http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090413/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_cuba
YES WE DID! YES WE MUST:
Þ Protect him from harm both verbal & phyiscal
Þ Stay "FIRED UP" by staying active
Þ Work Bi-Partisan to bring "Change" together
Þ Don't just bitch, get active and stay engaged
Þ Start and join a local "Change" group
Þ Be philanthropic, serve your community, state and nation
Þ Stick by Obama, STOP smears on the Right & the Left!!!! Hold yourself responsible as you hold Barack!
Join the future of this movement!!
http://change.gov/joinus
http://www.communityorganize.com
http://www.ourpresidency.com
http://www.usaservice.org
http://www.whitehouse.gov
Barack's DNC 2004 Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWynt87PaJ0&feature=PlayList&p=B1939005B8A4D4ED&index=188
Barack's DNC 2008 Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ato7BtisXzE&feature=channel
Barack’s Election Acceptance Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wJ-2Zu_Iic&feature=channel
Barack’s Inauguration Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnygQ02aW4
US Policy on Cuba - Change for Honesty, Peace and RespectBarack Obama embodies what the world admires from the US. With the foreign policy on Cuba, the President and the new Congress have the opportunity to change the relationship between neighbors based on universal tenets of Honesty, Peace and Respect.This letter intends to provide a rational, non-political recommendation to elevate the US foreign policy on Cuba in the eyes of the world from a current position of isolation. At the same time, this will resolve the 50-year conflict and facilitate the reconciliation of the cuban people. As human beings, we are response-able, we have the ability to choose our response to the reality that happens to us, rather than just react instinctively to it, letting those events shape us, dominate us. We can choose a truly rational response if we use our imagination to remove ourselves from this conflict.HonestyCuban national hero, Jose Marti, revered on both sides of the political conflict, represents the ideals of independence of the cuban people. Marti not only fought for Cuba’s independence from Spain, but also warned against US intervention in Cuba. Marti lived in and admired the US, but he fought for Cuba’s independence, period. Independence is what is truly instilled in the cuban people, as much as it is in the american people. Unfortunately, the US did intervene in Cuba at the end of the independence war against Spain, occupied Cuba for several years, and still today, after more than a century, occupies a portion of the Cuban territory in Guantanamo. An honest position for the US would be to return Guantanamo to Cuba. Guantanamo is not a political issue, it is an issue of honesty for the US.PeaceThe embargo is reminiscent of the cold war. The cold war is over and Cuba does not represent a risk to the US national security. The focus should not be in the past, where US companies, cuban people and government have all lost a great deal from the expropriations and the embargo. The focus should be in a future of opportunity and peace for two neighboring nations.An embargo is not a policy justifiable for political differences. Today, it would be difficult to imagine any nation, let alone the US, a beacon of freedom in the world, to initiate an embargo against another nation based on political differences. It would be a violation of the sovereignty of that nation. As a principle, the embargo should not exist for political reasons. Thus, any political discussion or condition associated to the embargo, is not legitimate. Even the lofty goal of freeing political prisoners should not be put as a condition to end the embargo, only because it is a political issue.Today, the embargo is not a political issue, it is an issue of honesty for the US.Respect
Any long term relationship should be based on mutual respect. Obama should not only unilaterally eliminate all the restrictions on travel and remittances, as he has promised to do, but as a principled position based on honesty, should also return Guantanamo to Cuba and call for Congress to end the embargo. There is no need to negotiate these changes with the Cuban government because honesty is not negotiable.
Let freedom speak for itself, and let us cubans decide our own destiny.
FIU Poll Analysis
Here are some highlights of the publicized FIU poll and some conclusions and strategic opportunity for the democratic party in Miami.
55% oppose continuing embargo 65% favor reestablising relations w/ Cuba 79% embargo has not worked 79% favor direct talks Voters 56% of registered voters favor continuing the embargo 60% citizens 40% not citizens 24% of citizens polled are NOT registered to vote Means aprox 45% of all polled are voters (3 of 4 citizens are voters) 27% of voters are democrats, 21% independents, 52% republicans 62% voted for McCain, republicans + half independents 18-44 Obama 51%, 45-64 McCain 56%, 65+ McCain 80% 72% voted republican for Congress 18-44 republican 66%, 45-64 republican 68%, 65+ republican 83% Age groups younger 18-44 support 65% lifting embargo, 77% normalizing relations, 88% direct talks middle age 45-64 support 53% lifting embargo, 60% support normalizing relations, 74% direct talks older 65+ oppose 68% lifting embargo, 58% normalizing relations, but support 62% direct talksConclusions overwhelming support of direct talks generational shift in opinion in favor of lifting embargo and normalizing relations majority of polled are NOT registered voters registered voters still support embargo 56%
Cubans voted for McCain almost 2 to 1 Cubans voted Republican for Congress almost 3 to 1 Strategic Opportunity for Democratic party in Miami A clear position for lifting the embargo, normalizing relations and engaging in direct talks is supported by the majority of cuban americans 18-64. Thus, it represents an opportunity and a solid position for the future as the 65+ group decreases. As a consequence, it also has the potential of delivering a significant number of independent and republican voters for the democratic party. The republican party can not realistically change its position and take advantage of the generational shift, as their incumbents are well known hardliners. Thus, the republican party will suffer if the democratic party takes this position and makes Cuba a significant issue in the next congressional race.
