Oh my goodness or as the young people say... OMG.... I am still pinching myself. We worked so hard and what happened?! We got the government we deserve. I am so happy to declare that our 44th President is my choice in that of Senator Barack Obama, who is now President-Elect Obama. He has been selected my the majority of the people to lead us and shape our future. I am so ecstatic. I am so glad that the American people put the Bradley-effect to rest in this election. People voted content and character over color. Dr. M. L. King's words came to life last night. Robert Kennedy's prophecy came true. God intervened and gave us wonderful weather yesterday even in Chi-town where 240,000 people gathered to hear his speech. Did you also see the people who ascended on the White House with Obama signs celebrating this tremendous victory. This was a sweep... a landslide. WOW!!! I am still pinching myself. Probably two days from now, I will just let out a scream out of nowhere. You know when it really hits me. Right now, besides being tired, I am overwhelmed that all that I bought into with this campaign and the tenets we followed brought change in a way that most people have never seen. Let's not stop here... keep the momentum flowing.
I don't know how many of you are gospel music fans but I love the song "Never Would Have Made It" by Marvin Sapp. It is such a personal testimony because my faith tells me that I would never have made it this far without God. Well, the song has another significance for me. I believe that Sen. Barack Obama would not have made it this far without God. Who would have thought that an African American man would be this close to being the next President?! He came from meager beginnings and worked for the people. He has never lost sight of his priorities. He is a man of vision and purpose. Yes, he's human and has his faults as we all do but it is priceless to find a man of such integrity and principle.
I'm digressing a bit because I am excited about my candidate's character, but the point I am sharing today is that despite the obstacles Sen. Obama has come a long way. I can say the same on this campaign trail. In recent days, I faced an overwhelming hurting feeling. Most of you that read this blog know how hard I've worked on a volunteer basis for this Sen. Obama. Well, things really took a nose-dive during these final months. I always knew it would be challenging when the state democratic committee and the campaign combined but I never thought I'd feel like this. I was underutilized and some of our "super" volunteers have been treated inappropriately and hurt. I spent last night trying to repair breaches and keep volunteers on the trail while my heart was bleeding.
Going into election day like this has been heartwrenching. This is the day I longed for during those cold days in February. When we went to the 'victory' party at the Wiltshire Grand even though Sen. Obama lost to Sen. Clinton. At that point I picked up the pieces and kept working and urging you all to keep on. So, what happened?! We made it...
So, as the psalmist Marvin Sapp declares in his song, "I am stronger... wiser... better... much better". Wherever I serve... I have made it because I have run well. I have followed my leader, Barack Obama, and celebrated the volunteers on the trail. In his recent speech, he applauded out efforts and made known to the world that had it not been for us he would not be in the position he is in. I thank Sen. Obama and I just wish that tone was directed through all of his staff to the people.
So, if no one told you thank you today, Mr. or Ms. "Volunteer" I thank you because you are awesome. For the believers out there, we made it. Declare it with me that we made it. Through the storm and the rain... misuse and abuse... we have made it.
Be encouraged... if you have signed up to volunteer do it and be proud. Just like we say don't let anyone send you away from the polls, don't let anyone keep you from volunteering. There's plenty of work to do and there is still time. Do your part!!! Vote & Volunteer... Bryn
In the final 2 weeks leading up to Election Day, I must ask everyone to consider how much an Obama presidency means to them. If you're like me a person who fought long and hard to convince others to support Sen. Obama, then it means everything to you. Since that's the case, in the final stretch, please find time to help the local West Orange office. We need to reach as many Obama supporters as possible to sign them up to help with the campaign's get-out-the-vote (GOTV) effort. If you heard our fierce leader today, he mentioned that we need to make sure we get every single Obama voter to the polls. We are not an early voting state, but we can at least start to be strategic about how we can get everyone out. Maybe you like to drive... be a driver on election day. Maybe you prefer phones... call voters to get them to the poll , arrange for a ride or be a dispatcher. Maybe you like going door-to-door... then maybe you can hang door reminders. Perhaps, if we've got things covered andyou like to travel, then you can go to a neighboring battleground state. In any event, the countdown starts now so please take a few minutes and stop in the office to see how you can contribute to this historic campaign. YES WE CAN!!!!!!!!!
