Daniel McKernan's Blog

The Next President (Yes We Can)

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 21:07:17 EDT

Ingredients:

1 USDA Choice 5-Star Presidential candidate (recommend Barack Obama ONLY!)

2 Barack Obama supporters in Chicago

1 Barack Obama supporter in Phoenix

a pinch of musical & managerial know-how

a dash of computer technology know-how

a jigger of creative ingenuity

First, select the best presidential candidate in 40 years. We strongly recommend only using Barack Obama for optimal results. Second, get a young singer/songwriter with a powerful, intoxicating voice to write a song reflecting our common desire for change. Third, record the song and send an mp3 version of it to another Obama supporter in Phoenix Arizona, who just so happens to have a knack for creating visual delights to accompany the sweet sounds. Fourth, enjoy the finished product.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FnNHoX0VGBg

This production was created with much love & passion by Obama supporters for anyone who prefers the new politics of hope over the politics of cynicism and politics of fear.

No Creo En El Jamas

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:49:46 EDT

I Don't Believe in Never. This song was suggested to me by another Obama blogger, Dinora. I was not familiar with the song or the artist so I went surfing over at my second online home, YouTube, and found it. What a pleasant surprise! Even though I am not fluent in Spanish I did study the language for 3 1/2 years in high school so I was able to understand a lot of the song. From what I learned, the artist Juanes, is very well known and popular in Mexico. When I mentioned this to my daughter in Seattle she knew exactly who I was talking about so, sadly I feel I was a little behind the curve on this one.

Anyway, the song has a very catchy beat to it and I included the English subtitles for the majority of the song other than when the chorus repeats the second time. I'll include all the English translation lyrics here for anyone who may be interested. The spanish lyrics can be found all over the web with a simple google search.

I want everyone to know that I like all types of music and I am always open to suggestions for songs to use for Obama videos. Once again kudos to Dinora for the suggestion on this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Woby5IlTHXU

No Creo En el Jamas - I Don't Believe in Never

When life throws me blows and knocks me to the ground

is when I feel the most that I have to pick myself up

for facing fear is a way to conquer it

I won't give up, I won't give my life to fear

fear is an assasin that kills feelings

whenever I'm alone, it's because God is here inside me

and I need silence to be able to find

my own voice and my truth

and at the end of the darkness

I don't feel alone, I know you're with me

today I'm going to rise and not get disheartened

over what I wanted to do and wasn't able to

I'm not going to accept it today, I'm going to try to do better

life has a solution, there's nothing impossible here

I don't believe in never...no! (x2)

If giving up is a way of dying

then I'm never going to give in to death

I think of my family, the heart beats stronger

for one cannot live wondering when one will die

and they say that to dream is as much as dreaming of being alive

I believe in the present and that keeps me away from death

and I need silence to find

my own voice and my truth

and at the end of the darkness

I don't feel alone, I know you're with me

today I will rise and I won't get disheartened

over what I wanted to do and wasn't able to

I won't accept it today, I'm going to try to do better

life has a solution, there is nothing impossible here

I don't believe in never...no! (x2)

Butterfly Kisses

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:47:40 EDT

Good Morning,

Some of you may be aware of a video project I am working on with "Butterfly Kisses" as the featured song and the father/daughter relationship as the central theme. I plan on using images of Senator Obama and his daughters and would also like to invite any Obama supporters to participate by emailing your favorite photos of your father/daughter for inclusion in the video. I also have a daughter and will be including my own photos. So far I have had 3 people send photos and would love to get as many as possible. I will also include your name on your photo in the video or in the credits if you desire, or they will stay anonymous and we could play a game on the blogs of guessing who's who.

Anyway, it is a beautiful song and I really want this video to turn out special so I would greatly appreciate your participation. The easiest way for me to receive photos would be as attachments to an email. I have a variety of programs to open the images and the "jpeg" format seems to work the best for me so if you can send in that format that would be great.

My direct email address is danm117@cox.net

If you wish to participate please email your photos within the next 7-10 days. Thank you very much.

Daniel McKernan

Desert Dove Dan (barackobama.com username)

DesertRatDan (YouTube username)

What group does he play for?

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:00:01 EDT

The Beatles? The Stones? U2? He's the drummer, right? What, you heard he was the keyboardist? I thought he was just the lead singer. Boy, it must costs hundreds to get into one of his concerts.

Since the announcement yesterday that Senator Barack Obama will accept the Democratic Presidential nomination at Invesco Field in Denver, the National Enquirer, er, corporate media has started once again with their smarmy "rock star" references for the good Senator. Is that little green-eyed monster rearing its ugly head perhaps?

Barack Obama is NO ROCK STAR! He is an incredibly intelligent, empathetic, honest young man who wants to serve his country and his fellow man. He has appealed to the "better angels of our nature" and has treated us with respect by not campaigning in soundbites and insulting our intelligence. The corporate media cannot or will not understand this. See, when someone actually listens to us and then tells us the truth about the issues, problems, etc., the American people seem to be able to accept that just fine and ask what they need to do to make it happen. Corporate media does not like that. They want to be able to tell us what to think so that we will just mindlessly mimic their talking points and then buy the products and services they are hocking through the handful of their freaking commercial sponsors (Big Oil, Big Pharma, Insurance/Financial Svcs, etc.)

I love music as much as the next person. In fact, I've been to my share of rock concerts over the years. No matter how good the band or the concert was, when it was over there would be a few lasting memories but for the most part, nothing special. Just another fun night out! But after listening to one of Senator Obama's speeches I am inspired, motivated and jump into action with blogging, canvassing, phone banking, etc.

If a music reference must be used as an analogy for Barack Obama then I would suggest the position of Conductor or Maestro. This country is a tremendously diverse group with lots of different "styles" that need to be melded into one harmonious tune. So let us all get ready for the "Concerto for Change", performed by the American People Orchestra, led by Maestro Obama!

Bravo, Bravo, Encore, Encore!

(Bic lighter flickering)

Change, what change?

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:11:26 EDT

As an ardent supporter of Barack Obama, I have to admit, I've been increasingly amused when I hear somebody ask the question in my title above, in an obviously shallow and condescending tone. Well, after I stop laughing I look them dead in the eye and say, "you're kidding right?"

When it comes to Senator Barack Obama, his campaign and his White House, how do I say CHANGE? Let me count the ways.

CHANGE = Over 1.8 million donors
CHANGE = Average contribution of $88.00
CHANGE = NO campaign contributions accepted from federal registered lobbyists or PACs
CHANGE = Political rallies attracting crowds of 75,000
CHANGE = Campaign offices in all 50 states
CHANGE = An unprecedented Get Out the Vote effort that has registered tens of thousands of new Democrats
CHANGE = A President that was higher than 5th from the bottom in his graduating class in college
CHANGE = A President who will not mangle the English language
CHANGE = A President who will tell us the TRUTH
CHANGE = Tax cut for the MIDDLE CLASS (finally)
CHANGE = Closing Guantanamo
CHANGE = Getting out of Iraq
CHANGE = "Getting" Osama bin Laden
CHANGE = Restoring Habeas Corpus
CHANGE = Access to quality healthcare for all
CHANGE = Hundreds of thousands of new jobs in the energy & infrastructure sectors
CHANGE = All major policies negotiated in the open with input from the American people
CHANGE = Oh yeah, did I mention he's Bi-Racial, young, handsome, highly intelligent, honest and a devoted family man? When was the last time we had one of those running for President?

Change? You betcha!

Governance vs Politics

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:54:47 EDT

The length of this Democratic presidential nominating process has been enlightening on a few different levels for me. When we learned about government in school we were taught things like, the 3 branches of government, how a bill becomes a law, who was our first president, etc. We learned a bit about what exactly a representative republic is. What we did not learn about was this notion that corporations are citizens just like everyone else, but because they have so much more money and influence with congresspeople, that all laws are now written by them for them. In fact, it has become so lucrative that government employees are now just putting in their time so that they can leave government work and become lobbyists for the very industries that they used to regulate.

Now, in the past we had what we called the Fourth Estate. That was the moniker given to the media for their role as government watchdog. Well that watchdog has now become their lapdog! Reason? See previous paragraph about "corporate citizens." Sex sells, drama sells, basically bullshit is what sells these days on the corporate airwaves. Why do you think there have been so many "financial services" commericals over the last 8 years? They are probably second to only big Pharma as far as advertising spending go. So keep all the unwashed masses drugged up and they won't realize that the government is stealing them blind. As long as they can watch and vote for their American Idol, that's all that matters. As far as news is concerned, you will not get that from the networks or cable infotainment channels. If one's only source for information is the TV, then we have a situation where somebody like George Bush can waltz into the White House, totally destroy this country's morale, economy, military, standing in the world, environment, etc and be PRAISED for it by some paid shills on these corporate media blabberfests.

