President-elect Obama Announces a NEW Community Service Group -- "Organizing For America"

all Americans need to be involved in this change that's for sure, we need to return to We the People

When I was a kid, there was still a little of the Kennedy feeling left of "ask not what your country can do for you." I remember we were asked to help "Keep America Beautiful" by Ladybird Johnson and we all got little metal flag pins to wear for picking up trash and planting trees. We were 6 or 7 years old and we could help!

So I've always thought we were supposed to be involved in making the US a better place. It's exciting to have a President who feels the same way.

I hope that everyone will get involved - we all have gifts and talents to share!

Rhanks for this because I have not checked into the website for a few days. It is so exciting to have a President elected that we know wants our opinion, and respects it as well. I myself hope to find my own way of helping, in my own way, and if my health allows it, throughout his term(s). Being able to help from where we are is so wonderful on so many levels, and think how proud our troops must be to think we are actually getting to contribute here, while they are there. It's all good, and I fail to see if we are all busy and dedicated to OUR COUNTRY, how any form of "burn out" can rear it's ugly head. Thanks Nee. Ellen B

hi nalita

It would be nice if everyone take part and get involve.

I am glued to C-SPAN for coverage of Barack Obama's trip to Washington.

Hi and thanks for the post!

I'm so glad that this has happened. I'm ready for some service now!

thanks for the liniks

I hardly think the forces of hope and meaningful change for the American people (all of them, this time, not just the rich and greedy) can be described as blackshirts, Charles, or is that a racial crack?

Thank you for all of the comments, even yours, Charles "Wolverines!" M.!

Ivan N.,

I am more than humbled, and even . . .I am honoured! You featured this article in Obama Watch

Thank you ever so much for that. Just at a time when I was feeling UNappreciated, your doing that makes me really feel appreciated. Thank you ever, ever so much, because I know how carefully, and with great thought you do things in this group.
Hugs to you, Ivan!

I want to re-iterate that I shall be posting some photos. Ivan almost makes me want to post my Inauguration article here on Gather, if only to HIS group. He humbles me, he truly does.

But, the thing I really wanted to say though, is this:

You are muted by your OWN choice,
If you say you have NO VOICE.


President-elect Obama -- in the midst of a mountain of problems, issues, and hardships that he must tackle in the next 4 years -- is doing EVERYTHING he is possibly able to do to give you that VOICE into the political system of YOUR government, lest you forget that . . .

YOU . . .ARE the Government!

You are NOT governed. No, no, no, no!

YOU, being the GOVERNMENT, are represented BY a FEW, who are SUPPOSED to VOICE what you want, what you TELL THEM, YOUR issues, and concerns --

for they are YOUR servants, and not vice-versa.

They are YOUR servants, for YOU are the GOVERNMENT!

Grab a hold to that concept, and never let it go.

If you are mute, and un-engaged
I dare say that have victimized yourself, and that you are derelict in your Patriotic duties, and a traitor to your Country, as well as Generations passed, and Generations to come; YOU are now part of the problem, and NOT part of the solution.

What does it mean to be a Citizen anyway?

Before responding to that, let me speak to a President Obama, and agree with what President Bush told Obama --

We are all the same -- rulers. The difference with Presidents is that the buck STOPS _________..........here.
with them; they've no other place to go. They're alone. That's it, that's all. The ultimate decision, the ultimate blame, the ultimate in repercussions, etc., etc., etc., is all going to stop right there.

It has GOT to be the loneliest job in the world.

But to pick it up, in the middle, from someone else, in its current state, what a horrible position in which to find oneself. After a time, so many people shall forget just WHO created this mess, and all eyes shall be upon the current President as the one to blame, for this is human nature --

"It's his fault; he did it! It's been 6 months! Why hasn't he fixed it?"

But our part is easy -- Just engage, and if we blow it, we've someone to pass the blame onto . . .if no one else, we may ALWAYS do what so many are already doing -- just blame a President-elect, or eventually a President Obama.

Do you see how easy that is?
______________________________________

Getting back to what I was saying . . .

We are ALL Kings and Queens of a sort.

What does it mean to Be Kings and Queens, but not engaged in the ruling of our Country?

