Prez Obama

This category mainly include articles I wrote during 2008 about why we needed to elect Barack Obama as our next president. I explain how the Obama campaign was really the leader of a progressive social movement, including how and why they won the 2008 election. I also have the most extensive writings about our president’s historical experience with and views on marijuana. I have written a few more analytical articles about the president since his first election. I am sure glad we have a smart, sophisticated, community-organizing, law professor as president.

MSNBC Provides Welcoming Community Center for DNC Visitors

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Dr. Tom Hoban

I was fortunate to visit the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Charlotte on Wednesday, September 5.  This was a great experience, thanks largely to the cool community center provided by MSNBC.   The city was very well-prepared in terms of security and logistics.  However, for those of us without credentials, there really was no public welcome center or place to get an orientation.  Fortunately, MSNBC was ready, willing and able to serve as a community center for the thousands of convention delegates and international media, as well as for plain-old citizens like me.

MSNBC’s efforts paid off very well.  Read here about how and why their ratings rocked during the DNC (and will continue to grow.)  You will also learn about the positive experiences they provided daily for thousands of people in Charlotte, as well as millions of viewers around the world.  Their nearly constant coverage and the overall MSNBC experience have clearly cemented their position (in many minds) as the world leader in all form of news – not just progressive politics.   It was also the one place for thousands to turn on Thursday night after the big speeches were moved indoors (see right.)  Click Below for a Behind-the-Scenes look at the MSNBC Experience and their Coverage of the DNC.

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Categories: Prez Obama, Visionaries | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Obama Will Lose Millions of Supporters because of His Anti-Marijuana Rhetoric and Policies

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Dr. Tom Hoban

President Obama recently doubled-down on his harassment of the 17 states who now make medical marijuana available to adults with medical need.  The president seems to think he can rest on his progressive laurels — figuring no liberals will vote for Mitt Romney.   That may be true; but a significant number of voters are either going to sit this election out or support the Libertarian party candidate – former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson.  Most significantly, the groups that are most opposed to Obama’s drug war include those groups he most needs to motivate and mobilize again (e.g., young people, minorities, and those concerned with civil rights.)

Like many others, I was turned-off by the president’s flippant and condescending attitude he displayed during his recent Rolling Stone interview.  He then grew even more sarcastic during the White House Correspondence Dinner and on his appearance on Jimmy Fallon (where he was trying to woo young voters.)  The president we thought would be reasonable and fair, has become a “holier-than-thou” hypocrite who even admits to having smoked marijuana regularly while he was young.  In fact, the Obama administration has greatly accelerated the drug war way past George Bush – ruining millions of people’s lives and wasting billions of public dollars.  You will learn all about that here.

Now he is shifting the blame to congress which is a lazy cop-out.  As you will read, Nancy Pelosi and other congressional leaders are urging him to get real and end this stupid war on weed.  In this article, you will learn all about the special interest groups that are pulling the president’s strings on this important public policy and public health matter (e.g., lobbyists representing the pharmaceutical industry, alcohol companies, prison guards, police, and private prisons.)  You will also learn about some positive initiatives – including how Anonymous is getting involved in this vital issue.  Click below to learn the truth!!

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Categories: Legalize Ganjah, Prez Obama | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

President Obama Must Learn to Feel and Sing the Blues

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Dr. Tom Hoban

Pundits have suspected that President Obama has a hard time relating to ordinary people.  He seems to be distant and aloof, hoping to remain “above the fray.”  Unfortunately, he is also looking like a wimp who is afraid to fight for what progressives and liberals believe to be proper public policy.  His cultural and educational background taught him to compromise and be conciliatory.  However, this is not how the civil rights movement was able to make progress during the 1960’s.   This is a losing strategy for dealing with the angry and aggressive tea-baggers who are holding our country hostage.  As Bill Maher has stated we need a gansta (i.e., tough-black) president now more than ever!!

