FRESHCHAOS for OBAMA

¡OBAMANOS!

Jeff Hartzer — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:43:37 EST

Today's the day-:-Tonight's the night.
¡OBAMANOS!

Barometric pressure is falling and the winds of change are rising in Albuquerque today...Truly a sense of strangeness in the air...A one time resident of 'burque, Jim Morrison penned these lines which are alive today in the high desert:

Strange days have found us
Strange days have tracked us down...

Strange eyes fill strange rooms/Voices will signal their tired end
The hostess is grinning/Her guests sleep from sinning
Hear me talk of sin/And you know this is it

Strange days have found us/And through their strange hours
We linger alone/Bodies confused
Memories misused/As we run from the day
To a strange night of stone

Paying for RAPE KITS

Jeff Hartzer — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:45:28 EDT

This article originally written by 2nd Lt. FUBAR at FRESHCHAOS.com (09/19/08)

Paying for RAPE KITS
Last week USA Today published the story, "Palin's town used to bill victims for rape kits". The Palin camp has denied being part of this insulting practice, but The Huffington Post obtained Wasilla budget documents that prove then-Mayor Palin had a direct hand in charging victims for their rape kits. That is, until the Alaska state legislature and governor passed a law in 2000 ensuring that sexual assault victims receive forensic exams free of charge.

What does this all mean now? For starters, Gov. Palin is not pro-woman and anti-crime. But she's not alone. Sen. McCain voted against federal legislation designed to protect victims, the Violence Against Women Act, sponsored by Sen. Joe Biden and originally signed into law by President Clinton in 1994, and reauthorized in 2000 and 2005. Sen. McCain voted against VAWA twice, including in 2005, when the Act's expansion included the requirement that states provide rape exams free of charge. Sen. Obama was one of the co-sponsors. President Bush signed the new VAWA into law in January 2006. (See, he's not all bad.)

And in Illinois an amendment to the Crime Victims Compensation Act was passed in 2001, co-sponsored by then-state Senator Obama, ensuring the victims of violent crimes are reimbursed for expenses incurred. (See RH Reality Check)

To be ... uh ... fair, there are those who see VAWA as "emasculating" and Senators Biden and Obama and traitors to the male cause. (Feel free to google them yourselves.) Meanwhile, we at FreschChaos HQ are 100% against charging rape victims for their rape kits and can't help but wonder what would motivate anyone to propose and defend this practice.

Well, there is the cost, $500-$1200 in Alaska in 2000, according to most sources. That's enough to prohibit many a freshly traumatized woman and man from submitting to the time-sensitive and invasive exam right there. Rape is a very difficult crime to prove and almost impossible without a positive rape kit. So, in addition to saving taxpayers money, you might just intimidate rape victims into not prosecuting and thereby lower your crime statistics, if not your town's actual crime rate. Looks good on paper.

Except not in Wasilla. According to Conservative Truths: "Conservative states" have higher forcible rape rates than "liberal states." The state with the highest rate of Forcible Rape in the country is, yes, Alaska. And according to Wasilla's Crime Stats during Palin's time as Mayor, the town of 5469 people (in 2000) had 10-18 rapes a year. That works out to a Forcible Rape rate approximately twice that for Alaska. It's apparently not good to be a woman in Wasilla - unless you're Sarah Palin.

And if you're so crass as to defend this practice by saying they were charging the victims' insurance when possible, then I ask you to consider what happens when your health insurance "pays" for your procedures. If you're like me, you pay anything from 20% to 100% of the cost, depending on whether or not you've met your deductible for the year. Also, if you're like me back in 2005, your insurance might just drop you completely once asked to cover this type of "unanticipated expense."

So, how about we really save money and charge the families of possible murder victims for the collection of evidence in those cases? Or maybe Palin and the Wasilla Police believe rape victims are at least partially responsible for being raped. Sarah Palin claims she believes in the Bible as the literal word of God. And in that Good Book women who are raped are punished in various ways, including death by stoning. If they're "lucky" they get to marry their attacker.

Or, maybe, as has been suggested by some bloggers, it's all about the line-item in the rape kit that includes money for emergency contraception. So zygote rights over that of a crime victim?

