Johnny Bardine's Blog

A Thing Like Hope

Johnny Bardine — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:19:57 EST

Note: I am Media Coordinator and Netroots and Rapid Response Committee Co-Chair for the Tampa Bay O-Train, Florida's largest, most organized, and active presidential grassroots organization.

It was a thing like hope.

It was a thing like hope that began this movement on the steps of the Illinois State Capitol on a cold day last February.

Obama Takes Lead on Security Contractors

Johnny Bardine — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:33:10 EDT

You've likely never heard of Blackwater USA and they'd like to keep it that way. First, watch this video produced by Sam Graham-Felsen, Obama for America blogger:

Senator Obama is taking the lead on reigning in this nefarious organization:

I was disturbed by recent press accounts describing a firefight in which Blackwater USA security contractors killed at least 9 people and wounded many others. According to the Iraqi government, last weekend’s incident is one of seven incidents in which the company’s employees have allegedly opened fire on Iraqi civilians.
[. . . ]
In February, I introduced the Transparency and Accountability in Military and Security Contracting Act (S. 674). This bill would require federal agencies to report to Congress on: the total number of security contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan; the total cost of the contractors; the number of contractors killed or wounded; information about the military and safety equipment provided to contractors; and a description of disciplinary action taken against contractors. The bill also would improve coordination between security contractors and U.S. armed forces by requiring the issuance of rules of engagement, clarify the legal status of contractors, and require investigation of criminal misconduct committed by contractors.

Once again, Senator Obama sees the forest for the trees, attacking the larger issue of transparency and accountability in our government. He is also taking head-on national security, again dismantling the "experience " argument.

From The "Tell Us Something We Don't Know" File

Johnny Bardine — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:28:29 EDT

Still, the messenger is important, nonetheless:

Instead, notes former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan, who served in that influential role from 1987 to 2006: "I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil." The Federal Reserve Board chairman oversees the United States' Federal Reserve Bank system; Greenspan, who was appointed to his powerful post by Ronald Reagan, went on to serve under several presidents. A self-described "libertarian Republican," he makes his observation - and others that are sure to upset the Bush gang - in his much-anticipated memoirs, The Age of Turbulence: Adventures in a New World. The book is being published today in the U.S. (In Britain, the Daily Telegraph will begin serialzing excerpts from it tomorrow.) (Daily Telegraph; see also Radio Canada, French-language service)

But, Mr. Greenspan...but...Weapons of mass destruction...and...blah blah blah:

"I thought the issue of weapons of mass destruction as the excuse was utterly beside the point."

. . . Oh . . .

If I knew you were coming, I'd a baked a cross-post.

Hillary's "Experience" In Foreign Affairs

Johnny Bardine — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:04:02 EDT

Hillary's "Experience" In Foreign Affairs

The most prevalent meme out of the Clinton camp is that she is the candidate of experience. This is a farce. A lie. And, indeed, the narrative dichotomy of this campaign has already been determined: we must choose between the experienced candidate (apparently Clinton) and the candidate who will turn the page (clearly Obama). That is a rather narrow depiction of this race, but it's the one we've got right now. While the Obama meme is accurate, Clinton's is patently and demonstrably false. That doesn't stop her from trying, though. Especially in foreign affairs, where she routinely touts she's visited 82 countries. Well, that tired line doesn't fool anyone, in particular Zbigniew Brzezinski, former Carter National Security Adviser:

"I would say my travel agent has probably been to more than 82 countries," Brezezinski said with a smile, "but that doesn't qualify my travel agent to be secretary of state or president."

No, it certainly doesn't. Neither does being married to the president. When people talk about Hillary's experience, they evidently include the eight years she was First Lady. Being married to the guy who knows and does stuff is not the same thing as knowing and doing stuff. It doesn't show a grasp of policy and ability to courageously lead as, say, correctly opposing a war when it is politically unpopular to do so. Brzezinski understands that and draws the distinction between Obama and Clinton:

Being First Lady is not the same thing as showing, on her own, that she understands what is really at stake in a situation, and to understand it early on, and not to understand it when a lot of other people have belatedly reached the same conclusion.

Amen.

Cross-posted from O-Train Station

New Fund-Raising Goal

Johnny Bardine — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 15:46:27 EST

Good afternoon, Barackstars:

I'm writing today to issue a new fund-raising challenge to the group. I have begun a new Tamp Bay for Barack Obama fund-raising page and have added it also to the group's profile. The goal is $1,000. One thousand American Greenbacks. Legal Tender.

