HILLARY CLINTONS IRISH WORK 1997-98 PAGE #1

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:27:37 -0600

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1998 HILLARY ADDS VOICE FOR EQUALITY

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
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Hillary adds her voice in battle for equality
SEPT 2 1998

First Lady Hillary Clinton was keeping a promise to Belfast women when she visited today. MARTINA PURDY and EILEEN FLEMING report

IT was a drizzly St Patrick's Day in Washington when Monica McWilliams and Pearl Sagar arrived at the White House.

A telephone call that morning had confirmed First Lady Hillary Clinton would meet the two Women's Coalition negotiators for 15 minutes at 4pm sharp.

The meeting was a sign of the fledgling Coalition's growing influence in politics and a powerful network of women at work.

Mrs Clinton was already aware of the Women's Coalition when she received a telephone from Rosemary O'Neill asking if she would meet the two Women's Coalition representatives.

Ms O'Neill, a State Department official, carried considerable clout in Washington, as the daughter of Tip O'Neill, the legendary speaker of the House of Representatives.

She came to know the Coalition through mutual acquaintances, and made it her business to help out.
'A force to be reckoned with,' was how Ms Sagar described her.

Mrs Clinton readily agreed to the meeting.

A lifelong feminist, she had refused the traditional role reserved for the First Lady hosting teas, redecorating the White House and promoting safe issues.

VLike her husband, she was keenly interested in the ongoing political talks at Stormont and was kept informed via the National Security Council (which often had the minutes of the talks even before the delegates.)Mrs Clinton had already travelled to Belfast twice since 1995, once with her husband and a second time to deliver the Joyce McCartan memorial lecture at the University of Jordanstown.

In her speech, she had singled out the Coalition for special mention.

Afterwards she had been introduced to Ms McWilliams, who along with Ms Sagar had raced to the White House that day in between meetings with Washington power- brokers, congressman Peter King, Richard Neal, and Senator Edward Kennedy.

Ms McWilliams, a university lecturer, and Ms Sagar, a community worker, had little time to reflect on their growing political clout as they entered the heart of one of the world's most famous buildings.
They stood by a photocopier making small talk with the British Ambassador to Washington when Mrs Clinton emerged from her office with the Secretary of State Mo Mowlam.

They exchanged pleasantries before Mrs Clinton welcomed them to her office.

They sat on a patterned sofa while the First Lady took the armchair. Her assistant, Melanne Verveer recorded the conversation.

Ms Sagar was immediately struck by how warm and friendly Mrs Clinton was.
'You expect these people to be like cardboard cutouts and speak a certain way but now and again it's nice when a human being comes through.'The conversation soon moved from smalltalk towards the wider political scene. Mrs Clinton, who was clearly well-briefed, wanted to know the Coalition's views on the current political stalemate.

Ms Sagar recalled: 'She seemed to have a very clear understanding about Northern Ireland and didn't see everything as a black and white issue.'Mrs Clinton was even aware of the abuse the Coalition had endured during the lifespan of the Northern Ireland Forum, where the women were told to sit down and shut up and stick to knitting.

Ms McWilliams spoke about the Coalition's efforts to overcome the abuse.

'We explained to her how they hunt in packs, that this was a kind of pack mentality, a male boding exercise.'As the First Lady quizzed them further on the abuse, Ms Sagar was unsure Mrs Clinton understood how robust the Coalition could be. She added: 'I put it in a way I would normally put it and said 'we've actually got more balls than they have' _ she understood that very clearly.'The First Lady laughed heartily.

Their 15 minute session extended into an hour as Mrs Clinton asked if the Coalition involved their children in politics. Both explained they had been reluctant to do this.

'As a feminist,' said Ms McWilliams, 'I was concerned not to fall into this trap that the only thing women could talk about was kids.'But the reference stayed with them and when it came to the referendum and elections a few weeks later, their children were at the forefront of the successful campaigns.

Ms McWilliams also stressed the women's growing impatience with having women's rights put on hold while the historic conflict between nationalism and unionism was resolved.
Only a fraction of the 90 Forum members were women even though females make up over half the population.

And just 9% of the senior jobs in the Civil Service are held by women who do not even have a voice on 20-plus influential government- backed boards in Northern Ireland.

Ms McWilliams told the First Lady:'We are saying 'no'. The two political development and women's rights have to walk hand in hand. 'Mrs Clinton nodded her approval and inquired as to how she could help foward equality for women. The Coalition invited her to Belfast.

She agreed.

Mrs Clinton kept her promise with State Department officials setting to work on a Vital Voices conference. Ms McWilliams, Ms Sagar and Ms O'Neill were among 400 British, Irish and American women who have spent three days at the conference in Belfast.

Mrs Clinton was due to add her voice to the call for equality today when she made the keynote address.
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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/imported/article1052889.ece
� Belfast Telegraph

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1998 EACH PERSON HAS A ROLE TO PLAY
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
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Each person has role to play
SEPT 3 1998
By Dan McGinn

FIRST Lady Hillary Clinton has praised the crucial role played by courageous women in holding Northern Ireland together during the darkest days of the troubles.
She was speaking after a warm reception at the Vital Voices' conference at the Waterfront Hall yesterday.

An audience of politicians, civil servants and women and children from a wide spectrum of society heard Mrs Clinton speak of the courage of women in the face of almost 30 years of violence.
She also told an audience which included Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness and the UDP's Gary McMichael there was an onus on everyone in society to translate the hopes for peace into practical economic and social action.