Any questions as to why the National Organization of Women endorsed Obama-Biden? Incidentally, it's the first time they've endorsed a Presidential campaign since Mondale-Ferrarro 24 years ago. (For those of you with short memories, that's Geraldine Ferrarro, the first-ever woman on a major party ticket.)

DIFFERENT OUTLOOKS

Jeff Hartzer — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:32:03 EDT

The Author of this piece making its way through cyberspace is...<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tim-downing/catching-up-on-the-electi_b_126604.html"target="_blank">Tim Downing</a> In case you missed it, here 'tis:

If you're a minority and you're selected for a job over more qualified candidates you're a "token hire."
If you're a conservative and you're selected for a job over more qualified candidates you're a "game changer."

Black teen pregnancies? A "crisis" in black America.
White teen pregnancies? A "blessed event."

If you grow up in Hawaii you're "exotic."
Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, you're the quintessential "American story."

Similarly, if you name you kid Barack you're "unpatriotic."
Name your kid Track because that is the sport in season, you're "colorful."

If you're a Democrat and you make a VP pick without fully vetting the individual you're "reckless."A Republican who doesn't fully vet is a "maverick."

If you spend 3 years as a community organizer growing your organization from a staff of 1 to 13 and your budget from $70,000 to $400,000, then become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new African Amerian voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, then spend nearly 8 more years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, becoming chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, then spend nearly 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of nearly 13 million people, sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you are woefully inexperienced.
If you spend 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, then spend 20 months as the governor of a state with 650,000 people, then you've got the most executive experience of anyone on either ticket, are the Commander in Chief of the Alaska military and are well qualified to lead the nation should you be called upon to do so because your state is the closest state to Russia.

If you are a Democratic male candidate who is popular with millions of people you are an "arrogant celebrity".
If you are a popular Republican female candidate you are "energizing the base".
If you are a younger male candidate who thinks for himself and makes his own decisions you are "presumptuous".
If you are an older male candidate who makes last minute decisions you refuse to explain, you are a "shoot from the hip" maverick.

If you are a candidate with a Harvard law degree you are "an elitist-out of touch" with the real America.
If you are a legacy (dad and granddad were admirals) graduate of Anapolis, with multiple disciplinary infractions you are a hero.

If you manage a multi-million dollar nationwide campaign, you are an "empty suit".If you are a part time mayor of a town of 7000 people, you are an "experienced executive".

If you go to a south side Chicago church, your beliefs are "extremist".
If you believe in creationism and don't believe global warming is man made, you are "strongly principled".

If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.
If you have been married to the same woman with whom you've been wed to for 19 years and raising 2 beautiful daughters with, you're "risky."

If you're a black single mother of 4 who waits for 22 hours after her water breaks to seek medical attention, you're an irresponsible parent, endangering the life of your unborn child.
But if you're a white married mother who waits 22 hours, you're spunky.

If you're a 13-year-old Chelsea Clinton, the right-wing press calls you "First Dog."
If you're a 17-year old pregnant unwed daughter of a Republican, the right-wing press calls you "beautiful" and "courageous."

If you kill an endangered species, you're an excellent hunter.
If you have an abortion your not a Christian, you're a murderer (forget about if it happened while being date raped.)

If you teach abstinence only in sex education, you get teen parents.If you teach responsible age-appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are "eroding the fiber of society."

Barack at Rio Grande HS/Albuquerque

Jeff Hartzer — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:15:34 EDT

Barack Obama appears today at an Albuquerque High School in one of THE most uniquely 'culturally rich' and 'diverse' sections of ABQ, the South Valley...in other words many minorities, actual farmers and cowboys and yes, Indians, too...Rio Grande High School. There's a poem about that neighborhood online called, On The Bus.

Well we missed the gathering at the high school but got these shots of the OBAMINATOR's Airplane on the tarmac at Cutter Aircraft of Albuquerque...It's a nice bird.Hope his next one is Air Force One.

CELEB CELEBRATION

Jeff Hartzer — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:40:11 EDT

The latest celebrity fuss by gramps McSwain is already a backfire...It is great to have anyone representin' our country other than the narcissistic and just ignorant boob, Bush. "W" looked so embarrasingly foolish with The Pope, The Queen of England and among many more the whole shoulder rubbing the Prime Minister in Germany was WAY over the top in insanity.

