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Prepared Text of Barack Obama's Acceptance Speech

Here is the full text of Barack Obama's acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination for the presidency. The title of tonight's speech at Invesco Field in Denver is "The American Promise."

Tonight, I say to the American people, to Democrats and Republicans and Independents across this great land – enough! This moment – this election – is our chance to keep, in the 21st century, the American promise alive. Because next week, in Minnesota, the same party that brought you two terms of George Bush and Dick Cheney will ask this country for a third. And we are here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look like the last eight. On November 4th, we must stand up and say: “Eight is enough.”

Cullen Jones Begins New Swimming Program for Inner City Youth

Rod 2.0 fave Cullen Jones returns to the news. While some Olympic gold medalist are cashing in for quick endorsement deals, Cullen Jones takes some time off from training to establish a diversity swimming program for inner city youth.

The Bronx-born swimming phenom was the lone black on the swimming team in Beijing. Cullen swam into history as the United States' second black gold medalist in swimming for the 4x1000 meter freestyle relay with Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale and Jason Lezak. Jones trained at Newark's John F. Kennedy pool and now that he has some time off from training, plans to use the prestige and celebrity of his gold medalist status to implement a diversity swimming program for inner city youth.

Statistics show 58 percent of black children can't swim, compared to 31 percent of whites, according to the Star Ledger, "already has $10,000 from Bank of America, one of his sponsors, toward a program to change that. Jones says, "I hope a kid can see this and say, 'Wow, a black swimmer and he's got a gold medal.'"

Only last year, Jones was ranked first in the world in the 50 meter freestyle but did not qualify for the Olympic trials. Cullen Jones hopes to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London to win an individual gold medal in the event. And we'll be watching.

Cullen Jones Plans to Put Fame to Promote Diversity [NJ]
Obama Stands Alone on National Podium [Newsday]

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Nike Signs Cullen Jones [R20]

Will Obama's Acceptance Speech Become a "Rock Concert"?

When Barack Obama announced last month that he would deliver his nomination address in an outdoor stadium in front of 75,000 people, it thrilled the Democratic Party faithful and astounded the media. Since then concerns have been raised that tonight's address will look "more like a rock concert than a serious address by a would-be commander in chief."

The Los Angeles Times and New York Times both report on the Obama campaign's 11th hour and somewhat ironic efforts to make the football stadium appear "more intimate." NYT:

On Thursday afternoon, workers were still making changes to Invesco Field, home to the Denver Broncos, so it would feel more intimate, less like the boisterous rallies that served Mr. Obama so well early in the primaries, but also created the celebrity image that dogs him.

They were still testing camera angles to the very end, so Mr. Obama would appear among the giant crowd, not above it. They took steps to reduce the echo effect, familiar to football fans, of speaking in such a cavernous space. Planners scrapped their idea to turn the audience of 75,000 into a giant phone bank, in response to fears that the cellphone system would crash (people will instead be asked to text-message friends and neighbors to support the campaign, program aides said would be effective nonetheless.)

And workers put the finishing touches on the backdrop: faux columns intended to suggest a federal building in Washington and create an air of stateliness. The McCain campaign named it the Temple of Obama, a label repeated by some commentators.

The idea to deliver the acceptance speech at a football stadium was never sold on me. Theoretically it could be a potent symbol of the nominee's popularity and the enormous growth in the party. On the other hand, it's an extremely theatrical event and the elaborate midfield staging—faux Greek columns, raised platform, courtside seating—only adds to the evangelical and messianic imagery. Take your pick, we're somewhere in the middle.

The LA Times goes further and reports some "Democratic strategists here have confided privately that they are worried about the TV pictures of Obama's speech tonight, particularly after watching how the Republicans so effectively turned Obama's recent appearance in Germany against him."

Obama's poll numbers have generally suffered since the Berlin trip. There are some indications, such as new data from Gallup, that Obama is making up some ground. Personally, we're looking forward to an excellent speech and a great reception tonight in Denver. Let's just hope this won't become something the McCain and the Republicans will effectively use against our new nominee.

Barack Obama's Acceptance Speech Poses Risks [LAT]
Democrats Try to Minimize Stadium's Political Risks [NYT]

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45th Anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" Speech

Tonight will be a momentous and an historic evening. Barack Obama, junior senator from Illinois, will accept the nomination of the Democratic Party for the presidency. Obama becomes the first African- American major party candidate for the presidency.

Obama is likely not to dwell on the historic nature of his candidacy—the news media, his campaign, its supporters and everyone else will surely continue to discuss the historic implications. On a more basic level—and its probably no coincidence—today is the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. The full version on YouTube:

Obama excels at delivering prepared speeches, so, prepare to be impressed. I'm wondering what type of speech will he deliver, who will he thank, what will he promise, and, how much imagery and cadence will pay homage to Dr, King.

