House Defeats Bill to Delay Digital Television Transition until June

In a stinging slap to the face of American citizens and President Barack Obama, the House selfishly defeated a bill that would have delayed the transition to digital television from February to June. All praises to the Senate for trying to put the needs of the country FIRST and being compassionate. Members of the House need to sit out for a while without jobs, with a foreclosed home and without a working TV set to see how they would feel. Money is being dealt out to all these financial institutions and consumers are getting shafted even more. More CHANGE is needed to ensure that citizens have a government that is truly FOR the people and BY the people. Many people cannot afford the cost of the digital TV transition and need some more time to get ready. Additionally, the Digital TV Converter Coupon Program had run out of money and many people are on the waiting list for coupons.

For more on this story visit the Washington Post.

If this affects you or someone you know, please take action and write our elected officials and express your opinion on matters that are near and dear to you or someone else you care about.

Yours in fairness in government policy and decision making,

Joseph R. Mays

A Little Late, but Kudos to John McCain

I voted for Barack Obama and my dream came true. I was there on the National Mall when he took his oath of office on January 20, 2009. It was a moment in time I will NEVER forget. I also want to make sure that people don’t forget about John McCain. A lot of people may talk about “more of the same” and rightfully so, but I am not here to talk about that. I am here to talk about his character and how gracious he was on Election Day. I really appreciate his style and the way he handled himself after Senator, now President, Barack Obama won the election. As far as I am concerned, both men won. He could have been bitter and slung mud and called for a recount or something else negative, but he didn’t. He was human, he was gracious and collected and gave credit to Barack Obama for a well-fought contest. I already had respect for him on account of his war record. He asked his own camp to cease and desist with the boos. Basically he said “we’re better than that and the better man won”. “We need to act accordingly and with dignity and respect not only for Barack Obama, but for ourselves as well”. That too, was a great moment in history that won’t go down as high as Barack Obama’s Inauguration, but it still should be remembered as a great day in partisan politics when the other party concedes in such a manner. It moved me. I salute you John McCain and I ask that you help Barack Obama be all he can be. I will do my part as well and contribute here online and offline as well. I urge everyone reading this to do the same. When we ALL help each other we are ALL WINNERS!

Yours in political solidarity,

Joseph R Mays

Putting the Finishing Touches on President Barack Obama’s Inauguration Ceremony

Thousands of people (including myself) braved the cold weather today to watch National Park Service and other workers put the finishing touches on the inauguration preparations. Security fencing was being installed to control access to and from the inauguration ceremony grounds. They worked pretty fast because I had to make a slight adjustment on my way out because they had installed the fencing across my original path I took to get over to the inauguration grounds. It was a warm occasion because everyone was excited to be there and the view was beautiful. The sun lit the underside of the clouds to give a majestic sunset setting as a backdrop for the Capitol Building. It is truly a historic moment and it feels good to be a part of it.

Our Capitol Police were hard at work protecting our interests and safety. Make sure you thank them and say hello when you see them when you go down there. They have a very important job and don’t always get the thanks they deserve to ensure that we can witness history in a safe environment.

I took some pictures just you (my blog audience) while I was down there.  All I ask you to do is to share the pictures with others who are not privileged to be there or don’t have a camera or as a good gesture to let someone have a piece of history in the making. Just make sure you mention the source of the pictures. You can link back to us as well.

Picture Narration/Chronology

I approached the area and took a picture of one of the banners telling ticket-holding spectators which way to go to there respective areas. I was then welcomed warmly by Barack Obama’s Animal Welcoming Committee. LOL Several squirrels came all the way up to my shoe. A good start to my journey.

Then comes the security barriers that were erected to control the crowds and a Metro bus with a plant and flower scene painted on it. Metro YOU move DC. Thank you and all your employees for helping me several years ago and for helping people get around during major events like this. As a matter of fact, I am taking a moment out to thank all employees “down in the trenches”/behind the scenes that help make events like this go smoothly.

