I am furious that the "Home buyer tax credit the senate changed to include all homebuyers got reverted back to "first time home buyers" only. My wife purchased her home before we got married 5 years ago—I have never purchased a home, my name isnt even included on the deed on this tiny house. We have been married for 2 years and I am disqullified beacuse of that. We are just about to close on our new home, and we shall now be penalized for a silly and unfair technicality. We are not wealthy the home she purchase on her own is very inexpensive and small. We saved got approved when everyone else cant and now have to watch others get a hand out. Maybe I'm just upset (obvioulsy) but this doesnt seem fair, or very American. Why cant it be a tax credit for all or no one, or atleast pro-rated.
All I can say is WOW!
This was our first Obama rally that we ever attended. We could never attend the previous ones because of our work schedules (he was always here during the weekday in the past). Let me just say that my girlfriend and I were totally overwhelmed by the massive amount of people at this rally. It started at 11:30 so we figured we'd get there about 10am. We thought this would be early. Boy, were we wrong. Driving through Denver, we were astounded to see lines (sometimes 4 or 5 people deep) winding around the entire Civic Center Park and snaking in and out of every single surrounding block. It was a mix of young and old, black, white, rich, middle class and poor. But what they all had in common was the hope for change and to get a glimpse of the man who has jumpstarted the whole movement and has given it a voice.
It took about 15 minutes to find a parking spot about 5 blocks away but we managed. While walking to the event, we were again dumbfounded to see the line of people stretching for a mile in all directions. We had NO idea where the line started or where it ended! After circling around an entire block, we finally found the end and settled in to make our way to the park.
What was so amazing about this crowd was that there was nothing but positive energy! Some people had been there since 7 in the morning (and some even earlier, I'm sure), but the crisp fall temperatures and breeze didn't dampen anyone's spirit! We ended up making quick friends with a couple from Denver. She was a staunch Democrat while he had recently made up his mind to vote for and even volunteer for Barack. He had never voted Democratic in his life. This is the type of story that has been echoed hundreds of thousands of times across the country. Hope and change knows no party affiliation!
As we winded our way through to the park past vendors flaunting t-shirts, buttons and signs, it became apparent we wouldn't be able to get into the bowl of the park to get close to the stage, so we were redirected by DPD to take an alternate route to the outskirts of the bowl. As we approached the park, we were once again astounded. For as far as the eye could see, there was a sea of people stretching in all directions, from the City Courthouse all the way back to the state capital building steps! Unfreakinbelievalbe! People were standing on garbage cans and the marble walls surrounding the park, on the tops of surrounding builidings, clinging to light poles and trees, and some even ventured to climb up the forklifts holding the massive speakers lining the park area...all just to get a glimpse of Barack!
My girlfriend and I literally got stuck a few times trying to get closer, but we decided to move to the outer perimeter onto the road separating the park and the state capital building. This turned out to be a pretty good place to be. it was amazing, we looked toward the park....tens of thousand of people...we looked back toward the state capital building...tens of thousands of people...to the right thousands...to the left thousands.
It was simply awe-inspiring to be part of history like this. It was heartening to know that so many have awakened from the "slumber" we've been in the past 8 years.
We did run into a couple McCain/Palin supporters, but we both held our comments. We are here to make a positive difference and include everyone. Unlike many of the McCain rallys I've seen on TV, where those with opposing viewpoints where figuratively "tarred and feathered", this crowd was nothing but positive, even towards the couple of guys holding "We Don't Want the Kind of Change Obama Offers" signs. It's America, they're entitled to their views. That's what made this country great and what the forefathers envisioned.
Although we were never able to get a glimpse of "the man" we were able to hear every word crisply. A few dignitaries spoke and right at noon, Barack emerged. Even he was suprised by the throngs of people. "Goodness Gracious!" he said, "Does Denver do anything small?" The crowd rebutted with "Never!" Much of the speech repeated the talking points of his past speeches with many comments aimed at Coloradans, interspersed with chants of "Yes We Can" and "O-B-A-M-A".