Thank you OFA fellow community organizers....we are almost there!
But today there is still a few more things you can do to help finish the job until the polls close.
Your "Precinct Chair" has a list of folks in your precinct that have not yet come to the polls, this is a great opportunity.
If you do not know who your precinct chair is, here is how to find him or her in Houston: http://www.hcdp.org/precinctchairs.php
Contact your precinct chair and see what you can do to help.
Our neighborhood last night only had a list of about 100 folks that had not voted yet. Split the list with other community organizers in your area and call these folks or put a reminder to vote today on their door!
Ken from the DNC has vote reminder lit at our OFA Headquarters - 4300 Lyons Houston 77020, we must GOTV!!!
Another option if you would like to volunteer today, you can be an Obama Precinct Captain by standing outside your polling location wearing your Obama gear ready to greet voters.
Remember, these are your neighbors and if lines are long tonight they may be encouraged to stay if they see you there.
During the Primary some of the folks that came to vote stayed with us for part of the day.
If standing and greeting is not your thing, MyBO will be updating the battleground state calling list throughout the day.
The campaing is planning to post the names and numbers of specific pockets of voters in strategic battleground areas that have not made it to the polls.
This you can do in the comfort of your own home.Also there are busy call banking locations all over town, you may want to find one near you and bring snacks or drink to the volunteers.
The Harris County Democratic Party is phonebanking today, and also OFA has several locations, here is how to find an OFA call banking location near you in Houston: http://gotv.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpvvv4
In a few hours we will know who the next president will be, Obama and his campaing strategists had a plan for this election, they did a great job mobilizing folks, and you did the rest.
My heartfelt thanks for all you have done so far and will do today.
Feel free to email me or call anytime today.
With Obama Love,
Maria Isabel
mariaobama@gmail.com
713.542.0721
Early Voting for the entire state of Florida has just been extended.
Every Early Vote location in Florida will now be every day from 7am-7pm up through November 2.
Please pass along this great news to everyone you know who will be voting in Florida. Click here to find your nearest early vote location.
Here's the release:
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS ~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~October 28, 2008Contact:GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008. "I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote." Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting. Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting. Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29. Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217. STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217 WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties; WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; andWHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008. GOVERNORATTEST:SECRETARY OF STATE
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS
~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~
October 28, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
"I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote."
Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting.
Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting.
Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29.
Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217.
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217
WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and
WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and
WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and
WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties;
WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; and
WHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:
I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008.
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
SECRETARY OF STATE
In Ike's Words, why some conservatives like Obama
Colin Powell's endorsement today adds muscle to the growing conservative chorus for Obama.
This post features the endorsements by Susan Eisenhower (Ike's granddaughter) Wick Allison (former publisher of the National Review) and the Chicago Tribune, with their first endorsement of a Democrat since the paper's founding in 1847.
Scroll down the page at MakeFloridaCount.com to find -
resources to counter McCain lies
and The Fight for Florida - why we can't stop now. Encourage your friends in Blue States to use my.barackobama.com to call battleground states.
Be sure to make use of the resources on the left side of the page at MakeFloridaCount.com and MakeOhioCount.org to reach undecided voters.
Yours,
Barbara
As a person that aspires to be a devout Catholic and take ALL the teachings of the Church seriously, I felt compelled to come to terms with my wholehearted endorsement of Obama, including his position on reproductive rights (which I also support from a position of civil tolerance).
As a subscriber to Friar Jack's eNewsletter at American Catholic, I wrote the letter below prompted in part by one of his associate's columns (see: http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/fj091708.asp), which I found very loving and insightful. For what it's worth, I also feel the need to share my thought with other Catholics that support Obama because I sense that I cannot be the only one that feels the tension from by religious and political beliefs.