I started taking pictures of the east side of the Capitol Building. The President is supposed to parade past the troops on this side. The sun was going down and less light was available, then the sun started shining on the underside of the clouds in shades of reds and orange. The lights that shine on the Capitol Building came on adding to the effect. I took several shots of myself with the Capitol Building in the background. I used my camera’s remote control and a tripod to take the pictures.

I proceeded around to the western side where the seats are placed to view the ceremony. Two huge Jumbotrons were on this side with the 56th Presidential Inauguration message on both for now. This will allow people to see what going on at different points on the mall.

If you have to “go”, they have more than accommodated us in that department as well with rows of Portajohns available in multiple locations. It is going to be nice all around.

The finale was some night shots of the Capitol Building after the sun had gone down. Enjoy them all and share them with your friends.

Yours in Inauguration Day history,

Joseph R. Mays

PS. For detailed information about the Inauguration Day ceremonies visit the following resources:

Avoid Driving into DC on Inauguration Day

More Inauguration Day Traffic and Road Closure Information

Your Complete Guide to Celebrating Inauguration Day

More Inauguration Day Traffic and Road Closure Information

From January 19, 2009 to January 21, 2009 it will be understatement to say it will be hard to get around (drive) DC near the Inauguration ceremonies. Just say “No”! If you absolutely must (i.e. part of the Inauguration Day ceremonies), then here is more helpful information to help you get around during Inauguration Day.

NBC – Information on Inauguration Day Road Closures with detailed maps

Appomattox News – Inauguration Day Traffic to Affect Entire State

The Gazette.net – Telecoms Brace for Wireless Traffic

WUSA9.com – Updated Maryland Inauguration Day Road Plan

MSNBC/Associated Press – Inaugurations Tests Troubled Transportation Grid

Potomac Riverboat Company – Avoid the Roads – Take a Boat

BellaOnline – Obama Inauguration 2009 – Avoiding Metro Crowds

Our Inauguration Information Page 1 – Avoid Driving into Washington DC on Inauguration Day if You Can

Thank you to all the visitors to my blog. I am privileged to present this information to you. Please use it to your enjoyment and have a wonderful day on Inauguration Day. Congratulations again to President Barack Obama.

Yours in Inauguration Day information,

Joseph R. Mays

President Barack Obama Urges Community Service During Inauguration

President Barack Obama urged the community to put community service first and not make the inauguration all about him. Putting our hands and heads together and working with each other. Barack Obama shows yet again another strong point of his persona that made him my candidate for President. He doesn’t want it to be all about him. He is truly there for the people and I know that at the end of his first term, America will be a very beautiful country. America is a beautiful place now with a wide variety of people and cultures, but it will be so much more so when he is done. And it won’t be just him alone, it will be us (America and the world) joining together for the greater good of the nation. America will experience prosperity like she has never known. Children will have better schools and college students will be able to afford college and get a good quality education. Teachers will be appreciated for what they do and law enforcement officials as well. They all undertake jobs that can be very difficult at times, but we as Americans (ALL) need to appreciate that and give them all the support they deserve. Let’s band together as I’ve said before and get ourselves together. Put colors and cultures on the shelf and embrace each other with our hearts.

Associated Press: Full story

With love, unity and steadfast support for Barack Obama

Joseph R. Mays

Avoid Driving into Washington, DC on Inauguration Day if You Can

President Barack Obama Inauguration Day 2009

Inauguration Day in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009, will bring about some serious gridlock anywhere within five miles or more around the Inauguration festivities. Local police will be be shutting down local roads and bridges to deny access in and around that area. People may grumble about it, but it is being done to ensure the safety of the new President (Barack Obama) and the general public. Deal with it as best as you can and most importantly, ENJOY this day. It is a glorious moment in history. Not just for Washington, DC and the United States, but for the world as well. The whole world was watching Election Day. Millions of people worldwide were thrilled when we the people elected Barack Obama as the next President of the United States of America. Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States. I have added resources below to make your experience on Inauguration Day 2009 a pleasant and memorable one.

