Political Biz

At the Perennial Entertainment party @ DNC '08

Biz Markie: "If you don't want no Drama..."
Crowd: "Vote for Obama!"

Obamanation: The acceptance of the Nomination

As we sit (as Black Man in America) and witness Sen. Barack Obama accept the nomination to be President of the United States of America, we are thankful to the Democratic Party for their courage and fearlessness and belief in the strength of the democracy that is this great nation's hallmark.

Our notes on a speech that ran close to an hour:

The video began and was a humble and moving tribute to the promise that "we make to our children, that each of us can make what we want of our lives."

"Nowhere else on Earth is my story even possible", said the Senator.


For the first time we see the intimate relationship between Barack and his mother and understand HOW he was raised.

The video is being played on the outside of the arena, you can see people standing to watch it.

One of the sickest wedding pictures of all time!!! Michelle lays in Barack's lap.

They showed all people of all ages and in all times zones (California, Times Square, etc)

People are crying

The flashing lights: everyone scrambling to be apart of the moment that they made happen.

The next President walks out and even he had tears in his eyes, and a fresh line up on his head.

Michelle looked so strong and so focused on what it is that she would have to do. She is his rock, it is obvious.

He had a grin and a suit on that was crisp and perfect.

Flashing lights going off everywhere!!!

This is the biggest convention ever!!!!

"I accept your nomination for Presidency of the United States of America"

Who ever cried at their own convention before?

Shout out to HRC real quick, the candidate who "traveled the farthest"

(We can't help but think "where is John Edwards?")

BO shouts to Bill Clinton. Man this dude is humble.

Joe Biden has a smile that says "I will kill somebody for you, Obama."

Began with greetings to everyone.
Joe Biden, Clintons, Wife and Kids, Chairman of the convention

Brought the ideal of the defining moments to the forefront
"The American promise has been threatened"

lost homes, cars you can't afford, bills you can't afford, tuition beyond your reach

"THE FAILURE TO RESPOND IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE FAILED PROMISES OF WASHINGTON AND THE FAILED PROMISES OF GEORGE W BUSH. WE ARE BETTER THAN THESE LAST 8 YEARS:"--Barack Obama


"We cannot be a Nation that sits on its hands while a major American city drowns"

HE YELLED "ENOUGH"!!!!


Every shot of people shows them crying

"8 is enough"

******anything he says the people will chant*****

"John McCain thinks George Bush has been right 90% of the time I am not willing to take a 10% chance on change"


In the middle of this speech I came to the realization that he held a concert
"
"Its not that he doesn't care, he doesn't get it" (about McCain)

"Give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down...
ownership society but really it means you're on your own. Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps even if you don't have boots, you're own your own. Its time for them to own their failure."--Barack Obama

"I think he doesn't know" (about John Mc Cain)

"I want to make sure fuel efficient cars of the future are made right here in America."

(this man was giving SPECIFIC plans)

Dudes in the room here in Harlem, NY say, "I want some girls. If they gonna look this cute then I want some daughters"

By the way: the youngest girl will be the wild child.

*****67:02:51:52 ELECTION CLOCK******

"John McCain likes to say he will follow Bin Ladin to the gates of hell, but he won't even follow him to the cave where he lives?!!!!!!?????? You don't defeat a terrorist network that operates in 80 countries by occupying Iraq!!!!"

"We are the party of Roosevelt, we are the party of Kennedy, so don't tell me we won't defend this nation!"

(from friends of ALBC in the stadium)
"How much it cost to rent this stadium and build the set?"
"Cheaper to shoot Superman"
(And the crowd goes wild like Holyfield just won the fight)

I got news for you John McCain, "We ALL put out country first!!"--said Barack Obama

BARACKISMS:
**If you don't have any fresh ideas than you use scare tactics to scare voters
**If your hopes have been dashed again and again then its best to stop hoping
**What the naysayers don't understand is that this election has never been about me, its about you
**for 18 long months you have stood up and said enough to the politics of the past.
**the greatest risk we can take is to play the same old players with the same old plays and expect a different result
**the change doesn't come FROM Washington, it comes TO Washington

Then the podium disappeared into the stage.

