Michael O. Allen

Author: michael o. allen

  • Pieces of Me

    This site is, of course, the archive of mostly my newspaper journalism. I have written other places, too. I don’t know if it is wanderlust, nostalgia, whatever, I found myself looking around the web for some of my past writings and came across these pieces scattered around the Internet. Some of these pieces, I posted…

  • Inaugural Address by President Barack Obama–January 21, 2013

    Inaugural Address by President Barack Obama–January 21, 2013 11:55 A.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Each time we gather to inaugurate a President we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution. We affirm the promise of our democracy.…

  • Mitt and the Bain Capital Chronicles

    In an all too familiar tale, during its heydays, when Mitt Romney and his posse rode into town on behalf of Bain Capital, someone’s dream was going to get crushed, usually a lot of someones. Hopes and aspirations are swiftly snuffed out. “I don’t think Mitt Romney is a bad man. I don’t fault him…

  • Michelle Obama Rocks the House

    September 4, 2012 Charlotte, NC–Transcript of first lady Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention, as prepared for delivery: Thank you so much, Elaine…we are so grateful for your family’s service and sacrifice…and we will always have your back. Over the past few years as First Lady, I have had the extraordinary privilege of…

  • SEIU President Mary Kay Henry at the DNC

    CHARLOTTE — The following is a transcript of a speech, as prepared for delivery, by Mary Kay Henry, International President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday, September 4, 2012. Mary Kay Henry International President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Hello, delegates, and hello to my…

  • Mitt Romney’s Extraordinary Lie

    He didn’t have to tell this particular lie because it gains him absolutely nothing. Yet, he felt need to perpetrate this particular fiction. Why? Mitt Romney said during his acceptance speech last night that Republicans rallied behind President Obama when he won in 2008, hoping that he would succeed. “We are a good and generous…

  • The 2012 State of the Union

    Remarks by the President in State of the Union Address United States Capitol Washington, D.C. 9:10 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans: Last month, I went to Andrews Air Force Base and welcomed home some of our last troops to serve in Iraq. Together,…

  • One True Sentence

    It was wonderful to walk down the long flights of stairs knowing that I’d had good luck working. I always worked until I had something done and I always stopped when I knew what was going to happen next. That way I could be sure of going on the next day. But sometimes when I…

  • Strange Political Seasons

    I keep hearing how the Congressional race in New York is, somehow, a referendum on the presidency of Barack Obama. Usually, I would scoff at such fatuous prognosticating. But then, it’s been a strange political season. So, why not? This one will end when Obama leaves office. Things will return back to normal. The only…

  • President Obama's Remarks on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

    The Bible tells us, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Ten years ago, America confronted one of our darkest nights. Mighty towers crumbled. Black smoke billowed up from the Pentagon. Airplane wreckage smoldered on a Pennsylvania field. Friends and neighbors, sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters…