DREAM ACT - TEXAS: June 2009

Monday, June 22, 2009

…Days Before President Obama Holds Key Meeting on Immigration Reform

Hundreds of Immigrant Students from Across the Country to Hold "Dream" Graduation Ceremony at U.S. Capitol Steps

Mirroring Solidarity Events Across the U.S., Immigrant Students Clad in Caps and Gowns will be Joined by Key Legislators to Call for Swift Passage of the DREAM Act

(For PDF version, click here)

With the Capitol Dome behind them, hundreds of students/youth from all over the country, along with education, faith, business, immigrant and civil rights leaders and members of Congress will participate in a National DREAM Graduation ceremony, hosted by the United We Dream Coalition (UWD). Clad in caps and gowns, immigrant students from Texas, New York, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Illinois and beyond will call for swift passage of the DREAM Act-legislation that would correct a flaw in our immigration laws by providing a path to legal status for young people brought to this country at a young age.

Solidarity events are being held from coast to coast on the 23rd. A list of the events is available at http://www.dreamactivist.org/dream-graduations-coast-coast/

WHAT: DREAM Graduation Ceremony highlighting the achievements of our nation's undocumented youth and the vast support for passage of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 23, 2009; 12 p.m., ET

WHERE: Lower Senate Park

Louisiana Ave NW & D St NW, Washington, DC 20001

WHO: Youth, Education, Faith, Labor, Business, Immigrant and Civil Rights leader

VISUALS: Diverse group of immigrant youth in caps and gowns will hold an emotional ceremony steps away from the Capitol Dome.

CONTACT: Tolu Olubunmi 202-216-0261 ext.407(o); 240-505-5921(c)

Daniela Alulema (Spanish media) 646-472-9565 (c)

Sookyung Oh (Asian American and Pacific Islander media) 267-334-5918(c)

Additional Spanish-language, French-language, Korean-language and Mandarin-language spokespeople from around the country will be available for interviews at this event.

…Days Before President Obama Holds Key Meeting on Immigration Reform

Hundreds of Immigrant Students from Across the Country to Hold "Dream" Graduation Ceremony at U.S. Capitol Steps

Mirroring Solidarity Events Across the U.S., Immigrant Students Clad in Caps and Gowns will be Joined by Key Legislators to Call for Swift Passage of the DREAM Act

(For PDF version, click here)

Solidarity events are being held from coast to coast on the 23rd. A list of the events is available at http://www.dreamactivist.org/dream-graduations-coast-coast/

WHEN: Tuesday, June 23, 2009; 12 p.m., ET

WHERE: Lower Senate Park

Louisiana Ave NW & D St NW, Washington, DC 20001

WHO: Youth, Education, Faith, Labor, Business, Immigrant and Civil Rights leader

VISUALS: Diverse group of immigrant youth in caps and gowns will hold an emotional ceremony steps away from the Capitol Dome.

CONTACT: Tolu Olubunmi 202-216-0261 ext.407(o); 240-505-5921(c)

Daniela Alulema (Spanish media) 646-472-9565 (c)

Sookyung Oh (Asian American and Pacific Islander media) 267-334-5918(c)

Additional Spanish-language, French-language, Korean-language and Mandarin-language spokespeople from around the country will be available for interviews at this event.

…Days Before President Obama Holds Key Meeting on Immigration Reform

Hundreds of Immigrant Students from Across the Country to Hold "Dream" Graduation Ceremony at U.S. Capitol Steps

Mirroring Solidarity Events Across the U.S., Immigrant Students Clad in Caps and Gowns will be Joined by Key Legislators to Call for Swift Passage of the DREAM Act

(For PDF version, click here)

Solidarity events are being held from coast to coast on the 23rd. A list of the events is available at http://www.dreamactivist.org/dream-graduations-coast-coast/

WHEN: Tuesday, June 23, 2009; 12 p.m., ET

WHERE: Lower Senate Park

Louisiana Ave NW & D St NW, Washington, DC 20001

WHO: Youth, Education, Faith, Labor, Business, Immigrant and Civil Rights leader

VISUALS: Diverse group of immigrant youth in caps and gowns will hold an emotional ceremony steps away from the Capitol Dome.

CONTACT: Tolu Olubunmi 202-216-0261 ext.407(o); 240-505-5921(c)

Daniela Alulema (Spanish media) 646-472-9565 (c)

Sookyung Oh (Asian American and Pacific Islander media) 267-334-5918(c)

Additional Spanish-language, French-language, Korean-language and Mandarin-language spokespeople from around the country will be available for interviews at this event.