After 40 minutes, our feet became weary and our stomachs started to growl for lunch, but it was DEFINITELY worth it! If and when this man becomes president in 9 days, we'll be able to look back and tell our kids we were there to witness a little bit of history and be part of the change we've been waiting for!
My Grandmother and I were watching the news tonight when the story broke that Senator Obama's grandmother's health has taken a turn for the worse. My heart goes out to Obama tonight. As I was sitting with my grandmother and taking in this news, we both got teary eyed. We have been working together on the 85andchange.com blog, as we have worked on so many projects together, and this news hit home. My grandmother was imagining what must be going through the heart and mind of Barack's grandmother, while I was thinking of the fear and love that Barack must be feeling.
I sincerely hope that her health is strong enough to get her through the next few weeks. Win or lose, she has accompanied Barack through his amazing life, and I'm sure it will be so satisfying for her to see this journey through to election day. And I am sure it is his hope to be able to call her, or see her the moment after he is elected the next president of the United States!
On behalf of my grandmother and myself, our thoughts and prayers go out to his whole family tonight, and we pledge to do whatever we can to get her wonderful grandson elected.
If anyone cares to share a story of a bond between grandparent and grandchild, or just would like to share their hopes for Obama's grandmother - I encourage you to visit my grandmother's blog at 85andchange.com.
Obama "Halloween" Desktops & Posters! Hi, folks... After requests from people living outside of Bucks County, PA who wanted to use the "HOPE Pumpkins" posters and desktops I photographed and created ... ... I put together some new Halloween designs for all to use with the simple phrase: "Fear. That's so last eight years." And as bats circle above in the skies, majestic pumpkins carved with the emblazoned letters of "HOPE" stand as a beacon of promise and a rejection of the old days of fear. These are available for free download on my personal website (www.BillJacobs.us), on my Vote Obama Page. There, you'll also find some other fun and inspiring "treats". Enjoy! Wishing You Peace, Bill
BUCKS COUNTY, PA FOR OBAMA! - Posters & Desktop Images I've created some "Bucks County, PA For Obama" downloadable Desktop Images and Posters featuring a majestic and very seasonable image of pumpkins carved with the word HOPE glowing in the sunset. These are available (for free) on this special page on my website: "Bucks County, PA For Obama!" On that page, you'll also find links to an inspirational music video of a recent event held in upper Bucks County ("HOPE Pumpkins Lighting The Way To The White House For Obama") ... ... as well as a link to very hilarious and thought provoking parody of John McCain's website (did you know he's dumping Palin for Mrs. Fields? wink-wink) Please stop by my special Bucks County For Obama Pages and take advantage of the very special content and images ...
... just for us!
Wishing You Peace,
Bill
A music video of "HOPE Pumpkins Lighting Obama's Way to the White House," an event held in Bucks County, PA on October 12, 2008. To view the video, please go to the home page of my website, www.BillJacobs.us, and click on the link under the main picture (a link is also available there for YouTube Viewing). This inspirational video of the HOPE Pumpkin event is accompanied by the song "Eternity," performed by Lionel Richie, from the CD "Yes We Can: Voices Of A Grassroots Movement". At this grassroots community event, pumpkins were carved and decorated by volunteers of all ages to light the way to the White House for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. A community banner with personalized messages was created and volunteer bakers used the pumpkin meat to make pies to donate to the local shelters and domestic violence centers in Lehigh Valley. And on this perfect autumn day in October, creativity and passion flowed ... and HOPE truly was illuminated!
I'm happy to report that Granny Gobama has decided to stay in Ohio through the election. She already sent her request to California for her absentee ballot and has changed her flight home. The project that we launched together - 85andchange.com - has been more popular than we could have imagined and after all our effort, we could not imagine being apart on Election Day. So my grandmother will be moving over to my house to stay for a few weeks.
Together we will focus more energy on her blog, and try to get her out to even more events. This will also allow her to have further face-to-face conversations with some of her older friends here in Ohio and tell them again why she is supporting Barack Obama. Maybe... just maybe... she'll be able to convince another voter, as she was able to convince her Florida voting Son!
