This is the first time I have written a blog but felt so concerned about what I am seeing with the current proposed "Stimulas Package" I felt compelled to speak out. I am in support of a stimulas package as originally talked about by President Obama, one that focuses in on the infrastructure, alternate energy development and health care. I think the majority of the money should go toward these areas with focus on near term results along with some long term goals.
But what I am seeing with the current House proposal is not enough money directed to the above areas and too much spent on a long list of different "pet projects". While many of these projects are no doubt worthwhile they should be addressed in the normal legislative process with proper debate and review. We must not use this current "crisis" as a means to push through legislation which may otherwise be difficult to pass.
I think we are going to get one shot at correcting this crisis and we need to be sure we have it right. Check out the article by Bob Herbert, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/opinion/03herbert.html?_r=1 I think it is right on the mark!
I would ask President Obama that we take a step back and make sure that the final bill is what you want, what we elected you to do. Let's get it right, I have confidence in you.
Early Voting for the entire state of Florida has just been extended.
Every Early Vote location in Florida will now be every day from 7am-7pm up through November 2.
Please pass along this great news to everyone you know who will be voting in Florida. Click here to find your nearest early vote location.
Here's the release:
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS ~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~October 28, 2008Contact:GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008. "I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote." Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting. Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting. Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29. Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217. STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217 WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties; WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; andWHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008. GOVERNORATTEST:SECRETARY OF STATE
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS
~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~
October 28, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
"I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote."
Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting.
Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting.
Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29.
Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217.
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217
WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and
WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and
WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and
WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties;
WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; and
WHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:
I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008.
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
SECRETARY OF STATE
Its an exciting time to be a Floridian. We have The World Series here with our own Champion Tampa Bay Rays! Great players with names like Kazmir ,Navarro, Longoria, Iwamura , Baldelli , & Miller . We have the Great Tampa Bay Bucs with players like Economos, Piscitelli, Talib, Zuttah, & Smith. We are looking forward to hosting the Superbowl.
We are fortunate to have Major political figures & our Presidential Candidates criss crossing our state just weeks before the most highly anticipated Election in my memory.
We are clearly a diverse people, and that is a good thing. It is also something that marks a strong contrast in the campaigns of John McCain & Barack Obama. When I attended a rally for Barack Obama I stood in line for more than 2 hours. I stood with people of every imaginable ethnicity. People of all ages, all Religions. I never heard a negative word. No accusations or name calling, just excitement,positivity & cooperation.
I have never attended a McCain event, and from what I have read and seen in the news I would be afraid to. The anger & hatred in the crowds is palpable. If one were to judge America from these gatherings one would draw the assumption that America is filled with only White people with a very limited world view.
Barack Obama believes that we are One America, that we all rise or fall together. He believes that we must reach out to the World & listen to all points of view. He will be a wise and thoughtful leader.
John McCain encourages a divided America. He points fingers & calls names. He practices the politics of hate & fear that have led us into one of the sadest periods in American History. He has no new ideas, just more of the same.
Florida, this is our time. We can show the World we are ready for the future. Ready to embrace a new era of diversity & tolerance & prosperity. We can with Barack Obama.
It has been a while since i had the chance to write a post. My team started working on phone banking as soon as VR ended.
There seems to be a group of voters that we are really going to need to keep motiviated until Nov. 04. Our goal is get anyone that is weary of the politics (and is a Obamam supporter!) to vote early. Move em out! Drive them there. Get them to the polls. Once they have voted that is one in the bank: go out and find another one. Oh.. and do not forget to early vote yourself!!
In Ike's Words, why some conservatives like Obama
Colin Powell's endorsement today adds muscle to the growing conservative chorus for Obama.
This post features the endorsements by Susan Eisenhower (Ike's granddaughter) Wick Allison (former publisher of the National Review) and the Chicago Tribune, with their first endorsement of a Democrat since the paper's founding in 1847.
Scroll down the page at MakeFloridaCount.com to find -
resources to counter McCain lies
and The Fight for Florida - why we can't stop now. Encourage your friends in Blue States to use my.barackobama.com to call battleground states.
Be sure to make use of the resources on the left side of the page at MakeFloridaCount.com and MakeOhioCount.org to reach undecided voters.
Yours,
Barbara
MakeFloridaCount.com archives articles, videos and other organizing resources to use with undecided voters.
