Baton Rouge for Obama

Sen David Vitter R Louisiana said Se Mary Landreau said he did not lift a finger to help health care! You said that was positive! She got money for Katrina victims and did you want a salary to produce noting and gloat?

Lillene Ebanks — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:56:36 EST

Senator Landreau was part of the group of Senate democrats who stayed late after midnight to get insurance companies to agree to pay over 188 billion dollars for health care in exchange for insurance companies charing more to the US than they charge other countries! This will reduce the cost of Health Care and should have been your goal rather than squack about cost when you did not lift a hand to reduce cost or to get Lousianians health care or the money Sen Landreau worked so hard and got for Louisiana! You went on and on about the federal budget being in the trillions and health care only adding more to it but as a Senator you never lifted a finger to get any money or health care for Louisiana. The Governor was proud of the money Sen Landreau got $300 million for Louisiana to help louisiana balance their state budget Sen Vitter! Plus Sen Landreau will vote in favor of Health Care tomorrow so the katrina victims who are not able to get insurance due to preexisting conditions or lack of insurance will thank Sen Landreau not you for her Christmas present to Louisana which you will enjoy later too despite your proud failure to lift a finger for Louisiana!

Louisiana Families Will See Health Reform Benefits - in 2010

Steve Walker — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:00:08 EST

OFA Community Organizers around Louisiana organize on behalf of Louisiana families who struggle to pay exorbitant costs or are currently uninsured, by spreading the truth about reform and encouraging action. Louisianans will see immediate benefits if health reform passes this year. Below is a summary of some immediate changes Louisiana families will see in 2010 (from the White House blog)

If you or somebody in your family has a pre-existing condition, you’ll get help in 2010: Both the Senate and House bills will make it illegal for insurance companies to drop coverage for Americans who get sick. Insurance companies will also be barred from limiting the total benefits Americans can use over the course of a year or over their lifetimes. Affordable insurance coverage options will also be made immediately available through a high-risk pool for Americans who have been uninsured and have been denied coverage because they have a pre-existing condition.   These options will serve as a bridge until the new health insurance marketplaces, or exchanges, are up and running.
If you or your family has insurance, you'll get help in 2010: The scales will no longer be tipped against you in your relationship with your insurance company. More of your money will start going towards your care instead of excessive insurance company profits or TV ads. Between 2010 and 2013, insurance companies will be required to report the proportion of premium dollars that are spent in areas other than medical care – including profits. If a company isn’t spending enough of its premium dollars providing benefits, it will be required to issue rebate checks to its customers to make up the difference. Insurance companies will also immediately have to begin creating effective appeals processes for customers who have been denied claims ---including independent reviews---and the legislation provides grants for states to create ombudsmen to act as consumer watchdogs on health insurance coverage.
If you want to keep your family from getting sick in the first place, you’ll get help in 2010: All insurance plans will have to begin covering preventive services. That means all Americans who purchase insurance on their own will receive preventive care from their doctor without paying a co-pay.
If you’ve got kids, you’ll get help in 2010: Insurance plans that cover dependents will also have to provide benefits to adult children up to age 26, covering young Americans at a time when they’re most likely to lack coverage.
If you’re an early retiree with coverage from your former employer, your premiums will be reduced: Employers and their retirees between 55 and 64 years of age will have lower premiums from new re-insurance helping to ensure the continuation of these essential benefits.
If you’re a senior, you'll get help in 2010: Major help on prescription drug costs will begin kicking in, with dramatic reductions on the costs of brand name prescription drugs for seniors. In addition, the coverage gap, or “doughnut hole” in the Medicare Prescription Drug Program will be closed over the next few years.  So as we come to the end of this debate, it’s important to take stock of what American families and small businesses will get from reform:·
Reforms that will generate the largest deficit reduction in 12 years;
Reforms that will rein in insurance companies and shift power to patients, doctors, nurses and American families.
Reforms that will actually reduce premiums and save money for American families and small businesses;
Reforms that will strengthen the financial health of Medicare while closing the prescription drug doughnut hole – the most significant boost to Medicare's solvency in more than a decade.
Reforms that will make quality affordable health care available to tens of millions of Americans – the most significant action since Medicare.

Health reform is good for Louisiana. Call your Member of Congress and encourage them to support health reform for real Louisiana families. http://bit.ly/CallMembesrofCongress

Join Organizing for America in your community. We need your help making the change we voted for become the reality we live. http://bit.ly/JoinOFA

"You better be good you better not CRY the Cowboys are 17 to 3 in the half time against the Saints on 12-19-09! The Armadillo makes a 1 and the doves make an 8 then a 1!

Lillene Ebanks — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:14:51 EST

The Budweiser clydesdales covered in snow gallop down Les Champs Elysees in Paris, France down from the Arc De Triump where the eternal flames burn in memory of the unknown WW II veterans! Who Dat? It is the French Connection Texas style President Mirabeou! DonKt forget three is the Cowgirl up governor style number Texas! Let's Go Cow Girls we have a governorship to lasso! Armadillo coming at yah!

OFA Louisiana Stands Strong

Steve Walker — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:58:04 EST

Louisiana had one of its best phone bank days in recent weeks Thursday, as volunteers in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, New Orleans, and Shreveport made over 1,200 calls to OFA supporters, encouraging them to contact members of Congress and join our Rapid Response Network. Momentum for reform is on the rise following a recent announcement from Senator Mary Landrieu that she supports the health insurance reform legislation being debated in the Senate. Noting that the Senate now has a historic opportunity to pass a healthcare bill, Senator Landrieu said:

“While many of us expressed cost and bureaucracy concerns about early drafts of health care reform legislation, it is clear that the product the Senate is debating is a dramatic improvement," Senate Democrats have developed a consensus that combines the best blend of private and public approaches to reduce cost, expand coverage and increase choice and competition for Americans," she added. "I look forward to moving this legislation forward before the holiday recess."

Senator Landrieu’s support of health reform is a demonstration of the power of grassroots organizing. Community Organizers in all Organizing for America-Louisiana regions have hosted over 150 phone banks and generated nearly 12,000 phone calls to supporters. Real people with real health care issues were able to reach out to members of Congress through phone calls and personal visits. Grassroots organizing took on the insurance lobby and millions of dollars of negative advertisements, and won. We won because family members spoke to other family members, neighbors spoke to other neighbors, and small business owners to other small business owners about the importance of taking action for health insurance reform now.

This peer led outreach helped spread the truth about reform and got Louisianans engaged. Though we are proud of this achievement, the battle is not over. The Senate still has work to do before finally passing health reform, and we need to make sure Senator Landrieu continues to hear from supporters. Also, in the near future, the House of Representatives will take a final vote on health insurance reform. Your role will be instrumental in helping to influence them.

Call Senator Landrieu and your member of Congress to make sure they stand tall for Louisiana families and support health reform. You can find contact information for your Member of Congress here: http://bit.ly/CallMembesrofCongress

To learn more about OFA in your community or to volunteer for your neighborhood team, please click here. http://bit.ly/JoinOFA

One Step Closer: House of Representatives Makes Historic Vote

Steve Walker — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:20:36 EST

For the past six months, Organizing for America volunteers across Louisiana have organized for health insurance reform, making thousands to Members of Congress. Today, the hard work, dedication, phone calls and door to door canvassing all paid off, when by a vote of 220 to 215, the US House of Representatives passed the Affordable Healthcare for America Act. Now, the United States Senate will begin its work on final passage.

Today, OFA-Louisiana volunteers in North and Central Louisiana managed and attend phone banks, conducting neighbor to neighbor canvassing and encouraged supporters to make calls to Members of Congress.

In Shreveport, Anu K., Community Organizer, spent the day reaching out to supports in Shreveport and Bossier City.

"Yes we did! This is a historic first step towards true reform. It will provide much needed change in the way insurance companies do business, and end discrimination against people with preexisting conditions, women and young people. It is a beginning in affordable quality care for all. WOW! And thank you for all who worked so hard to get it passed.

Armed with her laptop coffee and a tall glass of Louisiana sweet tea, Katrina R. a Community Organizer in Shreveport made dozens of calls using a virtual phone bank.

“Tonight’s vote proves that regular American citizens can organize and defeat the multi-billion dollar lobbyists and special interest groups; change from the ground up. I’m ecstatic that we are closer than we’ve ever been to comprehensive health insurance reform. I know that we still have a battle ahead of us, but to see our hard work pay off is invaluable. Now let’s get Louisiana Senators to lead the charge in taking health reform to the next step."

Congress is done for now, but the Senate still has work to do. Contact your Senator and tell them to support the Obama Plan for Health Insurance Reform by clicking here.

To become a community organizer or join your neighborhood team, click here.

To find an event or activity near you, click here.

Volunteer Spotlight: OFA Louisiana's Best and Brightest

Steve Walker — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:14:01 EST

Volunteer Spotlight: Ronald L., Central Louisiana

Through one grassroots movement built from the bottom up, millions of voices called for change and elected President Barack Obama. They proved that ordinary people, together, can achieve extraordinary things. Those voices enabled a new beginning. Now, it’s time to make that promise of change a reality.

Right now, hundreds of real Louisianans across the state have become volunteer "Community Organizers" and are building a grassroots network by organizing in their communities and standing with President Obama to bring about a new era of security and prosperity.

Today, we spotlight one of these Community Organizers: Ronald L., from Team Alexandria in Central Louisiana.

Name:
Ronald L.
City:
Pineville
Organizing for Louisiana in:
Louisiana Region 2 / The Core: Team Alexandria
Why do you support President Obama?
I support the president because I believe in the change he is bringing to our nation. I want a better world for my children and grandchildren, etc. and I believe his vision will help get us there. I support the president because I believe he believes in people. Everyday people, like me, are directly involved in shaping policy. President Obama has opened up government to us all.
Why did you become a community organizer?
I am a community organizer because I know the President can’t change the country from Washington, D.C. He needs our help, and I answered the call to be part of change from the ground up. This is the chance for the American people to take back our country from big business and special interests and once again have a government for the people and by the people.
What has been your most enjoyable moment at a community organizer?
My most enjoyable moment was getting a chance to meet the President in person during the New Orleans Town Hall meeting. Wow, what a blast, and being there with the whole team that was special. I still lay awake at night thinking about it.
Why should someone in Region 2 join their neighborhood team?
You should join because not only will you see a change in government and your understanding of it, you will see a change in yourself and in the community. You will grow in so many ways and discover talents that you felt were long dormant. It also presents us with the opportunity to stop sitting on the sidelines, and actually get up and make an impact. Let's change the world.

Louisiana Seniors Declare: It's Time To Deliver

Steve Walker — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:31:01 EDT

Volunteers across Louisiana have been engaging their communities, educating people about President Obama’s health care plan and urging supporters to call their member of Congress. On October 20, 2009, Louisiana took part in an OFA national movement to help make at least 100,000 calls to Congress and to especially let the Louisiana Congressional delegation know how important health insurance reform is in the state of Louisiana.

Leading the charge on October 20th were seven New Orleans retirees who made calls as part of a Senior-to-Senior phone bank. Becoming fast friends, the group shared stories from previous campaign phone bank experiences and rallied behind a common cause: to demonstrate that Louisiana seniors support the President’s health insurance proposal, including the public option.

After an orientation by New Orleans community organizer Lee Madere, the callers reached out to peers and dispelled health reform myths and encouraged others to call Congress. In just over two hours, the group made over 350 calls and got nearly 100 commitments. By the end of the day, Organizing For America blew past their national goal and finished the day with an astounding 314,000 calls to members of Congress.

“Watching the thermometer rise throughout the day was a thrill,” said Lee. “It’s great to know that Louisiana seniors we a part of helping the nation surpass 100,000 calls. We also realize the importance of being consistent and making calls every day. My team plans to get together again next week.”

It’s Time To Deliver for the thousands of Louisiana seniors will benefit from health insurance reform. We’re closer now than ever.

Contact your member of Congress and tell them to support the Obama Plan for Health Insurance Reform by clicking here.

To become a community organizer or join your neighborhood team, click here.

To find an event or activity near you, click here.

"Murder USA" Baton Rouge psychologist formerly of Athens, GA (yours truly) making waves in Landshark Battle of Bands

Dr. Owen Scott, III — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:02:35 EDT

Hello to my old friends on my/barack.obama.com. You know me from coming over to our house (Owen and Mary Lou's) to watch our guy take on the heavyweights in primaries and debates. We ranted and cheered and felt at home with one another, even though we had never met, we were different ages and came from some very different worlds. We loved every second of it all the way down to the thrill of seeing Barack Obama sworn in as 44th President of the USA.

It was such a relief to see the end of an 8 year nightmare and welcome a guy so wonderful in so many ways, it was hard to believe he ran and got elected. I don't know about you, but I relaxed and no longer felt the strong urge to get onto the Obama netroots page and talk about politics. I knew our country was in good hands.

Today, I'm back because of a remarkable development in my personal life. During the second term of Bush and Cheney, Mary Lou was diagnosed with cancer and ended up spending a lot of time at MD Anderson in Houston getting treatment. Thanks to getting the best, Mary Lou is healthy and cancer free today. But during that difficult time, I had a great deal of time at home alone. One day a Muse visited and I found myself writing a novel that covered the events and impact of my era, the 60's. The novel, still unpublished, is full of music, because the narrator listens to music, hears music on the radio, goes to concerts and hears music playing in his head pretty much nonstop. I even wrote several original blues, R&B, rock&roll and rock tunes specifically for the novel.

In 2008, during the campaign year, I recorded 12 songs including 9 originals with some excellent musicians I know at a great indie studio, John Keane Studios in Athens, GA. One of these was a heavily satirical number about guns and violence in America, using the music of Chuck Berry's immortal Sweet Little 16 but satirizing the Beach Boys copycat version of Sweet Little 16, Surfin' USA. Mine is called "Murder USA." I entered this song (under the name of our band, Dr. Morpheus) in the Land Shark Lager 2009 Battle of the Bands online contest and to my shock, the tune was accepted!

So, I'd like you to follow this link to my band page in the Land Shark contest, Dr. Morpheus and see if you'd like to vote for us in the contest. Besides being a rockin' tune, Murder USA makes a statement about the casual way Americans often shoot one another for no good reason. It's not anti-gun but it is ant-senseless violence. Please check it out. If you get what I'm doing here and like it, I would really welcome your support and assistance in our campaign to get into a live face-off concert in Nashville, TN on Sept 245. Voting in Round 1 of the contest last through Aug 10- you may vote once daily from as many email addresses as you have. If you vote, you will receive a confirmation email and YOU MUST ENDORSE THE CONFIRMATION EMAIL FOR YOUR VOTE TO COUNT. It is likely the confirmation email will go into your SPAM folder and you won't realize what it is, so please pay close attention. If you want to get involved with our campaign (please get involved with our campaign!), contact me through this site or my email drscott@psychclinic.com We have a great campaign going but we need a lot more help to make it to the concert. BTW, the grand prize includes a 2 page ad spread in Rolling Stone magazine! Should we go all the way, I commit here to display Obama gear prominently in my outfit when I go to the photo shoot.

Thanks for checking this out. And whatever you may or may not do with the contest, keep in touch with Mary Lou and myself. We miss you!

All the best,

Owen

PS Can we do it?

Hello from the OFA - Louisiana State Director

Steve Walker — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:21:02 EDT

Greetings! My name is Steven Walker, I'm the State Director for Organizing for America-Louisiana. The primary goals of Organizing for America are

to mobilize OFA's volunteers and volunteer leaders in support of President Obama's legislative priorities,
growing and strengthening the OFA organization and
civic empowerment.

Over the next several weeks, we will have Listening Tours and other opportunities for you to provide feedback and share your thoughts. I just wanted to take a quick moment to introduce myself and encourage you to all attend an informational conference call next Wednesday, May 20, 2009, from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Please RSVP for the call by clicking this link:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpcpwh

In the coming days, there will be an official Organizing for America-Louisiana MyBO group, and I hope you each join that group to receive updates on our plans and activities here in Louisiana. I look forward to speaking with as many as you as possible on the phone next Wednesday, and meeting more of you in person over the coming weeks.

Steve Walker

OFA - Louisiana

walkers@dnc.org

832.724.3427

The Latest Way To Support Barack Obama in Louisiana

Lynda Woolard - New Orleans — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:43:50 EDT

Hi Louisiana.

Obama For America is now Organizing For America. The goals have shifted from getting Barack Obama elected to helping make sure his presidency is a success, both politically and policy-wise. You are still needed in this effort.

Last week, Congress voted to pass our president's 2010 budget. Only 2 legislators from Louisiana helped to make that happen: Senator Mary Landrieu and Representative Charlie Melancon. We need help showing that Louisianan's care about how our members of congress vote.

Could you please take a moment and send a letter to the editor of your local paper thanking Senator Landrieu (and congressman Melancon if you are in his district)? There is a great tool on MyBO to help make this really simple:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/speakout/ThankCongress

Below I've attached some ideas for letters, but please write from your own heart. And thank you for continuing to support Barack Obama.
Best,
Lynda

Below are a few ideas to guide your letter writing. Visit our website for more additional tips and information http://my.barackobama.com/page/speakout/ThankCongress

LTE #1
President Obama is talking to us like adults. He doesn’t sugarcoat his message or claim to have the silver bullet. Since taking office, he's encouraged us to be patient and persistent in charting our course - I think his words were, “more ocean liner than speed boat.”
President Obama’s budget is big, but it’s a bold and important down payment on our long-term economic recovery here and across the nation.
And that's why I applaud my congressional representative for voting in support of the President's plan to put our country back on the path to prosperity - a vote all of us can be proud of.

LTE #2
I’m sick and tired of our bubble-driven economy. From the dot.com craze to the housing bubble, I know so many people who have been affected by the constant boom and bust that has made our economy unstable.
President Obama’s budget plan takes on the challenges in our healthcare system, public education and energy policy – and aims to make those things operate better and more efficiently for people just like me here in my town.
I agree with President Obama that now is the time to make significant investments to help our economy develop in a sustainable way, and provide real growth and services the people on Main Street need.
And that's why I applaud my congressional representative for supporting President Obama's plan.

LTE#3
I volunteered for President Obama’s campaign, was thrilled to watch his inauguration, and have been following the early months of his presidency.
These days, all the pundits seem to talk about is President Obama’s budget plan. Is it too expensive? Is it too ambitious?
I am happy to see that President Obama is engaging his supporters - the regular people who elected him to office – to help build grassroots support for his budget blueprint.
Making healthcare more affordable, investing in education, and creating a safer, greener energy policy, are the changes we fought for during the election.
And that's why I was so pleased to see my congressional representative vote in support of the President's plan and give him the help he needs to put a down payment on a more sustainable, economic future for all of us.

In today's paper: Thank you President Obama

Lynda Woolard - New Orleans — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:49:20 EDT

Advocates in the White House
Sunday, March 08, 2009
New Orleans Times Picayune

Re: "Obama aides vow to speed up recovery: Millions of dollars in grants headed to state," Page 1, March 6.

As someone who has been privileged to see first-hand the work of the many wonderful people who are leading the charge in rebuilding New Orleans, I am heartened and relieved to learn that President Obama is keeping his campaign pledge to our region.

While we have a population of self-reliant individuals, an influx of young people devoted to community service and an emergence of small non-profits and social entrepreneurs dedicated to creating a better city, we still need back-up from the federal government to reach a full recovery.

The steps our president has already taken to extend assistance to those effected by the hurricanes, along with his show of good faith by sending his Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan here this week to review our needs, give me great hope that we finally have a true advocate in the White House.

Lynda Woolard
The Woolard Family Foundation
New Orleans

New Orleans in the News...

