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Americans in China for Obama '08

Americans living in Greater China organizing for Obama '08

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Bilingual Support for Obama Weekly Videos launched

By Michael Novak - Apr 8th, 2009 at 1:11 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Hello everyone,

This is to let you know that CaptionedMediaforObama.com has launched multilingual support for President Obama's weekly addresses! We worked with the Office of New Media during the transition and first few weeks of the administration, and will be providing expanded language support from here on for his weekly addresses.

Our first two spots are as follows:

YouTube: We've posted the April 4 address in our unique bilingual format, using both our karaoke English plus making use of YouTube's new subtitled and translation capability. Go to http://www.youtube.com/user/captionedforobama for this week's address. For bi-lingual support click on the triangle at the bottom right of the main video, and turn on closed captions. Once there you'll be able to select either a translated second language (CHINESE IS ONLINE!), or have YouTube provide its best efforts at an automatic translation for you into a second language. So you'll be able to see both the karaoke English plus your native language.
GSM Phones: We've also launched GSM phone support for newer phones with browsing capabilities and support for the timed text track. Go to http://www.captionedmediaforobama.com/3G/fv/ and see if your GSM phone can play the video. We'll be doing other phone formats as time allows, but this is our beginning format.

So, enjoy our unique karaoke captioning for President Obama's weekly addresses, through either YouTube or your GSM phone. More news to come.

Michael Novak

CaptionedMediaforObama.com

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Inside the Transition: Asian American and Pacific Islander Group video now available with Captions!

By Michael Novak - Jan 17th, 2009 at 8:37 pm EST

Also listed in: 5 groups

Hello everyone,

Parag Mehta put together a great video showing the Asian American and Pacific Islander groups participating during the transition team phase. We've captioned the video because, as Parag points out in the video,

"60% of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have limited English proficiency"

We at Captioned Media for Obama do our best to enhance key videos for this group, and deliver them to you as quickly as possible. Go to www.captionedmediaforobama.com/inauguration to see the videos, and stay tuned to that page over the next few days to see coverage of this video, and the Keynote Address in many Asian languages! We have some surprises in store for you between now and Tuesday night, so stay tuned!

Best Regards,

Michael Novak Founder,

CaptionedMediaForObama.com

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Obama Inspires People Around the World

By Christopher Ruggles - Nov 3rd, 2008 at 11:47 am EST

Also listed in: AAFO HQ Blog | Americans Abroad for Obama | Americans in China for Obama '08

This story comes in from Ambassador Fredrick Vreeland.

Ambassador Frederick Vreeland is a great friend to the Obama campaign. A former US Ambassador to Morocco, and a distinguished career diplomat and CIA officer, Ambassador Vreeland is a life-long Republican (he was even George H.W. Bush's roommate at Yale!) who endorsed Barack Obama early this year, and with Professor Larry Gray of Rome, founded "Republicans Abroad for Obama". Now retired and living in Rome, Ambassador Vreeland still travels frequently to North Africa, and recently sent the following email to Kim Reed, Senior Advisor on Americans Abroad to the Obama Campaign, regarding his encounter with Youssef, a Moroccan who, like millions around the world, yearns for Senator Obama to be elected on Tuesday.

Here is Ambassador Vreeland's story:

Youssef teaches school in a village in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, which he gets to at the end of a six mile hike after taking an hour's bus ride from his home town of Marrakech, Morocco. He spends every weekday in that village but goes home on weekends to Marrakech where he can pick up cash as a guide for the tourists.

He told me last weekend what he does with that cash: he saves it to help buy a pump for the village which, although without roads or running water, has recently been attached to the electric power grid.

That's how we got onto the subject of Obama for president.

Youssef prays that Obama will win, not because it will revolutionize American foreign policy or save the world from the deepening recession, but because it will realize the dreams that his village's school children have for an America whose leadership they can believe in -- and ignite a burst of hope among uncounted millions of other young people around the globe whose life now lacks everything, but especially hope.

For Youssef that water pump is like an Obama presidency: it will change everything. Now, without an electric pump, the village children never do their homework because their parents need them to work the village's one handpump and then carry the water home in heavy jars. But with an electric pump the houses can be connected to the well in the village square and younger children will do their homework. And that will permit them to go on from primary school to highschool, rather than dropping out at age 11 as they do now. And that in turn will mean some will go on to college, thus opening up the world of well paying jobs and improvement in living standards.

Youssef sees this as all connected with Obama, who will bring, in his mind, the same burst of optimism and energy that galvanized Morocco in the Kennedy presidency during his own childhood. And the fact that Obama's father was from a Developing Country will make everyone in what used to be called the Third World feel that we live in One World, with common challenges and realistic ambitions.

I left Youssef to go back to his almost inaccessible village school, sharing his prayer that next week his students will be liberated from hopelessness, from living in a blind alley and that an Obama victory will reverberate around the world the way Youssef and his fellow villagers are hoping.

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Five Things You Can Still Do to Help Barack Obama

By Christopher Ruggles - Nov 3rd, 2008 at 11:19 am EST

Also listed in: AAFO HQ Blog | Americans Abroad for Obama | Americans in China for Obama '08

This just in from Hilary Bown, Regional Field Director for Central and Eastern Europe. Around the world, let's all do all we can to help Obama win!

