Organizing for America | Central Illinois Barack Backers

Central Illinois Barack Backers

Vote Hope in 2008! Chicago is a great place, but downstate Illinois matters too. We support Barack Obama's efforts all the way!

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Change is Coming to Springfield IL

By Will Reynolds - Dec 16th, 2008 at 2:48 pm EST

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I co-hosted a Change is Coming event Saturday with some friends in Springfield Illinois. We met one block away from the Old State Capitol Building where many of us heard Obama announce his campaign nearly two years ago.

Over 20 of us discussed our top issues including global warming/energy, health care, education, and taking action in the community. For our service activity we're planning to volunteer at a winter overflow shelter for the homeless.

A picture is in the extended text.

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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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vote fraud protection

By Duane Kuehn - Oct 31st, 2008 at 10:51 am EDT

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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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Back in Springfield, Illinois

By swimmer - Aug 19th, 2008 at 4:48 pm EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

Barack will be back in Springfield, Illinois on August 23rd to make a major speech. Could it be the VP will be announced? I sure hope it will. Right back where it all began!

Unfortunately I will not be able to make the journey downstate. Take pictures if you are planning on attending and email them to me!!!! After all, I am the number one Illinois supporter working in Iowa!

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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

Also listed in: 9 groups

Hi All,

     Okay, he it is, I have begged and pleaded for people to donate at my Fundraiser. I have crawled and cried and… Okay, maybe not. Lol

     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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REpost: Barack Obama, our only true hope.

By Duane Kuehn - Jul 30th, 2008 at 3:10 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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POWER IS ON

By swimmer - Jul 25th, 2008 at 3:57 pm EDT

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Thank you to the generous linemen from Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and various parts of Illinois who came to our devastated 3 county area to help get 90,000 people back up and running with electricity. Although there are still about 4,000 withour power yet today, we are hopeful that all will be back up and running by midnight tonight.

We were without our power for 4 full days and it has finally been restored. It takes a horrible thing like this to remind one of how truly precious electricity is in this modern day. I can honestly say that once again, the people from the Quad Cities area united to help one another out with generators, ice, places to sleep, food, and more often lending them a helpful hand to rake, chain saw, clean up, and be there for moral support.

It pained me so to throw out so much food from the freezer and the refrigerator. Today I was able to go to the grocery store and purchase items to replace those long tossed. I think about how spoiled we are in this country. All of the conveniences we have. All of the technology. We are over indulged to say the least. Always looking for bigger and better instead of appreciating what we have.

Anyway, they have been so many people who have extended help whether in deeds or words! Thank you to all of you.

(Funny how none of this was ever mentioned on the national news)

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Three Days, NO Electricity

By swimmer - Jul 23rd, 2008 at 9:08 am EDT

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In Rock Island, Illinois we were hit with a horrible storm at 6:00 a.m. on Monday morning. The after math of what they are calling straight line winds, is devestation. There are power lines down all over town with entire poles being broken in two like they were toothpicks, street lights broken in half at the pole, houses with holes in their roofs, cars crushed by fallen trees, cable lines and phone lines torn out, huge oak and maple trees completely uprooted. We are now on day 3 of nothing. Personally we have two huge branches on our roof and without being able to lift them to look underneath, it appears as though our roof has been saved. One huge branch is on our garage, branches are everywhere in the yard and there is barely enough room to get out of the back door. We are lucky compared to many others.

They have called in repair personnel from other states to help get electricity back to the 53,000 who are still without power. The thing that tore me up was hearing that a 9 month old baby was killed during the storm. The family was camping and had no warning of the impeding storm. No sirens were sounded until well after the damage had been done.

They are completely out of ice in this area and have been for 2 days. Those who did have ice threw the price up to $5.00 per bag. I had just returned home form a short trip to Florida on Friday evening so went to the grocery store on Saturday morning spending well over $200.00 to replenish the freezer and the refrigerator. All of that is gone, in the garbage. I just cannot imagine how this is going to impact the grocery stores when power is restored and everyone wants to go restock the frig. I uess I can cross the bridge to Iowa and shop there to avoid huge crowds of people. Right now they are speculating that the power may not be restored until Friday. So, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are being eaten out at whatever places we can find that are open.

