THE DETERMINANTS OF INVESTMENT ARE THOSE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE HOW MUCH A FIRM IS WILLING TO EXPEND IN PROCURING INVESTMENT GOODS. THESE DETERMINANTS ARE MANY BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT ARE: USER COST CAPITAL, PROFIT EXPECTATION, CORPORATE PROFIT TAX, TECHNICAL PROGRESS.
Read more…
Posted by Dare Ayodele on January 30, 2009 at 9:31am
Life, its all about touching-Bringing sunshine to othersWho dwell in gloom,Giving a word of encouragementTo the faint hearted.Gentle squeezes of a hugTo lift the spirit,Wiping tearsFrom those that are crushed.A kind word to an elderTo show they are loved,Blessing the birthOf a newborn child.Holding of the handsSharing the warmth,Giving our heartsTo commitments in life.Sharing that special loveWith someone so close,It only takes a secondTo touch a longing heartOnly to make a difference.
Read more…
Posted by 9jabook.com on January 30, 2009 at 9:30am
These tips are for everyone be it moslem,christian or atheist etc .. it is because i am christian I am using my own beliefs to write this .So no haters wanted ! thanks you can make your comments at the bottom of the article .
Hi guys,
How many know about WISDOM and the peculiar persons you will interact with daily ?.You need this wisdom !
The principal thing is Wisdom so get it ! Get IT and get it Again !
`
Read on and be blessed of God as He increases His wisdom in you. Never complain to God about what you permit. - Seek his Grace,
get his strength. His grace is sufficient. GOD HATES COMPLAINERS !always come to the throne of GRACE in time of need. The problem that infuriates you the most is the problem that God has assigned you to solve. - Learn to choose what you will call your problems then rename them CHALLENGES. Then surmount them!
Those that unlock your compassion are those to whom you have been assigned. I LOVE YOU AND I LIKE YOU ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. So get I LOVE YOU and know it. See 2 Corinthians chapter 13.
What you are willing to walk away from
determines what God will bring to you. - Never do a Craig David and walk away from troubles. Those that be for you are more than those that are against you. Ask God to let you know this. Open your EYES
The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine. - Work smart, become a SPIRITUALHOLIC! Walk in the SPIRIT!
Your rewards in life are determined by the problems you solve for others. - Help out your enemies not just your Friends! TRY IT OUT AND SEE. BE GOD LIKE! When you want something you have never had, you have got to do something you have never done. - SOW SOW SOW YOUR FRUITS!! SOW SOW SOW YOUR FIRST FRUITS!!
All men fall. The great ones get back up. - There is no crime in getting UP. The crime is in STAYING DOWN. SO GET UP. See Peter and Judas Phenomena. Intolerance of your present creates your future. - HATE YOUR PRESENT IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT .CREATE A FUTURE YOU LOVE. THEN COVET IT.
Those who cannot increase you will inevitably decrease you. � Don�t even doubt this! INEVITABLY THEY WILL. The keyword here is �inevitably�.
You will never leave where you are, until you decide where you would rather be. You will only have significant success with something that is an obsession. - Get OBSESSED with the HOLY SPIRIT.
Give another what he cannot find anywhere else and he will keep returning. - ANOTHER can mean your Job, your Boss, your Spouse, or even your dog. MOST OF ALL GIVE GOD! And He will keep coming back to bless you even though there are countless more qualified folks around you. Yet YOU WILL GET ALL THE INCREASES AND THE PROMOTIONS! Your assignment is not your decision, but your discovery.
When fatigue walks in, faith walks out. - BELIEVE THIS, FAITH IS NEVER POWER, NEVER STRENGTH! Just Believe. Simple!
If what you hold in your hand is not enough to be your harvest, make it your seed. You will never change what you believe until your belief system cannot produce something you want. - IN JESUS NAME CANCER GO! Even if a die hard ATHIEST hears this and he gets healed, that same day his belief will change, AMEN!
