Memorial and Pep Rally Stirs Emotions in Tucson, Arizona
Yesterday, U.S. president Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama attended a “Together We Thrive: Tucson and America” memorial service in Tucson, AZ to remember the 6 people killed, and 14 wounded during a Jan. 8 shooting spree by a crazed gunman on Saturday.
During his speech, Obama paused at the podium fifty three times to soak up the audience’s enthusiastic applause and cheering.
“Gabby opened her eyes for the first time,” Obama announced to thunderous applause. Obama was referring to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, 40, who was shot in the head during an assassination attempt.
“What we can’t do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on one another,” said Obama.
But, apparently, the occasion can be used as an unofficial pep rally for Obama’s upcoming re-election bid.
“Is it just me, or is this event starting to look more and more like a political rally?,” wrote one political blogger who noted that concession stands were open and Obama t-shirts were on sale.
“Do the people there know they are supposed to be gathered in solemn remembrance of the dead – not cheering like yahoos at a football game?,” he asked.
I have to agree. I mean, come on, cheering and souvenir t-shirt sales at a memorial service? Why am I the only black person who sees the hypocrisy in that?
Photos: Reuters, AP
fanMAIL: Disrespectful…
Reader Carla B. writes:
I have been an avid reader of your blog and I even signed up to become a member. I didn’t receive any confirmation back but now I see things happen for a reason. Your post on Mrs. Obama’s suspected pregnancy this morning did not strike me as surprising. However, your venomous, callous outlook toward President Obama has spewed over onto his wife. Why would you need to post, “I WONDER WHO THE FATHER IS”? That was flagrantly disrespectful and out of line. I know you have your freedoms as a blogger but remember, Mrs. Obama is still First Lady. Have some respect. Everyone knows you’re not American. I wonder how come you’re not so scathing towards your fellow Brits. Do Americans amuse you? Do better Sandra Rose.
Michelle Obama is Pregnant
Twitter is abuzz with the startling news that First Lady Michelle Obama is pregnant with her third child. The White House has yet to confirm or deny the rumors. I wonder who’s the daddy?
2011 is starting off with a bang as rumors have begun swirling that First Lady Michelle Obama is pregnant. But, reps at the White House have yet to comment on the latest buzz. Could Michelle have gotten the baby bug from friend Mariah Carey who also has a bun in the oven?
Back in early December, when Mariah was busy singing her infamous Christmas carols at the Christmas in Washington special, the singer let it slip that she was expecting twins with husband Nick Cannon. The Obamas were the first to know this detail about her pregnancy.
Now, a month later, it is being reported that Michelle Obama is pregnant. Did she get the baby bug from Ms. Mariah Carey? Only time will tell.
Obama National Christmas Tree Lighting 2010
After a 5-4-3-2-1 countdown, US President Barack Obama and his family ushered in the holiday season on Thursday by lighting the nearly 42-foot tall National Christmas Tree growing on the Ellipse, a grassy area just south of the White House. [1]
The Obamas, who many Americans believe are Muslims, braved frigid temperatures to attend the lighting of the Christmas tree. As you know, Christmas is not a Muslim holiday. Mr. Obama made it a point to note that the gathering celebrates an enduring story “that’s dear to Michelle and me as Christians.”
“This is a very proud holiday tradition. Snow or shine, in good times or in periods of hardship, folks like you have gathered with presidents to light our national tree,” he said.
Mr. Obama was joined by his wife, Michelle, daughters Malia and Sasha, and Marian Robinson, his mother-in-law. [2] The First Lady’s coat was designed by Narciso Rodriguez.
Mr. Obama took time to remember the millions of Americans who are out of work this Christmas season. He also mentioned the service members who couldn’t make it home for the holidays.
“We thank their families, who will mark this Christmas with an empty seat at the dinner table,” Obama said.
Celebrity performances included rapper Common, Maroon 5, B.B. King and young Jackie Evancho, whose debut album beat out Rihanna for the #2 spot on the Billboard chart last week.
(Photos JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
Thanks to loyal reader Linda A. for sending this in!