We are 36 hours away from this election being over -- but we still have not won this thing yet! As overseas Americans who cast their votes weeks ago, we may feel somewhat disconnected from what is going on tomorrow in the U.S. There are nevertheless a number of ways we can still be involved! Here's a list of 5 easy ideas:

1) Have you sent in your ballot?
> If you have not, you may still FAX in your ballot before polls close on Nov 4th to the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, HI, ID (emergency only), IN, KS, LA, ME (emergency only), MO (Federal employees and military only), MT (by county!), NV, NJ, NM, NC, ND, OK (emergency only), RI, SC, TX (military only), UT, VT, VI, and WV.
> You may FAX your ballot by Nov 3rd to MS.
> You may EMAIL back your ballot to IN, NJ, NM, ND, SC, and WV (by county!).
> You may POSTMARK your ballot by the 3rd to: AL (received by 4 Nov), IL (rec'd 18 Nov), IA (rec'd 10 Nov), NY (rec'd 11 Nov), ND, PA (rec'd 11 Nov), and UT (rec'd 18 Nov).
> You may POSTMARK your ballot by the 4th to: AK (received by 19 Nov), AR (rec'd 14 Nov) DC (rec'd 14 Nov), GA (rec'd 7 Nov), IN (rec'd 14 Nov), MD (rec'd 14 Nov), MA (rec'd 14 Nov), OH (rec'd 14 Nov), TX (rec'd 10 Nov), VI (rec'd 14 Nov), WA (rec'd 25 Nov), and WV (rec'd 10 Nov).
> If you live in one of the above states, never received your ballot and have not yet done so, please send in a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot. You can download the forms and instructions for your state at http://www.fvap.gov/shortcuts/get-backup-fed-write-in-ballot/index.html/ .

> If you have sent in your ballot, give your county elections office a call to make sure it's arrived. You can look up the phone number of your county's office here: https://obama.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/eod.htm/ . If there are any issues, you may still have time to fax, email or post a replacement.

2) Have your overseas American friends sent in their ballots?
> Call up, email or otherwise check up with 5 American friends living overseas and make sure they have received and returned their absentee ballots. If they have not, use the information above to help them cast a vote if there's still time!

3) Will your American friends and relatives be headed to the polls tomorrow?
> Call up, email or otherwise check in with 5 American friends or family members living in the U.S. and encourage them to head to the polls tomorrow. Take a couple minutes to tell them why you support Barack Obama and why we're counting on their vote.

4) Will other Americans -- those in key swing states -- be headed to the polls tomorrow?
> The campaign has set up an online tool called Neighbor to Neighbor, which allows you to make calls to registered voters in crucial areas, providing them with information about their polling locations and encouraging them to vote for Barack Obama. You can pick the state you'd like to call here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/phonebankmap/ . You can find answers to commonly-asked questions here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/votercontactfaq/ . (Don't forget to calculate the time difference.)
> If you do not have a way to make cheap or free phone calls from your land line to the U.S., try using your computer to make calls. You can get 5 free hours of calling from Internet Calls: http://www.internetcalls.com/en/index.html/ ; another inexpensive option is to create and use a Skype account -- calls to the U.S. are just 2 cents/minute: http://www.skype.com/allfeatures/callphones/ .
> If you do have a telephone flatrate, consider inviting friends over tonight and tomorrow to make these calls from your home. Polls do not begin closing in the U.S. until midnight CET, so there is plenty of time to make calls after work!

5) Are there other ways to assist Democrats and Obama supporters in your area?
> If you live near a major city, it is likely that a Democrats Abroad chapter or Americans Abroad for Obama group will be sponsoring an Election Watch party. You can find a big list of events here: http://www.democratsabroad.org/article/2008/10/28/election-results-mexico-city-kathmandhu-join-your-fellow-democrats-and-watch-elec/ . You can also track down events using myBO; search for your area on this page: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_simple/ . Volunteers may still be needed for these events! Contact the event's organizer and let them know you're willing to help. (If you are turned away because they have plenty of volunteers, then they will have plenty of volunteers to feed! Show your support and bake or take snacks and other goodies for those staffing the event.)

Americans abroad can still have an impact on this election -- please take a couple hours over the next 1.5 days to ensure that a brighter day in American politics dawns on Nov. 5th!

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Obama Addresses UN General Assembly

By Christopher Ruggles - Sep 24th, 2008 at 10:06 am EDT

Also listed in: AAFO HQ Blog | Americans Abroad for Obama | Americans in China for Obama '08

Statement of Barack Obama on the Opening of United Nations’ General Assembly
Tuesday, September 23, 2008

“I welcome the opening of the United Nations' 63rd General Assembly. This gathering of heads of state and delegations from 192 nations presents an important opportunity to focus on global challenges ranging from terrorism and nuclear weapons, to climate change and the food crisis. It should serve as an opportunity to renew the UN’s founding commitment to peace and human rights – not as a forum for Iran’s President to air his hateful views.

The United Nations is an important vehicle for us to share global burdens and costs. Over the last year, the UN’s relief agencies helped stave off famine and disease in Burma, Haiti, and elsewhere. We have seen more than 100,000 UN blue helmets help keep the peace in some 18 missions around the world. And we have seen the UN Security Council finally vote to impose more stringent measures on Iran to punish its ongoing pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Unfortunately, we have also seen the polarization and paralysis of the United Nations. The UN Human Rights Council loses its credibility when it issues 29 resolutions condemning democratic Israel, while remaining silent on the abuses carried out by Zimbabwe. The UN Security Council rightly authorized a larger peacekeeping presence for Darfur, but UN member states have largely failed to make the necessary troop and logistical contributions. In the face of Russia’s recent aggression – a clear violation of the UN Charter – the UN Security Council failed to act decisively.

