Today is the day that we honor a man who in his time, was the moral leader of a generation not just of Americans, but people around the world. We are here today in the Golden State, in the navel orange capital of the world, our beloved city of Redlands, not just to celebrate the life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, but also what his life, and his dream mean for us today, on the eve of history.
We've all seen the callous political smears put forward by John McCain and his cronies this week. We know it's only going to get worse in the days ahead, and unless we act, we risk surrendering this election to the fear-mongering and divisive Bush/McCain politics of the past. That's why hundreds of people throughout your community are standing up this week to say, "Not this time, not this election." Together, we're reaching out to voters in battlegroud states to let them know the truth. But with only days left, and with thousands of voters left to contact, we can't do it alone; we need your help. Will you join us?Don't worry, making a difference is easy. All you need to do is come to the nearest Call for Changeevent (listed below) with your cell phone and charger. Our team will welcome you at the door, and set you up with everything else you need to be a force for change in this election.
Please find phone banks labeled "Phone Bank for Change" or "Big Phone Bank for Change" on your group MyBo pages. We are hosting these in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Redlands. In your area, we are hosting these events at the following locations for Sunday the 1st through election day:
Commercial Location (Cathedral City, CA) - 67-555 East Palm Canyon Drive Cathedral City, CA 92234
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprvzg
Making a difference is easy, and you can do it right in your own neighborhood. All you need to do is come to the nearest Call for Change event (listed below) with your cell phone and charger. Feel free to bring with your friends, family or anyone else that is willing to make calls. If you would like to bring potluck style food for everyone to share, that would also be much appreciated. Our team will welcome you at the door, and set you up with everything else you need to be a force for change in this election.
We hope you will join us. With only days to go, this is our last chance to make a difference in this election and to turn the tide against the Bush/McCain politics of division. Together, yes we can.
Best Always,
Rick Sheinin
Deputy Field Director, Region 7 California (volunteer)
We were a small group from Lake Arrowhead, who drove to Las Vegas the weekend of October 17th. We felt that our efforts had great impact and we were happy to meet lots of fellow Californians there. It was a huge turn out. This was so rewarding! 9 more days! VOTE!!!! Vote Early! Great experience for our middle-school kids, they learned what democracy in America is all about. If anyone can go this coming last weekend, DO IT!!!
Please find phone banks labeled "Phone Bank for Change" or "Big Phone Bank for Change" on your group MyBo pages. We are hosting these in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Redlands and Rancho Cucamonga. In your area, we are hosting these events Saturday the 1st of November through election day, the 4th. Please use the following Mybarackobama.com links below to sign up:
San Bernardino County Democratic HQ - 136 Carousel Mall (lower level) San Bernardino, CA 92402
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprzsb
Electrical Workers Union Hall (Riverside, CA) - 1405 Spruce St. Suite H Riverside, CA 92507
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs5y3s
UFCW Local 1428 - 705 W Arrow Highway Claremont, CA 91711
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/phonebank/gprwf4
Redlands, CA 92373
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprzh9
The last couple of days I have received so many emails with LIES about Barack Obama's postions on many things. I looked in SNOPES and was surprised to see that Barack is being ATTACKED by EMAIL LIES like no one else. Check it out!
Here is the email I received, with my rebuttal. It looks like it is a combiniation of two spam lie emails in one. One about Baracks position and the other about his Tax plan. Please feel free to use this to respond to anyone who sends these lies around.
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2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE COMPARISON TALKING POINTS
 ISSUE
JOHN McCAIN BARAK OBAMA
Yes No Will appoint judges who interpret the law not make it (Subjective and absolutely no basis for this)Yes No Served in the US Armed Forces - TRUEYes No Amount of time served in the US Senate FALSE. Obama was elected to Illinois State Senate, where he served for eight years. In 2004, he became the third African American since Reconstruction to be elected to the U.S. Senate.22 YEARS 173 DAYS Will institute a socialized national health care plan – (HALF TRUE) Obama will make available a new national health plan to all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses, to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress. This is a VOLUNTARY PLAN if you are happy with the current insurance run healthcare you can keep it. Check it out for yourself.No Yes Supports abortion throughout the pregnancy TRUE – Barack does not feel it is up to him to decide for a woman, and feels women should have that choice. What he does believe is finding a way to minimize abortions. He does not want to go back to the time when women were dying because of unsanitary and hidden abortions. God said it is not up to us to judge. Let people make their own choices. No Yes Would pull troops out of Iraq immediately - HALF TRUE – Barack has repeatedly said, depending on the conditions on the ground, discussions with the Generals, plus he will force the Iraqis to take over the military operation, and bring our troops home safely in a responsible timeline. He WILL NOT pull them all out immediately. No Yes Supports gun ownership rights FALSE – Supports the constitutional right to bear arms and enforce our existing gun laws. He said this again at his nomination speech.Yes No Supports homosexual marriage – TRUE – Though he believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman, he thinks the government should only civil unions so that gay couples are not discriminated. No Yes Proposed programs will mean a huge tax increase – HALF TRUE – Only the top 5% will see an increase. (see below and in snopes) No increase on capital gains, and in fact lower taxes and programs supporting small business owners.No Yes Voted against making English the official language HALF TRUE – The bill in question was an amendment to an existing immigration reform bill. There were some problems with the bill so Barack voted against it. Here is Barack’s statement on this bill
“I believe the American people understand in order to succeed in our society, immigrants need to learn English. But the amendment would do a number of things that are problematical. The first is that it is contrary to the provisions of law that exist in many States. For example, in New Mexico, you have in their State Constitution, a provision that says that many of the documents within that State have to be provided in both English and Spanish. The same thing is true for the State of Hawaii. I believe this is a States’ rights issue, and those constitutions of those States ought to be respected. I do not believe it is a matter we ought to be imposing here from Washington DC.