Dear Friar Jack,
I appreciate your work in bringing the Gospel message of love and forgiveness to the issue of abortion. No doubt the right to life is inviolable and sacred. Your quote from the psalms expresses the model of unconditional love that our God has for every one of us: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you” (Ps 139:15).
I believe that this "right to life" is enhrined in our hearts, but that due to sin, including original sin as well as personal and social sin, that we are sometimes unable to recognize it. My personal stance of tolerance for "reproductive rights" or the "right to an abortion" tries to conscienciously take into account the full teachings of the church, which in this case forces me to deal with the paradoxical and tragic sense of life as both sacred and flawed (without the saving grace of redemption that comes from Christ Jesus).
Some of you may have already seen this on other groups, but I thought it worthwhile to spread this story.
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-ayers13-2008oct13,0,3632087.story
Vote Obama!
Tino
I was sent today a great GOTV music video.
Enjoy!
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=-ycu0sy5RW8
On September 26th, 2008 I helped organize a large group of Obama supporters in Miami Shores, Florida to create further enthusiasm in our community and surrounding community. The rally "Honk and Wave" event effort was geared towards getting visibility and exitement up in Miami Shores but also we were able to recruit some more volunteers, registering new voters, and inform voters on early voting. The rally was quite successful... Here is a link to Youtube.com video of it (or just search by "Miami Shores Obama Rally"):
Miami Shores 1st Presidential Debate Street Rally/Honk and Wave 9-26-08: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN5DpVvX4Rw
The first rally was so successful we did it again for the VP debate. We registered voters and gave out flyers to passing motorists too on early voting, how to volunteer, etc.
Miami Shores VP rally Honk and Wave 10-2-08:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZf49atn1hg
We Plan to have another Rally on October 7th, 2008 for the 2nd Presidential Debate.
There was a message circulating some of our groups in Florida yesterday that spread incorrect information conerning the the ID needed to vote. We're going to clarify below.
A message from the Florida Campaign for Change chief election lawyer:
I am the Obama-Biden campaign’s chief election lawyer in Florida, and I have received the 'no match no vote' message from several sources. This message is categorically false. Our reading of the clear statutory language does NOT require that the address on the driver’s license (or other ID) that the voter presents at the polls match the voter’s address in the precinct register. Furthermore, this press release from the Florida Secretary of State definitively ccnfirms:http://www.dos.state.fl.us/news/communications/pressRelease/pressRelease.cfm?id=330 See the last bullet:· I.D. required and checked at the polls is used solely to confirm the voter’s identity. Not to verify the voter’s ID number or address. The photograph on the ID is compared to the person standing before the poll worker and the signature on the ID is compared to the signature on record.
I am the Obama-Biden campaign’s chief election lawyer in Florida, and I have received the 'no match no vote' message from several sources. This message is categorically false.
Our reading of the clear statutory language does NOT require that the address on the driver’s license (or other ID) that the voter presents at the polls match the voter’s address in the precinct register. Furthermore, this press release from the Florida Secretary of State definitively ccnfirms:http://www.dos.state.fl.us/news/communications/pressRelease/pressRelease.cfm?id=330
See the last bullet:
· I.D. required and checked at the polls is used solely to confirm the voter’s identity. Not to verify the voter’s ID number or address. The photograph on the ID is compared to the person standing before the poll worker and the signature on the ID is compared to the signature on record.
Please feel free to email florida@barackobama.com with any questions or concerns.
I have been volunteering for Sen. Obama's campaign for over a month now and I love every minute of it. I have knocked on doors and called thousands of Miami voters, and you can feel the excitement in each moment. People are ready for a new, better direction. Sen. Obama will bring us the change we need and DESERVE as Americans.
I hope that reading this will inspire you to get out and volunteer in your community. Don't let typical politics get in the way of your convictions. There are simple ways to volunteer, and you can get involved NOW!
EVERY VOTER NEEDS TO CHECK THIS OUT BEFORE ELECTION DAY!
ALL VOTERS SHOULD VERIFY THEIR STATUS ON LINE BEFORE ELECTION DAY
Do you what to know if you are a registered voter?
Do you want to know what precinct you need to vote in?
You can verify IF YOU ARE REGISTERED by putting in you name, birth date and address at:
http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/ab-status.asp
If you are not on this list and you think you should be, call 305-499-VOTE (8683)
Want directions to the your poll?
http://www.miamidade.gov/elections/precinct-finder.asp
LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IS MONDAY OCT 6TH!