'The hopes for peace will have to be translated into the hard work of practical action and political compromise, not only in the Assembly, but in every corner of society.
'So the real challenge of this conference starts as we leave. How will each of us work to fulfill the promise of peace?'That, of course, will be up to the men and women of Northern Ireland to decide. But, based on what we know about the conditions that promote peace and prosperity, we, I think, can agree on basic goals,' she said.

Mrs Clinton added: 'All people must have access to the tools of opportunity good education, quality healthcare, good jobs, loans and credit.

'The kind of opportunities that will give responsible people of whatever backgrounds the chance to more forward into the 21st century with confidence.'Issues from creating an effective education system to dealing with the problem of domestic violence would have to be addressed as the new political system took root, she said.

But she also acknowledged the difficulties the province was facing in creating a climate of peace.
'When my husband and I go to Omagh tomorrow, we will pay tribute to those who were murdered by the enemies of peace.

'They were mostly women and children. They were Catholic and Protestant, unionist and nationalist, young and old.
'They were people simply living their lives, working at a drapery store, hanging out with friends, buying school uniforms for their children.

he terrorists targeted the people of Northern Ireland and in response, it was the people all the people who bravely stood side by side to say: Hatred and violence will no longer have a place here.'During the province's grimmest hours women held their families together, Mrs Clinton acknowledged.

Seven days a week, she said, they 'carried on with hope and prayer that the future would be brighter, free of troubles and heartbreak'.

But drawing a parallel with a new green space for children planned by PlayBoard with an American group called KaBOOM, she urged men and women to work together to create a new political environment.

'You are ultimately those who will determine whether the children of Northern Ireland can play like children should ... without respect to religion or politics, without stereotyping or name calling, without fear or violence.'

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1998 PEACE-SAFE PLAY FOR CHILDREN

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
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Balloons for peace as wives meet children
SEPT 3 1998
By Nigel Gould

PROTESTANT and Catholic primary school children together released 100 white peace balloons after meeting up with America's First Lady today.

Hillary Clinton, accompanied by Tony Blair's wife Cherie, greeted around 40 children during a visit to Lagan Meadows in Belfast, organised by the charity PlayBoard.

The children were aged between nine and ten and were P6 pupils of neighbouring Stranmillis and St Bride's Primary Schools.

During her hour-long visit Mrs Clinton revealed a new partnership between PlayBoard and KABOOM!, an American community development organisation.

In her speech the First Lady said that KABOOM! would help PlayBoard to get the equipment it needed for a unique environmental play area exclusively for children.

The Play Space initiative aims to provide an environmental haven for children to play with a series of natural elements such as a waterfall or river and animal life.

The Lagan Meadows site was chosen for today's meeting as an ideal example.

Antoinette McKeown, PlayBoard's chief executive, said she was delighted that the First Lady was demonstrating her support for the charity.

'Undoubtedly, children are the most adversely affected victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
'We must not forget that three generations of children have been exposed to traumatic acts of political and sectarian violence within their communities.

'Children represent our future and play has a crucial role in the healing process.'For more than an hour before the visit police using metal detectors carried out an extensive security sweep of the area.

A team of presidential security personnel also accompanied the entourage.

Mrs Clinton and Mrs Blair were expected to make a private visit to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast later today.
It is understood that Mrs Clinton wanted to visit the Omagh bomb victims.
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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/imported/article1048255.ece
� Belfast Telegraph

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SHE CAME SHE SAW SHE CONQUERED

She came, she saw, and she conquered
Rapturous welcome for First Lady

By Martina Purdy

While views on her husband were mixed, there seemed to be nothing but sympathy for Hillary Clinton from the 2000-strong guests who packed the Waterfront Hall.

As she stepped onto the stage, Mrs Clinton, wearing a sleek navy suit, chunky gold jewellery, won the first of three standing ovations.

'Bill owes her a lot and she's got him over a barrel,' said the woman. 'He needs her now more than ever she can crack the whip now!'Hillary was all charm and smiles however for the Belfast audience. They lapped up her response to 17-year- old Fiona Hughes from Bellaghy who introduced the First Lady.

Ms Hughes, a sixthformer turned to the First Lady, and announced to a delighted audience: 'I had to use your name to advantage as well, Mrs Clinton, because I had to be at school today.'The First Lady assured Fiona that there were around a 'a thousand of us' who would be glad to provide her with a note.

Ms Hughes was among the speakers who were only given a few hours notice. One Belfast woman declined at the thought of it.

Inez McCormack, vice- president of the ICTU, braved the audience and got a wry chuckle out of Mrs Clinton when she expressed relief she hadn't been given the task of the previous speaker.
'I wasn't asked to talk about my past thank God!'Secretary of State Mo Mowlam was supposed to introduce the First Lady but was delayed at Westminster.

Mrs Clinton paid tribute to the first woman Secretary of State, who was her host at Hillsborough. Referring to a reception Dr Mowlam had held the previous night for the delegates, she said she had reports of Dr Mowlam's 'skills as a party hostess and dancer par excellence.'

The lighthearted mood turned sombre at times particularly as Mrs Clinton spoke of Janette Rooney, an Omagh teenager who was taking part in a cross- community project in Washington and watched the television coverage of the bomb in horror when she saw her friends injured.

One of her best friends was killed in the blast.

Mrs Clinton closed with a message of support. 'May God bless you...and the future you build together.'

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FIRST LADY FLIES TO BELFAST

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
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First lady flies into Belfast
[SEPT 2 1998]
By Janet Devlin

HILLARY Clinton was due to fly into Northern Ireland today for the first leg of a whirlwind Presidential visit.

