Is Obama “Nobel” but not Nobel “Peace” yet ?

Like many of you I woke up this morning looking for the headlines on the “shock and awe” bombing of the moon by NASA.  However, the top headline was Obama’s nomination as winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. The Irony in the timing of this award– was that not only is Obama President of a Nation a few hours away from Bombing the moon ( with numerous un-known alien  casualties!)—but he is also considering sending more troops to war in Afghanistan.  I was ecstatic, as a big Obama fan— and could have uttered a congratulations, if I miraculously ran into Obama in the hall-ways of the White House. But after having my breakfast, I was forced to Google “ Obama’s achievements” to make sure I haven’t missed anything in the last couple years. I don’t want to make this a political attack like many hungry-Obama haters from the Republican/Conservative wing who came out swinging—some of whom stated that Obama should turn down the award. Others suggested that the award should be given to the tea-baggers who paraded Washington speaking out against Obama’s policies (Or race according to former President Jimmy Carter). This is a global award and let’s just step out-side the box and view this event from a global perspective. Do Obama’s achievements “so far” add up to land him the Nobel peace prize?

GOOD MESSAGE BUT WRONG MESSENGER?

Many will call Gaddafi’s address to the UN general assembly today as a hopeless rant. As evidenced by many of the pundits and post-speech analysis on the news networks— some have called him a crazy man taking advantage of his debut at the UN to rant about every subject and historical event that occurred throughout his forty years in power. However, there several key points that Gadhafi touched which might be overshadowed by the conspiracy theories he outlined.

Obama’s Visit Must Be About More Than Promises

by Earl Ofari Hutchinson for New America Media

President Obama’s two-day visit to Ghana is history making only in the sense that he’s the first African-American president to visit the continent. President Clinton and Bush also made extended trips to African nations during their presidency. And both former presidents made big promises to boost trade, business ties, aid dollars, and wage an aggressive battle against corruption and disease, and to promote democracy.

Though Clinton and especially Bush did substantially boost cash to fight HIV-AIDS and other diseases, the score of other promises they made were just that, promises.

Now Obama has a chance to add real body to those promises. He talks of a new partnership with Africa. This implies that the U.S. will bump Africa higher up on the White House’s radar. He must be true to his word.

Obama Ghana Speech

Good morning. It is an honour for me to be in Accra, and to speak to the representatives of the people of Ghana.

I am deeply grateful for the welcome that I’ve received, as are Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama. Ghana’s history is rich, the ties between our two countries are strong, and I am proud that this is my first visit to sub-Saharan Africa as President of the United States.

I am speaking to you at the end of a long trip. I began in Russia, for a Summit between two great powers. I traveled to Italy, for a meeting of the world’s leading economies. And I have come here, to Ghana, for a simple reason: the 21st century will be shaped by what happens not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington, but by what happens in Accra as well.

Somali Woman’s Illness and A Family’s Quest for Healing

Joel Grostephan

New America MediaST.CLOUD, Minn. — Samira Iman was missing for nearly two years. The 31-year-old Somali didn’t run away. She wasn’t kidnapped. She didn’t go to Africa to fight in Somalia’s decades-old civil war. She was living in St. Cloud, Minn., in a group home for the mentally ill. But Samira’s family lost track of her, and mental health officials did not help them locate her.

ST.CLOUD, Minn. — Samira Iman was missing for nearly two years. The 31-year-old Somali didn’t run away. She wasn’t kidnapped. She didn’t go to Africa to fight in Somalia’s decades-old civil war. She was living in St. Cloud, Minn., in a group home for the mentally ill. But Samira’s family lost track of her, and mental health officials did not help them locate her.

One day in the fall of 2007, Samira fainted at the poultry processing plant where she had begun working. She was taken to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with mental illness, according to her family. After she was discharged, she was either sent to a group home or released on to the street, but not to her family. When her younger brother, Yahya Iman, tried to find out where she was, Stearns County Human Services cited government privacy laws and would give no information.

Helping victims of torture, from Minnesota to the world

Jaclyn Evert , TC Daily Planet

From counseling torture victims in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to fixing bikes for political refugees in Minneapolis, the Center for Victims of Torture provides healing services that reach around the world.

CVT provides free mental health treatment to victims of politically motivated torture in centers and partnership programs in the United States, Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe, with a specific focus in Africa. CVT is the first organization in the United States and the third worldwide to focus on providing mental health services to victims of torture.

West African Dance Showcase by Tiyumba

Tiyumba Dance Group

Dear Friends:

I hope you will be able to come and experience West African Dance as it is so energetically performed by the Tiyumba Dance Group. It will be a lot of fun and it is an opportunity for you to see what Tiyumba is all about and also get down and dance.

Conference on African Intellectuals in the West

Based in Minnesota, Africa Today would best be described as an African think tank. Every month, the group organizers topics surrounding Africans in the Diaspora and the content.

What are YOU doing this weekend?

So much to do so little time. Sure it’ll be a little chilly and rainy, but that shouldn’t stop you from partaking in one of these many events. Make sure you get out and have some fun.

Awareness:

• RED 10 is the big event this weekend. A group of Africans will be walking for a cause and so should you. If you can’t make it to the walk there are plenty other of options. Saturday night through Sunday afternoon. For more info click here.
• The West African Collaborative will also be doing some HIV/AIDS awareness on Sat May 16th. You can watch a skit written and performed by Africans on HIV/AIDS at Brookdale Covenant Church from 3:00 – 5:00pm .

Art:

• Art-a-whirl 2009 is upon us – from Friday May 15th through Sunday May 17th. Make sure you catch a glimpse of ‘Gallery AfriQ by Omosh and Rabi’s Studio by Yarbi. For more details click here.

Fundraiser

• REAL (Resources for the Enrichment of African Lives) will be having their annual silent auction and dinner fundraiser  May 16th at Augsburg college. Event runs from 5:30 to 9:00pm.

• Cameroonian group Menchum cultural association (MENCAMIN) in Minnesota will be having a fund raising party on Saturday, May 16th 2009 at Mermaid Event Centre with DJ Moki. Doors open at 8:30pm and cost is$ 15.00

Religion

• The Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church will be in Minnesota accompanied by numerous other bishops, priests and theologians to consecrate the new St. Ourael Church. Event goes from May 14th through the 17th.

Beware: Credit Card Scam in the Twin Cities

By the Minneapolis Police Department, City of Minneapolis

Please be advised that a new type of scam is appearing in the Metro area.