Lynda Woolard - New Orleans — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:49:29 EST

Today the Secretaries of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, and HUD, Shaun Donovan, visited New Orleans to get an update on our recovery from the hurricanes of the last 4 years. At the same time, Brad Pitt was in Washington, DC meeting with Nancy Pelosi and James Clyburn to discuss his rebuilding efforts in the 9th Ward.

The president has already signed a couple of executive orders extending our recovery benefits in Louisiana... and has just named a new, well-respected director of FEMA, Craig Fugate. Additionally, Barack Obama recently met with the King of Zulu, Charles Hamilton, in Washington DC in order to receive his hand-painted coconut from this year's Mardi Gras parade dedicated to our new president.

I am well pleased to see our region, though greatly ignored during the campaign, take a bit of the spotlight these days.

Keep up the good trend, President Obama!

Lynda Woolard

Change Corps of New Orleans

www.changecorpsnola.org

OFA in Louisiana

Kevin Brown — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:13:05 EST

Hello Louisiana for Obama,

I hope you are as fired up as I am after President Obama’s speech last night! Across the country and here in Louisiana we are inspired by the President’s message and motivated to organize for change.

I wanted to introduce myself to those of you who I don’t yet know. My name is Kevin Brown and I worked as a grassroots organizer on the Obama campaign. Just like many of you, I knocked on doors, made phone calls and held organizing meetings with teams of volunteers. Together we won this election.

I am excited to serve as Louisiana’s Volunteer Liaison to Organizing for America and I'm thrilled to tell you that Organizing for America is up and running! OFA’s mission is to mobilize our grassroots movement in support of President Obama’s policies for change and to build on and strengthen that grassroots organization we have all built together. I am an unpaid volunteer (not an official OFA staffer) who has been asked to help coordinate our efforts here in Louisiana OFA’s national office.

I know that many of you are already utilizing the Obama network to organize in your communities. In Louisiana alone, we held 31 house parties and collected 181 stories around the economic crisis. Your efforts helped pass the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act and your involvement will be critical to its success.

You can act today to support our economic recovery. We've put together an easy to use online tool to look up the phone numbers of your representatives who voted in favor of the economic recovery plan -- take a few minutes today to thank them for doing what's right.

Take a minute to thank the Senators and Representatives who supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and encourage them to continue working with President Obama to lift America out of this economic crisis. When you're done, report back to us about the calls you made.

Throughout the next weeks and months, I look forward to working with all of you to ensure that Organizing for America is successful here in Louisiana. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or ideas as we continue to organize for change.

Thanks so much,

Kevin Brown

Louisiana Volunteer Liaison, Organizing for America

kevin.brown@obamaalumni.com

New Commitment to the Gulf Coast

Lynda Woolard - New Orleans — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:51:40 EST

From whitehouse.gov

Friday, February 20th, 2009 at 11:52 am

"We must ensure that the failures of the past are never repeated," President Obama said in a statement today, announcing the extension of the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding and his decision to send two cabinet members to the region.

Homeland Security Secretrary Janet Napolitano and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan are heading to the Gulf Coast and New Orleans in early March to evaluate firsthand the progress that's been made and assess the region's needs.

"The residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast who are helping rebuild are heroes who believe in their communities and they are succeeding despite the fact that they have not always received the support they deserve from the Federal government," the President said. "This executive order is a first step of a sustained commitment by my Administration to rebuild now, stronger than ever."

Some important facts:

This August will mark the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
Mardi Gras is this Tuesday, Feb. 24.
New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin was among 85 mayors gathered this morning at the White House

More at NOLA.com.

Economy Recovery House Meeting - February 9, 2009

Paulette G Bailey-Wilson — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:07:55 EST

Economic Recovery - what's in the Economic Stimulus Package for Me?

Baton Rouge,Louisiana on February 9, 2009 at 7:00 pm

Hosted by: Paulette G. Bailey-Wilson and Debra Hammond Dudley

Attendance: Katrina Jackson, Paulette Bailey-Wilson, Debra H. Dudley, Pastor Daniel Johnson, Jonathan Johnson, Chandi Johnson, Reika Johnson, Aliya Johnson, Rep. Regina Barrow, Barbara Haynes, Woodrow J. Wilson, J,r Brandon R Bailey and Denise Gauthier

AGENDA

Welcome to the Group by Paulette

Video Presentation/President's Address on CNN - (We all watched together)

Shared Stories at the meeting (personal stories on current economic situations)

Woodrow Wilson stated:

As a small business owner, (distributor and supplier) we had to layoff two employees because we couldn't access credit from the bank to continue to make payroll nor purchase inventory. Some customers cut back on their orders and some stopped placing orders completely due to the economy. We need more breaks for small businesses and ways to access capitol to continue creating jobs and growth in our area.

Rev. Daniel Johnson stated:

I have seen this slump in the economy affect the local churches. Our members are coming to us with desperate needs such as help with utility bills, food, medical perscriptions and counseling for depression. The church has and will continue to help its members but with this bad situation our resources are limited too. We are stretched to our bare ends and members do not have money to donate to many services to help others less fortunate.

Katrina Jackson stated:

I have been extremely blessed that my immediate family members nor myself have experienced job loss from this economic crisis. However, with the rising cost of goods and services I am sending as much money as I can to help others. Also, personally I was hoping to finance a house this year. I willl be doing so hopefully after paying off old debt. I hope the economy does not prevent my plans from becoming a reality.

Debra Dudley stated:

I have been placing money in a 457 Deferred Compensation plan and have watched it dwindle to nothing over the last year. My husband is a small business owner in the construction industry and he has seen a slow down in this past year. If this trend continues he will be forced to lay off some of his employees. We don't want that because it only aids to the unemployment numbers in our state.

Paulette G Bailey-Wilson stated:

I have a 22 year old that is attending college and is not fully covered with health insurance. I am self employed and my business can not afford a group coverage or family insurance plan. We have a small hospitalization plan for him but it does not cover major medical cost. Last year, he broke his foot and we had to pay out of pocket expenses up front to the doctors before they would perform surgery and any after care. We need health coverage for all kids and especially college kids that can't be covered by their parents insurance. College tutition and book cost is going out of the roof. We really need help to assure these kids in our state can stay in college. We cannot afford higher education fees in our state. We need them to be prepared for the future and job ready to help the state's economy.

Discussion on why the economic stimulus is important to us

Many said - repairing of schools and upgrades to 21st century technology, money for small businesses, financial help for distressed homeowners to stay in their homes and not be foreclosed upon, jobs and educational tools, institute the tax cuts immediately and have President Obama look at the repeal or reduction of the WEP and GPO social security provisions. Many retirees are devastasted by these reductions.

Brainstorming (ways to encourage public support for economic recovery to help improve our community)

Get the information regarding the economic stimulus package in a simplistic form
The meeting (house meetings are very informative and allow people to express their feelings.
Information at a level that everyday people can understand
Outreach campaign - radio, tv - everyone does not read email or have computers.
Elderly people outreach
Encourage state and local officials to outreach in town hall meetings and churches
The plan is so massive that it is hard for the public to know what benefits they will receive individually. A series of informercials or mailouts should be created to give more details on each facet of the plan - this would really help the elderly population too.
Encourage more house meetings; church groups,civic groups and united way agencies to do speakers bureaus to education the people.

Closing - Rep. Regina Barrow proposed to host a second follow-up meeting or/a town meeting to educate Baton Rouge on the stimulus package and have someone on hand to answer questions the citizens might have. Paulette, Katrina and Debra agreed to work with Ms. Barrow on this effort. Rev Johnson suggested that local churches and ministers take on a interest in helping the less fortunate and invite members to the meetings and state capitol to meetings/hearings on the stimulus funds coming to the state level.

HR1 - Economic Stimulus -The Impact for Louisiana

Paulette G Bailey-Wilson — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:03:46 EST

I wanted to pass along brief highlights of items in the stimulus package that will be very beneficial to families and children in Louisiana. These items and provisions apply to both House and Senate versions of the bill. If you want to research material on the stimulus package more details are available by going to: www.ctj.org/stimulus citizens for tax justice has prepared a state by state series of the stimulus proposals, www.cbpp.org - center on budget and policy priorities has created a state by state estimates on a number of provisions affecting low and moderate families and individuals. Also you can check out the Center for American Progress or www.cspan.org for more details on todays votes 2/13/09.

Overall, while the bill does not solve every proplem, it reflects what economists from both sides of the aisles have said publicly:

infrastructure investments such as school repair projects create jobs; providing direct assistance such as tax credits and food stamps to low-income families provides economic stimulus because they will spend the money quickly to keep their heads above the water; and temporary fiscal aid to state like Louisiana, like (FMAP) Federal Medical Assistance Percentages, helps struggling families weather the recession and prevents further erosion of their purchasing power.

Louisiana stands to receive 4 to 5 billion dollars (based on the final vote in the senate 2/13/09. State officials said Thursday at a Louisiana Senate and Finance Committee Meeting at the Louisiana State Capitol that both versions of the currently presented HR.1 would go a long way toward resolving Louisiana's budget problems. Out of $30 billion dollar budget the Divisions of Administration officers have cut some $341 million for reductions in state general fund revenues. The General Fund Revenue is expected to decrease by $1.2 billion dollars for the fiscal year that starts July1. ( according to Senate Finance 2/6/09). It was reported that sales tax revenue is not coming in as anticipated - a standstill and people are going to the casinos a lot. So that means revenues are low. Oil prices peaked last summer and now they have fell sharply. It was report that income tax collecctions are low to low to present a new tax break and not to mention the major cuts reported by higher education. They are facing up to $382 million dollars in cuts and maybe some school closures reported (LSU-A) in Alexandria. One good thing is that Senate Finance 2/6/09 stated that some $281 million dollars could help restore the shortfalls to higher education in Louisiana.

So let's take a close look at what's in it for us!

The American Recovery And Reinvestment Plan is a nationwide effort to create jobs, jumpstart growth and transform our economy for the 21st century. Across the country, this plan will help businesses create jobs and families afford their bills while laying a foundation for future economic growth in key areas like health care, clean energy, education and a 21st century infrastructure.

In Louisiana, this plan will deliver immediate, tangible impacts, including;

Creating or saving 52,700 jobs over the next two years. Jobs created will be large in a range of industries from clean energy to health care, with over 90 % in the private sector. (source white house estimate based on romer and berstein, "The Job Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan" Jan. 9, 2009)
Providing a making work pay tax cut of up to $1,000 for 1,700,000 workers and their families. The plan will make a down payment on the President's Making Work Pay tax cut for 95% of workers and their families, designed to pay out immediately into workers' paychecks. (source: white house estimate based on IRS Statistics of Income)
Making 77,000 families eligible for a new American Opportunity Tax Credit to make college affordable. By creating a new $2,500 partially refundable tax credit for four years of college, this plan will give 3.8 million families nationwide - and 77,000 families in Louisiana - new assistance to put college within their reach. (Source: Center on Budget and Policy priorities analysis of U. S. Census data)
Offering an additional $100 dollars per month in unemployment insurance benefits to 137,000 workers in Louisiana who have lost their jobs in this recession, and providing extended unemployment benefits to an additional 25,000 laid-off workers. (Source:National Employment Law Project)
Providing funding sufficient to modernize at least 215 schools in Louisiana so our children have the labs, classsrooms and libraries they need to compete in the 21st century economy. (Source: White House Estimate)

In addition to this immediate assistance for Louisiana, the American Recovery and Reinvestment plan will help transform our economy by:

Doubling renewable energy generating capacity over three years, creating enough renewable energy to power 6 million American homes.
Computerizing every American's health record in five years, reducing medical errors and saving billions of dollars in health care cost.
Launching the most ambitious school modernization program on record, sufficient to upgrade 10,000 schools.
Enacting the largest iinvestment increase in our nation's roads, bridges, and mass transit systems since the creation of the national highway system in the 1950's.

With such a high rate of poverty in our state the Louisiana Poverty Council is putting together recommendations on ways to combat this grave problem that plagues our state in urban and rural communities. The economic stimulus package will provide up to $15 billion dollars for grants (competitive funds) through out the U. S. Dept of Education to be used for teacher distribution in high poverty areas. This is a brand new effort in the stimulus; a new pot of money and the system or design on how it will work will have to be crafted in washington.

Just know that President Obama's recovery plan will help our state and many struggling families right now by saving or creating up to 3.5 million jobs. It will also help strengthen our economy for the future and prepare us to work with other countries better. We need to encourage our Representatives and Senators as we move forward with this important stimulus plan to put away selfish pride, mean spirits and egos and for one time put their constituents concerns first. Please put America's Future First! If not, we will remember next time we have to vote!.

our presidency website

Juan Gaspard — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:32:46 EST

http://ourpresidency.ning.com/profile/JuanGaspard

www.TheLouisianaMovement.ning.com

DAWN DENISE :) Field Organizer — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:54:08 EST

www.TheLouisianaMovement.ning.com

The Obama organizers in this state held a vested interest in this year’s campaign. We were here before the campaign, remain here after the campaign, and we are determined to bring about real change in our home state. Several of us have formed an alliance for change, and we invite each of you to join us.

We are Dawn Collins, Obama ’08 Regional Field Organizer for Congressional District 7 (and beyond. LOL); Diana Hamilton, Obama ’08 Field Representative for the Lake Charles Region; Patrice Jacques, Obama ’08 Regional Field Organizer for Congressional Districts 1 and 3; and Lynda Woolard, Obama ’08 Field Representative for the Orleans Region.

Many of you know us personally as we have worked side by side during the campaign. Many of you are just now being introduced. All are welcomed to join us at www.TheLouisianaMovement.ning.com. This site is intended to be used as a local supplement to BarackObama.com. From this site you can find the websites of each organizer, or you can view and join a few of the groups listed on the left under the “Members” listing (i.e. “Change Corps of Greater Baton Rouge,” “Change Corps of Acadiana,” “Citizens for Financial Responsibility,” and “Citizens for a Better Education”).

You can use the page to create a group to be used for your own area or for an issue near and dear to your heart. You can start discussion boards or forums. You can even add memorable pictures, videos, and music.

We welcome your enthusiasm, questions, and concerns. Reach out to us about how you can make strides in your own neighborhood, city or region.

We look forward to your continued involvement. Change cannot happen without you.

Sincerely,

Dawn D. Collins

Dawn.Collins@ObamaAlumni.com

www.TheLouisianaMovement.ning.com

CRIME REDUCTION, ASSET MANAGEMENT, FUSION CENTER, MONEY GENERATION, JOBS, PUBLIC SAFETY,ACCOUNTABILITY,EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Juan Gaspard — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:41:25 EST

I DO BELIEVE NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT.

I have tried to get this to Mrs. Napolitano and Barack as well as some other ideas.

I am concerned with our elavated crime rates, our cost of crime, elevate risk from a WMD, a Biological attack, The fragile economy,and solutions

1 system of systems a matrix, that multitasks, and solves multiple problems at the same time.

We are looking at the overall solutions that we can provide:

United states total population 2008 = 300,000,000 people
of that number:
73 million are Children
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/quickfacts/stat_snapshot/

Number of Children

http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/indicators/53NumberofChildren.cfm

In 2006, there were 73.7 million children under age 18 in the United States. This represents an increase in the child population of more than 50 percent since 1950.
55,568,000 are on some sort of assistance
Monthly Statistical Snapshot, October 2008 55,568,000 are the Number of people receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or both, October 2008
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/quickfacts/stat_snapshot/

U.S. Imprisons One in 100 Adults, Report Finds
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/29/us/29prison.html?_r=1

January 08, 2007
"Incarceration Nation"
The Nation
January 5, 2007 (web only)
Incarceration Nation
Silja J.A. Talvi
Every year, American taxpayers fund an estimated $60 billion for our incarceration system. This system staples together a network of public and corporate-run jails, prisons, pre- and post-release centers, juvenile detention centers and boot camps. All together, these facilities hold well over 2 million human beings, locked away without public oversight or scrutiny.
http://realcostofprisons.org/blog/archives/2007/01/post_4.html

As Jobs Vanish and Prices Rise, Food Stamp Use Nears Record
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/31/us/31foodstamps.html
Employment Situation

http://www.bls.gov/
Jobs lost in 2008: 1.2 million
Payrolls shrink by 240,000 in October, 10th straight month of cuts. Unemployment soars to 6.5%
http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/07/news/economy/jobs_october/index.htm?postversion=2008110711

The TOTAL number of unemployed persons (10.3 million) in America
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
1,200,000 jobs lost just in 2008
1,800,000 jobs not replaced (economic growth replacing retirees)

Some state unemployment funds drying up

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/08/jobless.claims/
ECONOMY EXPLAINED / JOBLESS: UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKUP
Funds in jeopardy: Georgia benefits trust relatively stable for now; 19 states face depletion in year.
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/printedition/2008/11/23/unemployins.html
some macro economics explanations
http://arnoldkling.com/econ/macro/unemp.html

300,000,000 People in America
----------------------------------------
73,000,000 Children

55,568,000 people receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or both, October 2008
costing 50,464,000,000.00 (Monthly)
2,000,000 are incarcerated (cost 60,000,000,000.00 (60 Billion))
10,300,000 currently costing (unknown at this time)

143,431,343 total people working in America (as of now Dec-7 2008)
so less than 48% (less than 1 out of 2) of america is supporting the whole nation.

Read more for the solutions to most of our problems.

THANKSGIVING

Kristina — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:12:45 EST

The Eve of Thanksgiving, I was watching the Barbara Walters Interview with President Elect Obama and his lovely wife. I am proud of their presence of 'family' with strong values of keeping their daughters in touch with simple daily chores....as what they have been accustomed to.

The interview with Barbara Walters was good to see how well Obama remained calm and answered with dignity to her prying questions. I was impressed when Mrs. Obama came to sit with Mr. Obama on the couch, and continued with the interview as an impressive and well-grounded mother and wife.

Kuddos to the Obamas for their humbleness and sincere efforts to put into our White House a 'natural' lifestyle for them, including an awareness of a frugalness in the use of electricity in the White House.

I trust this family as our First Family for America. I trust that the Obamas are a sincere, and faithful family.

May God Bless and Protest and Guide them for our Nation.

Kristina Murphy

Barack = Blessing

Amirah — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:16:41 EST

Good Morning All,

I was in Charlotte this past weekend, I voted on Saturday morning with my daughter Jae and it was such a liberating experience. I was overwhelmed with joy with the hard work and dedication of Charlotteans! I really feel so privileged to be a part of this movement for change; I have met so many wonderful people through this period of time and I have been enlightened in so many ways. I am back in Louisiana now and I must say that it is different here. I actually experienced what I guess I will call true ignorance of some folks; I am driving along and all of the sudden I hear horn blowing and loud voices and I look to my right and I am being flipped off and the like because of my Obama decals and magnets on my vehicle. I was shocked, I really felt sorry for them. I blew kisses to them and the driver actually laughed after spewing all that hate and anger. Believe it or not it happened to me twice in a 20 minute period! I was just blowing kisses and loving it. If you could see the shock on the second guys face when I blew the kiss it was priceless! I love you guys, I wish I could have stayed for tonight; but I just started a new job and could not afford the time off right now; but I am here in Louisiana representing and I will be having an election event tonight and a local dinner club; but of course I will be following Charlotte's local elections closely as well! I look forward to us planning a trip for the inauguration! Stay in touch.

