Remembering 9/11: Patriot Day

Proclamation from President Obama regarding Pariot Day and National Day of Remembrance and Service...

“

Through the twisted steel of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the scarred walls of the Pentagon, and the smoky wreckage in a field in southwest Pennsylvania, the patriotism and resiliency of the American people shone brightly on September 11, 2001. We stood as one people, united in our common humanity and shared sorrow. We grieved for those who perished and remembered what brought us together as Americans.

Today, we honor the lives we lost 8 years ago. On a bright September day, innocent men, women, and children boarded planes and set off for work as they had so many times before. Unthinkable acts of terrorism brought tragedy, destruction, pain, and loss for people across our Nation and the world.

As we pay tribute to loved ones, friends, fellow citizens, and all who died, we reaffirm our commitment to the ideas and ideals that united Americans in the aftermath of the attacks. We must apprehend all those who perpetrated these heinous crimes, seek justice for those who were killed, and defend against all threats to our national security. We must also recommit ourselves to our founding principles. September 11 reminds us that our fate as individuals is tied to that of our Nation. Our democracy is strengthened when we uphold the freedoms upon which our Nation was built: equality, justice, liberty, and democracy. These values exemplify the patriotism and sacrifice we commemorate today.

In that same spirit of patriotism, I call upon all Americans to join in service and honor the lives we lost, the heroes who responded in our hour of need, and the brave men and women in uniform who continue to protect our country at home and abroad. In April, I was proud to sign the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which recognizes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Originated by the family members of those who lost loved ones on 9/11, the National Day of Service and Remembrance is an opportunity to salute the heroes of 9/11, recapture the spirit of unity and compassion that inspired our Nation following the attacks, and rededicate ourselves to sustained service to our communities.

Throughout the summer, people of all ages and backgrounds came together to lend a helping hand in their communities through United We Serve. As this summer of service draws to an end, we renew the call to engage in meaningful service activities and stay engaged with those projects throughout the year. Working together, we can usher in a new era in which volunteering and service is a way of life for all Americans. Deriving strength from tragedy, we can write the next great chapter in our Nation’s history and ensure that future generations continue to enjoy the promise of America.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as Patriot Day, and by Public Law 111-13, approved April 21, 2009, has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2009, as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001. I invite the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance. I call upon the people of the United States to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with other ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA”

Chatterbox Question: I know that half of my readers are GOP and half our democrat. My request for today is don't use my blog to debate the President's proclamation. This proclamation was approved in 2001. What I would like to know is what do you most remember about 9/11/01 and what could you contribute to your personal world in remembrance of all who have sacrificed for us?

The Tyler Perry Show Reviewed

Last night Tyler Perry hosted THE TYLER PERRY SHOW, a one-Hour Special Profiling His Latest Film, I Can Do Bad All By Myself Film’s Stars Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez, Gladys Knight and Pastor Marvin Winans Join Perry for One-Hour Special. Henson

Knight and Winans performed songs from the film. Henson Skyped in and Adam...sigh. I'm a longtime fan of CSI Miami, so you know. Besides I have a source who saw the movie Tuesday, who gave it a good review. I'm hoping good things.

More facts about last night's show...

The special, taped at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta before a studio audience, features Perry interviewing Henson, Rodriguez, Knight and Winans about their roles in the film, their lives and their careers. Henson is Skyped in from China, where she talks about working on the movie Kung Fu Kid; Rodriguez talks about his plans on CSI: Miami; Knight discusses her strong faith; and Winans and Perry talk about Madea’s creative interpretation of the Bible. In addition, Knight gives a soulful performance of “Need to Be” from the movie’s soundtrack, and Winans gets the audience members on their feet with a passionate rendition of the song “Just Don’t Wanna Know.”

Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself, a Reuben Cannon/Lionsgate Production from Tyler Perry Studios, is an uplifting drama infused with music and Perry’s trademark mixture of laughter and heart. In addition to Perry, Henson, Knight and Winans, the film stars Adam Rodriguez, Brian White, Hope Olaidé Wilson, Kwesi Boakye and Freddy Siglar. It features musical performances by Knight, Winans and Mary J. Blige, who sings an original song penned by chart-topping R&B writer/performer/producer Ne-Yo.

In I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Madea (Perry), America’s favorite pistol-packing grandma, catches 16-year-old Jennifer and her two younger brothers looting her home. She decides to take matters into her own hands and delivers the young delinquents to the only relative they have, their Aunt April (Henson). A heavy-drinking nightclub singer who lives off her married boyfriend, Randy (White), April wants nothing to do with the kids. But her attitude begins to change when Sandino (Rodriguez), a handsome Mexican immigrant looking for work, moves into April’s basement room. Making amends for his troubled past, Sandino challenges April to open her heart. And April soon realizes she must make the biggest choice of her life: between her old ways with Randy and the new possibilities of family, faith and even true love.

Day 7: 7 Sidebar Must Haves for the Book Blogger

As we begin to have a richer understanding of our blogs and as we begin to itch to build this blog baby, let's take a moment and piggyback on yesterdays discussion. What book blogs you love and why? What you saw on some book blogs you don't want on your blog and why? Thanks for sharing your answers with me so far.

Everyone's answer will be different, because of your own personal aesthetic, vision for your blog and the type of blog you're building. However, there are five widgets you must have in your sidebar to be effective.

