Organizing for America | Barack the Kitchen

Barack the Kitchen

We're going to create a cookbook with recipes from supporters, and hopefully Barack and Michelle. This is in the beginning stages, and the group is being set up to organize the effort.

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Count your vote, Make it count

By Duane Kuehn - Nov 3rd, 2008 at 12:59 pm EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

Hi All,

     Election Day is upon us, then we can go back to regular commercials on television.
     Congratulations, it appears that everyone's hard work will surely "pay-off".

    Unfortunately, one major problem remains unaddressed and appears to be worse this year, more widespread, than the 2004 election. Vote Fraud. Not, mind you, voter fraud, but computer dysfunction, hacking, and even built in "flip" voting.

     Do we remember the 2004 election? All the networks declared John Kerry the winner, except Fox News. As the very important Florida votes came in, Fox News declared George Bush the winner. The other networks checked their own figures and "gosh darn" George Bush was the winner. How did that happen, all the other networks somehow had the wrong figures, or more exactly, suddenly those figures "flipped".

     Later, December 2004, a man named Clint Curtis testified under oath before the House Judiciary Committee on vote fraud.

      http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/465.html

     Mr. Curtis testified that he worked for Yang Enterprises Incorporated (which proudly proclaims on its site, "To provide high quality engineering and computer services for both the government and private industries"). Clint Curtis testified under oath that he was approached to create and did create a program that would “flip” a percentage of the votes to the other candidate. I hope you will click the link and watch the full video (from a movie insert but apparently the true testimony)

     The House Judiciary Committee did find vote "flipping" in the Presidential election of 2004. One "hint" of this happening is the flicker on the screen. The program which Curtis mentions, however, does not "flip" as the individual votes, a person flips a specific percentage of the votes after the voting is finished. Did the 2004 Florida vote “flip” at the last minute? We the People should be very worried.

     Already, some machines are showing flickers, many called “over or under sensitive screen problems etc. This is not some programmer or screen-maker error. This could easily be resolved in programming, why was it not done. We like to believe in honesty, especially in the election process, however, it is just no longer feasible to believe this.

     Like it or not, we need to take back our country, "change from the ground-upward" as we have been told. Our politicians will do nothing to address this problem but "We the People" will, in order to KEEP this more perfect Union more perfect!

     Election Day, Tuesday November 4, 2008, I plan to go to my appointed voting place, vote and stay there, all day if I must.

     I will take with me a large cardboard box having a hole cut in the top. I will take thousands of slips of scratch paper and a gang of pencils. Staying at least 25 feet from the building entrance, I will ask voters to please write "M" or "McCain or "O" or "Obama" on a slip and put it, unseen, into the box.

     Explaining that this is an anonymous gathering of the votes to check with the computer totals at this precinct to make sure there is no large difference between the ballots cast inside and the intended receiver of that individual vote. The ballot is the private business of the individual voter but the total of votes cast and for whom is important to keep the system honest.

     I will wear no campaign materials, this is not for campaigning, supporters are to take the day off, says Obama. You deserve that.

     This situation, however, demands our time. We are doing this for the honesty of this election and the protection of future elections in this country. If the other candidate wins in our individual districts, one need not be happy but we know that we are able to accept what comes.

     We are much stronger than to tamper with the paper trail we are creating in our individual districts. Tampering, with our own totals, will only do us harm and is out of the question. This is for the future voting rights of all Americans.

     I am inviting anyone to volunteer for this with me. Regardless of political affiliation, color, creed, etc. This is for the nation at large, not for our individual egos. Wherever you live, gather and do your individual precincts.

     I hope you will join me in this. Some may scoff at me but I do not care, this very Democracy deserves my time. Be it alone all day, I wholly plan to do this.
     I hope that you will do the same at your precincts. We have come too far to trust this election to others. Nobody will watch out for us, We must take action. If the results are true, then great. If the results are incorrect and we have done nothing, we get what we get, like it or not.

     For input or more information please contact me at   de-wah@usa.com
Loveya,
Duane Kuehn

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An honest ballot

By Duane Kuehn - Oct 31st, 2008 at 10:43 am EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Hi All,

     What a long and sometime tumultuous ride we have had! I am so proud of this country because of fellow people like you. We are America.

     Of course, it is not over yet. I figure that I cannot just sit home and not vote on Tuesday, because I think it is going to be a "win". Lol I know that I have to keep on others to keep them motivated to go out and vote, for sure. One way is to offer rides to others, especially the elderly, but anyone.

     Frankly, an admittance, me bad, I know that there have been voting days when I just had to force myself to go out and vote because I just plain didn't feel like driving to the polling place. What always forced me to go is that I know if I do not vote, then I have nothing to say about the outcome. Now, we have to contend with gas prices so I will have to fill my tank (which I can surely not afford) and offer to drive others to the polls.

     Nevertheless, I see a greater problem here. I am most worried about voter fraud. Computers with too sensitive touch screens (this has to be rigged, as there are too many 'double check's which can be programmed which have not been). From the 2004 gaffs to next Tuesday's vote, I am afraid and I am sure I have a right to be.

     I believe everyone should be afraid, after what we have seen in the past few elections. One county with around 500 registered voters allegedly posted around 5000 votes for George Bush! There should never be a ballot without a paper trail; this is just plain sense.

