Florida For Obama

Right of the US Born Hispanic formally known as Native American Indians in their percuit of life liberty and the persuit of happiness! Felon's Need for Voting Rights by a Constitutional Amendment to achieve Justice!

Lillene Ebanks — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:15:00 EST

Well, our Constitution is the foundation of Justice and upon which all caselaw is measured for evidence of Justice! But when our prisoners lose their Constitutional right to vote but keep their right to a speedy trialn to have an attorney, right to avoid two trials on one crime, right to avoid excessive bail, right to confront their accusers and right to due process we know that by taking their right to vote away this done to keep the US White Supremacy in our Executive BranchN supreme Court, Legislature and to trickle down to federal and government as well as corporate jobs! Well, to have JUSTICe in the United States we must start by Amending our Constitution to give prisoners and ex felons Constitutional protection that will bring justice as their voice on the voting system will cause all politicians to try to get their vote and result in action to bring justice! Nothing short of an amendment will bring justice and this is our most important need as everything we do resolves around a functional ConstitutionM When it function for maintaining White. Supremacy then we are no better than other countries whre the rich employed majority abuse the poor who usually are of a different part as they cost money while the rich produces taxable income but America Change Is On The Way! I am reconsidering and reevaluating my understanding of how to get justice so I must be able to understand the acts of Texas second governor and the prisons she built and Janet Reno and the Clinton Justice Department! Remember Prison Alamo and the plight of the parents of our Hispanic children who are in deportation jails as all citizens have rights to life liberty and the persuit of happiness! !

Far Left Disappointment: Change! Yes We Can

JLaroc1986 — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:55:21 EST

I am a devout Democrat even though I did vote for Reagan. The change that most of us worked for was to get the interest of the people to be put ahead of the interests of their institutions. We want something different - we want policies that encourage if not regulate this.

The administration is losing support in the healthcare debate because they just don't get a very simple fact: American's with insurance have been held hostage to the profit motives and unfair practices of the insurance and pharmaceutical industries for years - we don't trust them and we really don't want a solution that rewards them! I believe we would accept direct providers making a profit but to have what is basically an "adminstrative entity" operating for profit in the middle of the delivery chain is not acceptable.

We don't want Legislative games! We would have much preferred having every solution put to a yes or no vote before congress than the apathy inducing process we have watched where despite popular support we have scene myriad interests intervene in process to create change in appearance only.

As we look to 2010, I say it is time we throw out all incumbants and put new bodies in those seats. What we will get with such massive turnover will be chaos - but that will be much better than this Congress that has become too smart at playing games. Besides, think of the savings to lobbyists because they can start paying off our politicians at a much lower level.

911 Colunbus, Texas on the Colorado River bridge on Interstate 10 one armadillo made a one and many doves made an eight then a one!

Lillene Ebanks — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:37:11 EST

I went to put orange flowers on the Water as a token of the suffering of the illegal immigrants who are on their ancestral land and were there long before the illegal immigrants came and slaughtered them to made this country what it is today! The following message was given to me from god before I placed the flowers in the water on 911."On 9 11 09 an armadillo made a 1 then many doves made an 8 and a 1 on the Colorado River in Columbus Texas and it was after twelve I have to look back on my calander to see what time!It was between 2:15 PM and 2:28 PM on the right side of the bridge if you are going to Houston from Seguin.I know it means something but it was not a dream as I was there in person and I saw it unfold before my amazement." What does the one made by the armadillo mean and what does the 8 and the 1 made by the doves mean to us American Indians in immigration jails to be deported seperated from our American born children on our ancestral lands treated like terriorists on the land that was once our fathers hunting gound where the blood of our ancesters cry out for justice! God sent the doves a sign of the Holy Spirit and peaceto make an 8 and a 1 after an armidillo made a 1? It is not clear to me so is it clear to you? I am trying to understand but there are five political interpretations and I ko not have a gift of intrepretation now I do not think so I am praying for understanding! But I will wait on the Lord! His plans ar good and for prosperity as we love Him and we praise Him so His Blessings will chase us down and over take us! I want the Blessings of God to over take me yes chase me down and force it on me blessing that I can not contain and I must give it away! Awsome smiles like gifts of love freely given in the darkest corner of hopelessness over taking them too!

Congrats, Mr. President

Marie Yolaine — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:16:55 EST

"Aux ames bien nés, la Valeur n'attend point le nombre des années" Dit Corneille, un grand Philosophe Français
"To the well born souls, Value does not wait for number of years", said Corneille, a great French Philosopher.
Congratulations, Mr. President, your Nobel Prize is well deserved: for You, Your Family; For America; your beloved and the entire World.
In the name of the World and my Haitian American Community, I salute You. Thanks for being!

God Please Guide Our Commander In Chief and Grant him Wisdom like Solomon who was the Wisest Leader of Israel and they prospered!

Lillene Ebanks — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:45:42 EST

Thank you God in the Might Name Of Jesus Christ Who gave us His Rightousness!

Strength Forged Through Sacrifice-Never Forget: USSNew York Navy ship honoring the fallen heroes on 9-11!

Lillene Ebanks — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:25:08 EST

With loyalty on the staboard, unity on the port, with courage on the stern, with the force of prosperity at the bow, our good ship USS New York parts the waters of the Hudson saluting Lady Liberty while honoring all those patriots who give their all in defense of the Good Ship USA! Our Captain is We The People of the United States, a proud peouple, united for liberty, justice and prosperity! Sail on USS New York with all those US Navy men and women wearing their White Navy suits and Navy hat! We are so proud of all that you do! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! May the wind always caress your face with love as the water sprays on your cheeks we all will remember 9-11!

Rep. Don Burton in your critism of democrats listing a 12 percent unemployment in Pres. Carter's administration: Pres! Clinton balanced the budget and passed this secret formula to the first woman President Hillary Clinton!

Lillene Ebanks — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:22:52 EST

Can you name a republican president who balanced the budget before so do not misrepresent your insults of democrats! Did you forfet. A GOP on your team wasted all the trillions President Clinton gave us and ammased wealth for his Vice President through contracts!

Every Election Has Consequences

JLaroc1986 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:43:22 EST

Months ago I commented: OFA needs to start sending the message that what was started with Barack Obama's election must be continued - his election was not a silver bullet where with one perfect shot he would fix politics. EVERY election is important and has consequences.

I also commented that I was very upset with the new tactic by those who want to discourage Barack Obama's supporters e.g. supporting the fringe and tea-partyers with lies and exageration to activate their base to come out for the midterm elections. The prediction is for this midterm to be like other midterms e.g. only the disgruntled participate.

I hear people are getting discouraged because nine months have passed and President Obama has not brought the change he promised. Remember he said: change is about us not him. Look at how he has been treated by members of both his party and the opposition. Lobbying money is stronger than anything we have except our numbers. We can't help him if we do not vote to support him every chance we get. This is how we create change! Without us he has little power to accomplish anything on his own. In Congress both members of our party and the other party must know we support him and will turn out for him when asked.

Now I sit at home waiting for tomorrow night when I expect to hear how President Obama's election was a fluck because the change he brings is not the change WE wanted and this is why his support is falling. Tomorrow's win by Republican's mascarading as Conservatives will embolden them to work even harder against him and any change he may attempt.

I also hate being misused by the Democratic Party! We are bombarded with emails for support and solicitation constantly. We should be treated as an asset that can be exhausted and used when we are really needed which is exactly the same concept we are trying to communicate about our troops and war.

Its too late to ask you to go vote with me tomorrow but I ask you to not let another election go by without going to the polls.

Thank you.

Please leave Afganastan and inforce Immigration.

Kenny Sommer — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:20:05 EST

Dear President Obama,

Please use diplomacy, the Navy and Air Force in Afganastan. We need to isolate them. They hate us but this is not worth so many American lives. Maybe destroy all the popey fields, the production went up from 14% to 90% of the worlds supply during the Bush era. Please do not send more troops, bring most of them home. Vice President Bidens ideas on this are correct. Please support the Iranian revolution, the green party as much as you can. Please help are inner cities. Please inforce immigration policies. We are becoming an older country, we need to be one, we need to be America. You have done a great job in turning the economy around, the number 1 issue in the election. I can't think of 1 good reason we need troops on the ground in Afganastan. We must protect and build our homeland, and our trade safety. We need to focus on making sure the terrorists don't get in the USA, or if they are in we stop them. If you need to read my emails, or listen to me talk I don't mind if thats what it takes. lets focus on America, and who is an American? Let freedom ring and the right to persue happyness. If you are Gay, you should have equal rights. If you hunt you should be able to hunt, but the right to bear arms doesn't include assult riffles and hand guns. We need to educate, build great roads, trains, bridges,ect. We need health reform but America wants to here about other serious issues. Thanks, don't let me down. Game of 1 on 1?!!

Spam in "Florida Loves Obama"

Mike Underwood — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:10:46 EDT

Some fool has filled my inbox promoting a meeting on November 5, 2009. Quit it!

Thank you Speaker Pelosi for protecting the weakest and most vunerable amoung us and not yielding to greed and contributions of the pharmacutical like the Republicans who sold us down the tube!

Lillene Ebanks — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:26:44 EDT

Thank you from the people who elected you to protect us! Getting a Bill ready to vote is an achievement.

Thank you Speaker Pelosi for protcting the weakest and most vunerable amoung us and not yielding to greed and contributions of the pharmacutical like the Repuvlicans who sold us down the tube!

Lillene Ebanks — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:41:23 EDT

Thank you from the people who elected you to protect us! Getting a Bill ready to vote is an achievement.

Thanks President Obama and the late Sen. Ted Kennedy for getting the Hate Crime federal law passed: Your efforts are Godly ! Sorry President Bush God's work is our business as we walk the walk not talk the talk of Godilyness and vito Hate Crime Bills! Go

Lillene Ebanks — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:48:20 EDT

Walk the walk! Thank you democrats for loving people!

Congratulation President Obama: You have launched us into the FUTURE of solar electricity, electric car factoriies, and we wait on railways, the return of our troops as we no longer depend on foreign oil!

Lillene Ebanks — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:47:31 EDT

Congratulation on the Florida solar electric plant and the electric car factory!@resident Obama in your first few months in the office! -magine how much you willaccomplish in the next seven years!

Texas Tea to Boycott President Obama"s Visit to Tejas: WE Chicanos or Americans Youth, and all true Christians who want "haters" to be stopped, Are No Longer Voting for Fear, Sneaky Brotherhood, or Racists pushing Tea Cup Parties

Lillene Ebanks — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:16:42 EDT

President Obama, on behalf of Texans especially the Latinos we will be honored to have you vist Texas! We know how Texas feels toward Democrats as we saw what happened when President Kennedy visited Dallas! Well, we love you President Obama and we need forty years of progressive presidents to welcome diversity including our hope for a woman president!

Touch Down NFL: Thanks for Protecting Your Fans from "haters" like Rush and sending a MESSAGE that we love all Americans all the time!

Lillene Ebanks — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:20:18 EDT

Thanks NFL for standing up for the people who loves you and those you love! Go "Saints" on our way promoting Godly love so we can bond!We hope to love you too Rush when you change!Now that you live in DC, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, are you pulling for the Red Socks? *wsome! Have an awsome Super Bowl! We wants lots of victoriesevery day until this world is a better place and we can truely stand up and know beyond a reasonable shadow of doubt that our United States Constitution is not a two party system for the have"s and the have not"s. The have not"s all end up in the pokey because their attorney is appointed and sides with the district attorney to get another appointment. Now if we want justice educate past offenders as attorney"s and pit them on a salary so they take cases to trial and provide a real defense as their salary is secure ! They will not be tempted to be a puppet for the prosecution in oder to get another appointment.The cost will be the same to tax payers but we woll be paying for a real two party hustice system where the have not's will be protected by a justice system that is balanced like our symbol, the scale of justice. @eople who are charged and not convicted should not be placed with those who have been convicted where rape can elicit many a plea bargin victories for the prosecuter as the have not"s attorney is a fan of the prosecuter who helps him get another apointment! Go Saints and Red Socks, maybe this batch of politicians and their staff will change our two party Constitution So the have not"s will get the same justice as the have"s! Touch Down! Awsome! Don"t forget a constitutional Right to Vote for all and voting boooths in jails and prisons. Then the goal of rehabilitation will be realized as true justice is part of our legal system not a farce! God bless America! Go NFL we have a game to win on field but more importantly off field! As a teacher I want public school "have not children" to learn to read and get the same quality education as the "private school have's"! Tackle the public school failing where the have not"s end up in the school to prison pipeline and the have's like Teddy Kennedy get away with "murder"!

President Obama awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Rhonda Barnes — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:30:46 EDT

President Obama Awarded Nobel Peace PrizeTo all members of Diversity4Obama,I started this group over 2 years ago and it has been awhile since I have communicated with all of you. Yet, friday October 9, 2009 deserves a special message for all of us. When I woke up on Friday morning at 5am and heard the CNN Newscaster saying breaking news "President Barack Obama awarded Nobel Peace Prize!" I thought I was dreaming. Wait it wasn't a dream it was true. The world was witnessing another historical event being made possible by the man that we all worked so hard to get elected as our president. What sweet resurgence of feelings of hope I felt. The honorable Peace Prize for 2009 had been awarded to President Obama. It was summed up best by former Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, of Vienna: Obama has already provided outstanding leadership ....In less than a year in office, he has transformed the way we look at ourselves and the world we live in and rekindled hope for a world at peace with itself," ElBaradei said. "He has shown an unshakable commitment to diplomacy, mutual respect and dialogue as the best means of resolving conflicts. He has reached out across divides and made clear that he sees the world as one human family, regardless of religion, race or ethnicity."To tell you the truth I haven't stopped dreaming since we worked so hard to elect Barack Obama. Thank you Norwegian Nobel Committee for recognizing that President Obama has given people around the world a hope that America will work with them for a better future. Now I pray that all Americans will choose peace for the world as our collective dream!Rhonda Lynn BarnesPunta Gorda, Florida 10-10-09

Thank you Mr. President

Miz Clark — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:49:56 EDT

Many of us secrectly wondered, “If we help you will you forget?”

We wondered what we were getting into because you came out of no where like a shooting star. We were inspired by your willingness to admit you didn’t have all the answers and that you may make mistakes. Some of us have forgotten you said you would work hard to correct them as they came to light. Many have also forgotten you are not a dictator and there are several people with whom you consult, who have a say in the decisions you make and that you just can’t go off on some tangent “all willy-nilly.”

No Mr President, you have to be careful with every step you take and every word you say. You have the weight of the world on your shoulders, and still had time to be a father to this nation.

Sasha and Malia are the luckiest girls in the world, because with everything already on his plate their Daddy took time out of his day to give words of encouragement to millions of kids who may not have had anyone to do that for them. I live in one of the districts where it was decided your message wasn’t important enough to interrupt the school day. Some were given an excused absence so they could be taken out of school and view it off campus, but you had to give them prior notice and I was concerned as to what they would miss.

Calm prevails at Meek's town hall

Dave Patlak — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:45:51 EDT

Calm prevails at Meek's town hall http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/1216851.html MiamiHerald.com - Beth Reinhard US Rep. Kendrick Meek emphasized the importance of a government-run healthcare plan at a low-key Miami town hall meeting attended by about 400 people. ...
No bullhorns, no protesters at Meek's town hallhttp://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2009/09/no-bullhorns-no-protesters-at-meeks-town-hall-.html
Meek Holds Health Care Town Hall - Politics News Story - WPLG MiamiSep 3, 2009 ... Kendrick Meek is holding a health care town hall meeting Thursday ... www.justnews.com/politics/20708651/detail.html Video: http://www.justnews.com/video/20718160/

Letter to Congress

Debbie — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:07:08 EDT

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE US CONGRESS

Heed this or enjoy your last term in US Congress

We, the people, DEMAND that a strong condition-free PUBLIC OPTION be included in whatever Health Care Reform legislation you enact. We will be watching your actions closely, so, keep the following in mind before casting your vote. Make it count for all Americans :-

Health Care Reform is MEANINGLESS if:

1. There is no Public Option ( with clear path to SINGLE PAYER, No Co-ops, No Triggers ).
2. Everybody is not covered. (Without Exception)
3. Coverage can be denied based on “Pre-existing” conditions.
4. It does not contain Patients’ Rights.
5. Strict Regulations are not imposed on insurance plans.
6. Affordability and costs to consumers, as well as providers, are not addressed.
7. Accessibility, delivery and quality are not maintained and/or improved.
8. There’s NO oversight from medical, financial and national security perspectives.
9. Profit motive is NOT REMOVED.
10. Innovation, Research guidelines and funding are not addressed.

Health Care For Patients, NOT For Profit because Health Care For Profit is Health Care DENIED.

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should an insurance middleman come between a patient and his/her doctor - especially, if the insurance middleman stands to gain from it.

Insurance and Employers have no business being in Health Care. They contribute nothing towards it

Health Insurance Reform

Jane Anne Jeffries Johnson — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:33:55 EDT

I retired from the Los Angeles Unified School District in February. I felt it was my civic duty to give up my job and live on my retirement, since the economy is struggling. I moved to Friday Harbor, Washington, where the economy is doing better than in California. I am able to keep abreast of the changes President Obama is making toward a more viable society and economy. I urge everyone who voted for him to continue to support him now. The sharks are swarming, and there is blood in the water. It's time to come together as a force for change.

