United States Supreme Court Nominee:

Elena Kagan

With the nomination hearings just a few short weeks away, I wanted to share some important information about President Obama's choice for the next US Supreme Court Justice, Elena Kagan.



Briefly, before I do so, I wanted to just comment that I have read about the strong opposition of Elena Kagan by black scholars due to her not hiring African-Americans while a Dean at Harvard Law School. I do not know all the details, but I wished the situation were different, in all due respect. However, here is what I do know and understand as an African-American with a disability and parent of a child with special needs; Elena Kagan has a great understanding and belief in the need for inclusion and quality of life in the US! If nominated to the highest bench in the land, she will bring that knowledge front and center when hearing and deciding cases that will affect millions, millions of persons with disabilities such as Cerebral Palsey, Anxiety Disorders, Chronic Depression, birth defects, and the list goes on and on.




As a parent of a special needs child, I have advocated year after year for 23 plus years for my child and others to be included in the community, accessible housing, school activities, etc. It is comforting to know that the judicial system will be in a position of understanding what is quality of life. So many parents often develop a mental health condition just from barriers, etc. against their child/dren!



Unfortunately, it is what it is, but when the US Supreme Court can gain insight and increased understanding about why these issues are important, there is hope in bringing down stubborn discriminatory barriers, strongholds, stigmas, and stereotypes.



So, while Elena Kagan wasn't heralded for hiring 20 or so African-Americans (I am not making light of this), she is capable of casting a vote that will give hundreds of thousands and even millions upon millions, a quality of life and inclusion in housing, education, employment, recreation, etc. We need this balance on the US Supreme Court at last. We need to support Elena Kagan's nomination to the United States Supreme Court and tell our Congress to do so quickly!



Here are some more important facts about Elena Kagan:



1) Kagan, currently U.S. Solicitor General, served in the Clinton White House as an Associate Counsel to the former President in 1995 and 1996 and as Deputy Assistant for Domestic Policy from 1997 to 1999. During that role, former President Clinton passed the "Family Medical Leave Act" and the "Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)." IDEA opened the way for individuals with disabilities to receive inclusion with special education and supports and services. This is a gemstone for every parent with a special needs child.




That influence certainly carried over with Elena Kagan when she performed her duties at Harvard Law School. That depth of compassion and commitment to the special needs community demonstrates hope for millions who will be affected by decision coming down from the US Supreme Court to preserve the constitutional rights of those with disabilities;





2) After years of working as a professor, Kagan became the Harvard law's dean in 2003 and jump-started a transformation that added quality-of-life-activities for the students and inclusion;



3) Elena Kagan was the first female dean of Harvard Law in the school's 186-year history. During her tenure, she fostered consensus among differing viewpoints, promoted a diversity of opinions, and encouraged a respectful exchange of ideas, earning her great admiration among the student body. She also instituted a financial program that encouraged and assisted students in choosing careers in public service. Of course, we must stand behind President Obama to ensure that Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court is successful and swift.





Becoming the fourth female to ever serve on the US Supreme court is not a matter of race. This is a matter of giving millions upon millions of Americans with a disability a voice and hope. For that reason, we should be proud that President has the courage to go against the status quo once again in the vein of "Change" to strengthen our country.



We all know somebody with a disability or special needs (i.e., Cerebral Palsey, birth defect, Torrets Syndrome, Mental Health condition, Arthritis, etc.) who has been denied access to quality housing, recreation, education, etc. It's time to speak up for them! Contact your Senator or Representative at http://www.senate.gov/ or http://www.house.gov/ and URGE him/Her to vote for Elena Kagan quickly when the hearings begin on June 28, 2010.

Swaggie Coleman"If you listen to the whispers, you won't hear the screams." Rev. Run (DMC)http://swaggiecoleman.blogspot.com/; 1 Timothy 5:4Book Reviewer for RAWSISTAZ www.BlackBookReviews.net;

The November elections are just over five months away, and we have a big task ahead of us!

Although it may be challenging, we have identified a clear path to success: to get as many as possible of the 15 million folks who voted for the first time in 2008 back to the polls. We can do this with your help and by word of mouth! amen? Amen!

We know that engaging them early in the year is the best way to ensure their participation -- so on the weekend of June 5th, we're kicking off our Vote 2010 program on the ground. This means that across the country, Obama For America volunteers will be knocking on doors and making calls in their communities, reconnecting with first-time 2008 voters and asking them to commit to vote again this November. Can you join in?

There is a Vote 2010 Kick-Off event in Baltimore starting at 10:00 AM on Sunday -- all you'll need to do is show up ready to make a difference. Here are the details:

What: Baltimore Vote 2010 Kick-Off event

Where: Ashburton - Baltimore
3600 Rosedale Road
Baltimore, MD, 21215

When: Sunday, June 6th
10:00 AM

Can't make it to that event? Find others near you here.

Since President Obama took office last January, we have enacted measures that will drastically improve the lives of millions of Americans -- from the Recovery Act to health reform -- and we're on the cusp of passing real Wall Street reform. As the New York Times put it, "Congress and the White House have completed 16 months of activity that rival any other since the New Deal in scope or ambition."

None of this would have been possible without your support, but we need to keep that momentum going into the fall.

We know that if we re-engage first-time voters from 2008 -- folks who historically are less likely to vote again, but who strongly support the work we're doing -- then we can be successful in November. Just a small swing in their turnout could represent a shift that is big enough to affect tight races across the country.

Your help reconnecting these voters to the political process will make the difference -- will you join us in Baltimore on Sunday, June 6th at 10:00 AM?

http://my.barackobama.com/KickOffEvents

If you can't volunteer, spread the word and get the vote in November supporting Democrats and President Obama! amen? Amen!

[Thanks again,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
Deputy Director
Organizing for America]

{edited by SWAGGIE COLEMAN)
"If you listen to the whispers, you won't hear the screams!" (Rev. Run DMC)

Today, it is my great honor to nominate our Solicitor General, and my friend, Elena Kagan, to be the next justice of the United States Supreme Court.As I send my nomination to the Senate, I wanted to record a special message for you that I hope will help us launch a national discussion.

