Kennedy family historic endorsement x 2

interesting historical context (in The Guardian, by Elana Schor) between the Kennedy's and Obama's:

The bond began with Kenyan labour leader Tom Mboya, an advocate for African nationalism who helped his country gain independence in 1963. In the late 1950s, Mboya was seeking support for a scholarship program that would send Kenyan students to US colleges - similar to other exchanges the US backed in developing nations during the Cold War with the Soviet Union. Mboya appealed to the state department. When that trail went cold, he turned to then-senator Kennedy.

Kennedy, who chaired the senate subcommittee on Africa, arranged a $100,000 grant through his family's foundation to help Mboya keep the program running.

"It was not a matter in which we sought to be involved," Kennedy said in an August 1960 senate speech. "Nevertheless, Mr Mboya came to see us and asked for help, when none of the other foundations could give it, when the federal government had turned it down quite precisely. We felt something ought to be done."

One of the first students airlifted to America was Barack Obama Sr, who married a white Kansas native named Ann Dunham during his US studies. Their son, born in 1961 and named for his father, has only once mentioned his Kennedy connection on the campaign trail.

"[T]he Kennedys decided: 'We're going to do an airlift,'" senator Obama said during a March speech in Selma, Alabama. "We're going to go to Africa and start bringing young Africans over to this country and give them scholarships to study so they can learn what a wonderful country America is. This young man named Barack Obama [Sr] got one of those tickets and came over to this country."

Very cool. "Full circle" as they say.... Yesterday Ted and Caroline Kennedy endorsed him.

"Silent Reflection" update

Oh this is encouraging news today regarding a previous post ... maybe this will blow over sooner than later... Too bad District 41 didn't wait to start this on Monday, cause now it appears that officially they do not have to, and shouldn't have in the first place!!

From the Chicago Tribune today: By the action, U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman essentially froze the controversy over the moment of silence as he considers a lawsuit brought against Township High School District 214 in the northwest suburbs.On Wednesday Gettleman issued a preliminary injunction barring the district -- but that district only -- from holding the moment of silence while the lawsuit progresses through court.Gettleman has called the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act vague and "likely unconstitutional" but said he would not yet issue a statewide injunction. That could change in the coming weeks if the judge grants an expected motion to include all of the state's 680 districts as defendants.

Yeah!

new start

I just realized I need to start keeping track again of some things happening in my life. Normal things and weird things I think I will like to read back on a few years from now to remember what I was doing and thinking. I spend way too much time on the computer. But I'm becoming more activist in my readings and opinions and I think this will be a good place to keep track of my thoughts for myself.

Today was one of those times I described to CS yesterday as when the "rubber meets the road". I went to J's middle school with my neighbor RB & his daughter to talk to the principal about how they are going to implement the "Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act" that stealthily passed the IL State Legislature in October.
J and I had already talked about this when the news first came out but nothing was announced at school so I was hoping the school board would just "do nothing" until after the dust had settled with other lawsuits or school districts deciding not to do it.
I was worrying/pre-occupied about it most of the day yesterday after RB brought it to my attention that the school was going to start it today.
So after much encouragement from Bob we went in talked to Dr. D and he was really cool about it and agreed to speak with the 1st period teacher that the girls could stand out in the hall during the stupid "10 seconds" before the pledge starts. I just left a voicemail to follow up with my state Rep Sandra Pihos. The Evanston school district is not doing this. Its so stupid its not enforceable.

To do: Now I need to call the school district and talk to the Superintendent.