Liberal's can use this myth-information

JLaroc1986 — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:47:38 EDT

Liberal's can use this myth-information (part 2; 08/13/09)

Although I respect what President Obama is doing by being so professional and walking his talk as he calls to our better nature; I think that liberals could start health care myths and rumours of their own. One very easy annoucement is that Republicans intend to cut the social programs of social security and medicare to reduce the deficit. They will be keeping tax cuts and enacting a new capital gains tax cut. They will be eliminating these programs to pay for the tax cuts.

Truth: Medicare is Not Safe Even With No Action (part 1; 08/09/09)

Many of those who are so vocal at town halls appear to be in the social security age group. They don't want their medicare "touched" by government. They don't want the program that works for them changed. The truth is that there is no "status quo" in the future for social security or medicare. Combine the numbers of those who will be eligible for social security with the ever increasing costs of health care and the truth about the government deficit becomes clear that it will increase one way of the other: health care reform with an increase now or do nothing with an impact later. I can hear the demonstrations of the future talking about how providing health care for my mother is putting a debt on the heads of my children. This is the message that is not being addressed.

Shock and Awe Town Mauls: base activation for 2010

JLaroc1986 — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:54:16 EDT

Town Mauls (part 2)

I realized that the 47% against health care reform contains the 45.7% that did not vote for President Obama in 2008. They do not want the change that the majority (54.3%) voted for. They were against the stimulus and are now yelling for "less government invovement" in healthcare. They believe the economy can only be fixed through "tax policy" and are also firm believers in the doom that comes from a large government deficit. They are the other side and will be out demonstrating on anything the President does that they consider as "change". We do need to listen to them but we can't let them prevent us from taking action.

I think that we should give them the opportunity to ask questions but we can't let them prevent us providing information. Perhaps we should actively call them on their shut down actions e.g. let them speak: challenge their incorrect information and ask them what they are proposing as an alternative. When they can't offer counter proposals ask them why they think nothing is the better option?

Shock and Awe Town Halls: base activation for 2010 (part 1)

I am very upset with this new tactic by those who want to discourage Barack Obama's supporter. I hear that elected republicans are supporting this action because it will activate their base to come out for the midterm elections. The prediction is for this midterm to be like other midterms e.g. only the disgruntled participate. OFA needs to start sending the message that what was started with Barack Obama's election must be continued - his election was not a silver bullet to fix politics. Every election is important and has consequences. Lets start by looking at incumbants who are most vested in the status quo.

The teachable moment behind "acting stupidly"

JLaroc1986 — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:50:01 EDT

Believe it or not, the reality of the situation in Cambridge is not race-based. It is about a personal sense of being disrespect and the response to them. This is the teachable moment. Race obscures the reality of the dynamics of the situation that happens in the US every day e.g. forced acceptance of authoritarian demands made by some individuals in public safety. Hypervigilance is defined as abnormally increased arousal, responsiveness to stimuli, and scanning of the environment for threats. Too many public safety employees come into situations primed to respond and reacting to individual responses in a negative way.

Perhaps the training we should be giving our public safety officials is sensitivity to and management of their own physiological state while being in the midst of an emotionally charged situation.

Is Government more inefficient than the private sector?

JLaroc1986 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:31:19 EDT

Why is government so inefficient? Because the “other side” (determined by the party in office) refuses to allow any division/department/program to be funded in order to operate adequately. The President asks for so much money to fund a program. The House and Senate each write a bill with their own pet projects in it. Then they reconcile the bills to get one that both can sign. During this process dollars are changed, removed, and added, yet the almighty anxiety of the “deficit” gets dusted off and trotted out. There was a time when business was better than government but that was years ago. That was before the decade of self-interest dawned on the US.

Now health care providers and insurers look more and more like the government e.g. pushed to do more with less. Add to that the fact that those at the top of government want to live the life of luxury like corporate leaders. They too who want more and more. Government employees used to get better benefits than the private because they earned less. Today our government leaders want more pay and the best benefits. Does it really matter who takes our money and gives us little value in return? I hate paying for either corporate executives or elected officials to live a life I won’t ever see. I prefer to give my money to the government to share among more like me than to businesses whose primary mission is greed and whose power is our purse.

Until we change ourselves those we elect to government we will not change anything because those at the top like it this way! We must stop accepting unchallenged incumbants and poor business practices.

Look at this example of government waste (I'm using very rough estimates but as my mother said: take care of the pennies and the dollars take care of themselves): Take Mike Pence who stated on C-span that the cost of his health insurance benefit is over $1,000 a month. The cost of a family health plan at my company is $800.00. Take the $200 difference times the 534 in congress (434 representatives and 100 senators) times 12 months. This is a measly $1,281,600 per year that my taxes are paying for individuals to have better benefits than me. Why not review the costs of health care benefits imbedded in our government and make them more like those of the common citizen?

Harry and Louise in 2009: Where is the picture of the crowded exam room with Maud lying on the bed, the doctor sitting beside the bed on a stool, and Harold standing off to the side looking concerned. On one side is Harold’s employer, his arms are around Harold’s shoulders. Standing next to the employer’s is his health insurance agent. The agent’s arm is around the employer’s shoulders. The agent is speaking to Harold. “Do you really want the government in here with us?”

Where are the jobs? Why are you asking instead of taking action & creating them!

JLaroc1986 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:26:12 EDT

I listened today to House Representatives give one-minute speeches. They all slipped the line “Where are the jobs” into their presentations. It was so obvious that this was a party strategy and subject of a talking points memo. Given the number of speeches decrying the stimulus plan, raising concerns about looming deficits, and taxing small businesses all as destroyers of jobs, I found myself wondering.

There had to be at least 25 speakers. If each speaker went out and helped even a small number of people create jobs for others then think of the ripple effect. It is not acceptable to allow any group to sit on the sidelines and cheer for defeat! They must be questioned about what they are each doing personally to create jobs through their elected positions. Yes, this is like the argument about “Republicans just saying no” but the creation of jobs is so important that no one can be excused from taking any action they could to create jobs. They can't get off the hook just by voting no and then hand wringing and naysaying. They have a fairly powerful job in their own right and how are they using it? How many jobs has Rep. Boehner personally saved/created in his district verses how many have been saved/created via the stimulus plan? It is up to everyone to get the citizens of our nation back to work not just the democrats in an elected federal position. It is also up to executives of global companies started here not just small businesses. No one should get a pass to sit on the side.

Truth of Politics

MI 2020 -T Man — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:12:11 EDT

Make no mistake, an intrique or manuevering unit within our national governing body's only goal is to be counterproductive to President Obama's agenda, that's politics. President Obama has health coverage already, he's trying to get it for YOU. Yeah, they'll throw out bait of all kinds, like: "spending our grandchildrens budget"....yet, there was no problem spending money (an estimate trillion dollars over 10 years) to enter a foreign country(Iraq) looking for some type of weapons and all that were found were 6 fighter jets(5 buried in the sand) and 3 battleships(inoperable). Iraq had a 2/3 no-fly zone already imposed on it, how were these "mysterious weapons" going to become mobile anyway, camel or horse and wagon? That's called wasteful or unintelligent spending. Politics is strange....this nation was gun-ho about financing a war against Iraq and Afghanistan which was the beginning of our economic demise, but for the health and wellbeing of its own citizens, no way, which is the beginning of economic growth. Could it be some politicians have a stake in the sale of military weapons, a deadly truth? Interest in oil? Guess what, still no Osama, only the killings of combatants who choose to fight and die against invaders and Coalition soldiers fighting as ordered. If i recall it was reported 15 of the 9/11 plane hi-jackers were Saudi renegade citizens and we are in Iraq and Afghanistan, huh??? Not that we should be at war with the Saudis, but what's really going on???? OIL. Another story.....

The current President's predecessor, Bush stated "the fundamentals of the economy are sound(strong)", several times, yet passed a stimulus package to bail the "sound economy" out of the throes of devastastion before leaving office. But, the agenda of the former President is not the issue as far as our solution, but is an issue as far as the problem. You see, there's an element within our governing body that doesn't want our current Presidents agendas to succeed even if it means blind siding the very people President Obama and they also swore to uphold in their best interest and livelihood.

President Obama was given the keys to a remarkable vehicle (national economy), by the former driver, Bush, who explained, "I thought the engine was running fine, but it needs a tune-up. So, i borrowed some money to have it repaired." A minor miscalculation accompanied the keys, yesterdays budget forecast has come and gone, welcome new day Trillions of dollar economy. Upon receiving the keys the current President and everybody riding in this remarkable vehicle realized, the engine is going out, we'll need a new engine or a new vehicle sooner than later(national economy and banking system). In the mean time there are some passengers who've gotten ill and can't receive care because the vehicle is puttering and stalling, yet, an element of those who make decisions about the operation of this remarkable vehicle tell those who are ill, it's a little costly to fix, so try to hang in there while we bs(govern). Those ill sometimes lose their homes, jobs, health and ultimately their lives as the remarkable vehicle waits on crucial decision makers.

Some politician's only sense of governing is to influence the minds of this nations citizens (passengers) that the remarkable vehicle isn't working properly because of who now has the keys, hoping the people won't see the truth of politics, deadly truth.

Stakeholders in Health Care Reform

JLaroc1986 — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:26:45 EDT

I was trying to put together a comprehensive framework to build a comprehensive committee for health care reform. As I was building this list I was amazed at how disproportionate the lobbying efforts are compared to the model. Take a look and make suggestions for changes. NOTE: when building the committee I advocate only looking for representation of sectors from 1.0 through 5.9.

Thanks - Janell Larocque

STAKEHOLDERS IN HEALTH CARE REFORM (created 07/14/09)

1.0 TYPE OF HEALTH CARE BEING DELIVERED:

1.1 Public Health

1.1.1 CDC

1.1.2 FEMA

1.1.3 Research

1.1.3.1 FDA

1.1.3.2 NIH

1.2 Personal Health

1.2.1 Routine (Includes Wellness, Dental, Vision)

1.2.2 Emergencies

1.2.3 Chronic Care

1.2.4 End of Life Care

2.0 DELIVERY LOCATION FOCUSES:

2.1 Urban and Suburban Care

2.1.1 Professional Office

2.1.2 Clinic

2.1.3 Hospital

2.1.4 Recipient’s Home

2.1.5 Rehabilitation Facility

2.1.6 Long Term Facility

2.1.7 Hospices

2.2 Local Health Departments

2.3 VA Hospitals and Health Care System

2.4 Rural Health Care

3.0 HEALTH CARE DELIVERY

3.1 Primary Physician

3.2 Specialists

3.3 Pharmaceuticals (Manufacturers and Pharmacies)

3.4 Laboratories (Equipment Manufacturers and/or Delivery Specialists)

3.5 Other Testing Resources (Manufacturers and/or Testers)

3.6 Other Treatment Resources (Manufacturers and/or Treatment Providers)

4.0 HEALTH CARE IMPACTED INSURER/INSURANCE PROVIDERS

4.01 Health Insurance Provider

4.01.1 To employer (Third Party)

4.01.2 Direct to recipient

4.02 Vision Insurance Provider

4.02.1 To employer (Third Party)

4.02.2 Direct to recipient

4.03 Dental Insurance Provider

4.03.1 To employer (Third Party)

4.03.2 Direct to recipient

4.04 Prescription Drug Insurance

4.04.1 To employer (Third Party)

4.04.2 Direct to recipient

4.05 Short Term Disability Insurance

4.05.1 To employer (Third Party)

4.05.2 Direct to recipient

4.06 Long Term Disability Insurance

4.06.1 To employer (Third Party)

4.06.2 Direct to recipient

4.07 Supplemental Insurance

4.07.1 To employer (Third Party)

4.07.2 Direct to recipient

4.08 Life Insurance

4.08.1 To employer (Third Party)

4.08.2 Direct to recipient

4.09 Specialized Short Term Health Insurance

4.10 Employers

4.10.1 Self-Employed

4.10.2 Small Business

4.10.3 Business

4.10.4 Government

4.10.4.1 For Career Employees

4.10.4.2 For Elected Officials

4.11 Medicare

4.12 Tri-Care

5.0 HEALTH CARE RECIPIENTS

5.1 Employees

5.1.1 Working Poor e.g. Full Time Low Income

5.1.2 Traditional e.g. Full Time Moderate Income and Above

5.1.2.1 Unionized

5.1.2.2 Non-unionized

5.1.3 Non-traditional

5.1.4 Retirees

5.1.1 Unionized

5.1.2 Non-unionized

5.2 Unemployed

5.2.1 No-choice

5.2.2 By Choice

5.3 College Students (non-dependent)

5.4 Veterans

5.4.1 Active duty

5.4.2 Reserve

5.4.3 Retired

5.5 Chronically Ill

5.6 Disabled

5.7 Mentally Ill

5.8 Elderly

5.9 Terminally Ill

5.10 Children

5.11 Pregnant Women

5.12 Victims of Sex Crimes

6.0 OTHER ENTITIES INVOLVED WITH HEALTH CARE N.O.C.

6.1 Schools, Educational Institutions, and Specialized Training Programs e.g. medical schools

6.2 Professional Organizations/Agencies

6.3 Manufacturer’s Trade Organizations

6.4 Credentialing Agencies

6.5 Regulatory and Standards Compliance Organizations

7.0 EXPLOSIVE ISSUES IMBEDDED IN HEALTH CARE

7.1 Abortion Practices

7.2 Birth Control Programs

7.3 Programs Involving Sexual Identity Conflicts With Sexual Physiology

7.4 Research Activities Using Stem Cells

A Bush Administration Investigation could drown out

JLaroc1986 — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:31:57 EDT

A Bush Administration investigation by a special prosecutor could drown out the republican opposition's drum beat about the negative potential of a looming deficit. People have been so exposed to republican negativity that they have become nervous about looking forward. Unfortunately it is also being echoed by Congressional Democrats. The message "Yes we can!" has been changed to "Yes, we can - but - can we really afford it?" We learned from the last administration that you could run large deficits but we did not learn how to run large deficits with a conscience e.g. an opposition party droning on about the negative potentials of those deficits.

If we are against starting a "tit-for-tat" process going forward by investigating a prior administration for "crimes", then forget it until we change the dynamics of party politics. If we are against the distraction component then get over it because we are losing to the distraction of "fear of the future". As the pressure we felt from our "fear of now" during December and January has been converted into a "fear of the future" over the last few months we may need a distraction to get us through now without fearing tomorrow and ceasing to act for change.

Don't stop lobbying, tax it

JLaroc1986 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:50:41 EDT

Now the chant is "Oh My God, beware of the Deficit"! Don't stop lobbying, get it out in the open by taxing it and using it for the benefit of all and not the select few. Tax corporate expenses that become mony spent to gain special access and consideration by Congress. Corporations despite the rights they have been given are not people. The expenses are not reasonable and necessary costs of doing business. Put a registration fee on lobbying firms and lobbyists based on their revenues and income. Tax gifts, donations, and contributions made to members of Congress by lobbyists. Define the term lobbyist so as to include any bundler of campain contributions who seek preferance through the act of bundling.

Lobbyists are "spending" 1.5 million on health care to get their Health Care "wants" to Congress. Access to money gives them an unfair advantage over me - my "voice" is too small to be heard. In return for cutting me out of the government law creation process at least reduce the debt I have to cover.

A response to those asking about a second stimulus

JLaroc1986 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:31:35 EDT

How can President Obama do more? It was like "pulling teeth" to get the first stimulus package out.

During the Bush adminstration there was never the same loud drum beat about the debt playing incessantly in the background. When was the Bush Adminstration ever told no to spending? How can democrats be so inept to not be able to move legislation with 72% of the public behind them. When were Republicans ever called on the games they played with spending like what they did for the war?

The difference between the two parties is their sense of "ownership of the truth". Republicans act like they own the truth about government, economics, race, etc. while Democrats just don't act that way.

I give up!!! The American Populace deserves no better than to go back to giving tax cuts to those who don't need them, providing social security to those who got theirs before they got out while bankrupting medicare as baby boomers start drawing on it, and giving lifetime health care to elected officals who are pocketing the 1.5 million dollars in gifts from lobbyists.

As a friend commented on me today - You may have challenged me to draw but I know I will win - unlike you I have nothing left to lose.

Read this book The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power. It talks about politicians who are being told they have been "chosen by God to lead". The author was on the Rachel Maddow show. Rachel was talking about the recent politicians in the news who are members of the "C Street Band". They live at a Christian (as in the Family) boading house on "C Street. The book is about a group who espouse a belief that "Godly, powerful rich men should get anything they want and they get to choose what they want to provide to those less favored". To put their belief about the way power should be wielded another way "more power to the powerful who have been chosen by God to be leaders with trickle down to others".

