Joyce in Rockville

A Year Ago......

Joyce — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:34:32 EST

When one thinks about the past year, it is difficult to imagine how much has been accomplished by Barack Obama and his supporters. A year ago we were anticipating the results of the Iowa caucuses. On the night of the Iowa caucuses, I left the TV room for awhile anticipating a long night and I knew I had things to do. Not long after I left I heard my husband and son saying something with raised voices. I went in and of course they said he won! I was surprised and very happy. We'll all remember the Iowa night and the many successes that came after that. From January 3 to November 4, 2008, many worked very hard.

As we all think back to those months we must realize that many working together can indeed accomplish a great deal. Experienced Democratic politicians said that Obama could not win the general election. But the volunteers knew that something was happening. Calling many voters resulted in very positive feedback. With all that support Obama certainly could win, we believed. Let us remember how this all came about. We had an exceptional candidate, one who showed honesty, integrity, strength of character, intelligence, and humility. We had millions of people contributing and many volunteers working. This election will be studied by historians, but we must all use it as a lesson of what can be accomplished when we work together.

Originally I told myself that I was volunteering for my four little granddaughters and for their future. I am very happy that I chose to work for Barack Obama's election and that millions of others did as well. Thank you to all of you who worked for the election of President Barack Obama!

Yes We Can!

Joyce — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:17:33 EST

My last post asked "How Do We Participate?" I'm starting to answer my own question.

Last week I attended a luncheon given for volunteers by my local Democratic Central Committee. What a nice thing to do! They asked if any of us would like to volunteer through their office for activities of the Obama Administration. We live in the suburbs of Washington DC and would be available on short notice for any work needed to be done. I think everyone signed up!!

This morning I submitted my application to work for the Inauguration, primarily during the days before the Inauguration and right after. What and experience that would be!

There are opportunities out there where we all can participate in this wonderful new Obama Administration. I believe it is up to each one of us to look for the opportunities to use our particular skills.

Today on change.gov under "Join the Discussion" the question is "What social causes and service organizations are you a part of that make a difference in your community" The questions there are interesting and thought provoking. Lets all keep active by following through and answering the questions asked!

As I was making calls for Barack Obama during the primaries and general election I often felt that I learned a lot about our country and understood it just a little better. The results of November 4 may have surprised a lot of us. I certainly was surprised by the size of the win! But there is no question that it came about not only because of the fantastic candidate that we supported, but also because of the millions of people who volunteered for and contributed to his campaign. Let's keep working to make this country what we know it can and should be!

Yes We Can!

How Do We Participate??

Joyce — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:47:09 EST

It's been a great month - enjoying the win of President elect Barack Obama!! I haven't felt a need to write a post since the election!

An issue has come to my attention however, which I believe we all need to think about. How will we communicate with the Obama Administration? What kind of response can we expect from the Obama administration?

Questions about this have been offered on this web site and on change.gov. How the organization will develop I'm not quite certain, but I do believe there will be a place where we can participate as we have here in the past. It has been clear to me that the blogs here have been followed by campaign personnel. Remember a few days after November 4, when President elect Obama referred to the main topic on the Obama blogs as being the new dog?? Anyone who was participating knew that that was absolutely true!

What prompts me to write here is the second question I offered. What kind of responses can we expect from the Obama Administration? Yes we have all worked harder for this election than most of us have ever worked in the past, but should we expect "personal" responses to our future ideas??
Earlier I wrote about the anger of a supporter who did not get an answer from the Obama National Campaign when he asked whether a booth should be put up at his State Fair. More recently I heard a loyal and active supporter say something about expecting his "letters" not to be answered by a form letter. My immediate answer was, "But there are millions of us! How can they all be answered with a specific answer to our comments?"

The important part of this issue I believe is for us to feel that our opinions and questions are being considered. In the past many of us have felt that communication via the blogs would eventually reach those who needed to know. I have gone on change.gov (unless I change it, I'll be known there as Joyce001 since my name here was already taken). The idea there of asking for our opinions and experiences relative to specific topics seems excellent to me. The day I first looked at change.gov the topic was - how we were being personally effected by the economic downturn? If my interpretation is correct, I believe this can be a good way for us to communicate. We can't forget that there are indeed millions of us, even though it often feels like a family.

I hope the Obama blog (member? community? whichever one it is called that shows our responses to others) continues so that we can communicate with each other about whatever comes to mind. This in addition to the change.gov questions seems like a good plan to me. I do believe however that we must understand what is reasonable, realistic and the most efficient for our participation.

Please comment!

Pride in Country

Joyce — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:51:29 EST

I have previously talked about the statement Michelle Obama made fairly early in this campaign, the one about being proud of this country. In my adult years this country has been plagued by politician's wars and our history of civil rights abuses. These issues have bothered me a great deal. With the election of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States, I can now agree with Michelle. I am today more proud of our country than I have been in a very long time. The American people saw that Barack Obama was the very best candidate and they spoke out in large numbers. I would have been happy with a 5 vote margin. I am blown away by the size of this win!

What a Day!

Joyce — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:46:25 EST

On election day I was scheduled to work at the Democratic table in our local precinct. Before leaving to do that, I called 25 numbers from Florida to give them their polling information and encourage them to vote for Barack Obama. Only 2 numbers had a live person at the other end! I hoped they were all out voting! Calling has become such a big part of my trying to help the Obama campaign that I felt I had to call in Florida even though it was too early in the afternoon to be very productive. When I got to our precinct, I was shocked at the number of people waiting in line. The line went out the door and down to the street. This was the first time I had seen a line going out the door since we moved to our house 36 years ago! I started to think it was going to be a very good day!

Working at the Democratic table allowed me to get a sense of what was happening at our precinct. As many of the voters passed by us after voting, they signaled that they had voted for Obama. One man ordered a pizzia to be delivered to us free and specified when calling that it was to go to the Obama table only. Many people asked for buttons or stickers, but unfortunately we had none. I believe they wanted a memento from this special and historic day. I told them about the store at the Obama web site.

Two new citizens asked us a few questions about the process of voting. One I walked in with so I could find someone to help her with the dreaded touch screen voting. I worked at the with a man who has a marvelous story. He was the volunteer who distributed the tables, chairs and materials to the precinct. Then he worked the first few hours of voting and the last ones. He said he was not a citizen yet but a permanent resident. He will become a citizen next year. He talked about his experience as an illegal immigrant over 20 years ago. He was now the father of two daughters in college and has a fine career. He said he volunteers as the “pay back” for the opportunity this country has given him. He is the American dream! He understands.

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about volunteering at the Obama White House. If anyone knows what to do would you let me know? I do live in the Washington area!

I have never experienced anything quite like this election. To be a part of the Obama community has been a real privilege. I hope this web site continues in some way.

Yes We Can!

Joyce Murrell

Disappointment with the News and Observer - Raleigh NC

Joyce — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 10:07:09 EST

I spent a few days in North Carolina recently. I have watched that state for years. In 1965 I taught high school in Durham and since then I have visited there often. I feel that the state has made a lot of progress since 1965. Thus I was startled when I read an article from the News & Observer of Raleigh on Friday (10/31).

There was a front page article with the title "Blacks and whites alike see Obama's run in shades of gray." Under a photograph of a white man on the front page was the following quote, "I'm not a prejudiced person, but it's really...a black and-white situation ...I'd rather see a woman than him." The full quote which is printed inside follows this statement from the same man, "I think he's a young punk and he's arrogant, I'm not ready for his type for president." The conversation with this white man disappointed me a lot. Putting his photograph on the front page with his statement, made me think that the paper regards him as a typical North Carolinian or certainly not one of the extremes. There is a photograph of a white woman in connection with this same article with her statement "I think more of us are worried about religion. It's not race; it really isn't" There is no discussion of what she is talking about, but I don't think we have to guess.

I should add that the article interviewed others, both black and white. There was a second photo on the front page. That was of an African American woman who said, "Now for us as blacks, this is a monumental thing to have a black man in office."

I hope that North Carolina shows me on Tuesday that it has come a long way from what I knew in 1965. I have been saying this for a long time, but seeing the front page article in the News and Observer made me feel like I was back in 1965.

P.S. Here's the link. http://www.newsobserver.com/2192/story/1276634.html

Trusting the Vote

Joyce — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:13:20 EST

When I voted by "walk in absentee ballot" last week I was very careful. It was a large ballot and I filled in ovals with a number 2 pencil. I had checked that the pencil said #2. I had been told not to seal the rather large ballot when I was done. I turned it in to a clerk and he said that I could go. I said that I would like to see it being sealed! Why was I so careful? Why did I seem suspicious? Have we gotten to the point where we don't trust the process of voting?

In 2000 I also voted absentee, but then I really was absent. I was living in Denmark for 3 years. Watching that election from a distance was interesting. The length of time between election day and the Supreme Court decision seemed to go on forever. I was asked many questions by people who weren't citizens of the USA and those of us who were USA citizens were equally puzzled. One man suggested that we do the vote the way they do it in his country, India. They hand count the votes! As time has gone on, I continue to wonder why our system seems to be full of problems. Precincts are small, why do we have to have those dreadful touch screen things? One of the reasons I walked into our board of elections to vote, was that I knew there would be a record of my vote.

Can we trust our vote? In the past I thought that there were suppose to be voting judges from each party at each precinct. Is that still true? In my county the Democratic party will have over 20 lawyers in it's county office on election day and has widely distributed the telephone number. I'm glad they are doing that. Sadly, we cannot trust the voting system as it stands. We must be alert!

If anyone notices anything "strange" - a person turned away for difficult to understand reasons or because the name on the voters list doesn't have the middle initial and the driver's license does, a touch screen which seems to act up etc. - do something! There should be a "judge" of some kind there, ask that person. Call your local party office and explain the problem. No one should feel when they leave the poll that they should have questioned something. Do it!

Those of us who have become the Obama grass roots family need to continue our work. We should not have to be suspicious of our election process. When Barack Obama wins on Tuesday, let's vow to help him in any way possible. Let us also vow to clean up the election process as well. We can make it into a process that is simple and valid. Something has happened to this country and we must help fix it starting with the credibility of the vote.

Yes We Can!

Three Voters In Virginia

Joyce — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:54:27 EDT

Tonight I thought I would call a few voters in Virginia. I always try to call during a time when I wouldn't mind if someone called me. At 7:00PM I placed my first call and she was an Obama supporter! My second call was to a woman who also said she would vote for Barack Obama. I even mentioned to her that my first two calls in Virginia this evening were to Obama supporters and we both thought that was great! The third call, again to a woman, also was an Obama supporter! In all of my calls I don't think I have ever had a string of calls like that. What was interesting about these three was that they all volunteered the information that they would vote for Obama after they heard that I was a volunteer for his campaign. I came to the fourth name and it was a man who wasn't home, so my winning streak ended.

I thought those of you who are calling in battleground states might enjoy this little story. It's often difficult to get three people in a row home! I have a good feeling about Virginia!!

Complaining Republicans - Don't they see the Irony?

Joyce — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 10:03:44 EDT

This morning while reading the Washington Post, I have been faced by numerous articles about Obama's campaign having too much money and poor John McCain (Bradley A Smith, Dan Balz, David Frum and Matthew Mosk). The Republicans, who for decades have outspent the Democrats are the ones now complaining about the money??? Historically the RNC has raised huge quantities of money by donors who have no limitations on how much they can give to the RNC. This is true for the DNC as well, but they haven't had as many rich donors as the "don't tax the rich" Republicans. John McCain must have recognized this when he chose to have the taxpayers finance his campaign, knowing that the RNC could raise a lot more money for him than the DNC could for Obama. He must have thought that the old Republican money machine would make up any difference! That's when the RNC and McCain showed that they don't understand that the paradigm has changed. The voters saw that millions of them, donating in small amounts, would help Obama compete. The irony of the Republicans currently complaining about too little money, and suggesting that there was something sinister in having over three million donors, is hard to miss for most of us.

A column by David Frum, a former a speech writer for President Bush, suggests that the Republicans (RNC) now send more money to the Senatorial races and less to McCain. He says "We need a message change that frankly acknowledges that the Democrats are probably going to win the White House - and that warns of the dangers of one-party, left-wing government." Wonderful! A former Bush speech writer warning of the dangers of one party winning the White House and both houses of Congress!! But he was part of the 6 years of one party Republican rule from 2001-2007! The irony is strong, and he doesn't even acknowledge it!

To all those who have worked for the election of Barack, we have been part of an incredible shift! Barack Obama has always said that this campaign is not about him but it is about all of us the American people. We have forced Republicans to complain about not having enough money (that would have been hard to imagine in 2000 or 2004). Apparently intelligent Republicans are warning of one party holding the White House and Congress! We should celebrate!!

There is no time to celebrate, we must work for the next week at calling canvassing, wearing our Obama/Biden buttons and doing whatever else is necessary. We're almost there, but can't let up. Every vote is necessary! The key to success is to get out such a big vote that even the Republicans will realize that their "dirty tricks" will not change the outcome.

Yes We Can!!

A Voter in Ohio

Joyce — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 17:11:26 EDT

I just spoke to a woman in Ohio who has been inundated with disgusting mailings ("big and glossy") and robocalls. She has been an Obama supporter for a long time and is hopeful for what will happen in Ohio on November 4. However, I could hear how disturbed she was by the nasty attention she has gotten from the Republicans. It's offended her. I was glad we were able to talk, but sorry that she has to put up with this.

I am writing this to encourage all of you to call these states where the Republicans are pushing hard. I think it is important for all of us to call voters in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and the other states which are getting this heavy attention. Let voters know that we are real people who support Barack Obama and that we are not participating in the same dreadful things that McCain's people are doing. Let them know that we do appreciate any support that they can give to Barack Obama. Let them know that we are real people!

Yes We Can!!

Thank You To The Young Voters!

Joyce — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:36:26 EDT

As this election comes to a close, I want to thank the young voters for energizing this country! You have worked very hard and truly seem to understand that we need some major changes. Your support of Barack Obama has energized the rest of us. In February I attended an Obama Rally at the University of Maryland, and was thrilled with the 17,000 people attending. We were all ages. We spent a long time waiting in cold weather to get in, but we all related to one another, because we want the same things for this country. We had looked ahead to the future and realized that we needed change.

I do believe that without young voters with their interest and energy the Obama campaign would not be as successful as it is. Years ago some of us worked to stop a war and we felt that the end of that war reflected our hard work. Today's younger generation will feel this same success on November 4! Thank you all!!!!

Yes We Can!

I Just Voted For Obama/Biden!

Joyce — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:35:13 EDT

I just voted for Barack Obama for President of the United States of America! I am very happy that I have had the opportunity to do that!! Forty three years ago when I taught high school for one year in Durham NC I would never have believed that we could come this far. The problems seemed too great. Of course I thought we should get to this point, but realistically I doubt whether I would have bet on it.

Throughout my adult years, two serious issues prevented me from having unqualified pride in my country. The serious civil rights problems and politician's wars have plagued this country. This election will not magically eliminate both, but we will make a glorious move forward. I have never before worked on a political campaign, but that was because I never quite believed in a candidate as much as I do Barack Obama. He has given me an opportunity to work as hard as I can for the important change that I see possible and for the future of my grandchildren! Thank you all!

Yes We Can!

The Republican Double Standard

Joyce — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:51:32 EDT

I'm tired of the double standard that exists in this political system and the MSM. John Edwards gets a $400 hair cut and we hear about it for weeks. The Republicans pay for a $150,000 wardrobe and yes it gets attention but certainly not in proportion to the excesses shown.

John McCain uses lies in his ads ("Barack Obama will raise your taxes") and slimey innuendoes, while Obama does not, but does point out truths (McCain will lower the income tax significantly of those making over $250,000). John McCain has flip flopped on the this tax situation! These ads are all referred to as negative, even through some are the truth and some outright lies.

Joe the Plumber asks Barack Obama a question and gets an answer. John McCain uses that exchange (acting like it's a gotcha moment) and the name of the plumber 20+ times in the third debate. Joe the plumber gets a lot of attention and we learn that Joe the plumber was somewhat untruthful in his question to Obama (who cares?) and he owes back taxes. McCain then says how awful it was that Obama subjected this man to so much public scrutiny. Was he kidding? Who brought the public attention to Joe??