     I am now thinking (do not laugh, I do that sometimes) that I might take a box or a few boxes, a few thousand slips of paper and some pencils to the local polling place. That I would try to sit at the polling place all day and ask voters leaving the booths that they please write, privately, for whom they voted and stick it into the box(s?).

     Later, after the polling is over, I would count those slips and check to see if there is any big difference between my count, my averages, and the election results posted by the voting precinct I was at all day.

     Now, I am wondering, what if this happened at local polling places all across the country. Is it possible, a People’s Paper Trail to keep tabs on the big boys?

     All of you have created and maintained a wondrous grassroots campaign. I will bet you can do the same to make sure this is a clean election.

     Is anyone else interested in such a thing? It does not have to be fancy but it is something we can do to watchdog our election.

Loveya,
Duane Kuehn

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Barack Helps A Stranded Stranger

By Dr. Barbara Palmer - Oct 30th, 2008 at 1:38 pm EDT

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You be the judge. No position on http://www.snopes.com/ http://tinyurl.com/3en2hu A Stranded Stranger The Norwegian newspaper VG has reported a truly amazing story about a newly-wed trying to get to Norway to be with her husband, and the stranger who helped pay an unexpected luggage surcharge. The blog 'Leisha's Random Thoughts' has translated the story. It was 1988, and Mary Andersen was at the Miami airport checking in for a long flight to Norway to be with her husband when the airline representative informed her that she wouldn't be able to check her luggage without paying a 100 surcharge: When it was finally Mary's turn, she got the message that would crush her bubbling feeling of happiness. -You'll have to pay a 103 dollar surcharge if you want to bring both those suitcases to Norway, the man behind the counter said. Mary had no money. Her new husband had travelled ahead of her to Norway, and she had no one else to call. I was completely desperate and tried to think which of my things I could manage without. But I had already made such a careful selection of my most prized possessions, says Mary. As tears streamed down her face, she heard a 'gentle and friendly voice' behind her saying, 'That's okay, I'll pay for her.' Mary turned around to see a tall man whom she had never seen before. He had a gentle and kind voice that was still firm and decisive. The first thing I thought was, who is this man? Although this happened 20 years ago, Mary still remembers the authority that radiated from the man. -He was nicely dressed, fashionably dressed with brown leather shoes, a cotton shirt open at the throat and khaki pants, says Mary. She was thrilled to be able to bring both her suitcases to Norway and assured the stranger that he would get his money back. The man wrote his name and address on a piece of paper that he gave to Mary. She thanked him repeatedly. When she finally walked off towards the security checkpoint, he waved goodbye to her. Who was the man? Barack Obama. Twenty years later, she is thrilled that the friendly stranger at the airport may be the next President and has voted for him already and donated 100 dollars to his campaign: He was my knight in shining armor, says Mary, smiling. She paid the 103 dollars back to Obama the day after she arrived in Norway. At that time he had just finished his job as a poorly paid community worker* in Chicago, and had started his law studies at prestigious Harvard university. Mary even convinced her parents to vote for him: In the spring of 2006 Mary's parents had heard that Obama was considering a run for president, but that he had still not decided. They chose to write a letter in which they told him that he would receive their votes. At the same time, they thanked Obama for helping their daughter 18 years earlier. And Obama replied: In a letter to Mary's parents dated May 4th, 2006 and stamped United States Senate, Washington DC, Barack Obama writes: I want to thank you for the lovely things you wrote about me and for reminding me of what happened at Miami airport. I'm happy I could help back then, and I'm delighted to hear that your daughter is happy in Norway. Please send her my best wishes. Sincerely, Barack Obama, United States senator. The parents sent the letter on to Mary. Mary says that when her friends and associates talk about the election, especially when race relations is the heated subject, she relates the story of the kind man who helped out a stranger-in-need over twenty years ago, years before he had even thought about running for high office. Original Norwegian newspaper article: http://tinyurl.com/3g59z6

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Senator Barack Obama warned Ben Bernanke and Henry Paulson of these risky moves unregulated since March 22, 2007

By Prosy - Sep 24th, 2008 at 5:50 pm EDT

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Below is the letter from Senator Barack Obama to Ben Bernanke and Henry Paulson dated March 22, 2007. Senator Obama saw this coming, why was this ignored and why wasn't it reported upon? March 22, 2007

The Honorable Ben Bernanke
Chairman
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
20th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20551

The Honorable Henry Paulson
Secretary
U.S. Department of Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, D.C. 20220

Dear Chairman Bernanke and Secretary Paulson,

There is grave concern in low-income communities about a potential coming wave of foreclosures. Because regulators are partly responsible for creating the environment that is leading to rising rates of home foreclosure in the subprime mortgage market, I urge you immediately to convene a homeownership preservation summit with leading mortgage lenders, investors, loan servicing organizations, consumer advocates, federal regulators and housing-related agencies to assess options for private sector responses to the challenge.

We cannot sit on the sidelines while increasing numbers of American families face the risk of losing their homes. And while neither the government nor the private sector acting alone is capable of quickly balancing the important interests in widespread access to credit and responsible lending, both must act and act quickly. ( underscoring is mine. )

Working together, the relevant private sector entities and regulators may be best positioned for quick and targeted responses to mitigate the danger. Rampant foreclosures are in nobody's interest, and I believe this is a case where all responsible industry players can share the objective of eliminating deceptive or abusive practices, preserving homeow nership, and stabilizing housing markets.

