COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Barack Obama urged people Wednesday to look past the "bustle and busyness" of their everyday lives this Fourth of July weekend to find a way to help make the American dream real not just for themselves, but for all.
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(Photo: AP Images / Jae C. Hong)Supporters listen to Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., during a campaign stop in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Wednesday, July 2, 2008.
The call for service is part of a flag-draped week focused on God, country, veterans and freedom. They are larger-than-life themes, all prominent in the successful campaigns of President Bush and aimed at introducing Obama to Americans who know little about the presumed Democratic nominee — or who may be skeptical based on what they've heard.
Before a boisterous University of Colorado crowd, Obama said the quiet following Friday's Independence Day celebrations would be a good time to consider how to contribute "to our most pressing national challenges," whether in the military, overseas or just next door.
"I hope that you take a moment to think about what you can do to shape a country we love, shape its future," Obama said. "Loving your country shouldn't just mean watching fireworks on the Fourth of July."
Obama talked in almost achingly intimate terms about the impact service had on him, as a boy who "spent much of my childhood adrift" and often had little idea "who I was or where I was going" because of his father's absence. But early in college, he said, values like hard work and empathy instilled by his mother and grandparents resurfaced "after a long hibernation." He eventually found himself working as a community organizer in a devastated South Side Chicago neighborhood, and said he was transformed.
Obama's call echoed Bush's "love a neighbor like you'd like to be loved yourself," an enduring staple of the president's political speeches of the last eight years. But Obama's campaign said the focus on service was meant not to recall Bush, but to reach back to President John F. Kennedy's generation-captivating "ask not what your country can do for you" inaugural address or President Clinton's creation of AmeriCorps.
To Obama, the problem is not that Americans are not willing to serve. It's that they have neither been asked aggressively enough nor given enough opportunities. In a clear slap to Bush, he decried that Americans eager to pitch in after the 2001 attacks were merely "asked to shop."
His solution is to promise repeated calls for American sacrifice as president and, to put teeth behind that, he has proposed a major expansion of government national service programs, first unveiled in Iowa in December, that would cost $3.5 billion a year. His campaign said he would fund this effort with savings from ending the war in Iraq and by canceling a new tax break for multinational corporations.
One new piece announced Wednesday would create a new "Green Vet Initiative" offering counseling, job placement and mediation with industry for veterans wanting to enter the rapidly expanding renewable energy field.
Other highlights include: increasing the all-volunteer military, expanding AmeriCorps, doubling the size of the Peace Corps, expanding service programs involving retired people, and creating a tax credit making the first $4,000 of college tuition free for students who conduct 100 hours of public service a year.
He avoided any criticism of Republican rival John McCain in the service speech, reserving that for much-applauded remarks he delivered by satellite to the United Steel Workers. Introduced by John Edwards, his former opponent for the Democratic nomination, Obama told the union's annual conference in Las Vegas that he respects McCain's accomplishments "even if he chooses to deny mine" but that the Arizona senator has little more to offer than a continuation of Bush's "tough luck, you're on your own" administration. Continue >>
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Then learn to communicate better than the writings of an 8th grader, puff bag. Your ship is all over the water. Gain some control - captain.
If you want to be persistent with the phrase "what do you mean" then change your screen name to whatdoyoumean. Do you know what I mean - LOL!
Rollin4him,
I do not support Obama ;), but glad to see you are coming around.
Chris-
Bottom line; I think you're a brother in Christ. Reading through all your gobbily-goo, I gather you're an Obamanation supporter. So now I'd determine that you're a whacked out brother in Christ. But, hey, each of us is only accountable for his/her own vote. Go get'm tiger.
Rollin4him,
You asked:
Are you a Bush supporter? What does this mean? Are you asking me if I support everything that President Bush has done? Are you asking me if I put him on such a level that I am completely blind to what God calls me to? If this is what you mean by supporter then no. If you mean, do I support staying in Iraq? Then the answer would be yes. Do I support Bush's tax policies? Then in general yes, but this is a question of economics, not of the President. Let me ask you, "Do you support Bush and everything he does? Do you put Christ first or Bush first? Do you believe that everything Bush has done is in exact accord with the will of God?"