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repost: Behind the scenes Go Obama!

By Duane Kuehn - Jul 12th, 2008 at 4:42 pm EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

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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McCain funding loopholes

By Duane Kuehn - Jul 10th, 2008 at 10:32 am EDT

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Hi All,

I stole this link from newday4us's blog.

As we all know, John McCain locked himself into the public funding system before he realized that the Republican Primary would be a "walk in the park" for him. Then he could not get out of public funding without explaining a few million dollars in loans and a few million in corporate jet transport through his wife Cindy.

We know that Barack made the right decision going with us, the people of the United States.

Unfortunately, as Barack said, the McCain campaign will have plenty of misleading advertisement from the "527's". More than that, he is recieving huge donations through the loopholes via the RNC.

Barack will be needing donations and lots of them. I have donated and hope to donate more with every monthly check. Now, I decided to open one of those fundraiser spots and hope some of you might help me out to reach that goal. I can't start donating in my own fundraiser thing until my next rather measly but not complaining check.

I hope that I get the links right and I hope some of you all will help me out with my fundraiser thing, though I know that ya'll already donate elsewhere. 5 or 10 dollars is great and will be very much appreciated by me and the campaign.

The link to the article about McCains funds:

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/07/07/for-mccain-money-talks.aspx

I tried to do a takeoff on the old saying and make it, "Wish in One Hand, Hope in the Other", kind of lame I guess.

The link (hopefully correct) to my fundraiser page:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/WishIn1Hand

Loveya,

Duane Kuehn

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Obama and energy policy, we can Change the system

By Duane Kuehn - Jul 8th, 2008 at 11:27 am EDT

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Hi All,
Here is a message I received from John Chamberlain at St.Louis for Obama. I hope you will all take a minute and enter a not on the Obama mypage as this asks. It is a marvelous system of renewable energy.

Apologies for any repeat postings.

I just sent this message to the Obama Team regarding America installing a real and feasible 100% renewable energy supply for America on a national scale - i.e. Thermal Solar power (not Solar PV panels), see:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/06/business/06solar.html? and http://www.trec-uk.org.uk/csp.htm .

This technology is applicable mostly to the American West & Southwest, i.e: California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. It is also applicable world-wide, with 90% of the world's population living within 1700 miles of a suitable area for such Thermal Solar power production, meaning only a max 5-8% transmission loss using HVDC lines. This make Thermal Solar power a TRULY 100% renewable power technology which can be applied world-wide to replace coal, oil and nuclear power stations and really start to clean up the world again. If it were fully installed in the USA (for less than the cost of the Iraq war) we would cut US C02 emissions by over 50% within 5-8 years.

The message to the Obama campaign is below. Please check this out. If you support the promotion of this technology, please send your own message on the subject to the Obama Team at this weblink:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/mypolicy -under 'Energy and Environment'

The McCain campaign is about to release a series of TV advertisements across America on Energy Policy, and the Obama Campaign needs to hear our thoughts on what real and renewable energies it should be promoting in return. Remember, Thermal Solar is in service TODAY and is 100% Renewable. Thermal Solar power plants only take about 2 years to build, and could take care of 100% of America's electricity needs in an area the size of 10% of Federal lands in Nevada. These plants could be dispersed across Western and Southwestern Sunbelt states and create thousands of jobs there too.

As members of the Obama Campaign let's promote 100% renewable energy technologies which really do work like Thermal Solar (and Geothermal) power, not hokey half-way houses like Biodiesel or so-called "Clean Coal" both of which will just do further damage to our planet in different ways. It may not be sensible to put 100% of our energy production into one technology, but clearly Thermal Solar should play a major or majority part in our future energy production.

