Fear and loathing on the Gulf

As Hurricane Gustav–increasing in deadly destructive power and speed–zeroes in on the Gulf Coast and New Orleans specifically, a region still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Katrina almost exactly three years ago there are some disturbing signs that suggest Louisiana has not fully learned the lessons of the Katrina catastrophe.

My source, an executive with a national telematics company (which provides GPS navigation systems and emergency information and services for millions of automobile owners) revealed details of high level teleconferences with government officials of the states most likely impacted by Gustav; Florida, Texas and Louisiana.

“On Thursday (August 28) when we had conversations with the EOC’s (Emergency Operation Center) for Louisiana, Florida and Texas–Louisiana was seriously lagging,” according to the source.

“To give you an example Texas informed us at that point that they had 128 buses on hand to transport people out of the path of the storm and Florida had 100 buses. But, when it came to Louisiana the answer was `we need approval for this, we need approval for that,’ never an answer on how many buses were available,” they said.

“Florida and Texas gave us access to important travel information within their states, but Louisiana refused to  fully cooperate with us,” they added.

“Not only are they (Louisiana) ill-prepared, they are in ill-informed about the resources available to help them as they try to evacuate their residents.”

Clinton sends Obama over the top!

In what is being viewed as a magnanimous gesture of unity New York Senator Hillary Clinton announced the final delegate votes that officially gave Illinois Sen. Barack Obama the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

The voting progression went like this: The state of New Mexico yielded its opportunity to cast their votes to the state of Illinois which in turn passed its voting opportunity to the state of New York. That’s when the New York delegation marched down to the floor of the Pepsi Center with Clinton at the center.

I’m waiting on the official copy of Clinton’s statement, but as soon as it comes the Chronicles will get it.

Frenzy

As I write this post at 6:17 Mountain Time the Pepsi Center in Denver is literally in a frenzy in anticipation of one of the most important speeches of the 2008 Democratic National Convention–the speech of New York Senator Hillary Clinton, who is scheduled to speak in less than an hour.

What will Clinton say? What can she do to bring her most ardent supporters into line behind Sen. Barack Obama?

Several politicians that I’ve talked to today at the Pepsi Center–including New York Governor David Patterson and Maryland Congresswoman Donna Edwards–claim that the alleged rift between the Clinton and Obama camps has been greatly exaggerated.

But, the reality is that there are some Clinton supporters that will never vote for Barack Obama no matter what Clinton does or says tonight.

Michelle Obama brings it home

Many believe Michelle Obama was charged with delivering a “miracle” during her keynote address on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The consensus of those who witnessed her soaring speech at the Pepsi Center believe she did just that an in the process Obama connected the story of her American family to the stories of millions of other American families.

“I come here as a daughter raised on the south side of Chicago by a father who was a blue-collar city worker and a mother who stayed at home with my brother and me,” Obama said, the strength of her voice mingled precisely with sweetness. “My mother’s love has always been a sustaining force for our family and one of my greatest joys is seeing her integrity, her compassion and her intelligence reflected in my own daughters,” Obama added.

With a pitch perfect performance she delivered the crescendo of an emotional night for the Democrats, which included the triumphant return of the iconic Ted Kennedy who is courageously battling cancer.

But, it was Obama—known within the campaign of her husband as “the closer,” who provided the emphatic exclamation point to a powerful evening. She invoked the memory of her beloved father, honored her mother who was in attendance at the Pepsi Center and introduced her husband Barack Obama to America as she sees him; as a husband, a father and a man.

“And in the end, after all that’s happened these past 19 months, the Barack Obama I know today is the same man I fell in love with 19 years ago,” Obama said. “He’s the same man who drove me and our new baby daughter home from the hospital 10 years ago this summer,” she added.

And she even gave a strong shout out to Sen. Hillary Clinton, which sparked a raucous, perhaps, cathartic reaction from many in the crowd.

“People like Hillary Clinton, who put those 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling, so that our daughters and sons can dream a little bigger and aim a little higher,” Obama said.

And perhaps Obama put to shame those who have tried to demonize her as angry and unpatriotic—she defined herself and set the record straight.

“That is why I love this country,” Obama said. “And in my own life, in my own small way, I’ve tried to give back to this country that has given me so much.”

Michelle Obama stepped to the podium at the Pepsi Center to the Stevie Wonder classic, “I Was Made to Love Her,” a theme that perhaps exemplifies Barack Obama’s love for his wife and daughters, which was on full display when Sasha and Malia came out on stage and greeted their father who appeared via satellite from Kansas City, MO.

As she concluded her speech another Stevie Wonder classic, “Isn’t She Lovely,” perhaps summed up the thoughts of millions of Americans who were swept up by Michelle Obama during the opening night of the Democratic Convention.

Kennedy brings down the house

 

 

 

Last night there were few dry eyes in the crowd at the Pepsi center as they witnessed an amazing display of courage and heroism when the “Liberal Lion of the Senate,” the irrepressible Ted Kennedy addressed the Democratic National Convention.