We are blessed to have had Barack visiting Europe this past month...he should go visit even more places. Ah-nold is a celebrity...Repo Pubs don't have a problem with him being California's Governor.Ah, REAGAN was a celebrity...DOH!

Thank God for Barack Obama. May be A.O.K. to even LAY LOW a bit and let McSwainson shoot himself in the other foot as well.

Rocking Berlin

Jeff Hartzer — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:03:24 EDT

Barack Rocks Berlin Thank God the universe has brought us a moment of healing from the kharmic devastation that our current President has caused all over Europe not to mention the Middle East. No shoulder rubs from Germany's Chancellor today. Just a great speech to huge crowds at the Wall. We can't solve the problems of the world without the rest of the world. Our eight years of snubbing everyone else must end. The riskier candidate according to recent polls? It might seem that way to some, but Bush's casting aside the rest of the world for (?) seems the biggest risk of all and it hasn't worked. Thank you Barack. March on. Walk on. Speak on. And most of all, stay alive and well.

Wesley Clark endorsement

Jeff Hartzer — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:37:58 EDT

Thank you, Gary Varvel

FRESHCHAOS Quote of the momento:-> "I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president." Retired US General Wesley Clark.

Barack on the Colbert Show

Jeff Hartzer — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:35:16 EDT

Thank God the Colbert Report wrapped up their Pennsylvania Week show with an appearance by Barack...Tonight he is on the DAILY SHOW...'bout time!!

See the video of Barack on the Colbert Show.

FULL CIRCLE

Jeff Hartzer — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:42:36 EDT

We shall not cease from exploration.

And the end of our exploring,

Will be to arrive where we started.

And know the place for the first time.

T.S. Eliot in The Four Quartets

Gov. Bill Richardson Endorses Barack Obama

Jeff Hartzer — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:40:28 EDT

New Mexico's Gov. Bill Richardson has now endorsed Barack Obama...

During the last year, I have shared with you my vision and hopes for this nation as we look to repair the damage of the last seven years. And you have shared your support, your ideas and your encouragement to my campaign. We have been through a lot together and that is why I wanted to tell you that, after careful and thoughtful deliberation, I have made a decision to endorse Barack Obama for President.

We are blessed to have two great American leaders and great Democrats running for President. My affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver. It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall. The 1990's were a decade of peace and prosperity because of the competent and enlightened leadership of the Clinton administration, but it is now time for a new generation of leadership to lead America forward. Barack Obama will be a historic and a great President, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad.

Earlier this week, Senator Barack Obama gave an historic speech. that addressed the issue of race with the eloquence, sincerity, and optimism we have come to expect of him. He inspired us by reminding us of the awesome potential residing in our own responsibility. He asked us to rise above our racially divided past, and to seize the opportunity to carry forward the work of many patriots of all races, who struggled and died to bring us together.

As a Hispanic, I was particularly touched by his words. I have been troubled by the demonization of immigrants--specifically Hispanics-- by too many in this country. Hate crimes against Hispanics are rising as a direct result and now, in tough economic times, people look for scapegoats and I fear that people will continue to exploit our racial differences--and place blame on others not like them . We all know the real culprit -- the disastrous economic policies of the Bush Administration!

Senator Obama has started a discussion in this country long overdue and rejects the politics of pitting race against race. He understands clearly that only by bringing people together, only by bridging our differences can we all succeed together as Americans.

His words are those of a courageous, thoughtful and inspiring leader, who understands that a house divided against itself cannot stand. And, after nearly eight years of George W. Bush, we desperately need such a leader.

To reverse the disastrous policies of the last seven years, rebuild our economy, address the housing and mortgage crisis, bring our troops home from Iraq and restore America's international standing, we need a President who can bring us together as a nation so we can confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad.

During the past year, I got to know Senator Obama as we campaigned against each other for the Presidency, and I felt a kinship with him because we both grew up between words, in a sense, living both abroad and here in America. In part because of these experiences, Barack and I share a deep sense of our nation's special responsibilities in the world.