You will only be pursued for the problems you solve. - Always look at �Solutions, Solutions, SOLUTIONS!� Never problems! SEE THE SOLUTION! I can do ALL things. Champions are willing to do things they hate so create something they love and you will become a champion compliant guy or gurl !.
You will never possess what you are unwilling to pursue.It reminds me of the Old Wild West POSSE, so get the bad guys JOIN THE POSSE, THE VIOLENT TAKE IT BY FORCE
!
The only reason men fail is broken focus. - Sorry! BROKEN FOCUS CAN NEVER BE FOCUS! Stop looking at where you have been and start looking at where you can be. This is why man has Stereo Vision so always be forward looking.
You will only be remembered for 2 things: the problems you solve or the ones you create. - And problems you create have a longer memory SPAN!
Those who transfer knowledge are also capable of transferring error. - Be Sure of your Mentors. Be clear on them. Mine are God the Father, God the son JESUS, God the Holy Spirit. Next one is me ! then the rest of the them Pastors, preachers etc The bible says we are gods; we have the mind of Christ. So choose all !
Your seed is the only influence you have over your future. - Financial Seed, Intellectual seed, Spiritual Seed. GET SEEDS NOW.
Loneliness is not the absence of affection, but the absence of direction. - Being alone does not mean you are lonely. Become a magnet; let the word be a LIGHT ONTO YOUR FEET and lo! loneliness will flee.
You will never outgrow Spiritual warfare. You must simply learn to fight. - For we BATTLE not Against FLESH AND BLOOD but against principalities etc! Put on your WHOLE armour NOW AND FIGHT FOR YOU HAVE ALREADY WON!
Read more…
Tips for Better Life1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.3. Sleep for 7 hours.4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.5. Play more games.6. Read more books than you did the previous year.7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.9. Dream more while you are awake.10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.11. Drink plenty of water.12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.13. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.14. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.15. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.16. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.17. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.18. Smile and laugh more.19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others.24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.25. Forgive everyone for everything.26. What other people think of you is none of your business.27. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.28. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.29. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.30. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.31. The best is yet to come.32. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.33. Do the right thing!34. Call your family often.35. Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.36. Each day give something good to others.37. Don't over do. Keep your limits.38. Share this with someone you care about
Read more…
This is some story i came across..Hope it helps someone out there...Several times my daughter had telephoned to say,"Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over."I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead"I will come next Tuesday",I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy.Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there.When I finally walked into my daughter Carolyn'shouse I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children.I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren.I told my daughter, "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn!The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, andthere is nothing in the world except you and my grandchildrenthat I want to see right now. I don't want to drive another inch!"My daughter smiled calmly and said,"We drive in this weather all the time, mother.""Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears,and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her."But first we're going to see the daffodils.It's just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this.""Carolyn," I said sternly,"It's all right, Mother, I promise.You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."So we went!After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel roadand I saw a small church. On the far side of the church,I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read,"Daffodil Garden ---->"We got out of the car, each of us took a child's hand,and I followed Carolyn down the path.Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped.Before me lay the most glorious sight.It looked as though someone had takena great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peakand its surrounding slopes.The flowers were planted in majestic,swirling patterns, great ribbonsand swaths of deep orange,creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink,and saffron and butter yellow.Each different-colored variety was plantedin large groups so that it swirledand flowed like its own river with its own unique hue.There were five acres of flowers!"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn."Just one woman," Carolyn answered."She lives on the property. That's her home."Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house,small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory.We walked up to the house.On the patio, we saw a poster."Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking"was the headline.The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read.The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain."The third answer was, "Began in 1958."For me, that moment was a life-changing experience.I thought of this woman whom I had never met,who, more than forty years before, had begun,one bulb at a time, to bring her visionof beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop.Planting one bulb at a time, year after year,this unknown woman had forever changedthe world in which she lived.One day at a time, she had created somethingof extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration.The principle her daffodil garden taught meis one of the greatest principles of celebration.That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time."It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn."What might I have accomplishedif I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-fiveor forty years ago and had worked away at it'one bulb at a time' through all those years?Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"My daughter summed up the message of the dayin her usual direct way."Start tomorrow," she said.She was right.It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays.The way to make learning a lesson of celebrationinstead of a cause for regret is to only ask,"How can I put this to use today?"The Daffodil Principle.Stop waiting.....Until your car or home is paid offUntil you get a new car or homeUntil your kids leave the houseUntil you go back to schoolUntil you finish schoolUntil you clean the houseUntil you organize the garageUntil you clean off your deskUntil you lose 10 lbs.Until you gain 10 lbs.Until you get marriedUntil you get a divorceUntil you have kidsUntil the kids go to schoolUntil you retireUntil summerUntil springUntil winterUntil fallUntil you die...There is no better time than right now to be happy.Happiness is a journey, not a destination.So work like you don't need money.Love like you've never been hurt,and, Dance like no one's watching.If you want to brighten someone's day,pass this on to someone special (like I did to you!)Wishing you a beautiful, daffodil day!Don't be afraid that your life will end,be afraid that it will never begin.
