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President Barack Hussein Obama
The Biggest News Story Over The Past Year– from September, 2008 to September, 2009 was the campaign, election and inauguration of our 44th President of the United States of America, President Barack Hussein Obama. As Susie Williams Herbert said last year . . . “the man is Baad . . . ! ! !
Election Day, November 4th and Inauguration Day, January 20th were extremely happy days for the majority of Americans of all races as President Obama was overwhelmingly elected and sworn into office. Millions of people from around the world showed their approval of him. Black people were particularly elated as many of us thought we would never live to see the day that we would have an African American as President of the United States. Our ancestor’s, who fought so hard for our right to vote, would have loved to have seen this day.
President Obama has wasted no time – making many changes, addressing the many problems left behind by our previous administration. He has been continuing to address many issues since he took office which includes the economy, i.e., failed banks, the stock market, unemployment and mortgage foreclosures. His economic stimulus plan was passed and has shown some progress but it will take time to see real improvement. He is working on ending the Iraq war- bringing our troops home; passing healthcare reform-(which will provide quality affordable health care for every American); the War in Afghanistan; Korea’s threatened use of nuclear weapons; and finding a vaccine for Influenza A(H1N1) “swine flu” as soon as possible, as well as dealing with other issues.
Some of the other issues include President Obama having to address petty issues such as his killing a fly while being interviewed (he was criticized by PETA-People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals); the insistence of the “Birther’s” and many Republicans that he is not a US Citizen even though there is a legitimate Birth Certificate that indicates otherwise. His use of the words “acting stupidly” when referring to a Cambridge, MA policeman who arrested the prominent Black historian, Henry Louis Gates, in his own home. This was widely covered and pounced on by the media and those wishing to slow down our President’s progress. This was a distraction to President Obama’s work to put forward his Healthcare Reform Bill. And there were outright lies by some who were opposed to the Bill-they just didn’t want the President to succeed. Some say it has to do with pure racism. (I am so glad he has his wife, First Lady, Michelle Obama, with whom he can share his frustrations.)
During his travels since coming into office, our president has addressed the G20 (Group of 20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors); NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and EU Summits (European Union Summits).
In addition he had a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI for the first time at the Vatican after the G8 Summit in Italy. He has been encouraging diplomacy during his visits around the world as he traveled sometimes with his wife, First Lady, Michelle Obama and daughter’s Malia and Sasha, to such places as Canada, London, Paris, Czech Republic, Turkey, Iraq, Mexico City, Trinidad & Tobago, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Germany, Moscow, Italy and for the first time Ghana, as the first African American President ever to visit an African nation.
One of our President’s strongest supporters, Senator Ted Kennedy, passed away on 8/26/09 after a 15 month bout with brain cancer. During nearly 5 decades in the Senate, Senator Kennedy was a major force in passing important legislation as it related to Civil Rights, Health and the Economic advancement of Americans young and old. Many of us benefited from legislation that he initiated. He was also very instrumental in the election of President Obama and was a staunch supporter of helping our President pass his Health Care Reform Bill. In his Eulogy of Senator Ted Kennedy, President Obama described Kennedy as the “greatest legislator of our time.” Senator Kennedy’s leadership, vision and passion will be missed.
President Obama continues to face monumental tasks as Chief Executive Officer of our country but seems to be doing his job very well. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary A. Herbert
Editor
Disclaimer- The preceding information and commentary was referenced from news reports: TV and Radio; the Internet and Newspapers.Some of the opinions are the views of the Editor, but are not necessarily the views of the WLH Family.The Wilson, Lake, Herbert Family will not be held responsible for any of the above commentary.