The summit should consider best practice loan marketing, underwriting, and origination practices consistent with the recent (and overdue) regulators' Proposed Statement on Subprime Mortgage Lending. The summit participants should also evaluate options for independent loan counseling, voluntary loan restructuring, limited forbearance, and other possible workout strategies. I would also urge you to facilitate a serious conversation about the following:

* What standards investors should require of lenders, particularly with regard to verification of income and assets and the underwriting of borrowers based on fully indexed and fully amortized rates.

* How to facilitate and encourage appropriate intervention by loan servicing companies at the earliest signs of borrower difficulty.

* How to support independent community-based-organizations to provide counseling and work-out services to prevent foreclosure and p reserve homeownership where practical.

* How to provide more effective information disclosure and financial education to ensure that borrowers are treated fairly and that deception is never a source of competitive advantage.

* How to adopt principles of fair competition that promote affordability, transparency, non-discrimination, genuine consumer value, and competitive returns.

* How to ensure adequate liquidity across all mortgage markets without exacerbating consumer and housing market vulnerability.

Of course, the adoption of voluntary industry reforms will not preempt government action to crack down on predatory lending practices, or to style new restrictions on subprime lending or short-term post-purchase interventions in certain cases. My colleagues on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs have held important hearings on mortgage market turmoil and I expect the Committee will develop legislation.

Nevertheless, a consortium of industry-related service providers and public interest advocates may be able to bring quick and efficient relief to millions of at-risk homeowners and neighborhoods, even before Congress has had an opportunity to act. There is an opportunity here to bring different interests together in the best interests of American homeowners and the American economy. Please don't let this opportunity pass us by.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama
United States Senator

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Begin The Convention With Grace and Resolve

By Dr. Barbara Palmer - Aug 25th, 2008 at 1:07 pm EDT

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I BELIEVE…

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born

A Death Certificate shows that we died

Pictures show that we lived!

Have a seat. . Relax . . . And read this slowly.

I Believe...

That just because two people argue,

it doesn't mean they don't love each other.

And just because they don't argue,

it doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...

That we don't have to change friends if

we understand that friends change.

I Believe...

That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...

That true friendship continues to grow, even over

the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I Believe...

That you can do something in an instant

that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...

That it's taking me a long time

to become the person I want to be.

I Believe...

That you should always leave loved ones with

loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe...

That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe...

That we a re responsible for what

we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe...

That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...

That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe...

That my best friend and I can do anything, or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe...

That sometimes the people you expect to kick you

when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...

That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...

That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.

sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...

That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...

That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...

Two people can look at the exact same

thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...

That your life can be changed in a matter of

hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...

That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...

That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...

That you should send this to all of the people that you believe in, I just did.

'The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything.'

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ObamaCart --- ITINERARY

By Cheryl from Boston Feels the Gift - Aug 21st, 2008 at 3:25 pm EDT

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ObamaCart Across America from Divide to Unity for Obama

Itinerary

Saturday, August 23: Billings, Miles City, Glendive, Montana--then
gets into Williston or Minot North Dakota and needs to spend the
night!NEEDS a HOST BED near Williston or Minot.

Sunday, August 24: onto Bismarck, Jamestown, Valley City and>Fargo-HAS A HOST BED and Rally in Moorhead with son and Meg Stopelsted

Monday, August 25: onto Furgus Fall, MN, south to Rochester and onto
Saratoga IowaHAS A HOST BED /Event with Laura Hubka in Cresco (Rochester, MN and Waterloo, Iowa press will cover) and a Concordia College campus Rally on Sunday afternoon at 6.

Tuesday, August 26: Decorah and Waukon Iowa. Then Prairie du Chien, Dodgeville, Madison, Janesville in Wisconsin onto Illinois for Rockford, Elgin and Evanston HAS a HOST BED in Chicago!

Wednesday August 27: Chicago onto Indiana for Gary, South Bend, Michigan Sturgis, Bronson, Coldwater then South to Fremont Indiana and onto Ohio through Columbia, Montpeller, Wauseon, Toledo area, Perrysburg, Freemont, Clyde, Bellevue Norwalk, Medina and Akron avoiding turnpikes. NEEDS a HOST BED near Akron.

Thursday August 28 finish Ohio through Boardman and onto Pennsylvania for Youngstown, Grove City, Clarion, Du Bois, Clearfield, Lewisburg, Bloomsburg, and Stroudsburg and into New Jersey and New York and/or Connecticut for Convention night: NEEDS a HOST BED/EVENT for that! IN NEW YORK OR CONN

Friday August 29 onto Unity New Hampshire!! NEED EVENT/RALLY and will backtrack to Boston for that night-with Cheryl Souza Hosting!

Saturday August 30: Hopefully a Hoorah in Boston in the early morning with Media and then head for DCwhere the ObamaCart will be dropped off for a Unity Rally in DC Sept 6.hopefully stored for Inaugural Day!

Truly anything you may be able to do in order to ZIP this fast into the system for Highlighted Blog Coverage on HQ site I think would be Ideal. I truly believe that while the Big Hoorah of the Convention is going on in Denver and many folks will be there, the rest of America is without fanfare! This ObamaCart will be able to provide that! It is timely and fun and a good fundraiser! And involves scores of people in multiple states! Good Story.

