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. . . on the 45th anniversary of MLK‘s “I have a dream speech” ….

I believe this will be a moment we will remember for a long, long time…
[ watch the whole acceptance speech here ]

Above everything else, with all the promises made, at the end of the DNC, Obama managed to inspire and motivate more than the 70,000+ people in Denver on this historical night. He re-committed himself and the Democratic party to a life’s work of dedication to “E Pluribus Unum” – Out of many, One.

A few highlights from the coverage on CNN.com follow

Al Gore says…
It is time for a change.
The best marketers often have the worst products. (This applies to energy companies, large Beaurocracies, and republicans)

[ Take a look at the site, WE CAN SOLVE IT ]

Barney Smith, a former republican and average joe, spoke about keeping jobs in America. He said, “We need a president who puts Barney Smith before Smith Barney,”

There is currently a poll to make Barney Smith VP – vote here on DailyKos.

With the exception of Barack Obama campaign videos, the live web coverage was uninterrupted by advertisements. Interesting…

By watching the video online, I was able to watch the video in a significantly different way – sharing the link to the feed with my social networks, updating my status on gmail, facebook, flickr, and twitter.

Some interesting insight from the New York Times:

For most of the convention, CNN — staid, stable and anchored by fewer egomaniacs — won higher ratings than the other cable news channels, as well as ABC and CBS. And Wednesday, CNN was neck and neck with NBC, and for a while even ahead, suggesting that when a political event is this interesting, television commentators are less so.

And now…Obama opens up his speech:

[ you can also watch the whole speech here ]

“Thank you”

“McCain has voted with Bush 90% of the time. I’m not willing to take a 10% chance on change.”

He also spoke at length on what change really means to him, and how it translates to politics.

What DOES change mean?
1. Cut taxes for middle class.
2. In 10 years, we will finally . . . (dropped data connection)
3. Keep jobs in the US
4. Equal
5. Wait – Tax Cuts for the middle class? Is this really change? An old promise – but if it’s actually fulfilled…

More Highlights from Obama’s speech:
We need a renewed sense of responsibility
What JFK called, “intellectual and moral strength.”
Each of us must do our part to make our businesses and homes more efficient (what does that mean?).

We need a president that will look to the future instead of trying to grapple with the past. Wait – did he really say that? We might need to go back to the transcript on that one…

You can find the transcript for his acceptance speech in 2004 here. If you find the transcript of his speech at the DNC in Denver, please send it on.

I’ve initially found this here on this great blog : [transcript]

I would also appreciate links for relevant and related videos…

Related Stories:
Moving story re: Watching Parties in Philadelphia (NYTimes)

In Denver, Obama Comes Full Circle From 2004 (NPR)
At the 2004 Democratic Convention, John Kerry was the presidential nominee and the keynote address was given by Barack Obama — who was then an Illinois state senator running for the U.S. Senate.

I just got an email from Barack Obama.

In his words,

I’m about to take the stage in St. Paul and announce that we have won the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

It’s been a long journey, and we should all pause to thank Hillary Clinton, who made history in this campaign. Our party and our country are better off because of her.

I want to make sure you understand what’s ahead of us. Earlier tonight, John McCain outlined a vision of America that’s very different from ours — a vision that continues the disastrous policies of George W. Bush.

But this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past and bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.

It’s going to take hard work, but thanks to you and millions of other donors and volunteers, no one has ever been more prepared for such a challenge.

In response to anti-Obama rhetoric from the jewish contingency, this group has created an anti-anti-Obama campaign.

hilarious

visit the site or the store for more

May 8th, 2008, 8pm
Brooklyn Lyceum – Union St and 4th Ave

Last night a large group of Brooklyn Bloggers came together at the Brooklyn Blogfest. Louise Crawford, one of the lead organizers, led off the ceremonies with a video by Blue Barn Pictures.

Overall, the event gave me a larger sense of what is going on in the local blog-o-sphere.
I really liked seeing the great photobloggers of Brooklyn featured in this video

To sum up – two things came to mind:
1. Dan Gillmor’s We The Media
2. Meetup.com – where Real Groups make a Real Difference

First – the event was a clear indicator of the rise of grassroots media and self-organized groups.

Second – it was simply nice to see established bloggers (people blogging for over 2 years) meet new bloggers. There was definitely a sense of self-congratulation, which is actually well deserved. Anyone running a blog (or two or three) knows how much work it takes to produce quality posts.

However, I do disagree that a blog must absolutely produce “fresh content” every day. That kind of mentality is inherited from the CNN news-cycle mentality.

Not surprisingly, the event was sponsored by Outside.in (great job on the free beer, by the way!)