Republicans own most of the MSM, but why do the rest of us not complain more? Are we so use to the Republican lies and double standards that we don't demand that John McCain take responsibility for focusing attention on Joe the plumber???

How Do I Volunteer At The Obama White House??

Joyce — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:41:06 EDT

Some may think of this as being a bit early, but I do want to volunteer to do whatever work is needed at the Obama White House! There are always phones to answer, letters to read and emails to respond to plus any number of other tasks.

Today I was putting together yard signs in the local Democratic Central Committee Office and asked if anyone knew how I could work as a volunteer for the Obama White House. No one knew, but there were several others who were interested in doing the same thing!

I am excited about the new administration coming to town. If anyone out there knows who I should contact about this, please let me know. I live in the Washington DC area so the commute is not a problem! We need to start planning!

Well I'm off to call voters in Virginia.

A 93 Year old Voter With a Problem

Joyce — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 11:49:15 EDT

Yesterday I called a voter in Bay City Michigan who was 93 years old. He was very alert and very interested in this election. However, he had a problem. At 93 he no longer drives a car and does not have a valid driver's license. He seemed to be concerned about having the proper identification which he would need in order to vote. As we talked, I thought of all these scare tactics (or is it a strategy?) which the other side has been using to make all of us feel that voting will be complicated this year. This man has voted for 70 years and he is worrying about whether he can prove he is who he is?? What a bad situation!

He said that he had his expired driver's license and carried it with him. I thought that should work to verify who he is, but suggested that he take as much ID has he could find. I suggested that he call the local Democratic Party and that they might be able to offer him information about the ID situation as well as finding him a ride to vote on November 4. I wrote all this in my calling report, including his name and telephone number. I hope those in Bay City can follow through. We need this voter!

I haven't paid too much attention to the problems with identification for voters in various States, but this voter made me realize that some solutions may be more difficult that simply telling voters to take in their driver's licenses. I am angered by the games being played.

What Will McCain Say About Our September $150 Million??

Joyce — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 11:22:45 EDT

I am thrilled today to be part of the group of millions of people who donated to Barack Obama's campaign in September! We raised $150 million!! Most of us have contributed something each month and this has kept the campaign going! The key of course is that there are millions of us! We knew how important it is to elect Barack Obama President of the United States of America and we acted on this knowledge. Congratulations to us all.

In the Spring it became apparent that the Obama campaign had already changed how Presidential politics in the future will operate. Asking for small regular donations is something past campaigns both Republican and Democrat have not done at this level. In the past they depended on the rich who often with their first donation hit the maximum individual contribution. Then there were the "bundlers" who could influence others to donate whether they wanted to or not. There also were the PACS. These patterns of contribution resulted in a number of people who felt they should have great influence when their politician was elected. This Spring a group of rich people wrote a demanding letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi - these people (about 24) had together donated about $9 million to the DNC in the previous 10 years. They felt they had a right to make demands. This is the political situation which Barack Obama has changed. If one tried to put together a letter from a group of us who together donated $9 million in September, our names would need to be typed on a giant billboard, rather then a simple letter.

Recently I have heard John McCain and his supporters talking about how much more money Barack Obama's campaign had and had spent. Poor things, they are complaining about being in the situation we Democrats have been in for decades! They talk about Obama spending 4 times as much as they have on ads! McCain complains about Obama not agreeing to the public funding which he himself chose to accept, saying that Obama had promised (an untruth) to accept the same public funding. When I hear of one of these "poor me" McCain comments I can't help but laugh. When McCain made his choice, he knew that the Republican National Committee could accept as much money as people wanted to contribute. Donations to the RNC (or the DNC) are not limited! He must have thought that he would have as much or more money available as Obama. Well, he simply misjudged Obama supporters!

In summary, McCain in response to the September $150 million will give us the "poor me" statements with the inference that Obama must spend a lot more in order to beat him. This is why we have been contributing as we have. We have been outspent by the Republicans in Presidential races for years. This year we recognized that there was a Democrat running for President who had the honesty, integrity, intelligence, temperament and character to be the transformational President that this country needs. We looked at the numbers and realized that if enough of us contributed we could do anything!!!

Now I must get busy. Today I'm calling voters in Virginia and Michigan. Join me in making calls!!

Yes We Can!

Progress!!!

Joyce — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:44:33 EDT

Yesterday, while stuffing envelopes in our local Democratic office, I spoke with a woman who had very good news. Her brother, a long time Republican with whom she rarely talked politics, had told her "I won't be unhappy if Obama wins." That is progress!

Today I visited my doctor, with whom I have talked about politics in the past. His father became my doctor in 1972 and the son took over the practice about 15 years ago. I know them well and know they have been Republicans. Although his ethics prevented him from telling me directly, I did learn that he is voting for Obama!! The best I had expected from him was that he would say he wasn't voting. More progress!

I am now wearing my Obama button nearly all the time. I think it's important for us to have the conversations which come about as a result of others noticing it. Now it's up to all of us to get out the vote!

Yes We Can!

Autism, Down's Syndrome All The Same To John McCain

Joyce — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:29:28 EDT

Near the end of the debate last night, John McCain talked about his running mate's great and personal knowledge of AUTISM. He said something like she knew a great deal (was an expert in this country or something to that affect) about Autism. Autism? Hearing his statement I heard a man who had little knowledge about special needs children, and lumps them all together - "Down's syndrome, autism what's the difference?" Sarah Palin has a child with Down's Syndrome, born last Spring. She may know a lot about Down's Syndrome, but I doubt whether she is an expert. If she does indeed know a great deal about Autism as McCain suggested, I believe we would have heard about it! This woman does not keep such information to herself! Anyone who has ever thought of these two conditions would not confuse them. In thinking about McCain's error, I see a problem. He has shown bad judgement a number of times, particularly when he chose his VP. He seems to believe that a little knowledge about any field is all one needs. He is arrogant and dismissive of Barack Obama who clearly is very knowledgeable about many topics. Obama knows what he's talking about, McCain doesn't realize how little he knows. This man would be a disastrous President for this country! Yes We Can!

Working For Obama At 101!

Joyce — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:08:50 EDT

I recently heard the story of a man in Maryland who has been designing Obama signs for his local community. This is a very special man. He is an artist who designed the emblem of the United Nations as well as many other well known designs. His name is Donal McLaughlin and he is 101 years old!

When I first heard the story about his designing the Obama signs for his town, I was working in our local Democratic Central Committee office, primarily selling Obama gear! A woman came in and told me about Mr. McLaughlin and wanted to get an "official" sign for him. I gave it to her (we normally charge, but this was special!) and she later called to say how happy he was with it. I haven't been able to visit his town yet, but I did call the local Obama office and gave them information about Mr. McLaughlin. I hope they are able to contact him and will tell us more about his project for Barack Obama!!

With all the "goofy" stories we have been hearing, I thought you would all like to hear about a man of 101 years who is working for Barack Obama!!

Yes We Can!

A Gambler In The White House??? NO NO NO!

Joyce — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:15:23 EDT

Today The Washington Post features an article by Michael D. Shear "McCain Plans Fiercer Strategy Against Obama" The first sentence immediately caught my interest:

“Sen. John McCain and his Republican allies are readying a newly aggressive assault on Sen. Barack Obama's character, believing that to win in November they must shift the conversation back to questions about the Democrat's judgment, honesty and personal associations, several top Republicans said.”

Immediately my question was how can John McCain attempt to assault Obama’s character, when discussion of his own character is something he must want to avoid? This man has gotten off easy up to this point. The reporters of the MSM have viewed him for years as one of their buddies. They haven’t focused on his character flaws. These flaws may be old news to them but not to me when I’m thinking of a man running for President of the United States.

Last week John McCain said “I am a gambler”. He uses money that way, lives his life that way and has run his campaign that way. When I saw his statement last week I wondered if he didn’t realize that many people regard being a gambler as a character flaw. Others go to Gambler’s Anonymous , but it may be that John McCain escapes that because he has a rich wife! He stated as if it was something to be proud of. I don’t want a gambler in the White House!!

Others have taken care of John McCain over the years. When he graduated from the US Naval Academy ranking fifth from the bottom (class size over 2,000). He was given the most sought after assignment as a pilot. He may be the lowest ranking Annapolis graduate to become a pilot. Why? His father was an Admiral and his Grandfather was Admiral. He had a privileged situation. He crashed 4 planes (not counting the one shot down) which suggests he should have been given an assignment equal to his rank in class! I don’t know a whole lot about his POW situation, all I’ve heard is that he refused to leave when he had the opportunity. This was offered by the Vietnamese to him as the son of an Admiral. That may be true, but he certainly didn’t turn down other perks offered to him because of his father’s position.

Apparently in his new campaign ads he is going to attack Obama’s associates, regardless of how tenuous the association. This from the same man who was a very close friend of Charles Keating (S&L fame) and was one of the Keating five, who cost the country a lot of money in a scandal of the 1980s. I suppose the MSM regards this as old news, but I think of it as representing a man who sometimes talks about honor but doesn’t practice it.

Recently John McCain said the wages of women would equal that of men, when “they get a little more training and education.” From his treatment of women in the past and present it is clear John McCain regards women as second class citizens! He’s been an adulterer, divorcing his first wife (had been a swimsuit model, but became shorter and fatter because of a horrible car accident) and marrying a beauty queen with millions of dollars. The fact that he chose a beauty queen with a minimal political record for his running mate tells me that McCain may only relate to this kind of woman. There were other more accomplished Republican women available. Where is the word misogyny in relation to this man? I suggest that all women who plan to vote should look into McCain’s history with women!

I knew very little about John McCain before this current election. When I learned that he would be the Republican nominee, I actually thought that this would be an election about the issues, since he and his wife had said numerous times that they were against negative campaigns and ads. I quickly learned that he is not a man of honor, integrity, intelligence, vision and strength of character. A gambler in the White House? NO NO NO!

Not Of The 21st Century

Joyce — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:03:54 EDT

I am puzzled about John McCain. I am closer to his age than to Barack Obama's, but I feel that McCain has not joined me in the 21st century. Yesterday I saw a portion of one of his ads where he talks about why he "suspended" his campaign last week. He said the financial problem is important and he wanted to have his input and he "didn't want to phone it in." That was a snide reference to the fact that Obama has been in touch with all leaders of the issue by telephone and email. That reference should backfire on John McCain! That is an old fashioned term, which I haven't heard in years. I think it may have been used to imply doing a less than thorough job (like a teacher phoning in a lesson), but it's use showed that McCain doesn't understand how the 21st century works!

McCain simply does not understand the 21st century and its communications. Earlier I was concerned when I learned he never uses email. This is not just a new fad, as he may have thought, it is an important tool for people all over the world and has been for quite awhile! To be computer illiterate is simply not acceptable for a leader in today's world. Is he not aware of "google"? Maybe that's why he felt like he could look at the camera Friday night and say "Veterans know that I will take care of them." He didn't realize that his voting record (all no's) on veteran's benefits is readily available to all. Imagine a person being President without 21st Century tools and the understanding of their influence.

When McCain did arrive in Washington last week (24 hours after he told David Letterman that he was in a hurry to go to Washington to fix the financial crisis) he had a few meetings with Republican leaders . Then he went to the White House meeting and didn't even say where he stood on the issue! On Saturday while other Congressmen and Senators were working on the problem, McCain was spotted with Sen. Lieberman having a leisurely dinner at one of the most expensive restaurants in town. HE SHOULD HAVE PNONED IT IN!

Yes We Can!!

Get Out The Vote In Every State!!

Joyce — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 12:48:42 EDT

This is a reminder of what we all know, but must think of at all times! We have to work very hard from now until the election to encourage others to vote for Barack Obama!!! Even if we see strong poll numbers, we still must work - canvass, call, wear an Obama button when possible and talk to people!

The Republicans are very familiar with "dirty tricks" and have already tried a number of gimmicks (false absentee ballots etc.) The only cure for that is a huge outpouring of votes for Obama. Big numbers will counter the tricks!

I live in Maryland which is a Democratic state and should continue to be a state supporting Obama. However, I am not going to take Maryland for granted. We must have a large vote total in Maryland. I call Maryland people as well as those in the nearby competitive state of Virginia. All are important.

Yes We Can!!

The Eleventh Debate? Another McCain Lie

Joyce — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:51:53 EDT

This morning I came across an article that points to two issues of which we all must be aware - John McCain admits that he is a gambler and his campaign is claiming that Barack Obama is responsible for there not being more "debates"

Mark Silva of The Swamp quotes McCain as saying "I am a betting man..." That can't be much clearer. Particularly on the day after he chose to gamble with our economy for political gain.

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/09/debate_tonight_should_they_sho.html

Steve Schmidt, the McCain campaign strategist said, "We had actually hoped this would be the 11th debate of the campaign." To review, John McCain challenged Barack Obama to 10 TOWN HALL MEETINGS. He believes that he is "really good" at town hall meetings, thus demanding 10 would be to his advantage. This was an attempt also to control Obama's campaign scheduling. Needless to say Obama turned down this offer, but what is little known is that he issued a counter offer to McCain, which he refused and McCain did not even suggest a compromise. Now they are renaming these 10 town halls - "debates". That's to show that McCain is not afraid of "debates" as he appeared this week. This lie will be repeated over the next 5 weeks -here is the information you all should be aware of from the Obama web site:

www.barackobama.com/2008/06/13/statement_on_mccains_refusal_o.php

John McCain has gambled with our economy and has repeatedly twisted the truth. Let us be prepared with the truth to talk to voters this week-end!

Yes We Can!

McCain Thinks Grandstanding Is Leadership!

Joyce — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:56:02 EDT

What has happened late today is the best example of why John McCain should not be allowed near the White House. His lame attempt to "suspend" his campaign (except for the ads, open offices, Palin's activities and fund raising), cancel the debate and come running to Washington to solve the financial crises (after admitting on Tuesday he hadn't read the Paulson plan) has made a bad situation even worse.

When he finally got to Washington today, he apparently had closed meetings with various Republicans. They prepared a secret plan to counter the revised version of Sec. Paulson's plan, which they didn't tell anyone else about. When they got to the White House for the meeting which Bush called at the urging of McCain, what had seemed to be a nearly completed plan was countered by the conservative Republicans present. This was the first anyone else had heard of it.

Now here's the sneaky part. John McCain said nothing much. He wanted to "keep his options open" I believe. People asked him what he supported and he didn't say much. You see, depending on how things went, he would claim that he had brought about the positive result whichever plan was chosen (since he hadn't offered his opinion he could go with either) The problem is that things don't quite work like that. Some people have principles. The whole solution to the economic emergency has been thrown up in the air by a very selfish man who thinks you run things by grandstanding.

Tomorrow, if the stock market reacts as predicted, if seniors see their retirement funds fall beyond their imagination, if everyone else learns the meaning of recession or even depression personally for the first time, remember who had to play games with our lives and safety.

McCain Did Not Read the Bailout Plan Until Tuesday!!!

Joyce — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:15:35 EDT

As important as McCain says the Republican Administration Bailout Plan is to him now, McCain did not read the plan until Tuesday, September 23! It was available at least 3 days before that and that was to the Democrats. Surely McCain could have read it before Tuesday!! It's only about 3 pages long! Please don't forget that McCain said quite awhile ago that he really didn't understand much about economics.

In his attempt to rush down to Washington to get the bailout passed, he cancelled an appearance on David Letterman's show Wednesday night, but then stayed in NYC until Thursday, after giving an interview to Katie Couric and speaking at Bill Clinton's event Thursday morning. Why did he cancel Letterman? Maybe he was nervous about it? Letterman has interviewed him before and has not been aggressive, so that's hard to believe.

Earlier in the day on Wednesday, Barack Obama called McCain at 8:30AM to suggest putting together a joint statement on the economy, but his call was not returned until 2:30PM. Shortly after that, McCain announced the suspending of his campaign and his rush to Washington. What did he think he, with his history with the proposal and lack of knowledge of economics, was going to be able to accomplish in Washington??? He also said he wanted the Friday Presidential Debate canceled. To me that sounds like his real mission.