Go Obama!!
This is a sick article. I caught this on my morning news search. It's interesting that it occurred at a predominately white Christian school. I thought all Christians were supposed to be tolerant and accepting of all. What is even more sickening is that police are NOT treating it as a hate crime but simply as an "expression of free speech". This harkens back to the 50's and 60's. If we vote in religious nut jobs like Palin, we'll face more of this same type of incident.
OBAMA/BIDEN '08
McCain out and out lied again about his campaign's ties to lobbyists when he was interviewed by CNBC yesterday. An article in Newsweek by Michael Isakoff debunks his lie.
See the interview: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/23/freddie-mac-paid-mccain-c_n_128770.html
Read the article: http://www.newsweek.com/id/160561/page/1
Do any of you make and distribute buttons, pins, etc.? Here's a suggestion: Make buttons that say "Ask me why I'm voting for Obama" I think the person-to-person discussion they'd invite has already been one of the biggest strengths of Obama's campaign, and this would amplify that! And I think they'd put out a much more engaging, friendly vibe than plain old "CANDIDATE'S NAME/PICTURE" buttons. (A lot of people would love to share with strangers their ideas of why Obama's their candidate, but, like most normal people, they don't habitually strike up conversations with random strangers! These buttons would at least invite the strangers to reach out.) What do you think? I say make 'em, give 'em out, or sell 'em and donate the profits!
Since the McCain/Palin camp is touting he's done so much for education lately, I figured I'd go through some of thier more recent votes/views on education bills in the Senate:
McCain's Votes:
Folks:
It appears that we are again the laughing stock of the world.
If anyone is even considering voting McCain/Palin for ONE SECOND I have to question their judgement. Either they're idiots or have been living under a rock the past 8 years!
Check out what some on the other side of the pond have to say about Palin...
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/features/viewpoints/story.html?id=da1180a1-409e-4dc0-8be8-da2680d6b9ca&p=1
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/29/america/NA-POL-US-Palin-Vulnerabilities.php
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,576286,00.html
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/02/america/02mother.php?page=1
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/alice_miles/article4662805.ece
http://www.alternet.org/environment/97207/sarah_palin%E2%80%99s_big,_sleazy_safari/?page=entire
SORRY ABOUT THAT FOLKS...PASTED WRONG LINK!!
Unfortunately, I had the honor of having to watch a good portion of the RNC convention last night. I don't know about any of you, but I was sickened by the supposed "tribute" video about 9/11. Are we that sick a society where we have to use tragedy to sell a political viewpoint? I wasn't watching MSNBC so I didn't see the original broadcast, but I commend Keith for stating, on air to millions, what he really felt about the use of the dead to further a political cause. I urge you to pass this video along to everyone you know. We need to get the word out that electing McCain/Palin IS NOT real change. It will be more of the same, and probably worse.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDx80bnFrVs
Peace Scott
Mr. Chairman, delegates, and fellow citizens: I am honored to be considered for the nomination for Vice President of the United States…
I accept the call to help our nominee for president to serve and defend America.
I accept the challenge of a tough fight in this election… against confident opponents … at a crucial hour for our country.
And I accept the privilege of serving with a man who has come through much harder missions … and met far graver challenges … and knows how tough fights are won - the next president of the United States, John S. McCain.
It was just a year ago when all the experts in Washington counted out our nominee because he refused to hedge his commitment to the security of the country he loves.
MCCAIN'S REAL COMMITMENT TO NATIONAL SECURITY....http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/02/10/mcauliffe/
With their usual certitude, they told us that all was lost - there was no hope for this candidate who said that he would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war.
But the pollsters and pundits overlooked just one thing when they wrote him off.
They overlooked the caliber of the man himself - the determination, resolve, and sheer guts of Senator John McCain. The voters knew better.
And maybe that's because they realize there is a time for politics and a time for leadership … a time to campaign and a time to put our country first.
Our nominee for president is a true profile in courage, and people like that are hard to come by.
He's a man who wore the uniform of this country for 22 years, and refused to break faith with those troops in Iraq who have now brought victory within sight.
