Yeah and--So What!

President Obama's town hall question-of-the-year

2009-10-15T16:19:00.003-05:00

The question of the year was asked by a little boy during a Louisiana town hall meeting. He asked the president, " Why do people hate you so much?"
The president seemed shocked. I was shocked but blessed by the truth that can touch children. Out of the mouths of babes, huh?
The president told him he was not hated and that he got a lot of votes.
Adults have to tell children that. But don't think for one moment that we all weren't waiting to hear the answer. Adults are too ashamed to ask such simple questions.
But why would a fourth grade boy think that people hate the president? I wonder where he got that idea? Anyone?

Obama says he'll accept Nobel as 'call to action' - Yahoo! News

2009-10-09T14:04:00.000-05:00

Obama says he'll accept Nobel as a call to action - Yahoo! News
I am glad the president won the Nobel prize. It was pleasant news to me this morning. Then again, I am not a hate-filled shrew with an axe to grind.

Race and the Office of the President: Democracy in Action Seems to Include Racist Thinking | Suite101.com

2009-09-09T13:41:00.000-05:00

Race and the Office of the President: Democracy in Action Seems to Include Racist Thinking | Suite101.com

Race and the Office of the President

2009-09-07T12:37:00.003-05:00

When the Presidential election was called in President Barack Obama's favor last year, one group of cable news anchors and pundints expressed open shock and surprise on air. They turned to the nearest black man, who was a pundit as well and asked him something to the effect of "Now what?" The black man of course had a perplexed look on his face because he didn't immedeately understand why he was on the hot seat.

He told them an approximate of, the country would be run businesses-as-usual just like every other day in America. The only difference would be that the President is now black instead of white.

The fact that the nearest liberal black man was asked for further instructions on what next to do just because America had just elected its first black President was outlandish but emensly entertaining to watch because it seemed to be genuine emotion.

However, it is questionalble if everything is being conducted business-as-usual since the election in this country. Blacks thought that there would be some miracle sea change in public perception of blacks and that their social status would rise and everyone who wanted a job would automatically get one--right away. Whites thought that peace would blanket the earth and we would all finally get along. Or did they?

Not every white voted for President Obama in the presidential election however almost every black did.

"The Catfight" (jeeze)

2009-09-03T07:25:00.004-05:00

When the announcement of Diane Sawyer to anchor the ABC Evening News reached the morning re-hash, I actually heard the word, "catfight" slide out of the mouth of a man who supposedly was important enough to speak for all of media. I believe he said, "all of media loves a catfight." or something equally as illiterate. (Even if he was only repeating what he heard elsewhere)
Still? Are we still on the women as journalists thing? After maligning Katie Couric for weeks on end, now they start Diane Sawyers hard earned climb to the top off with the phrase, "a catfight". Well understand that just last week, they stopped slapping women in the newsroom on the ass and calling them honey.
Okay, no they didn't. And they still have to get coffee for the boss in between writin' articles about food and kids and housework.

Don't Give Up on Addiction Recovery: Hundreds of Events Planned Nationwide to Celebrate Recovery Month | Suite101.com

2009-09-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

Don't Give Up on Addiction Recovery: Hundreds of Events Planned Nationwide to Celebrate Recovery Month | Suite101.com

U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies - Yahoo! News

2009-08-26T02:00:00.000-05:00

U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies - Yahoo! News

Buy the book! Buy the book Eighteen Months and Short Stories, Real Life today!

I'm with the President, not Stupidly

2009-07-28T08:01:00.004-05:00

It is stupid not to use one's skill set to defuse or de-escalate a situation. That is what police officers do all day long all over the country-- correctly. However, when they do not do that, situations, misunderstandings and arrests occur.
Ask any police officer if they are anxious to fill out unecessary paperwork for a battle of egos. The answer is no. However, instead of throwing cold water on the hot tempered Harvard Law professor, the veteran officer joined in the ego struggle and hauled the man down to the station only to see him released later.
The police officer did this because he could and because he wanted to prove a point and teach the Harvard Law professor a lesson.
A lesson in what? Intolerance? Acting stupidly?
We don't even have to look at race. We can just look at basic facts: A Harvard Law professor and a seasoned veteran law enforcement professional could not come to terms, work out a simple misunderstanding or find a solution on their own.
The officer's solution was to assert his authority to arrest. The professor's solution was to cry foul and reportedly yell and scream. I cannot see if he had stood silent except for yes sir answers to questions that he would have been placed under arrest.
The situation will be made worse if that is the case.
However, if these two intellegent men cannot come to a reasonable agreement, then how can the general population of morons that comprise the rest of the world be expected to do better? I'm no professor nor veteran cop. I have a big mouth and an attitude problem when provoked. Don't ask me to understand s*it else.
So when the President says the officer acted "stupidly", understand he is referring to the basics in law enforcement that were ignored--de-escalating situations and soothing flared tempers. Police are taught conflict resolution but it is useless or stupid if it is not practiced.
It is also stupid to yell at a cop. He could arrest or shoot you.
And that is my explination of "stupidly."

