Today we held the memorial service for my 24 year old daughter in-law and her unborn baby girl. Jenny did not have health insurance and was not properly treated at for-profit ER. Within 24 hours she went to the next ER and was diagnosed with severe double pneumonia, Septic shock and Respitory failure and laid in an ICU unit for the next two months at a cost of $22,000. a day.
When there was no hope of survival we removed Jenny from life support and said our good byes to this beautiful young woman. She left behind a husband (my son) and a two and half year old daughter. Jenny's crime and death sentence was that she could not afford health-care.
In the richest country in the world our Jenny died.
Don't allow another family to suffer the pain that we have. Stand up for the Public Option, stand up for what you believe in, get out of your chairs, your house, your comfort zone and speak out for this injustice. In the richest country in the world Jenny died....don't let there be another Jenny..
I noticed that the more we go deep in President Obama agenda, the more we do encounter a stronger resistance, not only from pure Republican machine, but also from some Democrats who still not understand the message of change. We should fight and achieve our objectives in Healthcare, Education, Energy, and keep the economy going. The more we demonstrate our focus, all our opponents will finally believe in our commitment, and it will be difficult to continue their resistance movement.
Nyagatare
Print-your-own: President Obama! sign http://tinyurl.com/PresidentObamaSign 8 1/2 by 11 inch, horizontal, color
MOVEon.org has created a unique and customizable way for you to remind all of your friends, family members, colleagues, etc. that November 4th is election day and that EVERY VOTE COUNTS!
Before sending this video to everyone I could think of, I sent myself a copy. I have included the link below. All you need to do is add the people you know in the spaces provided and then add their e-mail addresses. It's easy, it's fun, it's quick...and it is YOUR DUTY!
CHECK IT OUT:
http://www.cnnbcvideo.com/index.html?nid=X5icVjbEWPqfC.JGKZCjxzEyMDQxOQ--&referred_by=13433987-zzEFZ4x
Psst...pass it along!
McCain's Voting Record: He Does Not Support Our Troops and Veterans
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - Since everyone is at least a bit familiar with John McCain’s record when it comes to strolling through a market in Baghdad with hundreds of his closest guards, or how he wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years (except when he flip flops on that).
But not that many really, truly know just how horrific his voting record is when it comes to the troops. And it is pretty consistent – whether it is for armor and equipment, for veteran’s health care, for adequate troop rest or anything that actually, you know, supports our troops.
This is chock full of links to the roll call votes, and the roll call votes have links to the actual underlying bills and amendments. I present this so that there is support and things that can be rattled off when saying that McCain is not a friend of the military. Feel free to use it as you want, but this can be tied into the "Double Talk Express". But here is a very quick statement - John McCain skipped close to a dozen votes on Iraq, and on at least another 10 occasions, he voted against arming and equipping the troops, providing adequate rest for the troops between deployments and for health care or other benefits for veterans.
In mid 2007, Senator Reid noted that McCain missed 10 of the past 14 votes on Iraq. However, here is a summary of a dozen votes (two that he missed and ten that he voted against) with respect to Iraq, funding for veterans or for troops, including equipment and armor. I have also included other snippets related to the time period when the vote occurred.
September 2007: McCain voted against the Webb amendment calling for adequate troop rest between deployments. At the time, nearly 65% of people polled in a CNN poll indicted that "things are going either moderately badly or very badly in Iraq.
July 2007: McCain voted against a plan to drawdown troop levels in Iraq. At the time, an ABC poll found that 63% thought the invasion was not worth it, and a CBS News poll found that 72% of respondents wanted troops out within 2 years.
March 2007: McCain was too busy to vote on a bill that would require the start of a drawdown in troop levels within 120 days with a goal of withdrawing nearly all combat troops within one year. Around this time, an NBC News poll found that 55% of respondents indicated that the US goal of achieving victory in Iraq is not possible. This number has not moved significantly since then.
February 2007: For such a strong supporter of the escalation, McCain didn’t even bother to show up and vote against a resolution condemning it. However, at the time a CNN poll found that only 16% of respondents wanted to send more troops to Iraq (that number has since declined to around 10%), while 60% said that some or all should be withdrawn. This number has since gone up to around 70%.
June 2006: McCain voted against a resolution that Bush start withdrawing troops but with no timeline to do so.