Read more…
INSTRUCT YOUR SUBORDINATES TO CHANGE YOUR FIRM'S SUPPLIERS OFTEN. TO DEAL ALWAYS WITH D SAME PEOPLE FOR GOODS AND SERVICES LEADS THEM TO COMPLACENCY AND YOU TO DEPENDENCE. AN ADVANTAGE OF CHANGING SUPPLIERS WITH REGULARITY IS THAT YOUR FIRM BENEFITS FROM A NEW SUPPLIER'S LOWBALL BIDS TO GET THE BUSINESS.
Read more…
THE BIG DRUM SOUND GOOD ONLY FROM A DISTANCE.WITH DUE RESPECT, HARD LIKKER DESTROYS D SHIKKER.THE EAGLE DOESN'T HUNT FLIES.RATHER A DONKEY DAT CARRIES, THAN A HORSE DAT THROWS.SKATE ON THIN ICE ............ SKATE FAST
Read more…
DO NOT FORM YOUR JUDGEMENT OF OTHERS FROM WHAT YOU ARE TOLD.THE FISH IS KILLED BY IT'S OPEN MOUTH.IN D FERTILE LAND OF PROMISE MANY HAVE DIED OF HUHGER.PATIENT FOR A MOMENT COMFORT FOR TEN YEARS.
Read more…
DON'T TELL YOUR WIFE, OR HUSBAND, OR LOVER, ANYTHING. ONE OUT OF THREE MARRIED COUPLES THESE DAYS EVENTUALLY GET DIVORCED, AND THERE'S NO FURY LIKE THE FURY OF AN EX-SPOUSE SEEKING REVENGE. DONT TELL YOUR KIDS ANYTHING. DONT TELL ANYBODY ANYTHING MORE THAN THEY NEED TO KNOW. DONT CONDUCT BUSINESS IN PUBLIC PLACES. BUY A GOOD PAPER SHREDDER AND USE IT; WASTEBASKET IS NOT SECURE.
Read more…
EVERYTHING LEAKS, NOBODY, NO BUSINESS, NO GOVERNMENT CAN KEEP A SECRET. PEOPLE TALK ON THE SUBWAY, IN THE ELEVATOR, AT THE CORNER BAR, IN THE DOCTOR'S RECEPTION ROOM , IN BED, AND IN THEIR SLEEP. THE CONSEQUENCE OF ALL THIS CARELESS TALK? THE POSSIBLE REVELATION OF YOUR DEEPEST SECRETS WHICH COULD COST YOU SOMUCH.
Read more…
MY name is Nike, i can stand to defend my name anytime, anyday and anywhere; do you understand what i mean by defending myself? am talking about being who i want to be and stand on it.
Read more…
Jan
Pretty/handsome. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when
hurt. Sensitive. Down-to-Earth. Stubborn.
FEB
Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexiest out of everyone. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Horny. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizing dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.
Mar
Attractive personality. Sexy, Affectionate, Shy and Reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Great kisser. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Observant and assesses others.