Michael Jackson had something for everyone--no need to blame Jamie

2009-07-08T11:09:00.000-05:00

Well, I went to the Jamie Foxx web site and there is a virtual race war-of-words going on there. Some are accusing Mr. Foxx of being a racist after viewing the Black Entertainment Television Awards Show last week.
If any of you watched Michael Jackson’s memorial on Monday and heard Al Sharpton entire speech, then maybe you will get the hint that Mr. Jackson was indeed a black man. Don’t blame Jamie Foxx for that, for he too is a black man. There are some things relatable across the races and some things relatable to the races. Mike’s last CD was a testament to the love he felt for his community. His entire music catalog is a testament to how he loved music and his fans.
Invincible was played at every stepper’s set for years and still got some play before he died just because it was gooooood! We like and appreciate that Mike, so thanks. We liked all of his songs but some of those syncopated beats scream foot work and some scream other dance moves--stuff I‘m too old to do. We all like some things more than others. That is just the way people are made up. No one calls Foxx a racist when he is hosting the Country Music Awards. He is just as funny and shocking as ever. So I think the rub in all of this is that Foxx reminded folk that Michael Jackson was a black man.
Some of his fans do not want to take this fact into consideration. He was everything but to them. The truth is that he was a little black boy from Gary, Indiana--which is 85 percent African American--who grew up in Los Angles using his talent to his advantage. Was he more than just a black man? Yes, just as all black men are more than just a black man and just like all white men are more than just white men,
et cetera. We are all more than just our race. However, it seems being black sticks under the craw of many. I don’t know why but it just seems to make a difference. As assimilated as we are, it should not be but it is and it takes a great effort on a black person’s part to downplay anything that gets in the way of acceptance. Mike proved that. As blacks we are still making and counting firsts. Mike proved that too.
Let us not find a blame in all of this surrounding MJ’s death but take entertainment at face value and not make it a political action committee. If you want to fight for rights or anything else good that helps the human race, President Obama has several very fine outfits people can join.

P.S. Ladies no one will care if you work, are on government assistance, have had children out-of-wedlock or whatever. Those things are your personal choices and do not give nor take away your right to speak out. So please stop prefacing comments with ”I am a single mother…” No one cares and we are not giving out awards for choosing to birth and/or raise children. We used to but not anymore because everybody’s doing it.

Flag Day has roots in Chicago (and it's m daughter's birthday- 6/14) - Chicago Breaking News

2009-06-14T10:32:00.000-05:00

Flag Day has roots in Chicago - Chicago Breaking NewsI
I'm posting this story because Flag Day is he day my sweet Lauren was born.

Say a prayer for Steven Johns today and stop glorifying racist nobodies

2009-06-11T07:39:00.003-05:00

If I have to hear one more news item about this white racist fuck who shot a black security guard, I will scream.
Memorials to the slain officer have been few. What about his family? Why do we glorify racist hate and violence on the news as if this old fart-who will rot the rest of his miserable life away in a hole-is a fn hero?
And I had the nerve to hear a news report that many war veterans are upset that a black man was elected president. (I heard it on CNN)
Blacks have to develop their own communication vehicle and start caring about their own community before we can be accepted into the Circle of Life. Only a few of us have made it so far.
Whites won't hire blacks hardly at all because they certainly cannot send their children to a black community for a damn job--one as good as they could give their children.
I know many whites wonder why blacks won't do more, care more for themselves and stop trying to force whites to accept us and include us. I wonder that too and I don't know.
When black college students graduate, do they get jobs at black corporations and newspapers?
Mostly, that is not the case and I am struggling to understand why.
Now I am not saying that the races should be separate. It's just that I cannot help but to notice how different groups of people react to news about events that happen in their community and it is shocking to me.
Say a prayer today for the slain officer, Stephen Johns and his family. He had a son and a job and lots of people who loved him in his life and I am sure they are hurting right now.

