Hi All,
Terri S. sent me this link to give spread around. I hope everyone will visit it and pass the link.
All you have to do is visit the animal rescue site and click on the box. They will donate a small amount of food to rescued animals for each click they get, and they are not getting enough clicks right now.
Please help them help animals. It's simple, quick and free, and does a world of good. Please pass on to others that might be interested in helping.
Thanks,
Terri S.
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3
Loveya,
Duane
Republicans should be ashamed of themselves. President Obama has reached out to them to engage them in a process of uniting to create a recovery package that will work for the American people. They have chosen the path of obstructionism and obfuscation. They have good reason. Their political lives are at risk. However, the real shame is on US, the people of this nation. We continue to be led down the primrose path by our inability to see the truth about ourselves, our inability to know reality.
At this time of great national crisis, you would think that the American people would take a close look at the record over the last several decades (and that includes the era of Bill Clinton) to understand that "trickle down economics" is a sham that destroys good government and establishes a corporate welfare system that sustains the privileges of extremely rich people and tramples the lives of middle class and lower income people. The outcomes of such policy are now evident. Thousands are losing their jobs and their homes. The "American Dream" as it has been sold to us is now, for many, the "American Nightmare."
We learned yesterday from the New York Times online of the hardships being faced by those who might have to live on $500K annually, the failed CEO's who continue to take their bonuses after losing billions of dollars. What is completely remarkable, however, is the arrogance of the Republican minority. In the face of a strong mandate for change in the last election and the fact that the very foundations upon which they have built their political capital have collapsed into the sink hole that's swallowing our entire economy and destroying thousands of peoples' lives, they remain adamantly committed to the policies that are producing such destructive outcomes for all of us. And, we are giving them credence for God's sake!
The time for change has come. Nothing to be afraid of. It is what it is. We will learn, although our suffering will have to be great. The policies that our Republican friends say are the "solution to our country's economic meltdown," simply don't work. Yes, we can take some measure of learning from these policies - personal responsibility, good stewarship, an understanding that government can't solve all of our problems. These values are always in style; however, let's put away the voodoo economics, the favoring of the privileged, rich and well-connected, and the shaming of good government. These are not our nation's values and they certainly are bad policy.
Alexis de Toqueville said that in a democracy, the people get a government they deserve." Let's make sure that we get good government back and eliminate once and for all the thinking that says that "government is the problem" and if we keep unproductive rich people rich, things will be OK. Obama is right to fight for accountability and stewardship in government. Let's help him achieve this important goal - for our own sake and the sake of the future of our democracy.
See the article below from the New York Times online:
White House MemoAlready Back on the Trail, Now to Sell a Stimulus PlanBy JEFF ZELENYPublished: February 9, 2009President Obama will travel this week in an effort to build support for his economic stimulus plan.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/us/politics/09obama.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
The United States is a land of opportunity. Most poor and low income people who are interested in ownership can get into the equity game by buying a home, increasing its value through hard work, neighborhood involvement, and, hopefully, taking advantage of an economy that is strong enough to increase the home’s value. This has been a recipe for success and a proven method for building the middle class throughout the the last half century.
If one believes in this “American Dream,” home-ownership has been a good bet for most people. Of course, we’ve seen that “dream” dashed by the greed and opportunism of a rapacious, unregulated financial sector that has preyed on the poor and the middle class for quick profits. They’ve just about destroyed our economy in the process with thousands of people losing their jobs and their homes.
The premise of people “buying into” the economy through homeownership, however, is still a good idea. When people have a stake in their own economic well-being and a place to be engaged in community-building, everyone wins. This is how the promise and responsibility of our democracy should be empowered.
A national housing trust fund is an idea whose time has come. Well, it has come already, but the government hasn’t seen fit to really fund it properly. In Missouri, the state Housing Trust Fund, created by a small amount of money that comes through every real estate transaction ($8, I believe) provides funding for affordable housing, transitional housing, renovation, and investments in Continuums of Care to End Homelessness. These efforts are badly needed in Missouri and throughout our nation. In addition to spurring the economy by rapidly disbursing funds for construction and housing-related jobs, a trust fund would strengthen the ability of local Continuums of Care to End Homelessness to create and operate transitional housing and permanent supportive housing for those in need, cutting our homeless populations, and saving taxpayers millions of dollars in spending on social services that are incurred when homeless people access emergency rooms and city services.
In Missouri, the Real Estate lobby has opposed increasing the $8 fee. They see it as a “tax” and have furiously and vociferously argued against any increase. I believe that if most people understood what these dollars are used for, they would gladly pay a much larger fee. As a part of a real estate transaction that may be worth 100’s of 1,000’s of dollars, what’s an additional few dollars when you understand that these dollars are going to programs that leverage and provide gap-funding for the homebuilding industry, supporting low-income and middle class people so that they can buy into the “American Dream.” The Real Estate industry is being short-sighted. These extra dollars build their business but they would rather play politics than do something that would be good for all of us, including their own sector.