I am so happy that the Obama campaign has placed an office again in West Orange, NJ, which is a great location in Essex County near Route 280. Currently, the office is at 235 Prospect Avenue in the Whole Foods/K-mart shopping plaza just past Staples on the lower level. You can't miss it as there are Obama and other democratic signs in the window. All supporters are urged to drop-in to sign-up to volunteer and acquaint yourself with the field organizers. The office is open from 9 am - 9 pm and the phone number is 973-325-7474. Also check on the events page on the www.barackobama.com site to find out about special events happening at our local office. There will be opportunities to canvass (door-to-door), phone bank, general office duties, etc. There is also a push to sign people up to help Get Out the Vote (GOTV) during the days leading up to and on Election Day!!! We need to be prepared ahead of time to ensure that every Barack supporter in Essex County gets to the poll on November 4th. Thank you for all your efforts toward the primary and voter registration already. We must keep our momentum going. I hope to see you or hear that you were in the office helping. Thanks... Bryn
We are FIRED UP and READY TO GO!! With just a few weeks, remaining, the Field Staff for the Campaign for Change and Victory 2008 is hitting the ground running! But WE NEED YOUR HELP to fill our phone banks, go door-to-door on the weekends, help on Election Day and so much more! If you can help us out, please Reply back to this email, cdorsett@njforchange.com, and let us know what you are able to do to help get Democrats from Barack Obama and right down the line get elected! WHAT YOU CAN DO:
If interested you can call 201-487-0001
-PHONE BANK. We will be operating phone banks DAILY . Our prime time for phone banks is 5pm - 9pm, but anytime you can spare, we need help working the phones and reaching voters. -YES WE CAN-VASS. We will be sending out teams every weekend to go door-to-door to Identify and Persuade voters to VOTE Democratic! We will be sending out large groups of volunteers from Bergen County Obama Headquarters, located in the Carpenters Hall at 36 Bergen St in Hackensack, at 12 noon on Saturdays and Sundays. However, if you can come at alternate times we will certainly accommodate you! -ELECTION DAY/WEEKEND. We will need thousands of volunteers on Election Day (Nov. 4th) and the weekend before. If you can commit to volunteering on Election Day (Nov. 4) or the Saturday, Sunday, Monday before (Nov. 1, 2, 3), please let us know as soon as possible. Thank you all so much for the work you have been doing these past days, weeks and months. We have just a few weeks left to make it happen. Anything you can do to help bring about CHANGE, we appreciate it. Again, please email back or call the field team and let us know when you are available to come in and volunteer and what activities you would like to do. YES WE CAN! The Bergen County Victory 2008 and Campaign for Change Field Team
Not Every Woman Supports Women's Rights
August 29, 2008
Statement of NOW PAC Chair Kim Gandy on the Selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain's Vice Presidential Pick
Sen. John McCain's choice of Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate is a cynical effort to appeal to disappointed Hillary Clinton voters and get them to vote, ultimately, against their own self-interest.
Gov. Palin may be the second woman vice-presidential candidate on a major party ticket, but she is not the right woman. Sadly, she is a woman who opposes women's rights, just like John McCain.
The fact that Palin is a mother of five who has a 4-month-old baby, a woman who is juggling work and family responsibilities, will speak to many women. But will Palin speak FOR women? Based on her record and her stated positions, the answer is clearly No.
In a gubernatorial debate, Palin stated emphatically that her opposition to abortion was so great, so total, that even if her teenage daughter was impregnated by a rapist, she would "choose life" -- meaning apparently that she would not permit her daughter to have an abortion.
Palin also had to withdraw her appointment of a top public safety commissioner who had been reprimanded for sexual harassment, although Palin had been warned about his background through letters by the sexual harassment complainant.