Pray for the Obama's

/Amirah

Be a Part of Something Great.... OBAMA '08
http://www.barackobama.com

It all comes down to you

Dr. Owen Scott, III — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:55:12 EST

Dear friends,

On the evening of the election we've all dreamt about, anticipated, imagined, and worked toward, I feel impelled to write and recognize all of you, the foot soldiers of the Obama Nation throughout the country and the world. You have rewritten the book on political campaigns by showing what a vast movement composed of small decision makers working together can accomplish when each one is inspired by a believable leader who speaks the words we didn't even know we were waiting to hear. This is the first 21st Century political campaign and the American political process will never be the same. But I'm also reminded of the inspired decision makers who banded together to oppose a British monarchy that believed it was entitled to rule over them and enrich itself from their hard work. The country they invented had a long way to go; and, I'm sure it still does. But the day after tomorrow, we will all sit down in amazement and realize how far we've come. Instead of saying, "Yes, we can!" we'll say to ourselves, "Yes, we did!" Each one of you believed our country, the United States of America, one more time could build on the long struggles of the past, could overcome the hijacking of democracy that has taken place over the past 8 years, and could rise to greater heights than ever before. And, then you went out and did something about it. I'm proud of our positive, grassroots, bottom-up, hope-based campaign and grateful to each of you. So, from the bottom of my heart, I want to say "Thank you!"

Now, let's do what it takes to get the vote out!

All the best,

Owen

LA ELECTION DAY RESOURCES AND INFO

Lynda Woolard - New Orleans — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:39:19 EST

WHERE DO I VOTE?
There are several places to find out where you can vote on Tuesday, November 4th from 6AM to 8PM in Louisiana:

   1. http://www.voteforchange.com/
   2. https://pollinglocator.sos.louisiana.gov/
   3. call 877-662-4264 (Obama For America number)
   4. call 888-818-6249 (Louisiana Democratic Party number)
   5. call 866-OUR-VOTE (non-partisan back-up number)
   6. call your parish registrar of voters (find the number at www.geauxvote.com)

HOW DO I VOLUNTEER?
To join our Get Out The Vote canvassing army, contact your nearest office today and sign up for a shift:

   Obama For America Headquarters
   New Orleans Office    7821 1/2 Maple Street, New Orleans, LA 70118    504-376-6883
   Louisiana Democratic Party For Obama
   New Orleans Office    3604 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119    504-482-2937
   Baton Rouge Office   701 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802    225-336-4155
   Lafayette Office    601 Jefferson Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70501    337-272-9950
   Lake Charles Office    1820 Oak Park Blvd., Lake Charles, LA 70601    337-564-0482
   Lake Charles Field Office    2115 Moeling Street Suite B, Lake Charles, LA     337-433-8446
   Shreveport Field Office    520 Spring St, Suite A, Shreveport, LA 71101    318-221-7902
   Monroe Field Office    1215 Royal Street, Monroe, LA    318-322-8467
   Alexandria Field Office    1257 Mac Arthur Drive, Alexandria, LA 71301    318-619-8380
   Slidell Field Office    2143 1st Street, Slidell, LA     985- 326 - 5661
   Covington Field Office    215 E. Gibson Street, Covington, LA     985- 326 - 5661

To help give rides to the polls in Jefferson and Orleans Parish, contact Stacey today:

   Phone #: 504-482-2932
   Email:      stacey-paul@live.com
   Provide the following information:
        Name
        Phone #
        Hours Available on Nov. 4
        Area you live in
To help give rides to the polls in other parishes, contact your nearest Louisiana Democratic Party HQ today:
   http://www.lademo.org/ht/d/sp/i/1019226/pid/1019226

HOW DO I GET A RIDE TO THE POLLS?
Call 888-818-6249 (state-wide) and they will arrange to pick you up.

HOW DO I REPORT AN ELECTION PROBLEM?
You cannot be denied the right to vote. Do not leave the polls without voting! Call 1-800-432-4427 for assistance if someone tells you you cannot vote or if you experience any irregularities at your polling location.

   1. call 800-432-4427 (Counsel For Change)
   2. call 866-OUR-VOTE (non-partisan back-up number)
   3. report problems to http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/vpcreport

WHAT ARE MY VOTING RIGHTS?
Educate yourself on these issues so you can inform other voters of their rights. Let everyone know that they cannot be denied their right to vote on Tuesday, November 4th.

   1. Find answers to questions Louisiana voters may have -
   http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/superstarunderdogs/gGgkqD
   2. Find info dispelling some voting myths being circulated by the opposition -
   http://truth.voteforchange.com/

WHERE CAN I FIND SOME COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES TO SHARE WITH MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, CO-WORKERS AND CLASSMATES WHO REMAIN UNDECIDED?
Visit http://www.barackobama.com/issues/ for some quick reads on the issues... and print out answers or forward the link to undecided voters.

"Do not think for a moment that power concedes." It's up to us now. Let's go "all in"Louisiana.
Let's make it happen!

Lynda Woolard
New Orleans Field Representative
504-864-9207

KNOW YOUR VOTING RIGHTS LOUISIANA!

Lynda Woolard - New Orleans — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:21:41 EDT

THE LOUISIANA VOTING RIGHTS NETWORK*

(Louisiana Voter Protection Hotline # 800.432.4427)

WHERE DO I GO TO VOTE? Your polling place location may have changed. Go to www.voteforchange.com, call your Registrar or 866-OUR-VOTE to find out where to go.

WHEN DO THE POLLS OPEN AND CLOSE? The polls open at 6:00 am and close at 8:00 pm. The polls should be open continuously during this time period. If you are standing in line by 8:00 pm, you must be allowed to vote.

DO I NEED TO BRING AN ID? Election officials will ask you for identification. But you have the right to vote even without presenting qualifying photo ID. Voters with no photo ID must be allowed to vote after signing a Voter Identification Affidavit. On the affidavit, you will be asked to provide information that can be used to verify your identity, such as your date of birth, mother’s maiden name or other personal information that you provided at the time you registered to vote.

WHAT IF THEY SAY MY NAME IS NOT ON THE LIST? Ask the poll worker to check the “supplemental list” and to call the Registrar of Voters to verify your registration and confirm your polling place. But even if they can’t find you on the list, you have the right to ask for a PROVISIONAL BALLOT to vote for the federal races on the ballot (President, U.S. Senate, House of Representatives) if you declare that you are an eligible voter. You also have the right to call the Registrar’s office seven days after the election to verify whether your ballot was counted.

WHAT IF THEY TELL ME I’M AN “INACTIVE” VOTER? You have the right to vote if your name appears on the “inactive list” if you still live at the same address or in the same parish listed on your voter registration form. You must complete and sign an Address Confirmation Card that confirms your present address. If you established residency outside of the parish more than 3 months prior to the election, you must register and vote at your new address.

CAN I VOTE IF I AM STILL DISPLACED BY THE HURRICANES? YES! If you are still registered in the parish and have not registered to vote in another parish or state.

KNOW YOUR VOTING RIGHTS Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Election

WHAT IF THEY CHALLENGE MY RIGHT TO VOTE? If anyone challenges your right to vote, ask to speak to the Commissioner-in-Charge or call 866-OUR-VOTE. Find out why you are being challenged and provide information to the commissioners to support your eligibility. At minimum, you can also request a PROVISIONAL BALLOT. Never leave the polling place without either casting a ballot or getting a written explanation of why you were not allowed to vote.

CAN I GET ASSISTANCE AT THE POLLS? Voters who cannot read, are blind, or have another physical disability may need help casting their ballot. If you did not indicate your need to the Registrar at the time you registered to vote, you can receive assistance if you present a state-issued mobility impaired identification card on Election Day or provide a physician’s or optometrist’s certificate that verifies your disability and explains your need for assistance. Also, those voters who are visibly disabled can proceed to the front of the line. (Note that anyone can bring a child, aged 12 or younger into the voting booth.)

WHAT IF I ALREADY REQUESTED AN ABSENTEE BALLOT? You cannot be denied the right to vote for merely requesting an absentee ballot. The poll worker should know if your completed absentee ballot has been received by the Registrar’s Office. If it has not been received, you must be allowed to vote in person.

CAN I VOTE IF I HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY? If you were convicted of a felony you can vote after you complete of all periods of incarceration, probation or parole. In order to have your registration reinstated, you must appear in person at the Registrar’s Office and provide documentation from the Department of Corrections showing that your have completed all periods of incarceration, probation or parole.

WHAT IF I AM INTIMIDATED AT THE POLLS? You have the right not to be intimidated on the basis of your race, national origin or language minority status when seeking to cast your ballot. You also have the right to freely cast your ballot. In Louisiana, all law enforcement activity and electioneering is prohibited within a 600 feet radius of a polling place. Report any intimidating activity to 866-OUR-VOTE.

*The LOUISIANA VOTING RIGHTS NETWORK is a partnership of non-partisan, non-profit, local and national civil rights organizations working together to protect your right to vote.

QUESTIONS? ASK US OR CALL: 1-866-OUR-VOTE • 1-866-687-8683

Four for Four: The Change We Need, Louisiana

Lynda Woolard - New Orleans — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:37:12 EDT

GOTV Recruitment Project
October 29-31, 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We just completed our Early Vote Project in Louisiana and because of your participation over 264,000 voters state-wide have already weighed in on this historic election. Your efforts increased the number of voters that turned-out by over 5%. When you consider the point spread in the polls, such efforts could be enough to swing this election.

But our efforts need to be ramped up between now and the election. For the next week, we must gear up for our Get-Out-The-Vote efforts which will run in strong coordination with several groups state wide. This is going to be a massive ground operation unlike any other, but we need the troops.

In this installment of our volunteer projects we are asking that you all take an active role in encouraging your friends, family members or colleagues to volunteer in your local field office at least once between November 1-4. Our campaign will be hosting phone banks every day of our 4-day GOTV operation and will host a massive canvass on the day of the election. The idea behind this project is for you to help us fill 4 volunteer shifts to help us get the candidate we want for the next four years.

We are asking you to rise to a challenge once again to help carry this movement over the finish line for Senator Barack Obama.

Every day, Everywhere, Let’s win this together!
Thank you again!
Sincerely,
Kevin Brown
Louisiana Field Director
Obama-Biden For America

VOLUNTEER SHIFTS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2008

PHONE BANKING
Shift One: 9am-11am
Shift Two: 11am-1pm
Shift Three: 1pm-3pm
Shift Four: 3pm-5pm
Shift Five: 5pm-7pm
Shift Six: 7pm-9pm

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2008

PHONE BANKING
Shift One: 12-2pm
Shift Two: 2pm-4pm
Shift Three: 4pm-6pm
Shift Four: 6pm-8pm

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2008

PHONE BANKING
Shift One: 9am-11am
Shift Two: 11am-1pm
Shift Three: 1pm-3pm
Shift Four: 3pm-5pm
Shift Six: 7pm-9pm

ELECTION DAY: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008

PHONE BANKING
Shift One: 9am-11am
Shift Two: 11am-1pm
Shift Three: 1pm-3pm
Shift Four: 3pm-5pm
Shift Five: 5pm-7pm
Shift Six: 7pm-9pm

CANVASSING
Shift One: 10am-1am
Shift Two: 1pm-4pm
Shift Four: 4pm-7pm

Local Democratic Offices
New Orleans Headquarters    3604 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119    504-482-2937
Metro New Orleans Office    7821 1/2 Maple Street, New Orleans, LA 70118    504-376-6883
Baton Rouge Louisiana Democratic Party    701 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802    225-336-4155
Lafayette Office    601 Jefferson Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70501    337-272-9950
Lake Charles Office    1820 Oak Park Blvd., Lake Charles, LA 70601    337-564-0482
Lake Charles Field Office    2115 Moeling Street Suite B, Lake Charles, LA     337-433-8446
Shreveport Field Office    520 Spring St, Suite A, Shreveport, LA 71101    318-221-7902
Monroe Field Office    1215 Royal Street, Monroe, LA    318-322-8467
Alexandria Field Office    1257 Mac Arthur Drive, Alexandria, LA 71301    318-619-8380
Slidell Field Office    2143 1st Street, Slidell, LA     985- 326 - 5661
Covington Field Office    215 E. Gibson Street, Covington, LA     985- 326 - 5661

October 29
Find a person to fill a GOTV shift for either November 1st or 2nd
Their Name__________________________________
Their Number________________________________
Their Email__________________________________
Their Shift___________________________________

October 30
Find a person to fill a GOTV shift for November 3rd
Their Name__________________________________
Their Number________________________________
Their Email__________________________________
Their Shift___________________________________

October 31
Find a person to fill a phone bank shift for November 4th
Their Name__________________________________
Their Number________________________________
Their Email__________________________________
Their Shift__________________________________

Find a person to fill a canvass shift for November 4th
Their Name__________________________________
Their Number________________________________
Their Email__________________________________
Their Shift___________________________________

It is important at this point that you get this program back to your local office so we can contact these individuals about committing to their shifts. Without these individuals we will not have the extra capacity we need to get everyone to the polls that we need to turn out. Thank you for all of your hard work thus far! I hope you will stay on board for our last volunteer project before our historic election comes to a close.

Reply to: lynda.woolard@cox.net

Louisiana needs you now!

Beta_T — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:28:13 EDT

My fellow Obama supporters, the state of Louisiana need you right this minute, and you can help from where you are via the internet.

The Shreveport Times, a paper in North Louisiana endorsed Sen. Obama today. This is a major thing as Obama will surely lose Louisiana as it is a solid red state.

The comments readers are posting as a result of the endorsement are absolutely outrageous! I warn you it will make your blood boil. But please don't return with more incendiary posts. Instead read the endorsement and reply with calm thought provoking facts about why you are supporting Sen. Obama. Respond in the fashion that you know he would do.

Please do so immediately as others may read your responses and something in their hate filled hearts may change as they go to vote. You have done so much to get Sen. Obama this far, please do this one additional thing. (Continue reading to find out how to help)

Why Obama, a You Tube video teaching tool for Obama

Jill 4 Obama — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:50:55 EDT

Here is a great Obama tool to pass on to others.

Try using this "To the Point" video on You Tube for a simple Obama teaching tool:

Why Obama:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydiaaThq2LE

http://whyobamafilm.org/sources.html

Show 1 Reader Comment

My feel good moment for today

Beta_T — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:49:57 EDT

At 106 years old, this beautiful lady in Atlanta can say and vote for whomever she choose, and she chose Obama. It really made me smile, enjoy:

http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/politics/2008/10/18/lemon.106.year.old.voter.cnn

Let's get it straight from the person that said it... Obama!

Beta_T — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:51:43 EDT

I haven't blogged here in ages, too busy on the cyberspace front lines, LOL But I did want to share this in light of all of the Joe the Plumber spin going around today.

If you have not already seen it, PLEASE watch Obama's total unedited conversation with Joe, it is awesome!!!! Go Obama! You may want to email it to all you know to fight the republican spin which is VERY WRONG as you will see:

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6031110

I'm looking forward to 11/4/08 and I hope it will be the beginning to a long relationship with all of you wonderful Obama supporters!

Join list of women supporting Obama/Biden

Tamara — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:31:28 EDT

Next week the Obama campaign would like to roll out lists of hundreds
of thousands of American women -- homemakers, teachers/educators,
nurses, businesswomen (non-profit and profit), community organizers,
medical professionals, et al - who are willing to publicly endorse
Senators Obama and Biden as the next Democratic President and Vice
President of the United States.

This list, which will be made available to the media on request, will
illustrate the breadth and depth of support for these candidates among
American women across the country. Please send an e-mail - NOW - to
Katheryn Rosen with your name, profession, city, and state at
krosen@paforchange.com <mailto:krosen@paforchange.com> THEN , reach
out to at least* ten (10)* other women in your network,
by forwarding this message, ASAP.

Palin's Racist Attacks Help Show Her Supporters' True Colors

Ginny — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:31:14 EDT

Palin's recent attacks on Obama as someone who "palls around with terrorist" and who's "not like us" have been widely denounced as racially-motivated attacks aimed at driving home Obama's racial otherness. By hiding behind brief, past irrelevant associations of Obama, she can play on current race-based fears of terrorism and present Obama as a dangerous racial other without actually evoking his race. Palin's campaign can then feign innocence over the attacks and deny the racially-tinged fear that motivates them.

Luckily for Obama, her very own supporters expose the racist, bigoted, ignorant core of these not-so-subtle attacks.

At recent Palin rallies, as reported by the Washignton Post, her supporters not only shouted profanities at the media (I suppose in anger over Palin's supposed "unfair" treatment by them) but engaged in horrific behavior that exposed them for what they are--angry, racist individuals who share more in common with the KKK than with appropriately politically engaged citizens.

One Palin supporter apparently directed a racial slur at an African American sound technician for a media outlet and told him, "Sit down, boy." Even more disturbing, at least for Palin as potential vice-president, was her failure to censor the crowd, which reportedly chanted "terrorist" when she whipped them into a frenzy over her claims of Obama's ties to William Ayers, and at one point, resulted in a cry of "Kill him." Kill him. At a political rally for the presidency in 2008, a supporter cries out, "Kill him" about the first black candidate for president. And Palin does nothing.

I have a news flash for the McCain/Palin ticket and their rapidly declining supporters--this is 2008, not 1968.

We no longer live in a time where it is remotely acceptable to make racially-motivated attacks on people, or where it is acceptable to call openly in public for a political figure's assassination. We have as a country, thankfully, moved beyond that. The sacrifices of previous generations and people like Martin Luther King have brought us to this new place, and Obama's nomination and his eleven point lead in the polls show how successful they were. McCain/Palin represent the dinosaurs of the political landscape, relics from a past age where it was okay to call a black man "boy" or "that one." McCain has made it perfectly clear in the past two debates his distain for Obama, a distain that seems to come from no apparent place, and given the ugly, racist behavior of his own supporters and his running mates' desire to stir up that behavior, the only conclusion that one can reach is that McCain's distain for Obama is racially motivated as well.

As ugly as the McCain/Palin's supporters' behavior is, it at least exposes them and their candidates for what they are--out-of-touch, antiquated politicians who court racist, bigoted voters as their ticket to the White House. Luckily, their racist supporters are also a dying breed.

Negativity!!!!!!!!!

OAKLAND NATIVE — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:31:49 EDT

McCain-Palin campaign and there sleazy tactics will not work. They will backfire on the campaign for Republicans.

I believe OBAMA will surprise America and take Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia before it's all said and done. I believe this election will be a landslide for BARCK-BIDEN

One percent

Mike from Lansing, MI — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:54:04 EDT

1%, or 1 vote out of 100

There have been 12 Presidential elections that were decided by less than a 1% margin; meaning if less than 1% of the voters in certain states had changed their mind to the other candidate the outcome of the entire election would have been different. More than half were decided by less than a 2% margin.

In 2004,    57,787 votes would have given us President Kerry.
In 2000,    269 votes would have given us President Gore
In 1996,    575,515 votes would have given us President Dole.

From ABC News:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/scienceandsociety/2008/09/squeakers.html

==========
"Squeakers"
Ned Potter
ABC News
September 29, 2008

How close have Presidential elections been? Closer, perhaps, than we ever guessed. Mike Sheppard, a grad student in statistics at Michigan State, has done a mathematical exercise that shows it.

He ran a computer program to answer this question: "What is the smallest number of total votes that need to be switched from one candidate to another, and from which states, to affect the outcome of the election?"

The answer: in some years, very, very few. Take a look at his analysis HERE. It shows the powerful interaction between the popular vote and the electoral college.

[...]
==========

Full article here:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/scienceandsociety/2008/09/squeakers.html

Detailed analysis here, including colored maps:
https://www.msu.edu/~sheppa28/elections.html

-Mike Sheppard

30 Days to Change the World

Kevin Brown — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:08:19 EDT

Ladies and Gentlemen,

There are just over 30 days till the conclusion of this historic election. We have ramped up operations here in Louisiana and are working out of offices all across the state. I’m here to tell you about what we need to accomplish for Senator Obama here over the next 30 days to swing this state and how we can use your help. Let’s get right to it.

We plan on making over 300,000 calls to potential supporters in the next 30 days. It will be our ability to identify the support from these individuals and guarantee we turn them out to vote that will make all the difference in this election.