The time has come for adequate funding of housing trust funds. Funding the National Housing Trust Fund through the stimulus package is one direction. Increasing the funding for the Missouri Housing Trust Fund is another.
Benjamin Franklin was right. Either we all hang together or we will assuredly all hang separately. Obama’s message of unity is needed now more than ever. Let’s work together to build new homes, strengthen the prospects of the poor and the middle class and rebuild our economy.
See the editorial below from the New York Times online:
EditorialA Stimulus for the Poor
Published: February 7, 2009Congress could help low-income Americans find homes — and create jobs doing it — by providing money in the stimulus package for the National Housing Trust Fund.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/07/opinion/07sat3.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
Listening to NPR the other day there was a passing comment regarding the relationship of the US economy to consumer confidence – about 2/3 of the US economy is directly connected to consumer spending. Not news in itself but with confidence in Bush at an all time low what could be the potential economic impact of Obama just winning the election. Some of the data is pretty surprising.
According to recent survey by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs, 8% of respondents said they are likely to increase holiday spending because of the election of Sen. Obama. Although it does not say how much the spending is likely to improve, a little back-of-the-napkin math can help put this into perspective.
In the 2007 there was about $70b in holiday spending and according to Mastercard about 40% ($28b) was spent online. If 8% of people spent just 5% more that translates into an additional $280m. If it is more like 8% of people spending 25% more the number jumps to $1.4b, or an overall increase of 2%.
Another survey by the National Retail Federation projects that 2008 holiday spending will increase 1.9 percent over 2007 spending. In a nutshell, Obama could provide a lift in Holiday shopping that could double the expected growth in 2008 spending.
Even more impressive is the overall potential impact on the US and the global economy. Gallup daily tracking poll of consumer confidence in the US has shown a 9 point drop (80 to 71) in the people who view the economic outlook as “negative” just over the last week. Not significant? The negative score has not been at 71 since February.
By Daily Mail ReporterLast updated at 6:01 PM on 07th October 2008
A man told today how he was shot three times in a London street for wearing a Barack Obama T-shirt.
Dube Egwuatu was buying a mobile telephone top-up card in an off-licence when the gunman confronted him and glared at the top, which carries an image of the Democrat US presidential candidate underneath the legend 'Believe'.
The man then launched into a tirade of racist slurs, shouting 'I f***ing hate n*****s' and urging 36-year-old Mr Egwuatu to leave the shop with him.
Respect: Dube Egwuatu wearing the Obama T-shirt that provoked a racist attack
The man then left the shop but when Mr Egwuatu re-emerged, the attacker was waiting for him in broad daylight with a threatening-looking dog and holding a gun behind his back.
Realising what had sparked the increasingly violent assault, the terrified Mr Egwuatu zipped up his jacket to cover the image of Mr Obama and walked to his car.
But the shaven-headed man, who was white, followed Mr Egwuatu and after pulling open the passenger door pointed the gun at him.
After pleading with the man to leave him alone, the married former street warden put the keys in the ignition and turned the engine on.
The attacker then fired the gas-powered ball-bearing pistol three times, hitting the civil servant in the face, hand and shoulder.
Fearing for his life and bleeding heavily, Mr Egwuatu raced away in his car and found somewhere safe to call for help.
He was taken to hospital and later sent to have a piece of metal removed from his jaw.
Mr Egwuatu, a data analyst with Croydon Council, said: 'The venom in his voice was frightening.
'He was telling me that he was going to kill me.
'I couldn't believe it was happening - and just because I was wearing an Obama T-shirt. He was trying to make me walk somewhere quieter, saying: 'I've got something for you,' and 'I'm going to kill you.'
He added: 'Obama inspires me, his educational track record alone is quite unbelievable - that is why I was wearing the T-shirt.
'I did not think for one minute it could stir up such powerful feelings of hatred and I never said a word to him.'
Mr Egwuatu's wife, Angela, 35, said neither of them had experienced anything like it during their childhood in Nigeria.
Mrs Egwuatu, an immigration officer, said: 'At first my feelings were pure horror and now it is pure anger.
'If he had been carrying a real gun I would have been a widow. It is just ridiculous.
'I don't know how a person's mentality works. Why would a T-shirt get you to the point where you want to shoot someone.'
To the untrained eye, ball-bearing guns like the one used in the attack look every bit like a real firearm.
The potentially lethal weapons are often converted by criminals to fire real bullets, and can be bought easily in high-street shops and on websites.
The Met said it was investigating the incident, which took place in South Norwood, and that police searched a nearby house which the attacker was seen going into.