I am developing section on Conservative and Republican endorsements of Obama. Please send me your suggestions (by e-mail or by commenting on the blog).
See extended blog for more detail of what is available on the site.
New organizing resources are added daily. In unity. Barbara Myers
barbmyrs@gmail.com
On Friday October 3rd, the McCain/Palin Campaign released the 2006 and 2007 Federal Income Tax filings for the Palin family.
Because of the revelation that Gov. Palin had charged the State of Alaska Per Diem for living in her own home and for questionable travel expenses for her children and the "First Dude", many wondered what these taxes returns would show.
What the returns showed is disturbing at least to me. There is no reporting what-so-ever of the near $60,000 dollars of claimed Per Diem ($17,000) and Travel Expenses for her husband and children ($43,000). When questioned about this discrepancy the McCain/Palin Campaign issued a statement saying an agreement had been made between the State of Alaska and the IRS and the per diem payments were not to be considered income. The travel monies were not addressed to my knowledge. But IRS Regulations are very specific in that a taxpayer may not exclude money received for "living expenses" paid to the taxpayer while living in the taxpayers home. This is clearly laid out in IRS Pub 463 on page 3-4 Example 2.
Over the weekend, it seems many tax experts reviewed the Palin's returns and have determined that Gov. Palin owes income taxes on approximately $25,000 for the travel expenses of the Palin children. Their assessments say that Todd Palin's travel costs may have been non-reportable income as he may have been required to attend the functions that Gov. Palin attended as official State business.
Furthermore, some have surmised that Gov. Palin was "above board" in not claiming the Per Diem payments she received while staying in her own home (and her Tax Residence) because she acted in "Good Faith" by declaring her compensation based on her W2 from the State of Alaska.
And this is why in my estimation, Governor Sarah Palin and her husband evaded paying due taxes and are Tax Cheats. Governor Palin submitted as the basis for her taxable income a W2 that solely represented her basic wages of $125,000. She was aware that she received the $17,000 in per diem costs in that she had to apply for those payments. Governments don't just dole these funds out, they must be applied for, in other words they aren't automatic. And even if they were they would still have to be claimed as income, taxable or non-taxable. But as previously cited IRS Pub. 463 clearly lays out what is and what is not taxable reimbursment for travel and Per Diem.
Every year I report non-taxable Veterans Administration Disability Compensation I receive. I know it will not be taxed, but it must be reported. Sarah Palin's Per Diem should have also taxable or not. And I reiterate, she knew she was receiving it. So again in my estimation, Sarah Palin has broken the Law and this needs to be put to the American People. We pay our taxes in good faith, knowing those taxes will provide needed services. To have a Candidate for national office that is a heartbeat away from the Presidency who willfully cheats on her family's Income Taxes is beyond the pale.
I hope America will be made aware of what a person of such poor character John McCain chose as his running mate when he selected Sarah Palin.
I was yelling at my TV, as I'm sure many were, frustrated with the lack of acutal debating. Where was the follow up? The confrontation between candidates? The analysts on the ABC post-show seem to think this was more of an actual debate than last week, but I beg to differ. I think it was an exercise in protecting Sarah Palin. In interviews, Palin fails on the follow-up. Tonight, there was no follow-up.
Be clear, I think both candidates did well. I think Biden did better. He actually answered the questions, was clear on his points, and made a persuasive argument. Palin didn't say anything that she hasn't said before, except a few things I'd like to point out (and these are not direct quotes). However, she wasn't allowed to "go Couric" on the issues because there was no follow through. Had someone actually confronted her on clear mis-statements and misunderstandings, there would have been a much different Palin on display. Sadly, Biden couldn't be the one to do this without the McCain camp crying sexism and bias of the liberal media. Anyway, here goes:
1. "The McCain-Palin ticket supports equal rights and civil liberties, including recognition of domestic partnerships. " The voting records for both, however, say otherwise. McCain has consistently voted against hate crime legislation and equal rights for gays. Both McCain and Palin have OPPOSED domestic partnership benefits, and nowhere has this been opposed more adamantly than in Alaska under Palin. I wish someone would have brought this up. Sticking to the format means less room for error.