WRONG!!! John McCain has voted against veteran's benefits time and time again..
.http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/9559
http://www.democrats.org/a/2008/08/mccain_watch_mc_6.php
And as the mother of one of those troops, that is exactly the kind of man I want as commander in chief. I'm just one of many moms who'll say an extra prayer each night for our sons and daughters going into harm's way.
Our son Track is 19.
And one week from tomorrow - September 11th - he'll deploy to Iraq with the Army infantry in the service of his country.
My nephew Kasey also enlisted, and serves on a carrier in the Persian Gulf.
My family is proud of both of them and of all the fine men and women serving the country in uniform. Track is the eldest of our five children.
In our family, it's two boys and three girls in between - my strong and kind-hearted daughters Bristol, Willow, and Piper.
And in April, my husband Todd and I welcomed our littlest one into the world, a perfectly beautiful baby boy named Trig. From the inside, no family ever seems typical.
That's how it is with us.
Our family has the same ups and downs as any other … the same challenges and the same joys.
Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge.
And children with special needs inspire a special love.
To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters.
I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House. Todd is a story all by himself.
He's a lifelong commercial fisherman … a production operator in the oil fields of Alaska's North Slope … a proud member of the United Steel Workers' Union … and world champion snow machine racer.
Throw in his Yup'ik Eskimo ancestry, and it all makes for quite a package.
We met in high school, and two decades and five children later he's still my guy. My Mom and Dad both worked at the elementary school in our small town.
And among the many things I owe them is one simple lesson: that this is America, and every woman can walk through every door of opportunity.
My parents are here tonight, and I am so proud to be the daughter of Chuck and Sally Heath. Long ago, a young farmer and habber-dasher from Missouri followed an unlikely path to the vice presidency.
A writer observed: "We grow good people in our small towns, with honesty, sincerity, and dignity." I know just the kind of people that writer had in mind when he praised Harry Truman.
I grew up with those people.
They are the ones who do some of the hardest work in America … who grow our food, run our factories, and fight our wars.
They love their country, in good times and bad, and they're always proud of America. I had the privilege of living most of my life in a small town.
I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids' public education better.
When I ran for city council, I didn't need focus groups and voter profiles because I knew those voters, and knew their families, too.
SOME INSIGHTS TO HER TIME IN CITY COUNCIL...http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/09/an-wasillan-on.html
Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown.
SOME INSIGHTS INTO HER TIME AS MAYOR...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-schmeltzer/palin-almost-recalled-as_b_122769.html
http://www.adn.com/sarahpalin/story/510219.html
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2008/090308a.html
And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves.
I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities. I might add that in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening.
BARACK'S COMMUNITY ORGANIZING EXPERIENCE...http://www.chicagoreader.com/obama/951208/
We tend to prefer candidates who don't talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco.
As for my running mate, you can be certain that wherever he goes, and whoever is listening, John McCain is the same man. I'm not a member of the permanent political establishment.< br>
SEE JOHN MCCAIN'S FLIP FLOPS...http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/9111.html And I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone.
But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people.
SEE JOHN MCCAIN'S CONNECTIONS WITH LOBBYISTS..http://mediamattersaction.org/freeride/lobbyists/
SEE PALIN'S LOBBYIST CONNECTIONS...http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/palins_lobbyist_has_abramoff_t.php
Politics isn't just a game of clashing parties and competing interests.
The right reason is to challenge the status quo, to serve the common good, and to leave this nation better than we found it.
No one expects us to agree on everything.
But we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions, and … a servant's heart.
I pledge to all Americans that I will carry myself in this spirit as vice president of the United States. This was the spirit that brought me to the governor's office, when I took on the old politics as usual in Juneau … when I stood up to the special interests, the lobbyists, big oil companies, and the good-ol' boys network.
PALIN...BIG OIL'S CHEERLEADER AND BEAUTY QUEEN...http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=67981§ionid=3510303
Sudden and relentless reform never sits well with entrenched interests and power brokers. That's why true reform is so hard to achieve.