MTT Special Education/Autism Software Wins Two Awards

2009-06-01T10:05:00.001-05:00

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio--ComputEd Gazette and the Association for Educational Publishers (AEP), two organizations respected for their highly competitive awards programs, recently honored VizZle(TM), a web-based software for educators from Monarch Teaching Technologies, Inc. (MTT) with awards for MTT's autism/special education software.

"The special education field desperately needs viable, cost-controlled solutions to optimize a school's ability to serve children with special needs like autism," said Terry Murphy, CEO of MTT. "Now more than ever as public schools try to qualify their spending under federal stimulus funding guidelines."

VizZle both earned the Teacher Tools/Special Education Website accolade and received the distinction of a standout review for its autism and special education software by the ComputEd staff writers (http://www.computedgazette.com/page8.html ).

AEP sponsors one of the educational publishing industry's largest and longest-running competitions, the prestigious Golden Lamp Awards. The AEP describes Golden Lamp Finalists as "...defined by their superior use of content, design, and fulfillment of the product's educational mission. Four finalists are chosen in each entry category, representing 16 of the year's most elite educational products." VizZle was named as a finalist in the Technology Innovations category, which is considered an award in and of itself. The final winners will be announced in June (http://www.aepweb.org/awards/index.htm )

VizZle is a proprietary, web-based software as service providing educators and parents with convenient, easy-to-use tools to create or modify customized interactive visuals-based educational materials for autism and special education. For more information, visit http://www.monarchtt.com/.

GARY ATTORNEY DRAFTS ORDINANCE BANNING LOW-SLUNG PANTS

2009-05-24T08:54:00.002-05:00

GARY-Attorney Tony Walker implored the Gary Common Council to ban
the wearing of low-slung pants modeled after prison inmates.In an open
letter to the Council, Attorney Walker argues that the prion dress style does
economic harm to the City of Gary by lowering property values and
deterring commerce and business investment. Attorney Walker defines this
dress style as "blight" and compares to the aesthetic of Gary's dilapidated
physical structures. The proposed ordinance would make it an infraction to
wear pants below the waist line punishable by up to a $100 fine and/or
community service. Violators would be issued a summons appear in
Gary City Court but would not be eligible for arrest based upon the violation.

Cruiser Customizing

2009-04-23T10:19:00.003-05:00

A motorcycle community is a group of people with like minded interests as it pertains to motorcycles and riding.
I have run across all types of motorcycle groups--Jewish in Florida, female groups in Indiana, cop groups, classic biker, preps, crotch rocket enthusiasts, professionals, etc. If you can name the interest, I could probably find you a motorcycle group. So if you like to ride why not go to a groovy motorcycle community named Cruiser Customizing.
Cruiser Customizing employees are also passionate bikers and the site has a ton of links related to maintaining your bike right and a community of enthusiasts that you can connect to and maybe get in on some new places to ride.
They push safety first and show you ways to be the safest, best rider you can be.

Breakfast

2009-04-23T10:13:00.002-05:00

Breakfast was great this morning. I love breakfast because it is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast with meat is the best. I like sausage for breakfast. I usually prepare turkey bacon, sometimes grits with cheese, eggs, oatmeal topped off with orange juice or cranberry juice.
Do you think my kids appreciate all of the work I put into breakfast? Yeah,they'd say something if I didn't prepare it!
With all of that I usually just have time for coffee. I take my coffee with a bit of sugar and cream. Okay lots of cream and sugar. I'm trying to get off sugar.

KANYE WEST FLOWS ON FAM GUY SPIN-OFF

2009-04-20T17:19:00.001-05:00

Academy Award Nominee Taraji P. Henson (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) Also Guest-Voices

International hip-hop superstar and 12-time Grammy Award winner Kanye West and Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson get animated when they lend their voices to THE CLEVELAND SHOW, the highly anticipated FAMILY GUY spin-off set to debut this fall on FOX. West will appear as KENNY WEST, an all-around cool kid and the archenemy of CLEVELAND JR. (Kevin Michael Richardson), and the two will engage in a “rap battle” for the affection of high school hottie CHANEL (Henson).