2. "McCain and Palin support education reform." Be clear, they definitely do not, and no matter how many educators Palin is related to, that fact won't change. McCain doesn't think No Child Left Behind needs to be reformed. He thinks the solution to failing schools is competition and school vouchers, per his website. However, taking the best teachers and children with their tax dollars from failing schools leaves those schools at a disadvantage and leaves all those children without the option to move, behind. Gwen Ifill never returned to this issue.
3. "McCain supports tax cuts for the middle class." Simply not true. People like me will be taxed more under McCain, while the rich will continue to get tax breaks. Unacceptable. McCain supports people like McCain, who own multiple houses and have accountants to manage their bank accounts, and travel first class, and have good health insurance. Speaking of...
4. "The McCain health plan is better." Definitely not true. I have spent the last two years as one of the millions of uninsured Americans. Having a $5000 tax credit to purchase my own insurance won't change the fundamental problem - individual insurance is expensive, difficult to obtain, and more restricted than employer-provided group insurance. I have to worry about pre-existing conditions, none of which I have, but by law, my out-of-pocket trip to the doc for allergy problems could fall in that category and not be covered for at least a year. Among other things. And my premium will be so high that, even if I can afford it, I can't afford to actually go to the doctor and pay co-pays, lab costs, and other fees. What if something is wrong with me? I can't afford the follow up visits and tests, and if the insurance company decides that my problem is related to a previously exisiting issue, even if it's outside the pre-existing conditions time frame, they don't have to cover it. By law, they don't have to cover anything that they feel you should have been receiving treatment for. John McCain, your plan does not address these issues!
The healthcare issue angers me more than any other. You need to realize that even if you have group insurance, your employer will have to pay taxes on benefit money, affecting how much is subsidized, what your cost is, and how good your coverage is. The United States has one of the worst health care systems in the world. I travel a lot, and one thing I hear is what a travesty it is that people can't get basic or emergency medical care without great personal cost. I have one relative and one friend who died due to lack of insurance. My 18 year-old friend died in an emergency room where they wouldn't treat him, arguably because he didn't present as a serious case, but really because he couldn't afford the visit. But death is serious, and now the hospital will have to afford a much greater cost as a result of this unnecessary and untimely death.
Please don't be fooled by tonight's "debate." There are real issues that weren't addressed that voters need to be aware of. Palin kept trying to say they are the ticket of change, and that Biden was going back to the Bush administration and the past. But Palin quoted Reagan and actually imitated some of his famous (infamous?) debate against Carter (I can't be the only one sickened by the "there you go again Joe" line). How different is Reagan from Bush, Bush from McCain? Reagan de-valued education and to such a degree that we now have one of the worst public education systems in the world. The failure of the education system started before Reagan, but he accelerated it. McCain himself said he admired Reagan greatly. Remember who benefited from Reagan's economic policies...it wasn't the "soccer moms" or the "six pack average Joe" or the "Wasilla Main Street." Maybe we weren't where we are today, but the middle class was not the beneficiary.
It is unfortunate that Palin wasn't called on her lack of answers and wasn't asked to elaborate beyond what she was told to say. The American people deserve to see that this person (Palin) at this point in time, is not qualified to lead this country. We didn't get that tonight.
Republicans are up to their dirty tricks again. We heard a bit about intimidation and "voting irregularities" in both the close 2004 election and the 2000 election, which Al Gore won, but not by enough to keep W's lawyers from taking it to the Supreme Court, where he was effectively appointed by so-called Conservatives who blocked Florida from carrying out its own laws on a 5 to 4 decision. Now, we hear they've been using a direct mail technique called "caging" to challenge YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE. And they've been doing for at least a few elections. They've even been blocking active-duty military personnel from voting!!!!
Don't let 'em do it to you!
I'm no expert, but here's what I'm going to do.
1. Use myBO's fabulous registration tool to verify my loved ones and I are registered.
2. If there's a problem with it, take care of it PRONTO, like tomorrow.
3. Go VOTE! BradBlog (different Brad) doesn't trust electronic machines and early voting. Punchcards were actually more accurate than optical scanned paper, but I think paper's my only choice now to avoid the un-recountable electronic machines.
4. If someone challenges me, I'll show proper identification to the Election Judges, not a third party. I'll bring my registration card, driver's license, and a utility bill. If they don't give me a REGULAR ballot, I will call a phone number to get voter assistance that I'm sure will materialize on myBO or from my local Democratic party
5. Whatever happens, I won't get mad and walk out. That's exactly what they want me to do.
Let's win by a big enough margin that they can't steal this one. Check out stealbackyourvote and Voter Suppression.