But with the support of the citizens of Alaska, we shook things up.
And in short order we put the government of our state back on the side of the people.
I came to office promising major ethics reform, to end the culture of self-dealing. And today, that ethics reform is the law.
While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor's office that I didn't believe our citizens should have to pay for.
That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay.
I also drive myself to work.
And I thought we could muddle through without the governor's personal chef - although I've got to admit that sometimes my kids sure miss her. I came to office promising to control spending - by request if possible and by veto if necessary.
Senator McCain also promises to use the power of veto in defense of the public interest - and as a chief executive, I can assure you it works.
Our state budget is under control.
REALLY?...http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-love/sarah-palins-increased-op_b_123400.html
We have a surplus.
And I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending: nearly half a billion dollars in vetoes.
ARE YOU SURE, GOV. PALIN?...http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/palins-budget-cuts-affect-teenage-mothers/
I suspended the state fuel tax, and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress.
I told the Congress "thanks, but no thanks," for that Bridge to Nowhere.
PALIN'S FLIP FLOP ON THE BRIDGE...http://dwb.adn.com/news/politics/story/8334949p-8231037c.html
If our state wanted a bridge, we'd build it ourselves. When oil and gas prices went up dramatically, and filled up the state treasury, I sent a large share of that revenue back where it belonged - directly to the people of Alaska.
And despite fierce opposition from oil company lobbyists, who kind of liked things the way they were, we broke their monopoly on power and resources.
As governor, I insisted on competition and basic fairness to end their control of our state and return it to the people.
I fought to bring about the largest private-sector infrastructure project in North American history.
And when that deal was struck, we began a nearly forty billion dollar natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence.
That pipeline, when the last section is laid and its valves are opened, will lead America one step farther away from dependence on dangerous foreign powers that do not have our interests at heart.
The stakes for our nation could not be higher.
When a hurricane strikes in the Gulf of Mexico, this country should not be so dependent on imported oil that we are forced to draw from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
And families cannot throw away more and more of their paychecks on gas and heating oil.
With Russia wanting to control a vital pipeline in the Caucasus, and to divide and intimidate our European allies by using energy as a weapon, we cannot leave ourselves at the mercy of foreign suppliers.
MCCAIN'S CONNECTION TO GEORGIA CONFLICT...http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/13/mccains-top-foreign-polic_n_118743.html
To confront the threat that Iran might seek to cut off nearly a fifth of world energy supplies … or that terrorists might strike again at the Abqaiq facility in Saudi Arabia … or that Venezuela might shut off its oil deliveries … we Americans need to produce more of our own oil and gas.
And take it from a gal who knows the North Slope of Alaska: we've got lots of both.
Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America's energy problems - as if we all didn't know that already.
But the fact that drilling won't solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all.
WILL MORE DRILLING LOWER GAS PRICES?...http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/otheranalysis/ongr.html
Starting in January, in a McCain-Palin administration, we're going to lay more pipelines … build more new-clear plants … create jobs with clean coal … and move forward on solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternative sources.
We need American energy resources, brought to you by American ingenuity, and produced by American workers. I've noticed a pattern with our opponent.
Maybe you have, too.
We've all heard his dramatic speeches before devoted followers.
And there is much to like and admire about our opponent.
But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate.
BARACK'S STATE SENATE AND US SENATE RECORD...http://obama.senate.gov/issues/ethics_and_lobbying_reform/
This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting, and never use the word "victory" except when he's talking about his own campaign. But when the cloud of rhetoric has passed … when the roar of the crowd fades away … when the stadium lights go out, and those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot - what exactly is our opponent's plan? What does he actually seek to accomplish, after he's done turning back the waters and healing the planet? The answer is to make government bigger … take more of your money … give you more orders from Washington … and to reduce the strength of America in a dangerous world. America needs more energy … our opponent is against producing it.
Victory in Iraq is finally in sight … he wants to forfeit.
WHAT IS "VICTORY" IN IRAQ?!...http://www.slate.com/id/2187386/pagenum/all/#page_start
Terrorist states are seeking new-clear weapons without delay … he wants to meet them without preconditions.
