Jimacale, I always wondered what happened to his half-brothers from his white step-mother.In the book he mentioned of Ruth, a white woman with protruding jaws that followed his dad from Harvard. I like how he handled her when she completely shut Auma out of the conversation when she invited them for a lunch. Her (Ruth) truculence criticism of Obama’s dad was offensive. Whatever the momentary analysis of the pundit, Obama tried to learn and even tried to convince his step-brother in getting to know his otherness (black side). She was bound to revoke hostility and resentment in Obama towards his dad and black side of the family, but she failed.

Kashafa, There were countless Black Americans who affirmed their unity through their churches during the civil right movement. They worked within their own community to push back the boundaries of control .No word could express the experience shared by the blacks during the civil right movement. There was a time white would not even acknowledge the existence of black man in America. But we are in a different era now where the plain field is close to flat (not yet). Although this is one of the era of unprecedented economic growth for America we all acknowledge that the black America is left far behind their white counterpart. It is necessary for black America leaders to seize the initiative of creating a new political power of blacks in America, but through the civil way of respect. In the face of new black America reality of living in abject poverty the pastor and black leaders need to focus on social, cultural, and economic issues that are keeping the community in the ghettos of Chicago and Philadelphia. One of the cornerstones of any community is to strengthen the traditional personal morality and survival of family. Real leaders and voice of the community skillfully orchestrate the change of their community through integrity and sanity and not name calling. Throughout my life in America it would be hard for me to ignore the failure of white political leaders cementing the economic gap between the two races. Obama is due to give a speech today about race and Rev. Wright speech . To my opinion Obama has done nothing wrong here other than listening to the words of divisive pastor, but the court of public opinion has the right to question his association with a man who is divisive when the essence of his campaign has been unity! .He would need a masterful speech to bounce back from this political cardiac arrest. Obama political capacity is boundless, but this issue will distract his campaign. As a result of this misfortune I hope his campaign should not become permanently disabled for there are far more positive things he can bring to the presidency if given the chance. The model for the future of many rested on his campaign!

Kashafa, The man is a talking-head.Yes America is a capitalistic society, but remember that he who wants to partake it is more so welcome.There is a countless documented injustice against black America in the pages of history, but this should not give him the right to be as divisive as he is. He sounds like a bitter man who needs to be reminded that there is but one dependable method of accumulating wealth in America-it is called hard work and getting your acts together.I'm big Obama supporter, but I'm also disapointed with his association with such a bigot! This is not America of the Jim Crow era.Every opportunity has spread it wares infront of all America of different ethnicity.Granted that there is still subtle racism in America it should not make one as divisive as Pastor Wright.Instead of him beclouding the issue of black America with a race factor he should instead tackle the main issues at the grass root and stop pointing fingers at white America.The America system does not promise something for nothing.You have to earn it without being a whiner.I hope Obama quit this divisive church.

LOl @ Mshenzi. Sasa nimekufahamu.Nilithani una ndoto.Manake nimetokwa na jasho as if ninasukuma mkokoteni na uso ulinikunjika jinsi nilivyokuwa nina soma maandishi yako

kualikwa nime alikwa mia sio wewe malalemo waleta weye manaki ndo nini? CL...Can you paraphrase this? I'm lost here.I have no clue of what you just wrote.Is this swahili colloquial?

^^^ LOl@ kupita ukimwi.Nawe wacha wasiwasi.Umekaribishwa badala ya kushukuru umeanza kupiga domo na mlalamiko.Kondo itakuuwa na cholestrol. PS I'm listening to Sean Kingston and Natasha Bedingfield new song.Lol so lovey dovey!

CL ....I still got some weekend sports cheering adrenaline left in me so I guess I'm cheerful today!

Waves @ at all the trollers especially CL(are you there? ).It was a great weekend of watching college basketball-March madness for my North Americans .My alma matter made it to the NCAA tournament. Yeey!! I also played soccer this weekend.I haven't played soccer for years.I was impressed that I could still play well against the youngstars.I even learned new word-Albiitoo(referree).

^^^ You been to the dentist and seen the drill, right.This is where the dexterity comes into play.Its okay if your dentist is good at it he will not drill a hole in your soft palate.....

Ibti....I’m not an expert in that field just like Ngonge said , but I suspect that environmental pollution has something to do with it. There are thousands of man-made chemicals out there in our environment that contributes too many diseases such as cancer.The simultaneous exposure of this chemical does create a health risk. CL...the suicide thing is a myth out there.Its a job where you relying on your manual dexterity.So if you loose that there is a potential of being withdrawn.The job can be mundane looking at peoples mouth every day, but I doubt you will be suicidal if you enjoy what you do.Stop spreading rumuors(I still think you are good tissue ).Don't latch onto these myths

^^^Speaking of Cancer last night I was having a cup of coffee with a freind of mine when he broke the news to me that he has to take his mom to chemotherapy today! There are alot of people that go through hard time every day.We just got to be thankful that we are healthy!