1. Your About Me Widget
2. Your RSS Link and Subscriber Count
3. Newsletter and Email Subscription Links
4. Top Place to Find You Online(Twitter or Facebook)
   
5. Book Review Links List
6. Book Review Submission Form or if you're an author your Bookings Request Submission Form
7. Your Phone or Skype Number
   

Let's talk about these in more detail at 30 Days...

Day 6: Analyze Your Favorite Book Blogger

This weekend I have had a blast reading your responses on Facebook about your blog setup, retooling faux pas and a better understanding of how important it is to think about the big picture when you're building your blog. There are so many literary type blogs out there. Some you can tell had a great idea, then fizzled out when no one responded to their posts. There are some that are pr dump sites masquerading as book review blogs. So much stuff... And it's all good. It's good because all that blog gunk helps your thoughtfully produced book blog gain more credibility, relevance to the industry, and most importantly, it helps you stand on top of all that gunk.

The best way for me--when I sat in your seat-- was I checked out other blogs. I observed what I didn't want and what I needed.

Today in Day 6 of Building a Better Blog. I want you to visit three of your favorite book blogs and do the following:

• goto the discussion forum and post the link to the 3 blogs you selected
• tell us what you thought you needed
• tell us what you thought you didn't

This week I will:

• debunk some things I typically see on blogs that don't matter a hill of beans
• share three tools all book bloggers need on their blog
• tell you whether what you think is what you need to take your book blog to the next level

Let me share you my favorite book blogs. Checking these blogs out will help you see possibly blog the way I do:

• Faith*in*Fiction http://www.faithinfiction.blogspot.com
• Write About Now http://jmarkbertrand.typepad.com/writeaboutnow/
• Ragamuffin Diva http://ragamuffindiva.blogspot.com/
• I cheated. One More. Milk is my friend. Have to put him on here. Your Writers Group http://www.yourwritersgroup.com/mywritersgroup/

It's not too late to join in on the fun. Visit 30 Days to request an invite. It's Free and You can start at Day 1 whenever you want. New registrants are joining every day. One good reason to join is that I don't share the entire content of Tues-Thursday posts. I answer your personal questions about your blog. You get to chat with other book bloggers like you. Also registrants will receive my September Edition of Dee's Goody Mail. (Tia, I hope to have it out tomorrow.) So what do you have to lose? You're already on Facebook...lol

Photo Credit: Another cheat. my Fifth favorite book blog-Brandywine Books

Get Ready to Live Without Fear

In the book Prince Caspian[C.S. Lewis,] Lucy sees Aslan, the lion for the first time in many years. He has changed since their last encounter. His size surprises her, and she tells him as much.

"Aslan," said Lucy., "you're bigger."

"That is because you are older, little one," answered he.

"Not because you are?"

"I am not. But every year you grow up, you will find me bigger."

And so it is with Christ. The longer we live in Him, the greater He becomes in us. It's not that He changes but that we do; we see more of Him.

-Max Lucado's Fearless

I will not bore you again with my fears. LOL. Instead today I will share a book with you that is helping me become the lioness I know is inside of me.

For the week I will be using a Battling Fear regimen that is found in page 191 of this book. I would tell you the regiment, but I believe this book is so important that you need to have your own copy. You need to keep the book next to you when fear starts to creep in.

I didn't know how much of my daily life was built around fear. Things I didn't think had anything to do with fear. I notice my daughter. Many of her challenges are fears that I placed in her. I am thankful that Thomas Nelson sent me this book. I hope to change the kingdom around here.

So far life at home has been pretty peaceful, my bills are miraculously getting paid, i'm not hovering in a ball in my closet. I am very thankful. I will keep you posted of my developments.

Unlike the book reviews I've written before I just don't have it in me to break it down in pieces and pontificate about the book. Simply, you need this book. Our country needs this book.

Tyler Perry's 34 Street Films & the Future of Christian Fiction

This year Tyler Perry Studios formed 34th Street Films to house projects not written or directed by Tyler Perry. We know that Christian Fiction author Stephanie Perry Moore's teen series will become a Made for DVD Series,Georgia Sky under 34th Street Films. However, I wonder what will TPS do for Christian Fiction, especially African American Christian Fiction? Although there is an obvious consumer market for these stories, why are Christian publishers still hesitant about acquiring more? Or should we follow Tyler Perry's lead and create our own?

Day 5: 5 Good Rules about Book Blog Names

We're in Day 5 of Build a Better Book Blog, and we're still at the setup phase.

In Day 4 we discussed ten types of book blogs. Over the weekend you have had time to decide what type of book blog you want to set up or the type you want to refocus your current blog to. Whatever the case it is important to develop a focused idea of your blog. Choosing a name that let's the reading community know exactly what you represent makes it easier to find you and to hang around on your blog. It's one thing to set up a blog, then do nothing with. But if you want to build a better book blog you need to start at the beginning...your blog name.

Today we will talk about the all important blog name, why it's important, and the rules that will help you make your selection.

1. Decide upon a Blog Name that makes the focus of your Blog Crystal Clear.

• The Brown Bookshelf is about? Click here to find out.
• Christian Fiction is about?
• Romance Divas Divine Blog is about? Click here to find out.

The point is a newbie web user will look at the name of the blog and have an idea of what kind of blog it is. The Brown Bookshelf has to do with books, Christian Fiction is about Christian Fiction, Romance Divas Divine Blog has to be a blog about more than one romance reader or writer or both. When you choose your name make sure you choose a name that a fool would know what your blog is about.

2. Choose a Name that brings Readers to You Easy

To read further, please join the FREE Series here.

Photo Credit: Just Your Typical Book Blog

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