Jack & Jill Politics

2009 Black Blog Awards!

Nominate JJP for: Best Group Blog
Best Political/News Blog
Best Blog

http://www.blackweblogawards.com/categories/

hi everyone,
As promised over the weekend, I have posted my lengthy analysis of the Obamas' visit to Ghana with local Ghanaian reactions included. Here's the link
Part 2: Analysis of the Visitdiary I posted
Part 1: Background to the visitdiary I posted

Thanks! great write up

You're welcome

AFTERNOON OPEN THREAD IS UP!!!

This blog comes up with some funny stuff, a little different, but makes me laugh.

http://corrente.blogspot.com/

Friday, July 10, 2009
Wingnut Summer of Love

Starburst Revolution! - Turn on, tune in, drop out! - Head out on the highway - Lookin' for adventure - And whatever comes your way - Hike the Appalachian Trail - On The Road to Argentina - Naked Brunch - Teabagger Orgies in the Park - G.O.P-Ins - Hampton hideaways and hushpuppy money - Psychedelic wavy gravy love train - lizard brain - proclaim hearts aflame - no shame - media blame - C-Street Spawn Ranch - Helper Shelter!...

There is a House in Washington
They call the Fellowship
And it's been a den of many a fool
God knows there's more than one
Oh mother tell our children
To be a hypocrite
Spend your time in spin and mystery
In the House of the Fellowship.

Like a true wingnut child - We were born, born to be wild - We can climb so high - Never wanna die! We can grope your thigh!

Born to be wild!
Born to be wild!

R - Freelove update

David Brooks, appearing on MSNBC, recalls an intimate evening with a Republican senator:

BROOKS: You know, all three of us spend a lot of time covering politicians and I don’t know about you guys, but in my view, they’re all emotional freaks of one sort or another. They’re guaranteed to invade your personal space, touch you. I sat next to a Republican senator once at dinner and he had his hand on my inner thigh the whole time. I was like, ehh, get me out of here.

HARWOOD: What?

BROOKS: I can only imagine what happens to you guys.

O’DONNELL: Sorry, who was that?

BROOKS: I’m not telling you, I’m not telling you.

[source: Think Progress.org]"

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/...

"The Daily Beast has learned that Grace Rwaramba, the trusted nanny for Michael Jackson’s children who began working for the superstar in 1991, will be giving a deposition to Los Angeles investigators today in their probe into Jackson’s death. Few people have a better overview of Jackson’s pill habits across the past two decades, including enabling doctors, and according to a source familiar with what she intends to tell authorities, she is ready to “reveal all” she knows about his myriad physicians. That should make some of them very nervous."

ask and ye shall receive:

SOTOMAYOR CONFIRMATION HEARING OPEN THREAD IS UP!!

WTF is this nonsense?!!!!! A shoot out at a baby shower for Jamie Hector's wife.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_...

I think this heat is making people lose their minds. SMH.

Can I politely say.... FUCK LINDSAY GRAHAM!!

He is such a weasel pisser.

A weasel pisser - that's a new one!

Yes, please say it!

I'll help you. FUCK LINDSAY GRAHAM!

I'll help you to say it!

Noww - why be polite? Just do it.

YES WE CAN!

Why is Lindsay Graham blathering all over my computer? He's sounding more and more like Sarah Palin.

My ears hurt.

This "unnerved" business? Punk.

Just wondering...will there be a separate Judge Sotomayor thread?

give me 2 minutes.

Thanks! Sorry if I seemed like I'm rushing or impatient...

DONE

Don't know...but Schumer is BRINGIN it!! Backing Sotomayor UP big time based on her judicial record.

Tell 'em Schumer.

Frank Rich bought it home with this one.....dayum

She Broke the G.O.P. and Now She Owns It

Excerpt:
These are the cries of a constituency that feels disenfranchised — by the powerful and the well-educated who gamed the housing bubble, by a news media it keeps being told is hateful, by the immigrants who have taken some of their jobs, by the African-American who has ended a white monopoly on the White House. Palin is their born avatar. She puts a happy, sexy face on ugly emotions, and she can solidify her followers’ hold on a G.O.P. that has no leaders with the guts or alternative vision to stand up to them or to her.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/opinion/12ric...

As a small town Alabama native, I'm doubly proud!

WASHINGTON — The Associated Press has learned that President Barack Obama has chosen a well-known Alabama family physician, Dr. Regina Benjamin, to be the next surgeon general.