[Click on the link below and view the video and then let's sit back talk about it... amen? Amen!]

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/kaganforjustice-video?source=20100510_BO_full_act&keycode=&email=agnesblevrhodes%40aol.com

Elena is widely regarded as one of the best legal minds of her generation -- earning praise from across the ideological spectrum throughout her career. Above all, she is a trailblazer. She wasn't just the first woman to serve as dean of Harvard Law School -- she was one of its most beloved and successful leaders, building a reputation for openness to other viewpoints and skill in working with others to build consensus. These were some of the many reasons why I selected her to be my Solicitor General, the nation's chief advocate -- the first woman to hold that post as well.

Her work as Solicitor General has allowed me to see firsthand just why Elena is particularly well-suited to the Court: She has not only a keen understanding of the law, but also one that is rooted in a deep awareness of its impact on people's lives. Last year, she made that clear -- choosing the Citizens United case as her first to argue before the Supreme Court, defending bipartisan campaign finance reform against special interests seeking to spend unlimited money to influence our elections!

Now, I look forward to the prospect of Elena taking her seat alongside Justice Ginsberg and Justice Sotomayor. For the first time, our nation's highest court would include three women, ensuring a Court that would be more inclusive, more representative, more reflective of us as a people than ever before. When Justice Stevens wrote me to announce his retirement, I knew that the Court would be losing a standard bearer. And I felt a responsibility to nominate an individual capable of being that same guiding force, a consistent voice of reason on the Court.

I am certain I have made the right choice. As you learn more about Elena, I am confident you'll see what I do -- that she is a voice we need on the Supreme Court.

Please watch the message -- and share it with others at: http://my.barackobama.com/ElenaKagan

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Swaggie Coleman"If you listen to the whispers, you won't hear the screams." Rev. Run (DMC)http://swaggiecoleman.blogspot.com/; 1 Timothy 5:4Book Reviewer for RAWSISTAZ www.BlackBookReviews.net;

OFA's Wall Street Reform Day of Action was a huge success -- thanks to you!

From folks advocating reform on Wall Street in Manhattan, to those calling their neighbors in Ohio, to senators' offices getting calls from across the country, thousands of OFA supporters in every state spoke out with one voice to demand change.In Greenville, South Carolina, the headline yesterday was about the 50 OFA supporters who attended a "rally to demand Wall Street reforms." And the Indiana News Center led with "Local Hoosiers 'Call' For Wall Street Reform."Even better? The stories we got from participants. Trisha, in Columbus, Wisconsin, called an elderly neighbor. As she tells it, "I asked him if he'd ever contacted a member of Congress. He said 'no' he hadn't. Then after a short pause he said, 'Well, just what was that number? I guess there's a first time for everything. I'll make that call!'"

After meeting in front of the library in Branigan, New Mexico, Evelyn -- an OFA Neighborhood Team Leader -- said that she and other volunteers "talked to people passing by about the importance of standing up to the power brokers and the lobbyists and the big banks. What I love the most is when you really get to have a conversation and inform someone about what's really going on -- they are so appreciative of getting straight-forward information."And at an event on Wall Street itself, a volunteer named Erin said that "I am here today to stand up for the everyday people who work and raise families and don't want to have their lives disrupted as a result of Wall Street's reckless practices."

Everything you did this week made a difference. That's why Wall Street reform legislation is picking up steam -- there could even be final votes as early as next week.We'll be in touch soon with more ways you can help push reform through the final stretch. Thanks for all you do,

JeremyJeremy Bird

Deputy Director Organizing for America - http://www.ofa.com/

P.S. -- Great news: Yesterday, we found out that the economy added 290,000 jobs in April -- more than it has in four years. We've got a long way to go, but it's one more sign that we're moving in the right direction. Check out this chart we put together to show how the Obama administration is turning things around:

Swaggie Coleman"If you listen to the whispers, you won't hear the screams." Rev. Run (DMC)http://swaggiecoleman.blogspot.com/; 1 Timothy 5:4Book Reviewer for RAWSISTAZ www.BlackBookReviews.net;

http://my.barackobama.com/2010StrategyHighlights

First, we're going to continue to support the President on critical issues. The critical issue at hand is Wall Street Reform! This means every African-American author and artist must join the US in the fight against Wallstreet Reform under the Healthcare Reform Act! This means that we must unite this November to maintain control in the upcoming elections. We accomplished electing President Obama. We accomplished healthcare reform. We can accomplish Wall street Reform, too! amen? Amen!

Success in the 2010 election depends upon highlighting the choice voters have in front of them, so we'll be working hard to build support for Wall Street reform, a clean-energy economy, immigration reform, the confirmation of a new Supreme Court justice, and other key priorities. A key piece of this is to continue to tell the story of President Obama's leadership and what we've already accomplished together. On health insurance reform, 3 million of you took action to voice your support for a law that reduces costs, increases access, and puts an end to some of the worst insurance company abuses. While there's still a long way to go on the economy, we're on the path to recovery. With your support, we passed the Recovery Act, which has created or saved more than 2 million jobs, and the President continues to fight to create jobs, protect consumers, and hold Wall Street accountable.

Second, we're going to work to elect candidates who support the President's agenda -- and we've got a plan to do it. After months of feedback from volunteers on the ground and nearly 1,000 local strategy sessions held across the country, your top priority for 2010 was crystal clear: getting out the 15 million voters who cast a ballot for the first time in 2008. These voters put President Obama over the top then, and they're going to make the difference again in close races across the country in November. The best way to get a 2008 first-time voter to vote in 2010? Have a person like you reach out to them and share why you support the President and your local and statewide candidates who support his agenda. Just like we did in 2008, we're going to put a premium on people talking to people -- in their communities, at their doors, on the phones, and online. As the President noted when he announced our 2010 electoral strategy last week, this year the stakes are even higher. Since he was inaugurated, President Obama has put us on the right path on many critical issues. But we need to help elect candidates who will stand up to the lobbyists and the special interests who are fighting to block and reverse the President's agenda. By turning out 2008 first-time voters, together we can keep our nation moving forward, keep working to fix Washington, keep growing our economy, and keep building a fairer, stronger, and more just America.