Apr
Suave and compromising. Funny and humorous. Stubborn. Very talkative. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal. Does work well with others. Very confidant. Sensitive. Positive Attitude. Thinking generous. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Able to cheer everyone up and/or make them laugh. Able to motivate oneself and others. Understanding. Fun to be around. Outgoing. Hyper. Bubbly personality. Secretive. Boy/girl crazy. Loves sports, music, leisure and traveling. Systematic. Hot but has brains.
May
Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Shy towards opposite sex. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High-spirited.
Jun
You've got the best personality and are an absolute pleasure to be around. You love to make new friends and be outgoing. You are a great flirt and more than likely have an a very attractive partner. a wicked hottie. It is also more than likely that you have a massive record collection. You have a
great choice in films, and may one day become a famous actor/actress yourself - heck, you've got the looks for it!!!
Jul
Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about
people's feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. spazzy at times. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.
Aug
Outgoing personality. takes risks. feeds on attention. No self-control. Kind hearted. Self-confident. Loud and boisterous. VERY revengeful. Easy to get along with and talk to. Has an "every thing's peachy" attitude. Likes talking and singing. Loves music. Daydreamer. Easily distracted. Hates not being trusted. BIG imagination. Loves to be loved. Hates studying. in need of "that someone". Longs for freedom. Rebellious when withheld or restricted. Lives by "no pain no gain" caring. Always a suspect. Playful. Mysterious. "charming" or "beautiful" to everyone. stubborn.
curious. Independent. Strong willed. A fighter.
Sept
Active and dynamic. Decisive and haste but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people's problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and
generous. Usually you have many friends. Enjoys to make love. Emotional. Stubborn. Hasty. Good memory. Moving, motivates oneself and others. Loves to travel and explore. Sometimes sexy in a way that only their lover can understand.
Oct
Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to takes things
at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn't pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Brave and fearless. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care to control emotions. Unpredictable. Extremely smart, but definitely the hottest AND sexiest of them all.
Nov
Trustworthy and
loyal. Very passionate and dangerous. Wild at times. Knows how to have fun. Sexy and mysterious. Everyone is drawn towards your inner and outer beauty and independent personality. Playful, but secretive. Very emotional and temperamental sometimes. Meets new people easily and very social in a group. Fearless and independent. Can hold their own. Stands out in a crowd. Essentially very smart. Usually, the greatest men are born in this month. If you ever begin a relationship with someone from this month, hold on to them because their one of a kind.
Dec
Loyal and generous. Patriotic. Competitive in everything. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Easy to talk to, though hard to understand. Thinks far with vision, yet complicated to know. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having lots of ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Has that someone always on his/her mind. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Abiding. Able to show character. One guy/girl kind of person. Loveable. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves music. Pretty/handsome. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Sensitive.
Read more…
1.Whatever u do,dont just show up at our house...we run around in our underwear just like u do.
2.Dont cheat on us.It may seem foolproof, but girls tell eachother everything about everything,Trust me we WILLl find out and you will be MUD.
3.Beware of every single male relative and all guy friends.any of them would kick your ass at the drop of a hat,and alot of them wouldnt wait for the damn hat.
4.Never misss any opportunity to tell us we are beautiful.
5.Dont refuse a kiss infront of your friends.If they laff at you,its because they are jealous.
6.If we slap u hard, u deserve it.
7.Dont b afraid to touch us if you want to.If we are going out with you in the first place, its because we like being in your arms.
8.Not all of us eat like birds.
9.Most of us dont mind paying half of everything, but we discuss these things with our friends.Know that if you make us pay half all the time, everyone will know about it and call you a PUSSY.
10.Do you honestly need all your money that much?Be a man and pay all the time.
11.Every girl should get 3things from their boyfriend-a stuffed animal,one of his sweatshirts and a really pretty ring.Even if its not a serious relationship.
12.If a guy is bothering us,it is right to beat the shit out of him.
13.You're dead meat if you cant get along with her pet,parents and best friends.Be a prince charming to their friends,Mr.Polite to their parents,and make sureu are nice to their animals.
14.Dont flirt with our moms......thats just freaky.