If you support the promotion of this technology, please send your own message on the subject with your own technical and business inputs to the Obama Team at this weblink:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/mypolicy -under 'Energy and Environment'

This is not to say that other renewable power sources are not effective also (like wind, wave, tide etc), but this power technology is new to many people and in my mind offers the best advantages for the planet.

Sincerely yours,

John Chamberlain

BSc Eng, MBA

PS Some other links and resources regarding Thermal Solar Power are below:

Below is a link which gives you a good feel for production costs of Thermal Solar power vs. coal and other fuels.

http://www.trec-uk.org.uk/csp/costs.htm

www.ausra.com will likely have the lowest cost Thermal Solar power, and their new fabrication plant in Nevada has just been opened by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (click on RHS of webpage). Ausra uses Fresnel lenses (the same as in lighthouses) inside their mirrors to concentrate the solar power and heat the tubes of liquid above. Below are two nice slide shows on the technology:

http://www.ausra.com/pdfs/SolarThermal101_final.pdf

http://www.ausra.com/pdfs/070820discussion.pdf

http://www.ausra.com/pdfs/SolarPACESMills-Morgan.pdf

http://www.ausra.com/history/ History of Solar Power. Click on "1905-1954" and use the green arrow to scroll right to 1913. Amazingly this Thermal Solar technology was producing 55 HP (around 40 KW) back in 1913 !

Ausra's view on the future of Thermal Solar for the US is as below:

http://www.ausra.com/news/releases/080306.html

This is a very good article by John Hay on the same subject of Thermal Solar (check pages 1 and 2) plus a very interesting video

http://www.tellingthoughts.com/us-politics/baseload-renewable-power-solar-thermal-90-us-needs

It has also been pointed out that thermal solar plants usually need access to water supplies (not always accessible in desert areas!), although many types can use closed loop systems which limits the issue. In addition, Thermal Solar does not have to be the only renewable solution used, and others can clearly include wind, geothermal and solar PV.

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been a long time...

By Charles Lee - Jun 30th, 2008 at 10:53 am EDT

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It's been a long time since I have had anything to say. So many have said it all, or nothing. Months have passed and I have spent much of that time thinking about this election.

In my last series of posts, I got a warning letter from one of the most irate people in the world. It was some site op with little to do rather than warn me that I was posting on to too many boards, and I risked being kicked out of mybo.

Some great reward. It was poorly written in a nasty tone, with no reply address. Is this not the type of governing we wish to do away with?

I framed the letter and it is now a testament to how a few poorly chosen words by those representing Senator Obama could lose us support and votes. I stopped working on the campaign for 4 months.

4 months.

I almost did not come back. 4 Months of saying nothing, doing nothing, helping none.

I had given 10+ hours a week until then. I took a bus from Saint Louis to Cleveland to work the early March primary on my dime. There was a blizzard, and the weather overall was freezing. I could have been in Miami for the Winter Music Conference. I had VIP passes, including back stage passes. I would have met Paul Van Dyk, Union Jack, etc.

No regrets though. I had a life changing experience up there. I traveled on the mass transit in Cleveland and lived places others talk about over their morning paper and breakfast.

I have a deeper understanding of the importance of this election. I understand that we all need to understand more.

There were quite a few "Hillary Haters" up there. I chose not to jump in the fray, and often tried to cool down all that hot air talk. Would they speak like that if Senator Obama was in the room?

Imagine all the people we lost bashing Senator Clinton. Imagine all her supporters coming here only to see that we attacked her like we did Senator McCain.

Isn't civil discourse a possibility? Can't we agree to disagree w/o making people feel bad?

That letter is symbolic to me of all the Sen. Clinton, McCain and Mr. Nader bashing. Although the letter was not virulent, it was poorly written by someone weilding much power and little wisdom.

Afterall, I could have just kept posting, got kicked off and then made a new ID. I could reset of hide my IP and do it over and over again.

You see, it's more important to get people to understand you than to use sound bites or key words that anger each other.