…Days Before President Obama Holds Key Meeting on Immigration Reform

Hundreds of Immigrant Students from Across the Country to Hold "Dream" Graduation Ceremony at U.S. Capitol Steps

Mirroring Solidarity Events Across the U.S., Immigrant Students Clad in Caps and Gowns will be Joined by Key Legislators to Call for Swift Passage of the DREAM Act

(For PDF version, click here)

Solidarity events are being held from coast to coast on the 23rd. A list of the events is available at http://www.dreamactivist.org/dream-graduations-coast-coast/

WHEN: Tuesday, June 23, 2009; 12 p.m., ET

WHERE: Lower Senate Park

Louisiana Ave NW & D St NW, Washington, DC 20001

WHO: Youth, Education, Faith, Labor, Business, Immigrant and Civil Rights leader

VISUALS: Diverse group of immigrant youth in caps and gowns will hold an emotional ceremony steps away from the Capitol Dome.

CONTACT: Tolu Olubunmi 202-216-0261 ext.407(o); 240-505-5921(c)

Daniela Alulema (Spanish media) 646-472-9565 (c)

Sookyung Oh (Asian American and Pacific Islander media) 267-334-5918(c)

Additional Spanish-language, French-language, Korean-language and Mandarin-language spokespeople from around the country will be available for interviews at this event.

…Days Before President Obama Holds Key Meeting on Immigration Reform

Hundreds of Immigrant Students from Across the Country to Hold "Dream" Graduation Ceremony at U.S. Capitol Steps

Mirroring Solidarity Events Across the U.S., Immigrant Students Clad in Caps and Gowns will be Joined by Key Legislators to Call for Swift Passage of the DREAM Act

(For PDF version, click here)

Solidarity events are being held from coast to coast on the 23rd. A list of the events is available at http://www.dreamactivist.org/dream-graduations-coast-coast/

WHEN: Tuesday, June 23, 2009; 12 p.m., ET

WHERE: Lower Senate Park

Louisiana Ave NW & D St NW, Washington, DC 20001

WHO: Youth, Education, Faith, Labor, Business, Immigrant and Civil Rights leader

VISUALS: Diverse group of immigrant youth in caps and gowns will hold an emotional ceremony steps away from the Capitol Dome.

CONTACT: Tolu Olubunmi 202-216-0261 ext.407(o); 240-505-5921(c)

Daniela Alulema (Spanish media) 646-472-9565 (c)

Sookyung Oh (Asian American and Pacific Islander media) 267-334-5918(c)

Additional Spanish-language, French-language, Korean-language and Mandarin-language spokespeople from around the country will be available for interviews at this event.

…Days Before President Obama Holds Key Meeting on Immigration Reform

Hundreds of Immigrant Students from Across the Country to Hold "Dream" Graduation Ceremony at U.S. Capitol Steps

Mirroring Solidarity Events Across the U.S., Immigrant Students Clad in Caps and Gowns will be Joined by Key Legislators to Call for Swift Passage of the DREAM Act

(For PDF version, click here)

Solidarity events are being held from coast to coast on the 23rd. A list of the events is available at http://www.dreamactivist.org/dream-graduations-coast-coast/

WHEN: Tuesday, June 23, 2009; 12 p.m., ET

WHERE: Lower Senate Park

Louisiana Ave NW & D St NW, Washington, DC 20001

WHO: Youth, Education, Faith, Labor, Business, Immigrant and Civil Rights leader

VISUALS: Diverse group of immigrant youth in caps and gowns will hold an emotional ceremony steps away from the Capitol Dome.

CONTACT: Tolu Olubunmi 202-216-0261 ext.407(o); 240-505-5921(c)

Daniela Alulema (Spanish media) 646-472-9565 (c)

Sookyung Oh (Asian American and Pacific Islander media) 267-334-5918(c)

Additional Spanish-language, French-language, Korean-language and Mandarin-language spokespeople from around the country will be available for interviews at this event.

…Days Before President Obama Holds Key Meeting on Immigration Reform

Hundreds of Immigrant Students from Across the Country to Hold "Dream" Graduation Ceremony at U.S. Capitol Steps

Mirroring Solidarity Events Across the U.S., Immigrant Students Clad in Caps and Gowns will be Joined by Key Legislators to Call for Swift Passage of the DREAM Act

(For PDF version, click here)

Solidarity events are being held from coast to coast on the 23rd. A list of the events is available at http://www.dreamactivist.org/dream-graduations-coast-coast/

WHEN: Tuesday, June 23, 2009; 12 p.m., ET

WHERE: Lower Senate Park

Louisiana Ave NW & D St NW, Washington, DC 20001

WHO: Youth, Education, Faith, Labor, Business, Immigrant and Civil Rights leader

VISUALS: Diverse group of immigrant youth in caps and gowns will hold an emotional ceremony steps away from the Capitol Dome.

