Indiana University

Today Obama Deprograms "Stepford's Children"

Michael Gordon — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:38:58 EDT

I wish like h... it wasn't true. These children will be sneaking at night at their friend's house to sneak a look at Obama's speech instead of porn. What is this world coming to?

health care messages

Bill D'Amico — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:20:10 EDT

I've been underwhelmed by President Obama's description of "Exchanges".

He likens an exchange to what members of Congress have, a menu of different plans. This is alien to many people, and carries some implication that it is paid for by taxpayers (after all we pay for Congress' salaries and benefits).

Open Enrollment is something millions of Americans know through their workplace. It makes sense to describe an Exchange as Open Enrollment for all Americans. Instead of being something new and maybe frightening it is something you do every October, choose your insurance from the few expensive policies offered by your company - except now there will be more options and you don't have to work for a big company.

Conservative Religious Bodies Have Launched National Campaign to Attack Stem Cell Research By Mass Email-Please Contact NIH!

whoknows — Mon, 25 May 2009 02:48:07 EDT

Link: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dd5vs2xt_0hkwp6xd8 Subject: ESCR under attack -

CONTACT NIH TODAY!!! Forwarded message from Don Reed, national stem cell research advocate-- Dear Stem Cell Research Advocate: The next 6 days are crucial in the stem cell research struggle. Here's why.

Remember when President Obama signed that document removing the Bush stem cell restrictions? That same day he called upon the National Institutes of Health to draft a new set of guidelines for scientists wanting federal funding. Those guidelines have just been issued. see http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/2009draft.htm

The next 2 days are the comment period for the new guidelines for stem cell research, which American scientists will have to live with if they want federal funding. This is the public's only chance to shape those guidelines: which can be improved-or made worse. Unfortunately, there are problems with the proposed guidelines! Not only are the guidelines far more conservative than we had hoped, but opponents of the research are systematically flooding the comment process.

Conservative religious bodies, have launched a national campaign to attack early stem cell research by mass emails to the NIH. *"The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launched a new "Oppose Destructive Stem Cell Research" campaign today, equipping citizens to contact Congress and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to oppose embryonic stem cell research ." -- WASHINGTON, May 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ www.usccb.org/stemcellcampaign

Is their anti-research campaign having an effect? Dr. Wise Young of Rutgers University , ". of the 6000 plus comments that NIH has received concerning the draft guidelines, 99% were from people who opposed embryonic stem cell research."-Carecure Forum http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showpost.php?p=1039001&postcount=12

Stem Cell Research Could Lose Federal Funding: Deadline for Comment May 26th

whoknows — Sat, 16 May 2009 16:02:32 EDT

Article Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090514125151.htm

End of the Line for Existing Stem Cell Research?

ScienceDaily (May 14, 2009) — Time is short for scientists to respond to the call for comments on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) proposed guidelines for the use of human embryonic stem (ES) cell lines and their eligibility for federal funds. On May 26, the window to provide feedback will close, and the drafted rules leave the possibility that funding for almost all existing cell lines will disappear.

In a Forum article to be published online on May 14 by Cell Press in the journal Cell Stem Cell, Patrick Taylor, deputy general counsel at Children's Hospital Boston, explains some of the legal implications of the NIH's new funding rules, should they be adopted as written. Since the rules are retroactive, he explains, ongoing research is threatened.

"Research with almost all existing cell lines will not be fundable, leaving almost no federal funds for research using cells created ethically since 2001. This will mean a loss of much of the research benefit of the last eight years, even though that research was independently reviewed and determined to be ethical under federal standards," says Taylor. "It is vitally important that scientists are aware of this problem and that the situation is resolved as quickly as possible."

Ronald McKay, director of the NIH Stem Cell Unit, agrees and points out that, as proposed, the current draft guidelines may not even allow for continued research on the 21 ES cell lines approved by President Bush in 2001. "It is important to recognize that continued access to the ES cells themselves is important for medical research," says McKay. "It is common to use the economic metaphor of the 'gold standard' when discussing the value of human ES cells. But unlike gold, stem cells will not retain value if they are locked in a bank and we cannot analyze their secrets. Continued access to these cells will ensure no delay in understanding the links between human genetics and disease," he adds.

The slow pace of commenting is symptomatic of a broader tendency within the scientific community. "Despite federal encouragement and the ease of posting a comment, scientists do not seem to be participating unless the proposals directly impact their research," outlines science writer Amy Maxman in an Analysis piece to be published by Cell Press in the journal Cell on the same day. The article explains how scientists can offer their views as part of the consultation on items listed at the Federal Register, such as by providing comments on the draft human ES cell guidelines currently under consideration, to ensure that federal agencies receive a balanced perspective of public opinion.

Researchers from all scientific disciplines and interested members of the general public can comment on the proposed guidelines at http://nihoerextra.nih.gov/stem_cells/add.htm until 11 p.m. EST on May 26.

The reseacher is Patrick Taylor, of Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, in Boston, MA.

IU President McRobbie?

Hussein The Hope Monger — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:47:51 EST

Michael and Laurie McRobbie of Indiana attend the inauguration ceremony of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States in Washington, January 20, 2009.

How did they get tickets?

How Tall is the Grass?

** Maria Isabel ** — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:13:51 EST

Hey You ~ How about a Grassroots Inaugural Party?

"Party": groups acting together, leaning more towards the effort of staying active and organized for Barack as volunteers, than to have an extravagant celebration Ball. A scaled back approach to the gathering, being that our country is at war and our economy is the pits.

Here is where we are ~ We have a local Maryland kick-off committee, submitted a formal request to the official Inauguration Committee to include our gathering as an official event, have a local event organizer already doing research, found location options including the Convention Center, and have a list of several entertainers to choose from.

The "Party" theme is a promise to continue our community involvement, tickets will be $200 per person, dress code is relaxed.

The Maryland kick-off committee is looking for volunteers to spearhead the event, and you do not have to reside in Washington DC.

If you are interested in attending and purchasing a ticket, or would like to offer your event coordinating talent as a volunteer in one of the committees please send an email to: obamatallgrass@gmail.com.

Obama Love,

Maria Isabel

Volunteers for Change: Campaign for Food

Jeff Thomas — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:06:51 EST

How much is your time worth? A minimum of $10/hour, perhaps double or triple that; $30 per hour means $60,000 per annum -- not a bad living in Bloomington. Perhaps you believe the income you generate in your work is more than the value you could generate as a volunteer for a good cause. Based on today’s experience of some local citizens, most of you would be wrong.

Seven people contributing twelve hours of volunteer time on a Sunday afternoon in a single Bloomington neighborhood generated 350 pounds of food donations and $250. That’s about $950 of value, based on a reasonable estimate of the cost of food, so equivalent to almost $80 per hour!

This is the first direct action for a new community group called Volunteers for Change. Mostly volunteer veterans from Barack Obama’s campaign for the Presidency, the group has not waited for his inauguration let alone any re-election campaign to get back into action. Dedicated to the ideal of “being the change you seek,” watching as more and more local families fall into needy circumstances, and knowing they have developed some skills in community organizing, they simply started calling each other and connecting by email. The message shared? “We need to get back to work – now!”

The food and money being collected is contributed to the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. Hoosier Hills supplies food to 99 agency programs in six counties surrounding Bloomington. Last month, for only the 2nd time in their 26 year history, they distributed over 2 million pounds of food in a calendar year. This year's economic turmoil has produced a higher level of demand, and at several times during the year, the shelves were empty of canned goods. The agencies that went away empty-handed were therefore unable to feed an increasing number of people at community kitchens and food pantries.

During door-to-door canvassing on Senator Obama’s behalf, many volunteers had become acquainted with the everyday challenges local citizens face. They have seen both the face of despair during these difficult economic times and the face of hope. Their group’s goal is to transform despair to hope by engaging people in the political process at the point in which they are living their lives. Many may have thought the system has passed them by or abandoned them and as a result simply will not work to help solve their needs.

But that sense of hope needs to be transferred into results. During the holiday season, families come together and often share special meals. But for those who have little, the holidays can simply increase a sense of failure, want, and despair. The agencies that can assist families with a little extra food, or serve some extra hot meals directly to them, make a critical contribution to keeping hope alive. As a group, Volunteers for Change knows the goodwill that exists in our wider community. Together they have knocked on thousands of doors and talked to thousands of people all over Southern Indiana. They believe this as a direct result of President-elect Obama’s call to help solve the problems of everyday Americans.

Given the recent publicity on the challenges of the needy, they quickly agreed to focus on a “Campaign for Food.” Using published data, they targetted a neighborhood that voted overwhelmingly for Senator Obama during the general election. It was their hope that those who had had their doors knocked on during that campaign might once again be receptive. They hoped those who lived there had heard the same call. No one was sure, though, quite how this would play out --- till the first doors were knocked.

Students raised from their beds in the early afternoon predominantly went straight to their pantries to find a box or can to contribute. Families asked their children to help carry bigger contributions to the door. The well-off who had already contributed to similar causes through their church or workplace went back to their wallets, checkbooks, and food supplies to give again. Many asked the volunteers to come back again next week for more.

Many people who answered their door instantly recognized the Obama campaign symbols incorporated into the Volunteers for Change badges pinned to the coats of the stranger at their door (some also recognized the faces of the volunteer!), and gave a friendly welcome. A few inquired how they too could join in. But this was no merely partisan celebration. Hardy political campaigners are not dissuaded by potentially unfriendly turf, and they seemed to take extra pleasure in walking to the door of a few houses that still proudly declared their loyalty to Senator McCain. Sometimes a wry smile was shared at the door; but cloth bags were still filled with cans and food and offers of future donations were made with the same degree of responsiveness. The cause is greater than any red-blue politics.

So what happens next? Plenty. Volunteers for Change has been recognized by the still active Barack Obama campaign website, and can use its outreach capabilities. The USA Today noticed its posting there, and sent a photographer to record the Bloomington group’s first meeting as part of its feature on how “Obama volunteers plan to stay in touch.” Recognizing the alternative social networking within the younger community, a Facebook page was started and within three days had fifty IU students as “friends.” Plans are afoot for a website, a phone line, and drop off points for future donations.

And more door-to-door canvassing: Thanksgiving weekend, on both Saturday and Sunday, no less. With more volunteers, more neighborhoods, and more donations, they can make more “Change” for those who need it. The Volunteers for Change target is 10,000 pounds of food and $50,000 of financial donations to Hoosier Hills Food Bank by the time our nation’s forty-fourth President is sworn in on January 20th. These seem like heady goals, yet from a group that helped “turn Indiana blue” for the first time in more than four decades of Presidential elections, perhaps anything is possible.

Canvasing for Food And $ for Hoosier HIlls Food Bank

Pamela Warren — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:56:16 EST

Canvasing for Food And $ for Hoosier HIlls Food Bank Description: <img src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v738/197/112/558175416/n558175416_4945802_7420.jpg" alt="volunteers for change">This is the first direct action for our Volunteers for Change. We are going door-to-door seeking financial and food donations for the Hoosier Hills Food Bank (HHFB). They supply food to 99 agency programs in six counties. Last year, for only the 2nd time in their 26 year history, HHFB distributed over 2 million pounds of food. This year's economic turmoil has produced a higher level of demand, and at several times during the year, the shelves were empty of canned goods. The agencies that went away empty-handed were therefore unable to feed an increasing number of people at soup kitchens and food pantries. In addition, high gas prices have pushed their fuel bill 30% over budget. They need our help -- we have the expertise and the commitment to effective door-to-door canvassing that will help reach donors. While we will ask for and collect financial donations (which are tax-deductible) we will also be able to collect and carry food from any door willing to share it. In this holiday week, what better time to share with those who have none? Canvassing will continue on a regular basis during November and December. During the weekend of Thanksgiving itself we also hope to supply volunteers for food service at the agencies who usually rely on students that may be out of town for the weekend. This Sunday We will meet at Rob & Mary's house, share a briefing and canvassing materials and then go to neighborhoods that have high potential for donating. We will team people up so each canvassing team has a warm car running with them. We will be wearing buttons promoting Volunteers for Change and happy to explain how we are a new group hoping to help the community. But our goal is to refresh the food stores and finances of HHFB, knowing that this will impact literally hundreds of families who have to rely on outside aid at this time. Be the change we seek! Contact Info Jeff Thomas Phone: 443-220-1673 Email: thomasjbg@hotmail.com Description Time: Sunday, November 23 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Host: Pamela Warren Location: Rob and Mary's home (Bloomington, IN) 1329 South High Street
Bloomington, IN 47401

Volunteers for Change is a national group to assist the Obama Presidency with issues that need our grassroots support.

