Organizing for America | Eric Reyes's Blog

Community Blogs

Eric Reyes's Blog

View Full Profile »

About The Author...

Aaryck (Phoenix, AZ)

« Hide Full Profile

User Profile

User:

Name:

Lead By Example - Be the leader you want your country to be!

Watch the debate!

By Aaryck - Nov 15th, 2007 at 5:37 pm EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

Remember to watch the debate!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/14/debate.preview/?iref=mpstoryview

COME’ON DEMOCRATS GIVE IT UP

WE’RE OBAMA’S TEAM, WE'LL MESS YOU UP

O – YOU’VE GOT TO KNOW
B – WE CAN’T BE BEAT
A – BEST IN THE LAND
M - HE IS OUR MAN
A – AMERI-CAN

WHAT-CHA GO-NNA DO

VOTE OBAMA! VOTE OBAMA!

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

"Somebody's watching me!" - Michael Jackson

By Aaryck - Nov 2nd, 2007 at 3:30 pm EDT

Also listed in: 7 groups

All aboard the crazy train folks! It's official! Hillary has lost her mind and is now blaming not only the right wing conservatives but now it's all the male candidates and the media. Hmmm, I don't think there is much left besides the folks at PETA and I'm sure they'll join in shortly for that thing that looks like a dead animal she wore on her head during the debate she calls a hairstyle.

No, but really all jokes aside. In the famous words of my neighbor friend here at work, "That girl has done lost hu mind." I agree!

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/11/01/442482.aspx

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/campaign-call-reveals-clinton-debate-concern-2007-11-01.html

It's like the scene from the movie "The Others" starring Nicole Kidman. Hillary is the little girl under the sheet when her campaign asks, "What have you done with our Hillary." She responds, "Have you lost your mind, I am your Hillary."

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Keep'n it in the closet...

By Aaryck - Oct 29th, 2007 at 6:23 pm EDT

Also listed in: 5 groups

This message is brought to you by Coloradans for Obama (Thank you). I thought this article was interesting. They also did a story a few days ago on CNN about Hillary's White House records being unavailable. Here's the link to the LA Times article:http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-hillarydocs8aug08,0,1546719.story?coll=la-home-center When you're speaking with people that lean toward HIllary, it's a good idea to point out that while she cites her experience as a compelling reason voters should make her president, nearly 2 million pages of documents covering her White House years are locked up in the Clinton Library, making a very vague case for her record as First Lady. And who is the person that has decided to keep these records from the public? CNN reports that is none other than Bill Clinton. Just some food for thought...

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive how the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation."

George Washington

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

What comes around goes around!

By Aaryck - Oct 27th, 2007 at 1:22 pm EDT

Also listed in: 6 groups

Well, well, I had wondered if the Clinton Campaign was behind this attempted smear at Senator Obama regarding McClurkin and you know what...IT'S TRUE! Feel free to read all about it on the Washington Post. Be sure to tell a friend!

Thanks Maxim!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/25/AR2007102502421_2.html?wpisrc=newsletter

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

United We Stand!!

By Aaryck - Oct 25th, 2007 at 6:21 pm EDT

Also listed in: 5 groups

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/10/25/obama-campaign-releases-o_n_69892.html

Senator Barack Obama's campaign has been struggling with its decision to hold a gospel tour in South Carolina with an anti-homosexual pastor, Donnie McClurkin.

After much criticism from gay rights groups and others, they tried inviting an openly gay minister to appear before McClurkin. But that didn't work - the Human Rights Campaign's Joe Solomonese expressed more disappointment in having the pastor on the stage and only said he hoped Obama "will move forward and facilitate face to face meetings with religious leaders, like Rev. McClurkin, and the GLBT community to confront the issue of homophobia."

Now the senator's campaign is trying to show that he's doing just that. An open letter signed by 16 LGBT and black religious leaders says that Obama is reaching out to bring blacks and homosexuals together. But Obama makes clear that even if he disagrees with African-Americans who are anti-gay, he still wants their votes.