It's painful to watch the Republican National Convention. Not because of the march of the penguins (Romney, Guiliani, Thompson) or even the snide remarks of their Alaskan bait-and-switch operator("I'm just like Hillary, really"). The most painful part to watch was John McCain. It's because he's the most likeable and was the most honorable, and he's now sold himself to the people who took part in his destruction 8+ years ago.
Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal suggested the solution to Ireland's social and economic problems by fattening up poor children and .... well... you'll have to read it. John McCain proposes that we solve the problems in government by sending in a man who couldn't stand up to his own party, and a women who panders to the worst elements of his party. Swift was using satire; McCain 2008 believes his own BS. The McCain of 2000 (if he's still in there) probably has an ulcer.
John McCain 2000: The Swiftboaters' First MissionSee the section labeled -- Turning McCain's record into a liability - how they did it.
Bring back the real McCainHawkish foreign policy, irresponsible tax cuts, more talk about religion and abortion: all this sounds too much like Bush Three, the label the Democrats are trying to hang around the Republican’s neck. We preferred McCain One.
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12009710
Johnny, We Hardly Know YeWhen it was pointed out that McCain's pronouncements on the economy often do not conform to his official positions, the candidate's chief economic adviser indicated that we should pay attention to the authorized version -- despite the fact that McCain "has certainly I'm sure said things in town halls" that might deviate.
The Risk of the ZingerMcCain likes zingers. We've all seen that mischievous look -- just before he shot a quip or sarcastic one-liner at GOP rivals such as former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. It's one of his appealing qualities, but in this case it worries me. Zingers don't make good foreign policy. They embolden friends and provoke adversaries -- and in the Georgia crisis, that has proved to be a deadly combination.
Palin's nomination was such a shock, not because she was a woman, but because she was a woman with slim qualifications. What did McCain hope to gain by picking this particular woman? Most pundits agree that it was a political strategy aimed to provide him with 3 things: a woman (to get those disgruntled Hillary voters), a pro-life/creationism believer (to get those like-minded Evangelicals), and an historic "first" (in this case, a woman in the White House). Now those Republicans who couldn't come up with a good reason to vote Republican, can now point to these three things and feel just a little more warm and fuzzy about their decision.
But let's get real for a second. What's the point in making history, if the woman we elect takes us back 20 years on women's issues?
Gender discrimination and legalized racial segregation are issues that LIBERALS addressed -- and fought against -- consistently. And I'm not talking about 20-30-40 years ago. I'm talking about issues that are being decided TODAY. For example, Lilly Ledbetter is a former Goodyear Tire and Rubber employee in Alabama who filed a landmark gender pay discrimination suit that went all the way to the Supreme Court. She spoke at the Democratic Convention, but you probably didn't see her unless you were watching C-Span. Her story is compelling and it's even more reason WOMEN should pay close attention to the false rhetoric coming from the Republican party.
Over the past few weeks, I've been talking to a lot of folks about what they're concerned about going into this election. One big topic that keeps coming up is taxes and the economy. I've collected some articles and research over the past few weeks...Here's a quick guide...
Obama's Economic Plan (See section on Middle Class Americans Tax Relief)
FINANCIAL MAGAZINE COVERAGE
CNN/Money: See where the presidential candidates stand on the major economic issues.
CNN/Money: What they'll do to your tax bill
Obama and McCain Tax Proposals
INFO FROM NON-PARTISANS GROUPS
Overview of tax issues from the Tax Policy Center, a joint venture of the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution.
Summary of the Presidential Candidates’ Tax Plans from The Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan tax research group based in Washington, D.C.
EDITORIALS AND OP EDS
All the evidence in the world won’t stop Republicans from claiming, as they always do, that Democrats are going to impose a crippling tax burden on ordinary hard-working Americans. But it just ain’t so.
Economy Is History Siding With Obama’s Economic Plan?
Rich Man’s Burden
Just joined one of the Alaskans for Obama groups and they have made 6,535 calls.
We better get busy!
M
John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin actually gives me the feeling that he really does not want to win.
The choice is so bizarre that he cannot be serious. She is such a right wing nutcase. She preaches abstinence and her underage daughter gets pregnant. How are the citizens of this nation going to take her seriously when her own daughter doesn't.
Last time I checked, social conservatives would be telling a mother with 5 children from the ages 3 or 4 months to eighteen which include an infant with Down's Syndrome, a son being deployed to Iraq, and a pregnant minor, that she should be home taking care of her brood. Then again with her penchant for guns and her pit bill demeanor, maybe it is better she doesn't stay at home.
But the main point is really the credibility of John McCain. He has made a very poor choice for V.P. which leads me to believe that he is not too serious about winning this election. What was he thinking or drinking when he came up with this loser strategy