What KINDS of rulers are those???

I would call them pretty darned pathetic rulers, unfit TO rule.

Why not just give up your Citizenship, and pass it on to someone who would really appreciate it?

I fully understand, and appreciate that part of the freedoms afforded citizens of the United States is to be complacent, apathetic, and to do nothing, but sit on their derrieres and complain. Well, alrighty then. But, excuse the rest of us, who are about more than that if we don't pay a bit of attention to you, for that is one of the rights afforded US, you see!

Again, a man who has invited, and continues to invite you to participate in this wonderful, and exciting journey called "America" is saying "Come on in!"

And haven't you noticed that when you are busy DOING, there's very little time to complain?

I sincerely hope that you take our next President up on his offer. It isn't about whether I like, and especially if I dislike your political or personal philosophies. It is not about me; it is not about Obama; it IS all about YOU, though, and what it is about, is becoming engaged, and DOING something constructive with those philosophies; it is the whole theme upon which this Country was built. I hope you join us.
:=)

Lady N, I am in.
Even if I can only give a couple hours a week or 2 days a month...I'm in.
Blessed be.
Wilka

Wasn't this what the repugnicons called his secret police?

Good to know.

Neetah oh how I wish I could be in DC but I will be glued to my tv and to gather.

We are almost there gal:)

thanks for the update.

I'm stuck on CNN and have to confess, I teared up when I saw the "whistle stops" yesterday and heard Obama saying he is taking all of us with him on his journey. His message is, it doesn't really matter what your personal ideology is right now. Our country's at a critical point and we're going to sink or swim together. I prefer swimming ~~and we'll all have much less chance of drowning if we swim together!

Thanks for the refresher on citizenship, Nee. I needed to hear that, too. I have much to offer and so far, haven't done my part (and that's hard to admit since I'm such a huge Obama fan).

Thanks for the update.

I'm bummed as the swearing in starts at 9 AM on Tuesday and my grandkids will not be in their classrooms yet and I won't be at home. Trying to figure out how to work this out.

You've peaked my curiosity on how I can do more. I'm going to look in my area.

Hey, I already been here, Neetah, lol.

I read this as I'm sitting here half-watching (but listening) to the pre-inauguration show... **smile**

I wrote a little article on the inauguration a couple of days ago... Not THIS one but --

On another cold, January day...

Very emotional seeing masses of people from all over the world helping us usher in the NEW improved Amrican president and his family! What is this strange old feeling stirring? Oh MY! It is PRIDE in what we did and joy that the world approves!

The We Are One show was incredible. I teared up when Springsteen kicked it off with "The Rising." After last fall, that song is never going to be the same for me.

Side note to THE BOSS: WE GOT OUR COUNTRY BACK! WE GOT OUR DREAM BACK!

Hey Lady Nee, thanks for the ping. I am so envious of you being out there! Have a grand time and report back to us. I am very excited about this historic event and about the hope that is so evident in the hearts of people across this country. I go to a predominately white church and there were tears in the eyes of most everyone today as we applauded and celebrated the presidency of Obama and the idea that MLK, Jr.'s dream is unfolding.

I hope that the others can get past their negativity and divisivenenss and begin to pull together with the rest of us. The future of this country depends on it. The election is over and we need to move beyond politics and parties and become one nation.

thanks for sharing

Charles,
I knew the historic reference of blackshirt and fascism, but I wasn't too sure you did, or that that was what you meant by that. Either way, you're hopelessly clueless. How anyone could be a long time supporter of the most fascist administration in this country's history, and then try to smear Obama with a fascist reference is totally incredible

For the first time since JFK, and the hope of RFK, that was taken from us, I feel excited by the prospect that we, the people actually will have a say in the way government is run.

Three cheers for change & progress!

I am curious to see what the new president can do in order to help not only this country suceed where other presidents failed. But to also help the American people.

Behold the new dawn of hope - wonderful article! Thank you for sharing!!

This inauguration represents so many things on so many levels... it's hard to fully understand the meaning(s) of what is about to happen....the anticipation is intoxicating.
I share your revelry Nee.

excellent post my dear lady ~j

I am more interested in after all this Hype is over and it is time to get to work. So far I have liked some of his purposals. I want to see what kind of things he can do, not listen to a lot of speaches.

