Posts with the tag elections

Every Election Has Consequences

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you.

Americans will Respond...JUST WAITING

Citizens for Change in America! — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:59:25 EDT

America is waiting...
only a few have the COURAGE to stand for the AMERICAN citizen!
Citizens will respond...
many will be replaced as Americans see what politicians they elected
DID NOT do to help the citizen they were supposed to represent...

Iran Voting and results

Maria — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:11:40 EDT

It makes me a bit worried when seeing how violent the ones who lost the elections are. While I agree that things all over the world need to change, I want it to be a more enlightened world and not a more violent one.

It makes me kind of glad they lost because imagine if they had won. I could see a wave of genocide spreading and all under the banner of Freedom.

We should support change and the people's right to choose for themselves. If they felt that this change was not the right one for them and that this is not the direction they want to head in then we should honor that and not encourage violence against them.

Maria

ONLY 5% OF THE POPULATION IS READY TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN HAITI, REVEALS A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE HAITIAN PRIORITIES PROJECT. IF FANMI LAVALAS WAS ADMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTIONS ON APRIL 19 2009, THE PARTICIPATION RATE WOULD BE AT 85%

Jacob Fran�ois — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:34:02 EDT

Monday, April 13, 2009
According to a survey conducted by Haitian Priorities Project, 70 members were allocated in ten departments within Haiti monitoring the progress of the electoral contests for April 19 2009. Based on the findings, only 5% of potential voters nationwide say they are ready to go to the polls in order to elect 12 senators for the upcoming elections on April of this year. Two Consecutive lists were presented, one with the allowed names accepted by the Electoral College (CEP), and the other with the names of the candidates admitted by the CEP including those 12 candidates of Fanmi Lavalas. A great percentage of candidates admitted by the CEP, that the population is not familiar with, being aware of their names or presence in the upcoming elections in April. In the Nippes department, the majority who participated in the survey intend to stay home due to the inconsistency exhibited by the administration of President Préval and the international community wanting to practice exclusion, a system in which the people have been rejected since the fall of Duvalier 1986. The word of caution is that there cannot be credible elections with the exclusion of Lavalas. According to the statements received from individuals interviewed, hunger is rampant in the country, especially in Grand Anse, Central, North East, North West, South, West, Artibonite, and the Northwest of Haiti. In the West, no trend was developed on the ground in order to identify who is the likely winner for the April elections. Among 26,000 voters interviewed in the West Department, 95% find these elections were an aberration and a slap in the face of the people who took to the streets in order to elect Rene Preval President. Those voters interviewed did not understand why President Preval would want to have an election which excludes the most popular party in Haiti, Fanmi Lavalas. They reiterate the fact that they cannot endorse these elections if based on exclusions. The right to vote is a sacred issue due to the fact that countless numbers of people risked their lives to ensure that people can elect their own leader.

It is also noteworthy to mention that the people interviewed were able to differentiate between Lavalas and the Hope Party (LESPWA) of President Preval. According to data received, the incumbent Hope Party does not exist as a political party or grouping, but is only a leech living off Lavalas’ legacy at this time. People can tell the difference they said.
In the Grand Anse, frustration is increasing due to poor conditions of the roads; they emphatically stated that these elections are not a priority for them. They therefore promised to block any attempt by the government of President Preval to practice exclusion.
In the South, many have argued their concerns that Preval has promised to initiate an agricultural program in the area during his election campaign, and to this date, nothing has been done to alleviate the suffering of the poor in the area.
They believe the Center department is not given priorities in his governmental policies. The inhabitants of the Center have declared that they will not condone an unfair election; such violation could lead to their own demise. In the North, most people promise to stay at home, and it sound as if despite the large sum of money released for Moises Jean-Charles by Mr. Preval administration that, voters will this time take action so that no one ignore that Fanmi Lavalas is the undeniable force in the political arena in Haiti.

In the north-east and north-west, the candidates are not well known with the exception of Luke Fleurinord of the Party MIRN.

In the south-east, there was a fierce crackdown against the population. Lots of money was also distributed in order to buy the population votes from the incumbent party Lespwa. We at Haitian Priorities Project are currently cataloging incidents and or crimes committed by supporters and members of the party Lespwa in order to insure that these incidents never happen again. The survey was conducted by Haitian Priorities Project (HPP), from April 1 through 8 of this year among a sample of 65,000 people across the country. A margin of error was estimated at +or-3% in the national sample was noted.

www.hpp4haiti.com

Iraq Elections - Why not US?

tinker.tc — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:57:08 EST

Hi.

