Greetings From Northern California:
Our local utility company will red tag your home and see that you and your family are thrown into the streets, if you do not pay your bill when it's due. Thier thinking is, It's unsafe for your family to live
in a Redding home without electric service from them. My God, wondered how or forefathers and thiers and thiers, ever survived without the help of Redding Electric Utility Company on the job.
So thier thinking here is...What if you light a candle to see at night..you could burn down your apartment, (most being red-tagged) or those of your neighbors. Your using a coleman, battery
powered light, well then, what if you use a gas oven to heat with. We care about you, have love
and concern for you, we don't want you do die or kill someone else..just because you cannot pay your bill.
So GTFO of your house, go live in the park, or your car, or take yours kids to the homeless shelter, were they can sleep amongst God knows who. We want you to be safe...BS.
Now, We read today in the local Record Searchlight...one of our local hospital filed for BK protection and stuck REU with a $300,000 bill. When it became past due...I guess they did not worry about
these people using candles to live and work by, in fact, they never attempted, I assume to cut off and kick these folks into the street. The result? The hospital has sold to another hospital holding and operational company. REU did not see that the bill was covered in the transfer of sale of the hospital and is now short $300,000 and a spokesperson for REU just issued a statement saying the loss will be added to my mom's, a widow now, utility bill. I call BS. No Way...No how.
This same city that owns it's on public utility, has a multi-million dollar income stream from it's
rate payers has been telling it's local customers, it will take up to 16 years to pay back a solar
investment. That was before now..Now this past month the same company has announced a
annual rate increase of about 7-8% meaning their average customers bill will increase and double
in about the next 5-7 years. So now solar is feasible. To bad they were telling them it wasn't
and not taking into consideration the increases, they had to have known were coming. Why did
they lie or misrepresent the facts to my fellow citizens?
Now this same city is laying off everyone, freezing the wages of many and stopping all projects
including a badly needed, recently approved local Police Station. They are preparing for failure.
What could be done, as I've already mentioned at local city council and board of supervisor meetings, WE COULD EMBRACE THE NEW GREEN ECONOMY....We could have a super effect
on our own local economy, our state, the nation and our planet. Why don't they just get real
and get with the program? I wonder?
Al Boek, Founder
American Energy Conservation Group
Redding, CA 96003
530-549-4315
americanenergy@frontiernet.net
www.yeswecansolveit.blogspot.com
Old Obi-Wan Kenobi's last words just popped into my head. Not that the conversation was about Star Wars at all -- we were actually taking about charges of impeachment and war crimes on George Bush and Dick Cheney . . . but the "Obi-Wan Kenobi syndrome" is nevertheless applicable: "If you strike me down, I shall become powerful than you can possibly imagine."Blame the above-mentioned, pseudo-insightful analogy on my self-induced sleep-deprived 4-day road trip from Oregon to D.C. for tomorrow's historic Inauguration. But it seemed to strike a chord with Laura, so I figured: What the hell. I'll share it with you too.I suppose it's now somewhat of a moot point -- considering today is President Bush's FINAL day in office (!!!), but if our party is to engage in further charging the 43rd president with treasonous war crimes (of which, yes, I do believe there is a strong argument to make in regards to his abuse of executive power, privilege, and blatant lies to the American people), then we risk making an already pathetic GW even more pathetically appealing to a public that's proved time and time again how much we love to forgive. You see, by stoking the fire of impeachment/investigation, we actually risk elevating the party of a man whose political capital is so spent and whose name and reputation is so tarnished; we risk a potential comeback for the Republicans to rally around.It's a risk Democrats can't afford. Like American moviegoers did when we saw Olive Stone's bitingly clever "W" this last fall, empathy may kick-in and families -- entire communities of Joe six packs and Plumbers and whoever would feel sorry for G.W. and Poor President George would be the sad sentiment of forgiving short-term memory America. That attitude would dangerously pave the way for a Jeb or a Newt or a Jindal to lead the charge of rallying behind their washed-up past president. I'll say it again and in bold print: It's a risk we can't afford. After all, when one leaves the highest office in the land with the lowest approval rating (22%) since the Gallup Poll started taking ratings over 70 years ago, we should recognize that geez, all George and the G.O.P. can do is go back up.Barack Obama must be aware of this. Believe it or not, there are larger fish to fry than grilling Bush and seeking political payback (something many Dems have been longing to see for a long, long time). But we must be patient. And for the sake of our nation, we MUST move forward.There's a