"A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still"

I ran in to many Senator Clinton supporters at the Pride celebration in Tower Grove Park here in South City (Saint Louis) this past Sunday.

When they would tell me Senator Clinton was their first choice, I chose for the first time to identify with them. I told them that "I was for Senator Clinton, and then I switched."

It was true. I was for Senator Clinton before I knew about Senator Obama and what he represented as an ideal.

She smiled and the ice melted. Rather than making a joke upon her unsuccessful attempt for the Withe House, we talked about all the issues we both had in common. We failed to disagree on anything (I admint this is rare:)

How is that? How could a supporter of a different candidate be so similiar?

Those are questions we should ask each person individually. We should seek to know each other through personal conversations.

We should knock on our neighbor's doors and invite them over for dinner. We should reach out not as a televangelist trying to convert others before their impending doom, but as the regular person you are... leading by example.

I have just made friends with my new neighbor, and I have yet even to mention Obama to him. Once we know each other a little better I will feel out his politics, but to not know someone and to try and change their beliefs would be naïve.

Everyone has a different reason for supporting their candidate, and because one size does not fit all, it is unfair to lump any supporter of anyone in to any bin labeled for sorting.

We must lead by example by making decisions based on altruistic goals. Let us choose our words wisely. And most important of all, love thy neighbor, even on the interent.

this concludes my rant...

look me up if you need support at any event!

peace

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Barack, Obama, win, politics,

By Duane Kuehn - Jun 4th, 2008 at 2:05 am EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Hi All,

     Congratulations for a job well done!
     Mrs. Clinton has still not conceded, which is sad for the Democratic Party. I hope that she is not preparing to tear the Democratic Convention to pieces with lawsuits and such.

     We need solidity, solidarity. We need not make this such a battle of Republicans vs. Democrats as if we are Two Parties, as teams in a political football game. Now is the time to recognize that we are not Reps or Dems, “We ARE the People of the UNITED STATES”. “We the People” own this government and our government need to become Open, Transparent. Our elected officials should serve “We the People” not act behind closed doors or feed us false information to sway us to their agenda.

    I am thinking of calling myself a Democan. Lol

     It is time now to pull the people together. Put all of our personal thoughts aside and think of the “whole” of US. I hope we can set ourselves behind the goals of Barack Obama, and recognize his achievements. He did not slur Mrs. Clinton as many may have in his run for the nomination.

     I do not know whom Barack will chose as his running mate but remember that if he does choose Mrs. Clinton; their actual platforms are almost equal. For Barack she may not be such a bad choice. However, as in most things, Barack Obama knows much more than I do.
    Of course, only most things, not everything, I have to grab a little dignity here. LOL LOL

     It has been a historical primary, let us now offer our sincere condolences to the Clinton Clan, they fought hard for what they wanted and we should give them more credit for sticking to their guns and not give them abuse for ‘being “against” us’; for they are not really against us, they are a part of us. Moreover, they have shown great strength against a perceived adversary. They too, are knowing people and they shall make a great friend against McCain’s, or any other Bush candidates, lack of care for “We the People of the United States”.

     Let us be the strong who apologize to our fellows whom until today we have differed in opinion. If we are the victor’s, then to them hand the spoils.

Loveya,
Duane Kuehn

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Take the Super-Delegates from under her thumb!

By Duane Kuehn - May 22nd, 2008 at 8:29 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Hi All,

     Super-delegate Donna Christensen gave her pledged vote to Hillary Clinton. The Virgin Islands, where Mrs. Christensen is the Congressional Representative, gave Barack Obama over 85% of its popular vote.
     Still, Mrs. Christensen will not change her pledge from Clinton to Obama.
     Why?
     Her office says that she must consider, on a “federal” level, not only her own constituency at the Virgin Islands but also a broader constituency. One might think she is referring to tourist or something, who knows but as the majority of delegates on the mainland goes for Obama; she would be talking about a broader constituency living on mars for all we know.