BOOK REVIEW: Checking in on a friend's brother at Ivenwald, a Washington-based fundamentalist group living communally in Arlington, Va., religion and journalism scholar Sharlet finds a sect whose members refer to Manhattan's Ground Zero as "the ruins of secularism"; intrigued, Sharlet accepts on a whim an invitation to stay at Ivenwald. He's shocked to find himself in the stronghold of a widespread "invisible" network, organized into cells much like Ivenwald, and populated by elite, politically ambitious fundamentalists; Sharlet is present when a leader tells a dozen men living there, "You guys are here to learn how to rule the world." As it turns out, the Family was established in 1935 to oppose FDR's New Deal and the spread of trade unions; since then, it has organized well-attended weekly prayer meetings for members of Congress and annual National Prayer Breakfasts attended by every president since Eisenhower. Further, the Family's international reach ("almost impossible to overstate") has "forged relationships between the U.S. government and some of the most oppressive regimes in the world." In the years since his first encounter, Sharlet has done extensive research, and his thorough account of the Family's life and times is a chilling expose.

Please break the control of the employer and monolith companies

JLaroc1986 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:48:52 EDT

I am sick and tired of begging when accessing MY employment benefits and I am tired of big companies who pay top management so much that they can not afford to staff their consumer contact positions adequately. It's time to throw them all out of this country, they do not bring value to our daily activities they only feed on my wallet like the parasites they are. No economy has to be better than jumping through their hoops on a daily basis. Fix health care and break the control of the employer over the life of the employee.

It's Been Too Long -IT'S TIME TO GET TO WORK! What's Your Issue?

Sharon C. of Dania Beach, FL — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:58:54 EDT

Mine is Health Care! It's been awhile since I've interacted on this site and blog, and have hosted a community event. But with my discontentment with our health care system and how our government allows the pharmacutical and insurance companies to dictate how our doctors practice medicine, along with the medical system itself being one of the most closed minded and irresponsible business practices that ever exsisted, I had to jump on the opportunity when asked by the President to host a Community Health Care Reforum Meeting to get the nation on the same page and focused on changing things.

On Saturday, June 6, 2009 12:00 - 2:00pm in the city of Dania Beach I invite you to join me and a group of concerned citizens and residents who want to be informed of Obama's new health care reforum plans as well as, and equally as important, have an opportunity to be a part of the type of change that takes place!

I don't know yet the details of the agenda, but that is forth coming in the next week. As the information is received, it will be communicated to all who sign up. Visit the local events link for Dania Beach, to get the details and directions. This meeting is for anyone who wants to attend as Health Care reforum is a County & State issue and it's going to take the support of ALL the residents and communities in Florida. This is the FIRST kick-off gathering for communites ll over the country to get America focused, educated and ready to step up to make it happen! It's time to get to work! It's time to make it happen!

TORTURE

Debbie — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:48:33 EDT

There are not that many people which we happen to call terrorists that have any concrete information that we want or need. Missions are carried out by what we call “terrorists, CIA agents, or our military.” Know that each person carrying out the mission in any of the groups I reference here are not privy to the information of each other. This my friends is where the torture issue breaks down and does not work. Why? We don’t know if Johns’s information is related to Sam’s or if he knows anything at all. These unknown factors make torture an act of trial and error. How on earth are we going to torture people on a trial and error basis? How can we move forward believing that this is an act of self-preservation of a nation? How can we involve ourselves in such grievous and heinous crimes against humans whether they are guilty or not, just because we are out to find the truth? How can we search for the truth employing our own men? Do you think our men will be the same after they torture someone? Do you know that these men that perform the torture are just as victims as the ones they are torturing? Why do we do this to our own?

How, please tell me how, can conservatives that are out there in search of preservation of life, as in the unborn child, risk the adult child’s mind by forcing them to torture others? How, can the conservatives who claim to have such fundamental truths to withhold do such atrocities to other human beings? How, can conservatives claim that life is to be honored and cherished and yet have such double standards for US citizens vs. the rest of the world? Why? I am appalled today and disgusted with this. I am furious that we are even discussing this. How can self-righteousness make us cruel? How? Two wrongs do not make a right! And worse of all when we don’t even know if we are taking our 6th degrees of separation terrorist cousin that grew up in the other side of the word and degrading his human nature to the point of total surrender! Yes, why don’t you conservatives ask McCain? Ask him why he does not agree with torture. Ask McCain why this practice has to be abolished. Ask McCain how he broke down. For what? If Sam is captured, do not fool yourselves, someone else will carry out his mission. There is always a plan B!

Cheney can talk, Rumsfeld can talk, and everyone out there Republican, Democrats, Independents can talk…. But the truth of the matter is that we hurt our own! Why? Why?

Has humanity gone bonkers? Today I am angry at this issue. Angry that we even have to discuss it!

Conservatives, do on to others… does not mean just us, it means humans… wake up people…. Wake up!

In response to Pat Buchanan's statements on Hardball on 4/20/09

Debbie — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:11:51 EDT

On November 28, 1897, Spain granted autonomy to Puerto Rico after the Independence Party’s coup of September 23, 1868, El Grito de Lares. General elections were held in March/July of 1898 and Puerto Rico's autonomous government began to function, but not for long.

BUCHANAN: “… We liberated Puerto Rico. We offered Puerto Rico the freedom to go independent, to go commonwealth, to go statehood.”

The Spanish American War broke out and on July 25, 1898 when Puerto Rico was invaded by the U.S. The Spanish forces retreated and on October 18, 1898 Puerto Rico's autonomous government was officially changed to an American military government. The Treaty of Paris was signed and it stated that Spain was to cede Puerto Rico, Guam and Philippines to the U.S. Under this treaty Cuba would become a protectorate of the U.S. The Foraker Act of 1900, changed Puerto Rico’s military government to a civil government.

The President of the U.S. appointed the governor, cabinet and delegates. Puerto Ricans were distressed after having been granted autonomy by Spain, it had now taken a step back to colonialism. On March 2, 1917 President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones Law. Granting Puerto Ricans American citizenship.

***

Hardball, April 20, 2009 (guests Pat Buchanan and Lawrence O’Donnell)

http://bit.ly/SyCk6

MATTHEWS: OK, let me ask you about—let‘s get to the facts here before we move on, a little history here. We have two veterans here of history…. What is the legitimate complaint by Latin America against the United States, Lawrence, because Pat says you‘ve got one. What is it? In terms of Latin America, where have we been bad? Where have we been bad. Let‘s hear the worst….

The double standards of the United States politics is what bothers and enfuriates Latin Americans as well as the rest of the world. The U.S. wants to have policies for their own protection and will not grant the same courtesy to other countries. Nuclear weapons, torture, invasion of other countries… etc.

The great historian, Pat Buchanan, was totally misinformed as to what he called the “liberation” of Puerto Rico from the Spanish, when the Spain had already given them the autonomy!

BUCHANAN: Sergeant Batista came to power, I believe, in 1932 under— ‘34, under the Good Neighbor” policy of FDR. He was in power to 1959. Is that our fault, or is it Cuba‘s fault that they can‘t get rid of dictators? Good heavens, there‘s been dictators all over that place. Juan Peron—that‘s all our fault? Blame America first because we did it all!

You indicate that Obama should not be fraternizing with dictators as Chavez but let me help you Pat with a bit of the history this since you seem to be a bit cloudy in this matter. The U.S. was fraternizing with dictators when they gave the green light and back-up to Battista to do as he pleased.

On April of 1933 U.S. Ambassador Benjamin Sumner Welles was sent to Cuba to mediate differences between the government and opposing political groups and he said to Battista, "I will lay down no specific terms; the matter of your government is a Cuban matter and it is for you to decide what you will do about it." To Batista, this was an invitation to rule. So on September 4, 1933 an uprising known as the "Revolt of the Sergeants," Batista took over the Cuban government and he emerged as self-appointed chief of the armed forces and a favored U.S. strong man.

From 34 to 40 Batista ran the country with puppet presidents and was a friend of the U.S. and the mafia until 1940 when defeated Grau San Martín in the first presidential election under a new Cuban constitution and U.S. trade relations increased. But in 1944 Grau San Martin was elected president Batista was forced to relinquish control.

On March 10 1952, 23 months before the upcoming elections (because he was sure to lose) Batista took over the government against elected Cuban president Carlos Prío Socorras. FYI: Also running in that election (for a different office) was a young, energetic lawyer named Fidel Castro. On March 27 Batista's government was formally recognized by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Note Pat Buchanan: Batista was acting as a dictator at this point because he did not get elected with total and full support from the U.S.

Batista opened the way for large-scale gambling in Havana, and he reorganized the Cuban state so that he and his political appointees could harvest the nation's riches. He announced that his government would match, dollar for dollar, any hotel investment over $1 million, which would include a casino license, and Lansky became the center of the entire Cuban gambling operation. Under Batista, Cuba became profitable for American business and organized crime making Havana the "Latin Las Vegas," a playground of choice for wealthy gamblers, and very little was said about democracy, or the rights of the average Cuban.

American Heathcare System

TheBlaqueProfessor — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:04:51 EDT

Now that Senator Obama has been President Obama and has passed his first litmus test--surviving the Republican hostility in his first 100 days--it's time to make a move on Healthcare. As tax-paying, legal citizens, every American not only should, but must have access to affordable healthcare. In fact, healthcare is like real estate, another problematic economic nightmare for many people. It makes not sense that if I was unemployed with children as a single mother, I would have full access a free healthcare system for myself and my children. As a woman born with a debilitating disease that moved into my brain five years ago, I am considered 'uninsurable', which is absurd, considering the contributions my tax dollars make to this country (44% of my gross income!) How dare anyone consider my life one not worth saving while my tax dollars keep other people either rich or well fed! This must change.President Obama already made the most important move on healthcare: he approved CHIP; a beautiful thing. But now it is time for ALL Americans to have access to affordable and technologically savvy healthcare, NOW. We must band together under an umbrella of understanding that there will always be an available seat in the house of ill health and there is a space for EVERYONE. If it is not you right now, don't worry, your time will surely come when you are in need of healthcare for something serious. It happens to us all, eventually. If you loose your job, will you be prepared? If you contract HIV, will you be prepared? If your child (Allah forbid) should be diagnosed with some dreaded disease, is your family prepared to sell everything it owns for the sake of that child? Or do you take your health and your current access to or need for healthcare for granted?

Let me be as clear as I can: for everyone person with healthcare, there is one person without it. Are you ready for your turn on that wheel, or are you ready to get down to business and demand equal access and quality healthcare for all Americans? Hmmm. . .

Inaction on "don't ask-don't tell"

Kate Duffy — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:16:14 EDT

Up until now, I have been trusting President Obama's judgement, even if I have not agreed with every one of his decisions. However, the most recent loss to the military under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy is stinging- I understand that Obama has the ability to table, override, or change the policy with the stroke of a pen. Choy, the "out" gay soldier who has been kicked out of the military is an Iraq war veteran (who would like to go back for another tour of duty), fluent in arabic, who is a leader of his team, which evidentally has no problem with his continued leadership. Too many broken promises for me in one week. The photos, the military tribunals at Guantanamo and now this with officer Choy. I'm getting a very sickening feeling. No time to write elequently or at length at the moment, but I hope someone in the administration is listening. I worked full time for Obama's election. This thing about Choy is really twisting my knickers. We need this man out there in the field. We must get rid of "don't ask, don't tell". Barack, you said you would. Now do it.

... open the door for someone to torture our kids.

Debbie — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:17:33 EDT

Every time we torture someone we open the door for someone to torture our kids. It is the universal law of karma. Besides this holistic interpretation of same, you can also say, "what you put out you will get back multipled (good or bad)!"

We cannot lose ourselves as citizens of USA and this world attempting to equate our actions with the people we named as "terrorists!"

We need to learn from them, we need to familiarize ourselves with their beliefs, as we would do with any child in our home that was experiencing difficulties relating to the rest of the family... with careful attention and an open mind. Tit for tat is not going to cut it... not at this moment in history. Our president is not perfect but he is attempting to rise above policies which come from a fear based center.

Never, never, never, never, let them see you sweat! Fear based attacks on people we do not understand, is just that, attacks without fundamental basic respect, seeking our commonalities rather than our differences, just as we do with our inner circle of friends and others around us.

NEW RULES.....

Debbie — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:33:27 EDT

Well, well, well, here is our brilliant president taking the floor guiding this country through the perils of our economy.

How unbelievably clear and precise is this president? How can someone who is out of work and sitting at home not feel the urge to get up and change his/her course, his direction, lift his/her spirits to find solutions in a battered economy and improve their personal circumstances after listening to our President? How proud I am of this man! His calm, precise, determination to make things happen, his thorough and complete understanding of how we got into this mess and how we are going to slowly creep out.

He clarifies complaints by many that the money is not trickling down to the common folks. He said that $1 of bank capital can be $10 of loans to family and businesses which would enable a “faster pace of economic growth.”

He explained why AIG had to be rescued and that we had to “provide support for AIG because the entire system as fragile as it is” would go down if AIG would go bankrupt. He said that we are starting to see some move in the right direction… small businesses jump in loan activity... encouraging but hard times are not over. 2009 will be difficult for the economy... they will be more foreclosures and loss of jobs and credit will not be flowing, and market will fluctuate. “You can continue to expect unrelenting effort from administration to fight on all fronts.” He continued to say that he is of the “firm believe that the next task beginning now is to make sure such a crisis never happens again.”

The state of affairs of this country tis of thee has been carefully clarified. The solutions to the current conditions enumerated and explained and why this administration is taking such actions to effect change. “After we get the credit flowing, we cannot go back to a bubble and bust economy” that led us to this point with all the rules and regulations out the window. Having this said, our President and his administration propose the following set of NEW RULES:

1. NEW RULES FOR WALL STREET;
2. NEW INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION MAKE WORK FORCE MORE SKILLED AND COMPETITIVE;
3. NEW INVESTMENTS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY AND NEW JOBS AND NEW INDUSTRY;
4. NEW HEALTH CARE; and
5. NEW SAVING IN FEDERAL BUDGET THAT WILL BRING DOWN DEBT.

YEAH! You go Barack! Your steadfast determination is admirable.

Here's my issue with the cigarette tax

Mary — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:13:59 EDT

First I admit I'm a smoker. I made that choice many years ago to smoke. I made that choice like many people make unhealthy choices such as drinking or eating fatty foods, etc. There are lots of unhealthy things and in fact the world is just an unhealthy place in general. I don't personally care what people do since I am pro-choice when it comes to an individual deciding what they can live with, what they choose to live with. I don't and wouldn't walk up to a person eating McDonalds fatty food and telling them, "That's going to kill you." but I have had people feel that it is their right to walk up and tell me that about cigarettes (as if I didn't know that information and it isn't telecasted and plastered on the side of my cigarette pack). Maybe we should just put a warning lable on everything because everything is a hazard? Or maybe people should tend to their own nasty affairs and not give free advice as if it was their privilaged place and job. If everyone told everybody what they thought, what they should and shouldn't do there would be a world of offended people. Somehow society has planted the notion that it's okay to offend people who chose to smoke.

Now aside from that I am just going to throw this out as well. I do want and hope for universal health care BUT I have a bone to pick concerning the cigarette tax going to pay for other people's offsprings health care. What about people who NEVER have children, who make a conscious choice to not have them? Why should those people pay for someone elses choice or lack of choice in having children that they can't afford health care for? What about older adults who have grown adult children? Should they have to pay for someone elses childs health care? What bother's me is the inequity in the cigarette tax paying for someone elses child. What do smoker's get out of it. Forget social conscious since people are rude to smokers and lack the conscious to mind their business. Forget that everyone actually cares for every child because they don't.

There are plenty of unwanted children that people have spawned for multitudes of reasons. Plenty of churches support pro-life but NEVER support the unwed mothers financially over the years as they struggle financially to take care of the child. Society has no rules concerning how many babies people can randomly spawn and have the system pay out for them and believe me I have seen plenty of women in my area who know full well that by having that extra child they can raise their income through programs. You wanna talk about irresponsible behavior vs cigarette smoking. How is it that it's okay for people who cannot afford children to demand that society take care of their children rather than use BIRTH CONTROL. Every health department will hand out bag fulls of free condoms to those who can't afford them. I am offended that people can make the unhealthy choice of spawning babies like rabbits, who take no responsibility as to how they intend to pay for those children and it falls upon society to figure it out. I suggest that there should be a limit on how many children people can have based upon income and if they are currently recieving any type of government assistance for the current children they have they should be told that if they have more than those children that they will not recieve assistance for any further pregnancies.

I've heard the idea that raising cigarette tax may make people quit smoking. Well maybe if people knew that they weren't going to get further assistance for having extra babies they'd quit having them. I'm not so socially concerned that I am just dying to take care of other people's choice to have children that they cannot afford medical care for. Frankly I am offended when I made the personal choice to have ONE and only one child because I knew I couldn't afford more than that one but there were no rewards for that choice. Have you ever noticed that the right choices never reap reward? No one is paying for my bad habit, and I'm not asking for help to pay for it. I chose to smoke, I pay for those cigarettes and I know that I can die. In truth, there are moments that I am content to chose my poison I'm fine dying since I am going to die anyway. Even the job I have being a convenience store clerk puts me in danger of death from robbers who could shoot me down in a heartbeat. If I get in a car I could die. Realistically I'm headed that way and I personally don't care about the last ten years of my life since they will likely be a burden on society and my family since those years lack quality and generally demand a lot of health care.