An administration official said Obama will announce the nomination later Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to upstage the official announcement.

Benjamin was the first black woman to head a state medical society, received the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights and just last fall received a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant." But she made headlines in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, with her determination to rebuild her rural health clinic Bayou La Batre, Ala., which serves 4,400 patients who would be hard-pressed to find care elsewhere.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/13/regina...

One up for the HBCU's. I got nothing against the Ivy's, but enough is enough.

Waaaaaayyyyyyyy better than Sanjay Gupta.

Helluva lot better.

The POTUS has peeps who know what and how to do it. Sounds like a bunch of astute black women running things to me. On the day that the news train changes from Michael Jackson to Sonia Sotomayer and her critics, they mix it up by rolling out a black woman from Alabama as Surgeon General. Keep the MSM confused about who to go after on the attack.

To see Sotomayor fade into Dr. Benjamin and back was quite stunning.

She went to Xavier and Morehouse...and has an MBA...go ahead, Dr. Benjamin.

While in Cleveland, my doctor who happened to be black - had a doctorate in Psychology as well as her M.D. And actually, now that I think of it the doctors at the hospital I worked in Bedford the doctors with dual degrees, like Dr. Benjamin and my physician, were physicians of color.

Nice! Congratulations Ms. Benjamin.

Here's a wiki link. Impressive

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina_Benjamin

Photos of Dr. Regina Benjamin

http://www.raconline.org/newsletter/web/images/...

http://www.usnews.com/dbimages/master/7843/ABL_...

She is so cute in that first pic!

Justice Sotomayor is looking thru this fool (Sessions) as though he doesnt exist! I think she is planning her grocery list

Justice Sotomayor is making me a little nervous. I am ready for her to say something. She is sitting there looking like she might want to cry or something. We need to hear something from her soon to see how tight she is wrapped. (Oh, I know I'm gonna hear about that use of words in the coming weeks when she proves how tight she is wrapped.)

Myth,

These "southern fried jackasses" (Waving @ APeach) are haters because this wise Latina is so wise! She's gonna bring it. Sit back & watch her roll.

She doesn't get to speak for awhile, Myth. It's all right - just take deep breaths. It'll be fine.

That look is she can't fucking believe these cracker-ass dimwits who insist they're "unnerved" and "concerned" - and by gawd, proving her comment about 'a latina woman vs a white asshole.'

She does not look like she wants to cry. She is cussing them out in her head.

Stop freaking out. She's there for a reason

Heh. Too funny. I HATE Beauregard. Truly. GrASSley is another one. They have "concerns" that she'll make this a more just society...that's not so good for them.

Anyway...I don't often say this, but I was very impressed and proud of what Sen. Feinstein said in her opening statement. And I like her comments yesterday ("I think you weaken your case when you go outside of the law.") regarding the CIA concealment. I wonder if that's a sign of the apocalypse or something...!

And who was that freak that shouted "What about the unborn?" What about these stop thinking they have a right to stick their collective noses in women's health care. I'm sick to death of these people.

The freak was just someone trying to seek attention.

I suppose, Rush Limpballs paid them to show up,?

And who was that freak that shouted "What about the unborn?"

You answered your own question....a freak.

Yeah, but *which* freak? :) Maybe Alan Keyes? He can't be too busy these days...

Fucker so deserves 'looking thru.' Even while looking thru racist jackasses she's still doing something constructive ("planning her grocery list").

Sessions is another one of those mofos that just make me want to spit .... SPIT!

Sessions....the same guy who thought nothing was wrong with the KKK until he found out that they were smoking pot. But thought that the NAACP were un-American

Isn't that something?!

I could.....Saaaaaaaaaa>>>lap him

Yes, that's the HYPOCRISY and total LUNACY of these white men who want to cry racist to the Latina woman.

Impotent pricks!

ROTFLMAO!!! @ something constructive ("planning her grocery list").

Damn.

Did she say "planning her grocery list"??

*dead*

......With his old mean racist ass!

She's a judge...and he's not. Jealous.

He needs to take Richard Pryor's advice: Have a Coke and a smile and STFU.

Orrin Hatch is up now Justice.

Candy Crowley looks so new, improved. lighter and refreshed since the campaign trail. She's one of my favs.

Slimy, swarmy Orrin Hatch..... just makes me want to spit.