Third, we're going to continue to build organizationally. In 2008 we had one of the strongest organizations in the history of American politics. Remarkably, in many ways, our organization is even stronger now -- as volunteers have stepped up to take on even more responsibility with the support of our experienced, nationwide staff. And we're poised to grow: Organizing for America supporters have pledged more than 10 million volunteer hours to candidates who fought for health reform. We're going to hold you to that.Our 2010 organization-building starts with house meetings in neighborhoods across the country in May, where you and other volunteers will devise a customized program that focuses on turning out 2008 first-time voters in your community. Then, on the weekend of June 5th, we'll be canvassing door-to-door and kicking off our 2010 grassroots campaign.Watch the highlights -- then help us spread the word about the plan for 2010.

For our opponents, the path to victory relies on historical patterns that show the President's party will have trouble turning out supporters in midterm elections. But, with your help, we can once again defy the cynics and the pundits, turn out 2008 first-time voters, and keep our country on the right path.

[Thanks,

Mitch Mitch Stewart

DirectorOrganizing for America

http://www.ofa.com/]

Swaggie Coleman"If you listen to the whispers, you won't hear the screams." Rev. Run (DMC)http://swaggiecoleman.blogspot.com/; 1 Timothy 5:4Book Reviewer for RAWSISTAZ www.BlackBookReviews.net;

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

Healthcare Reform Teleconference

August 20, 2009

Today, I attended a Teleconference on Healthcare Reform sponsored by Obama For America (“OFA”). Before I introduce the honored special guest, Governor Tim Cain, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee; Mr. Jeremy, Deputy National Director; Mitch Stewart, the National Director of OFA; Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz who has held many townhall meetings and conferences for women; and Volunteer Beth Kimbriel were all present and offered different perspectives on why each of us should support and continue to support Healthcare Reform in America.

Mr. Cain opened by explaining that President Obama’s commitment to Healthcare Reform is being taken farter than under any other president. One million declarations have been signed in support of Healthcare Reform. “We are closer than ever, but there is still work to do.” He urged supporters to be super diligent in talking to family and friends and co-workers about the significance of Healthcare Reform. We must overcome the scare tactics of the healthcare industry as well as those who like to scream and shout and be rude in order to be able to learn truths about Healthcare Reform and share them with others. We cannot rely on the media to give us the whole truths.

Mr. Cain also pointed out some accomplishments with Healthcare Reform as a means of encouragement. These include: 1.5 million organizers and strategists are doing neighborhood events, knocking on doors, supporting the Democratic Congress, sharing their stories to put a real face on the need for healthcare reform in the U.S. These are real stories that every average American can identify with and that results in truth! This is important because there are a lot of myths and rumors being intentionally circulated about Healthcare Reform and when you talk to people who trust you and know you, they know you are being honest with them about Healthcare Reform. Lastly, before Mr. Cain turned the Teleconference over to Rep. Wasserman-Schultz, he shared that last week and for the first time in American history, 64,000 visited their Congresspersons and thanked them for their support of Healthcare Reform. While there are just 19 days left before Congress reconvenes, it is critical to continue being diligent and supportive of Healthcare Reform.

Rep. Wasserman-Schultz expressed that supporters of Healthcare Reform must act boldly to take advantage of this moment to end unfair practices in the ehalth industry. She reminded everyone that there were folks who said America was not ready for an African-American president, but look what happened! We can prove it again that America is ready for Healthcare Reform. It is necessary that affordable health insurance become available to every American. We must look pass the scare tactics and volunteer and inform family and friends that Healthcare Reform will be accessible and affordable to those without it and end the fears of millions who worry about what will happen to their families if they get sick or must file bankruptcies or otherwise crush families due to lack of quality, affordable healthcare.

Just before our honorable guest arrived, a Volunteer, Beth, commented that for the first time in her life, she has a President who has the vision, passion, and commitment to make healthcare affordable and accessible. She emphasized that the current healthcare industry in America works only for the healthcare industry and not for the people and she is committed to keep volunteering to get it done.

Amongst cheers of “Yes, we can!” our honorable guest arrived and thanked everyone for his or her unbelievable dedication. That voice was President Barack Obama!

President Obama began reminding everyone that he is “here” because “you” believed after an era of selfishness and greed, “we” can restor balance, growth, and recovery to the economy. However, President Obama explained that the victory of the election must now manifest into the day-to-day lives of Americans and that healthcare should, therefore, make a difference in the life of working families.

In summary, President shared that America has been kept out of a depression since he took office, that health insurance has been expanded to include 11 million more children across the country, thousands have been put back to work building bridges and road constructions, and as of today, more protections have gone into effect for credit card holders. America is rebuilding its military and alliances around the world and we should be proud, not complacent, about achieving quality healthcare for every American!

