Linda Daves, head of North Carolina GOP,was just on NPR trying to justify her decision to run an ad with Rev. Jeremiah Wright's endorsement of Barack Obama.
She also said she has received hundreds of EMAIL MESSAGES THANKING HER for airing this ad.
Let's email her and let her know what WE think. Let's grassroots her inbox.
Her email is:
LCDaves@aol.com
I keep reading posts from members of groups that I belong to and I finally feel that I must address the confusion, petty bickering and mass hysteria that has begun to ooze its way into the dialogue.
First of all, I joined Obama for the change and hope he offered. He made me realize that I am a part of the movement and that truely, the "change begins with ME". Those simple words carry such power, so while having anything to do with Obama, his website and any group that associates itself with his official movement, I feel an obligation to represent him and his ideals. That includes taking the high road and allowing others to disagree without disrepect.
We must remember that Obama is NOT perfect. He may have stances on issues on which we disagree, however I believe in his promise that he will LISTEN to us and consider what we have to say and will be HONEST with us on how he will proceed with any and all legislation he considers.
I chose Obama instead of Hillary at first because of her vote to authorize war with Iraq. I now know that because of the way that she and her campaign have conducted themselves, she is in it for herself. She does not want to have an involved electorate and I refuse to believe that I matter less than her. Obama feels like an equal, someone who actually listens and does not patronize.
I know there is a need to vent about issues and there are plenty of sites for that. I use them for that purpose. One of my favorites is DailyKos.com. Be sure if you post there, you know your issues. It is a brutally honest site.
So, after all this rambling, I just really wanted to say that let's not be our own worse enemies. On the blogs and emails, let's respect each other and our varied views. Let's be active when needed, but in a way that Obama would feel reflects him. We owe him that respect, don't you think?
Last night's debate was a farce. We can change things at the grassroots level. Write a letter, email, call ABC protesting the debate and the non-issue questioning.
We ARE the BLUEPRINT for change. WE are the MILLIONS of VOICES CALLING for it.
BOYCOTT, BOYCOTT, BOYCOTT!!!! NOTHING and NO program that you watch on TV is as important as taking back our country.
This is the movement Obama talks about when he says WE are the change. Let's use our anger and bitterness to make things better.
Here is a contact list. Please feel free to cut and paste this blog! Make this VIRAL!
Peter Salinger (THE MAN IN CHARGE OF ELECTION COVERAGE) Director, Special Events & Sports 212.456.5105 peter.salinger@abc.comCristi LandesManager, Programming 212.456.5107 cristi.d.landes@abc.comWayne Fisk Director, Programming 212.456.5327 wayne.fisk@abc.comJeff Fitzgerald Executive Director, Operations 212.456.5554 jeffrey.t.fitzgerald@abc.comHeidi Oringer Executive Director, Entertainment 212.456.5541 heidi.b.oringer@abc.comJon Newman News Coverage 212.456.5100 jonathan.m.newman@abc.comJoyce Alcantara Assignment Manager 212.456.5106 joyce.a.alcantara@abc.comJim Kane Deputy D.C. Bureau Chief 212.222. 6604 james.f.kane@abc.comAndrew Kalb Executive Director, Programming 05.567.2269 andrew.l.kalb@abc.comRobert Garcia Executive Director, News & Sports 212.456.5103 robert.garcia@abc.comWrite ABC's Executives to tell them what you think of the Debate:cristi.d.landes@abc.com, peter.salinger@abc.com, wayne.fisk@abc.com, jeffrey.t.fitzgerald@abc.com, heidi.b.oringer@abc.com, jonathan.m.newman@abc.com, joyce.a.alcantara@abc.com, james.f.kane@abc.com, andrew.l.kalb@abc.com, robert.garcia@abc.comIt's the 2nd, 3rd, 4th day heat that really gets felt..Lynn Schumacher
someone bitter who is doing something for change
As I was channel surfing today trying to catch Senator Obama's town hall meeting in Malvern, PA, I was struck by the fact that the majority of all news coverage was of the protests going on in San Francisco as the Olympic torch was being relayed. I understand the outrage at human rights violations, the position of China on Tibet & Taiwan, the increased greehouse gases being rpoduced by China, etc. What I don't understand is where is the outrage and protest of an illegal invasion and occupation of a sovereign country, the plundering of our nation's treasury, the destruction of an iconic American city by not only natural disaster, by by man made apathy and greed.