All of last year, ALL of the media coverage of the Democratic nominating process was focused on the "inevitable" Senator Hillary Clinton. EVERYBODY justs LOVES Bill Clinton! That's what we were told every single day by one bubble-headed, bleach blond after another. (thanks Don Henley for that reference, "Dirty Laundry.") When we did hear the name Barack Obama mentioned it was usually with ridicule and scorn. "Whatever happened to the guy that gave that great speech at the DNC in 2004? They would ask. What is he all about? They would ask. He's got no substance, they would say. Well, how the hell would they know? I don't think any of them even bothered to read either of Obama's TWO bestsellers, one of which was a very honest and heartfelt autobiography. No, they were too busy being lazy and quoting whatever poll of the day had Senator Clinton up by 20, 30, 40 percentage points, nationally of course. Did they even bother to look into Obama's policies and position papers and hour long detailed speeches on issues that he was performing last summer and early fall? No, of course not. That's boring stuff, they would rather quote polls and then "discuss" how they all could be so wrong!

Now, I understand that Senator Clinton and her supporters are vowing to never support Senator Obama, blaming their loss on the media and on everyone else. If there ever was a family that had more control over the media than the Clintons I would like to know who. Maybe the Hearst family or Rupert Murdoch. Senator Clinton, what are the rules for nominating a Democratic presidential candidate? What are the rules? Did you all agree to the rules? What are the rules? Senator Clinton, does Puerto Rico get to vote in our Presidential election? Senator Clinton, if you think Michigan and Florida should be counted for popular vote, then shouldn't all caucus states be counted also? What are the rules? Did you all agree to the rules?

Sorry to be repetitive but we, as citizens of the U.S. are expected to live by its rules and laws correct? Wouldn't it be safe to say that we should be able to expect that our elected leaders would do the same?

One last time, what are the rules and did you agree to them? Why don't you go tell all your buddies in the corporate media what the rules are and that you agreed to them, and that you now wish to congratulate Senator Obama on a well run campaign and a hard fought victory? That would be the sign of good sportsmanship that we Americans like to pride ourselves on.

Barack Obama meets the Black Knight

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Sat, 10 May 2008 14:02:39 EDT

In the desert southwest we have these cockroaches or sewer roaches if you will, that are literally indestructible. I once sprayed a whole can of RAID directly on one and it just kind of burped, and went on its merry way. Hmmm, the Black Knight perhaps?

We also have these scorpions that have proven equally indestructible. Did you know that a scorpion can go without water for a year and still survive? And that they can flatten their bodies and fit into the smallest of cracks in any cement or other type of foundation? Another Black Knight?

When you put the 2008 Presidential candidates through this prism you would have to agree that Senator Hillary Clinton is the ultimate Black Knight.

The North Carolina and Indiana primary results seem to clearly indicate that the nomination process is a foregone conclusion, right? Well it would be nice if somebody would gently let Hillary know that.

Anyway, I put together this little video to illustrate my point. For any Monty Python fans out there, I think you'll recognize the audio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCEpI-7naEk

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:59:48 EDT

This is just a cute little shout out to all my Obama brothers and sisters here on www.barackobama.com. As this campaign has progressed I have found that this website has become my second home. It is such a friendly and helpful and fun atmosphere that it is the closest thing to "family" that I have experienced outside of my biological family.

I can only hope that this site remains "the best show in town," even after President Obama takes the Oath of Office. I just love it here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4IS0Yy15kk

Peace & Love to All

Grass roots in the Digital Age

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:54:05 EDT

I've heard the term grass roots before but until now never really gave it much thought. So my first stop is believe it or not, Webster's New World College Dictionary 4th Edition. I know I know, with a blog title like this you would think I would just Google it or take a peeki at Wiki, but me and Webster go way back so I usually give him first dibs.

grass roots: (of American origin) 1 the common people, originally those especially of rural or nonurban areas, thought of as best representing the basic, direct political interests of the electorate. 2 the basic or fundamental source or support, as of a movement.

So how does a grass roots movement take hold in the digital age? I think what Howard Dean started in 2004, Barack Obama has taken to a whole new level in 2008. The very first email I received from Barack Obama in early 2007 was about me and how I could be a part of something really good. It was enticing, it lured me in. It didn't ask for money it just asked me to go take a look at the website and get involved. I have to admit though that I was already very interested in Obama even before the email.

I absolutely love the digital age myself. It has allowed me to run a small bookkeeping/payroll/tax prep business out of my house with almost no travel at all. With the ability to transfer not only data files but all kinds of banking & financial transactions, tax returns, etc electronically, the world has indeed shrunk. The other side of the planet is just a mouse-click away. You want photos or images or music or video? Hey, YouTube baby. And until a recent ruling by the Arizona Racing Commission, I use to be able to bet on and watch horse races from anywhere in the world right on my computer.

Anyway, you start with a message, you open-up a place (real & cyber) where everybody can come to see and hear that message. Then you give them the tools to network with each other and then show them (Camp Obama) how to expand their networks with the same message, in this case the message of CHANGE.

I created a profile on barackobama.com and made donations on a fairly regular basis. I had never blogged before and it took me a little while of just reading and lurking, trying to learn the etiquette and navigation techniques before I actually started to post a few things myself. The atmosphere was really so very friendly and helpful that it has become my second home. Well, actually my first home since my computer's in my office and I'm in my office 7 days a week. It even gave me the confidence to venture out and create accounts at a few other blog sites, namely DailyKos and Huffington Post, even though I haven't posted at those sites much at all.

Okay, so my wife and I sign up to attend a mini "Camp Obama." It taught us how to tell our story and then listen and get someone else to tell their story about how they came to rally around a common cause (i.e. a political campaign) After that we volunteered as ushers at Obama's rally at ASU in Tempe, AZ last October. Well, after taking pictures at the rally and downloading them to my computer, I discovered a little program already installed called Windows Movie Maker. I played around with it a little bit and was able to put together a little slide show with music. Then I actually learned how to upload it to YouTube so I could share it with other Obama supporters. Now I can't stop. As of this writing I think I have 78 videos on my YouTube channel, the majority being related to Obama or this campaign in some way.

Something amazing happened the other night though that I wanted to share with everyone. After Senator Obama's rally last Friday in Philadelphia, in which attendance was reported to be 35,000 I was surfing my usual spots for images, video, etc of the rally and found enough material to put together a music video that I finished and uploaded to YouTube at about 12:30 a.m. Arizona time. I was so tired that I didn't even post a link to it over on barackobama.com, I just figured I would do it the next morning. Well when I got up and went to check my email I noticed that there were already about 15 to 20 emails that said someone had commented on my video. I went to YouTube and noticed that there were already close to 400 views! Then I received an email from another Obama supporter that said they had seen my video from a link over on DailyKos. Apparently, a blogger with the handle of "lookit" had surfed the net for video of the amazing rally in Philly and linked them all in a diary on DKos.

Saturday the number of views on YouTube only changed twice. It went from 400 to 2300 and then to 4500 by the time I went to bed Saturday night. As I was checking it today It has gone over 6000 views but what I found even more fascinating was that it had garnered up to 9 "honors" at one point. Honors are ratings liked #37 Most Viewed in News & Politics (today or this week, etc). The video hit honor status in 5 countries outside of the U.S. New Zealand, Ireland, Netherland, France and Canada. The point I'm trying so clumsily to make is that with the technology of today and like minded people all rallying around a common cause, a common purpose, nothing is impossible.

Here is a link to the video. The most amazing part is that after the rally thousands of people marched and chanted "Yes We Can" for 7 or 8 blocks down Market St in an impromptu parade! So, in a matter of hours, from on the ground in Philadelphia, to a home office in Phoenix, to the cyberworld of YouTube, DailyKos & Barackobama.com, grass roots in the digital age hits the world stage. I sure am glad to be a part of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa1hDJjWuYc

Right Now

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:15:08 EDT

47 million Americans without health insurance and even those that do have it are only one injury or illness away from bankruptcy. A planet being heated up and choked to death by its own inhabitants. The illegal invasion and occupation of a foreign country that has lasted longer than World War I, World War II and the Civil War and cost over 4000 lives, trillions of dollars AND a tripling in gas prices since 2001. Decreasing wages, jobs lost to foreign countries because of cheap labor, the explosion of illegal immigration here because of corporate greed.

This is an election year. There are numerous debates to give the American people a good look at the candidates on their positions on issues, right? Well, apparently ABC didn't think so and thought it was much more important to ask about lapel flag pins, pastors, 1960's radicals, elistism, baking cookies and protecting the capital gains tax rates for a "middle class", that according to Charles Gibson, is people making $250,000 per year. A quarter of a million per year is middle class?

The point I'm so clumsily trying to make is that there are so many more important issues that face us RIGHT NOW, that I had to emphasize it with a music video. I must admit though that I somewhat pilfered the format of the video from the band's (Van Halen) original music video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CBzxtbemrc

Right Here Right Now

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:46:42 EDT

After watching and listening online to the Barack Obama rally in Philadelphia last night I just had to record my thoughts and feelings. 35,000 people come to Independence National Historical Park, between Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, on a gorgeous Friday night in April to listen to a political speech. A political speech? I don't think so. Within a couple of hours after the rally ended there were numerous videos uploaded to YouTube by Obama supporters that were at the rally. I downloaded some of these videos and along with some photos of the event put together this music video to the early 90's song "Right Here Right Now" by Jesus Jones.