Pamela Warren — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:08:22 EST

Volunteers for Change is a national group to assist the Obama Presidency with issues that need our grassroots support.

Our first campaign is for the collection of food, time line November 20, 2008 until December 31, 2008. With unemployment rising, and more and more of our food bank pantries empty we want to answer Obama's call to be our brother's keeper and fill our food banks for the winter ahead.

Summary of Plans from meeting of November 19, 2008: Volunteers for Change

Action:

1. Tomorrow, Thursday, November 20, 2008, Rosemary Hart, Pam Warren and Rob Price will go to Hoosier Hills Food Bank at 9:30am to talk with Julio and determine the best way for our volunteers to work with them.

a. Report will be sent to all our volunteers with a plan of action

b. Pam and Rosemary will go to the city and get information on the letter that they sent which needs follow up calls made. We will request a sign up table for Volunteers for Change at the event this Saturday at Showers.

2. Attend Saturday, November 22, 2008 event on hunger at Showers Plaza

1. Set up table with materials, Pam and volunteer
2. Sign up Volunteers for Change, All Volunteers will attend

3. Weekly Meeting at 1329 South High Street, Rob and Mary’s house.

Organization:

1. Jeff Thomas will activate the Team Leaders

a. Jeanette Heidewald will work on scripts for phone banking

2. David Pace will do Publicity

3. Mary Runnell took our minuets this week, but we need a formal secretary

4. Set Up Group on mybo, post actions and blogs

Materials:

1. Product for the Volunteers

a. Rob will make a sheet of button prints and work on the design tonight, intended to say "Volunteers For Change"

b. Button Teams Kelley Latshaw and Terri Bleuel will begin making Buttons

c. Bumper Stickers for change “Volunteers for Change”

2. Sign up Sheets for Volunteers with our logo, Rob Price

Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration: Bus Trip to Washington D.C.

Wife, Mother and Barack supporter — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:11:08 EST

For additional information and payment details go to
WWW.ILLIANA4OBAMA.COM

Round Trip Bus Transportation
2 nights at the Comfort Inn or
Four Points Sheraton
Va

$375 per person double occupancy
$325 per person triple occupancy
$275 per person quad occupancy
Bus only $225
Room only $450

To see Itinerary (click Itinerary tab at the top)
Please contact me at: Illiana4obama@gmail.com

Seats will be reserved by deposit payment only!!!
A Paypal account is not required click on the continue button when your are directed to Paypal.

I am a ebay/square trade approved seller, please review my listing for verification purposes(170285804982). To become an approved ebay seller I provided the contract details relating to this trip and it was required that my personal information matched my ebay profile.

Comments (0) E-mail article Print view

Nation Digest
Tickets printed to inauguration
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies has printed about 250,000 tickets to the Jan. 20 swearing-in ceremony at...

Washington, D.C.

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies has printed about 250,000 tickets to the Jan. 20 swearing-in ceremony at the west front of the U.S. Capitol.

The tickets are free and will be given to members of Congress and to President-elect Barack Obama's presidential-inaugural committee, once that is established. Those who want to attend the ceremony should contact their local member of Congress to request tickets. The viewing area will stretch from the Capitol along the Mall. Some more distant parts of the viewing area will not require tickets and probably will be served by huge video screens.

Congressional staffers said Friday that there were reports of advertisements on the Internet selling inaugural tickets for hundreds of dollars each. They said any such ticket would be false and of no value

IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A TICKET TO THE EVENT KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
YOU MAY MAKE YOUR PAYMENT TO GET ON THE BUS AT **********WWW.ILLIANA4OBAMA.COM***************

Cost includes round trip bus ride on Jan 18-20, 2009(leaving after inauguration and parade)What you are paying for: A hotel room with continental breakfast. ****You are responsible for any and all incidentals or additional cost that are not mentioned in this trip***** Please provide your own spending money dinner and lunch will not be provided.

I located a hotel that is approximately 2.5 hours out, but on the route to the White House. I anticipate a two night lay over to save money. This trip will take place during the early morning hours of Jan 18, 2009 and boarding the bus the evening after the inauguration and parade (this is not a guarantee of tickets to either event)
Please note: I was unable to locate a hotel within 1 hours distance of the White House

I located a bus company that will change out our bus driver three times, to ensure that our driver is well rested. The bus will include TV, DVD/VCR, and stereo, the cost includes round trip transportation to Washington D.C. and will include your hotel, driver(s) tips, parking fees, the driver accommodations, continental breakfast at a comfortable hotel

Gathering food for the winter

Pamela Warren — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:37:55 EST

Monroe County Indiana carried the day this election for Obama and was responsible in large measure for Indiana turning Blue! While we patiently wait for January 20th 2009 we are planning what we can do for our community at this time! In Monroe County IN we are planning to work together gathering food for our local food bank. I think this is a good suggestion for a current project for Obama Volunteers Nationally. With unemployment raising and many of our food banks empty or running low we need to help our communities stock our food banks for the winter,

In Bloomington, IN Hoosier Hills Food Bank collects food that is then distributed to 99 agency programs in six counties. Forty two percent of Monroe Counties total population wages are below the poverty guidelines. If you exclude every person who COULD be an Indiana University Student; 15%, going to school and working part time, it still leaves 26 percent of Monroe County Residents living in poverty. Even at 26 percent Monroe County’s poverty level is well above the national poverty rate of 12.5 percent and the Indiana rate of 12.3 percent.

Source: US Census 2006, 2007 American Community Survey

We are submitting this as a suggested volunteer effort for November – December 2008 for our Obama Volunteers. Meeting announcement to follow.

Indiana Is Blue!

schalliol — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:23:35 EST

This is so remarkable, we did it!!

MSNBC called it just after 2 AM ET.

McCain-Palin Can Still Win: It Ain't Over til It's Over!!

Hussein The Hope Monger — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:53:05 EST

Time is short and the polls are painting a grim picture for John McCain, but top Republicans believe they still see a clear path to the White House.

“I don’t acknowledge it’s a long shot. It's a realistic shot,” said RNC deputy chairman Frank Donatelli of his candidate's prospects.

Donatelli argues that nearly every pollster has over-sampled Democrats, thus exaggerating Obama's support while understating that for McCain.

“I don’t think it’s outrageous," he said, "to think we are going to do much better with party turnout than some of the models indicate."

For that reason, Donatelli believes McCain can win all the big swing states in play: Florida, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina and perhaps Pennsylvania.

He also says the public now sees Obama as not yet tested and ready for the job, and is fearful that he will increase taxes, quickly grow the federal government and forestall long-term economic growth. Voters will conclude, he says, that “liberal Democrats should not control the whole federal government.”

GOTV - Canvas, Phone Bank!!

Hussein The Hope Monger — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:28:55 EST

Fired UP?

You betcha!!

Making it Count: How to Protect Your Vote & Spot Dirty Tricks

whoknows — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 18:57:19 EST

Please see the following link and pass along to all your friends! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP7FdBEpVBo&eurl=http://thepoliticalcarnival.blogspot.com/2008/11/video-obama-campaign-senior-counsel-on.html

What is the Obama campaign doing to ensure youth turnout?

whoknows — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:56:31 EDT

This link bothers me. Does Obama even have a plan at colleges to get the youth to turn out? http://www.gallup.com/poll/111685/Update-Little-Evidence-Surge-Youth-Vote.aspx

Senator Barack Obama Hold On To Lead

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:28:32 EDT

Battleground StatesObamaMcCainSpreadFlorida 48.5 45.0 Obama +3.5 North Carolina 48.9 46.3 Obama +2.6 Virginia 51.0 44.5 Obama +6.5 Ohio 49.2 43.4 Obama +5.8 Missouri 47.8 48.2 McCain +0.4 Colorado 50.8 44.3 Obama +6.5 Nevada 50.3 43.3 Obama +7.0 All Battleground States | Senate Polls | Latest Polls

VOTE, BABY, VOTE

Hussein The Hope Monger — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:33:05 EDT

"The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and yes, we got some gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America." (BHO 2004)

There's nothing false about HOPE;

Keep hope ALIVE!!

Early Voting Allowed In At Least 40 States As Of Today

Hussein The Hope Monger — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:47:48 EDT

At this point, I can't imagine anything that could happen internally to either campaign or externally in the world that would cause me to reconsider voting for Barack Obama at the top of the ticket.

John McCain has run (or allowed to be run) an erratic campaign fraught with changing tactics and lacking principles and a strategy. That bodes poorly for his ability to lead. He has pandered to the extreme right wing of the Republican Party and fallen in line by voting 90% with Bush #43 the last 7 years. He is clearly no 'maverick'. He tried unsuccessfully to pander to the evangelicals by making up with Falwell, then Hagee and Parsely- he couldn't even get these superficial relationships straight.

John McCain is old and sick. I am not sure he will survive 4 years. He has foisted Sarah Palin onto the national stage. This Governor of a sparsely populated and resources wealthy state has never met the challenges of an Illinois, New York, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania. Its residents pay no state income or sales tax. She lacks intellectual curiosity and is less familiar with the world than the average American.

In pandering to the right, McCain insufficiently vetted this VP candidate. There is nothing wrong with her putting herself and her family first . However, using her public office for personal gain and influence is wrong. Taking public monies to sleep at home is wrong in any state - just because you're taking less than your predecessor is a poor defense.

She professes to be a mainstream "hockey mom" - but she's way off from the middle of our society.

I grew up in the "red" section of Cook County IL during the elder Mayor Daley's patronage machine. Ever since I could vote, I have been registered as a Republican; I have been active in local and state committees.

The Republican Party has lost its way. It no longer stands for fiscal responsibility, can no longer claim moral authority domestically or internationally, has breached Constitutional rights of freedom and privacy.

This is the first quadrennial election in which all 3 of my children will be able to vote. The 4 of us were fortunate enough to be able to meet Senator Obama during the holidays and prior to our caucuses here in Iowa. Along the rope line, he answered my questions about his relationships with the likes of Tony Rezko, George Haywood, the Strogers and others in today's Chicago machine; he described the types of advisers with whom he would surround himself if elected. He actually listened to and responded to my children's policy questions. I changed my registration and was proud to STAND UP for Barack Obama on caucus night.

I don't know who I will support "down ballot", but it is clear who we need at the top. Barack Obama offers intelligent, insightful, inspirational leadership at a critical time in the journey toward 'a more perfect union'. For me, that's 'the fierce urgency of now'.

Is this 'Obamacan' fired up?

You betcha!!