CONTACT: Tolu Olubunmi 202-216-0261 ext.407(o); 240-505-5921(c)

Daniela Alulema (Spanish media) 646-472-9565 (c)

Sookyung Oh (Asian American and Pacific Islander media) 267-334-5918(c)

Additional Spanish-language, French-language, Korean-language and Mandarin-language spokespeople from around the country will be available for interviews at this event.

…Days Before President Obama Holds Key Meeting on Immigration Reform

Hundreds of Immigrant Students from Across the Country to Hold "Dream" Graduation Ceremony at U.S. Capitol Steps

Mirroring Solidarity Events Across the U.S., Immigrant Students Clad in Caps and Gowns will be Joined by Key Legislators to Call for Swift Passage of the DREAM Act

(For PDF version, click here)

Solidarity events are being held from coast to coast on the 23rd. A list of the events is available at http://www.dreamactivist.org/dream-graduations-coast-coast/

WHEN: Tuesday, June 23, 2009; 12 p.m., ET

WHERE: Lower Senate Park

Louisiana Ave NW & D St NW, Washington, DC 20001

WHO: Youth, Education, Faith, Labor, Business, Immigrant and Civil Rights leader

VISUALS: Diverse group of immigrant youth in caps and gowns will hold an emotional ceremony steps away from the Capitol Dome.

CONTACT: Tolu Olubunmi 202-216-0261 ext.407(o); 240-505-5921(c)

Daniela Alulema (Spanish media) 646-472-9565 (c)

Sookyung Oh (Asian American and Pacific Islander media) 267-334-5918(c)

Additional Spanish-language, French-language, Korean-language and Mandarin-language spokespeople from around the country will be available for interviews at this event.

…Days Before President Obama Holds Key Meeting on Immigration Reform

Hundreds of Immigrant Students from Across the Country to Hold "Dream" Graduation Ceremony at U.S. Capitol Steps

Mirroring Solidarity Events Across the U.S., Immigrant Students Clad in Caps and Gowns will be Joined by Key Legislators to Call for Swift Passage of the DREAM Act

(For PDF version, click here)

Solidarity events are being held from coast to coast on the 23rd. A list of the events is available at http://www.dreamactivist.org/dream-graduations-coast-coast/

WHEN: Tuesday, June 23, 2009; 12 p.m., ET

WHERE: Lower Senate Park

Louisiana Ave NW & D St NW, Washington, DC 20001

WHO: Youth, Education, Faith, Labor, Business, Immigrant and Civil Rights leader

VISUALS: Diverse group of immigrant youth in caps and gowns will hold an emotional ceremony steps away from the Capitol Dome.

CONTACT: Tolu Olubunmi 202-216-0261 ext.407(o); 240-505-5921(c)

Daniela Alulema (Spanish media) 646-472-9565 (c)

Sookyung Oh (Asian American and Pacific Islander media) 267-334-5918(c)

Additional Spanish-language, French-language, Korean-language and Mandarin-language spokespeople from around the country will be available for interviews at this event.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Immigration after WWII - Opening the records

Archives documenting immigration after World War II are going to be made available at a center in Kansas City, Missouri. It will be interesting to see what is in there...

"Post-WWII immigration files to be opened to public," Washington Post/AP, June 15, 2009

Rush Limbaugh makes the Media Blue - the film Broadcast Blues

PRESS RELEASE

for immediate release

for more information, contact

Sue Wilson

209-245-6724 office

916-812-4931 mobile

The Movie the Media Does Not Want You to See!

Broadcast Blues blows the whistle on today's media madness, from the rise of Rush Limbaugh to the court ruling that news does not have to be true. This documentary is everything TV and Radio owners do not want you to know, so Common Cause and the Media Alliance are making sure you get a chance to see it, and find out what you can do about it.

Public Interest Pictures' Broadcast Blues features Danny Glover, Naomi Judd, Phil Donahue, Helen Thomas, Amy Goodman and many others. But it's stories of real people who have been damaged and even killed by reckless broadcasters that steal the show.