I guess we should think about that passage in the Bible from Matthew that says something like, "why are we concerned with the splinter in our neighbor's eye when we neglect the log in our very own?"
and now, Barack Obama's speech on race in America. It was perhaps the most amazing speech I have ever heard. What the corporate media has done over the past week by showing endless loops of the same 2, yes count them 2, speeches by a pastor who has preached for over 20 years has been utterly shameful. The purpose was nothing more than to play on people's fears and divide us as much as possible. I'm sure that even as I write this the pundits are trying to slice and dice the speech and put their own spin on it. But you know what, I don't think anyone needs to listen to them anymore because you just can't spin something this brilliant..
If America is to continue in its' pursuit of a more perfect union then our racial disharmony MUST be addressed and Senator Obama just did so in the most professional and presidential manner.
"The surge is working." Says, who, the same people who brought us "mission accomplished?" The same people who brought us "we're turning the corner?" The same people who brought us "we don't want the smoking gun to be in the form of a mushroom cloud?" The same people who brought us "it won't cost America a dime, Iraqi oil proceeds will pay for it?" The same people who brought us "we'll be greeted as liberators?" The same people who brought us "the insurgency is in its' last throes, if you will?" The same people who are now bringing us "they're going to follow us home?"
Now, think back to Condoleeza Rice's senate confirmation hearing for her appointment as Secretary of State shortly after George W. Bush's re-election in 2004. I distinctly remember a junior Senator from Illinois who, after some intense questioning of Dr Rice, received the affirmative response from her that there was NO MILITARY solution to the civil war in Iraq. Next, there was a senate hearing on the progress in Iraq from one General David Petraeus, the architect of "the surge." Once again, I distinctly remember a junior Senator from Illinois questioning the General on how the surge would guarantee "political" progress. The answer was it could not.
So now the latest word from General Petraeus is that there is basically no politcal progress being made. Okay, so now what? Right, let's get everybody's attention diverted away from this self-made disaster. Hmmm, let's see, Obama's a Muslim, no wait he's an Atheist, no wait he's an angry Christian, no wait he's a liar, oh and he's unpatriotic, doesn't say the Pledge of Allegiance and took his oath of office on the Quran. What else, oh yeah, we need to get the Democratic Party fighting amongst itself so let's stir the pot. Let's talk about MI & FL. Let's talk about Geraldine Ferraro. Let's talk about all the skeletons in the Clinton's closet. Come on, we need to get them to fight some more. In the meantime make sure that any and every reference to Senator John McCain is prefaced with the words, "War Hero."
Do you see a pattern here people? Point being, that Senator Obama had the foresight and judgment to oppose the invasion of Iraq from the beginning. He had the foresight and judgment to realize that there was no military solution to the civil war in Iraq. He is the only candidate who is speaking the truth about the difficulty we will face in extricating ourselves in a manner that is as carefully planned as the invasion was carelessly not planned. They know he's the best person for the job, we know he's the best person for the job, so the only thing they have left is lies and smears all covered in fears!
I honestly believe that the goodness, character, compassion and intelligence of Senator Barack Obama is ultimately going to shine through and light this country's spirit and fire again. Please join me in this movement to give our government back to its' rightful owner, the American People!
Thank you so much.
Peace & Love to All
Repeat after me:
Words Music Images
Since this campaign began I've discovered a new means of expressing myself through the creation of videos for uploading to YouTube. I've always loved music and, having embraced today's technology, found that I have a little bit of a creative side to me. Granted, some of the videos are just political satire, some have a little biting sarcasm, while yet others are uplifting and inspirational. Oh yeah, there are also some strictly for laughs.
Anyway, I thought I'd post a direct link to my YouTube channel for anyone that might want to do a little surfing for audio & visual delights. You never know, there just might be something there you like.