And the First Lady, who has made her first public appearance since the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke, says she feels 'just fine'.

Mrs Clinton was due to speak at a major conference in Belfast this afternoon on the advancement of women.

Before leaving Russia, where she
and her husband were lending support to beleaguered leader Boris Yeltsin, she told a reporter who asked her how she had been doing in recent weeks: 'I've been doing just fine'.

Appearing jet-lagged, but otherwise happy, she deftly parried the first reference to the scandal, which is bound to cast a shadow over the Presidential tour.

Today's engagement will be first of a number by Mrs Clinton before she is joined by her husband tomorrow.

The President is returning to the city to urge all sides to make political progress. He will also lay a wreath at the site of the Omagh bombing atrocity.

This is Mrs Clinton's third visit to Northern Ireland.

A spokesman for the US administration said: 'She has been keeping her eye on the situation here because it's an area where she has a keen interest and, for personal reasons, looks on it with a warm heart.'The President's wife was due to deliver a keynote address at the Women in Democracy conference at Belfast's Waterfront Hall this afternon.

The event, attended by up to 500 women from all over the British Isles as well as a group of 75 from the US, will discuss the role of women in public life and how relationships on both sides of the Irish border can be developed and strengthened.

Mo Mowlam, the Northern Ireland Secretary, David Trimble, First Minister of the new Northern Ireland Assembly and his deputy at Stormont, Seamus Mallon, have already spoken at the conference, which was initiated by President Clinton.

Mrs Clinton will spend the night at Hillsborough Castle.

Tomorrow she is due to open a playground for Protestant and Catholic children in the greater Belfast area before meeting up with her husband back at the city's Waterfront Hall where he will deliver his own speech to the people of Northern Ireland.

Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected in Belfast later tonight and he will personally greet the President when he disembarks from Air Force One tomorrow morning.

The outgoing US ambassador to Ireland, Jean Kennedy-Smith, and Senator George Mitchell, who chaired the Northern Ireland peace talks, will be among the US delegation. Mrs Clinton will be accompanied by her chief-of-staff Melanne Verveer.

Tomorrow the President's address will be transmitted live on big screen television in the grounds of the Waterfront Hall at 11am.
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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/imported/article1087225.ece
� Belfast Telegraph

HILLARY CLINTONS IRISH WORK 1997-98 PAGE #1

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:26:58 -0600

PUMAS UNITE AND FORM POWERFUL GROUP

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:29:35 -0600

Well before the end of the primaries, before our Dear Leader and Messiah Obama was appointed and annointed by the DNC, millions of Hillary supporters started to come forward. All over america and abroad, so many who followed the election closely and had reached boiling point at the utter disgraceful treament of a former First Lady and Senator from New York. This is a little page about the growth of the PUMAS across America and the world. The millions and Millions of outraged people found each other, banded together for a common cause of Democracy and the PUMAS were born. Watch the PUMAS spread from early on in May up until now July and August. Hell hath no fury than a pissed off voter!!!

The first televised interview was with FOX news, the group is "Women for Fair Politics"

But it was not just Ohio and Pennsylvania groups that were boiling, there was a protest against the DNC and Obama going on in Florida as well. No Candidate was supposed to campaign in Florida, yet Obam ran TV adds for two weeks AND his supporters, ot should I say his robots, began an underhanded ploy to cheat the election process in Florida. This was the infamous "Be a Democrat for a Day" scheme. He went on to use this in several other states, Texas and Nevada spring to mind! They went around registering Republicans to be a "Democrat" for the election day only, asking them to vote obama in order to stop Hillary from becoming the nominee. In essense, what we had was a Fellow Democrat, plotting with Republicans to destory another Democrat for their own rise to power. Witness the protest in Florida, the PUMAS are spreading.........

FLORIDA PROTEST COUNT OUR VOTES

AND THE PROTEST IN WASHINGTON AGAINST THE DNC

AND THE PROTEST IN NEW YORK CITY AGAINST THE MEDIA BIAS THAT CONTINUED BY THE MAIN STREAM MEDIA EACH AND EVERY SINGLE DAY THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PRIMARY SEASON, BEGINNING IN 2007 RIGHT UP TO THE END IN 2008. NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON FROM THE DNC SAID A WORD, NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON FROM THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN SAID A WORD, WHY SHOULD THEY, THEY WERE BEHIND IT AND BENEFITED FROM IT EVERY DAY!

NEW YORK PROTEST AGAINST BIAS MEDIA

The PUMAS are gathering strength online and they are coming together across the nation and world. They gain prime time coverage on CNN's LARRY KING, now people are paying attention.........

The PUMA groups are growing every day, JUST SAY NO DEAL, PUMAPAC AND MANY OTHERS hundreds have banded together now and are working together as a collective group. CNN Wolf Blitzer provides coverage, again PRIME TIME COVERAGE!

Darragh Murphy is interviewed on FOX, she is founder of PUMAPAC. The PUMAS are on the march!!

AND NOW WE ARE TAKING IT TO DENVER, LOOK OUT DNC AND OBAMA, WE ARE COMING FOR YOU TO TAKE BACK OUR PARTY AND DEMOCRACY

CLINTON SUPPORTERS WILL BE THERE IN DENVER

BIRTH OF THE DENVER GROUP

TO SUPPORT THESE GROUPS PLEASE GO TO THE "JOIN US" PAGE AND TAKE THE LINK TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL PAGES. WE NEED DONATIONS FOR MORE ADDS AND FOR DENVER! HELP MAKE HILLARY CLINTON THE NEXT PRESIDENT AND BRING BACK DEMOCRACY TO THE DNC!!