So, once again, thank you for all you have done for me and my campaign. I wanted to make sure you understood my reasons for my endorsement of Senator Obama. I know that you, no matter what your choice, will do so with the best interests of this nation, in your heart.

Sincerely,

Bill Richardson

Refrain For The Corporate Puppet

Jeff Hartzer — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:18:09 EDT

Refrain For The Corporate Puppet
(on the occasion of President Reagan's Tacoma visit)

Say a prayer for the limousined man
Say a prayer for the incubated man
The man looking backward
The man laughing at the crowd
Say a prayer for the red-faced ferrets riding limos

Say a prayer for the hospitality kitchens of the world
Street cornered and hungry factory girls and boys
Easy targets for limousined string pullers

Say a prayer for Presidents
who swing on cowboy boots
who laugh red-faced behind steel glass visions
from inside enormous embryonic cars
flown in fromthe capitals of the world

Say a prayer for the limousined man
so important
he needs a gunship
to chop open the sky
wherever he goes
with Greyhounds of Press
and soldiers and televisions
and all of us waiting

© 2008
Jeff Hartzer

WE JUST CAN'T GO BACK AGAIN...

Barack Obama on ROLLINGSTONE COVER...

Jeff Hartzer — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:36:19 EST

Barack Obama makes the Cover of Rollingstone with a story entitled, The Machinery of Hope.

Movement Analysis of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton

Jeff Hartzer — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 23:29:49 EST

Movement Analysis of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton

2nd Lt. Fubar of Freshchaos.com has kindly edited down these movement analyses of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The first analysis is by Certified Movement Analysts Cheryl Clark, Karen Studd, and Karen Bradley, who claim impartiality before seeing Sen. Obama, but hint at a preference after this appearance.

Barack Obama entered the arena at the University of Maryland without fanfare. He slid into the space and reached up to the waiting hands, shaping his hands, arms, and torso around each set, with clear eye contact. The two-handed grasp encompassed every single person, and he took his time moving along both sides of the crowded aisles. At one point, a woman handed him a baby, who looked to be about three or four months old. He held the baby out at face level. The baby and Senator Obama looked each other in the eyes for a good three seconds, as if they were communing on some deeper level. Then he slowly and gently kissed the baby's cheek and handed her back to her mother.

The sense that he had all the time in the world to connect with each person there continued throughout his entrance and into his stump speech. The combination of taking time and taking in the entire audience drew folks to him, evidenced by the large numbers leaning forward to get closer in.

Rarely have we observed such intimacy in such a huge arena. Gravitas is usually associated with age and experience and a charismatic presence is not often so understated. But Senator Obama's entrance style was authoritative without being patrician. He was humorous and casual without appearing silly and immature, serious but flexible.

As he went onstage, his manner was easy, free-flowing and relaxed. He strolled around, taking in the crowd, soaking us in, in no particular rush, but with that smile. People stood and screamed, but he brought the crowd down, not the other way around. "Go ahead and sit," he said. We sat.

As he spun his speech, the shifts of weight, the yielding to the flow of words and ideas, began. He went easily from turning and twisting around, indulging in the 360° view, to condensing into the flow and rhythm of his words, with punctuations of sudden emphasis at the end.

Yes, the man has impact.

As he got going, he shifted from one idea to the next with a flow supported by those ever-cycling hands, held close to his upper torso. Gestures flew off to the sides or cycled around in front.

His voice: Deep, resonant, lyrical, now strong, now light, holding a note for just a tad, cracking a quick joke, speaking to a group of women basketball players who rushed in late and adoring, he rattled off teasing statements that made them laugh and flush.

Those crescendos and decrescendos of voice were punctuated by pauses; a syncopated style of delivery. He flowed through vowels, shaping each one. But he is also a master of the consonants, caressing the "p" in "people" and "hope."

Cheryl turned to us and we all began to comment at the same time: overlapping phrases, ongoingness, flow, strong voice, rhythm, mobility,
passion, spell, and then Cheryl said it: "resilient."

The man is resilient. He bounced back, shifted sideways, went under the bar, leapt over, delighting the audience. And yet he is not quite the
trickster/star; he was serious and heart-felt. He has street cred and he uses it.