Of course, President explained, healthcare is a very emotional issue and event, but despite the negative townhall coverages by television, remember nothing is more powerful than millions of voices calling for Change! President Obama reminded everyone jokingly that last August (2008) the media was reporting that he lost his “mojo!” “Well…..(there’s something about August)…”

Returning to a serious tone, President Obama stated that everyone has obviously worked consistently, sensibly, deliberately hard for Healthcare Reform with his sincere appreciation, but it is time to continue and cut through the nonsence and noise and lies. President Obama began to walk participants through the myths and lies being reported about Healthcare Reform:

1) This is NOT a government take-over!
2) We are not going to kill grandma, etc. (“Come on, now…”)
3) We have more credibility than the media because we are sharing our personal stories…keep talking to your friends and family and co-workers and neighbors!
4) Those who already have health insurance must understand that:
a. If you like your current insurance plan, doctor, etc., you can keep it;
b. If you don’t, you will have a high-quality, affordable insurance option such as if small business owners and small business employees who cannot afford insurance will have an Exchange public option to purchase health insurance rather than not have any health insurance at all;

President went further to explain just what the facts are about the public option Exchange:

1) We will have a market place for people to choose from various plans with doctors. This means that the public option will provide choices of plans and choices of doctors to pick;
2) This public option will help keep private insurance companies honest;
3) Provide a benchmark for costs for services;
4) Make the healthcare industry competitive for decent healthcare;
5) This public option is just ONE component of the Healthcare Reform plan;
6) The public option is voluntary and not mandatory;
7) The public option will expand consumer choices;

In addition, President Obama explained that the government’s involvement will offer consumer protection measures such as to stop:

1) healthcare insurance companies from imposing “pre-existing condition” clauses. This means being denied health insurance due to a so-called “pre-existing condition” will end!;
2) There will be no more life-time caps or yearly caps on how much the health insurance company will pay out per insured, etc.;
3) Protect persons when you change jobs so that you can always have affordable health insurance;
4) Save families, small businesses, and government lots of money; and
5) Close the “donut” hole which leaves Americans without prescription coverage for needed medications. This especially affects seniors citizens in the current MedicareAdvantage programs.

President Obama discussed how 14,000 people lose health insurance every day under such clauses as “pre-existing conditions” or changing jobs, etc. He discussed how healthcare premiums currently are growing 3 times faster than our paychecks. He pointed out that Medicare will runout of money in 8 years if nothing is done about healthcare in America now. He assured everyone that:

1) Senior Citizens’s benefits will not be cut;
2) The government already is Medicare;
3) That Medicare has to be strengthened because costs are exceeding the Medicare Trust Fund.

As President Obama reiterated the significance of acting now, he discussed how Franklin D. Roosevelt faced the same resistence when he proposed Social Security and that he was also called a socialist. The same accusations were launched against Lyndon B. Johnson with Medicare. Unfortunately, President Obama is aware of the attacks, but those programs improved America the same way Healthcare Reform is necessary to improve America today. He expressed sincere sentiment that he understands people are afraid and worried, but it must happen.

Before President Obama opened the floor to questions, he again thanked all his supporters of Healthcare Reform and encouraged them to contiue the push for passage despite remaining debates….”Let’s go get’em!”

Q: (Colorado). What is the most compelling argument for Healthcare Reform?

A: The status quo is unsustainable. This means that if nothing is done with healthcare in America today, people are going to lose what they have because healthcare costs are increasing 3 times faster. This is shrinking your paycheck in premium costs and the costs of health services. Americans will see more and more of their paycheck disappear because of healthcare costs and if you look at what you were paying three years ago, you know this is the truth.

Also, both private and government plans have something to worry about because there will no money!

Nobody is being forced to do this. We are modeling the insurance that congress now receives. Nobody will be forced, but they will have options such as the public option.

Healthcare Reform provides a set of consumer protections (i.e., “pre-existing conditions”); no more exclusions or ability to drop people and leave them uninsured; only 15 percent of healthcare insurance companies money can to profits and this controls costs and focuses on prevention and wellness; and over the long run healthcare costs will be reduced and more you will see more take-home pay.

Other countries pay 5,000 – 6,000 less in healthcare costs for each person! The people in America re just not getting a good deal.

The public option feature is not the only feature, but just one feature of the Healthcare Reform!

Q: (Florida) Are we winning any Republican support in Congress? Are we really making a difference with Healthcare Reform in that regard?

A: Convincing people about Healthcare Reform still makes a difference because Washington, DC is obsessed with snap polls, what’s said negatively at town hall meetings (screaming matches, shouts, etc.), so every citizen you talk to will make a difference and especially seniors who fear change. The emphasis must be made that Medicare will not be taken away! Healthcare Reform will close that donut hole and extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund over time because insurance companies (Medicare Advantage) is draining 17 billion dollars each year! NOBODY will be without healthcare benefits. The future generation will need Medicare as well so this is very crucial and important! Those people who are not quite old enough for Medicare, but retire currently cannot get insurance until they are old enough for Medicare…Healthcare Reform will expand to reach them over time.

Q: Where are these lies coming from?

A: (Laughter) Well,…we know. Just flip channels and stop here and there and you will see who is starting these lies, but the best strategy against these lies is to keep pushing the truth. For example:

1) There are no plans on revoking provisions in order to pay for abortions!;
2) There are no provisions for illegal aliens (immigrants) to be covered under Healthcare Reform still;
3) Healthcare Reform will not force everybody into the public option;
There is no government interference on private relationships between doctors and patients.

In a very, very frustrated tone, President Obama discussed in detail the so-called, “Death Panel” as follows:

This is a piece of legislation started by the Republicans and is practiced in some industries, too. What it is is that people who volunteer to do so, can be counseled about hospice, living will, terminal illness, etc. This was supported by the Republicans and it is called the death panel and cruelly and falsely scares grandma! It is being spread irresponsibly by the media, too. It is not true! When I responded to the media that we are not going to be “pulling the plug” on senior citizens, they did NOT report that truth, but instead moved on to the next story. That was unfair and that is why I need YOU to fight back with truth!

The reality is that there are just people who do not want to see Healthcare Reform happen and there are ideologists who just don’t want government involved in anything because they just believe the government should stay out without seeing and understanding the benefit of being on our side.

Q: (North Carolina) You’ve been outrageously good about trying to get this passed! Do we have any Republican support?

A: We don’t know. We know there are 3 Republicans drafting a version, but they are being strongly influenced not to negotiate. Either can be included, but I have no control over their strategy. The American people are telling me to get it done and I am going to do it one way or the other.

Q: (rural Virginia) The people here say it will come down to money. Who will pay for it?

A: How are we going to pay for it generally? Well, let me first put it into perspective. All you hear is the “trillion-dollar plan.” In perspective, that is over ten years with each year costing 1 billion dollars.