Al Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America … he's worried that someone won't read them their rights? Government is too big … he wants to grow it.
Congress spends too much … he promises more.
Taxes are too high … he wants to raise them. His tax increases are the fine print in his economic plan, and let me be specific.
TAXES TOO HIGH?!...http://www.robertreich.org/reich/20030915.asp
The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes … raise payroll taxes … raise investment income taxes … raise the death tax … raise business taxes … and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars. My sister Heather and her husband have just built a service station that's now opened for business - like millions of others who run small businesses.
PALIN'S BUSINESS FAILURES...http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/02/palin_scrubbing_car_wash.html
How are they going to be any better off if taxes go up? Or maybe you're trying to keep your job at a plant in Michigan or Ohio … or create jobs with clean coal from Pennsylvania or West Virginia … or keep a small farm in the family right here in Minnesota.
How are you going to be better off if our opponent adds a massive tax burden to the American economy? Here's how I look at the choice Americans face in this election.
In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers.
And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.
They're the ones whose names appear on laws and landmark reforms, not just on buttons and banners, or on self-designed presidential seals.
Among politicians, there is the idealism of high-flown speechmaking, in which crowds are stirringly summoned to support great things.
And then there is the idealism of those leaders, like John McCain, who actually do great things. They're the ones who are good for more than talk … the ones we have always been able to count on to serve and defend America. Senator McCain's record of actual achievement and reform helps explain why so many special interests, lobbyists, and comfortable committee chairmen in Congress have fought the prospect of a McCain presidency - from the primary election of 2000 to this very day.
SEE ALL THE "GREAT THINGS" THAT JOHN MCCAIN HAS DONE IN WASHINGTON!...http://therealmccain.com/
Our nominee doesn't run with the Washington herd.
UMMM, YEAH...SEE THIS AGAIN ABOUT MCCAIN & LOBBYISTS...http://mediamattersaction.org/freeride/lobbyists/
He's a man who's there to serve his country, and not just his party.
A leader who's not looking for a fight, but is not afraid of one either. Harry Reid, the Majority Leader of the current do-nothing Senate, not long ago summed up his feelings about our nominee.
He said, quote, "I can't stand John McCain." Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps no accolade we hear this week is better proof that we've chosen the right man. Clearly what the Majority Leader was driving at is that he can't stand up to John McCain. That is only one more reason to take the maverick of the Senate and put him in the White House. My fellow citizens, the American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of "personal discovery." This world of threats and dangers is not just a community, and it doesn't just need an organizer.
And though both Senator Obama and Senator Biden have been going on lately about how they are always, quote, "fighting for you," let us face the matter squarely.
There is only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you … in places where winning means survival and defeat means death … and that man is John McCain. In our day, politicians have readily shared much lesser tales of adversity than the nightmare world in which this man, and others equally brave, served and suffered for their country.
It's a long way from the fear and pain and squalor of a six-by-four cell in Hanoi to the Oval Office.
But if Senator McCain is elected president, that is the journey he will have made.
It's the journey of an upright and honorable man - the kind of fellow whose name you will find on war memorials in small towns across this country, only he was among those who came home.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS "UPRIGHT AND HONORABLE MAN"...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/22/johnmccain.uselections2008
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/McCain_temper_boiled_over_in_92_0407.html
To the most powerful office on earth, he would bring the compassion that comes from having once been powerless … the wisdom that comes even to the captives, by the grace of God …
SEE HOW RICH MCCAIN IS NOW...http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/03/cindy-mccains-fortune-pro_n_94833.html
the special confidence of those who have seen evil, and seen how evil is overcome.
A fellow prisoner of war, a man named Tom Moe of Lancaster, Ohio, recalls looking through a pin-hole in his cell door as Lieutenant Commander John McCain was led down the hallway, by the guards, day after day.
As the story is told, "When McCain shuffled back from torturous interrogations, he would turn toward Moe's door and flash a grin and thumbs up" - as if to say, "We're going to pull through this." My fellow Americans, that is the kind of man America needs to see us through these next four years.