Here's my question - What do I get out of paying that tax? As a person who no longer has any small children and won't have any small children, what is my gain? Don't give me the social goody two shoes talk because I frankly don't care about other people's children that they chose to have and chose to support. Oh and the notion that it will make people quit smoking is kind of inane because think about this, if they all quit smoking then where will the money come from to pay for all those children's health care. People should be thanking smokers for doing their part as American citizens and smoking their lungs out for all the little kiddies who don't have health care. We smokers should be recieving some kind of reward for doing our part and giving back or maybe when all the smokers quit the government will pick on your habit and make you pay out the ass to take care of someone elses problem child.

The grim truth about "The Republican Road to Recovery"

Mike Underwood — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:07:23 EDT

Follow this link for an analysis of the House GOP leadership's proposed alternative to the Obama budget. The Republican Budget Plan is here:

http://www.gop.gov/solutions/budget/road-to-recovery-final

The Citizens for Tax Justice has crunched to numbers to show the grim truth about "The Republican Road to Recovery" in a worthwhile report here:

http://www.ctj.org/pdf/housegopplan20090327.pdf

* GOP Budget Plan Fizzles Amid Lack Of Details, Infighting, Mockery [UPDATED, NOW WITH CHARTS!]Source: www.huffingtonpost.comGOP Budget Plan Fizzles Amid Lack Of Details, Infighting, Mockery [UPDATED, NOW WITH CHARTS!] - The Huffington Post

What???

Mary — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:43:27 EDT

Last night when I was working in the store this belligerent jerk came in to purchase cigarettes. Thing was that what he asked for and what he demanded I give him were two different items. I tried to clarify what he was asking for and he just escilated and got more demanding. I didn't cow down to him because although my job requires that I serve customers etc. I do not have to take abusive behavior from customers and be treated like human refuse. So anyway, then the man tries to infer that because he looks latin american that I am being prejudicial. WHAT??? I was dumbfounded because first of all he didn't look latin american at all, in fact he looked like a very rednecky white guy with a tan from doing outdoor labor. Second, I was insulted by the fact that this moron would make a sweeping generalization that because I was white that I was prejudice at all. I was never raised to be prejudice and in truth have latin american family members. My integrity is important to me so because I have the value and ethical sense to not be prejudice I was highly bothered that he was smearing me with that lable. I really try to be nice to customers but there are times when I have after they left just wanted to scream and/or have raised an eyebrow of contempt for the person. I felt a little of both toward the man because it was obvious that he was the person with prejudicial behavior and he was also a person who appeared to be used to women cowing down to him. Maybe he was just what I called him once he walked out of my store and out of earshot which was a belligerent jerk. Beyond that my night was extremely busy but productive.

I am so enamored with President Obama and the strides he is making already. I have been watching CNN this afternoon and caught his recently broadcasted speech. He mentioned the new website that has been instituted to keep transparancy http://transparency.gov/ as a means to let the american public know what is happening in the government as well as states that have linked to the site. Honestly, he is such an intellegent man and a man of integrity! I'm bothered by the fact that people seem to forget that Bush dropped this whole thing of the bailout bomb right at the end of his term as though he was going to leave a hellish place for the next president elect. I know that what has been happening with AIG has a lot of people angry at the current governmental decisions but don't forget that the Bush administration knew far ahead that these companies were spiraling out of control. They knew a lot more than they admitted and they did nothing to stop the economic meltdown but actually spent more of americas money. So for those who want to point fingers at the new Obama administration turn the finger back around at the Bush admin because this stuff didn't just happen in a couple of months, it took all the years that Bush was in the whitehouse for our economy to fall apart and though he knew it was he and his admin did nothing about it while Bush consistantly veto'd many things that people tried to do to shore up our economy. I know though that President Obama, the admin working under him, the reps in washington will not let american's down. I believe that these historic steps that Obama is taking will change things for the best!

Tonight was productive.

Mary — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 06:14:01 EDT

I just got off shift and ate a hot dog with everything. I was feeling especially after working all night but it's unusual for me to eat like this in the early morning hours. I caught a small clip on tv when I got home of President Obama saying something like, "American's don't have time to worry about AIG executives" and how we are so inundated with life that it isn't necessarily taking priority in our list of worries. How true! Though I strongly dislike what the higher ups in AIG did I have to say that most of the time my mind is on living and earning enough to live. In truth there are so many things that I am responsible for that I have to leave the problems with AIG up to the Government to deal with so I don't lose sight of my own efforts in my job. Tonight when I got on shift there was another strong note from the manager with tones of anger and I felt depressed. I know that my manager is under the strain of running the store and since the economy is bad that makes her job even harder and the pressure is on her. At the same time there is a part of me that has a desire to hear positive things, a word here or there praising the effort I put into the job rather than pointing out the one thing that was left unaccomplished. Too much negativity doesn't really get people motivated to do their job better or well. It just crushes a person and they may do things out of fear or whatever but they feel no pride in what they do and their energy drops due to the strain of aggressive pressures and a job centered on negativity. Studies have shown that negative feedback actually decreases productivity.

Inwardly I KNOW that I am doing an excellent job. I know that I have a very strong work ethic and that I take great care to complete my tasks and to do the well. Sometimes I do things that are not even in the list of things that are on my worksheet as tasks. If I see a need I take care of it without being told. So I guess this is why the negative environment and anger shunted on the people/shift I work is really making me frustrated. I can't make those I work with have the same ethic that I have. I can't make them work harder or faster. I can't make them do the things on the worksheet. Last night I actually ended up doing my tasks and then completing some of the other persons tasks because they weren't getting it done and it reflects back upon me anyway and the manager gets angry with everyone. I do love working and I do love my job but I don't love the negativity that is being generated of late. Although there have been a few other times and not to me personally but to a couple of other people the manager has said things bordering on abusive. I try to understand the pressure she is under but at the same time I want to say to her to please at least occasionally try to complement people when they do a job well. It would carry people a lot farther and I believe that productivity would increase.

As it stands now I hear many complaints from other employees and I see/hear of a massive amount of resentment and anger building. People aren't like work animals such as oxen. People need a certain amount of dignity, a certain amount of loyalty and comradery, they need to know that their efforts aren't in vain. When I got to work I got in and read the very pointed note to the two night shifts and literally felt squelched and in some ways as though nothing I do has worth or value, nothing I do is appreciated, etc. That's a bad way to start the shift. It really stunk and I just had to let it roll off my back and put my mind to the tasks that I had to do and just do my best regardless of the current environmental attitudes floating around the store. Work is kind of like a marriage. It can be a really good union when everyone is working together, when there is respect and mutual concern. It can be really bad when one person is dominating, controlling and angry a lot. Eventually the relation will fall out of love and someone will seek another love or they stay in the relationship miserable for the duration. Yeah, Obama is right. I really don't have time or energy to focus on a lot of things when my own life is complicated with work, family, bills, lack of money, lack of a car to drive and not enough income to get a car and worries about future things. I wondered recently after a family member died how I would afford my own funeral when I have no savings at all. There are no easy answers in life and if I do have anger at the executives of AIG I suppose it is knowing that they are gliding by with money to fix a multitude of issues while I can't even figure out how to make every end meet in my own life.

I should try and sleep now so I can't go back to work tonight with a fresh sense of purpose.

Random Thoughts

Mary — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 05:52:27 EDT

So I just got home from working overnight and thought I'd post since I'm trying to gear down before I go to sleep. I've been watching how angry people are over prices. Granted people never like pricing but they are especially touchy in the last months as the economy has taken it's downward spiral. I've been on food stamps before and can attest that they don't always go as far as anyone would like so I'm keenly aware how hard it is for people who come to the store and want their ebt cards to go farther than they generally do. It seems even more difficult for those few who had previously had good lives and good incomes to use them without some shame attached. I've lived simply for a long time so even though the economy effects me in some ways I'm already used to never quite having enough so in other ways it's just more of the same only a little harder to spread it out thinner. Everyone's hours have been cut back due to the economy but I am grateful anyway just to have my job and I appreciate that I do have it. Not too many months back I was bordering on homelessness as I looked frantically for a job and when I found it I have thrown myself fully into it and pray that my manager finds my efforts worth keeping me.

I don't complain about the hours I'm given and I don't demand specific days off. I may grouse privately when I'm away and sometimes at work the stress shows (my co-workers can see the visible shift from happy and relaxed to tense and sometimes worried). I worry about keeping my job, about making myself as necessary as possible, about whether my manager is pleased or displeased with my work. I stress sometimes when the workload is especially heavy and I'm tired and wonder if I can complete every task and if I don't complete them what it means. Work is work but right now most employers have the advantage because people are so desperate and I do know that some employers take advantage of their employees knowing that they are desperate enough to do anything to keep a job. Not saying my manager does this, but it is an observation in general. I do it to myself at times knowing that there are that many people standing in line that would gladly take my job. I'm stiff and sore and somewhat tired. I'm competing against people who are mostly younger than I am (almost fifty two). I mean, I still am in good enough shape and can do a lot, but I wish I were younger because the ware from physical labor takes its toll. How much does six gallons weigh anyway? My back is telling me that lifting boxes of six gallons feels like sixty this morning.

Anyway, I still do believe that Obama will succeed in turning things given time. Everything takes time but many American's don't have much patience and willingness to wait for anything. American's have been spoiled and have gotten to not knowing their wants from their needs. So I've drank my little glass of milk, snacked on a few goldfish crackers, and now I'm off to bed so I can get up and do it again tomorrow. Life seems endless some days, just endless and circular like I'm running in a little wheel like a hampster.

Oh Really? LMAO not!

Mary — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:28:04 EDT

In the process of raising taxes on Cigarettes the government has likely single handedly put even more people out of work. The tobacco farmers, the truckers who ship it, the manufacturers, the reps who go to retail stores to set the displays, the retailers who rely upon the sales of cigarettes. All these people will find themselves displaced with nowhere to go if this stupid make up the loss by once again taxing cigarettes persists as the mode of fixing money problems in Washington. I'm somewhat amazed at the stupidity and well if they are going to start taxing unhealthy products there are plenty of them. Over and over it's been noted that Americans are among the fattests people worldwide and that obesity brings a myriad of health issues with it, but I don't see them raising taxes on fast foods and other unhealthy food products that will lead to high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and other health issues and health care costs. I don't see them raising the taxes on alcohol which causes health problems as well as multiple car accidents causing injury or death as well as alcoholism which means health care costs. I don't see a lot of healthy looking representatives in Washington D.C. who look fit and lean. They look fat and as though their publicly paid for lunches at expensive restaruants that use highly fatty food products has worked a little too well. I don't think that American's should have to pay for any of their lunches by them pulling resources for "business meetings". They should have to pay their own way for their own lunches because why should I as an American have to pay for a Senator or Congressman to eat with unhealthy habits as they often do.

Oh come on, when does this kind of thing end and where does it end. We all know that the prohibition era didn't succeed but actually increased the volume of crime. I can tell you that the elevated cost in cigarettes will actually cause more crime in lower income areas as people will seek to obtain money to keep their habits. So this whole thing of how the Government planning to fix taxes for medical by raising the taxes on Cigarettes again has and will actually make more problems in the process. Stupidity seems to run rampant in D.C. once again. People will do their bad habits regardless but once you pick on one eventually someone will point out your bad habits as well and so the great game of equalizing will begin again. Which while we're on the subject of equality lets put religion in there as well. If one wants to be separated from the State then why try to envoke your beliefs upon those who do not believe, i.e. alcohol being sold later on Sunday's or not at all in some places on Sunday. There is no legal justification what so ever as to why Sunday morning is any different or has more potential for harm by purchasing alcohol at the same time as any other day. What happens on Sunday that doesn't happen any other day? Church! So the rest of the community that doesn't believe in Church or God are living under the inforced alcohol sales time that basically religious people have pushed for. Those same Churches that pay no taxes! Hey, how about we start getting a little back from the Churches who scream and shout for equal rights but don't pay into the system like every other community or individual or group.

What about the millions that go into paying for women with children. Women who don't and haven't used protection to keep from getting pregnant multiple times but will get money for their irresponsible behavioral habits. Why not limit the amount paid into these programs? Why not limit the amount of children that will be covered by programs such as these? Any responsible parent won't have more children than they can afford so why is society allowing women to have multiple pregnancies that they can't afford and paying for it? If people knew that they wouldn't get help they would likely use protection in order not to feel the burden of responsibility in paying for what they can't afford but if people think they are covered they will continue to perpetuate the same habit. I knew of a girl in my apartment complex who was a druggie that kept having children in order to get money and it happens a lot that way. I knew of some women who were working and on food stamps but they used all their excess money to go out with their boy friends to gamble on dog fights. Why is it that they seem to afford food but have money to pay in on an illegal dog fight? So when the Government charges working people more and more with taxes and yet lets people slide who abuse the system it makes me livid with hateful anger.

Okay, I know that there are valid situations where people do really need supplemental help but there should be limits set especially where some situations could be helped such as multiple pregnancies. Birth control is free at any clinic for the lower income groups, and the health department gives out free condoms to those who cannot afford them so there really isn't an excuse. See how it goes? There is no end to these kinds of thing and the Government needs to find better ways to fix the financial problems we have because it hasn't worked and it's not working. People in Washington D.C. is out of touch and they need to get out there and research. Not in the wealthy communities but in the middle and lower income communities to find out what problems are there and where they could be fixed. Wait, visit the wealthy communities too and find out what excess needs to be cut and tax them for once in their greedy lives like the rest of America. I'm working hard long hours and I resent more tax hikes seeing as my income is not more than about a thousand fifty monthly.

Land Use Referendum

Becky Hussein Obama — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 11:13:58 EDT

Good morning!

An item of interest appeared in today's Florida Times Union that I wanted to share with you. Columnist Ron Littlepage mentioned an organization in his article this morning that you might want to consider supporting. It is Florida Hometown Democracy. http://floridahometowndemocracy.com/

This group is working to put comprehensive land use planning decisions in the hands of voters. Instead of leaving it up to city council, it would be put on the ballot for citizens to determine whether changes would best serve their communities. Here is an excerpt from their website:

What does the Florida Hometown Democracy Petition say?

This amendment, if adopted, will give you, the Florida voter, the right to decide whether your city or county Comprehensive Land Use plan should be changed. Currently, city councils and county commissions make those decisions.

Why is this amendment needed?

Currently, it is just too easy for wealthy developers to obtain comprehensive plan amendments - all they have to do is persuade a majority of a city or county commission to grant a change. Because comprehensive plan amendments determine the destiny of a community for generations to come, it is vital that changes to a comprehensive plan truly reflect the concerns of the voters. This will be accomplished through the Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment.

****I wonder if this referendum could have spared Mayport Village all their recent turmoil with Jaxport. Residents of San Marco opposed to the proposed changes on Hendricks Avenue would surely like to vote on that issue.

Concern

Mary — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:19:33 EST

I've been watching the unemployment happening in Florida and I am excessively concerned for the people who have lost jobs. What bothers me is how much the republican party is willing to stall on things that can help people. Maybe it's just me but one would wonder how they can try not to help people and believe that anyone would elect them as officials when their term is up and they want to do it again. I can't understand how they can not want to help people who are suffering terribly losing their life long homes or jobs that they've had for years. I've been holding my own and continuing to work and I feel blessed to have my job. I think there are things that could have less focus placed on them such as taxing cigarettes. That kind of issue is not priority in my opinion when there are things that are much more needful. Taxing cigarettes won't really make the economy that much more stable. Getting people working will, taxing the rich that have been not putting into the system will, things like this etc. I dunno but it seems that there are things that could be done which haven't been addressed yet, but the republican party is stalling and it makes me really angry considering that the eight years they held office is what put America in the position where it is today. *shakes head* This country is a sad country and if I were young I wouldn't want to bring a child into being right now seeing how bad things are.

Semper Fidelis..............

Debbie — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:40:43 EST

Yeah Barack! Spoke to Marines at Camp LeJeune, NC.

He is going to focus on giving the veterans benefits for injuries and PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Barack and Michelle do not believe that the service of this country ends with the person wearing the uniform. The President and 1st Lady and the admnistration are committed to helping military families.
He is going to raise military salaries
GI bill will be reinstated
He also discussed how he is going to work with Iraq to get our troops home!

I was so proud of him. I watched and heard him at the office via NBC6. It was really nice to hear the military band play for about half an hour prior to Barack coming out. I was happy for him and for our nation… that he is getting around and getting this country running! Love him and believe in him!

How do you feel?

MAYPORT UPDATE

Becky Hussein Obama — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:12:21 EST

I received permission from Andrew Miller to post this here for those of you who are interested in supporting Mayport Village:Good morning Mayport supporter! Not much has happened since the last Mayport update, but I wanted to check in and let you know about some upcoming events.

1) On Monday, March 2, we will be showing our documentary "One Village, Same Ocean" at the Atlantic Theaters. This time we will have two showings, one at 6:20pm, and one at 7:40pm. Cost of admission has been lowered to $5.00 because we will not be able to provide Mayport shrimp. If you are a resident of Mayport OR if you attended the premier your cost of admission is FREE, so bring along a friend and enjoy the experience again! Before and after the screenings we will have sign-up sheets for more information on the issues, more information about the soon-to-be-released DVDs, and petitions.
2) Next Tuesday, March 3, the Land Use and Zoning Committee has the three ordinances at the heart of this matter on its agenda. Whether the agenda will change before then is anyone's guess, but please be assured that we are keeping an eye on the LUZ's progress. For future reference, if you want to look at upcoming agendas for LUZ or City Council meetings, simply go to this site:
http://citycirc.coj.net/coj/.
3) On Monday, March 9, we will have our third screening of "One Village, Same Ocean." This screening could be pivotal as the City Council might vote on the three big ordinances the very next day, and we would like to show them how this community feels about Mayport, and how it feels about the proposed cruise terminal.
4) We expect a response to our complaint from Jaxport and the City of Jacksonville by March 10, 2009.
5) The City Council will meet to POSSIBLY vote on the three
ordinances Jaxport has proposed. If the Council does vote on the matter then public comment will be allowed.