This time, in this election, it is going to take more from all of us. More action, more sacrifice, more dedication. But I believe we live in a time where the ability to do more comes more easily because of how badly we all seek the change we’ve been talking about.

Barack Obama’s campaign would not have seen all of its success if it wasn’t for the tremendous volunteer base that it has across the country. Just as the campaign has been driven by your success since the beginning, we need you to carry it over the finish line to the end.

Join us and volunteer today at your nearest field office and make all the difference:

New Orleans Downtown 3601 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119 --504-482-2937

Metro New Orleans Office: 7821 1/2 Maple Street, New Orleans, LA 70118 --504-376-6883

Baton Rouge LA Dem. Party: 701 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 --225-336-4155

Lafayette Office: 601 Jefferson Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70501 --337-272-9950

Lake Charles Office: 1820 Oak Park Blvd., Lake Charles, LA 70601 --337-564-0482

Lake Charles Field Office: 2115 Moeling Street Suite B, Lake Charles, LA -- 337-433-8446

Shreveport Field Office: 520 Spring St, Suite A, Shreveport, LA 71101 -- 318-221-7902

Monroe Field Office: 1215 Royal Street, Monroe, LA -- 318-322-8467

Alexandria Field Office: 1257 Mac Arthur Drive, Alexandria, LA 71301 -- 318-619-8380

Slidell Field Office: 2143 1st Street, Slidell, LA

Covington Field Office: 215 E. Gibson Street, Covington, LA

Contact your local office today and don’t forget to bring your family and friends!!

Thank You for Everything,

Kevin Brown

Louisiana Field Director

Obama For America

McCain's Entitlement Presidency

Ginny — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:32:14 EDT

Lots of people watching the debate Friday night came away thinking one thing--McCain is old. Of course, it's not like McCain's age was a secret. But it seemed like he was doing everything he could to remind the viewer of just how old he is. Jokes about his hearing aside, all answers led to his age. You want to know about my plans for the economy, let me tell you about the work I've done in the past. Foreign policy, you say. Let me tell you about when I started back in 1983. Preconditions? Did I ever tell you that Henry Kissinger and I are old friends? And on and on and on.

But the real issue with his constant references to his age, his experience, his past seemed to be his motivation for doing so. His platform seemed to be look at all I've done, I deserve the presidency. It wasn't, here's what I'll do for you as president, it was here's what I've done, don't you owe it to me? In fact, he seemed pretty annoyed that he had to even make an argument for his claim to the presidency and came off as a crotchety, old man who all but called Obama a young, whipper-snapper.

The irony of this platform for McCain is that he runs for the anti-entitlement party. The party that says, you the people aren't entitled to basic human needs, like healthcare, but guess what, I'm entitled to the presidency. I've put in my time (and then some) in Washington. You owe me. This election isn't about what I'm gonna do for you, it's about what you're gonna do for me. Even more, I'm gonna remind you constantly about my age so you'll realize that this might be your last chance to give me what I deserve. After all, I'm not getting any younger.

McCain's age and experience in general wouldn't be a negative for his campaign. In fact, it should be a positive. He should be able to argue, look, this is what I've done, what experience I have, and this is what this experience means I can do for you. But he hardly used the future tense at all in the debate. He consistently used the past tense ("I have always," "I went," "I looked," "I have spent"). Of course, if you're running an an entitlement platform, focusing on what you've done might be the way to go. it takes a lot of nerve, though, to argue that you're not entitled to things, but I am.

McCain should change his campaign slogan to "It's All about Me."

Dirty Tricks

Dr. Owen Scott, III — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:16:09 EDT

My wife and I are quintessential, older, over-educated, internet-connected, Kool-aid drinking, “Yes we can”-chanting, Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld-Gonzales-Rice hating progressive voters, the type the right likes to characterize as “elitists” even though we have friends from many cultures at all levels of society and they(our right-wing critics) only commune with the wealthy and privileged. Beginning with the Super Tuesday primaries, we have hosted a series of TV watching parties that continued through the primaries, the Obama-Clinton debates and the Democratic convention. We publicized the events through my.barackobama.com and by direct invitations to like- minded friends. Every get-together has been a delightful and stimulating experience where diverse people, many of whom we met for the first time when they knocked on our door, joined us in uninhibited expressions of enthusiasm and hope for a better USA. Each party had its own unique flavor, determined by the mix of people who happened to attend. We had several repeat visitors and many new faces on every occasion.

The debate last night between Barack Obama and John McCain was our first opportunity in a month to host a gathering on a major occasion in the Fall campaign. Following our usual procedure, we put up a notice on my.bo.com. With a limit of 25 people listed, a steady rate of people signing up built the number of online registrations to 12. Yesterday morning, I saw an email in my inbox from Amy, a neighbor in the next subdivision, who had noticed the Obama sign in our yard while walking down our street, read the event notice, figured out that the sign and the party belonged to the same household, and who wished to come to the party with her teenaged daughter. Amy mentioned that since the event was full, she would have to see us another time. I was surprised that we apparently had an influx of registrations at the last minute and I wrote Amy back asking her to come anyway and bring her daughter, too. Checking my event, I saw that someone had signed up with the intention of bringing 13 people, just enough to max out our party. That seemed odd, so I emailed the person and asked him to confirm the registration. Further checking of my inbox showed a letter from my.bo.com notifying me that someone had signed up for 10 or more spots at an event, triggering an automatic warning email. It dawned on me that the 13 person sign up was in all likelihood a dirty trick by a McCain operative to disrupt our event by preventing additional people from signing up! I deleted this person’s registration forthwith.

Perhaps this little Karl Rove-style tactic was relatively minor; seemingly it had minimal impact on our party. My new friend, Amy, from a few blocks away came with daughter, Morgan, and most of the other people who signed up made it by the time the debate was underway. Did anyone else besides my neighbor try to register after the trickster maxed out our registration? Who can say? But, what is clear is that this tactic reflects a dishonest, dishonorable, mean-spirited mindset among those who oppose Barack Obama. The aim of the dirty trick was to keep Obama supporters from getting together for an evening of sharing. Why do this? Perhaps they are afraid we will all pitch in some money and send it to our candidate. If that’s it, they could save their effort- we don’t use our parties as fund raising vehicles. I suspect that the fraudulent sign-up claiming that 13 people wish to attend was intended merely to keep a few people from joining us for fun and friendship. Lovely, isn’t it?

I have a motto, “Always a student, never a victim.” If you can learn something from an experience, then it wasn’t a failure or a defeat. Therefore, when I list our “Watch Sen. Biden put Sarah Palin back in the box where she belongs” debate watching party for next week, I’ll make the registration limit 50 people. Anyone signing up for 38 spots at the event will definitely get my attention.

Owen Scott, III, Baton Rouge

Bring on McCain!

Dr. Owen Scott, III — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:33:31 EDT

Flash: John McCain has decided to come to Oxford and debate Barack Obama, after all! Of course, "McNasty" might change his mind by 7PM but we'll just have to wait and see. Whatever the old boy does, Mary Lou and Owen will be hosting our get-together tonight starting around 6:30PM. Someone signed up for 13 people which caused the event to be listed as "full" on my.barackobama.com. I believe it was a bogus sign-up but I'm not sure. If anyone out there wants to come, we're glad to have you, regardless of what the event sign-up says. We will supply refreshments but you may bring a desert or snack food if you really want to.

Obama/Biden '08!

The Vast Difference between '04 and '08

Ginny — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:40:43 EDT

I attended my first meeting at the Obama campaign headquarters on Sunday night. Before I describe what it was like, let me tell you about my experiences volunteering for the Kerry campaign in '04.

My first meeting then was held at the local public library. In a room with about twenty or thirty chairs, a man stood at the front and addressed the about two-thirds full rows of chairs. He gave us information about the upcoming events in our area, about some volunteer opportunities, etc. After that, he thanked us and people left. I stayed after to talk to Lucy, the girl who seemed actually in charge of running the local campaign office, and told her I was interested in helping. We arranged for me to come in twice a week for a couple of hours to help her with administrative and office work at the tiny local democratic headquarters, where often Lucy and I would be the only ones there. So I did. Every week for about six weeks. It wasn't fun, it wasn't exciting, it was work. Work I did because I felt that my loathing of Bush meant that voting against him just wasn't enough. I had to doing something more, and being a poor graduate student, that something meant giving my time.

Of course, I lived in Kentucky then, hardly a battleground state. So it's hard to know whether the lack of energy and excitement was more a result of our circumstances (stuck in a firmly red state) or a reflection of the candidate's lack of real appeal. Probably, it was a mix of both. At any rate, it felt like we were all going through the motions, working on the campaign, feigning interest, and even managing what felt at the time like enthusiasm.

But now I know different. I've seen real political enthusiasm. I've been to an Obama meeting.

This time, a few things were different from '04. First, I had recently moved to a new state--Louisiana. And second, of course, we had a new candidate, a man who was vastly different and wildly more charismatic than Kerry. Even knowing those differences, though, I was shocked at how different this experience was.

Ten minutes before the meeting was to begin, I walked into the headquarters. Or at least I tried. I actually didn't get very far. The large room was already packed, with all the seats taken and people filling the room almost to the door. And as I stood there, near the entrance, people kept piling in.

Then, the meeting began. We heard from Rob, the guy in charge of Baton Rouge office, and Kevin, the state field director. And they had a plan. A plan for how Obama can win in Louisiana. A plan that they told us about in a way that was exciting and fun. A plan that they made us excited about. They inspired. I could see how Obama's inspirational message was a trickle down one, and it occurred to me that that is what great candidates do. Obama's tagline at the top of this website isn't just a message--it's real, and you just have to go to one of his meeting to understand it. As Kevin said that night, we may have walked in that door for Obama but we'll stay for each other.

I left that night "fired up," as they say. And unlike my previous experience working on a political campaign, I don't plan to put in a few hours a week and feel like my job is down. I want to help Obama win anyway I can. Because I'm willing to bet that any candidate who can run such an amazing, people-focused campaign is going to do one hell of a job running the country.

History Tells Us What Republican Policy Does to the Economy

Eulis Simien — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:09:39 EDT

If we go back to 1989, the federal government had to create the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) to clean up the mess in the savings and loan industry. This came in the second term of our then Republican President and following several other terms of Republican control of the White House (except for one term of Jimmy Carter). It also followed the Republican philosophy and policies that led to greater deregulation of that industry.

Well, here we are again. In the second term of a Republican President with unprecedented deregulation of Wall Street and similar industries, we have a huge mess again. The government has already had to pick up the pieces. There is more to come. This and the rest of the costs will, if we continue the Republican deficit spending approach, be at the expense of future tax payers since we are only spending into additional debt. The only difference between this bail out and the RTC bailout is that in the former the government was able to make a profit on the RTC deal. This resulted from the fact that there were assets to put into the bailout project (homes). Here, there will be no property to put into the deal. Of course, we must now salvage salvaging the economy from the disastrous deregulation policies of the Republicans, but it would be better not to put ourselves in this position.

When will we learn. As Einstein said, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.

What's the difference between Sarah Palin and George Bush?

Lynda Woolard - New Orleans — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:12:29 EDT

Lipstick.

Message from Louisiana Field Director

Kevin Brown — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:15:19 EDT

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The time has come for ramping up efforts here in the state of Louisiana. We have closed the gap on the republican lead and are ready to capitalize and bring a win here in Louisiana.

Every success we have had on this campaign has been based on one thing...VOLUNTEERS! This movement has been driven by your efforts since the beginning and it is what will take us over the finish line in November. We don't have much time left and we want to get you involved.

It will take more than ever, working smarter than ever to make it happen here in Louisiana but we can do it! Join us in this exciting opportunity to shock the world and turn the Bayou Blue!

Please coordinate your efforts with the Obama staff and join us in bringing about the change we seek!

Every day, everywhere, let's do this together!

Please contact me at kevinbrown.obamafr@gmail.com - subject line "Bayou Blue" to get connected into the campaign, don't forget to let us know what part of the state your in!!!

Thank You!

Kevin Brown
Louisiana Field Director

What the McCain Campaign Has Reduced this Election To...

Chanel for Obama — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:05:36 EDT

Palin is not the pig

Dr. Owen Scott, III — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:28:19 EDT

Bush/Cheney is the pig. Palin is the lipstick.

Baton Rouge Gustav Evacuee update (letter to Jan)

Dr. Owen Scott, III — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:45:49 EDT

Hi, Jan,

Sorry to take so long responding. Well, it was worse than I expected in Baton Rouge due to high winds blowing over power transmission towers and knocking down a whole lot of big trees. My oldest daughter, Jenny, came up from New Orleans and stayed with me- Mary Lou and my middle daughter, Lauren, left ahead of the storm to drive up to Middlebury, VT where Lauren is going back to school this week. Our power went out Monday and I had no way to get on the internet until Thursday when I arrived here in Athens, GA to visit my Mom and third daughter, Mo, and practice with my new band! The three days w/o power weren't too bad all things considered. But now I'm enjoying a/c, being able to charge my cell phone, and being around people with positive attitudes. Thanks for your concern. It's been so chaotic that I haven't read your essay, yet; but, I will soon. And, yes, I did hear the Barracuda's speech on the radio. I think Barracuda is a pretty good name for her and she is a lot like Bush/Cheney with a bun. Please, God, don't let her get anywhere near the Oval
Office!

Love,

Owen

PS My band has a firm date to play at an upscale Athens Club
called the "Melting Point" on Jan 17, 2009. Wanna come?

Cindy and Palin Disagree on Abortion

Diana Hamilton LC, LA 70605 — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:15:15 EDT

The “no surrender” warrior John McCain surrendered to the agents of intolerance not just by dumping his pal for Palin but by moving so far to the right on abortion that even Cindy McCain seemed unaware of his radical shift when being interviewed by Katie Couric last week.

See the video by clicking on the link below.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/03/eveningnews/main4413606.shtml

Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton

Diana Hamilton LC, LA 70605 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:03:53 EDT

Hillary,

For the Republicans to think that Sarah Palin could replace you in the hearts and minds of your supporters is shameful. I personnaly apologize to you, for any woman who falls for this political pandering by John McCain. In my opinion, they never really knew who you were and what you stood for. Their support of Palin would be a betrayal to all of the women (both Democrats and Republicans) who have worked tirelessly and sacrificed much for their beliefs and dedication to America. I hope that you realize that I and many others support and appreciate you because of your lifelong commitment and devotion to America. Your being a woman is an additional benefit.

Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton!!!

Palin Was a Director of Embattled Sen. Stevens's 527 Group

Diana Hamilton LC, LA 70605 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:41:26 EDT

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/01/palin_was_a_director_of_embatt.html

Video - Palin asks "What does a VP do?

Diana Hamilton LC, LA 70605 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:31:34 EDT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=006axc2aELE

Scandal-plagued Alaska Senator Ted Stevens endorsed Palin in 2006

Diana Hamilton LC, LA 70605 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:49:09 EDT

Palin Ad Starring Ted Stevens Already Scrubbed From Palin's Campaign WebsiteBy Greg Sargent - August 29, 2008, 1:58PM

That was quick. This morning, an ad from Sarah Palin's 2006 gubernatorial campaign featuring an endorsement from scandal-plagued Alaska Senator Ted Stevens was available on Palin's campaign Web site.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nTX-oJUCaU

Hurricane Gustav Call to Action

Candice Dixon — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 11:23:26 EDT

Since his DNC speech in 2004, Barack Obama has charged us to believe in the spirit of E pluribus unum, Out of many, one. "It's that fundamental belief I am my brothers keeper, I am my sisters keeper, that makes this country work."

In that same spirit, I urge you to volunteer to help our fellow Americans as we face Hurricane Gustav. I signed up online to volunteer at 3am and received a phone call at 8am to volunteer at the PMAC on LSU's campus.

Please take a moment to go to https://www.lava.dhh.louisiana.gov/

You may also visit http://emergency.louisiana.gov/ for more information.

E pluribus unum... Will you help your fellow Americans?

Go to http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gplg4d and let me know if you choose to volunteer.

Barack Obama's Executive Experience

Jan Wilson — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:01:48 EDT

Republicans are claiming that Sarah Palin has MORE experience than Barack Obama, and that he has no executive experience at all.

Any US Senator has some executive experience, even if it is only running their own Senatorial staff. But perhaps the best answer to "lack of executive experience" is Obama's Presidential campaign.

Barack has managed an absolutely outstanding campaign. Any reasonable person would note that the Obama campaign has been far better organized and effective than ANY other candidate this election cycle. Some would say "almost flawless".

As its manager, Barack has shown exceptional organizational skills, handling not only crises, but day-to-day operations involving over a million people. All that while logging 18-hour days with very little time off. The skills shown during this campaign are the closest anyone gets to the actual skills of being President.

Now, someone who had been Governor of California or New York or another very large (in population) state might make a case for demonstrating those skills. But Alaska has the 4th smallest population in the US. Only Wyoming, Vermont, and North Dakota have smaller populations (and those not by much). Hawaii has almost twice as many people.

Another flash ... Obama has been running this campaign for about the same amount of time as Palin has been Governor of Alaska. Her experience before that was minimal (mayor of a very small town, mostly).

Most of us assume that John McCain had plenty of executive experience in the Navy. Having served 7 years as an officer in the Air Force I can attest to the fact that military officers are taught a lot about management. But I was in aircraft maintenance ... the pilots whose planes my people were fixing weren't getting much management experience. They would, of course, when they got to be higher ranking, like during the years when John McCain would have been in management positions ... except that he was a POW during that time. He did have at least one command after he returned from his experience but since his military records are sealed we don't really know how well he did.

My point is that when comparing experience we should compare apples to apples. Obama has demonstrated during the past 20 months that he HAS the skills necessary to be President. During the same time McCain has failed to show impressive leadership skills. And comparing Obama's experience to Palin's is pretty ridiculous. Moreover, while she will be vetted to some degree, there is no way for her to demonstrate that she has what it takes to be President in the two months remaining before the election.

Hillary Clinton- Unity

OAKLAND NATIVE — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:01:42 EDT

Say what you will, I did not support Hillary Clinton during the Primary season. However, I believe she did an excellent job tonight. I think we should some more unity towards the Democratic Party to show we are united. She is not on the ticket and endorsed him whole heartedly tonight. I challenge all those who support Obama up to 18million to show more unity by donating just one dollar to Senator Clinton to pay down her debt. This is something her own supporters could have done, but haven't. I went to hillaryclinton.com and donated $10.00 tonight. Will you do the same???????

Are you ready for this?

Dr. Owen Scott, III — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:47:34 EDT

Good morning, Obama fanatics!

Are you pumped today by Barack's choice of Joe Biden as his VP choice? Can you feel the excitement as the Olympics close and the Democratic Party Convention opens for some serious business? Are you like us, planning to watch every night for the build-up to Barack's speech on Thursday night? Get you Obama gear together, pull out your cookbook, and fasten your seatbelts for the Barack Obama Democratic Convention History Watching Heritage Potluck Dinner!

Mary Lou asks that you email her (mkelley@lsu.edu) to let her know what you plan to bring. We will have beer and wine for those who indulge (as well as our own surprise heritage celebratory beverage of choice).

And wear something flashy because we will be taking pictures and sending them to the Obama campaign!

Can we do it? YES WE CAN!

Owen and Mary Lou

PS We've opened up a few extra slots for guests if you want to bring or invite anyone.

Joe is the one!

Dr. Owen Scott, III — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:59:38 EDT

Barack showed his wisdom and insight once more in choosing a running mate for substance over regional appeal. Joe Biden is experienced, astute, likeable, passionate, and he knows how many houses he owns. Fasten your seat belts and let the passion begin.