We need to learn from these mistakes. As a first step, we should be united in rejecting and strongly condemning Iranian President Ahmadinejad’s denial of the Holocaust, support for terrorism, and pursuit of nuclear weapons. All member states should make plain that there is no place in the community of nations for his outrageous and offensive views. Now is the time for the international community to be united in condemning anti-Semitism and terrorism. Now is the time for Iran to accept the EU3+3 offer, or face increased pressure.

Strong, effective alliances and partnerships are not a luxury – they are a necessity in effectively confronting global challenges like terrorism, nuclear proliferation, climate change, pandemics, extreme poverty, and genocide. As President, I will restore our alliances and partnerships that have been so badly strained these last eight years, and engage in the kind of tough and principled diplomacy that is necessary to advance our interests.

It’s time for America to use our influence to reform and shape the United Nations so that it functions efficiently and accountably, and can better shoulder the burdens of pressing global challenges. We all have an interest in achieving this result so that the UN can help advance the common security and common humanity of the world.”

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TIme Is Running Out! Regional Field Directors Are There to Help

By Christopher Ruggles - Sep 19th, 2008 at 10:41 am EDT

Also listed in: AAFO HQ Blog | Americans Abroad for Obama | Americans in China for Obama '08

With only 47 days left, our efforts abroad are in high gear and we need your help!

Time is running out to request your absentee ballot so you can vote in November. It only takes a few minutes to complete at www.VoteFromAbroad.org/11. Please go there and request your ballot NOW! Make sure you voice is heard in this historic election!

Also, all across the world we are phonebanking Americans abroad to make sure they have requested their absentee ballots. We need your help to ensure that we get through our list of voters! Please email your Regional Field Director if you are interested in helping- it is very easy and important! In this election, every vote counts!

Below is the complete list of regional staff. **Please note that we have added five new field staffers since our last email** Reach out to your appropriate staff member with any questions you have regarding registering to vote, requesting your absentee ballot, or getting involved with Americans Abroad for Obama in your community. With only a few weeks left for Americans abroad to request their ballots, we need everyone's help!

Below are the names, contact information and regional assignment of our Regional Field Directors:

Eastern Canada: Will Fripp, frippw@dnc.org
Western Canada: Kim Burkhardt, burkhardtk@dnc.org
Guadalajara area of Mexico: Tim Whiting, whitingt@dnc.org
All other parts of Mexico: Nick Moreno, morenon@dnc.org
UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, and South Africa: Karin Robinson, robinsonkj@dnc.org
Francophone Europe and North Africa: Christine Houben, houbenc@dnc.org
Spain, Italy, Israel, Portugal and sub-Saharan Africa: Bob Barad, baradb@dnc.org
Greece, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Cyprus, UAE area- Elina Mihalaki, mihalakie@dnc.org
Germanophone and Central/Eastern Europe: Hilary Bown, bownh@dnc.org
Australia, Philippines, and New Zealand: Carmelan Polce, polcec@dnc.org
Northern Asia: Terri Macmillan, macmillant@dnc.org
Southeast Asia: Chang Chiu, chiuc@dnc.org
India & Nepal: Shelli Koffman, koffmans@dnc.org
Central/South America, Caribbean: Zak Schwarzman, schwarzmanz@dnc.org

This is a grass roots effort that begins with individuals just like you. We need your involvement! Please reach out to your assigned staffer and get involved with this historic campaign in your community TODAY! We have no time to lose!

Thank you all for your continuing support!

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New Obama videos available in Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, and Captioned

By Michael Novak - Sep 16th, 2008 at 8:06 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Hi everyone,

We just posted two videos that you might want to use. They are available both on our website at www.captionedmediaforobama.com, and also on Youtube Channel captionedforobama.

Dave Stewart's An American Prayer video is now available captioned, and with bilingual subtitles in Spanish, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, and Japanese. It's a great song by Dave. His main site for the song is at www.myamericanprayer.com
Barack's acceptance speech in Denver is now available with complete captioning. No translation yet, but just the captioning makes it much easier to understand for a lot of people.

If anyone wants to help with translation, we would love to have you contribute. I went to the opening of the San francisco offices for his campaign, and the level of energy was off the charts! So let's do what we can so that all voters can be reached by his message and leadership. All the best, Michael NovakCaptionedmediaforobama

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Get Out the Vote in China!

By Christopher Ruggles - Sep 16th, 2008 at 2:13 pm EDT

Also listed in: AAFO HQ Blog | Americans Abroad for Obama | Americans in China for Obama '08

* * * BARACK THE VOTE THIS WEEK!
US voters in China are strongly encouraged to register/request an absentee ballot by September 20th. (State deadlines vary.) Over 3,000 local election officials are dealing with record demand this year. Get your registration in! Get an FPCA form from the US embassy or consulate near you, or use a web tool like www.VoteFromAbroad.org/9.

* * * COME TO A VOTER REGISTRATION EVENT!
We can help you fill out the FPCA form request, print and mail your registration in.