That is all for now. We are still seeking donations and
contributions. The support we saw at the movie premier was
outstanding, and you all helped us to raise over $2,000! But
litigation is costly, and if the City Council votes to approve the three ordinances we will be fighting THREE lawsuits at once. For more information on how to donate or become a member of the Public Trust for $25.00, please call me at (904) 247-1972 ext. 418, or email me at adm@publictrustlaw.org. Feel free to check out our website too!
www.publictrustlaw.org

Thank you!
Andy

--
Andrew Miller
Executive Director
Public Trust Environmental Legal Institute of Florida
2029 North Third Street
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Phone (904) 247-1972 ext. 418
Fax (904) 247-5433

"If only people realized the power of people."
-John Lennon

... share one CHANGE you have made and how it has improved the quality of your life

Debbie — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:35:57 EST

Wondering how life will guide my steps in the future… just a passing thought … one of many… a moment of feeling love for life for no particular reason passed through me as I walked into my kitchen… maybe because I can honker down because all the errands, food, potting soil, gas, bank, physical therapy have been accomplished. Yeah!

Went to the Coconut Grove Arts Festival yesterday and it was packed with people. It looked like a rock concert. We had 2 kids, 3 women and 2 men in our group. We spread out a sheet next to El Presidente beer tarp, just in case those ugly crowds that were approaching reached us. We managed to get 2 chairs and our group grew to about 20. We were right about the rain… only problem it fell at 6 and the event closed and they threw us out of the tent under the rain. Needless to say I am having a very, very bad hair day… the two little girls were precious… one had a pink summer dress and yes, you know it… pink Converse high top sneakers! I wanted those sneakers myself …they are so marvelously cute. But not only did she not want to trade shoes with me but she did not want me to ride with her and her sister in her “red covered Radio Flyer!” By the end of the evening she was my friend because I had chewing gum. The other one was too active to care about anyone except her ball.

We walked to and from the Grove. Going the sun was shining and the temperature was around 75 degrees with a nice ocean breeze. Coming back was drizzling all the way. Thank God for my cap I did not get wet.

It is nice to write again. Had not written anything since November 12 after the election and sharing about “my life being in a moment of change as America.” Thank you to all that respond and comment on my blogs. It is good to know you read them and can relate to some of what I experience.

Please share one thing that you have changed in your life that has made it more complete and rewarding.

Transparency in the past government... are the murky waters clearing?

Debbie — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 10:31:26 EST

The military is now investigating its own senior officers, who are suspected of trading contracts for huge bribes. The New York Times reports an investigation is focused on two officers in Iraq who held top positions in distributing reconstruction funds shortly after the invasion—Lt. Col. Ronald W. Hirtle of the Air Force and retired Col. Anthony B. Bell of the Army.

YEAH THAT IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!

Good Morning World...

Debbie — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 10:28:33 EST

Just wanted to share with your all my experiences of this day and last evening. I am, of course, having my Alto Grande nice warm coffee which numbs my lips when I drink out of my favorite French Market Coffee Chicory mug from New Orleans. Love big sturdy mugs that fit into my hand as a soup bowl. Idiosyncrasies that I have picked up along the way and have stuck with me.

My apartment looks like a Capitol Hill Office during a congressional session… papers all over the place… in their relative piles… showing some order in my temporary madness to complete my taxes expeditiously… and in a quasi-panic mode. I filed it electronically but since my old computer did not work and I did not print out my last year’s returns they rejected it because I did not have my “AIG” or “adjusted gross income” from 2007. Well, can’t they just ask another question? Don’t they want to return my money to me? Should it be so difficult? Why did they burst my bubble? Well at least I relaxed financially for a few hours…

I took my “I am going to get a tax return YEAH disposition and temporary bliss” to CocoWalk last night to say goodbye to Lili, who is going to Argentina to take care of her mother for 6 months and will be returning back to Miami in September. Lili and I worked together for a while and enjoyed it. We are both free spirited and pretty much say what is on our minds when it slightly enters the cerebral cortex… causing some problems with those who are exposed to our brilliance (which is what I decide to call it)… you can define it as you wish but we always end up being the life of the party regardless of behind the scene “these ladies are something else” remarks.

Today I have to devote my day to exercising my arm and shoulder and organizing the combat zone which I solely and exclusively created. It is actually quite interesting that I can have 2 rooms full of paper from 2008. I also have 2 drawers full of my mami’s documents and files that I have created to keep it all under control. Or so illusion of such… Still wheeling and dealing with documents and tasks to finalize this aspect of her life with “dignity and honor” as a very dear friend of mine says is what at the end matters. My mother was simple and in her own way she was very special and giving… Feisty, energetic, opinionated, in “15 minutes its not fast enough” attitude, but out of her way to feed you with your favorite dish -- all you had to do was ask. I miss her and will share that when it happens. Going through papers, copies of pictures and dealing with her life and end of same brought her to the surface yesterday and it was nice but a bit sad but happy that she was my mother and that she was special… that is something I fought with all my life, how not to be like my mother, but I looked exactly like her and I had her ADD, not her ADHD, but definitely the ADD part. I have to follow myself because I have string consciousness. Have to write notes and that is why I am so visual, it brings me to focus when I read something. While I am given instructions in the office I write them down because they do not register as they are being told to me except when I write and see them. My brain will change the instructions if I do not write them down. Funny how that works, but I have learned to live and be successful with it… actually by instinct… in school I used to write and take notes very fast. I would read the material and I would have the best grades.

Today will go to the Art Festival in Coconut Grove... will walk with my neighbors since it is so packed with cars. We are about 8 blocks from there. It is a nice walk. Maybe I will take my camera and take some pictures and share with you all.

Will stop boring you… have a wonderful DAY AFTER LOVE/FRIENDSHIP day and do something loving for you and for someone else -- and I am definitely open and receptive to being that someone else... HA!

May love and friendship fill your life today and every day....

Debbie — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 10:07:33 EST

Today as I sit in my living room attempting to wake up with my puertorican Alto Grande Garrido Super Premium coffee or café latte which is what it is called in the continental US and we puertoricans have been making for centuries… expresso coffee mixed with scalding milk. The perfect mix. This coffee comes from Arabica beans and it is grown in the Hacienda Alto Grande in the mountains of Puerto Rico since 1839. What makes it so special is that it is a very dark coffee but extremely smooth. This coffee was and is exported to the popes and kings over the years. You can purchase it only in Puerto Rico or via the internet at http://altogrande.com/. A nice delayed present for a coffee lover on this Valentine’s day. It is not cheap but I managed to get it at Costco in Puerto Rico for a relative discount. I wrote to Costco’s online service and they said it was only for the local Costco and was not sold on line. Not a good thing for us coffee lovers.

Now that I have taken you with me to my coffee experience, know that if you receive a can of this coffee you are amongst my favorite few. But if you have not received a can that you should order it and try it. This is one of the things I love the most in my current life… my puertorican coffee. So on this day of love and friendship I wanted to share this with all of you.

Another thing that I love and if you have received some you are also amongst the limited loved ones… my homemade pesto … I just harvested and made pesto with my friends from PR that were visiting me last week and it was the best pesto I have made to date. Don’t know if it was the company or what. They could not believe that it would take so long to make 5 cups of Pesto. We ate 3 in one night… with pasta and sun dried tomatoes and just with crackers. I grow my basil in my porch in my Miami apartment. My plants are limited because I just experienced some life changing experiences and my plants were in the backburner… but they are there hanging in there with me. I have to start new plants with seeds so I can harvest a lot for the next holiday season. It takes about 3 months for them to grow : “el manjar de los dioses” or “delicacy of the gods” is what my friends and I called it. Find something you can grow and harvest when the spring comes. Oregano survives the winter and comes back. Basil will not survive but you can start in the spring and harvest up to the fall. Basil is a good for the source of vitamin K and a very good source of iron, calcium and vitamin A. I think it is the perfect herb. I am thinking about writing a small pesto cookbook and sell it with basil leaves. What do you think?

Now that I have shared a few of my favorite and loved things in life must also say that I love Michelle Obama. What a woman! Not afraid to be who she is and she is definitely not like the rest of the first ladies. She has been my sister since the beginning. And we are somewhat connected by my best friend’s family. You go Michelle, love your Vogue cover! And that picture in the inside with the black dress! Girl, no wonder Barack loves you.! You look real good and forget what the media says. You should hang that picture in the black dress in your White House bedroom. For real! You go and do your thing… I will follow you…

CONGRESS REDIES FINAL VOTE

Sandra GA — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:36:34 EST

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CONGRESS_STIMULUS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-02-13-13-30-56

LARGE BANKS: DEAD MEN WALKING???

Sandra GA — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:16:27 EST

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/business/economy/13insolvent.html?hp

47% UNDER-REPRESENTED: GOV CRIS (MY INTERPRETATION) GOT IT RIGHT!!!

Sandra GA — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:11:23 EST

Contractor says stimulus may help him create hundreds of jobs

By ARIEL HART

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The head of the largest roadwork company in Georgia said the federal stimulus might provide hundreds of jobs in his company alone.

Bill Hammack, president of C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., said he did not yet know the details of the final plan, but he was “cautiously optimistic” about the stimulus bill’s likely impact on the state’s transportation industry. “I hope it’s very positive for the transportation industry in Georgia and will let us re-employ several hundred people that we’ve had to lay off,” Hammack said. He said his company had laid off more than 500 full-time workers over the past year or so because of accounting and financial troubles at the Georgia Department of Transportation. “All of that has had a severe impact on the transportation industry in Georgia,” Hammack said.

In the end, his company’s work from the stimulus bill could depend on a number of factors, including what it could win in the bidding process, he added, but “obviously we welcome anything at this point.”

“The biggest thing I think we all are waiting to see is just how fast Congress can implement the process, start the flow of funds,” Hammack said. “And then these different governmental agencies that manage it, in our case the Georgia DOT, how fast they can react to reducing it from the money received to asphalt.”

Hammack acknowledged that the stimulus was a one-time shot in the arm, and said in the long term Georgia needed additional transportation funding like that being discussed in the General Assembly.

The White House projects the compromise bill will create 107,000 jobs in Georgia, according to an analysis it released Thursday.

GOV. CHARLIE CRIST TAKES HEAT FROM REPUBLICANS FOR SUPPORT OF STIMULUS PACKAGE

Sandra GA — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:24:25 EST

Gov. Charlie Crist takes heat from Republicans for supporting stimulus package

By Adam C. Smith, Times Political Editor
In Print: Friday, February 13, 2009

President Obama, left, is introduced by Gov. Charlie Crist at a meeting on Tuesday in Fort Myers. Many Republicans are unhappy Crist appeared with Obama.

[Associated Press]

Charlie Crist: statesman or sellout?

Democrats may be lavishing praise on Florida's Republican governor for enthusiastically supporting the Democrats' economic stimulus package, but Republicans are questioning whether Crist damaged his future in national politics.

"I don't think he's helped any national Republican ambitions he may have by stepping up to the plate and batting for the other team. … There's a difference between working in a bipartisan way for the common good and switching sides and putting on the other team's jersey," said veteran Republican consultant Alex Castellanos. "At the one moment when we've finally found our voice and remember who we are as Republicans, Charlie Crist forgets. It's stunning."

Crist's full-throated support evoked a rare rebuke from one of his closest political allies, Florida Sen. Mel Martinez, who said on the Senate floor that Crist didn't get it.

"I don't know that my governor understands all the details of this package — that there will be nothing here to help with Florida's housing economy," Martinez said stressing the need for more tax cuts.

Crist acknowledged that he hasn't seen all the details, but said Florida needs federal help, period.

Still, he is way out of the Republican mainstream in supporting the $789 billion stimulus package that won just three Republican votes in the Senate and zero in the House. Even moderate Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire withdrew his nomination as President Obama's commerce secretary Thursday because he could not support the stimulus package.

"It certainly hurts Charlie Crist with the Republican base. … There's a lot of energy among Republicans across the country in opposition to this. The fury that I have seen directed against Arlen Specter and the two Maine ladies is amazing," Pat Toomey, president of the conservative Club for Growth, said, referring to the three Republican senators who voted for the package.

Not a single Florida Republican in Congress supported it, but their public opposition is potentially tricky with Florida's most popular politician, Crist, all over TV lately touting his support. Crist was side by side with Obama in Fort Myers on Tuesday stressing how much help the package could be to Floridians in the midst of an economic crisis.

"They may not be saying it outright, but the Republican delegation is very angry. If they got Charlie Crist in a dark alley, all you'd have left is a tuft of white hair," said Ana Navarro, a Republican consultant from Miami, suggesting Crist has dampened enthusiasm for a potential Senate run in 2010.

"I've gotten about four or five calls from national Republican donors saying, 'What is this guy doing? Is he really thinking of running for Senate?' " Navarro said. "We're going to spend 30 to 40 million dollars to get a Republican elected to that Senate seat, and we could end up with a guy who's going to be the 60th vote for Democrats."

Recent polls show Crist remains enormously popular in Florida, with roughly two-thirds of voters approving of his job performance. He is especially popular among crucial independent voters, and almost nobody doubts his ability to easily win re-election as governor.

But some Republicans question whether GOP anger over the stimulus package could damage Crist's standing for a future presidential campaign or a 2010 U.S. Senate bid — Crist says he'll decide about the Senate after the legislative session ends in May — and many Republicans are seething about Crist joining Obama in Fort Myers.

"Every Republican in the state of Florida is wondering where his mind is. He's cooking his own goose," said Broward County Republican state committeeman Ed Kennedy. "I worked for him, campaigned for him, raised money for him. Now we're sitting back and saying, 'My God, what do we have here?' "

Just up the coast, at a Palm Beach County Republican Party meeting Wednesday night, one activist unsuccessfully pushed for a vote to censure Crist, according to the Palm Beach Post, which reported that his censure motion drew applause before being blocked on procedural grounds.

"You still have the same division in our party between the base who are extreme and the moderates who are interested in getting something done," said Republican operative and Crist supporter Roger Stone of Miami. "The extremists love purity. And they love losing elections."

Stone said the governor, reading the poll numbers, is betting that his position will continue to prove wildly popular with the average voter. Crist needs the federal money to roll into the state to help stave off unpopular budget cuts and even less popular tax increases.

Grover Norquist, the influential conservative leader of Americans for Tax Reform, said Crist should have been wary about embracing an 800-page bill he probably had not read and stands to be loaded with unpopular spending provisions that will surface over coming weeks and months.

"This is the bill that the Republican Party will be running against in 2010 and 2012 and 2014," Norquist predicted.

Presumably Crist won't be among those running against that bill. But if the governor has any misgivings about the politics of appearing with Obama, he sure isn't showing it.

"My concern is not about what's best for one party or the other. My concern is what's best for the state and what's best for the people of Florida," he said Thursday, when he invited a mostly Democratic group of African-American legislators to the Governor's Mansion to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the NAACP and the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth.

"This is our president, and I wanted to show support for what he's trying to do, to help our students in the classroom, the most vulnerable in our society who deserve health care and the infrastructure benefit that this will bring about," Crist said.

Times/Herald writers Steve Bousquet and Marc Caputo contributed to this report. Adam C. Smith can be reached at asmith@sptimes.com or (727)893-8241.

15 STIMULUS EXPENDITURES THAT COULD MATTER MOST

Sandra GA — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:49:09 EST

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/12/15-stimulus-expenditures_n_166493.html

THIS Saturday (2/14/09) - FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS- re: FairDistricting Petitions

Jen Greenfield — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:12:38 EST

Event Name: THIS Saturday - FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS- re: FairDistricting Petitions Description: We've got good news!! FairDistricts got permission from the Fairgrounds attorney for us to collect petitions on the 14th of February. We are getting those signatures needed to put the redistricting measure on the ballot. We have a huge opportunity here and we can't miss it. Those who come out to help will receive a free Hillsborough Young Democrats t-shirt! Please let me know ASAP. I think we need at least 12 people per shift (to cover 4 gates) from about 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The 3 hour shifts (9-12, 12-3, 3-7 or something like that). But whatever you can work, even if just for an hour, we would greatly appreciate! If you have any questions, call Tim at 813-532-9846. Or myself - 813-838-0954 -Jen Greenfield You don't have to be a 'Young Democrat' to participate either!!! So please come out to 'Romance Florida' into some Fair Districts!! http://www.fairdistrictsflorida.org/ Times: Saturday, February 14 at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM Host: Jen Greenfield Contact Phone: 813-838-0954 Location: Florida State Fair Grounds (Tampa, FL) Tampa, FL 33610 Directions: Please call Tim 813-532-9846 or me - Jen 813-838-0954 to confirm our staging area (meeting place) :)

Bailout Idea!!!