The McCain Logic

Diana Hamilton LC, LA 70605 — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:45:43 EDT

I had a by-pass surgery. I am now qualified to be the Chief of surgery at Mount Sinai.

I lived on a roof after Katrina for 3 days. I am now qualified to be the Director of the Red Cross.

I was hit from behind by a drunk driver. I am now qualified to lead scientific research on alcoholism.

The Google Tour of McCain Homes

Diana Hamilton LC, LA 70605 — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:25:49 EDT

Inspired by the McCains' failure to pay taxes on their beach-front California condo, Jed Lewison of The Jed Report takes us on a Google Earth tour of the many McCain residences.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/01/the-mccain-residences-a-g_n_110118.html

Profile: Melody Barnes, Senior Domestic Policy Advisor

Suzanne Charle' — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:35:49 EDT

WOMEN FOR CHANGE: Senior Domestic Policy Advisor Melody Barnes

This is the second in a series profiling women in key positions with the Obama campaign.

In July, Melody Barnes, 44, joined the Obama campaign as Senior Domestic Policy Advisor. Prior to that, Melody was executive vice president for policy at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C. As chief counsel to Senator Edward Kennedy (1995-2003) Barnes, who received her J.D. from the University of Michigan, focused on civil rights, women’s health and reproductive rights, and religious liberties.

You have worked in Washington for much of your career. Have you ever worked on a campaign before?

This is the first time I’ve ever worked seriously on a campaign. When I was eight, I sold cupcakes to support the McGovern campaign. When I worked for Senator Kennedy, I would go out on election day, but that was it. I’ve always enjoyed politics and policy, but I focused on the legislative process. I never planned to get involved in a campaign.

What made you change your mind?

I was drawn to Barack Obama’s campaign for the presidency because of his policy ideas, and because he feels strongly that people can be a force for change in government.

I spoke with him in January 2007, one-on-one, and he talked about things I hadn’t heard a Presidential candidate say since I’ve been old enough to vote. He energizes and empowers people to believe that they can make a difference. This obviously comes from his experience as a grass roots organizer.

With serious problems like climate change and a massive deficit, it’s very easy for voters to feel that it’s all too much, that “I can’t do anything,” and so they disengage. Obama speaks movingly about how people can be engaged. As someone who has worked in government, that is meaningful to me.

My Response To Howard Wolfson's What If

Lynda Woolard - New Orleans — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:08:37 EDT

Howard Wolfson suggests that if John Edwards had confessed his affair with his videographer sooner, Hillary might have won Iowa and therefore the Democratic nomination.

If we're going to get in the Way Back Machine and play this game, I would like to suggest to Mr. Wolfson that if Bill Clinton had confessed his affair with his young White House intern sooner, President Clinton would never have been elected to a second term and Hillary would likely not even be a US Senator right now.

Predicting the past is a rather futile business, isn't it? Hell of a way to make a living.

Now, That is Change We Can Count On

Eulis Simien — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:35:31 EDT

According to the Associated Press, Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, who opposes abortion rights is scheduled to speak at the Democratic Convention on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Even though Barack Obama strongly supports abortion rights, he has recognized that his position is not a universally accepted position in our Party. As such, this nominating convention will reach out to abortion opponents with a featured speaker and its party platform.

Why won't Republicans leave Iraq???

Diana Hamilton LC, LA 70605 — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:04:09 EDT

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,401124,00.html

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told reporters that American and Iraqi negotiators were "very close" to reaching a long-term security agreement that will set the rules for U.S. troops in Iraq after the U.N. mandate expires at the end of the year.

Zebari said the Iraqis were insisting that the agreement include a "very clear timeline" for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces, but he refused to talk about specific dates.

"We have said that this is a condition-driven process," he added, suggesting that the departure schedule could be modified if the security situation changed.

But Zebari made clear that the Iraqis would not accept a deal that lacks a timeline for the end of the U.S. military presence.

"No, no definitely there has to be a very clear timeline," Zebari replied when asked if the Iraqis would accept an agreement that did not mention dates.

How is John McCain's Affair Different from John Edwards'?

Diana Hamilton LC, LA 70605 — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:26:05 EDT

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/why-doesnt-john-mccains-a_b_117811.html

...

Does John Edwards care less about poor people today than he did yesterday? Would his affair lead him to change his position on NAFTA? How would it alter his policy on Iran?

...

Now, we get to the most relevant question - if John Edwards' political career is done, why isn't John McCain's? John McCain had a well-documented affair on his first wife, with his current wife. He has admitted in the books he has written about his life that he ran around with several different women while still married to his first wife. And don't forget that he left her for a younger, richer woman - multi-millionaire Cindy Hensley who is now Cindy McCain - after she had been severely hurt in a car accident.

So, why are McCain's actions any more excusable than Edwards'? Because it was thirty years ago? Does that wash it away? Will we be fine with Edwards running for office again in a couple of years because then it will all be in the past? What is the statute of limitations on an affair?

...

Pro-Life Democrats -- Yes, We Do Exist

Eulis Simien — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 10:57:26 EDT

There are many of us who do not believe that the Constitution overrides the power of the states to ban abortion but who are still very avid Democrats. Like many of us, I believe that the policies and initiatives (economic, social, environmental, etc.) of the Democratic Party are more pro-life than the policies of those who simply rail about the injustice of abortion but turn a blind eye to the injustice visited upon so many once they are born. I have started a blog site for any who want to join in this discussion. The link is below:

http://democrats4life.blogspot.com/

White supremecists hope Obama win promts backlash

Tamara — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:38:17 EDT

I can not believe this is for real! White supremecists supporting Barack in hopes of increasing "white power". If racists were really supporting Obama, there would be no contest in the upcoming election. Read for yourselves here: http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/26418734.html

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS -Associated Press writer

Published: Aug 8, 2008 - UPDATED: 10:53 a.m

PEARL, Miss. (AP) -- They're not exactly rooting for Barack Obama, but prominent white supremacists anticipate a boost to their cause if he becomes the first black president. His election, they say, would trigger a backlash - whites rising up, a revolution of sorts - that they think is long overdue.

He'd be a "visual aid," says former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, in trying to bring others around to their view that whites have lost control of America. Obama's election, says another, would jar whites into action, writing letters, handing out pamphlets rather than sitting around complaining.

While most Americans have little or no direct contact with white supremacists, organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center keep close tabs; the law center estimates some 200,000 people nationwide are active in such groups. These observers think the prospect of a white revolution is fantasy.

White supremacists - many call themselves nationalists or "White activists," with a capital W - have had limited political success: Duke served in the Louisiana Legislature. And the public has periodically been unsettled by their public events, like the effort by uniformed Nazis to march through Skokie, Ill., the annual Aryan Nations meetings in Idaho and elsewhere or the FBI's clashes with armed white supremacists in several Western compounds.

Richard Barrett is a 65-year-old lawyer who traveled the country for 40 years advocating what he perceives as the white side in racial issues - like his January rally in Jena, La., to support a white teenager who hung a noose in a school yard.

Barrett is convinced Democrat Obama will defeat Republican John McCain in November.

And that could cause an upheaval, Barrett, a leader in the Nationalist Movement, told The Associated Press in an interview at his rural Mississippi home.

"Instead of this so-called civil rights bill, for example, that says you have to give preferences to minorities, I think the American people are going - once they see the 'Obamanation' - they're going to demand a tweaking of that and say, 'You have to put the majority into office,'" Barrett said.

Across the United States, some white supremacists are saying an Obama presidency could create a racial backlash that will give their groups a boost.

Barrett is evasive about his ideology and tries to keep reporters from using "buzz words" to describe him. He doesn't call himself a white supremacist, although the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center do.

The law center tracks the Nationalist Movement, the Klan and like-minded groups from its Montgomery, Ala., headquarters. The center's "Hatewatch" newsletter reported in June that some neo-Nazis, Klansmen and anti-Semites are saying an Obama presidency could prompt a race war, which many on the "radical right" believe whites would win.

Although not all white supremacists agree, "large numbers of these people really seem to think that an Obama election would benefit them hugely," Mark Potok, the center's intelligence director, said in an interview. He called that view "essentially a fantasy."

Duke, the former Klan leader, posted an essay on his Web site in June titled, "Obama Wins Demo Nomination: A Black Flag for White America."

Obama "will be a clear signal for millions of our people," Duke wrote. "Obama is a visual aid for White Americans who just don't get it yet that we have lost control of our country, and unless we get it back we are heading for complete annihilation as a people."

Jason Robb, a Harrison, Ark., attorney who represents the Klan's Knights Party, describes himself as a "white nationalist."

"It doesn't really matter if Obama wins the election or McCain wins the election," Robb said in an interview. "Neither of them are going to try to fight to preserve the white race or heritage."

Robb said, however, that Obama's election could prompt more whites to get involved in politics by distributing pamphlets or writing letters to editors.

Although the South has had more racial violence than most of the country, Randy Blazak, a sociology professor at Oregon's Portland State University, says white supremacists live all over the United States. Blazak, who has studied skinheads for two decades, calls white supremacists a counterculture, not a movement, contending the latter term overstates their numbers.

Blazak said white supremacists thrive on fear of changing race relations, the women's movement and gay rights. Blazak said white working class people in particular long for a "Leave It To Beaver" society.

"Those were the 'good old days' for straight, white males. But for everyone else, it was a pretty raw deal," Blazak said.

Barrett, a New York City native who moved to Mississippi in 1966, said the Nationalist Movement has members in 36 states, but he won't say how many. He compares today's skinheads to the minutemen of the American Revolution.

"The Revolution, if you will, in 1776 brought the 13 colonies together against the king. And the same thing can happen now against Martin Luther King, with the 50 states," Barrett said, if Obama's elected.

Barrett says he is a Democrat but won't say whether he's voting for Obama. He'll only say he won't support McCain, Libertarian Bob Barr or independent Ralph Nader.

Charles Evers, brother of Medgar Evers, the Mississippi NAACP leader killed by a sniper in 1963, chuckles when told about Barrett's assertions.

"See, Richard doesn't really mean what he says. It's popular for him to say it. That's the way he makes a living," said Evers, who hosts a talk show on WMPR-FM in Jackson. "Same as Jesse Jackson, some more of our black revolutionaries who make a living off of keeping things emotional."

Although a longtime Republican, Evers supports Obama. He says the Democrat is more qualified than McCain.

Evers, whose office has photos of him with Robert Kennedy, Richard Nixon, George W. Bush and other politicians, said he sees broad, multiracial support for Obama, even in parts of the South where the white establishment dug in to try to preserve racial segregation decades ago.

"I think we're past that stage," Evers said. "I don't think the majority of white people are thinking that way anymore."

Kim Edwards of Matteson, Ill., a black woman who traveled to Mississippi with a racially mixed group so her son could play in a baseball tournament, is more skeptical. Edwards worries that extremists want Obama to be elected so they can assassinate him.

"I'm really concerned for his safety," said Edwards, who plans to vote for Obama. "I'm concerned that once he gets in office that he won't be recognized as an American president."

However, former Mississippi Gov. William Winter, a white Democrat who served on President Clinton's commission on racial reconciliation, doesn't foresee widespread white backlash if Obama is elected.

"We are a diverse country," said Winter, who supports Obama. "We are made up of people of every conceivable racial background."

History and heritage potluck dinner

Dr. Owen Scott, III — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:05:32 EDT

You may have received an event notice for a convention watching party at our (Mary Lou Kelley and Owen Scott) house on Thursday August 28 at 6:30PM. That's the night Barack Obama will make history when he accepts the Democratic Party nomination for President of the USA! To celebrate the occasion, we are inviting all Obama supporters who can make it to join us for a heritage potluck dinner. What that is, is a dinner where you bring a dish reflecting your cultural heritage, whatever it may be. We hope to have many different ethnic, religious, national, and what-have-you represented. Mary Lou and Owen have hosted quite a few primary watching parties this year and every one of them has been a special time for those who came. Don't be shy and don't let your intertia or social phobia get the best of you: Come celebrate with us!

BARACK THE VOTE IN '08!

McCain Needs to Get to Work on Straight Talking

Eulis Simien — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:38:05 EDT

I knew I would have serious disagreements with Senator McCain on policy issues. However, I at least thought (hoped), this would be a good campaign. It is obvious that he just wants to do the same old politics. We have got to find a way to combat this sort of negativity that all too many voters will buy into and keep our voters motivated.

For a good video on how Senator McCain is being a "little" less than straight in his talk, go to http://www.moveon.org/r?r=4015&id=13414-9701655-E68aC8x&t=3.

Voter Registration Canvass- Thursday August 7th

Rob Henig — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:52:11 EDT

We're getting the official Obama Baton Rouge Campaign up and running! Please come and be a part of our efforts to increase the voter rolls here in Baton Rouge. This is our only path to victory, so come and be a part of this historic campaign.

We're meeting at the Louisiana Democratic Party Headquarters.

701 Government St (at Napolean St, across from the McDonald's in downtown BR)

5:00pm-7:30pm

If you'd like to come or have any questions, email or call me: rshenig@gmail.com/ 504-256-9673

thanks,

Rob

Keep the Momentum Alive

Eulis Simien — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:57:21 EDT

Now that we have settled into general election, we have to make sure that we keep voters motivated. In this give and take process, we have to guard against voters becoming disenchanted. This is a particular risk among some of Senator Obama's core groups. We have got to continue to generate excitement to win this election.

Wal-Mart Warns of Democratic Win

Diana Hamilton LC, LA 70605 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:24:31 EDT

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121755649066303381.html?mod=hpp_us_whats_news

Wal-Mart Warns of Democratic Win

By ANN ZIMMERMAN and KRIS MAHER
August 1, 2008; Page A1

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is mobilizing its store managers and department supervisors around the country to warn that if Democrats win power in November, they'll likely change federal law to make it easier for workers to unionize companies -- including Wal-Mart.

In recent weeks, thousands of Wal-Mart store managers and department heads have been summoned to mandatory meetings at which the retailer stresses the downside for workers if stores were to be unionized.

What Does John McCain Have in Common with Every Other Recent Republican Nominee

Eulis Simien — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:49:53 EDT

Dirty Politics.

John McCain said that he wanted a clean campaign. But, when it looks like he is behind (and he is), he resorts to the same old politics. There is absolutely no substance to the recent Paris and Britney commercial. He is not simply trying to make a point about popularity. If he were, he picked the work celebrities. They are not very popular. It is obvious by the selection, he is picking very troubled celebrities to make the comparison. His is just another misguided effort at scare politics. We have to keep our supporters mobilized, because unfortunately, John McCain knows these type of scare politics work.

Shout out for Yo

Dr. Owen Scott, III — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:24:52 EDT

Mary Lou and I met Yohance "Yo" Simon during Don Cazayoux's successful special election campaign for a seat in the US House of Representatives. Yo was easy to spot, a big, handsome, athletic black guy with shaven head, big smile, upbeat attitude, and boundless enthusiasm. He told us he came down from Indiana after economic conditions led to the loss of his job as a corporate recruiter. He followed his passion and got hired by the Democratic National Committee to assist candidates running for office in Louisiana. We invited Yo over to watch primary results and struck up a great relationship as his home away from home surrogate parents. Now, Yo has been hired by the Obama campaign to coordinate activities in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he got his degree from ISU. He's happy to be going back to a familiar place and to be working directly for his hero (and ours), Barack Obama. We'll miss you, Yo, but we're happy for you, too. You know where to find us when you're passing through Baton Rouge- sitting in the family room watching Countdown with Keith Olbermann!

Barack the Vote,

Owen

Check out Yo's myspace page and read his blog "Mama I'm comin' home."

http://www.myspace.com/yosimon1

plans for aug 28th

artis - a blue soul in a red land — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:48:54 EDT

My Dear Fellow Obamanics,

On August 28th, Barack Hussien Obama will accepted the nomination of the Democratic Party for President of the United States of America, in front of 75,000+ in Denver. Since i can't be there, I think the next best thing would be have speech watching party. So if anyone want to help plan a party in monroe, let me know. and if not in Monroe, La Go ahead plan your own shigdig wherever you are.

Thank You

Artis T Wilson

Michelle Obama Makes Vanity Fair Best Dressed List...

Chanel for Obama — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:50:47 EDT

Click here to see who else made the list.

Overseas Trip a Great Success

Eulis Simien — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:37:59 EDT

There are those who will use the success of Senator Obama's trip as a wedge and argue it simply shows that he is not focused on the problems in this country or that it is further evidence of elitism. However, what is really shows is that the world is ready for this country to have a real leader again. The world, like a majority of us, is tired of the way the executive branch has turned this country into one that acts in disregard of and with disrespect for the rest of the world. The time has come for the US, while recognizing its role as the lone super power (at least militarily if not economically) in the world. However, with that role comes the responsibility to act with prudence and justice, not just act because we can get away with it. I think the rest of the world sees that this change can be realized with Senator Obama in the Whitehouse. What a rally, 200,000 in Berlin. We have just got to keep all our troops focused and keep the excitement level up so that the vote will turn out so that we can all stop calling him Senator and use another title.

WONDERFUL OBAMA VOLUNTEERS!!!

Lynda Woolard - New Orleans — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:17:55 EDT

Hi Everybody!

It's busy days in Obama-land. Only 3 months to accomplish all that must be done before election day.

Please keep checking for opportunities to volunteer for Barack at:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_simple

And please continue to host house meetings and plan your own outreach events. Join in registering new voters whenever you can... keep your forms handy so you never miss the opportunity to give one to an unregistered voter.

Whatever time you have to devote to this, be it one hour a month or every hour for the next 3 months, WE NEED YOU! And even when you don't have time to volunteer, you can still be a walking promotion for our candidate... wear your Obama buttons, change your outgoing phone message to say you support Obama, order support packs from the Obama store whenever you make a donation so you can pass out Obama gear to your friends and coworkers.

This is history of the highest order and the clock is ticking! I am unwilling to wake up on November 5th to a world without a President Obama where I can say there was another second I could have worked, another cent I could have donated, another word I could have spoken or another step I could have taken to have made that happen.

While the grassroots activism that has sprouted from this campaign cannot just end with a win on November 5th, we will at least be afforded the luxury of working at a more leisurely pace after that day. But until then it is go time! All hands on deck!

You need not ask what you can do for your country... THIS IS IT!

Press Might Be Present But Coverage Not All Favorable

Eulis Simien — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:40:43 EDT

I am getting tired of hearing the press say that Senator Obama's trip is to "bolster" his foriegn policy credentials. That has the very negative connotation of this being simply a political ploy. Before long, the electorate will (and some have already) be buying into this. What should be reported is that this is a trip designed to allow the Democratic nominee to get a first hand look at one of the most critical issues facing our nation (second in the minds of voters only to the economy and high fuel costs).

McCain, Abortion, and Political Expedience

Eulis Simien — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:29:48 EDT

No matter which side of the abortion debate you are, on if it is possible for you to do so, please join the Platform Writing Event -- Role of Pro-Life Democrats to suggest inclusive language that recognizes that there are principled difference between pro-choice and pro-life democrats but that we all believe in the same socio-economic principles. It will be held in Baton Rouge on July 27 at 3:00 p.m. For more details and to sign up, go to:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4gv3z

Many Stated Pro-Life Republicans Are Not Committed

Eulis Simien — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:47:37 EDT

Those of us who are Pro-Life Democrats understand that the Republican opposition to abortion is often more political expedience than principle. In an August 22, 1999 interview Senator McCain expressed support for overturning Roe v. Wade, but noted that doing so immediately"would condemn young women to dangerous and illegal operations". That could still be seen as a principled statement, but recognition of practical reality. However, during the 2000 campaign, McCain waffled on the issue. Just two days prior to the August 22 interview, in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, McCain said that he "would not support repeal of Roe vs. Wade". Specifically, he said, "I’d love to see a point where [Roe v. Wade] is irrelevant, and could be repealed because abortion is no longer necessary. But certainly in the short term, or even in the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe vs. Wade." That position is no different than the most ardent pro-choice Democrats. If there is one thing we can all agree on is that very few people support abortion. There are those who strenuously support the right of a woman to choose, but would just as strongly hope that "abortion is no longer necessary". Now, it is not longer politically expedient for Senator McCain to oppose "repeal" of Roe v. Wade. In fact, as the presumptive nominee of the Republican party, McCain (ignoring is earlier concern for young woman undergoing "dangerous and illegal operations" he argues on his website that it "must be overturned" to restore "constitutional balance".