     I fear that Rep. Donna Christensen is the reason Mrs. Clinton has remained in this race. The only reasonable explanation for Donna Christensen’s demand to forego the wishes of her own community of supporters is some behind the scenes favors passing below the radar.

     Please, everyone, contact the super-delegates. Once a decision is made, and they will make it, there will be no taking it back.
     Contacting super-delegates with a request to pledge Obama will do him no harm and might benefit him greatly. Mind you, do not say anything negative about Hillary, though you may point out positives about Obama.

     Below, is a site that lists super-delegates, the first link, to a site “guide”, the second to a list of already pledged super-delegates. I write the already pledged group to ask them to change to Obama. The second link is to super-delegates already pledged (you can write them in the same manner, asking that they change to Obama).

     Many have sat back, deciding this race for the nomination is in the bag.
     Do not underestimate the Clinton Clan.
     Why has she remained in this campaign? For a long time now, she has known that there is only one way to win. Super-delegates.

     The Clinton’s wield some very influential political power.

Super-Delegates now pledged
http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegate-list.html

A guide to the site
http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/03/guide-to-2008-democratic-convention.html

Loveya,
Duane Kuehn

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Understanding Wright from wrong.

By Charles Lee - Mar 25th, 2008 at 5:48 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

It's been a while, but here we go.

Here is a COPY of something special I found on Daily KOS.

The media fails America once again by naijaman Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 07:11:04 AM PDT

The truth about the Reverend Wright controversy is now starting to be revealed: The media manufactured it for ratings. How else can one explain the fact that anyone who actually takes the time to watch any of the videos would have a different impression from the one being pushed by ABC/NBC/CNN/MSNBC and most especially FOX?
I decided to pull of the video of Reverend Wright's sermon in which he allegedly made the comments blaming America for 9/11, and guess what I found? He was quoting Ambassador Edward Peck, who made those comments on FOX NEWS (oh, the irony) the day after the 9/11 attacks. Here is the evidence:
http://www.youtube.com/...

Around the 3-minute mark, Reverend Wright asks the church members if they saw the ambassador on Fox News, and what he had said. Then he proceeds to pull out a sheet of paper, and read the words of ambassador Peck.

This is another example of how the media has manufactured a controversy in order to sway the American public. We all should be very concerned about the media in the country, because after all...this is the same crowd that gave us the Iraq war.

-------

Basically, Wright was quoting someoe else for his public pulpit speech, but he is also being attacked for what he said outside of the pulipt. The problem is that poeple are combining both, and not understanding that Obama stands behind the Pastor, but not behind the evil remarks he made outside of the pulpit.

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Conyers

By Charles Lee - Mar 10th, 2008 at 3:35 pm EDT

Also listed in: 5 groups

On March 3th 2008 my life took yet another interesting turn. I met Congressman Conyers. After a brief conversation he recommended I take the LSAT and become a lawyer.

After some soul searching and discussing this with my closest friends and family I have decided to do just that.

I plan to study Constitutional Law, and to enter American politics on a platform based on the ideas driving Barack Obama to victory.

I will one day to create Change through just legislation.

I will give back to the country that gave me so much.

I hope this movement inspires all of us to do more than go through the motions in life.

"We are the Change we have been looking for!"

If you want to host or help organize the May 30th fundraiser, here is the link:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4rppq

I will add your name (or group) as an organizer in the event, helping us cross polinate into new areas.

I might be in philly for the big one but I have to see where I am with my school work.

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Illinois super delegate Info!

By maegan "hussein" chloë marie - Mar 6th, 2008 at 2:26 pm EST

Also listed in: 8 groups

Please please please write to the following UNDECIDED superdelegates and ask them to support barack!!