TODAY! TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16
+ Beijing: 4-9P @ The Bridge Cafe, Wudaokou, Haidian District. (1, Bldg 12, Huaqingjiayuan, Chengfu Lu. West of Wudaokou subway station). Contact Brian USVoteHaidian@gmail.com. 13801019104.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17
+ Beijing: 4-9P @ The Bridge Cafe, Wudaokou, Haidian District. (1, Bldg 12, Huaqingjiayuan, Chengfu Lu. West of Wudaokou subway station). Contact Brian USVoteHaidian@gmail.com. 13801019104.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 18
+ Beijing: 7P-Midnight @ The Saddle Cantina, Sanlitun (Big orange building just south of 3.3 mall. 81 Sanlitun North Bar Street, West end of the inner courtyard of Beijing Nali Huayuan). Contact Alex USVoteBeijing@gmail.com. Beijing cell: 13146911013.
+ Shanghai: Contact David USVoteShanghai@gmail.com. Shanghai cell: 15801879271.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20
+ Beijing: 1-5P @ The Bookworm, Sanlitun. (4 Sanlitun Nan Jie). Contact Ada USVoteChina@gmail.com. Beijing cell: 13641003762.
+ Shanghai: Contact David USVoteShanghai@gmail.com. Shanghai cell: 15801879271.
+ Guangzhou: 2-5PM. Voter registration phone banking. Private location. Contact Dana USVoteGuangzhou@gmail.com. Guangzhou cell: 13725213679.

* * * BARACK THE VOTE FROM HOME OR WORK
WWW.VOTEFROMABROAD.ORG/9

Go to: www.VoteFromAbroad.org/9 and follow the instructions to securely generate both an FPCA (Federal Post Card Application), and the back-up ballot, a FWAB (Federal Write in Ballot), appropriate for your local election office -- all in an PDF file you can save and print.

Download, print and save the resulting PDF file, and sign and mail in the FPCA on Page 4 to both register and request an absentee ballot. Some states allow fax transmission of the FPCA -- however, this must always be followed up with the mailed in, signed original for your vote to be counted.

Hang on to the FWAB portion of the PDF until October 5th. If you have not received your regular ballot by then, fill it out, sign and mail it in. The FWAB can only be used if you are already have registration/ballot request on file for this year. * * * Be sure to double-envelope your absentee ballot when mailing --- write "SECURITY ENVELOPE" on the inside envelope. This is to protect the privacy of your ballot during handling.

VoteFromAbroad is a voter registration tool developed by Democrats Abroad in compliance with strict EU privacy laws. No information about you is retained or shared with anyone, unless you opt in.

For voter assistance from the Obama campaign in China or from Democrats Abroad, please contact USVoteChina@gmail.com, macmillant@dnc.org, or demsasiapacificvc@yahoo.com.

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Stay Tuned to BarackTV

By Christopher Ruggles - Sep 8th, 2008 at 6:05 pm EDT

Also listed in: AAFO HQ Blog | Americans Abroad for Obama | Americans in China for Obama '08

Did you miss Barack's acceptance speech? Another convention speech? An earlier speech? For Americans living around the globe across time zones and with varied TV access, it can be hard to catch the speeches live. The campaign has made it easier by posting many speeches online at BarackTV.

You can find the speeches directly at this link: http://www.barackobama.com/tv/

Also, if you would like to save a speech and burn it to CD, there are detailed instructions online at: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/video_download_howto_r/

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Meet Your Regional Field Director: Chang Chiu

By Christopher Ruggles - Sep 8th, 2008 at 2:17 pm EDT

Also listed in: AAFO HQ Blog | Americans Abroad for Obama | Americans in China for Obama '08

Chang Chiu, Regional Field Director for South East Asia, is a former corporate lawyer now consulting in Jakarta on political risk analysis and corporate social responsibility issues, but working full time for Obama until Election Day. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and Princeton University. This is his second stint as an expat, having lived in Beijing from 1999 to 2001 and the past year in Indonesia.

Chang says he began to listen to what Obama was saying after Iowa,

“but it was after the South Carolina primary that I was a 100% supporter of Barack. I liked his message and saw that he could inspire even the most politically apathetic among us to care about where our country is headed.”

“My most persuasive Obama sales pitch is in talking about foreign policy. Expats have a keen ear for knowing how to best approach other nations and Obama comes across quite favorably in how he says his presidency would engage other nations.”

Regarding other Americans living abroad, Chang says,

“I've learned that there is a lot of enthusiasm for Obama out there, and a willingness to help finding new voters.”

Chang says his job as a Regional Field Director demands

“quick email turnaround, clarity in emails, good phone skills, jugglers' skills in engaging with all of the committed volunteers across the region, a loving and understanding spouse who is a committed Obama supporter (not exactly a skill, but necessary nevertheless), and a dependable piece of luggage to get me around.”

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Watch Parties across China!

By Christopher Ruggles - Aug 28th, 2008 at 12:13 pm EDT

Also listed in: AAFO HQ Blog | Americans Abroad for Obama | Americans in China for Obama '08

All across China on Friday, August 29, at 10 AM local time there will be parties to watch Obama's historic acceptance speech. If you can't make the Watch Party, check out CNN Asia or www.demconvention.com

COME TO A WATCH PARTY!

* * * BEIJING

LIVE! OBAMA SPEECH WATCH, HAIDIAN Come watch Obama's
acceptance speech for his party's nomination for US
President LIVE at 10AM! Also: major speeches from
Michelle, Joe, Hillary, Bill, Teddy and Al, as time
permits. BRUNCH from 9A-Noon -- 20% off All
Breakfasts. HAPPY HOUR from 5P-8P -- 15 RMB Qingdao
Beer. The Bridge Cafe, Wudaokou location (100 meters
southwest of Wudaokou Station, 8286-7026 for
directions). For details contact Brian at
USVoteHaidian@gmail.com.