My question is what kind of President would this man make? He doesn't read a short very important document until 3 days after it was available. He doesn't return a call until he's had time to come up with a plan of his own about the recently read document? His plan involves the cancellation of a debate which many have worked tirelessly to bring about at Ole Miss (I've just heard that they have already spent $5.5 million to prepare for it). Even I knew that the cancellation of the Debate would disrupt a lot of people and plans.

These events illustrate a person who is simply not prepared and doesn't have the temperment to be President of the United States.

DO NOT CANCEL DEBATE! A President Should Be Able To Handle More Than One Thing At A Time!!

Joyce — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:39:55 EDT

A short time ago I heard that John McCain wants to delay the Presidential Debate because of the bailout discussions. Immediately, without any doubt I thought - he's afraid of the debate! McCain has already said he knows little about financial matters, and he has said he want's the bailout proposal passed as written. What is the point of his returning to Washington??????? Oh, I forgot, he doesn't know how to use email!! There is no point to his coming back to Washington. This is the old Republican rush, rush, rush to get "bad" things through Congress - Wars, Patriot Act etc.

Frankly I believe that John McCain is not prepared for the debate and I think he figures he can weasel out of it by claiming EMERGENCY. Isn't this the same person who shared a piece of cake with George Bush during the ignoring of Katrina????

A President of the United States has many issues that deserve his attention at one time. If John McCain cannot work on a number of things at one time, then he should not be President. What can he add to the debate about the bailout? - maybe "Whatever George Bush's people say is good"? It is clear he does not want to debate. All should see through this and recognize that this man does not have the temperment, vision and ability to be President.

PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL THE DEBATE.

"The Words Left Unspoken in the Bailout Debate"

Joyce — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:59:52 EDT

I rarely save articles from the "Business" section of the newspaper, but today I have. To me it shows a rare understanding of human nature and what is happening today in regards to the Bailout. The column is titled "The Words Left Unspoken in the Bailout Debate" and was written by Steven Pearlstein of the Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/23/AR2008092303097.html

The final sentence - "But until Wall Street can muster the decency, the humility and the good sense to acknowledge its colossal screw-up, it shouldn't be surprising that Americans are balking at writing the check."

Bill Clinton Appears on Letterman

Joyce — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:58:06 EDT

If I had any question that Bill Clinton understood what was going on in the Democratic Party and in the country, I don't now. The former President appeared on David Letterman's show last night and dlearly showed the problem he has with any other Democrat becoming President. He talked about his Foundation and the good work it was doing. He talked about the economic problem. He talked about John McCain and his service to the country. He talked about Joe Biden and said what a good friend he is to Hillary and himself. He mentioned Hillary's economic plans and what she has talked about in the last year. He talked about 30 minutes, but he did not mention....oh let Chris Rock describe it.

Chris Rock appeared immediately after the former President. He went on about how smart Clinton was and complimented him, but then he summarized what I'd been thinking. He said, "Did you notice how difficult it was for him to get out the words Barack Obama???" Then he said, "He talked about what Hillary's plans and Hillary's programs ---------She lost! She got a lot of votes, but Obama got more!!" Letterman was laughing. I doubt whether Chris Rock planned to say these things, but it was so obvious that he couldn't escape it.

I suppose I feel sorry for the former President, he wanted to be back in the White House. His inability to get his mind on the reality of today, to be a bigger person and work for the Democrats may have permanently hurt his reputation with many of us. Does he feel he is so clever that he can do something like this, showing his obvious bitterness that someone else is now the young leader of the Democrats, and still be loved? Time goes on. I am sorry, but it should be obvious now that he will only give "lip service" to supporting Obama. Don't expect much from Bill Clinton.

Yard Signs???????

Joyce — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:02:47 EDT

I am part of "NC for Obama" and today the group received a number of emails about yard signs. Where are they? Where can we get them? The requests were sincere I believe and I even responded to one telling how we had made a sign before our primary.

It turns out that Daily Kos has posted a diary about this "problem"

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/20/18152/3960/753/602322

Yes there is a shortage of yard signs. They cost $3 at my local Democratic Office, but they are nearly out. Do we all think our money donated to the Obama campaign should be used to give people yard signs? Or should it be used to buy ad time? I prefer my money to go to ad time!!!!! I can see this becoming an issue, particularly if Kago X of Daily Kos likes to stir up issues. He says he's never been asked to pay for a yard sign before. But what kind of signs is he talking about? - local politicians or Presidential candidates? I've only been offered free signs from local campaigns. We have all had the opportunity to order Obama yard signs from the store here since at least February. But now they are being used as an issue to criticize the Obama Campaign? Sounds like Karl Rove to me!

For those who really want a sign for their yard, please think of making one. Use some plastic or other water resistant sheeting, a permanent marker and a wooden or metal post or frame. Write OBAMA (big thick letters) and firmly attach the sign to the post or frame and put it in your yard. We put one together before the Primary here and it really looked good. The campaign has suggested before rallies that home made signs are great.

Yes We Can!

Where Is The Cry Of Flip Flopper???

Joyce — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 10:46:04 EDT

In the past it seemed that the worst thing that could be said about a candidate was that he was a "flip flopper". This was heavily used for John Kerry in 2004, even though it was a manufactured claim by the Republicans. It has been said in the MSM that that term had much to do with his loss and that the American people can't stand a flip flopper.

OK American People, please pay attention! We now have a candidate who clearly deserves that title! MSM do what you have done with this term in the past! I am now calling John McCain a FLIP FLOPPER. Here is what he has done in the last week:

"Financial Fundamentals are stable" on Monday. Redefined the term a few hours later, rejected it within 24 hours.

"I support the deregulation of banks and financial institutions" - said during his entire career -Totally reversed it this week. He's now for regulation, although he has not indicated he knows what it means.

"I want to privatize Social Security" whenever that topic has come up during his career. This week he changed and says he doesn't support privatizing it.

If that isn't flip flopping what is?? Don't let him get away with explaining why things have changed - the Republicans did not allow John Kerry to do that in 2004. He is a flip flopper, MSM - pass it on!

Questions About the Rape Kits in Alaska?

Joyce — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:15:32 EDT

I have noticed in the last few weeks comments made about the fact that in Palin's home town Wasilla, during the years she was mayor, they required the victims of rape to pay for the rape kits used. It seemed so absurd that I wondered about it, but had no ideas about the reasons. The facts have been substantiated by a former mayor, that the police use to pay for them but that changed under Palin. Why?? Why?

From the Daily Kos comes the answer. Rape kits not only contain items for gathering evidence, but they contain items to test for STD's and emergency contraceptives! Knowing Palin's views it is easy to see how she manipulated this to follow her own individual beliefs. She's been careful to say she supports rape kits for gathering evidence (ONLY). The link for the Daily Kos Diary is here:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/17/175430/636/888/601186

Think about the ramifications of this. This woman has no hesitancy in inflicting her own personal beliefs on innocent victims!!

Yes We Can! Yes We Must!

The Exceptional President

Joyce — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:49:51 EDT

At 1:43 pm I wrote a post titled "A President Just Like Me" and now I want to talk about Barack Obama!

In these really trying times, following the Presidency of George Bush, we need an exceptional person as President. Fortunately we have one running! Barack Obama will be able to start his first day as President with the intelligence, judgement, honesty, integrity, broad knowledge of government and this country, the ability to work with people from both sides of the aisle, the strength of character and temperment that I truly want in a President.

Let me give you one example of why I believe this. From the Service Forum at Columbia University last week, Obama gave me an example that made me instantly understand that he knows what needs help in this Federal Government and he has the vision to bring about the change. He said something like "Some of the agencies of the government have been hallowed out and filled with political appointees with little interest in the mission of the agency itself" They tend to have worked on political missions over the last 8 years. I live in the Washington DC area and have known many government workers at all levels. I have mentioned what I heard from Sen. Obama about political appointees (in the past rules have been in place to avoid this very problem). Those I have spoken to about this have been stunned - "he understands" has been the reaction. This is something that no one expects a candidate to understand before he is elected. He has done his homework! He is exceptional!! Electing Barack Obama will bring about the change we need.

Yes We Can!

A President Just Like Me!

Joyce — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:43:30 EDT

Is that what the American people want - a President just like them?? In trying to start this post I thought of a number of titles - "The ignorance bias" or "he's too smart to be President" came to mind. I don't understand quite why people seem to like Palin as VP because she reminds them of themselves! Let me say that I consider that all four candidates are running for President, because at any time the VP can become the President. That must be kept in mind.

Are we really back in high school where the smart people were often designated "brains"? I hope people understand that a lot of qualities are needed to be President and most of us don't have them! We should, after 7.5 years of George Bush, want more than what he has delivered to us.

He came into office with a huge federal surplus and he's leaving with a record deficit.

He came in with a relatively stable economy, yesterday a major bank failed becoming the second one in this year. Most attribute this to the beloved deregulation of the financial institutions by the Republicans. Innocent people were told they could afford to purchase a home - "here, sign here" - when in reality they couldn't but believed the bankers. Regulation must happen!

When the USA was attacked in 9/11/01 he sat for 7 minutes in an elementary school after learning there was an attack. I can understand that, I might react that way, but a President shouldn't. A lot can happen in 7 minutes.

He invaded Afghanistan in an attempt to find those responsible for the attack, but he didn't. In an attempt to go after Sadam Hussein, thought of as his enemy, he started a war which was based on false information. Iraq had no connection to AlQueda but he wanted us to think that it did. This was personal! Over 4,000 Americans died in Iraq and over 300,000 civilians. 3000 died on 9/11. I haven't mentioned the $$ cost.We have even been told by the President that torture was ok.

The unemployment numbers have gone up. The numbers of jobs shipped overseas have gone up.

He is leaving office after having greatly hurt the reputation of the USA in the world. The value of the dollar is so low that other countries don't want to take dollars from tourists.

George Bush was elected because people wanted to have a beer with him. He did however attend Yale and Harvard Business and received degrees. He had traveled some and knew something about the Presidency from his father. With all of this he still has overseen all the problems I have listed and more! Do we really want another George Bush?

Are John McCain and Sarah Palin even less qualified than George Bush was??? McCain graduated from the Naval Academy ranking academically second from the bottom in his class. No more schooling. He became a pilot even though his record didn't warrant it and he crashed a number of planes. Both wives and his VP selection have been beauty pageant winners. Is that what he is most comfortable with? Sarah Palin went to 4 or 5 colleges and eventually graduated from the University of Idaho in journalism (TV) and became a TV sports announcer. She has a record as mayor and governor showing mistreatment of government workers and of installing old buddies in important jobs. Wasilla had about 6,000 people when she was mayor, Alaska has about 650,000 people. Texas is a whole lot bigger and Bush was governor a lot longer!

Do we really want our next Presidents (anything could happen) to have less seriousness of purpose and less intelligence than George Bush? When George Bush's background makes him look more qualified than these two, does it not scare you a bit?????

Do we really want two more Presidents we want to have a beer with?? Stay tuned, in my next post I want to talk about my candidate Barack Obama!!

We Must Be Visible!!

Joyce — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:27:18 EDT

Seven weeks from tomorrow is the election! As I've thought about what I personally should be doing, one thing came to mind. It's time to wear my Obama button!!!! I did it in the winter during the primary season, but in warmer weather, when one isn't wearing a jacket I haven't done it too much. That is because I don't always feel it is appropriate. The time has come! Aside from when I am at work, I will wear an Obama button.

What's the point? It's like bumper stickers, I think. Don't you like to see a bumper sticker on someone else's car? I do. I don't know what the psychology is, but I think there is something to the idea that it helps to see many people supporting my candidate. Maybe it encourages people to check out the candidate since they see so many people supporting Obama. You all know what I'm talking about I think.

Now the next question will be, where do I get an Obama Button? I went to my local Democratic Party Headquarters today. I wanted to sign up to do some work there and get some yard signs. They had nearly everything - buttons, bumper stickers and yard signs! As much as I love the store here, I know it takes awhile to get things. Go to your local Democratic Office!!

If anyone has any thoughts about this, please offer them.

Wear your Obama gear!

Yes We Can!

McCain Lies, Tell Your Friends!

Joyce — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:53:23 EDT

For weeks I have been yelling at the TV whenever the McCain Ad "Obama Will Raise Your Taxes" (it's even written out on the screen so everyone can read it as well as hear it!!) is shown. We all know that your income taxes will only be raised if you make over $650,000 annually, so why do they keep playing the ad? They think voters are stupid. There is no excuse for this LIE. It's been repeated so many times here that I believe the McCain campaign has judged that it's worth being connected with it - they don't care about the truth!!!

May I suggest that in every one of our encounters with voters (phoning, canvassing), we mention this particular lie. It is straight forward, the numbers are clear, the truth is clear. The Republicans have used lies before in their ads - they've gotten away with it. They will not this time!! We will tell all the voters that John McCain has no trouble running on lies!

I must admit that when I realized that John McCain was going to be the Republican nominee, I thought well at least he's honorable so it won't be a dirty campaign. How wrong I was!! In his depth of desire to be the Commander In Chief he has thrown away what he use to say he stood for. Both he and his wife said they would not tolerate a dishonest campaign as had been done in the past. Their promises are cheap apparently.

This is repetitive of what has been said before I know, but please don't forget the Obama Tax Lie Ad! Tell all your friends, relatives and the voters you talk to!!!!!

Alaska Rules Are Not Federal Rules

Joyce — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:57:31 EDT

This post may be a bit picky, but for those of you who have not ever been employed by the federal government or related to a person who has, your federal workers are not paid according to Alaska rules! The description of the per diem charges Gov. Palin received for living in her own house and for the travel of her family would not be received by by federal employees.

At one point my husband and I had a similar situation. We had lived in our house in Maryland for a long time and my husband worked in this area. He was a Senior Executive for a US Agency and was the director of the Midwest Area (more people there than in Alaska). He had an apartment there and came home 5 times a year for official travel and headquarters week long meetings. For these his travel was paid, but nothing was paid for him staying in his own house! Other optional visits here were not paid in any way. When I went there, even when I appeared with him at official functions, my travel and housing were not paid! Had we had children then they wouldn't have been paid.

Federal workers have rules and they aren't generous for situations like these. Often the civil servants are confused with the political appointees however. In times like this I feel obliged to defend them. The group usually suffers when the wrongs committed by political appointees (not just the Secretaries, but Under Secretaries, Deputy Under Secretaries etc). If I had to guess I would say that the current scandals involving the Department of Interior for example, probably involve few civil servants. MSM never seems to distinguish between the two.

Off the soap box, back to numbers! The total reported so far for 19 months as Governor is $16,951 for her stays at home and $43,490 for her familys travel! (I got zero!). That is extra pay of $38,173 per year or 30% on top of her regular pay. Remember she is just getting started. When she really learns how to play the system who knows how much it will add?!

Please don't think that civil servants benefit from Palin like financial treatment. I write this with respect for civil servants. Many died on September 11, 2001.

Obama - September 11, 2001

Joyce — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:40:53 EDT

"Obama: “Well, first of all, I think Giuliani deserves credit. He kept calm and he was clear. You know, I still remember your show after it happened and how moving that was. That was one of the most powerful moments on television. I think that George Bush did the right thing by going after the Taliban in Afghanistan, and I would have done the exact same thing, and the big difference between myself and George Bush I think would have been to stay focused on Afghanistan, not get distracted by Iraq. I think we would have tamped down Al Qaeda, we could have, if not captured or killed Bin Laden, at least made sure that they weren’t setting up the kind of base camps that have now reconstituted themselves, so they’ve got safe haven in the mountains between Pakistan and Afghanistan. And I think in terms of the United States, there was just this outpouring - you remember, people wanted to do something, and, you know, George Bush asked them to shop, and if we had instead said, ‘You know what, we are going to reduce our dependence on Middle Eastern oil,’ or, you know, ‘We are going to create the kinds of energy-efficient economy that will allow us to weaken the forces of terror,’ that could have made an incredible difference and I think you could have mobilized the American people around bold plans on energy that would make sure that we weren’t continuing to be in the situation we’re in today.”