If we are going to give away the farm to the fascio-corporatist financiers and bankers of the wall street cabal we should at least get something for it. The minimum acceptable conditions for the bailout are:
1. Free healthcare for all citizens.
2. Full Social Security retrirement at age 50.
3. $15 per hour minimum wage.
4. High protective tarriff on all goods manufactured outside the U.S. by "American" companies.
5. Tax rate of 75% on trust funds.
6. Confiscation of all property of all shareholders with an estimated wealth of $100,000 or more.
7. The elimination of taxation on incomes of less than $75,000 per year.
And you know what it is still a good deal - for them.
There was a message circulating some of our groups in Florida yesterday that spread incorrect information conerning the the ID needed to vote. We're going to clarify below.
A message from the Florida Campaign for Change chief election lawyer:
I am the Obama-Biden campaign’s chief election lawyer in Florida, and I have received the 'no match no vote' message from several sources. This message is categorically false. Our reading of the clear statutory language does NOT require that the address on the driver’s license (or other ID) that the voter presents at the polls match the voter’s address in the precinct register. Furthermore, this press release from the Florida Secretary of State definitively ccnfirms:http://www.dos.state.fl.us/news/communications/pressRelease/pressRelease.cfm?id=330 See the last bullet:· I.D. required and checked at the polls is used solely to confirm the voter’s identity. Not to verify the voter’s ID number or address. The photograph on the ID is compared to the person standing before the poll worker and the signature on the ID is compared to the signature on record.
I am the Obama-Biden campaign’s chief election lawyer in Florida, and I have received the 'no match no vote' message from several sources. This message is categorically false.
Our reading of the clear statutory language does NOT require that the address on the driver’s license (or other ID) that the voter presents at the polls match the voter’s address in the precinct register. Furthermore, this press release from the Florida Secretary of State definitively ccnfirms:http://www.dos.state.fl.us/news/communications/pressRelease/pressRelease.cfm?id=330
See the last bullet:
· I.D. required and checked at the polls is used solely to confirm the voter’s identity. Not to verify the voter’s ID number or address. The photograph on the ID is compared to the person standing before the poll worker and the signature on the ID is compared to the signature on record.
Please feel free to email florida@barackobama.com with any questions or concerns.
The message and pics below were sent from Tori Hicks, who just this summer moved to Wasila, AK, where she and her husband are co-pastors of the UM Churches in Wasila and Palmer. It would appear not all Alaskans are excited about Sara Palin.
Just in case you haven't seen this, thought you might like to see what Alaskans that aren't making national news think about the republican VP choice. Emotions are high, but the biggest sentiment we've heard is "Now at least people know Alaska exists . . . and has people in it!!"Tori[The] Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was to be held outside on the lawn in front of the Loussac Library in midtown Anchorage . Home made signs were encouraged, and the idea was to make a statement that Sarah Palin does not speak for all Alaska women, or men. I had no idea what to expect.The rally was organized by a small group of women, talking over coffee. It made me wonder what other things have started with small groups of women talking over coffee. It's probably an impressive list. These women hatched the plan, printed up flyers, posted them around town, and sent notices to local media outlets. One of those media outlets was KBYR radio, home of Eddie Burke, a long-time uber-conservative Anchorage talk show host. Turns out that Eddie Burke not only announced the rally, but called the people who planned to attend the rally "a bunch of socialist baby-killing maggots," and read the home phone numbers of the organizers aloud over the air, urging listeners to call and tell them what they thought. The women, of course, received some nasty, harassing and threatening messages.I felt a bit apprehensive. I'd been disappointed before by the turnout at other rallies. Basically, in Anchorage , if you can get 25 people to show up at an event, it's a success. So, I thought to myself, if we can actually get 100 people there that aren't sent by Eddie Burke, we'll be doing good. A real statement will have been made. I confess, I still had a mental image of 15 demonstrators surrounded by hundreds of menacing "socialist baby-killing maggot" haters.It's a good thing I wasn't tailgating when I saw the crowd in front of the library or I would have ended up in somebody's trunk. When I got there, about 20 minutes early, the line of sign wavers stretched the full length of the library grounds, along the edge of the road, 6 or 7 people deep! I could hardly find a place to park. I nabbed one of the last spots in the library lot, and as I got out of the car and started walking, people seemed to join in from every direction, carrying signs.Never, have I seen anything like it