Should be a very interesting night. Love to hear your thoughts ...

HIV Spreading in New York City at Three Times National Rate, Black/Latino Gay Men Hit Hardest

Very disturbing news on the fight against HIV/AIDS. New data show HIV is spreading in New York City at about three times the national rate. Black gay and bisexual men are hit the hardest, according to new findings by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported in The New York Times.

The data are based on a new HIV testing method developed by CDC that can determine when HIV infection occurred. New York City health officials report seroconversions have "an incidence of 72 new HIV infections per 100,000 people, compared with 23 new infections per 100,000 people nationwide"  and "gay minority men were particularly at risk."

For example, of new H.I.V. infections among men under age 30 who have sex with men, 77 percent were in black or Hispanic men, as were 59 percent of new H.I.V. infections among men ages 30 to 50 who have sex with men.

More troubling news: The study found that blacks living in the city contracted HIV at three times the rate of whites and that blacks accounted for almost half of new infections.

In June, Rod 2.0 reported the Centers for Disease Control's new data which show the largest increases in HIV rates nationwide are among young black gay men.

HIV Spreading in NYC at Three Times the National Rate [NYT]

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Some Background ...
CDC: "Troubling" Rise in HIV Among Black Gay Men [R20]
GMHC's "I Love My Boo" Campaign [R20]
HIV Rates Rising Among Black NYC Gay Men [R20]
CDC Tracking "Serious" Strain of Syphilis [R20]
The HIV Morning After Pill? [R20]
Black Gay Men and "The Pill" [R20]
Jonathan Perry in "The Advocate" [R20]
Ending Black Homophobia Will Reduce HIV [R20]
Do You Disclose Your HIV Status? [R20]
Primetime Reports Black HIV Epidemic [After Elton]
"Out of Control: AIDS in Black America" [R20]
POZ Examines Race and the Down Low [R20]
HIV Rates Rise Among NYC Black Gay Men [R20]
Phill Wilson: Candidates Must Address HIV/AIDS [R20]
POZ Examines Race and the “Down Low” [R20]
"Urban Rally Against AIDS" [R20]
The ABCs of Black HIV [R20]
Suicide Tuesdays [R20]
(Virtual) Sex and the City [R20]
Murder Suspect Only "Arranged" the Crime [R20]
News: Divas Fight Crystal and HIV [R20]
The HIV Morning After Pill? [R20]
Campaign Links Viagra, Crystal Meth and HIV [R20]
Kevin Aviance Describes Recovery from Crystal Meth [R20]

Lawrence King's School Records Are Released to Accused Killer

Confidential files and school records of murdered gay teen Lawrence King are released to the defense attorney for the classmate accused of killing him.

William Quest subpoenaed the documents for his defense of 14-year-old Brandon McInerney. The Ventura County Star reports the records are sealed.

The records were provided after a court order was hammered out Thursday by attorneys in the case and signed by Superior Court Judge James Cloninger. Under the protection order, only those who are directly involved with the prosecution or defense of the case will have access to the records.

Quest's efforts to get the records were temporarily thwarted after the King family's lawyer, Steve Pell, tried to quash the subpoena, unsuccessfully arguing that the matter belonged in the confidential confines of juvenile court.

Last week, Cloninger ordered that the records be provided. Later, he reviewed the documents to determine which portions were relevant.

The 15-year-old Lawrence King self-identified as gay and often wore feminine clothing and/or makeup to  E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard, California. On February 12th, classmate Brandon McInerney allegedly shot King in the head during class. Reportedly, King had a crush on his classmate and gave him a Valentine's Day card.

Quest claims his client believed King was "harassing" him. The subpoenaed records are expected to "disclose information on King's behavior during the time he was living at Casa Pacifica, a center for troubled and abused children located near Camarillo, and attending Green School." Names of other students whom King may have had problems with are expected to be released.

A recent, much-criticized Newsweek cover feature tried to give credence to this theory and claims school staff ignored complaints about King's behavior. On a related norte, the deceased boy's parents, Dawn and Gregory King, blame the school for allowing their son to wear makeup and feminine clothing. The parents claim this was a factor leading to his death and filed a claim against the school earlier this month.

