Watching big insurance and the ole school Republicans battle to do away with reforms, and democrats, and just about everything and everyone against them brought me to research a little past history. Populist movements aren't new, but their ability to last and to be effective is. Never before have everyday people had the ability to align themselves, communicate, and act as one, as is evident today. Even wiith vast amounts of corporate money being spent on PAC'S, lobbiest's, cable news networks, politicians, and judges; Today, don't be seen attending some elitist style lobbying party these days, not with the internet frely flowing (especially Facebook, myspace, and twitter)youwill be on it. For "It" has changed the world of power brokering, meaning all that money and power that was being spent in purchasing government has gone to waste. It'sneeverbeen more evident than an evening with cable news tv. The populist movement that removed the GOP and their tin-eared breatheren. An historical example of populist movements would be Sid Hatfield, yes of the Hatfield-McCoy fame, and father of the mine workers union, ( Sid Hatfield (1893–1921) was Police Chief of Matewan, West Virginia during the Battle of Matewan, a shootout that followed a series of evictions carried out by detectives from the Baldwin-Felts agency. " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Hatfield ").
Chief Hatfield who came to the aid of the poorblue collar city folk and tried to prevent the mine corporation's privately hired detectives from evicting homeowners,(for things like union activity, political adversion, and self determination) was murdered on the courthouse steps along with friend Ed Chambers, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9980 .and became a Martyr. No charges have ever been brought for this public murder.
Sid seemed to have the ability to bring people together in a common goal, and the will to stand firm for what was right. The mega corporations of that time, in control of the town, county, state and federal government wouldn't have this, after all, they were bought and paid for. Of course, there was no internet at that time and certainly a huge corporation's spent money, was money you could count on forever. Today, big Corporation's and their recipients (i.e. GOP Today) appear to be showing the signs of disillusionment over this fact, that is the lasting effect of a financial power base being in demise and no longer in control. "Just can't seem to buy them anymore I suppose".
Anyhow, Sid Hatfield turned a populist movement into reality back then, especially as a Martyr; The West Virginia Mine War ("southern operators, closely linked financially with the big steel and railroad empires, had the statehouse at Charleston and most of the law on their side" (Bush/Cheney years?) http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/1974/5/1974_5_58.shtml.
The union effort, atempts to forbid private detectives killing, arresting and beating locals all came to a climax after the murder of Police Chief Hatfield,(Blair Mountain) and comments by Frank Keeney speaksof such; "You’ve got Uncle Sam on your side now, and he won’t let you down. You can fight the government of West Virginia, but by God you can’t fight the government of the United States.”
Makes you wonder if FOX news and Glen Beck ever read this story.., or maybe they have? After all, democrats coming together have made insignificant, the republican machine and left them in dis-array, CEO's fired, Big Insurance now being leveled, politicians like the magnificent Grayson speaking up & out. Jobs and money coming back to our country.
THANKS INTERNET & SID HATFIELD
" I am a New Democrat."
Pres. Barack Obama 3/10/09
The SC New Democrats are conducting a SCePoll amoung South Carolina voters about your ideas and suggestitons of how we can build on Barack's success here in SC and win in state elections in 2010. http://scnewdems.questionpro.com/
Pls take a few minutes and take the poll and give us your ideas and suggestions.
And then be sure to come to our Winning NOW - Seminar and Strategy Session on April 24 at 2:30 at the Inn at USC. Also, we will have a reception following the seminar honoring the 'Rising Stars' in Democratic politics in the state. http://www.scnewdemocrats.org/
Come help us change politics in South Carolina...NOW.
Thanks for all that you are doing
Phil Noble
I've been meaning to post this sooner, but I've been busy with my new job, and it still hasn't really sunk in for me yet. I can't believe it! I'm so proud of President Elect Obama and all the work that we all did to make this happen. I'm glad to say that I was a part of something so historic. I want to thank everyone that made this website possible and the folks in charge of the call team for giving me the opportunity to make a difference. I really appreciate this, and I'll never forget it. I'm so excited that Barack was elected! I can't wait for him to take charge this coming January and show everyone what true change and leadership is. We did it!
