partner for years; we've been through so much together..." Batman says "sorry, gotta go. Greater good and all that. Glad you understand. Toodle-oo!"
It's kind of like that. Except to really make this story a lot like what's going on: at that point, Commissioner Gordon shows up (Commissioner Gordon represents a lot of go-along-and-get-along progressives). "Could you please stop bleeding all over everything?" he yells at Robin. Then he looks up at the sky, where Batman is currently flying around in the Batplane trailing a flashy banner that says "Penguin: He's a Man We Can Trust!" "Sigh," says Commissioner Gordon, nearly swooning in ecstasy. "That Batman, I'm not sure what he's up to, but I'm sure that man's a genius."
Are you a pro-choice woman Jackie? If so, let's see how well you react when he throws you under the bus. But hey, Obama's better than Bush on that issue so you better just shut up and take it.
i think i'll politely ask mr obama to see if he can find it in his heart to have dork cheny and gorge w bush arested and tried for treason , then ill ask him to withdraw all military personel from iraq , and ill ask him why he intends to expand the war in afganistan another cheny war , then ill ask him if he'd concider restoreing the rights cheny took from us the ones obama voted for such as fisa the patriot act ect ect, then if his highness has time he might consider keeping his promiss to roll back the tax breaks for the rich , the ones hes considering to leave in place oh and id ask him poltely to repeal the trade bills such as nafta cafta and the china trade bills and id ask him if his daughters were old enough to fight in iraq and especially afganistan if since he thinks its ok for others sons or daughters to possibly die in afganistan if hed be fine risking his kids for bushes bullshit wars!
I'm going to give the guy a chance. Especially since I voted for him in both the general election and the democratic primary but I must say, I am very concerned with what I have seen thus far. Yes, the cynical shrew Chicago pol could be thinking who if we don't like it who else would we vote for, a Republican which may be true but when the reichwingers he's reaching out to orchestrates his fall it will be us, not the wingers, who will have his back and right now I'm not all that motivated to have his back after being slapped in the face.
I somewhat agree with you. Neither of the candidates were a good choice, but McCain was much much better. I am sorry that you made a bad decision, but I am happy that you are understanding your mistakes.
...you think one was or is better than another!
...they both suck! ...I want my rights back...
equality.
I don't know about the rest of America, but I don't feel too equal when
- an entire group is legally disenfranchised (gay marriage)
- it's okay to think that only some people deserve healthcare
- you're encouraged to believe that people who are poor are that way by choice
- the majority of people swallow the lie that one man's labor is 400-500% more important and valuable than another man's
- government works weekends and late nights to make sure the champagne class doesn't suffer but ignores the beer class
- it's legal for Congressmen to take lobbyist money while denying that affects the laws they pass that - quel suprise! - protect corporations, while hurting citizens
- statistics show that in the US, you have less and less chance of rising above the class you're born into.
My father was an immigrant from Russia. He came here will less than 5 dollars in his pocket. He spent 7 years gaining money from odd jobs around New Jersey and now he is a millionaire, working as an architect. Don't tell me that you can't rise above "the class you were born into." That is such bull shit. Every one has an opportunity to better themselves. Obama is saying that you don't have to be responsible for your future, you can just lay back on what you were born into and whine about how you don't have anything. I am going to law school right now with no financial help from my dad! The thing I hate most in this world are people like you that expect everything handed to them just because they don't feel like doing it for themselves. You are the reason America is getting worse! PEOPLE CHOOSE TO BE POOR. Grow up and look at the real world, idiot.
What the hell is wrong with you people. How can you listen to this idiot speak? Anyone that supports Barack Obama can go to pay my fucking taxes. First class people are the ones that worked their asses off to get there, remember? Why would anyone, especially a president, promote laziness and low work ethic? Our new president, I guess. You people make me sick.
you people ?
Can't we just get along.
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