THE CLEVELAND SHOW is a new animated series that follows everyone’s favorite soft-spoken neighbor CLEVELAND BROWN (Mike Henry) to his hometown in Virginia, as he settles down with his high school sweetheart, DONNA (Sanaa Lathan); her unruly kids; and his own 14-year-old son, Cleveland Jr. (Richardson). Once in Virginia, Cleveland has a few surprises in store for him, including ROBERTA (Reagan Gomez-Preston), a rebellious new stepdaughter; RALLO (Henry), a 5-year-old stepson who loves the ladies; and a collection of neighbors that includes a loudmouth redneck, LESTER (Richardson); a hipster wanna-be, HOLT (guest voice Jason Sudeikis); and a pious pair of talking bears, TIM (Seth MacFarlane) and his wife ARIANNA (guest voice Arianna Huffington).

Kanye West’s fourth consecutive chart-topping album, “808s & Heartbreak,” was released in November 2008 and has sold over 1.5 million copies to date. He has received numerous accolades for his latest album, and his hit single “Heartless” has been at the top of the charts for 16 weeks and counting.

Taraji P. Henson earned an Academy Award nomination in 2009 for her supporting role opposite Brad Pitt in the critically acclaimed film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Henson has appeared in “Hustle & Flow” with Terrence Howard and “Talk to Me” opposite Don Cheadle. Her upcoming films include “Hurricane Season” opposite Forest Whitaker, “Once Fallen” with Ed Harris and Tyler Perry’s “I Can Do Bad All By Myself.” Her television credits include “Boston Legal” and “Eli Stone.”

THE CLEVELAND SHOW is a 20th Century Fox Television production. Seth MacFarlane, Rich Appel and Mike Henry are executive producers and co-creators of the series.

NBC Parks & Recreation Starring Amy Pohler

2009-04-10T14:12:00.001-05:00

Very Funny!

President Obama's 60 Minute Interview

2009-03-24T17:57:00.001-05:00

Watch CBS Videos Online

The 44th President of the United States on Leno

2009-03-20T07:38:00.001-05:00

Black Male Teachers

2009-03-03T17:16:00.000-06:00

From my inbox to you, courtesy of my friend Toni!

Do you know any Black males who are seniors in high school who want to go to college out of state for "FREE" ? Several Black Colleges are looking for future black male teachers and will send them to universities/colleges for 4 years FREE.

The 'Call Me MISTER' program is an effort to address the critical shortage of African American male teachers particularly among South Carolina 's lowest performing public schools. Program participants are selected from among under-served, socio-economically disadvantaged and educationally at-risk communities.

The program is a collaboration between Clemson University and four historically black colleges in South Carolina : Benedict College , Claflin University , Morris College and South Carolina State University.

The project provides:

Tuition for admitted students pursuing approved programs of study at participating colleges.

An academic support system to help assure their success. A cohort system for social and cultural support.

For more details and the online application or call(800)640-2657.

PLEASE FORWARD TO AS MANY FRIENDS, FAMILY CHURCH MEMBERS AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT THEY CAN ALSO SPREAD THE WORD.

News You Can Use

2009-03-02T12:50:00.003-06:00

white collar support group (great idea!)

consumers buy more preowned cars than new

rights issue

Sony shakeup

who is middle class?
There is poor-those who are supported by government aid or charity.
A sub-section of the proletariat, the lumpenproletariat (rag-proletariat), are the extremely poor and unemployed, such as day laborers and homeless people.

working poor-a term used to describe individuals and families who maintain regular employment but remain in relative poverty due to low levels of pay and dependent expenses.

working class-The multitude of individuals who sell their labor power for wages and do not own the means of production, and he defined them as being responsible for creating the wealth of a society. For example, the members of this class physically build bridges, craft furniture, fix cars, grow food, and nurse children, but do not themselves own the land, factories or means of production. (The self-employed worker may be a member of the petite bourgeoisie--for example a highly paid professional, athlete, etc. or a member of the proletariat--like, a contract worker whose income may be relatively high but is precarious).
Petit-bourgeois is a French term that originally referred to the members of the lower middle social classes in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
It seems this country's class system is based in Socialism and the teachings of Karl Marx. Hmmmm. So it seems we are a hybrid blend of Capitalistic and Socialistic teachings. It seems American ideals are a patchwork of ideologies reflective of those who live here, often migrating from other parts of the world. Hmmm.

