Sharon Bowler's Blog

Rally

SharonB — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 00:19:41 EDT

Today is the fourth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq. There are marches and rallies going on all over the country and I have heard they are happening in other countries as well.

Yesterday I went to a rally in Seattle. I went with my friend Kim and we handed out fliers about Barack Obama. Most of the people I spoke with were very receptive. There were also a few who asked some very hard questions. I don’t know the answers to the questions and I’m not sure how to find out. I guess they aren’t actually questions so much as statements that I don’t know how to respond to.

One was, Barack Obama has said that the job of schools is to prepare the students for jobs. I’m not sure that Barack Obama really said that. The person who told me this is a teacher and he feels that his calling is much higher than as a vocational preparer. He also feels that schools who focus in employability are working for the corporations rather than society. I have to agree with him, I’d just like to know what Barack’s position really is.

The next one was, why is Obama being so quiet about the war now? He was against it from the beginning but what has he said lately? A lot of people brought this up.

Lastly, the presenters at the rally said, repeatedly, that Obama, Hilary and most of the other Democrats in Congress recently voted to let Bush go to war with Iran without needed to ask Congress first.

If this is true, I’d really like to hear Obama’s reasoning.

Peace,

Sharon

Get blogging!

SharonB — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 03:29:39 EST

I've been doing this for a few days now and I have noticed a lack of communication of some groups. One group does little blogging but LOTS of listserv emailing, it's odd, that is the only group I'm on that does that. Anyway, I hope more people will blog and read other blogs, and DON'T forget to make those comments! That's how we'll become the community we need to be if we are going to get anywhere!

Peace,

Sharon

are you a homeschooler?

SharonB — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 14:16:15 EST

I am, and I know that when people think homeschool they think Republican. It isn't even a myth, there really are a lot of very conservative homeschoolers out there! The thing a lot of people don't realize is that many homeschoolers are very liberal or open minded in other ways.

We homeschoolers have the opportunity to have a significant impact on this campaign. Maybe even make the difference between winning and losing!

Barack Obama would be very appealing to many homeschoolers if only they weren't LOCKED in to the Republican mindset. I'm sure that we ask homeschoolers can make more progress with them than anyone else. We just need to take the truth to the people! Remind them that doing whatever Dobson and O'Reily tell them to isn't really thinking for themselves.

If this sounds good to you, please join Homeschoolers for Obama08.

Peace,

Sharon

Reaching farther this time.

SharonB — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 03:24:50 EST

Four years ago our family was growing interested in Howard Dean. We thought he was the best choice from either party. We didn't do a lot to support him, but we felt like we were because we were so excited about him.

When it came time for the local caucus we went prepared to support Dean. When we got there we felt confident and it seemed like most of the people were there to vote for Dean. The conversation in our district went that way too! Then came the vote. Kerry won by a wide margin. I was so disappointed and even more mystified. Where did all the Kerry votes come from? What did they see in him that I couldn't? Sure by time for the actual election I voted for him, but at the caucus we still had a choice other than Bush and Kerry. I just didn't get it on so many levels.

Now, four years later I am much better prepared. I know that we have to do more than just talk about our choice around the dinner table. Our interest doesn't count for much if we keep it inside.

This year I'll be going to meet ups, I'll be going door to door and whatever else I can think of. I won't only talk to "safe" people, you know the ones who already agree with me!

One other great thing about this time? I feel so much more confident about Barack Obama than I ever have about any candidate. He is so appealing to so many people, it'll be a pleasure to start those conversations!

Peace,

Sharon