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If not Hillary then forget it?

By Duane Kuehn - Aug 9th, 2008 at 8:31 am EDT

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Hi All,

     I hope nobody takes offense at this, as no offense is intended.

     There appears to be, still, a great turmoil in some persons that Hillary Clinton is not to be the Democrat’s nominee for the Presidency.

     Disgusted by the Bush/Cheney administration, I joined both the Clinton and the Obama official campaign sites. Better to understand their positions that were so close one could often not see a difference.

     During the primary, at the Obama site, some few would say unkind things about Hillary Clinton. I wrote these off as the uniformed. In the same respect, at Hillary’s site, some few would say unkind things about Barack Obama. I wrote these off as the uniformed.

     Before I continue this, I hope that everyone will understand that there is much more at stake her than who won the Democratic Primary nomination. There is much more at stake then Republican and Democrats.

     One of the things, during the primary, that I often heard at the Hillary Clinton official site is how the Obama campaign was being so unfair to her. I still hear this from those who now claim this as the reason they will not vote for Obama. Not vote at all or vote for another candidate.

     I always asked at the site, as I ask now, when and where did Barack Obama mistreat Hillary Clinton? I have never had an answer to this question, only the accusation itself.

     I hear some females claiming that Obama is anti-woman’s rights. “Where and when is this”, I ask. Nobody could show me, other than the remark of “Hillary your likeable enough”, and God knows what that remark has to do with Hillary as being a male or female. What is being read into these things that the ridiculous media is not reading into them to be sensational and stir discontent?

     I have heard some claim that Hillary is unfairly prejudiced toward blacks. “Where and when is this occurrence?” I have asked. Nobody could show me.

     The whole point here is that the Obama and Clinton platforms are almost exact. Why are some of us demanding one or the other, or even one and a V.P. position for the other?
     On which note; Hillary does not want the V.P. position, though to be asked was nice. Oh, that was all behind closed doors.

     What do you want for your country, your children? Do you really want more of the Bush/Cheney lies and pulling down of this country in the form of John McCain?
     Why are some of you demanding to be divided, and ask yourself if it is your ego or reality of the situation at hand?

    I am sorry but you have had 8 years of a person bent on dividing this country that he might conquer this country and defeat its Constitution.

    If we do not start putting our petty, YES PETTY, differences aside and come together, we will get what we deserve.

Loveya,
Duane Kuehn

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Let's send some messages to demand responsibility in government

By Duane Kuehn - Aug 1st, 2008 at 3:40 pm EDT

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Hi All,

     We have watched our political system become filled with irresponsibility and a demand that people are above our law.
      I hope you will please investigate these links, which are timely, and make a decision if you would want to see responsible politics put back into the system.

     This one is Karl Rove (McCain’s new campaign spin/lie master). He claims nothing less than “executive privilege” to not honor a Federal Subpoena. I forget when he was elected President! Do not let him get away with this!

http://sendkarlrovetojail.com/?utm_source=47433

     Hold McCain responsible for his lies in his advertisements.

http://therealmccain.com/pac/?utm_source=rgemail

     Like Barack says, it is “bottom up” instead of “top down”. We cannot expect one man to change everything about the way government is run. We must take action ourselves to help Barack. One think is holding people responsible for what they say and what they do.
     Bush said many things about responsibility and takes none himself.

     Let us hold these people responsible for what they do. Show them that we are not just some supporters of Barack Obama for some “movement”. That we are the movement and we mean business.

Loveya,
Duane Kuehn

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Hey Wow! Win a beautiful heritage Obama Quilt!

By Duane Kuehn - Aug 1st, 2008 at 10:27 am EDT

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Hi All,

     This, is where you should surely donate! Any amount will help and we can help these wonderful persons who made this quilt reach their goal. I know we can do it, you and I.

     The great part is that you will be put in the pot to win this quilt! It will be a great heirloom for sure. A quilt made in honor of the man who has already changed the way politics works. He is already one of the greatest figures in American history.

     Please, let’s do this. For us, for Obama, for our children’s future.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/maingroup/QUILTERSFOROBAMA

Loveya,
Duane Kuehn

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Barack Obama, to me, for us, with hope, dignity and truth.

By Duane Kuehn - Jul 30th, 2008 at 2:56 pm EDT

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     A young man stepped up to the podium at the 2004 Democrat's National Convention to give a speech. A riveting speech it was. He touched the heart, the mind and the soul as he spoke of the civil rights of all Americans. About the need to take back our government, to change the way government operates and make it transparent to the people once more.

     That we ARE one nation and should refuse those who would tear us apart for their own political gain. That we are a diverse nation, Latin’s, Blacks, Whites and every shade in between. Members of various religious creeds, races, and individuals along the vast spectrum of sexuality financial capability. That we are God’s diversity and in our diversity is our true strength. That we are a house divided by political mudslinging and lies. That we must come together as a house united. Not mentioning what we all know, that a house divided can only fall.

     A "Keynote Address" he was giving too, a message of hope for the future, its unarguable truth unheard of in modern politics. I was glued to my seat, listening as this man spoke. Reminding myself that we are so good at coming together for one another in times of tragedy. Knowing that the current Bush/Cheney Administration itself was a tragedy of our proud heritage.

