While we work on influencing the form of the health care legislation, there is a lot we can do right now to further the cause of health in our community. Come make a "deposit" in both the food bank and the blood bank. The San Antonio Food Bankand the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center will have vehicles parked by the SAAPAC headquarters.
If you would like to donate blood, please contact us at alamobama09@aol.comto get scheduled. We need at least 20 donors scheduled by June 16 to make the mobile unit visit possible, so please act now!
We also need volunteers to work the event. Contact us atalamobama09@aol.com if you would like to volunteer to help and/or sign up for this event here on my.barackobama.com
Items most needed by the San Antonio Food Bank:
Related events within 100 miles of San Antonio
We had 16 attendees, from our county, Kendall, and two other counties, Kerr and Bexar. We discussed the current health care system and took a head count of those who have private health insurance. There were 3 who had private health insurance. The others are covered by Tricare for Life, Medicare and a federal retiree program. Those were not subject to health insurance programs (employer based, non Medicare), were very concerned that their family members did not have insurance, as well as the fact that a large number of local families, who are not retirees, are uninsured. The overwhelming thought was that we need SINGLE PAYER healthcare, covering everyone.
Obviously we saw the benefits of single payer health care as a way to decrease national cost, cover everyone in the nation, and make our nation more competitive with most of the cilvilzed world, where their populations are covered by national health care.
In addition, we discussed the myth of "socialized medicine" and discussed the benefits of healthcare in other countries, as we were fortunate to have attendees who were originally from other nations and could speak to their health care experiences. In addition, our foreign diplomats (retired) also spoke on their experiences.
We decided to have an event that would hopefully include local Republican health care providers who have seen the difficulties billing for health care reimbursement (ethically speaking) and others that are single payer advocates. We are to seek out the single payer advocates, inviite them to speak June 27th, and invite the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center for blood donations, and teh American Red Cross to discuss CPR/AED. We are not sure if we can accomplish this, but we will try to do so.
OFA San Antonio Listening TourTuesday, April 21, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. - location t.b.a. - A chance to meet Luke Hayes, the new state director ofOrganizing for America in Texas. This meeting is a chance to learn what OFA's mission is, how people can become involved, and feedback of what worked and what didn't work in Texas for Obama. Sign up on myBO:my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/meeting/gptw37
SAAPAC HQ, 7122 San Pedro, Ste #114. The grass roots organization alamObama will continue forming working groups on Rapid Response, Voter Registration, Education and Training, Legislative Watch, and Community Service. For more information, contact Brenda atalamObama09@aol.com Locator Map
my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/meeting/gptqsp
The second alamObama meeting of 2009 will take place Thursday, April 2, at 6:30 p.m., at SAAPAC HQ, 7122 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 114, San Antonio, TX 78216. Sign up at:
SAAPAC HQ is just south of North Star Mall, between Rampart and Sprucewood. The office is in the rear of the building, facing the Kaplan Career Institute.
We will continue our transformation into a grass roots support group for President Obama and his goals. Based on input from those attending the March 5 meeting, we will form several action teams to address our various goals, including public service, voter registration, and legislative advocacy. Please join us and bring a canned food item to donate to the San Antonio Food Bank! If you are not already receiving our Weekly Roundup, send an email to Brenda at alamobama09@aol.com to get on the mailing list. Our web site is still active at alamobama08.com and will be expanded within the next week with the focus on the future!
The grass roots campaign organization alamOBAMA will plan its future and how it will work with ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA at a meeting on Thursday, March 5, 6:30 - 8:00p.m. at the SAAPAC Meeting Space, 7122 San Pedro, Ste #114. For more information, contact Brenda Johnson at alamObama09@aol.com or Judy Hall at judy@alamobama08.com
Sign up here on myBO: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptyzm
Sound like fighting words? Well, they are in a way, but probably not the way you think.
This isn't a call to arms, it's a call to action. Stop complaining about the President. He did exactly what was needed and hopefully he'll continue to demonstrate bipartisanship while enlisting us (his secret weapon - probably should have said weapons because we're 13 million strong). Do you really want him to emulate George Bush? Do we really want to continue a history of partisanship? I don't think so.
