Organizing for America | South Asians for Obama (SAFO)

Maybe it's all part of the master plan...

By Ravi - Sep 12th, 2009 at 5:38 pm EDT

Also listed in: 6 groups

Just watched Bill Maher's take on Obama - echoing the "why doesn't he fight hard, fists swinging" school of thought. In this mode of politics, if someone talks trash, you flame them back.

I think that's definitely what you want in a campaign, when you need to build momentum and destroy the opponent's message. Maybe - just maybe - governing requires a more sedate approach.

So far, the Cranks of August have pretty much burned through their artillery, and the President is back near 60% approval rating for his handling of health care. So, in this case, the Cranks of August didn't lead to all out war. mostly because Obama didn't descend to their level. However, he has caved on the end-of-life counseling and Van Jones. Maybe he just felt it was easier to do this and hold his fire for the real fight.

I'm more concerned that he gets health care right, in establishing the key principles of universal coverage and cost-control.

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Caribbean Day Parade Health Care Reform Tabling

By signsSansSignifieds - Aug 31st, 2009 at 5:59 pm EDT

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Approximately 1 million people will attend the Caribbean Day Parade on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn on Monday, September 7. Help us spread information about our broken health care system and the Obama plan for health care reform.

We will set up tables along the parade route with flyers listing online sources for issues such as comparative costs and results of health care spending (US vs. other countries), the economics of health care, how we will actually save a lot of money by investing in health care reform now, etc. We will also provide info on how to connect with other people who want to bring real change to our health care system and help people to get involved in pressuring Congress to pass a health care reform bill with a strong public option.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Details here.

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UNITY WALK AND RALLY FOR HEALTH CARE

By signsSansSignifieds - Aug 14th, 2009 at 7:00 am EDT

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2 PM Rally at Times Square, 42nd St. and 7th Avenue

Health reform is finally within grasp. Opponents are spending millions every day to destroy it. We cannot let this happen. We voted for change in '08 and we must see it through.

On Saturday, August 29, 2009, New Yorkers will walk from all parts of the city for the first ever United We Walk for Reform Rally in support of the historic health reform legislation before Congress.

It's our health care. It's our time. Save the date to make your voice heard.

MID-MORNING, ACROSS THE CITY: Grassroots groups will meet in front of hospitals and health clinics across the city to walk to rally at Times Square. Check out mybarackobama.com for meeting locations in the next week (or set up one of your own).

2 - 3:30 PM - UNITY RALLY: Rally for health care at Times Square, 42nd St. and 7th Avenue

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Health Care Rally & Town Hall in Washington, DC

By signsSansSignifieds - Jun 15th, 2009 at 8:56 pm EDT

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Thursday, June 25, 2009

Join thousands of Americans at the largest health care rally in history!

Limited FREE buses

Meet at 5:30 AM at Union Square; leave at 6 AM

Back at 9:30 PM

RSVP to Naomi.Rothwell2@gmail.com

www.healthcare09.org

MyBo link: http://tinyurl.com/lwappy

Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/m8bv64

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Recession Survival Fair—Volunteers Needed

By signsSansSignifieds - May 28th, 2009 at 10:38 am EDT

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The Recession Survival Fair will take place on 6/6 at the Brooklyn Brownstone School in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Volunteers are needed now. Details here:

http://signsanssignified.blogspot.com/2009/05/recession-survival-fairvolunteers.html

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In the Sprit of this Administration, Work Together to Land Jobs

By Sasha - May 11th, 2009 at 7:35 pm EDT

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Are you over-educated and unemployed? Please join my meetup.com group: http://www.meetup.com/Over-Educated-and-Unemployed

Let's embrace the President's message of cohesion, and be willing to share our collective knowledge and contacts to help one another avoid unemployment stress and apathy!

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.

-Confucius

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No Room at the Inn for Single Payer?

By signsSansSignifieds - May 9th, 2009 at 9:31 pm EDT

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In the first Senate Finance Committee hearing on health care reform, there was no room at the table for advocates of single payer. You can help ensure that change is more than a campaign theme. My post links to another with contact info for the Senate Finance Committee.

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Recession Survival Fair in Brooklyn

By signsSansSignifieds - May 9th, 2009 at 9:22 pm EDT

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If you'd like to volunteer in Brooklyn, here's an event where you can provide and/or swap skills/training with people trying to survive in these hard times, courtesy of Brooklyn for Barack.

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What should the administration do about the Pakistan Conundrum?

