Beautiful Yuletide Music

Australian diva Joan Sutherland singing “Home Sweet Home” at the conclusion of one of her farewell performances overseas. It was repeated at her final performance on October 2nd 1990, ending an outstanding career in her home town of Sydney, at the famous Opera House. ( that glorious rendition not available on you tube).

Home Sweet Home .. video 5 min 26

Bio excerpt:
Dame Joan Alston Sutherland, OM, AC, DBE (born 7 November 1926) the Australian dramatic coloratura soprano noted for her contribution in the renaissance of the bel canto repertoire in the late 1950s and 1960s.

One of the most remarkable female opera singers of the 20th century, she was dubbed La Stupenda by a La Fenice audience in 1960 after an Alcina performance. She possessed a voice of beauty and power, combining extraordinary agility, accurate intonation, a splendid trill and a tremendous upper register.

Her friend Luciano Pavarotti once called Sutherland the “Voice of the Century”, while Montserrat Caballé described the Australian’s voice as being like “heaven”.

Irish actor Frank Kelly’s sidesplitting narrated version of “The 12 Days of Xmas”.
It is 5 mins 26 secs of absolute comedic mayhem.

Why not copy and paste the URL link address above and email it to your friends for Xmas? Laugh and the world will laugh with you.

Merry Xmas

Frank Kelly & The 12 Days of Xmas

Dear Obama Supporters

What an amazing year this has been. As yet I haven’t worked out how next to employ the use of my website,Telling Thoughts, now the goal of seeing Barack Obama elected as the 44th President of the United States has been achieved.

Presently I am taking a complete break from writing to recharge my batteries. In the meantime I will continue to post news articles of interest re Obama transition matters and will let you know about the future use of the site by inauguration time in January.

My best wishes to all of you who worked so hard to make the Obama Presidency possible, you have done America and the rest of the world a great and timely service.

Merry Xmas from Brisbane Australia

Details supplied with video

“Inspired by Sen. Barack Obama’s quest to become the first African-American U.S. President and his unifying campaign for change, celebrated percussionist Harvey Mason, legendary vocalist Deniece Williams and songwriter Jerry Peters, in association with Haven MediaGroup, have produced this inspirational anthem capturing the true spirit of Democracy.

Written by Williams, Mason and Peters, “A Change We Can Believe In” is a rousing anthem with universal appeal. The trio came together for the project at Haven Studios in Los Angeles shortly after Sen. Barack Obama secured the Democratic nomination in June of this year.

To date there are three versions of “A Change We Can Believe In,” a “universal” version which features a 160-voice chorus (currently being viewed); a second R&B/Gospel-infused version featuring Deniece Williams on lead vocal; and the final, orchestral/instrumental arrangement for a variety of post-production applications.

Haven MediaGroup retained a brilliant young director, Dabling Harwarth, to visually document the recording session to create this heartfelt video”.

For more information on Haven MediaGroup / http://www.havenmediagroup.com

A Change We Can Believe In .. 4 mins 07

After reading this Washington Post article below I decided to leave a comment at the WP in response . A link to the full story at the WP is provided and a copy of the comment I left at the WP is shown below.

Washington Post.com  > Politics

Adviser Who Insulted Clinton Has Role in Transition

By Michael D. Shear

Samantha Power, the Harvard professor who was forced to resign from Barack Obama’s presidential campaign last spring after calling Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton “a monster,” is now advising the president-elect on transition matters relating to the State Department — which Clinton is slated to head. Link to the full Washington Post article.

————————

Comments

johnjhay wrote:

Professor Samantha Power in her campaign role as foreign policy adviser to Barack Obama, admittedly was naive to allow herself to become trapped into commenting personally to the Scottish media about Hillary Clinton.

However I do agree that she was dead right in her assessment of Clinton as a person.

American’s can only hope that her advice to Obama on future American foreign policy behind closed doors, is just as frank, honest and on the button accurate.

John Hay
Australia

11/29/2008 5:46:15 PM

The Obama Campaign for the Presidency in 2008

A three page chronological video record of pivotal events leading to the election of Senator Barack H Obama to the office of the Presidency of the United States of America. 

On February 10th 2007, the US Senator Barack Obama launched his historic campaign for the office of President of the United States of America, at the steps of the Old State Capitol Building in Springfield Illinois.

The location was symbolic. It was here that Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous “House Divided” speech in 1858.

Barack Obama’s Presidential Campaign Launch /Springfield Illinois /10th February 2007 .. 25 minutes

The Democratic Party Primary Debates

Democratic Party candidates seeking their Party’s nomination numbered eight, prior to the start of the primary debates on April 26th 2007. By 31st January 2008, only two remained in the contest - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton from New York and Senator Barack Obama of Illinois. The final debate took place in Pennsylvania on April 16th 2008.

Final debate /Clinton Vs Obama /Philadelphia  Pennsylvania  /16th April 2008  

[Part 10] Closing segment .. 5 min 20 

A Link to parts 1 - 10 / Clinton Vs Obama Primary Debate
http://www.tellingthoughts.com/asides/the-abc-philadelphia-debate  

The ABC Barbara Walters Special / 26th November 2008

The first post election interview conducted with President elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, the future First Lady of the United States of America.

Presented in parts to enable you to watch at suitable intervals

Barack Obama Part 1 .. 8 mins 05

Barack Obama Part 2 .. 10mins 05

Barack Obama Part 3 .. 5 mins 49

Michelle & Barack Obama Part 4 .. 6 mins 01

Michelle & Barack Obama Part 5 .. 4 mins 58

Michelle & Barack Obama Part 6 .. 2 mins 06

When I learned in reading the New York Times article titled,” An Old Home Town Mentor and Still At Obama’s Side”  that the extremely influential Democratic Party and Clinton supporter Vernon Jordan was married to the cousin of Valerie Jarrett, the current Obama Transition Team Co Chair and longtime personal friend, mentor and promotor of the Obamas, I realised that this personal connection could have had some bearing on the decision to recommend Hillary Clinton for consideration as the US Secretary of State.

A position yet to be formally confirmed by the Obama Team.

Mr Jordan talks about his relationship with the Clintons and of his earlier advice to Barack not to run as a candidate in the election, during his interview on “The View” TV program on November 5th 2008, the day after the election.

It is informative to read the current New York Times article to gain a fuller perspective on this matter. You will find it extremely interesting. The good news for the United States and the world, is that Barack chose not to accept Mr Jordan’s advice about not running in 2008.

Best Wishes

Vernon Jordan on The View 5th November 2008 .. 7 mins 51 

As the author of the profile article on Senator Barack Obama titled “The Power of One” on the 16th February 2008, I thought I should also post this musical video fortuitously found on You Tube not long after Senator Barack Obama became President elect Obama, on November 4th 2008.

Best Wishes

Go Obama / Biden Yes we Can

The Power Of One - President Elect Barack Obama 2008 - 3 min 48

(Song ‘The Power Of One’ produced by David Foster / performed by Donna Summer) .. Video information supplied via You Tube