Scare tactics may excite, economy demands answers

Derek Houston — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:49:56 EDT

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081023/OPINION01/810230417/1031

HELP WIN INDIANA'S EDITORIAL PAGE BATTLE WITH YOUR LETTER/OPINION/EDITORIAL AND THIS AMAZING "LIVE" LIST OF ALL INDIANA'S NEWSPAPERS

Stephen Fox, Contributing Editor New Mexico Sun News — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:28:39 EDT

There's still time to win the battle for INDIANA's Editorial Pages: Please use this list at usnpl.com;

OHIO'S NEWSPAPERS, Taken from this "LIVE URL": http://www.usnpl.com/INnews.php

[plus, below, the 6 PART OpEdNews Compendium of Major EDITORIAL PAGE Endorsements Thus Far]

Newspapers
Click ( A ) for Newspaper address
Click ( C ) for County summary

Alexandria The Alexandria Times-Tribune (A) (C)
Anderson Anderson Herald Bulletin (A) (C)
Auburn The Evening Star (A) (C)
Batesville The Herald Tribune (A) (C)
Bedford Bedford Times-Mail (A) (C)
Bloomington The Herald-Times (A) (C)
Bluffton Bluffton News Banner (A) (C)
Brazil The Brazil Times (A) (C)
Brookville Brookville American-Democrat (A) (C)
Brownstown Jackson County Banner (A) (C)
Chesterton Chesterton Tribune (A) (C)
Cloverdale Hoosier Topics (A) (C)
Columbia City The Post & Mail (A) (C)
Columbus The Republic (A) (C)
Connersville News Examiner (A) (C)
Corydon The Corydon Democrat (A) (C)
Crawfordsville Journal Review (A) (C)
Crawfordsville The Paper of Montgomery County (A) (C)
Decatur Decatur Daily Democrat (A) (C)
Elkhart The Elkhart Truth (A) (C)
Elwood The Call-Leader (A) (C)
Evansville Evansville Courier (A) (C)
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Rushville Rushville Republican (A) (C)
Seymour Seymour Tribune (A) (C)
Shelbyville Shelbyville News (A) (C)
South Bend South Bend Tribune (A) (C)
Spencer Spencer Evening World (A) (C)
Terre Haute Journal of Business (A) (C)
Terre Haute Tribune-Star (A) (C)
Tipton Tipton County Tribune (A) (C)
Versailles Osgood Journal (A) (C)
Versailles Versailles Republican (A) (C)
Vincennes Vincennes Sun-Commercial (A) (C)
Wabash Wabash Plain Dealer (A) (C)
Warsaw Times-Union (A) (C)
Zionsville Times Sentinel (A) (C)

College Newspapers
Anderson Univ News and Events
Ball State Univ News
Butler Univ DawgNet
DePauw Univ theDePauw.com
Goshen College Record
Indiana State Univ Indiana Statesman
Indiana Univ Bloomington Digital Student
Notre Dame Observer
Purdue Univ Exponent
Purdue Univ Calumet Chronicle
Purdue Univ Indianapolis Sagamore
Wabash College Bachelor

********

Editorial Page Victories clarify: Obama will win 2-1 in Electoral College! 6 part compendium, posted in full at OpEdNews.com---

Endorsements at OpEdNews: Washington Post, Houston, Detroit, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, Salt Lake, Philadelphia, Portland, Bangor, Sacramento, Kansas City (4 former Red States)

OpEdNews has been the site of choice to post the growing list of major and minor newspaper endorsements for Obama. The Editorials are quoted generally in full, with interspliced commentaries from major editors and commentators, explaining what is behind the Editorials.

Part I Obama's Editorial Endorsements: including Washington Post, Fidel Castro, Richard Lugar, Chuck Hagel, & more!

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Obama-s-Endorsements-The-by-Stephen-Fox-081016-633.html

*******

Part II Editorial Page Endorsements of Obama Denver Post, Chicago Tribune, San Francsico Chronicle, Los Angeles Times

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Editorial-Page-Endorsement-by-Stephen-Fox-081017-544.html

********

Part III New Endorsements: Salt Lake City Tribune, Bangor and Brunswick, Maine, Philadelphia, Miami, Portland, Kansas City

http://www.opednews.com/articles/EndorspLements-Salt-Lake-Ci-by-Stephen-Fox-081018-476.html

********

More Obama Endorsements IV: Sacramento, Katie Couric, Malaysia, Houston Chronicle, Detroit, Waco Tx (sort of)

http://www.opednews.com/articles/More-Obama-Endorsements-IV-by-Stephen-Fox-081019-492.html

********

Endorsements 5: Cleveland, Austin, St.Pete, Gainesville,Tuscaloosa, Orlando
http://www.opednews.com/articles/ENDORSEMENTS-5-Cleveland-by-Stephen-Fox-081019-341.html

********

ENDORSEMENTS 6: College Station,New Haven,San Antonio,Columbus,Las Vegas,Lexington KY

http://www.opednews.com/articles/ENDORSEMENTS-6-College-St-by-Stephen-Fox-081020-511.html

********

If your time permits, please TAKE THE TIME TO COMMENT AND SHARE YOUR INSIGHTS, which become a vital part of a larger on-going dialogue.

Thank you, Stephen Fox Founder, New Millennium Fine Art
Contributing Editor New Millennium Fine Art Santa Fe, NM

Update on the Petition to Boot Debate Moderator Brokaw

ZapDuff — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:18:26 EDT

Thanks again to all of you who took time to add your name to our effort to force the Commission on Presidential Debates to give the American electorate the BEST chance to compare our choices for leadership of our great country. We delivered the petition and your 2,100 signatures to Janet H. Brown, the CPD Executive Director, as well as several other Commission officers. Copies were also sent to top NBC-Universal executives, hoping the network would respond to our demonstration of dissatisfaction of the bias in their programming.

Sadly, we failed to even get a simple acknowledgment from ANYONE for our efforts. And as we saw, during the debate moderated by Mr. Brokaw as well as his subsequent behavior on the weekly Meet The Press show and various MSNBC programs... his obvious prejudicial (pro-Rep/anti-Dem) favoritism continues.

Host a Debate Watch Party

Indiana from Indianapolis, IN — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:45:21 EDT

The final presidential debate is this Wednesday, October 15th, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

It's the last chance for undecided voters to see Barack and John McCain side-by-side and determine who will bring the change this country needs.

You can make the most of this opportunity by bringing your friends, family, and fellow supporters together to watch.

Sign up to host a Debate Watch Party. We'll make sure you have everything you need to make the event a success.

If you've hosted an event before, you know how powerful they can be to help grow our movement. If you haven't, it's a terrific way to show your support, and we'll be with you every step of the way to help.

We're having a special conference call for Debate Watch Party hosts next week. We'll give you ideas for how to get your guests involved in the rest of the campaign.

In these final weeks, each of us needs to do whatever we can to keep growing our movement and encourage undecided voters to cast their vote for change.

Sign up to host a Debate Watch Party now:

http://my.barackobama.com/debate-watch-party

Thanks,

Jon

Jon Carson
National Field Director
Obama for America

Hey, John - Quit Hiding Behind Cindy's, Sarah's Skirts

Hussein The Hope Monger — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:22:38 EDT

Cindy McCain, McCain's wife, lashed out at Obama earlier this week, telling a Tennessee newspaper that the Illinois senator has waged the "dirtiest campaign in American history."

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/09/campaign.wrap/?iref=hpmostpop

Fired UP!!

UNreported $Billions Campaign Contributions

ZapDuff — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:49:22 EDT

Julie wrote:
> http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/05/rnc-to-seek-audit-of-all-contributions-to-obama-campaign/#more-22768
>
> Sen. Obama's July speech in Berlin drew tens of thousands. Now the RNC wants an audit to determine whether the federal ban on contributions from foreign nationals may have been violated.
>
> (CNN) – The fund-raising prowess of the Obama campaign may be put under a microscope, if the Republican National Committee has its way, the RNC announced that it plans to file a complaint with the Federal Election Committee Monday that seeks an audit of the more than $450 million donated so far to Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.Second, the RNC plans to ask for an audit of possible excessive contributions to the Democratic nominee.

This is predictable but oh... so much BS!

All the while... NeoConMSM are pumping $BILLION$ everyday into the GOP cause... and not one frigging ¢ EVER reported!

KEATING FIVE, E-MAIL NOW!

Ryan from Chicago, IL — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:08:02 EDT

We need to hit McCain now on this. Now! You will see the following week get bogged down in smears.

The Campaign has asked us to forward this link to everyone we knnow. Please forward this link to all your friends. I forwarded it to 157 people.

http://www.keatingeconomics.com/

Now this is very urgent! Let me tell you why: I just watched an hour long documentary by Sean Hannity on his Hannity's America show sliming Barack Obama so much it would make you vomit. The "sources" he used weren't even credible authors, but if you watched that doucmentary and had no other point of view, you wouldn't vote Obama.

So let's get the word out NOW about John McCain. Forward this link now to your friends.

http://www.keatingeconomics.com/

How's That GOP Trickle Down Stuff Working For You?

Hussein The Hope Monger — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:48:05 EDT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UaRXvRwhOk

Fired UP!!

Irritation

Bill D'Amico — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:09:35 EDT

I'm a bit irritated with Neighbor to Neighbor at the moment. I can't access my call lists - I had voters in Colorado and New Mexico that I wanted to call the last I checked a couple of days ago. Now none of my campaigns show up on my dashboard.

So I can't do some work for the campaign using the tool as I had been. No notice, just a landing page for the n2n tool that asks me to sign up for the weekend. This strikes me as poor management - people that had been making calls should see their campaigns - grey them out if the campaign needs work done in other states - and communicate clearly what is being done.

I made on the order of 140 attemped contacts and 20 odd contacts in California, Nevada, New Mexico and Indiana. Again, the campaign should communicate with me to tell me they've changed priorities, not just ask me to sign up for a weekend.

Turns out I can get to my voter lists via a different URL that was hidden in a campaign email that didn't mention neighbor to neighbor, but did ask me to make calls. Still it should stay on my home/dashboard as well.

Expect The Worst From The Opposition - McCain AND Sympathetic 527s

Hussein The Hope Monger — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:16:06 EDT

We have to assume that many Americans may not have been engaged during the primary/caucus season. Sen Obama seems to be pulling ahead in many of the polls. Nonetheless, he will be the underdog until he is in the White House.

Although we may be tired of hearing about the terrorist 'fist bump', Wm Ayers, Rev Wright, Tony Rezko etc., this is new to many key independents and voters in the middle of the political spectrum.

It will be the person-to-person contacts that will lead to victory - canvassing, phonebanking.

Fired UP!!

Bailout on Common Sense

Common Sense for Obama — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:57:16 EDT

House Republicans down the bailout bill not because it goes against their ideology, not because it offends their conscience, not because of voter pressure at home, not because it was fundamentally flawed, but because Nancy Pelosi hurt their feelings with that “partisan” floor speech??? Oh that evil Madam Speaker!

I kid you not.

House Republican Leader John Boehner : "I do believe that we could have gotten there today, had it not been for this partisan speech that the Speaker gave on the floor of the House. I mean, we were -- we put everything we had into getting the votes to get there today, but the Speaker had to give a partisan voice that poisoned our conference, caused a number of members who we thought we could get to go south."

Added his sidekick Eric Cantor, "Right here (brandishing his own copy of Pelosi's speech) is the reason I believe why this vote failed."

Watch Pelosi’s speech and/or see the text of the speech and tell me how a grown-ass man can look you in the eye and say this, and not all the other more mature, plausible factors, was the deal breaker for them. Unbelievable!

I’ve never been fond of this Congress and I wish all these guys (Dems included) were up for re-election this time around so they could all be FIRED this November when real CHANGE goes to Washington.

In the meantime, for God’s sake, Speaker Pelosi, give those GOP boys some candy… and for the sake of the country, be nice to them!

John McCain: A Risk America Cannot Afford To Take

Hussein The Hope Monger — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:05:51 EDT

Fired UP!!

Mavericks just want to fight, ANYTHING.

Rick Watts — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:25:34 EDT

This is the perfect time to address the 'Maverick' mantel of McCain & Palin. In a moment when Capitol Hill is in a bi-partisian effort to solve the finanical crisis and Sen. Obama has taken a pause to allow this to happen in Coral Gables, Florida. McCain has continued his partisian attacks. He is such a maverick, an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party, he does not know how to stop and bring about partisinship. Sometimes a maverick just does not know when to stop fighting. In this case, when to stop bucking the good will of good govenment. This time McCain is fighting against the good of the American people. McCain has fought against his party as he has went along with his party, deregulation, and in most instances against the good will of the people.