What we really need to do is act, and act now. We need to start by constantly e-mailing every single republican (and democrat that doesn't get it) and voice our disgust with their continued disregard for the will of the people. We need to organize against every one of them and defeat them in their re-election. We have a chance to really change the landscape of American politics. But if we fall prey to the politics of old we will not only fail in our mission, we will continue to support the status quo.
The "loyal" opposition has spouted the same failed rhetoric for forty years. If they're not smart enough to understand that when you try the same thing over and over again and never get the results you want, it's time to change. I urge everyone to go to Congress.org and contact every single congressman that voted against the bill and give them a piece of your mind. Moreover, I urge you all to remember their names and make sure you help defeat them in their next election. Perhaps more importantly, I urge you to support our President and help him help us.
God bless America and President Obama.
I had my first house party for Obama yesterday. I live on a military base and during the election, my husband and I decided we had best leave the "politicking" off-base. Now it's easier. We're supporting the incoming commander and chief and our message is not tailored to only those who might vote for Obama. Our message is to ALL - come out and help be the change that you want to see.
This first meeting was small in numbers but it wasn't small in ideas. We talked for 2 1/2 hours about education for family members, especially children, and for active duty NCO's. One of our members wants to see a certification program that will be accepted in the civilian world so when our troops separate, their work experience makes sense to the civilian community. We spoke about the erosion of benefits, especially health care for dependents and retirees and housing for junior enlisted. Finally, we spoke about Veteran's issues. We all agreed that our veteran's are getting a bum deal and that America as a whole does not take the time to understand the needs of our veterans. We all agreed that we have an awful lot of work to do.
We're going to volunteer locally over the holiday, hopefully with a project at Fort Sam Houston. Details are in the works. But if you are a military member, a military family member, or a civilian interested in improving the lives of military people, then get involved.
I'll continue to blog about opportunities here in the San Antonio area and also let you know about National Organizations that are building and growing. I've mentioned Blue Star Families in the past - keep your eyes open as BSF works out a new structure to meet the needs of our incoming administration. It's time for military supporters to vigilant, to be active, and to speak out.
Hey You ~ How about a Grassroots Inaugural Party?
"Party": groups acting together, leaning more towards the effort of staying active and organized for Barack as volunteers, than to have an extravagant celebration Ball. A scaled back approach to the gathering, being that our country is at war and our economy is the pits.
Here is where we are ~ We have a local Maryland kick-off committee, submitted a formal request to the official Inauguration Committee to include our gathering as an official event, have a local event organizer already doing research, found location options including the Convention Center, and have a list of several entertainers to choose from.
The "Party" theme is a promise to continue our community involvement, tickets will be $200 per person, dress code is relaxed.
The Maryland kick-off committee is looking for volunteers to spearhead the event, and you do not have to reside in Washington DC.
If you are interested in attending and purchasing a ticket, or would like to offer your event coordinating talent as a volunteer in one of the committees please send an email to: obamatallgrass@gmail.com.
Obama Love,
Maria Isabel
If you are planning to be in DC Jan 15th please come to my party. Just received a note from Susannah Perlman, my first celebrity to RSVP.
Maria Isabel has sent you an invitation to 'HOLTInauguration Party - DC' -- click here to view theinvitation and submit your response: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsx22m
About Susannah Perlman:
http://www.nicejewishgirlsgonebad.com/newsite/girls.html
"We are one people, and our time for change has come!"
~ Barack Obama
Hi ~ Barry and I just got back from a moveon.org gathering aimed at keeping the momentum of the campaign moving.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25714894@N08/
We have accomplished so much by getting Obama elected, but like Barack told us, the job is not done. We need to continue to pressure our elected representatives to support the changes that we aspire to. MoveOn is organizing a campaign to send 100's of thousands of photos of real Americans holding signs declaring "I Stand with Obama for" ... (Clean Energy, Health Care, Ending the War in Iraq, Diplomacy, or your own issue). The plan is to send thousands of photos to Congress, etc. and to plaster DC with select photos to let people know that this movement is not going to lay down. Let me know if you want to get involved in this effort.
mariaobama@gmail.com
In case you missed it.