This is just a quick post to direct all to recent blog posts on the best electoral reform site bar none:

http://www.fairvote.org/blog/

t.tc

Barack Obama and His Influence

Ruptan — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:55:17 EST

Yes, We can change. The election of 2008 in America showed the world that America can and will change when needed to safeguard its democracy, human rights and hope. What started out to be a long shoot dramatically materialized as one of the most remarkable event in the history of American and its creation. Ever since American was created the blacks were treated as inhuman, criminal and murderers, drug dealer and drug addicts. There was no one to fight for their rights except some of the few courageous leaders like Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and others. On the Martin Luther King day, right before his Presidential Inauguration ceremony, President elect Barack Obama issues an statement stating “Our separate dreams are one”. The significant of this victory will reverberate through out the world. The ascending of a Black American as a President gives hope around the world.
Bangladesh is highly influenced by this outcome. The election of Dec 2008 in Bangladesh has also made a lasting impression on its people. On this day the people of Bangladesh spoke against corruption, nepotism and criminal activities of the previous governments. AL came to the helm with a pledge to change just like Barack Obama. Even though AL has its own mistakes and misrules, it has been elected by the sheer idea of Change that people wants. Like America Bangladesh is also rebuilding its image after years of misrule and corruption.
To start the country to a right step the present AL government selected expert ministers for their Cabinet. Comments, steps coming out of the government also raises hope. We hope best for the country and will have to keep a close watch so that the country can follow the steps of America and be a prosperous country in future.

An idea whose time has come: IRV

tinker.tc — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:22:32 EST

When elections are close the most important votes are always the ones that weren't counted and that includes especially all the votes that went to neither of the neck and neck runners, but to other candidates. Which of the top two would they have voted for?

Many folk are seeing the light in the two very tight Senate races. How would Instant Runoff Voting have made a difference? Then there are the controversial high profile appointments in Illinois and New York!

The editor of Denver Forgotten Communities Examiner says, "Instant-runoff voting has been tried in municipalities in the United States. It should be tried in statewide elections. The place to start would be in elections for U.S. Senate vacancies. Take the power away from the Governor to make an appointment and let the people vote in a single election with an instant runoff. We will end up with better senators." You can visit:

http://www.examiner.com/x-1173-Denver-Forgotten-Communities-Examiner~y2009m1d6-We-will-have-better-senators-with-instant-runoff-voting

to find out why he has come around to this opinion.

I have started a group: Obama Supporters for Instant Runoff Voting in Tompkins County, NY. Please feel welcome to visit us, help us, and see how we go about working on it locally.

together we hope

maya escobar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:53:41 EST

Article from the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
'Hope' springs anew for Washington University grad students

November 19, 2008 -- Carianne Noga, a graduate student of art at Washington University, ties tags of hope onto a sculpture outside the University City Post-Office. Noga and fellow student Maya Escobar started soliciting people's hopes to place on the sculpture. (Christian Gooden/P-D) By Margaret Gillerman ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 11/29/2008

UNIVERSITY CITY — Georgia O'Keeffe found inspiration in the light and shapes of New Mexico.

Mary Cassatt found hers in mothers and children.

Maya Escobar and Carianne Noga, two graduate students at Washington University's Sam Fox School of Art and Design, found inspiration for their latest project from the long lines on Election Day at a Ben and Jerry's ice cream shop in the Loop.

There, on the sidewalk outside the shop, which was giving away scoops of ice cream to voters, the two women felt excitement and hope among voters. They said they found that same feeling across the street in the long line of voters waiting to vote at the Loop polling place.

"We wanted to continue that moment and not let it peak out," Noga said.

Before the polls closed, they had begun to create their "I hope…" project.

They first staked out a site: outside the University City Post Office at 561 Kingsland Avenue.

They then provided people with bright red tags and paint markers for them to write down their hopes for a better future.

The tags then are affixed to a permanent lattice wood sculpture already on site outside the Post Office.

