Across Bay,
Obama Calls for Change
SARAH MORRISON / Daily Californian
15nov2007
|
Mindfully.org
note:
Understand
What Change Means For Obama
Obama wants to
end the war in Iraq so we can redeploy in neighboring countries. His plan
is a shell game. He intends to keep the US fighting against this phony war
on terrorism. And he is extremely careful on his phrasing. His speeches
must be read very carefully. And the reader must do so without
preconceived ideas.
For example, read his speech to the American Israel Public Affairs
Committee (AIPAC) Policy Forum (Chicago, Illinois) on 2 March 2007:
"My plan
also allows for a limited number of U.S. troops to remain and
prevent Iraq from becoming a haven for international terrorism and reduce
the risk of all-out chaos. In addition, we will redeploy our troops to
other locations in the region, reassuring our allies that we will stay
engaged in the Middle East." More
. . . |
As Barack Obama addressed thousands of people in San Francisco last night,
his message was clear to all—American politics needs to change and it needs to
do so now.
Obama spoke to a crowd of over 6,000 people at the Bill Graham Civic
Auditorium, many of whom were students. Among cheers of support, Obama promised
to tackle the everyday problems of Americans, including what he called
inaccessible health care and public education systems.
“We have never paid more for health care or college,” Obama said to the
crowd. “We have also lost faith that leaders can or will do anything about it.”
Obama said many promises have been broken by the White House over the years
and promised to be the man who would take action, if elected.
“I am tired of talking about the outrage of 47 million Americans without
health insurance,” Obama said. “I will make sure that every single American
has health care they can depend on.”
Obama addressed the large student section at the front of the stage as he
criticized the current education system.
“I think it is about time we make college affordable and accessible,”
Obama said. “I will also reward teachers for their greatness by paying them
more.”
The current state of the capitol was also called into question by Obama, who
promised that his administration would stand up for everybody, independent of
race, sexuality or station in society.
“It is really rare for a candidate to say that they will stand up for you
and your interests,” said Natalie Rojas, a student at UC Santa Cruz and the
state coordinator for Students for Barack Obama. “I am looking for someone who
will address these issues on a national scale.”
While some critics question his experience in politics, Obama told the crowd
that he was the only candidate who had the courage to oppose the conflict in
Iraq at a time when it was popular.
“I don’t want to see any more American lives put at risk because no one
asked the tough questions before we sent our troops into this misguided war,”
Obama said.
If elected, Obama said he will remove all troops from Iraq within 16 months,
close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and continue fighting for what is
right, not what is merely convenient.
“Obama tells people what they need to hear, not just what they want to
hear,” said Menno Goedman, a recent graduate from UC San Diego and youth
outreach director for the campaign. “We haven’t seen that in politics for a
while.”
As Obama urged the crowd to come together and work towards a new period in
American politics, he promised that he would be worth the risk.
“The only reason I am here is because someone, somewhere stood up for
something,” Obama said. “I ask you to stand with me, work with me and vote
for me.”
Nima Rahimi, a fourth-year political science and German major at UC Berkeley,
said he would do just that.
“Obama is a strong, honest leader and that is what this country needs,”
he said.
source:
15nov2007