     His speech was in favor of John Kerry and we watched as a group, now indicted for their actions, called the “Swift-boat Veterans” slung heaps of lies and mud upon one honored veteran; and in doing so slung mud upon every veteran in the grand military history of this country. The people we swayed by the mud, untruth and spread of fear which would never come to be. He advocated John Kerry and John Kerry lost the election.

     Giving us four more years of economic decline, military bumbling, an oil consortium growing rich as the rest grew poorer. But for the rich, like Warren Buffet who, upon receiving his $395 million dollar tax break said he didn’t ask for it, he certainly didn’t need it. The other wealthy were not so forthcoming as another four years of feeding the rich at the expense of every hard working American.

     But, the average American was also rewarded with tax breaks. Little did they suspect that they would pay dearly much more than they received. The Bush administration stood tall and proudly demanded that the dollar was strong, the economy on the upswing, as they had for four years prior. No one seemed to pay much attention that the dollar, for seven straight years, had been continually falling on the world market. The world market being the true barometer of a national economy, though the elite like to confuse things with GNP and deficit spending or consumer buying.

     For six years, George Bush replaced “unemployment” with “unemployment rolls”, a smooth move. “The unemployment rolls are down this month”, not mentioning that the unemployment rolls are reduced each month that any unemployed person’s benefits have run-out. They didn’t get jobs, they just were off the rolls. When they did get jobs, it was usually making much less money than they had been.

     Seven, going on eight, years of deceitfulness and blatant lies in government, all allowed by an obviously controlled press. Yes, you can fool all of the people some of the time. Even for eight years running.

     This man who gave that keynote address speech that was so riveting. His name, we know, is Barack Obama.

     I watched him over the years and yes, he fulfills his promises. He acts in a bipartisan manner and even produced the most compelling ethics laws that the State of Illinois has ever seen. In the United States Senate, he began to open the government, in spite of George Bush's disabling of the Freedom of Information Act.

     He recently created a huge stir with his support of the new FISA legislation. Though fulfilling his promise to fight to have the immunity provision removed, it remained in the bill, as expected. The rewrite of this FISA bill itself, reins in Bush's domestic surveillance but allows for International surveillance, so long as an American citizen is not involved in what is espied.

     That the PAA was to expire in August and Bush had already demanded that he would veto another extension, the passing of this bill is necessary. Add the fact that it was known that this bill would pass the Senate with little friction, I must wonder. Why did Barack Obama support it when it would pass with or without his vote? The only answer is that there was an "Old-School" trade-off.

     You see, Obama knew that his support would create a wave of unrest in his supporters but said, "I will take my lumps". What nobody seemed to be watching at the time is that, probably the most important financial and health legislation was also going through the Senate, a Medicare bill that Bush promised to veto.

     A number of Republican's oddly did an about face and approved the new Medicare legislation. John McCain the only Senator absent for the vote (but he has a history of being absent from the Senate floor for his entire career more than any other Senator anyway). Ted Kennedy, recover ing from brain surgery even made an appearance, casting the deciding vote, which made the legislation veto-proof. Hence, I believe that Obama put himself on the line for an "Old-School" trade-off. He is, after all, only a Senator and must work within the system. I think that everyone might understand that.

     I almost forgot the "Change" thing. Yes, "Change" has been used in many campaigns before. However, contrary to what many people claim, Barack Obama defines "Change" if one reads his proposals or listens to his speeches it is all there.

     Open (called now, "transparency") Government is Barack Obama's "Change". A change in how government operates. A reopening of the doors that have been closed as government operates behind them. Promising executive order to reverse many of those Bush put into effect. Like George's lengthening the President Act that the activities of Presidents would not be public knowledge for a full 25 years! Moreover, reversing the executive orders Bush used to disable the Freedom of Information Act. Barack also promises to correct George Bush's extension of the "National Security" classification to include what Cheney had for lunch at a public restaurant. (My joke, me bad.)

     I hope that everyone recognizes that Barack Obama does bring us a new Hope. That the "movement" part of his campaign is the promise to Change the way that a government we have come to mistrust, operates. This from a man whose political history is the "proof in the pudding" that he keeps his word.

     I watch now as the McCain campaign begins to smear tactics. Slinging lies blatantly into the media which devours them like Adam and Eve devoured the Fruit of the Garden. I wonder how many people will be swayed into believing these lies and campaigning spins.

    I hope very few.

Loveya,
Duane Kuehn

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Why Barack Obama?

By swimmer - Jul 28th, 2008 at 8:36 am EDT

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HOPE

 INTEGRITY

INTELLIGENCE

JUDGMENT

CHANGE

BELIEVE

INSPIRE

ELOQUENT

CHARISMA

PRESIDENTIAL

FAIR

PASSION

COMPASSION

HUMANITY

HONEST

 EMPATHY

 CHARACTER

TRUTH  

KNOWLEDGEABLE

URGENCY

NOW

TRUST

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They way things are going, let's keep moving forward

By Duane Kuehn - Jul 14th, 2008 at 5:41 pm EDT

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I do not know where to start this writing.
     My support of Barack Obama did stumble a bit with the FISA fiasco, but I investigated before coming to a conclusion. That conclusion being that Barack Obama, and the Democrats in the House of Representatives, did the right thing.