(see bottom of post for information on what to put in your letters)

--------

Undecided: Dan Lipinski – Representative, Illinois 3rd Congressional District

Washington, DC Office :

1717 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5701
Fax: (202) 225-1012
Toll free from IL (866) 822-5701

Chicago District Office :

6245 South Archer Avenue
Chicago, IL 60638
Phone: (312) 886-0481
Fax: (773) 767-9395

LaGrange Office:

19 West Hillgrove
LaGrange, IL 60525
Phone: (708) 352-0524
Fax: (708) 352-0927

Oak Lawn Office:

5309 West 95th Street
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Phone: (708) 424-0853
Fax: (708) 424-1855

EMAIL: “I am very interested in hearing your views on issues of importance to you. Due to the large volume of US Mail, email and faxes I receive, I am only able to accept messages from residents of the 3rd Congressional District of Illinois. Congressional courtesy dictates that Representatives be given the opportunity to assist their own constituents. If you are a resident of another district, I encourage you to contact your Representative in Congress by clicking the following link to the Write Your Representative Service.” (http://www.house.gov/formlipinski/zipauth.html)

----------

Undecided: Rahm Emanuel - Representative, Illinois 5th Congressional District

Washington DC office address:

1319 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

phone: 202-225-4061

fax: 202-225-5603

Chicago Office address:

3742 West Irving Park Road

Chicago, IL 60618

phone: 773-267-5926

fax: 773-267-6583

EMAIL: "Regrettably, I am unable to reply to email from constituents outside of the 5th Congressional District of Illinois. Please enter your zip code to verify you are a constituent and proceed to send me an email." (https://forms.house.gov/emanuel/IMA/email_zipcheck.shtml)

----------

Undecided: Carol Ronen, former member of the Illinois Senate representing the 7th district (2000-2008) She stepped down ONLY ONE MONTH before the primary! (So she was serving the same people who voted for Obama)

Springfield Office
Senator 7th District
218 B Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706

Phone: (217) 782-8492

Fax: (217) 782-0715

Main District Office
5533 North Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640

Phone: (773) 769-1717

Fax: (773) 769-6901

Email: carol@carolronen.org

Campaign Office
5539 North Broadway Avenue
Chicago, IL 60640

Email: carol@carolronen.org

----------

Undecided: Edward Smith, Regional Manager of the Midwest Regional Laborers’ Union

Retiring this May from his position. Lives in Olive Branch, IL.

“In line with its endorsement process, Change to Win unions representing two-thirds of the federation's members voted today to back Senator Barack Obama for President. LIUNA abstained from the vote in order to allow its internal endorsement process to continue.”

Source: http://liunaactionnetwork.org/laborers/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=15825293

Edward M. Smith, LIUNA Vice President and Midwest Regional Manager
1 North Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 525
Springfield, Illinois 62701

Phone: (217) 522-3381
Fax: (217) 522-6588

----------

Undecided: Margie Woods, Nat'l Dem. County Officials , Will County (Joliet)

http://www.willcountyboard.com/woods2.htm

561 Dover Street
Joliet, Illinois 60432

Phone 815-722-6924

-------------------

==========

------------------------

Undecided or pro-Clinton: Illinois Super Delegates

Why anyone in Illinois should vote for Barack (with data from http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/states/IL.html):

He won 64% of the vote on the Feb. 5th Primary
The state of Illinois moved its primary up in order to help Obama! (That’s how much Illinois loves him!)
Hillary is from Illinois (near Chicago), but the only counties that she won were in EXTREME SOUTHERN Illinois.
Absolutely no counties at the same latitude or north of Springfield (Sangamon County) went to Hillary – all of these went to Barack, including the key counties around Chicago, Champaign, Peoria, and Rockford.

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Spy in our midst!!!!

By Charles Lee - Mar 3rd, 2008 at 12:02 pm EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

From: Brian Burke Sent: Mon 3/03/08 9:51 AM To: Ohio Out of State Volunteers (OhioOutofStateVolunteers@groups.barackobama.com) Not! Just needed everyone's attention.

Last night on Hannity he was asking ppl on street to name one accomplishment of Barack and they couldn't.
How about a legal scholar (Harvard Law Review) who became a community activist instead of a money hungry lying cheating Wall Street corporate attorney?