photo-shopped pic of Barack Obama (with a lightsabre in-hand) on our local county party's refrigerator. Though the President-elect Obama looks pretty cool among a sea of molten lava with the weapon of a Jedi in hand, Obama is no Jedi. He's no deity. He's no divine entity. We may like to think so, but no. He's just a man like you and I. But unlike you and I, tomorrow he will hold the most important and honored keys to the kingdom: executive powers, privilege and the Constitutional responsibilities of the President of the United States. However, thanks to the constitutional terrorists Dick Cheney and George W. Bush, a President Obama and future executives governing from the Oval Office can now wield a rather dangerous authority and a most unprecedented Patriot Act of power. When the Obama/Lincoln parallels are drawn, I'll admit, even as a true-blue, National Obama Delegate, I'm a bit alarmed when considering Abraham Lincoln's Civil War suspension of the Constitution. Realizing exactly how much authority team Bush-Cheney has granted the office of our president, I -- and every free thinking American -- should raise an eyebrow. Wire-tapping, suspension of habeas corpus, Orwellian monitoring of U.S. citizens under ANY administration is cause for serious concern. Unlike this past, most failed administration that has successfully waged war on our freedoms and declared Jihad on the Constitution, President Obama's team will undoubtedly be forced to rise above. At least, we hope so.I trust Obama to do what's right. More importantly, I trust in our ability as American to rightfully ensure that our president remains the Barack Obama we celebrate today and fought so hard in so many frigid and brutal primaries to nominate and elect as our 44th president of these United States. Yes, indeed, America, we did. And, as this National Day of Service illustrates, we most certainly will continue to do! Clearly, I'm quite glad to be in D.C. to see, firsthand, the ultimate highlight to this most storied journey. Weeping, like I was in the Helena office for the announcement of our victory the evening of Montana primary; weeping, like I was in Denver with our dynamic Oregon Delegation; and weeping like I was -- like you were too -- on the evening of November 4, 2008, tomorrow, I'm sure I'll shed a tear or two of joy and sorrow . . . of hope and change . . . of trust and recognition of this beautifully historical impact we've made for our future.Thank you, Mr. President -- Obama, that is! (And hell, I suppose we owe the last guy a thank you as well.)
Live from Washingtion, D.C. (at the Old Ebbit Grill - sitting next to Kim and Leslie from Dallas, Texas), Matt Keating, Delegate (OR-4)
Hyperbole aside, our voice — our VOTE mattered! I truly believe our collective efforts have helped save our city, save our community college, save our county, save our state, save our country and save our planet. For that, we thank you.
President-elect Barack Obama’s in-box will undoubtedly be monstrous. His team, already being assembled, will certainly have their hands full of an unfathomable economic, domestic and international mess. But locally - right here in Lane County - we can assist our 44th president by staying actively involved. We must remain as dedicated to the cause of change as we were leading up to that most memorable Tuesday, Novemeber 4. Yes, we did - but now we must buckle down and “be the change we want to see.”
Join fellow Dems/Eugene for Obama-Biden/Lane Student Democrats/Lane Students for Obama on Thursday, November 20 at the monthly Democratic Party of Lane County Central Committee meeting. Stay plugged-in to local, state and national politics and celebrate, with great revelry, our long path to victory. (DPLC Central Committee meetings are normally held on the 3rd Thursday of every month at EWEB. The Novemeber DPLC meeting/volunteer “thank you” pot-luck, however, is at the Woodworkers Union Hall at 1116 S. “A” Street in Springfield -- 6:30 p.m. -- RSVP at http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsx2jw.)
With your help, we will not only implement president-elect Obama’s environmental awareness, education reform, health care and social improvement plans on a local level, but we must also hold ALL our elected officials accountable. Stay engaged. Be the Change.
See you Thursday, Novemeber 20 at the Woodworkers' Union Hall in Springfield for our DPLC volunteer “thank you” potluck. Yes, Lane County, we did! And as Rep. Chris Edwards likes to say, "Now let’s get to work!"
Matt Keating, Candidate for Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Lane County
Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, Matt Keating and Mario Parker-Milligan at the Lane County Elections Watch Party, 11-4-08 (photo by JB BOTWINICK/The Torch).
And if you haven’t voted yet - DO IT! And do it “down-ticket” PLEASE!
Finally, see y’all after our final GOTV push at the Lane County Fairgrounds from 8PM-10PM. Following the Election Watch Party at the Fairgrounds, we’re slated to gather at Davis’ Restaurant in Eugene from 10:30PM-2AM. The good folks at Davis’ are kind enough to offer $3 beer specials and $3 well drinks for Obama backers!
Good luck to Obama, Merkley, Kitty, the LCC Bond Measure, our Lane County and State of Oregon down-ticket Dems!
Matt Keating - chowing on Pegasus Pizza Pie @ the Obama office before my final GOTV canvass of the 2008 season . . . !