These f------ need to quit. Estrada ain't up there. Deal with it.

I can't believe this southern fried jackass said he was "unnerved" by Judge Sotomayor's statements.

I'm unnerved by his stupidity.

Tell it!

"I'm unnerved by his stupidity."

Shit! Nearly choked on my COFFEE!

India's First Wal-Mart Draws Excitement, Not Protest
Venture Comes With Limits That Protect Merchants

By Emily Wax
Washington Post Foreign Service
Monday, July 13, 2009

AMRITSAR, India -- The wide, clean aisles of India's first Wal-Mart are nothing like Kavita Gopal's usual shopping haunts. There are no bicycle rickshaws careering past her as she buys sacks of rice, no humor-filled haggling over the price of an egg and no demanding neighbors yelling down from their windows for shopping favors.

"It's so relaxing and bright in here. It's like a really enjoyable day trip," cooed Gopal, a 22-year-old housewife who wore a mustard-colored sari as she slowly pushed a giant wagon through the air-conditioned superstore.

For shoppers like Gopal, the arrival of the world's largest retailer in one of the world's largest marketplaces has brought more praise than protest. In recent weeks, crowds have swarmed the store, located on the Grand Trunk Road, the ancient and fabled trade route that stretches across India and into Pakistan.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...

Ok, this article is from the NY Post

CUSTODY SNUB FOR 'BAD' DAD
JACKO'S MOM & EX IN SECRET DEAL

Last updated: 9:25 am
July 13, 2009
Posted: 4:14 am
July 13, 2009

Cruel stage dad Joe Jackson won't be getting his hands on his son's children any time soon, under a secret custody deal struck by Michael Jackson's mom, Katherine, and baby incubator Debbie Rowe, sources said yesterday.

Rowe agreed not to pursue any custody claim on ex-hubby Jacko's children -- two of whom are biologically hers -- as long as his loathsome dad is out of the picture when it comes to raising them, according to The Sunday Mirror newspaper in London.

Cindy Adams: Jackson's Family Disses BFF Elizabeth Taylor

ONGOING MICHAEL JACKSON COVERAGE

"The last thing she wanted was for those kids to be looked after by Joe and go through what Michael went through," a source told the paper. "When [Rowe and Jackson] were [married], Michael poured out his heart about how much he loathed Joe for what he had done."

In a bizarre twist, a source close to the Jackson family told The Post that the tentative pact giving Katherine Jackson custody also calls for continuing an odd charade that began when Michael was alive and Rowe gave birth to two of his three kids: Prince Michael, 12, and daughter Paris, 11.

At the time, MJ and Rowe agreed that Rowe would never identify herself to the children as their mom -- and the new custody pact would continue to demand that, the source said.

Instead, Rowe is referred to as a family friend, "Miss Debbie," the source said. She's also called that in front of Jackson's 7-year-old son, Prince Michael II, also called Blanket. His sperm-donor father and surrogate mother have never been identified.

Jackson's will named his mother as guardian of the kids. But Rowe was said to be mulling a possible court fight.

Under the tentative deal, she promises not to battle the mom in exchange for getting supervised, monthly visits with Prince Michael and Paris, a family friend told The Post.

Although Joe and Katherine Jackson are still married, they've lived apart for years.

The three children are currently with Katherine.

In a sensational 2003 British documentary on MJ, Jacko said that during his childhood, his dad would often lash out with any weapon within reach: "Ironing cords, whatever's around . . . throw you up against the wall, hard as he could."

Meanwhile, Neverland apparently will not be another Graceland.

While the company that owns Michael Jackson's ranch has publicly hinted it's open to burying the singer there and developing the property as a museum, the firm's owner has privately said it's not going to happen.

Tom Barrack, 62, chairman of Colony Capital, which owns a controlling share of the property, met late last week with concerned ranchers who live near Jacko's home north of Los Angeles and told them not to worry.

Additional reporting by Lucas I. Alpert

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07132009/news/natio...

JULY 13, 2009 Parties Set to Paint Opposing Pictures of Nominee
Democrats Will Describe Judge as a Meticulous Workhorse While Republicans Cite Controversial Decisions, Remarks


By JESS BRAVIN
WASHINGTON -- Two different images of Sonia Sotomayor will emerge from the Supreme Court nominee's confirmation hearings that begin Monday.