What McCain does not understand is that women supported Hillary Clinton not just because she was a woman, but because she was a champion on their issues. They will surely not find Sarah Palin to be an advocate for women.
Sen. Joe Biden is the VP candidate who appeals to women, with his authorship and championing of landmark domestic violence legislation, support for pay equity, and advocacy for women around the world.
Finally, as the chair of NOW's Political Action Committee, I am frequently asked whether NOW supports women candidates just because they are women. This gives me an opportunity to once again answer that question with an emphatic 'No.' We recognize the importance of having women's rights supporters at every level but, like Sarah Palin, not every woman supports women's rights.
###
Sarah Palin is riding around on her high red horse claiming to be just like us. Ladies we can not stand for this. Her disdain towards Obama's role as a community organizer made my blood boil. It was community organizers like Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul that lead the suffrage movement. Had it not been for these community organizers, she would not be the VP candidate, the Governor of Alaska, or even a registered voter. So, while she may share a role similar to ours as mothers and hockey moms, her elitist conservative views mock the struggles of women all over the world to gain equality. How many real sexist remarks were made across the country during this parade of accusations at Obama? The McCain camp is using Palin and all her femininity to create a smoke screen. And ladies, it's our job to clear it out. Obama and Biden have to be cautious where they tread with this female candidate, but we surely don't. So let's take the gloves off. We have fought too long and too hard to be treated as equals to allow Palin to make her sex the most important issue in this election. Ladies the glass ceiling is still shattered and yes we need women in Washington, but Sarah Palin is not the right woman. I challenge you to tell media, that is takes more than someone who wears lipstick to sway our votes!!!
Call them, email them, write letters!!!
Let your voice be heard! Talk back to the media.
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Oprah can have or not have who ever she wants on her show. Sarah Palin has basically avoided all other forms of media interviews. The McCain camp has kept her close and has only allowed her to speak in controlled audiences where they can dictate each word that comes out of her mouth. So why are Republicans making a big deal about Oprah not wanting to put her on the show? It's because they know without crossover trailblazers like Oprah, the candidacy of Barack Obama would not even be possible. Oprah is one of the most powerful women in the world when it comes to public opinion. They want to parade Sarah Palin on her stage and use it as a platform to further promote the dishonesty of who she really is: a pro life conservative who thinks the fact that she has a uterus will sway undecided women in her direction. She doesn't believe that a woman should have the right to abort a pregnancy even if she has been raped and at the same time she doesn't believe that youth should be educated about safe sex. She happily parades around talking about the value of life at conception, but she gave birth to a son who may face demise in a war she supports as the work of God. Her conservative views have even led her to request that books be removed from a public library due to their content. This sounds like 1984, only this time Big Sister is watching. Why would Oprah want her show to a vehicle for this outrageous attempt of the Republican party to hoodwink the American people.
So now they are calling her a racist and threatening to boycott her show. It is funny how despite the racism shown by the New Yorker and Fox News, Oprah is being criticized for making a choice.
Read the article posted by Republican Commentator (try not to vomit from her use of imagination)
http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/09/08/atantaros0908/#comment-42011
Hey,
Want a free Obama/Biden sticker? MoveOn's giving them away totally free--even the shipping's free. I just got mine, and wanted to share the opportunity with you.
Click this link to get a free Obama/Biden sticker:
http://pol.moveon.org/barackstickers/?id=-9461945-QThaNmx&rc=manual_forward
Thanks!
How Cuba will determine the 2008 Election.
Whether you are pro-Cuba or anti-Cuba, the debate may continue for centuries. One thing is certain. The nearly fifty year old, U.S. Embargo on Cuba has not worked, does not work and will not work. In stating so, we are not acknowledging, supporting or condoning Cuba’s current government.
We are saying it’s time for some of America’s voters, politicians and media to evolve with Cuba, perhaps more than any other issue. It could be said; how politicians act and vote towards the five decade old failed U.S. policies with Cuba is a clear reflection on their character.