This note comes on the heels of an inspiring visit to Eugene by DNC Chairman Howard Dean. As Governor Dean just exclaimed a few hours ago, "Live from Eugene -- it's Sunday night!" Before launching into our Eugene-Springfield plan for Tuesday's final Get Out The Vote push, I'd like to share with you some highlights of the last 24 hours . . . As great as it is to get a visit from the man responsible for our current campaign's savvy use of the internet and architect of the Democratic Party's 50 State Strategy, Saturday night's conference call with Barack Obama was the highlight of weekend highlights!"You are the lifeblood of this campaign," Senator Obama reminded yours truly and 20,000 volunteers, community organizers, and campaign workers across the country via conference call. "Keep up the good work but don't get complacent," Obama announced. "It'd be a shame to work so hard for so long and see history slip through our hands." Our future 44th president encouraged us to keep spirits up, stay positive, double our efforts, bring new friends into the fold, keep folks engaged and vested in the political process and turn out millions of new voters on Tuesday. Ultimately, Obama offered this: We can rest on Wednesday! (Yes, we will!)That's the last 24 hours: A Howard Dean visit to our campaign office and a kick-@%# Barack Obama conference call sandwiched by two canvass shifts (over 120 doors knocked), a Saturday Market booth staffed, over a dozen new volunteers recruited, around 100 calls made, and half-a-dozen ballots collected. Truly, the Eugene students and staff at the Lane County Obama office feel that our future president would be so pleased to see our team diligently "working as if we're twenty points down."Monday is our last full day to effectively educate voters about the importance of down-ticket Democratic voting, offical drop-box locations, etc. Let's not waist a moment of the final Merkley Monday of the 2008 campaign! And, of course, there's Tuesday. Our combined GOTV efforts during the FINAL 24 hours of this historic movement must be focussed on organization and mobilization before celebration.
Here's a breakdown of Election Day activity if you'd like to join us:
4AM-6AM -- Join us for a "silent knock" reminder to voters that today is the LAST day to drop your ballot at an official drop box location in Lane County. Please be at the Campaign for Change HQ (150 W. Broadway) by 4AM.7AM-9AM -- Sign waving/visibility @ Ferry St. Bridge. Please join us for Election Day sign-waving for Obama, Merkley, Kitty and down-ticket Dems at the Ferry St. Bridge. Signs will be provided. Homemade signs are welcome - stay positive, please!10AM-11AM -- Sign waving/visibility at 30th near Albertson's for "YES!" on Lane Community College's Bond Measure 20-142. 11:30AM-12:30PM -- Securing space for Lane Student Democrats/Lane Students for Obama at the Fairgrounds for Election Results Watch Party. 1PM-4PM -- Final day of ballot collection and tabling at LCC for Obama/Merkley/Piercy and LCC's Bond Measure 20-142.5PM-7:59PM -- Final GOTV action! Canvassing and quality ballot collection!8PM-10PM -- Election Results Watch Party @ the Lane County Fairgrounds! YES, WE CAN!10PM-2AM -- Election Results Post Party @ location to be determined. But please, fellow Obama enthusiast and dedicated Campaigner for Change, let's make this THE most historic moment of our life. Do more than you've ever done in a single day for any candidate ever! Knock on doors, make critical phone calls. Get out the word and GET OUT THE VOTE!Thank you for all you do, all you've done and all we'll accomplish in the next crucial 24 hours of this campaign.Fired up!. . . And ready to go!Matt Keating
youtube.com/mkeating2008
Jolene Loudon of Junction City writes, “Clipboards and voter registration forms in hand, the most diligent workers of the political season — unpaid canvassers — are the finest symbol of democracy in action.”
Awesome.
In support of Lane’s critical Bond Measure 20-142, Lane Student Dems/Lane Students for Obama encourage fellow students to canvass and/or phone-bank for your candidate of choice — especially if you’re a student in support of Lane’s Bond (even if it’s just for a few hours). Volunteer opportunities to help support LCC’s Bond Measure are available at www.yesforlcc.com.
Also, this Monday, October 27, is another Lane Students for Obama Merkley Monday! From the Forward Oregon office on 12th and High, Lane Student Dems will make phone calls in support of Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate. Join us from 6PM-8:30PM (pizza provided!) Contact Justin at jcox@forwardoregon.org for more information.
And, of course, at our Lane Students for Obama table in the LCC cafeteria, we provide students with quite a bit of crucial voter information from the League of Women Voters (http://www.lwvor.org/votersguide.htm) and the Democratic Party of Lane County (DPLC.org). We also have plenty of Obama T-shirts, stickers, and Obama-Biden lawn signs from the Democratic Party of Oregon (DPO.org).