This special screening of Broadcast Blues will be held 4 PM Sunday, June 28, at San Francisco's Victoria Theater, 2961 16th Street, at the 16th St BART station. Tickets are $12 at the box office, or $10 in advance at www.commoncause.org/broadcastblues .

Directed by Emmy winner Sue Wilson.

"We the People are taking the media back."

http://www.broadcastblues.tv/

Sunday, June 14, 2009

DREAM Act Texas Blog Approaching 150,000

Dear Readers

as dreamacttexas is approaching 150,000 after only 2 years of life, we are slowing down somewhat.

For the time being, there won't be as many posts because I have to finish a book this summer. Professors have to do that from time to time as part of our jobs, and boy does it take every minute of our existence.

As soon as I can I will start posting more frequently.

Thank you for your support -

MTH

Friday, June 12, 2009

Not just in Europe

Rumi

Persia, what is now Afghanistan

1207 – 1273

link to image

A few days ago the NYT had an article about how college courses on European based knowledge were becoming rare. It is an ongoing argument these days, even where I work (World Cultures and Literature).

Should all students be taught about the famous European thinkers? How do you include other forms of knowledge from different parts of the world? The guys in Europe were not the only ones to figure it out.

For those in NY, you have a chance to learn about knowledge from another place. At the Brooklyn Museum - "Light of the Sufis: the Mystical Arts of Islam," through September 9, 2009

see "The Many Voices of Enlightenment," New York Times, June 12, 2009

link to image

Rumi
I cannot stop asking.
If I could taste one sip of an answer,
I could break out of this prison for drunks.
I didn't come here of my own accord, and I can't leave that way.
Whoever brought me here, will have to take me home.

* Ch. 1 : The Tavern, p. 2

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Widowed Immigrants Rules are Relaxed

"DHS eases deportation rules for widowed immigrants," AP/Washington Post, June 9, 2009

Gaza-still in rubbles

Gaza University, January 2009

Video from the London Guardian, June 8, 2009

for link click here

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Words Leading to Violence

Remember how some people were so upset during the last presidential campaign when Sarah Palin's audiences were chanting the word "kill?" It was no overreaction.

Recently, Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly has been demonizing Dr. George Tiller, the doctor who was recently murdered by a Pro-Life killer. O'Reilly didn't tell anyone to get rid of the doctor, but his negativity was enough to get someone on the edge of sanity to go overboard.

Be careful what you say. The consequences can be tragic.

"Where the Angriest Words can Lead." Washington Post, June 6, 2009

Dr. George Tiller

link to image

DREAM Act Advocacy in NYC

Unfortunately, we didn't get the news about this event in time to advertise it. However it is good to know these things are happening.

----

GlobeNewswire
June 3, 2009 Wednesday 1:22 PM EST

Youth Rally to Promote Student Voices in NYC Department of Education School Policies and Advocate for Educational Justice

NEW YORK, June 3, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Over one hundred lively NYC high school students and their supporters will rally at City Hall Park tomorrow, June 4th, from 12 to 3 p.m. to advocate for student leadership and input in key decisions made by the Department of Education (DOE). The students, members of Global Kids -- the premiere non-profit organization in New York City that teaches underserved high school students about international issues and civic engagement -- will represent campaigns that they have been working on throughout the school year.

Student campaigns include:

  * Support The Dream Act, federal legislation that will give undocumented students who have graduated from a U.S. high school the chance to go on to college and embark upon a path toward citizenship.

  * Better Management of the "Phase Out" of Large High Schools...

  * Pass the Dignity For All Students Act (DASA)...

  * Student Voice and Input Needs to be Heard in Every High School
   and by the DOE...

  * Better Support for Junior High Schools...

The Global Kids, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4850

CONTACT: Global Kids    Sofia Oviedo 212-226-0130
   sofia@globalkids.org

   Molly Delano 212-226-0130
      molly@globalkids.org

link to complete article

Caring for your computer

link to image

Some days I worry about our blog. There is always a chance something could happen and everything we wrote would disappear. That is why we are now backing up all our posts.

Now that I'm thinking of computer security, here is a post on hijacked email accounts:

Spam From Hijacked Webmail Accounts
by Brian Krebbs
Washington Post
April 29, 2009

A family member called last night, upset and embarrassed that his yahoo.com account was used to blast out spam to all of his contacts. A quick examination of the message headers indicated the spam was indeed sent through his yahoo.com account, and that someone had hijacked his Webmail account password.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed that whoever had sent the message had also done the following: deleted the last 30 days worth of messages in the "Sent" folder; added the same message they had spammed out to his e-mail signature, so that the message would be tacked onto each subsequent e-mail he sent; and the perpetrators even signed his first name at the bottom of the message.

