So last night the House passed the health care reform bill AND  the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 (a.k.a. student loan bill).  Thank God.

I know everyone is hyped about universal health (and I am too) but I am really hyped about this student loan bill.  So what’s in it:

• kicking the banks out the mix, which will save you money when it’s time to repay your loans
• more money for Pell Grants
• loan forgiveness for people serving in the military
• starting in 2014, reducing the cap on how you repay each you (from 15% of your income currently down to down to 10%)
• more funding for community colleges and HBCUs
• early education funding is out, but I’m sure it will get money in the revamped No Child Left Behind

The health care bill has loan forgiveness for doctors, dentists and nurses – lord knows they need it.

You can read the full thing here (yes, it’s at the end of the health care reform bill).

peace,
e.

Joe Wilson, you are whylin right now

You know, through most of my Obama’s speech my jaw was on the floor.  Now I didn’t watch that many Bush speeches, but I know when Bush spoke Congress wasn’t booing and heckling and acting crazy in general.  And I really know no one ever yelled “You lie” at the President, in a packed room during a national prodcasted speech.

I just couldn’t believe it.  Who does that?! Someone with absolutely no respect for our President and even less for himself and the people he represents.

So of course afterward he apologizes, but is that enough?  I mean, you can’t play the President and nothing happens.  You can’t call the President a liar and think a simple “my bad” will suffice.  His competition literally cashed in on this outburst, last I read he raised $75K last night alone.  Even other heckling Republicans couldn’t support the foolishness.

We don’t’ have to agree with everything Obama does, but he’s still the President and should be treated as such.  As much smack as we were talking about Bush, no one was crazy (or stupid) enough to say it to his face.  There’s just no need.  That’s the beauty of this country, we are entitled to our opinions.  But there’s a time, place and proper way to disagree.  I might need to add “screaming “you lie” to my list of ways not to fight.

Between this and all the broohaha over Obama telling the kids to stay in school, I’m amazed at how racism has driven every day people crazy.   Yeah I’m going there.  If Obama was White, he would get props for telling kids to take responsibility for their own education.  A people who believe in pulling yourself up by the bootstraps doesn’t want our leader to encourage kids to stay in school and make a better future for themselves? I can tell Obama’s over this, and so am I.

So what are your thoughts?

peace,
e.

Ah, my least favorite song (ever) but with my favorite person (kinda)

peace,
e.

p.s. you can thank Stacey for this lil gem.

President Barack Hussein Obama. Feels great to say.  Where were you? How are you spending the day?

President Obama

Have a good one.

e.

It’s tempting to make the trek to D.C. for what will be the defining moment of our generation: watching Barack Obama put his hand on the Bible, swear the presidential oath, and officially become No.44.

I’m getting shivers just thinking about it.

But I know, logistically, it might just be better for me to watch it on TV. They are predicting anywhere from 2 million to 4 million people – all in a 2-mile strip on the National Mall. Couple that with tight security, limited view of the actual ceremony (you’ll probably be watching on a Jumbotron), and the real possibility of cold weather.

Instead of contending with the madness, take the day off from work, invite a few friends and family members over, and celebrate (inside!) with the ones you love.

What to do: The ceremony begins at 10 a.m., so have people arrive around 9 a.m. to eat, drink, and get settled. Take tons of pictures and e-mail them to everyone after it’s over, so everyone can have memories of the party. If you were like me and saved every last “Obama” thing you could get your hands on, you can open your Obama box and share your favorite memories.

What to drink: Go easy and make some basic mimosas: half Champagne, half orange juice. Or mix it up a bit and use passion fruit juice (or any juice you like) with champagne. If you really like your alcohol, go ahead and just drink the Champagne straight. You have my permission.

What to wear: Take a cue from Michelle Obama and look regal in purple. (I swear she should wear it every day – she always looks so fierce!) The combination of red and blue ties with Obama’s promise to “reach across the aisle” to political rivals.

