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Kristen Szatny (Terre Haute, IN)

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This will be a blog I will try to update just on my experience with the community and campaigning for Obama!

Palin- Truth Comes Out

By Kristen Szatny - Oct 10th, 2008 at 11:07 pm EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

Early this week Palin and McCain launched a vicious smear tactic against Barack Obama. They tried to connect him with terrorists. This tactic finally failed when Palin was found guilty of "abusing her power as Governor of Alaska," when she fired a state trooper who wouldn't fire her brother-in-law during a tough custody battle. A bipartisan panel came to this conclusion tonight, although the Republican party hoped that the results to the investigation would come out after the election. Even though allies of Palin are trying to say thor the investigation UNTIL she began running for Vice-President. That's when she stopped contat this finding is a "democratic witch hunt," the 263 report was written by a bipartisan legistlation council. The investigation was launched before Palin even was nominated for Vice-President. It started over the summer. In fact CNN states that Palin herself was helping give information facting the Department of Public Saftey Office and starting blaming Democrats for the investigation. Earlier in the day Republicans at a McCain rally started literally getting angry with him, inquiring "And we're all wondering why that Obama is where he's at, how he got here. I mean, everybody in this room is stunned that we're in this positions." A woman actually said, "I don't trust Obama. I have read about him and he's an Arab." I was shocked by McCains response, " McCain shook his head and said, "No ma'am, no ma'am. He's a decent family man...[a] citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues. That's what this campaign is all about.""We want to fight and I will fight. But we will be respectful," he said. "I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments. I will respect him and I want everyone to be respectful, and let's make sure we are."

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My Open Letter to the Media

By Kristen Szatny - Sep 14th, 2008 at 2:31 am EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

I have been interested in the field of journalism since I was a little girl who wrote down everything she saw and heard in her journal. I was always on the newspaper in high school and again in my community college back home in New Jersey. I wanted to educate the nation on the truth. I wanted to be as unbiased as possible and provide the truth. That is what a good journalist does, takes everything in their surroundings and investigates the lies, reporting only what is proven to be factual. After that good reporter types up their findings using the inverted pyramid, (the most important facts at the start of the story like who, what, when, where, why) a group of copy editors fact check again. The head editor then reads it over just to make sure everything is 100 percent accurate, that nothing needs to be rewritten or questioned before being published for the public to lay their eyes on. It is a long and efficient process before a story goes to print, this stops something like plagiarism from occurring. This is what my college classes have prepared me for. This is what my professors have taught me. You can notice that I keep emphasizing the theme of “truth,” “unbiased,” “factual” and “accurate” reporting. My question to the media is this, when did it become good reporting to print something in a newspaper or on a news site that has not been fact checked? When did it become ok to mix the facts with pure fiction?

When did yellow journalism come back in style? (“Yellow journalism is journalism that downplays legitimate news in favor of eye-catching headlines that sell more newspapers.”) I used to love checking my news sites every day. The local papers website, CNN, MSNBC; but now it seems that these sites are more about stories and headlines that will gain readers attention rather than important stories. It makes me sick that ever since John McCain chose Sarah Palin as his vice –president running mate, the news has IGNORED the important issues. No one should care about Sarah Palin’s teenage daughter. They should care about her stances on birth control; abstinence only based sexual education programs, and earmarks. It makes me sick that when Barack Obama used the phrase “you can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig,” the media overplayed stories about the topic rather than noting the fact that the quote was used in John McCain’s political advisor’s own book.

I am ashamed of the profession that I once full heartedly wanted to become a part of. I still want to become a part of it, but so I can try to help end the false smears and allegations that come up in the news all of the time. It is not right.

Since when did news outlets not point it out when a politician was lying? John McCain’s numerous false claims on Barack Obama need to be proven wrong. The media ignoring an issue and not investigating the claims is just as bad as making things up. It just makes me wonder if ALL of the mainstream news outlets are completely bought out by major corporations. We all know Fox News is hopeless. It should be “Faux News.” It disgusts me and cracks me up all at once. If you go to Fox News “POLITICAL” section

http://elections.foxnews.com/ I mean it might as well be called the “Sarah Palin” section.

Hopefully America can do the research for themselves before listening to these “accredited” news sources for the facts.

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Where is the Seperation Between Church and State?

By Kristen Szatny - Sep 10th, 2008 at 7:23 pm EDT

Also listed in: 5 groups

It scares me that so many people are supportive of Sarah Palin. She is more small minded and radical than John McCain. Let me preface this by saying that I am supportive in the idea that people are entitled to their beliefs and their own opinions, no matter what they may be. That is one of the wonderful things this country was built on, freedom of speech and opinion and the right to be different.

Next I will mention this: "The phrase separation of church and state is generally traced to a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in 1802 to the Danbury Baptists, in which he referred to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution as creating a "wall of separation" between church and state. The phrase was then quoted by the United States Supreme Court first in 1878, and then in a series of cases starting in 1947. This led to increased popular and political discussion of the concept."

With this being said I would like to mention an article on CNN yesterday. The article was an interview with an ex pastor of the Pentecostal church that Sarah Palin was a major follower of for two decades. The Wassila Assembly of God Church in Alaska. Her former Pastor Tim Mcgraw, (insert joke here) states that Sarah Palin will, "use her her religious beliefs will influence her decision making when it comes to government policy." Should that comment alone not get her off the Presidential ticket? Yes religion influences people's lives. Yes that is understandable, but when her religion will affect all the major choices that affect us as a country such as; gay rights, the war in Iraq, religion and education in schools, THE ENTIRE women's rights movement including abortion, birth control, and planned parent hood education, well when all of these things are in risk, why is no one SCREAMING as loudly as me?

