To those of you who might know someone still swooning over Hillary (and if you suspect that person (a) hasn't been paying much attention to what HRC has said over the past year, and/or (b) suspect that person values abstract, second-wave, radical feminism at the expense of acknowledging everything about HRC's actual personality, tactics, and negative influence on contemporary feminist movements), Olbermann's response to HRC's comment on political assassination may be useful.  Around the 7-minute mark, he summarizes the incidents of the past several months in HRC's campaign.  It's a laundry list, few of which are contestable.

Here's the link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24798130#24798368

This may be enough to help convince some who are cemented in their convictions, regardless of the actual circumstances.  For those who need something more in-depth, I suggest passing on talking points from folks like Rachel Maddow, Peggy Noonan, Jane Smiley and Ms. Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post, etc.  Of course, it may surprise some second-wavers to know that there are male feminists, too, but focus on those HRC critiques who are most likely to connect with the "at-all-costs" devotees.


k

www.whitefolksforobama.org 

Hello all,

please view this op/ed today by Mr. Kristol of the NYT. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/opinion/24kristol.html

If you care to, email him a response; mine is below. Also, here is the digg link: http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Let_s_Not_and_Say_We_Did

He's taking a dismissive stance to the discussion of race, so let's keep turning that around.
cheers,
Kevin

****
Mr. Kristol,

As many bloggers have stated, it's a sad day when the random person conducting a Google search is able to dig deeper on stories than "accomplished" journalists.  Your "error" in reporting that Obama was in Trinity church on that particular day seems to be evidence of something larger dwelling within that part of the brain that develops opinions.

Take, for another example, your single-line emphasized statement today: "The last thing we need now is a heated national conversation about race."

MLK faced this same sort of criticism, and responded with his piece "Why We Can't Wait." As part of the younger White generation (I'm 28), I'm disappointed in your rejection of a national discussion on race issues, when it is race and class divides that are largely responsible for many of the issues you DO deem worthy of debate. Have you ever traveled abroad, sir? Our country clearly has a racial divide, and it is appropriate to discuss as a political issue when many White media reporters have been asking "whether the country is ready for a black president" long before Obama raised the issue.

As for the Wright 9/11 comments, perhaps you should run a Google or YouTube search of your own, and take his comments back into context.

And as for the Wright AIDS comments, perhaps you should consider (or maybe even WRITE about) why Clinton's efforts to introduce a national discussion on race flopped. You see, Clinton had just finished apologizing for another "error," the Tuskegee case.  Here, let me help you: http://clinton4.nara.gov/textonly/New/Remarks/Fri/19970516-898.html
After this, White folks weren't interested in having a discussion on race; we were disgusted and in shame. Meanwhile, African Americans were left to imagine what other tricks our White-dominated government had been pulling, or might still be engaged in or sponsoring.  AIDS a stretch? Yes, but considering recent history of which you seem to be unaware, not an impossibility.

I know these are op/ed columns being written, but it would serve you and your readers well to take in the larger picture.

Kevin

Some people do choose a candidate by how popular that person is at the moment; they may not know about the issues, so they only vote for who they think is going to be the winner.

Not what we hope for in a democracy, but that's reality. So,spread the word on these influencial pollings, and see what else you can do from home aside from making calls or donating money.

Take part in AOL's weekly polling: http://news.aol.com/political-machine/straw-poll

Also, check this site daily. It gives some tips on what else you can do: http://obamastraws.blogspot.com/

Lastly, link link LINK to Web sites you approve of.  This helps put those sites at the top of google searches, keeping the lies and hate-mongerings near the bottom.  For example, I'll use this opportunity to link my cite once more: http://www.whitefolksforobama.org

Keep up the good fight,

k 

Pennsylvania pollings are still showing a gap between black and white voters. Help bridge the divide by making visible your support for Obama, no matter what your race, gender, sexuality, or economic class!

Visit our site, White Folks for Obama

http://www.whitefolksforobama.org

and read up, watch the videos, be inspired, and offer comments if you have any. We know this is a sensitive issue, but the Obama campaign stands in a unique position to lead the way in bridging racial divisions through this year's election process.