Despite suffering the effects of brain cancer Kennedy looked robust and rallied the crowd of more than 4400 Democratic delegates and others—who applauded the legendary Senator for several moments before he launched into his rousing speech—as only he can.

“My fellow Democrats—my fellow Americans it is so wonderful to be here tonight,” Kennedy said. “And nothing—nothing was going to keep me away from this special gathering tonight,” he added emphatically.

Then Kennedy, with many of his family members and Senate colleagues watching with admiration, promised a return to the Senate chamber.

“I will be there next January on the floor of the U.S. Senate,” Kennedy roared. The iconic Senator ended his speech honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his seminal American moment 45 years ago the “I Have a Dream Speech,” which will be commemorated during Barack Obama’s acceptance speech Thursday.

“The hope rises again—the dream lives on,” said Kennedy.

Waiting for Michelle…

Two music legends; R&B superstar John Legend and legendary R&B band Earth, Wind and Fire performed back to back moments ago at the Pepsi Center in Denver as everyone waits in anticipation of the speaker of the evening–Michelle Obama.

Many have speculated about the contents of her speech tonight but, she told NPR’s Michele Norris earlier today that she plans to introduce the country to Barack Obama as she knows him, “As a husband, a father and a man.”

Meanwhile, as I write this post Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi–a native of Baltimore–is rallying the Democrats with the refrain, “John McCain is wrong.”

Showtime!

It’s all about adrenaline now.

This morning The Democratic National Convention has officially begun. But, the myriad factions of the Democratic Party have been jockeying for position in Denver all weekend long.

Veteran Delaware Senator Joe Biden is in place as Barack Obama’s pick or vice-president. But, there are still a lot of questions that need to be answered and the only man who can ultimately provide the answers is Obama.

When  it is all said and done Obama will either be a transcendent historical figure or a footnote to history.

In the shadow of history

The eyes of the world are on Denver, CO. this week as Barack Obama prepares to make history on Thursday–the 45th anniversary of Dr. King’s, “I Have a Dream Speech”–when he becomes the first Black man to be nominated by a major American political party as president of the United States.

But, even as America anticipates it’s most dramatic political sea change, some  in Denver’s Black community witness the tide of history through somewhat cynical eyes.

“I like the hooplah and the hooray, but at the end of the day it’s results,” said Denver native Joy Walker, director of the non-profit organization, “Sista’ Love Mentoring,” Inc. Walker was hanging out Sunday (August 24) at the Denver Jazz and Blues Festival, which takes place in East Denver’s historic Black neighborhood Five Points.

“If this brotha’ (Obama) can move our position forward some than we’d be good. Because right now we’re lagging in everything–education, unemployment–so, why would brothers and sisters be so elated about coming to a convention where we feel like we’re not a part of it–a lot of people in the community don’t feel like they’re a part of the convention,” added Walker who is the daughter of Denver civil rights activist Alvertis Simmons. “Change–we need to see the change–we can’t hope for it anymore.”

One helluva’ high school reunion!

According to a close source in Detroit, embattled Motown Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his undercover boo and former chief of staff Christine Beatty a.k.a. “Freaky Chris,” both  attended their 20-year high school reunion on Belle Isle in Detroit Sunday (August 17). The two met at Cass Tech High School in Detroit. It’s not clear who Beatty was with but, Kilpatrick was there with two boys–most likely his sons–and his wife was understandably a no show. Most people worry about how much weight they’ve gained as their 20-year reunion approaches. But, Kwame and Christine have a little bit more on their minds right about now.

Happy 20th reunion everybody!

Saddle up Barack!

At last night’s (August 16) “values forum,” which took place at the Saddleback Mega-Church in Lake Forrest, California–John McCain may have had his best General Election performance to date.

The soon to be 72-year old McCain plowed through the questions of the evening’s moderator Saddleback Pastor Rick Warren like a gleeful white-haired buzz saw.

Barack Obama took a gamble participating in the forum–walking into the lion’s den–if you will–of McCain’s White evangelical Christian base. But, it was a risk he was willing to take as he continues to challenge McCain for the faith vote, which I believe is a bold but, smart tactic.

But, I was expecting Obama to do better. He is clearly more comfortable talking about his faith than McCain. Yet, last night Obama seemed too measured–too careful. It was McCain that dove into the forum with abandon.

I thought last night was the perfect opportunity for Obama to open up and reveal more of himself to the American people. After all, faith is about what’s inside of a person’s heart–there is nothing pragmatic or logical about it.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” wrote Paul in Hebrews 11:1.

Obama had the opportunity to seize an important symbolic and substantive victory last night. But, instead he played not to lose and McCain stole the show.

To his credit, Obama didn’t make any mistakes and he was “likable enough.” But, typically when you play not to lose that’s just what happens–you lose.