Don't think the Republicans are not worried by now or do not know that Hillary winning nomination is their best way of keeping the White House.

REMEMBER THIS: Abraham Lincoln was a self-educated downstate Illinois attorney but became well known and his supporters were zealous because of the character of the man. Extremely smart, bright, decent, witty, etc. etc. etc. ABE was not even an incumbent when he became President and previously had served a mere term in Congress before becoming the President of the United States. But he kept the Union together and was a brilliant commander-in-chief (leading Grant, Sherman, etc. etc. etc.) even though he never served in the military. When people wanted general Grant removed because he was a heavy drinker, Lincoln replied that, if so, perhaps Lincoln should send cases of whiskey to his other generals -- displaying great judgment and wisdom. When the civil war was over and many wanted to make t he Confederates suffer, it was Lincoln who had the heart and mind and soul (i.e., "judgment") to reply that our former enemies are now our fellow citizens, making reconciliation that much easier. (We know of the poor judgment of the Allies in WWI and how their onerous terms at Versailles upon the Germans is credited with the rise of Hitler.)

Barack Obama has a resume that can out shine most. How many of us can name one accomplishment of Hillary Clinton? According to her, her accomplishments include those of her husband's administration during his 2 terms in office. But not its failures. We all know the "Millionaire's Club," the Senate, is not the National Football League. Most people don't sit around watching CSPAN. So, for Hannity (a Republican) to go to Times Square (NYC) and ask New Yorkers to name one accomplishment of Barack Obama is very misleading. Which is what he wants to do -- mislead viewers. Come to Rush Street in Chicago and ask people to name one accomplishment of Hillary Clinton. I cannot name one. Failed health care reform when she was a first lady. Honestly, I cannot think of one accomplishment. I cannot think of any accomplishment even of Edward Kennedy, whose been in the Senate almost longer than a nyone else. Unless they sponsored a bill that is widely talked about (average voters don't sit around talking about Senate bills), the average person does not know what ANYONE in the senate does, and most don't do much that gets talked about outside of Washington circles.

A lot is at stake, let's educate the masses. Clintons have a lot of supporters who have power over the press, same with Republicans. The masses can be fooled, or at least just enough of them to turn a tight election in the wrong direction.

On Sun, Mar 2, 2008 at 10:23 PM, Matthew Binder <youlooksofine82@gmail.com> wrote:
Hey guys sorry about not planning anything for tonight after canvassing I'm pretty exhausted! It was a beautiful day out today! I will be canvassing out tomorrow also after 2,3pm until evening, probably complete one or two turfs. We are looking for volunteers still (as many others are) out in District 20, the main office is out on 1195 Technology Dr. Columbus OH, If anyone wants to partner up with me let me know! And if anyone is actually doing anything tonight or Monday night let me know, I might be able to make it.

Matthew

Good luck to all you guys workin hard! The hard work will pay off. And what a fantastic experience it has been!

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Please help. Read this.

By Charles Lee - Mar 2nd, 2008 at 3:02 pm EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

So here we are in the final stretch of "The big ones". and I have never been so confident that our efforts will not be in vain. On my way to Hq in Cleveland I saw some reprinted Obama literature being read by two people in the downtown mall.

Hold up. Reality check. People are downloading the pdf's from our site, and reprinted and distributing them as we speak. But it is a small operation, compared to what it could be.

So please take the issues that concern you and download the digital copies on our site and get them to your neighborhood shops. Get them into the pizzerias, laundromats, convienence stores, or whatever small shop will allow you to leave information.

This is a critical moment in our movement, and it offers us a unique oppurtunity to bring hard copies to the masses.

At the very least, we could download the pdf's and email them to friends who are apathetic in hopes we rekindle their hope for a better tomorrow. Or send themthe link below.
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/

Reach me here for help if you have difficulty in downloading the digital copies (pdf's) from the site.

Charles Lee
Intern

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