"As difficult as it can be sometimes to voice our wishes and dreams, it can be strengthening," the artists say in explaining their mission. "We can be reminded of the rest of the world outside our own immediate concerns. In this period of great change and near infinite possibilities, it is time for us to voice our hopes."

While the project is for all people, Escobar said it holds special meaning for young people.

"This is our moment to make a difference for our communities," Escobar said. "We need to be aware — of our national situation, of the economy."

Many of the hopes expressed — most recorded anonymously — so far are noble and universal: "I hope for world peace" and "My hope is that hate is no longer."

Some of the hopes are personal. "I hope to not fear death," wrote one.

Others have a distinctly political bent: "I hope we get out of Iraq and don't go to war with Iran." And some are just fun, like the person hoping for "chocolate cake for dessert ..."

A University City police officer named Hope — Reginald Hope — shared with them his own hope: for safety for police officers. A fellow officer was killed while on duty near the Loop last month.

Washington University Chancellor Mark Wrighton gave his hope and "wishes for better health and greater prosperity for all."

The artists also are encouraging people to submit their hopes online at togetherwehope.com.

[click here for full story]

PLEASE VISIT HTTP://TOGETHERWEHOPE.COM AND SHARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE

Obama has the best marketers yet.

mms — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:41:09 EST

When it comes to winning elections, Obama has it made. I believe he has the best marketers in the world. Not to mention he has a charm no one can ignore. You either like him or you hate it. I personally, Like Obama, he has wisdom, and maybe new to this but I think he really means what he says, even if it is written out by his writers. He seems alot more personal then most people that elected to be president, much less anything in office. But his marketing strategies are very good.

Marketing in social networks

Marketing to the youth

marketing to single mothers

Marketing to people without health care

gold and silver coins with his face on them

Posters, shirts, pins, practically anything about him you can buy.

And, I think he's got some really nifty photographers too.

Like I said, I belive he has some good marketing going on and that as well as his followers, contributers, volunteers and helpers, etc all helped him get into office.

Despite his past, his mother, his pastor, and all the negative energy abound in this election-he still made it. And I think 4 years from now, he'll make it again in the next elections.

Obama Volunteers at a Chicago Food Bank

Marie Yolaine — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:40:58 EST

REPORTED BY THE WHASHINGTON POST
www.washingtonpost.com

President-elect Barack Obama, center, his wife Michelle Obama, left, and daughter Malia, 10, center, greet people at a food bank at St. Columbanus Catholic Church on the South Side of Chicago, Nov. 26, 2008. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press)

Tom DeFrank of the New York Daily News was today's pool reporter covering Barack Obama's visit to a food bank, after the president-elect held a news conference announcing more members of his economic team. He writes:

Exiting the podium after meeting the press, Obama was asked his plans for tomorrow and replied that he and Michelle are hosting "a whole bunch of people" at their home.

Five minutes after the press conference concluded, the President-elect left the Hilton at 10:08 a.m. and arrived at his home 11 minutes later. The motorcade departed again at 10:55 with Michelle and the girls in tow and arrived at 11:03 at Saint Columbanus Catholic Church, a South South parish that operates a food bank every Wednesday.

The Obamas were at the church and adjoining school for about an hour. They emerged into a small parking lot between the church and school where the food distribution operation had been set up in a U-shape.

They were all bundled up against the brisk, sunny weather; Michelle and her daughters were wearing toboggan caps; the President-elect had on a brown leather car coat, muffler, chinos and was bareheaded.

The First Family-to-be were positioned at the start of the food line; their job was to hand out white plastic bags filled with fresh chicken. Recipients then moved down the line to receive bags of potatoes, apples, loaves of bread and large boxes of staples including macaroni and cheese, tomato sauce, peanut butter, canned corn, oatmeal, Miracle Whip, mixed fruit and other items.

Obama called out: "We're ready, let's go, bring 'em on in," and the distribution began.

Clearly, those lining up for food hadn't been told they had an important guest helping out this day. Many of them lit up; some shrieked with delight and hugged one or more of the Obamas. One elderly woman bowed; all seemed very appreciative. One and all were greeted with handshakes, hugs, and hearty "Happy Thanksgivings."

The daughters behaved like troopers for a half hour or so before the cold caught up with them, and they retired for a few minutes to warm up.

