Begin The Future

A strategy that is needed NOW!

Holds — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 11:14:44 EDT

I think the most amazing thing about Barack is the way he reaches people who have been feeling disillusioned and disenfranchised with the political system, and I think that that ability can take him a long way. But there is one problem: the people who are truly feeling disenfranchised have often shut out much of the political world. They skip political stories in the paper, they don't watch the nightly news, they don't watch cnn, and they certainly don't attend rallies.

But we need to reach those people.

So I believe it is absolutely critical that Obama supporters have a prescence at every single summer festival in the nation this year. County fairs, music festivals, food festivals, Nascar races, whatever. At each event we need to have a booth set up to show dvd's of some of Barack's best speeches and interviews, as well as the usual pamphlets and buttons. No one sells Barack as well as just letting people see and hear and get a sense of the man.

Please, anyone who can, try and participate in this way. Next summer is too late to help with the primaries, so this year is crucial. Let's go out there and show the people who have lost all faith in the system that there is reason to hope.

my event

Holds — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 20:43:39 EDT

Hey there,

I have decided to open my home up on the 31'st for any who wish to drop by, have a snack, shoot the bull, and plan ways to help Obama take Indiana and/or Michigan in both the primary and the general election. This isn't necessarily a fund raiser per se, though if the spirit moves ya its all to the good.

More its a starting point for both future fund raisers and direct action. I would love for Obama supporters to have a good prescence at many of this summer's events, such as county fairs, Rhapsody in Green, Firefly Festival, etc., as it would give us a chyance to educate a lot of people who either haven't heard of him, or have heard of Obama but know very little about him.

Anyway, my home is pretty humble, so I hope you come with a pleasant attitude. There will be beer, if that helps any.

The "wasted" flap.

Holds — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 02:01:26 EST

I think the word "wasted" has connotations that were not what Obama was aiming for. It makes you think of throwing something in the garbage. I think the phrase "needlessly gave their lives" would have been more accurate. It indicates, perhaps, an overabundance of generosity on the part of the soldiers.

While from an objective point of view the results may be the same, the two turns of phrase give very different intimations of the subjective meaning: The first, is that of the suicide, or the O.D., the second that of the fireman who dies in a burning building trying to rescue someone who has already perished.

So apologizing for that choice of words is fair, and does not detract at all from Obama's overall position against the war.

Just for Starters....

Holds — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 10:13:08 EST

Hello all who have managed to stumble on to this.

My name is Chris Holderman. I am a husband, a father, a chef, (though currently working out of my profession) and a Hoosier.

First as a husband and a father I am profoundly concerned with the direction this country, and as a result this planet, is taking. I want my kids to inherit a better, more peaceful world than the one we have now. I believe Barack would put this nation on the right path for that. Also I am the husband of a beautiful black woman and two terrific biracial daughters, so this would be an awesome way to really demonstrate to them that they can do anything they set their minds to.

Secondly, as a chef, although my financial resources are small, my talents have a place here. What fundraiser doesn't need good food? I hope to cook many many benefit dinners in the months to come. No matter your income level or personal situation, we all have a role we can play in helping our nation return to greatness. Just ask yourself what your blessings are, your talents, your abilities, and then figure out a way to make those blessings work to help Barack and to help America. Don't limit yourself to preconceived notions of what other people do to help campaigns, be creative and innovative and you will find a way! Be a dogwalker for Obama, a snow shoveler for Obama, organize a barack obama litterthon and get pledges for every pound of garbage you pick up around your neighborhood, or a tutorthon and get donations for every hour you spend helping underpriveleged kids understand their schoolwork. The ways you can contribute are endless! Don't be afraid!

Finally as a Hoosier, its time to talk realpolitik. Indiana had 3 congressional districts go from republican to democrat last election, and I feel it is positioned to be a crucial swingstate. Unless I'm mistaken, if Indiana had gone to the Democrat in either of the last two elections, Bush would not be in power right now. Unfortunately it was treated as a foregone conclusion that we would favor the republican, so no real effort was made here. I firmly believe that with enough effort we can have this state going to Barack both in the primaries and in the general election.

So lets get started!