"It's All About the People!"

Michael Vick, Marion Jones, and dare I say, Plaxico Burress, move over; way over. Vick, Jones, and Burress, all athletes, earned their share of fame and fortune, and subsequently their rightful portion of disgrace and/or infamy. While at the top of their respective games, each fell under the burgeoning weight of scandal. Dog-fighting, performance-enhancing drugs, and weapons charges, respectively, took each out of what was a seemingly entrenched orbit.

But all of those events have become yester-year’s news, or in Burress’ case, at least day before yesterday’s. That is because yesterday, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested. “U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald on Tuesday accused the Illinois Governor of carrying out a political corruption crime spree that was a blatant effort to sell the state's U.S. Senate seat (yes, Obama's former seat) in the latest "pay-to-play" scheme in Illinois politics.”

But guess what? This is not a review of questionable judgment, deception, or sheer stupidity. No; not this week. For the next few minutes, “It’s All About the People!” Most of us have all spent a fair amount of time looking forward to, preparing for, exercising our civic duty, and reveling in or decrying the outcome of the recent Presidential Election. The historical significance of this moment is likely to be a regular topic of conversation centuries from now.

It cannot be denied, the 2008 Election is unlike any other in this Country. On January 20, 2009, for the first time, an African American will be inaugurated as President of the U.S. The event ushers in a new age in American political and personal dynamics. There was already a refreshing feel to the event, as President-elect Obama ordered ratcheting back severely on the special interest money that traditionally fuels much of the celebration. Planners have barred lobbyists, corporations, political action committees, and well-heeled foreigners from purchasing access to the new administration.

But there is more that will make this event special, if not unique. Earl W. Stafford, CEO and Chairman, Universal Systems & Technology, Inc., head of the Stafford Foundation, and a Fairfax County resident, kicked off a project to bring disadvantaged people to President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration next month. Stafford, a 20-year Air Force veteran, whose family runs a faith-based charitable foundation, has already spent a million dollars for over 300 rooms and amenities for his guests at Washington’s JW Marriott hotel at Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th St.

The JW Marriott hotel announced that Stafford, a 60 year-old businessman and son of a Baptist minister, purchased the million-dollar “Build Your Own Ball” package—which comes with 300 rooms, four suites, $200,000 in food and beverages, and a heated rooftop tent to watch the inaugural parade—and intends to give it away to more than 100 veterans, disadvantaged people, terminally ill patients, and others.

In addition, he is spending $600,000 for a prayer breakfast, luncheon and two inaugural balls at the hotel. Mr. Stafford, accompanied by his wife Amanda, and children Earl, Jr., Jessica, and Mark, launched the project at a news conference at the hotel last Thursday. He wants at least 30 percent of his guests to be people in need, and is willing to provide gowns, tuxedos, and the services of beauticians; even transportation. He wants them to have an unforgettable experience. Stafford plans to recruit sponsors to help chip in for the additional costs. He will reward their philanthropy with his remaining rooms at the hotel.

Cooperating agencies, including the National Urban League and Washington's Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, will help the foundation identify people to be invited and help them get to Washington. Stafford has said he also plans to reach out to homeless shelters, community organizations and military hospitals in search of guests.

Stafford snatched up the package within hours of Obama’s election and has paid in full. The New York Times reports:

He said he was “led” to the idea by the Lord, although when it first occurred to him in March, he said, it wasn’t fully crystallized. He said he wanted to help people who have worked hard and done everything right but who find themselves without a job or home.

“The hope is that this will be contagious, that others will say, ‘I can do a little good, I might not be able to hold an inaugural ball or celebration, but I can do something for my neighbor without condition, without return,’ ” he said.

Mr. Stafford said his goal is to get deserving people to the inauguration who would otherwise not have the opportunity. At the announcement last Thursday, he said that he hopes the balcony terrace is filled “with those who are disadvantaged, those who are distressed, mingling with those who aren’t so. And we hope to see on their faces a sense of excitement.”

Stafford was asked whether Obama might attend the Marriott events. "That certainly would be icing on the cake," he said.

Lavern Chatman, president of the Northern Virginia Urban League, said the idea was not to have all the Stafford guests be disadvantaged. Organizers also want some movers and shakers so the disadvantaged and well-heeled can mingle.

One of 12 children born to a Baptist minister in Mount Holly, N.J., Stafford said he wants to remind people of the traditions that he believes made America great.

“We just need to get back to caring about one another,” he said.

Stafford concluded by saying, "I was inspired to do this by the Lord. ... It's not about us, but about us helping other people," he said.

“All About the People,” now that is a Change We Can Believe In. I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/. A new post is published each Wednesday.

For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the links below.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/03/AR2008120304095.html

http://blackamericans.com/blogs/news/archive/2008/12/06/earl-stafford-a-virginia-businessman-has-reserved-1-million-worth-of-rooms-at-washington-s-jw-marriott-hotel-with-plans-to-give-the-rooms-away-to-the-underprivileged-for-inauguration-week.aspx

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1270136/barack_obama_calls_for_volunteerism.html?cat=62

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Stafford-Foundation-Announces-Peoples-Inaugural/story.aspx?guid=%7B7083291B-B512-46F8-9CDB-6B812828E9AB%7D

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081204/ts_alt_afp/uspoliticsobamatransitionobamapoverty_081204220753

http://freedomeden.blogspot.com/2008/12/earl-stafford.html

http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/12/04/earl-staffords-the-peoples-inauguration/

http://democraticwhip.house.gov/press/2008/12/05/earl_stafford/

http://news.muckety.com/2008/12/07/va-businessman-earl-stafford-treats-poor-dispossessed-to-obama-inaugural/8001

http://www.mahalo.com/Earl_Stafford

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?last=STAFFORD&first=EARL

http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Earl%20Stafford

http://washingtontimes.com/livechat/2008/dec/08/va-businessman-earl-stafford/

http://www.the-savvy-sista.com/2008/12/businessman-earl-stafford-plans.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blagojevich

http://gothamist.com/2008/12/09/illinois_governor_blagojevich_on_a.php

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/12/blagojevich-o-1.html

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jwsQth4cUe3MfV03Brlm8s9C2AfQD94VFG9O0

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hVNAcA-xtCA6PKQ8h5s7dBlD_BKwD94VFOUO0

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/09/illinois.governor/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Vick

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Jones

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaxico_Burress