May 2006: McCain voted against an amendment that would provide $20 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for health care facilities.
April 2006: McCain was one of only 13 Senators to vote against $430,000,000 for the Department of Veteran Affairs for Medical Services for outpatient care and treatment for veterans.
March 2006: McCain voted against increasing Veterans medical services funding by $1.5 billion in FY 2007 to be paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes.
March 2004: McCain once again voted for abusive tax loopholes over veterans when he voted against creating a reserve fund to allow for an increase in Veterans' medical care by $1.8 billion by eliminating abusive tax loopholes. Jeez, McCain really loves those tax loopholes for corporations, since he voted for them over our veterans' needs.
October 2003: McCain voted to table an amendment by Senator Dodd that called for an additional $322,000,000 for safety equipment for United States forces in Iraq and to reduce the amount provided for reconstruction in Iraq by $322,000,000.
April 2003: McCain urged other Senate members to table a vote (which never passed) to provide more than $1 billion for National Guard and Reserve equipment in Iraq related to a shortage of helmets, tents, bullet-proof inserts, and tactical vests.
August 2001: McCain voted against increasing the amount available for medical care for veterans by $650,000,000. To his credit, he also voted against the 2001 Bush tax cuts, which he now supports making permanent, despite the dire financial condition this country is in, and despite the fact that he indicated in 2001 that these tax cuts unfairly benefited the very wealthy at the expense of the middle class.
So there it is. John McCain is yet another republican former military veteran who likes to talk a big game when it comes to having the support of the military. Yet, time and time again, he has gone out of his way to vote against the needs of those who are serving in our military. If he can’t even see his way to actually doing what the troops want, or what the veterans need, and he doesn’t have the support of veterans, then how can he be a credible commander in chief?
Veterans for Common SensePost Office Box 15514 Washington, DC 20003
After the first debate, Moveon.org sent out an email requesting that Obama supporters write letters to editors arguing why OUR guy won. Having been a newspaper reporter years ago, I am well aware of what editors are looking for in such letters. Here's what I wrote:
"To the Editor:
I think the most revealing facet of last night's debate was that Senator Obama showed he has the cool head and steady hand this country needs in its President right now. He demonstrated that he has a plan for withdrawal from Iraq and the redistribution of our military resources in places like Afghanistan. He also spoke to the need for the United States to restore its reputation in the world community--a reputation that was once stellar but has been eroded by 8 years of divisive Bush policies.
By comparison, Senator McCain revealed a mindset that is stuck in the past. His lines like, "I looked into Putin's eyes...and saw...K-G-B..." are straight out of a Cold War playbook. In fact, I think McCain would have been a very good Cold War president, but the world is different now. It's much more complex, and there are very few black-and-white issues or players on the international stage.
I went into watching the debate looking for a reason to vote for McCain [NOT true; but I sent this to a paper in a highly Republican district], and sadly instead of the "maverick" and strong leader that I'd hoped for, I saw a feeble old man who is desperately out of touch with everyday Americans.
Thank you,
Chris Orcutt
Millbrook, NY"
Moveon.org makes the whole letter to the editor process very simple (it's MUCH easier than it was years ago, when you actually had to write a LETTER), and I encourage everyone to do it. These things are all about NUMBERS. The more of these pro-Obama letters that editors get, the greater the chances that some of them will be printed.
Free Obama button, free shipping: https://pol.moveon.org/obamabuttons/?rc=homepage
Free Obama/Biden oval sticker, free shipping: https://pol.moveon.org/barackstickers/
Get yours today and show where you stand.
Today: Emailed and called a new contact about finding housing for MoveOn trainees coming to Chicago later this month. Invited three people to join mybarackobama.com. Edited and uploaded photos from Tuesday's calling party event for attendees to see.
Last night was the first of many 8 Weeks to Change calling parties hosted by MoveOn.org for the Barack/Biden ticket. Here in San Antonio, it was a huge success! We had several new volunteers make first time phone calls. They all sounded so confident on the phone. They really believe in the message of hope and change and it comes out in their voices and their message! We recruited several Minnesota volunteers to attend training later this week.
