Hi FriendThere is a new group that just started on Facebook that I thought Organizing for America members may be interested in joining. Please see United Against Racism -
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/354956/80588439?m=9dc74a6eUnited Against Racism
posted by David Apperson
I have been doing much thinking about the many problems which are being generated by Rhode Island's economic disaster. We now have so many bridges that have reduced weight limits; RIPTA has had to drastically change routes to accommodate these new weight restrictions. In fact, the Rhode Island Transit Authority with its already inadequate service will soon be making more cuts in routes and service because of funding. As a nation, we can bail out corporate entities, (private businesses) and yet not be able to save R.I.'s ONLY public transportation system? If my figures are correct (or if my memory serves me correctly) Rhode Island's debt is something like 450 Million Dollars.
(note) If I was a multi-millionaire or billionaire, it would be a far better thing I do, to invest in the economy of the smallest state in the U.S. than to continue to invest and reinvest in such failed banking and financial institutions.
As our two voices in the senate for our fine state, I am urging Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Jack Reed and all your fellow law makers to PLEASE help design a bill to help R.I. climb out of the deep debt we are facing.
Please consider what will happen if RIPTA cannot provide service to the growing numbers of public transportation users. With the gas prices soaring ever higher, Rhode Islanders are going to soon be depending more and more on public transportation. As their ability to get to and from work becomes too financially burdensome, they will not be able to use the states only public transportation as an alternative, if RIPTA continues on the "road" it is taking, with routes and times being cut. This is a time when we should be talking about expanding service, not cutting it. Disabled, handicapped and elderly riders who depend greatly on affordable passes are in jeopardy of losing their ability to access bus service on a daily basis as well. Even if they are only required to pay 25-50 cents per ride, it would cripple and stagnate them into staying home more often and/or not experiencing opportunities to expand their horizons by participating in self help and other programs, as well as health maintenance appointments.
We need to start caring about main street, side street, and ALL of us living here. (ALL Rhode Islanders)
WHERE'S THE PORK? Was there any "earmarks" dedicated to Rhode Islands failing economy within the financial bailout bill recently passed by congress?
What are some ways to generate revenue or to save taxpayer's money from government waste?
How will we be able to pay for programs to help the low income families, poor, elderly & disabled?
A THOUGHT WORTH CONSIDERING;
Medical marijuana is a useful tool in fighting many illnesses. Why not outright "LEGALIZE" marijuana for recreational use? This would help eliminate the overcrowding of our courts, and alleviate prison overcrowding. Keeping marijuana illegal only hurts more people than it helps. Our economy needs a NEW REVENUE SOURCE. If we allow marijuana use (for adults only) even if we couldn't find a way to tax it, the money saved by not fighting it's use, would surely pay for much needed programs, which makes much more sense than this military style approach now used to eliminate this natural herbal remedy.
I think we should (as a state and as a country) finally end this outrageous "war on drugs," or at least decriminalize the use of marijuana. With legal marijuana, these users would no longer be such a high cost to the state. LEGALIZED MARIJUANA would eliminate the cost to taxpayers by eliminating the state's huge amount of money it takes to combat its distribution, sales and use. Our courts and jails need to be used for serious criminal offenses which truly merit prosecution. This money could better serve our state if used more appropriately.
We face much greater adverse affects from obesity, alcohol use, tobacco use, speeding motorists, accidental prescription drug overdoses, FINANCIAL RUIN due to failed economic policies of an out of touch and OUT OF CONTROL CONGRESS.
To criminalize the use of ANY particular recreational activity solely because of a biased non proven theory or fact is against our constitutional right to the pursuit of happiness.
Thank you for your time, With True Sincerity, Herb Anthony
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Former Rhode Island Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee has called vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin a "cocky wacko" and said her selection as John McCain's running mate has energized supporters of Democrat Barack Obama.
Chafee left the Republican Party last year after losing his bid for re-election and now supports Obama. He told an audience Tuesday at the New America Foundation in Washington that the Alaska governor has revived a "lackluster McCain candidacy."