In perspective, we are spending 9 billion dollars each MONTH in Iraq and Pakitan. We could have funded healthcare instead.

Two-thirds (2/3) of the cost will be paid with money already incoming from taxpayers, but it is currently being wasted. The way we reimburse hospitals, but offer no incentives to fix the pateint’s health problem is wasteful as well. For example, if a patient goes to the hospital for a problem, he will be seen two or three times for the same problem and we pay the exact same cost without ever seeing the problem fixed.

On the other hand, in comparison, if your car breaks down and you take it to the shop to get fixed and then they give it back to you. If you take your car back the following week because of the same problem, you expect and receive a discount. That does not happen in our healthcare system today.

Also, one-third (1/3) is prevention and wellness. For example, we’ll have itemized deductions go to the same services across the board. Both the House and the Senate have more ideas, but I am committed that it will not be funded on the backs of the middle class taxpayers!

Finally, employers cannot “dump” employees due to a “fire-wall” provision in Healthcare Reform so there will be no need to worry that your employer will force you into a public option. However, small business owners and employees of small businesses will be able to participate in the public option Exchange because they otherwise have no insurance. Small businesses do not currently get a good deal the way, for example, Xerox does because it has hundreds of thousands of employees.

Q: (Maryland) If public option is the solution, why not push it harder?

A: Public option is very important and I firmly support it! However, again, it is just one component of a broader plan. We are saying to health insurers that you cannot continue excluding people due to pre-existing conditions or put caps on their health coverage. The competitive benchmark in which to operate is like a suspender and pants relationships. What I mean is that the belt or suspenders would be the Healthcare Reform holding up the pants.

Private insurance companies cover 80 percent of Americans and they get scared that they will be forced into a public option and this is what the health industry is counting on, but this is false as I already said nobody will be forced to participate in the public option. It is strictly for the uninsured and those who volunteer to join.

Q: (Maryland) How do we encourage physical fitness such as in our children and schools as part of Healthcare Reform?

A: We must each our children about the importance of good health. We must teach them about good nutrition and exercise. Michelle and I always talk about when we were children and our parents would say, “Here is your breakfast now go.” Then you would go outside and play until the next time it was time to go in the house. You played all day and that is exercise. I know many recreation centers and a lot of little leagues don’t exist anymore and some playgrounds, but this is what the difference is between how we were raised as children and the lack of physical exercise our children get today.

Another issue is school lunches, too. Today, children get pizza and French fries and those foods are cheaper and we know the kids want them. However, if we could create a distribution process somehow for local farmers to bring their fresh fruits and vegetable products to the schools, kids would get more nutritional choices at school. We have to change the attitude of our children about exercise and nutritional food choices. Michelle and I are even looking into a farmer’s market at the White House some kind of way.

Q: (Maryland) Young adults are tring to figure this Healthcare Reform thing out. How does Healthcare Reform account for young adults?

A: It will extend coverage to kids up to age 26. That way, they can stay on their family plan because we know when they get their first job after college, they are trying to eat and opt to not have insurance. This means for any catastrophic health issues, they arrive at the emergency room without insurance or do not have wellness healthcare.

The Exchange pool will offer a very, very affordable healthcare plan for young adults. They will have to purchase some type of health insurance plan and it will be a minimum cost. It will be mandatory much the same way car liability insurance is mandatory. This provides them with catastrophic health coverage as well as prevention and wellness care.

In any case, if any family would be catastrophically financially burdened and could not afford healthcare, they would be exempt from participating.

I have to leave now, but I want to finish by stating that you did not put me in DC for good poll rating and I did not come for that. We can do better. We came for CHANGE!

Washington, DC is a tough “partisan” town with people of strong ideology that this will never happen. These are the stories getting printed by reporters and they will keep writing about that partisan ideology. We are NOT giving up!

Thank you.

This Teleconference with President Obama was sponsored by Obama For America. To leave your comment or ask questions, please visit www.barackobama.com or call 1-(866) 495-2004.

Levine-Oliver Publisher is a proud supporter of Healthcare Reform.

Join Healthcare For America Now at www.healthcareforamericanow.org
Contact your Congressperson at www.house.gov or www.senate.gov
Visit National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.namimetropolitanbaltimore.org


Swaggie Coleman"If you listen to the whispers, you won't hear the screams." Rev. Run (DMC)http://swaggiecoleman.blogspot.com/; Book Reviewer for RAWSISTAZ www.BlackBookReviews.net;

MICHAEL JOSEPH JACKSON

August 1958 ~ June 2009

WORLD MOURNS MICHAEL JACKSON: Honoring the Grief Process According to God (Psalm 10:14)

Bereavement Burns Like A Fire, but as Christians we can understand how to be a source of comfort and healing by allowing God to use us. Christ was a very compassionate leader and we must be sure to walk His path even when it may be tempting to speak things that may be harmful to people. We should take care not to do this especially during a family's bereavement and afterwards.Often we get caught up in the worldly wind of a tragedy involving a celebrity. However, even during this time, we are encouraged to build each other up. (1 Thess. 5:11). We can do this by focusing on the positive contributions made by Michael Jackson. Here was a man that had the blessed favor to unite races, cultures, ethnicities, religions, sexes, political parties, and on and on. Here was a man that clearly had God's anointing.

Because we are humans, we also hurt. The book of Lamentations gives us much lament about grief from Jeremiah who is widely regarded as the "weeping" prophet. In this case, Jeremiah reminds us of God's great love and His message of hope. (Lamentations 3:19-26). What do we hope for with the passing of Michael Jackson? We should hope for continued power of the universal language to accomplish peace the way Michael Jackson was gifted to do. Music is a universal language. It means the same to each nation. The words becomes the driving force for the music to soothe, comfort, relax, minister prophetically, hope, and peace.When we understand the far reach of music to become poems to be spoken about the deep thoughts and feelings of a man's heart, we recognize why music will always be universal. Michael Jackson was an artist who was gifted and talented beyond what man will probably ever see again. His music will bring together God's children forever. Why God called Michael Jackson home is not for our carnal understanding, but all of God's children should find comfort that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and he saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18). If Michael Jackson was ever crushed in spirit, he has been saved. If our hearts are broken, the Lord is nearby.