Love,
Nadiya
Well, this year has been extremely exciting, and now everything's coming to an end. I already know that all of you are going to hit those polls today. I'm going in a few minutes. I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this experience. It wasn't always pleasant making those phone calls (especially in the swing states), but for the most part, I loved it, and I feel good knowing that I played a small part in history. I hope y'all feel the same way. Let's get out there and get Barack Obama elected!
BTW, just a small tidbit...the other day, I was making calls to Florida, and I had an immigrant woman on my list (happens every now and again). Well, when the woman answered, I told her who I was and why I was calling. She then rudely replied, "Who's gonna vote for a black man?" and hung up the phone. That nasty comment alone makes me want Sen. Obama to win this thing even more than before, just to prove that bigoted woman wrong. Everyone, bring your family and friends to the polls, do whatever you have to do!
One last time...Obama-Biden '08!
Hey, y'all!!
I went to Charlotte, NC and canvassed for Sen. Obama this past weekend (Oct. 24, 2008) by way of MoveOn.Org. I had a really great time! I carpooled with some really nice ladies, and the folks we spoke with were really cool. Most of them had already voted early for Sen. Obama (that was the point of us going to the neighborhood in the first place; to get people to go ahead and vote early), and we sucessfully convinced two people to register and vote early as well! It was great! We didn't stay too long, but I still had a great time, and felt good about doing my part. I walked away with some cool souvenirs, too! If the ladies contact me again to go this weekend, I'm definitely going again! Let's get on out there and vote!
Obama-Biden '08!
Notzi
P.S. I just finished The Audacity of Hope this weekend during my trip. It was a fantastic book. For anyone that wants to know "The real Barack Obama," all they have to do is read this book and/or Dreams from My Father. They'll learn everything they need to know.
Hey, y'all...okay, let me say something...I'm not a big Puffy (or should I say "Diddy") fan. Don't get me wrong he's produced really great music over the years, he's made a few good songs for himself, and he has a very lucrative business that continues to grow, but as a person...he's something else. I'm not going to get into the reason he turns me off as a person, but I will say this...I watched Puffy's latest blog---his 26th blog to be exact (his blogs make me laugh sometimes...he can work my nerves from time to time, but I like his blogs because they're funny), and he really told some truth about the election and getting Sen. Obama to win the overall election. He actually managed to go up a few notches in my book. This was really great, and I wanna share it with y'all. Click on the link, and check out this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vw4n7Dfte0
Peace out, y'all!
Obama-Biden '08!!
P.S. I meant to comment on the last debate earlier, but I'll do it now...it was great. McCain pulled out his punches, but Barack never faltered, and he never backed down from anything that Sen. McCain threw at him. I was extremely proud!
Hey, y'all! You guys know I had to type my blog for the last debate before the big day! I can't wait to see it tonight. I'm curious to see what each competitor will bring to the table, especially John McCain. I don't underestimate Sen. McCain for a second, but I really want to see if he's going to mention any of the vicious lies he's been spreading about Sen. Obama these past few weeks. Michael Baisden (a popular radio DJ with a daily afternoon talk show, for those of you that have never heard of him) is holding a "In Your Face Debate Party" today in Texas (I can't remember which city in Texas, though...I want to say Fort Worth, but don't quote me on that). It's called "In Your Face" because he's going to be watching to see if McCain is actually going to say all the things he's been saying in Sen. Obama's face this time. Everybody remember to tune in and see the results! Good luck to Sen. Obama; this last debate will be crucial!
P.S. My family and I are doing okay now. We got a short reprive with our utilities (we have until next week to resolve the matter), but we're not out of the woods just yet. For now, I can still make my phone calls at home, and I'm really happy about that. I just hope we can come up with a solution for my home situation by next week.