OK, here’s the calendar of activity for the Lane Student group through Election Day . . .
Monday-Friday (9AM-3PM) - Providing ballot pick-up at LCC and tabling at Lane Community College for Obama-Biden, Jeff Merkley, Kate Brown, Kitty Piercy, down-ticket Dems and “YES!” on Lane’s Bond Measure 20-142.
Monday, October 27 (6PM-8:30PM) - Merkley Monday - Phonebanking from Forward Oregon office at 12th and High for Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate.
Tuesday, October 28 (6:00PM-8:30PM) - Phonebanking from SEIU for Kitty Piercy for Mayor. Details: visit http://www.kittypiercy.com/volunteer.htm, e-mail jessica@kittypiercy.com or call 334-6727 to sign-up!
Wednesday, October 29 (6PM-6:30PM) - Obama on TV watch party @ World Flavors. Barack Obama has purchased a half-hour of TV-time on the anniversary of the 1929 stock market crash to address the issues of job creation and our current economic situation.
Wednesday, October 29 (7pm-8:30pm) - Phonebanking from SEIU for Kitty Piercy for Mayor. Details: visit http://www.kittypiercy.com/volunteer.htm, e-mail jessica@kittypiercy.com or call 334-6727 to sign-up!
Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy welcomes Barack Obama to the University of Oregon (Spring, 2008)
Thursday, October 30 (4:30PM-8:30Pm) - GOTV canvassing/phonebanking from Obama’s Lane County Campaign for Change HQ at 150 W. Broadway in Eugene.
Friday, October 31 (4PM-6PM) - Phonbanking for Obama-Biden and Jeff Merkley from 150 W. Broadway.
Friday, October 31 (6PM-8:30PM) - Canvass in Costume!!! (Please, NO political costumes. Thanks!) Meet at the 150 W. Broadway office to Barack the Vote on Halloween!
Friday, October 31 (11PM-2AM) - Barack-O-Lantern “Bring Your Ballot Halloween Party” @ Eugene’s historic McDonald Theater. Show starts at 11pm, tickets: $10 - advance; $12 - door. All ages.
Friday, October 31 - Last day to mail your Oregon ballot!!!
Saturday, November 1 (10AM-3PM) - Saturday Market voter information booth. Volunteer opportunities available. Contact Matt at mkeating@studentsforbarackobama.com.
Sunday, November 2 (10AM-2PM, 2PM-6PM) - GOTV canvass shifts for Obama-Biden and down-ticket Dems from 150 W. Broadway. E-mail DAguilar@Oregon4Change.com to volunteer!
Also, appearing at the Obama office on Sunday, November 2 (7:30PM) - DNC Chair Howard Dean! Admission to see Governor Dean is a completed walk-packet canvassed earlier that afternoon.
Monday, November 3 (10AM-2PM) - Ballot collection/tabling at Lane Community College
Monday, November 3 (2PM-6PM, 6PM-9PM) - GOTV canvassing for Obama-Biden and down-ticket Dems!
Tuesday, November 4 (10AM-2Pm) - Ballot collection/tabling at Lane Community College
Tuesday, November 4 (2PM-5Pm, 5PM-8PM) - ELECTION DAY!!! Final day of GOTV canvassing!
Tuesday, November 4 (8pm-1opm) - Election Results watch party @ Lane County Fairgrounds
Tuesday, November 4 (10PM-2AM) - Post Election Party @ McDonald Theater. 21+ please.
Remember, VOTE by 8PM on November 4. To find your nearest official ballot drop box, visit www.voteforchange.com.
Thanks!
Matt Keating
First things first: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEFF MERKLEY!
Lane Students for Obama/Lane Student Dems president Mario Parker with U.S. Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley at the University of Oregon.
CALENDAR:
Tonight: Meeting/phonebank with Eugene for Obama-Biden memebers and Lane Students for Obama. “FREE PIZZA FRIDAY” from Pegasus Pizza @ 150 W. Broadway (Eugene - 7PM).
Saturday: Canvassing for Lane’s Bond Measure 20-142 from the parking lot of South Eugene High School (400 E 19th) on Patterson across from the YMCA. Coffee will be provided (10AM).
Saturday: GOTV Obama-Biden/Merkley canvassing from Guido Batista’s house @ 140 Hardy Ave. in Eugene 97404. Start time: noon. Please RSVP by calling Noah Dorson at 503-449-1440.
Sunday: “LCC Sunday” phonebanking from O.E.A. (2815 Coburg Road) - just north of Costco from 1PM-3:30PM; 3:30PM-6PM; 6PM-6:30PM. Details and RSVP on http://my. barackobama. com/page/event/detail/gprqgm.