We are saying that continuing the anti Cuba embargo policies is a clear reflection of a persons character. Whether running for President of the United States, Senate, Congress or any government leadership position; a person should demonstrated the ability to change course, try new directions and see different points of view. Especially if the policy they supported has failed for fifty years.
The anti-Cuba politicians, lobby and community is a small percentage of all populations, including the Cuban population itself. Yet the anti-Cuba movement has controlled the presidency of the United States and both political houses; including this elections Republican candidate John McCain for nearly fifty years. John McCain is anti-Cuba, while Barack Obama is pro-Cuba.
Why would any politician, business person and human continue enforcing on themselves, and worse others; a failed Cuba policy that the majority of people in America, the world and mostly the island of Cuba itself do not want? See the Election 08 FREE CUBA FILM SERIES and you will find out.
Then it’s up to you to decide when you cast your vote on “Election Moment”, if you are voting for character.
Election moment is the truest moment in any election when you, the voter stand there in the privacy of your own mind right before you vote. Only you will know if you cast a vote for character, and only you can determine the issues that reflect a person’s character. Cuba is one of those clear character issues.
Election 08 FREE CUBA FILM SERIES, is committed to bring the real Cuba to America. We’ve selected three diverse films that provide audiences with a modern day love story set in Havana, Cuba. A film that gives you a glimpse into the future with the childhood version of The Buena Vista Club, and lastly, an impacting documentary that brings to life, the hidden true history of Cuban terrorism, the U.S. Politicians directly related to Fidel Castro who continued to master mind the anti Cuba movement in the U.S. and the political families who continue to enforce their historically failed policies against Cuba on the world through violence, economics and political warfare.
Will you vote for a person who is pro-Cuba and promises to create a powerful future for America uniting the world.
Or will you vote for a person who is anti-Cuba and promises to bend history to make sure America stays the current course isolating the world.
Only you will know on your “Election Moment.”
Luis Moro
www.EveryThingCuba.com
ANOTHER BIG OIL PUPPET IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!!
Gas was $1.46 when George Bush got in office. Now the the national average is more than double that. McCain supports offshore drilling and like the Bush Administration he will make minimal attempts to wean our country off oil dependence. We need a government that is going to fully commit to implementing alternative energy sources, not a President who is going to be an advocate for the oil industry.
GET FIRED UP...TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ABOUT THIS ISSUE!!
From Moveon.org....
McCain's hoping to use gas prices as a wedge issue to win the election. That's why it's so critical that we keep spreading the message that McCain's been heavily influenced by the oil companies—and so we can't count on him to solve the energy crisis. When people think of Bush, they think "oil," but that's not true of McCain yet—even though his energy policy is almost identical to Bush's and his campaign is literally run by oil lobbyists!4
Here's a video that makes the case, from our friends at Progressive Accountability. Please check it out, then forward it to a few friends, post it on a blog, or stick it on your Facebook page.
McCain's hoping to use gas prices as a wedge issue to win the election. That's why it's so critical that we keep spreading the message that McCain's been heavily influenced by the oil companies.
When people think of Bush, they think "oil," but that's not true of McCain yet—even though his energy policy is almost identical to Bush's and his campaign is literally run by oil lobbyists! Check out this video from our friends at Progressive Accountability. Once you've watched, pass it on! And then please consider a donation (below) to help us spread the word.
MoveOn members in action In response to the news of John McCain's big influx of oil company cash, MoveOn members posted "For Sale" signs on McCain headquarters in 10 battleground states yesterday. Here are a few photos.
The energy crisis is shaping up to be a decisive issue in the election. MoveOn's ongoing campaign on the energy crisis has two goals: 1) highlight the progressive solution—a huge plan to shift our economy to clean energy, prevent climate change, and create millions of jobs, and 2) work together to block McCain and the Republicans from pushing gimmicks like drilling to win votes.
Please forward this email to your friends and family to spread the word about John McCain's ties to big oil companies.
Thanks for all you do.