I don't know if I'll be able to continue making my phone calls from home anymore. My mother and I may be losing our utilities this month. It's a shame this happened. My mother and I are both college educated and hard working, but yet in the small town we live in, it's almost impossible for us to find work. Then, when we do find work, pettiness and jealousy from employers always seems to rear its head. South Carolina is one of the few, if the only, state in the US that has no union, so an employer can and will fire an employee for any reason, even if it's less than legitimate. Not only that, but the area I live in seems to steep in nepotism and favortism. On top of that, the crappy state of the economy doesn't help matters. It may seem like I'm just making excuses, but I've literally bent over backwards to find work; tried every avenue and gone out on every limb. So far, nothing's come through. My family and I are really suffering because of this. I can't take it anymore. Things really need to change. To everyone that's reading this, please get out there and vote on November and change things. If it's not too late to register wherever you're located, please get out there and register. If you're volunteering and still have all your resources, please keep doing what you're doing. I don't know if I can still make my phone calls, and that really hurts. However, if I can, I'll try to volunteer at my closest campaign HQ; I've always wanted to do that anyway. That's all I have to say. I'll see y'all later.
Hey, y'all.
I watched most of the debate last night. I'm sad to say that during the original airing, my friends and I struck up a conversation and I missed part of it, and during the repeat airing on CNN, I was feeling a bit under the weather and fell asleep after taking some medicine to feel better. However, I caught most of the debate, and what I saw was interesting. What was even more interesting is that Sen. McCain did not really "take his gloves off" as he claimed he was going to do, and as a result, more people were swayed in Sen. Obama's direction.
Sen. Obama still has a lead over Sen. McCain, which is wonderful. However, we still have a long way to go. We're winning, but we haven't won. So far, the lead is 47% to 45%, according to CNN. Even though McCain's numbers are behind Sen. Obama's, he's actually seen an increase since yesterday, and Sen. Obama has had a decrease as a result. Before the debate, the percentages were 50% to 44%. We're still doing good, but we have to make sure that Sen. Obama has a clear win in this election. To anyone that's reading this blog, whatever you're doing, keep doing it, or better yet, do more if you can. If you're doing all you can do, then that's fine, too, as you long as you keep at it. If you haven't gotten involved in an activity yet, try to get involved doing something. You'd be surprised how something small can go a long way. I'm going to keep doing all I can. Right now, due to my financial situation, all I can do is make my phone call. However, I'm calling people in my homestate of South Carolina, and now I've gotten phone calls to make to North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennslyvannia as well. If I get assigned to more states, I'll make calls to those states. I want to make sure that Sen. Obama gets in office, and with all our help, we can make it possible. Let's keep fighting the good fight until November! That's all I wanted to say. Thanks. Bye-bye!
I'm just poppin' in again to give my thoughts about the debate tonight (I know it just seems like I only write when a debate is airing, and well, I guess I do!). McCain claims that he's going to let the gloves come off for this one. With that being said, I hope Sen. Obama takes his off too, and lets nothing slide, and hold nothing back. It's getting down to the wire, and we have to be bold now! That's all I really have to say for now. See y'all!
Well, the next debates are tonight, and it's gonna be VP hopeful Joe Biden against Sarah Palin. The last debate was interesting (although I have to admit, there were times where my mind wandered while I was watching), and I believe this one is going to be even more so. I'm very anxious to hear what Sen. Biden and Gov. Palin have to say. I'll be sure to turn in tonight at 9:00 pm (after "Ugly Betty", of course), and I advise anyone reading this blog to do the same.
Well, I've been handed more calling responsibilites since the last blog post. Now I have to make calls to South Carolina, North Carolina, and to various women in Pennslyvania. With the South Carolina Neighbor to Neighbor program, I've been promoted to Level 2, and I'm on my way to Level 3. I also see that I'm now an official member of the SC Call Team. I'm still debating on whether or not I should join the National Call Team. I've got a lot to do right now, and very little time to do it...Election Day will be here in almost a month.