Democrats, focusing on her 17-year record as a federal judge, will portray the nominee as a meticulous judicial workhorse, impartially applying the law, even as her rise from the projects marks her as a quintessential American story.


Republicans, dismissing the bulk of her rulings as dictated by precedent, will seize on a handful of controversial decisions and off-the-bench remarks to paint Judge Sotomayor as an extremist who could use her Supreme Court seat to even the scales for minority groups she considers victimized by American history.

Whether either portrait prevails will rest largely on Judge Sotomayor, who delivers her opening statement Monday. Following convention, she has said nothing publicly since President Barack Obama announced her nomination on May 26.

At the hearings, she is unlikely to say anything regarding specific cases, or signal her leanings on issues such as abortion. But what she does say will be aimed at soothing fears conservative critics have stoked.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124743972191929...

Pat Buchanan: 'Todd Palin Ought To Hold Levi's Head Underwater Till The Thrashing Stops' (VIDEO)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/13/pat-bu...


MSNBC contributor Pat Buchanan, a strong supporter of Sarah Palin, is extremely unhappy with Levi Johnston for his recent criticism of Sarah Palin, including his appearance on the "Today Show" this morning in which he said Palin, at least in part, resigned the governorship of Alaska in order to make more money. Buchanan had some harsh advice for the Palin family on how to deal with Levi:

Well, first, with regard to Levi, I think First Dude up there in Alaska, Todd Palin, ought to take Levi down to the creek and hold his head underwater until the thrashing stops.
The whole "Morning Joe" gang laughed pretty hard at Buchanan's joke, while Mark Halprin helpfully offered, "That's a reality show, right there."


So advocating the murder of a young boy is funny? MSNBC need to stop giving Pat Buchanan a platform to spew his hate! How does Pat Buchanan get away with crap like this? How?

Should I say it again?

Hey Craig! :)

What despicable people. They have no fucking idea how to handle disagreement, do they? They're like two-year olds with their toys.

Pat Buchanan - a campaign REALLY needs to be undertaken to have this jackass cracker taken off MSNBC. And I do understand, he's a nice guy and all.

And I don't know why Justice has to go upsetting the apple cart so early on Monday morning in the West. I haven't even had coffee yet and already I'm burning.

I don't know why Justice did that? She just wanna be starting something...! :)

She just wanna be starting something.

mmm-Hm..

That's what I was listening to instead of killing my brain cells with Morning Joe this morning. :)

HEY YOU GUYS!!

Go check out C-SPAN confirmation hearings for Judge Sotomayor

There's a control room where you can get different views of the hearing room. It really gives the entire atmosphere of a circus.

Of course you have to listen to a few wingnutters and their incredible conspiracy theories with the occasional voice of reason.

Thanks for the heads up!

Afirmative Action will be front and center in Sotomayor confirmation hearings:

"In 2005, when Justices Samuel Alito and John Roberts were confirmed by the Senate, affirmative action seemed almost an after-thought. In Alito’s case, only two of his 33 witnesses in his hearings had obvious ties to affirmative action groups, one from each side of the aisle. For Roberts, Democrats called only two witnesses to speak to his record on civil rights.

In contrast, more than one-third of the witnesses on the Republican’s list for Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearing are lawyers and academics, who’ve based their careers on opposing affirmative action, and activists who have become symbols of the anti-affirmative action movement

With five out of fourteen anti-affirmative action advocates on the minority’s witness list, it’s clear that these focal points are not going away."

http://trueslant.com/kateklonick/2009/07/10/run...

Enough Already With the Bipartisanship!
If Obama wants to get anything done, he needs to start breaking some GOP heads. This is not the time to be making nice.
Read More
http://www.theroot.com/views/enough-already-bip...

Sarah Palin just announced:

The former Republican vice presidential nominee said she plans to write a book, campaign for political candidates from coast to coast — even Democrats who share her views on limited government, national defense and energy independence — and build a right-of-center coalition.

http://news.aol.com/article/sarah-palin-stump-f...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/10/peggy-...


Look what Peggy Noonan had to say about Palin? Think she was holding back? lol

In television interviews she was out of her depth in a shallow pool. She was limited in her ability to explain and defend her positions, and sometimes in knowing them. She couldn't say what she read because she didn't read anything. She was utterly unconcerned by all this and seemed in fact rather proud of it: It was evidence of her authenticity. She experienced criticism as both partisan and cruel because she could see no truth in any of it. She wasn't thoughtful enough to know she wasn't thoughtful enough. Her presentation up to the end has been scattered, illogical, manipulative and self-referential to the point of self-reverence. "I'm not wired that way," "I'm not a quitter," "I'm standing up for our values." I'm, I'm, I'm.
In another age it might not have been terrible, but here and now it was actually rather horrifying.