CLINTON SUPPORTERS WILL BE IN DENVER

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:01:56 -0600

THE DENVER GROUP-TAKING IT TO THE CONVENTION

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 12:59:40 -0600

The Denver Group

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

1. Senator Clinton has only suspended her campaign. She has not conceded and never offered a statement of concession which is traditional when someone is no longer a candidate. She did not officially end her candidacy which she could have chosen to do. She is still technically a candidate.

2. Senator Clinton has not released her delegates. Releasing or asking her delegates to support Senator Obama is also something she could have done. She has not. All of Senator Clinton's delegates won during the primary season are still committed to her and can cast their votes for her at the convention as long as her name is on the ballot.

3. Super delegates public declarations do not count. They can change their minds ( as some did during the primary). They are not committed to any of their public declarations. Nothing counts until they cast their votes in Denver on August 27th.

DENVER GROUP GOALS:

An open convention.

Senator Clinton's name placed in nomination. No symbolic roll call vote.

Speeches allowed by supporters of Senator Clinton on
behalf of her candidacy.

A genuine roll call vote with Senator Clinton as a legitimate candidate.

No coronation

Our email address: The Denvergroup@Gmail.com

SEE US ON TELEVISION:

DENVER GROUP ON ABC NEWS CALLS FOR OPEN CONVENTION~CLICK HERE~

WATCH VIDEOS BELOW

HILLARY ON US IRAQ SECURITY AGREEMENT

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 12:40:22 -0600

12/7/2007
Clinton to Bush: Get Congressional Approval Before Moving Forward on US-Iraq Security Agreement
Hillary Clinton today pressed President Bush to get Congress�s approval before completing an agreement with Iraq about its security relationship with the US, including the duration of America�s presence in the region. Clinton's call comes on the heels of legislation she introduced yesterday requiring the President to work with Congress before moving forward on the agreement. The legislation's aims are two-fold: to forestall the Bush-Cheney administration's efforts to keep the war going even after it leaves office; and to thwart the Administration's latest executive power grab.
"It is outrageous that the Bush administration would seek to circumvent the U.S. Congress on a matter of such vital interest to national security," Clinton said. "The President has ignored the American people's desire to end this war and is now engaging in a process that threatens to commit the United States to permanent bases in Iraq. This is unacceptable and I hope the President asks Congress to review this agreement. If he doesn�t, Congress must act."
Last week, the Bush administration announced the Declaration of Principles for a Long-term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship with Iraq, an agreement to start formal negotiations with Iraq about a long-term security pact between the United States and Iraq. The Declaration sets a goal of concluding this final agreement by July 31, 2008.
Among other things, the final agreement will address the role of U.S. forces to remain in Iraq. It will reportedly offer American "security assurances and commitments to the Republic of Iraq to deter foreign aggression." And, according to a senior White House official, the size and shape of a long-term U.S. presence in Iraq is a �key matter for negotiation."
Despite the dramatic implications for American foreign policy and national security, the Administration says that it does not �anticipate that these negotiations will lead to the status of a formal treaty which would require formal negotiations or formal inputs from the Congress.� At the same time, it has been reported that Iraqi officials plan to submit the agreement when it is concluded to the Iraqi parliament for approval.
Clinton's legislation has the following components:
� No funds may be authorized or appropriated to carry out any bilateral agreement between the United States and Iraq involving "commitments or risks affecting the nation as a whole," including a status of forces agreement (SOFA), that is not a treaty approved by two-thirds of the Senate under Article II of the Constitution or authorized by legislation passed by both Houses of Congress.
� The State Department Legal Advisor must provide to the Congress a memorandum evaluating the President's decision to deny Congress its constitutionally protected role by concluding an agreement on the future of the U.S.-Iraqi security relationship as an executive agreement without the assent of the Congress.
� The memorandum must include an analysis of the Constitutional powers relied on by the President in reaching the conclusion that such an agreement does not require approval by the Congress.
� It is the sense of Congress that any bilateral agreement between the United States and Iraq involving "commitments or risks affecting the nation as a whole", including a status of forces agreement (SOFA), that is not a treaty approved by two-thirds of the Senate under Article II of the Constitution or authorized by legislation, does not have the force of law.Unfortunately, this Administration has made clear that it will cling to its failed Iraq policy until it leaves office. And now, with this agreement, President Bush is attempting to create a long-term presence of U.S. forces in Iraq, including the possibility of establishing permanent bases there.
Senator Clinton has consistently opposed the creation of permanent bases in Iraq. In 2006, Congress placed a restriction on the use of any funds to establish bases in Iraq. Last week, Senator Clinton wrote President Bush to advise him that this agreement must not commit the United States to permanent bases in Iraq, and must include a commitment to the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq. Today she called for him to agree to get Congressional approval before completing the agreement.
President Bush has attempted to expand the power of the Executive Branch more than any President since World War II. Senator Clinton�s legislation reaffirms the fundamental constitutional principle of the separation of powers. It will prevent President Bush from thwarting the will of the American people by prolonging this war, while ensuring that our Constitution is respected.