More of these events will be coming up in the next few weeks. You can help by volunteering to attend or by hosting one of the parties. MoveOn makes the process very easy - they give you detailed instructions on how to get started and break down the meeting step by step. They also provide you with all the call sheets. Training for the new callers is provided by internet connection. Easy!
To find out more, you can join your local MoveOn Council - yes, we have one in San Antonio! Just check out MoveOn.org (look for the "act locally" link). And keep your eye on the local events on My.BarackObama.com.
Angie
500,000 Young Voters for Obama (click me, I'm a link) »
We're spinning up a massive program to register half a million young voters in swing states. If you donate $12 or more to help get this program going, we'll send you a hip Obama T-shirt for free, with free shipping, too.
Donate & get your T-shirt (click me, I'm a link) »
-- from MoveOn.org
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
See another shot of the T-shirt on someone's Flickr »
Democracy is not a spectator sport. Volunteer today to help put Senator Obama in the White House. There is too much at stake to sit on the sidelines!
Today: Attended three-hour MoveOn.org calling party for Obama -- called Democrats in Midwestern swing states and asked them to step up and volunteer at their local campaign office. Took photos at party. Emailed two people and asked them to donate a small amount through my fundraising page. Invited several people to join mybarackobama.com.
According to the A.C. Nielsen Co., the average American watches more than 28 hours of TV each week. If you haven't yet volunteered to help the campaign, can you find one hour a week to help Obama win this election? C'mon, just one hour a week?
You can use this web site to locate volunteer opportunities and activities.
How about writing a short letter to the editor of your newspaper? Reference one of their recent articles on the campaign or a candidate, and tell the editor what you think of it. You can do this from home in 20 minutes.
You could take a friend or family member and spend a couple hours on a Saturday afternoon helping register voters. It's fun and rewarding.
Not working? Sign up to be a Nov. 4 election judge in a local precinct.
Two evenings a week, spend 30 minutes making phone calls for the campaign.
Get involved through MoveOn.org. I've volunteered with them on two previous elections. They are very well organized.
Attend a rally or potluck for Obama with other people in your area.
Think of what is at stake here. There are tons of different ways you can help. So come on, pick one and just do it. Every single volunteer makes a difference, and together we can change this country for the better by putting Barack Obama in the White House.
Democracy is not a spectator sport. With your help, Yes We Can win this election!
MoveOn.org produced a special election briefing that you can share - check it out. It lays out five important things we all need to know about the presidential race:
https://pol.moveon.org/donate/electionbrief.html?r=4053&id=13506-9189862-nTLf0Ux
"Alex: Listen to Your Conscience, Not Your Mom"By Blue Star Families For Obama members Kathy Roth-Douquet and Laura Dempsey
MoveOn.org recently aired a television commercial featuring baby "Alex" and his mother. Alex's mother had a message for John McCain and his plan to keep American troops in Iraq for 100 years. The message: If you were relying on Alex to help you with this plan, "You can't have him."
It's true that the Bush administration's failed policy in the Middle East has made it increasingly difficult for our nation's military to sustain its numbers and (in some cases) recruit new members. If this policy is continued by John McCain, as he has announced, it will become nearly impossible to sustain our forces at a level that will keep America safe.
But the impulse to say "not with my child" is ultimately a terribly troubling message. It implies that military service is something to be feared, that a young person's enlistment is a disappointment or a loss, and that a person's choice to join the armed forces is a political decision about a current administration's foreign policy.
This is a fundamental misunderstanding of service. The choice to defend this country is a calling to public service. It's a choice to forego wealth, status and power in order to serve something bigger than oneself. It is taken seriously and with a great measure of pride, patriotism and strength by those who are daring and selfless enough to accept it.
If Barack Obama becomes president, he can count on the loyalty and excellence of the men and women in uniform, even if they do not vote for him. John McCain can count on the same. It is one of the triumphs of our democracy that free people are willing to so serve the constitution.
So today we issue a challenge to the crafters of the MoveOn ad and those of their ilk: Open your minds about the men and women of this nation's military and about the nature of military service. Don't confuse politics with the oath to serve. Americans have the right to choose not to serve in this manner, but foregoing military service is not an accomplishment.
It is an honor and a privilege to defend this country. When we talk about honoring the troops, don't just honor their sacrifices and suffering in a time of war. Honor their patriotism, their incredible volunteerism, their community spirit and their generosity.