Ouch! Pretty scathing, huh? Whew Lawd!!!

Peggy Noonan cant stand Palin and really can't hold back. Ever since that time her mic was still live and she got busted...I guess she just said "screw it, I dont care if y'all know I dont like her or not."

Yeah, I remember.

Noonan was caught saying Palin was "political bullshit."

Sotomayor open thread is up!!

OMG..."out of her depth in a shallow pool."

DAYUM!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, she worked for Reagan, but she's good.

She wasn't thoughtful enough to know she wasn't thoughtful enough.


Translation: She was ignorant and proud of it!

Ghost writer? Otherwise - undoubtedly a short, stoopid read.

See what you started?

My stomach is in knots from laughing so hard. Whew!

Isn't Dr. Seuss dead?

Miranda,

You need to stop. My stomach is hurting from laughing!

Stop it already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey now, don't be insulting Dr. Seuss like that (LOL). He used simple words but his messages were deep, whereas Palin's thought processes wouldn't even make it to the backyard kiddie pool.

oooo - SPOT ON!

But ya know, we kid Dr. Seuss whilst loving him.

ONG that is just too true..you need to stop I just spewed coffee all over my computer screen.

LOL@ Dr. Suess.

Can Sarah scale a fish?
And put it in a Dish

Sarah can say 'THERE and WHERE"
Can she add a PERIOD when it's due?
Or keep running on and breaking rules

Does she love the limelight?
Even though she isn't birght
Can she tell the TRUTH
or keep lying through the roof!

I am Sarah!

Sarah I am!

That Sarah-I-Am
That Sarah-I-Am
I do not like Sarah-I-Am!

Do you like political shams?

I do not like them, Sarah-I-Am!
I do not like political shams!

Would you like me to shoot a moose?
Would you like me to be the golden goose?

I do not want you to shoot a moose
I do not want you to be the golden goose
I do not like political shams
I do not like you, Sarah-I-Am!

Dont you want to see my beehived locks?
Dont you want to see me talk on Fox?


I don't like your locks
Don't wanna watch you on Fox
Dont want you to shoot a moose
or be the golden goose
I do not like political shams
I do not like you, Sarah-I-Am.

Go Town!

Woo Hoo!

BWA HA HA!!!! Brilliant! Town. I'm down with Town, and priviledged to have
her around!
LOL!

Spirit,

Can Sarah scale a fish?
And put it in a Dish


Why did you do it?


BWA HA HA HA HA HA

Although mightily clever, Town - I am sorry.....THIS is just TOO MUCH:

Can Sarah scale a fish?
And put it in a Dish

I'm putting this up on the bulletin board.....

OHMIGAWD!

Can Sarah scale a fish?
And put it in a Dish.....

You're a genius... I cannot STOP laughing!

I'm choking from laughing...

Somebody call 911

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...... dialing right now.....

ROTFLMAO -

Stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LMAO!

With mostly pictures and pop ups

Just sayin'

LMBAO!!!

BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

You made me laugh out loud!!!

Oh Damn - the tears ......

The cartoon posted is just great.
I really do not believe that people in government and business believe this yet. As more blogs start posting the legislative process all hell is going to break loose.

FYI
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc Convention 2009
Thurs, Aug 6, 2009 to Sun, Aug 9, 2009
Las Vegas, NV
Palace Station Hotel & Casino
2411 W. Sahara Ave, LV
On-site Registration Fee $251.00 [for any regist after 6-30-09]
Hotel Rates range $125.97 (courtyard) to $177.97 (tower) total for the 3 nites, for one person

More info and Registration forms, etc, at TAI, Inc. Site - click on the Convention link
http://www.tuskegeeairmen.org/

Good Morning.Your Monday jam.Enjoy
Streetwave - The Brothers Johnson (Vinyl Album) 1978
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAnfUXfcDXU

Perfect Monday morning kick-start.

See, there you go... You know I love The Brothers Johnson.