"They've just thrown this firestorm, this tornado, into the whole presidential election," Chafee said in response to an audience member's question about whether the Obama campaign should worry about Palin's presence in the race.
He said her speech at the Republican National Convention had the unintended effect of energizing Democrats and Obama supporters.
"People were coming into my office, phone calls were flooding in, e-mails were coming in, 'I just sent money to Obama, I couldn't sleep last night' — from the left. To see this cocky wacko up there," Chafee said to laughter.
Chafee said in an interview Thursday that he found much of Palin's convention speech objectionable, particularly her "mocking" assertion that Obama was overly concerned with al-Qaida terrorists getting read their rights.
That comment "got to the core of everything wrong with the last eight years," he said.
"I consider that wacky, and certainly her tone was very, very cocky," said Chafee, a visiting fellow at Brown University's Watson Institute for International Studies. "So I thought they were appropriate words."
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26661483/
by Suzanne Charlé
This is the fourth in our series profiling women in key positions with the Obama campaign. Suzanne Charlé , a supporter in New York City - an independent writer and editor - has volunteered her time and talent to conduct the interviews.
At 32, Mindy Myers, New Hampshire state director for the Obama campaign, is a veteran of tough, tight campaigns. Myers, who took a leave of absence from her job as chief of staff to Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, is credited with helping Whitehouse edge out the liberal (and locally popular) Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee in 2006.
As PAC political director for Senate Leader Tom Daschle, Myers became a well-known figure on the Hill. However, she hopes not to repeat some of her campaign experiences: After a stint in the Clinton White House, Myers joined Al Gore’s Presidential campaign as deputy director of constituency outreach. Election eve 2000 found her in Tallahassee, Florida, where she spent 36 days on the recount, before the Supreme Court declared Bush President. “Which is why New Hampshire is so important,” Myers notes. “Gore lost in New Hampshire by just over 7,000 votes. If he had won, there would have been no need for a recount!”
Even though it may not look like it or feel like it, you are making progress.
Continue working towards progress instead of perfection.
Nothing or no no one is perfect.
Just keep taking steps.
Keep making those phone calls.
Continue following your plan.
Remain focused on your goal.
Do what you have to do right now to get to the next level.
Complete every task.
Keep every promise and commitment.
Don't look back.
Let no one weaken your walk of faith and determination.
Remain teachable.
Place yourself in a blessing position by associating with people on-the-grow.
Talk with teachers.
Walk with winners.
Climb with champions.
Study successful people.
Something great is about to happen for you!
Start giving thanks right now before you can even see the outward manisfestation of your prayers and desires.
Everything you do from this day forward will take you further away or closer to your potential for successful living.
-by Dr. Jewel Diamond Taylor, Motivational Speaker & Author
Why is it that some of us are accustomed to news reports about violence, poverty and hopelessness in the "inner city" (aka urban low-income communities of color), and their implicit assumptions like poverty leads to hopelessness leads to crime and violence, but we are indignant when similar notions are suggested about white communities? I sometimes don't even realize I'm making assumptions until someone points it out, but when my awkwardness and discomfort wears off, I'm grateful for the insight. I feel more connected to the world because I understand it better, and am more respectful of its complexity.
The truth is, we have a lot to learn about each other if we are to coexist peacefully and prosperously. (Think of how you feel when someone asks you about your life, your background, your interests, what you think.) I worked for many years with low-income rural people of different races and cultures. In my role as an organizer and advocate, I constantly ran into assumptions about rural people, most commonly: uneducated, poor, close-minded, backwards, primitive, and insular. So I wonder if some of the concern about Senator Obama's remarks in San Francisco stems from a frustration with the redneck-hillbilly stereotype.
...