–Noah, Daniel, Tanya, Karin and the rest of the team
Sources: 1. "Industry Gushed Money After Reversal on Drilling," Washington Post, July 27, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3985&id=13351-9656676-jcNuFIx&t=3
2. "Activist group protests at McCain headquarters," WHP CBS 21 Harrisburg, July 28, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3986&id=13351-9656676-jcNuFIx&t=4
3. "Offshore Drilling is Something We Have to Do," Time Magazine, July 28, 2008 http://thepage.time.com/2008/07/28/oil/
4. "Oil Money: John McCain's Close Ties to the Petroleum Industry," Campaign Money Watch, July 11, 2008 http://www.campaignmoney.org/mccainoil
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 3.2 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.
"We must use time creatively - and forever realize that the time is always hope to do great things." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
"People of Berlin – and people of the world – the scale of our challenge is great. The road ahead will be long. But I come before you to say that we are heirs to a struggle for freedom. We are a people of improbable hope. With an eye toward the future, with resolve in our hearts, let us remember this history, and answer our destiny, and remake the world once again."
-Barack Obama, July 24, 2008
Obama's speech from Berlin was a battle cry for change in the world: the resotration of diplomacy and the power of the United Nations to protect human rights all over the world. He challenged the world to tear down the walls that divide us today. One of the most significant events of my lifetime was the day I watched the people of Berlin climb up and reach across that wall. Now I feel a moment like that is upon us again. The world is at a crossroads. We must unite or perish. As an American I will "live free or die." I will not allow terrorist to control me with fear. And I will not support a govenrment that will stand on the coattails of that fear to justify a war. More now than ever I believe for the security of our nation and the world, Barack Obama must be the next president of the United States. I believe that with his leadership I will have the oppurtunity to feel that way I did when I watched the fall of the Berlin Wall: Full of hope for the future and pride for my country's role in the world.
Originally published in Esquire and in the International Worker Order pamphlet A New Song (1938)
Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is free.
(America never was America to me.)
Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed-- Let it be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man be crushed by one above.
(It never was America to me.)
O, let my land be a land where Liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, But opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breathe.
(There's never been equality for me, Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")
Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark? And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?
I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart, I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars. I am the red man driven from the land, I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek-- And finding only the same old stupid plan Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.
I am the young man, full of strength and hope, Tangled in that ancient endless chain Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land! Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need! Of work the men! Of take the pay! Of owning everything for one's own greed!
I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil. I am the worker sold to the machine. I am the Negro, servant to you all. I am the people, humble, hungry, mean-- Hungry yet today despite the dream. Beaten yet today--O, Pioneers! I am the man who never got ahead, The poorest worker bartered through the years.
Yet I'm the one who dreamt our basic dream In the Old World while still a serf of kings, Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true, That even yet its mighty daring sings In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned That's made America the land it has become. O, I'm the man who sailed those early seas In search of what I meant to be my home-- For I'm the one who left dark Ireland's shore, And Poland's plain, and England's grassy lea, And torn from Black Africa's strand I came To build a "homeland of the free."
The free?
Who said the free? Not me? Surely not me? The millions on relief today? The millions shot down when we strike? The millions who have nothing for our pay? For all the dreams we've dreamed And all the songs we've sung And all the hopes we've held And all the flags we've hung, The millions who have nothing for our pay-- Except the dream that's almost dead today.
O, let America be America again-- The land that never has been yet-- And yet must be--the land where every man is free. The land that's mine--the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME-- Who made America, Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain, Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain, Must bring back our mighty dream again.
Sure, call me any ugly name you choose-- The steel of freedom does not stain. From those who live like leeches on the people's lives, We must take back our land again, America!
O, yes, I say it plain, America never was America to me, And yet I swear this oath-- America will be!
Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death, The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies, We, the people, must redeem The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers. The mountains and the endless plain-- All, all the stretch of these great green states-- And make America again!
Mindfully.org note: Please view the Flash animation created by Eric Blumrich centered on Hughes' powerful poem of America