We at ALBC saw the definition of faith and hope in this very moment.


That's how we heard it,
2.0n the record

You Should Barack The Vote!

We caught up with Lorielle, founder of Barackawear...perhaps one of the greatest benefactors of and contributors to the Obama Economy...all the celebrities have been rockin the designs she's crafted. Check them out for the latest gear @ www.barackawear.com and stay tuned for ALBC's exclusive inteview with the founder and an upcoming series on the Obama Economy.

A Lil Bit of Change Rocks the Vote

Our friends at Rock the Vote share our sentiment that you should Know For Yourself. First register to vote, then learn the issues, and then take action.


"1,049,398 17-29 year olds have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is young men and women who are fighting these wars. It is young wives and husbands; young sisters and brothers.

This is about our future; our lives. We are speaking out and demanding change."-RTV


Rock the Vote for A Lil Bit of Change

Random shots of Downtown Denver

Lets clean it up


50 flag salute


And the old way was?



Take me to another place, take me to another land


Change Calisthenics


Flag Bearer


One of many odd Obama related wares


Spin the clown


Energy efficient and will take you out if you step off the curb


No, I didn't go inside


Your humble correspondent

Jonathan Rollins

In honor of my working in L.A. this summer at the firm that Vault (I think it was Vault) says L.A. Law may've been based on, I took a pic of Blair Underwood-pause

Change Shoes and Socks

Boy o boy have we done alot of walking. Like so much walking that around dusk I like to go change my shoes and socks. You see, I'm trying to preserve the sexiness of my loafers. You can't expect to put so much constant wear and tear on your slippers and expect them to hold up.

***Thanks to Coca-Cola for keeping us hydrated***

We've been criss-crossing downtown Denver running into really interesting people who are passionate about change and taking an active role in bringing that change to life. It's been so inspiring to hear people's stories about why they are in Denver and what they envision the future to be. We've documented most of it and will produce it in video form shortly so I don't want to spoil it; however, the consistent theme is, everyone at the Convention has channeled Senator Obama's message of hope and change to drive them towards action. Even the dissenters felt compelled to take planes, trains and automobiles to Denver so that their voices could be heard.

Pardon my momentary corniness but this experience has greatly influenced my outlook on democracy. Like for real. Change requires action which means we have to stop whining about how bad things are and get on the grind to make things better. Admittedly that's a blanket statement but there's no universal approach to taking an active role in government. In plain terms, do something, anything...but merely complain.

(Stepping off my soapbox and changing from loafers to Air Max)

The Other Jay-Z

U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)

The Obama Economy

Hello Friends,

Lets get straight to it and start from last night. The Genius and I were supposed to bunk up at a relative of a relatives crib. Problem is, we didn't head home til around 2am. Bad idea. We get to the door and I notice Genius lightly touch the doorbell to which I remarked, "aint no quiet way to ring a doorbell. It gets extra loud after midnight."

So after no one answered we decided to find a hostel. After being told there was no room in the inn twice (all of the hotels in the Denver area are sold out this week), we found a Comfort Inn that was being run by a gentleman of my own heart. He said, "are y'all with AAA," we replied, "we could be," he replied, "man yall ain't supposed to say that; just say yeah." The rest is history. Lets just say we paid less than the standard rate.

So on to more important matters. The Obama Economy. Small business owners have sprouted out of seemingly nowhere to create and sell Barack Obama related wares. We'll speak on this issue more in depth in the coming days but for now here are some pics to get you warmed up.

Change Confidential Program

As you know we are all about Change. Not too much too fast, just a lil bit. Nice and steady. Recently, we have started capturing ordinary citizens unafraid to share their stories of change big or small.

We present to you the latest installment of A Lil Bit of Change

Don't Change A Word

Quotes pulled from Senator Barack Obama's essay, Renewing American Leadership
Foreign Affairs July/August 2007 Vol 86, Number 4

"We need to invest with our allies in strengthening weak states and helping to rebuild failed ones...we need to deepen our knowledge of the circumstances and beliefs that underpin extremism."

"Our essential challenge is to build a relationship that broadens cooperation while strengthening our ability to compete."