     Yes, it is a sadness that the immunity clause, in spite of Barack Obama’s Senate fight remained in the bill. Nevertheless, the original FISA wiretapping bill would have expired next month and the Bush/Cheney Administration would have had a free hand in spying on anyone, anywhere that they chose.

     We gained in the new FISA bill much more than we lost. That surveillance of the people has always been a possibility, is not outside the Fourth Amendment as some proclaim. The intelligence and common sense and foresight of our founders remain true. National Security has always taken a front seat in Constitutional debate and the bill demands, again, that the Executive Branch go through the courts using a preponderance of evidence that the wiretap is essential. The Constitutional law, which the Bush/Cheney Administration capriciously and criminally broke, is reiterated. Hopefully, the Bush/Cheney Administration will one day face criminal charges. Yes, what they did is a treason to their oath of upholding the Constitution as well as a total disregard for the people of the United States of America.

     It was well known that the bill would pass in the Senate with or without Barack’s vote. Should Obama have taken the easy road and voted, “No”, for a FISA bill that, in essence, had to pass even with the unfortunate circumstances of the immunity clause? I am proud of him for voting for what was necessary and the right thing, rather than take what, for him, would have been politically expedient to his campaign. The man’s honesty and integrity amazes me.

     If we chose to be upset at the immunity clause, find those who penned the law and included that clause. They are the ones accountable. Who they are is what I would very much like to find.

    Now we have the issue of Iraq and Barack. As we have all read his original proposals and taken special interest in his proposal for a withdrawal of troops from Iraq, we know he has not changed his position. That in his proposal, he states emphatically that he will maintain, in Iraq, those troops necessary to guard our new Embassy there.

     That the Bush Administration is working to defeat any future withdrawal puts a lot of strain even on the withdrawal itself, but I believe that Barack Obama, when elected, will have the tenacity, integrity, intelligence and understanding to thwart the moves which the Bush/Cheney Administration, albeit illegally, puts in his path during the remainder of the current Administration.

     We should all be prepared that they fully intend to invade Iran for no good evidence or reason. However, the “spin” is already building to garner the approval of the people.
     I should also mention that I beg everyone to contact his or her legislature, State and Federal, to pass a bill denying the President from using military force of war without Congressional approval, outside of Iraq.

     We, after all, did finish what we started in Iraq, did we not? The original intention being to oust Saddam, mission accomplished. Now, all that is left is the oil and do not ever expect that the greedy energy consortium is going to bring the price down.

     Now, after all of our hard work, let us not see it wasted away. John McCain using the loopholes is attracting huge donations from the big boys with the big money.
     We are each small, but together we are very large.
     I cannot again donate until my monthly check comes. I do however, ask, beg that each of us donate whatever we can and one dollar more, anytime we can.

     I know it is tough with the price of living so high, but it will not get better without Barack Obama. John McCain has the exact financial plan as Bush. Be very afraid because, bit money buys commercials and untruths and often people believe untruths.

Loveya,
Duane Kuehn

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Was FISA a trade off for the people, and a very good one at that?

By Duane Kuehn - Jul 12th, 2008 at 4:39 pm EDT

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Hi All,

Covered by the FISA fiasco we weren't watching behind the scenes.

As Barack Obama was taking the big hits for voting "Yes" on the FISA bill (which it was known was already going to pass by a huge majority without his vote), nobody seemed to notice the Medicare bill and the number of Republican Senators that jumped ship and voted, "Yes" on it.

Many of us were wiping the tears from our eyes as if maybe Barack Obama had stood us up for a date. When in fact, as Barack is not President yet but we are very aware of his persusive bipartisan influence; the Medicare bill was being passed with a majority vote that George Bush cannot veto.

A huge victory for the people of this country. What happened? We all know the give and take of Washington politics, the behind the doors goings on which Obama says will Change when he is President. But, Obama is not President yet and still apart of the give and take of Washington Politics.

I would venture to gain that the give and take was a trade off on a FISA bill which was going to pass anyway, for a Medicaid bill which wasn't going to pass. A bill which will now help to pave the way for a badly needed Universal Health Care bill.

Who knows but, I say 3 cheers to mybarackObama!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/opinion/11krugman.html?em&ex=1216008000&en=ba067d25713ebe77&ei=5087%0A#secondParagraph

Loveya,

Duane Kuehn

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Keeping it HOPEFUL

By swimmer - Jul 9th, 2008 at 11:16 am EDT

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To all who try to defeat this campaign with their negative force to the universe, I will keep it hopeful with words. Let us not forget where we have been. where we need to head in the future, for our future. OBAMA 08!

HOPE

 INTEGRITY

INTELLIGENCE

JUDGMENT

CHANGE

BELIEVE

INSPIRE

ELOQUENT

CHARISMA

PRESIDENTIAL

FAIR

PASSION

COMPASSION

 HUMANITY

 HONEST

 EMPATHY

 CHARACTER

TRUTH

  KNOWLEDGEABLE

URGENCY

NOW

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Clinton lauds Obama for his 'grit and grace' by Nedra Pickler, Associated Press

By Prosy - Jun 26th, 2008 at 8:17 pm EDT

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Clinton lauds Obama for his 'grit and grace '
By NEDRA PICKLER
The Associated Press
Thursday, June 26, 2008; 6:32 PM

WASHINGTON -- Hillary Rodham Clinton lauded Barack Obama for "his grit and his grace" as she resumed public and private campaigning Thursday to support the candidate who dashed her hopes of winning the Democratic presidential nomination.