ARE ALL OF MCCAIN'S WAR STORIES TRUE?...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ben-cohen/john-mccain-is-lying-abou_b_119757.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25674735/
For a season, a gifted speaker can inspire with his words.
For a lifetime, John McCain has inspired with his deeds.
If character is the measure in this election … and hope the theme … and change the goal we share, then I ask you to join our cause. Join our cause and help America elect a great man as the next president of the United States.
Thank you all, and may God bless America.
Posted by Robbie Cooper on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 | Trackback |
Training Day
I arrived in Denver late Friday night in time for an 8:00 a.m. Saturday training session at the Colorado Convention Center. We all gathered in the Wells Fargo Theater where we were greeted by Denver Mayor, John Hickenlooper, and other leaders of the Convention Host Committee.
Then we were sent off to break-out rooms to meet with our team and team leaders. There were just 40 of us on the Transportation Special Services Team with various assignments within the team. I was lucky enough to be assigned to the Pepsi Center Monday through Wednesday and Invesco Field on Thursday. This was exactly where I wanted to be, at the center of the action.
I should mention that I made a one day trip to Denver in July for pre-training which at best was a pep rally. Though it seemed at the time to be a futile trip, it enabled me to nail my selection as one of 10,000 volunteers out of 50,000 plus who signed up.
Day One
Before being bussed to the Pepsi, we first checked into the Convention Center, downtown, to pick up our credentials for the day. All around the center and the city were button and T-shirt vendors and people dressed in weird costumes.
Job Security
There were several layers of security – local, state, and federal – where we passed through with our creds before arriving at the airport-style screening tent. Only this time we could wear our shoes and carry any sized container of refreshment.
No protesters were allowed past the security gates, but could bring their cause up to the limit as long as they played nice.
It did get rowdy one night outside the perimeter when apparently 7,000 people, most of them protesting the war in Iraq, showed up. There was a short period where no one could get in or out of the perimeter. The authorities did a terrific job protecting everyone’s safety while allowing the protesters to exercise their constitutional right to peacefully assemble.
Transportation Headquarters
A large tent for the volunteers and two dispatch trailers occupied one corner of Parking Lot F, our headquarters, equiped with tables and chairs, jumbo fans, a large screen TV and buckets of water, soft drinks and one lonely Coors. Ironically, all the sodas were Coke brands. Not one Pepsi.
Golf carts buzzed around transporting people, food and water.
My first assignment was taking auto credentials to a driver whose congressional charge bolted from the car with the mirror hanger tag.
For the rest of the day, I was a “human arrow” on the pathway just outside the VIP entrance, directing press one way and everyone else around the drive-through where the VIPs arrived.
Media
Two members of the press who passed my way were Tom Brokaw and Ted Koppel. The media came from all over the world. Within the Pepsi perimeter were five media tents. CNN also had their own café.
Later, I was given a temporary pass to go inside the Pepsi. With access to the arena area only, I sneaked a peak into the hall just when Sen. Ted Kennedy approached the podium. I watched his speech from one of the large screens inside the arena which was out of sync with his live voice.
Michelle Obama brought down the house Monday night and we were back in the tent to watch it. A fellow volunteer from San Francisco comments, ‘those kids are worth at least 400,000 votes each.’ At least.
Day Two
Monday was the busiest day because it was the first day, and everyone had questions about how to get around or where they could find their bus back to their hotel.
Since our supervisors were always on the move or on the phone with someone’s “people”, many of us went with the flow and filled a spot where we saw a need. Or, like me, found ways to be helpful and get closer to the people making history inside.
You knew when a person of honor was coming through the VIP tent because more guys with the reflective sunglasses and clear, curly cords coming out of their ears would suddenly appear. Seeing Pres. Carter, all I could think of to say was ‘welcome President Carter, how are you?’ Very much the southern gent, he smiled, extended his hand and thanked me. I was surprised by how small he seemed. Other politicians I recognized but couldn’t place them. Everyone had “people” who moved them quickly from car to door.