Obama checked himself. He paused and took a spin around his head, searching inside while the audience responded. He had the speech paced out, and he knew where he could take those check-in moments. (He is not always able to do this in a debate situation).

The resilient rhythms were colored by the small gestures that sometimes ended in an arm sweep, as if he is scooping everyone up, lifting hopes, bringing folks together. The small gestures of the hands were intimate and connected one moment to the next and the audience to him. The large sweeping gestures ended in quick bursts, emphasizing and punctuating the message. "Lifting the country up", he said, and his open palm did just that, with a flourish.

Obama is a much more complicated read than Clinton. His mastery of the light touch compares to Clinton's frequent use of simple clear and integrated strong gestures. While both candidates attended to timing and emphasis, Obama drew out the moment more frequently and more effectively than Clinton does. Senator Clinton uses more haste; she will jump onto an issue and make a strong point. We find this difference revealing and not unrelated to the much remarked-upon nature of the success of these two individuals - a male of color and a female making it to the top in such a challenging climate.

Obama has more mobility and Clinton more stability in their movement patterns. The public recognizes the difference: Obama owns the "change" meme, whereas Clinton owns the "experienced and tough" meme. What the people will choose to invest in is going to be the story of the next few months. Through movement analysis, not only are the differences clear, but for each of us, the investment in one or the other or in one of the candidates from other parties will be critically important. Movement reveals so much information. And we need to know what these potential leaders are made of.

And now for a different "read." The following analysis is by Ellen Goldman:

Overall, Hillary has many more Integrated Movements, where her body fully supports her statements, merging Posture to Gesture with a consistent quality or shape. Barack has few. His body attitude is held back, with a head tilt that could be read as condescending. This supports the removed attitude he often projects. His posture improved in the last debate, but there were still only a very few Integrated Movements.

Hillary shows Perspective and Assertiveness in her movements as well as in her words. She looks at an issue from many angles.

Her vertical plane, descending movements, show a clarity and sense of priority of issues. She can respond quickly, and knowledgeable about any issue, clarifying what is needed and what she can do. She admits to past errors, and gives trustworthy information about what can be done to improve the past. Her ability to relate, and encourage communication is supported by her physical gestures of enclosing and spreading, and she can answer personal questions without defensiveness. She is comfortable in the debating situation, and can be disarming, a positive quality for negotiations that will be necessary. Her power is accessible to her, in her total body movement, and she is very grounded in her weight.

[Obama's] sense of taking time, and pacing was not evident in the debates. He seemed more hesitating, and less grounded. His pointing gestures were mechanical, only occasionally support by a few advancing and retreating movements. His "grounding" comes more from lofty ideals which do not yet seems to have fully come to fruition.

Perhaps Barack needs to be alone with the crowd to be his best self ... However, Hillary has managed to create intimacy, and responsiveness around herself. She is not given to oratory, but to practicality. I find her presence, and her ability to support her words trustworthy, and inspiring. She wants the country to know her thinking and she wants to hear from us.

The Great Robe Flap

Jeff Hartzer — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 23:24:04 EST

<center><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7263783.stm"target="_blank"><img src="http://www.aquilaarts.com/obama_robe.jpg"alt="obama in a robe"> Obama goes for a Robe... OH NO!</a></center>

There is a flap about this photograph that is flapping more loudly than Hillary's own three sheets in the wind. What gives? This international article on the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7263783.stm"target="_blank">BBC website</a> helps to tell the story.

[Saw this first at-> <a href="http://www.freshchaos.com">FRESHCHAOS.com</a>]

NADER to RUN?

Jeff Hartzer — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 17:54:32 EST

Ralphie's Nadir

JUST SAY NO to RALPH NADER ...Say it ain't so, Ralph. Please do not run for the roses or the cabbage patch in '08...

JUSTin from Dallas

Jeff Hartzer — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 14:10:29 EST

One of our secretive Chaos General Staffers writes this post at FRESHCHAOS.com and we share it with you here...This fellow, who is calling himself Major League, is a longtime resident of Dallas who lives just three blocks from the future Bush Library...