Politics need not be about race and gender, but these attributes of our candidates can't be ignored.  And thankfully, they won't be.  When only white men ran for office, it was convenient to ignore issues of race, gender, sexuality....but no more.

Our aim is to further emphasize that race is a part of this election year, and that this campaign, this movement, has the ability to bridge racial divides (as well as gender and class divisions) within our country.

Barack Obama has the support of a large number of white voters in the United States. Obama's overwhelming wins in states such as Vermont, Maine, and Iowa all demonstrate this fact. We want people to see that Obama's campaign for the presidency is one of gender, class, and racial UNITY. Through his supporters—who judge Barack not by the color of his skin, but by the contents of his character—the world can bear witness to the genesis of a more unified and dignified United States of America.

This being Women's History month, and with the recent media attention on Spitzer, let's encourage Obama to give statements on prostitution, and on prostitution's link to sex trafficking.

The general public, mostly men at least, continue to view prostitution as a victimless crime...simply as "no big deal" or "boys being boys."

However, there is a well-documented connection between prostitution and global sex trafficking (i.e. modern-day slavery). The U.S. government has articulated the connection: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/rls/38790.htm

Ms. Stanley and her colleague, Mr. Bob Herbert (op/ed NYT), have written extensively on this issue.  Read their articles.

Help inform the public.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/arts/television/12watc.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/opinion/12farley.html

Thanks,

Kevin 

This is ridiculous when you consider the facts, such as that there is no way that Obama could have won 30 states (to Clinton's 14) if not for considerable support from all races.  Are blacks who vote for Clinton racist? Are women who vote for Obama sexist?

While there are, of course, some people who vote strictly based on a candidate's gender or race, I think voters overwhelmingly vote based on issues that influence their daily lives. Obama supporters want an elected government that is honest, transparent, open-minded, responsive to our aspirations, and inspiring in its call to action.

To make it clear to the public that Obama enjoys the support of whites, along with every other voter-block, my partner and I launched a Web site last night.  Please take a look and email me your comments, criticisms, suggestions, what-have-you.  We could use suggestions for more content, too. Here's the address:

http://www.whitesforobama.org

or

http://www.vanillaforobama.org 

Hey everyone who's fundraising,

Here's my reminder letter.  If it encourages you or inspires thoughts on your own letters, please help yourself:

I know you're busy, but I just wanted to check in with a quick reminder about a note I sent you earlier. 

(Quick note: No matter which way you vote, I encourage everyone to participate in this election year.  The age of apathy is over for a growing number of people. Demand that our representatives [even the ones you support] answer tough questions and do their work with transparency.  Hold them responsible.)

Today, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee had this to say when endorsing Barack Obama:
"I am all too aware that the threats we face are unconventional," Rockefeller said in a statement. "They are sophisticated. They are constantly changing and adapting. And they are very serious. What matters most in the Oval Office is sound judgment and decisive action. It’s about getting it right on crucial national security questions the first time – and every time.”

Obama's position on foreign policy matters is unique and encouraging; as a result, he is being supported by leaders with decades of experience on our most important issues. His decision to meet with old international adversaries is refreshing. The silent-treatment method practiced towards world leaders is juvenile foreign relations from the 20th century. We need to move forward, and the support Obama has earned demonstrate that people are ready.

I support Mr. Obama for his position on issues, his ability to raise the level of political dialog and inquiry, and for the respectable and positive manner in which he has run his campaign. In this election, we need a diplomat as President, and Mr. Obama embodies those necessary skills and personality traits found in one.  Barack Obama and his supporters have reminded this country what practiced democracy is all about; we have witnessed an unprecedented increase in the number of citizens paying attention to and taking part in the political process.  If we are interested in promoting democracy around the world, we require a leader who is capable of promoting and inspiring it at home first.

Take a moment to check out my personal fundraising page and consider making a donation of any size.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/lafleur

Thanks,

Kevin