I'll be good to you, good to you is my favorite! Woo Hoo! :)

OK I admit I'm a bit of conspiracy theorist so I'm sharing this here. Not so much because I believe in occult influence but the speeches from Michael Jackson & Farakkhan are worth REALLY listening to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCu02MX0uuI&feat...

Get read for the backlash for the "comparison" part. (Forgive me if this is already posted)

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALe...

Obama says slavery's past should be taught in US

21 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says slavery is a terrible part of the United States' history and should be taught in a meaningful way.

Obama compared the legacy of slavery to the history of the Holocaust. He said both are horrible parts of history but shouldn't be ignored. He says in a CNN interview that their lessons must never be forgotten.

Obama returned to Washington early Sunday morning from a trip that took him to Russia, Italy and Ghana. It was the first trip to sub-Saharan Africa for America's first black president.

Obama and his family visited a West African castle where traders once shipped slaves to the New World.

Obama was interviewed Saturday for CNN's "Anderson Cooper: 360." A brief excerpt was released on Sunday.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Excellent comparison. I have said this for MANY years. It is a shame that most Americans know how many millions died in the Holocaust which is GERMAN history yet they have no knowledge about slavery which lasted over 200 centuries AND is AMERICAN history.

Our culture suffers from that history education gap. Many of our children do not know the history AND many non POC do not want to address the WRONGs committed by them...instead they focus on how awful Hitler was!

Get ready for the backlash for the "comparison" part. Personally I love this. (Forgive me if this was already posted)

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALe...

Obama says slavery's past should be taught in US

21 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says slavery is a terrible part of the United States' history and should be taught in a meaningful way.

Obama compared the legacy of slavery to the history of the Holocaust. He said both are horrible parts of history but shouldn't be ignored. He says in a CNN interview that their lessons must never be forgotten.

Obama returned to Washington early Sunday morning from a trip that took him to Russia, Italy and Ghana. It was the first trip to sub-Saharan Africa for America's first black president.

Obama and his family visited a West African castle where traders once shipped slaves to the New World.

Obama was interviewed Saturday for CNN's "Anderson Cooper: 360." A brief excerpt was released on Sunday.

Full Family Circle
The Land of Her Ancestors Claims Michelle Obama as A Favorite Daughter
By Robin Givhan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, July 13, 2009

ACCRA, Ghana, July 12

The entire population of Labadi and Labone, poor neighborhoods on the outskirts of this capital city's center, seemed to be flowing in one direction. Everyone was scurrying toward a single local landmark -- a two-story yam-colored building: La General Hospital. The president of the United States and first lady Michelle Obama were due to arrive there in a few hours on Saturday morning. A tide of people was advancing, moving with optimism and pride.

American flags blew in the light balmy breeze from atop the carts of street vendors who had turned the day's excitement into a barker's opportunity. Women accessorized their Crayola-hued African-print dresses with kerchiefs ablaze with red and white stripes and blue stars. And if one eavesdropped on virtually any conversation, whether it was unfolding in English or any of Ghana's languages or dialects, a single common word pierced the cacophony: Obama. Over and over. Obama.

These residents were honored, and they showed it by dressing up for this moment. Men strode down the red-earth streets dressed in sober business suits and ties, no matter the mugginess of the day. Women hurried along in ankle-length skirts, matching head wraps and heels -- even the occasional pair of high-heeled, metallic gold mules teetered on these uneven roads, some of them squishy with mud. It didn't matter that the only sign that the first couple was anywhere nearby came from the helicopters circling overhead, the police officers guarding streets that had been emptied of traffic and the palpable electricity that comes from knowing that something -- something unusual -- is about to happen.

Mohammed Sanni, a contractor who lives in this neighborhood, had been standing on a grassy median for three hours. He was so very, very tired of waiting, he said. But he would persevere. "I'm here to see the president. It's important to me because he's an African. And I'd like to see the first lady," Sanni added. "She seems nice, but I don't know that much about her."

Public anonymity and admiring curiosity were the story lines that followed Michelle Obama as she and her husband raced from Moscow to Rome and finally to Accra in little more than a week. In Moscow, many locals viewed her as the admirable gardener. In Italy, she was a "spouse," one of many wedded to a Group of Eight leader and almost always part of a tour group that moved silently from luncheon to museum tour to motorcade. But here in Africa, while the details of her résumé are not known and her pet projects such as community service and nutrition remain a mystery, she is, for the folks here, a hometown girl, a sort of distant cousin who has made good, and whom they've been anxious to meet.

