Do Justice and Love Mercy
Rick Warren & Joseph Lowery at the Presidential Inauguration

For the past weeks I've heard of the disappointment of many people regarding the the participation of Rev. Rick Warren (because of his yes on 8 stance and words) in the Inauguration. Yet whether you agree of disagree with the well known and best-selling author of a purpose-driven life, I was much more by the benediction of purpose, passion and compassion by Rev. Joseph Lowery. His were the words of faith that will be remembered: theological, philosophical, rooted in tradition yet pointed towards the future – prophetic. And as the same time, there was no Imam or Rabbi present in the ceremony, which either reflects the faith choice of our new president or overlooks the pluarlism that is our nation.

Here’s a video of his benediction and a LINK to the text.

Call to Service
Volunteer - Commit - Community
to renew America

President Elect Obama has invited and challenged citizens to volunteer this coming weekend and/or on MLK Jr. Day, Monday, January 19th.

They have an informational blog going at www.usaservice.org, which includes this video of Michelle Obama uploaded today.



I search for events with 40 miles of Oakland zipcode 94602 and found these results. Or go here to find opportunities near you.

A great blog/website that demonstrates how the Obama-chine continues to utilize, employ and involve through new forms of communication used fluently by the emerging net generation.

YouTube Election Videos

Here's some more interesting videos that I found on You Tube. YES. They're pro-Obama as so am I AND the videos are still very interesting (and funny!) They point sarcastically beyond the current cult of personality worship that's going on to deep concerns shared throughout our nation's population. These are pretty funny and thoughtful. Yet as the banks and financial institutions are toppling around us like houses in Hurricane Ike I wonder why we don't hear more about the economy? If you have any comments, share them. Like a wise man once said who spoke for change: "Be the change you want to see!"

Sarah Palin Update

I've heard about lipstick, hockey-moms with lipstick and pigs with lipstick all week. I know FOX News says that they're reporting is fair and balanced. But they don't got nothing on me. Here's my best of news articles and creations regarding Sarah Palin this past week. Thanks to all those who collected them (Uncle Tio, Lola Sarah & Leslie!)

And some good articles too:

Zombie Feminists of the RNC

Fresh Blood for the Vampire

Can You Say 'Sexist'? Anna Quindlen

The Triumph of Feminism (The Economist)

Obama in Berlin

Thoughts from Paris

Barack Obama spoke in Berlin last night, and is this afternoon in Paris - as I blog - meeting with the French President several blocks away.  The French news talked repeatedly yesterday of Obama's public address in Berlin last night, saying that they expected a crowd of 10,000.  Turns out to have been much more like 200,000.  Here's the speech (and comments on Youtube.com)

Obviously I'm a fan and supporter.  Everywhere that we've been in France these past weeks, Obama always comes up in the conversation.  His book is a big seller here. Many are those that ask us if we think Obama can win.  Nearly all of them express a hope that he will - not just for the USA - but for all the world.  Something about him, his presence, his speaking prowress and what he represents offers HOPE not just to Americans but to most Europeans who are tired of a political system that seems stuck, mired in an impasse of political position taking, opposition stalling, and racial profiling.

Of course this whole European tour is planned, a smart marketing tool, in a way propaganda.  Yet it's striking that everywhere we travel in Paris we seem Obama...all across the shelves of newstands, in bookstores, in the paper, in conversations over dinner.  Even when we spent the day at the Eiffel Tower we couldn't escape it.  A German couple who waited in line with us for over an hour were reading a copy of Obama's book in French and passionately discussing it.   What does that mean?  for America?  For the West?  For our world that seems increasingly mired in passivity in the face of raising food prices, reduced purchasing power, exploding petrol prices and growing complacency in terms of daily life and the need for change and the seemingly impossibility of true transformation.  We are intertwined not just by the multinational corporations like Coca-Cola that control and shape our socio-economic lives but also in our intellectual-spiritual-communal hopes, dreams and desires.

Interesting Online Reads

France for Obama (French Blog)

Raising $$$ for Obama abroad in France (All the News that's Fit Blog)

Elections USA 2008 [blog] interesting video clips and photos from Berlin