lower middle class,In American society, the middle class may be divided into two or three sub-groups. When divided into two parts, the lower middle class, also sometimes simply referred to as "middle class," consists of roughly one third of households, roughly twice as large as the upper middle class. Common occupation fields are semi-professionals, such as school teachers or accountants, small business owners and skilled craftsmen. These individuals commonly have some college education or perhaps a Bachelor's degree and earn a comfortable living. Already among the largest social classes, rivaled only by the working class, the American lower middle class is diverse and growing.

middle class-Within capitalism, middle class initially referred to the bourgeoisie and petit bourgeoisie. However, with the(lowering)of much of the petit bourgeois world, and the growth of finance capitalism, middle class came to refer to the combination of labour aristocracy, professionals and white collar workers. In other words, like Kanye said in his first CD, "...you know that major don't make no money..." or something to that effect. Poor and educated/intellectual is just simple misery.

upper middle class-By most peoples standards the upper middle class are those who enjoy well above average lifestyles and most of the time don't have to worry about things like car payments and other bills commonly the stress of lower members of the middle class. According to Max Weber the upper middle class consists of well-educated professionals with graduate degrees and comfortable incomes.
The American upper middle class is defined similarly using income, education and occupation as main indicators. In the United States, the upper middle class is defined as mostly consisting of white-collar professionals who not only have above-average personal incomes and advanced educational degrees but also a high degree of autonomy in their work, leading to higher job satisfaction. The main occupational tasks of upper middle class individuals tend to center on conceptualizing, consulting, and instruction.

lower upper class, upper class, wealthy- In the United States the upper class, also referred to simply as the rich, is often considered to consist of those with great influence and wealth. While most sociologists define the upper class as the wealthiest 1%sociologist Leonard Beeghley classifies all households with a net worth of $1 million or more as "rich," while classifying the wealthiest 0.9% as the "super-rich." Since the 1970s income inequality in the United States has been increasing, with the top 1% experiencing significantly larger gains in income than the rest of society.Social scientists (such as Alan Greenspan) see it as a problem for society, with Greenspan calling it a "very disturbing trend." (Wikipedia quotes)
This is the difference between America and other nations. We can earn our way into wealth or the upper classes. In societies outside of ours, you must be born into it just like nobility.

millionaire and multi-millionaire-Millionaire is the person who has more than 15 million(says Wikipedia.) The increasing prevalence of people with more and more money has given rise to additional terms to further differentiate millionaires.
A multimillionaire has a net worth of more than 2 million units of currency, a decamillionaire has a net worth of more than 10 million units of currency, and a hectomillionaire has a net worth of more than 100 million units of currency. The term centimillionaire has become synonymous with hectomillionaire in America, despite the centi- prefix meaning 1/10not 100, in the metric system.

billionaire-A billionaire is a person who has a net worth of at least one billion units of currency, such as United States dollars (USD/US$), U.K. pounds (GBP/£) or euro (EUR/€).
The first Forbes ranking of billionaires in 1986 found 140 billionaires around the world. However, by 2008 Forbes ranking counted a total of 1,125, whose total accumulated wealth measured US$4.4 trillion. John D. Rockefeller became the first billionaire on September 29, 1916--after the onset of the modern American taxation system ratified in 1913 under the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The earliest tax was started during the 1800 on incomes greater than $800 per year. Wow, go figure.

All of this information is courtesy of Wikipedia. I found, during my independent research, that the higher the wealth class, the lower amount of information available--indicating they are the least studied, however fascinating.

Payday Loans Mania.com

2009-03-02T10:12:00.001-06:00

The next time you need a Payday Loan,you should go to Payday Loans Mania for help. They don’t perform background checks and are pretty friendly, according to the site.
A short three minute application requires very little personal information, and you will simply be amazed at how quickly your payday loan application will be processed on their secure server. You no longer have to ask around for money or do stuff you aren’t cut out to do. You should go to the site and read the terms of the loan first. They also have a link to the no fax loan site. These payday loans are helpful when you can pay them back. Everyone needs help every now and again. So, if you are broke, don't be ashamed to ask for help at Payday Loans Mania.com.

Ebony & Jet on the brink of ruin

2009-03-02T09:30:00.002-06:00

One of the MOST notable permanent fixtures in EVERY black household (back in the days), was the Ebony, along with Jet magazine.