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are offended and concerned that America’s “first black president” would forget his roots in the African-American community.  Problem is that Barack Obama has few if any connections to the legacy of slavery that has hung over the African-American community for centuries.   One way to think about this is that Barack Obama never had to really feel or sing the blues (this purely American music is intimately tied to African-American heritage and community.)   This article provides details on the history of the blues and its relationship to black culture.  You will also learn how to write your own blues song – using my free instrumental tracks for you to sing with.   I also review the wonderful book, DVD, and CD produced by Bill Wyman (former bassist for the Rolling Stones) called Blues Odyssey.  Pass this on so we all can start singing and enjoying the blues.

CLICK BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BLUES:

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Categories: Musician Tributes, Prez Obama | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

Medical Marijuana: President Obama Must Lead or Get Out of the Way!!

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Dr. Tom Hoban

Progressives are disappointed with a number of the policies and practices of the Obama administration.  However, I and many others are most concerned about the fact that President Obama is backing off his earlier promises to end the unfair, wasteful, and ineffective war against medical marijuana patients.  Given our severe budget crisis it is unethical and unwise to keep wasting scarce federal, state and local resources waging war against American citizens.  We already imprison more of our own people than any other country – with the vast majority being non-violent “drug offenders.”  Opinion polls show that most Americans oppose the war on medical marijuana.

President Obama has just called upon the political establishment in Arab countries to “Lead or get out of the way.”   He needs to take his own advice with regards to Medical Marijuana which is legal in a growing number of states (at least until his administration got in the way!!)  In this article I have collected the latest news about the growing protest against the Obama administration’s medical marijuana policies and practices.  President Obama needs to recognize that this is a large and popular social movement that includes all demographic groups.   Medical marijuana advocates and activists have spent over three decades to make the progress we have so far in a third of our states.  As a true progressive and community organizer, Barack Obama needs to either get in step with our movement – or get out of the way.  In fact, true conservatives and libertarians (like Ron Paul) have opposed the drug war for decades.  Click Below for more about the Obama administration’s failures, fumbles, and fallacies in the losing war on weed!!
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Please President Obama: Stop War on Marijuana

Posted on December 26, 2008 by Dr. Tom Hoban

One of the first things FDR did when he became president in 1932 was to end the failed prohibition of alcohol. This single act freed up resources for needed public works programs and added lots of new tax revenue.  That  also dramatically improved public mood as promised by his 1932 campaign song “Happy Days are Here Again.”  Another benefit was the dramatic drop in crime  and fewer prisoners.   We will see these and other major benefits once the wasteful weed war ends.

President Obama has the same chance to restore a sense of freedom and happiness in our country.  One easy thing to do is end the unethical and ineffective war on medical marijuana.  This will also improve how the rest of the world views the United States.  Read all about what we all can do to persuade and pressure our new president to “Do the Right Thing” for millions of medical patients and recreational users across the country and around the world.  The US is the only country standing in the way of global ganjah legalization.

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Categories: Legalize Ganjah, Prez Obama | Tags: , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Young People Rocked Barack Right into White House

Posted on November 11, 2008 by Dr. Tom Hoban
obama_victory_speechYoung Americans have started to take control of their collective future by electing Barack Obama president.  Two-out-of-three voters under 30 chose Obama over McCain.  The kids now have their own leader who understands them and will work for them.  It is time for the older generation to leave the major decisions to those who will have to pay the consequences.  The younger generation invested more time and energy in Obama then for any previous politician.  Obama represents a blank slate for youthful hopes, dreams and aspirations.

The polls tended to underestimate the youth vote impact. Young people were able to surprise the pollsters and pundits who have generally ignored this key segment.  The fact is many young people will never be included in standard telephone surveys. Growing numbers of young people only have cell phones (which by law prohibit telemarketing and opinion polling.)   Telephone surveys also miss people who screen calls or are not home at night.  However, Obama was well aware of the potential power of the youth vote. He was able to reach out and tap their hopes for a better future.  Read on to learn how he did it and what that means to the future of our world!!