I think you'll agree with me that after watching this video one cannot say that Obama is just another politician and that he gave just another political speech. Ask yourself, when was the last time you saw 35,000 people venture out on a Friday night just to see a politician and hear a political speech? Oh yeah, and then also march and chant for 7 to 8 blocks in an impromptu parade down Market Street in Philadelphia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa1hDJjWuYc

Maybe I'm Wrong...

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:43:27 EDT

...but maybe, just maybe I'm right!

With the corporate media's recent obsession over Barack Obama's comment about people being "bitter" about their economic plight in small towns, I came across this song whose lyrics I think fit the situation perfectly.

Since this campaign began Senator Obama has done nothing but tell the truth to the American people and I get the feeling that the coprorate media wants this about as much as it wants a root canal. You see, with Barack talking directly to the American people and allowing them into the process, we won't need these media numbskulls to "present" it to us. I for one, am so happy that Senator Obama doesn't think we're all idiots and it is just burning the media up inside. They see their influence on controlling the American thought process dwindling and they're just desparate to hang on as long as possible.

Anyway, I put this video together with a lot of images from the past week or so. I included the lyrics in the info section of the video for your perusal. I think you'll agree that they fit very well with Obama's narrative.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXqlsZlJUdA

One voice

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:47:14 EDT

Barack Obama has said that one voice can change a room and if one voice can change a room then it can change a block, then a precinct, then a city, then a county, etc. Well, I'm not saying I can have THAT kind of impact but who knows, maybe I can touch a few people.

Recently I did a telephone interview with MadamaAmbi, an Obama supporter who set up the group "ArtistsWriters4ZeitgeistObama and Interview4Obama" here on the website. She has uploaded Part 1 (15 minutes 58 seconds) of the interview, which can be listened to at this link:

http://www.cyberears.com/index.php/Browse/playaudio/2853

The whole interview lasted about 1 hour and 45 minutes but I don't know exactly how much of it will be used. It was a pretty free-flowing conversation so please excuse me for any verbal faux pas I may have uttered.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback on the interview.

Thank you for your time.

The Mystique of Women

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:21:46 EDT

I'm a mama's boy, I admit it. But before you start laughing at me, please let me give you a little background. I come from a family of seven kids and my mom died when I was only 15 years old. She was only 38 years old herself at the time. My dad was always the strict one, the disciplinarian. My mom was the one with the soft touch and a bit more erudite manner about her. I have two aunts on my dad's side that are Catholic nuns, in fact one year after my mom died I moved to Northern California and lived in the workers' quarters at a convent where my aunt was the big cheese.

My grandmother on my dad's side had ten kids, most of which were born right before or during the Great Depression. She was a full-blooded German woman and my grandfather was a full-blooded Irishman. What I noticed was that grandma was the definite "rock" upon which everybody else seemed to balance. The oldest child, my aunt, "Sister Emily" is the one that was the Treasurer for the Sisters of the Holy Names.

I have three sisters, all of which with successful careers. My wife is a Licensed Practical Nurse who has worked with dialysis patients for over 20 years now. I have one child, yeah that's right you guessed it, a daughter.

The reason I decided to blog about this subject is that in this presidential campaign it is such a relevant topic. I imagine one's first inclination would be to think I'm referring to Senator Hillary Clinton or the number of female politicians who have endorsed Senator Barack Obama. One would be wrong however, as I am referring to our potential new First Lady, the one with the same birthday as mine, Michelle Obama.

I find Michelle to be an exceptionally gifted speaker. Passionate, but no BS, to the point, but in an educating sort of way. She strikes me as being very genuine, hardworking, empathetic and yet still very humble. The trademark honesty that I see in Barack I also see in Michelle and I imagine that's no sheer coincidence. They both are highly educated individuals yet still connected with us regular folks and that is very refreshing.

Now I know you may be thinking, yeah so? So, the point is that the woman has not only equaled the man in education and career goals, but has done it in addition to a couple of small things like; giving birth to two beautiful daughters, being a devoted wife to a charismatic public figure, managing all the kids' activities and make a few speeches for Barack out on the campaign trail. Oh yeah and all the while looking fabulous while she does it.

See, sometimes I think us men forget to acknowledge how influential woman are in our lives and what a pivotal role they play. I'm as guilty as anyone and today I plan on telling my wife, Denise just how much I admire her and acknowledge that I wouldn't be the person I am without her.

The link below is to a little tribute video I put together for Michelle Obama.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_BeuEvym4Y

If you enjoyed that video please help me reach my fundraising goal. I would really appreciate it.

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

The Olympics vs The Occupation of Iraq

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:38:12 EDT

As I was channel surfing today trying to catch Senator Obama's town hall meeting in Malvern, PA, I was struck by the fact that the majority of all news coverage was of the protests going on in San Francisco as the Olympic torch was being relayed. I understand the outrage at human rights violations, the position of China on Tibet & Taiwan, the increased greehouse gases being rpoduced by China, etc. What I don't understand is where is the outrage and protest of an illegal invasion and occupation of a sovereign country, the plundering of our nation's treasury, the destruction of an iconic American city by not only natural disaster, by by man made apathy and greed.

I guess we should think about that passage in the Bible from Matthew that says something like, "why are we concerned with the splinter in our neighbor's eye when we neglect the log in our very own?"

Man's Best Friend

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:49:15 EDT

For many, a dog is just a pet. They are a species that is a good companion for humans. They fill our days with laughter, joy, surprise, and yes, even pain & heartache sometimes. My wife and I recently had to put down one of the members of our canine family because of cancer. She was a dear old girl, lived to 13 years of age. We still have our 7 year old Yellow Lab named Benny and recently a friend of ours was offering free Basenji puppies. Well, being the saps that we are, we couldn't resist and went ahead and took a female puppy, that we named Brandy.

Being an ardent Obama supporter I put Obama shirts on Benny and Carrie (now deceased) and took pictures of them. These pictures were used in some of my Obama videos and I subsequently learned that I had a little 2 year old fan from Iowa named Hunter that just loved the Obama Dogs! Well, I made a little video of Brandy and Benny right after we got her and added the song "Can't Keep a Good Dog Down" from All Dogs Go to Heaven and uploaded it to YouTube, just for Hunter.

Well now that Brandy is about 6 weeks older, I've taken more pictures and decided to add captions to some of the photos, add various soundtracks and create another video for my little buddy, although I think mom is going to have to explain some of the references I used.

Now you're probably wondering what any of this has to do with Barack Obama and his campaign, aren't you? Well, there are really 3 different connections that I think kind of relate to each other. First, we all know that Sasha & Malia have been promised a dog if Barack becomes President, so the issue of canines is relevent. Second, when I see the interaction between our two totally "different" dogs I am struck by the fact that they seem more protective of each other than we humans are of other humans sometimes. The third issue is the one that I think is central to Obama's message. That even though we may look different, speak differently, like different food, etc, at the end of the day we really are more alike and have the same dreams and desires, trials and tribulations. When I look at our 7-yr old, 120 lb "Yellow" Lab (neutered), who barks like a puppy and then our 4-month old, 5 1/2 lb "Black" Basenji puppy, who doesn't bark but makes every other kind of animal sound you can think of, I never would have thought they could get along. I mean look how different they are, right? Hmmmm, old-young, light-dark, male-female, big-little, straight-curly. They, like America, can't get along, can they...?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbWdlMtTmyw

p.s. Please be kind and give it a good rating. I and I'm sure Hunter, would appreciate it greatly, Thank you.

Farewell to Arms

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 04:20:49 EDT

If you really think about it, would it be so bad if we decided as a nation to say farewell to arms? What I mean by that is what would happen if we decided to start putting much more of our efforts into education, infrastructure, energy & environment, all of which have a large job-generating potential by the way?

I guess I keep asking myself, if we don't bother anybody, stay out of their countries, don't steal their resources, then who would want to attack us and why?

Even though I consider myself a peacenik and have Dove in my username, I am not anti-military, in fact I served four years in the US Air Force from 1977 through 1981. But I do think that we are spending way too much on the newest "killing technology" and not enough on the "HUMAN element" part of the equation. And we're certainly not defending our borders and ports very efficiently, now are we?

I put this video montage together as a plea for us to just stop all the production and promotion of death through weapons manufacturing and the subsequent war manufacturing that inevitably follows.

Please give it a viewing and maybe just take a moment to contemplate all the unseen suffering that occurs because of war.

Link

I really think Obama has the drive, the intelligence, and the savvy to get us out of there in the best possible manner. I just hope it's sooner rather than later.

Peace & Love to All

"I have seen the enemy...

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:38:39 EDT

...and he is us." How else could you explain one half of our country fighting with the other half over issues like pastors' sermons, flag pins, Pledges of Allegiance, the viability of a surge, this person's religion or that person's sexual affairs in the midst of a never-ending occupation of a foreign country, global climate change, a failing healthcare system, a failing education system and oh yeah, we can't forget the ever increasing national debt of, what is it now 9 trillion dollars?