When Senator McCain’s positions on this issue (as with many others) are reviewed, it is clear that he has no clear stated position and we are left guessing as to what his position (like so many other Pro-Life Republicans) truly is.

I am a Pro-Life Democrat because support of life should not end at birth. It should be reflected in our social, economic, justice, taxing, etc. policies. Those polices should be aimed at a more just and equitable distribution of the wealth of this great country and a better life for all of our citizens.

Yes We Can... Raise More Money Than McCain

Lynda Woolard - New Orleans — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:02:03 EDT

Per MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25715558/)

June Numbers:
Obama: $52 mil
McCain: $22 Mil
RNC: $26 Mil
DNC: $22.4 Mil

Cash on Hand:
Obama + DNC: $92.3 Mil
McCain + RNC: $95 Mil

We’re catching up!

Register for Change Bus Tour

Tamara — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:40:04 EDT

Can anyone from the Baton Rouge list confirm this event? I received this from someone from the Lousiana for Obama list. The sign up link is for the event in New Orleans. Thanks.

Tamara

[LouisianaforObama] Baton Rouge Campaign for Change Kickoff

Register for Change Bus Tour

Governor Howard Dean will lead a national grassroots voter registration effort on a three-day cross-country Register for ChangeBus Tour. The tour builds on the success of the 50-State Strategy aswell as Senator Barack Obama's commitment to run a 50-state campaignfor the presidency, and the belief that if Democrats show up and askfor peoples' votes, we can win anywhere.
Baton Rouge Campaign for Change Canvass Kickoff

New Hope Baptist Church Parking Lot
5856 Greenwell Springs Road
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Saturday, July 19, 2008
2:00PM -- 3:15PM
sign up for Louisana for Obama: http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/LouisianaforObama

Looking for HQ in Monroe

artis - a blue soul in a red land — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:42:35 EDT

I just looking for any news about a headquarter in Monroe, La. If anyone know anything, please let me know.

Thank you,

artis

Response to Bill Phillips "Big Oil" Rant

Vic — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:15:48 EDT

Wow...this guy had too much coffee! The historic nature of this election (potential first female pres, first black pres, oldest pres) has energized the masses and brought loads of people back into the political fold after lying dormant for years. People are excited about the process...still a bit disgruntled...but they are speaking out and that's good for our system. Problem is, most folks speak out of turn and with only partial information. NPR did an expose yesterday on the evolving conflict b/t Hispanics and African-Americans in New Orleans as both groups compete for low wage-earning jobs in a city stricken with poverty, crime and corrupt government. Both sides expressed contempt for one another, as each would appear to be further perpetuating common stereotypes about the other. Hispanics are seen as "invading" the country taking jobs and refusing to embrace US culture and language. Blacks are shiftless, with poor work ethic, weak family values and waiting for handouts. Truth is, neither takes the time to get to know the other to discover that Hispanics are proud of their culture, their language and tend to have strong family values. Most are here seeking better standards of living. On the other side, African-Americans are "African" in name only...due to the systematic destruction of African families/culture/language that existed during and following the slave era, you will rarely, if ever, find an African-American with any knowledge of his or her own true African culture/heritage/language or country of ancestral origin. Makes it all the more difficult to understand and truly appreciate each other's differences. One group brought to this country and eventually freed without adequate support systems and left to fend racial intolerances. The other chose this country, existing here with minimum support systems/lower wages and left to also fend ethnic intolerances. Why do I bring this up? Pick a city...these groups tend to be at opposites...at higher income levels, these groups vote as opposites as well. A young lady on the NPR interview yesterday noted that she was concerned that if Obama was elected president crime in her New Orleans neighborhood would go up...go figure! Really? Crime in her neighborhood is a local issue to be dealt with on a local level (N.O. also happens to have a Black mayor). The distrust and conflict between these two groups render most blind to real issues at the expense of building stronger alliances to advocate that local and federal agencies be held accountable (e.g., creating jobs is their responsibility...work ethic is a personal responsibility). Truth is, the matter should not concern color of skin but rather, the color of money. Whether Black, Brown, Red or White...your kids deserve an "opportunity" of a high-quality education, health-care, safe neighborhoods and freedom of worship. However, only the freedom to worship is protected...good thing though, cause it's then used to pray for the other inalienable rights! MLK wasn't assassinated during the March on Washington or the Bus Boycott...he was killed in the midst of launching the "Poor People's Campaign". Malcom X was killed AFTER his return from the Holy Land where he met Muslims of all races for the first time. RFK was seen as a unifier...anti war...a "change" agent. It's a fact that the have-nots far outnumber the haves, yet we don't rally around political agendas that support this structure. Devisive rhetoric advocating that government regulate individual values push group members to opposite ends of the spectrum. So in the end, poor whites with inadequate healthcare are debating poor blacks with inadequate healthcare over Rev Wright or McCain's age rather then bonding to advocate for better healthcare. Or modest earning Christian families debate middle income immigrants over abortion and same sex marriages meanwhile both familes are in foreclosure. All the while, wealthy members of will still fill up the tank whether gas hits $5/gal or $15/gal without flinching. The comments attributed to Bill Phillips below serve only to further polarize the nation...the parties...and the people that vote (us). Unfortunately, much of what comes out nowadays falls in this category. There is no cure all. Whoever is ultimately elected President this November will no doubt struggle to right the ship. There are no easy answers and no clear path to get there. Why would anybody really want the stress that comes with this job? It would be so much easier to just be a critic, late-night talk show host, or radio DJ for the next 4 years. There is no one right answer. While we dork around b/t sending troops home and staying the course, someone's son or daughter or husband or mother or sister is being flown home in a body bag. That's crisis #1. Then there's the US economy and Oil prices (not gas prices...gas prices are derivatives of oil). The email below noted the small US oil companies. Maybe so...newsflash, other countries have smart people too. InBev, the foreign beverage giant, just bought Anhauser-Bush. Miller and Coors are already foreign owned. And who's the Big Thee now...GM, Toyota and Honda? Chrysler is German owned...Daimler-Chrysler. In Houston, Tx, the Rockets play ball in the Toyota Tundra center. Check this...if you only had $14,000 and you had to buy a used sedan that would last you another 10 years, what car would you buy...corolla, camary, maxima, accord, civic, or Taurus?? Truck...4runner, prerunner, F150, S-10, Tacoma, Sierra? We operate in a global economy and we will require global solutions that are not so border specific. Yet, we have the nerve to build a wall. The world in which we live is so much bigger than just the continental US. Just ask the FDA while they try to figure out where these contaminated tomatoes are coming from.

Philips comments noted that the US is a small player in Big Oil. Yet ignored the fact that in 2007 ExxonMobil reported the highest annual earnings of any company in US history. A big part of our challenge is oil production...the US lacks the production capacity to keep pace with demand. The note below also critiques the $4/gal we pay and somehow it's the democrats fault...in addition to the weak dollar compared to the Euro. But he fails to mention that a gallon of gas would cost you around $7 dollars in Germany or as much $9 in England. Again, my point is simply that he serves to keep the people at odds rather than in the middle probing for solutions...energy solutions...healthier school lunches...safer public schools...efficient air travel...better air quality and relevant minimum (living) wage. Just my 2 cents… - Vic

BIG OIL
Bill Phillips spent nearly 50 years in the US oil and gas industry; most of his career was with the Phillips Petroleum Company. Bill is a descendant of Frank Phillips. Frank Phillips, along with his brother Lee Eldas (L.E.) Phillips, Sr., founded the original Phillips Petroleum Company in 1917 in Bartlesville, OK. (This is a well run old oil company, first in Aviation Gas) Do you remember Phillips 66 gas stations? Phillips Petroleum Company merged with Conoco, Inc. in 2002 to form the current ConocoPhillips oil company.
So, when Bill talks about oil and gas issues, I tend to listen - closely. I think that you will find Bill's thoughts and facts very revealing, very compelling and very difficult to argue with.
As you prepare to cast your crucial ballots this fall, please think long and hard about the far-reaching, cumulative effects of the US political philosophies, policies and legislation that have contributed to the current and future US oil supply situation.

May 28, 2008
_____________________________________________________________________________________
BIG OIL

Did you know that the United States does NOT have any big oil companies. It's true: the largest American oil company, Exxon Mobil, is only the 14th largest in the world, and is dwarfed by the really big oil companies--all owned by foreign governments or government-sponsored monopolies--that dominate the world's oil supply.

With 94% of the world's oil supply locked up by foreign governments, most of which are hostile to the United States , the relatively puny American oil companies do not have access to enough crude oil to significantly affect the market and help bring prices down. Thus, ExxonMobil, a "small" oil company, buys 90% of the crude oil that it refines for the U.S. market from the big players, i.e, mostly-hostile foreign governments. The price at the U.S. pump is rising because the price the big oil companies charge ExxonMobil and the other small American companies for crude oil is going up as the value of the American dollar goes down. They will eventually bleed this country into printing even more money and we will go into runway inflation once again as we did under the Carter Democratic reign.

This is obviously a tough situation for the American consumer. The irony is that it doesn't have to be that way. The United States --unlike, say, France --actually has vast petroleum reserves. It would be possible for American oil companies to develop those reserves, play a far bigger role in international markets, and deliver gas at the pump to American consumers at a much lower price, while creating many thousands of jobs for Americans. This would be infinitely preferable to shipping endless billions of dollars to Saudi Arabia , Russia and Venezuela to be used in propping up their economies.

So, why doesn't it happen? Because the Democrat Party--aided, sadly, by a handful of Republicans--deliberately keeps gas prices high and our domestic oil companies small by putting most of our reserves off limits to development. China is now drilling in the Caribbean, off Cuba, but our own companies are barred by law from developing large oil fields off the coasts of Florida and California . Enormous oil-shale deposits in the Rocky Mountain states could go a long way toward supplying American consumers' needs, but the Democratic Congress won't allow those resources to be developed. ANWR contains vast petroleum reserves, but we don't know how vast, because Congress, not wanting the American people to know how badly its policies are hurting our economy, has made it illegal to explore and map those reserves, let alone develop them.

In short, all Americans are paying a terrible price for the Democratic Party's perverse energy policies.   I own some small interests in tiny, 4 barrel-per-day oil wells in Wyoming .   We have 14 agencies that have iron-hand jurisdiction over us.   If we drop any oil on the ground when the refinery truck comes to pick up oil from our holding tanks, we are fined. Yet down the road the state will spray thousands of gallons of used oil on a dirt road to control dirt. When it rains that oil runs into rivers and creeks. Yet a cup of oil on the ground at our wellhead is a $50,000 EPA fine plus additional fines from state regulating agencies. They treat oil as if it were plutonium that has the potential to leak into the environment. We are fined if our dirt berms are not high enough around a holding tank, yet the truck that picks up our oil runs down the road at 60 mph with no berm around it. People wonder why there is no more exploration in this country.   It's because of the regulators; people who have lived their whole lives doing nothing but imposing fines on small operators like us for doing mostly nothing.

So, America enjoy your $4.00 per gallon gasoline. Your dollar is now worth 0.62 Euro-cents. The lack of American production of GNP, the massive trade deficit (as labor markets have moved overseas to fight insanely high union imposed labor costs in America ) and the run away printing of money (backed by nothing of value here in America ) has caused the dollar to become more worthless on the international market. And that's where our oil comes from.   It's paid for with dollars that become more worthless everyday.   If we had just kept par with the Euro we'd be paying $62 dollars per barrel for oil (42 gallons) or about $1.50 instead of $2.50 a gallon for crude oil.

What the US government also does not tell you is that it is the leaseholder and royalty recipient of most oil production and receives 25% of the gross oil sales before we pay for electricity to lift the oil, propane to keep the oil-water separators from freezing in the winters. We pay a pumper to visit each well every day plus we have equipment failures all the time.   We pay for that out of our 75% of gross sales.   The government does not share in any expenses to run any production well.   So, if the big oil companies are making record profits, then so is the federal government from it's 25% tax on every molecule of oil sold to a refinery in this country.   Why isn't the government on the stand for "record" profits?   What you don't see is this 25% of the sales price of crude oil being siphoned away by the government.   That money plus the road taxes, state taxes, etc. amounts to over $1 per gallon of gasoline you are buying while the governments only admit to about 50 cents per gallon.

To all you Democrats, when you go vote for your candidate, a blazing liberal like Barrack Hussein Obama or Hillary Clinton, just keep in mind that their liberal spending habits will further decrease the value of the American dollar on the world market and your gasoline costs will hike even higher.   As they introduce more give-away programs, raise taxes on everyone to pay people not to produce or work, your dollar will continue to dwindle on the world market and you will be paying $10.00 per gallon at the next election.   Cheap hydrocarbon fuel is all over.   Enjoy!   Enjoy the fruits of your decision to elect these folks when you are there in that voting booth and you stab your pin through a Democrat's name.

William "Bill" Phillips

Platform Writing Event -- Role of Pro-Life Democrats

Eulis Simien — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:49:11 EDT

I have taken the invitation of the Campaign to host a Platform Writing Event. The purpose of the event will be to discuss the role of Pro-Life Democrats and to hopefully contribute some language for inclusion in the Party Platform. Of course, any proposed language would not include an endorsement of the views of many in our party who do not believe that the Constitution overrides the power of the states to regulate and prevent abortion. The language would have to recognize that this is not the view of themajority in our Party and not Senator Obama's position. However, the hope is that we can propose acceptable language which would recognize that there are many in our Party who are not simply irrational wed to ideology but have principled reasons for our view and who also understand that the BOTH SIDES of the debate on abortion rights involve very difficult choices, highly charged discussions, competing polices, and good, well meaning people. The language we would proposed would be one that respects our views as we respect the view of many people who advocate for the right of a mother "to choose". Of course, the proposed language would not be one designed to divide but to be inclusive of both of these very significant camps in our Party. I would hope that the language would include a recognition of the fact that regardless of which side of the debate one falls on, we must all recognize that this debate is about policy choices which must be made giving adequate weight to all competing interests (those which advance the reproductive, privacy, and other interests of the mother and those which advance the interests of fetus in attaining life and full participation in citizenship and the interests of society in having the fetus do so).

If practical and you have an interest in doing so, I encourage you (regardless of which side of the debate you find yourself) to join this Platform Writing Event (4:00 pm, 7/19/08, 7908 Wrenwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, Louisiana at 4:00 pm). I understand the event will be posted on the Website and you will have an opportunity to enroll. Otherwise, please post a comment and I will be sure to include you on any future emails about the event.

The Flip-Flop/Center Myth

Lynda Woolard - New Orleans — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:22:29 EDT

I deal with rage over Obama's perceived "flip-flopping" or "tacking to the center" everyday from my volunteers and fellow supporters. I keep telling them to go back and read his blueprint, speeches, and positions. I find nothing he's saying now as inconsistent with who he's always been. That said, I don't agree with him on every issue and have been disappointed, myself, a couple of times lately.

Being "the new guy", it has been said, people project all kinds of ideas onto him. He is neither the liberal darling the left thought he was or the militant radical the right is trying to paint him. He has been talking about uniting and healing the country from the get-go and that requires everyone to compromise a little (and no, that doesn't include compromising principles, just easing up on the posturing that leads to gridlock).

I believe he is looking to find our common ground and move forward incrementally, seeing steady progress as preferable to rare fits and starts. And if that angers some Democrats, well, they need to look back at how effective their party leaders have been over the last few years. They've been horribly weak in my opinion - and by default the Democratic supporters have been weak, because they have not demanded any different. This is the way to change that. (Railing against Obama NOW and allowing McCain to go to the White House will change nothing.)

In the meantime, Obama's much analyzed charisma is simply the tool with which he inspires the electorate to become engaged, to participate in their government, to serve their country and their community. That's something none of the other candidates brought to the table, and what, I believe, in a democracy is one ingredient without which the system will not work... free speech and an independent press being two other requirements and both of those are lacking a little bit right now as well.

At the end of the day, Obama's message is that it's up to us. When we are complacent... drugging ourselves with tv, driving around to shops and soccer matches, tending more to our material life than our spiritual and civic one (all things I do, by the way)... the country and the world suffer. We end up with Bush. We end up here.

This is the message I have long supported.

John McCain Hates "The Bloggers"...

Chanel for Obama — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:29:01 EDT

I would venture to ask Sen. McCain what is it about "the bloggers" that he hates so much. Is it because we "bloggers" cast a light of truth over his scattered and incoherent message for America? I'd love to know the answer to that one.

And oh yeah, John McCain also hates "the cables". Sen. McCain probably hates "the Google" and "the Youtube" too.

John McCain hates "the bloggers"

The Matthew 25 Network Endorses Sen. Obama

Chanel for Obama — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:51:47 EDT

A new Christian political action committee (PAC), has endorsed Sen. Obama. See the link below to hear their ad that will run on Christian radio and their Facebook page below as well.

Matthew 25 Network Radio Commercial

Matthew 25 Network on Facebook

The America We Love

Jill 4 Obama — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:59:09 EDT

Obama Speeches

June 30, 2008
Remarks of Senator Barack Obama: The America We Love

On a spring morning in April of 1775, a simple band of colonists - farmers and merchants, blacksmiths and printers, men and boys - left their homes and families in Lexington and Concord to take up arms against the tyranny of an Empire. The odds against them were long and the risks enormous - for even if they survived the battle, any ultimate failure would bring charges of treason, and death by hanging. And yet they took that chance. They did so not on behalf of a particular tribe or lineage, but on behalf of a larger idea. The idea of liberty. The idea of God-given, inalienable rights. And with the first shot of that fateful day - a shot heard round the world - the American Revolution, and America's experiment with democracy, began.

Those men of Lexington and Concord were among our first patriots. And at the beginning of a week when we celebrate the birth of our nation, I think it is fitting to pause for a moment and reflect on the meaning of patriotism - theirs, and ours. We do so in part because we are in the midst of war - more than one and a half million of our finest young men and women have now fought in Iraq and Afghanistan; over 60,000 have been wounded, and over 4,600 have been laid to rest. The costs of war have been great, and the debate surrounding our mission in Iraq has been fierce. It is natural, in light of such sacrifice by so many, to think more deeply about the commitments that bind us to our nation, and to each other.

We reflect on these questions as well because we are in the midst of a presidential election, perhaps the most consequential in generations; a contest that will determine the course of this nation for years, perhaps decades, to come. Not only is it a debate about big issues - health care, jobs, energy, education, and retirement security - but it is also a debate about values. How do we keep ourselves safe and secure while preserving our liberties? How do we restore trust in a government that seems increasingly removed from its people and dominated by special interests? How do we ensure that in an increasingly global economy, the winners maintain allegiance to the less fortunate? And how do we resolve our differences at a time of increasing diversity?

Finally, it is worth considering the meaning of patriotism because the question of who is - or is not - a patriot all too often poisons our political debates, in ways that divide us rather than bringing us together. I have come to know this from my own experience on the campaign trail. Throughout my life, I have always taken my deep and abiding love for this country as a given. It was how I was raised; it is what propelled me into public service; it is why I am running for President. And yet, at certain times over the last sixteen months, I have found, for the first time, my patriotism challenged - at times as a result of my own carelessness, more often as a result of the desire by some to score political points and raise fears about who I am and what I stand for.