One of my favorite songs by Michael Jackson is the theme song from "Free Willy" It moved me into a trance when I first heard it and it is still deeply insightful to me today that as children of God, we are gifted to be able to reach out to other children of God for prayer and uplifting. As children of God, we must know when to discern the calls for prayer and then we must pray for our brothers and sisters without ceasing. We should not be ashamed to do so even though it may not be the popular thing to do, nor do we have to be open about seeking God for strength and comfort during the sorrow of a brother and sister. (1 Pet. 4:16). We know we should not judge, but pray instead. Here is introspection into the heart and thoughts of Michael Jackson as expressed in "Free Willy:

"Hold Me Like The River Jordan

And I will then say to Thee, You were my friend

Carry me like You were my brother, love me like a mother

Will You be there?

Weary, tell me will you hold me?

If wrong, will You scold me?

If lost, will You find me?

But they told me a man should be faithful

and walk without evil and fight to the end,

but I'm only human

Everyone's taking control of me

Seems like the world's got a role for me

I'm so confused this is choking me

Tell me You'll be there

Yeah, I'm only human

Carry, Carry me & mold me

Save me, fill me up, pull me out sometimes

Save me, I will be there,

carry me boldly and tell me You care

It gets lonely sometimes, Sometimes Iget lonely..., I get lonely

hold me up, hold me up, hold me up

This is what I learned from grief counseling:Bereavement is like the fire that burns at the door to a room. Everyone must go through the bereavement process when somebody dies and it hurts any which way you look at it. You can stay in one corner/place of the room and like the fire, it will totally engulf you.

Or, you can take the painful steps to walk out of the door and get burned somewhat rather than torched by staying inside the room. If you walk outside that burning room, you move to a new life/free space and the fires snuffs out behind you. Either way involves work and pain.

What is the difference between grieving and bereavement?

Grieving is to cause the emotion of sorrow and is triggered by the sudden loss of somebody (or thing). In either case, God brings comfort and deliverance (Lamentationss 3:26).

Bereavement is the loss of a loved one leaving one feeling alone.

The two go hand-in-hand as a process with no definite time period when someone has died. Thus, the saying, "During your hour of bereavement," means during the time you feel "lonely." This is the best time to speak words of comfort because the person needs to know that by seeking God, we are reminded that God never forsakes us. (Lamentations 3:25) (Jos. 1:5).

This is when traditionally, friends and family come together to be "near" the person who has lost a loved one and this is the time when friends and family need to be around while the "bereaved" person adjusts to life without their loved one.

Is it possible to grieve for, or with, a celebrity? Yes.

We may have periods of sadness and may even feel irritated without recognizing that it is tied to Mr. Jackson's sudden loss because we loved Mr. Jackson. (Psalm 42:11). I have learned that it is reality that "fans" actually do grieve for celebrity deaths as well. With the tragedy involving a disc jockey in my locale, the radio show allowed fans of the DJ to call in all day and express themselves. We see similar acts of expresion when fans show up in droves by the thousands to stand in front of a hospital or the celebrity's home. There is also acceptance by police that this should be permitted to allow fans to honor the grief process with respect. Thus, fans are encouraged to grieve for celebrities as a necessary healing stage. (John 16:20) We grow to love celebrities through their art and it is natural to feel a sense of loss along without them. We become dependent on their gifts in so many ways that there is also an element of fear about the affects of the loss of contribution to the arts because of the death, but we must pray and trust God. (Psalm 30:5)

It is also possible to hurt for them. We imagine ourselves in that situation and our emotions surface naturally. (2 Cor. 1:3-4)

Can you help somebody snuff out the fire of bereavement? Can you honor the grief process? Can you trust God's anointed to help you?

The National Alliance on Mental Illness at http://www.nami.org/

The Center for Loss at http://www.centerforless.com/

The American Association of Pastoral Counseling at http://www.aapc.org/

Is on the other side of the fire...Psalm 10:14



Swaggie Coleman "If you listen to the whispers, you won't hear the screams." Rev. Run (DMC) http://swaggiecoleman.blogspot.com/; Book Reviewer for RAWSISTAZ www.BlackBookReviews.net;

UNCLE E

CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR

Happy Easter, everyone! What a beautiful season of spring to bring you the birth of the year of the child! As we continue to learn new and improved ways to reclaim our children in the village, I present to you a gentleman who has definitely captured my heart with his book series, “The Adventures of Diggle, Boogie & Lolo (also known as the DBL Adventures).

Sit back and relax, enjoy the absolutely beautiful pictures, and let’s get to know a very successful African-American “male” Author of children’s books, Uncle E and how his books prove to be very successful readings for children of all ages, really.

S: Uncle E, please tell us about The Adventures of Diggle, Boogie & Lolo.

U: The Adventures of Diggle, Boogie & Lolo, or as you I say for short, DBL Adventures, is a children’s book series written in rhyme that promotes family values and character development. It’s like Dr. Seuss and the Huxtables rolled into one.

S: How wonderful that it is written in rhyme because it has been proven since the beginning of time that children learn more easily and quickly through rhymes. It holds true for adult beginners as well. I like that. Now children’s books are the toughest market to become an author in, especially African-American authors. What inspired you to become a children’s book author and in a field where few African-American male Authors exist?

U: (Smiling) Well, I’m actually a wanna be actor, performer, director. My wife is a singer. Family life happened and our dreams of New York and Hollywood faded. I had a defining moment about a year and a half ago that I just couldn’t let these dreams fade away, but I also knew that we couldn’t abandon our family to pursue them, SOOOOO we decided to integrate the family into the books. The main characters are our kids. My wife and I are the supporting cast. And as far as the market, I actually saw the opposite. The children’s book market is actually ripe in the African-American community (there will always be kids). You just have to find a way to get our kids into books. And that has been one of our goals.

