VIDEO: Michelle Obama addresses UAPB grads
This article was originally published May 8, 2010 at 3:33 p.m. Updated May 8, 2010 at 6:08 p.m.
PHOTO BY GAVIN LESNICK
Michelle Obama stands on stage as the UAPB commencement ceremony begins Saturday afternoon.
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Michelle Obama graduation speech
Excerpts from Michelle Obama's commencement speech Saturday at UAPB
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PINE BLUFF — UPDATE: 4:48 p.m.:
First Lady Michelle Obama today urged graduates from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff to work to overcome their obstacles and to grow from the experience.
Obama, the commencement speaker for the spring 2010 class, spoke this afternoon at the Pine Bluff Convention Center before an audience of thousands of students, family members, politicians and others.
Overcoming difficult times in life is often necessary to achieve ambitious goals, Obama said, citing the examples of Martin Luther King Jr., transplant surgeon and UAPB graduate Dr. Samuel L. Kountz and her husband, President Barack Obama.
"That's the thing about striving in the face of adversity: Often it's the hardships and sacrifices that make you stronger," Obama said.
Obama said that Kountz - the first person to conduct a kidney transplant on people who were not identical twins - actually failed his entrance exam and had to convince UAPB to let him in. That he did so likely saved many lives because his education helped him become a leader in his field, Obama said.
"There are people like Dr. Kountz everywhere," she said. "They are sitting among you today."
Obama also shared a story of one of Saturday's graduates, biology degree recipient Quiana Childress.
At 16, Childress was living out of her car and working long hours as a nursing assistant. She almost gave up, but found renewed inspiration by shifting her outlook one day at work, Obama said.
"She thought not about her own troubles, she thought about those of her patients," Obama said. "She thought about how sick they were and how much pain they were in. And at that moment, she realized - this is her quote - 'they needed me more than I needed to give up.' At that moment, I know Quiana found herself. She found her true calling in life to be a doctor."
Several times during the speech, Obama referenced the first class at UAPB - a group of seven students who took classes more than 130 years ago and "just a decade past slavery."
"There was no guarantee of opportunity when they graduated," Obama said. "But still, with hope in their hearts and faith in their God-given potential, they came here anyway. They came to do the only thing they could and that was to learn. So let's just imagine how those seven students would feel if they could see all of you here today."
Obama then noted some of the school's achievements, including its Vesper Choir playing at the Vatican, its ROTC program graduating a student who became a U.S. Army General and its Golden Lions making the NCAA men's basketball tournament this year. The latter drew one of the loudest reactions of the 25-minute speech.
UPDATE: 3:30 p.m.:
First Lady Michelle Obama is set to address the spring 2010 graduates of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in her first commencement speech of the year.
The ceremony began about 3 p.m. with Obama walking on stage to thunderous applause just before 3:30 p.m. Thousands of graduates, family members, politicians and others are gathered for the event at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
Among them is Linda Tate, who drove here from Houston to see her niece, Elizabeth Love, walk across the stage.
That family milestone was the primary motivation for Tate's 8-hour trip, though she said the opportunity to see Obama was a close second.
"That's all the more reason to come, knowing she'd be here," Tate said. "I didn't get to go to the inauguration or anything like that, so this is the next best thing."
Tate said her niece was thrilled to learn Obama would be there.
"She was just excited to be in her presence," Tate said. "She's an inspiration to a lot of black females because of her position and the work she's doing in the community."
Jessica Flannigan, 15, who came to the ceremony with her mother for a family member's graduation, also called Obama an inspiration. Flannigan wants to be a lawyer, like Obama, and admires the First Lady's "sophistication."
"I feel blessed to be here," Flannigan said from her seat on the convention center floor. "Not many people get a chance to come and witness history in the making."
The speech can be viewed live on the UAPB website.
UAPB, which today has an enrollment of more than 3,000 students, was established more than 130 years ago as the only state-supported institution of higher education for blacks in Arkansas.
Comments on: VIDEO: Michelle Obama addresses UAPB grads
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wordm says... May 8, 2010 at 1:03 p.m.