Help Organize Indiana Online

Indiana from Indianapolis, IN — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:46:53 EDT

Like to Blog, Myspace or Facebook?

If so then you can help the Indiana Campaign for Change help spread it's message of change throughout Indiana by talking to fellow Hoosiers online through social networking and emailing!

It's simple.

To become an Online Organizer, simply sign up at IN.BarackObama.com/IndianaOnline.
Once you're a part of the team you will receive emails/messages with instructions on what you can do to help us online. You can help us alert Hoosiers of issues, policies, events and opportunities right here in Indiana!

Why Isn't The President Holding A News Conference To Discuss The Economy?

Hussein The Hope Monger — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:51:06 EDT

CHANGE WE NEED!

Fired UP!!

RIMM Renames BlackBerry(R) To "Maverick"

Hussein The Hope Monger — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:04:01 EDT

In recognition to the role played by Sen John McCain in the invention and development of the product, RIMM is renaming its product. Apple is expected to follow suit with respect to the iPhone; the next generation will be referred to as the "McCain".

Fired UP!!

"Powerful Women's Groups Endorse Obama!"

Bigskygirl — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:58:03 EDT

You GO girls! I knew we were smarter than the McCain campaign suspected!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080916/ts_alt_afp/usvotewomen

BSG

"America can't afford more of the same. We need a president who puts the Barney Smiths before the Smith Barneys. "

Hussein The Hope Monger — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:17:51 EDT

Campaign manager Rick Davis is a major telecommunications lobbyist.

Senior foreign policy adviser Randy Scheunemann recently faced scrutiny over his foreign lobbying on behalf of the Republic of Georgia, which has been embroiled in a military conflict with Russia.

Senior adviser Charlie Black was a foreign lobbyist for dictators in Zaire and Angola in the 1980s.

Frank Donatelli, the Republican National Committee's liaison to the McCain campaign, has had clients including Exxon Mobil.

Economic adviser Nancy Pfotenhauer has lobbied for corporate giants like Koch Industries.

McCain's congressional liaison, John Green, and national finance Co-chairman Wayne Berman. They both lobbied for Fannie Mae, the troubled mortgage giant.

CHANGE WE NEED!

Fired UP!!

Making calls

Bill D'Amico — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:46:42 EDT

I started making phone calls for Obama again.

At the moment I'm calling people in LA/Compton and seeing what kind of volunteer activities they can help with. So far I'm seeing about a 20% bad number rate, and my timing has led to about 70% answering machine or no answers. The remaining 5% is people that want to help the campaign, primaryly through the same type of phone calling I'm doing.

The tool for doing this needs some work, it isn't as easy to use as MoveOn's tool that I used in the 2006 Congressional elections. I've taken some initiative and volunteered my computer skills to the campaign directly (one of the things I'm supposed to ask when I call is can they help with computer work). i've got 20 odd years of experience with computers and an MS in computer science. I might be better used helping clean up database schema even though that isn't my main experience.

Right now is a very good time to get re-energized to get Obama elected. People looking at the polls need to hear that Obama has a ground game and it is active - that's our job!

My personal plan is 5 calls each weeknight, 20-40 calls each weekend until the election. I may step this up as we get closer to election day.

Yes I still am irritated with him on FISA. And I'm going to get him elected. I can walk the walk like I said I would. Obama will be a force for progressive politics if we get him elected.

What is the PROBLEM?

Rick Watts — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:50:53 EDT

Just a little boost for those who are frustrated: A forwarded, forwarded,
forwarded e-mail from a friend...

***********************************

I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight...(hope I'm
not offending anyone)

* If you grow up in Hawaii, and are raised by your grandparents,
you're "exotic, different."

* If you grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, you're a
quintessential American story.

* If your name is Barack, you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.

* If you name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.

* If you graduate from Harvard law School, you are unstable.

* If you attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're
well grounded.

* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the
first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter
registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years
as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator
representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of
the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years
in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people
while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs,
Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you
don't have any real leadership experience.

* If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city
council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000
people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people,
then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking
executive.

* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while
raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're
not a real Christian.

* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your
disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a
Christian.

* If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including
the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.

* If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no
other option in sex education in your state's school system, while
your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant and if you try to make
victimized women pay for their own rape kits, you're very responsible.

* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in
a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city
community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values
don't represent America's.

* If you're husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DWI
conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until
age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession
of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

OK, much clearer now.

Barack Obama: Ready to Lead (one-pager) By Wade Hudson

Jill 4 Obama — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:07:29 EDT

Barack Obama: Ready to Lead

Given his temperament, track record, and life-long commitment to public service, the American people can trust that if elected President Barack Obama will run the Executive Office effectively, with the common good foremost in his mind. He will also use the “bully pulpit” of the Presidency to rally ordinary people to counter the power of the special interests and their lobbyists. He will continue to inspire us to care for each other and work together to improve ourselves and the larger community.

We know this because of how he has run his campaign.

This long, arduous effort has tested him severely and through it all, he has demonstrated that he can manage a large operation with great skill and grace.
He has responded to moments of pressure calmly and intelligently.
He brings people together and forges consensus.
He inspires and holds people accountable without being harsh.
He makes decisions thoughtfully, after taking time to listen to others and reflect on what they have to say.
His first decision after winning the nomination, selecting Joe Biden as his running mate, illustrates his judgment.
He knows how to lead, without being authoritarian.
He’s willing to compromise when it’s necessary to make progress, while consistently holding to his core principles.
He’s able to cooperate with others, including other countries, while maintaining an essential strength.
He recognizes the need to limit the arbitrary, top-down power of the President.
His campaign has been based on building the largest, grassroots organization in the history of U.S. elections, thereby empowering citizens.

John McCain, on the other hand, ran a chaotic campaign until he brought in a protégé of Karl Rove to tighten the ship.

Rove and his people know how to run nasty political campaigns, but as demonstrated by the George Bush Administration, they don’t know how to manage the federal government.
Moreover, McCain has shown that his explosive temper makes him ill suited to be President.
A fellow Republican, Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi, who has known him for more than three decades, said, “The thought of McCain being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me.” (“GOP Senators Reassess Views About McCain: His Old Foes Still Wary Of His Pugnacious Style,” Paul Kane, Washington Post, February 4, 2008, A01.)
McCain has admitted that he often makes decisions rashly and suffers the consequences later.
His selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate, made in only a few days at most without proper investigation or public discussion beforehand, demonstrates his tendency to make decisions secretly and unilaterally.
His early cheerleading for the occupation of Iraq, even before President Bush had talked about it publicly, reveals an inclination to rely excessively on unilateral military action.
Once in office, McCain would surely continue the Bush pattern of centralizing more power in the hands of the President, inevitably leading to more abuse and the violation of fundamental liberties and human rights.
McCain’s campaign is resorting to the same old, divisive, slash-and-burn tactics that the Republicans have used for years.

The choice is clear.

We've Got To Control The Tempo Of The Game, News Cycle!!

Hussein The Hope Monger — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:53:33 EDT

Fired UP!!

The Sarah Palin I Know

Common Sense for Obama — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:47:51 EDT

Ok, I only know her as well as the rest of you who watched her smashing debut and greatest hits ensemble at the GOP Convention on Wednesday.

I now know a lot more about the good governor from Alaska after her big Red breakthrough. Sarah Palin can read a Bush-canned speech from the teleprompter with the poise of a pro. She’s quite adept at spewing partisan vitriol from Karl Rove’s playbook. And for a Washington outsider she was at home with the same old cynical, divisive, unproductive rhetoric that we’ve come to expect from the Right wing of The Capitol. She really hit it out of the park on that front. I’m also under no illusions as to just how electrifying she can be to the Republican Party and to small town Appalachia by extension. She’s the real deal. And boy can she toe that party line.

I also know that she’s tough, very tough… at least when reading a script. And that she cares so much about the job security of the good folks at Factcheck.Org that she’ll serve up some really big whoppers in nice little zingers.

What I still don’t know is whether or not she noticed that unemployment hit a 5 year high this month, that folks are still losing their homes at record pace, that gas prices are still too high, and that 47 million people are still uninsured. She didn’t say.

I still don’t know if she knows any more about Iraq than she did a year ago when she said she’d been too busy running Alaska to pay attention. Now that she’s not been running Alaska for a whole week, has she looked at the Wikipedia entry for “Anbar Awakening”? Has she too, as did John McCain on his Iraq trip, had the privilege of being tutored by Joe Lieberman on the Sunni-Shia intricacies of the Al Qaeda-Iran dynamic? Does she really need any more foreign policy expertise than relative proximity to Russia?

Sarah Palin aside, the McCain corner believes as campaign manager Rick Davis revealed this week that this election is about personalities (translation: political gimmickry) rather than the issues. I give them an A for effort for pushing this narrative because Sarah Palin is the greatest red herring in the history of politics. So I guess we’re back to Sarah Palin.

The sensational soap opera that is the Palin story (or the millions of them) has been specifically designed to distract the electorate, through Big Media, from using the real issues to inform their decision on November 4th. McCain was not going to win on the right track-wrong track debate, healthcare, jobs, gas prices, renewable energy, deficit, infrastructure, etc. So he leaned in under center, took a few steps back and went deep with the hail Sarah pass.

John McCain knows that I have more foreign policy experience than Sarah Palin. He knows that she’s dangerously unprepared and unqualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency of a 72-year old man who’s had multiple bouts of cancer. He knows all this. And that’s the point. He and/or his handlers made the calculation to throw this woman out there in prime time to stir up enough distractions long enough for him to sneak into the White House under the shadow of the bright lights.

History has shown this strategy of manufactured political distractions to be relatively effective in American politics. As to whether or not history will repeat itself in November, the jury is still out.

Sarah Palin

RPCV Heather in CMH — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:51:47 EDT

So...Sarah Palin spoke at the republican national convention last night.

Yeah.

Just provides a huge, resounding confirmation that in choosing to support Barack Obama, I've indeed chosen the right candidate for the job of President of the United States of America.

"Country before Party" my a...

Michael — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:05:39 EDT

Joe Lieberman says John McCain puts country before party???... HA!... that's a joke that might be funny if it weren't so dangerous!

2008 Candidate John McCain has clearly and systematically reversed his position on OVER 60 major issues of the day in the areas of national security, foreign policy, domestic policy, the military, the economy, energy, immigration, campaign ethics, and the list goes on!...

don't believe me?... read them here for yourself:

http://www.alternet.org/election08/90956/?page=entire

These reversals are a matter of documented history... not opinion.

Senator McCain may have put country before party at one time, but 2008 candidate McCain clearly has bowed to his GOP & corporate puppet-master's will. John McCain isn't a maverick anymore! The GOP wants you to believe he's still a maverick because it portrays the illusion of change without really changing anything that matters most to the powers that be (at the expense of the American people).

John McCain is what he's always been... a good soldier. Someone who follows orders, regardless of his personal beliefs.

Take 2000 turncoat Joe Lieberman for example, who helped steal the election from his own running mate and give it to the GOP... If John McCain had it his way, it'd be a McCain/Lieberman ticket now, but Senator Lieberman's new republican friends (John McCain's masters) know he can't be trusted and therefore won't allow their McSoldier to put him in the White House... probably a good move.

So what???... extreme right-wing "yes-woman" Sarah Palin is an example of John McCain putting country before party??? Are you kidding yourselves?

Again, this is just a political move to feign the appearance of change to the duped masses who help those in power get even more powerful at the expense of their own meager wealth and fading freedoms.

A vote for John McCain is a vote against yourselves America!

