One of the most effective things our next administration could do to solve many of the problems in our nation's schools is to provide innovative ways to help each state tap into an electronic text book system. I wonder what the difference in cost would be to have a computer screen and keyboard at each student's desk in every classroom which is linked into a network versus the volumes of textbooks that need to be updated, reprinted, reshipped and stored. With changes in our world happening at an exponential rate, some textbooks are outdated before they even hit the teacher's classroom. Could it be that the savings in eliminating physical textbooks would be enough to apply to a national database for each state to tap into by supplying each student's desk with a flip up screen and keyboard?
The students would learn computer skills at a very early age with improved efficiency due to practical application for every subject. Information would be updated continually as current events move world politics, geography and science to change continually. Today's youth have quickly adpated to an interractive technological world...with old ways of learning it's no wonder so many are bored to tears and struggle to stay attentive.
Adapt or become extinct. While I am a true book lover, I am also 48 years old and have come to understand that as we grow in our amazing ability to create new ways to do everything we must be willing to let go of the old ways and make room for innovative improvements. There is something to be said for a library, but what we appreciate from our generation is not necessarily practical for the next generation. A fast paced society complete with an ever changing world of interactive technology necessitates our children to compete on a global level in all aspects of their lives. This begins with computer readiness and updated ways of learning that may not fit the mold of the 20th century.
As the Obama administration begins to put educational modifications into place, my hope is that they consider helping our states to step into the 21st century which will ensure that our children will be ready to take the leadership role when the time comes with confidence and preparedness that has come to be expected from Americans.
We've all seen the callous political smears put forward by John McCain and his cronies this week. We know it's only going to get worse in the days ahead, and unless we act, we risk surrendering this election to the fear-mongering and divisive Bush/McCain politics of the past. That's why hundreds of people throughout your community are standing up this week to say, "Not this time, not this election." Together, we're reaching out to voters in battlegroud states to let them know the truth. But with only days left, and with thousands of voters left to contact, we can't do it alone; we need your help. Will you join us?Don't worry, making a difference is easy. All you need to do is come to the nearest Call for Changeevent (listed below) with your cell phone and charger. Our team will welcome you at the door, and set you up with everything else you need to be a force for change in this election.
Please find phone banks labeled "Phone Bank for Change" or "Big Phone Bank for Change" on your group MyBo pages. We are hosting these in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Redlands. In your area, we are hosting these events at the following locations for Sunday the 1st through election day:
Commercial Location (Cathedral City, CA) - 67-555 East Palm Canyon Drive Cathedral City, CA 92234
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprvzg
Making a difference is easy, and you can do it right in your own neighborhood. All you need to do is come to the nearest Call for Change event (listed below) with your cell phone and charger. Feel free to bring with your friends, family or anyone else that is willing to make calls. If you would like to bring potluck style food for everyone to share, that would also be much appreciated. Our team will welcome you at the door, and set you up with everything else you need to be a force for change in this election.
We hope you will join us. With only days to go, this is our last chance to make a difference in this election and to turn the tide against the Bush/McCain politics of division. Together, yes we can.
Best Always,
Rick Sheinin
Deputy Field Director, Region 7 California (volunteer)
Please find phone banks labeled "Phone Bank for Change" or "Big Phone Bank for Change" on your group MyBo pages. We are hosting these in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Redlands and Rancho Cucamonga. In your area, we are hosting these events Saturday the 1st of November through election day, the 4th. Please use the following Mybarackobama.com links below to sign up:
San Bernardino County Democratic HQ - 136 Carousel Mall (lower level) San Bernardino, CA 92402
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprzsb
Electrical Workers Union Hall (Riverside, CA) - 1405 Spruce St. Suite H Riverside, CA 92507
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs5y3s
UFCW Local 1428 - 705 W Arrow Highway Claremont, CA 91711
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/phonebank/gprwf4
Redlands, CA 92373
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprzh9
I'm sure I'm not alone in my disgust of the negative, divisive ads and rally speeches being put out by McCain/Palin and their campaign. While I'm excited about what I see in the polls lately, placing Obama/Biden significantly ahead of McCain/Palin, I worry that Obama/Biden supporters will, for whatever reason, not take the final and most important step in the movement for change (i.e., voting). So let's not let our guard down and get too comfortable with this lead. Let's instead do everything we can to encourage supporters to take that last step and vote, either early by mail or at the early voting places or at their designated polling place on election day. It would be a tremendous let down if, after all our hard work, we let the simple act of voting become our downfall.
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD!
I am writing this at midnight pacific time which means it is now 9/11/08. The subject of the day is unity as a people and country to remember with heartfelt compassion those who lost their lives or lost a loved one seven years ago. The past few weeks have been filled with petty, silly, and downright laughable exchanges among all of us Americans. The following is a true story of something strange that happened to me today which completely turned my attention back to the main focus of this campaign.