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Categories: Prez Obama | Tags: , , , , , | 5 Comments

Michelle Obama Will be Awesome and Admirable First Woman!!

Posted on October 27, 2008 by Dr. Tom Hoban

One of the real benefits we will get when we elect Barack Obama next week is that we will get the energy, experience and enthusiasm of his wife Michelle. I have watched her give speeches and grant interviews over the past year.  I have also collected some of the best print articles and interviews for your information and inspiration.  Michelle clearly embodies the modern American woman better than any of the other women in the news (i.e., Cindy McCain and Sarah Palin.)

Read about how she is able to keep their children at the center of her world, while helping here husband stay focused and strong!!  As a sociology professor I am particularly impressed with the original sociological research she conducted to receive her undergraduate degree from Princeton.  You will learn about her family ties and young influences.  We are so lucky to have her by Barack’s side.  Learn how they met, fell in love and got married!!

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Categories: Prez Obama, Women | Tags: , , , , , | 7 Comments

Jesus was a Community Organizer – Pontius Pilate was a Governor!!

Posted on September 21, 2008 by Dr. Tom Hoban

During the Republicans’ wretched convention they launched a foolish attack against Barack Obama’s experience as a community organizer.  Response to these ignorant tirades has included reactions from those who have worked their whole lives to help the less advantaged – namely community organizers.  Why would the Republicans spend a whole night of their convention attacking ordinary people?  With the nation watching, the Republicans mocked, dismissed, and actually laughed out loud at Americans who engage in community service and organizing.

During my Ph.D. program in Rural Sociology I studied community development (organization).  During the past two decades I have worked with groups of farmers, citizens and others to organize their efforts to make improvements in environmental quality, economic development, and social justice.  These are clearly the types of efforts we need to give a higher priority if we really want to improve our nation and the world.  In this article I document the reaction to this attack on community organizers and explain the kinds of important work that they do.  It will also be clear why Barack’s experience as a community organizer will be the key to  success his of his GRASS ROOTS campaignin November.

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Categories: Prez Obama, Visionaries | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Why Barack is Best – Read His Own Words

Posted on September 14, 2008 by Dr. Tom Hoban

Over the past year I have watched and recorded all of Barack Obama’s televised speeches and debates.  I am also reading his awesome book “The Audacity of Hope.”  Now I have collected some of his key quotes for your reading pleasure.  Truly he is the smartest and most eloquent person to run for president in my lifetime.  The quotes are organized into four main topical areas:  American Dream and Values; Change We Can Believe In; Politics and Policies; and Solutions Through Social Service.

Hope you find these gems to be informative, inspirational and influential.  He clearly understands what our country needs for the future.   Enjoy all the “bumper stickers” that I found on the Internet.  Truly there are as many positive reasons to vote for Obama-Biden as there are negative reasons to vote against McCain-Palin. Now that the Obama campaign is fighting back I will shift more of my writing to the positive changes we can expect under an Obama administration.  Truly his election represents the best and last HOPE we have to save our country and the planet.

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Categories: Prez Obama | Tags: , , , , , | 1 Comment

Old McCain Should Buy a Farm – Not Become President

Posted on June 14, 2008 by Dr. Tom Hoban

As a professional sociologist (and a man in his mid-fifties) I have many serious reservations about McCain’s ability to serve as our president. These go beyond the fact that his ideas and policies are wacked.  First is that his age is catching up with him – like it is with all of us.  However, the job is too important to entrust to a senile and hostile “senior citizen.”  Second, as a result of his extensive torture – he suffers from long-term post-traumatic stress disorder.  That has not been clearly addressed.  Anyhow, enough of my opinions.  I have collected the finest articles from the Internet that talk about McCain’s age as the DEFINING difference between him and Barack.  Keep an eye out for some cool pix that I enhanced for your enjoyment.  Continue reading →

Categories: Prez Obama, Right-Wing | Tags: , , , , , , | 8 Comments

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