Inauguration Day Resources
______________________________

District of Columbia – Inauguration Day 2009 Website

Secret Service – Inauguration 2009 Security Information

Wikipedia – Inauguration Day Ceremonies

Senate.gov – Inauguration of the President 2009 Events

Inauguration Day Information and Events

About.com – Inauguration Day Events

Office of Personnel Management – Inauguration Day

The Examiner – Inauguration Day 2009 - Events and Articles

Putting the Finishing Touches on Barack Obama’s Inauguration Day Ceremony – New Link – 1-18-2009

Yours in inauguration information and resources,

Joseph R. Mays

Former Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton Raising Funds to Pay Off Campaign Debt

Former Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton is having a fundraiser to help pay down her campaign debt. This move is required by her in order to clear her way for nomination as President-Elect Barack Obama’s Secretary of State.

The event will be hosted by rocker Jon Bon Jovi. Hillary Clinton and her supporters will be there to help her raise money to reach her goal. The event will be held at the Manhattan Town Hall in New York City. Ticket prices will range from $75 to $1,000.

Senator Clinton should not have any major hurdles to clear in her confirmation hearing.

Source: Associated Press January 4, 2009.

Yours in politics and good information,

Joseph R. Mays

Setting the Stage for Barack Obama’s Inauguration Ceremony

Preparing for any celebration in Washington, DC is a major undertaking and Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony is no different. As the capital of the world, it has it’s own set of problems to deal with in the setup stage. Traffic must be managed to protect VIP’s and the President-elect. Communication grids and backup equipment must be put in place to ensure that security forces  and public relations personnel can communicate effectively. An unprecedented move has been taken this year to ensure the continued functioning of the cellular grid. The major wireless carriers are beefing up their infrastructure to help prevent a communication blackout from occurring. Millions of people are expected to be in town on that day and because of the historical significance of this inauguration, even more will be communicating back and forth about their experiences on the inauguration.

The major transportation authority in the area (WMATA – (Metro)) advises people to take Metro to get around. Streets in the immediate and surrounding areas will be blocked off and it will be difficult to drive aound. Metro outlines their plans for Inauguration Day. Some stations will be closed due to security concerns.

For more updates, bookmark this page and check back often.

Yours in history and inauguration day festivities,

Joseph R. Mays

America Speaks Out and Makes History on November 4, 2008

America speaks out and makes history by electing the first African-American President of The United States of America; Barack Obama.

American voters all across America braved long lines, weather and knots in their stomachs (LOL) to send a message to the White House and Congress. Americans want change and they want it now.

Welcome to the White House the next President of The United States of America Barack Obama.

Barack Obama

44th President

 of the

United States of America

We must ALL work together to get the country headed in the right direction.

I am Joseph R. Mays and I approve this message.

Look Familiar? And the votes are in…… Obama wins!!!

At approximately 11:00pm Eastern time an emotional, historical and motivational message was given. Barack Obama has taken California’s and Virginia’s electoral votes and has become the 44th President of the United States!!!!

From struggle and strife to stars and stripes and the highest position in the nation; The President of the United States of America. The nation’s FIRST African American President of the United States of America. Martin Luther King and Thurgood Marshall must be very proud of what they see from heaven. A wonderful day for the Obama family, the country and the entire world. And I played a part by making my voice heard with my vote. Congratulations to all voters that did the same no matter what candidate you chose.

My hats off to John McCain for his gracious concession speech. He was a true gentleman and urged his supporters to support Barack Obama. He was very moving and I have a lot of respect for him regardless of his ties to George Bush. However, it is time for change and we will get it now.

Thanks to God who made it all possible.

I am Joseph R. Mays and I approved this message.

PS. Please celebrate this day in history and do it responsibly. Respect the other side’s vote/choice. Everyone is entitled to their opinion based upon their own set of values. Tell/explain to your children what has happened. Tell them they can do anything if they put their mind to it. I leave you with the first and last first of my poem called “Dreaming”.

Follow your dreams,
no matter how far-fetched or crazy it seems.

And in the end, when it’s all through,
You wake up (Barack Obama) and find your dream (President of the United States) came true.