This morning I spent a ridiculous amount of time watching CNN and MSNBC discussions about the lipstick-pig issue and then proceeded to strike up conversations in the afternoon with my sister about the subject. While I drove us to our business to open for the evening I continued on and on about the lipstick-pig issue and then somehow transitioned to differences between the two major political parties and finally homeless people and our feelings about how to be of service (this is all relevant, believe me).We decided to stop at our local McDonald's for a quick snack and while in the drive through I noticed a van parked in the lot and a huge pig eating grass under tree with an older woman tending it (this is a TRUE story, I swear). I told my sister she had to get out and take a picture of the pig so we could photoshop some lipstick on it and email it with a sound clip of "Hail To The Chief." She hesitated at first but then jumped out of the car and approached the lady. My sister returned to the car a few minutes later and told me that she felt kind of bad because the lady lives in her van and someone had just dropped this pig to her. She said she had become attached to it and was trying to figure out how to keep it and care for it (in her van). I handed my sister all the cash I had left which was $5 and told her to give it to the woman. We agreed to return tomorrow and if she was still there we would buy her some groceries. When my sister returned this time she told me that the lady's name is "Cheryl." My name happens to be Cheryl also. Now, I know what you are thinking, that this is an extraordinary coincidence and I am reading too much into it...hmmmm. Maybe, but then when was the last time someone had a 24 hour barrage of info regarding a pig with lipstick, the importance of community service, and hard economic times only to see a pig in a McDonald's parking lot belonging to a homeless woman with your own name that very same day? I see a message here. Stop focusing on the silliness and stay with the important issues....point well taken and I have now snapped out of the brainwashed state of diversion forced on me by the media circus.
I was very excited this past week when I started getting numerous e-mails coming through from Obamaites in my community of Yucaipa. I immediately set up an organizing event for this Saturday. So far, I have only heard from two people.
We have less than two months before one of the most important elections in our history will take place. I'm an older Yucaipan and so have been through many elections and many periods of exciting historical changes in this country. I believe this is the next one, but I also believe the change has a 50-50 chance of being one with disasterous effects. I could be wrong, but I believe strongly that this election will be decided by our younger generations. So I was especially hopeful that I would hear from young people from Crafton Hills College indicating they plan to attend my event and get some action going at the College. Of course, I want older Yucaipans as well! So please, if you have not yet done so, go to Obama's event site and sign up for this event.
LET'S BE THE CHANGE WE HOPE TO SEE IN THE WORLD!
I have held my comments about disgruntled Clinton supporters long enough. As a middle aged mother of four children my focus is on the future. While I would be thrilled to see a woman elected President in my lifetime, more important to me is that we do not have another four to eight years of the disaster we've experienced for the past eight. I may be preaching to the choir here but I need to vent even though perhaps not in the appropriate forum.
My message to the Clinton Supporters: Those Clintonites who are whining because their candidate will not be nominated are wasting precious time with a mute point. Those who have stated their intention to vote McCain instead of Obama are showing their true colors. The fact that anyone would go against all that our party stands for just to make a statement reminds me of the child who stamps his feet and refuses to settle for a cookie because mom won't let him have any candy.
What is our ultimate goal here? Are we looking to improve our world image, our economy, our children's future, our planet's future or are we willing to sacrifice all that to vote by personal vendetta? A vote for McCain means the same old "my guns are better than your guns so you'd better do as I say," and "my God is more right than your God so we'll do it my way," or perhaps "your measley economic status isn't important so I won't pay attention to you." The decades of rule by those silver spooned, pampered, out of touch warmonger politicians need to end.
Barack Obama is not in line with everything I believe, but he represents the civility and compassion that I believe is the correct course for this country. Michelle Obama represents the 21st Century woman, strong but gentle, outspoken but humble, intelligent but open to new views. This couple represents so much more than the narrow view so many see. They represent the hope of the little guy, the working class, the folks that make the machine move. Without us regular folk the country would be at a stand still. The Obama's recognize and embrace that, as does Biden.
The women who have their arms crossed and their pouty faces are feeding into the very stereotype that they try to fight. Emotional females who cannot think past their mood swings. I am one of you, but I am using logic to see my path, and I definitely do not want to be seen as a whiney female who cannot make sound decisions. You are proving what many conservative right wing males have stated as the reason a woman should not be elected...emotional decision making. My suggestion to those Clintonites who are still whining and stamping their feet is "GET OVER YOURSELVES." What do you really want to see for our country and our children in the next four years? More of the same which will lead us into perpetual war and enconomic disaster, or the change that we've all been shouting about for eight years? GROW UP PEOPLE. Get with the program and vote with your intellect not your emotion.
Is there anything that is agreed to more than "in politics, money talks; and lots of money, shouts"? I stand with the majority on this one. But even here, I am beginning to see the dawning of a new day.
Let me begin with a rhetorical question (are there any other kind).
Does it make any difference in the final analysis, if 2,000,000 give $100 (equals $200,000,000) or if 100 give $2,000,000 (equals $200,000,000)?
I say that influence is being purchased in either case; but I would much rather take my chances with the 2,000,000 folks who forked over $100 each.
That is a major reason why I support Barack Obama.
Yesterday, the Obama campaign announced that it had reached this mind-boggling mile-stone. 2,000,000 registered Americans have given on average $100 to be major share holders in America's future. I like, no, I really like the sound of that!