Miz Clark — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:02:27 EST

Our economy is a mess, and taxpayers are being expected to foot the bill. I have no problem paying may fair share, business or personal, but how do we know they won’t squander those funds too?

I don’t know about you, but I’m thouroughly disgusted with how things are turning out. Companies like Enron, WorldCom and others have been allowed to walk away from the havoc, some have not even got a slap on the wrist.

Why can’t the government require these individuals to payback all the money above their regular income? I don’t advocate taking from the rich and giving to the poor, but as a business owner I don’t get a bonus if the company is in financial trouble.

Tampa Downtown Politics-in-the-Metro Parks

neil — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:37:27 EST

Please join us/OFA in Gaslight Park* - Fridays 11am to 2pm - downtown Tampa - bring your brown bag lunch and best ideas of how we can help the OFA - O'Team get America rolling again...

FMI neil.cosentino@verizon.net - OfficeHome 813-251-4669

Rendezvous Cell 784-4669

* visit www.TampaDowntownMarket.com

recommend all metros with downtown parks - do Politics-in-the-Park - why?

Because the downtown lunch populations has the maximum number of young and older O'Dems and O'Indys - with time to space ... during their lunch hour...

One add to: Media - Friend or Foe? - Arm yourself against lies! (4)

! Steffen from European Union, Dr. - Together We Can! Yes. We. Can. — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 14:24:57 EST

Let's use the member of campaign of change to help Obama and get the change.

Cable news and right wing blogs are swarming with the revisionist history on the New Deal. Arm yourself against lies, spin and propaganda by reading info from a number of sources.

Here down a article about this topic. [Media Matters is a progressive media watchdog and fact checking organization which has received accolades from numerous sources (except the right wing media which often gets debunked by Media Matters).]

The link to digg it and for article: Conservatives Cherry-Pick 1930s Unemployment Figures

Conservatives cherry-pick 1930s unemployment figures in continued assault on New Deal

Summary: Columnists Mona Charen and George Will continued a trend among conservative media of responding to comparisons between the current economic situation and that of the 1930s and between Barack Obama and FDR by attacking the New Deal. In separate columns, both Charen and Will cherry-picked unemployment figures to assert that the New Deal did not reduce unemployment. But historians and progressive economists have noted that unemployment fell every year of the New Deal except during the 1937-38 recession; further, Nobel-laureate Paul Krugman has said it was a reversal of New Deal policies, not a continuance of them, that contributed to rising unemployment in 1937 and 1938.

Yes we can! Best wishes, Steffen

http://changeforbetterworld.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-way-to-say-goodbye-to-neocons-bush.html

Formal Petition to Attorney General-Designate Eric Holder to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute any and all government officials who have participated in War Crimes.

Where Is Neel 'Cash&Carry' Kashkari Now?

Hussein The Hope Monger — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:16:21 EST

You know, ex-Secy Paulson's Goldman Sachs-trained Asst Secy who was writing the checks to his buds on Wall Street last year...

WASHINGTON – The federal government overpaid for stocks and other assets in attempting to help financial institutions last year, a government watchdog said Thursday, taking further issue with the beleaguered $700 billion rescue program.

Elizabeth Warren, chairwoman of the Congressional Oversight Panel for the bailout funds, told the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday that Treasury in 2008 paid $254 billion and received assets worth about $176 billion.

The figures were reached by extrapolating the results of a study of 10 government transactions, comparing the price paid by Treasury and the value of the asset at the time of purchase. Warren did not present details of the transactions the panel analyzed. A full report will be released Friday.

But we taxpayers will be getting a dividend on this 'investment', right?

In a bright spot for the rescue program, however, banks that received capital infusions from Treasury have already paid $271 million in dividends to the federal government. A Treasury official said Thursday that banks are expected to pay more than $1.5 billion in dividends by the end of this month. Among them is Wells Fargo, which received a $25 billion infusion. The bank announced this week it would pay Treasury $371 million in dividends.

I feel better now. We overpaid $78 BILLION, but are getting $1.5 Billion in quarterly dividends. We should have made up the loss in just over 52 quarters, which is about 13 years. Cool. I'm cool with that deal.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090205/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/bailout_oversight

Repost of YES WE DID, YES WE MUST by Carla Mays, Jan 23rd, 2009

Jill 4 Obama — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:36:29 EST

YES WE DID, YES WE MUST By Carla Mays - Jan 23rd, 2009 at 10:01 am EST Also listed in: 8 groups

YES WE DID! YES WE MUST:

Þ Protect him from harm both verbal & phyiscal

Þ Stay "FIRED UP" by staying active

Þ Work Bi-Partisan to bring "Change" together

Þ Don't just bitch, get active and stay engaged

Þ Start and join a local "Change" group

Þ Be philanthropic, serve your community, state and nation

Þ Stick by Obama, STOP smears on the Right & the Left!!!! Hold yourself responsible as you hold Barack!

Join the future of this movement!!

http://change.gov/joinus

http://www.communityorganize.com

http://www.ourpresidency.com

http://www.usaservice.org

http://www.whitehouse.gov

Barack's DNC 2004 Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWynt87PaJ0&feature=PlayList&p=B1939005B8A4D4ED&index=188

Barack's DNC 2008 Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ato7BtisXzE&feature=channel

Barack’s Election Acceptance Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wJ-2Zu_Iic&feature=channel

Barack’s Inauguration Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnygQ02aW4

Here is why I love this man... seriously

Suzanne — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:23:55 EST

I cannot tell you how happy I am that our new President is so FRIGGIN' AWESOME!!!

He took the time, in the beginning of his Presidency, to speak with Al Arabiya TV - not just to yell and scream about the "bad guys" in the Arab world, but to talk about what is similar in our lives...

Obama to Al Arabia TV

AWESOME!!! (did I say he's awesome?)

Overseas Questions about the Inauguration

Mike Underwood — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 15:59:28 EST

I have gotten questions from the UK about why foreign dignitaries were not more visible at the swearing-in ceremony. Where any present? Any representatives of the British Royal Family, for instance? Did Nelson Mandela attend? If not, why not?

YES WE DID, YES WE MUST

Carla Mays — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:09:52 EST

YES WE DID! YES WE MUST:

Þ Protect him from harm both verbal & phyiscal

Þ Stay "FIRED UP" by staying active

Þ Work Bi-Partisan to bring "Change" together

Þ Don't just bitch, get active and stay engaged

Þ Start and join a local "Change" group

Þ Be philanthropic, serve your community, state and nation

Þ Stick by Obama, STOP smears on the Right & the Left!!!! Hold yourself responsible as you hold Barack!

Join the future of this movement!!

http://change.gov/joinus

http://www.communityorganize.com

http://www.ourpresidency.com

http://www.usaservice.org

http://www.whitehouse.gov

Barack's DNC 2004 Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWynt87PaJ0&feature=PlayList&p=B1939005B8A4D4ED&index=188

Barack's DNC 2008 Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ato7BtisXzE&feature=channel

Barack’s Election Acceptance Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wJ-2Zu_Iic&feature=channel

Barack’s Inauguration Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnygQ02aW4

A message to the grassroot leaders from our President

Marie Yolaine — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:50:57 EST

Hey --

Barack Obama recorded a personal video message with some exciting news about the future of the grassroots movement that came out of the campaign.

Take a minute to watch the video and get involved:

http://my.barackobama.com/future

The challenges our country faces are too great for us to sit on the sidelines.

Thanks

My way to say GOODBYE to neocons, Bush and Cheney! ( 4)

! Steffen from European Union, Dr. - Together We Can! Yes. We. Can. — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:28:35 EST

You can Digg it: My_way to say GOODBYE to neocons, Bush and Cheney!

A picture from me to say goodbye from most bad president of US and all neocons.
We can only hope many people will long enough remember. Bush had a lot bad gifts for the change! Let's take care the poor and normal people will not have to pay now too much after the rich made profit in good time!
And what's with impeachment now?! What's with hidden knowledge of Sept. 11 2001?
[ Maybe an explanation of picture: it's made like an "egg laying wool milk sow" a metaphorical-idiomatic term in Germany]

Yeah, and here you can see something new about neocons were bringing to us - for me to say: don't forgive Bush and neocons and there is still a lot to work of. We will and can do this too - Yes we can!
I got now message too like "If anybody can clean up the mess bush left, it's President Obama." - Yes and Obama likes people helping still to do the work - help him! We were a big and strong movement and so people got knowledge back how strong people can be together!
Whistleblower: Bush's NSA spied on EVERYONE
(already 4255 Diggs) The NSA had access to ALL YOUR COMMUNICATIONS, regardless of who you were or whether or not you were communicating internationally.

CONGRATULATIONS VICE-PRESIDENT BIDEN!!!

Sandra GA — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:11:01 EST

LOVELY!!!

Sandra GA — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:06:55 EST

CONGRATULATIONS PRESIDENT OBAMA !!!

Sandra GA — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:01:54 EST

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

Sandra GA — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:53:08 EST

I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH. FROM THE BRILLIANCE OF OUR FLAG FLYING HIGH TO OUR FIRST AND SECOND FAMILIES. THE TOUCHES OF GRACE EXTENDED TO THE PAST ADMINISTRATION. ALTHOUGH I WAS SURE I WAS LOOKING AT OUR NEXT PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SPEECH TODAY, CONFIRMED WHAT I BELIEVED ALL ALONG, HE'S BY FAR, THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB. I REMAIN HUMBLED THAT I WAS ABLE TO BE A PART OF IT ALL. GOD BLESS OUR DREAM TEAM, AS THEY FOCUS TO RESTORE OUR COUNTRY. I HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO MY PART. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN.

INAUGURATION 2009: PRESIDENT OBAMA & VICE-PRESIDENT BIDEN

Sandra GA — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:41:10 EST

INAUGURATION 2009

stellaluna — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:38:46 EST

Amazing. I am soo excited and emotional to be in this space of time, to be alive and present with my son on this glorious and historical day,

The day has finally arrived, WE BELIEVED, WE HOPED and WE DID!

GOD BLESS PRESIDENT BARRACK OBAMA!!

My Published Letter to Time Magazine

Scott A. Giordano — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:22:48 EST

I thought Inauguration Day would be a good time to share this with all of you fellow supporters ...

National Day of Service

Suzanne — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:43:45 EST

Today, My son's GF Carly and I went out and helped clean a local beach as part of the National Day of Service.

Any of you who know me, I have spent the last 20+ years of my life in community service, and now find that my health limits me on the things I can do. That's really touch for someone who has it in their blood...

Either way, today was a great day! I hope that people will find it in their heart to continue with their community service efforts. You don't need to give up an un-Godly amount of time, but I betcha the local animal shelter, or soup kitchen, or your neighbors, for that matter, would appreciate one or two days a month dedicated to helping out our fellow human beings. It feels good, AND it's good for you, too!

here are some pictures:

AND SO IT BEGINS :)

Sandra GA — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:43:06 EST

ALL ABOARD:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

JEWISH ANTI-SEMITISM

WEBMASTER — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:32:55 EST

Amid anti-Semitic storm, Europe’s Jews stand for Israel
By Dinah Spritzer · 13 January 2009

see http://jta.org/news/article/2009/01/13/1002216/amid-anti-semitic-storm-europes-jews-stand-for-israel

PRAGUE (JTA) -- Confronting a rising storm of anti-Semitism as the conflict in Gaza intensifies, European Jews are grappling with the best way to express their support for Israel's fight against Hamas.

Recent assaults on Jews in European capitals range from the beating of a Jewish teenager in a Paris suburb by assailants who vowed she would “pay for Israel's acts” to the compilation on an Islamist Web site of a hit list of prominent British Jews. Jewish monuments in France and Sweden have been firebombed. And in Italy, a workers’ political party called for a boycott of Jewish stores.

While Jews have taken to the streets in the hundreds or thousands to demonstrate for peace and Israel’s right to defend itself, they are dwarfed by the tens and hundreds of thousands participating in protests against Israel. In many cases, top European political figures have supported the protests. Sometimes the rallies have turned violent.

The 27-country European Union has approximately 1.8 million Jews and 17 million Muslims, and that difference is keenly visible in the size of events relating to the war in Gaza and southern Israel.

After some 1,000 Jews turned out last week for a rally in Brussels in support of Israel -- held opposite the Embassy of Iran, which funds Hamas -- tens of thousands showed up Sunday for a march against what they called Israel's “massacre in Gaza.” The pro-Palestinian rally was organized by three of the four main political parities in the French-speaking part of Belgium, along with some 100 or so nongovernmental organizations.

Chanting “Death to Jews!” in Arabic, the crowd burned Israeli flags and carried signs calling Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni “Hitler's wife.”

“In a way, Jews feel alone,” said Joel Rubinfeld, the president of the umbrella group of French-speaking Jews in Belgium, known by the acronym CCOJB. “But lots of non-Jews are disgusted, too” with the anti-Semitic messages, he added.

Massive anti-Israel demonstrations last weekend in France, Brussels and Madrid have included anti-Semitic chants such as “Jews to the gas” and swastikas paired with the Star of David.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry, the European Jewish Congress, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Anti-Defamation League have implored European officials to acknowledge and combat the importing of the Middle East conflict to Europe and the scapegoating of Jews.

Countries with large Muslims populations, including France, Belgium and Britain, have seen the largest number of anti-Semitic incidents.

Britain's Community Security Trust, which monitors Jewish security issues, recorded a huge surge in anti-Semitic attacks -- 80 in total -- since Israel began bombing Hamas targets in Gaza on Dec. 27.

Undeterred, British Jews staged the largest European demonstration in support of Israel's right to security in this conflict. Sunday's demonstration, which also expressed sympathy for Palestinian civilians, drew 17,000 people to London's Trafalgar Square.

“I decided to do something after watching too much television and seeing the huge coverage of the anti-Israel demonstrations,” said one Jewish Londoner, Matt Freelander, who participated in a pro-Israel rally last week.

In France, Nicole Yardeni, the president of the CRIF Jewish umbrella group in Toulouse, decided not to hold a pro-Israel rally in the region after a car filled with Molotov cocktails rammed into the front gate of a synagogue Jan. 5.

“It's not that we are afraid,” she said of the community of approximately 20,000. But faced with consistent pro-Palestinian rallies that outnumber Toulouse Jews, Yardeni said the community “could not hold its own on the street” and thus could not have a “successful” protest.

In recent days, the CRIF held pro-Israel rallies in Paris, Marseilles and near Lyon.

The Marseilles rally was unusual in that every major local politician joined the crowd of about 4,000. The Paris rally did not have the same political backing. Many attendees said they left family and friends behind because they were afraid of publicly supporting Israel after seeing the violence and virulent anti-Zionism in a pro-Palestinian protest a day earlier.

"Once again, when in trouble, we've found ourselves alone," Patrick Gaubert, the president of the International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism, wrote in a letter published Jan. 8 in a French Jewish weekly.

In Italy, whose prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has been honored by Jewish groups for being pro-Israel, pro-Israel rallies drew government officials.

In Germany, anti-Israel marches were relatively calm, but some marchers carried signs reading “Out with Jews” or "Israelis are child murderers.”

German Jews have turned out for pro-Israel rallies, too, albeit in small numbers. A rally in Frankfurt drew 2,000, while one in Berlin had 1,500 participants.

“When people see our small group,” said Sharon Adler, who co-organized the Berlin rally on Sunday, "perhaps they will understand that Israel is also a much smaller country than all the Arab countries around it, and that Jews in Germany are also a small minority."

In Stockholm, where the Jewish community numbers 5,000, a peace event in support of Israel held Saturday night at a church drew 800 people -- about half of whom were not Jewish, according to Lena Posner, the president of the Swedish Jewish community.

“There were about 100 people outside the church shouting insults against Israel,” Posner said. “The police had to close off the whole area around the church and we were escorted back to our cars in groups of 15.”

Earlier in the day, 8,000 protesters chanting anti-Israel slogans gathered for a mostly Muslim demonstration in Stockholm that included the head of the Swedish Socialist Party and the country’s former foreign minister. A Liberal Party legislator attended the pro-Israel event.

Elsewhere in the country, a burial chapel in the Jewish cemetery in central Malmo was firebombed for the third time since Israel began its operation in Gaza.

In Spain, violent incidents have been minimal, although an anti-Israel rally there on Saturday was Europe’s biggest such rally thus far, with crowd estimates ranging from 50,000 to 250,000.

Representatives of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and his ruling Socialist Party were among those who participated. Some participants called for jihad, or holy war, praised Hezbollah and cursed Israel. The Israeli Embassy in Madrid took the rare step of openly chastising the prime minister for fueling anti-Israel anger.

“There was hate speech definitely, and a few marched to the Israeli Embassy and threw stones and the police had to intervene,” said Derek Wise, the general manager of Madrid’s Jewish community. “Our prime minister incited what was going on.''

Wise said Spanish Friends of Israel was planning a public pro-Israel event for Jan. 18.

“I understand there might be people afraid to come," he said, "but we want to show it is not only Jews, it's normal Spaniards who also understand that a democratic state like Israel has a right to defend itself.”