On David Letterman last night, Barack Obama said a number of interesting things. The last part is particularly important...an opportunity lost. The entire transcript is here.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/11/obama-letterman-pigs/

A Speech That Could Have Been Given by Sen. Biden

Joyce — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:06:48 EDT

This was posted in a Daily Kos Diary by "Space" today. The writer said he wrote it to suggest how it could be done. I admit that I was sorry it hadn't already been said by Sen. Biden, but I think it is definitely worth reading.

"A few days ago I said that John McCain was a good man, a friend, a guy that I, heck, had worked alongside for many years. Well, I'm here to tell you that I was wrong (and it won't be the last time in my life). A good man doesn't run a sleazy, deceptive ad accusing his opponent of forcing sex ed on kindergarteners and suggesting -- hell, that was the single sleaziest ad that I have ever seen in a Presidential campaign. Ever.

I was shocked and disappointed when I heard at the end that John Sidney McCain had approved that ad. A good man doesn't run that ad. A bad man does. And that is what John McCain has become. A man who has hired the same dirty trick artists who slandered his own daughter 8 years ago when he was running against George Bush. Can you believe that?

Barack Obama never called Sarah Palin a pig but I will call John McCain one now. And if he has a problem with it he knows where to find me. I will be on the floor of the United States Senate fighting the most obstructionist minority party in history to pass S-CHIP -- we call it Meds for Kids -- over the opposition of John McCain."

Yes We Can!

The Polls Are Skewed???

Joyce — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:56:33 EDT

This morning I looked at Huffington Post and found an answer! A answer to questions about the recent polls. It is in a post by Seth Colter Walls. As others have said, the polls are indeed wacky. The beginning of his post is:

"This week's mainstream coverage of the presidential horse-race has been dominated by a series of polls showing the McCain-Palin ticket with its first stable lead over Obama and Biden. Gallup's tracking poll, USA Today and CBS News all show the Republicans with some kind of lead over the Democratic ticket. But, interestingly, all three polls were also conducted using a higher sampling of Republican voters than in July, raising a question of methodology.

In a year in which Democrats have a lead of 11 million registered voters over Republicans, and have been adding to that advantage through a robust field operation, are pollsters over-sampling Republicans? "

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/09/poll-madness-mccain-takes_n_125158.html

This should be a wake-up call for all of us! Remember that the polling firms are owned by the same people who own the MSM, we aren't going to change them!! We should now feel reassured that we know what it will take to win. It will take us!!!

We must WORK to elect Barack Obama President!! We must make phone calls to voters, knock on doors, and register voters These all have been shown to influence voters! Phoning and canvassing by volunteers has been shown to influence 5-12% of those contacted. We are fighting the status quo - it will take our time energy and effort. If you haven't already, go to my.barackobama.com and register. Then click on ACTION and Action Center and you will see a lot of choices. Do it!

YES WE CAN!

The Obama Blogs

Joyce — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:13:30 EDT

I have just written another post about what all of us must do to elect Obama/Biden -

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/joyce%20in%20Rockville/gG5pS9

In this post I would like to say something about our Obama blogs. The one where this will end up (click"view all blogs"} and the Obama Blog where there are many threads and a number of conversations. As we all know some people post very negative things about Obama, more post somewhat negative comments, some comments try to insist that they are the only ones who know how to run a campaign and we should do it their way, some post negative results from the day's polls and other negative information which no one needs to hear on these blogs, some say we should immediately do something which would in fact hurt Obama in a tangential way, some complain at how disappointed they are and how scared they are...............and then there are the rest of us (some of whom may have temporarily fallen under one of the other categories).

There are many very faithful Obama supporters posting on these blogs. When the negatives show up, it is obvious that they anger many. Most can be detected by their meager record here - before one gets upset, check out the person's record. I'm going to call them negatives rather than trolls, since it better describes their function.

We can all admit that there are anti-Obama negatives on this blog (Republicans, anti Obama people etc.). Sometimes they are more obvious than others. Sometimes they even throw in a complement, or say I've been a supporter for a long time but...... Some even say they will vote for Obama, but............. In other words, they can be clever. I can't tell you what to do about these, other than to report them if they are offensive, to ignore them and don't answer (that's hard!) them. Let's try to follow Lace's RID system: R(report) I(ignore) D(donate, and let me add Do something - call, wear an Obama button etc.). If one of the supporters gets the RID, don't be offended, but do look at what you've said.

Here is what I think we Obama supporters on the blog should do. BE POSITIVE. Why repeat negative news that we've all seen? Let's come up with positive suggestions and talk about the brilliant things our candidates say as we have done all along. I hate to be a PollyAnna, but we have only about 8 weeks left. There is no time to waste, including our blogging time! We can talk about the political ads and how to counteract the McCain ones. I've already talked about my reaction to McCain's "Obama Will Raise Your Taxes" ad here in the Washington DC area. This is a lie! Only the top 5% of the population will have their taxes raised and those earn over $650,000 yearly. That must be said continually! The truth must be given to all! Lets not waste our time. We must get busy!

Yes We Can!

It's Up to Us!!!

Joyce — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:24:31 EDT

This is now the time when I believe we all need to take responsibility for doing everything we can to elect Barack Obama President and Joe Biden Vice President! We will make the difference! There are a number of things we can do:

Call other voters - the home phone bank is working again!

Work to register more voters - check out the Action Center and register in your state

Canvass and talk to voters.

Keep up to date on Obama/Biden positions so we can talk with knowledge.

Wear our Obama gear. A simple button might result in a helpful conversation.

We must recognize that there are many people out there who have still not made up there minds. Many Republicans are turning towards Obama and it will help them if they see the strength of the Obama support. Last week I heard a bit on the radio about the effectiveness of volunteer callers and volunteer canvassers. I wish I could give a link, but I do know that from 5-12% of the people suggested that volunteers made a difference in their choice for President (paid callers had no effect, so emphasize you are a volunteer!). That is important and we must follow through. I am a grandmother who has never before worked for a Presidential candidate. I had never called strangers in support of any political candidate, but since January I have called over 1300! I knocked on over 100 doors in our area. I have learned about blogging and have "blogged for Obama" regularly on several national blogs. This is an important election. It will decide whether we are led by a President of character, integrity, honesty, intelligence, humility and vision or not

Contact All Voters in the USA! That must be our goal! Some think we should not worry about some states (not enough electoral votes etc.). I disagree. If Florida had not been as close in popular vote as it was, the Republicans would not have been able to play their games and Al Gore would have been President. We should work to win every state!!!

Yes We Can!

Child Car Seats - They're The Law!

Joyce — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 09:52:35 EDT

Using child car seats is the law! As a grandmother of four under four years, I have learned about car seats and applaud their use. Apparently the Republican VP candidate disagrees. In the Wash. Post this morning Karl Vick and James V. Grimaldi report the following:

"Palin held her baby in her arms as the warden drove a short distance around the facility, said corrections director Joe Schmidt, who sat next to Palin. A few days later, the governor got a warning from her public safety commissioner that someone had complained that she did not strap Trig into a car seat for the ride.

Palin dismissed the complaint as petty, and the commissioner, whom she appointed, took no formal action."

Palin's disregard of the law relative to her own infant, is appalling to me. The law applies to all of us Disregard of safety laws is not a good characteristic of a public official. I doubt very much that there is a parent out there who doesn't always have their children in car seats.

HQ - Please Do Something!

Joyce — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:09:10 EDT

I have just spent about 20 minutes reporting the offensive comments of just one person on the community blog. I am frustrated that a little care by the blog administrator (is there one?) is not given to the administration of the blog. It angers those who have something to say. It wastes our time and distracts us from doing something productive for this election. How difficult would it be to have someone on duty curing the times that are likely to draw offensive comments

What this one person has posted tonight is disgusting. I will paste this one, but I think I will remove some of it. PLEASE do something about this.

"Re: Michelle OSama | Report to Admin Reply

By Shawona Sep 4th 2008 at 5:43 pm EDT (Updated Sep 4th 2008 at 5:43 pm EDT)

Michelle and Barry should have aborted{ removed by Joyce...............................} We have enough angry activists already!!!!!!

It is simply not fair that these aren't quickly removed!

Obama Will NOT Raise Taxes for Most Americans!

Joyce — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:09:17 EDT

I was just checking the Gallup Poll web site. I came upon this bit of information and I think it is very important for all of us to understand what it means:

Half of Americans Expect Obama to Raise Their TaxesAugust 26, 2008

Even amid the current weakness of the U.S. economy and the global financial crisis, 52% of independents believe Barack Obama will increase their federal taxes if he is elected president and 34% believe John McCain will do the same if he is elected.

Barack Obama has said he would raise income taxes on those earning over $650,000 per year and will raise FICA taxes for those earning more than $200,000 per year. How could so many people have such a wrong idea? One way is by seeing a McCain Ad which says just that - it is a lie, but it continues to play here. We must take it on as a mission to correct this lie. Everyone needs to be certain that they know the numbers and repeat them at any time something like this comes up.

Over 50% of the people think he will raise their taxes when the correct number is 5% will have their taxes raised. If we could correct their thinking, we would be a long way towards electing Obama. The Truth must be spread. As we all know taxes are always a big issue in elections and Obama should not suffer from having his plan dreadfully distorted!

Mention the truth anywhere you can ($650,000 is not earned by 50% of the people).

Fight the Republican Talking Points

Joyce — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:08:49 EDT

Today in the Washington Post there is a "Letter to the Editor" which I think will be a pattern of what will be said by the Republicans, particularly in relation to their VP choice.

Frankie Guinle writes "The scrutiny of Sara Palin and her family by the Post and other media outlets is appalling." This woman apparently doesn't remember that PALIN WAS THE ONE WHO RELEASED THE INFORMATION THAT HER DAUGHTER WAS PREGNANT. To release information and expect no reaction because "it's private" is ridiculous.

Then she says "Sarah Palin represents everything we have been fighting for." This should be spelled out. What Palin stands for is: Book banning, no sex education (even by parents apparently), no birth control except abstinence, no abortions even for rape, incest or the life of the mother, Requiring the teaching of creationism in the public schools (this is an anti-science stand) abuse of political power and firing those with whom she has a personal argument, calling herself a reformer while taking as many government "earmarks" as she can grab,................

Finally Ms. Guinle says "The worst comment I have heard yet is that she has a "thin" resume; hers is vastly better than Mr. Obama's , and he is running for President." This is the kind of letter to the editor that is fed by a list of Republican talking points and we must answer them repeatedly. This woman's judgement is obviously flawed, but I can't really think of how to make her understand the truth. any ideas? Another of their points is that the "liberal media" is picking on poor Sarah. We must not allow this to be said unless they give us a list of LIBERAL owners of MSM. All that I've heard about are very conservative. We must also talk about John McCain, it is his judgement that is in question!!

I know it is frustrating to read something like this and hear the Republican untruths, but we must not let their points stand unchallenged. Without question we have the best candidates, but we must now get busy and defend them and talk about truth!

Polling - Make Telephone Calls - Wear Your Obama Gear!

Joyce — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:59:55 EDT

As a daily follower of the Gallup Daily Poll, I am celebrating!! For the first time Baraqk Obama is shown with the support of 50% of the registered voters, McCain has 42%. I'm thrilled! I've been thinking of polling lately, particularly in connection with a high school reunion I attended a few weeks ago.

I grew up in the Republican, at that time, city of Grand Rapids Michigan. Gerald Ford was our Congressman. Having supported Barack Obama for about a year, I knew I didn't want to have any discussions with the G.R. Republicans about politics. That may sound odd, but I just didn't want to deal with it. So in the short "life story" that I submitted, I said that I was a Democrat! I thought that would take care of the problem! What it did was encourage a few to say things like "I was so glad I wasn't going to be the only Democrat here". Gradually I met more and more. I didn't take a poll, but knew that there were a number of us Obama supporters in my class!

On the last morning, upon finishing my coffee I went over to one table to say goodbye to a number of classmates. One fellow, known from earlier e-mails to be a loud Republican was there. As we were talking about the old neighborhood and how good it looked, he mentioned that the only trouble was all those Obama signs. I quietly said "that's not a problem for me." The fellow across from him said something positive and I said something like I'm glad you're supporting him and he said "oh no". I talked about the number of people I'd called during the primary season and about the conversations I'd had. The Republican said "Obama's going to raise our taxes!!" I said only if you make more than $650,000 per year! He then said that he supported the increases in FICA which "is unusual for a Republican." I said that's good and moved to leave. The other fellow stood up and quietly told me to keep up the work!

I've thought about that a lot. Like my classmate, it may take some people awhile to admit that they support Obama and certainly to admit to their Republican friends that they do. We have a secret ballot, they may never admit it to another! This may in part be what is happening in the polls. People are gradually realizing that they do indeed support Barack Obama. I think that 50% is significant and is going to keep climbing! To do that it needs our help.

We must get on the telephones and talk to people about Obama! We must work on voter registration in our states so as many as possible will vote! We should wear our Obama gear - buttons, hats etc! Let others know that we are here!!

Yes We Can!

How Big Is Alaska?

Joyce — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:20:55 EDT

We all know that Alaska is a good sized state when we look at a map. Recent events have made me wonder just how many people live in Alaska. If one is governor of a state, that sounds like a pretty big job. But if we are talking about the number of people, which is of course the number that requires most of the work of a Governor, Alaska has a population of 670,053 (2006 data).

The MAYORS of the following cities must look after more people than does the Governor of Alaska (2005 data):

Memphis Tennessee: 672,277

Austin Texas 690,252

Columbus Ohio 711,470

San Jose California 739, 426

San Diego California 1,256,509

Chicago Illinois 2,842,518

I wonder if John McCain checked out any of these people for VP? Did he call the Mayor of Memphis?? If any of you happen to wonder about the population of our "smallest" state Rhode Island, it is 1,067,610.

I hope this helps to put things in perspective!

Yes We Can!

I Am Offended!

Joyce — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:13:12 EDT

I am offended by John McCain's choice for VP. He is playing a game. He wants desperately to be President regardless of what happens to this country. This is his third choice of a beauty queen to fill an important spot in his life. His first wife was a swimsuit model, his second was a beauty queen, and now his VP choice was runner up in the Miss Alaska contest. Because he is attracted to these women, does he think we all should be?

John McCain has had cancer several times. Shouldn't his choice for VP have been the best possible one he could find? A person with a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science who has served in the city council and as mayor of a 9,000 person town and as Governor of the small state of Alaska for less than 2 years is the best he could find? He thinks so little of women that he thinks we all are inter-changeable? He has chosen a woman who is so rigidly anti abortion that she believes there are no circumstances allowing it, including saving the life of the mother. She believes creationism should be taught in public schools, an anti-science position. Does he think women are going to follow like robots his choice as they might have Hillary Clinton? Does he think that women have no brains? Does he think we all, women and men, will not recognize that we are voting for a likely President of the United States?

John McCain has offended me with his choice and shown me the shallowness of his character. ENOUGH!

Obama/Biden08

Don't Bother Me With the Truth

Joyce — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:12:13 EDT

Just now I read a post on Huffington Post by Harry Shearer, complaining about the lack of mention of Katrina last night at the convention. I had heard several comments about Katrina, so I wrote the following and received an answer from Shearer:

"Mr Shearer,

You must not be watching C-Span! Last night I heard a number of speakers mention Katrina, and the poor treatment received by the people in New Orleans. Several were military people who probably know the most about dealing with disasters. One problem with only watching the MSM is that you simply do not see the whole convention and you do hear stirred up controversy. If you did watch C-Span then you must have missed quite a bit of it.

Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:28 PM on 08/28/2008-Harry Shearer - Huffpost Blogger I'm a Fan of Harry Shearer permalink
See Harry Shearer's Profile

Let's face facts: the vast majority of viewers of this convention do not watch the C-SPAN coverage. I pay attention in these posts to what the organizers choose to say, and not say, during the periods the convention is watched by most viewers. I'm not interested in what speakers say to me, but what they say to casual convention viewers. "

My answer to this was "You're kidding, right?" and don't know if it has been printed. What he is saying is that the Democratic Convention should conform to the MSM schedules. He expects the scheduling to follow what the MSM wants to show? He expects the Democrats to direct what all people say to a couple hours? He only thinks the Democrats should be credited for what they say during during the hours he watches? He wants a reality show!!! I guess he knows nothing about history. This is the most organized convention I've seen from the Democrats. In 1972 McGovern gave his acceptance at 2 AM. I think Shearer has just admited what many of us have believed - "I know what I see, don't bother me with the truth? I'd love to hear what you think of this!

What I Learned From C-Span

Joyce — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:29:13 EDT

Watching the entire Democratic Convention on C-Span has given me an important lesson. Our own eyes and ears and brains are important, and the MSM is not always correct in their reporting! Some might say, we already knew that! But for most of us, we can't attend everything and do depend on MSNBC,CNN, CBS, our newspapers and many other sources to provide us with the news. I suppose we should also remember that these institutions are for profit businesses. I will remember that more often as a result of my comparison of what I have seen of the convention and what the MSM reports.

Watching the entire convention on C-span has even been fun! The Democratic Party has run on time - a shock for most of us old timers!! I use a schedule put out daily on the DNC web site to follow who's coming when. There have been some amazing speakers who probably haven't even been mentioned elsewhere. I saw Rep. Kucinich give his rousing speech, and I saw Gov.Sweitzer of Montana give the most incredible talk about energy and the future and jobs. Last night there were a number of former military people who gave strong statements about what has happened in Iraq and the military. I have been educated!!

This morning I noticed that the Washington Post got a few things wrong, minor but wrong. Someone reported that "most" of the votes from Arkansas were for Barack Obama. No, ALL of the votes from Arkansas were for Obama, I heard the roll call. Over the week there have been a number of other errors reported. We need to be selective in what we believe from our press! The following will prove that. Right after Obama officially became the candidate of the Democratic Party, I went to my computer to see what all were saying on this web site. As I clicked on my browser, my Google News page showed up and I noticed something. At 6:58PM the upper left headline was:

" NEW: Hillary Clinton formally nominated to be the Democratic........."

Below that, "DENVER, Colorado (CNN) -- Hillary Clinton was formally nominated to be the Democratic Party's candidate for president Wednesday, part of a choreographed arrangement expected to lead to the selection of Sen. Barack Obama later this evening."

If I needed more examples of the confusion of the MSM, that took care of it! Fortunately I copied the page and will save it to remind me!!

Obama/Biden is the very best choice!

Yes We Can!!!

"View All Blogs" and The Value of This Web Site

Joyce — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:18:48 EDT

If anyone has noticed a number of complaints from me about the web site (Phone Bank???? Where is Nikki Sutton?, Tell Us About the Web Site Problems....Please, and What's Wrong With The Phone Bank? etc) I would like to announce that the problems are nearly solved. Today for the first time in a week I clicked on "View All Blogs" and it worked and I got to see all your blogs!!! I still don't get anything when I click on a state on the telephoning map, but I have gotten some numbers via "neighbor to neighbor" and another blogger gave me a url for another state, so I'm ready to get busy!

I started my Blog here in January I believe and I made my first calls via the Phone Bank to NJ before it's primary. working on this web site has made me feel that I am helping the campaign! I just heard on Tom Hartman's Show that statistics show that volunteer phone calls to voters influence 5% of those called! That's a lot more than I thought - I may have influenced 65 people. To me this is important. When there are problems on the web site we must be able to get some "official" explanation for the difficulties. I wish that would have been possible in the last week! I first had a tendency to blame my computer (a feeling left over from my pre-Mac days), but I then checked with other bloggers via the Obama Blog and learned that others had problems as well. From these bloggers I received help which was greatly appreciated. Of course I also called the HQ number.

We must keep this web site in good working condition! The importance of electing Barack Obama as President of the USA is very clear to those of us here. We are the millions and we want to keep working for Obama!!

Yes We Can!

A Tale of Entitlement - Part Two

Joyce — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:54:14 EDT

No she did not win the nomination, however she kept running with the apparent assumption that the DNC would break rules for her (related to the invalid primary elections in Michigan and Florida). Why would someone think that rules should be broken for her? Why did she leave her name on the Michigan ballot when no other major candidate did?

Today I read a column by Marie Cocco in the Washington Post ("Clinton's Thankless Job"). She quotes this bit from Clinton's 2003 book "Living History":

"I ran for student government president against several boys and lost, which did not surprise me but still hurt, especially because one of my opponents told me I was "really stupid if I a girl could be elected president." As soon as the election was over, the winner asked me to head the Organizations Committee, which as far as I could tell was expected to do most of the work. I agreed."

Ah.......it all goes back to high schoo! There's nothing like a high school difficulty! I grew up in the midwest in the same period as Mrs. Clinton. I ran for a student council secretary when I was a sophmore and lost. The next year I ran for the same position and won. The "work" of the council was done by the 4 officers and committee chairs. Our privilege as officers was to have a free period (no study hall!) when we could do our "work" in the student council room! Recently I attended a high school reunion and had a discussion with the president about what our accomplishments were. It took awhile, but we finally came up with it! We were able to bring a coke machine into the school building to be used in non-school hours! The point of this memory trip? We all have histories and we can't change them and a student council loss is not a big deal!

My questions are: Why did she continue a race that could not be won? She is politically smart and experienced, why didn't she consider the damage she would cause to the candidate? How did she allow the misconception that she had been harmed by Obama and the DNC to continue? Why did she say at one point that the invalid election in Michigan "of course would not count" when a few months later she demanded that it count? Do thie same basic rules of truth telling not apply to Hillary Clinton? After it was clear that she would lose, why didn't she stop the negativity of her supporters? She could have very easily. After she met with Sen. Obama at Sen. Feinstein's house and wanted to know if she would be the VP choice before she was "put through the charade of being vetted" and he said it was unlikely he would chose her, why didn't she call off the PUMAS?

Unless Hillary Clinton is able to make some sense about all of this in her speech tonight, she will have lost much of her political reputation among ordinary Democrats. If she does harm, she will be held responsible.

UPDATE: Hillary Clinton did very well with her speech last night and I think that should take care of any problems. To me her use of the questions - Were you working for me or were you working for those who don't have health care? - helped to point out what is important.

A Tale of Entitlement - Part One

Joyce — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:26:24 EDT

As a woman I am embarrassed by the behavior of Hillary Rodham Clinton over the last few years and I would like to tell you why. Basically I see a sense of entitlement which I don't think has much of a place in the workings of a democracy. Her history is long and I will try to be brief.

In 1993 after her husband was sworn in as President, she was given the job of bringing about universal health care (He had been elected on a promise of this). She had had no experience in government of any kind before this assignment. He had no federal government experience, but served as governor of a small state. Mrs. Clinton failed miserably at this assignment and it is widely reported that this happened because she demanded that everyone do as she said. She was not given another assignment and in fact had no security clearance during her husband's 8 years in the White House.

Near the end of his term, she picked New York (large state, powerful) as the State where they would move and she would run for the Senate. A few weeks after moving there she filed to run for the Senate. A few other Democrats had the same idea, but they quickly changed their minds (Lowry, Cuomo). She won a very easy election (Guiliani had pulled out) and went to the Senate in 2001. As a Senate Freshman she was given a very important committee assignment - Armed Services. That usually does not happen for a rookie Senator. She was reelected to a second term.

In 2007 she announced her candidacy for President and ran on the idea that she was the most experienced candidate, but she ran a terrible campaign. The campaign was organized around the theme that her nomination was inevitable. I suppose that was because her nomination to the New York Senate had been inevitable (nothing like having a sitting President as a spouse to make something inevitable). It seemed that after she became aware that she might lose the nomination, she became just plain nasty towards Sen. Obama. Her "I have life experience to take to the White House, Sen. John McCain has life experience to take to the White House, Barack Obama [no Sen.] has one speech he made in 2002" was as nasty as one can get. Then she, who has attended Senate prayer breakfasts with Sen. Obama, said about him, "He's a Christian..............as far as I know." I would like to hear anything that Sen. Obama said about her that came close to the disrespect shown by Clinton towards him.

She did not win the nomination even though she demanded that DNC rules be broken for her.

This will be continued in the next installment, this is difficult to write.

Phone Bank???? Where is Nikki Sutton?

Joyce — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:54:37 EDT

It's been nearly a week since I first realized that I could not access the Obama Phone Bank and I could not View all Blogs. The Obama Blog still works, but there are times when I prefer to write here. I don't know why this has happened, but by now I have concluded that what I'm experiencing is not just happening to me.

In the end of July, Nikki Sutton sent an e-mail asking the Call Team to start calling. A day later I went on vacation (without a computer!). Why hasn't Nikki Sutton written to us to tell us about the Phone Bank situation?

I do not want to write anymore about this unfortunate situation, but I will continue to write here since it allows me to write in an organized fashion on a topic of my choice.

Again if anyone sees this, let me know by commenting!!

A Post to Nowhere..................

Joyce — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:38:11 EDT

The last two posts I've made have been complaints about this web site. These concerned my inability to access the phone bank to make calls for Obama and my inability to access the blog where this very post is suppose to go. I don't like to complain, particularly since this web site has been very well run for a long time.

My only question is where is this post going??

Now, on to more important things. How are we as supporters of Barack Obama going to aid in making certain that the vote in November is honest? Who is working on that? Should we recommend that everyone try to vote absentee, on paper? What about insisting on a paper back up for those electronic things? My last vote was made without a paper back up. By the time I asked about it it was too late. This may be more important then a lot of other things we can do. Is the Obama Campaign working on this? Is the DNC working on it?

If anyone reads this please leave a comment saying hi and tell me how you found my post. Thank you!

Tell Us About Web Site Problems! .......Please!

Joyce — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:33:55 EDT

I would like to suggest that the "Headquarters" tell us about web site problems if they become more significant than simply an hour of confusion. Today I was only able to make phone calls if I clicked on Spanish speakers (I'm not, but the ones I called were English speakers). I called headquarters three times and sent an email to webhelp twice. Those answering the phones didn't seem to know there was a problem and I have no reply from webhelp.

The difficulty is that I can never tell if it is my problem or HQ's problem. I wrote several comments on the Obama Blog asking if anyone else is having a similar problem. Finally there was a comment saying this has been going on all week! I had planned to devote the afternoon to calling in order to remind people to watch the convention. Seemed like a good idea. I haven't made calls in about 7 weeks, so I was ready! I realized that calling NM at 6:30PM EDT wasn't the best time there, when few answered. I stopped calling. If the site is having as big problem, as it seems, please let us know. I am on the National Call Team. It would have been easy to let that group know.

I also have a second problem. When I finish with this, click "publish" and want to click on "View all Blogs" I will only get "We're doing Maintenance." This has been going on for me all afternoon. So if anyone reads this, you will know that you're better off than I am, or that the problem is fixed.... hopefully the latter.

What's Wrong With The Phone Bank?

Joyce — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:30:57 EDT

I am writing this in absolute frustration! I had planned to spend the afternoon making calls to voters in Ohio, NH etc., but I can't seem to get past the map which shows the states to call.

In the primary season I made over 1300 telephone calls for Barack Obama. I have not called anyone for about 7 weeks and thought today would be a good day to have some nice Obama conversations. Can't do it.

I have talked to someone at HQ and was told to write to Webhelp, which I did - twice. Nothing after nearly 2 hours. I've tried to approach the "call page" from various places, but I am always stuck at the map page. Nothing happens when I click on a state - no new URL, nothing.

The other day I was surprised to get some music when I visited "view all blogs" and not just for one post. I am concerned about hackers. Is that what is happening to the Phone Bank?

Can someone out there give me an idea of what is going on???

Why the Negative Posts?

Joyce — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:34:06 EDT

It's hard to believe that the negativity I've been reading in this blog this evening is not orchestrated. It sounds much like the period after Clinton lost. Who are these people that are so disappointed? If you all are true Obama supporters get busy and call voters. Of course, first you should develop a positive attitude. If you aren't supporters we'll just ignore you.

This is an important election and one needs to ignore the Republicans and work!

How Do We Stop Vote Fraud?

Joyce — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:46:33 EDT

As a volunteer for Barack Obama I will work as hard as I can to make certain the votes in 2008 are honest and valid. We have heard about the elections of 2000 and 2004. The problem is that with the dishonesty of many politicians in all States, what can I possibly do to work for an honest election here in Maryland? How can we make certain that this election is honest? I have used the electronic machines and recognize that with them there may be misuse of my vote. We haven't had a paper back up in my precinct.

What can we do? I am hoping that the Obama Campaign will lead us with this, but recognize they have a lot to do. Surely we can organize in some way. What can we do??

My Activity Index - what is it??

Joyce — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:24:11 EDT

I've only been gone from my computer for a few weeks, but something has changed on my Obama Dashboard. Would someone please explain to me the new system called "My Activity Index"? I understand that there is a range of numbers involved, but what is active - a high number or a low number? I know that in the past there has been a running total. Is there a place on the web site where I can learn what this means?

Would someone please help??

Looking Good in Michigan!!

Joyce — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:05:45 EDT

I have just returned from spending a few weeks in my home state of Michigan. I am very pleased to report that there are a lot of Obama signs in Michigan! The first one I noticed was on the road from Toledo to Ann Arbor. There was a large, nearly billboard sized, white sign with simply the name OBAMA! It was very effective and I was pleased!! We drove to Mackinaw City and then along Lake Michigan down to Grand Rapids.

We visited the Leelanau Peninsula, which is a truly beautiful place. The most beautiful thing however was the large number of Obama signs!! They were all over! I thought of the hard working Obama volunteers and workers who had done such a good job there, and was grateful! If any of you from Lelanau are reading this, let me assure you that your hard work is noticed! Thank you!

I was going to Grand Rapids for a high school reunion. I had lived in the Congressional District of Gerald Ford when I was growing up. As I wrote the "what I've done with my life" summary, I had decided that I would mention that I was a Democrat! I was heading into a Republican area, and didn't want any assumptions made! When I drove by my former home I was very happy to see an Obama sign in the front yard! I took a picture!! I noticed a lot of Obama signs in our neighborhood. I then realized that maybe I was the one that had made the assumptions. Thank you to the Obama workers in Grand Rapids!

During one of the first reunion events, an old friend came up to me and thanked me for revealing that I was a Democrat, since she then knew she wouldn't be the only one at the reunion! But by the end of the reunion events, we compared political notes and realized that there were a lot of Obama supporters in our class. I can't report on numbers, but I can say that there may have been nearly a majority.

Again, to all the Obama supporters in Michigan, thank you for all your hard work and please keep it up. I'm now home in Maryland and will start calling for Obama this week. With what I learned in Michigan, I know we can reach our goal.

Yes We Can!

Honor Versus a Seismic Event

Joyce — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:09:12 EDT

Barack Obama visited soldiers in Iraq, in Kuwait and in Afghanistan during his recent trip. This was during the Senate sponsored part of his trip. He wanted to visit them in Germany, but the Pentagon raised some red flags. The BBC said about Obama, "That triggered then a concern that maybe our visit was going to be perceived as political," he told reporters in London. "And the last thing that I want to do is have injured soldiers and the staff at these institutions having to sort through whether this is political or not and get caught in the cross-fire between campaigns.” " As I see it, his first concern was the soldiers. He took the flak for this. Consider for a minute, that Barack Obama split the cost of this trip in two parts – the senate funded part and the campaign funded part. That was an honorable thing to do.

John McCain was quoted by ABC TV as saying, "If I had been told by the Pentagon that I couldn't visit those troops, and I was there and wanted to be there, I guarantee you, there would have been a seismic event." Think about that for a minute. I’ve heard about his temper, but think of having a President who would consider this reaction to suggestions from the Pentagon.

I also would like to ask John McCain if in his similar trip in March he split the funding between the Senate and his Campaign. As I remember he had two Senators with him during the whole trip. Does that mean that the European part was also paid by the Senate?