If you wanted to learn about your history, the plight of black america, current issues facing black americans, how the political process of america affects you, how politics works, who the hottest actors were, what time a particular black television show aired, who got married recently, who were the most eligible bachelors, and bachelorettes in your town, what cities had black mayors, police chiefs, school superintendents, how to register to vote, what cars offer the best value for the buck, who employed black americans, how to apply for college scholarships, ect, MORE THAN LIKELY, the Ebony, or the Jet magazine could help you find answers to those questions.

We have recently been informed that the Johnson Publishing Company organization is currently going through a financial crisis. The company is attempting a reorganization in order to survive. Many people have already lost their jobs with a company that has employed thousands of black americans during the course of it's existence.

In order to support this effort to save OUR magazine, my friends and myself have pledged to get a subscription to both, Ebony, and Jet magazine, starting with one year. We are urging EVERY other person who comes across this plea, to do the same. Please post, repost, and post again, to any blog that you may own, or support. Please email this to EVERY person that you know, regardless of their background. Let them know that Ebony, and Jet magazine has been part of the black american culture for 3 quarters of a century, and that there is a lot that they can learn about black american culture from reading them.

We are currently discussing the idea of throwing an Ebony/Jet party, where people can eat, drink, and sign up for their subscription on the spot. Please spread this idea around to all that you know. Your sororities, fraternities, lodges, VFW posts, churches, civic groups, block clubs, caps meetings, book clubs, ect.

It would be a crying shame, to lose our historic magazine, during the same year of such an historic event as the election of our FIRST BLACK President of the US.

May our Father continue to bless us, in the name of our savior, Jesus Christ.

Irish eyes will be smiling when the 34th Annual Forever Green settles on Navy Pier in support of Chicago charities

2009-02-26T11:04:00.003-06:00

I found this and decided to post it because during times of turmoil, it is nice to look forward to celebration. St. Patrick's Day in Chicago is the best! Everyone is Irish on that day and they color the Chicago River green and sometimes have green beer and plenty of Irish whiskey.
Can you tell I have celebrated St. Patrick's Day in Chicago more than a few times.
Well, if you are in the area, please attend. Proceeds benefit an Autism organization.
Thanks!

When: March 6, from 5 to 10 p.m.
Where: Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom, 600 E. Grand Ave.
Who: Anyone 21 and older, and you don't have to be Irish

Some local musical acts will appear at Chicago's largest St. Patrick's Day bash and charitable event.
The 34th year, the Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago's annual Forever Green party will be held on March 6 in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier with special guests, the Larkin and Moran Brothers, the Weber Band, the Shannon Rovers and more.

The festive scene at Navy Pier is sure to sway folks into a green mood early this year in advance of Chicago St. Patrick's Day parades, while supporting two local charities, one of which provides support to Autism.

The 34th edition of the annual March celebration will raise money and awareness for the Maeve McNicholas Memorial Foundation, which fights pediatric brain tumors, and AAction Autism, which supports international humanitarian efforts confronting autism.

Besides contributing to two Chicago area charities, Forever Green will also feature live performances from the Chicago bands and performances from Irish dance troupes.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $40 or at the door for $45. VIP tickets will also be available for $60 in advance and $65 at the door.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.youngirish.com.

Michael Collins Irish Whiskey is once again proud to sponsor the Michael Collins VIP Lounge during the Forever Green celebration. Michael Collins also salutes the Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago and its efforts to promote Irish cultural activities as they embrace their heroic spirit through their involvement with AAction Autism and The Maeve McNicholas Memorial Foundation.

Michael Collins Irish Whiskeys are the dawning of a new age of Irish Whiskey; combining the best of Ireland's long history of distilling with today's demand for premium quality and unique style. Double distilled to retain the flavor characteristics of their premium ingredients and aged in small bourbon season casks, Michael Collins Irish Whiskeys are refined, flavorful and well-balanced. Michael Collins Single Malt is bold and distinctive, with complex characteristics and a hint of peat. Enjoy Michael Collins Single Malt neat. Michael Collins Blend can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, as well as in classic and contemporary cocktails.

Liven up your St. Patrick's Day with some delicious Michael Collins Irish Whiskey cocktails! The Dublin Apple will be one of the many drinks featured at the Michael Collins VIP lounge during The Young Irish Fellowship Club's Forever Green celebration.

Dublin Apple

2 parts Michael Collins Blend
1 part sour apple schnapps
2 parts top with cranberry juice
Shake the ingredients well over ice in a cocktail shaker
and pour into a rocks glass.
Garnish with a green apple slice.