Senator Obama gave a groundbreaking speech yesterday on Race in America and one today on the situation in Iraq. He seems to be the only candidate who actually reads, researches and listens intently and THEN formulates a plan or policy and puts the best possible team together to achieve the intended goals.

When I read & hear the absolutely ridiculous slander and smears coming from the Republicans and their corporate media lackeys it really makes me wonder if we are actually devolving as a species instead of evolving. Here we have an Administration that unilaterally invaded a sovereign country that had NOTHING to do with the attack on America on 9/11, occupies it for 5 years with no political progress being made and costs in both lives and treasure increasing on a daily basis. The Republican Presidential candidate, Senator John McCain goes to the Middle East on a photo-op, holds a press conference, and then proceeds to mis-identify the enemy three times before being corrected by Senator Joe Lieberman. Has the American public seen this clip played on an endless loop 24/7 the same way that Pastor Wright's 2 sermon snippets have been played? Are the right-wing radio screaming heads taking Senator McCain to task for this gaffe? If the same gaffe had been made by either Senator Obama or Senator Clinton then it definitely would have been in the 24/7 endless loop mode also.

After listening to both of Senator Obama's speeches it reminded me of the last line of another famous speech:

-- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.-Abraham Lincoln

Of the people, by the people, for the people. It does not say of the special interests, by the special interests, for the special interests. Please let us heed Senator Obama's advice and come together before we tear this country apart any further. Senator McCain wants one hundred years of wars. Senator Clinton wants to "fight" the Republican attack machine for the next 4 or 8 years. Can we really afford either one of those two options?

I Have a Dream, Ask not what your country...

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:47:37 EDT

and now, Barack Obama's speech on race in America. It was perhaps the most amazing speech I have ever heard. What the corporate media has done over the past week by showing endless loops of the same 2, yes count them 2, speeches by a pastor who has preached for over 20 years has been utterly shameful. The purpose was nothing more than to play on people's fears and divide us as much as possible. I'm sure that even as I write this the pundits are trying to slice and dice the speech and put their own spin on it. But you know what, I don't think anyone needs to listen to them anymore because you just can't spin something this brilliant..

If America is to continue in its' pursuit of a more perfect union then our racial disharmony MUST be addressed and Senator Obama just did so in the most professional and presidential manner.

A Surge of What?

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:48:54 EDT

"The surge is working." Says, who, the same people who brought us "mission accomplished?" The same people who brought us "we're turning the corner?" The same people who brought us "we don't want the smoking gun to be in the form of a mushroom cloud?" The same people who brought us "it won't cost America a dime, Iraqi oil proceeds will pay for it?" The same people who brought us "we'll be greeted as liberators?" The same people who brought us "the insurgency is in its' last throes, if you will?" The same people who are now bringing us "they're going to follow us home?"

Now, think back to Condoleeza Rice's senate confirmation hearing for her appointment as Secretary of State shortly after George W. Bush's re-election in 2004. I distinctly remember a junior Senator from Illinois who, after some intense questioning of Dr Rice, received the affirmative response from her that there was NO MILITARY solution to the civil war in Iraq. Next, there was a senate hearing on the progress in Iraq from one General David Petraeus, the architect of "the surge." Once again, I distinctly remember a junior Senator from Illinois questioning the General on how the surge would guarantee "political" progress. The answer was it could not.

So now the latest word from General Petraeus is that there is basically no politcal progress being made. Okay, so now what? Right, let's get everybody's attention diverted away from this self-made disaster. Hmmm, let's see, Obama's a Muslim, no wait he's an Atheist, no wait he's an angry Christian, no wait he's a liar, oh and he's unpatriotic, doesn't say the Pledge of Allegiance and took his oath of office on the Quran. What else, oh yeah, we need to get the Democratic Party fighting amongst itself so let's stir the pot. Let's talk about MI & FL. Let's talk about Geraldine Ferraro. Let's talk about all the skeletons in the Clinton's closet. Come on, we need to get them to fight some more. In the meantime make sure that any and every reference to Senator John McCain is prefaced with the words, "War Hero."

Do you see a pattern here people? Point being, that Senator Obama had the foresight and judgment to oppose the invasion of Iraq from the beginning. He had the foresight and judgment to realize that there was no military solution to the civil war in Iraq. He is the only candidate who is speaking the truth about the difficulty we will face in extricating ourselves in a manner that is as carefully planned as the invasion was carelessly not planned. They know he's the best person for the job, we know he's the best person for the job, so the only thing they have left is lies and smears all covered in fears!

I honestly believe that the goodness, character, compassion and intelligence of Senator Barack Obama is ultimately going to shine through and light this country's spirit and fire again. Please join me in this movement to give our government back to its' rightful owner, the American People!

Thank you so much.

Peace & Love to All

Words, Music, Images

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:51:03 EDT

Repeat after me:

Words Music Images

Since this campaign began I've discovered a new means of expressing myself through the creation of videos for uploading to YouTube. I've always loved music and, having embraced today's technology, found that I have a little bit of a creative side to me. Granted, some of the videos are just political satire, some have a little biting sarcasm, while yet others are uplifting and inspirational. Oh yeah, there are also some strictly for laughs.

Anyway, I thought I'd post a direct link to my YouTube channel for anyone that might want to do a little surfing for audio & visual delights. You never know, there just might be something there you like.

Warning: I'm a TOTAL 100% supporter of Barack Obama, so if you are partial to another candidate you may want to stay clear from my channel, you may get infected with Obama Fever!

http://youtube.com/DesertRatDan

Put on a Happy Face

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:36:15 EDT

This is just a fun little photo mashup video set to the musical duo of Tony Bennett & James Taylor.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vbqCgmKj6I8

Rudy

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:06:46 EDT

Call me a sap but I loved the movie Rudy. I guess I always had a soft spot in my heart for the little guy, the underdog. I think this campaign strikes a parallel with the film in that the ultimate goal is for inclusion at a most prestigious institution, the protagonist is definitely the underdog and by the end of the movie everybody is rooting for Rudy.

I sure hope this campaign ends on the same happy note. Here's some inspiration for all my Obama brothers and sisters set to the music from the film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTTdfngMbbc

Monster Mash (Clinton Style)

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 19:48:03 EST

While I think it is tragic that Samantha Power resigned as an advisor to Barack Obama, I also had to agree with her comment 100%. I have a good time combining video, photos, etc with music as a way of expressing myself. The political season serves as such a treasure trove of material that it's hard to resist a little satire now and then. The link below is for my newest video done to the song "Monster Mash."

I hope you have as much fun watching it as I had in making it.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=F8ULID4QVig

Star-Spangled Banner

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:17:05 EST

With all the smears about Senator Barack Obama's supposed lack of patriotism, I took a suggestion from another Obama blogger and did a mashup of 5 different versions of our National Anthem and put together a slideshow of Barack & Michelle along with other patriotic images.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZVmxg6OPPzw

The Perfect Bridge?

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:44:01 EST

I was as disappointed and angry as most Obama supporters probably were last night but there is always a silver lining. It appears that there was a certain percentage of Republicans, in both Ohio & Texas, that purposely voted Democratic in order to vote for Clinton. It tells me that they are very afraid of facing Obama in the general election. Why? Well, we know why but I wish they would just take a step back, stop talking for a minute, and listen to what Barack is saying.

He is not demonizing anyone and he wants to work across party lines, racial lines, generational lines & socio-economic lines. What is so wrong with that and what are people so afraid of? Senator Obama is not naive. He knows how difficult some of our challenges are, but he also knows that WE can handle it, that WE'RE up to the challenge. Aren't we?

I will be making a donation to the campaign today and also wanted to add a little inspiration. I was so taken with some of the brilliant black & white photography work featured yesterday that I put together a little slideshow to music to help us get through our disappointment today and keep on moving forward.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Wgz4lYQjvlw

Falling Slowly

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:24:51 EST

I think it was a line from the movie Eddie & the Cruisers, that went something like, "it's all about words & music, words & music." With today's modern technology it has made it possible for even amateurs like myself to add images & effects to the words & music & indulge in a new form of self expression, uploading one's own creations to YouTube. As many of you know my current favorite subject matter is Senator Obama's movement of Hope and Change. The sense of community, friendship, honesty, decency & fairness that is evident in so many of Obama's supporters is music to MY ears.

Another Obama supporter from my now favorite state, Iowa, gave me the original idea for this music video, along with some links. After I listened to the song a few times I really like the idea. So hear is the result of that collaboration between two people from different parts of the country, different backgrounds, different genders, but a common belief that, as Barack Obama has told us, "we are not as divided as our politics would suggest."

I hope you all enjoy it.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=P2gZl_j-qiU

E Pluribus Unum

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:34:53 EST

Out of many, one. Like most decisions that Americans have to make in life the one that should be made with the most due diligence is the vote for President of the United States. Now, in most cases people make decisions based on what they perceive to be most favorable for themselves or their loved ones. This is a case however where one should ask oneself which candidate would be best for the entire country, irregardless of personal wants or desires.