S: And that is quite an accomplished goal. How did you come up with the characters’ names?

U: As I stated, the characters are my kids and those are their actual nicknames. My son, Eric is called “Diggle." Why? I can’t really tell you. That’s what he’s been since he was one or two. But because I have meanings for the other nicknames, Diggle has decided to let folks know “it because he likes to dig." My oldest daughter, Taylor is nicknamed “Boogie.” Her favorite song at the age of two was “Flashlight” by George Clinton. Every time she heard the song, she would start to Boogie. My daughter Lauryn is nicknamed because the first letter of her first and middle name is “LO” (Lauryn Olivia), so we call her “LoLo."


And as for me, I’m 'UNCLE E.' That’s short for Uncle Stunkle Runkle Riffy Tiffy Jiffy BLOOP BLOOP P.U. SNIFFY Ericsonville. (Can you say that backwards really fast?) From the beginning, I had planned to be in this business for a long time and make a mark like Dr. Seuss. I thought “if Dr. Seuss is going to be Dr. Seuss then I needed a pen name, too.” I chose UNCLE E
because at the end of the book(s), I just wanted to be considered another part of the family.

S: Beautiful! (laughter). Incredible! I love the whole concept of a “cast of characters.” What inspired you to do a children’s book series based on your family?

U: Well, family is THE MOST IMPORTANT element of life for me. Without family, I’m lifeless. I was abandoned when I was five years old. My mom left me at a Greyhound bus station. And like a good portion of our kids today, I had (and still have) absolutely NO IDEA who my father was. That experience really did a mind job on my identity and esteem. Fast forwarding some 20+ years later, I see that there are things that I appreciate about family life that many people take for granted if mom and dad are always there. It was important to me when my kids made their first snowman or when my son played on the basketball team for the first time. My son is eight and my oldest daughter just turned five. Five is a milestone for me because every time one of my children reach and surpass five, then they get to overcome the traumatic event that happened to me when I was five. I know that might sound deep, but I feel as if I (and now with the family, "WE") exist to promote family and family values. Divorces are on the rise. Kids are being raised by Internet and television. It’s as if the family is becoming an endangered species.


S: Excuse me folks, (hugs). Ok, I just had to give you that big warm hug. Uncle E you just spoke some very true and powerful words and the delivery of those words was first class in real time. What makes your series unique from other children’s books? Amen? Amen!

U: Well, the obvious reason is our true to life family component. A lot of kids are wowed when they see that Diggle, Boogie and LoLo are real people. In addition, with our Read-A-Long CD, my kids do the voiceover work for the book. Every time Diggle is speaking in the book, you’re going to hear the Real Diggle…the same with Boogie. We’re working on LoLo. She was just one when we started, but her vocabulary is improving. In addition to that, our books are also unique because they are FUN!!! If you can imagine a book being fun. Well actually, it’s the CDs. You have no idea how many times I hear a parent tell me how many times they have to hear the same Read-A-Long CD. One mom told me she was mad at me. She said she could not listen to her Beyonce CD because her kids always wanted to hear Diggle, Boogie & LoLo. We try to create books that are educational, morally sound, and ADVENTUROUS!!!

S: Folks you just have to purchase the series for your child(ren) and what a perfect present for birthdays, First Communion gifts, and every-day fun. One visit to Uncle E’s website will definitely make you a fan of his all-star cast! You can order The DBL Adventures by placing an order at http://www.dbladventures.com/ today, but be warned the books sell out quickly and you may have to be placed on the waiting list! Let me ask you, how does a parent introduce a child to books?

U: They just read the book to them. There is a sobering statistic that the average black/latino 12th grader is on the same reading level as the average white 7th grader. I have reason to believe that’s because our white parental counterpart expose books to their children when they are as early as one (even earlier). By the time the child is old enough to comprehend, they are in the habit of having books in their life. I hear OUR folks tell me sometime “oh he/she has too many books”. I think, WOW. You wouldn’t say, we’ve seen too many movies. We can bare to watch yet another movie!

The Cast of Stars:

Uncle E

Boogie, Diggle, & Lolo

S: HALLELUIA-er!!! Lawd, we gonna have to have church up in here today! Umm-m, Umph! Who can seriously argue with that! Now, once we get the books in our homes and sit down with our child, how does a parent make reading “fun?”

U: Perception. If reading is fun to parents, then it will be perceived to be fun to children. And children can tell the difference. They observe. They will see if mommy/daddy have a book in their hands often or if they are just making their kids read. Reading to kids is still fun and impossible to EVER go out of style! Kids love the bonding. We cannot become so busy that we don’t read to our children.

S: Whew! Absolutely! I find that when I become animated with the characters while reading, my little munchkins’ eyes light up. When it is their turn to read, they mimic the animated voices and even begin to alter their voices as the character changes. They become so good with the pictures, too. Are illustrations absolutely necessary for children’s books? Why or Why Not?

U: I believe so. I think Illustrations should come with adult books, as well (well, not all adult books, if you know what I mean). But we are a society that is image driven. Images help tell the story, define the characters.

S: (Laughter) Yes, I have to agree and as a people, we are very visual. Now, you have a very profound way of engaging the critical thinking skills through your characters. This makes The DBL Adventures very appropriate for Educators to use in the classroom setting as well. How difficult was that to accomplish?

U: Not very hard. I’m ashamed to say this, but when I write, I pretend that I’m 6 and I think about how I would process scenarios. We don’t give kids enough credit for what they process. My kids will say something about a topic sometimes that makes me say, “boy they went the extra mile to think about that.” I usually use my kids as testers to see if what I am writing is easy or hard for them to comprehend.

S: Well, it is quite evident in the The DBL Adventures that you paid particular attention to those types of details. We can learn so much from our children when we take the time to do it. What a blessing you are! Do you refer to any special children’s vocabulary resource?

