President Barack Obama on the View This A.M.

President Barack Obama will make TV history this morning by being the first US President to appear on a daytime television program. The show is-- 'The View': Satisfying 'how resilient the American people are'.
A partial transcript of the show is provided below:

ABC has released some transcripts of the interview early. Barbara Walters speaks with the President about the economy, the war in Afghanistan and his persona in the press.

Barbara Walters: But you know we said this has been a kind of difficult time for you, between the oil and questions of racism and Afghanistan and a few other little things. We understand that you sit at night with your daughters and your wife and you do the rose and the thorn, right? Do you still do it?

President Obama: We still do it. Although Malia is now at camp and Sasha is away at a friend's house, so it's just me and Michelle.

Barbara Walters: We'll do it for you. We'll do it for you. In the last month what has been the rose? And what has been the thorn?

President Obama: Well in the last month the rose has to be a couple of days we took in Maine with Michelle and Sasha and Malia, and we went on bike rides and hikes, and the girls are getting old enough now where they're not quite teenagers yet, so they still like you (AUDIENCE LAUGHTER), but they are full of opinions and ideas and observations, and it's just a great age. Malia just turned 12 and Sasha just turned nine, and it couldn't have been a better couple of days.

Barbara Walters: Thorn?

President Obama: Well, where do I begin here? (AUDIENCE LAUGHTER)

Barbara Walters: At the top.

President Obama: Obviously the country has gone through a tough stretch since I took office. When I was sworn in, I know you showed the Inauguration, we were losing at that time 750,000 jobs per month, the economy was shrinking at a pace of about 6.5%, which is unheard of since the Great Depression, and so the last 20 months has been a non-stop effort to restart the economy, to stabilize the financial system, to make sure that we're creating jobs again instead of losing them, and in the midst of all that we've also had the oil spill, we've also had two wars, we've also had a pandemic, H1N1, that we had to manage, and a whole host of other issues. What has been gratifying is the fact that the economy now is starting to stabilize and grow again, and what's been satisfying is seeing how resilient the American people are. As much as you said it's been tough for me, the truth is, it's not tough for me; you know I've got people, pundits on the news who may say things about me.

Barbara Walters: You noticed?

President Obama: Of course, you think about what the American people have gone through, losing jobs, seeing their home values go down, their 401Ks declining, those are the folks who I draw inspiration from because I get letters every night from them and I read them. And as tough as it's been, they remain hopeful, they remain optimistic about America, and so I don't spend a lot of time worrying about me. I spend a lot of time worrying about them.


The program airs today, July 29 at 11 a.m. ET on ABC.

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

Its been a while since I revealed a meaningful inspiration. Not that I have not been inspired. It’s just that I have admittedly been so into things seemingly not going the way that I had hoped and prayed they would go for so many years I honestly just about– and I am still trying to catch up with what almost passed me by– missed my Blessing.

I will spare the gory details. Suffice it to say,I am almost too ashamed to tell it. You see, I have been experiencing the proverbial “been down so long syndrome,that I did not realize when I was going up”. I probably should not write it exactly like that,but it is the hard cold and raw truth. Call it hurt,anger,disappointment in not having it my way and being mad at god for taking so long. Yes. That is the not so inspiring half of someone who is supposed to be able to generate inspiration on the toss of a flower or the drop of a hat. Throw in an avalanche of discovering things about life and people and friends that I could have been better off not knowing and wondering wildly to myself how on earth did I take such a detour. And,since I’ve studied some theology and preached a few sermons I have attained a level where I can call the experience my wilderness years. I don’t mind sharing the story straight with no chaser. The only thing I have left to do at this point is actually smile and shout for joy!

And, I can do it now with a purity of emotion that I have not experienced since I was a child who wanted so desparately to travel with her uncle,cousins and brothers and sisters on a special trip over to their home one night but got left behind. I think I can count that as one of the big traumas of my childhood. At least its one of those primal experiences that never leaves the psyche. Anyway,I remember it to this day,just as if I were in that instant so many years ago. I recall the disappointment and hurt as a result of others that I loved and wanted to be with,embarking on a journey without me. Call it separation anxiety, pitching a fit or having a spasm I was railing that night.I must have cried all night long,if not outwardly,the tears were still streaming on the inside.

Now you are probably wondering what this has to do with victory. Well, to tell you the truth so am I. I think I can take a crack at it and say this. Sometimes we can get so tied up in our emotions and wanting things to go a particular way and within a projected time span that we can’t even recognize when god has answered our prayer or already provided what we are brooding, kicking and screaming or pouting about.

Like my mother was patient and understanding with me as I was going through my tantrum that night at home as a little girl whose hopes had been dashed,I am thankful for patient and understanding friends who have waited quite a while until I came to.

God bless you and I love you.

Peace,

Stop the Oil Stream

Poster Art by Cynthia Wilson

A month ago I started a cause on Facebook, "A Call to Prayer, Mission and Action for the Gulf Coast."  In so doing, I knew that there had already been 20 billion dollars  that had been set aside by BP after pointed negotiations with government officials and President Barack Obama. States in the Gulf Coast region have received millions of dollars in tourism, boosting funds as part of an extensive public relations campaign by BP to control damages. So far as a result of the tragic explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig which began this long and monstrous ordeal to contain millions of barrels raging from the ocean floor daily, 11 lives have been lost,thousands of sea inhabitants including shellfish,birds,turtles and dolphins have died. Portions of the  marshlands are oozing with oil, the sandy beaches have been  invaded by tar balls and there are thick gooky globs and strings of oil swimming around throughout vast regions of the Gulf.