Warning: I'm a TOTAL 100% supporter of Barack Obama, so if you are partial to another candidate you may want to stay clear from my channel, you may get infected with Obama Fever!
http://youtube.com/DesertRatDan
This is just a fun little photo mashup video set to the musical duo of Tony Bennett & James Taylor.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vbqCgmKj6I8
Call me a sap but I loved the movie Rudy. I guess I always had a soft spot in my heart for the little guy, the underdog. I think this campaign strikes a parallel with the film in that the ultimate goal is for inclusion at a most prestigious institution, the protagonist is definitely the underdog and by the end of the movie everybody is rooting for Rudy.
I sure hope this campaign ends on the same happy note. Here's some inspiration for all my Obama brothers and sisters set to the music from the film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTTdfngMbbc
While I think it is tragic that Samantha Power resigned as an advisor to Barack Obama, I also had to agree with her comment 100%. I have a good time combining video, photos, etc with music as a way of expressing myself. The political season serves as such a treasure trove of material that it's hard to resist a little satire now and then. The link below is for my newest video done to the song "Monster Mash."
I hope you have as much fun watching it as I had in making it.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=F8ULID4QVig
With all the smears about Senator Barack Obama's supposed lack of patriotism, I took a suggestion from another Obama blogger and did a mashup of 5 different versions of our National Anthem and put together a slideshow of Barack & Michelle along with other patriotic images.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZVmxg6OPPzw
I was as disappointed and angry as most Obama supporters probably were last night but there is always a silver lining. It appears that there was a certain percentage of Republicans, in both Ohio & Texas, that purposely voted Democratic in order to vote for Clinton. It tells me that they are very afraid of facing Obama in the general election. Why? Well, we know why but I wish they would just take a step back, stop talking for a minute, and listen to what Barack is saying.He is not demonizing anyone and he wants to work across party lines, racial lines, generational lines & socio-economic lines. What is so wrong with that and what are people so afraid of? Senator Obama is not naive. He knows how difficult some of our challenges are, but he also knows that WE can handle it, that WE'RE up to the challenge. Aren't we?I will be making a donation to the campaign today and also wanted to add a little inspiration. I was so taken with some of the brilliant black & white photography work featured yesterday that I put together a little slideshow to music to help us get through our disappointment today and keep on moving forward.http://youtube.com/watch?v=Wgz4lYQjvlw
I think it was a line from the movie Eddie & the Cruisers, that went something like, "it's all about words & music, words & music." With today's modern technology it has made it possible for even amateurs like myself to add images & effects to the words & music & indulge in a new form of self expression, uploading one's own creations to YouTube. As many of you know my current favorite subject matter is Senator Obama's movement of Hope and Change. The sense of community, friendship, honesty, decency & fairness that is evident in so many of Obama's supporters is music to MY ears.
Another Obama supporter from my now favorite state, Iowa, gave me the original idea for this music video, along with some links. After I listened to the song a few times I really like the idea. So hear is the result of that collaboration between two people from different parts of the country, different backgrounds, different genders, but a common belief that, as Barack Obama has told us, "we are not as divided as our politics would suggest."
I hope you all enjoy it.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=P2gZl_j-qiU
Out of many, one. Like most decisions that Americans have to make in life the one that should be made with the most due diligence is the vote for President of the United States. Now, in most cases people make decisions based on what they perceive to be most favorable for themselves or their loved ones. This is a case however where one should ask oneself which candidate would be best for the entire country, irregardless of personal wants or desires.
Governing a powerful country with a population of over 300 million is definitely no easy task. What we have seen for the past 20 years is a government that was too busy enriching themselves personally and fighting incessantly to the point that very little was ever accomplished. In the meantime our government starts a war that it can't pay for. Our country is attacked by terrorists on 3 or 4 occasions in the 90's and 00's culminating in the attacks on 9/11/01. So we decide to put up a token attack on the Taliban, get Bin Laden cornered, and then decide we need to leave Afghanistan and invade Iraq? Who made these decisions and why were the American people so pliable as to just go along with this foreign policy disaster? This is what happens when a person or party is more concerned with getting elected or re-elected than actually governing (read, we don't care what the other 49% of America thinks.)