Are you a Obama Supporter? Again, what do you mean? Do you mean do I support his policies? Then the answer would be, in general no. Do I support abortion? Absolutely not. Do I support gay marriage? No but neither does Obama, and in general I do not care if non-Christians want to have "gay unions" or not, I am concerned about Christians. Do I support improving our image abroad and change in the political system? Then yes very much so. But let me ask you, "Do you deny everything that Obama stands for, and claim that nothing he says is in accord with a Christian message? Do you believe that helping the poor is against Christianity and reaching out to those that do not understand our faith is against the will of God?"
Are you a Christian? Alas, what do you mean? Do I consider myself to believe like you? Then based upon what you have said so far no. Do I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, co-eternal and equal to the Father and the Spirit, and that He is the only way to heaven? Then the answer would be an emphatic yes. Do I believe that I should strive to live more like Christ condemning evil while loving sinners and denying myself considering myself less than others? Then yes. If Christian means for you one who condemns others and blindly supports one political party regardless of what the candidate says, a person who confuses the will of God, with an earthly governmental power, one who makes fun of others who do not agree with me? Then no, I do not consider myself this, and I do not believe such a person should call him or herself a Christian. But let me ask you, "What do you consider a Christian? Do you think if a person is against Bush then they are against Christ? If a person supports Obama do they have to be against Christ?"
rollin, if you choose to criticize me based upon my committment to Christ over political parties, then by all means sling the mud, but I hope you see that this is not as simple as you like, and I pray that you will be wiser in choosing your words in the future (to both Christians and non-Christians, Christ never gave anyone a pass to spew venom on his enemies).
"It is funny how GWB lied us into a war, when the Dems also voted for the war. Congress not Bush votes us into war. They read the same info guys and it did not only come from american sources. Keep facts as they are we do not need spin in this forum."
It was 4 jetliners, twin towers and the Pentagon building that got us into war. Make no mistake.
It is the media that has lied. Several countries in a fairly straight line west of Iraq magically got nuclear capable as we were going into Iraq....wow...what a coincidence! The #2 terrorist from Afganistan was found in a hospital in Iraq after we went in...what a coincidence. Iraq has been funding terrorism world-wide for 40+ years and the news media knows nothing about it!
If the media told us everything (like the Muslim countries putting a bill before the UN to make carrying a Bible in their countries punishable by death (yep...go to www.aclj.org to find out).
Eventually it just may be illegal to be anything but muslim. Just FYI, that would mean all gay people would be executed in public. It's time to stand up....
James R-
You need an education. Bush "votes" us into a war??? LOL - You must be a public school product.
OK Chris - I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and ask questions?
Are you a Bush supporter?
Are you a Obama Supporter?
Are you a Christian?
It is funny how GWB lied us into a war, when the Dems also voted for the war. Congress not Bush votes us into war. They read the same info guys and it did not only come from american sources. Keep facts as they are we do not need spin in this forum.
Oh and don't speak for all Christians you are one person, you don't have that right unless you are God.
Rollin4who?,
The only intelligent thing I got out of you was that you think I said some ambiguous statement about Bush.
I said he deserves defense on some points and attacks on others, unless you worship him as god, and feel he must be perfect in all areas? Are you rollin4bush?
Obviously you cannot handle correction, and I have no desire to speak with someone who cannot speak (or think) decently.
May God be with you
chris-
Nice one you judgmental pompous, slander'n huff: You come on here stating that "people are [too] wrapped up in their "side" to think about how a Christian ought to act."
Who's slandering who- genius?
Then you say some ambiguous statement like what you said about Bush. What do you think I'm going to say to you? "WOW! What an intelligent post." NOT!
Christians think Obamanation is a wolf, so live with it or support it, or get out of here - you fake! And you're a BIG BABY!
rollin4him,
"LOL!! I'm going to take a guess here (uummm let's see)"
It would be a good idea for you to not guess, you have no idea. By the way, who are you rolling for? If it is Christ then you better change your attitude, because I am just going to take a guess and say I believe he would be ashamed of your judgmental (and 100% wrong) attitude.
"1. you don't have a life ("hundreds of blogs" get a life)"
I didn't say this, don't lump me into things I didn't say (thinking before you post is a good idea that you may want to try though).
"2. you live sheltered lives ("first that defends Bush" - give me a break - )"
??? congratulations, you made me chuckle.
"3. You two are anti-war, Bush bashing lying lesbians liberals that go to Christian websites to spew your hate-filled venom on great Patriotic Christians."