Governing a powerful country with a population of over 300 million is definitely no easy task. What we have seen for the past 20 years is a government that was too busy enriching themselves personally and fighting incessantly to the point that very little was ever accomplished. In the meantime our government starts a war that it can't pay for. Our country is attacked by terrorists on 3 or 4 occasions in the 90's and 00's culminating in the attacks on 9/11/01. So we decide to put up a token attack on the Taliban, get Bin Laden cornered, and then decide we need to leave Afghanistan and invade Iraq? Who made these decisions and why were the American people so pliable as to just go along with this foreign policy disaster? This is what happens when a person or party is more concerned with getting elected or re-elected than actually governing (read, we don't care what the other 49% of America thinks.)

On the Democratic side we are down to Barack Obama & Hillary Clinton, with the winner to face probable Republican nominee, John McCain. Of these three candidates which one do you think will put the country's collective soul into meeting the challenges of terrorism, global warming, universal healthcare, improved education system, continued cleanup and rebuilding of the Gulf Coast area, infrastructure rebuilding and restoring our name around the world? In my final analysis, Senator Barack Obama stands head & shoulders above the other two for the following reasons:

1. He is not bought & paid for by federal lobbyists

2. He does not have the 20 years of Washinton "think" that needs to be washed away in this new world.

3. His demeanor is, to borrow a phrase, "as cool as the other side of the pillow."

4. He is not promising to do anything FOR us but rather WITH us.

5. He wants to raise the conversation past the 10 second media soundbite that has become all too prevalent in today's society

6. He is honest (I mean really honest). Just read his first book. How many politicians do you know that will admit to past indiscretions without fear.

7. He knows who he is. I'm not convinced that the other two remaining candidates can say the same thing. Senator McCain, "do you agree with the Bush tax cuts or not?" Are you really a straight talker or only when it's politically palatable (right wing radio blowhards notwithstanding)? Senator Clinton, You claim 35 years of experience yet won't release your White House records. You "loan" your campaign $5 million yet won't release your tax returns. You've shown at least 4 different personalities during this primary season alone. If you don't know who you are, how are we supposed to know?

8. He is highly intelligent. After the past eight years I think we can all agree that an Obama Presidency would raise America's IQ immediately.

9. This might sound really trivial after all this pontificating, but probably the biggest reason that I'm an Obama supporter, donor & volunteer is...

...HE "ASKED" ME TO AND HE "ASKED" NICELY. It shows me that he can read people and knows how to get them to react in a positive manner. Afterall, the President's greatest power is that of the Bully Pulpit, and I for one wouldn't mind listening to President Obama speak to us and for us for the next eight years!

She's Come Undone

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 08:39:42 EST

What a difference a day makes. One day we're witnessing a candidate making a nice conciliatory speech about her opponent then the next day, well how would one describe it? It appears to this voter that Senator Clinton has truly come undone. With the prospects of a never before even imagined defeat at the hands of an "upstart", Senator Clinton went ballistic on Saturday in Cincinnati and then appeared to really be losing it on Sunday in Rhode Island.

Is this some new campaign tactic cooked up by the brilliant, underappreciated and underpaid Mark Penn to draw in the, what, the personality disorder vote? Maybe their campaign feels that all of us Americans are so far gone that we will see this as acceptable and normal behavior. Maybe their campaign has watched American Idol one too many seasons. I've heard of drama before but this is ridiculous.

Senator Clinton, please show us some respect. We are Americans too you know. Just because you're disappointed, hurt and angry, that is no reason to treat our election process, our Democratic Party and us voters with such disdain. Shame on YOU, Hillary Clinton!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HRukw-dVtds

Did he ever think...

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:48:56 EST

Recently I have found myself wondering if Senator Barack Obama had any idea that what he began about a year ago would morph into what we are witnessing today. If he did, he is even more brilliant than I have given him credit for. Could he have foreseen that people would wait in long lines for hours in freezing temperatures just to get a glimpse of him and hear his inspiring and impassioined speeches? Could he have foreseen that grown men could be brought to tears by the idea that we might get our nation back? Could he have foreseen that people of all different races, ages, religions, socio-economic status, sexual preferences, etc could gather together without all the acrimony of the past? Could he have foreseen the wave of new voters that he has brought into the process? Could he have foreseen raising 32 million dollars in ONE month from everyday ordinary Americans in increments as litlle as $5.00? Could he have foreseen that a skinny bi-racial man with a funny name could take on the biggest name in the Democratic Party and battle them to a standstill on the biggest single primary day in history?

In my final analysis I declare that either way, it's all good. If Barack did indeed foresee all these things then he is exactly who we want to be our President; a forward thinker that has shown great vision and judgement. If he did not foresee all these things that shows me that he is as human as the rest of us, as who else could have foreseen any of this either?

Barack Obama strikes me as one of the most honest, intelligent people I've ever known. I don't really even consider him a politician, but rather the leader that the people have been waiting for.

Intelligence

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:25:58 EST

CIA, KGB, MI-6? No, not that type of intelligence. I'm talking about the intelligence that says, "yes I will talk to my enemies." The intelligence that says, "I don't just want to end this war, but I want to end the mindset that got us into war." The intelligence that says, "we are not as divided as our politics would suggest." The intelligence that says, "we can disagree without being disagreeable." The intelligence that says, "the American people are not the problem, the American people are the solution." The intelligence that says, "I was a Constitutional Law Professor, I will DEFEND and OBEY the Constitution."

Have we learned from our mistakes? Let's not fall for any more "faulty intelligence". Elect Barack Obama to be President of the United States. Not only will he close Guantanemo, restore Habeas Corpus, lock down loose nukes, he will even be able to pronounce the word N-U-C-L-E-A-R correctly! Imagine that.

An Open Letter to the Democratic Party

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:46:47 EST

If the Nevada caucuses are any indication of the level of organization or leadership within the Democratic Party nationally, then I'm afraid we're in trouble folks. Granted, this was my first experience at observing the caucus procedure, but I have to tell you, it was an absolute zoo.

My wife and I traveled from Phoenix Arizona to Pahrump Nevada on January 17th to volunteer for the Obama campaign. Pahrump is a rural community and the precinct we were assigned to was fairly spread out, with many homes being inaccessible due to fenced in properties, dogs, etc. We knocked on approximately 60 doors over the first 2 days and then went back and dropped door hangers on another 30 on Saturday morning. We probably only made 10 actual contacts (meaning talking to someone), but I feel that I personally persuaded 2 people that were undecided to show up on Saturday and caucus for Barack. They showed up, recognized my wife and I, and did indeed caucus for Barack so I am very proud of that. Out of our precinct's possible 6 delegates we did end up getting 2 to Senator Clinton's 4. The first one (new supporter), was impressed when I told him of Senator Obama's plan to help veterans by making sure EVERY SINGLE combat soldier is screened for PTSD when returning from any war zone, by making sure that the communication technology between the Defense Department and the Veteran's Administration be seamless and in real time so that verterans are not falling through the cracks. My wife said she noticed this gentleman raised his eyebrows in admiration when I said this so I think I hit the right button. The other one was even more unusual because he wasn't on our list to canvas. He noticed our Obama gear and started a conversation. He didn't like the fighting about "race" between Clinton and Obama. I was able to comiserate with him, as I can't stand it either and explained that most of it was media created drama. That seemed to work as the conversation then moved on. What I quickly deduced was that his main issue was beating the Republicans, so I quoted the numbers that show Barack beating every Republican in a head to head. When we left this gentleman, we smiled and asked him to caucus for Barack the next day. So, those are my 2 success stories. To ALL Obama volunteers, please always remain positive as we are a reflection of our candidate and I feel we got 2 new supporters just by being positive and friendly.

Now, for the nasty stuff. The caucus location had 4 different precincts in the SAME room. There was no clear separation between the different precincts other than a little 8 x 10 piece of paper on the wall in the 4 corners of the room. How are you supposed to divide each of the 4 corners of the room into three separate areas for the 3 candidates when you're packed to the rafters? The room quickly filled to sardine can capacity with nobody in charge. We tried to sign people in based on the list we were given for our precinct and it was an absolute nightmare. Many people showed up, with their active voter registration cards, and yet were not on the list given to us to sign people in. We were not provided with enough candidate preference cards nor with enough new voter registration forms. At one point the Fire Department showed up and instructed everyone that at least one quarter of the people would have to go outside because of fire safety laws. In some of the precincts there was never a 2nd alignment done. Once people were counted, they assumed they could leave, so many DID. They were tired, cranky, hot, incredulous, wondering whatever happened to "their" primary of old? I for one could not blame them. Is it the different campaign's jobs to educate the electorate on voting and caucusing procedures or is it the job of the State and National Democratic & Republican Parties? I can't speak for the Republican party but the Democratic party better get its' act together. Barack Obama alone has ignited the passions in a whole new generation of voters. It's been proven in Iowa, New Hampshire and now Nevada that voters are turning out in record numbers. Are you trying to turn them away? HEY DEMOCRATIC PARTY, WAKE UP AND SMELL THE OBAMA COFFEE BREWING! If you blow this, you will immediately lose 2 members (and my wife just changed from Republican to Democrat to vote for Obama). We will immediately re-register as independents and probably never get involved in party politics again. Barack Obama is the ONLY reason we got involved in the first place.