There are now over 100 members in this group. That's remarkable in itself and now I'm asking for you all to continue your commitment to this campaign financially. If everyone receiving this e-mail gave $10 we will easily reach this goal. I am sure all of you can imagine how in the course of this week you've wasted $10 that could have been better appropriated. All you have to do is click here

As of last week, my personal fund-raising page--to which some of you have previously given--rank fourth among more than 4,000 fund-raising pages in terms of number of donors. So I know of what you are all capable.

It's now 3:40 pm on Thursday, March 8. I'll give us one week to reach this very manageable goal, touching base with you throughout the week as we near our goal on March 15.

Some of your have written me to tell me that you've already contributed the maximum amount legally allowed. For the rest of us, let's get to work.

Thank you and I'll talk to you soon.

Johnny

2008 won't be like 1984

Johnny Bardine — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 16:23:07 EST

Link

We did it! $500!

Johnny Bardine — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:32:34 EST

Well, I threw down the gauntlet, and you responded. And responded with vigor!

Maybe that was a little dramatic. I'll dial it down a bit.

But we've finally hit the initial $500 goal I set on my personal fund-raising page. I appreciate all the contributions. Thank you for your generosity.

Also, there was a typo in my original post, but you are all so savvy and scrupulous that you were able to detect it. I originally typed that it was a *24* goal. What I really meant to type was that it was a *3 week goal.* Thank you all for catching my mistake. :-)

Thanks again for your help. Tampa Bay for Barack Obama has taken off much quicker than I anticipated and I am very excited about this.

Johnny

Barack Attack!

Johnny Bardine — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 15:21:05 EST

Link

That's a huge problem. How can you vote for a guy you can't even see?"

$415

Johnny Bardine — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 13:14:53 EST

Thanks to another generous contribution, we are getting very close to my initial goal of (a very reasonable) $500. We are now sitting at $415--83% of our goal.

Finish. It. Off.

Also, some of you have mentioned to me that you have set fund-raising goals on your personal pages. That's excellent. Feel free to send me a link to it and I'll help out how I can.

Thanks also to everyone who has sent me an e-mail today explaining how eager you all are to help. I really appreciate it.

Johnny

Il faut d'abord durer.

Hillary's annoying "conversation"

Johnny Bardine — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:40:56 EST

Good Stuff

<p>

And again, we're nearly there: Link

http://www.TampaBayforUSA.com

Johnny Bardine — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:18:22 EST

Good afternoon, everyone.

I'm pleased to announce--thanks to the enthusiastic work of group member Keoki Trask--a new external website for the group. That can be found here: Link

That forwards directly to the group's new MySpace page. This will give us another networking tool, access to loads of local supporters, and a way to coordinate and disseminate information about events/projects in the area.

So if you have a myspace account, please add Tampa Bay for Barack Obama. If you don't have one, you can still access all the information.

While we're at it, if you'd like to add me, you can find me at myspace.com/johnnybardine

While I have hold of your iron-clad attention, I'll remind you all about our goal: Link

Thanks again to Keoki and to everyone for their efforts.

Johnny

Il faut d'abord durer.

Let's keep it up!

Johnny Bardine — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 11:12:57 EST

The end is in sight!

Less than two days ago I challenged Tampa Bay for Barack Obama to contribute $500 in 24 hours. Because of site maintenance last night because of the overwhelming and enthusiastic response to this campaign, we didn't quite get there.

But you've carried on today. Thanks to some very generous contributions we are at $375--75% of our goal.

We can do this today. I know it. We just need a few more generous contributors to carry us the rest of the way.

(Added bonus: Once we get to $500, I promise to lay off the Donate Money Drum for a bit. :-) I just think it's very important to raise a lot of money right out of the gate--both practically and symbolically.)

To those of you who have given already, thank you!

Again, the link to contribute is here: Link

Talk to you all later.

Johnny Bardine

Il faut d'abord durer.

Help Out Tampa Bay for Barak Obama!

Johnny Bardine — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 18:09:35 EST

Hello. I'm Johnny Bardine and am the group administrator of the Tampa Bay for Barack Obama (I'm a resident of St. Petersburg, an alumnus of American University, and a 2004 Howard Dean supporter). Last night I challenged my group to raise $500 in 24 hours. So far, we're just over $200 with about 7 hours.

