The President of the United States is not only the head of the executive branch and the commander-in-chief, he’s also the pastor-in chief. When there’s a natural disaster, a terrorist attack or any other crisis, we eagerly await for the president’s response. We cling to his every word, trying to glean as much hope and comfort as possible.

Throughout the 200 plus years of our history it’s always been a white leader that we look to for solace, but now the buck stops at the desk of an African American.

President-elect Barack Obama is a Harvard educated lawyer, an eloquent speaker, and an accomplished writer, and most Americans believe that he has the intelligence and good judgement to rescue our country from its deep economic crisis and to extract us from the quagmire in Iraq.

We will expect not only intellectual leadership from Obama, but also empathy and reassurance during difficult times. For Americans to rely upon a black leader for hope and peace of mind is a milestone in race relations.

On TV and in the movies black men are usually portrayed as dangerous men who should be feared. We are all familiar with the media stereotype of the African American man as a pimp, thief or gangsta. Barack Obama has smashed these pernicious stereotypes; we were amazed an encouraged by the grace and calm that he displayed during the presidential campaign, and we are convinced that he will display these same traits as President of the United States.

I hope that all children, but especially black kids, will consider Obama a worthy role model. Too many black kids see sports and the entertainment business as the only way out of the inner city. But Obama has proved that a black person can achieve success in any arena, and that there is no ceiling that a person of color can’t shatter.

But there are no shortcuts to success in the realms of business or politics, to succeed you must have a college education. You can drop out of high school and still become a successful rapper, but there is no way you can become a lawyer, teacher, CEO, scientist or President of the United States without graduating from a university.

The American Dream is still alive, but parents must stress to their children that a solid college education is the only way to bring their dreams to fruition. Many black students feel that if they excel in school they will be perceived by their peers as sellouts, as a consequence they don’t apply themselves and they end up dropping out. It is not a badge of honor to be a functional illiterate who is only qualified to flip burgers or sell crack. Black leaders must stress to inner city youngsters the necessity of getting a good education if they want to escape the shackles of poverty.

Hopefully there are now multitudes of young black teens who are dreaming of becoming a Barack Obama or a Colin Powell instead of a Snoop Dogg or a 50 cent.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Barack Obama earlier today launched his fact-finding tour with a brief stop in Kuwait and then off to Afghanistan. Next, he will visit Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and England, not necessarily in that order.

Mr. Obama hopes thatb the tour of the Middle East and Europe will enhance his foreign policy credentials, confront questions at home about his readiness to be commander in chief, and signal the possibility of a new era in U.S. relations with the rest of the world.

   Obama at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait earlier today

   Obama meets a soldier during a breakfast visit to Camp Eggers in Kabul

More pictures from The Huffington Post | Washington Post

Popularity: 10% [?]

George W. Bush has been an unmitigated disaster as commander-in-chief, he leaves his successor with a quagmire in Iraq and a steadily worsening situation in Afghanistan. I just hope he doesn’t entangle us with a war with Iran before he leaves office.

Bush made a mess out of our foreign policy playing general, now he’s going to make a mess out of women’s health playing Surgeon General. Bush is lobbying for a proposal that would equate some forms of contraception with abortion:

“Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., blasted a Bush administration proposal Friday that would change the definition of abortion and, she argues, limit women’s access to contraception.

The draft proposal written by the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), which began circulating around Capitol Hill this week, would require hospitals receiving federal funds to hire medical personnel who oppose forms of contraception including birth control pills.

But Democratic critics including Clinton warn that the Bush administration changes would have ‘damaging’ consequences on women’s ability to access birth control.” …Quotation from ABC News/Matthew Jaffe

A medical practitioner has a right to a personal belief that it’s morally wrong to take birth control pills, but he shouldn’t have a right to refuse to dispense a morning-after pill to a woman who has been raped. Medical personnel shouldn’t let their religious beliefs interfere with providing patients with the medication they need.

Leading Democrats have spoken out against Bush’s proposal that would change the definition of abortion, but McCain has been silent on the issue. This is the same John McCain who was rendered silent when a reporter asked why many health insurance companies cover Viagra for men but not birth control for women.

John McCain should be anathema to anyone who cares about issues that impact women, but many angry Hillary supporters plan to sit out the general election or vote for John McCain. These women are so infatuated with Hillary, it smacks of a cult of personality.

If John McCain is elected president we will remain stuck in Iraq for a hundred years, and women’s rights will be set back a hundred years.

Popularity: 12% [?]