Looks like Bigfoot actually exist.
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thuggetter says... May 8, 2010 at 1:51 p.m.
I hope that she will suggest to the folks she speaks to that she is finally proud of her country. I'am not sure her husband is yet proud of this great nation yet. He still feels he needs to do more apologizing for all the bad things we have done through the years. I hope the people that voted for this fool are proud of what they got....
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lazybar says... May 8, 2010 at 2:27 p.m.
i`m sure the graduates are thrilled by the first lady speaking.my question is how many underprivledged kids could be educated for the cost of her security and travel expenses.
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NeShayJ says... May 8, 2010 at 4:19 p.m.
IM PROUD OF THESE STUDENTS STUDENTS! MICHELLE IS AN ASPIRATION TO THEM AND WORDM U SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF URSELF!
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Lili says... May 8, 2010 at 4:59 p.m.
She's such a smart and graceful woman. She's endured so much nastiness, yet she keeps a smile on her face and kind words on her lips. I'll keep praying for President Obama and his family just as I prayed for President Bush and his family.
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thuggetter says... May 8, 2010 at 5:53 p.m.
She sure as hell didn't have a smile on her face when she declared she was finally proud of her country. How many of our military had to die to finally make her proud. She and her husband are nothing but Chicago phonies who do not deserve to be where they are.
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dj1911 says... May 8, 2010 at 7:16 p.m.
I am a graduate of the University of Arkansas @ Pine Bluff and 23 year Commissioned Officer. I am overjoyed that the First Lady came to inspire and call to action our young minds.
For all those naysayer that posted negative comments, I pay the price everyday to give you the right to speak your mind. If you do not have anything constructive or nice to say just keep it to yourself. We have enough going on in the world without having to worry about non-patriotic people speaking bad things about our President and First Lady. He is doing a wonderful job cleaning up behind others that you tolerated for 8 years and said nothing about the mess we are in as a nation now. So please do us all a favor and put a cork in it.
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HopeChangeObey says... May 9, 2010 at midnight
I'd like t have a full transcript of what she said.
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quiet4us2 says... May 9, 2010 at 12:40 a.m.
lili ru serious?? Her taking so much nastiness? What about this country taking her's ?!?!? Has everyone forgotten she "Hates" America ? And I am soooo looking forward to November when we can start to take this once great country back from osama's communist regime. And let's everyone be honest here. We know exactly why she went to Crime Bluff to speak.
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SubRock says... May 9, 2010 at 1:29 a.m.
Go easy on her, she's had a tough life. You know, it's hard being rich and privileged in America. Just ask Michelle. She's struggled with the burden of having too much money and not enough pride in the country that give it all to her. I'll say I hate America too if you'll give me all the money that this worthless zit on the backside of our nation has.
If you don't love it, honey ..... get the hell out of it.
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humble says... May 9, 2010 at 8:42 a.m.
It looks like some of you got up and forgot to take your meds. The hate you expound is unreal. So this what America is coming to, what a shame.
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busbus says... May 9, 2010 at 10:02 a.m.
I enjoyed Michelle Obama's speech. It was an inspirational speech and, I think, very appropriate for this audience.
There are those on this site, as well as on other sites, who do not like Michelle Obama or Barack Obama. You definitely have that right. However, this constant harping on Mrs. Obama hating America and not being proud of America is stale, old and tiring! Find something else about which to harp about.
wordm...Looks like Bigfoot actually exist. -- Hey, this is breaking news! Call the newspapers, cable, television and radio news and other media sources to get this story out. Just think, you can go down in history with this discovery! Don't be shy! Reporters will gladly come to your house to see and film this discovery.
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djigoo says... May 9, 2010 at 12:30 p.m.
Same tired drivel from the same ignorant posters.
Would you rather she had gotten behind the wheel and taken out one of the kids with her car like the previous first lady?