The New York senator spoke to two trade groups before an evening meeting to introduce Obama to her most loyal fundraisers, while behind the scenes the two sides are working out details over the extent of her involvement with Obama's campaign going forward.

"I am asking you to do everything you can to help elect Barack Obama," Clinton told the American Nurses Association, a 2.9-million member group that backed her candidacy. "I have debated him in more debates than I can remember and I have seen his passion and his determination and his grit and his grace. In his own life he has lived the American dream."

Clinton and Obama plan to appear together for the first time since the end of the primary on Friday in symbolic Unity, N.H. _ where each got 107 votes in the state's January primary. Clinton won New Hampshire in an upset that set the stage for their long campaign, and it is now a critical battleground for the general election.

Obama told reporters Wednesday that he thinks she'll be extraordinarily effective in speaking for his candidacy and he'd like to have her campaigning for him as much as she can. "I think we can send Senator Clinton anywhere and she'll be effective," Obama said

But the extent of her travel for Obama is not clear. Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said Wednesday that they have not scheduled any events after New Hampshire. "We don't have any specific knowledge of her schedule past Friday," Plouffe said.

Three Clinton confidants _ Cheryl Mills, Minyon Moore and Robert Barnett are in talks with Obama's campaign to work out details of her future involvement, including travel, her role at the national convention and resolution of her more than $20 million debt. Part of their argument is that Clinton can spend more time helping Obama if she isn't working to pay off her debts.

Some Clinton supporters, including some of those attending Thursday's fundraiser meeting, remain frustrated that Obama is not doing more to help with her debt while they are raising even more money for him. In response, the Illinois senator has asked five of his top donors to coordinate an effort to do so.

"As those of you who were on the call yesterday heard, Barack has asked each of us to collect five or six checks to help Senator Clinton repay the people who provided goods and services to her campaign," finance chair Penny Pritzker said Wednesday in an e-mail to Obama's national finance committee. "He made this request in the spirit of party unity. Senator Clinton has promised to do everything she can to help us beat John McCain."

"We recognize that this has been a long and, at times, hotly contested campaign," the e-mail said, with a "Clinton for President Debt Retirement" donor form attached. "But in the same way Senator Clinton has asked her supporters to move beyond the primary campaign, Barack has asked us to help in this effort to defray her debt. As he said on the call, `We are all in this together.'"

Clinton's debt includes $12 million of her own money. She has said she is not asking for help to pay back that portion. Obama told reporters Wednesday he wouldn't send an e-mail asking his small-dollar donors to donate to Clinton because "their budgets are tighter" and they probably couldn't make much of a dent.

Clinton told the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Thursday that every issue the group is fighting for is at risk in the campaign between Obama and Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain.

"We have to be determined to chart a new course and we cannot do that without electing Senator Obama our president," she said. "So that is what I'm going to be working for, that is what I'm going to be fighting for."

Clinton's encouragement came 19 days after she suspended her campaign and endorsed Obama. Since then, she has stayed largely out of sight at her home in New York and on vacation in the Hamptons, with brief public appearances for journalist Tim Russert's funeral and a high school commencement address. She returned to the Senate this week, and was roundly embraced by Democratic caucus members in front of news cameras.

An Associated Press-Yahoo News poll out Thursday shows Obama has won over slightly more than half of Clinton's former supporters. About a quarter of Clinton's backers say they will support McCain over Obama.

___

Associated Press writer Devlin Barrett contributed to this report.

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Happy Father's Day

By swimmer - Jun 15th, 2008 at 9:01 am EDT

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I want to wish all of the fathers out there a very happy day today! Especially to our candidate, Barack Obama, may you have a peaceful and enjoyable day as you celebrate with your daughters!

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UMWA endorses Barack Obama for President

By Prosy - May 21st, 2008 at 2:04 pm EDT

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UMWA endorses Barack Obama for President

May 21st, 2008

United Mine Workers of America endorses Barack Obama for President

   The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) today endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for President of the United States. The endorsement came after a unanimous vote of the union’s National Council of the Coal Miners’ Political Action Committee (COMPAC) in favor of the endorsement.

   “We are extremely proud to make this endorsement today,” UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said. “Sen. Obama shares the values of UMWA members and our families. He understands and will fight for the needs our members have today and the hopes our members have for a secure future for themselves and their families.

   “Most of all, Sen. Obama will implement the clear change in direction UMWA members–indeed, all American working people–must have if they are to once again move forward and have a true opportunity to realize the American dream,” Roberts said. “After eight years of being pushed aside by an administration which neither respects nor values the contributions American working families make to our society, we are looking forward with great anticipation to a new era in our nation starting with the inauguration of President Barack Obama on January 20, 2009.

   “We looked at the positions of both Sen. Obama and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) when considering this endorsement,” Roberts said. “On issue after issue, it is clear that Sen. Obama will be on our side while Sen. McCain will not.