JUSTin from Dallas, Chaos General Staffer, Major League writes:-> Maj. League, here, (wearing an ABQ Isotopes cap) is attending the neighborhood Obama organizing meeting in his very own predominantly Republican area of Dallas. Huge turnout. Lots of enthusiasm. Old and young alike are excited. Have never seen such an upswell--people realize this to be the once-in-a-generation opportunity for uplifting change. If this precinct is any guage, Barack Obama will carry Dallas.

OBAMA opposes Cluster Bombs

Jeff Hartzer — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:49:29 EST

The author of GET YOUR WAR ON David Rees writes:
In the eight years I've managed my 'mailing list', I've never agitated for a politician. I hope you'll let me abuse your trust this one time. If you're a friend of mine, or a fan of "Get Your War On," you probably know how important the issue of cluster bombs and landmines is to me.

It was America's use of cluster bombs during Operation: Enduring Freedom that led me to start GYWO seven(!) years ago this fall, and it has been my pleasure and my honor to donate the royalties from the two GYWO anthologies to Mine Detection & Dog Center Team #5, a landmine removal team in western Afghanistan.

If you ever attended a GYWO reading, you probably sat through my video of landmine removal teams in the field, or listened to me read off statistics about that dangerous mission, or indulged me by taking an informational flyer about MDC Team #5 and the sacred work they do.

Cluster bombs and landmines are particularly terrifying weapons that wreak havoc on communities trying to recover from war. They are fatal impediments to reconstruction and rehabilitation of agricultural land; they destroy valuable livestock; they disable otherwise productive members of society; they maim or kill children trying to salvage them for scrap metal.

Over 150 nations have signed the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. It pains me that our great nation has not. But in the autumn of 2006, there was a chance to take a step in the right direction: Senate Amendment No. 4882, an amendment to a Pentagon appropriations bill that would have banned the use of cluster bombs in civilian areas.

Senator Obama voted IN FAVOR of the ban.

Senator Clinton voted AGAINST the ban.

Analysts say Clinton did want to risk appearing "soft on terror," as it would have harmed her electibility. I'm not a single-issue voter. But as Obama and Clinton share many policy positions, this vote was revelatory for me. After all, Amendment No. 4882 was an easy one to vote against: Who'd want to risk accusation of "tying the hands of the Pentagon" during a never-ending, global War on Terror? As is so often the case, there was no political cost to doing the wrong thing. And there was no political reward for doing the right thing.

But Senator Obama did the right thing. Is Senator Obama perfect? Of course not. Nobody who voted for 2005's wack-ass energy bill is perfect. Nobody who voted to reauthorize the Patriot Act is perfect.
But of the two remaining Democratic candidates, one decided her vote on Amendment No. 4882 according to a political calculation. The other used a moral calculation.

RIO RANCHO CHAOS

Jeff Hartzer — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:05:53 EST

INEXCUSABLE that there is only ONE polling place for 80,000 people in Rio Rancho,New Mexico today...Just saw this at FRESHCHAOS.com ...We've tried hard but we can't blame 'W' for this GIGANTIC GAPE...Today in Rio Rancho, New Mexico a city with a population of almost 80,000 folks, only ONE polling place was open to thousands of eager Democrats to cast their 'vote'. DOH!

The weather today was clear in most of our Enchanted land, though roads were icy, and, in Northern New Mexico, quite snow-filled. A much larger than expected turnout of voters occurred despite the cold weather.

ABQ Journal Editorial for OBAMA!

Jeff Hartzer — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:56:28 EST

This editorial appeared in the Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico's largest newspaper which all too often leans a bit toward the RIGHT...Maybe the world is coming to an end? IT'S OBAMAMANIA...

