On Sunday, August 2, OFA in Chester County, PA had a busy day. First, we did phone banking for a few hours in West Chester. Then some of us travelled to the National Constitution Center for the Health Care Town Meeting with Senator Arlen Specter and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.
That happened to be the day that over four inches of rain fell in the Delaware Valley, closing the Schuylkill Expressway. Our trip became a tour of the western suburbs.
1. The acoustics of the meeting location were awful: high ceiling, very reflective surfaces, a booming sound. Unless you were right in front of one of the public address system speakers, you probably could not understand what was said. I moved around until I found a spot to listen.
A loud group will gain more attention than a listening group, no matter what their relative sizes. But Senator Specter and Secretary Sebelius are veterans of public service: they know this. What we don’t want is for Senator Specter, in particular, to think that only the loud, negative people care.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_simple?source=topnav
If you are interested in finding out what the administration is providing to the American public on the "Economic Recovery" please watch this video.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/obamaforamerica/gGx23L
In our small group discussion, we spoke of the importance of www.recovery.com to the development of public trust. If the information is current, detailed and adequate, it will go a long way toward convincing the American public that its tax funds are being spent productively. Further, citizens will begin to believe that the bleeding will stop in the near term and that recovery is possible.
The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.
Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.
Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when
Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.
Alternative EnergySource: David Apperson
url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy
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I am excited to finally have my election observer polling assignment. I will be in South Philadelphia at the Mahlon Lewis Apartments, bright and early on Election Day!
October 11, 2008
I took the bus with Blue Wave NJ to volunteer at the West Philly rally. The crowd was mostly African American and the feelings of pride and hope were everywhere. I was working the line, signing up volunteers so I got to meet so many people and hear about why they were willing to stand in line for hours to see Obama. Lots of people brought their kids. My favorite onsie: "Babies 4 Obama (obama logo) I Need a Change). This one woman scolded her 9or10 y-o son 'You are about to see the first black president and you are complaining about standing in line?" lol A little girl about the same age had dragged her mother and little brother and sister. She couldn't stand still, she was so excited. I also heard a lot of emphasis about the Obama family - people love Michelle.At the rally before the speech, many of the speakers spent time helping voters understand their rights. We passed out flyers too outlining their rights and listing a phone number to call if someone was keeping them from voting on election day.The speech was so moving. . . I had tears in my eyes. We are so close! Obama focused on all the positive things he would do but balanced it by empowering the crowd to make changes in their own communities and households. He said he would strengthen education but it was up to parents to turn off the tv. He would create green jobs and energy efficient policies but it's up to all of us to be responsible with our energy use.There were so many people and the space was tight . . . I couldn't get very close, but there were speakers so I could hear him.We used the momentum from his visits to knock on doors after the rally and sign up people to volunteer and make sure they were going to to go out and vote. People were happy to see us and talk about Obama.It was a great day . . . I'm planning to do a few more trips to PA before the election (I live in NJ). I was also impressed with the number of young people volunteering - they can't vote yet but they want to be a part of this.
For those of us in PA, keep this in mind when you go to vote:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/29/judge-pa-must-have-paper-ballots-ready-if-half-of-machines-fail/
Also, you should have received your new voter's registration card in the mail by now if you're newly registered OR if your district's poling place changed since the last election. Please make sure to check your registration status with your county Board of Elections office. You can find this at www.votespa.com. We've heard over the last few months that newly registered voters need to also bring photo identification and a current utility bill with them to the polls. But that is NOT entirely true.
For Pennsylvania And Particularly Philadelphia:
I received an email saying that some people have not received their Absentee Ballots in the mail. Anyone who is going to be out of town on Election Day can go to Room 142 in City Hall and submit his/her absentee ballot on the spot. They don't have to go through the process of waiting for the ballot to come back in the mail. (County Board of Elections: 215-686-3469 or 215-686-3943) Bring acceptable I.D. Acceptable I.D. from http://votespa.com/HowtoVote/GuideforFirstTimeVoters/tabid/77/language/en-US/Default.aspx: Pennsylvania driver's license or PennDOT ID card ID issued by any Commonwealth agency ID issued by the U.S. Government U.S. passport U.S. Armed Forces ID Student ID Employee ID
If you do not have a photo ID, you can use a non-photo identification that includes your name and address. Approved forms of non-photo identification include:Confirmation issued by the County Voter Registration Office Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government Firearm permit Current utility bill Current bank statement Current paycheck Government check
There are special provisions for people who miss the deadlines as well as military personnel.