OBAMA SPEECH WATCH, CHAOYANG US Citizens! Come watch
Obama's acceptance speech for his party's nomination
for US President. RMB 160, Private function from 7P-10P
at the Blue Frog, Sanlitun. For details please contact Auria
at USVoteBeijing@gmail.com.

* * * SHANGHAI

LIVE! OBAMA SPEECH WATCH SHANGHAI Come watch Obama's
acceptance speech for his party's nomination for US
President LIVE at 10AM! Malone's American Cafe
(Tongren Lu Location). near Nanjing Xi Lu, Metro Line 2
Jing'an Temple Station. 9:30A-11:30A -
Second Floor. Brunch available from 10:30A.
Happy Hour from 5P-8P - Third Floor. Watch Obama's and other
major speeches from the DNC. For details contact David
@ USVoteShanghai@gmail.com.

* * * GUANGZHOU

OBAMA SPEECH WATCH GUANGZHOU Attention US
Citizens! Come watch Barack Obama's acceptance speech
for his party's nomination for US President. 6PM. For location
details contact Dana at 1372 521 3679, USvoteGuangzhou@gmail.com

AND: For those who will be in Hong Kong on tomorrow morning

* * * HONGKONG

CONVENTION WATCH/HELP OBAMA WIN!
Come Join us watch the Democratic National Convention on CNN
8:30A - 10:30 am. Legends, Two Exchange Place, 49/F
Contact Assistant Field Director for Hong Kong, Edith Terry, for more information at
eterry@mindspring.com.

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Indonesia to India! (Even More Supporters Gather for the Acceptance)

By Christopher Ruggles - Aug 27th, 2008 at 12:11 pm EDT

Also listed in: AAFO HQ Blog | Americans Abroad for Obama | Americans in China for Obama '08

Supporters have posted the following events in Indonesia and India. Please check earlier posts on this blog to see that supporters around the planet are tuned in to the Convention this week, and will be listening to Obama's historic acceptance speech.

Click on the below for event info:

Bali, Indonesia

Mumbai, India

Chennai, India

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More Convention Events Around the Globe

By Christopher Ruggles - Aug 26th, 2008 at 12:21 pm EDT

Also listed in: AAFO HQ Blog | Americans Abroad for Obama | Americans in China for Obama '08

Voters around the planet are coming together to support Obama! In addition to these below, please see previous post for other events. Or else contact your Regional Field Director to see what is on in your area. Tune in to hear Obama's acceptance!

Vientiane, Laos - Convention Watch Party with Phil Robertson, Chair of Democrats Abroad Thailand, Thursday, 28 August 2008, Sticky Fingers Restaurant, Second Floor, 6:30 - 9:00 PM, Democrats Abroad, Mekong/Isaan Area Chapter. Please call Robert Vanden Bosch for more information about the event: (020)7979242.

Kathmandu, Nepal - Convention Breakfast Watch Party - Gather at Ann & Brian Peniston's house on Friday morning at 8am to view Senator Obama's acceptance speech. We will have homemade pastries and strong coffee to keep you going the rest of the day. Please call or email Marcela at 9841517892/r2andmarcela@hotmail.com for directions. Friday, August 29, 8 am.

Kabul, Afghanistan. (un)Conventional Canapes and Cocktails (Convention Watch Party). Watch the convention and the much-anticipated speech by Barack Obama in front of 75,000 supporters in Denver, as he accepts the democratic nomination to be our next president, with your fellow Americans in Afghanistan for Obama. Same place as last. Bring your passport and credit card to make a donation. Regret US Passports only. For additions to the guest list please email: afghanistan4obama@gmail.com. Donations of Canapes and Libations encouraged. Casa Obama - Home of Chris and Susan (Kabul, Afghanistan) Taimani Street 6. Friday, August 29 at 5:00 PM.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Come watch Obama's acceptance speech Friday, August 29, 6:30-8:30pm! We're going to watch Senator Obama's acceptance speech pre-recorded from Invesco Field in Denver! Join other Democrats Abroad members at the home of Dana Doan. Please contact tmcrowley@hotmail.com for further info & directions!

Singapore. Democratic Convention Celebration (Convention Watch Party) Join Democrats Abroad, Lion City Committee (DALCC) members in a night of celebration as we watch speeches and coverage of the Democratic National Convention. This is an informal social event to enjoy the company of fellow Dems, celebrate our candidate, talk politics, and dream big for the future when Obama is in the White House! LOCATION: The Youth room is a little tricky to find -- best way to reach is to walk down the stairs by the pool. Look for the room with the mirrored walls and disco ball! CASH BAR: We need to cover the cost of the room through F&B purchases, so help out the cause and toast Obama with a drink! RSVP REQUIRED: All participants must RSVP (scmargolin@gmail.com) at least 48 hours before the event. We will provide attendance list to American Club for admittance. QUESTIONS? Contact Susie Margolin (scmargolin@gmail.com). Youth Room, American Club (Singapore, Singapore), 10 Claymore Hill, Singapore, Singapore. Friday, August 29 at 7:00 PM. Jakarta, Indonesia.

