The final week of August 2008
is one I’ll never forget. From Las Vegas to Denver, I witnessed history for
America and celebrated my own birthday with some of the best friends in the
world.
The week for me opened in
Denver at the Democratic National Convention. It was an astonishing, historic
event as Sen. Barack Obama was nominated by acclamation. There was a party
atmosphere in celebration of history and the promise for a better future.
Everyone I spoke with there had been looking forward to Obama’s acceptance
speech later in the week at the open-air arena, where more than 85,000
supporters crammed in to watch history and cheer on the party. In fact, the line
was more than a mile long just to enter the stadium through security.
Obama’s acceptance speech
displayed hope, which has never been more prevalent in the history of a
presidential campaign. Various political leaders during the weeklong event,
which convened at the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver and moved to Invesco Field
at Mile High on the final day for Obama’s acceptance speech, spoke on the topics
of unity and teamwork.
Michelle Obama’s speech was
certainly one of the most widely anticipated speeches, and it didn’t disappoint.
The party’s first-lady-hopeful shared her family and life experiences and
expressed how she could personally relate to the working class in America.
Another great speaker was Al
Sharpton, who spoke about Americans getting a better life and stated that it was
not a race issue; it is about Americans being ready for a change.
During the course of the week
while I was in Denver, I spoke with Attorney General Thurbert Baker of Atlanta,
Ga., and Congressman John Conyers Jr. of the 14th District in Michigan. Both
gentlemen conveyed that not only was the convention historic, but it was also a
turning point for the changes to come: better healthcare for Americans, better
education for our children, higher pay for teachers, and a universal healthcare
system for all Americans.
Obama, in his speech,
emphasized his plan to help students and their families pay for college through
exchanging service to the community and nation.
Those
students who commit to contributing their time to work in public and community
service programs would be guaranteed a paid-for college education, he outlined.
It’s clear that the American
people are willing and ready to make a change, which is demonstrated by the
potential election of the first Black president in U.S. history, even those for
whom that racial aspect is out of their comfort zone.
Obama’s ability to unify
people from all walks of life is bringing together people and those people are
empowering themselves to create positive change across the board. That visible,
audible unity made another highly relevant historic marker even more meaningful:
the 45th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream”
speech was on the same day that Obama accepted the Democratic Party’s
nomination.
It was clearly a moving
experience for those of us who remembered the immortal speech of Dr. King, as
well as the racial tension and bigotry that affected so many African-Americans
and civil rights proponents. What is not clear, unfortunately, is how special
interest groups will handle (or mishandle) this election in November.
Will it be fair voting, or
will the computer end up giving McCain the votes, in the same manner of the
Bush-Gore debacle of 2000 and Bush-Kerry in 2002, the debacle Part II? If the
presidential election ends up in favor of the Republicans, there could certainly
be a disruption in our society.
When you look at middle-class
America, one realizes that there are more voters in the $30,000-$70,000 income
brackets than there are in the higher income bracket. That group’s lives are
falling apart by the day. It is for this reason that the majority vote is
clearly in Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama’s favor. However, if
people are complacent and don’t get off their buttocks and get out and vote,
then the future for the working class could look very gloomy.
Let’s not forget that more
young people are voting in this election than ever before. That is Obama’s most
ardent support group. They are voting, organizing, and supporting everything
they can to ensure Obama’s victory.
I saw that in Denver as they
flocked to publisher Karen Benzer’s table where she displayed the “50 States for
Obama Yearbook 2007 -2008.” She is a Nevada Ambassador for Obama and created one
of the most collectible souvenirs. In the yearbook, she captures in full-color
pictures, poems, images and memorabilia provided by the hard working thousands
of dedicated supporters across the world and beyond. It is beautiful and
everyone should go to her website (www.obamayearbook.com) to get one for a
perfect keepsake.
She said the book is a
tribute to the 50 State Ambassadors for Obama who held events, fundraisers,
voter registration drives, pep rallies, voter training and more to get Obama
nominated. Young voters flocked to her and showed love and support for their
candidate Obama and his running mate Joe Biden.
