More Change from Senator Obama?
By bobmnu
@bobmnu (8157)
United States
October 7, 2008 12:30am CST
This was reported by AP today. Is this the Change Senator Obama is telling us about or is it more of the same old politics?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081007/ap_on_el_pr/obama_legislative_grants
Did he do something illegal - No but it is not the action of a person who wants to change the way things are done in Washington - unless he wants Washington to do things the way the Chicago Political machines do it.
4 responses
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
7 Oct 08
This is political? I did some research on this group and will provide it below.
This comes directly from the Blue Gargoyle website. It was started by a group of divinity students and is certainly NOT part of the Chicago Political machine.
http://www.bluegargoyle.org/index.php
[i]The Blue Gargoyle has a rich and interesting history. The organization was founded in 1968 when a group of divinity students at the University of Chicago approached the leaders of the University Church requesting a place where they could find "community with students, professors and residents of the neighborhood." The students asked if they could operate a coffee house on the church premises. The church agreed and soon university students came for coffee and meat loaf sandwiches provided by church volunteers. In the early 1970's, the Blue Gargoyle expanded its involvement in the community by initiating a number of programs and activities including a crisis intervention hotline.
By 1973, the vitality of the Blue Gargoyle began attracting young African-Americans from the surrounding communities. In response to this interest, the Blue Gargoyle sought and obtained foundation support to hire a social worker to provide programs and activities for the youth. This marked the beginning of the Blue Gargoyle as it is known today.
In 1974, the Blue Gargoyle became an independent non-profit social service agency when it formed its own Board of Directors and filed for 501-(c)3 status with the federal government. Although still operated in the University Church, the Blue Gargoyle is a secular agency serving community residents without regard to religious beliefs or affiliations. Thirty years later, the Blue Gargoyle continues to expand its programs to provide free services to economically disadvantaged residents of Grand Boulevard, Oakland, Washington Park, Woodlawn, Kenwood and Hyde Park.[/i]
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
7 Oct 08
As I pointed out he did nothing illegal but it does not look right when you see that an elected official is giving money that benefits his wife's cousin. He gave the Hospital where his wife works a million dollar grant, after she gets a raise that maybe she deserved but it does not pass the smell test. I had a friend in college and her grandfather was a small contractor in Chicago. Once the ward boss came around to ask for donations and his secretary told him to come back later. Her grandfather could not understand why his permits were being held up in City hall until the Ward Boss came back and within hours of his contribution all permits were approved. How many people from Blue Gargoyle gave to The Senators campaign?
Fora man who is running on wanting to Change the way business is done his record shows just the opposite. If you help me I will help you. Senator McCain has opposed earmarks and has not requested any that I know of. He may have requested money for a project in a bill before it is voted on but earmarks are after the bill passes and no one can change it.
If Senator Obama is going to change things then he needs to fully explain to us how he is gong to change and show us by his actions that he will change. Both Senator McCain and Gov. Palin have done what they promise to do in the past so we can see a history of their actions. What does Senator Obama's past record show?
@CherylsPearls (1269)
• United States
7 Oct 08
Thanks for the information. If not for people like you who actually try to find the facts instead of mindlessly spreading rumor and innuendo, myLot would be a sad place indeed. Cheers!
@firewind451 (129)
•
7 Oct 08
Thats nice. You posted the organizations own statements about themselves.
I I just spent ten minutes looking for the board of directors and their political actions. Funny, they (the board members) are not listed on the site.
I don't have a lot of time this morning but, I will find them if I can.
Want to bet whether or not they supported and continue to support Obama? I can't claim so now that they do but, I'd lay odds on it.
I'll find out.
@CherylsPearls (1269)
• United States
7 Oct 08
Is what the action of a person who wants to change the way things are done in Washington? What does this have to do with the Chicago political "machine?" I think you are making something out of nothing. I see nothing here to talk about.
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
7 Oct 08
My point is that while what he has done in the past was done within the law is was done the way things have always been done in politics. He talks of change but what has he done to change anything in the past. He still believes in helping his friends with government money - again nothing illegal but it is not a new way of doing things. His message is vote for me and I will change the way things are done. His actions say vote for me and I will do what I can to help you with government money they same old politics. Again it is not illegal but it is not Change.
@firewind451 (129)
•
7 Oct 08
SO far all we now is this Blue Gargoyle org, received money from the government, Barrack Obama helped secure it for them, Obamas cousin was on the board.
Questions remain. Was there any payback political or otherwise? Was the family connection used improperly?
The appearance of impropriety is there. A simple investigation will either turn up more questions or clear Obama easily.
As to Spelladinos post, it was from Blue Gargoyles website. Hardly an unbiased source.
There may be nothing here but then there may be something. Point is, it was never investigated.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
7 Oct 08
They sent so many lawyers and investigators up to Alaska to dig up every speck of dust they could about Palin. I wonder who many of them left Chicago to do it?
Obama has yet to be vetted at all. The incompetent press refuses to, and of course, the mindless sheep supporting him are just fat and happy having it like that.
I know not all Obama supporters are mindless sheep, but I'm still waiting to hear the outcry from those who aren't.
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
7 Oct 08
The press seems to feel that they can make policy and elect officials by reporting only what they want the people to know. They forget that unlike the 60's there is an alternative now and that is why they are losing readership and viewers. It is interesting that many independents and liberals (not the far lest ones) see Fox news as the best and most honest. they don't agree but they like to hear both sides of an issue.
I like to think that there is hope for us yet.
@firewind451 (129)
•
7 Oct 08
An so the long awaited vetting of Obama begins. Had this process been done when it was supposed to the country would be better off. Now we are going to see the truth about obama be brought out and the social consequences will be terrific. Imho anyway. Too many people are now invested in his candidacy.
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
7 Oct 08
The one that has the most to lose is the media. They failed the American Public and have become very partisan in their coverage of all the news.
I remember back when Walter Cronkite declared after the Tet Offencive was over that the US had lost the war. When in fact it was a total victory for the US and South Viet Nam. Once the media started to substitute their opinion instead of facts for the news they were embolden to keep trying. Now many of the American Public realize that they are not telling the whole truth. With the Internet and 24/7 news channels they are losing their market share. This election could well be the end of national media as we know it. Just look at the massive layoff in the major newspapers and magazines. Fox news has become the most trusted news network by the people.
@firewind451 (129)
•
7 Oct 08
Agreed but, there a lot of people . particularly the young, who are going to be shocked when this is over.
I think the country will lose as whole.