The Daily Report » barack+obama

With the next Democratic primary being held in Pennsylvania on Earth day, we turn our attention today to “green collar jobs.” While there is certainly no one-size-fits-all panacea for the nation’s struggling industrial cities, proponents of the movement see wide ranging benefits from creating a new economy around environmental awareness.

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Last week my city came down with a fever. Symptoms include: sudden feelings of euphoria followed by a quiet, zen-like sense of anticipation; sudden boisterous gatherings of young people; throngs of people in the streets carrying signs and encouraging passing motorists to honk their horns; and long lines of voters, many voting for the first time. That’s right, Obamamania hit Milwaukee.

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Smart growth is an expansive issue. It is, as defined by the American Planning Association, the integration—into every aspect of planning for development—the consideration of the effects of growth on our health, environment, communities, and financial sustainability, as well as its effect on equality.

The two final Democratic candidates have certainly shown support for the principles of smart growth. They tuck it into their infrastructure, environment, energy, and poverty platforms.…

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Celebrity and Showmanship on a Soul Food Menu

“Of a bag of ‘Original White Trash,’ a snack mix coated in white chocolate, he said, ‘If you put that in the article, you have to say it was made by a Caucasian.’

“Among the collectibles there was a tin of Lucille Ball ‘Predic-a-mints.’ What, a questioner wanted to know, did that famous redhead have to do with soul food?

“ ‘Soul is the very essence of who we are. And she had it,’ Mr. Willhoite explained. ‘We all love Lucy. I wouldn’t…

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Government “lifeline” for deliquent mortgages.

The Bush administration’s hope to counter falling house prices and rising mortgage defaults is the “Hope Alliance,” which is planning to give homeowners more breathing room to pay bills. Houston Chronicle reports: “Against a backdrop of surging defaults and administration officials’ prodding of the mortgage industry, the plan will allow seriously overdue homeowners to suspend foreclosures for 30 days while lenders try to work out more…

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My recent trip to New Hampshire, and a virtual argument between our own Dave Steele and the “untouchable” Richard Florida have unexpectedly and cogently intertwined.

Both raise the question of citizen participation, and force us to examine the decidedly un-sexy ingredients to building a sustainable city.

Campaigning for Obama in rural New Hampshire, I met countless people who have been involved in every primary season since they were old enough to vote. Granted, New Hampshire is…

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Live from Jersey City… yesterday!

Here’s a joke overheard last night.

“With these genealogical surveys, you’re hoping you’ll be related to somebody cool, like, say George Washington or Willie Mays. But Dick Cheney—that was a real let down.”

Looking lean and tired, Barack Obama was playing the crowd for laughs. And some 2000 or so supporters in the St. Peter’s College gym in Jersey City, NJ, laughed. Middle-age women climbed barricades and leaned to look between the legs of…

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We lead with this: “FBI figures show murder rate rising in Louisiana’s major cities.” From Baton Rouge Police Sgt. Don Kelly:

‘‘Murder is the single category that gets the most attention. And it’s the one we have the least ability to effect. Most murders are done by people who know each other, many are done in private, and almost all are done without much planning and forethought. Those are almost impossible to prevent.’’

How do you like that?

Now: some Obama commentary via Jesse…

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