Monday: “Merkley Monday” phonebank from Forward Oregon office on 12th and High (Eugene - 6PM). Please RSVP: http://my. barackobama. com/page/event/detail/gprqqb.
Oregon Delegate/Lane Students for Obama Chapter Coordinator Matt Keating interviews U.S. Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley for www.youtube.com/mkeating2008
Fellow Obama-Biden and Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate enthusiasts,
We need a Secretary of State who will fight for all Oregonians and who will fight for fair elections. Kate Brown has a proven track record, 17 years of progressive legislative experience and a clear vision of where she would lead Oregon as Secretary of State.
This Friday, right here in Eugene, please come cheer Kate on as she debates Republican Rick Dancer at the Downtown Athletic Club. Let’s show Oregon voters that Eugene supports a progressive champion like Kate Brown for Secretary of State!
For more information on Kate Brown, please visit http://www.katebrownfororegon.com/. Thanks!
-Lane Student Democrats/Lane Students for Obama
PS - For video of Kate Brown speaking directly to Lane Community College students and staff about the importance of voting, down-tcket participation and supporting higher education, please visit www.youtube.com/mkeating2008.
PPS - If you're a voter in Lane County, please VOTE "YES" on LCC's Bond Measure 20-142 to help aid the efforts to repair the aging infrastructure at Lane Community College. Measure 20-142 keeps an already existing bond on the books that does NOT significantly increase taxes and directly benefits the students, the community, and the state! Thank you! More info on Lane's bond measure 20-142 can be found at www.yesforlcc.com and/or www.lanecc.edu/bond.
I just posted a :60sec Students for Merkley video from Jeff’s visit to the University of Oregon with Senator Russ Feingold and Rep. Peter DeFazio on Tuesday, October 14: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEGUQtpV9W4.
Speaker Merkley is neck-n-neck with Gordon Smith, the Republican incumbent. Please, IF YOU BACK BARACK, JOIN JEFF! Volunteers are needed - especially tonight when Lane Student Dems participate in another “Merkley Monday phonebank” at the Forward Oregon office on 12th & High in Eugene. E-mail jcox@forwardoregon.org for more information.
Oh! This Friday, Vice President Al Gore and Jeff Merkley will be in Portland (Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Blvd.) for a reception for change at 5:30pm. General admission is $50 and preferred seating is $250. More details are at www.jeffmerkley.com.
For those of us staying in Eugene on Friday, please visit the Lane County Campaign for Change HQ at 7pm for another FREE PIZZA FRIDAY PHONEBANK FOR OBAMA! Courtesy of Pegasus Pizza, free eats will be provided to Eugene for Obama-Biden and Lane Student Democrat volunteers participating in our weekly get-together/phonebank session at the Eugene Obama office!
Thanks,
Barack Obama’s brother-in-law, OSU basketball coach Craig Robinson and fellow Eugene/Springfield Obama enthusiasts shared a brief rendezvous this afternoon at the Lane County Campaign for Change HQ (150 W. Broadway, Eugene). “Coach” (as I call Michelle Obama’s older brother) and his wife Kelly helped the Eugene field office kick-off our 1st day of Get-Out-the-Vote canvassing for the 2008 election.
“The game’s not over till it’s over,” Coach Robinson announced. “I know we’re up in the polls, but that’s like being up (by) eight with about four minutes to go . . . so we’ve got to continue to work through the fourth!” And the crowded Campaign for Change office erupted into applause.
Privately, Coach Robinson echoed his all-too-important 4th quarter analogy by addressing my laptop and the collegiate YouTube community about the importance of casting every vote, “While it seems like we’re up now — we’re not up by much and every vote’s gonna count . . . It would be really exciting,” Coach Robinson continued, “to have a turnout like we’ve never had here in Oregon and you guys can be a part of it!”
For video of Coach Craig Robinson’s visit to Eugene’s Campaign for Change HQ, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baHZVCupjjs.
Oh! I should add that the Beaver basketball coach’s pep-talk worked: Our team immediately hit the streets of Eugene/Springfield and engaged the community in quality Get-Out-the-Vote canvassing!
. . . It’s just past 6pm and I’m at Allen Bros. (on Hilyard) taking a quick coffee break from my South University area canvassing for Obama-Biden and Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate. The bad news: my shoes (after canvassing in Oregon, Montana and Colorado) are finally starting to wear. The good news: We already collected one ballot! Yeahhh!!! As Coach Robinson remided us, EVERY VOTE COUNTS!!!
For those that don’t know, our G.O.T.V. goals are simple: educate voters on the importance of early voting, down-ticket Democratic support and using $0.59 worth of postage if they choose to mail their ballots. We’re also providing a toll-free hot-line for the few folks whom have yet to receive their ballot or have specific voting questions/concerns. The number: 888-969-7622 (888-MY-OR-OBAMA).
