Kids for Obama, Philip (age 12) and Erik (age 8) waved signs and collected food for Northwest Harvest at the Obama Delegate Food Drive held during the Washington State 5th Legislative District Caucus on April 5, 2008 in Issaquah, WA. It was a day long to be remembered. Words were put into action to fight hunger and support Barack Obama.
With kids like these in the next generation, our future is indeed bright.
Check out a link to a short slide show featuring photograph's of the day:
http://www.photoshow.net/scripts_main/build/player.php?show=FKpSqBDih
Fight Hunger! Yes We Can!
I found great training information on the WashingtonforObama.com website. Here are links that I believe you will find very useful.
http://www.waforobama.com/Materials.html
FAQ Delegate Questions
http://obama-literature.googlegroups.com/web/DelegateFAQ.doc?gda=uOKdukAAAABgcWqFjg-6ZQXGmV8DTMCe3YZSD_YrJK2_rq0mjT0su2G1qiJ7UbTIup-M2XPURDT2JLAaFU_i5px546hAmFjE
Delegate Training Handout
http://obama-literature.googlegroups.com/web/DelegateTraining-Handout.doc?gda=LeP6uE0AAABgcWqFjg-6ZQXGmV8DTMCecHKKWLyYAscEV0QsV51mKmG1qiJ7UbTIup-M2XPURDTtbxgMiuBmE6JQm27gSVUQZKUuApb_XmjAUfUKrtlx_w
5th District Legislative Caucus
Saturday, April 5, 2008, 10:00 a.m.
Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus24635 SE Issaquah-Fall City RoadIssaquah, WA 98027
Delegates and Alternates Plan to Arrive Early; No Later Than 9:30! It is very important for every one of you to be there.
With the Legislative Caucus just around the corner, following are links to information I believe you will find helpful as we go forward with this process. The information is from the Washington State Democrats Website. http://www.wa-democrats.org/index.php
The Washington State Caucus/Convention Cycle
http://www.wa-democrats.org/pdf/uploaded/2008%20Caucus%20and%20Convention%20Cycle.pdf
How Does the Caucus Convention Cycle Work?
http://www.wa-democrats.org/index.php?page=display&id=284
You're a Delegate, Now What?
http://www.wa-democrats.org/index.php?page=display&id=285
Different Types of Alternates and Delegates
http://www.wa-democrats.org/pdf/uploaded/Delegates.pdf
How to Become a Delegate to the National Convention
http://www.wa-democrats.org/index.php?page=display&id=287
Earlier today I posted the following on the NY Times Politics Blog.
I used an anecdote from my youth...a powerful one that has shaped many of my thoughts and actions into adulthood. We, as a society, have so very far to go in terms of finding mutual understanding that will bring humanity together.
The New York Times Politics BlogThe CaucusThe Wright Controversey
Monday, March 17, 2008
I am a strong supporter of Senator Obama.
I am a white, middle-aged woman. I lived a small portion of my childhood in the deep south. In 1974, I befriended a girl my own age; 12 at the time. She happened to be African-American. We sat together on the school bus, played in the band together, laughed, and shared stories as young girls do. I was called names, had hateful notes hung on my school locker, was tossed into a swamp of dark, dirty water by classmates, and for the first time in my life had the N word aimed at me because of my friendship with another child. I have not forgotten the lessons of 1974 Alabama.
I do not condone the comments of Rev. Wright. I do however understand the context of them.
Racism is insidious. It is very easy for those who have not experienced it to truly not understand the depth of the damage left behind. The fear, the anger and the humiliation are relentless in their task of destroying a person's humanity. It resides within a person for a lifetime.
In this campaign I have seen attempt after attempt to portray Barack Obama as "the black candidate." Nothing has worked to solidify this image more effectively than to bring forth his fiery pastor, steamed up and in defensive stance. I see political maneuvering of the worst kind here. Rev. Wright did spew forth angry words. Senator Obama made it very clear that these are not his beliefs or sentiments. The reality is the words sting, because Rev. Wright has been stung, over and over again.
I believe in a loving approach toward change, as a fiery, feet stomping sermon, with derogatory comments only loses the audience and stops the listening process. It leaves no room for dialogue. It makes it easy for claims of "black" or "reverse" racism to be thrown forth, with absolute removal of context and no consideration of intent.
All of that said, my support for Senator Obama is stronger than ever. He brings a moment in history when the two sides of a strong edged sword can meet. Those of different races, religions, ethnic backgrounds, gender and economic standing have been invited equally to the table by Senator Obama. He is making room for all of us in the great debate. He brings a message of healing reconciliation, if we will give him a chance to be heard. We, the American people, have a golden opportunity for positive growth and intellectual triumph. Let's not let it pass us by.
I'm encouraging everyone to dive deeply into the various plans that make up Barack Obama's "Blue Print for Change." It is critical for each one of us to be well versed and ready to fully and completely answer any question that comes our way regarding Senator Obama's plan for our great nation.
Pennsylvania is just around the corner. We must win. Statements of, "But he has no plan" must be stopped in their tracks. Let's show the world his plan. Study it, eat it, breath it, dream it and be ready to defend it.
Here is a link to the very first topic: Civil Rights
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/pdf/HowardConvocationFactSheet.pdf
It begins with this quote from Barack Obama (Speech at Howard University, 9/28/07): "The teenagers and college students who left their homes to march in the streets of Birmingham and Montgomery; the mothers who walked instead of taking the bus after a long day of doing somebody else's laundry and cleaning somebody else's kitchen - they didn't brave fire hoses and billy clubs so that their grandchildren and their great-grandchildren would still wonder at the beginning of the 21st century whether their vote would be counted; whether their civil rights would be protected by their government; whether justice would be equal and opportunity would be theirs. And I am certain that nine children did not walk through the doors of a school in Little Rock so that our children would have to see nooses hanging at a school in Louisiana. We have more work to do."
The Plan covers the following topics:
1. A Federal Government that Vigorously Protects Civil Rights
A. Strengthen Civil Rights Enforcement
Restore Professionalism to the Civil Rights Division
Refocus the Criminal Section's Enforcement Priorities
Ensure that the Voting Section Protects the Right to Vote
B. Remove Discriminatory Barriers to Employment Opportunities
Strengthen EEOC Enforcement
Strengthen the Labor Department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance
Fight Pay Discrimination
2. A Criminal Justice System that is Free of Racial Disparities and Works for All
Eliminate Crack/Cocaine Disparity
Reform Mandatory Minimums
Drug Courts
Ensure Adequate Counsel
End Racial Profiling
Reform the Death Penalty
Reduce Crime Recidivism by Providing Ex-Offender Supports
Expand Hate Crimes Statutes
We must be able to spread the word about every aspect of "The Blueprint for Change." When calling Pennsylvania we must be able to give knowlegable answers and make persuasive arguments.
Let's not waste a single moment. Roll up your sleeves and dive in! We can truly do this!!!!