On a humorous note, Pahrump is known as the Brothel capital of the Country and my wife and I found it very trusting of Hillary that she would send Bill out there by himself!

On a final note I would like to say that the mountains surrounding the Pahrump area are gorgeous. There was snow on the top and the way the sunlight was reflected at different times of the day was breathtaking. Lake Mead seemed to be at a very low level but it has been years since I've been up there so I can't speak with authority on that. Construction is well underway on the overpass that will allow commuters to bypass the Hoover Dam crossing, thereby saving probably 30 minutes travel time.

COCOPUFF

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:35:31 EST

Corporate Owned Corporate Operated Punditry Uttering Fascist Fluff (COCOPUFF)

I created the aforementioned acronym after having my fill of the incessant blather and corporate advertising blasting its way into my living room at breakneck speeds. Now, before you think I'm going too far with the term fascist, please consult your dictionary. According to Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition, fascism is defined as, "a system of government characterized by rigid one-party dictatorship, forcible suppression of opposition, private economic enterprise under centralized governmental control, belligerent nationalism, racism and militarism, etc."

Now, when drug companies write healthcare policy, when oil companies write energy policy, when insurance companies are exempt from anti-trust laws thereby slanting the playing field, when we continue to fund both sides of wars in foreign oil-producing countries, when we continue to produce and spend more on weapons than all other countries combined, when we lock people up without any charges being filed, when we rendition and torture, when we suspend habeas corpus, when we are called unpatriotic if we question any of this, then maybe, just maybe we are much closer to a fascist state that we might want to believe.

You may ask yourself what all this has to do with the media. Well, the control of information is the first step in the control of people. This presidential campaign is a prime example of the media trying to control the message that they want all of the unwashed masses to swallow, no matter how bad it tastes. One of the reasons they are so poll obsessed is that they want to make us believe that the "majority" of people are thinking this or that so that means we must think that also. I implore you to not buy into this cow manure. Don't let them fool you into thinking this is a right vs left, democrat vs republican, liberal vs conservative type of contest. They are trying to pit us against one another, so that we are distracted as they continue to remain in power and in control of the dialog.

Think about it, how many of us really understand the daily pronouncements on every news channel about the Dow Jones, NASDAQ, Hang Seng or whatever they're all called? They want to make us think that if Wall Street is doing great then the economy is doing great and we all must be doing great, right? WRONG! If Wall Street is doing great that means that corporate profits are up, meaning only those that own those shares are going to benefit. For profits to go up most of the time expenses need to be cut and they are usually cut first in the form of wages and benefits for employees.

Think about the majority of tv commercials that have bombarded you over the last 6 years or so. I'll argue that the majority of them have been representing either pharmaceutical, insurance/financial services, or big oil companies. Television advertising is obscenely expensive so the only companies who can afford to advertise that much on tv are the only ones making the obscene profits. See the connection?

What I am asking each and every one of you is to take everything you hear from these cocopuffs with a grain of salt. They have an agenda and it doesn't include you. If you must listen to them, then please email them when you hear something that is obviously false or biased. If you hear someone else parroting what one of these cocopuffs said, then by all means set that person straight also.

I bet you're wondering what this diatribe has to do Senator Obama, aren't you? Well, I'll tell you. In an Obama Administration the light will be shone on the inner workings of Washington directly to the American people via C-Span, YouTube, BarackTV, etc thereby diminishing the role of the current batch of cocopuffs to the soggy, colorless, tasteless cereal that they have become.

Feeling Good (It's a new dawn)

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:01:46 EST

Today is January 3, 2008. The day of the Iowa presidential caucuses. The Obama campaign has been run brilliantly, honestly, tirelessly, and fairly. The blogging family here has been amazing. The efforts of our brothers & sisters in Iowa are to be commended. Senator Obama and his family have been an inspiration to us all.

This video is how I feel about this movement, this community, this country. It is my first attempt using a new movie-making software and I was going for a little bit more of an artistic approach to this one. Please let me know what you think so I can get better. Thank you all so much and Peace & Love to All.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=30K5fRyfg8k

My Obama Dogs

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:21:17 EST

When was the last time a presidential candidate inspired even your pets?

Meet Carrie for Obama and Benny for Obama

http://picasaweb.google.com/DanielPMcKernan/ObamaDogs/photo#s5147215498229675858

Farewell to Arms

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:04:57 EST

To all my fellow veterans,

This is a tribute to all those that have fought and died in battle in defense of our country. I was fortunate enough to never have to participate in battle but am proud of my service in the US Air Force.

I wanted to get this out by Veteran's Day but better late than never, right?

I feel that a Barack Obama Administration will be the turning point of our country's foreign policy. I feel that he is the leader we have been looking for, the one that will not treat the military as some kind of little GI Joe play dolls who are expendable. Nobody is expendable.

Isn't it time to call for a Farewell to Arms?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=F41Odn90slk

21st Century P.T Barnum

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:04:08 EST

My TV guide stated that on November 15, 2007 at 6:00 pm (mst) in Las Vegas Nevada there would be a debate between the democratic presidential candidates on CNN, moderated by Wolf Blitzer. So, being the civic minded person that I am, I tuned in. The only question I have is, "has the debate started yet?" Because what I saw last Thursday was far from a debate. It appeared to me that it was something between a 3-ring circus and the NFL's Super Bowl.

Since when do we introduce our candidates like Michael Buffer at a heavyweight championship fight? Since when have we sunk to the depths of booing candidates that we don't support or agree with? Since when have we decided that it is of the utmost importance to know if a future President of the U.S. prefers diamonds or pearls? Since when is it acceptable to plant audience members and questions while telling the viewers that they are undecided voters? Since when is it common practice to have advisors/members of one campaign do the post-debate, impartial anaysis? And last but definitely not least is, since when have so-called TV "news" anchors become the PT Barnum of the 21st century?

What the American people witnessed last Thursday was a travesty, pure and simple. The United States is facing some of our toughest years ahead with a myriad of crucial issues, from terrorism to healthcare for all, but all CNN and their Ringmaster were interested in was:

a) Shoving their candidate (Hillary Clinton) down our throats
b) Marginalizing Senator Edwards by putting him way over to one side and giving Governor Richardson (HRC water carrier)more talk time
c) Baiting, then interrupting Senator Obama to try to make Senator Clinton look better
d) Denying Representative Kucinich adequate talk time
e) Patting themselves on the back for such a wonderful performance

I may be politically naive but I feel that the American people are smarter than this and that they deserve much, much better from our "Fourth Estate". The corporate media has done America no favors over the last 6 years. In fact, I would venture to say that they have indeed harmed America with their lack of journalistic curiosity with regards to issues like the run up to the Iraq war, among others.

I am fortunate that I am somewhat computer savvy and can get most of the information I need online. I have been amazed at the breadth and depth of information that is available in cyberspace. Guess what people? There are more than 1 or 2 stories that happen in every 24 hour news cycle, and none of them have anything to do with O.J. Simpson, Britney Spears or Paris Hilton. One would never know that if their only source for "news" is corporate media.

The reason this topic is so important is that our politics today has morphed into the same soundbite, gotcha, ratings driven drivel that has been perfected by these corporate media megalomaniacs.

So, just as I have said au revoir to the likes of O'Reilly, Olbermann, Dobbs & Blitzer I say good-bye to the likes of the Bush/Rovian/Clinton type of slime politics. I do believe that it is time for Americans to embrace the common beliefs that make us a strong nation and unite behind a new type of leadership and new type of politics that Senator Barack Obama is offering us

Some More Funnies

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:35:50 EDT

After a busy week with the Democratic debate I thought it was time again to end the week with some laughs. I put together another video montage of political comics set to the music of Tears for Fears' hit song, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World."

I think you'll get a kick out of this one. (hint: use full screen mode so you can read the comics more easily)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kw5rnHpyxgc

Why Can't We Be Friends?

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 18:17:19 EDT

With the political temperature rising I thought this would be good time to lighten it up a bit. This link is strictly for laughs. Sometimes I find myself getting too "serious", which can lead to stress, which can lead to high blood pressure, which can lead to, well you get my point. I had a really good time finding all these images and putting them together with the music so I hope that everybody who sees it has a good chuckle. Remember, laughter is the best medicine.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KcgXC_Lq2DA

Pride (In the Name of Love)

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:58:11 EDT

The following link is an audio/visual presentation I put together in tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. U2 is one of my all-time favorite bands and I just love this song. I hope you enjoy it.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=oKuD1B5NBbY

My photos from today!

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:26:15 EDT

I've been having trouble pasting this link. I'll try again. I added captions to the photos so when you roll the mouse over or click on the photo you should see the whole caption. Also, see if the slideshow will work for you and let me know. thank you.

http://picasaweb.google.com/DanielPMcKernan/ObamaRallyForChange02

with music by Joe Cocker:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=08_-8PA5Xz0

Obama Limerick

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:54:17 EDT

What better way for an Irishman to honor his presidential candidate than with a limerick?