The story that matters most in this campaign is the number of donors to Senator Obama's campaign, and the average size of donation. That is the best indicator not only of his unassailably broad appeal, but the promise he represents for rejuvenating the democratic process. "Of the people, by the people, for the people": what a concept?! Maybe after all of these years, we have a chance to build a more perfect union. What amazes and appalls me, however, is how we as Americans don't seem to be able to recognize democracy when it's standing right in front of us.
It's shocking (and telling) to me that the GOP took pride in rallying behind its nominee so early. Democracy IS messy, but it is in my opinion far more important than unity.
Reasoned critiques of any candidate are fair, expected and necessary: they will strengthen a campaign and clarify its message. And Senator Obama would be the first one to say that he's open to new ideas, and his responses' effort to open and deepen conversations reflect this perspective. A desirable (and currently absent) trait in a president, if you ask me.
And lastly, some unsolicited tips for the campaign(s)...
Hillary and Barack should spend a week (at least) just focusing on McCain. I think Democrats in PA and beyond know enough to decide, and some "double-teaming" would end McCain's honeymoon, start to chip away at any Republican advantage, serve as an unequivocal sign of Democratic unity.
...and fellow supporters:
Every criticism of Senator Obama is now a signal to me to send in another donation.
and
I was wondering today if it would be interesting to start a "Piggybanks for Barack" campaign--my daughter (4) has one and is probably the strongest supporter in the house.
One really must read Obama's March 18th entire speech of 38 minutes on UTube to appreciate what Obama is saying and not interpret his speech through partial segments and interpretations in the media which can be slanted. I agree with Geoff Berg, M.D. from Warren, RI, who wrote in the Op Ed page of The Providence Journal in Rhode Island on April 1, 2008 ( after you have read the entire speech)"will you be in a position to reassert your right to decide what you think of this most important speech and this most important issue."
Berg also mentions that this speech was "the most important speech this nation has heard since Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in the summer of 1963."
Dear Hillary Clinton,
Nice work. You have successfully managed to beat Obama in 3 primaries, after his 11 states. I know it takes hard work to win a state, but please, quit playing it up as if you just won the nomination. I mean, there's no comparison. Obama has won far more states than you, and winning Ohio doesn't make you "America's choice".
What really shocked me was your hints about Obama being your running mate. Guess what: Obama is still winning. Yeah, you have some new momentum, but what does that mean when he has more delegates and states? There isn't much time for a comeback, is there? Obama supporters will fight to the death to make sure this doesn't happen.
Sincerely,
America.
A look at the results from the March 4 election results on MSNBC.com and CNN.com suggests that Hillary Clinton probably only netted a gain of 7 delegates from Rhode Island, Vermont, Ohio, and Texas. While the results from the Texas caucus are not all in yet, CNN’s Election Center reported that Obama had a 56% to 44% lead with 40% of precincts reporting. So, if we allocate 56% of the Texas caucus delegates to Obama, we get the following results:
State Clinton Obama Clinton Gain
Ohio 75 66 9
Rhode Island 13 8 5
Texas Primary 65 61 4
Texas Caucus 29 38 -9
Vermont 6 9 -3
I am challenging all you players, all of you volunteers and volunteers -to-be, that if you did not make calls before, pick up the phone. If you did not volunteer before, volunteer. If you did not donate money, donate money. We want a "Hands Across America" campaign starting today initiated by the volunteers using this site. I will be the first to step up to the plate. If you are in Illinois, get in contact with me.
Thank you.
Obama won Vermont
Clinton took Ohio,Texas & Vermont.
Obama: 1,451 Clinton: 1,365
Pledged:: 1,257 Pledged: 1,127
Superdels: 194 Superdels: 238
Need to win: 2025
Well according to CNN, the results are all in... Barack won Vermont! Hillary won Rhode Island and eeked by in Ohio and Texas!
The truth, however, is that besides the Vermont primary, Barack has won another victory... Barack Obama continues to win on the Battlefield of High Moral Values.