Also, this amendment would undo an executive order conceived by President Bill Clinton and implemented by President George Bush. Both recognized it is important that people who have limited English proficiency receive the kinds of services so they can understand what is going on in terms of the interface between the Government and themselves. “
No Yes Voted to give Social Security benefits to illegals – HALF TRUE – This was NOT about giving SS benefits to illegal aliens, it was about whether a select group of formerly illegal workers (i.e., those who might obtain legal immigration if the 2006 immigration reform act would pass), should receive credit for payments already made into the Social Security system using phony numbers.No Yes
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN 0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax. OBAMA 28% on profit from ALL home sales. Â (How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.)
DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN 15% (no change) OBAMA 39.6% - (How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama becomes president. The experts predict that 'Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.')
INCOME TAX
MCCAIN (no changes) Single making 30K - tax $4,500Single making 50K - tax $12,500Single making 75K - tax $18,750Married making 60K- tax $9,000Married making 75K - tax $18,750Married making 125K - tax $31,250 OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts) Single making 30K - tax $8,400Single making 50K - tax $14,000Single making 75K - tax $23,250Married making 60K - tax $16,800Married making 75K - tax $21,000Married making 125K - tax $38,750Under Obama, your taxes could almost double!
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN - 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax) OBAMA Restore the inheritance tax Many families have lost businesses, farms, ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will only lose them to these taxes.
NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY OBAMA
This will be my 3rd weekend in a row that I am going to canvass in a swing state. 1st, I went to Nevada with our "Drive for Change" It was great! About 100 Southern Californians drove to Las Vegas to canvas for Obama, It was awesome! We had just been made aware of the event the weekend before, so I think that was a great turnout for such a big thing with such short notice. A lot of canvassing in the heat, but I KNOW I made a difference! If we win Nevada by just a few thousand votes, I know the Californian help was well worth it. The people on the ground in the Nevada campaign offices were incredible. Everything was organized and professional. They made great arrangements for me to stay in supporter housing, and had everything ready for us when we got there. I was able to meet Dina Titus, our great candidate for congress in Nevada. I wish i had representation like her. I was proud to campaign for her as well as Obama.
When we got back from our first day of canvassing, They had a great potluck dinner waiting for us! The Nevada Campaign for Change is top notch!
Last weekend, I went to Phoenix, Arizona to fulfill a promise to a friend to visit and cheer on the Dodgers. It was hot! I signed up for a canvassing event, and was greeted with great enthusiasm and gratitude that I was canvassing "on vacation". With 66 days to go, I am not about to take a vacation, but was glad my promise was in a swing state, so I could do both!
I was pleasantly surprised that the people in Arizona are done with McCain. He hasn't done a lot for them lately. Arizonans are really independent and like the "Maverick" idea, and they are smart and recognize that John McCain is not the maverick he used to be. They are sick of Bush and dealing with the same issues the rest of the country is dealing with. I couldn't find one person who likes Palin there. They think she is a fake and practically a foreigner. It is my opinion that Arizona is within our reach, but we need to work for it and it will be ours.
Friday, I am leaving at 6 am for Washington DC to speak at the National Grassroots Rally at Freedom Plaza. I will speak about how important it is to work for what we want and how much difference a short conversation and a handshake can make. I hope I can inspire others to get out and canvass in their own state or a swing state.
I can't wait, though I must confess, I am sad that I am traveling so far without getting to sightsee much. Like I say to the people who think I am crazy right now., "Nothing is more important than getting Obama elected right now" What happens in these next 62 days will determine the course of history for the entire world. We are at a unique crossroads and we MUST make the right decision this time. We cannot afford another failed administration. Not here, Not now. Our Home is hanging in the balance.