Thanks for the read, the support, and the enthusiasm surrounding the MOST historic election and transformational movement in the history of American politics.
. . . Now go out there and do a G.O.T.V. canvass shift! Barack needs EVERYONE’s involvement — and that means YOU!
Thank you,
Matt Keating, 4th Congressional District Delegate (OR)
"Obama is the first African American to be nominated by a major political party for president.[1] A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he served as president of the Harvard Law Review, Obama worked as a community organizer and practiced as a civil rights attorney before serving three terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004. He taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. Following an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000, he announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate in January 2003. After a primary victory in March 2004, Obama delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in July 2004. He was elected to the Senate in November 2004 with 70% of the vote."
It's interesting to see these smears and people bringing race into the equation. That is an ignorant, uninformed argument. Let the undecided, unregistered, and uninterested become educated! Get out the word!
What supporters need to do now is know that this period of time before the election is most important. Vote for Obama, get the word out. Let those undecided know WHY you support Obama. We are asking for a nation not just focused on "policing" nations but rather improving our own at the same time. We need a strong, powerful, patriotic nation... not one swayed by the propaganda the Bush Regime wants you to believe. Be the change you believe in.
Best,Travis
Sunday, Oct. 12 - 11:30am - Mayoral Debate at KLCC (Selco Building). Call KLCC at (541) 463-6000 to be in the audience for the Noon broadcast of the live debate between Kitty Piercy and Jim Torrey - LIVE on KLCC at noon!
Sunday, Oct. 12 - 2pm - GOTV Summit Training (includes Vote by Mail training, Get-Out-The-Vote Canvassing instructions, and Election Day plans. Join us at Lane County’s Campaign for Change HQ at 150 W. Broadway in Eugene for student volunteer training, priorities and programs geared toward our critical GOTV effort).
Sunday, Oct. 12 - 3:30pm - North Eugene/Bethel canvass for Obama-Biden and Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate. Meet at 150 W. Broadway in Eugene.
Monday, Oct. 13 - Tabling for Obama, Merkley and down-ticket Democrats with the Lane Students for Obama/Lane Student Democrats at Lane Community College cafeteria (10am-3pm).
Monday, Oct. 13 - “Merkley Monday” Phonebanking from Jeff Merkley’s Forward Oregon office at 12th & High St. in Eugene (6p-8:30p).
Tuesday, Oct. 14 - LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE!!! Join Lane Students for Obama for our final day of voter registration tabling at LCC (10am-1pm).
Tuesday, Oct. 14 - Rally for Jeff Merkley with U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, Congressman Peter DeFazio, and Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy at the ERB Memorial Union (1pm - 2:30pm).
Tuesday, Oct. 14 - “Kitty Tuesday” - Phonebanking for Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy from SEIU on 11th and Franklin (6pm-8:30pm). To volunteer, e-mail volunteer@kittypiercy.com or call the campaign at 541-334-6727.
Wednesday, Oct. 15 - 3rd and final Presidential Debate Watch Party @ World Flavors Pizza in Eugene. World Flavors is located at 1044 Willamette - just three doors down from the McDonald Theater (5:45pm-7:30pm).
Thursday, Oct. 16 - Post Debate Day of Action canvassing! Meet at 150 W. Broadway in Eugene at 5pm. Contact Diana Aguilar at daguilar@oregon4change for more information or to schedule yourself for a volunteer shift!
Friday, Oct. 17 - 7pm - FREE PIZZA FRIDAY courtesy of Eugene’s Pegasus Pizza! Meet with grassroots group Eugene for Obama and the Lane Student Democrats/Lane Students for Obama for some free pie at the Lane County Campaign for Change HQ - 150 W. Broadway in Eugene (7pm). Immediately following our meeting, we’ll make a final round of Friday phone calls to voters the day ballots are mailed out to Oregonians.
Saturday, Oct. 17 - 10am - FIRST DAY OF GET-OUT-THE-VOTE!!!
Sunday, Oct. 19 - “LCC Sunday” - Phonebanking in support of Local Ballot Measure 20-142 (LCC’s Bond Measure) from 1p-3:30p, 3:30p-6:00p, and 6:00p-8:30p. E-mail Trevor at trevor@yesforlcc.com. For more Measure 20-142 information, please visit www.yesforlcc.com.
Matt Keating here. (And, yes, I’m at the Lane Student Democrats/Lane Students for Barack Obama table at LCC!)