Many  are outraged,some have complained,some have sought medical treatment from the resulting depression. Many are feeling like there is little or no hope for the future because they are jobless. While BP is paying their claims and  people put into positions to help speed the process along,fishermen and business owners are still complaining about the amount and swiftness of their pay. In short, there appears to still be issues that need resolving.  After all, while money solves a multitude of problems and is always needed when disasters of this nature strike,there are matters that can slip through the cracks if not handled properly and with care.

One way to make a lot of the problems go away is to just stop the oil stream, get a robust cap in place and keep it there for as long as the oil streams from the well. Channel it up and over the water into a medium it is more compatible with. Today,  a containment process was started, one that appears to be more hopeful than those in the past. At least there seems to be a slow down on the rate of oil flowing from the ocean. So,they say.

Whether this new gadget works or not still remains to be seen. It sure would be a great thing if they got this thing under control. 

Something has got to stop the oil stream. They've tried a lot. Some of everything you might think.  I wonder if any of the big shots pray to god.  I wonder if  they might think it's corny or hokey to even consider a "prayer request" to god to stop the oil stream.  Well, I for one think it would be a great thing to do.  And,we can start doing it together one by one,first at home,then at church, work or the office at community meetings and then move on to a global scale.  Start with yourself first,of course.  Get your friends involved.  That's easy if you are on any of the modern day social networks.  Then, make sure you back that friend network up with the people you touch, feel and talk to everyday. Your next door neighbor,the people at the corner store if you have on still,local cleaners,etc.

There is a saying in church and prayer circles that "prayer changes things".  In light of how long and fiercely the oil has been roaring up out of the ocean,it would seem that a little praying might be in order. It certainly couldn't hurt. That is for sure.

Here are the words to a song I wrote about it and would like to share with you.  


Stop the Oil Stream

What do I see?
What can we do?
What does it mean?
Is life in the Gulf as we know it really through?

Just can't believe
That its a lasting truth
That the sands and the seas would be forever barred
 by a coat of oil and goo

Chorus:

Well, I'm gonna place faith in God
and trust he gave Moses a holy rod
And he can stop the oil stream

How can it be?
with all modern skills and tools
Love for my neighbor,care in my heart for the birds and fish
That does not seem to do?

Chorus:

Well,I'm gonna have faith in God
Know its never too late
 for God
To stop the oil stream

Copyright June 2010   Cynthia D. Wilson

Betty White to Host Saturday Night Live Partly As a Result of Grassroots Campaign by Fans on Facebook

I was reading in the newspaper today where Betty White will be hosting Saturday Night Live this Saturday,May 8,2010. The article found in Express TV Weekend Lookout
nigh states:

The lifetime achievement awards and other accolades showered on the Emmy winner led to a Betty-palooza that continues as she guest-hosts "Saturday Night Live"(11:30p.m.,NBC,Sat.), partly as a result of grassroots campaign by fans on Facebook.

Hit Song About Job Loss: New Movie "Up In the Air" Features A Song Written by Man Who Lost His Job

This was very inspiring. “Up In The Air” is critically acclaimed and poised to pick up Golden Globes in several categories, including Best Picture.It may follow with Oscar wins as well. Whatever its award rake up count come February or whatever date next year the Oscars are scheduled, it is so good to be reminded that it’s never too late to pursue dreams. It seems that in the current “spirit of the times” and as some would say “zeitgeist” if you have the determination, drive and talent you can make it to where you want to be. It appears that the doors are open for the underdog or those who are not so hooked up or linked with heavyweight connections. American Idol, America’s Got Talent and the Susan Boyle-esque rags to riches success stories seem to be the order of the day.

This experience,too, illustrates that the doors can open and true talent coupled with being “in the right place at the right time” can make all the difference. Some call it synchronicity. Some call it luck. I call it a blessing.

Congratulations to the songwriter and to the heavyweights who helped to make it happen for him.

To see a trailer of the movie, tou can also click here.

Join Alicia Keys On Her Journey Back to Africa

Join Alicia Keys On Her Journey Back To Africa.

5 People
5 Extraordinary Days
5 Life Changing Experiences

Text "Alive" to 90999

in reference to: Text Alive Contest | Keep a Child Alive (view on Google Sidewiki)

From the Archives Dec. 1, 2009-Alicia Keys World AIDS Day Concert

Tonight Alicia Keys will perform a concert to benefit her organization, Keep A Child Alive. In conjunction with World AIDS Day,it will be broadcast live from New York's Nokia Theater.

Heavier Octaves gives a special "shout out" to Alicia. We appreciate her courageous and compassionate involvement in KCA's effort to provide prescription medications and other needed medical supplies to those children suffering with the disease.

in reference to:

"A reminder...Alicia Keys will be playing a benefit concert tonight in support of World AIDS Day 2009. The concert will be taking place at the Nokia Theatre in New York City and will be streaming live over YouTube in real time. Proceeds from the New York benefit concert entitled “ALICIA KEYS Live! One night. One voice. One life at a time” will go to Key's own charity "Keep A Child Alive.""
- www.heavieroctaves.org: Alicia's State of Mind and Alicia Keys World AIDS Day Special On You Tube Tonight! (view on Google Sidewiki)