By Sasha - May 5th, 2009 at 5:12 pm EDT

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Most Pakistanis are not supportive of the Taliban. The mis-interpretation of Islam is abhorrent to the masses. However, the "targeted" drone attacks have not been effective in eradicating the Taliban from Northwest Pakistan. In fact, the in Pakistan is that the more the U.S. uses unmanned drones to target Taliban and Al-Queda members, the more the Pakistani public will continue its rising shift to (Saudi) Wahabbi Islam as a reaction to civilian deaths. What can be done address the crux of the problem: the perspective of the Pakistani public? Read More »

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Bilingual Support for Obama Weekly Videos launched

By Michael Novak - Apr 8th, 2009 at 1:11 pm EDT

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Hello everyone,

This is to let you know that CaptionedMediaforObama.com has launched multilingual support for President Obama's weekly addresses! We worked with the Office of New Media during the transition and first few weeks of the administration, and will be providing expanded language support from here on for his weekly addresses.

Our first two spots are as follows:

YouTube: We've posted the April 4 address in our unique bilingual format, using both our karaoke English plus making use of YouTube's new subtitled and translation capability. Go to http://www.youtube.com/user/captionedforobama for this week's address. For bi-lingual support click on the triangle at the bottom right of the main video, and turn on closed captions. Once there you'll be able to select either a translated second language (CHINESE IS ONLINE!), or have YouTube provide its best efforts at an automatic translation for you into a second language. So you'll be able to see both the karaoke English plus your native language.
GSM Phones: We've also launched GSM phone support for newer phones with browsing capabilities and support for the timed text track. Go to http://www.captionedmediaforobama.com/3G/fv/ and see if your GSM phone can play the video. We'll be doing other phone formats as time allows, but this is our beginning format.

So, enjoy our unique karaoke captioning for President Obama's weekly addresses, through either YouTube or your GSM phone. More news to come.

Michael Novak

CaptionedMediaforObama.com

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They May Speak English, But We're Still 'The Other'

By signsSansSignifieds - Mar 29th, 2009 at 10:38 am EDT

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Matthew Yglesias, commenting on an article by Spencer Ackerman, thinks lack of knowledge of Afghanistan's languages is "the Achilles heel of the American imperial project." I think that overlooks the most important point.

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Resources for the NY 20th Congressional District Race

By signsSansSignifieds - Mar 28th, 2009 at 10:30 pm EDT

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If you've got the time this weekend (and/or Monday & Tuesday) to devote to the election in New York's 20th Congressional District, here's a collection of links to aid you in your pitches/arguments/speeches in support of the Democrat in the race, Scott Murphy.

The GOP is trying to turn this race into a referendum on Obama, so please do what you can to help elect Scott Murphy to the House of Representatives.

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Time for the Blue Dogs to Get to Know Us Really Well..

By signsSansSignifieds - Mar 11th, 2009 at 9:47 pm EDT

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My friend Martin e-mailed the following comment to me, which I've taken the liberty of quoting in full:

I'm a little concerned that the Blue Dog Democrats seem to back out of
the Employee Free Choice Act [Ed: EFCA]. I think this could be an interesting
test for the potential impact of Organizing for America, if these 13
million people could put some pressure on the Senate Democrats and
make sure this is passed.

Nate Silver has some good analysis of who is against EFCA and why:

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/03/life-and-times-of-efca-part-i.html#comments

I don't know if anyone has read Steven Greenhouse's devastating book
"The Big Squeeze", but it was a great eye opener for me when it comes
to how degrading the treatment of workers in America has become since
Reagan.

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Plowshares, Shmowshares

By signsSansSignifieds - Mar 9th, 2009 at 8:26 pm EDT

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My brother sent me this neat compendium of specific steps that led to the current economic catastrophe:

While I have criticisms of Barack Obama's approach to certain aspects of this multidimensional train wreck (i.e., I think the government should take over, clean up & sell off the zombie banks ASAP; I also think he asked for too small a stimulus package at the outset), I think he's trying, in general, to do the right things in the right ways. (Contrast his approach to that of the GOP, which is continually pressuring Obama to cut taxes & spending--a guaranteed recipe for total economic collapse.)

Speaking of the GOP, Representative Patrick McHenry, their head of messaging, declared today that the GOP doesn't care whether their criticisms of Obama are accurate or not--their aim is to continually bombard Obama with charges from now until the 2010 elections, based on the idea that sheer repetition will make those criticisms sink in. Sort of like Joseph Goebbels, actually.