HILLARY'S PLAN TO END THE WAR IN IRAQ

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 12:25:04 -0600

7/10/2007
Hillary Clinton's Plan to End the War in Iraq as President

Today in Iowa, Hillary Clinton announced her plan to end the war in Iraq and urged President Bush to act immediately.
"Our message to the President is clear. It is time to begin ending this war -- not next year, not next month -- but today.
"We have heard for years now that as the Iraqis stand up, our troops will stand down. Every year, we hear about how next year they may start coming home. Now we are hearing a new version of that yet again from the President as he has more troops in Iraq than ever and the Iraqi government is more fractured and ineffective than ever.
"Well, the right strategy before the surge and post-escalation is the same: start bringing home America's troops now."
If President Bush does not end the war, when Hillary Clinton is President, she will. Her three-step plan would bring our troops home, work to bring stability to the region, and replace military force with a new diplomatic initiative to engage countries around the world in securing Iraq's future. Hillary has been fighting every day in the Senate to force the President to change course. And today she described how she would bring the war to an end.
Starting Phased Redeployment within Hillary's First Days in Office: The most important part of Hillary's plan is the first: to end our military engagement in Iraq's civil war and immediately start bringing our troops home. As President, one of Hillary's first official actions would be to convene the Joint Chiefs of Staff, her Secretary of Defense, and her National Security Council. She would direct them to draw up a clear, viable plan to bring our troops home starting with the first 60 days of her Administration. She would also direct the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to prepare a comprehensive plan to provide the highest quality health care and benefits to every service member -- including every member of the National Guard and Reserves -- and their families.
Securing Stability in Iraq as we Bring our Troops Home. As President, Hillary would focus American aid efforts during our redeployment on stabilizing Iraq, not propping up the Iraqi government. She would direct aid to the entities -- whether governmental or non-governmental -- most likely to get it into the hands of the Iraqi people. She would also support the appointment of a high level U.N. representative -- similar to those appointed in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Kosovo -- to help broker peace among the parties in Iraq.
A New Intensive Diplomatic Initiative in the Region. In her first days in office, Hillary would convene a regional stabilization group composed of key allies, other global powers, and all of the states bordering Iraq. The- mission of this group would be to develop and implement a strategy to create a stable Iraq. It would have three specific goals:

� Non-interference. Working with the U.N. representative, the group would work to convince Iraq's neighbors to refrain from getting involved in the civil war.
� Mediation. The group would attempt to mediate among the different sectarian groups in Iraq with the goal of attaining compromises on fundamental points of disputes.
� Reconstruction funding. The members of the group would hold themselves and other countries to their past pledges to provide funding to Iraq and will encourage additional contributions to meet Iraq's extensive needs.
As our forces redeploy out of Iraq, Hillary would also organize a multi-billion dollar international effort -- funded by a wide range of donor states -- under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to address the needs of Iraqi refugees. And as we replace military force with diplomacy and global leadership, Hillary will not lose sight of our very real strategic interests in the region. She would devote the resources we need to fight terrorism and will order specialized units to engage in narrow and targeted operations against al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations in the region

IRISH ISSUES REGARDING OBAMA

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:20:52 -0600

legalize the irish

The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) is fighting for the voice of the estimated 50,000 undocumented Irish in the immigration debate.

MISSION STATEMENT
The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform was established in December 2005 to ensure there was an Irish voice in the nationwide debate over immigration.

We support comprehensive immigration reform

We strongly supported the effort spearheaded by Senators John McCain and Senator Edward Kennedy to achieve comprehensive immigration reform.

DID YOU KNOW?

1. Under the current immigration system, neither Ronald Reagan or John F. Kennedy's Irish ancestors or relatives could come to America legally today.

2. In 2006, the Irish received 1906 green cards; including DV lottery, marriage, and employment visas.

3. We have helped fight in the wars (record number of Medals of Honor) helped build the cities, the schools and the Catholic Church. We have always stood tall for the land we all love.

FACTS AND FIGURES
IRISH VISA STATISTICS

In 2006, Ireland received 54 lottery visas,out of a global total of 50,000.

In 2006, Ireland received 1906 Green Cards

In 2005, Ireland received 76 lottery visas, out of a global total of 50,000.

In 2005, Ireland received 2,083 Green Cards

The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) is fighting for the voice of the estimated 50,000 undocumented Irish in the immigration debate.

Senior politicians such as Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), John McCain (R-AZ), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Sam Brownback (R-KS) have all attended ILIR rallies along with their colleagues in the House, such as Eliot Engel (D-NY), Anthony Weiner (D-NY), William Delahunt (D-MA), Marty Meehan (D-MA) and many more.

Members of the ILIR include key officers from the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Gaelic Athletic Association, Irish American Democrats, the Irish American Republicans, the Friends of Ireland, Federation of Irish American Societies, Irish American business owners, immigration centers, community leaders and professionals from across the spectrum of Irish America.

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A kick in the teeth for Irish in America

Friday March 21 2008
I find it hard to believe that the Taoiseach's remarks in Washington on the issue of illegal Irish immigrants in the US were deliberately contrived to damage their prospects of achieving legal status.
So I can only conclude that his comments on a potential amnesty were a display of his own monumental ignorance of the aims of the immigration reform lobby.
They have never sought an amnesty for Irish illegal immigrants.
They are aware that by doing so, they would likely alienate their key supporters in the US Congress.
The only people who have talked up the prospects of an amnesty have been the opponents of relevant immigration reform.
These include Democratic Party candidate Senator Barack Obama and his backers in the large US labour unions.
They deliberately raised it as a tactic to scare away the moderate support which the McCain/Kennedy plan had in Congress.
By raising this non-issue once more, the Taoiseach has given grist to the mill of the opponents of immigration reform.
Simultaneously he has delivered a kick in the teeth to the Irish in America, on St Patrick's Day, of all days.
BARRY WALSH
CLONTARF , DUBLIN 3
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/a-kick-in-the-teeth-for-irish-in-america-1324099.html

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HILLARY DEFEAT IS OUR LOSS

SENATOR Hillary Clinton�s defeat in the Democratic presidential primary is bad news for Ireland. There is no question that had she won the primary and gone on to win the White House there would have been huge positives for Ireland in her victory.