Defendant Lawyer Receives King Papers [VCS]

Some Background ...
Defense Will Have Access to King's Records [R20]
Defense in King Case Looking for Speedy Trial [R20]
King's Alleged Killer Will Be Tried As An Adult [R20]
Will Lawrence King's Killer Be Tried As An Adult? [R20]
Mixed Messages [Advocate.com]
Newsweek's Disturbing Feature on Lawrence King [R20]
WaPo Profiles 15-Year-Old Openly Gay Teen [R20]
News: Noah's Arc, Lawrence King, Black Gay Youth [R20]
News: Pope, Lawrence King, Simmie Williams [R20]
News: Obama, Clinton, Pharrell, Lawrence King [R20]

Police Say Two Teens Killed Fellow Gang Member Because He Was Gay

An interesting twist to what authorities in suburban Maryland initially believed was a typical gang murder. Two members the Bloods street gang are charged with first-degree murder in the death of a fellow gang member ... whom they believed was gay.

Eighteen-year-old Steven Hollis of Randallstown and 17-year-old Juan Flythe of West Baltimore were arrested Thursday. They are charged with fatally stabbing and stomping 18-year-old Steven Parrish—seen above in a MySpace tribute—of Woodlawn on May 29. That was only one day before his graduation from Randallstown High School. Apparently, text messages and cell phone photos lead the fellow gang members to discover Parrish's secret. Parrish's slaying was quite grisly to send a message their gang was not "weak." Excellent reporting at the Baltimore Sun:

On the day before Parrish's death, several members of the gang met at his home, according to charging documents. There, Hollis and Flythe discussed finding what they believed to be "gay" text messages on Parrish's cell phone.

Angered by the messages and a photograph they found, they worried that their Bloods group would appear weak to others if word got out that they had a gay member, according to court records.

"As a result, they decided that Steven Parrish 'had to go,'" police wrote in charging documents. "There was no date or time discussed for the killing, but it was made very clear to all those present that Parrish was going to be killed."

Flythe later told his fellow gang members that he and Hollis confronted Parrish, who did not deny that the messages were "gay" in nature, according to court records. Flythe also told his associates that they stabbed and hit the victim before stomping on his neck, according to charging documents. A red bandanna was placed over Parrish's face and he was left in the woods.

WBAL-TV reports Hollis and Flythe are being held without bail. And  if stabbing the body up to 50 times wasn't horrific enough, another gruesome detail: The body was dumped in a wooded location behind the family home. "It’s rough," Parrish’s father, also named Steven, told reporters. "Especially when it happens right by your house like this." A reporter at The Sun tells Rod 2.0 the Parrishes have moved from the area.

Steven Parrish's MySpace page has been disabled but one schoolmate at Randallstown High School has posted an online tribute. The pictures show a lean, handsome and stylish young man, but, with a hard look in his eyes. The visitors lament Steven's death and street gang culture. "It's ashamed that he won't be able to graduate," Steven's friend writes. "Go off to college, or do whatever he planned on doing after high school because of involvement in a gang."

It's difficult to process the correct emotions to mourn the death of a gang member, who ostensibly was himself involved in violence. But it is sad, tragic and devastating that Steven Parish's sexuality was the reason fellow gang members turned on him. However, it is also worth noting that the predominant message from black popular culture and the black church is that being gay, as the gang members said, is not to be tolerated. Possibly this is the reason why Steven Parrish thought he needed the gang's street cred, to reinforce his masculinity. Tragic on all levels.

2 Teenagers Held in Killing [Sun]
Pair Of Suspects Charged In May Slaying [WBAL]
Teen Found Dead in Woodlawn [Examiner]

Obama Could Announce Running Mate as Soon as Wednesday

Adam Nagourney at The New York Times reports Barack Obama has "all but settled on his choice for a running mate" and could deliver the news as soon as Wednesday morning.

Mr. Obama’s deliberations remain remarkably closely held. Aides said perhaps a half-dozen advisers were involved in the final discussions in an effort to enforce a command that Mr. Obama issued to staff members: that his decision not leak out until supporters are notified.

Mr. Obama had not notified his choice — or any of those not selected — of his decision as of late Monday, advisers said. Going into the final days, Mr. Obama was said to be focused mainly on three candidates: Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana, Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware. ...

By all indications, Mr. Obama is likely to choose someone relatively safe and avoid taking a chance with a game-changing selection. A similar strategic choice now faces Mr. Obama’s Republican rival, Senator John McCain of Arizona, who has been under pressure from some Republicans to make a more daring choice.

If "safe" is a euphemism for "bland, conservative white male", Biden and Bayh certainly fit the bill. Both candidates boast extensive biographies but bring very little excitement to the Democratic ticket. Biden would be an adequate albeit uninspiring choice, but, has some distinction of being a fighter. When he isn't busy putting his foot in his mouth, Biden can deliver some serious rhetorical punches in the mouth, ie that famous remark about Giuliani's "answers to everything are a noun, a verb and 9/11."

DLC poster boy Evan Bayh co-sponsored the AUMF vote that triggered the Iraq War. It certainly will be a "change" to eviscerate certain Democratic senators who voted for the AUMF and then to choose to its co-sponsor as your running mate. This will be very interesting to counter-spin.