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thuggetter says... May 9, 2010 at 2:21 p.m.
dj1911, you stick it where the sun don't shine. I spent 23 1/2 years wearing the uniform of this nation't military so you could high step around today. I never cared much for officers because I only found a couple that were smart enough to tie their shoes. I don't think you would be one of those two. Cleaning up in your warped way of thinking is not doing this nation any good. Your lovely first lady made the comment about finally being proud of her country so stuff your black pride and fight for this country as an American not black or white....
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thuggetter says... May 9, 2010 at 2:51 p.m.
dj1911, just one more little comment. You said it all when you stated if we only have something negative to say, don't say anything. The exact mind set of you Obama people. You actually believe he only deserves praise. Sorry SIR, keep on living in your dream world....
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tommkatt says... May 9, 2010 at 7:21 p.m.
God**** America,The USKK of A,fake and phony go home!
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djigoo says... May 9, 2010 at 9:27 p.m.
"stuff your black pride and fight for this country as an American not black or white...."
I'd have loved to have fought for my country. But even with my many God-given gifts, my country deemed me unworthy of protecting it.
Obama is trying to change that, but people like you are making that process very difficult.
If you REALLY loved this country, thighwetter, you'd fight to make sure that the best and the brightest are allowed to serve, regardless of sexual orientation.
Sadly, you let ideology stand between you and true patriotism.
Frankly, I'm finally proud of this country as well...because we FINALLY have a president who sees value in ALL of America's citizens. (Actually, Clinton was the first, but Newt "Sorry you're dying of cancer, wifey, but I'm diddling around with some other broad" Gingrich and his band of thugs opposed Bill at every turn...and only now are we beginning to repair the damage of Gingrich's "Contract On America.")
Crankshaft, with all due respect, YOU stick it where the sun don't shine. In case you're not sure exactly where that might be, check your brain. That's apparently been dark for decades.
And just as a reminder...automotively speaking, Laura Bush killed just as many people as Ted Kennedy.
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djigoo says... May 9, 2010 at 9:29 p.m.
And what's up with this "1911" crap? Is that the last time you got any action, Crankshaft?
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HB4 says... May 10, 2010 at 6:44 a.m.
@ djigoo - Good post...
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HB4 says... May 10, 2010 at 6:44 a.m.
thuggetter - who pissed in your cornflakes this morning? I remember her statement about finally being proud of her country and I totally understood what she was saying. Totally....so did many others.
So while you are lambasting dj1911 and the first lady, I suggest you check yourself and your own ability to tie your shoes since you obviously don't "get it".
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djigoo says... May 10, 2010 at 10:16 a.m.
Ah..didn't see dj1911's post....I thought thighwetter was having another stroke at the keyboard.
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thuggetter says... May 10, 2010 at 10:20 a.m.
Hb4, maybe you should have just packed up and found you a country you were proud of. Now you can stuff it where the sun don't shine....
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Que2 says... May 10, 2010 at 10:29 a.m.
As long as the devil exists, hate will continue. You are truely an offspring of the devil. You have his eyes: can't see any good. You have his ears: only hear what can be twisted into bad. You have his mouth: only speak trash and hate. You have his brain: only think negative. You have his heart: the beat of a coward, always under-handed, needs a sheet to hide under to do evil. YES, he's your father!
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thuggetter says... May 10, 2010 at 10:29 a.m.
you bleeding hearts left wing nuts can all go where the sun don't shine. At least this nation would be rid of you.
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thuggetter says... May 10, 2010 at 11:02 a.m.
Now the truth comes forth. We have some gays that are upset. Oh my, Oh my. What shall we do?
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djigoo says... May 10, 2010 at 11:27 a.m.
Que2, who are you addressing?
And thighwetter? What's up with the "where the sun don't shine" obsession? Next thing you know, you'll be using words like "whippersnapper" and "dagnabbit!"
LOL
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HopeChangeObey says... May 10, 2010 at 12:21 p.m.
@ dj1911.."I pay the price everyday to give you the right to speak your mind." GIVE YOU..you mean TO PROTECT OUR RIGHT.
"If you do not have anything constructive or nice to say just keep it to yourself." SO THEN SO MUCH FOR RIGHTS! Junior Officer.
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djigoo.."Ah" ..oops would be more like it.