One sixty-something neighborhood resident named Daryel Namdan was asked how it felt to have Obama there. "It makes me feel very special," he said, before choking up.

Father Matt Eyerman of Saint Columbanus said the church feeds 450 to 500 every week. They start lining up at 5 a.m. to make sure they get a ticket to assure them food.

An Obama aide said the family has been to this particular food bank before and has pitched in here or elsewhere at least two other years.

After about 40 minutes on the line, Obama decided to go say hello to about 200 students.
After shaking hands with the food bank volunteers, he came over to the pool and had this to say:

"The number of people who are getting food this year is up 33 percent. It gives a sense times are tough -- and I think that on Thanksgiving it's important for us to remember there's a need for support.

"These folks were already oftentimes having a tough time, and it gets tougher now." He encouraged all Americans of means to help out however they could. "This is part of what Thanksgiving should be all about," he said.

Asked why he'd brought his daughters along, he replied: "I want them to learn the importance of how fortunate they are and to make sure they're giving back."

Then the family walked into the basement auditorium of the school, where about 200 kids from several grades were seated on the floor. When the Obamas walked onto the stage just befofe noon, the kids went nuts, leaping to their feet and cheering. "How's everybody doing?" he asked, coming down off the stage to mingle and inquire about their Thanksgiving plans.

He inquired about their collective menus, starting with turkey. "How about macaroni and cheese? How about green beans? How about sweet potato pie? How about cranberry sauce?" With each question, his audience erupted in more cheers.

He warmed the hearts of the teachers by delivering an earnest little homily/pep talk about working hard and paying attention. If they diligently pursued their reading and math et al, "There's nothing you can't do. You guys might end being the president some day." Still more cheers.

He took two questions from his entranced charges. A sixth-grader asked what it was like to be POTUS.

"I'm not the President yet. ..Once I'm sworn in I'll let you know."

The second question had to do with his new life. He began by talking about his Secret Service detail. Michelle interjected: "Secret Service, raise your hand." None did. The kids loved the moment more than the squirming, ever-anonymous agents.

In his new life "you don't have a lot of privacy," he told them, mentioning that going to Walgreen's and riding a bicycle are now far more involved than before.

He wished them all a Happy Thanksgiving, shook more hands, and was rolling north at 12:07 p.m. The family arrived home at 12:17 p.m.

Happily, a lid for the day has been declared. Happy Thanksgiving to all

November 2-8, 2008: A week to remember

Anna Maria — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:53:15 EST

This has been the greatest week for me in a long, long time.

Like so many others, Tuesday night's election results were the culmination of a dream. Even now, four days later, reflecting on what happened brings tears of joy to my eyes. I know it does the same for many others I witnessed it just last night at a cocktail party.

While I understand we must manage our expectations, that a president does not act alone, and that the President-elect will not even assume office for more than two months, I know better days are coming. I have never felt so proud to be an American. What a great time for our country.

The other great thing that happened to be this week is that I learned that next year I will be transferred to Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. What an exciting assignment, and what an auspicous time to be going to Africa. I will be doing public affairs work there, promoting the policies of the new administration, and am so looking forward to that

YES WE CAN, WE DID AND WE WILL - a great week all around!

We did it!!! well, Mr. Barack DID it!

LisaLi — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:00:49 EST

Hey Everyone click here to see my pix of Obama done for stitchers for obama!

Click

Later, LI

I wish I could say "Now What?"

SSG_Dan — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:46:04 EST

I'm sitting at home, drinking the last of the 18-year old Single Malt Scotch, and smoking my last Cuban cigar. I'm filled with pride and accomplishment, having worked hard to elect Senator Obama for President. And in that, I know that some worked harder than me, sacrificed more, and are rejoycing more than I.

I do pause at the the memories of some of the vile and hateful things that people have told me. That I'm a traitor. That I'm going to help destroy America. That I hate my country.

I will not lie - I hated everyone who dared insult me. In one case, I had to work hard and not beat another American into a bloody pulp. I'm still astounded that a total stranger, someone who doesn't know all I've lost and sacrificed, would dare insult me so deeply.

But of all the things that has me believing again my country, it was the gracious speech of Sen. McCain. I watched and listened to his speech, and I hung on his every word. This was a man who used a flawed approach to try and win the Presidency, but he was more a leader in the loss that he ever was in his campaign.