Jakarta, Indonesia Convention Watch Party (Convention Weekend of Action) Date: Friday, August 29, 2008 Place: Jl. Kemang Dalam No.6, H.2 (South East Asia Obama Campaign Headquarters, home of Catherine Chen and Chang Chiu, the Southeast Asia Regional Field Director) Time: 7 pm -10 pm Join to watch Sen. Barack Obama accept the Democratic nomination for President and give his historic speech in front of 75,000 people at Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado. The live speech will be at 9 am next Friday morning in Jakarta (10 pm EST in the U.S.) and we will rebroadcast it for our Jakarta Democratic Convention Watching Party on Friday night. Please come to share in the excitement and catch some of the momentum as the Obama campaign gears up for the final push for voter registration and absentee ballot request. There will be an opportunity to use the votefromabroad.org/10 website and a chance to answer questions about voter registration, absentee ballot request and receipt, and return of absentee ballots. There will also be a chance to sign up to volunteer for the Obama campaign in the next six weeks which are crucial toward securing victory in November. Limited amounts of food and drink will be provided. Please feel free to bring some to share. This is an open invitation. Please forward it through your networks and invite your friends and family. Please RSVP at chang.chiu@gmail.com. Donations always welcome! Directions: f coming from McDonald's on Kemang Raya, take left when you see the Amigo's sign. Go all the way down this road until you're almost at Hero. Take a right at the last flower stands. Go all the way down until the road ends and take a left. House is on this street, will be on your left. Look for the OBAMA signs!

New Delhi, India. DENVER IN DELHI - BE A PART OF HISTORY! You are invited to watch Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention (tape delay from Thursday night in Denver) WHEN: Friday night, August 29 8:00 pm Get ready with no-host drinks, dinner, snacks 9:00 pm Screening of speech. Then register to vote, buy Obama gear, celebrate! WHERE: Retro Sushi Restaurant in the Vasant Continental Hotel, Vasant Lok You can watch the speech on youtube, you could read about it in the paper, or you can come on out and watch history in the making with your friends and neighbors -- Join us! Free of charge and non-Americans welcome Donations gratefully accepted. Retro Sushi Restaurant in the Vasant Continental Hotel (New Delhi, India), Vasant Lok, New Delhi, India. Friday, August 29 at 8:00 PM.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Saturday, Aug. 30, 6:30 pm Watch Senator Barack Obama speak to the Democratic National Convention on the big screen. Then following the speech, join fellow U.S. citizens and others to talk politics and find out how to register to vote in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Special drink prices and other good stuff! Bring a friend! Further info: 012 949 421 or 023 430 264 Email: DemsAbroadKH@gmail.com Sponsored by: Democrats Abroad In Cambodia. Foreign Correspondents Club (Phnom Penh, Cambodia), FCC Phnom Penh, #363 Sisowath Quay, Corner of Street 178.

Chiang Mai, Thailand. Friday, August 29, watch Obama's speech live at TBA. Please contact Steve at: stevenjayepstein@yahoo.com for more details.

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By Christopher Ruggles - Aug 25th, 2008 at 12:11 pm EDT

Also listed in: AAFO HQ Blog | Americans Abroad for Obama | Americans in China for Obama '08

Regardless what other polls may be reporting, Barack Obama is ahead in national polls among REGISTERED VOTERS. The implications are clear. Increase the voter registration rolls and multiply the votes for Barack Obama.

Obama for America Regional Field Directors throughout the world recognize that Convention Week is a great hook for snaring eligible voters living abroad. Here are some of the events they are planning, all of which involve aggressive outreach.

The timing is fortuitous: September is “change over month” when fresh employees will be taking up posts at US firms overseas, and their families will become active at schools, clubs and houses of worship in their hosts countries.
Regional Directors need your help promoting these events among the new arrivals.

Ada Shen in China has posted the following event her listserv.
Come attend a Speech Watch Party in Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou for live coverage
during the day, and/or cable news coverage in the evening! (Attendance is limited to US Citizens.)

• Beijing, Haidian District - for details contact Brian at USvoteHaidian@gmail.com
• Beijing, Chaoyang District - for details contact Auria at USvoteBeijing@gmail.com
• Shanghai - for details contact David at USvoteShanghai@gmail.com
• Guangzhou - for details contact Dana at USvoteGuangzhou@gmail.com
Add your city or your favorite watering hole to the list! To host an event in
your area, please contact Ada at USvoteChina@gmail.com.

Karin Robinson (UK, Scandinavia and South Africa Regional Field Director) has offered to host an acceptance speech watch party on Friday night for those volunteers who spend three hours or more canvassing for eligible voters in London. RSVP robinsonkj@dnc.org

Ireland: Join Democrats Abroad and Obama supporters on August 29th from
6:00PM at O'Neill's Pub on Suffolk Street for live convention phone ins
and to watch convention highlights.

Sweden: Live from the convention, on Thursday August 28th join Democrats
Abroad Sweden for a live convention watch and phone in with Sweden's own
convention blogger Adrienne George. At the Hard Rock cafe from 6:00 PM -
RSVP to events@democratsabroad.se

Paris, France:
Next week is the Democratic National Convention. Although there will be
lots of great speeches in the Pepsi Center, everyone is looking forward
to one: Obama's acceptance speech. This speech is going to be so BIG
that it will be at the Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium which can hold
75,000 people.

This is an event not to be missed.

As such, come join other like-minded individuals and watch it.

Of course, Obama won't be accepting the nomination until 9 PM EST
Thursday night which, unfortunately is 3 AM Paris time, Friday morning.

Due to technical problems, we haven't finalized the venue yet but will
know by Tuesday and will send out another email. Both candidates,
though, are centrally located

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

DA Australia is hosting functions to view the 2008 Democratic National
Convention speeches at not one but two great locations!!