"We believe that Barack Obama is constructing a tent big enough for LGBT Americans who know that their sexual orientation is an innate and treasured part of their being, and for African American ministers and citizens who believe that their religion prevents them from fully embracing their gay brothers and sisters," the letter states. "And if we are to confront our shared challenges we have to join together, build on common ground, and engage in a civil dialogue even when we disagree."

Update: AmericaBlog's John Aravosis, who has been driving this story, reacts to the letter here.

The full letter with its signatories can be read after the jump.

To Whom It May Concern:

As representatives of Barack Obama supporters from the African American religious community and the gay community, we are issuing a statement together for the first time. Our letter addresses the recent issue of Pastor Donnie McClurkin singing at Senator Obama's "Embrace the Change" concert series. In the midst of division, we hope and believe that this is a moment to bring together communities that have been divided for far too long.
A few things are clear.

First, Pastor McClurkin believes and has stated things about sexual orientation that are deeply hurtful and offensive to many Americans, most especially to gay Americans. This cannot and should not be denied.

At the same time, a great many African Americans share Pastor McClurkin's beliefs. This also cannot be ignored.

Finally, we believe that the only way for these two sides to find common ground is to do so together.

Not at arms length. Not in a war of words with press and pundits. Only together.

It is clear that Barack Obama is the only candidate who has made bringing these two often disparate groups together a goal. In gatherings of LGBT Americans and African Americans of faith, Obama has stated that all individuals should be afforded full civil rights regardless of their sexual orientation, and that homophobia must be eradicated in every corner of our nation. If we are to end homophobia and secure full civil rights for gay Americans, then we need an advocate within the Black community like Barack Obama.

At the same time, while Obama has said that he "strongly disagrees" with Pastor McClurkin's comments, he will not exclude from his campaign the many Americans including many in the African American community who believe the same as Pastor McClurkin.

We believe that Barack Obama is constructing a tent big enough for LGBT Americans who know that their sexual orientation is an innate and treasured part of their being, and for African American ministers and citizens who believe that their religion prevents them from fully embracing their gay brothers and sisters. And if we are to confront our shared challenges we have to join together, build on common ground, and engage in a civil dialogue even when we disagree.

We also ask Senator Obama's critics to consider the alternatives. Would we prefer a candidate who ignores the realities in the African American community and cuts off millions of Blacks who believe things offensive to many Americans? Or a panderer who tells African Americans what they want to hear, at the expense of our gay brothers and sisters? Or would we rather stand with Barack Obama, who speaks truth in love to both sides, pulling no punches but foreclosing no opportunities to engage?

We stand with Senator Obama. We stand with him because of the solutions he is proposing for our nation. We stand with him because of his character and his judgment. But the most important reason we stand with him is because today, as he has done all along, Barack Obama is causing us to stand together.

That's the kind of President we need, and we are proud to support him.

Sincerely,

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.
Olivet Institutional Baptist Church
Chair, Obama National African American Religious Leaders Working Group
Cleveland, Ohio

Stampp Corbin
Chair, Obama National LGBT Leadership Council
Former Member of Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors
Columbus, Ohio

Tobias Barrington Wolff
Chair, Obama LGBT Policy Committee
Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School
Philadelphia, PA

The Reverend Stephen John Thurston
President
National Baptist Convention of America
Chicago, IL

The Reverend Alvin Love
President
Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, Inc.

Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr.
Office of Ecumenical & Urban Affairs
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Atlanta, GA
Steven Latasa-Nicks
President, The Phelon Group, Inc.
Former Human Rights Campaign Board of Governors
New York, NY

Maxim Thorne
Former COO, Human Rights Campaign
Paterson, NJ

Phil Burgess
Former Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors
Chicago, IL

Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner
Skinner Leadership Institute
Tracy's Landing, MD

Rev. Michael Pfleger
St. Sabina, Chicago
Rev. Edward Taylor
San Jose, CA

The Reverend Robert H. Thompson
Exeter, NH

Sharon Malheiro
LGBT Activist
Des Moines, IA

Hon. Jon Cooper
Majority Leader, Suffolk County (NY) Legislature
Rev. Paul Hobson Sadler, Sr., Pastor
Mt. Zion Congregational UCC

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (2) | Report Objectionable Content

Send back the Truth to TruthWinsOut.org

By Aaryck - Oct 24th, 2007 at 12:23 pm EDT

Also listed in: 5 groups

info@truthwinsout.org I have received many emails from our LGBT family that agree with Senators Obama's position to allow McClurkin to continue singing in the tour and that everyone is welcome to join in the fight for equality. Whether your struggle is our struggle our not we are all in this together to put a person in the White House that is inclusive for all Americans.