McCain's Dangerous Judgment

Michael — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:25:49 EDT

Unfortunately, the average life expectancy of a white male in the United States today is just 73.6 years. John McCain is now 72… And though he may believe he’s going to live happily for years to come (and I’m sure we all certainly wish that for him), the truth of the matter is that the odds are very good that should he become President, he will pass, or become incapable of fulfilling his duties, while in office. This fact makes his VP choice all the more crucial, and therein lies the concern…

It appears that with the seemingly politically-driven, spur-of-the-moment pick of barely-vetted and relatively untested Sarah Palin as a running mate, John McCain’s “maverick”, “roll-the-dice” approach to critical decision-making lacks well-tempered judgment, and puts our country in unnecessary peril. I believe this is but one glaring example of a dangerous pattern of “from-the-hip” behavior we can expect from would-be President McCain on all issues, foreign and domestic.

Ask yourself… Would a Fortune 500 company hire even a mid-to-senior level manager after just one single face-to-face interview and phone conversation?…

John McCain is dangerous for America.

"You Go....George!"

Bigskygirl — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:16:26 EDT

I didn't see this one coming, but I am happy for it, and Thank-You George Clooney, you rock!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080902/pl_nm/usa_politics_clooney_dc

BSG

McCain/Palin

Michael — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:42:43 EDT

McCain/Palin is just the "McSame" and pale in comparison to the true leadership of Barack Obama and Joe Biden!

At the end of the day, parading Sarah Palin out in front of the cameras doesn't distract me one bit from the undeniable fact that John McCain still fully embraces George Bush & Dick Cheney's politics and failed policies both at home and abroad.

DEBATE SCHEDULE

Jill 4 Obama — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:48:35 EDT

DEBATE SCHEDULE By Kevin - Aug 27th, 2008 at 5:24 pm EDT Comments | Mail to a Friend | Report Objectionable Content

For easy reference, I thought I'd post the upcoming debate schedule here, as it is hard to find anywhere else in the Obama site.

First presidential debate:
Friday, September 26
University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS

Vice presidential debate:
Thursday, October 2
Washington University in St. Louis, MO

Second presidential debate:
Tuesday, October 7
Belmont University, Nashville, TN

Third presidential debate:
Wednesday, October 15
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

Getting involved & Volunteering

Student for Obama — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:40:18 EDT

For starters - this is the first campaign I've ever helped. I was never really interested in politics before I was inspired by Senator Obama. Up until December 2007, I would usually just gripe about George W. Bush. I had become so angry with President Bush's mistakes. I was - and still am angry about Bush's invasion of Iraq - because I have friends serving over there in Iraq. I want my friends to come home. This war was based on faulty information. Bush is simply wrong. In contrast, Senator Obama brought a new hope to the country. He has better plans for the USA - and his judgment is more solid than McCain's. That's why I'm volunteering for Senator Obama. I urge you all to volunteer or get involved because we can each make an impact in small and big ways.

When I first started volunteering, I wasn't sure I could do it - because it meant stepping outside my comfort zone. But, I realized - that I had to act. I had to do something because I couldn't let John McCain continue Bush's failed policies. I knew we needed new leadership in the White House, and that's why I took that first step - and Volunteered for the Obama campaign. I found that volunteering CAN make an impact. There are lots of things you can do - and I've written some of them out below. Today, I am asking you to take a stand with me. I encourage you to find something you're comfortable with - and put in 110%. If we all STAND-UP and help - then our campaign will WIN. But we have to fight for our campaign. We all want to win - but we have to fight to help Senator Obama. We have to put our energy and ethusiasm TO USE - by becoming hopeful of a better future. Please join me in volunteering. Consider some of the options below, or suggest some!

Volunteering for the Obama Campaign: Here are some ways you can help the campaign

1. Phonebanking: You can help the campaign by making calls. You can make calls to find new volunteers, or you can make calls to find out about the level of interest. The Obama campaign has a good script for these calls and they're easy. I've had lots of good experiences with this.

2. Door-Knocking: We can help register new voters and learn about people's interests by knocking on doors. This part of the campaign is so important - because it helps us to increase our voter numbers. It's easy, and the campaign has a helpful script for this project.

3. Voter Registration: Senator Obama's campaign is having a nation-wide voter registration drive in every state. Please help the campaign - by stopping by and picking up the materials. They can train you on this - and it's very useful. You can help register voters in numerous locations.

4. Visibility and Community: You can help grow this movement by putting up a sign in your window, or a yardside in your yard. Or you can show your support by putting a bumper sticker on your car. These simple acts - can show a common purpose. They help to show a community's purpose to elect better leaders. They help to show that our community wants real change this fall.

5. Support Your Obama Office: Our offices are largely the products of donations. Many people have donated the furniture, the tables, the signs and more. I urge you to stop by your Obama office - and ask what you can donate. They need lots of things. See what you can do. For example, you can make a casserole - to keep the volunteers energized. This helps to keep us going!

6. Data-Entry: Our office needs volunteers to help enter new information into the databases. This is an easy way to help - and there's lots of work to do. Just stop by and ask to use a computer. They can quickly set you up and train you on what to do. This is a great way to volunteer.

7. Beds for Volunteers: Our campaign consists of thousands of out-of-state volunteers who help in the swing-states. For all these volunteers - we need beds. Contact the campaign - and mention that you're interested in housing a volunteer. This helps so much to keep the campaign going.

8. Letter Writing: You can change the tone of the campaign by writing letters to the editor of your local newspaper. These letters can express why you're supporting Barack Obama. They can explain why we need Change in this country. It's simple, and easy. Or, you can help write postcards to local voters - telling them why you're passionate for Senator Obama's candidacy.

9. If you don't have time to volunteer, you can always make a donation to the campaign. Even $10 can help the campaign. We need to keep Senator Obama's campaign running - and we're the spirit of the campaign. Our small-dollar donations add up, so let's help him win the White House!

10. Talk to Friends and Neighbors: Tell them why you're passionate for Senator Obama's candidacy. We need to help our families understand why Senator Obama is the best candidate for November's election. We also need to help our families to register to vote. We can reach a lot of people by talking with our circle of friends. Have an Obama house party and invite them over!

Open Letter to Hillary Holdouts: Get With The Program!

Common Sense for Obama — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:40:50 EDT

Dear Hillary Supporter,

By necessary preface, I love Hillary Clinton and I think she’s been trying hard to do and will continue to do the right things to help get Barack Obama into the White House.

But with reports that some of you are still defiantly holding out on Barack, upset that Hillary was not his VP choice, I have a simple message for you: Follow Hillary’s lead and get with the program of electing Barack Obama president or get out of the way.

The stakes are too high this time and you can’t keep holding Barack hostage over every little rumor or nugget of news that surfaces about Hillary and what did or did not happen with the Obama campaign.

Joe Biden is an excellent pick for VP by any standard and no one knows that better than Hillary Clinton:

"In naming my colleague and friend Sen. Joe Biden to be the vice presidential nominee, Sen. Obama has continued in the best traditions for the vice presidency by selecting an exceptionally strong, experienced leader and devoted public servant. Sen. Biden will be a purposeful and dynamic vice president who will help Sen. Obama both win the presidency and govern this great country." -Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York

If you want to disagree with Hillary’s above assessment of Barack’s judgment, that’s your prerogative of course. Just don’t keep hiding behind the false façade that it’s only out of your concern for Hillary Clinton’s welfare that you’re not on board with Barack Obama. You’re clearly not listening to Hillary.

Talking heads like Paul Begala on CNN, claiming to be your mouthpiece, are asserting that you’re upset that Hillary was not even vetted for VP. Hillary Clinton, in her own words, has been publicly vetted for 16 years so there was no need for her to turn in any paperwork to Obama’s VP search team.

Listen to Terry McAuliffe, Clinton’s foremost supporter. He’s just told Wolf Blitzer that there was no expectation on his or Hillary’s part that she would be picked for VP. So if Hillary has gotten with the program, so should you. You can’t be grieving more than the bereaved.

Self proclaimed diehard Clinton supporters like groups like PUMA and Just Say No Deal are really no friends of Hillary Clinton or Democrats for that matter. Their only goal is to tear down Barack Obama. This was clear to me as I watched Darragh Murphy and Will Bower, the heads of these two groups, getting owned by David Shuster on Hardball the other day. They are just Right wing water-carrying, scatter-and-attack falsehood-peddling, swift boat-type Republican groups that could care less about Hillary Clinton and her true supporters. You’d be well served to give them the attention they deserve… none. [watch video]

This is not a game. Vote for John McCain if you want. But please leave Hillary Clinton out of it. She’s a good Democrat who has committed to doing everything she can to help elect Barack Obama president. That’s the battle your general is now fighting. So join her now or forever hold your peace.

Support Your Local Volunteers & Staffers!

schalliol — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:40:07 EDT

We thought it would be fun to celebrate the Obama Biden tickets with ObamaBidencakes on Saturday for the workers at our local office and make some up using the new logo treatments. Here's a picture of one of the sets.

Please support by getting out the vote and supporting others doing so! If anyone wants the files I used to create these flags, please let me know.

Whew

Bill D'Amico — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:28:55 EDT

I'd been unable to log in for the best 30 some hours, wondered if my blog content had been reviewed and the campaign decided that my support wasn't wanted due to having growing ambivalence.

I'd have liked to see Jim Webb or Wesley Clark chosen for VP - both help with the red meat military votes, and I feel they're more compelling than Biden... but it isn't my call and Biden will be helpful in Florida and pretty much lock Pennsylvania.

Cabinet is important now. Hillary for HHS? And who for AG? Someone commited to the rule of law and civil rights that will repudiate the executive power expansion in a very strong manner (prosecutions of Bush administration members if they haven't been pardoned, and who will push for revealing the truth about this administration's criminal activity if pardons are Bush's legacy.

I'm going to do some canvassing this trip to Bloomington. End of September/Beginning of October I'll be doing more canvassing in Bloomington, possibly will do some in Ben Lomond and the greater San Lorenzo Valley in California in between.

Campaign Issues... New Bells to Ring!

ZapDuff — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:16:53 EDT

O-Group Forum poster wrote: "As a citizen of the U.S.A. I find it incredulous ... This comment on the Rezko connection to Senator Obama is not only lame it is a lie! I won't even point the discrepancies out. i am sure you are aware of them upon a quick read. Any H.S. student can tell ya."

Well, O-Fans... the GOP/McCain campaign response to our Seven Houses spot is another gift... giving us a whole new spectrum of "acceptable" subject matter to address in this campaign. To set the mood for the rest of this message, play this Ring My Bell music video in the background... starting at 0:51 on your player timer.

John McCain Turns 72 August 29th

Hussein The Hope Monger — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:12:18 EDT

Help him retire.

Fired UP!!

McCain Jabs DC Lobbyist Corp?

ZapDuff — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:52:05 EDT

For all the effort the people at Politico.com have put into establishing their credibility as a viable news source, one of today's showcase articles diminishes those accomplishments. McCain calls lobbyists 'birds of prey' is billed as an interview in which "McCain vows a lifetime ban on lobbying for members of his administration."

For me, as a curmudgeonly media critic, the words in that article fell short of deserving the promotion it got as the results of an interview. It really seems more like a case of two reporters taking dictation from a crafty politician... reporters barely able to ask a question unless it was an invitation for John McCain to read stump speech talking points from his notes. Why send reporters to such an opportunity when a stenographer could have collected what readers got?

Denver is Ready for PUMA

** Maria Isabel ** — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:10:54 EDT

Has Mrs. Clinton said anything about this group?

The word is.... from insiders, Denver is ready to argue flawed process of primaries, secondary, and Pumamaries.

The National Guard is on site, and it has reserved a special lugar for such political activists.

The location is capable of housing thousands of energetic, outspoken volunteers.

The building is secure. The interior space on five sides are solid concrete. The exterior is enveloped in barbwire and

protected by police dogs.

Also, disenchanted Democratic Party members, and frustrated republicans have another option. They will be given an opportunity

to contribute to the GOP Convention in Minnesota.

Opposite to the Democratic National Convention where the Denver Host City Committee has confirmed 10,000 convention volunteers,

and secured another 5,000 on the reserve list, the GOP is having trouble enrolling volunteers.

The good news is that the GOP will most likely be pressed to $$$$ hire workers to help with their event.

