► Sunrising over the Western Hemisphere.
► The clenched fist falls to the open hand.
► This photograph is on the front page of EVERY major daily in Central and South America. You couldn't buy that kind of positive coverage.
► "Americans like the idea that President Obama is reaching out, even to those who have spoken in unflattering ways, in the past", ~ John Decker, Reuters.
All of us must now renew the common stake that we have in one another. I know that promises of partnership have gone unfulfilled in the past, and that trust has to be earned over time. While the United States has done much to promote peace and prosperity in the hemisphere, we have at times been disengaged, and at times we sought to dictate our terms. But I pledge to you that we seek an equal partnership. (Applause.)
There is no senior partner and junior partner in our relations; there is simply engagement based on mutual respect and common interests and shared values. So I'm here to launch a new chapter of engagement that will be sustained throughout my administration. (Applause.)
To move forward, we cannot let ourselves be prisoners of past disagreements. I am very grateful that President Ortega -- (applause) -- I'm grateful that President Ortega did not blame me for things that happened when I was three months old. (Laughter.)
Too often, an opportunity to build a fresh partnership of the Americas has been undermined by stale debates. And we've heard all these arguments before, these debates that would have us make a false choice between rigid, state-run economies or unbridled and unregulated capitalism; between blame for right-wing paramilitaries or left-wing insurgents; between sticking to inflexible policies with regard to Cuba or denying the full human rights that are owed to the Cuban people.
I didn't come here to debate the past -- I came here to deal with the future. (Applause.) I believe, as some of our previous speakers have stated, that we must learn from history, but we can't be trapped by it.
President Obama's Address on Cuba at the Summit of the Americas.
► Chavez is behaving like a kid who just met Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle.
The reports are that President Obama walked across the room to Chavez and introduced himself in Spanish, saying:
"¿Cómo está usted, yo soy Barack Obama."
A stunned Chavez replied in English:
"With this same hand I greeted Bush eight years ago."
"I want to be your friend, Mr President."
► As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. After decades, The United States and Nicaragua begin anew.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.
And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders, nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
Obama's Inaugural Address.
♫ ♫ ♫
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
♫ ♫ ♫
► The book Chavez presented on Saturday has skyrocked on the best seller's list, rising from #60,020 to number #3, yesterday afternoon, and up to number #2, today. President Obama's attention has turned it into a runaway best seller.
And five years after his keynote address to the Democratic Convention, President Obama's autobiography, "Dreams from My Father" ranks 13th (paper edition) and 16th (E-Book edition) on the nonfiction best seller list. Also, three years after its runaway release, "The Audacity of Hope" STILL ranks hight, at number #29.
► A New Day Dawns Over Havana.
► The headline says, "Obama Administration Announces Historic Change in Policy."
► CBS News reported last night that the Cuban-American community in Miami and Union City, New Jersey are brimming in support of the change and in reaching a rapprochement with Cuba.
► The POSITIVE feedback was ALSO reflected across the media in Central and South America.
► Ever the gentleman, Obama holds the chair for Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.
► With the First Lady of Belize, Kim Simplis-Barrow.
► I think his hand wore out, signing so many autographs.
► I don't how the President is going to be able to keep up this pace, but it's gonna be exciting to watch.
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► Meanwhile, Fixxed News anchors continue to fall apart.
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