So let me say at this at outset of my remarks. I will never question the patriotism of others in this campaign. And I will not stand idly by when I hear others question mine.

My concerns here aren't simply personal, however. After all, throughout our history, men and women of far greater stature and significance than me have had their patriotism questioned in the midst of momentous debates. Thomas Jefferson was accused by the Federalists of selling out to the French. The anti-Federalists were just as convinced that John Adams was in cahoots with the British and intent on restoring monarchal rule. Likewise, even our wisest Presidents have sought to justify questionable policies on the basis of patriotism. Adams' Alien and Sedition Act, Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus, Roosevelt's internment of Japanese Americans - all were defended as expressions of patriotism, and those who disagreed with their policies were sometimes labeled as unpatriotic.

In other words, the use of patriotism as a political sword or a political shield is as old as the Republic. Still, what is striking about today's patriotism debate is the degree to which it remains rooted in the culture wars of the 1960s - in arguments that go back forty years or more. In the early years of the civil rights movement and opposition to the Vietnam War, defenders of the status quo often accused anybody who questioned the wisdom of government policies of being unpatriotic. Meanwhile, some of those in the so-called counter-culture of the Sixties reacted not merely by criticizing particular government policies, but by attacking the symbols, and in extreme cases, the very idea, of America itself - by burning flags; by blaming America for all that was wrong with the world; and perhaps most tragically, by failing to honor those veterans coming home from Vietnam, something that remains a national shame to this day.

Most Americans never bought into these simplistic world-views - these caricatures of left and right. Most Americans understood that dissent does not make one unpatriotic, and that there is nothing smart or sophisticated about a cynical disregard for America's traditions and institutions. And yet the anger and turmoil of that period never entirely drained away. All too often our politics still seems trapped in these old, threadbare arguments - a fact most evident during our recent debates about the war in Iraq, when those who opposed administration policy were tagged by some as unpatriotic, and a general providing his best counsel on how to move forward in Iraq was accused of betrayal.

Given the enormous challenges that lie before us, we can no longer afford these sorts of divisions. None of us expect that arguments about patriotism will, or should, vanish entirely; after all, when we argue about patriotism, we are arguing about who we are as a country, and more importantly, who we should be. But surely we can agree that no party or political philosophy has a monopoly on patriotism. And surely we can arrive at a definition of patriotism that, however rough and imperfect, captures the best of America's common spirit.

What would such a definition look like? For me, as for most Americans, patriotism starts as a gut instinct, a loyalty and love for country rooted in my earliest memories. I'm not just talking about the recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance or the Thanksgiving pageants at school or the fireworks on the Fourth of July, as wonderful as those things may be. Rather, I'm referring to the way the American ideal wove its way throughout the lessons my family taught me as a child.

One of my earliest memories is of sitting on my grandfather's shoulders and watching the astronauts come to shore in Hawaii. I remember the cheers and small flags that people waved, and my grandfather explaining how we Americans could do anything we set our minds to do. That's my idea of America.

I remember listening to my grandmother telling stories about her work on a bomber assembly-line during World War II. I remember my grandfather handing me his dog-tags from his time in Patton's Army, and understanding that his defense of this country marked one of his greatest sources of pride. That's my idea of America.

I remember, when living for four years in Indonesia as a child, listening to my mother reading me the first lines of the Declaration of Independence - "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." I remember her explaining how this declaration applied to every American, black and white and brown alike; how those words, and words of the United States Constitution, protected us from the injustices that we witnessed other people suffering during those years abroad. That's my idea of America.

As I got older, that gut instinct - that America is the greatest country on earth - would survive my growing awareness of our nation's imperfections: it's ongoing racial strife; the perversion of our political system laid bare during the Watergate hearings; the wrenching poverty of the Mississippi Delta and the hills of Appalachia. Not only because, in my mind, the joys of American life and culture, its vitality, its variety and its freedom, always outweighed its imperfections, but because I learned that what makes America great has never been its perfection but the belief that it can be made better. I came to understand that our revolution was waged for the sake of that belief - that we could be governed by laws, not men; that we could be equal in the eyes of those laws; that we could be free to say what we want and assemble with whomever we want and worship as we please; that we could have the right to pursue our individual dreams but the obligation to help our fellow citizens pursue theirs.

For a young man of mixed race, without firm anchor in any particular community, without even a father's steadying hand, it is this essential American idea - that we are not constrained by the accident of birth but can make of our lives what we will - that has defined my life, just as it has defined the life of so many other Americans.

That is why, for me, patriotism is always more than just loyalty to a place on a map or a certain kind of people. Instead, it is also loyalty to America's ideals - ideals for which anyone can sacrifice, or defend, or give their last full measure of devotion. I believe it is this loyalty that allows a country teeming with different races and ethnicities, religions and customs, to come together as one. It is the application of these ideals that separate us from Zimbabwe, where the opposition party and their supporters have been silently hunted, tortured or killed; or Burma, where tens of thousands continue to struggle for basic food and shelter in the wake of a monstrous storm because a military junta fears opening up the country to outsiders; or Iraq, where despite the heroic efforts of our military, and the courage of many ordinary Iraqis, even limited cooperation between various factions remains far too elusive.

I believe those who attack America's flaws without acknowledging the singular greatness of our ideals, and their proven capacity to inspire a better world, do not truly understand America.

Of course, precisely because America isn't perfect, precisely because our ideals constantly demand more from us, patriotism can never be defined as loyalty to any particular leader or government or policy. As Mark Twain, that greatest of American satirists and proud son of Missouri, once wrote, "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." We may hope that our leaders and our government stand up for our ideals, and there are many times in our history when that's occurred. But when our laws, our leaders or our government are out of alignment with our ideals, then the dissent of ordinary Americans may prove to be one of the truest expression of patriotism.

The young preacher from Georgia, Martin Luther King, Jr., who led a movement to help America confront our tragic history of racial injustice and live up to the meaning of our creed - he was a patriot. The young soldier who first spoke about the prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib - he is a patriot. Recognizing a wrong being committed in this country's name; insisting that we deliver on the promise of our Constitution - these are the acts of patriots, men and women who are defending that which is best in America. And we should never forget that - especially when we disagree with them; especially when they make us uncomfortable with their words.

Beyond a loyalty to America's ideals, beyond a willingness to dissent on behalf of those ideals, I also believe that patriotism must, if it is to mean anything, involve the willingness to sacrifice - to give up something we value on behalf of a larger cause. For those who have fought under the flag of this nation - for the young veterans I meet when I visit Walter Reed; for those like John McCain who have endured physical torment in service to our country - no further proof of such sacrifice is necessary. And let me also add that no one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters on both sides.

We must always express our profound gratitude for the service of our men and women in uniform. Period. Indeed, one of the good things to emerge from the current conflict in Iraq has been the widespread recognition that whether you support this war or oppose it, the sacrifice of our troops is always worthy of honor.

For the rest of us - for those of us not in uniform or without loved ones in the military - the call to sacrifice for the country's greater good remains an imperative of citizenship. Sadly, in recent years, in the midst of war on two fronts, this call to service never came. After 9/11, we were asked to shop. The wealthiest among us saw their tax obligations decline, even as the costs of war continued to mount. Rather than work together to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and thereby lessen our vulnerability to a volatile region, our energy policy remained unchanged, and our oil dependence only grew.

In spite of this absence of leadership from Washington, I have seen a new generation of Americans begin to take up the call. I meet them everywhere I go, young people involved in the project of American renewal; not only those who have signed up to fight for our country in distant lands, but those who are fighting for a better America here at home, by teaching in underserved schools, or caring for the sick in understaffed hospitals, or promoting more sustainable energy policies in their local communities.

I believe one of the tasks of the next Administration is to ensure that this movement towards service grows and sustains itself in the years to come. We should expand AmeriCorps and grow the Peace Corps. We should encourage national service by making it part of the requirement for a new college assistance program, even as we strengthen the benefits for those whose sense of duty has already led them to serve in our military.

We must remember, though, that true patriotism cannot be forced or legislated with a mere set of government programs. Instead, it must reside in the hearts of our people, and cultivated in the heart of our culture, and nurtured in the hearts of our children.

As we begin our fourth century as a nation, it is easy to take the extraordinary nature of America for granted. But it is our responsibility as Americans and as parents to instill that history in our children, both at home and at school. The loss of quality civic education from so many of our classrooms has left too many young Americans without the most basic knowledge of who our forefathers are, or what they did, or the significance of the founding documents that bear their names. Too many children are ignorant of the sheer effort, the risks and sacrifices made by previous generations, to ensure that this country survived war and depression; through the great struggles for civil, and social, and worker's rights.

It is up to us, then, to teach them. It is up to us to teach them that even though we have faced great challenges and made our share of mistakes, we have always been able to come together and make this nation stronger, and more prosperous, and more united, and more just. It is up to us to teach them that America has been a force for good in the world, and that other nations and other people have looked to us as the last, best hope of Earth. It is up to us to teach them that it is good to give back to one's community; that it is honorable to serve in the military; that it is vital to participate in our democracy and make our voices heard.

And it is up to us to teach our children a lesson that those of us in politics too often forget: that patriotism involves not only defending this country against external threat, but also working constantly to make America a better place for future generations.

When we pile up mountains of debt for the next generation to absorb, or put off changes to our energy policies, knowing full well the potential consequences of inaction, we are placing our short-term interests ahead of the nation's long-term well-being. When we fail to educate effectively millions of our children so that they might compete in a global economy, or we fail to invest in the basic scientific research that has driven innovation in this country, we risk leaving behind an America that has fallen in the ranks of the world. Just as patriotism involves each of us making a commitment to this nation that extends beyond our own immediate self-interest, so must that commitment extends beyond our own time here on earth.

Our greatest leaders have always understood this. They've defined patriotism with an eye toward posterity. George Washington is rightly revered for his leadership of the Continental Army, but one of his greatest acts of patriotism was his insistence on stepping down after two terms, thereby setting a pattern for those that would follow, reminding future presidents that this is a government of and by and for the people.

Abraham Lincoln did not simply win a war or hold the Union together. In his unwillingness to demonize those against whom he fought; in his refusal to succumb to either the hatred or self-righteousness that war can unleash; in his ultimate insistence that in the aftermath of war the nation would no longer remain half slave and half free; and his trust in the better angels of our nature - he displayed the wisdom and courage that sets a standard for patriotism.

And it was the most famous son of Independence, Harry S Truman, who sat in the White House during his final days in office and said in his Farewell Address: "When Franklin Roosevelt died, I felt there must be a million men better qualified than I, to take up the Presidential task…But through all of it, through all the years I have worked here in this room, I have been well aware than I did not really work alone - that you were working with me. No President could ever hope to lead our country, or to sustain the burdens of this office, save the people helped with their support."

In the end, it may be this quality that best describes patriotism in my mind - not just a love of America in the abstract, but a very particular love for, and faith in, the American people. That is why our heart swells with pride at the sight of our flag; why we shed a tear as the lonely notes of Taps sound. For we know that the greatness of this country - its victories in war, its enormous wealth, its scientific and cultural achievements - all result from the energy and imagination of the American people; their toil, drive, struggle, restlessness, humor and quiet heroism.

That is the liberty we defend - the liberty of each of us to pursue our own dreams. That is the equality we seek - not an equality of results, but the chance of every single one of us to make it if we try. That is the community we strive to build - one in which we trust in this sometimes messy democracy of ours, one in which we continue to insist that there is nothing we cannot do when we put our mind to it, one in which we see ourselves as part of a larger story, our own fates wrapped up in the fates of those who share allegiance to America's happy and singular creed.

Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

More on rules of wise living

Dr. Owen Scott, III — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:57:01 EDT

I like maxims, pithy sayings to make sense out of life and help live it wisely. Over time, I've arrived at a few simple ones, just a list of ideas that have panned out. It's always a work in progress as I try to improve the expressions or occasionally add a 'new' rule that seems apt.

I often say them privately to myself and aloud to others. Each is the tip of an iceberg, a fingerpost pointing me toward productive ways to organize and interpret my experiences and away from my emotionally-driven issues, those default constructions conditioned at an early age that, when triggered, cause us to dumb down (e.g., when I get into a fight with my life partner over something trivial). When I'm confused and stuck, I turn to them to become grounded again. They've served me well and I'd like to share them here, then discuss them further in a series of diaries.

First my general motto: Always a student. We may think we have all the answers at age 15 or 25 or 50; but, there's always a lot you don't know; and the map you're using is always provisional. Moreover, nothing is a waste if you gain knowledge. I'm determined to learn and unwilling to believe that I know it all.

So here are the maxims, Owen Scott's rules of wisdom.

Stay awake.
Seek the truth.
Keep an open mind.
Learn from everything.
Avoid jumping to conclusions.
Don't take anything personally.
Respect yourself and others.
Laugh as much as possible.
Play as much as possible.
Judge as little as possible.
Do what works.
Know your limitations.
Surround yourself with good people.
Don't fear being known.
Become harmonious with life rather than trying to control it.
Develop as much skill as possible.
Let go of everything transient.
Wait for the wave.
Never give up.

But, you might be wondering, what business does this guy have presenting his little sayings as if he has some kind of corner on the wisdom market?

Perhaps you know the parable of the blind men and the elephant.

The six wisest people in a certain ancient country, so it goes, all happened to be blind. They were brought in one day to examine a bizarre monster that arrived from across the ocean on a ship. No one in this land had ever encountered such a creature. Standing in a row beside the beast, the six 'wise men (some of them might have been women)' were led up to the animal and each examined it by feeling around with the hands. After this procedure, all sat down to discuss their conclusions. One had felt the trunk and concluded that the beast was some kind of snake. Another felt the tusk and argued that the creature was like a curved spear. Depending upon what part of the elephant they happened to touch, each one came to a different conclusion; the leg was like a tree; the ear, a carpet; the side, a solid wall; and, the tail was like a rope. The result was a prolonged argument that ended with every one of them going away infuriated that the other 'wise men' were such hard-headed fools. The followers of each sage adopted his or her opinion and continued the argument for years afterwards.

At the outset, I'll admit that I am a blind person describing the part of the elephant I've happened to touch. Whether these ideas hold any water is for the reader to judge. Over the next few days, I'll be posting follow-up diaries looking at the rules in more detail; but, I'll leave you with an exercise to illustrate the relevance of this one. Consider Sen. Barack Obama, presumptive Democratic nominee for POTUS. From your observations, do any of these principles exemplify him? Now you know why I love the guy so much.

Why Isn't John McCain's Military Record Fair Game?

Chanel for Obama — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:09:52 EDT

Retired Gen. Wesley Clark spoke out again on the fact that John McCain's military service, although honorable, does not qualify him to be president. And herein is where all the outrage began. The right wing feigned massive outrage at the comments and journalists collectively hissed and gasped at Gen. Clark for even suggesting such a thing. Sen. Obama himself even distanced himself from the comments that Gen. Clark made earlier in his patriotism speech.
But my question is this. Why isn't Sen. McCain's military record fair game if that's what he's basing his campain squarely on? Why can't the American people question his military record? Why can John McCain, along with John McCain's campaign, and anyone who is fully backing John McCain speak on his military record, but the second someone decides to question that same record or shines a light of truth on John McCain's actual military service (thank you Gen. Wesley Clark), it's a problem. A BIG one. Why? And while all this commotion is going on, Sen. McCain continues to hide a large chunk of his military record, so we still don't know the whole story. So is this how they are gonna run his campaign? Feigning outrage, whenever John McCain's military record is questioned? Accusing the people who do so of "attacking" an American war hero? This reeks of dishonest practice and shadyness, for lack of a better term, on the part of the entire McCain campaign on the very "military service" that they're running on.
I don't know about anyone else, but this "don't even THINK ABOUT questioning John McCain's military service" business is becoming MAD SUSPECT to me. If John McCain is gonna run on that platform, then he and his campaign need to be more forthcoming about it. The fact that people can't question it makes it look like they have something to hide. Gen. Wesley Clark should be commended for speaking the truth.

Louisiana Students for Barack Obama!

Candice Dixon — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:53:07 EDT

Hello Louisiana Obama Supporters!

Students for Barack Obama (SFBO) in Louisiana has a new State Leadership Team.

State Coordinator: Candice M. Dixon, cdixon@studentsforbarackobama.com, (225) 341-1580
Deputy State Coordinator: Shaawn Ali, sfshaawnsf@yahoo.com
Field Coordinator: Gerren Sias, gsias1@lsu.edu
Deputy Field Coordinators:
Adnan Suleman, amsuleman@gmail.com
Lauren Jeanene Anderson, landers1@tulane.edu

We have currently been charged with and will be working hard to establish Students for Barack Obama Chapters at Colleges & Universities throughout the State. High Schools are also welcomed to form a SFBO Chapter. For instructions on how to formally establish a SFBO Chapter, please e-mail cdixon@studentsforbarackobama.com. Additionally, if you would like to join an existing chapter please visit http://students.barackobama.com/ and click on the find a chapter link on the right.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do to ensure that Barack Obama is elected as the next President of the United States.

Candice M. Dixon
Obama Organizing Fellow
Louisiana State Coordinator
Students for Barack Obama
cdixon@studentsforbarackobama.com
(225) 341-1580

Barack Covers Rolling Stone Magazine for the 2nd Time.

Chanel for Obama — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:01:56 EDT

Source: The Huffington Post

WASHINGTON — Bob Dylan. Yo-Yo Ma. Sheryl Crow. Jay-Z. These aren't musical acts in a summer concert series: They're artists featured on Barack Obama's iPod.

"I have pretty eclectic tastes," the Democratic presidential contender said in an interview to be published in Friday's issue of Rolling Stone.
Growing up in the '70s, Obama said, he listened to the Rolling Stones, Elton John and Earth, Wind & Fire. Stevie Wonder is his musical hero from the era. The Stones' "Gimme Shelter" tops his favorites from the band.
The Illinois senator's playlist contains these musicians, along with about 30 songs from Dylan and the singer's "Blood on the Tracks" album. Jazz legends Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker are also in the mix.
"Actually, one of my favorites during the political season is 'Maggie's Farm,'" Obama said of one of Dylan's tracks. "It speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric."
In the song, Dylan sings about trying be himself, "but everybody wants you to be just like them."
Several musicians on Obama's iPod support his bid for the White House, including Bruce Springsteen. Earlier this month, Dylan told a British newspaper that he believes Obama is redefining politics in the United States and could deliver change to a nation in upheaval.
"I've got to say, having both Dylan and Bruce Springsteen say kind words about you is pretty remarkable," Obama said. "Those guys are icons."
Obama said he hasn't met Springsteen, but the two have talked over the phone.
"Not only do I love Bruce's music, but I just love him as a person," Obama said. "He is a guy who has never lost track of his roots, who knows who he is, who has never put on a front."
And did he address him as the Boss?
"You've got to," the candidate said.
Asked what he thought of rap, Obama said the genre has broken down barriers within the music world, though he's concerned about his daughters _ Malia, 9, and Sasha, 7 _ listening to it.
"I am troubled sometimes by the misogyny and materialism of a lot of rap lyrics," he said, "but I think the genius of the art form has shifted the culture and helped to desegregate music."
He said hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and rappers Jay-Z and Ludacris were "great talents and great businessmen."
"It would be nice if I could have my daughters listen to their music without me worrying that they were getting bad images of themselves," he added.

Obama appears on the cover of the magazine, which endorsed him for president in March.