If we place ourselves in the shoes of someone who is supposed to be working with everyone in this country it may help us to understand the Senator. That is what makes our party great. We are diverse which provides us the ability to work better with others than our conservative counterparts. If we treated others as we are treated and only worked within our group that would make us inferior as any closed minded conservative individual. Personally, we should not have an issue with Senator Obama speaking with others that do not understand their own sexuality or with perverse individuals who believe that their orientation needs adjustment. Everyone has problems, no body is perfect. As American citizens we deserve to have our government listen and respect us but that does not mean that we are right (McClurkin). This man does not speak for the campaign nor does he speak for Senator Obama.

The senator is right. Everyone needs to work together to help put him in office. That includes those with other view points. We do not need nor want another 1 sided view in the White House. It should no longer be the attitude of “it's our way or no way” or “go it alone.” There must be a balance.

I encourage you to respond to Truth Wins Out and tell them that our American LGBT Community supports Senator Obama in his position to be inclusive of others that are not like us. Remind them that we are better than the common conservative. Join me and tell them that our LGBT community takes the high road on this issue. Wrong or right, tell them that we have the ability to reach beyond our own desires to bring equality to everyone. Tell them how we need a change and part of the way to obtain this change is "Truth" through true diversity and then we will all "Win".

info@truthwinsout.org

Send them your thoughts today!!

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (1) | Report Objectionable Content

Never give up! Never Surrender!

By Aaryck - Oct 17th, 2007 at 1:47 pm EDT

Also listed in: 8 groups

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/donnie-fowler/obamas-iowa-victory-hidd_b_68738.html

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

What a great idea!! To bad Obama thought of it first!

By Aaryck - Oct 12th, 2007 at 1:14 pm EDT

Also listed in: 6 groups

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5izJr4wFXhrXfr8mlCBthgtCZvMcwD8S7EU6O0

Wow what a great idea! Do I smell a flip flop?

Our man always had the right idea. Stand up for what you believe in and remind friends and family this is exactly why we need someone who has good judgement from the begining. We can't afford to have another president that rules our country with assumptions.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (2) | Report Objectionable Content

Just like Jack!

By Aaryck - Oct 11th, 2007 at 7:59 pm EDT

Also listed in: 7 groups

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/12/wobama112.xml

Oh, and yes it's all about judgement! Thanks for the confirmation!

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

...Oh, Yes He Did!

By Aaryck - Oct 11th, 2007 at 1:20 pm EDT

Also listed in: 6 groups

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/11/obama-calls-for-an-end-to-arrogance/

YES! He has finally addressed the arrogance issue in the White House and in our government. Now it's time to ask the people of our country "Are you tired of it. Does this feeling make you ill inside when you know that nothing is getting accomplished. That this government won't cooperate and work together because they let their learned behavior, their experiences get in the way of progress. Are you ready for change?!"

HOPE! Hope is only the first step! We have to stop dreaming. We have to start believing that change can make this country a place where more than dreams come true for only one specialized elite group of people but for all people. As an American our founding objective was to make this a place where all people are created equal, are treated equal. A place of not only where dreams come true but a place that inspires other countries, a place that inspires the world to follow our lead! A place where the world once again literally believes that our streets are paved with gold, a place where we practice and say, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Senator Obama now we must ask this country do you want it? Do you want to be something better than who we are today, something better than who we were yesterday? Can you imagine it?

If you feel what I am feeling then you know that you must surrender your fears to hope. Surrender your hate to compassion. Surrender yourself to this cause to change this country and make it the place that you keep dreaming about. Are you ready America because the Senator isn't just talking anymore he is working to make this happen. Surrender to this feeling and help others realize the potential of this movement. Join the Canvass for change and get involved and meet the greatest group of individuals in history on the face of this earth!