Hope is in the air, my heart soars like the eagle over the Rocky Mountain Tops!

Maria

Name The Biggest Media Weasels

ZapDuff — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:07:41 EDT

Barack Obama supporters say there's a conspiracy among the Main Stream Media to slant coverage to favor GOP candidate McCain. This is an effort to document MSM violators of journalistic principles.. on a daily basis. Results will be posted and new surveys launched at noon ET.

YOU tell us who are the MSM pundits, bloviators, ranters, banters, and would be cantors to avoid! It limits us to the 1st hundred responses/day... unless we upgrade (decision pending) to the paid version. So... make your opinion count at: Who was the biggest Media Weasel on Tuesday

Obama and the Declining Significance of Race

ZapDuff — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:37:18 EDT

Isn't this new Ebony cover AWESOME?

Simply breathtaking. Michelle is so..... Real: With smarts. With beauty. With class. Look at that personality beaming from the magazine. Yea... She gets my vote for America's next First Lady.

The picture attracted me to take a look at the Ebony website... where I discovered another gem. No spectacular pictures, just words. Words confirming that even before the election, the national recognition of the Obama family is changing the way America thinks. And it's changing things for the better.

As a guy who has banged my head against the wall for decades, (such as when I was hired by one TV station [facing discrimination charges] with the mandate to improve diversity... only to be canned when I tried to implement those changes) I'm almost giddy to read on Ebony's website: The Declining Significance of Race -Version 2.0!

Wow, momentum is building

Bill D'Amico — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:51:34 EDT

3206 pledges now. That's over 50 today alone. Go now, pledge to donate on "Rule of Law Day" August 8 to Accountability Now PAC.

Change I believe in. No more business as usual in Washington.

Barack should be elected, then be accountable to his bosses - the american public. Yes we can!

speeding up

Bill D'Amico — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:43:05 EDT

3142 pledges to Accountability Now PAC. That's over 30 since last post, but not the pace needed to to have Friday be a huge day. Still I expect that pledges and contributions will peak on Friday, and over 4000 total individuals will give by Friday.

We believe in real change in Washington, and that starts with accountability. We can change this culture.

Yes, we can!

Pandering on oil

Bill D'Amico — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:01:47 EDT

I see Obama is calling for some oil production offshore. Umm, all this does is give oil company more reserves, it does not add a drop of oil to US production for at least 10 years. In addition it is insulting state that currently off limits areas will increase US production, when existing reserves aren't being pumped even though the exploration and discovery has already been done. Again the offshore areas haven't had even minimal exploration. If we can drill our way to lower gas prices then one would think that the oil companies would be drilling where they already have leases. They aren't doing so. They're confident in higher prices in the future and leave oil in the ground because that maximizes profits. This opening up of new areas just is a gift to oil companies.

so why did he do this? Focus groups saying gasoline price is a big issue? High gasoline prices are part of the solution to petroleum scarcity. High prices causes focus on new technologies not based on petroleum. Which is necessary, petroleum production has reached a peak at about 1000 barrels pumped per second 24/7 year round. The answer to this problem is to reduce use of oil. High prices do this. Yes it hurts in the short term. It is needed pain.

Pushing back against Republican talking points is important. Obama just caved again. He was on the right track with the comment that tires should be kept inflated on our vehicles even though he was mocked as the second coming of Jimmy Carter for that comment. Jimmy Carter's policies were based in reality, not in a fantasy that oil is unlimited. US production peaked before Carter's term. US demand is currently over double peak US production at over 20 million barrels a day.

Guerilla Warfare for the MSM

ZapDuff — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 17:48:31 EDT

Another day of angst over prejudicial programming practices by the cable networks. In a relatively slow news day... It's tough to understand why the cable and network news nets fail to provide live coverage of Barack Obama's appearance before the National Urban League conference in Orlando.

Hard to believe... but of the cable nets, only Faux News actually started to carry Barack's speech, but after a few minutes cut away to run commercials. After that, Faux returned with a voice over Obama speaking.. "We will continue to monitor this... and return if something newsworthy happens."

Excuse me.... "Newsworthy?" What was this appearance by Obama in Florida?!?!?!

VP petition

Bill D'Amico — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:20:49 EDT

Accountability Now PAC (3089 pledges) has one more week until the big day - Nixon's resignation for illegal surveillance (what else do you call breaking and entering at the Watergate and removing politically damaging records).

In other news - I'd felt Jom Web could be a good choice for VP - his military credentials would be good for helping Obama's perceived deficits on national security. He's removed himself from consideration. I read a post on hullabaloo suggesting Wesley Clark. He brings quite a bit that digby covers well in the linked post. In particular I think that pushing back against the main stream media's fit when Clark questioned McCain's leadership credentials is important - McCain isn't a great military leader. He was a good prisoner of war and acquited himself honorably. But he also is a pilot that crashed or was shot down multiple times. Recently I've caricatured him via a joke: "you know how a fighter pilot that shoots down 5 planes is called and Ace... what do you call a pilot that has been shot down or crashed 5 times? The Republican nomineee for president". There may be a bit of hyperbole (for comedic effect) in counting 5 shoot downs or crashes... but the fact of multiple aircraft being lost by McCain is just that a fact. And it deconstructs part of McCain's mythos in what I think is an effective manner.

General Clark was a high level leader of US armed forces, and also led NATO. McCain was not judged fit to become an Admiral even though he had 2 generations of McCains prior that were. Clark has experience.

I signed the petition urging Obama to give Clark strong consideration as choice for VP.

Confrontation at Obama Town Hall in Florida

ZapDuff — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:16:27 EDT

You may not have seen the entire episode in the national media... as all dumped coverage of Obama's Town Hall Meeting in Saint Petersburg - before a tense moment erupted. So when CNN cut away, I switched to live coverage on Bay News9. Almost immediately I saw three young men and a couple women on the top row of the bleachers behind Obama stand up, unfurl a banner, and start screaming. The banner, and their chant was: "What About the Black Community?" Heckler Video

Cool and collected, Barack turned to face his tormentors and politely asked them to not interrupt his message... and if they showed respect... they could ask their questions when he was finished. When they kept yelling.. he again showed he was unruffled and calmly and politely suggested they sit down and be courteous... and he would make sure they would have an opportunity to speak when he ended his talk. Order was restored when Obama urged,"Just Relax."

"President" Label on McSicko Spot

ZapDuff — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:18:08 EDT

First... view the new 30-second McSicko Spot... watch the first few seconds closely!

You may have witnessed this issue was raised last night on MSNBC, by Rachel Maddow. In a clear case of deceptive advertising, the McSicko Campaign fraudulently uses a President McCain super at the top of their commercial touting their health care plan. Never mind, the plan has no substance.... the REAL complaint here is FALSE ADVERTISING... by claiming their candidate is already serving in the nation's highest elected office!

The bottom line (in case you want to skip the full story:) I discovered the local FBI office will accept such complaints! But getting there took an afternoon on the phone. The details follow:

Interesting

Bill D'Amico — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:44:32 EDT

3072 pledges, up 20 since previous post. actually 12 new pledges in past 2 hours, makes me think there was some publicity today.

Donate for Accountability. I believe we can make real change in Washington, Yes We Can!

Electing Obama is one part of making real change, sending the message that politicians need to be accountable for the damage they do to our Constitution is another.

"Wave Hello, Trixie"

Hussein The Hope Monger — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:10:58 EDT

Fired UP!!

Grumpy Old Men - Connect The Dots

Hussein The Hope Monger — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 08:34:37 EDT

Fired UP!!

Accountability

Bill D'Amico — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:08:19 EDT

Now at 3035 pledges. Pledging tapering off after the NPR and Democracy Now publicity. I anticipate a large number of pledges and donations to come in at the last minute. Pledge today.

Obama keeps asking me to pledge. And until he commits to bringing the rule of law to the executive branch he's not going to see more money from me; I'll go on supporting him with my time and my vote, but my money is going to politicians that beileve in Accountability.

Polling the Pollsters - Do the Numbers Add Up?

ZapDuff — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:39:33 EDT

In a recent O-Forum posting, I mentioned why we might distrust some of the national polling services. My skepticism for a couple of those was greatly enhanced while trapped listening to the Hannity show last night - hoping to get a traffic report from 970-WFLA. Sean's guests shortly after 8PM (Friday 07/25/08) were John Zogby and Scott Rasmussen.

I was blown away with the bias they gleefully demonstrated - in harmony with the anti-Obama tone of their host! Both took on the persona of McWrong advisors in sharing their insight of how the GOP must address the weak areas (for McBad) in their polling results.

Hannity Whines For Fairness

ZapDuff — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:39:33 EDT

Sitting in a Tampa traffic jam last night, hoping for a radio traffic report... I was forced to tune in the ClearChannel NeoCon station. McBabble mouthpiece Hannity came screaming through the speakers. He gave me my BEST laugh of the day. He was bemoaning to a caller how the Main Stream Media was shunning McWhiner... while spending so many resources covering the Obama tour overseas. He never quite got around to endorsing the reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine... but he sure repeated "It's just not fair!" about a zillion times!

It's not fair, eh Sean? While the MSM you blast gave viewers an average of 4-minutes to O-coverage in each of their three evening half hour broadcasts... they tried to give equal time to McMunchy. In each case... both candidates had control over the backdrops used to frame the words coming from their mouths. Don't blame the media that one chose to appear like a leader, while the other chose to appear like someone looking for something to eat.

Bloviators Reference Hitler

ZapDuff — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:18:37 EDT

Sherry Clark wrote:

I knew this was coming... I had heard something about this a few weeks back but I didn't think anyone else would have the gall to raise the subject of Hitler again. It makes me nauseous.

----- Original Message -----
From: Becky Bonnette
Sent: Thursday
Subject: CNN GLENN BECK - BEN STEIN SAYS OBAMA LIKE HITLER
Stein on Obama's convention speech: 'Seventy-five-thousand people at an outdoor sports palace, well, that's something the Fuehrer would have done'
On Glenn Beck, Ben Stein...

Dear Becky and Sherry... Please take a deep breath and consider my perspective.

Local Nurses meet

Evalyn Gossett — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:50:43 EDT

I want to thank Michael Daniels the Organization Fellow and Greg Gershuny the Community Organizer for their support and guidance and keeping the group on track and focused on the Obama Plan. As you know there are so many issues related to delivery of Healthcare in America.

Priscilla Herochek, Marsha Bennett, and Evalyn Gossett have agreed to begin canvassing our nursing publications and local nursing organizations for upcoming scheduled meetings and identify any groups who would have us come out and discuss the Obama Health plan, and answer their questions regarding implementaion of this plan.

More to come.

Fired up and ready to go.

Barack For President of The World!

schalliol — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:18:12 EDT

I just watched Barack's speech in Berlin tonight andcouldn't help to think that Barack can really help to bring the world together. We are all connected, and I know that Barack will give us the best chance at unity. If you haven't, watch the video:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/berlinvideo/

Indiana Voter Registration Form

Miguel Solis — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:52:06 EDT

Hey Indiana,

Here is the link to the Indiana Voter Registration Application:

http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/pdfs/50504.pdf

Remember, you must fill this out and turn it in to your county voter registration office no later than 29 days before the next election. A list of Indiana county offices can be found at this link as well.

If you wish to mail your application in to your county office, you must provide a copy of an identification document (These may include a current and valid photo id, current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or governmental document that shows the name and address of the voter.) DO NOT MAIL AN ORIGINAL COPY OF YOUR DOCUMENT!

If you do not provide identification with this application or to the county voter registration office before election day, you will be asked for it the first time you vote.

Also guys and gals, if you think you may already be registered but you are not sure, the link to check this information is:

http://www.indianavoters.com/PublicSite/Public/FT1/PublicLookupMain.aspx?Link=Registration

If you are a student at any university in Indiana who does not happen to live in Indiana, email me at msolis11408@gmail.com and I will be here to assist you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we can not enact change without proper registration of voters. We have come so far in the fight for justice and equality in American Poltics. Do not let such a simple task cost you your chance at history.