(JTA correspondents Devorah Lauter contributed to this story from Paris, Toby Axelrod from Berlin and Daphna Vardi from London.)

source: http://jewishamericans.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxbN2

Please support my proposals in the Citizen's Briefing Book

Bryan in Miami — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:53:47 EST

Hello All,

I've recently posted 2 suggestions on the new Change.gov feature:

The first is related to Education:

http://citizensbriefingbook.change.gov/ideas/viewIdea.apexp?id=087800000004uWU

The second is proposing reform in Medicare

http://citizensbriefingbook.change.gov/ideas/viewIdea.apexp?id=087800000004t3F

I'm asking people to vote on the two proposals and post a comment.

Thanks for your time and your generosity.

Bryan in Miami

OBAMA TO ACT EARLY ON GUANTANAMO

Sandra GA — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:43:39 EST

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7825902.stm

A CHANCE FOR A NEW WORLD

Sandra GA — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:21:03 EST

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/01/the_chance_for_a_new_world_ord.html

OBAMA'S WHITE HOUSE

Sandra GA — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:14:33 EST

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1863062_1863058,00.html

FINALLY: 2009!!!!! HAPPY NEW YEARS ALL

Sandra GA — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:59:11 EST

HAPPY NEW YEARS ALL... AMAZING IS ALL THAT COMES TO MIND...

INAUGURAL COMMITTEE ADVISORY

WEBMASTER — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:28:21 EST

WASHINGTON, DC - In the remaining weeks before the 56th presidential inaugural, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) will be issuing a series of advisories to help people who plan to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

The following is a special alert for those people who will have tickets to the swearing-in, but may have questions about getting to and from the event that morning. Because of the large crowds and the potential for inclement weather, those people with special needs are advised to pay careful attention to these details.

Timing

While the actual swearing-in will take place shortly before noon, the formal program begins at 11:30 AM and the musical prelude and seating will begin much earlier.

Security checkpoints will open for ticketed guests at 8:00 AM, and the committee advises arriving no later than 9:00 AM to ensure that you are through the checkpoints by the time the program begins.

Screening will end when the program begins at 11:30 AM and late arrivals will not be able to enter the grounds.

Getting to the Swearing-In

Getting to the swearing-in ceremonies that morning will be very difficult because of the large crowds. In addition to the 240,000 ticketed guests, a million or more people are expected to view the inauguration from the National Mall between 4th Street and the Lincoln Memorial, along with hundreds of thousands of others who plan on watching the Inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.

We recommend planning ahead, but also caution that any plans made in advance should be double-checked in the days and hours prior to the event in case of changes to transportation schedules, street and other closures, and other factors that may impact your travel plans.

We also recommend developing back-up plans in case your original travel plans need to be changed at the last minute.

The District of Columbia's inaugural website will have the most up-to-date information on road closures and other travel alerts. We recommend that guests bookmark the site,

http://www.inauguration.dc.gov/index.asp, and check it frequently for changing information.

A security perimeter will be established around the U.S. Capitol and the parade route on or before January 20, 2009. Subway stations, bus stops, and streets within that perimeter will be closed. Street closures throughout Washington, D.C., will make traveling by car or taxi very difficult. Bridges from Virginia crossing the Potomac River into Washington, D.C., as well as major roadways from Maryland into Washington, D.C., may be closed to all but bus traffic.

Following are recommendations on how to get to the swearing-in ceremony:

Within 2 Miles of the U.S. Capitol
For those people who will be staying within 2 Miles of the U.S. Capitol, walking to the swearing-in ceremony will be the most reliable method of reaching the ticketed seated and standing areas. Be sure to carefully plan your return trip as well - it won't be possible to cross the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route, except at designated points and Metro will be extremely crowded. For some people bicycling may be an option to get close to the U.S. Capitol. While bicycles will be prohibited within the security perimeter on January 20, 2009, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is working on a plan with city officials to have bike valet stations available outside the security perimeter near the swearing-in ceremonies and parade route. More information is available at: http://www.waba.org/index.php.

Beyond 2 Miles of the U.S. Capitol
Use public transportation to get you as close as possible to the U.S. Capitol and walk from there.

D.C.'s subway system will be running "rush-hour" service all day, but is expecting "crush-level" crowds. Be prepared to wait for space on a train for long periods of time, during which you will have to stand in close proximity to several thousand people. Many Metro escalators will be closed due to crowding and individuals will need to climb Metro stairs or wait to utilize the small number of elevators at Metro stations.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) plans to run Metrobuses on Inauguration Day. Check its website, www.wmata.com, for information regarding routes and schedules. As with any other travel planning for January 20, please allow extra time and prepare a back-up plan.

AMTRAK, www.amtrak.com, and regional commuter trains, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), www.vre.org, and MARC (Maryland) Commuter Train, www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/, will be operating reserved trains on special schedules and are expected to sell out well in advance of January 20. Please visit their websites for more information.

Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

There will be no vehicular access or parking in the areas around the Capitol on January 20, 2009. This includes vehicles with special disability license plates or tags. While there will be locations outside the perimeter of the Capitol that will be designated as drop-off points for persons with disabilities, traffic conditions and restrictions may make reaching these drop-off locations extremely difficult.

As noted above, public transportation is expected to be running at "crush capacity" and WMATA has informed us that while Metro Access will operate for its regular customers, they do not expect to be able to provide pick-ups for people after events.

There will be designated areas for people with disabilities in each of the ticketed seating areas on the Capitol grounds, however these areas are limited in size and available on a first-come first-served basis.Persons in wheelchairs or utilizing walkers should be aware that they will need to move across bumpy surfaces, grassy areas, and possible icy areas (depending on the weather).

Other Important Considerations

The weather in Washington in January is usually quite cold and often rainy or snowy. Please think carefully about whether you can stand outside in cold weather in a large crowd for up to six hours, and whether you are ready for long delays getting home afterwards.

Regardless of the weather conditions, umbrellas will not be permitted in the ticketed areas. Other prohibited items include, but are not limited to: Firearms and ammunition (either real or simulated), Explosives of any kind (including fireworks), Knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length), Mace and/or pepper spray, Sticks or poles, Pockets or hand tools, such as "Leatherman", Packages, Backpacks, Large bags, Duffel bags, Suitcases, Thermoses, Coolers, Strollers, Laser pointers, Signs, Posters, Animals (other than service animals), Alcoholic beverages, Other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event as determined by and at the discretion of the security screeners

Bring with you any medications that you need because there will be very long delays in getting to and from events.

Be aware that it may be difficult to talk or send pictures from your cell phone, according to wireless companies. Please use text messaging to send critical messages.

Bargain Inauguration WEEK Rental! FOR ONLY $600!!

Jen Greenfield — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:27:58 EST

A FULL WEEK FOR ONLY $600!! This Villa sleeps a max of 6 people

You can rent this unit for 6 nights and 7 Days, and just travel to DC on Inauguration day and enjoy this historic event! Travel distance is 153 miles!

Check in Sunday, Jan 18th @ 4pm (maybe a little earlier)
Check out Sunday, Jan 25th @ 10am

Marriott's Manor Club at Ford's Colony
Nestled in the woodlands of Virginia's rolling countryside and just minutes away from historic Williamsburg is the exclusive Marriott's Manor Club at Ford's Colony, a graceful resort set within a 20th century planned community.

101 St. Andrews Drive Williamsburg, Virginia 23188 USA

2 bedroom villas have full kitchen with cookware and tableware
DVD player, washer/dryer, dining and living room area
Enclosed balcony/patio
2 bedroom villas have oversized tub, shower, fireplace, sleeper sofa
Limited Fairway views and limited Garden views

This hotel has a smoke-free policy

Pets are not allowed

Complimentary on-site parking

*Availability for these dates is SOLD OUT through the actual hotel - (Marriott-timeshare)

Upon agreement of payment, we can place your name on a reservation and e-mail a confirmation within one to three business days.

Preferred payment is via PayPal

Please see ad on Craigslist

<http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/vac/970238108.html>

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

Sandra GA — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:52:39 EST

i love that our focus for christmas is one of gathering rather than things this year. even

the kids are excited. here's to the very best of holidays, and may they be enriched for you and

yours as we look towards '09 and our future.

warmed with thought

Caroline Kennedy for Senator

Mike Underwood — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:32:50 EST

Lest we forget, here is Caroline Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama from January of 2008:

A President Like My Father

By CAROLINE KENNEDY
Published: January 27, 2008

OVER the years, I’ve been deeply moved by the people who’ve told me they wished they could feel inspired and hopeful about America the way people did when my father was president. This sense is even more profound today. That is why I am supporting a presidential candidate in the Democratic primaries, Barack Obama.

My reasons are patriotic, political and personal, and the three are intertwined. All my life, people have told me that my father changed their lives, that they got involved in public service or politics because he asked them to. And the generation he inspired has passed that spirit on to its children. I meet young people who were born long after John F. Kennedy was president, yet who ask me how to live out his ideals.

Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that someone has a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves, to tie that belief to our highest ideals and imagine that together we can do great things. In those rare moments, when such a person comes along, we need to put aside our plans and reach for what we know is possible.

We have that kind of opportunity with Senator Obama. It isn’t that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that may not be enough. We need a change in the leadership of this country — just as we did in 1960.

Most of us would prefer to base our voting decision on policy differences. However, the candidates’ goals are similar. They have all laid out detailed plans on everything from strengthening our middle class to investing in early childhood education. So qualities of leadership, character and judgment play a larger role than usual.

Senator Obama has demonstrated these qualities throughout his more than two decades of public service, not just in the United States Senate but in Illinois, where he helped turn around struggling communities, taught constitutional law and was an elected state official for eight years. And Senator Obama is showing the same qualities today. He has built a movement that is changing the face of politics in this country, and he has demonstrated a special gift for inspiring young people — known for a willingness to volunteer, but an aversion to politics — to become engaged in the political process.

I have spent the past five years working in the New York City public schools and have three teenage children of my own. There is a generation coming of age that is hopeful, hard-working, innovative and imaginative. But too many of them are also hopeless, defeated and disengaged. As parents, we have a responsibility to help our children to believe in themselves and in their power to shape their future. Senator Obama is inspiring my children, my parents’ grandchildren, with that sense of possibility.

Senator Obama is running a dignified and honest campaign. He has spoken eloquently about the role of faith in his life, and opened a window into his character in two compelling books. And when it comes to judgment, Barack Obama made the right call on the most important issue of our time by opposing the war in Iraq from the beginning.

I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved.

I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.

Caroline Kennedy is the author of “A Patriot’s Handbook: Songs, Poems, Stories and Speeches Celebrating the Land We Love.”

Will Obama change his decision?

Creatng change in Florida — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:04:06 EST

As a gay man, and supporter of Barack Obama from very early on, I as well as thousands of other gays and lesbians feel deeply insulted and betrayed by the selection of Rick Warren to give the invocation at his innauguration. Obama claims to support the GLBT community, but will invite a divisive and bigotted preacher of hate and fear to speak first in the innauguration ceremony. What kind of message is this to the GLBT community? Will we see a continued diminishing of our rights as we have under the Bush administration? How are we expected to believe in a president with so little regard to one of the strongest voting groups that supported him? It is not too late for the president-elect to change his choice in this matter! I urge all supporters of the GLBT community to speak out, and make your voices heard! Shame on you Barack Obama!

Don Goss, Jacksonville, FL

offensive request for money

Andrea — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:39:40 EST

I received an e-mail from someone in PA yesterday requesting donations because of the 15,000 in debt he has due to the Obama campaign. I spent money out of pocket, I missed several days of work and I worked very hard when I could. I would not put myself or my family in financial straights because of a political campaign. While I feel for his predicament I cannot beleive he is expecting members across the country to pay for his lack of common sense. Here is the e-mail I received and I would have shared it with the Obama Team but currently there is no way to reach anyone higher than the groups we belong to.

Sheldon Motley59 N. Clinton St.Doylestown, PA 18901C: 484-340-7181H: 215-345-5188 December 18, 2008

Dear Obama supporters,

I gave all my time and energy to the Obama campaign for a year and 8 months. This is a request for help. I would not risk writing to the Broward group if I was not serious and in need of assistance.
I worked as hard as I could for the Obama campaign and incurred a large debt that I need help with. If you know of anyone that can help out (including yourself), their (or your) assistance would be much appreciated. I have a $15,000 credit card debt for my basic expenses from doing all I could for the Obama campaign in Pennsylvania from May 1, 2007 to February 15, 2008 when the campaign arrived in PA. (My basic living expenses were covered by an Obama supporter after February 15th, 2008.) I was Co-Chair of the Obama Pennsylvania Field Team and Co-Chair of Philadelphia for Obama.

From May 1st to May 22nd, 2007, I helped organize Barack's Electric Factory event in Philadelphia on May 22nd.
From May 23rd to June 9th, 2007, I did much of the organizing for the National campaign's designated main Philadelphia region Walk for Change Event, a canvassing event.
In communication with the Field Staff person in Chicago through the summer, I emailed information to PA residents, and collected contact information for active Obama supporters in PA.
In September 2007, working with the Field Staff person in Chicago, I helped organize the Obama Pennsylvania Field Team and was nominated to be a Co-Chair.
In September and October 2007, I helped organize Voter Registration events. In October, I helped organize the Philadelphia Obama rally outside the October 30th Presidential Debate at Drexel University.
November, 2007. I was elected Co-Chair of Philadelphia for Obama
November, 2007. I organized and lead the first Pennsylvania trip to New Hampshire coordinated with Obama staff in New Hampshire. (We went to Keene and were there from November 30th to Dec. 2nd.) I got 4 hours sleep for about 3 weeks.
December 2007. Meetings in Philadelphia and again at the request of the Obama staff in New Hampshire, I organized and lead the 2nd Pennsylvania trip to New Hampshire. Joined by Congressman Patrick Murphy's staff, we canvassed in Laconia from January 5th to January 8th. Again, little sleep in organizing this trip.
Returning to PA, I had to pour all my energy into the Philadelphia Delegate Petition Drive as it was not getting off the ground. I worked all day, every day on it through the middle of February.
When that was over, I was receiving constant requests for help and information that I took care of.
I volunteered in the Philadelphia Obama office when the campaign staff arrrived.
Outside the office, I worked as hard as I could leading up to the Primary handling many requests that campaign staff was unable take care of.
I was selected to be an Alternate Delegate to the Democratic National Convention by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.
In early July, I was contacted by the Chicago office to help organize a Philadelphia Platform Meeting that would be moderated by a senior advisor to Barack Obama and videotaped to be shown at the National Convention. It took two solid weeks to get everything in place. I ended up doing most of the ground work to make it happen. It was held at the Painted Bride Art Center, and a senior Obama advisor moderated the event. After the event, it was my duty to assemble and write up the Philadelphia Platform Meeting's Platform and then submit it to the national campaign.
I was then contacted by Chicago Headquarters because they needed someone who had attended the Philadelphia Platform Meeting to be part of the Listening to America Session at the DNC National Platform Drafting Committee Meeting in Cleveland on August 2, 2008. I selected an woman for them and she sent them a draft of her intended testimony. After she was vetted and approved, I drove her to Cleveland.
I spent several weeks raising money to make it to Denver for the National Convention. This webpage built for me by an Obama supporter helped raise some of the necessary money: www.barackobamadelegate.com/Sheldon/
Was an Alternate Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in the Convention Hall all days and on the floor for 2. Thankful for the experience.
After the convention, I did all I could to help the general election effort.