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

What's wrong with God????

By Aaryck - Oct 8th, 2007 at 1:42 pm EDT

Also listed in: 8 groups

Today I received an email from a good friend and a well known student at a local university who recently graduated with his bachelors Summa cum laude. He made some valid points that initially had me concerned. He viewed Senator Obama's decision to approach the Evangelicals as pandering and said, "I thought pandering was the work of Republicans...for shame!!" I read the articles online:http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/07/400809.aspx http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jckHBXEsdwMCU88AHdLU-7CrHHCAD8S4FCKG0Then I responded:I can't speak for him but I don't find anything that he says offensive or pandering but I can see where it could be viewed that way. Initially it worries me that he would go to them but then I thought well he is and always was religious and I am too. I'm not godly by any means but honestly I have always kept God in mind in many things I do in hopes that it would bring real good to people. I think there is a problem with the religious right when they try to put faith on others when others aren't seeking it and not accepting it as being ok if someone doesn't want to be faithful. He spoke to a group of people that have pushed and divided from the left/middle and he's telling them that we no longer have to be separate that we can do things together and that God wants us to end this partisanship.Oh and (hehehehe) pandering is the work of Republicans but cooperation and tolerance is the work of Democrats. Isn't it sad that we can invite Republicans to show at the HRC/LOGO debates and they don’t but when offered the chance to talk to Evangelicals we will! Doesn't that speak volumes about who we are as a party or who Obama is as a person? Do onto others as you would have them do onto you. Not do onto others as you have had done to you.As a gay man I agree with you that people need to stop using faith and GLBT as a wedge issue. However, what if someone could do it positively for all of our American groups (faith, social, etc)? Let’s keep in mind that only Kucinich is for marriage equality it would be nice if he were elect-able but unfortunately he isn’t. I know, I know it’s easy for me to talk about Obama because I support him but I have read his book and many of his interviews and so that makes me biased but in his book talks about equality and gay rights using the segregation “equal but separate” clause. He is for equal rights and he talks about understanding how discrimination is wrong.

You know it’s always been hard for me to talk about God because of the home that I was raised in. I know that there are good people and there are bad people of faith but the only way we can reach those who are faithful is by speaking their language. It goes the same for our GLBT community too. If someone doesn’t speak our GLBT language then they can just forget getting anything from our group and I am sure we all agree on that. We do need a candidate that reaches to all groups to find a way to bring us all together on common ground not only do we need this as a society but we need this as a country.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

GLBT HISTORY MONTH

By Aaryck - Oct 1st, 2007 at 4:01 pm EDT

Also listed in: 5 groups

Today marks the first day of GLBT History Month. Let’s remember all the things that our predecessors, we as individuals and we as a group have accomplished over thousands of years. Let’s continue down this path and leave behind a legacy that future GLBT generations can be proud of. LET’S MAKE HISTORY! Let’s work together to put someone in office who will truly support our GLBT and our nation’s values. Let’s continue to push forward to ensure that Senator Obama becomes President Obama. http://www.glbthistorymonth.com/glbthistorymonth/2007/index.cfmIn the 1990’s, teachers and community leaders believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) history. They selected October because public schools are in session and existing traditions, such as Coming Out Day (October 11th), occur then.GLBT History Month was endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), and other national organizations. Oregon Governor, John Kitzhaber declared October 1995 to be Lesbian and Gay History Month; and in July 1995, the National Education Association voted to support the concept. In 1996, the governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut and the mayors of Boston and Chicago also proclaimed October GLBT History Month.In 2006, Equality Forum’s Board of Directors and National Board of Governors voted unanimously to coordinate GLBT History Month, modeling it on Black History Month and Women’s History Month. The goals of GLBT History Month are to teach GLBT history, to provide inspiring role models, and to highlight the GLBT community’s important worldwide contributions. Each day in October, the Equality Forum is featuring a prominent person in GLBT history on their web site. There is a brief video and 1-page biography of each person. Visit www.glbthistorymonth.com for access this information.Happy GLBT History Month everyone!Best regards,Eric ReyesArizona Pride for Obama

Phoenix Pride for Obama

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

"Killing her softly with his words..."