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama: A Metropolitan Strategy for America's Future

Jill 4 Obama — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:11:49 EDT

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama: A Metropolitan Strategy for America's Future Miami, FL | June 21, 2008

This is something of a homecoming for me. Because while I stand here today as a candidate for President of the United States, I will never forget that the most important experience in my life came when I was doing what you do each day – working at the local level to bring about change in our communities.

As some of you may know, after college, I went to work with a group of churches as a community organizer in Chicago – so I could help lift up neighborhoods that were struggling after the local steel plants closed. And it taught me a fundamental truth that I carry with me to this day – that in this country, change comes not from the top-down, but from the bottom-up.

You see, back in those days, we weren't just focused on changing federal policies in Washington. And we weren't just focused on changing state policies in Springfield. No, we were focused on the place we knew could actually do the most, the fastest, to make a difference in our community – and that was the Mayor's Office.

It was the Mayor's Office we turned to when we wanted to open a job training center to put people back to work. It was the Mayor's Office we turned to when we wanted to make sure city housing was safe to live in. And it's the Mayors Office that Americans across this country rely on every day.

You may get more than your fair share of the blame sometimes. You may not always be appreciated. But when a disaster strikes – a Katrina, a shooting, or a six-alarm blaze – it's City Hall we lean on, it's City Hall we call first, and City Hall we depend on to get us through tough times. Because whether it's a small town or a big city, the government that people count on most is the one that's closest to the people.

And it's precisely because you're on the front lines in our communities that you know what happens when Washington fails to do its job. It may be easy for some in Washington to remain out of touch with the consequences of the decisions that are made there – but not you.

You know what happens when Washington puts out economic policies that work for Wall Street but not Main Street – because it's your towns and cities that get hit when factories close their doors, and workers lose their jobs, and families lose their homes because of an unscrupulous lender. That's why you need a partner in the White House.

You know what happens when Washington makes promises it doesn't keep and fails to fully fund No Child Left Behind – because it's your teachers who are overburdened, your teachers who aren't getting the support they need, and your teachers who are forced to teach to the test, instead of giving students the skills to compete in our global economy. That's why you need a partner in the White House.

You know what happens when Washington succumbs to petty partisanship and fails to pass comprehensive immigration reform – because it's your communities that are forced to take immigration enforcement into their own hands, your cities' services that are stretched, and your neighborhoods that are seeing rising cultural and economic tensions. That's why you need a partner in the White House.

You know what happens when Washington listens to big oil and gas companies and blocks real energy reform – because it's your budgets that are being pinched by high energy costs, and your schools that are cutting back on textbooks to keep their buses running; it's the lots in your towns and cities that are brownfields. That's why you need a partner in the White House.

Now, despite the absence of leadership in Washington, we're actually seeing a rebirth in many places. I'm thinking of my friend Rich Daley, who's made a deep and lasting difference in the quality of life for millions of Chicagoans. I'm thinking of Mayor Cownie, who's working to make his city green; Mayor Bloomberg, who's fighting to turn around the nation's largest school system; Mayor Rybak, who's done an extraordinary job helping the Twin Cities recover from the bridge collapse last year; and so many other mayors across this country, who are finding new ways to lift up their communities.

But you shouldn't be succeeding despite Washington – you should be succeeding with a hand from Washington. Neglect is not a policy for America's metropolitan areas. It's time City Hall had someone in the White House you could count on the way so many Americans count on you.

That's what this election is all about – because while Senator McCain is a true patriot, he won't be that partner. His priorities are very different from yours and mine. At a time when you're facing budget deficits and looking to Washington for the support you need, he isn't proposing a strategy for America's cities. Instead, he's calling for nearly $2 trillion in tax breaks for big corporations and the wealthiest Americans – and yet he's actually opposed more funding for the COPS program and the Community Development Block Grant program. That's just more of the same in Washington. And few know better than you why Washington needs to change.

But the truth is, what our cities need isn't just a partner. What you need is a partner who knows that the old ways of looking at our cities just won't do; who knows that our nation and our cities are undergoing a historic transformation. The change that's taking place today is as great as any we've seen in more than a century, since the time when cities grew upward and outward with immigrants escaping poverty, and tyranny, and misery abroad. Our population has grown by tens of millions in the past few decades, and it's projected to grow nearly 50% more in the decades to come. And this growth isn't just confined to our cities, it's happening in our suburbs, exurbs, and throughout our metropolitan areas.

This is creating new pressures, but it's also opening up new opportunities – because it's not just our cities that are hotbeds of innovation anymore, it's those growing metro areas. It's not just Durham or Raleigh – it's the entire Research Triangle. It's not just Palo Alto, it's cities up and down Silicon Valley. The top 100 metro areas generate two-thirds of our jobs, nearly 80% of patents, and handle 75% of all seaport tonnage through ports like the one here in Miami. In fact, 42 of our metro areas now rank among the world's 100 largest economies.

To seize the possibility of this moment, we need to promote strong cities as the backbone of regional growth. And yet, Washington remains trapped in an earlier era, wedded to an outdated “urban” agenda that focuses exclusively on the problems in our cities, and ignores our growing metro areas; an agenda that confuses anti-poverty policy with a metropolitan strategy, and ends up hurting both.

Now, let me be clear – we must help tackle areas of concentrated poverty. I say this not just as a former community organizer, but as someone who was shaped in part by the economic inequality I saw as a college student in cities like Los Angeles and New York.

That is why I've laid out an ambitious urban poverty plan that will help make sure no child begins the race of life behind the starting line; and create public-private business incubators to open up economic opportunity. That's why I'll fully fund the COPS program, restore funding for the Community Development Block Grant program, and recruit more teachers to our cities, and pay them more, and give them more support. And that's why I've proposed real relief for struggling homeowners and a trust fund to provide affordable housing. And let me say this – if George Bush carries out his threat to veto the housing bill – a bill that would provide critical resources to help you solve the foreclosure crisis in your towns and cities – I will fight to overturn his veto and make sure you have the support you need.

So, yes we need to fight poverty. Yes, we need to fight crime. Yes, we need to strengthen our cities. But we also need to stop seeing our cities as the problem and start seeing them as the solution. Because strong cities are the building blocks of strong regions, and strong regions are essential for a strong America. That is the new metropolitan reality and we need a new strategy that reflects it – a strategy that's about South Florida as much as Miami; that's about Mesa and Scottsdale as much as Phoenix; that's about Stamford and Northern New Jersey as much as New York City. As President, I'll work with you to develop this kind of strategy and I'll appoint the first White House Director of Urban Policy to help make it a reality.

The stakes could not be higher. Our children will grow up competing with children in Beijing and Bangalore and Berlin. And make no mistake – their governments are doing everything they can to give their countries an edge by investing in regional growth. As Bruce Katz of Brookings has pointed out, China is developing an advanced network of ports and freight hubs, and an advanced network of universities modeled after our own. And Germany has launched rail and telecom projects to bind its major metro areas more closely together. Other governments are aggressively pursuing strategies to unlock the potential of their metro areas. To compete and win in our global economy, we have to show the same kind of leadership.

There's no better place to start than by investing in the clusters of growth and innovation that are springing up across this country. Because what we've found time and time again is that when we take the different assets that are scattered throughout our communities – whether it's a skilled workforce or leading firms or institutions of higher education – and bring them all together so they can learn from one another and share ideas, you get the kind of creative thinking that doesn't come in isolation.

And that can lead to more innovation, and entrepreneurship, and real economic benefits like new jobs and higher wages. That's what happened Pennsylvania, where something called Keystone Innovation Zones have led to the formation of nearly 200 new companies. And that's why, in my administration, we'll offer $200 million a year in competitive matching grants for state and local governments to plan and grow regional economies – because when it's working together, the sum of a metro area can be greater than its parts.

And we won't just unlock the potential of our individual regions; we'll unlock the potential of all our regions by connecting them with a 21st century infrastructure. You know why this is so important. You see the traffic along I-95 in Miami. You see the crumbling roads and bridges, the aging water and sewer pipes, the faltering electrical grids that cost us billions in blackouts, repairs, and travel delays. It's gotten so bad that the American Society of Civil Engineers gave our national infrastructure a “D.” And it's no wonder – because we're spending less on our infrastructure than at any time in the modern era.

This is putting enormous pressure on the Highway Trust Fund, which can no longer keep up with all the repairs that have to be made. Yet Senator McCain is actually proposing a gas tax gimmick that would take $3 billion a month out of the Highway Trust Fund and hand it over to the oil companies. Well, at a time when the Highway Trust Fund is beginning to run a deficit for the first time in history, I think that's the last thing we can afford to do.

And just the other day, Senator McCain traveled to Iowa to express his sympathies for the victims of the recent flooding. I'm sure they appreciated the sentiment, but they probably would have appreciated it more if he hadn't voted against funding for levees and flood control programs, which he seems to consider pork. Well, we do have to reform budget earmarks, cut genuine pork, and dispense with unnecessary spending, as we confront a budget crisis left by the most fiscally irresponsible administration in modern times.

But when it comes to rebuilding America's essential but crumbling infrastructure, we need to do more, not less. Cities across the Midwest are under water right now or courting disaster not just because of the weather, but because we've failed to protect them. Maintaining our levees and dams isn't pork barrel spending, it's an urgent priority, and that's what we'll do when I'm President. I'll also launch a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank that will invest $60 billion over ten years, and create nearly two million new jobs. The work will be determined by what will maximize our safety, security, and shared prosperity. Instead of building bridges to nowhere, let's build communities that meet the needs and reflect the dreams of our families. That's what this bank will help us do.

And we will fund this bank as we bring the war in Iraq to a responsible close. It's time to stop fighting a war that's stretching our Guard, straining our Reserves, and leaving your police and fire stations understaffed; a war that hasn't made us safer, and should have never been authorized and never been waged. It's time to stop spending $10 billion a month in Iraq and start investing that money in Phoenix, Nashville, Seattle, and metro areas across this country.

Let's invest that money in a world-class transit system. Let's re-commit federal dollars to strengthen mass transit and reform our tax code to give folks a reason to take the bus instead of driving to work – because investing in mass transit helps make metro areas more livable and can help our regional economies grow. And while we're at it, we'll partner with our mayors to invest in green energy technology and ensure that your buses and buildings are energy efficient. And we'll also invest in our ports, roads, and high-speed rails – because I don't want to see the fastest train in the world built halfway around the world in Shanghai, I want to see it built right here in the United States of America.

And let's also upgrade our digital superhighway. It is unacceptable that here, in the country that invented the Internet, we fell to 15th in the world in broadband deployment. When kids can't afford or access high-speed Internet, it sets back America's ability to compete. That's why as President, I will set a simple goal: every American should have broadband access – no matter where you live, or how much money you have. We'll connect our schools and libraries and hospitals. And we'll take on the special interests to realize the potential of wireless spectrum for our safety and connectivity.

Now is not the time for small plans. Now is the time for bold action to rebuild and renew America. We've done this before. Two hundred years ago, in 1808, Thomas Jefferson oversaw an infrastructure plan that envisioned the Homestead Act, the transcontinental railroads, and the Erie Canal. One hundred years later, in 1908, Teddy Roosevelt called together leaders from business and government to develop a plan for a 20th century infrastructure. Today, in 2008, it falls on us to take up this call again – to re-imagine America's landscape and remake America's future. That is the cause of this campaign, and that will be the cause of my presidency.

But understand – while the change we seek will require major investments by a more accountable government, it will not come from government alone. Washington can't solve all our problems. The statehouse can't solve all our problems. City Hall can't solve all our problems. It goes back to what I learned as a community organizer all those years ago – that change in this country comes not from the top-down, but from the bottom up. Change starts at a level that's even closer to the people than our mayors – it starts in our homes. It starts in our families. It starts by raising our children right, by turning off the TV, and putting away the video games; by going to those parent-teacher conferences and helping our children with their homework, and setting a good example. It starts by being good neighbors and good citizens who are willing to volunteer in our communities – to keep them clean, to keep them safe, and to serve as mentors and teachers to all of our children.

That's where change begins. That's how we'll bring about change in our neighborhoods. And if change comes to our neighborhoods, then change will come to our cities. And if change comes to our cities, then change will come to our regions. And if change comes to our regions, then I truly believe change will come to every corner of this country we love.

Throughout our history, it's been our cities that have helped tell the American story. It was Boston that rose up against an Empire, and Philadelphia where liberty first rung out; it was St. Louis that opened a gateway west, and Houston that launched us to the stars; it was the Motor City that built the middle class; Miami that built a bridge to the Americas; and New York that showed the world one clear September morning that America stands together in times of trial.

That's the proud tradition our cities uphold. That's the story our cities have helped write. And if you're willing to work with me and fight with me and stand with me this fall, then I promise you this – we will not only rebuild and renew our American cities, north and south, east and west, but you and I – together – will rebuild and renew the promise of America. Thank you.

Barack Obama Inspires Milan Men's Runway Styles..

Chanel for Obama — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:55:45 EDT

Click to read the full story here.

Fired Up and Still Going

Diana Hamilton LC, LA 70605 — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:22:05 EDT

HELLO Obama Supporters. Since my last email (probably 4 weeks ago) a lot has happened. To my original Lake Charles LA for Obama supporters, sorry I have neglected you. To our new supporters, WELCOME ABOARD!!!

First things first. I have to give props to Hillary. What an amazing woman. Let us not overlook how much she has done for women with her awesome campaign. It takes a special kind of woman to get up every day and face the pressure that comes along with vying for the highest office in the world. We welcome Hillary and all of her supporters in our united effort to put a Democrat in the White House.

On June 3rd, we opened the first local Obama Campaign office at 1820 Oak Park Blvd. Many of you are receiving this email because you stopped by to show your support for Obama.

On June 28th from 11am – 3pm, we will have a ribbon cutting ceremony for our North Lake Charles Community for Change Obama Campaign office. (2115 Moeling Street - Suite B) If you missed the Oak Park Office opening you missed a treat. But, you don't want to miss the opening of our North Lake Charles Office. We will have barbecue chicken sandwiches, finger food and signs and bumper stickers to give away. You can even sign up to volunteer to help us make sure that Obama wins in November. Pass the word along.

For those of you who have already signed up to volunteer or make a pledge to the local campaign effort, we haven't forgotten you. We will be contacting you in the near future with more information.

Remember
At every event before August 1, we will have a book signing opportunity. You will have the opportunity to sign a copy of Barack Obama's book, "The Audacity of Hope". We will each send individual messages of hope and encouragement to Barack as he continues on the Road to the White House. We will let him know that Lake Charles and all of Southwest LA is with him every step of the way. The book will be presented to Barack while he is at the convention in Denver this August.

That's all for now, but I'll be talking at you soon.

This "Angry Black Woman" Business is Getting Out of Hand...

Chanel for Obama — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:18:27 EDT

The following linked video of a recent FOX News segment is BEYOND offensive. What Cal Thomas says in the video is RACIST. Period, THE END. It's blatant racism undeservedly directed at Michelle Obama, and black women as a whole. It's manufactured propaganda at its WORST.

"All Black Women Are Angry" - Offensive Video

Fox News should be contacted and an apology DEMANDED. Find the contact information below:

Cal Thomas

Fox News #: 212-301-3000

Fox News Fax: 212-301-3898

Newsday #: (312) 222-4444

Newsday fax: (312) 222-3459

E-mail: cal.thomas@foxnews.com

Michelle Obama's Dress From "The View"..

Chanel for Obama — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:29:50 EDT

Source: WowWowWow.com
Michelle Obama is really making a name for herself in the style department. Women are already clamoring to get their hands on the dress Michelle Obama wore when she co-hosted "The View" on 6/18/08 which is currently SOLD OUT in stores. The dress will be available again in August:

Like Jacqueline Kennedy a generation ago, Michelle Obama is causing a fashion sensation even before the election.

But this time it’s a metaphorical fashion statement made by her choice of a $148 black and white print dress carrying a label called White House/Black Market to wear on the popular TV show, “The View.”

The search is on among would-be fashionistas as well as savvy statement-makers for the sleeveless black and white tank dress that Michelle Obama wore onABC’s “The View” this week. Purchased from a retailer called “White House/Black Market,” the very affordable $148 dress has unleashed a mad scramble on both the store and the website of Donna Ricco, the NYC-based designer of the dress. According to The New York Daily News, thousands of orders for the frock have poured into both.

The White House/Black Market website this morning features what they’re calling their “Road to the White House” dress on their homepage. One hundred percent cotton, wash ‘n wear. Sold out, but available in mid-August.

Yes, we know Michelle Obama is a full-fledged, Harvard-educated Woman of Substance. But now we also know she can use fashion in a way that disarms, makes subtle statements and even shows off upper arms to die for.

White House/Black Market? It just says it all.

Sarcasm Gets the Point Across

Eulis Simien — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:46:22 EDT

Go to the link below to see a great use of sarcasm to show how people who really should not be voting Republican are doing so:

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/

It really makes you laugh but also should make all of us think.

Very Powerful Commerical

Eulis Simien — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:43:24 EDT

You should see this very powerful commercial:

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/alexad.html?rc=homepage

It really makes you think about the costs of the war in Iraq.

Mike Huckabee to Republicans: Lay Off Obama..

Chanel for Obama — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:06:47 EDT

Source: Brietbart.com

Hopefully, Republicans will take heed...

Former US presidential contender Mike Huckabee urged his fellow Republicans on Wednesday not to denigrate Democrat Barack Obama, saying they should celebrate the historic moment of a black candidate.
"Republicans will make a fundamental if not fatal mistake if they seek to win the election by demonising Barack Obama," Huckabee told a news conference on a visit to Tokyo.
The former Arkansas governor said that, having grown up in the segregated South, he never thought he would see an African-American win the nomination of a major party for the US presidency.
"I do not want to have anyone misrepresent or miss the opportunity to celebrate what I think is a landmark achievement, not just for Barack Obama, but for the United States of America," he said.
The country was able "to get to a point where we did not see his colour but we truly saw his charisma, his message and what he brought to the campaign trail," Huckabee said.
Huckabee, who won the first nomination contest in Iowa on the back of support from evangelical Christians, said he hoped Republican John McCain would defeat Obama but urged his party to highlight policy differences and not race.
Huckabee said the troubled US economy would be the top campaign issue and doubted that Obama's race would come into play.
"When people are really hurting -- and they are right now -- they're not looking at a person's race," he said.

Barack & Michelle (Looking Fabulous!) on the Cover of US Weekly..

Chanel for Obama — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:04:19 EDT

You can pick up a copy in Los Angeles and NYC on Wednesday, June 18 and then copies of the magazine will be available nationwide on Friday, June 20. Also look for Michelle Obama to co-host "The View" on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 10AM CST on ABC.

Gen. Wesley Clarke's Views on John McCain...

Chanel for Obama — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:05:52 EDT

A true eye-opener, or it should be (for McCain supporters). General Wesley Clarke, who endorsed Sen. Obama for President, said this morning on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that on national security terms, Sen. John McCain is largely "untested" and "untried". General Clarke went on to say that "John McCain has never been responsible for policy formulation and has never had leadership in a crisis", but wait! There's more! Gen. Clarke also said about John McCain, that his weakness is that he's always been for the use of "force, force and more force" when the use of force should always be reserved as a last resort type effort. (Click to see the video)

Let me tell you something. I'm not shocked and surprised by any of this. John McCain is ALL TALK. Period. There's a huge article on The Huffington Post that states big gaps in John McCain's military record. (You can read it here). Look, I'm not trying to take away anything from Sen. McCain's military service to this country. I'm well aware of the fact that he was tortured for 5 years in Vietnam and he lived to tell about it. All I'm saying is stop with all the embellishing of your record and your service, and your supposed "foreign policy experience" if you can't back it up Sen. McCain. In other words, STOP LYING. People see straight through that. I know I do.

We need a REAL LEADER this coming election.

Barack Obama in '08!