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Que2.. If you can not say who you are making that cute post to, your part of that post of "coward".
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thuggetter you have become to personal!
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Best of all djigoo got you all! Stir that pot, just stir that pot.
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HB4 says... May 10, 2010 at 12:53 p.m.
Sorry, thug...i'm here to stay.
(I'm laughing at your "...where the sun don't shine" statement)
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thuggetter says... May 10, 2010 at 1:32 p.m.
Hb4, you got one of those places where the sun don't shine. Only problem is you already got your left wing head stuck in it. Maybe some young whippersnapper will help you get your head out. You have a blessed day if you can find one...
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djigoo says... May 10, 2010 at 3:08 p.m.
Which one of his "where the sun don't shine" statements, HB? Seems as if that's all Crankshaft can type these days...
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MrD says... May 10, 2010 at 7:32 p.m.
All you people who voted for "change" should be enjoying it. Destruction of our constitution, higher taxes, highest enemployment since 1930,the most lying president ever to set foot in the oval office, including B. Clinton, a person who has never had a real job and would not know how to change a flat, is totally incompetent, a Socialist and as demogogic as Hitler. And yes, Hitler had his defenders and there are some of them around yet today. So don't tell me I hate anyone. I am just giving you some facts. "Eva" Michelle is cut out of the same cloth and both of them hate white people, especially wealthy white people. She may not be as big a fraud and he is.
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djigoo says... May 10, 2010 at 10:05 p.m.
Oh for the love of God...Obama's MOTHER was a white person! I can't believe the ignorance of some people.
You are NOT giving us facts, MrD...You're giving us the ramblings of a sick mind.
And you obviously hate Barack and Michelle Obama, so spare us the lies, bigot.
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HB4 says... May 11, 2010 at 7:13 a.m.
Would someone please help me understand where Obama is "destroying our constitution"? I heard this at a Tea Party rally in Tulsa and still have yet to get a clear answer.
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Que2 says... May 11, 2010 at 9:06 a.m.
Take a look at the adjectives...If any of them fit you, then YOU are the offspring I'm referring. I read comments like, "eva"..."most lying president"...YOU are the one I'm referring! Did you make those comments when Bush was determined to go to war? He renamed the reason three times (9/11: found that Iraq wasn't at fault, WMD: none were found, finally, War on Terror: we have terror on the streets in the USA). I don't remember reading negative statement about Mrs. Bush or george.
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lazybar says... May 11, 2010 at 9:07 a.m.
would forcing us to have insurance not be going against our constitution?
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thuggetter says... May 11, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.
Hb4, you wouldn't understand a clear answer if you got one.Why don't you take some time to look at the people Obama has put on the government payroll. Those crackpots advisors not approved by the senate making six figure incomes. There's about 40 of them who all believe somewhat like Obama's 20 year preacher. These people is what Obama is all about and it sure is not in the best interest of this country...
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lazybar says... May 11, 2010 at 10:33 a.m.
yeah my government spent trillions and all i got out of it was a lousy president.
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djigoo says... May 11, 2010 at 11 a.m.
Que2, it's time to up the dosage; it's clear that your meds aren't doing the trick.
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HB4 says... May 11, 2010 at 11:38 a.m.
@ thug...You shower your posts with insults...why?
...and still...you did not answer the question. What has Obama done that was unconstitutional?
@ lazy - actually, the mandate on health insurance is not unconstitutional.
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lazybar says... May 11, 2010 at 11:55 a.m.
the choose to drive or not drive is a choice and to make you have insurance to drive should be mandated.
to force a issue that the majority of voters are against is not only unconstitutional but wrong.
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HB4 says... May 11, 2010 at 12:06 p.m.
I could see where you believe it's wrong and that's your right. I've always thought paying an annual tax on my car was wrong. But your claims on the mandate being unconstitutional are unfounded.
What would be interesting is if a state, say it's Arkansas, made it mandatory that every citizen have a minimum level of health coverage. If you didn't, it was illegal for you to receive medical services without paying up front.
How would that go over? I'm sure the hospitals and doctors would love it.