I know people are expecting him to be a miricle worker and I know that will not be true. I just hope he can get the country over this economic problem and get our troops home from two illegal wars. There is so much to do to repair the damage the Bush administration did.

Good morning, everyone!

Thanks for the comments, but also (as I look at the views) LOL, is that the word got out to everyone TO WATCH this historic event.

So, did you SEE that fabulous event --

We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial

yesterday? The speakers, and the performers were absolutely wonderful, weren't they?

Heck, I nearly passed out when Denzel Washington was announced, and walked out, and if THAT was not enough,
The BOSS man (Springsteen), too.

But the surprises just kept coming, didn't they!!!?

I LOVE to see the fellas, so these ones --
USHER (my heart was throbbing, looking like my Shawn-Shawn!)
Samuel L. Jackson (another heartthrob!)
WILL.I.AM (call the paramedics!)
Jamie Foxx (Lawd, have mercy!)

But then, some of the other talent was just . . .well . . . check it out --
Bettye Lavette,
Bon Jovi,
Mary J. Blige,
James Taylor,
Jennifer Nettles,
John Legend,
John Mellencamp -- now he just set the whole place afire!
and then, and then -- no he didn't but he DID! He showed the brothers and sisters laboring, even one with my GRAPES!
Heather Headly,
Herbie Hancock,
Sheryle Crow,
Renee Fleming,
Garth Brooks,
Shakira,
Stevie Wonder,
U2 and HE just cut up!
Pete Seeger, and shutting it down, another California/Oaktowner
Beyonce!!!

And the SPEAKERS!
Tom Hanks! -- a holla straight from Oaktown, Bay Area, California, Skyline High!
Marisa Tomei,
Laura Linney,
Martin Luther King, III
Queen Latifah
Rich Lopez
Cal Penn,
Tiger Woods,
Jack Black,
Rosario Dawson,
Ashley Judd, and
Forrest Whittaker.

I would do a review of it, were I not already working a several articles. However, our own

Spartan WAS there at the event, and I'm so hoping that he shall write up his eyewitness summary of the event.

Carla,

We were in tears over hear a great deal, too. What a beautiful time it is for American Patriots who care about this country, and about unifying it.

But, it seems that I mislead you if I gave you the impression that I was in D.C.; I'm not there, and I shall not be going there. I need to re-read that PING. LOL. I'm getting what I really want (I think), for there is a videographer who shall be taping the event, and promises me a copy of his finished/edited product. But, this is going to be some time after the Inauguration, whenever he completes whatever it is he needs to do with (I don't know) the taping.

As far as the second part of your comment -- the negativity and the divisiveness -- I shall say this: when one takes a look at this thread -- the BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, as well as those who attended the event yesterday, and the results from the November election, Carla, we must simply let those with negativity and divisiveness go on with it until it eats them away, and kills them, as hatred is sure to do.

There is a Higher Power

to which we must leave them,

and He/She shall surely handle them in a much wiser and better way than we ever could.

In the meantime forget them -- not worth the time or effort; and focus on the positive things;

these are the VERY instructions from that same Higher Power

(Philippians 4:7-8); we shall be joyous, and do whatever we are able to unify and restore the United States to the greatness that their hatred and divisiveness has brought it down to!

Thank you all for your comments and spirit of UNITY!

Already the January 19th events are under way, and of course . . .

Happy Birthday in remembrance to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.!

As always, superb. ;)

It's time to unite and pull together as Americans not as Dems and Reps. For this to work we all need to put aside our differences and work together.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." ~ MLK, Jr.

Thanks! I'm planning on watching whatever I can, and so is my Mum (visiting here from England).

Doc is going to D.C.?

I let my 15 y/o daughter stay home from school today so we could share this historical event together!

Thanks for the post, Neetah.

Thanks for the wealth of information Neetah -- It takes more than a few to post about OBAMA. Why not you?

HUGS ~
Rene

Thanks for sharing... Sorry for the delay, but hopefully this will bring more readers to your article.

Obama is the leader world,i like him