But for now, it is time for
celebrating and commemorating such a wondrous week of politically, socially
memorable events. And for me, personally, the week was topped off by celebrating
my birthday on the weekend when I got back. It was the perfect way to celebrate
history—the nation’s and my own!
Democratic National Convention 2008 drew record-size crowd at Invesco Field at
Mile High in Denver.
Photo by Yvonne
Williams
From Denver’s Mile High to Miracle Mile Shops in Las Vegas
When
everything had cleared away in Denver, I was back in Las Vegas and had the best
time at my birthday celebrations. I want to thank my guests who came to my
party. It was held at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone in the Miracle Mile Shops in
Planet Hollywood on the Strip. Come back next time to read all about it with
lots more pictures and other information.
For now, I send out love and
thanks to my special guest, co-birthday celebrant San Dei English-Anderson and
her husband, Dr. Don Anderson, along with their two stunningly beautiful young
guests, Vavre and Vanessa, who both have megawatt smiles.
Thanks always to my good
friend Beryl Warren, her grandson, Kevin, and his guest. Kudos and smiles go to
Parker Philpot, editor-photojournalist, who shot the photos and helped me with
videotaping; she also danced the night away (don’t tell her I caught her on
video!)
My deep thanks go to many of
the best entertainers and humanitarians in town for taking time to come
celebrate with me.
Among my celeb guests, who
are some of the most supportive friends around, were headline magician
illusionist Dixie Dooley, headline hypnotist Michael Johns, and Terry Stokes
Jr., also a fine hypnotist and namesake of his super hypnotist dad.
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Pete Allman, second from left, celebrates birthday at Hawaiian Tropic
Zone with entertainer friends (L-R) Brian Hoffman, "Red Skelton"; T.
Fox, "Spirit of the Strip,"; Larry G. Jones, "A Thousand Voices," and
special guest, San Dei English-Anderson, "Mrs. Las Vegas America 2008."
Photo by Parker Philpot |
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Super entertainers and
musical talent was plentiful. Art Vargas and his partner added life and brought
some Branson, Mo., sparkle back with them. Consummate singers and songwriters
Sidney Barnes of P. Funk and Rotary Connection fame, Kristy Love of The
Platters, along with Sage Melodee and The Love Band added to the spirit of the
party.
T. Fox, a top-flight showman
known as the “Spirit of the Strip,” led the birthday song getting the whole room
going, and he was accompanied by his beautiful wife, dancer Imani Fox — and, oh
my, Mama Fox, that super-talented, sexy-dancing, powerhouse kept the party
rocking all night long! I can’t thank them enough, as well as special thanks to
dynamic impressionist Larry G. Jones and his show’s opening act, Brian Hoffman,
who keeps “Red Skelton” alive, and by the way, kept us all laughing with his
antics.
Fashion promoter Malcolm
McConnell and Carleen Gordon added their style. And Z.Z. Zorn, the entertaining
lady who writes a great relationship advice column, added a beautiful touch. And
big thanks to you, Amber A. of Hawaiian Tropic Zone for great service! You are
gorgeous and simply the best. Thank you, Fernando, for coming and helping me,
too.
Last, but in no way least, I
am immensely grateful to Rick Appling, a terrific producer and entrepreneur, for
being the person who helped put the foundation in place for this year’s party,
we missed you and wish you the best always.
If I missed thanking anyone,
blame it on the jet lag and the party fever. I’m just recuperating, so I’ll be
writing more soon.
So, remember to vote and keep
your own celebrations going. God Bless, and celebrate everyday of your lives.
Entertainer "Mama Fox" proudly displays the Obama Yearbook at the party.
Photo by Parker
Philpot
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My book of poetry
entitled "Messages" was inspired by my dear friends C.J. Cansler along
with Victoria Boone and Beryl Warren.
The group of poems
along with some beautiful photographs are to inspire the reader.
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