If this had been the man who campaigned, I might have voted for him. I know he has redeemed my respect for him.

Now, we have to move forward as a county. If we wanted, the Democrats in charge can simply move forward, and do whatever we want for two years. I know that will fail. If the idea is "payback," then we fall back into the last eight years, and we are no better than we were. We will be far worse.

So, I'm willing to embrace my metaphysical past and present, and forgive. I want to find a way to work with the same people who would call me a traitor, and find the common ground. And if there is none now, I will work to make it.

I am tired of "My Way or the Highway." I want a consensus when we do things, so that it doesn't "fixed" later. I am willing to ignore the slings and arrows of the past, provided there's not a armory of new ones waiting.

Is it that hard to do?

Barack Obama Elected 44th United States President

Marcus Cyganiak — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:34:19 EST

Barack Obama Elected 44th United States President History was made tonight when Democratic Barack Hussein Obama was officially elected the 44th President of the United States of America.

Barack Obama becomes the very first African-American President in United States history. Joe Biden will join him as the Vice President.

Barack Obama was elected President on November 4, 2008 with 297 electoral votes against Republican John McCain’s 139 electoral votes. This victory came to fruition after all the hard work from the entire Obama campaign and their supporters was paid off.

Obama undoubtedly had some of the best people working with him during this Presidential campaign. I have no doubt he will have an excellent cabinet working by his side come January 2009.

Congratulations America, you elected real change for the world!

Finally, big congratulations to Barack Obama on this historical Presidential election – Canada’s proud of you!

Barack Obama will officially be sworn in as the new United States President on January 20, 2009.http://marcuscyganiak.blogspot.com/2008/11/barack-obama-elected-44th-united-states.html

RE: Cafferty File - Most Important Issue For American Election

Marcus Cyganiak — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:11:50 EST

RE: Cafferty File - Most Important Issue For American Election CNN.com - Cafferty File question: What single issue was most important to you?

As a Canadian I don’t have to care, but I do. Just as I care for my next door neighbours, I care for America too.

I want to see that America I once loved during the 90’s. President Bill Clinton was commander and chief and riding high with an economical surplus. Times were certainly good, up until George W. Bush took control in 2001.

For the past 8 years, President Bush has managed to plunder a country down from the greatest economical surplus to the greatest economical deficit in history. As a result, we are now in what we call an "economic crisis," or we can blatantly call it a recession bordering another Great Depression.

So Jack Cafferty, you ask what the single most important issue is for the 2008 US Presidential Election. Well I’m no bandwagon jumper but I will go with the majority this time in saying that the economy is the number one issue that America has to aid right now.

One of the big contributors to this problem is the fact that the US government is predominately being fed US dollars by the middle-class citizens. Some of these citizens are people that have troubles maintaining their own way of life financially, much less paying taxes. The upper-class and big corporations are sitting comfortably with their money free as can be, and that’s the big reason in why America is plundering to a Great Depression.

During President Clinton’s term, he mandated a leveled taxation plan that saw classes of all kinds in America contributing their fair share with regard to their level of income. What Barack Obama plans to do now is once again tax the big corporations and upper-class to the level they were paying in the 90’s. The middle-class, those with incomes less than a quarter of a million dollars, will see their taxes reduced and that accounts for 95% of Americans.

As I said earlier, I care for my neighbours and when I see my neighbour unhappy, I feel unhappy because it’s an atmosphere around me that begs for help. Big corporations and the upper-class of America should share those same feelings. This new taxation plan set force by Barack Obama will feed those feelings and put the economy back on track to another eventual surplus.

Source:
1) http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/04/what-issue-is-most-important-to-you/http://marcuscyganiak.blogspot.com/2008/11/re-cafferty-file-most-important-issue.html

Clinton H. Wallace Casts His Vote

Clinton H. Wallace — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:33:59 EST

by Clinton H.Wallace's Obama Blog BlogTuesday November 4 2008

So my ballot has been casted and I have now joined numerous Americans in a historic moment in the story of our great republic. I can’t stop thinking that on this glorious day-- I have helped to make history.

I called my mom and she is happily waiting in line and making new friends, you're going to help make history I told her. Now I will patiently await the results, I think Americans understand what is at stake.