in my 17 and a half years living in Anchorage. The organizers had someone walk the rally with a counter, and they clicked off well over 1400 people (not including the 90 counter-demonstrato rs). This was the biggest political rally ever, in the history of the state. I was absolutely stunned. The second most amazing thing is how many people honked and gave the thumbs up as they drove by. And even those that didn't honk looked wide-eyed and awe-struck at the huge crowd that was growing by the minute. This just doesn't happen here.Then, the infamous Eddie Burke showed up. He tried to talk to the media, and was instantly surrounded by a group of 20 people who started shouting O-BA-MA so loud he couldn't be heard.Then passing cars started honking in a rhythmic pattern of 3, like the Obama chant, while the crowd cheered, hooted and waved their signs high.So, if you've been doing the math… Yes. The Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was significantly bigger than Palin's rally that got all the national media coverage!So take heart, sit back, and enjoy the photo gallery. Feel free to spread the pictures around to anyone who needs to know that Sarah Palin most definitely does not speak for all Alaskans. The citizens of Alaska , who know her best, have things to say.A bunch of pictures of that rally:
Just in case you haven't seen this, thought you might like to see what Alaskans that aren't making national news think about the republican VP choice. Emotions are high, but the biggest sentiment we've heard is "Now at least people know Alaska exists . . . and has people in it!!"
Tori
[The] Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was to be held outside on the lawn in front of the Loussac Library in midtown Anchorage . Home made signs were encouraged, and the idea was to make a statement that Sarah Palin does not speak for all Alaska women, or men. I had no idea what to expect.The rally was organized by a small group of women, talking over coffee. It made me wonder what other things have started with small groups of women talking over coffee. It's probably an impressive list. These women hatched the plan, printed up flyers, posted them around town, and sent notices to local media outlets. One of those media outlets was KBYR radio, home of Eddie Burke, a long-time uber-conservative Anchorage talk show host. Turns out that Eddie Burke not only announced the rally, but called the people who planned to attend the rally "a bunch of socialist baby-killing maggots," and read the home phone numbers of the organizers aloud over the air, urging listeners to call and tell them what they thought. The women, of course, received some nasty, harassing and threatening messages.I felt a bit apprehensive. I'd been disappointed before by the turnout at other rallies. Basically, in Anchorage , if you can get 25 people to show up at an event, it's a success. So, I thought to myself, if we can actually get 100 people there that aren't sent by Eddie Burke, we'll be doing good. A real statement will have been made. I confess, I still had a mental image of 15 demonstrators surrounded by hundreds of menacing "socialist baby-killing maggot" haters.It's a good thing I wasn't tailgating when I saw the crowd in front of the library or I would have ended up in somebody's trunk. When I got there, about 20 minutes early, the line of sign wavers stretched the full length of the library grounds, along the edge of the road, 6 or 7 people deep! I could hardly find a place to park. I nabbed one of the last spots in the library lot, and as I got out of the car and started walking, people seemed to join in from every direction, carrying signs.Never, have I seen anything like it in my 17 and a half years living in Anchorage. The organizers had someone walk the rally with a counter, and they clicked off well over 1400 people (not including the 90 counter-demonstrato rs). This was the biggest political rally ever, in the history of the state. I was absolutely stunned. The second most amazing thing is how many people honked and gave the thumbs up as they drove by. And even those that didn't honk looked wide-eyed and awe-struck at the huge crowd that was growing by the minute. This just doesn't happen here.Then, the infamous Eddie Burke showed up. He tried to talk to the media, and was instantly surrounded by a group of 20 people who started shouting O-BA-MA so loud he couldn't be heard.Then passing cars started honking in a rhythmic pattern of 3, like the Obama chant, while the crowd cheered, hooted and waved their signs high.So, if you've been doing the math… Yes. The Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was significantly bigger than Palin's rally that got all the national media coverage!So take heart, sit back, and enjoy the photo gallery. Feel free to spread the pictures around to anyone who needs to know that Sarah Palin most definitely does not speak for all Alaskans. The citizens of Alaska , who know her best, have things to say.A bunch of pictures of that rally:
[The] Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was to be held outside on the lawn in front of the Loussac Library in midtown Anchorage . Home made signs were encouraged, and the idea was to make a statement that Sarah Palin does not speak for all Alaska women, or men. I had no idea what to expect.