-Miguel Solis

Obama for America

Current total

Bill D'Amico — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:36:59 EDT

2900 pledges for Accountability Now PAC. Keep pledging, donate on August 8 (Rule of Law Day).

Obama has been doing really well on his foreign tour. Looking more and more like our next president. I would like to do some canvassing in Bloomington this week. Perhaps the neighbor to neighbor tool will be fixed.

In the meantime electoral-vote.com has Obama with 319 electoral votes, of which 242 are pretty solid.

Shortie - MSM Alternatives

ZapDuff — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:53:56 EDT

The following are book marks to use as alternatives to the MSM sites... Friends of mine are involved in some of these, and may still be experimental or still in beta testing.. . Send feedback, when time permits, to the site operators if you have content/operational suggestions.

Marumushi News Map - AWESOME headline linkage device for assignment editor desk tops/wall panels.. with easy customization for time/geo/subject focus - the MOST expansive aggregator)

Live News Camera Desk Top - Same concept as above... but with streaming video instead of text, high RAM

Other, more traditional, links from headlines/synopsis follow.

Accountability

Bill D'Amico — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:46:30 EDT

So pledges are trickling in at about one per hour today currently at 2880. Still looking at 30 or more a day. And as August 8 (Nixon Resignation/Rule of Law Day) comes closer I would think that pledges would increase. I think that it is very important that Obama and congress get a strong message that the US voting public won't stand for a presidential administration that acts as though they are above the law. Since Pelosi has said impeachment is off the table we need to mobilize by voting with our wallets and Accountability Now PAC is the best means to do so.

I'm a bit irritated with the neighbor to neighbor tool - I wanted to do some light canvassing in California Sunday and Monday, more canvassing in Indiana on Wednesday and Thursday. Well my neighborhood in California isn't covered by the tool. And apparently state is kept on the Obama campaign's servers, not as a cookie in my browser because I can't enter a new address to get some people to contact in my Bloomington neighborhood. I want ti volunteer through this website. I'm not alone in having more than one place I call home. I did contact the technical people and let them know my problem, will see if I'm able to canvass effectively in Indiana this week.

Nothin' but net

Bill D'Amico — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:29:38 EDT

Nice to see Obama having fun with the troops on his trip. His charisma is still operating well. Now if only he could get that accountability thing going again. 2872 pledges so far.

Indiana University Alumni Chicagoans for Obama

whoknows — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:03:50 EDT

Attention Indiana alumni moving and/or living in the Chicago area. Join my group! Thanks! http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/IndianaUniversityAlumniChicagoans

MSM as Cheerleaders for the Bush Legacy

ZapDuff — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:43:16 EDT

When the (Tuesday) coverage of the Presidential News Conference concluded... I sent the following to MSNBC. It will likely never get much exposure, beyond the eyes of the intern in charge of hitting the DELETE key when this kind of thing reaches the network headquarters. Nonetheless, I needed to verbalize and ship my outrage - if for no other reason than to purge the expanding wrath from my body and soul, as a form of cardiac, spiritual, and mental therapy. I hope it serves you similarly.

NEW YORKER cover flap/Day 2

ZapDuff — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:02:18 EDT

Follow-ups:

Got an insightful email from Carmilo Varas, noting an issue I neglected to address, but should have.

So... Lest we forget, something else happens by reviving the focus on this ugly smear tactic. In addition to rebuilding old hurdles for the Obama campaign to waste time, energy, and focus addressing, it serves to demonize the Islamic faith.

Responding to the Offensive NEW YORKER Cover

ZapDuff — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:07:32 EDT

Late this evening.. the O-email listservs started buzzing... with calls to send messags of outrage to the publishers of the New Yorker magazine. The angst is over cover art by Barry Blitt, a cartoon of Michelle and Barack in the Oval Office as Islamic extremists if not terrorists. The majority of posters urge a barrage of protest email to Conde Naste Publishing, which owns the New Yorker.

By sending emails to the magazine... you will only wind up becoming part of their power point demonstration for potential advertisers, "Look how we stimulate traffic for our magazine!" I would advise against helping spread this waste of pulp and ink. Instead, take your notepad to the library or news stand - with or without sticky melted ice cream on your fingers - and leaf through this issue. Take notes on the advertisers who helped pay for this to get into print.

News Priorities Run Amok

ZapDuff — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:01:37 EDT

OK folks, this is your News Lesson for the week from a long time broadcast journalism insider, still in mourning for the passing of my once proud craft. Many of you may have missed the death notice, hidden on the inside pages of the business section when the Fairness Doctrine was rescinded on August 4, 1987... the date when Barack Obama marked his 26th birthday and I really turned the age that Jack Benny quit aging - 39 - an age he claimed to be for about 40 years... until the passing of this great star from the early days of TV at the (real) age of eighty in 1974.

Death notices often reveal a lot about news values. News values are what is deemed worthy of coverage, a system that seems to have run amok these days. Check out the newscasts today... and focus your attention on the obituaries. Which of the following is getting top billing in your "news" source? Dr. Michael DeBakey or Tony Snow?

Whats Next?

Paul Romero — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:59:32 EDT

Where do we go from here Obama? Or the better question is where are you taking us from this point? How do we get to where we want to go? Inspite of the opposition? How do you plan of overcoming the established opposition from this point on?

Dishonoring Those Who Served

ZapDuff — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:54:50 EDT

What the hell is wrong in our country, that our government - from the top guy at the White House down to the the intake clerk at the local VA hospital - that allows such a travesty to happen to the young heroes we sent to the Bush War Zones? How can this be happening and where is the outrage?

Each and every person who had any contact with Joe Dwyer is to blame, whether that contact was face-to-face in real life or someone who only saw his name in paperwork. Especially to blame are the many bureaucrats who, with the power of a deadly pencil, drew a line through this man's name on a list of people known to suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after serving on the front line, as if eliminating his diagnosis was the cure. But most to blame is the man who drew that front line, whether in Iraq or Afghanistan. Since Bush brags that he ignores the media, the odds are pretty strong that Dwyer's Commander-in-Chief never saw or knew his name.

Beyond the Clout of Petition

ZapDuff — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:04:25 EDT

With respect to those who want to get the attention of a huge banking institution, there are more effective ways to deal with them than efforts such as the following:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: obaman2009@aol.com
Subject: Bank of America boycott petition

I created a petition to get Bank of America to balance their political contribution by either withdrawing their $150,000 to the Republican Governor's Association 527 or to make a matching contribution to the Democratic Governor's Association 527. Please go sign it, even if you don't have a BOA account.
www.ipetitions.com/petition/BOA_Boycott
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you really want to accomplish something... STOP LETTING THEM USE YOUR MONEY AGAINST YOU!

Vision From the Former Communist Bloc

ZapDuff — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 09:09:43 EDT

It's really amazing how the Obama Campaign is really bringing people together... not just here in America, but around the world! One indication of that is how many people from other countries are taking part in the O-Camp email (Listserv) forums. One of those participants is a fellow named Steffan, from an area near Poland, in what was - not so long ago - East Germany.

It may be hard to imagine a government more oppresive (at least in our country) than what we now experience under George Bush, and the fear of that legacy continuing under McCain. But I am pretty sure Steffan has experienced far worse when he was younger under Communist rule. He has yet to talk much about that, but he certainly shows he is watching "the world stage" with his messages, and now... a pretty incredible BLOG effort: Internet monument for New Heroes for future of US

To which, I responded:

Fairness Doctrine: Do Not Resuscitate

ZapDuff — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:29:37 EDT

Something popped into my eMail box this morning from a friend with whom I am often in complete harmony. But this time, I think her dream is an exercise in futility, an effort that will lead to disappointment, even if waiting until after Inauguration Day:

Linda Poole wrote:

The FCC Chairman is a guy, remember, that BUSH appointed, so you all would be just wasting your time, spinning your wheels so to speak, by trying to influence the FCC while BUSH is in the White House. A million people could try to influence the FCC right now, and would have no more affect on the FCC than a gnat buzzing around their heads! After we get Obama elected President, that is the time to call for change and to work to get the FAIRNESS DOCTRINE restored...

FISA crybabies, enough already!

Common Sense for Obama — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:59:37 EDT

Wag of the Finger (à la Stephen Colbert) to the most militant of the Obama FISA critics – especially those on this site – for going as far as issuing ultimatums and all sorts of threats if they don’t get their way.

Some have asked for their money back and even threatened to vote for McCain if Sen. Obama votes for the FISA bill. I hear some may even slit their throats.

Come on, folks. Have you noticed that Barack Obama is running to be president of the United States and not nominee of the Democratic Party? He is seeking to preside over 300 million people; Americans from all walks of life with all kinds of political ideology, liberals and conservatives alike.

He is committed to listening to you as well as the other 99%+ of the America he seeks to lead. To that end, Sen. Obama is in the process of building bridges of common ground across oceans of ideological differences to clear the backlog of common sense solutions that have been held back by partisan bickering. Give him the space he needs to maneuver his way through the general electorate and work that magic that worked so well on you in the primary.

I think Barack has offered a sufficiently satisfactory explanation for his support for the FISA compromise despite his opposition to immunity for the telecom companies. The bill meets his minimum criteria for restoring the rule of law by reinstating the jurisdiction of the FISA courts that Bush has abused with reckless abandon. Besides, there’s nothing in the bill that protects telecom companies criminally. I’m confident that as president, Sen. Obama will review the conduct of these companies in Bush’s warrantless wiretapping binge and prosecute them accordingly if there’s actionable evidence of criminal wrongdoing.

The Obama brand is that of unity and consensus on the way to real progressive change. Don’t sulk if he chooses to be to be right by America before he’s right by militant liberals. That’s how you forge meaningful coalitions and get things done in Washington.

You can disagree with Obama’s assessment but I don’t think you’re vain enough to believe that the few thousand of you can hijack his conscience with your selfish threats. Take a deep breath and give the man a chance to listen to Republicans and Independents as well because he will be their president too.

We both know you are not going to vote for John McCain because the stakes are too high to play hardball with common sense. We can’t afford to get it wrong this time.

Let’s keep our collective eye on the ball until we can salute President Barack Obama.

Don't Like Warrantless Wiretapping? First Change Carriers!

Hussein The Hope Monger — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:07:18 EDT

"The National Security Agency has been secretly collecting the phone call records of tens of millions of Americans, using data provided by AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth, people with direct knowledge of the arrangement told USA TODAY.

"AT&T recently merged with SBC and kept the AT&T name. Verizon, BellSouth and AT&T are the nation's three biggest telecommunications companies; they provide local and wireless phone service to more than 200 million customers.

"The three carriers control vast networks with the latest communications technologies. They provide an array of services: local and long-distance calling, wireless and high-speed broadband, including video. Their direct access to millions of homes and businesses has them uniquely positioned to help the government keep tabs on the calling habits of Americans.

"Among the big telecommunications companies, only Qwest has refused to help the NSA, the sources said. According to multiple sources, Qwest declined to participate because it was uneasy about the legal implications of handing over customer information to the government without warrants.

"Qwest's refusal to participate has left the NSA with a hole in its database. Based in Denver, Qwest provides local phone service to 14 million customers in 14 states in the West and Northwest. But AT&T and Verizon also provide some services — primarily long-distance and wireless — to people who live in Qwest's region. Therefore, they can provide the NSA with at least some access in that area."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-10-nsa_x.htm

NOTE: After refusing to participate with the White House, Qwest's CEO was investigated for potential insider trading violations.

Fired UP!!

Let's Get Out The Vote At Indiana Black Expo!

schalliol — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:58:47 EDT

We have a great opportunity in Indiana Black Expo, which is coming up shortly. Let's get out the vote there!

I have a My Barack Obama event started for the event and we have a local campaign coordinator for the event as well. Sign up and get in with the official event.