Vote for Obama, Not Politics as Usual

Only about one-fifth of New Mexico's half-million registered Democrats turned out for the state's presidential primary vote four years ago. If that sounds anemic, consider the state chairman's turnout projection for Tuesday's noon-7 p.m. vote: less than half the 2004 level of 102,000.
If that turns out to be the case, given the choices and the state of the union, blame it on the state of American politics.
Blame it on round after round of below-the-belt campaigning. Blame it on consultants who profit from polarization and empower fringe ideologues at either end of the spectrum.
Blame it on cynical politicians who hammer on wedge issues to raise funds and get elected, then put them on the shelf until the next time they need some red meat to "energize the base."
A little closer to home, we could look in our mirrors. We could blame tuned-out voters tired of being manipulated by politicians instead of being motivated by them-- not just motivated to line up and vote, but to engage again in this government by the people.
Or, New Mexico's rank-and-file Democrats could forgo blame, tune back in and confound the official predictions. One way to do that-- and send the message that they're tired of politics as usual-- is to cast a vote Tuesday for Barack Obama.
The first-term senator from Illinois has become one of the top two Democratic contenders by the strange tactic of perceiving the widespread disgust with political business as usual and by giving it voice.
He confounds the reflexes that have been drilled into voters, like "the assumption that young people are apathetic. The assumption that Republicans won't cross over. The assumption that the wealthy care nothing for the poor, and that the poor don't vote. The assumption that African-Americans can't support the white candidate; whites can't support the African-American candidate; blacks and Latinos can't come together," Obama told supporters after finishing ahead of Hillary Clinton in South Carolina's primary.
If Clinton came to this campaign with nothing more than her record as a New York senator, this would be a different race. That record is one of a centrist Democrat capable of working across the aisle and who has mastered the range of issues that would confront a president.
But Sen. Clinton's baggage goes back further; as Bill Clinton advertised in the 1992 campaign, this is a two-fer deal. In 2008, that's a bad deal, because the Clintons-- despite the combination of intelligence, charm and killer political instincts-- are divisive figures. And their divisive tactics are evident in the current campaign.
Worse, her campaign virtually embodies the tick-tock inevitability of the pendulum of polarization: Bush, Clinton, Bush Jr. ... Clinton II? That would be a gift for far-right strategists depressed by the prospect of a President McCain, much less a President Obama.
It may be hard for citizens, who for so long have been in the habit of voting against the greater evil, to cast a vote "for" something. If so, vote against negative campaigning. Vote against division and the gridlock it encourages. Vote against being taken for granted by politicians who think they know what buttons to push. Vote against this dead-end status quo that predates the White House's current occupant and involves both parties. Or just be positive and vote for Sen. Barack Obama. At worst, he's guilty of campaigning on the promise of hope.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
© ABQJournal

OBAMAMANIA in New Mexico

Jeff Hartzer — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:49:48 EST

It began with Arizona governor Janet Napolitano speaking at the AirDance ArtSpace on January 22nd. It was the most diverse group I've seen in Albuquerque since the anti-war protests of 2003 - and even then ... And they were excited. It was refreshing to hear a leader be positive, realistic, clear. Napolitano spoke about Obama's leadership and judgment trumping experience. (And made a dig at the experienced Cheney, Rumsfeld, et al.) People were smiling and laughing and comparing notes.

Then Senator Obama appeared in Albuquerque's Convention Center before a packed crowd of 4500 and then another 2000 outside. It felt like a rock concert, except for the diversity of the crowd. The man is simply inspirational. He seems to truly like people and want to help them. Young, old, and lots in-between were riveted as Barack talked about economic reform. People shouted O-BA-MA amidst talk of tax cuts. He is The Man!

So, what's the downside? Some say they'd vote for Barack, but they're afraid the nation's just too racist. How long are you going to let these bigots intimidate you? It's the Third Millennium (or so) and it's time let go of the idea that race is real and the problem of racism insurmountable.

"No problem can be solved with the same consciousness that created it." [Albert Einstein]

If you want Clinton as president, you like her health care plan, vote for her. If you want Obama, find him inspirational, vote for him. Don't give your power to the bigots. It's exactly what they want. They want you to be afraid. They want you to stop thinking and just react. Vote your heart and your guts and your brain. Be true to yourself.

"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." [Martin Luther King, Jr.]

Think about the following:
- Just months ago, people were saying the country probably wasn't ready for either a woman or a black man. Now we're ready for the woman, but not the man? We've got 9 months to get ready for both.
- Obama won BIG in the corn-fed, Heartland state of Iowa!
- In the very white, very conservative, Live Free or Die state of New Hampshire, Obama got 37% of the popular vote to Clinton's 39%. Do the math, if you dare.
- In Nevada, Hillary again edged out Barack in the popular vote, but Barack got more delegates. The system is FUBAR, but that doesn't mean we can't take advantage. W has taught us one doesn't need but just over half the popular vote (if that) to win.