The rally was organized by a small group of women, talking over coffee. It made me wonder what other things have started with small groups of women talking over coffee. It's probably an impressive list. These women hatched the plan, printed up flyers, posted them around town, and sent notices to local media outlets. One of those media outlets was KBYR radio, home of Eddie Burke, a long-time uber-conservative Anchorage talk show host. Turns out that Eddie Burke not only announced the rally, but called the people who planned to attend the rally "a bunch of socialist baby-killing maggots," and read the home phone numbers of the organizers aloud over the air, urging listeners to call and tell them what they thought. The women, of course, received some nasty, harassing and threatening messages.
I felt a bit apprehensive. I'd been disappointed before by the turnout at other rallies. Basically, in Anchorage , if you can get 25 people to show up at an event, it's a success. So, I thought to myself, if we can actually get 100 people there that aren't sent by Eddie Burke, we'll be doing good. A real statement will have been made. I confess, I still had a mental image of 15 demonstrators surrounded by hundreds of menacing "socialist baby-killing maggot" haters.
It's a good thing I wasn't tailgating when I saw the crowd in front of the library or I would have ended up in somebody's trunk. When I got there, about 20 minutes early, the line of sign wavers stretched the full length of the library grounds, along the edge of the road, 6 or 7 people deep! I could hardly find a place to park. I nabbed one of the last spots in the library lot, and as I got out of the car and started walking, people seemed to join in from every direction, carrying signs.
Never, have I seen anything like it in my 17 and a half years living in Anchorage. The organizers had someone walk the rally with a counter, and they clicked off well over 1400 people (not including the 90 counter-demonstrato rs). This was the biggest political rally ever, in the history of the state. I was absolutely stunned. The second most amazing thing is how many people honked and gave the thumbs up as they drove by. And even those that didn't honk looked wide-eyed and awe-struck at the huge crowd that was growing by the minute. This just doesn't happen here.Then, the infamous Eddie Burke showed up. He tried to talk to the media, and was instantly surrounded by a group of 20 people who started shouting O-BA-MA so loud he couldn't be heard.
Then passing cars started honking in a rhythmic pattern of 3, like the Obama chant, while the crowd cheered, hooted and waved their signs high.So, if you've been doing the math… Yes. The Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was significantly bigger than Palin's rally that got all the national media coverage!
So take heart, sit back, and enjoy the photo gallery. Feel free to spread the pictures around to anyone who needs to know that Sarah Palin most definitely does not speak for all Alaskans. The citizens of Alaska , who know her best, have things to say.
A bunch of pictures of that rally:
Bottom Line: Bush and the Republicans had their dream - to run the country with absolute power. They f*cked it up. McCain played right along, there are clips where he says over and over he is against the gov't butting into company details. And, McCain admits to voting 90%+ of the time with Bush. Therefore, to me, McCain is more of the same.Bush vetoed very few bills that came across his desk. The first one he vetoed, after HUNDREDS he had signed, was for gov't assisted funding of stem cell research of stem cells headed for the dumpster. He turned it into a wedge issue instead of sharing the facts. In the end, science found another viable method for stem cell research. But, that was NOT Bush's motives all along - he is farthest from a visionary.Bush is a Republican. McCain is a Republican. I've never respected Bush, but he had me behind him post-9/11 until we invaded a country that had nothing to do with 9/11 and Al Qaeda. McCain I used to respect 'til he towed the party line in chastising Dems, admitting he has NO grasp of economic issues, and now - most likely - wants Phil Gramm to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve in a McCain administration.I am a conservative with a heart. I believe that we should tax as little as possible, but that we all need to be in this together and fairly. We need to balance the diversity of this huge country and we need to pay for the benefits we enjoy in living here. The fundamentals of our economy are supposed to be that we all share equivalently in ups and downs; not, as some economists try to prove McCain is right, the explanation that even though we're hurting with higher food prices, farmers, for example, are now making more money. Our economy is NOT supposed to be a sea-saw where as one group's income goes up, the other side's must go down. We all need to have equivalent gains/losses based on our roles in the economy and we all need to hunker down to get over hard times together. But, with so many now w/o homes due to foreclosure, due - in large part - to predatory lending, where do these homeless hunker down to begin to do their fair share?