All for no pay. I am 48 and with all the phone calls and requests for help and information, I could not work the 90 hours a week for $500 that the young staffers were. These positions that I simply could not take were only available in Pennsylvania from March 17, 2008 on. Even though I had this grand title, Co-Chair of the Obama Pennsylvania Field Team (from September 2007 until the campaign arrived in March of this year), I was a grassroots activist and lived off my credit card. I need financial help to cover this debt. Any help can be mailed to me at: Sheldon Motley59 N. Clinton St.Doylestown, PA 18901 or I can email you a PayPal link if you prefer. Longer write-up: Some background: In 1982, I did volunteer work in Sierra Leone, West Africa. (This was before the wars over diamonds; the country was peaceful.) Raised in the Midwest, I went to Africa to help them; they changed me. They were beautiful people. When I say beautiful, I am referring to their way of being, the way they treated each other. When I returned to the United States, I was stunned by the racism here. So when Barack Obama came along, I decided that I had to set everything aside and work to help his campaign in southeastern Pennsylvania and in the whole state. I started studying his campaign and his positions full-time in January of 2007 and began.contributing to blogs fulltime in March ('07). In the weeks leading up to his May 22, 2007 Electric Factory event, I began doing grassroots work fulltime with the campaign. I helped out with the phonebanking for the event and with publicizing the event. My hard work was appreciated, and I decided to ask for a paid position. But all work was voluntary at that point. There were no paid positions available. As soon as that successful event was over, I started working on the main National Campaign-sponsored June 9th Philadelphia Walk for Change, a canvassing event that was done nation-wide. I continued working full-time through the summer, emailing people and collecting the names of the active grassroots Obama supporters in Pennsylvania. I worked to connect volunteers with groups in their area and provide any information that I could to newcomers. And I spoke with the Pennsylvania Field staff person in the National Headquarters in Chicago asking if there was a paid position available. They had been given no money to hire anyone in the state. When I saw that there was no group meeting in Pittsburgh, I combed through the blog posts and emails in theMy.BarackObama.com Pittsburgh groups and over a period of two weeks through many phone calls and emails, put the core activists back in contact with each other. They then had their first meeting since February. In early September, the national campaign contacted me and one other person and said that they wanted to form a Pennsylvania Field Team, a statewide structure of leaders so that activities could be coordinated and new supporters could be reached out to. I gave the campaign the names and email addresses that I had collected and with these people, the campaign formed the Pennsylvania Field Team. In our first conference call, I was nominated to be a Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania Field Team. I attended Philadelphia For Obama meetings and events, and after we decided to elect officers, I was elected as a Co-Chair of Philadelphia for Obama. We had biweekly meetings and events where we did voter registration and handed out literature about Obama. Being the Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania Field Team and Co-Chair of Philadelphia for Obama was full-time work, and I received no pay. In the weeks leading up to the October 30th Presidential Debate at Drexel University, we worked to publicize the debate, Obama's positions, and a rally we were planning outside the Debate with the National Campaign's support. Soon after that was over, the National Field Director for Obama campaign contacted us and wanted and needed us to lead a Philadelphia and hopefully a Pennsylvania trip to New Hampshire. No one else stepped forward, so I contacted the National Campaign and said that I would organize and lead a Pennsylvania trip to New Hampshire. It took weeks to organize. The last three weeks I was only getting 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night. I worked 16-18 hours a day, 7 days a week. A good portion of the people who signed up could not afford the price of the low-cost inn that I had reserved rooms in. I was able to find funding to rent a van and pay for their rooms. We had a successful trip to Keene, NH and canvassed there on December 1st and 2nd. While in Keene, the campaign asked me to lead another Pennsylvania trip. Returning to Pennsylvania, there was much work to do preparing for the Pennsylvania Delegate Petition drive, and I was leading and organizing another Pennsylvania trip to New Hampshire for the GOTV effort. I was happy to do all this work to help the campaign, but again there was no pay. The campaign was not hiring anyone in Pennsylvania because they were concentrating all financial resources in the 4 early states. Joined by many of Congressman Patrick Murphy's staff, we had a successful trip to Laconia, NH where we canvassed from January 5th through the 8th. We had people from Central and Eastern Pennsylvania and sign-ups from Pittsburgh as well. As soon as we returned, I had to pour all my energy into the Pennsylvania Delegate Petition drive and Delegate Selection Process. I worked on this 16-18 hours a day, 7 days a week for about 6 weeks. I did not put my own name in as a Delegate, but I had to energize supporters in Philadelphia to help out with the Petition Drive. Near the deadline for applying to be a Delegate, I was strongly encouraged by others to put my name in. I did and was placed on the ballot in Bucks County where I live. I volunteered in the campaign office in Center City, and even did start preliminary discussions about a position. But the young staffers were being paid $500 a week for about 90 hours of work each week. I am 48 years of age and have too many obligations to work that many hours a week, and I needed the freedom to take care of the many phone calls and emails that I was receiving asking for help and information. I worked as hard as I could in the Primary in Philadelphia, responding to the many requests. As an example, seeing that there was no voter registration taking place at Broad and Olney, I worked and got a staging area nearby, tables, posters, and all the necessary material to make it happen. Again, all for no pay. Because delegates are selected based on the number of votes their candidate gets (Hillary did very well in the primary in Bucks County), I was not elected to be a delegate from Bucks County. I was selected to be an Alternate Delegate to the Democratic National Convention by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party later on. I was contacted by the National Campaign Headquarters in early July to help organize a Philadelphia Platform Meeting that would be moderated by a senior campaign staff person and videotaped to be shown at the National Convention. It took two solid weeks to get everything in place. I ended up doing most of the ground work to make it happen. It was held at the Painted Bride Art Center, and a Senior Advisor for Barack Obama moderated the event. Though they wanted it to be a very good event, they also did not want to put the word out to politicians because they wanted it to be a grassroots event. There were breakout groups chaired by university professors on Foreign Policy, Urban Affairs, the Iraq War, etc., that were to come up with a platform plank. After the event, it was my duty to assemble and write up the Philadelphia Platform Meeting's Platform and then submit it to the national campaign. I was then contacted by Chicago Headquarters because they needed someone who had attended the Philadelphia Platform Meeting to be part of the Listening to America Session at the DNC National Platform Drafting Committee Meeting in Cleveland on August 2, 2008. I selected an woman for them and she sent them a draft of her intended testimony. After she was vetted and approved, it was necessary that I travel with her to Cleveland. I met Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, Congressman Patrick Murphy and others there. Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona, Susan Rice, Congressman Patrick Murphy were some of members of this committee. I couldn't afford the trip to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, so like some other delegates had to raise funds just to get there. It is an understandment to say that it was a very fine experience. When I returned from Denver, I planned to help the campaign fulltime in whatever way that would be the best contribution. At least 3 senior rather influential Obama supporters each wanted me to help them fulltime. But after a year and 8 months of doing everything on a volunteer basis and setting aside things that I needed to do, I had to stop giving so much time to the campaign or lose my home. But I continued to gather necessary information and send out key emails to many of the Obama groups in Pennsylvania, and I sent letters to publishers and editors of about 30 Pennsylvania newspapers particularly in conserviative parts of the state, listing nationally prominent Republicans that had endorsed Barack Obama.. I gave everything that I could to the campaign for a year and 8 months. Many times I did so because there was no one else who stepped up to do it. I live extremely frugally, but I received no pay and now have a very large debt--over $25,000. If you know of anyone that might be able to send me a check to help pay some of my debt off, please let them know that it would be very much appreciated. Again, I have a PayPal link that I will email to people if they prefer to use that. Please forward this letter if necessary. Thank you. Sincerely, Sheldon Motley

Post Election Thoughts, Inauguration, Military and Veterans Outreach

Carla Mays — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:05:03 EST

My concerns are that the military families and veterans that have worked so hard, may not be able to participate in the inauguration that they made possible! It upsets me that I have NOT heard back from Brian Bilbray, Senator Feinstein or any other representatives that I have contacted regarding tickets. We have made various request for volunteer opportunities, discounted and free tickets to balls and events, and we are still in a wait and see pattern. It is very costly and bureaucratic, and I fear that the group may not be able to attended this most historic event, that again they made possible. As we wait for information, housing and airfare become more difficult and out of reach. But, I am hopeful that we will find sponsors to sponsor our local military families and veterans to the inauguration. We currently are in need of air miles and lodging sponsors. We currently have a proposal into the Earl Stafford Foundation for inaugural travel assistance for our 32 member OC (Orange County) and San Diego Military and Veterans for Obama, a local group of Blue Star Military Families and Veterans for Obama. Which I serve as lead organizer for, and founded this summer.
We are extremely excited about attending the Obama Inaugural after traveling to 37 states and Puerto Rico, hosting over 180 events and raising over $25,000 collectedly for the campaign and for philanthropic organizations. The group finished the campaign in Florida, where we worked with Obama organizers deliver all 27 electoral college votes for Obama!
I am also very upset that local party organizers are not making inaugural parties affordable to students, seniors, the disabled or military families and veterans! It is very sad to see that even theSan Diego County Democratic Inaugural Party is out of reach for most at $85/$100 per ticket! This is NOT the Obama way! We are a movement of inclusion, not exclusion based on socioeconomic status. I personally have helped get plane tickets and organized travel for over 850 students, veterans, military family members, unemployed folks and those who could not afford to be a part of this movement, but wanted to volunteer. It is the roll of us as organizers to be mindful of the current economic conditions and plan events accordingly. We have to work on getting underwriters and sponsors for underrepresented groups.

As a 33 year old recent graduate school graduate, I understand all to well about the struggles of trying to find a job in this economy and trying to make ends meat. And this campaign trail, has given me much to be thankful for and to work toward. As a young black woman, I often was brought to tears thinking of my mother (who died of pancreatic cancer in 2005) would be saying or the shear enjoy of my grandparents to see this day come to come to pass, when not color but charisma, brilliance, political savvy and philanthropy motivated the Nation to elect the 44th President of the United States of America! And I feel that same way in being elected delegate in my congressional district where blacks make up only about 2% of the population! That is was I felt an obligation to fundraise and take San Diego's Finest with me!
My proudest moment in this campaign was being elected the National Delegate from the 50th Congressional District to the Democratic National Convention and taking a Military Families and Veterans Delegation of 26 with me! The best event of the whole week was working with the group to packing boxes for our troops at Camp Pendleton with Michelle Obama, her daughters, her mother and her brothers! I cried when we (Benjamin Bates, my fiance, managed the Delegation while I was on the floor of the Convention) were able to get all the families and their extended families into the Invesco Field for the ending ceremonies! This is what the Obama campaign and movement is all about philanthropy and service.
The group is focusing our attention on on the California Democratic Party's Assembly District Delegates races, where we are running our Blue Stars and Veterans in the their AD's to represent military families and veterans issues on the state level. We are working to establish military family members and veterans as a strong lobby with the CDP thru the Veterans Caucus and appointments to various committees with in the CDP. Our group has now found a home in the La Jolla Democratic Club. We are very excited to be joining forces with such an active and well established Democratic Club. The new president, Dr. Michael McQuarry has been a great advocate of our work and is helping us develop Democratic Military and Veterans outreach and assist us with our philanthropic work. Here in San Diego we are working with philanthropic organizations by volunteering, hosting events or raising money.
I am very interested in changing Democrats and Progressives feelings and views on the military and veterans. I believe we have much to do on the local level to constituency build among military families and veterans. San Diego County is a military county, and we must work with them, advocate for them and provide them a seat at the policy table. I see this is my new role in the movement. The military families and veterans are our pride and enjoy, and are what makes San Diego "America's Finest City." But thru out the nation it is NOT only our duty to work to end the war, but to support the military families and veterans that were innocently caught up in this conflict also!!! For to long Democrats have been sleeping at the wheel on outreaching to military families, troops and veterans. They overwhelming supported Obama this is our opportunity. It will not be easy because we have been MIA so long, and letting Republicans set the agenda. If you want a real rewarding challenge join us in helping and working with our troops, military families and veterans! Being Democrat, progressive or liberal does NOT mean anti-military, military families or veterans!!! Pro-Obama, Pro-Military!!!!!

COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY

WEBMASTER — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:39:44 EST

New PIC Internet Tool Underscores Unmatched Commitment to Transparency
Committee Website Features a Searchable, Virtually Real-Time Database of Donors and Bundlers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, in keeping with President-elect Obama's commitment to changing the way business is done in Washington, the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced unprecedented standards of transparency in the public reporting of donors to a presidential inaugural committee.

"The disclosure guidelines we've released today set a new standard for openness for a Presidential Inaugural Committee," said John W. Rogers, Jr., Co-Chair of the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee. "This tool demonstrates the new administration's commitment to changing business-as-usual in Washington, DC."

Co-Chair Penny Pritzker added that, "From the beginning, we've said we're going to plan the most open and accessible inauguration in history and that includes using 21st century technology to give the American people access to information about donors to our committee."

For the first time, an inaugural committee's donor disclosure efforts will include a searchable, sortable, virtually real-time database of donors, available on the PIC website. Any citizen will be able to search for and sort donors who give more than $200 by name, employer, or hometown (city, state and zip code). Information on donors and donations will be updated regularly, with information on each new donation over $200 appearing online within 48 hours of its receipt.

The PIC website also includes, for the first time, information on donors who bundle contributions for the inaugural committee, including the amount they have bundled, which will be capped at $300,000 for individual bundlers.

The measures announced today are more stringent than federal law or the Federal Election Commission require. Under current law, an inaugural committee is not required to report donors until 90 days after the Inauguration, nor are donors to an inaugural committee required to disclose their employer when making a donation.

These new guidelines arrive on top of previously announced and unprecedented limitations on the PIC's fundraising policies. Unlike previous inaugural committees, the 2009 PIC will not accept contributions from corporations, political action committees, labor unions, current federally-registered lobbyists, non-U.S. citizens and registered foreign agents and will not accept individual contributions in excess of $50,000. Current law does not restrict the size of donations, which in past inaugurations have reached as high as $250,000.

The new database is available to the general public at pic2009.org/donors.

For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit pic2009.org.

Contact: PIC Communications Office
202.203.1700

Source: barackobama.com

Yes We Did...

NinaforObama — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:56:04 EST

After eight long years of a failed economic policy from the Bush administration, I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am that Barack Obama has been elected 44th President of the United States!

I looking forward to our county getting back on track, the way things were before the devastating destruction from the Bush administration. As I write this blog, there are approximately 44,000 people unemployed in Palm Beach County, Florida. This is just Palm Beach county alone -- without the rest of Florida. Very sad. The foreclosure rate is at the all time high. In fact, unemployment and foreclosures are the worst and the highest in the state of Florida. Our whole county has been devastated by this mess.

I was a volunteer for the Barack Obama campaign, and I would do it all over again. So, Mr. President, you can count me in when 2012 rolls around. :)

Obama urges Illinois governor to step down

darlene matthews — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:18:51 EST

Blagojevich scandal widens
Play Video

My Vision for Change

Andrew Matthew — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:16:48 EST

United as Americans, ordinary people can achieve extraordinary results and Americans can SOAR to new heights through transformation, unity, and hope.

Quit Whining And Put On Your Uniforms!

Hussein The Hope Monger — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:04:02 EST

A House panel discussed executive pay last month (March 2008) with, from left, Charles Prince, formerly of Citigroup; Richard Parsons, a Citigroup director; Stanley O’Neal, formerly of Merrill Lynch; John Finnegan, chairman of Merrill’s compensation committee; Angelo Mozilo of Countrywide; and Harley Snyder of Countrywide’s board.

Join Joe the Voter for Change

Paul Kruger — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:38:36 EST

I have opened a new web site to tap the energy for change. Purpose is to get average citizens involved in their new future.

How it works:

We encourage a couple of experts, liberal and conservative, to band with a group of ordinary citizens to hash out ideas and write legislative proposals on various important topics. These would include such things as educational reform, election reform, health care, military etc.

We would, as a group, submit these ideas to congress through each member's representatives and as a group to the White House.

This is a not for profit project and there is no cost to participate. I hope you will help spread the word and enlist as many people as possible to get this off the ground.

JOE THE VOTER ! PLEASE PASS THE WORD AND REPOST IN OTHER BLOGS !

http://www.JoeTheVoter.org

Obama Voters Are Not Ignorant ..,

bob-pol — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:01:22 EST

I was bummed that Obama won because I wanted four more years of George Bush.
Just kidding, but the opposite was true that the AMERICAN PEOPLE did not want a continuation of Republican policies.

Actually people were fed up, tired of the warmonger Bush, and feared the warmonger McCain who sang,
"Bomb, bomb, bomb... bomb, bomb Iran.

People are not ignorant. They watched the debates and discovered Obama was smart, thus countering fears promoted by Hillary (3 AM Phonecall, etc) and resounded by the Media that McCain had the qualifications to be president, but Barack just gave a speech. .

The Media loved trying to crucify Obama by replaying the Rev Wright tape, and also by giving voice to countless McCain pundants proclaiming on their TV shows that Barack was a terrorist sympathizer, having met Ayers, Barack guilty by association.

So let's not be dellusional and think the Media deserves the credit for electing the "change we need".

THE PEOPLE SPOKE, NOT THE PRESS.

Rob [bob-pol]

SAVE MAYPORT FISHING VILLAGE -NO CRUISE SHIPS

Becky Hussein Obama — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:11:35 EST

Dec. 3, 2008, WednesdayThe City Council will be voting next week on whether to okay plans to put a cruise ship terminal at Mayport Village. If any of you have ever spent any time there, you can imagine how this would destroy the place. The residents have been ignored. I don't know how else to help them, so I'm asking that you join me in urging the council to spare this little spot of old Florida. The locals have a website here:
SAVE MAYPORT FISHING VILLAGE A Dec. 3, 2008 article from Jacksonville.com: Mayport cruise terminal plans gain ground | Jacksonville.com I wrote to the council, and Mayor Peyton, stating that the impact of a cruise ship terminal would pose too great a threat on the environment, and that it would be detrimental to the shrimpers, and all that is quaint and lovely about this historic little village. Here are their email addresses:jpeyton@coj.netCC:clay@coj.net, wbishop@coj.net, rclark@coj.net, redman@coj.net, ashad@coj.net, webb@coj.net, gaffney@coj.net, edlee@coj.net, wajones@coj.net, RBrown@coj.net, mjones@coj.net, JRC@coj.net, holt@coj.net, ddavis@coj.net, artg@coj.net, corrigan@coj.net, ronnief@coj.net, joost@coj.net, khyde@coj.net, gloriousj@coj.netPlease help.

Bush & Cheney, Not so Fast !!!

Phoenix Rising 4 Obama — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:42:58 EST

Rep. Jerrold Nadler Leads Opposition to Bush Pardons Dear Activist,Congratulations! Just one week ago we asked you to launch a massive movement against pardons by signing a petition to your Representatives. Over 46,000 of you took action and Congress took notice. On Friday, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) introduced H.Res. 1531 urging President Bush not to pardon senior administration officials for crimes the President authorized. It notes: President George W. Bush may have committed crimes involving the mistreatment of detainees, the extraordinary rendition of individuals to countries known to engage in torture, illegal surveillance of United States citizens, unlawful leaks of classified information, obstruction of justice, political interference with the conduct of the Justice Department, and other illegal acts