On Tues 26 Aug, Wed 27 Aug and Thurs 29 Aug you can join Obama
supporters to watch speeches live from the floor of the 2008 DNC at
either of these 2 venues:

1. The Agincourt Hotel, Restaurant on level 2

Corner of Harris Street and Broadway, Broadway

TVs in the Level 2 Restaurant will be tuned to CNN from 11am. Come and
have a great pub lunch and watch the speeches live. Voter registration
information will be available and Obama merchandise will be available
for sale.

The Agincourt wil not be broadcasting Day 4 (Friday 29 Aug) of the
Convention which features Barack Obama's Acceptance Speech. The Manning
Bar at Sydney Uni will broadcast the Day 4 Acceptance Speech and play
host to a day of festivities around the event.

2. Jacksons On George, Absolute Bar (level 3)

George Street at Alfred St, Sydney CBD

Climb your way up to Level 3 to watch the speeches live in the Absolute
Bar from 10am. Order your lunch, sit back and be inspired! Voter
registration information will be available and Obama merchandise will be
on sale.

Jacksons on George will broadcast Day 4 of the convention as well.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Democratic National Convention Highlights Replay

Time and Place Date: Saturday, August 30, 2008
Time: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Queensbury Hotel
Street: 593 Swanston Street
City/Town: Melbourne, Australia
View MapGoogleMapQuestMicrosoftYahoo
Contact Info Email: cknowlton@gmail.com

Description
Join Democrats Abroad Australia and Barack Obama National Convention.

THE PHILIPPINES

Obama Acceptance Speech Party

Friday, 29 August, 5:15-7:15pm: Obama Acceptance Speech Party – Meet at
TGI Friday’s Restaurant, on High Street, Fort Bonifacio to hear David
McCauley speak from his vantage as an Obama family friend about the
candidate’s Asian and Pacific roots and world view, and then to view
Obama’s speech given earlier in the day to an audience of 75,000 in
Denver. Food included (but not drinks) with a minimum donation of P1500
to support the voter registration efforts of Democrats
Abroad-Philippines.

ALSO -

Wellington, NZ - probably a House Party gathering to watch a replay of
the DVD from Melbourne

Auckland, NZ - probably a gathering in a local pub/restaurant for
AUCKLAND FOR OBAMA supporter group

Brisbane, QLD, Australia - probabaly a House Party gathering to watch a
replay of the DVD from Melbourne

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Regional Field Directors Assigned around the Globe!

By Christopher Ruggles - Aug 24th, 2008 at 1:19 pm EDT

Also listed in: AAFO HQ Blog | Americans Abroad for Obama | Americans in China for Obama '08

Dear Americans Abroad for Obama,

We have some exciting news! We are pleased to welcome to the Americans
Abroad team a committed group of Regional Field Directors based in
several locations all
around the world. Please reach out to your appropriate staff member with
any questions you have regarding registering to vote, requesting your
absentee ballot, or getting involved with Americans Abroad for Obama in
your community.

Below are the names, contact information and regional assignment of our
Regional Field Directors:

Mexico: Nick Moreno, morenon@dnc.org

Canada: Will Fripp, frippw@dnc.org

UK, Scandinavia, and South Africa: Karin Robinson, robinsonkj@dnc.org

Francophone Europe and North Africa: Christine Houben, houbenc@dnc.org

Mediterranean, the Levant and sub-Saharan Africa: Bob Barad,
baradb@dnc.org

Germanophone and Central/Eastern Europe: Hilary Bown, bownh@dnc.org
Pacific Basin: Carmelan Polce, polcec@dnc.org

Northern Asia: Terri Macmillan, macmillant@dnc.org

Southeast Asia: Chang Chiu, chiuc@dnc.org

Central/South America: TBA very soon, please check back with the blog shortly!

This is a grass roots effort that begins with individuals just like you.
We need your involvement! Please reach out to your assigned staffer and
get involved with this historic campaign in your community TODAY!

We also remind you to register for your absentee ballot
NOW: http://www.votefromabroad.org/

Finally, we sincerely thank all of you who have already made significant
contributions -- through
fundraising, the hosting of events, canvassing, blogging, and all of
your other efforts. We hope you continue your involvement with this
campaign... we cannot do it
without you!

Thank you for your continuing support,

Kim Reed
Executive Director, Americans Abroad for Obama

Ali Sutton
Field Director, Americans Abroad for Obama

Daniel Dozier
International Finance Director

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ALARM: REMIND OBAMA TEAM TO COUNTER ALL ATTACKS MORE CONSISTENTLY

By French-Eddy (Taiwan) - Aug 20th, 2008 at 12:37 pm EDT

Also listed in: 8 groups

I know: the Campaign knows what to do, and when.

Who am I to suggest them anything?

But these last 3 weeks or so, in spite of the great trip of Obama abroad, he is loosing some ground when he should be gaining ground.

This is very well summarized in the blog of Rachel Weiner, (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/19/progressives-sound-alarms_n_119843.html

Not only the "progressives" but almost everyone is alarmed!

Some say the campaign maybe be in a bubble, the High Way. High moral grounds is great for sure, but it does not work what so ever to succeed against the like of Rove and McCain.

Some say it's is not in Obama DNA to fight (David Girden).

Those who believe that the Obama campaign should be reminded to counter more efficiently the twisted attacks of McCain, and also attack his so called strong point, are encourage to do so!

WRITE INCESSANTLY TO THE CAMPAIGN TO REMIND WE ARE IN A STATE OF ALARM; ACTION NEEDED.