There was a young man named Obama,

Who had this request for his mama

"Should I run for The House?"

"Pick up your socks, I won't grouse"

"And then we can go get Osama."

Blackwater

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 15:26:37 EDT

As a teenager I loved the song "Black Water" by the Doobie Brothers. It is unfortunate that recently a group of mercenaries has also decided to take that as the name for their corporation. In protest to both them and the idea of privatizing our armed services I have written my own lyrics to be sung to the tune of the Doobie Brothers' Black Water:

Well, I built me a force and she’s ready for war,

Old Middle East(y), she’s callin’ my name,

Shiites are jumpin’; the Sunni’s are thumpin’,

Blackwater keeps killing them both just the same.

Old Blackwater, keep on killin’,

Middle Eastern oil, won’t you keep on flowin’ for me?

Old Blackwater, keep on killin’,

Middle Eastern oil, won’t you keep on flowin’ for me?

Old Blackwater, keep on killin’,

Middle Eastern oil, won’t you keep on flowin’ for me?

Yeah, keep on flowin’ your oil, gonna make everything,

Pretty mama, gonna make everything a boil

And I ain’t got no worries ‘cause Bush ain’t in no hurry at all

Well, if we’re caught, I don’t care; don’t make no difference to me,

Just plead the “fifth” up on Capitol Hill,

Yeah, I’d like to hear some funky fearful tripe and dance in combat boots,

And I’ll be buyin’ everybody bullets for the next kill

Old Blackwater, keep on killin’,

Middle Eastern oil, won’t you keep on flowin’ for me?

Old Blackwater, keep on killin’,

Middle Eastern oil, won’t you keep on flowin’ for me?

Old Blackwater, keep on killin’,

Middle Eastern oil, won’t you keep on flowin’ for me?

Yeah, keep on flowin’ your oil, gonna make everything,

Pretty mama, gonna make everything a boil

And I ain’t got no worries ‘cause Bush ain’t in no hurry at all

I’d like to hear some powerful war chants,

President Bush come and take me by the hand,

By the hand, take me by the hand President Bush,

Come and kill with your soldiers all night long,

I want to kill-kill, kill-kill, kill-kill

With you all night long

It's All About the "O"

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 09:24:31 EDT

Obama...
is an Original, an Organizer, an Orator with both an Occidental and Oriental background. He has the support of Oprah. Obama wants to end the Occupation and get Out of Iraq. Obama wants to put lobbying Out in the Open. Obama will be Obedient to the Constitution and fulfill his Obligation to the American people. He will stand strong as an Oak and yet be Open-Minded. Obama will restore Order and be an Our Oasis in this current political desert.

So, let's achieve Our Objective to have Obama be the One to take the Oath in 08!

What's his name, Hussein, is he an Arab?

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:58:51 EDT

I had an interesting experience today that I would like to share with my friends. I own and operate a little accounting/payroll/tax business and I was at one of my clients this morning. As I was working on his computer I mentioned to him that I had read about another soldier committing suicide in Iraq, and how that bothers me so much.

The manner in which the conversation progressed after that is as follows:

He told me: he is a Bush supporter, he initially was all for the war in Iraq but that now he just thinks we need to come home and that our soldiers need to be taken better care of. That gave me an opportunity to discuss Senator Obama's work on committees to get better treatment for our veterans, etc. The next thing my client said just stunned me; it's the title of this blog.

So I told him of Barack's background. His eyes absolutely lit up when I mentioned that his mother was white and from Kansas (my client is also from Kansas). Then I told him of Barack's growing up in Hawaii and then Indonesia and then going to Harvard and becoming the first African American President of the Harvard Law Review. Then, after that, shunning big money opportunities to work as a community organizer and constitutional law professor. His first response to me was that Barack actually would be BETTER-suited to deal with global issues because of that upbringing. So, after telling him all about Barack, he starts telling me all the things he's read or heard about Hillary and they were all negative.

What I discovered in this conversation is that, number one, I found myself speaking more and more animatedly (is that a word?) about Senator Obama as the conversation went on and number two, was the fact that my client, who I consider a fairly intelligent human being, had NO idea who Barack Obama was, only that his middle name is Hussein.

I didn't know if I should post this on the HQ community blogs or not. It could be used as a good primer for anyone that finds it difficult to start a conversation about Senator Obama but it also could be used as a reverse "mustard seed" tactic on us. Please let me know what you think.

Thank you so much.

"We don't need no thought control..."

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:41:28 EDT

Once again, the corporate media just doesn't get it. For the last five days their Number 1 story is nothing more than a DIVERSION and a DISTRACTION ! Just another example of ignorant GREED by these power hungry mongrels. They would have us believe that it is more important to discuss, ad nauseum, how WIDE someone's stance in a bathroom stall is, as opposed to WHAT their stance is on some little issues like:

IRAQ

OSAMA BIN LADEN

REBUILDING NEW ORLEANS

UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE

SUB-PRIME LENDING CRISIS...

...just to name a few. As you can tell from the tone of most of my blogs I have a deep distrust of a corporate media that wants to feed us nothing more than fascist, corporatist points of view on everything. Then they just keep advertising pharmaceuticals in the hope that we'll all just sleep like a floating butterfly, without Restless Leg Syndrome, and wake up with a 4 hour erection, talk on our iPhones and just BE HAPPY!

Well, I'm not happy; and I'm not stupid either! I'll continue to voice my opinion through letter writing, emails, phone calls as long as the 1st Amendment is still intact. We have to keep an eye on these things or else, before you know it, we'll be told that we need to invade Iceland before they find that the smoking gun is a Mushroom Cloud! Be AFRAID but BE HAPPY, GO Shopping, Take a Vacation! WTF!

Even when Senator Obama gets to take a much needed, short vacation with his family, he still takes the time to pen op-ed pieces for major publications outlining his "stances" and possible solutions to the important issues that WE are concerned with. Thank you Senator Obama for your continued service to US, the people. You will have my vote in the Democratic Primary. You will have my vote in the General Election. If you are not the democratic nominee I hope and pray that you would go on the ballot as an independent and you will have my vote then also.

Keep your eye on the prize people!

OBAMA 08

Do you ever feel like a mushroom?

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:26:23 EDT

"You shouldn't always say what you're thinking..." - Hillary Clinton

"Our security should not just be debated by insiders in the salons of Washington, it should be discussed with the American people. If my opponents believe that we should not take out high-level targets like bin Laden when we know where they are, they should say so. If my opponents have a secret plan to win the war on terrorism, they should tell the American people what it is." - Barack Obama

Isn't it time to come out of the darkness and into the light? I think we can handle the truth!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yCTREMF22R8

Chain of Fools

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:22:04 EDT

1988 - 1992 4 years George H. W. Bush

1992 - 2000 8 years William Jefferson Clinton

2000 - 2008 8 years George W. Bush

2008 - 2016 8 years Hillary Rodham Clinton?

2016 - 2024 8 years Jeb Bush?

2024 - 2032 8 years Chelsea Clinton?

2032 - 2040 8 years Jenna Bush?

Let's break this CHAIN of FOOLS in 2008!

A vote for Barack Obama is a vote for SANITY!

Prose & Poetry

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:11:51 EDT

Headlines are created with one purpose; that to shock

Another poor youth shot dead with a glock!

The little blond girl disappears down the block,

And, oh yeah, what's the value of the latest hot stock?

First they worship today's modern jock,

Then failures laid bare for all of us to mock,

Analysts, pundits (wink,wink), doves & hawks,

All of them experts? Oh please, what a crock!

Osama bin Laden and the War in Iraq,

Are they related, "not logical" says Spock.

Oh boy, our leaders did sure talk the talk,

But when it came time, did they walk the walk?

"We can't afford it", our children's future we should hock?

"Oh no, it'll be paid for" came the answer to that knock.

Four years later; time continues; tick-tock,

Thank God in 08 we can vote for BARACK!

Winds of Change

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 14:28:06 EDT

"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew." -Abraham Lincoln

What do you think, America should we do another "surge"? Stay the Course? Fight 'Em There? Stand Up, Sit Down, Fight! Fight! Fight! How about a new approach? I imagine that if Abraham Lincoln was alive today he would support Barack Obama as the voice of change that is so badly needed at this time in America.

"If you have always done it that way, it is probably wrong." -Charles Kettering

When I take a look at all the candidates running for president the only one I see that offers something other than same ol' same ol' is Barack Obama. Do any of the other candidates really look or sound like anything "new" to you? Let the winds of change howl!

"Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed." -Albert Einstein

Let's break it down:

Stupidity: Invading a sovereign country that had NOTHING to do with 9/11

Fear: 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, mushroom cloud, they're going to follow us home, genocide, civil war, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11. I'm with Michelle Obama on this one. I am so tired of being told,"TO BE AFRAID". What did the Iraqis ever do to us? Once again, this Albert Einstein character seems to have hit the nail right on the head. My guess is that he would support Barack Obama also. But that's just me; an ordinary American that wishes America would regain some of the lustre of its' glorious past by looking to embrace the harmonious winds of change that is President Barack Obama.