   “For example, Sen. McCain would impose a tax on the health care benefits our members and retirees receive that we have negotiated in our contracts,” Roberts said. “UMWA members are at risk of receiving serious injuries or contracting occupational diseases every day. Many of our retirees suffer from debilitating injuries or black lung. They have paid for those health care benefits with their blood. To impose a tax on them because they receive those benefits is not only unjust, it’s immoral.

   “We also have many thousands of retirees and widows of retirees who depend on Social Security,” Roberts said. “Sen. McCain wants to privatize Social Security and put those retirees’ benefits at risk in the stock market. We cannot stand by and allow that to happen.”

   “Sen. Obama will fight to preserve American jobs, not ship them overseas in greater and greater numbers,” Roberts said. “Sen. Obama will make sure that the nation’s mine safety and health enforcement agency actually enforces the law, instead of coddling mine operators who repeatedly and willfully violate the law.

   “And Sen. Obama will work to ensure the future of American coal and the jobs that go with it by moving aggressively to develop and implement carbon capture and sequestration technology,” Roberts said. “Sen. McCain has advanced proposal after proposal that would cut jobs in the coal industry, especially in the eastern part of the country.

   “Sen. Obama is from a coal state,” Roberts said. “He understands that coal will remain a primary source for electricity generation in this country for many decades to come and he will join with the UMWA as we work to ensure that it will be used for that purpose in an environmentally responsible way.

   “We will be making these points with our members over the coming months as we move forward to the election in November,” Roberts said. ”It doesn’t matter whether it’s our members’ jobs, their safety, their health care, their pensions, their children’s education, their union, their standard of living, or their very rights as American citizens–John McCain will do harm to all of them by continuing the failed Bush administration policies.”

   “Americans are crying out for real change in Washington, and Sen. Obama will bring that,” UMWA International Secretary-Treasurer Dan Kane said. “We will be working as hard as we can, using every resource at our disposal in every community where our members live and work across this nation to do our part to help him.”

   The UMWA is headquartered in Fairfax, Va., and represents 105,000 active and retired coal miners, mine construction workers, public service employees, health care workers and manufacturing workers in the United States and Canada. The UMWA represents more coal miners than any other union in the world.

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What John Edwards Endorsement Means To Me

By joe ruwe - May 14th, 2008 at 9:49 pm EDT

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Obama '08

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Obama button became a bridge to neighborhood dialogues

By Prosy - May 11th, 2008 at 2:50 am EDT

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Today, i went to my favorite bakery to buy some baked pastries for my 80 year old mother. I decided I would not skimp nor count my pennies, but to go with my heart's intents and what my mom's desires. I know she loves flowers so I went to a special florist in Larchmont Village, Village Florist, one that arranges flowers like works of art. I ordered forty five pink roses surrounded by green miniflowers and green leaves, artfully placed in a wooden box. It looked so elegant and so perfect, it was strangely perceived as artificial. But, I did not want to stop there, I also wanted her to enjoy the best croissants so I went to a Miracle Mile bakery, called La Maison du Pain. While there, three customers were wearing Obama buttons, Obama 's round sticker " Change we can believe in " and another young teenager was wearing an Obama sweatshirt.

Seeing our commonalities, we exchanged not only smiles, but short conversations on why we believe Senator Barack Obama will help heal our beloved nation. We left not just with favorite pastries in our hands, but we all encourged one another to work harder. We were all united in the belief that while Senator Barack Obama is busy winning the hearts and minds of voters in the remaining primaries, we need to do our share as Obama supporters to convince others. We all believed that we need to prepare not just ours but other folks' hearts, and prepare ourselves collectively to deserve a good man like him to be our next president.

But first, WE MUST DESERVE SOMEONE AS GOOD AS SENATOR BARACK OBAMA and hopefully, our collective hearts are ready to accept him as our next president and then, we would have taken progressive steps to move our beloved country much closer to its potential as a beacon of light on the hill for all the world to draw strength, hope and inspiration.

Our gift boxes of croissants and pastries nurtured our mothers, but our political convictions were also made stronger by conversations with one another and we all concurred to work harder to have the best person elected as the next president of the United States, instead of settling for the lesser evil or the expedient candidate to the insiders to the Democratic party.

We would have elected by November 2008 the best candidate not just in smarts, intelligence and vision but also a world-class temperament that includes, that unites and that helps us become our better selves, and now we have moved much closer to the Americans' dream of a better tomorrow.

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Everything I Hate About Myself I See in Hillary, by Judy Bachrach

By Dr. Barbara Palmer - May 9th, 2008 at 2:58 pm EDT

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Everything I Hate About Myself I See in Hillary, by Judy Bachrach

You will love this piece. I had been toying with writing a similar piece after complaining after every debate and every speech that Clinton seemed to have no ideas of her own and merely appropriated those of Barack. After you read this chunk, read the rest of it. Good for Friday morning!

“What kills me is the way Hillary deals with men other than her husband, especially powerful men. Whenever Hillary thinks Obama is onto something – a phrase, say, or even a piece of rhetoric, however tedious – she doesn’t do what most politicians do: which is to, say, challenge it. No, what Hillary does is fiddle with a syllable or two and then appropriate the last thing that pops out of her rival’s mouth as though it were her own (Yes we WILL!!).”

http://www.wowowow.com/post/everything-i-hate-about-myself-i-see-hillary-judy-bachrach

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