You can also encourage the Campaign to ORGANIZE BETTER ITS SURROGATES so that the messages are repeated and their truth is finally accepted by the electorate (simple middle class) that is more difficult to convince because they are in prejudiced environment.

As a good example of what has to be said can be found recently in "Mc Cain is not putting the country first, he is putting the interest of oil companies first." (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/19/vilsack-mccain-puts-oil-f_n_119878.html).

This can be turned in a simple slogan that people will get in their mind. The Campaign should continuously work on it.

Also just recently was recalled a story from a veteran POW companion of McCain wo said he was no thing specail there and that being a POW did not qualify him for anything. I can remember the name of the guy, but it is a very good story that goes to the core of so called McCain strong points. In addition this guy said that McCain easily get out of control. Very dangerous.

Wesley Clark also said something similar : crashing 5 air planes is not a special qualification. A pity this was kind of played down by the campaign. They seemed afraid. McCain is not afraid to accuse Obama of near treason: he wants to loose. He prefers to loose a war than an election.

Family values: I care that Obama & Michelle are good parents. It's a good example for the nation. What he told about being a responsible father was great. Why not to speak more of McCain first wife story, abandoned when no more attractive? Why not to follow up on the story of the abandon sister of Cindy McCain. What a pattern!

There are many other stories and items like this. This defines the personality of McCain. Why not to put them clear out there?

To be more complete, some people think Obama should continue to keep his cool: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post_edit/_new/Q9Cpm

Good reading too. His conclusion is a bit mixed.

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Americans in North Asia for Obama

By Marc - Aug 19th, 2008 at 5:26 am EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

We are getting out the vote in this part of the world! Please pass this on .

http://www.americansinnorthasiaforobama.com

Marc Wathen

Hong Kong

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Book Gifts for Obama

By French-Eddy (Taiwan) - Aug 1st, 2008 at 11:40 pm EDT

Also listed in: 8 groups

A good "triangulation" I am trying to put together soon:

It came ot my mind as I noticed a blog (Friends of Barack Obama in Hong Kong) sells Obama butons --the price of which (or profit) is sent to the campaing.

This gave me the idea to do the same with my book: The "Cang Jie input method", which method is very used in HKG and Taiwan and by many students of the Chinese language everywhere.

The price of the book will be 10$. I think it will have to be sent to the campaign, but there must be a mechanisme that informs me that the payment has been done. I don't know yet how this mechanisme works. Shall I open a "Fund Raising section"?

My Price: is a double discount: Cover price is 25$, my usual selling price is 15$; I will make it at 10$ for interested Obama supporters. I will also renounce the "handling fee" of 5$ per mailing. So any buyers saves at least 15$/book). Note that I don't make one single $, and that I throw in my writing and printing cost and the time to mail the book. And I am happy like that.

People has to pay 10$ to the campaign. They also have to pay the cost of mail. I will make a list of the mailing cost for the USA, Europe, Asia). I have to receive this in my Paypal account. But for Taiwan buyers I will pay myself the mailing costs.
The book could include a post card of Obama.
By the way ... the book is excelent, but the input method, grafic and not phonetic, is not as easy as pinyin. (But much much more interesting!).

What do you think?

Do you know of any other "blog, group" doing something similar? (I mean "triangulation"). Thanks. Eddy

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Welcome to the Blog of Americans Abroad!

By Christopher Ruggles - Jul 16th, 2008 at 5:11 pm EDT

Also listed in: AAFO HQ Blog | Americans Abroad for Obama | Americans in China for Obama '08

Dear Americans Abroad,

Welcome to the Americans Abroad Blog! This is your opportunity to help show the world how Americans around the world support Obama.   As Americans living overseas, we have a unique perspective on how Obama’s election will help build not only America’s competitiveness in the world, but also will restore America’s image and standing in the eyes of the world.

We invite you to participate in this historical campaign from wherever in the world you are.   This campaign is a grassroots effort, and Obama’s election depends on the voices of Americans. Have your voice heard and help Obama win the Presidency!

It’s very simple to have your voice heard around the world, and to participate from wherever you are.   Please get involved.

How can you be heard? Here are a few ways:

Your content. Send comments, photos, stories of interest, articles of interest, or video links to expats@barackobama.com.
Your story. Set up your profile at www.my.barackobama.com and tell us why you support Obama. Your story is an important part of this election, and we would like to tell it in the blog.
Your blog. Start your own blog! Sign into your profile at www.my.barackobama.com and blog away. Post your own opinions, articles, and photos. This is your own space and you can voice your own thoughts and opinion on issues important to the campaign. If you would like particular posts of your own highlighted on the Americans Abroad blog, simply bring them to the attention of expats@barackobama.com.

Thank you so much for all you have already done to help win this campaign. Please stay engaged from wherever you are and put your voice out there!

Thank you for your help and support.

Yes we can!

Chris
Volunteer for Americans Abroad

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New Discussion Group for Democrats Worldwide

By Carole@www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com - Jun 24th, 2008 at 12:27 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Hi!!

Do you know about the new discussion group for people around the world?

Democrats_Worldwide - has members in Afghanistan, Thailand, Serbia, Korea, England, France....Virgin Islands, etc.

If you are an American away from the U.S., please come talk.

This is not a typical chatlist. It's for intelligent conversation with Democrats. No personal attacks are allowed. Not too many messages, we have 57 members.

Democrats_Worldwide-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

If you are outside the U.S., please come talk to other Democrats out of the U.S.

Democrats_Worldwide-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Looking forward to meeting you!

Carole

www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com

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