By Aaryck - Sep 27th, 2007 at 4:58 pm EDT

Also listed in: 6 groups

BY LYNN SWEET Sun-Times ColumnistWhite House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) injected a new element in going after chief rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) -- that she does not have the personality to pass universal health care. At Wednesday’s debate in New Hampshire, Obama offered himself as a contrast; someone who can “inspire” people to get things done. He did not use the word “consensus,” but that is what he is talking about. It was not exactly a major confrontation. Former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) was much sharper in drawing distinctions and going after Clinton. But it’s clear Obama is opening a new front as he appeals to independents and Republicans to come into the Democratic primary. After the debate, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe sent out a statement in which he talked about Obama as the candidate of consensus. An Obama campaign spokesman, Bill Burton, sent out a research memo recapping the abundance of criticism Clinton received for her failed health care effort in 1993 and 1994. Health care coverage is the dominant domestic issue in the primary. RELATED STORIES• Hunter: Clinton, opponents spar gently • Sweet blog: The scoop from WashingtonHere's how Obama bored into Clinton. All the leading Dems have health plans on the table. They are more alike than they are different. Obama said the issue is not who has the plans but “It has to do with who can inspire and mobilize the American people to get it done and open up the process. If it was lonely for Hillary, part of the reason it was lonely, Hillary, was because you closed the door to a lot of potential allies in that process. At that time, 80 percent of Americans already wanted universal health care, but they didn’t feel like they were let into the process.” In his statement, Plouffe, said “Barack Obama offered a commanding debate performance where he showed that while he may not have the experience Washington likes, he has the experience America needs right now – the ability to bring people together, stand up to the special interests, and tell the truth to the American people on the major issues facing America, from Iraq to Social Security. “He’ll approach major challenges like health care reform the same way he’s approached every challenge he’s faced through two decades of public service –- with an open, transparent process that brings people of differing views together to build a real consensus for change,” Plouffe said. Obama also again asserted that he was risking his political career back in 2002 when spoke out against the Iraq War as he was getting into a primary race for a Senate seat from Illinois. Coming out against the war then was a boost for his election, because the anti-war Democratic activists in Illinois --with a number of influential people in their ranks -- rallied around Obama. During the debate, moderator Tim Russert, noting that Obama has no landmark legislation asked why he was running after about 33 months in the Senate: "Why does it make sense now?" Obama said basically it is because the country needs him. Obama's answer is yet another example of how he is casting himself as the consensus candidate. He has also made an interesting language adjustment. The issue is not his experience, he said. It is his "experiences" that make him ready to lead.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

FIRED UP!!! READY TO GO!!!

By Aaryck - Sep 24th, 2007 at 8:44 pm EDT

Also listed in: 8 groups

Don't let the simplest of words fool you. You never know what will happen.

I kid you not while I was out canvassing in Nevada on both days I thought I wouldn't find a supporter but Mikki and Mary as my witnesses can testify that as I was getting tired and wanting to give up I whispered the magic words of, "FIRED UP...READY TO GO" and shortly after I found a strong support who could caucus for Senator Obama. The next day after having a rough night I canvassed Boulder City and after our final home we went to eat at Capriatti's deli and the owner came up to me and said, "I want a yard poster". She signed a pledge card.

The words are amazing..don't underestimate them.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2007/09/20/raw.obama.stump.story.cnn

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (1) | Report Objectionable Content

Don't Hate....Appreciate

By Aaryck - Sep 24th, 2007 at 7:51 pm EDT

Also listed in: 7 groups

Several times during this campgain I have heard that he can't win and more specifically a black man can't win.

Well, I say to everyone who would not endorse a person of color simply because they assume the candidate could not win are just as ignorant and racist as those who would judge someone on the matter of race alone. By NOT standing for what we believe in we become ignorant and bigots in which our own judgment is based on theirs.

As American's we give hope to the hopeless and we defend those who are defenseless. Don't let those who use fear decide what is best for us.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (1) | Report Objectionable Content

Posts

Content on blogs in My.BarackObama represents the opinions of community members and in no way should be interpreted as endorsed or approved by the campaign.