We can and must win this year, and we must work for this win.
The anticipation of hearing from Barack Obama about his Vice-Presidential choice and the impact this choice will have on the campaigning road ahead, pushed me into consulting the cards. I don't really know who the potential candidates are, so I can't be certain who the cards are referring to, but I can describe this person. I will provide a brief overview of what I see in Barack's VP choice, then the selection and what to expect the days ahead
http://spellspace.blogspot.com/2008/08/barack-obamas-vp-choice-and-look-ahead.html
As most people know, Hillary Clinton's campaign left debts of over $24 million. Most of it was their own money, however, some of the debt remains to consultants and other local businesses that facilitated their events. Given the bitter nature of the campaign, Obama supporters may be hesitant to contribute to her campaign debt. For this to happen, I believe the following three conditions need to be met:
1. The Clintons must repay the debt to the small business that helped them facilitate thier campaign. Nothing would look worse for democrats than to write off small debts by multi-millionaires (Clintons) at the businesses' expense. It would be the epitomy of elitistism and would be a lethal arsenal for the republicans to put on TV in ads. If this is not yet done, it should be done now, even if it puts the Clintons in greater personal debt.
2. The Clintons must pursuade their former supporters (particularly their wealthy supports) to contribute to the Obama campaign and the DNC. Toward the end of the democratic primary process, elite democratic fatcats were threatening to withhold donations to the DNC if the democratic leadership supported Obama - given the lack of fundraising on the part of the DNC, it is likely they followed through. Given that many of these elite supporters have the funds to contribute to Obama and the DNC, this needs to be arranged. Additionally, since they cannot contribute any more funding to the Clintons (as they are likely maxed out at the $2300 for primary contributions) they should set the example if they want Obama supporters to help with the Clintons' debt. Given the caps to campaign contributions, reciprocity in campaign contributions is the best way to ensure that we raise funding and that everyone remains happy.
3. Their should be an apology from the Clintons on two specific issues: Playing the race card and for praising McCain at Obama's expense. The first must come from Bill Clinton; the second must come from Hillary. Bill's apology can be indirect and allued to his comments; Hillary's should be more directly on task. In doing so, it would also be helpful for Obama to extend an Olive branch, particularly to Bill, by saying something along the line that, "because of Bill Clinton, he helped paved the path toward racial equality that allows me to be here today". Such a political equivocation would help to heal the democratic base as well as to begin restoring Bill Clinton's reputation - this will help Bill to command his large speaking fees again and recoup their campaign expenses that may not be recovered by the end of August.
Much of this may already be happening behind the scenes, and I have yet to hear the political pundits make such comments. However, for the sake of the party and our nation, the democratic party needs to come together, and no matter what Obama supporters may think, that will involve the Clintons - but only on the above terms.
See the footage of John McGoo in his wife's corporate jet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o5zipU6r7o&feature=related
In reading some of the posts earlier today, some were commenting that the number of people blogging has decreased significantly. I believe this is not due to a lack of interest; rather, it is because of a transistion into the general election campaign. No longer do we have the imminent state-by-state primaries being held. Even Obama has been less busy in the public eye on the campaign trail.
Now, Obama is taking care of the foundation work - organizing the DNC, training the field leadership, and constructing the 50 state strategy to work toward victory this fall.
To the casual observer, this is the calm before the storm. Behind the scenes, the foundation is being built for the landslide election this fall. Rest now, but be ready to work soon.
As an African American woman, I have been greatly disturbed at how our "honest and frank" dialogue on race in America has somehow morphed into a cat-fight where people defend why they refuse to ammend their own problematic beliefs in the same breath they profess to want to find a solution. Why is it acceptable to refer to white Americans as the "working class"? Doesn't the very phrase imply black Americans don't work? Why when Rev. Wright criticized America did we assume it to be an attack on whites? Are blacks, Latinos, and Asians not American? I ask that we address this lest the mainstream media bolster that which ALL Americans seem to fear- the specter of angry blacks who further segregate themselves and take us further away from the American ideal we all seem to hold dear. I also suggest that we begin by setting the record straight in terms of the whole context and original text of the sermon Rev. Wright delivered that seems to have sparked this mess.
http://www.rolandsmartin.com/blog/index.php
Thank you and I look forward to your response.
I want to be clear- I did not write the following words. But right is just right! Well said, Jada7243
"Howard Dean needs to call Team Clinton in to his office for a "reality check". It seems that the Clintons are relying on "false hope" and "wishing for change" and praying that the "skies will open, and the light will come down, and celestial choirs will sing..." NGH... not gonna happen.