On the Democratic side we are down to Barack Obama & Hillary Clinton, with the winner to face probable Republican nominee, John McCain. Of these three candidates which one do you think will put the country's collective soul into meeting the challenges of terrorism, global warming, universal healthcare, improved education system, continued cleanup and rebuilding of the Gulf Coast area, infrastructure rebuilding and restoring our name around the world? In my final analysis, Senator Barack Obama stands head & shoulders above the other two for the following reasons:
1. He is not bought & paid for by federal lobbyists
2. He does not have the 20 years of Washinton "think" that needs to be washed away in this new world.
3. His demeanor is, to borrow a phrase, "as cool as the other side of the pillow."
4. He is not promising to do anything FOR us but rather WITH us.
5. He wants to raise the conversation past the 10 second media soundbite that has become all too prevalent in today's society
6. He is honest (I mean really honest). Just read his first book. How many politicians do you know that will admit to past indiscretions without fear.
7. He knows who he is. I'm not convinced that the other two remaining candidates can say the same thing. Senator McCain, "do you agree with the Bush tax cuts or not?" Are you really a straight talker or only when it's politically palatable (right wing radio blowhards notwithstanding)? Senator Clinton, You claim 35 years of experience yet won't release your White House records. You "loan" your campaign $5 million yet won't release your tax returns. You've shown at least 4 different personalities during this primary season alone. If you don't know who you are, how are we supposed to know?
8. He is highly intelligent. After the past eight years I think we can all agree that an Obama Presidency would raise America's IQ immediately.
9. This might sound really trivial after all this pontificating, but probably the biggest reason that I'm an Obama supporter, donor & volunteer is...
...HE "ASKED" ME TO AND HE "ASKED" NICELY. It shows me that he can read people and knows how to get them to react in a positive manner. Afterall, the President's greatest power is that of the Bully Pulpit, and I for one wouldn't mind listening to President Obama speak to us and for us for the next eight years!
What a difference a day makes. One day we're witnessing a candidate making a nice conciliatory speech about her opponent then the next day, well how would one describe it? It appears to this voter that Senator Clinton has truly come undone. With the prospects of a never before even imagined defeat at the hands of an "upstart", Senator Clinton went ballistic on Saturday in Cincinnati and then appeared to really be losing it on Sunday in Rhode Island.
Is this some new campaign tactic cooked up by the brilliant, underappreciated and underpaid Mark Penn to draw in the, what, the personality disorder vote? Maybe their campaign feels that all of us Americans are so far gone that we will see this as acceptable and normal behavior. Maybe their campaign has watched American Idol one too many seasons. I've heard of drama before but this is ridiculous.
Senator Clinton, please show us some respect. We are Americans too you know. Just because you're disappointed, hurt and angry, that is no reason to treat our election process, our Democratic Party and us voters with such disdain. Shame on YOU, Hillary Clinton!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HRukw-dVtds
Recently I have found myself wondering if Senator Barack Obama had any idea that what he began about a year ago would morph into what we are witnessing today. If he did, he is even more brilliant than I have given him credit for. Could he have foreseen that people would wait in long lines for hours in freezing temperatures just to get a glimpse of him and hear his inspiring and impassioined speeches? Could he have foreseen that grown men could be brought to tears by the idea that we might get our nation back? Could he have foreseen that people of all different races, ages, religions, socio-economic status, sexual preferences, etc could gather together without all the acrimony of the past? Could he have foreseen the wave of new voters that he has brought into the process? Could he have foreseen raising 32 million dollars in ONE month from everyday ordinary Americans in increments as litlle as $5.00? Could he have foreseen that a skinny bi-racial man with a funny name could take on the biggest name in the Democratic Party and battle them to a standstill on the biggest single primary day in history?