On the other hand, anti-gay, gay-baiting Tim Kaine surely would be a "game-changing selection" ... to antagonize even more Democratic voters who aren't already antagonized already.

None of these choices would be perfect, but, a Democratic ticket with Obama at the top is eons more progressive than anything offered by the Republicans.

UPDATE: Jeralyn and Big Tent Democrat at Talk Left are none too pleased with the prospect of Biden as veep.

Obama Ready to Announce Running Mate [NYT]

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Cullen Jones Becomes Second Black Swimmer to Win Gold Medal

Team USA goes for the gold and wins, again, setting a new world record in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay team. While much of the huge media attention was around teammate Michael Phelps' quest for an unprecedented eight golds, Rod 2.0 fave Cullen Jones also swims into history as the United States' first second black gold medalist in swimming. It was a sweet moment the Bronx-born swimming phenom who missed his chance to qualify on a second berth on the U.S. Olympic team.

The dramatic relay was completed in a world-record time of 3 minutes, 8.24 seconds and considered one of the most dramatic swimming meets ever. Gold medal sensation Michael Phelps swam the first leg, Garrett Weber-Gale the second and Cullen Jones the third. But "it was Jason Lezak's fastest split in history" in the final leg at 46.06 seconds "and mad dash in the final 50 meters that had everyone buzzing."

Cullen Jones is one of the few blacks in swimming and has become an inspiration to youth across the country. As late as last year, he was ranked first in the world in the 50m.

The 24-year-old Bronx born phenom becomes the first second black American swimmer to win Olympic gold.& ; Anthony Ervin was the first, winning the 50-meter freestyle in a tie with Gary Hall Jr. at Athens in 2000. A few scenes from the win and the medals ceremony, where Michael Phelps and Cullen Jones spend most of the time in each other's arms.

Irvington's Cullen Jones Makes History [NJ Star]

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Cullen Jones Makes Olympic Swim Relay Team [R20]
Nike Signs Cullen Jones [R20]

CDC: HIV Infections 40 Percent Higher Than Expected

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases new estimates on the annual number of new HIV infections in the United States. The new data show at least 40 percent more annual infections than previous calculations. The new data were published Sunday in a special HIV/AIDS issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, which was released at the AIDS conference in Mexico City.

The Washington Post: "The main finding of its report is that HIV incidence in 2006—the latest year for which data are available—was 56,300 new cases of infection. That is 40 percent higher than the previous government estimate of 40,000, but statistical back calculation suggests that HIV incidence has been unchanged since about 2000." The revised estimates are based on data from a new advanced testing method, which enables researchers to detect recent HIV infections.

The epidemic continues to decimate the black community and black gay men the hardest. Researchers say blacks are at least 45 percent of new infections in 2006 and the prevalence of HIV is "seven times higher in blacks and three times higher in Hispanics than in whites."& ; Dr. Kevin Fenton, who heads the CDC's AIDS branch, says young black gay men are "especially" at risk and the soaring seroconversions in that demographic is evidence prevention campaigns have "not reached all those who need it." Unfortunately, at the same time New York City health officials say the largest increases in HIV rates are among young black gay men, the city's best known black gay service and HIV prevention organization is in a shambles.

Writing in The Daily Voice, Phill Wilson, the founder and chief executive officer of the Black AIDS Institute, says the CDC's most "urgent research priority" is to offer prevention and risk assessment to the black community. "We cannot afford a long delay in getting this information out, and the CDC must clearly communicate directly with the Black community about when the information will be available."

AIDS Prevention Having an Effect [WaPo]
More than 56k in U.S. Infected with AIDS Each Year [Reu]
CDC Study Reveals Gaping Holes [TDV]

More HEALTH& ;
More HIV

Some Background ...
CDC: "Troubling" Rise in HIV Among Black Gay Men [R20]
GMHC's "I Love My Boo" Campaign [R20]
HIV Rates Rising Among Black NYC Gay Men [R20]
CDC Tracking "Serious" Strain of Syphilis [R20]
The HIV Morning After Pill? [R20]
Black Gay Men and "The Pill" [R20]
Jonathan Perry in "The Advocate" [R20]
Ending Black Homophobia Will Reduce HIV [R20]
Do You Disclose Your HIV Status? [R20]
Primetime Reports Black HIV Epidemic [After Elton]
"Out of Control: AIDS in Black America" [R20]
POZ Examines Race and the Down Low [R20]
HIV Rates Rise Among NYC Black Gay Men [R20]
Phill Wilson: Candidates Must Address HIV/AIDS [R20]
POZ Examines Race and the “Down Low” [R20]
"Urban Rally Against AIDS" [R20]
The ABCs of Black HIV [R20]