So now I'm calling on you all outside of the group to help get us over the $500 limit. We have until 12:45 am to get there. If you can donate, click here: Link little bit helps us get closer to reclaiming our country.

Thank you in advance,

Johnny Bardine

Rush Hour Update

Johnny Bardine — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:57:47 EST

We're in the homestretch. We've raised $205 from a mere 8 donors. And with less than 7 hours to go, we need to get on the ball.

Let's do this: Link is within sight. I'll talk to you all tonight.

Johnny

Early Afternoon Update

Johnny Bardine — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 13:13:31 EST

We're more than halfway to the stop time for this fund-raising challenge, but we're less than halfway to our $500 target. Thus far, we've raised $145 from only five contributors. We can do this. Thanks again to all those who've donated so far.

Again, the link is here: Link to you soon.

Also, I'm having difficulty using the listerv. Has anyone else tried it? Any tips on how I can straighten it out? It's simply not sending email out.

Johnny

Il faut d'abord durer.

Fund-raising Update

Johnny Bardine — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:21:44 EST

Less than 10 hours after I challenged the group to donate $500 to reclaiming our country we have raised $120. That's 24% toward our goal. Thank you! That's incredible. But there's still a lot left to raise, but there's also still time.

Let's get on it. The fund-raising link is Link

To read the original blog challenge, go here: Link

Talk to you all later in the day.

Thanks for all your effort,

Johnny

Il faut d'abord durer.

It's put up or shut up time.

Johnny Bardine — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:48:53 EST

Hello, again, everyone. Well, you've all taken the time to create profiles, join this group, and network with other committed Floridians. That's great. It shows dedication, interest, and participation. That's a terrific first step, but it is only a first step. Participation in the process is key, but it doesn't win elections.

That's why I'm calling on each of you now to donate a little money toward our goal of taking back our country. I've set up a fund-raising thermometer here: Link I've set the goal at $500. As of this writing there are 48 members in the Tampa Bay for Barack Obama Group. That's $10.42 a person. That's more than manageable.

It's 12:45 am right now. I give us all 24 hours to reach the $500 goal.

The first days of the campaign are crucial. Let's make them count.

I'll kick things off with a donation of my own. Again, that link is here: Link show the others in this campaign and the nation we mean what we say. 24 hours.

Johnny

Welcome to the Tampa Bay for Barack Obama group!

Johnny Bardine — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 15:13:51 EST

Wow. I began this group minutes after the website launched on February 10 and already we have 38 members and we will surely grow in the coming weeks and months. I thought this would be a good time to introduce myself and welcome you all to the group.

My name is Johnny Bardine. I am 27 and live in St. Petersburg. I'm a recent graduate of Stetson University College of Law and, after a few months working in a law firm in Prague, I have returned to the area recently and am preparing to sit for the February Florida Bar Exam at the end of this month. I am the group administrator of this group, which basically just means I was up the latest on Friday night. Also, one of my close friends is Joe Rospars who designed the site and is Director of New Media for the campaign, so I was privy to some of its tools. You can read more from him under site's blog section.

My experience with Barack Obama is not unlike most of yours. I am struck deeply by his optimism and hopefulness. I am interested in confronting and solving the most divisive issues our nation faces, and I am convinced that Senator Obama must lead that charge.

The morning after

Johnny Bardine — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 09:07:45 EST

It's going on 24 hours after Barack Obama's announcement yesterday and I'm still reeling. That speech was soaring, emotive, true. And there's not a doubt in my mind--nor is there in anyone bothering to read this--that I was watching the next President of the United States.

I also want to acknowledge the truly great work of Obama's e-team for putting together the best campaign website I've ever seen. That work was led by my close personal friend and old blogging mate Joe Rospars, who is uber-talented and uber-smart. You can read his updates under the "blog" section.

Barack Site Launch

Johnny Bardine — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 00:55:17 EST

It's 12:48 am on February 10. This website launched 49 minutes ago. Already I've set up a profile, harassed 20 friends and acquaintances to give money and set up a blog. For those of you who know me, you know I've never been able to pass up a blogging opportunity.

And this is no exception. Only this is different. This is bigger and the stakes are higher. I believe in this and I will use all of my resources--my meager pocketbook and my considerably larger mouth, to name two--to see that Barack Obama is the next President of the United States. I'll use my blog as a forum to describe my own experience with this campaign and will enjoy every moment of it. I encourage you to do the same.