As anyone regularly registering voters and/or working on a political campaign this election cycle knows: THIS WEEK HAS BEEN NUTS! First off, it’s the final Friday to register to vote. And tonight, Lane’s SFBO group meets for a FREE PIZZA Friday @ 4pm with Senator Wyden at Pegasus Pizza (near UO campus on 14th). At 7pm this evening, Eugene for Obama and Lane Students for Obama get together for an evening of action at 150 W. Broadway (between Charnelton and Olive).
Also, along with Sen. Ron Wyden, we’re preparing to launch a huge Merkley for Senate canvassing effort from the Forward Oregon office on 12th & High St. (10am) on Saturday morning. On Sunday there’s a Bethel canvass scheduled at 2pm from the Lane County Obama HQ @ 150 W. Broadway and that evening we’ll be phonebanking for Local LCC Measure 20-142 from OEA (off Coburg past Costco) from 3:30-6:00p and 6:00-8:30p.
OK . . . Last night’s Merkley-Smith debate. Did ya see it? If not, you really missed out!
After a solid day of voter reg, I spent my ever-so-cold October evening at Davis Restaurant in Eugene with fellow Lane County Democrats (including U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio) in support of Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate. As Jon Issaacs, Jeff Merkley for Oregon Campaign Manager said, Speaker Merkley “laid out a clear vision for Oregon’s future and how he will team up with Ron Wyden and Barack Obama to bring our nation the change it deserves.”
My thoughts: Let’s do this! This Saturday morning, 10am, at 12th & High, Lane Student Democrats/Lane Students for Barack Obama are invited to kick-off a Forward Oregon/Campaign for Change Canvass for Obama-Biden ‘08 and Jeff Merkley for Senate with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden. Please sign-up at our table in the LCC cafeteria or call Speaker Merkley’s Eugene office at 541-686-3504.
Oh! One more thing. For Lane’s please visit www.lanecc.edu/bond . Volunteer opportunities are open for our LCC Day of Action on Sunday, October 19. Phonebank shifts are slated for 1-3:30pm, 3:30-6:00pm, and 6-8:30pm. Please e-mail Trevor at trevor@yesforlcc.com.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95439252
Biggest news story or event coming politically for this country. I can't help but think that the biggest issue for voters is race. Let's band together and look at the issues and not get brainwashed by the political rhetoric that exists on TV Ads today.
Best,
Travis Hartman
Democrat
In my opinion the democrats are still winning these Election 2008 debates. The reason being is that it appears to me that the republicans are too hung up on foreign policy. Work ON OUR NATION FIRST! Then worry about bombing the middle east or whatever war they want to conduct. That's at least how I see that this nation should be run. Sub prime morgages shouldn't exist! Fix our nation before trying to try and "fix" the others!
McCain's camp's arguments are old rhetoric. Choose a President not tied to the oil industry. Obama 2008.
Greetings from the Eugene Oregon Obama For America office! I'm using the very excellent Matt Keating's laptop since mine's on the fritz (again...grumble-growl...).
We're here painting signs for the sign waving rally we're gonna have on Tuesday at E. 6th and Willamette. Let me tell you a bit about that.
The past couple weeks, we've been wanting to get going with another sign-waving like we did back in the primary. And I'm ashamed to say, the McCain/Palin crowd beat us to it...right on MY STREET! It was only one person with a lawn sign but...I don't know. It's a wolf thing. I feel responsible for my territory and the hackles went up. I threw a little primary karma back and thumbs-downed her. Thumbs-downing sign wavers is fine, it's freedom of speech. It's when they flip us off is when the line is crossed. That ain't kosher. Freedom of speech is okay, but it's not license to be nasty. That's not what this campaign's about — not this year.
Anyway, to get back on track, we're going to have what's called an Obama Crawl. The plan is to convene at the marquee at the Hult Center at 6th and Willamette at 4PM Tuesday. We'll bounce around there for an hour and then proceed down Willamette to Jogger's (right across the street), then up to Cozmic Pizza on 8th & Charnelton, then over to World Flavors Pizza where we'll watch the debate. So if you're within the sound of my 0's and 1's, come on down and join us, bring your signs, wear your schwag, and have a blast.
Back to Freedom of Speech.
Past few weeks have been intense. During the week I've been cruising Digg, fielding shouts from my friends about articles to Digg or bury, and a few days ago I came up with an idea to R - I - D on Digg. Vis-a-vis, donate to the Obama campaign whenever I spot a troll. Naturally, I'm anything but lucratively rich, so I limited myself to donating $1 for every negative article posted to Digg. Hey, if the rumour about Karl Rove paying people to troll internet fora is true, something's got to balance that schieße out.