Obama has refused to fall prey to Hillary's tenacious attempts to lure him into her world of mudslinging, false advertising and ALL OUT LIES! I SALUTE YOU BARACK, for taking the high road and not being influenced by the Clinton camp's bad behavior! Barack has maintained that he is "uncomfortable" with retaliating to the type of negative campaigning to which Hillary Clinton has resorted. Nor is Barack comfortable with stooping even lower by diffusing lies about Hillary Clinton to manipulate voters.
As last night saw Barack's first losses after twelve (12) straight primary wins, one can only postulate that Hillary's negative campaigning did take a bit of a (temporary) toll on Barack's momentum. What I do know, is that Barack Obama's REFUSAL to waiver on 'fighting back with negative campaign tactics --even at the possible cost of narrowly losing some of last night's primary states--further speaks to why we MUST do everything in our power to ensure that Barack Obama is our next President of the United States of America.
Hillary's cheap political tactics are temporary, but Barack's strength of character, high moral values and overall consistency are enduring.
I must say that today I am dissapointed. However, it is not with the results of the primaries, but with the rhetoric coming from the Clinton campaign. If the Democratic party wants to re-take the White House in the fall, then winning a few primaries by primarily bashing your opponent on events that are in reality mix-ups, along with commercials using a "red phone" and constantly mentioning it, is outright repulsive. I plead to Barack, to not go negative with this campaign. Continue to do what you do, to inspire us, and make us want to see America turn the page. If you change directions now, then it will be hard for the states ahead to look at this campaign the same way. Believe in yourself and in us, that positivity speaks louder than the negative path.
P.S.
My negative stab at Clinton: You said in your speech tonight that you couldn't have done this without the support of your husband Bill. Where the hell was he? Oh, ok, now I get it...
CNN just announced that in the Exit Polls
Clinton is the projected winner in R.I.
Way to go Vermont!!
I went canvassing in Pawtucket, RI this weekend to get out the word about the March 4th primary. It was snowy and soggy and cold, but still a heck of a lot more fun than when I went canvassing for Kerry in 2004 in NH. (That time I was accompanied by a whiny, sullen little freshman, and we were sent out for 6 hours of continuous canvassing without any food. I was eventually forced to eat his brains for sustenance, and to make him stop whining.)
This time was great. I was with cool people, I was working for a campaign I was truly enthusiastic about, and I felt like I really made a difference. There were a lot of people who didn't know where their polling place was (the local location had changed recently), so we helped a lot of people figure out where to go. And we also answered some other questions and maybe even made a difference to some undecided voters that we talked to for a while.
Things that were not cool:
* Competing with a Campfire Girl when knocking on doors. We didn't have any candy and weren't nearly so cute. I eventually had to eat both her and the candy.
* The bus that drove through a giant puddle instead of around it and completely soaked us.
* The Hillary supporters who took our brochures (where we had carefully written down polling information for people) out of people's screen doors and replaced them with their own!
Seriously, that last one in particular is NOT COOL. Please, Obama volunteers, do not use this tactic yourself. It's much better to make our case fair and square, and not steal information from voters that others have worked to get out there. However, if you get into a confrontation with Hillary canvassers directly, then it's every zombie for themselves, and I fully encourage you to go for the brains. Om nom nom.
"Well, it all comes down to this... [insert name of state(s) here]"
How many times have I heard that in the last eight weeks?
I got back in town just in time to re-acclimate myself to what's left of the race for the Democratic nomination and I'm going to do a mini-watch party at the house tonight.
I'm going to stick my neck out and call tonight's results from Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont a draw -- Barack Obama wins Texas and Vermont while Hillary Clinton carries Rhode Island and Ohio. It appears as if early voting in Texas helps Obama while the bad weather in Ohio helps HRC.
So, it's a push.
For Obama however, this is as good as a win because it adds more delegates to his growing lead over HRC (now at 1392-1279) and it means that there will be 370 fewer delegates on the table for either candidate to win. What HRC needs tonight is a victory in the neighborhood of 60% in each of the four March 4 primary states and she's not going to get it.
Just a few other things I read last night that fall into the category of reading tea leaves:
