Obama Says Happy Ramadan

It's that time of year again ... Ramadan Mubarak to all my Muslims round the world ... and that's from both myself - and our dope Pres! Never ever heard anything like this before! And never thought I'd see the day where Muslims were so acknowledged and included in the conversation. We still have a long way to go, but this is a phenomenal beginning ...

Check out his remarks regarding the Holy Month, and make sure you click on his video clip:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/2009/August/20090821_Ramadan.mp4

Remarks of President Barack Obama

Ramadan Message

Washington, DC

On behalf of the American people – including Muslim communities in all fifty states – I want to extend best wishes to Muslims in America and around the world. Ramadan Kareem.

Ramadan is the month in which Muslims believe the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, beginning with a simple word – iqra. It is therefore a time when Muslims reflect upon the wisdom and guidance that comes with faith, and the responsibility that human beings have to one another, and to God.


Like many people of different faiths who have known Ramadan through our communities and families, I know this to be a festive time – a time when families gather, friends host iftars, and meals are shared. But I also know that Ramadan is a time of intense devotion and reflection – a time when Muslims fast during the day and perform tarawih prayers at night, reciting and listening to the entire Koran over the course of the month.

These rituals remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islam’s role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings.

For instance, fasting is a concept shared by many faiths – including my own Christian faith – as a way to bring people closer to God, and to those among us who cannot take their next meal for granted. And the support that Muslims provide to others recalls our responsibility to advance opportunity and prosperity for people everywhere. For all of us must remember that the world we want to build – and the changes that we want to make – must begin in our own hearts, and our own communities.

This summer, people across America have served in their communities – educating children, caring for the sick, and extending a hand to those who have fallen on hard times. Faith-based organizations, including many Islamic organizations, have been at the forefront in participating in this summer of service. And in these challenging times, this is a spirit of responsibility that we must sustain in the months and years to come.

Beyond America’s borders, we are also committed to keeping our responsibility to build a world that is more peaceful and secure. That is why we are responsibly ending the war in Iraq. That is why we are isolating violent extremists while empowering the people in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we are unyielding in our support for a two-state solution that recognizes the rights of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. And that is why America will always stand for the universal rights of all people to speak their mind, practice their religion, contribute fully to society and have confidence in the rule of law.

All of these efforts are a part of America’s commitment to engage Muslims and Muslim-majority nations on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect. And at this time of renewal, I want to reiterate my commitment to a new beginning between America and Muslims around the world.

As I said in Cairo, this new beginning must be borne out in a sustained effort to listen to each other, to learn from each other, to respect one another, and to seek common ground. I believe an important part of this is listening, and in the last two months, American embassies around the world have reached out not just to governments, but directly to people in Muslim-majority countries. From around the world, we have received an outpouring of feedback about how America can be a partner on behalf of peoples’ aspirations.

We have listened. We have heard you. And like you, we are focused on pursuing concrete actions that will make a difference over time – both in terms of the political and security issues that I have discussed, and in the areas that you have told us will make the most difference in peoples’ lives.

These consultations are helping us implement the partnerships that I called for in Cairo – to expand education exchange programs; to foster entrepreneurship and create jobs; and to increase collaboration on science and technology, while supporting literacy and vocational learning. We are also moving forward in partnering with the OIC and OIC member states to eradicate polio, while working closely with the international community to confront common health challenges like H1N1 – which I know is of particular to concern to many Muslims preparing for the upcoming hajj.

All of these efforts are aimed at advancing our common aspirations – to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. It will take time and patient effort. We cannot change things over night, but we can honestly resolve to do what must be done, while setting off in a new direction – toward the destination that we seek for ourselves, and for our children. That is the journey that we must travel together.

I look forward to continuing this critically important dialogue and turning it into action. And today, I want to join with the 1.5 billion Muslims around the world – and your families and friends – in welcoming the beginning of Ramadan, and wishing you a blessed month. May God’s peace be upon you.


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Crash in the Hudson - Again!

I happened to be sitting outside on the NJ side of the Hudson from about 11:30 AM till just after noon. Close to noon I looked up because I noticed a helicopter veering and making strange movements over the river - including quick, jerky movements - and flying rather low. The helicopter then made a sharp turn and headed southbound (which is where it eventually crashed further down the river). Not sure if the helicopter may have been suffering from some problems before colliding with the plane, but I can't help thinking of these strange movements that apparently took place right before ... very, very sad.

Idiots On The Loose

They're not racists. They're not angry because they're increasingly becoming the minority in an ever-mixing society. They're not infuriated that an African American man is leading the country, and moreover recognized as the most powerful man in the world ... nope, the mobs of loud, vicious, instigating White folks storming local governmental meetings are mad over health care - and they're not afraid to cling to their religion or guns to prove it.

As Congress prepares to take its annual August recess, members are returning to their constituents who are eagerly anticipating a thorough discussion surrounding health care. The debate has been waging for some time now as President Obama pushes a dire change to our costly, inefficient system. As the battle lines have been drawn - and redrawn - something more sinister has been taking place. Instead of engaging in insightful and informational conversations, many citizens are being brainwashed (or paid) to ante up.

Frustrated over job losses, an ailing economy and a sense of hopelessness, angry Whites have now galvanized around a well orchestrated 'protest' against health care reform. Fueled by right wing media, pundits and so-called GOP leaders, these Whites have taken their subconscious hatred of 'Black power' and change to the streets and into governmental buildings in towns across America. Holding 'R.I.P.' signs with Democratic leaders' names, and in some cases assaulting such leaders, these fundamental groups are yelling and disrupting order so that no real discussion can take place at all.

If you ask how many of these anti-health care reformers have Medicare, the overwhelming majority will answer 'yes'. Can someone please tell these idiots that Medicare is a GOVERNMENT run program. So before chanting 'less government', perhaps these geniuses should take a good look at all the benefits they have received from our government over the years. And more importantly, they may want to take a look at why, just why, they are so damn mad.