-- About Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago
The Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago (YIFC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, volunteer-based organization inviting people of all ethnic backgrounds to explore Irish culture, meet new friends in the community, and help support Chicago area charities.

The President highlights Ethics, Education and Entrepreneurs during his Joint Session of Congress Address

2009-02-25T19:56:00.001-06:00

What the President said about doing the right thing...
...But in my life, I have also learned that hope is found in unlikely places; that inspiration often comes not from those with the most power or celebrity, but from the dreams and aspirations of Americans who are anything but ordinary.

I think about Leonard Abess, the bank president from Miami who reportedly cashed out of his company, took a $60 million bonus, and gave it out to all 399 people who worked for him, plus another 72 who used to work for him. He didn’t tell anyone, but when the local newspaper found out, he simply said, ''I knew some of these people since I was 7 years old. I didn't feel right getting the money myself."

And I think about Ty’Sheoma Bethea, the young girl from that school I visited in Dillon, South Carolina – a place where the ceilings leak, the paint peels off the walls, and they have to stop teaching six times a day because the train barrels by their classroom. She has been told that her school is hopeless, but the other day after class she went to the public library and typed up a letter to the people sitting in this room. She even asked her principal for the money to buy a stamp. The letter asks us for help, and says, "We are just students trying to become lawyers, doctors, congressmen like yourself and one day president, so we can make a change to not just the state of South Carolina but also the world. We are not quitters."

What the President said about Education
In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity – it is a prerequisite. Right now, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require more than a high school diploma. And yet, just over half of our citizens have that level of education. We have one of the highest high school dropout rates of any industrialized nation. And half of the students who begin college never finish.

This is a prescription for economic decline, because we know the countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow. That is why it will be the goal of this administration to ensure that every child has access to a complete and competitive education – from the day they are born to the day they begin a career.

Already, we have made an historic investment in education through the economic recovery plan. We have dramatically expanded early childhood education and will continue to improve its quality, because we know that the most formative learning comes in those first years of life. We have made college affordable for nearly seven million more students. And we have provided the resources necessary to prevent painful cuts and teacher layoffs that would set back our children’s progress.

But we know that our schools don’t just need more resources. They need more reform. That is why this budget creates new incentives for teacher performance; pathways for advancement, and rewards for success. We’ll invest in innovative programs that are already helping schools meet high standards and close achievement gaps. And we will expand our commitment to charter schools.

It is our responsibility as lawmakers and educators to make this system work. But it is the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it. And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It’s not just quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country – and this country needs and values the talents of every American. That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a new goal: by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.

I know that the price of tuition is higher than ever, which is why if you are willing to volunteer in your neighborhood or give back to your community or serve your country, we will make sure that you can afford a higher education. And to encourage a renewed spirit of national service for this and future generations, I ask this Congress to send me the bipartisan legislation that bears the name of Senator Orrin Hatch as well as an American who has never stopped asking what he can do for his country – Senator Edward Kennedy.

What the President said about Entrepreneurs
...(Credit) has stopped flowing the way it should. Too many bad loans from the housing crisis have made their way onto the books of too many banks. With so much debt and so little confidence, these banks are now fearful of lending out any more money to households, to businesses, or to each other. When there is no lending, families can’t afford to buy homes or cars. So businesses are forced to make layoffs. Our economy suffers even more, and credit dries up even further.

That is why this administration is moving swiftly and aggressively to break this destructive cycle, restore confidence, and re-start lending.

We will do so in several ways. First, we are creating a new lending fund that represents the largest effort ever to help provide auto loans, college loans, and small business loans to the consumers and entrepreneurs who keep this economy running.
For history tells a different story. History reminds us that at every moment of economic upheaval and transformation, this nation has responded with bold action and big ideas. In the midst of civil war, we laid railroad tracks from one coast to another that spurred commerce and industry. From the turmoil of the Industrial Revolution came a system of public high schools that prepared our citizens for a new age. In the wake of war and depression, the GI Bill sent a generation to college and created the largest middle-class in history. And a twilight struggle for freedom led to a nation of highways, an American on the moon, and an explosion of technology that still shapes our world.

In each case, government didn’t supplant private enterprise; it catalyzed private enterprise. It created the conditions for thousands of entrepreneurs and new businesses to adapt and to thrive.