(Reference: http://votespa.com/HowtoVote/VotingbyAbsenteeBallot/tabid/78/language/en-US/Default.aspx) Absentee Ballot Applications must be received by the Board of Elections by 5 p.m. on October 28th. Absentee Ballots must be received by the Board of Elections by 5:00 PM on October 31st. Postmarks are NOT honored; applications must be in the office before the deadline. (See: http://www.phillyelection.com/abeng.htm) The mailing address for Philadelphia County on the state's two websites is incorrect. The correct address, which is printed on the Absentee Ballot forms from the Philadelphia Board of Elections is: Philadelphia County Board of ElectionsRoom 142 City HallPhiladelphia, PA 19107-3211 For additional help, please see this website: https://www.myfamilyvotes.com/Absentee_Ballot.html. Further instructions at https://www.myfamilyvotes.com/Ab.html. (Thank you, Emma Tramble.) First-time voters and those who have moved should confirm that they are registered to vote by searching Pennsylvania's voter registration database. You also can confirm your registration by contacting your County Board of Elections (County Board of Elections: 215-686-3469 or 215-686-3943) or by calling 1-877-VOTESPA. Print out an Absentee Ballot Application here:
https://www.myfamilyvotes.com/uploads/absentee_ballot_application_for_PA.pdf (Reference: http://votespa.com/HowtoVote/VotingbyAbsenteeBallot/tabid/78/language/en-US/Default.aspx)
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/Endorsements-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
I am a sole proprietor and am very impressed with the plan laid out yesterday by Barack Obama on fixing the economy. I am astounded at his $3,000.00 tax break for every new employee. It's a brilliant way to grow business, expand the number of jobs, and create an atmosphere of success in this country.
The roads and schools are in sorry shape. I drive around North Philly and almost used to envy the people in Iraq getting all that new infrastructure. Granted Bush demolished Iraq, but the Republicans also demolished Philadelphia. Deregulation, softening of state rules, global incentives, and hatred of unions caused this great city to be brought to it's knees.
I understand everyone says that 'these manufacturingoba jobs won't come back'. But I disagree. Local manufacturing is a human need. An honest day of actually making something rather than a service economy where you are paid for hours of your life in case someone needs you.
I was talking about Ben Franklin to my young adult children to encourage them to get jobs. I said he started out making candles. My son said "At least he got to actually make candles, instead of being in meetings where they discuss the color of next years candles" Ha! He'd hit it on the nose, we are so far removed from the product of our work. We'd like to be closer to our work, closer to our food, closer to our families than this corporate global marketplace allows.
Small business will make things and make them well if given preference over communist gulag labor in China.
So here's to the New American Revolution!
Huzzah!
I wake up for work at 5 AM and I look forward to sleeping in on the weekends. Sleeping till 7 is wonderful and if I get up past 8 I feel as if I wasted a morning. So, getting up this morning should not have made a difference. Except, this morning, my 14 year-old daughter was also getting up at 5. I saw the events for this weekend in Philadelphia. I thought this would be a good day trip we can make together. There are none on Long Island and I can't think of the last one in the city. There is no need to have events like this in New York since we're not a swing state, and I knew seeing Obama would be a memorable event for both of us. We pulled out the driveway in the night. Clear sky and the stars were brilliant. Traffic was not a factor except when we reached the Verrazano bridge and there was a back up. I stopped at my usual rest stop just after exit 7 on the NJ Turnpike. We bought some coffee and muffins and took exit 6 for the Penn Turnpike. Onto Route 1 which is full of lights. During this time, Amanda was listening to her music on her ipod and the faint sound of Bloc Party could be heard over the talk radio I was listening to. I was concerned about parking, and getting there in enough time to see the Barack. As we were approaching Germantown which is on the North West side of Philly, we saw some young couples pushing strollers and then we pulled onto Germantown Trpk and traffic was slowing. There were more people and I felt as though we were getting close to a baseball game. A playoff game. Between The Yankess and The Sox. Traffic was not moving. Parking was a distant dream, but I saw a car pull behind a building. I saw lines stretch from both sides into the park and felt we may not be able to get in. But we did. We parked and signed up and were given stickers and then tried to find the end of the line. We walked down two blocks and turned and I saw another line of people and police appearing confused. I walked towards the Turnpike and then cut though a parking lot and could see the park and then found a stair case that led to a back entrance to the park. After passing through security we approached the stage and were about 10 yards from the stage. I could not believe how close we were. It was a beautiful day. The feeling in the crowd was relaxed and I felt as if I was with family. Doris, an older black woman asked if I can take pictures for her - no problem. I wanted to make sure she was in front of me to see Obama up close and she did and I still took pictures with her camera. There was another woman who I took shots for. The message was there. Telling those who were around us that we drove down from Long Island caused surprise and a sense of how blessed we were to witness this event. There was a prayer before the opening remarks. Thank you God.