Woah, way to pull that one out of no where (which is a third strike). And way to make your case in a loving way (assuming you are attempting to roll for Christ).
"UUMmmm, give me a moment and let me ponder this ..... LOL!!"
...ummm... so you wanted a moment to ponder your fabricated slandering (which the Bible is against all slandering) and then you laughed at how brilliant you thought you were? Wait, how old are you?
Let me give you some advice. Think before you speak, ask before you assume, and if you really think yourself a Christian, try to look a little more like the Christ of the Bible (again I don't know who you are trying to roll for, I would never guess Christ though, based upon what you have said).
Also if you are a Christian I would advise you to repent for falsely slandering another Christian, and for your callous attitude.
jhs, I never said I was bored just that your little tirades are getting boring, but of course it is time for the summer reruns!
believer
I voted for bush twice, I am willing to say it was a mistake, the problem is you neo cons made huge mistakes with bush, your just not willing to admit it! So just get bored.
Chris333 and Linda24
LOL!! I'm going to take a guess here (uummm let's see)
1. you don't have a life ("hundreds of blogs" get a life)
2. you live sheltered lives ("first that defends Bush" - give me a break - )
3. You two are anti-war, Bush bashing lying lesbians liberals that go to Christian websites to spew your hate-filled venom on great Patriotic Christians.
UUMmmm, give me a moment and let me ponder this ..... LOL!!
Linda,
Don't expect to hear much Christian responses here, people are to wrapped up in their "side" to think about how a Christian ought to act.
Regarding Bush, on some points he ought to be defended, on others he ought to be attacked.
After reading hundreds of blogs, this is the first one where anyone has defended George W Bush.
I am also surprised to see the hate responses and personal attacks on other posters. I expected posters would display a Christian attitude.
You're right, Scits, Obamanation will get Whitehouse.
rollin, perhaps you have not considered this: the fool in the White House that you are so fond of is responsible for more civilian deaths (in Iraq ) than Osama bin Laden was in his attacks on 9-11 by at least an order of magnitude, and Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11 nor bin Laden, you represent typical christian hypocrisy.
Oh one other thing, you might want to get use to hearing President Barack Obama come 2009.....
Ha.
pdcarver -
Maybe we should try getting Bush in for a 3rd term - this country would have peace for another 4 yrs.
This is like getting Bush for a third term!
Matt-
I LOVE IT! Obamanation!! Who's the genius that came up with that name. How fitting and right on target.
Man, I'm a Canadian, and if I said anything to the effect of "God bless George Bush" up here, I'd probably get shot or something. Society up here is far more liberal than in the States. I myself don't mind good ol' George. He's just got that honest southern feel to him.
As for Obamanation, I'd like the guy if I didn't believe him to be the son of the Dragon. Granted, he's too liberal for my liking, which is why I would have preferred Hilary. But McCain is the next best choice now (although he's definitely not going to win).
LOL! Believer. Great parallel with the Church Lady thing from SNL. Boy, you're right. You are an ol' geezer:)
jhs, every time I read one of your anti-Bush tirades a former episode of the Church Lady on Saturday Night Live comes to mind. She had Jimmy Swaggart and Pat Robertson on and she was trying to get Jimmy to admit that it was Satan who led him to the prostitute, but every time she about convinced him Pat would interrupt and say no Church Lady it wasn't Satan it was George Bush! It was funny then and it's still funny now every time you blame all of America's problems on George Bush, but it's also getting kind of boring as well.
The only thing that my man JHS fell for is the lie that Bush "lie us into a war" bit. Yo, you fluff, what politician isn't a millionaire?
Stop buying into the media brainwash and tell me when was the last time those cowardly terrorists have done an attack on American soil - you flake? Tongue tied? Why don't you send Bush a thank you note as you celebrate the 4th of July.
rolln4him
the only thing that your man bush has done is lie us into a war, while he and cheny made millions on their "blind trust" because of it. Bush is a disaster! Just ask the millions of middle class workers!
God bless our man Bush and his courageous leadership. He won't back down to the wishy - washy politicians.
By the way, did everyone hear how Osama (oopps, I mean Obama) has reversed course on his "troop withdrawal" plan. That's it Obi - run to the middle you imf. Now that you secured the democratic nomination by pulling the votes of the ultra liberal; anti-war crowd, now you can head your course due center! Sorry you liberal; anti-war suckers - you candidate has just left you in the dust. LOL
God Bless America!!!!