The Clinton plan is painfully obvious. The superdelegates know this, more importantly, so does the party hierarchy who will set the tone of the convention and the direction of the party. Dean should do the smart thing and privately tell the Clintons it is over. and that to continue this quest is damaging to the party as a whole. That this goes beyond Barack Obama to the possible gains the party will see in November down ticket. A solid Democratic party is crucial to regain the House and the Senate. The Clintons are not furthering that cause.
Dean should bring together Al Gore, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, John Kerry (nominee from last time) John Edwards, and all of the other candidates from this cycle (endorsing or not), the Democratic governors, endorsing or not, and deliver the come to Jesus speech they all need and to the Clintons.
This is not about differentiating between super, automatic, non-caucus, closed primary, "big", "blue" states. The Clintons are parsing votes. While the Clintons are busy sandbagging, minimizing, marginalizing, denigrating Barack Obama and dividing the party along race and gender, John McCain is chugging along solidifying his support.
Dean needs to say it's over. Florida and Michigan remain "punished," no do-overs, and it's time to move on to the convention. He needs to say, that if the Clintons cost the Democrats the election in 2008, they will be shunned. 1994, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 are just too many elections to continue on this losing streak."
March 12, 2008
&, as for John Hagee,...?
< http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IA_KING_OBAMA_IAOL-?SITE=IAMAS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&SECTION=STATE >:
News :: State :: AP var ap_headline = "Rep. King: al-Qaida would celebrate Obama presidential victory "
Rep. King: al-Qaida would celebrate Obama presidential victory
By JAMES BELTRAN Associated Press Writer
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Steve King of Iowa said Friday that terrorists would "be dancing in the streets" if Democratic candidate Barack Obama won the presidency.
King, a Republican, based his prediction on Obama's pledge to pull troops out of Iraq, his Kenyan heritage and his middle name, Hussein.
"The radical Islamists, the al-Qaida ... would be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on Sept. 11 because they would declare victory in this war on terror," King said in an interview with the Daily Reporter in Spencer.
King said his comments were not meant to demean Obama but to warn how an Obama presidency would look to the world.
"His middle name does matter," King said. "It matters because they read a meaning into that. ... They'll be dancing in the streets because of his middle name, they'll be dancing in the streets because of who his father was and because of his posture that says, 'Pull out of the Middle East.'
"That has a chilling aspect on how difficult it would be to ever win this global war on terror."
The Illinois senator, born in Hawaii to a white Kansas woman and a Kenyan man, has said he is a Christian and has little connection to the Islamic religion, though he acknowledges he spent part of his childhood in largely Muslim Indonesia.
Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor criticized King and others who have brought Obama's heritage into the presidential debate.
"These comments have no place in our politics," Vietor said. He said John McCain, the apparent Republican presidential nominee, should "repudiate them like he has previous offensive comments from his supporters."
Last month, McCain denounced the introduction he got in Cincinnati from talk show host Bill Cunningham, who referred to Obama three times as "Barack Hussein Obama" and called him a "hack, Chicago-style."
King said Obama would not get so much scrutiny if he made a stronger pledge to protect the country.
"I don't want to disparage anyone because of their race, their ethnicity, their name, whatever religion their father might have been," he said. However, "there are implications that have to do with who he is and the position he has taken."
A message left at King's office was not immediately returned Friday night.
© 2008 The Associated Press.
< http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IA_KING_OBAMA_IAOL-?SITE=IAMAS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&SECTION=STATE >.
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Barack Hussein Obama?
So, an Arab name is not qualified to the presidency?
&, how would such people feel about Bobby Jindal?
Veep Hannibal Hamlin had had an Arab name.
Martin Van Buren had been a Dutch name, which had been, as well, relevant to his primary language.
Rudolph William Louis Giuliani, Geraldine Anne Ferraro, Italian.
Michael Stanley Dukakis, Spiro Theodore Agnew, Greek.
Clinton, Kennedy, Raygun, I mean Reagan, Irish.
Joseph Isadore Lieberman, Bernard Sanders, John Forbes Kerry, Michael Chertoff, Jewish.
Are the rules, now, that all names must be either Germanic, or Irish? Who wrote these regulations? When?
We must do something about the trimary, trymary, regarding Florida & Michigan: florichigan, florichagain. How did Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton convince Howard Brush Dean to give her this gift? Think December, 2000. Or, 2004. Permitting this to remain as it is does not work.
&, the Bush klan has sold, first our government, then our banks, to communist China, & the Saud klan, & other entities that oppose our liberty, & want us to destroy Afghan, Iraq, Iran, Venezuela,.....
DonFphrnqTaub Persina