In my final analysis I declare that either way, it's all good. If Barack did indeed foresee all these things then he is exactly who we want to be our President; a forward thinker that has shown great vision and judgement. If he did not foresee all these things that shows me that he is as human as the rest of us, as who else could have foreseen any of this either?
Barack Obama strikes me as one of the most honest, intelligent people I've ever known. I don't really even consider him a politician, but rather the leader that the people have been waiting for.
CIA, KGB, MI-6? No, not that type of intelligence. I'm talking about the intelligence that says, "yes I will talk to my enemies." The intelligence that says, "I don't just want to end this war, but I want to end the mindset that got us into war." The intelligence that says, "we are not as divided as our politics would suggest." The intelligence that says, "we can disagree without being disagreeable." The intelligence that says, "the American people are not the problem, the American people are the solution." The intelligence that says, "I was a Constitutional Law Professor, I will DEFEND and OBEY the Constitution."
Have we learned from our mistakes? Let's not fall for any more "faulty intelligence". Elect Barack Obama to be President of the United States. Not only will he close Guantanemo, restore Habeas Corpus, lock down loose nukes, he will even be able to pronounce the word N-U-C-L-E-A-R correctly! Imagine that.
If the Nevada caucuses are any indication of the level of organization or leadership within the Democratic Party nationally, then I'm afraid we're in trouble folks. Granted, this was my first experience at observing the caucus procedure, but I have to tell you, it was an absolute zoo.
My wife and I traveled from Phoenix Arizona to Pahrump Nevada on January 17th to volunteer for the Obama campaign. Pahrump is a rural community and the precinct we were assigned to was fairly spread out, with many homes being inaccessible due to fenced in properties, dogs, etc. We knocked on approximately 60 doors over the first 2 days and then went back and dropped door hangers on another 30 on Saturday morning. We probably only made 10 actual contacts (meaning talking to someone), but I feel that I personally persuaded 2 people that were undecided to show up on Saturday and caucus for Barack. They showed up, recognized my wife and I, and did indeed caucus for Barack so I am very proud of that. Out of our precinct's possible 6 delegates we did end up getting 2 to Senator Clinton's 4. The first one (new supporter), was impressed when I told him of Senator Obama's plan to help veterans by making sure EVERY SINGLE combat soldier is screened for PTSD when returning from any war zone, by making sure that the communication technology between the Defense Department and the Veteran's Administration be seamless and in real time so that verterans are not falling through the cracks. My wife said she noticed this gentleman raised his eyebrows in admiration when I said this so I think I hit the right button. The other one was even more unusual because he wasn't on our list to canvas. He noticed our Obama gear and started a conversation. He didn't like the fighting about "race" between Clinton and Obama. I was able to comiserate with him, as I can't stand it either and explained that most of it was media created drama. That seemed to work as the conversation then moved on. What I quickly deduced was that his main issue was beating the Republicans, so I quoted the numbers that show Barack beating every Republican in a head to head. When we left this gentleman, we smiled and asked him to caucus for Barack the next day. So, those are my 2 success stories. To ALL Obama volunteers, please always remain positive as we are a reflection of our candidate and I feel we got 2 new supporters just by being positive and friendly.
Now, for the nasty stuff. The caucus location had 4 different precincts in the SAME room. There was no clear separation between the different precincts other than a little 8 x 10 piece of paper on the wall in the 4 corners of the room. How are you supposed to divide each of the 4 corners of the room into three separate areas for the 3 candidates when you're packed to the rafters? The room quickly filled to sardine can capacity with nobody in charge. We tried to sign people in based on the list we were given for our precinct and it was an absolute nightmare. Many people showed up, with their active voter registration cards, and yet were not on the list given to us to sign people in. We were not provided with enough candidate preference cards nor with enough new voter registration forms. At one point the Fire Department showed up and instructed everyone that at least one quarter of the people would have to go outside because of fire safety laws. In some of the precincts there was never a 2nd alignment done. Once people were counted, they assumed they could leave, so many DID. They were tired, cranky, hot, incredulous, wondering whatever happened to "their" primary of old? I for one could not blame them. Is it the different campaign's jobs to educate the electorate on voting and caucusing procedures or is it the job of the State and National Democratic & Republican Parties? I can't speak for the Republican party but the Democratic party better get its' act together. Barack Obama alone has ignited the passions in a whole new generation of voters. It's been proven in Iowa, New Hampshire and now Nevada that voters are turning out in record numbers. Are you trying to turn them away? HEY DEMOCRATIC PARTY, WAKE UP AND SMELL THE OBAMA COFFEE BREWING! If you blow this, you will immediately lose 2 members (and my wife just changed from Republican to Democrat to vote for Obama). We will immediately re-register as independents and probably never get involved in party politics again. Barack Obama is the ONLY reason we got involved in the first place.
