Obama Ipsum

That we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted at least, most of the time. Yet what we also understand is that our values should express themselves not just through our churches or synagogues, temples or mosques; they should express themselves through our government. I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. Now Ashley might have made a different choice. I believe that as hard as it will be, the change we need is coming.

Again and again, we've seen him make tough choices when easier ones were available. Those stories - of survival, and freedom, and hope - became our story, my story; the blood that had spilled was our blood, the tears our tears; until this black church, on this bright day, seemed once more a vessel carrying the story of a people into future generations and into a larger world. To the love of my life, our next First Lady, Michelle Obama, and to Sasha and Malia - I love you so much, and I'm so proud of all of you. Let me also address the issue of Iraq. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai.

And they, too, had big dreams for their daughter. They're deciding that their work, their possessions, their diversions, their sheer busyness, is not enough. I don't know what Bible they're reading, but it doesn't jibe with my version. Washington's been talking about our oil addiction for the last thirty years, and John McCain has been there for twenty-six of them. Because it feeds into the cynicism we all have about government.

It seems to me that each day, thousands of Americans are going about their lives - dropping the kids off at school, driving to work, shopping at the mall, trying to stay on their diets, trying to kick a cigarette habit - and they're coming to the realization that something is missing. They're telling me that their conversation about what it means to be Catholic continues. This truth transcends nations and peoples - a belief that isn't new; that isn't black or white or brown; that isn't Christian, or Muslim or Jew.

They are both passed away now. This is where we are right now. That is why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August.

Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America.