And, what about the pyramid-schemers who started the false housing boom and the predatory lending (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/17/stiglitz.crisis/index.html?eref=rss_topstories)? How are they walking away unscathed?!
Also, besides that Ms. Fiorina blew it saying Palin, Obama, Biden and McCain couldn't run a company (now she's banished from Mac's campaign), she is one of the corporate greedy who took huge salaries ($8.4M/year) and a golden parachute ($21M exit bonus) that Palin says she's against. What is it about the irony you don't see there? Did Palin just have that revelation or has she had it all along? If all along, how did she pass the muster of advisors like Fiorina or Thompson?
BTW, $8.4M/year is $4,083/hour. $4,083 divided by $20/hour is about 202 hours. 202 hours divided by 40hours/week is 5. It takes FIVE FULL TIME WEEKS for a $20/hour salaried person to get one hour of Ms Fiorina's salary! Please - define elite for me again?
With McCain/Palin, I see more fighting, more arguing and more of the Bush doctrine on economy, foreign affairs and the wars. Oh, speaking of foreign affairs and how Ms. Palin can "see Russia from Alaska" ... I can see the moon from my house, so when is NASA going to suit me up for my well qualified position on the next space shuttle launch? =:-o
With Obama - even though he's relatively new - I see the hope he talks about. I see the opportunity for change because he calls in people my age and younger who have a grasp of technology McCain cannot imagine. The same way John F Kennedy called upon the young engineers of America to meet the space-race challenge!
I remember the first day the Internet was available via NCSA Mosaic ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosaic_(web_browser) ). I had Internet access via my Mil-Defense employers for years, but the Internet as we now know it - the one Al Gore DID play an instrumental part in bringing access to the public - was so freakin' cool. It was new, unknown and had immense potential. That is what I see in Obama - huge potential.Regarding security - we often hear about "fight 'em there so we don't have to fight 'em here". The closest this country's living generations have ever really come to fighting anything here was the Cuban Missile Crisis. At the time, John F Kennedy was new, young, not as experienced as others (e.g.: Nixon) and was supposedly being played/tested by Nikita Kruschev. In the end, it was Kennedy that called his bluff and made them withdrawal. Moreover, the agreement made with Russia to remove our intentions of missiles in Turkey for their removal of the missiles from Cuba came back to haunt Kruschev, as we got our part of the bargain and Russia did not ... those missiles stayed in Turkey. So, the "under experienced" Kennedy didn't do so bad, afterall. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Missile_Crisis)
I saw prosperity when we had a Democratic president and a Republican Congress. But, again, the Republicans got full, absolute control and look what they've done with it. I cannot take another four years of bullsh*t propaganda about "Muslims hating our freedom" (when they hate our bombing raids and our presence in the Middle East, in actuality), that all women haven't a brain to decide their pregnancy on their own but they do have the brains to know - thru osmosis? - how to abstain from sex w/o birth control, and the executive privileges (aka: power grabs) of the Bush Admin whom the rest of the Republican Party has not railed against.McCain used to be the outstanding voice who would rail against his own party and he was not the likely nominee this round because of that reputation. But, he somehow got the nomination and as a reward for his nomination, he's now acting like the Republican he constantly fought to avoid becoming. I just can't take him.There is an old adage, "before you can fix your problem, you must acknowledge you have a problem." McCain is a Republican - but you wouldn't know it by his ads nor his speeches nor his surrogates nor the RNC. GWBush is a Republican who has - with his administration - wrecked a lot of sh*t in/about this country. Had John McCain admitted, "my party messed up bad, real bad. and, we are begging for a chance to fix what we broke per the adage, 'you break it, you buy it.'", maybe I'd consider other things about his qualifications. But, all I see now is a party-line liar employing high powered lobbyists and Karl Rove/Rovian strategists.If you want to talk about the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005 that McCain co-sponsored ...I looked into it and I find a lot of consufing things, but here are only a few:
Very confused, honestly. How does a guy who doesn't understand the economy see anything in the financial market "coming"?
