Time is too precious to be wasted on petty issues like race
and creed , we are ALL human beings(imperfect)but for strange reasons some expect superhumans. One of the most effective ways to bring about change is if or when we ourselves change our overall perspectives, condition our minds to endure any situation and not dwell on negativity. Remember the world is made of lesser and greater than.
Change only occurs if we work towards it and allow it to take its course with GODS' help.

I was just thinking as I was looking at the national geographic magazine scrolling through the pages that showed pictures of african peoples. How fortunate that we in the USA are to have people willing to go against the grain, etc to see history made in our life time.
America is the land of opportunity for everyone and history has certainly been made. We are fortunate to live in a country where our security is thought of even when we go get our drivers license because when you get a drivers license or renew a license you get your thumb prints taken for file keeping. If anything happens finger prints can always be taken from drivers license file and run through interpol, FBI, etc. We are fortunate to live in a country that thinks about us and our well being.

Ms. Karen Smith has the right to say what she believes. I just hope that she is not a Marriott manager.

Didn't Dr. King state, in his fantastic speech, I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. ? Well, how is that true of Obama? He was chosen mostly bbecause/b he is 1/2 African American and has bnot/b been judged by the content of his character. How has his election brought us closer to Dr. King's dream?

I think the nation is making too much of a big deal about Obama's race. We have elected African-Americans to other public offices before. It was only a matter of time for a black President. I understand the historical moment but many white people feel minorities think white people wake up every morning with the intentions to kill non-white people. I think the text books have spent too much time demonizing white people, leaving the impression that the election of Obama is something of a miracle. I volunteered for Jesse Jackson for President in the past. I fear we still view the world through the racial lens, instead of our abilities. I wish our President Obama well, but he has to be President for all of us, and not just a bunch of partisan left-wingers or people who gush with emotion at our first black President.

First, Bill, thank you for creating this blog and offering your patrons the opportunity to post comments on it. Second, thank you for understanding that the election of President Obama is only one step closer to Dr. King's dream. It took 100 years to bring Americans together on the great lawn in Washington, DC for social change in 1963 and another 40 years after the death of Dr. King for America to grow up just a bit more and elect its first African-American President. Yesterday, Americans gathered on that great lawn once again; but this time, in celebration of that step closer to Dr, King's dream.
Our President was born a free black man whose ancestry is not of American (or other) slavery. He is the product of an African and an American; the fusion of two rich cultures, without the trappings of generational mental and emotional subjugation. He is not the great black hope; he is the great American hope.
President Obama has told us, time and time again, that the real work lies with us. We can continue to complain about him and the excitement surrounding his election, or we can begin the process of creating a better America. Obama is not going to do it for us; we must do it for ourselves. The President is just the guy at the helm. So, role up your sleeves, America, and get busy. Make the dream come true!
Finally, Bill, it is my pleasure to help you keep Marriott on the move. The Marriott is my favorite place to stay for business and leisure.
God bless you; and, God bless the United States of America.

My president is black in fact he's half white,
So even in a racists mind he's half right,
So if you got a racists mind it's alright,
My president is black but his house is all white!
Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther could walk
Martin Luther walked so Barack Obama could run
Barack Obama ran so all the children could fly
So Ima spread my wings you can meet in the sky.
Why hate, congratulate, God Bless us all!

I actually started to write a very angry and hate filled comment in response to the comments left by what's obvious to be two simple minded individuals. But I realized that regardless of how our country tries to move forward, we'll always have ignorant people with opinions that will try to find a way to hinder the progress of a positive movement. I hope you find happiness. And just to point out, when an American and an African has a child in America, that child is, say it with me, African American. Think about it. God Bless

It seems that the 3 previous folks that had something to say obviously did not grow up in the 50's and 60's like I did. I saw up close what the civil rights movement did. I grew up in Los Angeles, CA and that was a tuff time for all concerned. Also, it seems to me that the 3 previous individuals did not see the same thing that I watched yesterday Jan 20, 2009. I saw a lot of unity, excitment and a energy that I have not seen here in the U.S. when it comes to politics. President Obama has excited all the people, and I feel nothing but pity for the 3 people that had something to say. It appears to me that they are republicans and are not willing to admit that we have a new President. Yes, Dr. King did not do it all by himself, but if you look at the pictures, history and film footage, you will see both white and black marching together during that time in our history. By the way, who was the other African - American to become president of the U.S. You cannot say that Edi-Amin became presidentof his country not by the vote of the people, check out the history. Good Luck Mr. President. At any military change of command the following is always offered to both in the and outgoing commander Fair winds and following seas.

