Voting Day Update 3, Good and Bad

Great and fun vid first:



Voter Problems (these are selected reports. So far, there are over 70K problems reported)

Grand Rapids, Michigan, problems with matched addresses, 17th precinct, largely African American.

GREAT news in one Chicago precinct!

And for us (not the bigots) let's dance to this timeless song--get up and dance, folks, seriously! If you can't dance to this, 'ya got nuttin'.


In case you have NEVER read the lyrics to this, read em now. This applies to all of us, but at the time it was recorded, Aretha 'stepped over the line' in her "right now" at a time when the civil rights movement was in play... she knew it.

And "right now", we have to step over the line to free America from the tyranny of the former majority.

Think (think) think (think) think (think)
think (think) think (think) think (think)

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

Let's go back, let's go back, let's go way on back when
I didn't even know you, you came to me and too much you wouldn't take
I ain't no psychiatrist, I ain't no doctor with degree
It don't take too much high IQ's to see what you're doing to me

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

Oh freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, yeah freedom
Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, ooh freedom

There ain't nothing you could ask I could answer you but I won't (I won't)
I was gonna change, but I'm not, to keep doing things I don't

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

People walking around everyday, playing games that they can score
And I ain't gonna be the loser my way, ah, be careful you don't lose yours

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

You need me (need me) and I need you (don't you know)
Without each other there ain't nothing people can do

Oh freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, yeah freedom
Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, ooh freedom

There ain't nothing you could ask I could answer you but I won't (I won't)
I was gonna change, but I'm not, if you're doing things I don't

You better think (think) think about what you're trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

You need me (need me) and I need you (don't you know)
Without each other there ain't nothing people can do

(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)

(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)

(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)

(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)

You had better stop and think before you think, think!!

Hold On! Keep Your Eyes on the Prize, Hold On!

Amid the messy refuse of the Democratic primaries, a white woman v. a black man, it isn't the way it was. It is the way it is (apologies to Bruce Hornsby).

Barak Obama will rise to be the candidate, that is now certain; the first black candidate for U.S. president.

As a nation, we should be very proud. But there are many barriers still to cross and many dangers ahead. This rise of a brilliant black man does not change the recent Katrina debacle in terms of the treatment of the poor, the black or otherwise marginalized communities ignored by the federal government during that crisis (not to mention the animals) and likely many crisis to come. It is important that we remember that our government is all of us, not some of us, and while the marginalized remain so, we HAVE to change that.

Against this very positive current political backdrop, please watch this amazing 1962-1964(?) video set against the absolutely incredible music of Mavis Staples. It is extremely painful to watch, and for me very painful to watch as a Christian, but we need to remember. We must always remember. And we need to remember that now, there is a different target: gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender persons. GLBT persons are the subject of brutal and unconstitutional violations at every turn, though created perfect by God.

It is no wonder some can turn away from God given the evil references and actions attributed to those who are considered church leaders against Gods creation.

The younger generation is fulfilling my greatest hopes. While we talked about equality and legislated it, the generation now is living it. They are doing what Christ suggested needed to be our path, whether they agree with that calling or not. I am very proud of them. They are doing what we tried to do.

As humans, and as Christians, our duty is to assure equal treatment under God for all... not some. Watch this:



Lyrics to Keep Your Eyes on the Prize:

Paul and Silas, bound in jail
Had no money for to go their bail
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on
Hold on, (hold on), hold on, (hold on)
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on!
Hold on, (hold on), hold on, (hold on)
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on!

Paul and Silas began to shout
Doors popped open, and they walked out
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on
Hold on, (hold on), hold on, (hold on)
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on!

Well, the only chains that we can stand
Are the chains of hand in hand
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on
Got my hand on the freedom plow
Wouldn't take nothing for my journey now
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on!

Hold on, (hold on), hold on, (hold on)
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on!
Hold on, (hold on), hold on, (hold on)
Keep your Eyes on the Prize, hold on!
Hold on, (hold on), hold on, (hold on)
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on!
Hold on, (hold on), hold on, (hold on)
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on!
....