U: Actually, no. I just write the story. I will admit, if we’ve received any criticism at all, it’s been because of the vocabulary. Some may feel that it is too much at one time for a Kindergartener or first-grade reader. My response is usually one of two things:

1) I always intended for our books to be read and enjoyed by the entire family. And in doing so, the parents can help their kids identify words that may be unfamiliar.

2) WE DUMMY DOWN TOO MANY BOOKS! THAT’s why they are so boring in the perception of our kids. Then we pass them through a par reading level, statistics develop like the one mentioned above, and then they get to college and are tested into basic reading classes. We purposely put words in kids that were subliminally forced to comprehend in order to continue to enjoy the story. With the Read-A-Long CD, they can get help in pronouncing the words. As we prepare to print the next edition of the books, we will include a glossary in the back to give parents a definition of these words in children’s laymen terms.

S: Uncle E, you are absolutely phenomenal and I can easily see why your book sales have topped 5,000 in sales! Again, folks, you can order The DBL Adventures from the website http://www.dbladventures.com/ today and be prepared to be placed on a waiting list, too. (Smile).

Ok, I know time is ticking, Uncle E, but please share with us why is critical thinking for a child important versus simply having fun?

U: I don’t think there is a “versus.” They have to merge in a partnership. If it’s not enjoyable, kids will feel like they are forced to do it. And as I said, kids think critically all the time. They just don’t realize when they are doing it.

S: I see. The African-American family is faced with some very difficult economic, social, and health issues today that pose a threat to family. How does a family keep a supply of good reading books for children?

U: Until the recession shuts down all the libraries, which will never happen, there is no excuse for a child not to obtain books!

S: I won’t ask you to repeat that, but I will challenge parents to make a trip to your local library while your child is on Spring Break from school. Now, do parents rely too much on teachers of young children or vice versa?

U: Well, I don’t want to speak for parents and make any assumptions. It can be easy to lighten up with mentally stimulating your child if you know that that is somebody’s “JOB” to do it regularly. However, as our President is communicating with education reform, no reform will be successful without the involvement of the parent. There is no way around it. A parent must reiterate the principles taught in school. AND, the reality is that we, particularly in urban areas will ALWAYS have oversized classes, so the parent has to determine if what the class is learning overall is too easy or too hard for their respective child.

A parent has to be willing to become a personal tutor. If it’s too hard, the parent needs to be willing to make it make sense. If it’s too easy, what else can you give the child? My wife made sure my son learned cursive even when the rest of the kids in his class weren’t taught it. She started my daughter on reading three level words when the rest of the class was just on two.

S: Ok, parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles, etc., let’s put this into practice today! We are the village!! Of course, so are teachers. How do you believe a teacher can inspire parents to read with their children?

U: Boy this could be a long answer. The short and simple is this: School could possibly do a better job of establishing a partnership with parents and vice versa. PTAs and PTOs in our school are not well attended by parents many times. And the teachers are so tired from working with the kids all day that they don’t represent the “T” in PTA/PTO. If there is no partnership, there is no communication. If there is no communication, there is no inspiration. A partnership between Parents and Teachers is not just an added benefit, it is a necessity!

S: How does a single parent working two jobs reinforce what is learned in the classroom for young readers?

U: With a lot of grace.

S: And it can be done because I did it and anything I can do, you can do, too. (Laughter).

U: Well, there are circumstances like those that I am hesitant to speak to because I am not in those shoes. Hopefully there are aunts and cousins and siblings and other family members around that are passionate about a child’s education and are able to help take on the responsibility of preparing that child for the real world.

S: Yes, it was a village effort for me. By politely delegating babysitters and calling my kids during my work breaks, it became easier. When I arrived home, my kids already knew to have their home assignments on the dining room table for me to check. In the morning while I was preparing breakfasts, etc., I would ask them questions. The tough part, honestly, was my discipline to read their home assignments at night before I went to bed. Ok, fast forward. How do African-American parents find affordable African-American children’s books?

U: Again, with a lot of grace. Unfortunately, our books are usually a bit higher than a Dora book or a Disney book. Those books are in mainstream. Our books are usually not, so everything costs more. However, I encourage folks to make the investment. Not just in reading. Not just in African-American authors, but in the esteem and identity of our children.

S: Thank you! That was very well stated!

U: Well, the bottom line is that our children NEED to see images of kids in books that LOOK LIKE THEM! I have gorgeous daughters.

S: Aaawe…

U: No, seriously, they are gorgeous. That’s why it frustrates me that I have to convince them that they look better than Disney princesses or Hannah Montana. But if all they are exposed to are Disney and Hannah, then that will become their definition of beauty that everything else will be compared to. We have to keep books by and about us before our children at all times.

S: Be still my beating heart… Are children too young for book clubs?

U: NO, NOT AT ALL! It helps to make reading fun.

S: How do you teach “integrity” to a young reader from the Author’s perspective?

U: In our books, we don’t just suggest “you should do this or don’t do that.” We give a scenario of what can happen when you are not honest or when you disobey.

S: Do you think there is a difference in boys liking to read and girls? Why?

U: YES! I think it also has to do with the material that is currently available to boys. There are plenty of books available for girls. It seems a bit limited for boys.

S: Do you believe African-American children’s books will soar higher now that there is an African-American President?

U: There could possibly be an indirect correlation; however, I don’t believe that it will be that significant. And it shouldn’t be. We have to make it a point to make reading soar in our community no matter who’s in office.

S: Amen? Amen! We cannot stop promoting reading by our children after eight years. Are your books exclusively for African-American children?

U: No, they are primarily for children in Iowa. Kidding. (Big Laughter) Our books are about a family. Families come in all cultures and colors. We are not going to go out of our way to become multi-cultural. But we are not going to make sure our books are “PRO-BLACK” either. You will tell from our illustrations that we are who we are. And you will tell from our stories that our messages cross racial barriers.