No candidate in history, including her husband, came into an election with such an in-depth knowledge and regard for Ireland and Irish American issues.

That is not chopped liver in a world where the competition to have the ear of the next president will be intense. Clinton would certainly have had a welcome for Irish concerns.

Her base of Irish American support was incredibly strong, and no one was in any hurry to switch to Senator Barack Obama even when the tide was against her.

Individuals like Declan Kelly, the head of Financial Dynamics who spearheaded a fundraising drive that raised over $3 million for her campaign, were in the vanguard. So too was Stella O�Leary, head of Irish American Democrats, and Brian O�Dwyer of the New York law firm of O�Dwyer and Bernstien, as well as a host of other activist Irish who had stood with the Clintons over the past decade and a half.

Clinton had visited Ireland seven times, and in addition was very familiar with a large group of Irish Americans who stood with her to the end.

Interesting to note that one of her chief fundraisers remarked last week that the most enjoyable events she helped organize were the Irish ones for her candidate.

It was noticeable at Clinton�s remarks last Tuesday in Manhattan that many Irish American supporters showed up for the last hurrah. Intensely loyal to her to the end, they are precisely the kind of Hillary supporters that Obama needs to nail down.

That is no automatic thing. As Tip O�Neill famously remarked, people like to be asked for their vote.

To date there has been little or no outreach from the Obama camp to the Irish American community, a point made very forcefully by John Dearie, head of the Irish Presidential Forum who has been trying to bring Obama to a forum event.

There is also a strong residual liking for Senator John McCain in the Irish American community. He has in recent years spoken out on Northern Ireland and, more importantly, has been one of the very few Republicans to reach across the aisle to work with Democrats on immigration, as well as appearing at Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform rallies both in Washington, D.C. and New York.

In contrast Obama has never made any Irish events, with the exception of the obligatory St. Patrick�s Day parade or two.

What we have lost, effectively, is the chance of parlaying over 15 years of working with the Clintons on issues as diverse as immigration reform and Northern Ireland into a strong voice in the White House.

That�s bad news for Ireland. There are many issues concerning Ireland where a friend in the White House could be very important.

One issue that is giving the Irish government bad dreams is the one of repatriating overseas profits by American multinationals. Obama has made it very clear that he intends to bring in laws to enforce that.

These overseas profits and tax breaks on them are essentially the source of the Celtic Tiger for Ireland. The nightmare for Ireland is multinationals deserting in droves if the proposals by Obama ever make it to legislation.

That is no nightmare rooted in fantasy. It is eminently possible that a new Obama regime may begin that process soon after coming into office.

So where will the Irish clout be to stop such an event? Right now it is hard to know what the Obama campaign intends to do about building an Irish base.

The polls are clear that white ethnic Americans are an absolutely critical component to a victory for him in November. It certainly makes sense that Obama would reach out, and McCain too, for that matter, perhaps by appearing at the presidential forum.

The weeks ahead will tell a lot. Until then we can only look back in regret at the Clinton campaign, and wonder what it might have been like to have the most pro-Irish president in American history. Alas, it was not to be.

http://www.irishabroad.com/news/irish-voice/niall-odowd/Articles/hillary-defeat100608.aspx

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

VIEWS FROM IRELAND:

Don't be conned by globalist Obama

Monday July 28 2008
US presidential candidate Barack Obama's speech in Berlin last Thursday was labelled by some mainstream media outlets as a rallying call for a 'New World Order'.
Obama indeed proclaimed himself as a "citizen of the world" and insisted "co-operation among nations is not a choice; it is the one way, the only way, to protect our common security and advance our common humanity".
Harmless rhetoric, someone ignorant of the significance of a 'New World Order' "might assume". But a reading of George Orwell's '1984' or Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' would quickly bring one up to speed on the type of world people like Obama wish for.
George W Bush is renowned for calling for a "world order", others include Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and a certain Adolf Hitler.
Obama delivered his speech, despite consternation from German liberal and conservative politicians, from beneath the golden angel statue which graces Berlin's Siegessaule, a landmark which Hitler moved to its present location as part of his bid to transform Berlin into the world capital Germania.
And he banned attendees bringing their own signs and protest posters. So much for freedom of speech.
He has already called for troop increases in Afghanistan, supported Israel's quest to strike Iran and has stated he will attack Pakistan.
This should not come as a surprise from someone approving warrantless wiretapping of his own citizens, gun confiscation, the erosion of his nation's sovereignty through NAFTA and calling for a "civilian national security force".
Do not be conned by this globalist.
MICHAEL DORGAN
GRANGE, CORK