Four segments, here is the first:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4608198n
So look forward to the Texas Black Tie and Boots Ball........Hope to see you all there!
Sweet victory for Harris County TX!!!
Thanks everyone...and you know who you are.....
Barry and I just had a breakdown with our attentive stay reservation in DC. Any diehard democrats want to share their room? We are small people, just need a spot for our sleeping bags...
Obama Love!!!
713.542.0721
http://flickr.com/photos/25714894@N08/
Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball corporate sponsorships are available. Details on securing sponsor tickets and benefits, including sponsorship forms, can be found at the TSS web site, www.texasstatesociety.org in our special BT&B section. Find out how you can become a corporate sponsor to "The Hottest Ticket in Town" during Presidential Inauguration Week. Interested corporate sponsors can also contact Jackie Alafoginis at 202-237-0099, ext. 20 or by email at jackie@websterconsulting.com
I woke this morning to a beautiful Tx Hill Country fall day, the leaves have just turned orange on our native plum tree and the red was starting on the top of our big tooth maple tree, and Obama is now the President-elect, what more could anyone ask for?
Check your precinct's Nov. 4 polling place and view a sample ballot customized for your precinct at:http://elections.bexar.org/cfdocs/Where2Vote.cfm
AP Headline - “McCain Reminds Biden He's Been Tested In Crisis”
Someone should remind McCain that both he and Senator Obama have been “tested in crisis” over the past several weeks: Obama has passed the test and McCain has failed miserably.
In the words of Former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell (Ret.),
…I have especially watched over the last six of seven weeks as both of them have really taken a final exam with respect to this economic crisis that we are in and coming out of the conventions. And I must say that I've gotten a good measure of both. In the case of Mr. McCain, I found that he was a little unsure as to deal with the economic problems that we were having and almost every day there was a different approach to the problem. And that concerned me, sensing that he didn't have a complete grasp of the economic problems that we had. And I was also concerned at the selection of Governor Palin. She's a very distinguished woman, and she's to be admired; but at the same time, now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president. And so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Senator McCain made.On the Obama side, I watched Mr. Obama and I watched him during this seven-week period. And he displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and an approach to looking at problems like this and picking a vice president that, I think, is ready to be president on day one. And also, in not just jumping in and changing every day, but showing intellectual vigor. I think that he has a, a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well. I also believe that on the Republican side over the last seven weeks, the approach of the Republican Party and Mr. McCain has become narrower and narrower. Mr. Obama, at the same time, has given us a more inclusive, broader reach into the needs and aspirations of our people. He's crossing lines--ethnic lines, racial lines, generational lines. He's thinking about all villages have values, all towns have values, not just small towns have values.
…I have especially watched over the last six of seven weeks as both of them have really taken a final exam with respect to this economic crisis that we are in and coming out of the conventions. And I must say that I've gotten a good measure of both. In the case of Mr. McCain, I found that he was a little unsure as to deal with the economic problems that we were having and almost every day there was a different approach to the problem. And that concerned me, sensing that he didn't have a complete grasp of the economic problems that we had. And I was also concerned at the selection of Governor Palin. She's a very distinguished woman, and she's to be admired; but at the same time, now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president. And so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Senator McCain made.
On the Obama side, I watched Mr. Obama and I watched him during this seven-week period. And he displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and an approach to looking at problems like this and picking a vice president that, I think, is ready to be president on day one. And also, in not just jumping in and changing every day, but showing intellectual vigor. I think that he has a, a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well. I also believe that on the Republican side over the last seven weeks, the approach of the Republican Party and Mr. McCain has become narrower and narrower. Mr. Obama, at the same time, has given us a more inclusive, broader reach into the needs and aspirations of our people. He's crossing lines--ethnic lines, racial lines, generational lines. He's thinking about all villages have values, all towns have values, not just small towns have values.