"By 2050, global demand for low carbon energy could create an annual market worth $500 billion. Meeting that demand would open new frontiers for American entreprenuers and workers"

"I believe...that it is time for a new generation to tell the next great American story. If we act with boldness and foresight, we will be able to tell our grandchildren that this was the time when we helped forge peace in the Middle East. This is the time we confronted climate change and secured the weapons that could destroy the human race."

"This is our moment to renew the trust and faith of our people- and all people- in an America that battles immediate evils, promotes an ultimate good, and leads the world once more."

Changing Time Zones

Hello Friends,

A Lil Bit of Change chartered a commercial flight and decided to get away from Eastern Standard Time and Pacific Standard Time; we chose to meet in the middle,(kinda) Mountain Standard Time. America is still America out here even though we are a mile in the sky and we've been wheezing every time we try to walk and talk.

However, the high altitude has its benefits. A few months ago we published a letter to the Presidential candidates; but today we had the bright idea of expanding the concept into a series of letters to the President. We believe that change starts with the people, not the President or Congress. If the people don't speak up and express what type of change they desire, then elected officials are left to conjure up ideas on their own. While our favorite Presidential candidate seems more than capable of putting together a nice reform package, we don't want to leave him to walk the journey alone (we'll refrain from opinionalizationalism on our less than favorite Presidential candidate). Therefore, we're capturing everyday Americans speaking directly to the candidates and even to our sitting (on his hands) President.

We look forward to eavesdropping on the conversations.

ps. We showed up in Denver with no room, just a rental car, so we had to leave our baggage behind

Yeah Wright

So this is what really matters huh? The outcome determining issue of the most important election of our generation may end up being what a preacher had to say on Sunday morning. God bless America because we suffer from a twisted attention span. I'm not sure how long the issue of Senator Obama v. Reverend Wright has been going on or will continue but its been far too long or better stated, its been at the top of the agenda for far too long. I won't go into depth about my opinion on what should or shouldn't have happened because the subject has been adequately covered from both sides. But I will say that in Politics one of the top 5 rules is if you're on the team you fall on the sword for the candidate. You step in the line of fire and take it for the team. However, Reverend Wright was benched from the squad back when the Senator announced his candidacy for President in Springfield and public concern about their relationship led him to remove Reverend Wright from the announcement ceremony (I think he was supposed to give the opening prayer or something similar). Maybe that was the first in a line of snubs that made the Pastor develop a "bitterness" that made him no longer feel part of the team and thus no longer required to take one. Either way, it is what it is and what's done is done.


The thing that disturbs me most isn't how this unfolded; what really disturbs me is how much attention has been placed on how it unfolded relative to issues that have far greater impact to our community. In many ways, this issue is equivalent to the question of whether Jay-Z and Beyonce are really married; its interesting to think about but in reality it doesn't change our day to day life. When you compare this to the rise in homicides in Chicago and the fear that this will be a bloody summer, it's ridiculous that three leaders with ties to the city haven't made a strong statement concerning that issue. Further, while Senator Clinton was taking shots of Crown and Senator Obama was apologizing for calling people bitter, the GOP candidate was in New Orleans promising people he wouldn't let the levies wash them away the next time around. I doubt if he got deep into the other issues that currently plague the city (violence, low performing schools, absence of infrastructure) but he was there nonetheless. Where's John Edwards when you need him?

Martin Luther King said the American attention span was 72 hours long but I don't think he factored in our love for scandal. The biggest political issues of 2008 have been Governor Spitzer's love for working women, Senator Obama's pastor and President Clinton's use of the race card. I feel kind of stupid because I really believed it was good for the Democratic Party to have the primary fight last until the convention. My thought was the longer this goes on the more each candidate will have to explain how they will accomplish the goals so well summarized in their platforms. I thought we would get to the meat and potatoes of the things that plague our country: poverty, education reform, energy independence, repairing our image in the international community, ect. I hoped the "scandalous" sidetracking would be about why the Clinton Administration ended welfare and why Senator Clinton hasn't proposed a practical remedy or why Senator Obama, still listed as a professor at University of Chicago Law, didn't put the legal issues surrounding Jena 6 or Sean Bell into layman's terms so that lesser educated folk could know what really happened in the courtroom. Instead, here we are wondering whether Wright is right or wrong. Only in America.