On a humorous note, Pahrump is known as the Brothel capital of the Country and my wife and I found it very trusting of Hillary that she would send Bill out there by himself!
On a final note I would like to say that the mountains surrounding the Pahrump area are gorgeous. There was snow on the top and the way the sunlight was reflected at different times of the day was breathtaking. Lake Mead seemed to be at a very low level but it has been years since I've been up there so I can't speak with authority on that. Construction is well underway on the overpass that will allow commuters to bypass the Hoover Dam crossing, thereby saving probably 30 minutes travel time.
Corporate Owned Corporate Operated Punditry Uttering Fascist Fluff (COCOPUFF)
I created the aforementioned acronym after having my fill of the incessant blather and corporate advertising blasting its way into my living room at breakneck speeds. Now, before you think I'm going too far with the term fascist, please consult your dictionary. According to Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition, fascism is defined as, "a system of government characterized by rigid one-party dictatorship, forcible suppression of opposition, private economic enterprise under centralized governmental control, belligerent nationalism, racism and militarism, etc."
Now, when drug companies write healthcare policy, when oil companies write energy policy, when insurance companies are exempt from anti-trust laws thereby slanting the playing field, when we continue to fund both sides of wars in foreign oil-producing countries, when we continue to produce and spend more on weapons than all other countries combined, when we lock people up without any charges being filed, when we rendition and torture, when we suspend habeas corpus, when we are called unpatriotic if we question any of this, then maybe, just maybe we are much closer to a fascist state that we might want to believe.
You may ask yourself what all this has to do with the media. Well, the control of information is the first step in the control of people. This presidential campaign is a prime example of the media trying to control the message that they want all of the unwashed masses to swallow, no matter how bad it tastes. One of the reasons they are so poll obsessed is that they want to make us believe that the "majority" of people are thinking this or that so that means we must think that also. I implore you to not buy into this cow manure. Don't let them fool you into thinking this is a right vs left, democrat vs republican, liberal vs conservative type of contest. They are trying to pit us against one another, so that we are distracted as they continue to remain in power and in control of the dialog.
Think about it, how many of us really understand the daily pronouncements on every news channel about the Dow Jones, NASDAQ, Hang Seng or whatever they're all called? They want to make us think that if Wall Street is doing great then the economy is doing great and we all must be doing great, right? WRONG! If Wall Street is doing great that means that corporate profits are up, meaning only those that own those shares are going to benefit. For profits to go up most of the time expenses need to be cut and they are usually cut first in the form of wages and benefits for employees.
Think about the majority of tv commercials that have bombarded you over the last 6 years or so. I'll argue that the majority of them have been representing either pharmaceutical, insurance/financial services, or big oil companies. Television advertising is obscenely expensive so the only companies who can afford to advertise that much on tv are the only ones making the obscene profits. See the connection?
What I am asking each and every one of you is to take everything you hear from these cocopuffs with a grain of salt. They have an agenda and it doesn't include you. If you must listen to them, then please email them when you hear something that is obviously false or biased. If you hear someone else parroting what one of these cocopuffs said, then by all means set that person straight also.
I bet you're wondering what this diatribe has to do Senator Obama, aren't you? Well, I'll tell you. In an Obama Administration the light will be shone on the inner workings of Washington directly to the American people via C-Span, YouTube, BarackTV, etc thereby diminishing the role of the current batch of cocopuffs to the soggy, colorless, tasteless cereal that they have become.