No one has been arrested
just like in the days of noah they was giveing in drink and marriage and picking aking
danceing and all kinds of foil things was done.
same as today giveing in marriage drinking partying killing stealing all kinds of foil
things lawless citys same as in the days of noah,
this election is very inportaince" and not because of a black man are a white woman.
we are headed into a new world order, and just in the days of noah things were
ugly. then and same now NO the aintichrist" is on the seen but has not been revealed yet
most people are going to get cart off guard. because there looking for something
spooky."we are at the begaining of the larbor pains,the larbor pains are such as no
jobs, homes being gone." whites against blacks"~ kids are out of control, police dont
care anymore, gays are liveing as husbands & wives" banks falling and the G7
is seting up for the NEW WORLD, "kids are haveing (STD)s" as young as 13 of age.
mothers are sleeping with her childs boyfriends, no dads in the homes .B & W
all i have to say the next guy who come. in office has to deal with this mess weather
he like it. are not i rather have "obama" than anybody eles.even if obama wins we
need to repent, because when its all said and done HELL is real and jesus is
coming back and it wont be long" PLEASE GET YOUR HEART RIGHT WITH GOD
According to a poll taken over the weekend by Fox News and Rasmussen, Sen. Obama has now taken the lead in Missouri by 3% after trailing Sen. McCain for months.
Missouri 10/5, 1,000 LV 3% Obama 50, McCain 47, Barr 1, Nader 1, McKinney 0
CNN also shows Obama in the lead by 1% from a poll taken two days earlier. It will be interesting to see if there is impact from the debate last night and how this story will play out in Missouri - the only state to pick the president in every election for the past 80 years.
i was looking at john mccain face every time he though he had Obama in a corner he has
a smarky smile on his face he john is a snake dont you agree!!!!!!!!!!!
From the Huffington Post:
In hopes of organizing a robust demonstration for the vice presidential debate this Thursday in St. Louis, the pro-Iraq War (and ostensibly pro-McCain) organization, Vets for Freedom, is resorting to offering local college fraternities hundreds of dollars if their members come and hold signs.
In an email obtained by the Huffington Post, Vets for Freedom field staffer Laura Meyer offered a fraternity at St. Louis University a "sizable donation" - plus free lunch - if it could use their pledges to demonstrate outside the VP debate.
"I was emailing you today," wrote Meyer, "because I am trying to find people who would be willing to hold up signs for a few hours in the afternoon this Thursday outside the VP debate site. It's only for a few hours and you can gain a lot from it.... first off, lunch for any guys who agree to volunteer will be on me. Secondly, they will get lots of media attention! My organization did a similar thing in Mississippi last week and a ton of them were on TV. Meaning, the guys could wear their [REDACTED] gear while holding up our signs and get attention for their frat. Also, they will get to hang out with a bunch of really cool Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans.
"Lastly, and here's the kicker.... if you guys can get us at least 20 volunteers for those few hours, my organization will make a sizable donation to your fraternity. If you use pledges you could look at it as 'free money and free publicity'. If this sounds like something you may be willing to help us out with, please let me know ASAP!"
Reached by phone, Meyer said the total amount of cash the frat could earn was between $200 and $250 for organizing 20-plus members. She also noted that the program was a success in generating publicity during last Friday's presidential debate.
Judy Mayka, a spokesperson for the national chapter, said that the practice of paying for demonstrators had been going on without their knowledge and would subsequently end.
"Obviously this was not a direction from national and we have contacted the Missouri staffers and volunteers and told them it is not appropriate in our policy," she said. "And those who choose to attend the vice presidential debate should not be compensated."
As for the payments made for volunteers during the Mississippi presidential debate, Mayka added: "We will be looking into that."
The practice of paying volunteers is perfectly legal, and having scores of rowdy pro-war supporters cheering on the backdrop of TV sets can be an effective way for Vets for Freedom to disseminate its message.
But keep in mind, some of the people demonstrating outside the VP debate had a choice to make: take the money from Vets for Freedom or subject themselves to a night of hazing and binge drinking. On Thursday, we will see how many chose the former.
The National Enquirer has exposed a Sarah Palin scandal that, if true, threatens to derail the McCain/Palin campaign. According to the Enquirer, Palin cheated on her husband Tom with Todd’s former business partner, Brad Hanson, who at the time was a married man.
Hanson owned a snowmobile dealership with Palin’s husband Todd, who angrily dissolved the partnership after he heard about the affair, which occurred around 1996.
Hanson denies ever having an affair with the 44-year-old candidate, but his family members say otherwise
MACAIN IS A LIRA JUST LIKE HIS DADDY BUSH, IF YOU REALLY LISTEN TO HIM HE IS SAYING THE
SAME THING BUSH SAID EIGHT YEARS AGO.
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some white people will ,never understand why Obama mean so much untill"
you relive the history of black people.long as you keep your mind closed.
you will always say race has no place in the elecition,well let me remind you
that our kin played the race card,against blacks in the 1700-1968.and most if
not all of 2000.and we never said not one word long as we whites got the best,
of both worlds,we have always had our freedom and our grandfarthers had.
slaves,and we whites only have what we have because of the black hand because
they did jobs that we dint want plus they raised out uncles and aunties so
we as whites needs to wake up and get and new way of thinking and liveing
john mccain is 71 years old and your not going to tell me his daddy didnt
have a black slave !!!!!!!!come on his age alone tells you he came up doing
the time when we whites hated blacks
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