Greed: When is ENOUGH ENOUGH? Why don't we think about maybe spending more to provide every American with food, shelter, education and healthcare and less on weapons to kill people. Remember: when Big Business starts to control all the laws of the land that is a fascist government. That is NOT who we are and I feel that Barack Obama is the one candidate who will stem this disturbing trend.

Dictatorship

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 10:20:36 EDT

"...And it’s not up to the politicians in Washington DC to say whether he will remain in his position. It is up to the Iraqi people who now live in a democracy and not a dictatorship.”

-George W. Bush, speaking to a VFW group

Authorization to Use Military Force

Military Commissions Act

NSA Wiretapping

No Habeas Corpus

Presidential signing statements

Boy, it seems to me that America is a lot closer to a dictatorship than Iraq is. Let's elect Barack Obama and bring some democracy back to America.

Don Henley was way ahead of me!

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 19:19:06 EDT

DIRTY LAUNDRY

I make my living off the evening news
Just give me something; something I can use
People love it when you lose
They love dirty laundry

Well I coulda been an actor but I wound up here
I just have to look good; I don't have to be clear
Come and whisper in my ear
Give us dirty laundry

Kick 'em when they're up, kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up, kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up, kick 'e, when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up, kick'em all around

We got the bubble-headed bleach blonde
Comes on at Five
She can tell you 'bout the plane crash
With a gleam in her eye
It's interesting when people die
Give us dirty laundry

Can we film the operation?
Is the head dead yet?
You know, the boys in the newsroom got a runnin' bet
Get the widow on the set
We need dirty laundry

You don't really need to find out what's going on
You don't really want to know just how far it's gone
Just leave well enough alone
Eat your dirty laundry

(Chorus)

Dirty little secrets and dirty little lies
We got our dirty little fingers in everybody's pie
We love to cut you down to size
We love dirty laundry

We can do the innuendo
We can dance and sing
When it's said and done
We haven't told you a thing
We all know that crap is king
Give us dirty laundry

When I read these lyrics it's hard not to get images in my head like:

Barry Bonds, Michael Vick, Crandall Canyon Mine disaster, "Is Obama black enough?", "Is Obama experienced enough?"
Then when it is pointed out to these cocopuffs that Obama has MORE experience than Hillary, they say, "Then how can he be the candidate of change?"

Have you ever noticed what happens when a cocopuff is left in the bowl of milk for more than a couple of minutes? It loses all its' color, taste, & texture. Kind of like it was never there....

Cocopuffs 2004

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:03:09 EDT

As some of you may know there is a new acronym out there in the blogosphere known as cocopuff. (Corporate Owned Corporate Operated Punditry Uttering Flaming Fiction). I guess I started noticing the cocopuff phenomenon back in the 2004 presidential campaign. I went back into some of my previous rants (that I wrote for family & friends) and found this little nugget. Thought you might enjoy.

After suffering through arguably the most negative presidential election campaign that I have ever witnessed, the following thought occurred to me. According to the politicians and the pundits, due to the fact that I’m a registered Democrat I am the absolute scum of the earth, a “left wing liberal”, on the other side of the bank. Totally out of touch with the rest of the country, i.e. “red states”. One who hates America, hates the military, hates democracy, tree-hugger, bleeding heart, etc. Well, I can understand that coming from a politician. I mean, after all, they’ll say anything that they think will get them elected. Now, the pundits are something different all together. What is a pundit anyway?

According to Webster’s New World College Dictionary the term pundit has the following definition:

2. a person who has or professes to have great learning; actual or self-professed authority

So, according to that definition, anybody who can bluster, intimidate, and generally yell louder than the next guy is a pundit, whether they actually have any great learning or not. That sounds somewhat Machiavellian to me, especially when hundreds of millions of people are watching and listening, trying to get the real information. The media should be ashamed of themselves. Did the broadcast networks or the cable behemoths such as Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC, etc really do the American people justice during this campaign? I think not. Did the mediators of the three presidential debates really ask the questions that we would have asked? I think not. According to the media prior to the election the number one issue of Americans was national security, yet the polls taken after the election indicated “moral values” as the determining factor for how someone voted. Huh? Is the media really that out of touch with reality or do they truly think that we, the general public, are so ignorant and stupid that we can’t follow a complete sentence that is more than just a sound bite? I for one am offended and I’m sure I’m not alone in this feeling. I understand that most of the media is now basically owned and controlled by a few multi billion dollar corporations or individuals and the only messages that we are receiving are those that further their own self-serving agendas, i.e., as long as it’s sensational it’ll sell. Come on; give us more credit than that.

Now, as far as all the labels that have been attached to us democrats,

Webster’s defines liberal as:

5. tolerant of views differing from one’s own; broad-minded

6. of democratic or republican forms of government, as distinguished from monarchies, aristocracies, etc.

7. favoring reform or progress, as in religion, education, etc; specif., favoring political reforms tending toward democracy and personal freedom for the individual; progressive

Gee, that sure sounds a lot different than the labels put out there by the politicians, pundits and media. We are all human beings, individuals possessing different gifts, passions, and instincts. When we label someone, without really knowing him or her aren’t we pre-judging them? When we pre-judge we are guilty of being prejudiced and I don’t think anyone really likes that label, now do they? By the way, what is a compassionate conservative anyway?

A Change of Tone

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 22:53:56 EDT

Good evening. I want to apologize to anyone who has visited the HQ blogs and been offended by anything I have posted with regards to "Billy", "Wayne", "Willy" or whatever other user name he creates. With the nasty tone in Washington, in the media, and in the blogosphere when it comes to anything political, I was just trying to lighten up the mood a little bit. We have to be able to laugh at ourselves once in a while.

One of the things I have learned from reading Barack's books and following his career is that his message of changing the tone of politics is exactly what we need right now. I don't know how many times I've found myself just shaking my head at the TV after hearing the same soundbites, over and over. There is so much more to this country than "Red State, Blue State." So much more than "Liberal/Conservative". So much more than "Stay the Course or Cut and Run". Please remember that most of these "soundbites" are created by the media and the pundits for only one reason, to sell ad time. Sex sells, violence sells, sensationalism sells, controversy sells. So then, after sitting through the "non" news, what kind of ads do we, the uninformed american, get to be graced with? Pharmaceutical ads, Insurance ads, Oil/Energy Co ads. Gee, I wonder who's been dictating the agenda of this country for the last 6 years or so. I do have a little experience with advertising costs and I can tell you, it's expensive! The only companies that can afford to advertise, especially on TV, are the ones who have been making all the profits over that same 6 year time span. Hmmm, any connection? The reason I've gone into so much detail here is that when someone quotes something about Barack that they heard on the "news" I take the opportunity to lead them to "other" sources, like this website, if they have questions about issues, etc. I also encourage them to read both of Senator Obama's books, as they are very well written and give the reader a "sense" of the man. I have had positive results, in fact, I think I might have just converted my first "Obama Republican".

But I digress. My message is that we can discuss issues, candidates, stategies, etc in a calm, forthright, respectful, thoughtful manner. Be firm but be fair. Wait, that kind of sounds like Barack's message.

Gra & Gaire (Love & Laughter)

Suggestions for Barack

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 09:11:38 EDT

I think that the msm is being so small and petty with their reporting about this campaign. I think that Barack could really shake things up with verbalizing some really new and bold ideas about our future direction.

What about a "Manhattan Project" for new, magnetic-powered, high-speed passenger and cargo trains between every major city in the country? All the current truck drivers could be retrained as cargo masters. We could get so many of the big trucks off the road thus improving our air quality, reducing our usage of fossil fuels, etc. It could be a partnership between public and private funds, create thousands of jobs, and really inspire this next generation of Americans. When people are working and producing they will stay healthier, thereby reducing healthcare costs.

Barack can be so inspirational that a big speech like this might just catch fire so much so that the main stream media cannot ignore it or spin it.

What do you think?

MSM Bias

◎Desert Dove Dan◎ — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 08:49:23 EDT

This is my first posting so please be kind. I have never gotten involved in a political campaign in the past but after being personally affected by the Patriot Act and seeing our Constitution just ripped to shreads I had to get involved. I've read both of Senator Obama's books and was quite impressed with his background and most of all, his honesty. He is the only candidate that is verbalizing what I have thought for the past 6 years, namely that our political system is way out of whack. Since when does everything have to get broken down into a 5 second sound bite? The issues are much too important to just leave them at, "Cut & Run" or "Stay the Course". Senator Obama sees that the conversation needs to be elevated and is doing his best to make that happen. I have actually donated a number of times to his campaign and will continue to do so. The main stream media refuses to acknowledge that Senator Obama has/is winning the debates and continues to increase his following. They want Hillary to win the nomination so bad that they are not even hiding it anymore. After every debate they immediately come on and start raving about how Hillary won. Everyday on the MSM news we hear about national polls and how Hillary has it "locked" up. Well, as Lee Corso on College Gameday says, "Not So Fast My Friend". We are not fooled and the polls in the individual states are reflecting a tight 3 way race between Clinton, Obama, & Edwards. Keep getting the word out and we will show the MSM who owns this country!