What to eat: Along with the usual brunch fixins – pancakes, sausage, home fries, muffins –   make a quick Obama cake. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try to recreate Obama’s logo using red, white, and blue frosting. Visit www.yeswecake.com for some ideas.

What to listen to: Of course, you’ve got to listen to “Yes We Can: Voices Of A Grassroots Movement,” a collection of songs that capture the essence of the campaign, complete with snippets of Obama’s speeches mixed in. Classic.

Tara

Let’s be for real, she’s the First Lady.   She’s a wife. She’s a mother.  She’s a scholar.  And now we are talking about her ass and her hair?  I quit.

The title says it all: An appreciation of of Michelle Obama’s beauty… and her booty: First Lady got Back. *cues: Baby got back…whomp whomp*

And this is where I quit, because this is stupid.  And what’s worse, a Black woman wrote it.  I won’t chew her out, WAOD already did that.  But of all the things we can write about Michelle, do we really need to talking about her assets?

I get it, she’s a “real” black woman (whatever that means).  She’s not biracial like Barack so she’s more authentic.  Enough.  Her butt does not make her Black. It does not define her ethnicity or identity.

And while racialicious can appreciate the tongue-in-cheekness of it, I simply can’t.

What do you think?

e

image courtesy of Patrick Moberg

In the wake of all the countless hours of election coverage, from amongst the seemingly endless stream of interviews being thrown at us from every local news channel, one little five-second snippet caught my ear more than anything I’d heard in the past week about this historic election: an elderly Black woman, decked out in Obama gear and holding an American flag, said enthusiastically into the microphone, “It’s not just a Black thing, it’s an Every thing.” After she said it, I stopped to think about it, and I realized how true that was – how much this election signifies, not just for the minority populations, but for all of us as Americans, and what it means for the rest of the world.

For us, it’s a monumental achievement for, but unfortunately probably not the conclusion of, the Civil Rights movement, proving Dr. King right and millions of doubtful voters wrong with the election of an African-American president (who is, quite literally, African-American). Nothing I write here could possibly express anything that hasn’t already been said or felt, and I realize that while Tuesday meant a whole lot to me as an American, it meant even more for most of SASSY’s readers, and I’d rather not trivialize that by going on and on about that particular aspect of the election.

So why did I just bid a paycheck I don’t have (Thanks economy!) on a limited edition Shepard Fairey Obama campaign poster on eBay? Because on November 4, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or gender, we banded together as a nation and stood up for what we believe in, for the hope and change Barack Obama represents, for a break from eight years of failed policies, misinformation, and ruined reputations in the eyes of our global neighbors. This man crossed lines, brought people together, mobilized an entire generation. He even redrew the political map! States that haven’t voted Democrat in nearly half a century went blue on Tuesday. And what did that prove? That we, as a nation, as a generation, are not as apathetic and lazy as everyone would like to believe we are; that we are a force to be reckoned with and that we will not take “no you can’t” as an answer; that when we really care, all things are possible.

That the election of Barack Obama incited celebrations of millions around the world is only testament to the impressiveness of our decision. Just when everyone else had given up hope that we’d ever elect someone different, someone who can possibly restore this country’s wealth and reputation (which, admittedly, is yet to be seen), we go and elect a guy that isn’t old and grey and White. For once, we took into account how our next president might influence the rest of the world, and how the result of that influence will ultimately come back to us. More importantly, the victory of this election isn’t just for America, it’s an example for the rest of the world, a challenge issued from the people of this country to every other electorate on the planet: yes we did, and so can you.

But now the question is: will people listen? Will other countries follow in our footsteps and stand up for what they think is right? I think it’s safe to say that this isn’t the nail in the coffin of racism or of oppression in general, but it’s at least a huge blow. Now it’s up to everyone else to contribute to the fight. You think they will?

-Allison

I still can’t believe.  We did it.

He gives us what we need so badly right now: hope.

*exhales* President Barack Obama, God bless you.

How are you celebrating?

e.

Please go out and vote.

At the Al Smith Memorial Dinner

Obama Roasts McCain

McCain Roasts Obama.

Part 1

Part 2

Funny dudes.