For those who couldn’t make it, you can take a virtual walk through Brooklyn by following the links below:
Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn
Creative Times
The Brooklyn Optimist
So Good
Flatbush Gardener
Bedstuy Banana
New York Shitty
Sustainable Flatbush
Clinton Hill Chill
Brooklyn Ron
Dear Famous Asshole
Super Vegan
Kingston Lounge

and a honorable mentions…Fading Ad and Brit in Brooklyn

I truly wonder what will happen when “old media” catches up with grassroots media. “Old media” has already started “airing” user-generated content. What will happen in publishing? I can imagine a few years from now, we will begin seeing these blogs turn into published books and magazines.

For a hint of things to come, take a look at CNN’s iReport

view photos from the event on flickr

…and hates Americans (that are like me). and is a convicted felon. He writes,

The fact is that the Jewish people committed a grievous sin in rejecting the Lord, and the world is today committing a grievous sin in rejecting the Lord…I will not water down what Father said to please liberal constituencies within his own church…During the Second World War, 6 million people were slaughtered…to cleanse all the sins of the Jewish people from the time of Jesus.

Really? And this man is funded by the government?

Watch this video to find out more.

John Gorenfeld, a respected journalist, has published BAD MOON RISING, a very interesting look into…craziness.

From the horses’ mouth:

[Bad Moon Rising]…is the larger-than-life story of Reverend Moon, the billionaire Korean preacher behind the Washington Times, the heart of the GOP media machine…who jet-sets around the world with members of the Bush family…who literally claims to be the Second Coming…to whom D.C. insiders shamelessly pay homage.

Years ago, Moon was widely considered a dangerous madman, like Jim Jones or L. Ron Hubbard. He inspired TV specials with names like “Escape From The Moonies.” His group earned its notoriety by prying young people from families, persuading them to sell flowers to underwrite Moon’s New York mansions and yacht, and marrying his subjects to strangers as a show of domination.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Shame on us for not paying attention to this man during the last 20 years. Or for letting him carry on. Maybe in a few years, Mr. Moon will pull off his mask and reveal himself to be Andy Kaufman. We can only wish…

Best line in the video?
Personally, I think it’s “Moon found himself right at home as the 60′s turned into something even creepier…the 70′s.”
(paraphrased)

RELATED LINKS:
Interview with John Gorenfeld on Daily Kos

Neil Bush and Moon

The Real Sun Myung Moon

Gorenfeld’s 2003 Article on Salon.com

Moon: Emperor of the Universe (BBC)

For those who have been following Governor Spitzer’s demise, a side show – eh I mean side story – has developed. His mistress, Ashley Alexandra Dupré, has achieved a new category of internet fame. As of yesterday, her mySpace had close to 1 million views.

At the time of this writing, her mySpace page has had over 13 million views – in 24 hours.

Ms. Dupre is also a talented artist. The street price for her mp3 went from less than $0.40 to close to $0.99. In less than 1 week, her market value on the street has doubled. According AlleyInsider, she is experiencing more internet fame than Radiohead and Bare Naked Ladies.

Playboy and Penthouse have also approached her to do a photoshoot.

The site Internet Famous writes, “Just because a lot of people see your stuff doesn’t mean it’s good. But it does mean you’re famous.”

While her “stuff” might not be good, she does share some good advice:

Surround yourself around people that are making moves, and doing what “they want and love” with their lives, positive energy…thats what life is all about…living. Because if you dont, misery loves company, they will only try to bring you down with them…but the question is, are you strong enough, to not let that happen?

Given the evidence presented above, Ashley Alexandra Dupré is not going down, but up.

I hate gossip, but this story of internet fame is just too good. In addition to paying her loads of money, Governor Spitzer has helped her launch her career…

In other news, Mr. Spitzer will be resigning as governor. Taking over the coveted position of Governor will be David Paterson, a blind man. Unfortunately for Mr. Spitzer, justice is blind too.

From the NYTimes

The resignation will be effective on Monday at noon. Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson, a state legislator for 22 years and the heir to a Harlem political dynasty, will be sworn in as New York’s 55th governor, making him the state’s first black chief executive.

After this investigation settles down, public officials once again have the resources to conduct a full investigation of George Bush’s wiretappings, Karl Rove’s many crimes, Alberto Gonzales‘s memory, Dick Cheney’s claim that he is not part of the executive branch, and who actually leaked Valerie Plame‘s identity. Or maybe this sex scandal is more important…

DIGG THIS ARTICLE

Related Links:

Stories on Spitzer on Digg

My friend Sam has been without consistent heat + hot water for a year, but has been paying regular rent rates. These slumlords are getting away with building violations, but he’s trying to fight them, instead of moving out.

However, the city been as much of an obstacle as these slumlords. It turns out there are 10 times the amount of resources for Landlord v. Tenant court cases as there are for Tenant v. Landlord.

Why is the city so heavily weighted to helping landlords? Has anybody fought slumlords and won in court?