This is a new day and I believe that most of us is ready for change, and even those who are not know that nothing stays the same forever. Marting did have a dream and that was for people of all colors to work together and this election and this new President is truely in line with this dream. Martin's dream is the dream of many and that time is slowing arriving. I by no means feel that this is a step backward, it is time out for negativity it is time for unity. It does not matter if his mother or grandparents where white, many years ago if you were 1/10 black you were considered black. One person can make a difference, it could be you or I that make that difference, sometimes all it takes is one person to get the momentum rolling; to get you motivated and this is what Martin did, and what President Obama is doing today. Lets stand behind our new President it may be a wonderful thing.

While my prayers are with the new president, and I respect the office, it seems to me that Obama is the most overhyped, underqualified president of all time.

My core belief is that there should be limited government. In my view the current president and congress will increase government and thereby increase their power. Additionally, I fear we are headed down a socialist course and it will end the key American values and ideas that make us unique.
In fact an article in the London Daily Mail on January 3, 2009 is as follows:
The London Daily Mail
3 January 2009
Obama's victory?
A victory for the hysterical Oprah Winfrey, the mad racist preacher
Jeremiah Wright, the mainstream media who abandoned any sense of
objectivity long ago, Europeans who despise America largely because
they depend on her, comics who claim to be dangerous and fearless but
would not dare attack genuinely powerful special interest groups. A
victory for Obama-worshippers everywhere. A victory for the cult of the
cult. A man who has done little with his life but has written about his
achievements as if he had found the cure for cancer in between winning
a marathon and building a nuclear reactor with his teeth. Victory for
style over substance, hyperbole over history, rabble-raising over
reality.
A victory for Hollywood, the most dysfunctional community in the world.
Victory for Streisand, Spielberg, Soros and Sarandon. Victory for those
who prefer welfare to will and interference to independence. For those
who settle for group think and herd mentality rather than those who
fight for individual initiative and the right to be out of step with
meager political fashion.
Victory for a man who is no friend of freedom. He and his people have
already stated that media has to be controlled so as to be balanced,
without realizing the extraordinary irony within that statement. Like
most liberal zealots, the Obama worshippers constantly speak of Fox and
Limbaugh, when the vast bulk of television stations and newspapers are
drastically liberal and anti-conservative. Senior Democrat Chuck
Schumer said that just as pornography should be censored, so should
talk radio. In other words, one of the few free and open means of
popular expression may well be cornered an d beaten by bullies who even
in triumph cannot tolerate any criticism and opposition.
A victory for those who believe the state is better qualified to raise
children than the family, for those who prefer teachers' unions to
teaching and for those who are naively convinced that if the West is
sufficiently weak towards its enemies, war and terror will dissolve as
quickly as the tears on the face of a leftist celebrity.
A victory for social democracy even after most of Europe has come to
the painful conclusion that social democracy leads to mediocrity,
failure, unemployment, inflation, higher taxes and economic stagnation.
A victory for intrusive lawyers, banal sentimentalists, social
extremists and urban snobs.
Congratulations America!
Editorial Staff
London Daily Mail
Food for thought. Always important to look at different view points.

THANK YOU for a terrific Marriott page in USA Today . . . that should be made available as a poster for schools, libraries and others!!!!!

I think it's awesome and inspiring that Barack Obama is now our president. He has come a long way throughout his life, and he's what America needs for positive change. I wish people would stop being so negative toward him; it just comes across as ignorant or hateful... It's about time we have someone who is so fresh, articulate and intelligent in the White House.

Nice to see so good informations. Very good blog.

However, it puts America on a very dangerous Socialist course, and one huge step backwards. One we may never recover from!

Yes Change is on the way for all of Us.
But We need to step back an HELP
othere.
I help an someone Someone Helps Me.
Never turn your back to Help
Or We All loose

Obama is not the first African American to become President. As I recall his mother and her grandparents were white. His father was black. Growing up in elementary school his mother checked the box caucasion on his school records. Its funny how we change someones race for convenience. Dr Martin Luther King might have had a dream but it was the working of whites and blacks together that changed and shaped our culture. Lets not forget the many civil rights activists and law makers that brought about change. One man did not bring about change and far to much credit is given to him just as to much is being made of Obama becoming President based on his race.