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lazybar says... May 11, 2010 at 12:30 p.m.
yes i paid tax on mine once and don`t care to pay it annually.there are a few things i don`t agree with but i`m liking the idea of the fair tax.
actually,my wife is a er nurse.at 11:00pm the cashier leaves.11:05 they get flooded by people because they know after the cashier leaves they don`t have to pay a copay and a er can`t refuse to treat them.i guess either way WE the tax payer has to pay to treat them insured or not but its the idea i have to have it i don`t believe is constitutional
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HB4 says... May 11, 2010 at 12:42 p.m.
I understand your point. I guess my next question would be...what about someone who thinks its unconstitutional to make me pay for someone else's lack of responsibility in carrying health insurance?
Doctors don't make that judgement in the ER (at least I hope they don't). All I want the doctor to do, when I come into the emergency room is work to make me better. I don't want him/her concerned about where the payment is coming from.
So, to insure that every citizen has access to the most basic levels of medical care without holding hospitals and doctors responsibility for povery....we make the system universal.
You are made to purchase auto insurance NOT for your property or health but to serve as a safegard against you hurting or damaging someone else. If you choose not to drive...you are not a danger to anyone else (theoretically) so no need to purchase insurance.
Health insurance is different. You can OUTRIGHT refuse to purchase insurance and then walk into an emergency room and they will not turn you away. They will run up thousands of dollars in bills and then walk out leaving the bill to us.
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Dewpy says... May 11, 2010 at 1:43 p.m.
Every citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein, to contain not less than twenty four cartridges, suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch, and powder-horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder, Militia Act of 1792, don't tell me that the goverment can't force you to buy a product
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thuggetter says... May 11, 2010 at 2:16 p.m.
hb4, you got all the answers. Who will pay for the additional 200,000 medicaid folks once Arkansas is mandated by the federal government to cover them? I don't guess medicare services will be affected once 500 billion is cut from medicare. I know you left wingers think we are all just fools to think of such things. Our government (Obama) would never lie to us.....
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HopeChangeObey says... May 11, 2010 at 8:03 p.m.
Militia Act of 1792,
Second Congress, Session I. Chapter XXVIII
Passed May 2, 1792,
providing for the authority of the President to call out the Militia
Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That whenever the United States shall be invaded, or be in imminent danger of invasion from any foreign nation or Indian tribe, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, to call forth such number of the militia of the state or states most convenient to the place of danger or scene of action as he may judge necessary to repel such invasion, and to issue his orders for that purpose, to such officer or officers of the militia as he shall think proper; and in case of an insurrection in any state, against the government thereof, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, on application of the legislature of such state, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened) to call forth such number of the militia of any other state or states, as may be applied for, or as he may judge sufficient to suppress such insurrection.
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Dewpy Then as now every citizen of the United States of America has an inherent duty to defend the United States Constitution (OUR COUNTRY)from all enemies.
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You are confessed between the preservation of a fledgling Country of then, to the current power grab.
~
The Act also supports the 2nd amendment then as now.
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HB4 says... May 12, 2010 at 7:01 a.m.
@ thug - I don't claim to have any of the answers. My goal is to ask questions and engage others (including yourself) so that we might come up with some possible, common sense thoughts on the issue. That's all.
To your question, this Health Care bill is not going to be free...everyone is going to feel the pain. The problem, as I see it, is that we (Americans) need to make decisions on what is important. Defense, Health, Education...those things make American's more productive. We have to take a further look at welfare and other programs that give money away.
This waste is across the board...from the military to social services.
Interestly, we are like the fat bully who sits on the porch eating oatmeal cream pies and terrorizes the neighborhood with his vicious dog. We consume, consume, consume...don't make anything, aren't improving our own health, forcing others to comply with our wishes so that we can continue to consume at our current (and higher) levels.
It's time for us to check ourselves.
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thuggetter says... May 12, 2010 at 11:40 a.m.
Well, well, a post I can agree with from HB4....
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escape says... May 18, 2010 at 3:15 p.m.
God bless America and the Obama family.
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