Michelle Obama's ancestry can be traced back to slaves, many of whom were launched into subjugation from this West African nation. It doesn't matter that the specifics of that part of her family lineage are uncertain or that Ghana may not actually figure in it. Such fine details don't matter to the people here. "Michelle is from Ghana because her ancestors were from Ghana" -- of this Helena Botchey, owner of Helen Herbal and Family Planning Shop, is convinced. Barack Obama may have a Kenyan father, but the first lady's roots bear the scars, stresses and emotional weight of Ghana, which became the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence in 1957.

If the president is an emblem of future possibilities for this peaceful democratic country, then the first lady symbolizes how much of a painful history has been overcome. For many residents here, she is the embodiment of optimism, proof that the past is not destiny.

"I like the wife. She has roots in Ghana; I'm part of her," said Doris Otebire, a shopkeeper who sells DVDs and compact discs. "Women are strong and powerful in Ghana and she's strong."

Throughout this trip, Michelle Obama has mostly remained silent -- at least in public. This international whirlwind has mostly been about supporting her husband and about the symbolism -- the photo story she can create to underscore his agenda. All too often, that symbolism failed to deliver much of an emotional wallop. It was particularly unsuccessful in Italy, where the G-8 spouses toured the L'Aquila earthquake site in a hasty 10 minutes and then left for lunch.

But here in Accra, Michelle Obama's presence -- her silent, smiling, brown-skinned presence -- delivered a powerful message. The only complaint is that they wanted to see more of her -- and hear her, too. "She should speak more publicly and talk about how women can be on our own whether we are married or not married. We don't have to stop at any level," said Mawuena Charity Ati, who stopped to chat while on her way to work. "It's important for the community and the continent at large."

The most resonant moment of that African kinship was when the first lady visited the Cape Coast Castle -- the former slave factory, with its blue window shutters, red tile roof and infamous "door of no return." With her family, she toured the site where so many Africans were separated from their families and embarked on the Middle Passage. The stone holding rooms were dank, cramped and devoid of any natural light. After the tour, the president made a few brief remarks, noting how the history of the place resonated deeply, particularly as the father of two young daughters who are the descendants of both Africans and African Americans.

But this entire Africa leg has been rich with reminders and subtle references to that dark history. When the couple had breakfast with Ghana's new president John Mills Atta earlier Saturday, it was at Castle Osu, perched over the sea and itself a onetime slave trading post.

When the president and first lady's motorcade finally arrived at La General Hospital, neighbors peered from balconies, waved flags and cheered. She and the president visited the open-air women's clinic that abuts the main hospital building. Their tour guide was a nurse named, appropriately, Mercy. Mercy Kotey introduced the first couple to a group of about 20 pregnant women. And in a manner that was more like a mother to mothers-to-be, rather than VIP to fans, Michelle Obama inquired after their health and encouraged the women to take care of themselves.

The tour also included a stop in a nursery where she met a group of mothers with their babies. And rather than offer remarks or deliver a speech, the first lady picked up and comforted a crying child -- at least briefly -- before turning the little one back over to mom. It was a gesture of maternal understanding that spoke volumes in a country that has been focused on high infant mortality, so much so that the government declared the problem a national emergency last year.

In the early planning of this trip, only the first lady had been scheduled to visit this hospital. And the message -- and again it is all about symbolism -- appeared to be one of women supporting other women. The sight of this African American first lady -- with her background in hospital bureaucracy, city government and community outreach -- striding into a maternity ward filled with black African mothers-to-be would speak to the important role women play in building strong communities, sound economies and stable governments. With the president by her side, would the message of the visit shift? Would it become a tableau that pointed to the role of government in caring for its people? No less important a point, just . . . different.

But as the first couple toured the hospital, Michelle Obama held the hand of the nurse who led the way. "We are in this together," the gesture seemed to say.

In the neighborhood surrounding the hospital, so many of the women are shopkeepers, students, errand runners and nurturers. They may spend their days trekking back and forth across red-earth roads instead of dashing from one side of town to the other on a subway, but they too ponder a form of work-family balance -- a topic that Michelle Obama has often talked about stateside. Women here relate to her not as a distant figure in designer clothes or a yuppie gardener. They see themselves in her -- in both her physical attributes and in her independence.