Military families donate millions of dollars worth of volunteer hours to their communities each year. They help out their neighbors when a spouse is deployed. They care for each other's children and support each other emotionally and spiritually in wartime and peacetime. They should be held up as an example of what this nation can be when its citizens are civically, actively engaged.
So we say to Alex's mother, you may not want your son to serve in Iraq, but please don't deny him the opportunity to honor his family and all of us by serving his country.
Dear Mr. Halperin,
Have you read the latest study by George Mason University's Center for Media and Public Affairs? The link is provided at the end of this for your convenience.
The study results oppose the views that you expressed on MSNBC. In fact, the study shows that ABC, NBC and CBS have been tougher on Obama than on John McCain during the general election campaign. Statements about Obama were 72% negative, compared with 57% for McCain.
Further, the study indicates that much of Senator John McCain's confusion on issues and mistaken facts have gone unreported by the media. Examples of this selective reporting includes Senator McCain calling Social Security a "disgrace", referencing Czechoslovakia as a country in existence and discussing the "Iraq-Pakistan border" another obvious error.
In my opinion, these are examples of "imbalanced" and "unfair" coverage. I believe continuing to screen out factual reporting about Senator McCain's confusion and errors is a true disservice to the general election.
I respectfully ask you to consider reading the study. With facts in hand, it should illuminate to you that inaccurately reporting about a false pro-Obama media slant feeds this right-wing belief and both your readers and the general election deserve better.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Ordway
Portland, Oregon
"In study, evidence of liberal-bias bias," Los Angeles Times, July 27, 2008
http://tinyurl.com/6lbhjw
Hey, watch out folks. Those seemingly well-intentioned groups MoveOn.org and MoveOnLiberals.org ARE BOTH 527 Groups. (see www.OpenSecrets.org)
Senator Obama clearly states he will not take donations from 527 groups or PACs.
Make sure you know where your hard earned money is going!
I'm not sure where this myth came from that criminals cannot profit from their criminal activity.
First, there are are the speculative profitting by criminals. The two most prominent examples are Bush the Lesser and his VP. If Bush the Lesser has even the pre-Oz brains of the Scarecrow, two days before his term is up, he will grant Cheney a full pardon for all crimes. Then he will resign and let Cheney take office as President for one day and grant Bush a full pardon for all crimes. It still won't stop them from being prosecuted for international war crimes. As long as they don't kill anyone while quail hunting, golfing, or fishing, they should be safe from prosecution.
As to McClellan, he wasn't under oath when standing in the White House Press Room. Lying isn't perjury. As pointed out by a recent President, it's okay to lie if Hillary asks him if her pantsuit makes her hips look too big.
The last time I felt so excited and passionate about a candidate running for *any* office was a long time ago ... 1992. That was the magical year that Bill Clinton and Al Gore ran for the White House for the first time.
I have received numerous emails today and a comment to my blog about MoveOn.org and their effort to pressure Scott McClellan to give away his earnings. Four writers have indicated that they are removing their names from the rolls of MoveOn.org. I'm not sure I concur with their actions. My membership in a church or organization has always been a matter of balancing the positives and the negatives. I haven't agreed 100% with all the actions or goals of any church or organization to which I have been a member. Numerous times, I have supported change from within. On one occasion. I did resigned an office and disassociated myself from membership. Hopefully, MoveOn.org will re-evaluate their position on Mr. McClellan. I hate saying wordls like "ought" and "should". However, MoveOn.org should and ought to be encouraging more people to shine the light of revealation into the dark recesses of Cheney's and Bush the Lesser's minds and machinations.
One of the responses added points that I had not mentioned that are worthy of my passing on to others. The reply stated that the Bible says a workman is worthy of his wages. "I would not presume to be qualified to tell him to give away his earnings for three years of writing the lengthy expose on the Bush administration. ... I think a whistleblower needs money to live on, as he probably has blown all future employment in his field, whether an engineer from NASA, or press secretary to the "men who rule the world",Bush&Cheney. Remember, some whistleblowers have literally lost everything for revealing the Truth,i.e., their job, savings, family, and even health. Intimidation from MOVEON to give away his book earnings "for penance" could discourage future whistle blowers faced with no prospect of career."