With all the above in mind, I'm forwarding to you yet another in a series of thrilling links--this one from Obama's own Organizing for America. Read More »

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Picture Share - Crystal

By Wayne - Jan 25th, 2009 at 4:52 pm EST

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Attached are some pictures taken by Crystal Ainardi during her trip to DC last week for the inauguration that she is sharing.

http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l166/metrc/Washington%20DC/

--

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Civil Rights Leader

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March on Washington - Rev. Dunning

By Wayne - Jan 25th, 2009 at 4:29 pm EST

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Rev.Clyde Dunning has sent you an invitation to 'MARCH ON
WASHINGTON (Looking Beyond the Election)' -- click here to
view the invitation and submit your response:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4g23s

---

I thank God for being able to witness in my lifetime what happens when people come together who share one common bond, and that is the need for change. Even before President Obama takes office, already there are oppositions that are gearing up to be contrary to the change we seek. Just the other day rush lembah was quoted as saying that he "hopes the president fails". Despite the urgency and the need for success as it affects everyone. Sadley enough, there are thousands perhapes even millions who are contrary to the change that we seek and so desperatly need. This is why it is important that we stick together to demobilize the stagering llegacies of the past

In furtherance of our support to President Obama, we the people of the United States of America would like to sponsor a March on Washington and a show of solidarity on the issues that affect us all.

It is a march for all people of all ages, races creeds and nationalities, with different stories, but who have heard the cry for change coming together in Washington to dramatize the issues that concern us all.

This is a march for the people who come and who are ready to answer to the call that change does not start from the top down, but it begins from the bottom up.

We come as a show that we are ready to not just talk the talk, but to walk the walk and roll up our sleeves to began the work and start the healing process in America under the guide and leadership of President Barack Obama.

It will be a peaceful March not for or by the politicians, but it will be a march by the people who are affected by the real issues that hit home or close to home from the war in Iraq to the failing mortgages and the economy, down to the Injustice in our courtrooms, violence in our communities and the job profile and availability in America.

We want to make the message clear that after the election that the change that we seek, before it will takes place, that change begin with us. We come aware knowing that change is never easy and that the hardest work is ahead beyond the election.

We want to show also our appreciation and support to an administration that we are confident in and that now we can reach up to who will reach back.

This march is tentatively scheduled for June 27th , but because of all the detail involved may have to be pushed back to a later date to assure its success and to preserve the surety that the message we come to Washington is clear and uncertain.
Updates on the development of this march will be given regularly to keep us all on the same page. Get involved! We need you and your creativity.

God Bless

Rev. Clyde Dunning

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Trouble the Water Movie

By Wayne - Jan 23rd, 2009 at 12:44 am EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

From: Tia Lessin and Carl Deal (directors@troublethewaterfilm.com) Sent:Thu 1/22/09 1:10 PMTo: Wayne Severson (tukwilareign@hotmail.com)

Dear Wayne,

Wow. We received big news this morning and wanted you to be the first to know.

Today, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its nominations for the 81st Annual Academy Awards(R). We are thrilled to share the news that "Trouble the Water" has been nominated for best documentary feature!!

What an incredible week this has been. It began with the celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's life and legacy in Atlanta, where we screened "Trouble the Water" at the King Center's Freedom Hall with Kimberly and Scott Roberts and The Free Agents Brass Band of New Orleans.

Then we got word that "Trouble the Water" was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for outstanding documentary.

On Tuesday, the Obamas moved into the White House (and the Bushes moved out!).

And then this morning's Oscar(R) nomination for best documentary feature.

This is our time. If you haven't seen the movie yet, or have friends and family who are waiting to see it, there is something you can do.

Call your local movie theater and ask them to play "Trouble the Water." Theater managers (especially art-house theaters) take note of these requests, and it makes a difference. We've made it simple, and provided some helpful talking points, just click here to get started:

http://www.troublethewaterfilm.com/page/s/theatrical

We are so very honored that "Trouble the Water" has been recognized by the Academy along with these extraordinary films: "The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)"; "Encounters at the End of the World"; "The Garden"; and "Man on Wire."

And we are determined that the national and international exposure that this nomination will bring to "Trouble the Water" will also bring desperately needed attention to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, and to so many communities throughout the country that are fighting for racial and economic justice.

A year ago this week, "Trouble the Water" premiered at Sundance. Since then, it has been released by Zeitgeist Films, in association with HBO Documentary Films, and has screened in more than 200 theaters nationally. But there are so many communities that have yet to see "Trouble the Water."

Click here to find out how to bring the film to your community:

http://www.troublethewaterfilm.com/page/s/theatrical

We have partnered with scores of community-based and national organizations working for change throughout the country. Follow this link if you would like to screen the film on your campus, in your community center, at your house of worship, or to organize a community event:

http://www.troublethewaterfilm.com/group

Together with Kimberly and Scott Roberts, executive producers Danny Glover and Joslyn Barnes of Louverture Films, co-producer and editor T. Woody Richman and the rest of the talented and dedicated team that has made "Trouble the Water" possible, we thank you for your support.

Our best,

Tia Lessin and Carl Deal

directors and producers of "Trouble the Water"

www.troublethewaterfilm.com

This email was sent to: tukwilareign@hotmail.com

To unsubscribe, go to: http://www.troublethewaterfilm.com/unsubscribe