I am for Obama. I am tired of being talked down to. I am tired of being used and ignored. I am ready for a leader who talks about reform coming from the people, not from the top down. I am ready for a leader who is not embarrassed to talk about hope, about changing hearts and minds and broadening spirits. I am ready to be valued.

Need inspiration? Barack Obama speeches Check out his speech of January 20th.

This 'blog entry' first published at FRESHCHAOS.com

Arizona Gov. at AirDance ArtSpace

Jeff Hartzer — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:37:36 EST

The Gov. of Arizona will be in Albuquerque at the AirDance ArtSpace Tuesday, January 22nd, evening at 6 p.m. in support of the Obama for America campaign...Call for updated info from the Barack Obama for America HQ in Albuquerque, N.M. 505.205.5629

Directions to the AirDance ArtSpace...

From ABQ...take I-25 south to Rio Bravo Exit (#220)
Continue across the Rio Grande on Rio Bravo
Go right (north) on Isleta Blvd. S.W.
The AirDance ArtSpace is three blocks north on your right (a big silver building with neon signage)
3030 Isleta Blvd. S.W.
Maps, nearby hotels, etc. available at the AirDance ArtSpace website.

CELEB of the Day (at least!)

Jeff Hartzer — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 23:24:34 EST

Just in from FRESHCHAOS.com->
Hillary is on Newsweek's cover this week, but hey, Vibe Magazine's Celeb of the Day is :-> Barack Obama.

RICHARDSON BOWS OUT

Jeff Hartzer — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:54:47 EST

JUST ANNOUNCED: Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn from the race to the White House. This according to the AP...at the moment his campaign office has 'no comment' but...

I visited the largest Dem Party Office in our state this week...I was 'high' and FIRED UP after Obama's Iowa acceptance speech...What I found in our Enchanted Land's HEAD OFFICE for the Dems was ah, disappointing...You can buy OBAMA WEAR online but in person you can't even get an OBAMA BUMPERSTICKER at Party HQ...

Now the WAVE needs to SURGE again in NEW MEXICO...With Richardson out, OBAMA should just plain ROCK...And whoever's in charge of the National Office, PLEASE FEDEX some bumperstickers to our state's DEM PARTY HQ.

BILL RICHARDSON as VEEP with OBAMA would not be a bad thing. We've been saying this for months at FRESHCHAOS.com.

Just for fun... Tonight! Republican presidential candidate and Iowa primary winner Mike Huckabee makes his fourth visit to the Colbert Report. Will he ask Stephen to be his running mate yet again?

JUSTin from the official Obama site... Barack Obama and staff appreciate hearing from you. Please note, though, that they are now replying only to emails sent through their 'webform'. Contact Barrack Obama address . Speak out to the man.

There's an ANSWER CENTER for Barrack Obama with an easy-to-search database of questions and answers that let's you find information on a wide range of subjects from volunteering to policy positions.

OBAMA SURGE #2

Jeff Hartzer — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 02:36:51 EST

The OBAMA SURGE swelled with Oprah throwing her support behind Mr. O...

Now it is surging again now in bigger ways...stronger ways...deeper ways...

And this week:->New Hampshire will shake the snow off the fir trees and blast the momentous Surge further...The waves of change are moving.

Not red nor blue, but UNITED

Jeff Hartzer — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:56:23 EST

FRESHCHAOS for OBAMA salutes Barack Obama for his success in Iowa and for his very strong caucus winner acceptance speech (if there is such a thing). Tonight showed us a man as great as any of those who took bullets back in the day...FINALLY, there is a candidate who can bring TRUE HEALING, NEW HOPE, and PEACE to America.

FRESHCHAOS for OBAMA is a Blog from the high desert of New Mexico. Until tonight we have stood behind our Governor Bill Richardson. Tonight, we MOVE ON with Barack Obama in strength and in hope for a TRUE HEALING OF AMERICA and with hope for a new course away from the worst eight political years of USA history.

GODSPEED to Barack Obama, the next President of the United States. It is a long way from here to there, know that we are with you...

Further updates at www.FRESHCHAOS.com