15.Dont be freaked out by PMS.Its not gross, and it really does make us feel like shit,so be understanding.
16.If you dont like they way we drive, DO IT.
17.If we are officially dating and you are introducing us to your friends, you had better damn intorduce us as your girlfriends.
18.Girls are fragile.Even when you are play fighting/wrestling, be very gentle.
19.Dont give us something stupid for our birthdays,christmas or valentine.It doesnt have to be expensive,but it has to be meaningful.JEWELRY is always nice.
20.If you do sleep with us,dont tell your friends that you did.
Read more…
Posted by Dare Ayodele on January 20, 2009 at 9:00am
IT APPEARS THAT ALMOST EVERYBODY DOES PREACH THIS "DO UNTO OTHERS WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO TO YOU" BUT ARE WE REALLY PRACTICING IT? ....TAKE FOR EXAMPLE OUR LEADERS THEY ALWAYS PREACHD ABOUT ONE NIGERIA .... ANTICORUPTION.....AND SO ON....BUT ALL THESE ARE NOT PRACTICE,THEY ARE THE ONE BREAKING THE POLCIES THEY MADE ..... IF WE CAN START PRACTICING WHAT WE PREACH..... THEN WE WILL BE ON WAY TO GLORY ...ONE LOVE
Read more…
Posted by 9jabook.com on January 20, 2009 at 7:31am
This is the full text of President Obama's speech:
My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and co-operation he has shown throughout this transition.
Watch Barack Obama's inauguration live
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labour, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and travelled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and ploughed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favours only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defence, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the spectre of a warming planet. We will not apologise for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
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 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.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the fire-fighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have travelled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people: "Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
Read more…
Posted by Egbes Ogbeide on January 19, 2009 at 8:52pm
The time-honoured narrative is etched on the soleLike a metaphor— an understatement of a rare gem’s soulJust half of his story which reflects our very own livesThat from adversity, a patient phoenix soars and thrivesIt is the seal of greatness; encased in meekness and modestyThey bespeak the spirit that underscores his personalityThe logo of the man with unblemished integrityHere’s the insignia of one who knows his priorityAlas, this is the imprimatur of a fella who loves humanityWhose fight for our freedoms, was fraught with humbling dignityNow his footprints are engraved on the heart of mankindAs a beacon—our inspiration—a genuis— a priceless findIt is the badge of a rara avis—unique and one of a kindTired shoes! Well-travelled feet—the independence of mindThis is the symbol of distinction—of remarkable characterA sterling emblem of an outstanding political caretakerStatue of Illinois Gov, US Ambsador to the UN, Democrat Nominee Adlai StevensonThey are the eloquent testament to a message of hopeThat provides a clear viewfinder to our visions from a wider scopeThe brilliant architect of a matchless political campaignThese shoes paved his path to the Whitehouse to voice our painObama, The Compassionate had dreams from his fatherAudaciously, he entreated—please, “Be Your Brother’s Keeper”He is a leading servant with a phenomenal abilityThese shoes show his mettle—the mace of authorityRemember, Remember the fourth of NovemberWe thronged out to victory—We Voted ObamaHe walked to greatness in humble shoes— that’s our manThat one who carried our weight and cried out, “Yes We Can”Samira Edi
Read more…
Start your own online business. Sell ebooks/software. Full reprint rights. http://www.BizInfo1.com/?ix=5649Make money with your own website. Keep 100% of all profits. http://www.BizInfo1.com/?ix=5649
Read more…
This statement is so true.Honestly life is more then the chocolates that is in the box.Yes there are ups and downs but mainly UPS!!!I have decided that in my life I will live to the fullest.I have learnt that everyone always as something to say about you regardless if it is good or bad."THOUGH SHALL NOT JUDGE"That is what it clearly states in the bible but do we follow this commandment?We are all human beings and we are all sinners but yet we have so much to say about each others lives...For those who know me and I mean really really know me will know that I am not a bad person or a good person.. LOL..No one is sweeky clean but I am a child of God and I am living my life the best way I know how to. God has set a purpose for me and I am determined to reach this purpose.
Read more…