"We want women to be who they are," said Shadrack Adjei Adjetey, who was tending a small general-goods store and wearing a T-shirt with the faces of Barack Obama and Atta. "She can boost the morale of women."

After a nonstop, rush-rush day, the president and first lady said their goodbyes to the people of Ghana at Kotoka International Airport in an elaborate departure ceremony staged by the Ghanaian government. The first couple had arrived too late the previous evening for a traditional welcome. But they would not be allowed to leave without a proper send-off.

And so invited guests -- from dignitaries to Peace Corps volunteers -- crowded onto the tarmac, perhaps a thousand in all, wearing Barack Obama T-shirts or traditional dress that had been personalized with some nod to the American president: his name repeated in a decorative pattern, his photo as a design element. There was a military band in red dress uniform with tubas oompahing. Then came the dancers spinning and high-stepping as their loose-fitting costumes caught the breeze and soared.

As much as this was a presidential farewell, it was for Michelle Obama as well. Twenty-four hours hadn't even passed since she had arrived, but she was no longer the familiar stranger. A block-long banner that hung from one of the airport hangars included three faces: Ghana's president Atta, the president of the United States and the first lady. She was part of the "change" that Ghana says has come. The president spoke and thanked everyone for the warm welcome. Michelle Obama stood off to the side with daughters Malia and Sasha. But when it came time for those last handshakes along the rope lines, it was the first lady who lingered.

She brought up the rear, her head barely visible above the crowd. Her husband slowed to wait for her. She had a wide smile on her face -- as history caught up with the future.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/st...

Now you're getting it, Robin Givhan.

"Women here relate to her not as a distant figure in designer clothes or a yuppie gardener. They see themselves in her -- in both her physical attributes and in her independence."

I don't think African AMERICAN women view First Lady Michelle Obama as a woman in designer clothes or a yuppie gardner. Just sayin......

Wonderful article...just beautiful how Givhan (didn't she write like a HATER previously?) captured the import and moving historical symbolism in such an endearingly descriptive way:

"Women accessorized their Crayola-hued African-print dresses"

What an apt descriptor..'crayola-hued'...it was as easy to visualize as if I too were there with the writer and sharing the experience.


"I'm here to see the president. It's important to me because he's an African."

What a sentiment. Imagine that. Obama just inspires folks and AA's have been saying the same thing since Jan 2009. He is MY President..it is important to me because he has AfAm experience. He understands us and our American journey.


"..in Accra, Michelle Obama's presence -- her silent, smiling, brown-skinned presence -- delivered a powerful message. The only complaint is that they wanted to see more of her -- and hear her, too. ...snip Arrival @ La General Hospitals ... the early planning of this trip, only the first lady had been scheduled to visit this hospital. And the message -- and again it is all about symbolism -- appeared to be one of women supporting other women. The sight of this African American first lady -- with her background in hospital bureaucracy, city government and community outreach -- striding into a maternity ward filled with black African mothers-to-be would speak to the important role women play in building strong communities, sound economies and stable governments. With the president by her side, would the message of the visit shift? Would it become a tableau that pointed to the role of government in caring for its people? No less important a point, just . . . different.But as the first couple toured the hospital, Michelle Obama held the hand of the nurse who led the way. "We are in this together," the gesture seemed to say."

"We want women to be who they are," said Shadrack Adjei Adjetey, who was tending a small general-goods store and wearing a T-shirt with the faces of Barack Obama and Atta. "She can boost the morale of women."


"I like the wife. She has roots in Ghana; I'm part of her," said Doris Otebire, a shopkeeper who sells DVDs and compact discs. "Women are strong and powerful in Ghana and she's strong."


"Im part of her" US Too Doris!! Us Too!!
Beautiful. Doesn't it just bring tears of pride and joy to your eyes, when you read that. Ghanaians make Michelle one of their own too. I just love our people. We embrace everyone and make them a part of our 'village'. "I'm part of her"


"As much as this was a presidential farewell, it was for Michelle Obama as well. Twenty-four hours hadn't even passed since she had arrived, but she was no longer the familiar stranger. A block-long banner that hung from one of the airport hangars included three faces: Ghana's president Atta, the president of the United States and the first lady"


Mighty Michelle...in less than 24 hours Ghanianians put her face right up there with the Presidents!!

Loving it...we can move a continent...

Yes, Robin Givhan has been a bit of a hater of all things Michelle. I'm surprised at the balance of this article. Good on her!