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

General Wes Clark is Right!

Common Sense for Obama — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:14:58 EDT

The fact that John McCain got shot down over Vietnam is not, in itself, sufficient qualification to be Commander-in-Chief of the United States.

I always yield to Barack Obama on the kind of campaign he wants to run and the battles he chooses to pick. But all this fulminating from the Right against Gen. Clark over remarks he’s made publicly at least twice before – and rightly so – cannot go unchallenged.

John McCain is indisputably a genuine war hero for the courage, strength and character he showed as a POW after his fighter plane was shot down over Hanoi. There’re no chinks in his armor on that front, period. Gen. Clark has reiterated that unassailable truth on countless occasions.

You honor John McCain’s military service to his nation by recognizing it publicly at every opportunity and awarding him any number of medals of merit that come with it.

You don’t honor it by offering him the keys to the White House. If that were the case, there would be no need for a campaign. And Bill Clinton would never have beaten George H. W. Bush for the presidency.

And since McCain has placed his Vietnam experience at the very core of his presidential credentials, it’s not only fair but also responsible to examine the nature of that experience and how it stacks up against the rigors of the office of president of the United States.

As Gen. Clark said, “getting in a fighter plane and getting shot down is [not] a qualification to become president." That is true. Not all tours of duty should necessarily lead to the White House. John McCain “hasn’t held executive responsibility…He hasn’t been there and ordered the bombs to fall."

Gen. Clark is qualified and has the credibility to make that analysis because as commander of Operation Allied Force in the Kosovo War during his term as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO, he was the last American general to win a war. He spent 34 highly decorated years in the Army and the Department of Defense, and received several honorary knighthoods and a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Like McCain, Gen. Clark returned from his service in Vietnam on a stretcher. And Clark knows a thing or two about running for president on military credentials since he was a candidate himself in 2004.

Being president of the United States requires more than anything the judgment to make the right call in split-second “red phone” moments.

For all his extensive military and Washington experience, John McCain has exercised poor judgment and made numerous wrong calls on major foreign policy and national security issues. He not only voted for but also headed the cheer for the Iraq War and the strategic blunder of neglecting Afghanistan, Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. He’s a full-throated supporter of Bush’s failed policy of not talking to enemies and has essentially given Bush a blank check on Iran. He also favors Bush’s failed policy on Pakistan. McCain has even conflated who’s training who in the scheme of the Iraqi insurgency, something that’s supposedly his strong suit.

Barack Obama, by comparison, has demonstrated great judgment on all those issues and has consistently made the right calls since his courageous opposition to the Iraq War before it even began.

That’s the point Gen. Clark was illustrating.

I couldn’t have put it any better that John Kerry in defense of Bill Clinton in 1992: "We do not need to divide America over who served and how. I have personally always believed that many served in many different ways. Someone who was deeply against the war in 1969 or 1970 may well have served their country with equal passion and patriotism by opposing the war as by fighting in it."

Gen Wes Clark for VP - Bring Him Back!! Show Some Backbone...

Hussein The Hope Monger — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:43:48 EDT

He is intelligent and articulate. He is intimately familiar with foreign relations and matters of national security. He brings extensive, successful executive and leadership experience to the table.

Fired UP!!

Please Fight the Smears

Common Sense for Obama — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:29:14 EDT

I just read this story about smears against Barack Obama in small town America; it breaks my heart that in this the age of information – literally at your fingertips – folks still choose to go out of their way to avoid the truth under the false guise of insufficient information.

What is it about older folks in small town America that blinds them to basic facts and truths that my 9-year old cousin can establish with a few keystrokes on the internet?

But screw the internet. I have family and friends in Uganda – a poor East African country where the internet is not nearly as pervasive – who still heavily rely on “rudimentary” sources of information like the radio, the local newspaper and the television. Some of these folks don’t even know what the hell the internet is. But they have long established, through common sense fact-finding methodology (including phone-a-friend!), that Barack Obama is a Harvard-educated Christian man from the south side of Chicago with an expansive resume in public service, who also happens to be the junior senator for the great state of Illinois. They’ve heard the same rumors and falsehoods about Obama’s biography… but they merely scoff at them because they know the truth.

Less than 3% of Uganda’s 30 million people had access to the internet even just 2 years ago. By comparison, 208 million internet users accounted for nearly 70% of the United States population in the same time frame.

So how is it that my grandfather who still gets his news from the radio has enough information to debunk nasty, false rumors that Obama is a Muslim, and Leroy Pollard (quoted in the MSNBC article) insists that Obama is “from Africa, and that the first thing he's going to do if he gets into office is bring his family over here, illegally.”

It’s not lack of a college education because, like Mr. Pollard and those folks from Findlay, OH, my grandfather did not go to college. It couldn’t be lack of information either. Star of the article, Jim Peterman brags about having “watched enough news and campaign advertisements to hear the truth: Sen. Barack Obama, born in Hawaii, is a Christian family man with a track record of public service.” And Mr. Peterman, unlike my grandfather, has access to the internet. So the problem is not even lack of basic sophistication.

The problem with the folks in “Flag City USA” – where these malicious rumors spread like wild fire and stick – is more than just voter apathy. It’s reckless disregard for the truth, at the very least. And plain old stupidity and racial prejudice at worst.

What else can you make of this statement by this same Leroy guy, “He's got that racist [pastor] who practically raised him, and then there's the Muslim thing. He's just not presidential material, if you ask me." From merely a logical standpoint, feuding statements that he’s a Muslim AND has a pastor both can’t both be true.

It breaks my heart that for someone like Mr. Peterman who is versed with the truth about Barack Obama’s story still has the mentality that "it's hard to ignore what you hear when everybody you know is saying it."

The silver lining here is that, like Barack Obama, I’m putting my faith in the American people – the vast majority of them – that come November, they’ll have had enough time and mastered the necessary sophistication to sift through these rumors and see them for the lies that they are.

Please fight the smears.

Retroactive Immunity To Telecoms Who Cooperated With White House?

Hussein The Hope Monger — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:58:25 EDT

Fired UP!!

Should Nuclear Energy Should Be "On The Table"?

Hussein The Hope Monger — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:17:53 EDT

We have long been too dependent on others to supply our various needs even though we are a "resource rich" country. We have been able to buy our way out of various crises in the past - examples such as the gasoline crisis of 1979 come to mind.

But today, our dollar has dropped in value relative to other world currencies. Greed has infiltrated the markets and driven up commodity prices. Wealth is being created in "3rd World" areas which competes for readily available resources.

In 20 years, China has gone from a country where buildings were supplied by barefoot men carrying water and coal in buckets attached to poles borne on their shoulders. When I visited China in 1988, only government executives were permitted personal vehicles. Post-Tiananmen Square China opted for a petroleum-based economy. It was quick and easy. Now oil is >$130/barrel and Beijing has a smog problem.

Brazil is energy-independent, but not just because they have their own oil. France exports energy generated by its nuclear plants. Europeans for years have been making their buildings more energy efficient and their automobile fleets more adaptable. Most of my friends have a choice of fuels each time they fill up - propane or diesel, biodiesel or 'regular', etc. Not only do their cars go more kilometers on a liter of fuel, but many are made by the European divisions of American companies based in Detroit.

Now that Iowa and surrounding states are likely to lose 20-25% of our corn crop due to a natural disaster (flooding), not only will it cost more to stretch a gallon of gasoline with ethanol, but our food costs will increase due to feed costs.

At a minimum, we should have the automobile choices available in other countries - especially those made by Ford and GM! For national security reasons, we must be more energy independent and stop deferring investment (look at our infrastructure!) - all options should be on the table including nuclear energy. Not that I am an isolationist, but we have to stop providing 'policing' services free of charge around the world. We have to strengthen our currency in the world.

Fired UP!!

McFearism-gate

Common Sense for Obama — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:55:09 EDT

Another terrorist attack on American soil would be a “big advantage” to John McCain? Really? As preposterous as that sounds, Charlie Black, McCain’s chief strategist was just quoted by Forbes Magazine as stating just that.

I strongly reject the premise that because John McCain is perceived to be the more hawkish on national security issues, the American people would be forced to pick him over Barack Obama if terrorists struck again between now and November.

Compared to just four years ago, the American voter has gotten more substantively deliberative and a little more sophisticated (at least on the Democratic side) in weighing the competing talking points from both campaigns and seeing through the political gimmickry and pandering. That’s why they rejected the gas tax holiday idea in Indiana and North Carolina on May 6th.

The point is that we’ve had almost 8 years of George W. Bush – an even more reckless, hawkish character on national security and foreign policy – in the White House and for all his tough talk, America is less safe, Osama bin Laden is still out there producing audio tapes with impunity, Al Qaeda is back to pre 9-11 strength, Iran has grown in stature and is now more influential in the Middle East than ever before. And for all intensive purposes, John McCain is running for Bush’s third term.

For all this fallacious talk in the media that John McCain is a maverick, the evidence clearly shows that he’s anything but. He has flip-flopped for pure political opportunism on many major issues like campaign financing, whether or not to overturn Roe v. Wade, off-shore oil drilling, Bush tax cuts for the rich, privatizing social security, use of torture, immigration, etc. More telling, however, is the fact that McCain has been a major (if not the premier) enabler of George W. Bush’s disastrous policies by voting 95% with the president in the past year. Indeed, the John McCain of 2000 would not only NOT vote for the John McCain of 2008 but would also probably fly to Arizona and knock him out cold for shameless hypocrisy.

I’m confident that given the choice between the opprobrium that is the Bush administration that John McCain is clearly seeking to extend and the sound, steady judgment that Barack Obama has demonstrated since his courageous opposition to the Iraq war before it even started, the American people will choose Barack Obama regardless of the political climate.

On arguably the single greatest national security and foreign policy disaster in decades – waging the Iraq war under false pretense – John McCain voted for it. Barack Obama exercised the correct judgment.

Of course if, God forbid, the terrorists struck again before the election, most Republicans would spiritedly seek to rally the country behind John McCain. The difference in 2008, however, is that Democrats, most Independents and even disaffected Republicans would overwhelm the Republican base with sheer numbers at the polls.

America now knows firsthand what happens when you vote out of fear, ignoring common sense, your interests and the interests of your posterity: you screw not just your country but the whole wide world.

Obama Walk4Change in DC 2008

Betsy Hamlett — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:04:02 EDT

Hello to everyone in this wonderful network of HOPE!

My name is Betsy Hamlett and I am the Indiana State Coordinator for an event this September in Washington D.C.

On September 13, 2008 in DC, the group Diversity4Obama is leading a march from the Freedom Plaza to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to show the world that Americans from all walks of life support Barack Obama.

Our incredible turnout of the grassroots effort here in Indiana during the primary season tells me we can give a great showing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial this fall!

The coordinators of this event are working to put in place a website with more information. We will in the coming weeks have information on housing/hotel options and travel options. We will also need help promoting this event in your own communities and certainly we'll need volunteers during the walk! I will be sending out updates as we have them.

In the meantime, please sign up for the event on the myBO by searching for the event in DC on September 13, 2008 or by finding the Diversity4Obbama group on the myBO! Make sure you indicate your home City and State in the comments section.

Feel free to contact me with any questions! The possible magnitude of an event like this could be truly tremendous as we join Barack Obama in our quest for CHANGE!

Tutorial On Generating Media Coverage

ZapDuff — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:42:50 EDT

Many are contacting me with calls and emails... people wanting to know how to get positive media coverage for the Obama Campaign. I used to think my three decades in newsrooms could provide insight how to achieve that. But when I ran for Congress myself in 2000 and helped another candidate running for the same office two years later... I learned a lot of the old rules no longer apply. Since 2004, I have been rethinking ways to approach the media... and will try to give you some things to put in your tool box.

It might help to consider one example currently in the news: McCain’s Boeing Battle Boomerangs | http://www.newsweek.com/id/142658 There are a zillion of these items out there, but this will do as a reference point. Give the link a quick read then resume below.