Obama speaks in Indonesian: ‘I’ve come home’
U.S. president Barack Hussein Obama was given a hero’s welcome as he returned to the Indonesian village where he spent part of his childhood.
Mr. Obama, who arrived in Jakarta today, spoke in Indonesian to thousands of students at the University of Indonesia. He prompted laughter when he said: “Pulang kampung, nih,” meaning “I’ve come home to the village.”
Obama vowed — as he did when he was elected president in 2008 — to try and repair relations between the West and the Muslim world in a bid to end the “years of mistrust.”
He also said the country with the largest Muslim population in the world “was a shining example to others.”
His speech was an update to a major address he gave 17 months ago in Egypt where he declared a ‘new beginning’ in U.S.-Muslim relations after the tensions over the September 11, 2001, attacks and the former President George W Bush’s response to them. [link]
But since his Cairo speech, tensions have remained on both sides.
Despite having to cut short his visit due to fears of ash from a volcano eruption, Obama and his wife Michelle, who wore the traditional head scarf, visited the Jakarta’s national Istiqlal Mosque. They took off their shoes as a sign of respect as they strode along a carpet laid out for them across the brick courtyard.
Obama, who was known as “Barry” when he attended the Menteng One school in Jakarta, studied both Islam and Christianity according to his grade 3 teacher.
Click link to read more
Obama’s Mumbai Trip Will Cost Americans $200 Million Per Day!
Yesterday the Republicans regained control of the House of Representatives in an election tsunami that some are calling the biggest Democratic losses in 62 years.
It’s a good thing U.S. President Barack Obama rescheduled his Mumbai, Indonesia trip until after the midterm elections, or the Democratic losses would have been much worse.
You already know about the 40 commercial airliners and private jets that will transport Mr. and Mrs. Obama and an entourage of hundreds to Mumbai, India next week.
Well, now comes word that the Mumbai trip, where Obama plans to speak at a Muslim mosque, will cost Americans $200 million per day!!
I’m sure the thousands of unemployed Americans who are set to lose their benefits next month will appreciate this news.
Mr. Obama rescheduled this trip to Indonesia twice from earlier this year, due to the political climate in america, which angered the people of Indonesia where Obama spent his boyhood studying the Qu’Ran. (Besides his native English, Obama speaks fluent Indonesian.)
You’ll be happy to know that your $200 million per day will be spent on “security, hotel stay and other aspects of the Presidential visit,” according to a top government official. The Obama administration has booked all 300 rooms in Mumbai’s 5-star hotel.
In addition to the extra security flown over from the mainland, U.S. and Indian Navy ships will patrol the waters off Mumbai, to provide additional security, reports said.
BREAKING NEWS: OBAMA GOES TO CHURCH
US president Barack Hussein Obama attended church services with the First family this morning.
This news is significant because Obama hasn’t attended a church regularly since he took office in January, 2009.
Mind you, the church is directly across the street from the White House, yet Obama and his family attended services there for only the first time today.
No doubt, this publicity stunt was staged today as a result of growing public sentiment that Barack Obama is an undercover Muslim.
According to Drudgereport.com:
The first family left the White House on foot this morning for the 9am choral holy eucharist service and sermon at St John’s Church Lafayette Square.
The Obamas walked out of the residence at 8.49am and crossed the park to the nearby Episcopal church.
The president was wearing a dark suit and held Sasha Obama’s hand. She was wearing a blue dress and cream cardigan. Michelle and Malia Obama were wearing cream-colored dresses.
Lafayette Park and Pennsylvania Avenue in front of White House were closed to the public.
For those of you who say it is complicated for the Obamas to attend a church service — I guess Obama proved you wrong!
It couldn’t be that complicated if the Obamas walked over there this morning.
The Obamas were members of the controversial Rev. Wright’s church in Chicago for many years. Wright’s church has strong ties to the Minister Farakhan who was (and still is) a neighbor of Obama’s. Other church goers don’t recall Obama attending regular services at Wright’s church either.
Drudge didn’t indicate what the service was about this morning, but today’s word is Luke 16:1-13, which ends ‘You cannot serve God and wealth.’
