Originally Published in The Boston Globe

President Obama knows it’s time to act and he’s providing impressive leadership. And I am thrilled to be working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help bring forward the legislation that will build on what’s already working and fix what’s broken.

Listen to the speech by clicking here.

Hamas and the Palestinian Authority reacted to Obama’s speech (Ma’an):

The Palestinian Authority said it considered US President Obama’s speech “a new and different American beginning and a new message to the Israelis,” while Hamas said the remarks contained a number of good points.

PA spokesperson said that “President Obama’s readiness for partnership, listening, building confidence and confronting tension” ought to be celebrated, and

As the dust settles on election victory posted by the African National Congress (ANC), the attention now turns to the Jacob Zuma Presidency. There is a great deal of optimism attached to Jacob Zuma for a number of reasons, chief among them are that he represents a departure from the style of the former President Thabo Mbeki, who was widely regarded as aloof to the issues that affected the man on the street and dictatorial within ANC party circles.

April 22nd, 2009, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) wins a decisive victory in South Africa’s fourth National Elections since arrival of democracy in 1994.

In what has been the most contentious election campaign in South Africa’s post 1994 history, this contest for power was perceived as the most significant threat to ANC rule of this young democracy.

April 22nd, Election Day had finally come to South Africa. I woke up at 7am with an enthusiasm, freshness and vigour reminiscent of my youth. Like many of my fellow citizens today represented my turn to make a contribution to our country’s democracy. My thoughts weren’t pre-occupied with political parties, polls, opinions, stories nor characters that dominated the news; instead my thoughts were focused on participating in a process that made me feel special as an individual.

After making breakfast for the kids and myself, I quickly set out

Former South African president Nelson Mandela is helped on to the stage by current ANC president and presidential candidate Jacob Zuma, left, and former wife Winnie at the start of an ANC rally in Johannesburg today. Photograph: Jerome Delay/AP

The SA national elections on April 22nd may alter opposition politics forever.

It’s been a week since the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) decided to drop all corruption charges against ANC President Jacob Zuma. The repercussions of the decision not to proceed with the prosecution of Jacob Zuma on corruption charges will be felt in varying degrees in the corridors of power within national government, the legal fraternity, the political landscape and South African society in general for quite some time.

It is too easy to confuse piracy with water-borne terrorist acts. Don’t believe the hype and consider the source.

Modern pirates bear little resemblance to popular romantic Hollywood characters. Increasingly violent and greedy, their actions seem an affront to the very ideals of Western civilization. Armchair admirals and politicians are quick to shake their fists, avowing, “Something must be done.” Maritime industry is quick to follow, with unsettling incident accounts and dire financial projections. Yet, more informed analysis of piracy reveals that the impact in blood and treasure is altogether minimal.

Decision by National Prosecuting Authority Virtually Ensures Zuma Shall Be South Africa’s Next President

South Africa experienced a seismic jolt to its political landscape on Monday April 6, 2009. The President of the African National Congress (ANC), Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma had all 16 charges against him dropped by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa. The news was greeted by spontaneous celebrations by Zuma supporters on the streets of Johannesburg and Durban. After being vindicated,

Who are the main players and how much do they have at stake for SA’s third national elections?

The African National Congress (ANC)

Credentials: Viewed by many as the vanguard movement of the liberation struggle, delivering the people of South Africa from Apartheid rule. Longevity of the movement. Historically renowned leadership including: Chief Albert Lithuli, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Chris Hani and winner of the first three elections in South African history, puts the ANC in pole position to make it four in a row. The question

On April 22nd, South Africans will vote in their fourth national election since 1994.

There are several questions to ponder:

· How much has the political landscape changed in the past 15 years?

· Who are the main players and how much do they have at stake for SA’s fourth national elections.

How much has the political landscape changed in the past 15 years?

South Africa was a hot topic and all the rage of the international press. The release

Date of Birth: February 11, 1965

Location: Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

As the fourth child of parents dedicated to the liberation struggle of South Africa, David Sibeko Jr. was born with politics in his genes, Africa liberation politics being the focus.

David Jr. moved with his family from Tanzania to the UK and eventually the United States, where his father, David Maphumzana Sibeko, was based at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in his position as Director of Foreign Affairs for the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) of Azania

In the world of politics as one drama ends, another begins.

Ms. Kennedy certainly didn’t make it easy for Governor Paterson to choose her for Senator Clinton’s seat.  She had a decent media strategy, and a fairly good high-powered friends strategy, but she didn’t have an upstate strategy.  Hillary began her candidacy with a listening tour, a listening tour of upstate.  Her image had been that of a liberal Washington insider.  She worked hard to have her upstate support equal the support she had in the City.  Caroline never approached those efforts over

On this weekend before the inauguration, there is no more important time to remember the foot soldier for movement politics, John Lewis.  In the Prologue to Walking with the Wind Lewis describes being trapped in a very small home as a young child trying to survive a very nasty thunderstorm: 

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.  None of us could.  This storm was actually pulling the house toward the sky.  With us inside it.

Dear Friend,

Yesterday, Al himself told you the good news: the state canvassing board approved the final allocation of ballots in the Senate race, and we’ve got a 50-vote lead over Norm Coleman!

Campaign ads from 2002 and 2006.

Boss Mell

What Do We Know?

We Pay

Jumped

With the publication of Patrick Gaspard: Obama’s Glue Man, The Huffington Post’s Sam Stein countered the drumbeat from MSNBC and others that questioned whether President-elect Obama’s appointments were “change we can believe in.”  One needs only look at Gaspard’s career to see the change the electorate, never mind the world of pundetry, demands.

Mayor Bloomberg’s chief political strategist said it best in the article: ”Patrick is the best political mind of his generation in New York and maybe the nation.”  

A recent conversation with an auto industry executive reemphasized the ironies of George W. Bush’s presidency.  In the words of this exec, President Bush went to war in Iraq with the objective of benefiting oil companies.  The invasion of Iraq was the fatal flaw that triggered the downward spiral that may result in President Bush being considered one of the worst presidents in history.  However, according to this exec there is a silver, although unintended, lining.  In an effort to drive historic profits from America’s insatiable appetite for fossil fuels

On November 4th, 1884, New York Governor Grover Cleveland, a Democrat, narrowly defeated Republican United States Senator James Blaine for the Presidency.  Walt Whitman wrote this poem (below) 124 years ago to honor American elections and democracy.  In many ways, his words are even more relevant on this particularly historic day.   

A special word of gratitude is due to all those who actually have been out there in the arena these past two years working endless hours on behalf of the various campaigns and candidates.  Thank you!