We the People: Naderism (Episode 2)

There is a body of scholars and citizens who have expressed reluctance in deferring to the legislature because Representatives are always running for re-election instead of doing the work of the people (credit: Professor Derrick Bell) and Senators are too rich to be connected to the needs/desires of the common man (credit: my two cents). A logical deduction of this proposition is that Congressmen’s hands are tied by contributors and special interest thus being unable to lend a helping hand to those constituents most in need.

As a law student I have been privy to conversations about legislative deference, and in those conversations the majority of spoken opinion seems to be based on idealism rather than realism. By that I mean, the reservations to showing legislative deference are based on legislators not meeting the ideal level of democratic accountability; were it based on realism, we would acknowledge the power The People have to ensure they are properly represented. Have we lost all faith in citizens to take the actions necessary to wield that power? Have citizens allowed that power to lay dormant for so long that we no longer believe there is water in the well? The concern expressed about deferring to Congressmen should be secondary to the concern over our acquiescence to the notion that a collection of like-minded people cannot serve as a check against their representatives.

Pardon me if I generalize the sentiments of those who have spoken up on the issue, but far too many of The People seem jaded with the quality of representation and as a result do not feel that courts should show absolute deference to legislative intent when they interpret statutory language.

Be that as it may, there are citizen groups based on professional or social causes taking on one issue at a time. They develop economies of scale in their efforts by using the same strategic tools each time they take on a new goal (letter writing, phone banking, trips to the legislature w/ t-shirts and signs). Over time they gain more understanding of not only their representatives but also of other representatives either who favor their cause or who may be able to derive political capital by joining their coalition of support. The vast majority of the wealth in the country is held by a few which makes it that much more important for the other 90% to be active. These citizen groups are the check that keeps our democracy from operating as an oligarchy. However, being few in number makes it difficult for these citizen groups to out duel “Special Interest Groups.”

In searching for a counter punch to the influence exerted by Special Interest Groups, let us engage in a hypothetical. Under this hypo, in addition to bills being drafted in the offices of legislators or by lobbyists and passed on to legislative staff, The People would put forth legislation in the form of referendums. The process of passage would go in three phases: local, regional and state.

On the local level some concerned citizen or group of like-minded citizens would propose legislation on an issue and get other neighbors to sign a supporting petition. If 30% of the registered local voters sign the petition then it can move to the regional level. I chose 30% arbitrarily but it feels like a number high enough to require some serious leg work but not so high that it would deter citizens from kick starting the process.

The regional level would be the towns/cities included in that Congressional district. At this level, the citizen(s) must be more strategic about how they achieve the 30% support since they are doing this in purely a grassroots manner; here, there would not be a formal election placing their new legislation on the ballot because this is all about the people free of the political chicanery associated with formal elections. Success on the regional level requires that there be an additional pool of like-minded citizen(s) ready and willing to bolster the initial organized coalition to gain support from 30% of the region’s registered voters.

Let’s include two more hypothetical facts to this scenario: first, let us assume that once the citizen legislation has made it through the local and regional levels and is considered at the state level, it has been refined and polished by some like-minded citizens who also have some experience/expertise in drafting legislation. Second, let us assume that on the last Saturday of January, May, and September all citizen drafted legislation that made it past the regional level will be made available for ratification at citizen organized polls in every municipality, town and city in the state. Once ratified on the state level the referendum would become law. By adding this mechanism to the legislative process, the people would become more empowered and accordingly less fearful of misrepresentation.

Under this hypothetical ragtag system, citizens could make it crystal clear how they want their Congressmen to vote on pertinent issues. However, my belief that this system is in the least bit practical or possible shows that similar to the afore mentioned citizens who are reluctant to give legislative deference I too suffer from idealism rather than realism.