An Internet search for the domain advertised in the spam -- easylifeing.com -- shows that spammers have advertised this site by hijacking accounts at other free Web mail providers as well, including Hotmail and Gmail.

The message read:

   Dear Friend,

   New shopping new life!

   How are u doing these days?Yesterday I found a web of a large trading company from china,which is an agent of all the well-known digital product factories,and facing to both wholesalers,retailsalers,and personal customer all over the world. They export all kinds of digital products and offer most competitive and reasonable price and high quality goods for our clients,so i think we you make a big profit if we do business with them.And they promise they will provide the best after-sales-service.In my opinion we can make a trial order to test that.

   Look forward to your early reply!
   [name omitted]

My relative's anti-virus program gave his PC a clean bill of health, but we're still in the process of scanning it with other tools. It's not clear how the attackers are hijacking these accounts, but there are a variety of ways passwords can be stolen.

The most likely explanation is that the victims logged into their accounts through a system that was compromised by some kind of data-stealing malicious software designed to swipe user names and passwords. In this particular instance, I'd rule out some kind of automated password cracking tool because my relative's password was fairly complex -- more than 10 characters, including numerals.

I've found dozens of Web sites advertised in these Webmail hijack scams. The domains themselves all appear to be for bargain-basement electronics and apparel stores based in China. All of the spammed sites I've reviewed so far were only recently registered and set up, suggesting that they may be nothing more than phantom stores designed to steal credit cards from unsuspecting buyers.

Anyone affected by this scam should immediately change their Webmail password, and check to make sure the same message hasn't been appended as a Webmail signature (usually, signatures are managed through the settings or options pages).

Finally, changing your password won't help much if the attackers still have malware on your system that can steal your new password, too. Assuming your system is equipped with up-to-date antivirus software, and that you've conducted a full system scan, you can get a second opinion by turning to one of my favorite diagnostic tools, Ultimate Boot CD.

This is basically a distribution of Linux that you can burn to a CD. Assuming your system is configured to boot from a CD (if not, you can try these suggestions), it will allow you to boot up into another operating system environment that lets you run a slew of diagnostic checks on the underlying hard drive and operating system, including virus scans from at least three different anti-malware vendors. It is generally safe to delete any suspect files found in these scans, but the scans themselves can take many hours to complete, depending on how many files you have on your system.

Update, 9:48 a.m.: A reader wrote in to remind me that there is a version of the Ultimate Boot CD -- appropriately named the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows - that boots into a virgin install of Windows, instead of a Linux operating system.

By Brian Krebs | April 29, 2009; 7:00 AM ET
Categories: Fraud , Latest Warnings , Safety Tips

click here and then scroll down to read the comments to this article

DREAMer Graduation in D.C. - June 23rd

A Film about DREAMers - Papers: The Movie -- coming in September

Click here for the link to Papers: The Movie

"Papers the documentary is the story of undocumented youth and the challenges they face as they turn 18 without legal status."

Thanks to L.C. for sending this along.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Nice words in Egypt; Nasty Behavior in Washington

Why is Obama confusing us? He says all (or most) of the right things. He wants the world to come together and heal the illness that took us over during the Bush Administration.

Yet he has not reigned in the Department of Homeland Security. People are still getting detained, 287G is very alive, E-Verify is spreading its tentacles, and Sheriff Joe continues his pitiless task all the while smiling at the cameras.

The meetings and rallies around the country are encouraging. But what we really need is some real sign from the White House.

"Hope and Worry on Immigration," New York Times, June 4, 2009

link to image

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Obama's Speech in Cairo - June 3, 2009

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Sanity about Handguns

link to image

Texas may want handguns in its colleges, but at the Federal Appeals Court in Chicago, they know better...

Appeals court upholds Chicago ban on handguns
By MIKE ROBINSON Associated Press Writer © 2009 The Associated Press/Houston Chronicle
June 2, 2009, 7:54PM

CHICAGO — A federal appeals court Tuesday upheld ordinances barring the ownership of handguns in most cases in Chicago and suburban Oak Park, finding a Supreme Court ruling in a District of Columbia case doesn't apply.

Obama in the Middle East: "No civilisation can claim to have a monopoly on universal values"

There is something beautiful about this image. I don't usually copy recent newspaper images, but this one was so striking. Congrats to Stephen Crowley for being such a fine artist.