'Jerk' Obama is not electable

Friday June 13 2008
The US Democrats have done it yet again -- selected another unelectable candidate.
You just know they've got it wrong when you listen to the ringing endorsement emanating from Ireland's liberal chattering classes -- definitely the proverbial kiss of death.
One of the more perceptive commentators described Obama as a "jerk". Essentially a prototype of the arrogant, liberal/secular, pseudo-intellectual we've come to know and despise in much of Western Europe.
The type who would dominate and bore most civilised dinner parties.
His extended victory speech broadcast on RTE was demagoguery at its worst. Copious references to the Deity, from an individual who recently condescendingly sneered at people for having a religious dimension to their lives.
ERIC CONWAY
NAVAN, CO MEATH
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/jerk-obama-is-not-electable-1408133.html

TROUBLING ABOUT OBAMA

The most troubling things about Barack Obama are his inconsistencies and his attempts to buy the presidency through the internet.
Obama prayed with his pastor, the inflammatory Jeremiah Wright, for 20 years, was married by Wright, had his daughters baptised by Wright and sought his fatherly guidance for two decades. When Wright's racist attitude was exposed, Obama repudiated him.
MAGIE DOMINIC

IT IS NOT OVER YET---JOIN US NOW!!

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:00:25 -0600

WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED, WE WILL NOT BE IGNORED

IRISH PUMAS ARE ANGRY

MILLIONS STRONG AND WE ARE GROWING WORLDWIDE!!
TIOCFAIDH AR LA!!
OUR DAY WILL COME!!

As the words so aptly say:
The higher you build your barriers
The taller I become
The farther you take my rights away
The faster I will run
You can deny me
You can decide to turn your face away
No matter, cos there's....

Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it.......contd below post

See the links below to join with us. But first a word about being told to "FALL IN LINE" by the DNC:

I am Irish, born in the USA living in Ireland with dual citizenship. I am a registered Democrat in the USA and I have faithfully voted in every election. Living abroad we can only vote in primaries, but must be physically in the USA for the General Election. I can tell you that I take democracy VERY seriously and (outside of Ireland) I have never voted Republican.... EVER! That will change this year!!

I will be flying over to America JUST to vote McCain, take that Howard, Donna, Kerry, Kennedy, Reid & Pelosi et al. Or more commonly known the �Asses of Evil�

Many people in Ireland believe that Obama will be bad for Ireland and bad for the world. We know both Clintons intimately, there is a proven track record that is 100% undeniable.

Obama is attempting to silence and disenfranchise millions of American voters, and combined with members of the DNC they are trying to subvert Democracy and steal the election! Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, this means more Americans voted for her over Obama, however, the DNC has pushed Obama over the edge to the presumptive Nominee position by hand picking him over Clinton using back room politics and pressurizing Delegates to support him. We Irish know only too well about being silenced, disenfranchised, bamboozled, hoodwinked and ignored by those in Government who claimed to represent us. We also recognize a �fiddle� when we see one. And, all along the way we were told to �fall in line� by many Irish and British politicians and governments..

Today, in 2008, I can tell you that we never, ever, �fell in line.� Instead, we stayed true to our cause. And today we have finally arrived on the road to a self governing Democratic system and path to ultimate re-unification with all people living on this island. Had we simply �fallen in line� when times were hard we would have never reached this day.

So, when you are told to �fall in line� you must ALWAYS ask the hard questions, ALWAYS think the hard thoughts and ALWAYS have your eye on the future. You must have courage to Never be afraid as others will use fear tactics in an attempt to make you doubt yourself and your motives. Stand your ground against the opposition, no matter how large and awe inspiring they are. It is within this spirit that we proudly proclaim:

�WE ARE IRISH PUMAS
and
WE WILL NOT FALL IN LINE�

We will NOT simply be told to shut up and "fall in line" behind a nominee that sprang forth from the depths of the most fiddled election process and media circus we have ever witnessed in Modern US Politics!

Join with us and stand your ground, for as long as it takes. DARE TO DREAM and never ever think that you are only �one vote� for it is this mentality that has been the downfall of many great dreams!! For true enough you are only one vote, but together with others you can be a great voice to bring change and democracy BACK to the people. Great and Good things never come easily, we must all remember that, and when our politicians become too powerful and self absorbed in thinking they know better than we do, they need to be re-educated by the public, to whom they are meant to �serve� not dictate!!

Please, visit the links below. You will no longer be a �vote of one� but will be a �vote of many� We CAN do this, we REALLY can! Keep the faith, stay the course and remain true to the great and wonderful idea of a true Democracy!

PUMAPAC

PUMA SHIRTS AND BRACELETS

DEMOCRATS IN EXILE

PUMA POWER

MILLION WOMAN MARCH

D.O.N.E.-( Democrats Over Nominating Elitists)

HILLARY BLOGOSPHERE

JUST SAY NO DEAL!

HEY DEAN, REID, BRAZILE, PELOSI AND THE ANNOINTED ONE
...............THIS SONGS FOR YOU!!

SOMETHING INSIDE SO STRONG
Sung by Bik McFarlane

The higher you build your barriers
The taller I become
The farther you take my rights away
The faster I will run
You can deny me
You can decide to turn your face away
No matter, cos there's....

Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
Tho' you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

The more you refuse to hear my voice
The louder I will sing
You hide behind walls of Jericho
Your lies will come tumbling
Deny my place in time
You squander wealth that's mine
My light will shine so brightly
It will blind you
Cos there's......

Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
Tho' you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

Brothers and sisters
When they insist we're just not good enough
When we know better
Just look 'em in the eyes and say
I'm gonna do it anyway
I'm gonna do it anyway

Something inside so strong
And I know that I can make it
Tho' you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

Brothers and sisters
When they insist we're just good not enough
When we know better
Just look 'em in the eyes and say
I'm gonna do it anyway
I'm gonna do it anyway
I'm gonna do it anyway
I'm gonna do it anyway

Because there's something inside so strong
And I know that I can make it
Tho' you're doing me, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

Because there's something inside so strong
And I know that I can make it
Tho' you're doing me, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

TIOCFAIDH AR LA!!