^^^Ala..hoyoy inantaan yaigakabtaa ….she is accusing me of being drunk without any ground. Its okay I will continue to clutter my mind with the thought that you are still a good person and pardonly ignorant about my life! Ibti…I think I will have a good time if my cousin comes with me since we have been around each other since we were kids.Even though we leave in different continent we still have long history together.

Thanks for the reply.I need to call a cousin of mine and see if I can convince him to come with me in my African trip.Don't be sexist.Be a good girl as you always are.

Just curious what time is it in London? It is 11:00 am Eastern time here. PS: CL how come you never asked how I was doing? only the ladies ha?

“I’m no longer practicing” could mean that they don’t do all the obligations of Islam like praying and fasting, but they may still believe In Allah. I don’t know the situation of your acquaintance, but this could be that they are acknowledging the resistance of their inner soul of practicing the religion at this point of their lives. They maybe cut off from their religion now until they surrender their lifestyle. There is no guarantee that they will be back to their religion, but maybe there is a potential coming back to the fold. I can understand that I maybe erroneous here for suggesting an imposable explanation, but we don’t know until they explain themselves as to what they mean when they said so. I can understand that there is neediness on some of you guys to see every Somali to be perfect Muslim, but the world is not like that.

CL, I have few Somali friends who are professional and non-professional -Doctors, Xamaliis and some even working for the world bank and going around the globe and the whole nine yard-and they all drink! There are millions of Muslims around the world who drink and practice Islam. Sure the drinking instinct may drive these individuals into non-practicing mode, but I have yet to see them reject Islam completely (as in your case). As the twig bent, so shall the tree grows. These individuals who have tendencies to drink may have acquired them as a result of the environment they are around. I can testify to you that many Muslim kids start Drinking in college parties, but this is not excuse only an avenue that made it easier for them .I’m sure they have a brain and mind of their own when they make a decision to drink.The mind absorbs upon which it is feed.Some of the people that drink are not bad people they are only wrapped up in a bad addiction. As I have analyzed the experience of my friends in retrospect I think it is not great think to look into only the negative side of the person as there maybe many positive aspects that make up that person.

The crux of Clinton’s campaign (and her SOL supporters) against Obama centers on whether he is ready to be the president. Granted that If O is elected to be the president he will be one of the first people to be elected to that office with little executive experience. He never runs a government or a company. But wait a minute neither did Mrs. Clinton governed a state or even people in general than her own campaign and senate staff! Ferraro comments are not surprising in any campaign. This is just an example of many verbal traps that campaign teams need to be careful. When Samantha Powers called Hillary names she resigned. This is just the same only the table is turned now. These types of derogation are what the media is looking for. I think there are important issues at hand on both sides and that they both need to move on with the campaign. There is six weeks to Pennsylvania and I think its about darn time Obama surrogates stop anchoring on any negative news and keep it clean and promising as usual.And I have a hope that O is going all the way!

LOl@ Xidigo.Seems like you been to Atlanta. Irbad is a nice fellow now only if he could lighten his recipe.I prefer Madina restaurant where the Bariis is so good it would be hard not to talk with food in your mouth full , but I dislike their big mouth server.He talk incesessantly and may even embarace you if you have a non-Somali guest. I come to realise through Waxalayiri report that I know the family of the girl (I can't confirm it though).Just like the way she said in the video clip her family is in the food business.I'm glad to see her in the competition. Edit: She is the first one to go home.Its okay home girl.No one is doomed to bad luck.You will be fine!

She is representing A-town. Major props to the sister. If she fails to win the competition I need a chef at my local Somali restaurant since the entries are on the mediocre side.This is where service and hospitality are not taken seriously!

^^^^Lazy with all due respect I think you also come across as Debbie Downer of SOL.Just an Observation

CL and Ibti, Knows that If I had the Looks I was talking about in this thread I'd be in GQ magazine by now.It was a great day! I hope the readers of this page did not take anything serious.It was all for fun.

Ibti, don't let my secret out.I'm as clean as Obama can get.CL finds it disorienting when she finds out about the Ubiquiotus sensitive hunk I am.I want her to beleive that my head is radiating from the glow of the sun.... PS This was unecessary Splurge on my part

Ibti, when I read the above post I had to acknowledge that us tall men are miraculuos work of art created by higher being.We are a master piece unlike any other created (Watch CL accusing me of advertising myself).Our height is our safety valve that insures balance and poise around women.Even though we are "GIANT" with indomitable will power women like CL will crush our ego just the way she did when she responded to my innocent acknowledgement of our gift.Repitation of my affirmation of my tallness doesn't mean I'm conceited!