She has been quoted as saying she will not, "impose her religious views on others, but if she is using her views for the choices she will be making while governing us as a leader, what is she doing? The church she attended believes in the end of the world. It is one of those churches you see that people start to "speak in tongues," when they feel the spirit. That's fine. The church is also pushing Sarah Palin to speak about their "pray away the gays" movement. ‘You’ll be encouraged by the power of God’s love and His desire to transform the lives of those impacted by homosexuality,’’ according to the insert in the bulletin of the Wasilla Bible Church. Why are people not outraged everywhere? This is the time for our nation to stand together. Whether you believe in gay marriage or not. Whether you believe in the women's right to choose. One thing that can't be denied are our freedoms as Americans. The freedoms our forefathers had planned for us, INCLUDING separation of church and state. WE need to educate people on the issues. Get involved today.

www.barackobama.com
www.now.org
www.hrc.org

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Introducing Sarah Palin

By Kristen Szatny - Aug 30th, 2008 at 12:01 am EDT

Also listed in: 7 groups

I wrote this for my personal blog, www.kristenszatny.blogspot.com which as of lately seems to have a political theme. I research all my blogs and put my opinion in them too. But the facts are true. Anyway I just though I would share this information with you:

John McCain announced today his choice for his vice president running mate. She is the governor of Alaska. Before I give you my opinion on his choice I will list some TRUE facts about Sarah Palin.
* she is 44 years old
* she was the first woman to be elected the governor of Alaska in 2006
* she served two terms on the Alaska City Council and was elected mayor of Wassila, Alaska
* she has a journalism degree
* she was involved in beauty pageants and came second place in the Miss Alaska pageant

* she worked as a news anchor as well as a commercial fisher woman with her husband
* she is PRO-LIFE even in rape cases
- She has five children one with down syndrome
* she is pro-religion being taught in schools
* she opposes same sex marriage
- Her first veto was to kill a bill allowing rights to same sex partners
*She doesn't believe in global warming
* She sued the Interior Department for listing polar bears on the list of almost extinct animals
* Wants to drill for oil in the arctic
* Pro-death penalty
My opinion is that John McCain is a hypocrite. He talks about Obama being young and inexperienced for the job. Granted she is running for Vice-President, not president, but if and when McCain has a heart attack and dies, she would be leading us. Obama is way more qualified to run for political office than her. Not just because he has a few more years, but because he CARES. He talks to the people, finds what they want solved and tries to do it. It doesn't seem like she has any motivation at all. I believe McCain chose her because as a woman he feels like the Hillary Clinton supporters that aren't backing Obama just yet- will vote for him. I would love to hear from a conservative about how they feel about this choice. What do you think Sarah Palin will positively bring to the table?

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Convention Watching

By Kristen Szatny - Aug 29th, 2008 at 3:17 am EDT

Also listed in: IN Township Team, Honey Creek Township, Vigo County | T.H.In 4 Obama | Terre Haute for Obama

I joined the many others watching Obama give his acceptance speech in Terre Haute today out side of the Terre Haute Obama office. I was scared it was going to start pouring for a few minutes there, but besides some thunder and lightening and a few sprinkles, it all went well. I of course loved Obama's acceptance speech. My favorite thing about him is how well he connects with people. I love when he starts referring to the different people he has spoken to about their issues. The thing that touched me the most was when he said, "These are the policies I will pursue. And in the weeks ahead, I look forward to debating them with John McCain.

But what I will not do is suggest that the senator takes his positions for political purposes. Because one of the things that we have to change in our politics is the idea that people cannot disagree without challenging each other's character and each other's patriotism.

The times are too serious, the stakes are too high for this same partisan playbook. So let us agree that patriotism has no party. I love this country, and so do you, and so does John McCain. The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America -- they have served the United States of America."

It's like he is taking the higher road. He is not going to sling mud or slander the name of John McCain. He just HONESTLY wants to look out for the best interest of the people. I believe even if he doesn't win the election (which he better) he will still work just as hard to make sure things happen.

The convention watch was a success. According to the local newspaper online there were 80-150 people in the crowd watching. It was a great audience in Terre Haute. I hope that a lot of the people there will get involved in the parade this upcoming Monday as well as helping to register people to vote over the weekend.

Good job to whomever set up this convention watching event!

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Not sure how this works

By Kristen Szatny - Aug 28th, 2008 at 3:46 am EDT

Also listed in: 8 groups

I am not sure how this works but I am trying to expand my friends circle a little bit. I would love to attend and help out at events but would like to get to know the people in the area as well! ESPECIALLY since I just moved to Terre Haute recently.

I am not sure how me randomly adding people would go over. Is this improper etiquette?

I would love some messages and friend requests from serious Obama supporters who could help me get involved!

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New and Excited

By Kristen Szatny - Aug 28th, 2008 at 2:50 am EDT

Also listed in: 8 groups

I have been a Barack Obama supporter from the start. I mean I always liked Hillary Clinton as well, but Obama just stood out to me more! I have written several articles about him on my personal blog. I have decided as it is getting closer and closer to the election that I want to get involved! I want to help in anyway that I can in getting him elected as the next President of the United States because I believe in change. I believe Obama can change and fix our country back to the respected nation it once was.

I believe everyone is entitled to their opinions. I also believe if people were properly eduacted instead of just listening to slander and mudslinging, they would see that Obama IS the BEST choice to lead our country into the future.

So far I have invited several friends and my mother to sign up for this site. I have also been trying to look for local groups in Terre Haute, Indiana (I JUST RECENTLY MOVED HERE ABOUT A MONTH AGO FROM SOUTH NJ/PHILADELPHIA). I want to try to get as involved as possible even though I have no campaigning experience.

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