I'm a bit upset, though. I made calls to North Carolina last week, and when I went to document them, my call list had been replaced with a new one. According to the people that power the list, it refreshes ever so often if you don't document the calls you made right away. I understand that, but I'm still a bit upset. I was looking forward to recording the some of the people had to say. Not only that, but a few of the folks I talked to in North Carolina were a bit...rude. Now, I'm not dissing folks that are from NC---please don't think that. However, some of the people on that particular list weren't the friendliest folks you'd want to talk to, and now it seems like my hard work in calling them was a little bit in vain. Don't get me wrong, I understand why the list had to be changed, but I'm still a bit disappointed. With that being said, I'll go ahead and just print out all the lists I received today and try to document everything in a timely manner. I'll start making the rest of my calls today and work the rest in for the remainder of the week. No need getting too upset over a small setback, right? Well, that's all I have to say today. I'll see y'all later!
Hello all. I'm Nadiya, and this is my first blog post on myBO.com. I'm writing this blog because I'm extremely pleased with the little bit of work I've been doing the last few days to help Sen. Obama. I've been doing the Neighbor to Neighbor Campaign. I know it's not much, but it's something. It's the most I've ever done for any presidential campaign, and even though I've only gotten through to a precious few people (so far), I'm proud of myself. You see, I haven't been working in the past few months, due to the shoddy economy and fickle employers that live in my hometown, and I had been really down on myself. These last few days that I've been making these phone calls, I feel better about myself than I have in a long time. I feel like my little contribution is making a bit of a difference---not only for Sen. Obama's campaign, but for my own future and my friends' and family's future. I'm going to continue to do until Election Day. I may even join the National Data Team and make some nationwide calls to spread the message. The Senator is ahead in the polls, but we need all the help we can get!
The other thing I wanted to express my opinion about today is the first presidential debate that's going to be airing tonight. I can't wait to watch it. I know Sen. Obama is going to do a great job. Now, more than ever, I want to hear both candidates express their views and plans for the failing economy. That, in my opinion (and possibly in the opinion of the majority of America as well), is one of the most pressing issues we have in this country right now. Also, I'm curious to hear what Sen. McCain now has to say for himself, since he was eager to decline his participation in this debate earlier this week. I'm really excited for this event. Unfortunately, I couldn't host a party, but I definitely will be tuning in to this debate later on tonight, and I'll be sure to call a few people to let them know that it's coming on. That's all I really wanted to say right now. I'll be sure to write again later!
This weekend in Anderson, we will be having a huge registration canvass in Homeland Park and South Anderson.
We only have 3 more weeks to register voters and it's important that we focus on this.
Please join us this Saturday at the Anderson County Democratic Party Headquarters (115 N Main St, Anderson) at 10 am. Late arrivals will also have plenty to do, but please come as early as possible.
Please signup so we have an idea of how many are coming:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs74py
Andrew Hammett, Regional Field DirectorBarack Obama's Campaign for Change
864-314-6615andrew.hammett@gmail.com
This blog is a reminder for the Anderson Democratic Party's annual summer BBQ. Please bring all of your families and friends
You can see the details of this event by going to: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4bsh
BREAKING: We will be joined by The Honorable James E. Clyburn, House Majority Whip, as our headline speaker. Also addressing the BBQ, on behalf of Senator Obama, will be former South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Joe Erwin! 4:00 - 5:00 PM - Organizing meeting for the 3rd Congressional District and Jane Dyer's candidacy for Congress. 5:00 - 8:00 PM - BBQ, Music, and Speeches from Candidates and guests. Plenty of candidates, food, drink, and Democrats to meet! Bring your appetite and your friends to the 3rd annual Anderson County Democratic Party Barbecue which will begin at 5:00 p.m. at Anderson Farmers' Market. Ron Gilreath will provide his world famous barbecue plus fixins', as he has done the past two years. Barbecue plates will be $10. Plates for children under 12 will be $5 and desserts will be $1. Members are asked to bring desserts packaged in individual servings. Barack Obama memorabilia such as shirts and bumper stickers can be purchased. One Hundred Dollar Club buttons will be available for those who have contributed $100. There will be blue grass music by David Snyder's Last Road Band. We will hear from candidates and other distinguished guests. This is our major fund-raising event each year. All proceeds beyond expenses will be used to keep our headquarters open on Main Street and to help our candidates in the fall election.