As for the issue of Israel and Palestine... the conversations continue. Thank goodness we have a U.S. President who has finally taken a stand.

Netanyahu cites secret deal with Bush to justify more settlements, London Independent, June 3, 2009

Action must follow Obama's words, London Guardian, June 3, 2009
by Tariq Ramadan
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 3 June 2009 13.01 BST

Obama's speech to Muslims will mean little if its symbolism is not followed up by concrete measures to restore trust

...Barack Obama has this legacy to reverse. In talking to the Muslims, he should talk to the US and the west as well, for the scars of mistrust are deep. Obama has been very smart and cautious in delivering his political messages during the first months of his presidency. He repeatedly expressed his respect towards Islam and Muslims, announcing the closure of Guantanamo and cessation of torture and even becoming tougher towards the Israeli government regarding settlements. These are positive steps one should not deny.

Yet, symbolic acts and speeches are not enough. What we expect from the new president is effective and necessary action as well as a change in attitude. Humility is a key factor. In our global age, the United States might still be the most powerful nation in the world, but it does not have the monopoly on what is good and right. Being open to the world starts with being open to all civilisations and by acknowledging the potential positive contribution of every religion and culture. Islam is a great civilisation and Barack Obama should bring a message of true and deep respect by announcing that we all have to learn from each other and that he will commit himself to spreading knowledge of cultural and religious diversity in the United States itself. Humility means we all have to learn from one another and America should be ready to learn from Islam and Muslims as well as from the Hindus or the Buddhists. Paradoxically, how Obama intends to deal with education and religious diversity at home will be the true indicator of his real policy towards Islam and Muslims in the world.

No civilisation can claim to have a monopoly on universal values and no one can claim to be always faithful to his own values. President Obama must stress the ideal values and human rights the United States stands for but he has also to acknowledge mistakes, failures and contradictions when it comes to their implementation. Lack of consistency is a weakness shared by all nations. The best way for the president to be heard when he calls for human rights and democratisation and announces the start of a new era in relations with Muslims would be to start by being constructively self-critical and acknowledging that the US can and will do much better in respecting the values it stands for. It should do so by implementing just policies towards the Muslim world and poor countries. This humble attitude, based on the imperative duty of consistency, is not a position of weakness but the exact opposite: in this way, Obama can remind leaders as well as ordinary Muslims of their own inconsistencies and duties. Only a consistent and self-critical US president can remind Muslims that they have to act against corruption, extremism, dictatorships, lack of educational policies, discrimination towards women and poor people and be heard with a minimum of trust.

Muslims are waiting for action and they know from experience (with the US as well as with their own governments) that politicians are good at words. Barack Obama has a very special status today in the world and especially in the Muslim world. He is one of the only US presidents who has had both the background and the capacity to be more than simply a symbol spreading beautiful words. It would be sad to lose this historic opportunity and one must hope he has a vision and an efficient strategy for his country and the world. On domestic issues, when it comes to discrimination, security, immigration and equal opportunities, Barack Obama must help us to forget that he is African-American by promoting promote equal rights and justice. At the international level he should help us forget that his father was a Muslim by refusing to be shy or apologetic and respecting the rights of both individuals and populations in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The message he is to send to Muslims should come from a president positioning himself beyond specific colour and religious belonging with humility, consistency and respect. While delivering his speech he should make it clear that after many years of deafness in Washington, he has begun to listen. for complete article

Obama to tell Israel: Form new peace policy by July
Haaretz - Israel, June 3, 2009

Obama made a surprise appearance on Tuesday at a meeting Defense Minister Ehud Barak was holding in Washington, shortly before the U.S. leader was set to leave on a five-day trip to the Middle East.

Obama spoke for about 15 minutes with Barak, who was meeting with National Security Adviser General Jim Jones at the time. While Obama's official schedule did not include a meeting with Barak, he has in the past dropped into other officials' meetings with international figures.

According to an official Israeli source, Obama wants to complete the formulation of a preliminary six-month plan for progress toward a Middle East peace agreement and to present it in July. link to complete article

Obama Plays Down Divide With Israel, New York Times, June 3, 2009

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Taking a close look at Gaza

from Democracy Now - video interview

"Israeli Journalist Amira Hass on the Start of the UN’s Probe into Possible Israeli War Crimes during Gaza War" Democracy Now, June 2, 2009

On Obama and the Israeli Government:

"Obama Plays Down Split Over Israeli Settlements," New York Times, June 2, 2009

"Obama dispatches envoy to Israel to discuss settlements," Haaretz - Israel, June 2, 2009