OUR DAY WILL COME!!

2008 Hume and Trimble clash over Clinton's peace role

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:44:07 -0600

Independent.ie
Hume and Trimble clash over Clinton's peace role
By Toby Harnden in Washington
Saturday March 08 2008

(NOTE: THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE WAS IN THE TELEGRAPH UK, A BRITISH TABLOID, MUCH LIKE THE NATIONAL INQUIRER, A RAG PAPER. THE JOURNALIST IS A BRITISH REPORTER ON ASSIGNMENT IN THE USA, HE AND HIS PAPER ARE ANTI IRISH AND HAVE LONG HISTORY OF BEING SO. DAVID TRIMBLE'S CAREER ENDED IN DISGRACE WHEN HE REFUSED TO IMPLEMENT THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT IN 2005, HE HAS NOT BEEN HEARD FROM SINCE THEN, UNTIL NOW THAT IS, WHEN TOBY HERNDON DUG HIM UP! HE IS AN OLD "HAS BEEN" AND IS A UNIONIST ANTI-AGREEMENT MAN, THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WAS WASTED ON HIM! JOHN HUME, ON THE OTHER HAND DISPUTES TRIMBLES CLAIMS, AND HE IS RIGHT TO DO SO. FOR ANYONE LIVING HERE IN THE NORTH LIKE MYSELF,KNOWS ONLY TOO WELL WHAT BOTH BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON DID FOR US HERE. BELOW ARE HUMES COMMENT DISPUTING TRIMBLE. AS SUCH TOBY HEARNDON HAD TO RE-WRITE THIS ARTICLE BUT STILL LEADS WITH TRIMBLES COMMENTS, TYPICAL........)

HILLARY Clinton's role in the North's peace process sparked a major disagreement yesterday between joint Nobel Prize winners John Hume and David Trimble.
The former Ulster Unionist leader claimed the US presidential hopeful had no direct role and is a "wee bit silly" for exaggerating her involvement.
"I don't know there was much she did apart from accompanying [former President] Bill [Clinton] going around," the former Stormont first minister said.
Her recent statements about being deeply involved were merely "the sort of thing people put in their canvassing leaflets" during elections, he suggested.
"She visited when things were happening, saw what was going on, she can certainly say it was part of her experience. I don't want to rain on the thing for her; but being a cheerleader for something is slightly different from being a principal player," he added.
However, Mr Trimble's co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize holds a different view.
In a statement -- unusually issued by Mrs Clinton's headquarters -- former SDLP leader John Hume insisted Mrs Clinton had played an important role.
Surprised
"I am quite surprised that anyone would suggest that Hillary Clinton did not perform important foreign policy work as first lady," Mr Hume said.
"I can state from first-hand experience that she played a positive role for over a decade in helping to bring peace to Northern Ireland. She visited Northern Ireland, met with very many people and gave very decisive support to the peace process.
"In private she made countless calls and contacts, speaking to leaders and opinion makers on all sides, urging them to keep moving forward."
Mrs Clinton has made the North key to her claims of having extensive foreign policy experience.
"I helped to bring peace to Northern Ireland," she told CNN on Wednesday.
Central to Mrs Clinton's claim of an important role is a meeting she attended in Belfast with a group of women from cross-community groups.
"I remember a meeting that I pulled together in Belfast, in the town hall there, bringing together for the first time Catholics and Protestants from both traditions, having them sitting a room where they had never been before with each other because they don't go to school together, they don't live together; and it was only in large measure because I really asked them to come that they were there."
Mary Fox, the wife of a former IRA prisoner and one of the seven women at the meeting, said she had been there on behalf of the Footprints community centre.
"It was quite a political change for the women's sector after the visit of Hillary Clinton," she said. "We would love to see her as president. She spoke to each of us and was very interested in our work. She was lovely."
- Toby Harnden in Washington

HILLARY CLINTONS IRISH WORK 1997-98 PAGE #1

HILLARY CLINTONS IRISH WORK 1997-98 PAGE #1

PUMAS UNITE AND FORM POWERFUL GROUP

CLINTON SUPPORTERS WILL BE IN DENVER

THE DENVER GROUP-TAKING IT TO THE CONVENTION

DENVER GROUP ON ABC NEWS CALLS FOR OPEN CONVENTION~CLICK HERE~

HILLARY ON US IRAQ SECURITY AGREEMENT

HILLARY'S PLAN TO END THE WAR IN IRAQ

IRISH ISSUES REGARDING OBAMA

A kick in the teeth for Irish in America

HILLARY DEFEAT IS OUR LOSS

Don't be conned by globalist Obama

'Jerk' Obama is not electable

TROUBLING ABOUT OBAMA

IT IS NOT OVER YET---JOIN US NOW!!

WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED, WE WILL NOT BE IGNORED

�WE ARE IRISH PUMAS and WE WILL NOT FALL IN LINE�

JUST SAY NO DEAL!

TIOCFAIDH AR LA!! OUR DAY WILL COME!!

2008 Hume and Trimble clash over Clinton's peace role

�WE ARE IRISH PUMAS
and
WE WILL NOT FALL IN LINE�

TIOCFAIDH AR LA!!

OUR DAY WILL COME!!