Anyway, I believe that as far as thinking and writing go, anything goes, have at. Writings can be scanned and ignored. Flames can be reported and deleted. But one shouldn't take Freedom of Speech as cause and/or license to be an asshole. There's a saying that holds that you should be nice to people, because you don't know what kind of day they've had and you don't want to be the one to push them over the edge. If someone screams obscenities at you or says something smart-ass to you, you can't shut them up, and not everyone has the trick of blocking things out. A woman in Italy can smack a guy who hisses something rude to her but we can't do that here. Smack someone and you're looking at a lawsuit.
The upshot of that is, write whatever you want, think whatever you want, but be an adult. Govern your tongue. Have an ounce of empathy.
And.....Matt wants his computer back, so I'm out of here. Hope to see you this Tuesday! :)
THIS WEEK (OCT. 6 - OCT. 10) . . .
Join the Lane Students for Obama as we "table" daily on the campus of Lane Community College. Shifts are open from 10am-2pm. E-mail mkeating@studentsforbarackobama to volunteer!
OK - This week in Eugene:
Monday - "Merkley Monday" Phonebanking from the Forward Oregon Campaign HQ at 1178 High St., Eugene (6pm-8:30pm).
Tuesday - "Obama Crawl" Sign-waving prior to the 2nd Presidential Debate at the Hult Center. Meet fellow Obama enthusiasts in front of markee on Willamette and 6th in Eugene. Bring your Obama gear and we'll march through downtown Eugene stopping at Joggers for the Women for Obama Debate Watch Party, Cosmic Pizza for the Campaign for Change Watch Party and ending up at World Flavors Pizza for the Students for Obama Debate Watch Party (4pm-5pm).
Tuesday - Debate Watch Party @ World Flavors Pizza at 1044 Willamette St., Eugene (5:45pm-7:30pm).
Wednesday - "Kitty Wednesdays" Phonebanking to help re-elect Kitty Piercy for Mayor (6pm-8:30pm). Please call 541-334-6727 for more information.
Thursday - "John Lennon for Obama" at Kesey Square on Broadway and Willamette in Eugene (6pm). Come celebrate John Lennon's birthday, register voters, and recruit volunteers!
Friday - Eugene for Obama and Lane Students for Obama meet at the Lane County Campaign for Change HQ at 150 W. Broadway, Eugene (7pm).
Saturday - Canvassing with Sen. Ron Wyden to help elect Jeff Merkley to U.S. Senate. Come by the Froward Oregon Campaign Headquarters at 1178 High St., Eugene to promote progressive candidates and important ballot measures such as 20-142 that supports Lane Community College (10am-2pm).
TONIGHT! TONIGHT! TONIGHT!
Every Friday evening Lane’s Students for Obama group and E4OB meet at the EMU Fishbowl on the campus of the University of Oregon (13th and University). And you’re invited!
What is E4OB? Eugene for Obama-Biden. Working as a community support group Lane Students for Obama, E4OB is the grassroots organizational effort in Eugene that strongly supports progressive candidates and values.
In addition to voting for Barack Obama and Joe Biden on November 4th, E4OB and Lane’s SFBO group suggests fellow Obama backing Oregonians support Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate, Kate Brown for Secretary of State, Rob Handy for County Commissioner, Kitty Piercy for Mayor of Eugene, and State Ballot Measures 54, 55, 56 and 57 (the 1st four - then NO MORE).
Further, there are incredibly important Local Measures to pass such as 20-142 that updates facilities/improves technologies for Lane Community College and Local Measure 20-137 that provides an external review and Police Complaint Board. 20-137 also gives the City Council the ability to hire an Auditor and appoint a review board. A “YES” vote on both measures 20-137 and 20-142 are STRONGLY recommended!
For more Democratic recommendations (wisely based on the Democratic Party of Lane County’s Platform), please visit www.DPLC.org and/or join us this — and every Friday at UO’s “Fishbowl” @ the EMU on 13th and University.
See ya tonight - and every Friday evening at 7pm!
-Matt Keating
What: Lane Students for Obama with Eugene for Obama-Biden @ UO’s Fishbowl (EMU)
Date: Friday, October 3, 2008 Time: 7:00pm - 8:15pm Where: University of Oregon’s EMU “Fishbowl” Street: 13th and University
VP Debate Watch Party "blog" notes are also available at Lane Students for Obama's student moderated blog: www.lanecc.edu ~ "Life@Lane"
Oct 2, 2008 …
Join the Lane Students for Obama and Women for Obama movement this Thursday (5:45pm) at Joggers Bar and Grill for the Vice Presidential Debate Watch Party. Joggers Bar and Grill is located at 710 Willamette St., Eugene, 97401. All are welcome!
Thanks! -Lane Students for Barack Obama