We the People: Speech as a Check (Episode 1)

“The extraordinary protections afforded by the 1st Amendment carry with them something in the nature of a fiduciary duty to exercise the protected rights responsibly, a duty widely acknowledged but not always observed…” Chief Justice Warren Burger made this statement in reference to newspaper and broadcasting enterprises’ duty to protect the right of fair trial by unbiased jurors; however, this statement also captures the essence of the fiduciary duty The People have to serve as a check against the government. History tells us that the drafters debated whether the people were intelligent enough to know how they should be governed and thus worthy to be entrusted as an unnamed check against the government. Over time, consistently keeping our voices silent when we feel wrongs have been committed and not taking immediate action to rectify those wrongs supports the Hamiltonian belief that America should be under the control and guidance of a few able men with the general population deferring to their wisdom.

Citizens have effective tools at their disposal to incite change: the freedom to assemble and the freedom of press together create a powerful voice protected by the freedom of speech. Effective advocacy of contentious issues requires the assembly of like-minded advocates pressing for change or restitution. Such assemblage personifies liberty and should be exercised without hesitation. Supplementary to this advocacy is the role of the press in facilitating “informed public opinion, the most potent of all restraints upon misgovernment.” Now that technology has increased the prevalence of citizen journalism, The People have an even greater duty to keep each other informed and to convey the thoughts of a few to the masses. Steady dialogue on our thoughts and principles will strengthen society and repair the divisions hindering our advancement as a nation. The collaboration of assembled citizen advocates, real and virtual (internet), and the free press is the lifeblood of “speech…the essence of self government.” Appropriately, the people should actively exercise their freedom to engage in the “debate on public issues…” in an “uninhibited, robust and wide open” manner.

In addition to the legal maneuvering that took place in Bush v. Gore, the lesser acknowledged but equally dreadful aspect of that historic moment was that The People didn’t rise up and vehemently contest the outcome. Immediately after the Supreme Court “stole the election” those citizens who felt robbed should have taken to the streets of Washington and, pardon my French, raised Holy Hell. There should have been advocates spewing rhetoric fiery enough to elicit “unity and action in a common cause.” Citizens should have drafted pamphlets with the revolutionary tone of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense coercing the government to take corrective action. The revolutionary reaction shouldn’t have been akin to the recent violence in Kenya but it should have resulted in more than the release of Fahrenheit 9/11.

Like-minded citizens joining in a collective effort towards a common end sits at the root of the American political process. Citizens should not stand by and watch representatives abuse our trust without exercising our right to protest. While I trust that the majority of representatives won’t indulge in mischief, if and when improper behavior does take place, it is up to the people to not only vote those people out of office but to publicly denounce those actions. The People should actively protest in the streets, on the Capitol steps and in the press.

A Child Shall Lead

Hello friend,

We hope the New Year has been good to you.

A Lil Bit of Change would like to present our new commercial filmed
yesterday in South Carolina during the Presidential Primary.

Even if you aren't an Obama supporter, we must all recognize how
important this campaign is for our culture. Beyond our political
beliefs and our view of the candidate himself, the fact that a person
of Senator Obama's ethnic background is in contention for the highest
office shows the progress the country has made since the 60's.

Hopefully, now when Black children are asked what they want to be when
they grow up, President of the United States will be back on the list.
Our video is a reflection of that.

Please see the link below and share with others as you deem appropriate.

Best,

A Lil Bit of Change

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrSGBYSd1Jw

Dear Presidential Candidates

Dear Presidential Candidates,

The founding fathers charged us with the responsibilty to tell you what we know to be important.

We know that improving national security requires the neighborhoods in our nation become more secure. Escalating poverty amongst the lower class has proven fatal for young scholars living in chicago and newark and has lead to urban militias occupying communities in New Orleans.

We know that our country has a vested interest in Middle Eastern stability. But instability in Middle America has resulted in violence reaching churches and hard working citizens being forced to foreclose their homes.

You've admitted that it is impossible for our country to prosper when so many citizens lack hope and resources. But we need to hear more about your plans to calm the immediate threat posed by civil unrest within our borders.

Decisions are made by those who show up. Well we've shown up by volunteering many hours and reaching deep into our piggy banks. And we will continue to do a lil bit more so that the next President of the United States knows that even though you can't fix everything all at once, every lil bit of change counts.

Yours faithfully,

The Citizens

"Friends, the time is now"

This is a fundraising appeal to supporters of Senator Barack Obama by ALBC.