If McCain is so different than George W Bush, why is a high powered, terrorist fighting US Attorney (Edward O'Callahan) now helping McCain by fighting the "trooper gate" investigation in Alaska? If terrorists are our biggest threat, why was this man pulled from his post? (http://www.newsweek.com/id/159260)
Let's be clear that I am not a machismo dude who doesn't want a woman in the White House. I would love to see a woman win the presidency. Just NOT Sarah Palin a heart-beat away from that post."Troopergate" is a mess she should've gotten in front of like McCain did when he admitted wrong-doing with his involvement in the Keating 5. He was a man, stood up and admitted his involvement, apologized and got back on the straight and narrow. So, why isn't he advising his young partner?!
But, not Sarah Palin. Which totally confuses me to no end.Finally, I just want to be clear that I am a registered, yet unaffiliated voter. My registartion card states NPA under "Party" (No Party Affiliation). So, let's be clear that I can't stand Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. "Hey Harry, it's "talk softly and carry a big stick", not "talk softly and run from a fight"". But, I also can't stand Lindsey "McCain's Shadown" Graham (R-SC), James "I'm not a scientist" Inhofe (R-OK), and Joe "Man w/o a Party" Lieberman, either.I just wanted to make sure you knew I wasn't some die-hard, love all the Dems, Democrat. I am a big fan of Russ Feingold and I liked Chuck Hagel and Alan Spector. But, this round, the Republicans need to sit out.And, the few Republicans I do respect would be wise to call out the bad apples in their party to clean house ... much like Frank Serpico stood up against the corruption of his fellow officers.
p.s.: The Republican Party gave us George W Bush in 2000. Had they given us John McCain, Sen McCain would have won in a landslide over Gore. AND, there would be no talk about how we’ve had handled Iraq in a post-9/11 world, because a President McCain, in 2001, would NOT HAVE IGNORED a memo from Richard Clarke titled, “bin Laden Determined to Strike US.” That is how much Sen. McCain has slipped from “respected” to “out of touch” between then and now.
Even a 10-year-old knows for whom to vote in this election ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9UwKuE5xKQ
The bridge was projected to cost $398 million.
“Ketchikan desires a better way to reach the airport, but the $398 million bridge is not the answer,” said Governor Palin. “Despite the work of our congressional delegation, we are about $329 million short of full funding for the bridge project, and it’s clear that Congress has little interest in spending any more money on a bridge between Ketchikan and Gravina Island,” Governor Palin added. “Much of the public’s attitude toward Alaska bridges is based on inaccurate portrayals of the projects here. But we need to focus on what we can do, rather than fight over what has happened.”
The Knik Arm Bridge likely will cost $639 million for its first phase and $504 million for its second phase, vastly more than most Alaska road projects.
Ok, I know I'm not the only one to wonder this but I just must bring up the question.
The new McCain ad states that Obama and the Democratic Congress are "More of the Same". Now McCain has already switched his campaign slogan to "Change" after he saw the Barack's change message was paying off in the primaries. So the question is, does McCain have any original thoughts of his own? The way it's going we'll have to just take Barack's message and put McCain's face on it. He apparently isn't able to think for himself. The problem is, you can put all the lipstick on a pig you want but it's still a REPIG!!!
I live in a highly Republican neighborhood in St Petersburg, FL. If you haven't heard, this IS a swing state ;-)I need banners I can place on my roof, away from the potential of being stolen - as I suspect yard signs would be.I found this 44" x 30" banner at Cafe Press, but they want $55/ea, and none of that $$ goes to Obama/Biden:
I've called the Obama/Biden store and they don't have these size/style banners. I want to help, but not at $200 (four signs on my roof) to a company selling these w/o any proceeds to Obama/Biden.Any advice?
"Fannie and Freddie's lobbyists succeeded and congress failed. Under our administration this will not happen again."
Q: Who is John McCain's campaign manager?A: Rick Davis.
Q: Who is Rick Davis?A: He "served as president of an advocacy group led by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that defended the two companies against increased regulation." - Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080716/pl_politico/11781
Obama College Background :
Occidental College - two years.Columbia University - B.A. political science with a specialization in Int’l Relations.Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) magna cum laude (top 1% of entire class!)
Biden College Background :
University of Delaware - B.A. in history and B.A. in political science.Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)
United States Naval Academy - class rank 893 out of 898.
Palin College Background :
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semesterNorth Idaho College - 2 semesters - general studyUniversity of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalismMatanuska-Susitna College - 1 semesterUniversity of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in journalism
Thanks to http://news.spreadit.org/palin-collegesarah-palin-college-background/