------I have already emailed a copy to the NY Times, LA Times, USA Today, and Washington Post------
Please feel free to forward the text of the below letter to any news organization or sports franchise. I don't really know how to go about obtaining contact info. for newspapers and quite honestly don't have the time. The hockey game at which Palin is supposed to be at is Oct. 11. Also, feel free to submit to any other blogs, message boards, etc...Please reply with what you have done with this letter (who you sent it to, where posted, etc...) THANK YOU!!!!
Open letter to all professional sports owners and league commissioners:
It is disgraceful to me, and I’m sure many Americans, that owner Ed Snider of the Philadelphia Flyers is using the 20 million dollar tax payer-funded Wachovia Center to promote his personal politics in an election year. Owner Ed Snider is a GOP (Republican) donor and is involved with the group Freedom’s Watch. Freedom’s Watch believes that President Bush’s Iraq War policies should be supported. Freedom’s Watch is engaged in lobbying.
When the residents of Philadelphia and the State of Pennsylvania funded this venue to the tune of 20 million dollars, it seems highly inappropriate to allow any political party the right to use the venue during a sports event when the overwhelming majority of people in the audience aren’t there to engage in partisan politics. People watch sports and attend live events to support their team. To many, viewing sports either live or on television, serves as a means of escapism. To have Sarah Palin, or any other politician seeking our Nation’s highest offices by allowing them to ‘drop the puck, throw-out the first pitch, opening coin toss, etc…’ at this time in an election year shows poor judgment because you selfishly want to impose your partisan politics on those in attendance and watching on television. This has nothing to do with hockey or hockey moms, just your own political agenda and it makes me sick!
Furthermore, what is the opinion of the NHL Mr. Bettman? Do you think this is a good idea? I’m also curious to know what other pro sports organizations and leagues think about this. To voice your opinion to the NHL, you can call (212) 789-2000. To tell the Philadelphia Flyers what you think (215 )465-4500.
Sincerely,
Scott Smith
PHILADELPHIA - After lunching with a roundtable of women at Philadelphia's Down Home Diner,McCain shook hands with supporters and strode up to a podium to deliver astatement. But as he spoke, chants of "Obama, Obama, Obama" filled the room.
Reporters craned forward trying to hear the Arizona senator. Unfortunatelyfor McCain -- and possibly overlooked by aides who planned the event -- asection of the diner opened up to a market where a crowd had gathered behinda cordon.
A large contingent of Obama supporters showed up, mixed with some whohad bumper stickers reading "Democrats for McCain".
"It's time to leave the talk behind and start shaking up Washington andfixing our economy, taking care of the problems facing our families. We'regoing to give a tax cut to every family with a child," he said.
His words were barely audible.
McCain's supporters shouted "John McCain", "John McCain," "John McCain". Theduelling chants nearly drowned out the presidential hopeful's voice.
"Pennsylvania is a battleground state as we can tell," McCain said.
Meanwhile Palin, the Alaska governor, was on a flight back to her state.
<http://www.reuters.com/news/globalcoverage/johnmccain>
Fine piece by Darryl Pinckney in "The New York Review of Books"
"To see Obama in Philadelphia, reasoning with the American public, was to be struck yet again by what a different atmosphere he would bring to the White House."Full text: http://tinyurl.com/6fr7cp
Henry M
Please contribute if you are able: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4gddt