Barack Obama is a very honest man with good judgement and this episode illustrates it.

What a Speech But Watch Out For the MSM!

Joyce — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:08:36 EDT

I listened to Barack Obama speak in Berlin and I was thrilled. Imagine a representative of our country speaking about important issues and showing an understanding of other countries. Amazing. Since the speech ended I have been reading about it and trying to gauge the reactions. Pretty positive I think.

To Obama supporters I would like to say that we must keep track of the media, however. Yes, we already know that, but we can't let everything pass by us. John McCain has done some pretty stupid things this week - visiting a German restaurant while Obama was giving his speech in Berlin is the silliest I think. It sounds like something George W. Bush would do. These things have been mentioned, but not to the extent I would like. We must not became complacent and think that the MSM supports Obama as I have heard some here say. The owners of the media and other influential corporations will never allow that to happen!! Stay alert! Don't get complacent!

Yes We Can!

Attention MSM - Enough about Sen. Clinton's Hair!

Joyce — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:28:28 EDT

I hope this will help to bridge the gap between Obama supporters and Clinton supporters. One point that Clinton supporters have talked a great deal about in the last two months is sexism and how Sen. Clinton was dealt with during the primary campaign. I don't believe that anyone I have read blamed Barack Obama for this, but Clinton supporters did mention the MSM.

Today as I was reading my local newspaper, The Washington Post, there was another article about Sen. Clinton's hair!! I would like to join with the Clinton supporters in saying ENOUGH! I have tried to find this on their web site, but I have been unsuccessful. For those with access to the Post's newsprint edition, it is in the Style Section, the part called "The Reliable Source". It is entitled "From the Clinton Files, One More Hair Piece" and consists of 32 lines and a photo taken on Thursday with Mayor Michael Blumberg. I believe in an attempt to justify this "story" by mentioning The N.Y Daily News, MSNBC and ABC, the Washington Post looks ridiculous ("all the other papers are doing it!")! How annoying this must be for Sen. Clinton. ENOUGH!

Let us all now loudly object to our newspapers and other media when there is talk about Sen. Clinton's hair and clothes. It has no point, and there is no reason to do it. There are many other more appropriate stories which could be discussed.

Computer Skills and Sen. McCain

Joyce — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:58:21 EDT

Yesterday I decided it was time to get rid of the anonymous silhouette on my "public profile". Someone on the blog explained how to do it, and it worked! It took me awhile and several versions, but I finally got a photo in place. During the FISA episode I had asked many new people (with negative comments) why they didn't have a public profile (with the hint that they were only here for the one issue and to cause trouble). I knew of course that I had filled out my profile back in February! However when I clicked on my name on my husband's computer, it didn't show the picture, it only showed my blog. So after trying to figure out what I'd done wrong I remembered something on the profile edit page. There was a small square, next to some words like "allow others to search for you" I thought for some reason it might help with the picture coming up and it did!! All was well! What I didn't know until a short time later was that I did not have a "public" profile until I clicked that little square yesterday!!! I should apologize to all people who I questioned about theirs!! The way that I learned this was that I noticed on "my dashboard" an additional 20 points for making my profile public!!

I am writing this for two reasons. The first is to say something about John McCain's computer skills. I am somewhat younger than he is, but not that much. To think of a President without computer skills bothers me a great deal. I told my story so you would know that my skills are not great, but I understand the computer enough to realize that it is an important part of our world culture. A President should understand how fast information travels and how easy it is to learn something (checking out Czechoslovakia?) etc.. Not understanding it's influence would be like not understanding the influence of telephones 10 or 20 years after most people had one. I bought my computer a few months before we moved out of the country for 3 years. I don't know how I would have heard from my children without email - I learned that I was going to become a grandmother via email. It now has a large influence on our culture and it shocks me that McCain apparently hasn't realized that. It tells me something about him.

A second reason for writing this is that the last post I "wrote" was meant to hold a picture of a little girl with an Obama sign. It had come to me via email. I love the picture and I wanted to share it. With that I haven't been too successful. I thought I had done it via copy and paste - it showed up on my computer. Again when I went to my husband's computer I saw, instead of my sweet Obama girl, one of those dreadful little blue squares with the ?. I realized that I had a problem. I even took a photo of it from my computer screen, so I would have it on my computer in digital form - can't figure the transfer out. If anyone can help please let me know.

Yes We Can!

My Favorite Obama Girl!

Joyce — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:17:17 EDT

I'm still trying to put the photo here. Not too successful yet, but I can see it!!!

This is my favorite Obama girl!!!

Report Objectionable Content

Joyce — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:03:10 EDT

Over the last few days I have tried to think about what is happening on this Obama Blog. To me there has been a more than usual number of negative nasty posts. After I started commenting on all of them (for a short time!) I realized that I was as angry at these comments as they were at Barack Obama. I've had to make a few apologies. So I have started to consider those who make this kind of comment:

Some people are indeed Obama supporters, but have been disappointed at some of his recent positions. These are usually fairly polite, but sometimes aren't.

Some people speak similarly to those above but use words such as Messiah, Kool-aid, empty suit and a few other choice phrases which I have come to recognize from months spent on some of the newspaper blogs as being those of anti-Obama individuals. On the other blogs there is no pretense about who they support.

Now there is a group of those who aren't even pretending. These are supporters of Sen. Clinton, who believe that they will be able to cause enough trouble here, to convert Obama delegates to vote for Clinton at the convention. Has anyone read anything by "Rhonda Michigan"? This is what I mean.

Some must be McCain supporters, but I have not been able to recognize them yet.

My question is when should I click on the "Report Objectionable Content"? That is a problem I haven't worked out yet. If a comment is obscene it's not difficult to report. For some like those of Rhonda Michigan my question is "why should her comments be allowed to stay here?" There is no conversation, but should this be removed? I rather think so.

Earlier today I started reading a post of another's person's written article. This went on and on about how to get Hillary Clinton to be the candidate, by various schemes at the convention. It had fund raising information for this "cause." It was way too long so I clicked "Report Objectionable Content." Then at the very end of it were a couple sentences which indicated that the person who posted it did not agree with the writer of the article she posted!! Why was it posted???

In my mind on this blog we no longer need to fight the Clinton fight. She lost. We no longer need to fight the FISA fight. The vote is over. However In one apology that I wrote about a FISA comment, I said something like "I pick my battles and FISA wasn't mine, but you have every right to pick your own battles." I think as long as I have some understanding that a post is from an Obama supporter with questions or even a person who had supported another candidate but wants answers before deciding to support Obama, then I have no problem with them. But if I can tell that the comment is being written "in bad faith" to try to stir up trouble for Obama and thus "help" either Clinton or McCain, I think we should have the option to push the "report objectionable content button"

In viewing this Blog earlier today I noticed a post titled something like "This is Obama's Blog". I'm sorry I didn't sign on. Because I also go on blogs such as the NYT "The Caucus" and am willing to have discussions there with Clinton people or McCain people, I don't see why we have to pretend that this is an entirely open blog. We should not have to endure the insults.

Let me know what you think. When do we push the objectionable button??

What Is The FISA Group Up To?

Joyce — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:05:22 EDT

In the last few weeks many of us have noticed new people writing comments here. Nearly all mentioned FISA and said they were "disappointed supporters of Obama" and were very negative. This has been discussed back and forth here. As I have read more here today, I began to wonder why they are still at it! It now looks like their goal is to hurt Barack Obama's candidacy. Whether it is directed by the Republican's or another Democratic group or both I don't know. However I believe the Administrator of this site should not just assume this is all healthy conversation. Recently I read this when I clicked on someone's name:

JSK,esq.A vehicle to be able to post on the Obama FISA group page. . . .

That told me that someone was indeed using the open nature of this site and the simple "registration" as a "vehicle" to spread his anti-Obama opinions. The use of the word "vehicle" suggests his goal. He posted some sort of thing that he told people to cut and past and send out all over. This may be a Republican or a Democrat who still supports another candidate.

BLOG ADMINISTRATOR: Please look into this situation. The fact that they are still writing may indicate more than an interest in FISA. I do not want to see this blog used to foster anti-Obama rants. Most of these are easy to recognize. I have regularly gone to a variety of "politically neutral" blogs. There are many out there that they can use. There is no reason to allow the use of this blog by insincere people who are participating in a POLITICAL DIRTY TRICK whether they are Republicans or Democrats.

Please do something!

What Is The FISA Group Up To?

Joyce — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:00:19 EDT

JSK,esq.A vehicle to be able to post on the Obama FISA group page. . . .

Please do something!

What Is The FISA Group Up To?

Joyce — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:57:55 EDT

JSK,esq.A vehicle to be able to post on the Obama FISA group page. . . .

Please do something!

Send Him the Money!

Joyce — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:04:28 EDT

I've been thinking about the Obama fundraising. My sense is that after he became the presumptive Democratic Party Nominee, some might have thought that he didn't need as much money until after the convention. Some may have thought he already had plenty of money. And there are a few people who did not want their money to go to Hillary Clinton. There also may have been some who reached the primary donation limit, and thought they couldn't send in any more until after the convention.

There is some talk that the donations for June weren't as large as the campaign had hoped they would be. I hope this isn't true. In case if any of the above points have been in your mind and thus you haven't donated lately, let me try to answer them for you:

The campaign always needs money! Obama did very well managing his campaign funds, but as we have learned it takes a lot to win!!

The campaign for the General Election has begun whether officially or not. John McCain is campaigning against Obama and putting out his ads, so Obama needs to answer him now.

None of the funds raised here will go to the Clinton debt!!! That would not be legal and there is a separate activity for that (I assume the Clinton campaign is handling that). Presumably some of her supporters have donated here for Obama. I will not say anything else about this, but rest assured that funds meant for Obama's campaign will not go to Clinton.

Recently I read that since Barack Obama has chosen to use funds from all of us rather than take the federal money, he won't have to separate the primary from the GE money, or something like that. I believe an individual is still limited to a total donation of $4600 however. I hope that anyone who has any more specific information about this point, lets me know.

Finally, I am a supporter but don't work for the campaign. I have simply wondered about a few of these things, and thought maybe others had as well. He needs us and we need him, so let's send him the money!

Is Anyone Noticing the CHAOS

Joyce — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:09:09 EDT

To me this whole thing is definitely surreal! Since noon I haven't been able to get anything on "View All Blogs" I even asked questions of others on the general blog. No one else had the problem. Then finally I could see this post:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/kid5rivers2/gGxlHY

Please cut and paste it and you'll understand I think!

Now that I can see what's on "View All Blogs" it's difficult to understand and this is where the surreal part comes in. There are posts and then a bunch of offensive "cards" of Barack Obama, then a number of regular posts and then more cards. Does anyone see them????? Have you reported them??

I hope that the Administrators of this site put someone on duty all the time, particularly on the week-ends. These things should be pulled instantly. Long blank spaces that take up all the space so there's no way to get past them should be deleted immediately. They will only get worse until November!

"Please Read !!! Everyone"

Joyce — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 09:12:18 EDT

I have copied Nathan Gladden's post from last night - I hope he doesn't mind. For those of us who have been suspicious of some of the posts or comments in the last few days, this may explain.

Community Blogs
Manage | Logout | Search Blogs
Post from nathan gladden's Blog:
PLEASE READ !!! EVERYONE
By Nathan Gladden - Jul 5th, 2008 at 11:11 pm EDT
Comments | Mail to a Friend | Report Objectionable Content
I just got this off Politico.com, we must fight this.

GOP's Digital Insurgents Attack Obama

They can't beat presidential candidate Barack Obama on real issues. Their brand is a decisively damaged commodity devoid of integrity and credibility. Conservative and Republican hacks are down to their last few mud pies filled with moronic distractions, rhetorical flack and schoolyard logic. They pray that voters will forget the damage from a decade of deception until the polls close on Election Day.

However, in the deceit decade, you just can't run around the schoolyard talking trash, spreading lies, and ranting like an articulate adolescent. When you want to disseminate big or better lies in the Information Age, you have to go digital. Realizing Obama attracted the best of the new media geeks to push his message to the masses, assorted GOP insurgents figured they could beat the Illinois politico at his own game. Viral media, innuendo and reverse logic have become their remaining weapons of mass distraction.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am an ex-Republican, activist and 2006 District of Columbia mayoral candidate recruited by the Republican National Committee's minority candidate program. Fortunately, genuine friends and contacts of integrity never abandoned me when I left forever on principle to be an active and proud full time Independent. As such, these very reliable sources have confirmed for me that much of the pushback and blogging that candidate Obama is receiving on his own website is actually coming from embedded GOP activists acting as disgruntled supporters.

It's attack politics by digital camouflage, and will become more intense as we get closer to the Democratic Convention, up to Election Day. The objective is to break, or at least minimize by about 20 percent, the Obama phenomenon by getting diverse issue-oriented supporters to attack him and each other. The FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act), Iraq war and patriotism issues are the second phase of the divide and conquer strategy. Phase three, around September, is alleged to become nastier, repetitive, more personal and deceptively scorched earth.

Driving and smearing the "flip-flop" theme on issues Obama has consistently answered, and tactically outlined in stages, the operatives hope to generate the levels of viral media and cable TV buzz mainstream media needs for raising summer news ratings. The GOP's twenty percent solution is just enough to cause doubt and diminish Obama's popularity across a spectrum of voters. Many of these operatives and sycophants still believe a marginal or dirty win is still an acceptable victory. The Obama campaign absolutely needs to not take any vote for granted.

Unfortunately, there will be some casualties in the new media wars. Most of the collateral damage will affect determined Hillary Clinton supporters and single-issue liberals who emotionally can't get with Obama's shade of centrist politics. Most of them are locked on issues that disable them from signing-on to the politics of the greater good. Let's not forget those who would prefer to cut their own throat rather than change to a different comfort zone. Collectively, they're all still hard pressed to vote for John McCain while choosing to be in political purgatory. Then again, people that emotionalize their vote rarely use it in a rational or constructive way.

Election 2008 is truly the Democrats' to lose. Barack Obama recognized this early on by not playing the GOP's game, being more politically agile, and regularly affirming his core beliefs. Nevertheless, desperate Republican elephants could still trample a multitude of Democratic mules that choose not to walk toward Obama's horizon.

Dennis Moore, Chairperson -- dennis@DCIndependents.org -- District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control Party (DCICC) -- www.DCIndependents.org -- Proud Member of CUIP (Committee for a Unified Independent Party) -- www.IndependentVoting.org

Why FISA?

Joyce — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:26:23 EDT

I do not understand why Barack Obama's position on FISA has seemingly become so important to supporters. Today the Washington Post did a good job with this issue in an editorial entitled, "FISA Follies" Here's the link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/02/AR2008070203052.html

When I decided to support a candidate the issue of not granting immunity (civil) to telecoms for following the directions of the President of the United States - was not in my mind. I have supported Sen. Obama for his views on many issues, but as important is that I have supported him for his character, his integrity, his honesty, his intelligence, his leadership skills and his judgement. I don't expect to support him on everything, but I'm looking at other issues including:

Ending the Wars and treating our veterans well
Working on Global Warming complexities
Helping the Economy - checking out what's behind the cost of gasoline
Encouraging companies to bring back the jobs they've taken out of the country
Improving our reputation in the rest of the world
Universal health care
Providing a transparent government
Helping in an honorable way the victims of natural disasters such as Katrina
Etc.

Would someone please tell me why these very important issues have been ignored while time is spent worrying about telecoms receiving retroactive immunity for following the directions of the President? I understand the issue, but I don't see why a new President and a more workable Congress won't take care of this rather quickly. Lets elect Obama, not micromanage him as he is running for President.
Why aren't you talking about the big issues?

Where's the War in your conversations? You do realize don't you that we do not have enough servicemen to accomplish what they've already been committed to do. Soldiers spend more time in Iraq at one stretch than they did in Vietnam. They must return sooner also. This is inhuman!

I would really like an answer to why so much energy is being spent here on FISA. Someone has a real hate of telecoms? I don't understand, what is the point?. Please read the Washington Post editorial and please give me an answer.

A Negativity Game!!

Joyce — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:04:11 EDT

In the past I've tried to write positive sincere posts. However today I've uncovered a pattern of negativity and I want to share it with you and propose a game! For the last 45 minutes I have been reading some very negative posts here. As soon as I put a comment on one and go back to the beginning, another pops up.

It started with Bill from Milwaukee Wisconsin - he wrote about ten short negative posts - all today!

Then I noticed the following:
Jim from Sierra Madre CA
Ted from Seattle WA
Denning from NY NY
Tracy from OR

They were all quite short and negative and this was their first post (all July 2) but they claim to be disappointed supporters. If any of you find more (there are probably a few since I've been writing this), check them out and see if they follow this same pattern (including the naming one)

Have fun!!
Bill from Milwaukee is a few posts before me - check out all he's written today!

Speak to Us

Joyce — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:23:12 EDT

Unfortunately there have been a number of issues lately which have resulted in a variety of opinions here. Actually I don't believe it's unfortunate, because we should have a variety of opinions!

I do believe that it is important for the campaign to listen to us and speak to us, so we understand what is the thinking on some of these things. In many ways I think FISA is too complex for me to understand until someone spells it out - I've heard such a variety of thoughts. I'm not a lawyer. The talk about not using the death penalty for child rapists is again difficult. As much as I instantly might think it would be a great idea to execute them, I have heard of many long term incarcerated people who have been freed by DNA. The gun thing is not a simple thing either. I think there is a big difference relative to guns between those who know and understand gun owning, and those who go out and buy one without thinking much. Today's issue of using faith based institutions for secular work is again complicated. The Federal Government has been giving funds to faith based private schools for such things as transportation for decades, so maybe it can be done maintaining the separation of Church and State.

Here is the problem as I see it. Barack Obama needs to speak to us on these issues looking at them from various points of view, and explain what he thinks and why. He may think he's done that, but I think posting statements on his web site would help. It is difficult for all of us to hear every speech. I don't expect to agree with President Obama on everything, but I do think what has happened over the last few weeks is not helpful.

To the People of Findlay Ohio

Joyce — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:38:48 EDT

Today you are on the front page of my newspaper. I remember when I lived in Findlay for one year, a long time ago. Today the paper says that many of you are believing the lies that you find on the internet about Barack Obama. It says "Here in Findlay, a Rust Belt town of 40,000, false rumors about Obama have built enough word-of-mouth credibility to harden into an alternative biography." (From The Washington Post, June 30 2008) That makes me sad.

I am very sad because I remember spending my 7th grade year in a lovely small town and learning at a nice school - Donnell Junior High. Of course I don't know enough about you then to know if your grasping the lies about Barack Obama as truth is normal for you. I suppose some towns are like that. When I lived there you had only 25,000 people, but you did have a college. My family went to the Methodist Church whose minister Rev. Cryor confirmed me. I liked him and I remember having a crush on his son, David Cryor who I watched in the lead of the high school musical, " Desert Song". I now watch his son on television! I also remember the Geography teacher Mr. Sadtler, who was probably the first really good teacher I remember having. Why am I telling you this? I don't know really, except to let you know that I have fond memories of your town. To think of you as a place where the acceptance of lies about a man, who I know enough facts about to recognize his honesty, integrity and character, makes me sad indeed.

I received one version of the Muslim email. It had a link with a website I could go to to "prove" that everything the email said is true. Well I did go to that web site www.snopes.com and it did the exact opposite, it disproved the "information" in the email. I guess the writers didn't think anyone would actually check it out. You see that is what you're dealing with, people who don't have any faith in the American people and their ability to learn the truth when presented with stark lies. These are lies! Use your common sense - if any of what you're passing around is truth it would be all over television and in every paper. Here is the link which the Obama's campaign has set up to "fight the smears"

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fightthesmearshome/

If you don't want to believe that, sort out the truth for yourselves, use google, talk to people at the University who know how to do research into such things. If Mr. Sadtler or Rev. Cryor were still there,
I know they would encourage you to find the truth.

It's All About Bill Clinton!

Joyce — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:37:39 EDT

I have just read this article and am not surprised. Bill Clinton did not really help his wife and I rather think he would like to hurt Obama in the General Election Please read this:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2211812/Bill-Clinton-says-Barack-Obama-must-'kiss-my-ass'-for-his-support.html

Let us have this be the last "unity week-end". Bill Clinton does not have to be part of this election. He will not help because it's not all about him. At the birthday party for Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton talked about how Mandela supported him during the difficulty he had when he was President. That's what he thought was good about Mandela. It's all about him!!

When Bill Clinton had his staff release the very short statement about him "obviously supporting Obama" (all 28 words?), he didn't even have them sign his name. There is nothing obvious about Bill Clintons support for Barack Obama.

Don't Micro Manage Obama

Joyce — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:57:40 EDT

As we settle in to the General Election campaign, it seems to me that there are a number of questions for Obama supporters which we need to think about:

Shouldn't we expect all Clinton supporters to vote for Obama?
Shoudn't Obama only do exactly what he has said over the last 17 months, no variations?
Shouldn't Obama never change his mind, or he will be "flip flopping"?
Shouldn't we assume that all commenters on the Obama Blog support Obama?

My answer to all of those is NO! When we elect Barack Obama President we are electing a man who has shown honesty, character and integrity. This is why I will support his judgement. But we must also let him know how we feel. He is depending on us to help.

There has been a lot of agitation on this blog and elsewhere about FISA, Public Funding, helping Senator Clinton raise money, and a few other topics. Many say that Obama is not following through on promises, or that he has varied the issues a bit. For example, do you really believe that Obama should be restricting his fund raising by taking the government funding? He has learned about fund raising in the last 17 months and made his decision based on facts. McCain will take anything he can get from PACs, lobbyists and others, all usually with strings attached. Obama didn't want to do that, that is the part that is "New Politics". So he chose to depend on us to raise all the funds needed. That makes sense to me.

Those complaining on this blog need to think about the vision we are offered by Obama as opposed to what is offered by McCain. We shouldn't try to micro manage the actions of Barack Obama in this campaign. He's used good judgement up to this point and I believe he will continue to do so.

Let us not get too disturbed when we read something here or elsewhere with which we don't agree.
Think about why it is that you support Barack Obama. Everyone here is not an Obama supporter, but we can encourage them to be one!

Another Major Mistake by the Bush Administration!

Joyce — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:56:13 EDT

I believe it is very important that we all understand the mistakes the Bush Administration has made and understand why they have made them. Today on the front page of the Washington Post is an article entitled "Al-Qaeda's Growing Online Offensive" In a previous post I quoted a sentence from this article - "Some U.S. officials acknowledge that they missed early opportunities to disrupt al-Qaeda's communications operations, whose interior security has since been upgraded to the point where analysts say it is nearly bullet-proof."

Why did this happen? Aren't Bush/McCain trying to find terrorists?? If I can understand how important communication would be for a global terrorist group, why didn't they??? Bush/ McCain have led people to believe that they know how to handle National Security, but they have shown time and time again that they can't. This is a disgrace!!

Here is the link to the Washington Post article - a must read!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/23/AR2008062302135.html?hpid=topnews

Who Says Republicans Do Well With National Security Issues?

Joyce — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:25:35 EDT

As I was reading the Washington Post this morning, two articles struck me as being related. The first is entitled "Terror Strike Would Help McCain, Top Advisor Says." This includes the words of Charles R. Black Jr. a senior political advisor to John McCain. However it also contains the words of John McCain "I cannot imagine why he would say it. It's not true. I've worked tirelessly since 9/11 to prevent another attack on the United States of America. My record is very clear." My question is, what has he done? This comes to mind because of a second article in the Post this morning. Actually it's a front page story "Al-Qaeda's Growing Online Offensive." This describes the very sophisticated system which al-Qaeda has been able to develop. Here is a sentence which struck me, "Some U.S. officials acknowledge that they missed early opportunities to disrupt al-Qaeda's communication operations, whose internal security has since been upgraded to the point where analysts say it is nearly bullet-proof."

To me it seems incredible that we missed this opportunity!! Since John McCain is a member of the President's party, couldn't he have warned the President? I know, maybe he's not really internet savvy, but surely one who "worked tirelessly" to avoid another attack could have perceived the importance of communication. More importantly why didn't President Bush control this? The Republicans have indeed made numerous mistakes since September 11, 2001 and they are suppose to be the ones who can handle security??This communication issue is a major mistake!

It may even equal the error when the President and his administration chose not to pursue Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan when it was possible to find him. Instead they went on to fight in Iraq, allowing Bin Laden to escape and the movement to continue. Now Afghanistan is in more difficulty. Surely though, allowing al-Qaeda to develop a "bullet-proof" communication system was a big mistake!! Why was this allowed to happen?

John McCain and the Republicans have been running on this idea that they can do better on security issues. May I suggest that this is absolutely not the truth! Incompetence of the Republican administration has gotten us into this mess and they don't seem to have the ability or vision to recognize what they are doing. During a time in 2004, it seemed like the war was winding down, but it didn't. At that time museum workers from Iraq came to visit the Smithsonian then and talked with Smithsonian staff about preserving their artifacts as they went back to work. The last I heard the largest Museum in Baghdad had been cemented shut.

Let's not allow the Republicans and John McCain to use National Security as something they "are good at". Voters should recognize how bad they have been at it and this internet issue should be understood by all. They have made a lot of mistakes in respect to National Security!

The links to the Washington Post articles:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/23/AR2008062301979.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/23/AR2008062302135.html?hpid=topnews

Obama Supporters?

Joyce — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:47:28 EDT

In the last two weeks we have all noticed the "fake" Obama supporters writing here or on other blogs. We must not let them discourage us, but we should learn to recognize them.

Use common sense in recognizing them. For example, this is from the post "The Great Seal of Obamaland?" (NYT blog):

"I am an Obama supporter and have to say after seeing this (the fake seal) I have changed my mind. I no longer wish to vote for him in the GE."

Common sense - anyone who would say he based a voting change on a made up seal had never supported Obama and thinks those reading his comment have no brains.

Another one I read and unfortunately didn't save said something like -" Obama's decision to reject federal public financing has made me change my mind about him. This decision is as bad as Bush's decision to go to war in Iraq." Anyone who would equate a decision about money and a decision about killing people is a total idiot.

I have decided that I will now try to ignore all of these. I hope that the rest of you, particularly on the blogs here, also will simply ignore the ones which on first glance we think are real, but then recognize that they are simply trying to aggravate us! Think a minute before you respond or call them a troll. IGNORE, they'll go away!

They've Got To Be Kidding!

Joyce — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:08:19 EDT

I have come across one of the most ridiculous posts that I have seen on the NYT blog "The Caucus." I don't know if I want to laugh or cry so I will share it with you. The post itself is not that unusual, but the comments are very extreme and ridiculous for the most part.

The Great Seal of Obamaland?

By JOHN M. BRODER

The seal on display while Barack Obama spoke to Democratic governors in Chicago. (Photo: Alex Brandon/Associated Press)

At a discussion with a dozen Democratic governors in Chicago on Friday morning, each of the governors was identified with a small name plate but Senator Barack Obama sat behind a low rostrum to which was attached an official-looking seal no one had seen before.

It is emblazoned with a fierce-looking eagle clutching an olive branch in one claw and arrows in the other and is deliberately reminiscent of the official seal of the president of the United States. Around the top border are the words “Obama for America;” across the bottom is the campaign’s Web address. It also contains the logo of the Obama campaign, variously interpreted as a sunrise or a view down an open road.

Just above the eagle’s head are the words “Vero Possumus,” roughly translated “Yes we can.” Not exactly E Pluribus Unum (Out of Many, One), the motto on the presidential seal and the dollar bill. Then again, Mr. Obama is not the president.

Here is the link so you can read all the comments,

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/the-great-seal-of-obamaland/#comments

Let me know what you think.

Reasonable Expectations?

Joyce — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:41:13 EDT

A few nights ago when Governor Granholm of Michigan was introducing Barack Obama and Al Gore, she was strongly booed when she mentioned that she had been a supporter of Hillary Clinton. Apparently those Michiganders are being criticized for doing this. What should be expected of supporters in a situation like this? What are the "reasonable" expectations?

Of course we want to bring all Democrats together to work and vote for Obama for President. Frankly I believe that most of Clinton's supporters will do that because they recognize that the alternative will not help this country. This has been a very difficult race for both sets of supporters. On the blogs, the battle is still being fought to a certain extent. On the NYT The Caucus, the comments of Carolyn (Rodham) a typical Clinton supporter are still picking apart Obama. What are Obama supporters suppose to do?

Lets look at Michigan for a moment. Their Governor is well known as one of a small group of Michigan leaders who made the mess that the primary in Michigan became. For months before the invalid primary, the people of Michigan knew it would not count and they knew the people who had responsibility. They also knew that Obama as well as most other Democratic candidates did not have their names on the ballot, only Clinton. Later they knew that Clinton was trying to use Michigan's invalid votes. Lets be reasonable, what would you expect Obama supporters at that rally in Detroit to do when their Governor reminded them that she had supported Hillary Clinton? Clap?

Those of us who supported Barack Obama have listened to Clinton herself insult our candidate, say he wasn't as qualified as McCain , question his Christianity ("..as far as I know") etc. For most primaries won by Obama, she did not acknowledge his win. When he wrapped up the nomination, she did not acknowledge it on the night of the win. Throughout this whole race our candidate has been polite to her regardless of the provocation. In the speech after his apparent win he strongly praised her . Prior to that, when John Edwards announced his endorsement of Obama he talked about Clinton more than Obama!! I am glad under these circumstances some people can do that. However, as an Obama supporter I do not feel obliged to praise Clinton. Why is she being treated differently than the male candidates who dropped out? Simply because she stayed in too long?

Those people in Detroit could not help but express their displeasure with their Governor and her candidate. I think their reaction was reasonable. Time may allow us to forget some of this. Until then, I will try to follow Al Gore's lead that night. I will try not to mention her. To me that is a reasonable expectation.

Feminism

Joyce — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:11:12 EDT

Today I put this comment on another blog:

I am disappointed to see that many women here are picking apart the women suggested as possible Democratic VP nominees, relative to how much they supported or didn’t support Sen. Clinton.

Until near the end of the current nomination race, I have not seen Sen. Clinton referred to as a feminist. In fact there has been much to indicate that she was not a strong feminist. If female candidates for anything are now being vetted based on support of Clinton, let me suggest that this has nothing to do with feminism.

-posted by Joyce"

Tax Rates - Obama and McCain

Joyce — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:20:43 EDT

For those of you who are interested in the comparisons of the Obama and McCain tax rate proposals, here is the link that will take you to the Washington Post article about this which I mentioned in a previous post. If it's not a workable link (I don't do too well with them!), please copy and paste.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/06/09/ST2008060900950.html

A part of the article from The Washington Post:

"Obama and McCain Tax ProposalsAccording to a new analysis by the Tax Policy Center, a joint project of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain are both proposing tax plans that would result in cuts for most American families. Obama's plan gives the biggest cuts to those who make the least, while McCain would give the largest cuts to the very wealthy. For the approximately 147,000 families that make up the top 0.1 percent of the income scale, the difference between the two plans is stark. While McCain offers a $269,364 tax cut, Obama would raise their taxes, on average, by $701,885 - a difference of nearly $1 million."

I think we should be alert when McCain says that Obama will "raise your taxes" and recognize he's talking only about those of you who make over $600,000/year.

Tax Rates

Joyce — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 16:46:17 EDT

I was just reading some of the blogs on this site when I came across this statement mixed in with other false information:

" increasing the income tax on Senior Citizen social security benefits after they've paid taxes all their lives (they are already taxed at an 85% rate, thanks to Bill Clinton), huge across-the-board tax increases for all of us, "

Anyone who has looked at an IRS tax rate schedule lately knows that the highest rate is 35%. The person who posted this may be trying to confuse others or is totally confused himself.

Recently I saw a table showing the effect of the tax proposals of Obama and McCain . The original source was the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, but I saw it in the Washington Post. I apologize for not having a link for this, I cut it out of the paper (June 12,2008). McCain proposes REDUCING taxes on those making more than $2.87 million a year by 4.4%. Obama proposes RAISING taxes for those in that income group by 11.5%. McCain will reduce the taxes on those making under $18,981 by .2%. Obama will reduce the tax rate for this income group by 5.5%. This is an incredible difference and we all must understand what it means!

Obama will only raise taxes for those earning more than $600,000 per year!!!!! We must be alert to the numbers as they are being tossed about by pundits and politicians. I have heard scare tactics from Republicans and McCain ("the Democrats will raise your taxes!" without saying - only if you make more than $600,000!!), but nothing quite as wrong as the blogger I referred to above. Tax rates as high as he was talking about have not been seen since Ronald Reagan became President. The Reagan tax cuts were rather clever. Since most of us received some tax reduction, we didn't pay attention to what was happening at the top of the tax rate schedule! Lets be more alert!

Honor

Joyce — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 12:43:15 EDT

A month or so ago I read a book about honor in 16th and 17th century Spain. It got me thinking about honor and what we see of it and how we think of it in the 21st Century. Reading and thinking about the untimely death of journalist Tim Russert, again brought honor to mind. He was an honorable man, and he was indeed an honorable journalist. He asked the questions that needed to be asked and did not settle for an "answer" that didn't answer. He would never have asked "Does your former pastor love this country as much as you do?" That question did not need to be asked and couldn't be answered well by anyone. Tim Russert showed us that it is possible to be an honorable journalist.

Over the years I have used the word honorable for a few politicians. In fact it is what I look for in a leader and a candidate. Although the honor code of old Spain was well understood by the Spanish, there was some variation in how it could be applied. Honor in the 21st century in the USA is more difficult to define. Sometimes we might say "I know it when I see it." I have seen it in Barack Obama. He is an honorable man. He has said he wants a new kind of politics, one where we talk about the issues not whether an opponent "misspoke". He has practiced it and he has been successful. Others say that throwing dirt is the "fun" of politics, but Obama disagrees and shows it. Our politics does not have to be so negative that it keeps some good leaders out of it because it is so dirty and tiresome. I hope that all recognize the possibility of doing away with this old kind of politics, and can see that Barack Obama knows the importance of honor.

The Video "Yes We Can" by will.i.am

Joyce — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:43:30 EDT

When this video was first put online several months ago, I played it many many times and still do once in awhile! Why it is inspiring I can't say exactly, but it is definitely a part of my view of the Barack Obama campaign. It is a beautiful video which illustrates that our political system doesn't have to be cynical. We can talk about hope. We can talk about change. They are possible!!

I have made hundreds of telephone calls for Obama and some have been memorable. Once I was talking to a man about some of the general things that do need to be changed in this country - health care, Iraq War, help for veterans, jobs. At one point I said something like, Barack Obama is the only candidate on either side who offers the possibility of change. I couldn't make an absolute promise to that man, but he also recognized that Obama was the only one who definitely offered "the possibility of change" that we'd been talking about.

Somewhat later, I realized that Barack Obama has already brought about change in our political system. His system of funding is now widely recognized as the future of political fundraising. His nearly 2 million donors who contribute various amounts regularly have shown that our politicians don't have to be bought and paid for by the rich (whose motives might be questioned?). This is a big change. How simple the logic behind it is. Barack Obama is a man who can look at our country's problems from the perspective of a new politics and make changes. Yes We Can!

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

(I apologize if this doesn't turn into a useable link. You may have to resort to copy and paste!!)

Isn't It Time to Talk About Our Candidate?

Joyce — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:00:15 EDT

It's time to talk about Barack Obama. I have supported him since September, and am amazed that he has not disappointed me at any time since then. He lives the new politics that we all seem to appreciate and want. Occasionally I've wanted him to throw back some of the mud. However I recognized that his integrity, honesty and character would not allow him to do that. Over the months I have called many people on behalf of Obama. More recently I have noticed that people really appreciate his calmness and restraint in dealing with some of the negativity. They recognized that he practices the new politics which he talks about. His leadership skills are quite remarkable. His campaign is evidence of that, certainly. Recently I heard a retired transit union leader talk about Obama in the early years of his political life. Although he hadn't been greatly supportive of him at the beginning, he told of watching Obama bring together divergent groups and working to solve problems and produce legislation. I wish I remembered his name. He could convince many of those coming over to Obama that he indeed is the "real thing."

Let's talk about Barack Obama, so that new supporters will understand what we all see!

Finally!!!

Joyce — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:30:31 EDT

What a Candidate! What a Campaign! We have all worked for this and will now continue until November!

Yes We Can!

Praise For The Obama Store

Joyce — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:12:07 EDT

As I have been impressed with the organization of the entire Barack Obama campaign, I have also been very impressed with the operation of the store on the Obama web site. To all the staff members at the store, thank you for getting my orders to me in great shape! Truly it has amazed me that my orders are always correct. When we're talking about a number of different kinds of buttons, that is a remarkable achievement!

I believe I first discovered the store in the end of January. and placed my first order. It included a couple things that they said were in stock, most things weren't. There was a notice that orders would be slow because of the high volume. A short time later I noticed the "Obama`08 Logo Button (blue) was in stock and ordered a number of them, knowing that they wouldn't arrive until after our Maryland Primary, but I was just thrilled they were in stock! When they did arrive I happily said something to the mailman, like "my Obama buttons arrived!!" and he said something positive so I gave him one. That was the beginning of my wearing a button on my coat, and looking for reactions. Since then I always carry a couple in my handbag and have given many of them away. So I have a good excuse for more orders from the Obama Store!

Again, thank you to the Obama Store! To me their operation reflects a staff that is dedicated to their mission! There have been no damaged ones and no miscounts, everything has been perfect!. How many mail order operations work like that? I'm on my ninth order, I think.

If someone out there could pass this on to the store, I would appreciate it. Thank You!!

Women

Joyce — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:23:31 EDT

I wrote my first post here on March 6, 2008. At that time my daughter suggested that I write something about why so many women my age are supporting Hillary Clinton. Frankly, I didn't have an answer then and I don't now, but I do have some thoughts.

I know that some women my age and older are anxious to see a woman as President in their lifetime. So that could be part of a rather ghoulish answer. Why Clinton? Is it possible that they thought she was the best possibility because she was not simply a normal hard working woman in government or law, but she was a former First Lady? Did they think that a woman would need an added advantage if she were to become President? That's a possibility since the oldest women voters may not have operated in worlds where women held positions in the top ranks. Is that why they seem to be the ones who react when she appears as "the victim"?

The fact that Mrs. Clinton would be accompanied to the White House by her husband might have influenced these women to support her. I don't like to acknowledge that, but it might be possible. Some women I've spoken to while making phone calls for Obama have suggested this. Do these women really not trust that a woman can handle the job on her own?

Do they not see any other particular women as possible candidates? They may not be familiar with the female Senators and various female governors. Surely they are familiar with Nancy Pelosi? I just don't know.

No I don't have an answer, but I do have enough faith in women to think that there are many who could do the job now, today. If I look at the characteristics of Barack Obama which I value such as honesty, integrity and character and his experience and his ability to lead, I think of him as exceptional. He does represent the achievement of the "American Dream" which we all have thought about since our childhood. He wants to work for and with all of us to bring about positive change in this country. His success can't help but encourage others. There are many out there who will recognize that they want to help this country too and many are women. A new type of politics rather than the same old politics (succeed if you know the right people!) is what he brings to the Presidency. He has already made a major change in fund raising, which will enable many to follow the same path - small contributions from many supporters. What he has done will help women as well as men run for office without owing the very rich!

We will one day vote for a woman for President because she is the best candidate, not simply because she is a woman!

Rules are Rules?

Joyce — Sun, 25 May 2008 11:06:16 EDT

Laws, rules, who cares??? With the meeting of the Democratic Rules committee this coming Saturday I believe it is important to consider rules and how the opposition candidate views them. Today in the Washington Post Anne Kornblut and Dan Balz have a column "To Claim Popular Vote, Clinton is Seeking Wins in Last 3 Primaries"

As most of us know the opposition views rules, particularly those of the DNC as optional. Here are a few comments from the column which I find interesting:

"The Clinton campaign has adopted an unyielding public stance heading into the Rules and Bylaws Committee's meeting, insisting that all delegates from Michigan and Florida be seated, with full voting rights, and that the results be strictly allocated on the basis of the primary results and by DNC rules. By their calculations, such a resolution would give her a net gain of 111 pledged delegates."

"Don Fowler{Clinton supporter}, a former DNC chair, said: "I would be inclined to support what the campaign wanted, but there are limitations." Fowler disagreed with the rules committee's decision to bar the two delegations from being seated at the convention, but said, "Even I would assert that there has to be some kind of retribution, some kind of sanction."

"Even Clinton advisers doubt the fight will go that long {June 29} but do not rule it out. "If the committee comes up with a solution that doesn't honor the results of the primaries, there is a strong chance it goes to Credentials," said one top adviser, who requested anonymity to speak candidly."

In summary, contrary to the DNC rules, Clinton must have the fake votes in Michigan and Florida count. But then she wants to follow the DNC rules in allocating delegates (this means no votes for Obama since he WASN'T ON THE BALLOT). Fortunately her supporter Fowler says that these two states should have some kind of penalty. If she doesn't get her way she'll keep up the fight to pick and choose the rules, regardless of the damage done to the Democratic Party!

We are electing a President of the United States! Doesn't this suggest that she wouldn't abide by the Presidential oath of office? - that she would pick and choose the laws that she preferred? - that she would act just like George W. Bush in his view of Executive Privilege??

SUPER DELEGATES you can and you should stop this!

Maryland Super Delegates Decide Now!!!!

Joyce — Sat, 24 May 2008 12:14:59 EDT

This is my last post about the Maryland Super Delegate situation. Barack Obama won our primary by 25%. As of now Mrs. Clinton has more super delegates than does Obama. This is an offensive situation. There are 8 who are uncommitted. At this point there is no reason not to commit, particularly after Clinton's harsh comments yesterday. The 8 are, Cardin, Van Hollen, Sarbanes, Sweeney, Susan Turnball (she was somehow omitted from my previous lists), Mizeur, Leong-Hong and Steny Hoyer.

Those of you who have already committed to Clinton, including our Governor Martin O'Malley, should rethink your commitment, in light of the clear signs that Barack Obama is the superior candidate.

It is up to you super delegates to follow the wishes of the people, and prevent further damage to the Democratic Party of Maryland.

Joyce of Rockville

Twisting History

Joyce — Sat, 24 May 2008 09:52:44 EDT

Let's talk about history. She said "historically that makes no sense." to the editorial board of the Argus Leader in S.D, discussing her leaving the race. Later she said "earlier today I was discussing the Democratic primary history" and followed with "That's a historic fact"

The whole thing was a history lesson? No it was not! It was twisted history! At this point I wish I were an historian, but I do have a memory. In the past, campaign seasons were much much shorter. Nomination campaigns did not start until the year of the election. In January or February of 1976 I was visiting in Florida. Jimmy Carter had a new campaign advertisement on television there. I remember being very surprised and somewhat annoyed that he was starting it so early in the year. "Campaigns don't start this early in the year!" I remember thinking.

Using the timing of previous primary seasons to justify her staying in the race "until June" is a false justification. This is June of 2008, but the race has been going on since before June of 2007! This is a different kind of primary season than 1968 or even 1992! She said her husband won the California primary is June (1992). That is the biggest state and could indeed make a difference. But the California primary was in February 2008, we are left now with Montana, South Dakota and Puerto Rico (which can't even vote in the November election). These will hardly change things, particularly since Barack Obama is already way ahead in all categories! She has no good reason to stay in the race, she is doing nothing but harm.

TO THE SUPER DELEGATES: ENDORSE BARACK OBAMA NOW! We must end this before the Democratic Party is permanently damaged

Clinton Negotiations??

Joyce — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:21:37 EDT

As much as I would like to see Mrs. Clinton gracefully withdraw, I would not like to see any agreement made with the Clintons! Senator Obama should be allowed to make his choices for VP, Supreme Court, Cabinet etc. without making any agreements with the Clintons about anything! I, as a white, over 60, female do not feel that her supporters march in lockstep with her. Yes, there are loud and visible ones, but these are not nearly equal to the ones who will easily change to Obama. Many of them even object to her tactics. While calling for Obama, I have spoken with a number of them who said they would vote for her at their primary, but could easily vote for Obama later.

More important now is for all of us to contact undecided super delegates in our states and ask them to decide within the next week!

What Are They Waiting For??

Joyce — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:21:13 EDT

In the next week the Democratic Nomination should be absolutely settled. The uncommitted super delegates should commit!! This would do it - only 57 more are needed! This would eliminate all the nastiness about counting votes which is being spewed by Mrs. Clinton.

Why are the super delegates waiting?? Barack Obama now has the majority of all pledged (won)delegates. She cannot pass him! Obama's won many more states than Clinton and is ahead of her in the popular vote, and in the number of super delegates. So what can hold back a super delegate from committing?? Here are some of my thoughts about this:

Promised the Clinton's to stay neutral until the Convention?

Enjoy all the attention from the campaigns?

Don't understand the process of leadership?

Don't want anyone to be angry with them?

Aren't really Democrats?

I thought I could come up with more! In Maryland one of our Senators (Benjamin Cardin) is holding back, so I called one of his offices and asked about this. I didn't get an answer other than he has not promised to hold back until the Convention. So why not decide now????? I will remember this in the future.

I would like to suggest that these hold outs are playing games that they may not fully understand. As delegates to the convention they are suppose to show some kind of leadership. These holdouts appear as though they must have a hard time picking out a brand of toothpaste! Remember I am not saying who they have to support! I am simply suggesting that now is the time to make the choice. If they don't have a position by now then they should resign as super delegates. The Huffington Post today has listed all of the uncommitted delegates today. Glancing through this list gives one an idea of why more is not accomplished in Congress. These people can't make decisions! This is the link, but it's Arianna Huffington's own post in case the link isn't workable.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/stop-yelling-at-hillary-t_b_103135.html

Super Delegates Decide Now!!

What Does She Want?

Joyce — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:13:32 EDT

Barack Obama has won the majority of the pledged delegates for the nomination. He should be recognized as the winner. Hillary Clinton doesn't seem to think he has won. Why? In order to make it look like she has a greater popular vote she wants to use the invalid votes of Michigan and Florida and not allow Obama to use his popular votes from the Caucus States. She considers her win in Kentucky more important that Obama's win in Oregon. He has won twice as many States as she has. In other words she will do the most dishonorable things to make it look like she's won the popular vote. Why? The obvious reason is that she wants to hurt Obama and the Democratic Party. Why?

In the year 2000 Al Gore won the popular vote and lost the election. In the 8 years since then, he has accomplished much and won the admiration of people all over the war. Is Clinton trying to mimic Al Gore? There are a number of problems with that scenario. Al Gore is an honorable person, Clinton is showing that she is not honorable by trying hurt Obama and the DNC. Bill Clinton was one of the big reasons that Al Gore did not receive even a greater popular vote. Clinton hurt him. Mrs. Clinton cannot morph into a Gore and win honors as he has, she does not understand what it takes to to that.

Hillary Clinton is hurting Women, the Democratic Party, Barack Obama and any hopes she has for a political future. The only way for this to stop is for the uncommitted super delegates to come out now for Obama and settle this. Quit letting her play games. This is the Presidency.

SUPER DELEGATES DECIDE NOW!!

Super Delegates Please Decide - Especially Those of Maryland!

Joyce — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:02:32 EDT

Senator Barack Obama has won a majority of the pledged delegates for the nomination. In Maryland he won 25% of the votes. The voters have spoken. At this point Mrs. Clinton still has more Maryland super delegates than Obama. It is now time for all super delegates to decide, even thjose outside of Maryland!! There is frankly no good reason not to!!

Would the super delegates of Maryland - Sen. Benjamin Cardin, Congressman John Sarbannes, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, John J. Sweeney, Heather Mizeur and Bel Leong-Hong please decide now. What is your reason for not doing so????