Clinton H.Wallace

Photomundo International

Beverly Hills,CA

Madelyn Payne Dunham

Khaidji — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:18:47 EST

Kahlil Gibran once wrote that our children are not our children but rather, on loan to us by the almighty. It is for us to pass on to them the virtues of life and what ever they become, would be the fruits of our labor. Sometimes this responsibility is past on to our parents, our children’s grandparents. When our fruit is an American President then our labors are immeasurable. One such quiet hero who tried to just do the right thing without seeking special rewards for their efforts was Madelyn Lee Payne Dunham

Madelyn Payne Dunham

Maya like Barack called her “Toot” too

A version of the Hawaiian word for grandmother tutu

Devoted her life to raising her grandson

Ensured he made use of a good education

Life was difficult on her but you’d never know

Young Barack toured with her before settling in Chicago

New car and new dress she put off unselfishly

Poured everything she had into raising young Barry

And when word of her death came it was a blow

Yesterday we lost someone the world ought to know

Not just a grandmother but she was the cornerstone

Encourage Barack to take chances and think on his own

Didn’t let him shy away from hard work

Used her strengths and taught him never to shirk

Now the fruits of her labors are ours to reap

Her sweat and toil will take us through a quantum leap

Americans all benefit from her extraordinary accomplishment

Madelyn Payne Dunham helped develop the 44th President

Get an easy Download or a Hardcopy of
” Path To The White House”
Acrostic Poetry on Barack Obama
By Khaidji
The Bajan Poetry Society

NEWS FLASH ...

Martin Edwin "Mick" from Churchton, MD — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:15:14 EST

Costco, Walmart and K-Mart are all reporting runs on all kinds of chairs and stools.

The Little People are rushing to these and other retail outlets to make sure that on Tuesday they can reach the Obama-Biden lever at their polling booths.

I Believe in Mr. Obama

Aaliyah — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:41:35 EDT

More than ever before issues within my country are at the very top of my list. I have served my country and seen results of cut backs and war.

I have had the eye opening experience of venturing outside my safety zone and been ashamed of what I saw. To blindly believe or support a cause is just crazy and unfortunately, I was someone like that. Ripping a statement or two from headlines making it up as I went along quit working for me.

My first experience with news other than the three major networks had me brimming with questions that would have answers that not only shocked me, but they left me speechless. That's hard to accomplish. I believe that Mr. Obama can bring that change he is promising. His words do not feel empty and hopeless.

It's not easy to be the President and persons of good character are hard to find these days in a world full of mistrust. My loyalties had to be reorganized, I am now a Republican voting Democrat. When I selected to be a Republican at the age of eighteen was it to please my very Republican family? After all, it's all I ever knew.

I have had to sit up straight now and pay attention, paying attention has come at a costly price since my lack of attention before left me with little to say other than, "I got what I voted for, I can't really complain."

Mr. Obama, I have trust in you. I believe your words of HOPE. I believe your words of CHANGE. I lay my vote to you and Mr. Biden and I, like millions of others, believe in what you say. I am an American living in Lebanon and from the atmosphere here, the Lebanese that I personally know support you too. The world is counting on you and Mr. Biden, please be the CHANGE and HOPE our country desperately needs.

AMERICA IN THE YEAR 2016

Peter from Portland, OR — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:02:06 EDT

I had a dream: We are writing the year 2016, America has left behind the economy crisis of 2008 and developed to a green, social and prosperous society. The unemployment rate is down at 2.3 %, the number of poor people dropped from 37 to 9 million, the national deficit is only a fourth of that in 2008. Every American has affordable health care now, and Obama`s tax cuts have put more money into the pockets of the middle-class American, which led to higher consumption, re-fueled the economy, and created millions of new jobs. Above all 5 million new created green collar jobs and a better, more effective environmental policy with solar, wind and other renewable energies dropped America`s energy bill, air pollution and CO 2 balance by 25%, making the country cleaner and almost independent of foreign oil. America´s is about to become the world leader in green technology, especially due to the broad-scale introduction of US built hybrid cars. In foreign politics America has restored faith and regained respect in the world community of nations as a wise and peaceful mediator in all conflicts. This and other measures also led to an improvement of the national security. The dark Bush years are history and America has made the real CHANGE to a better future - YES WE COULD - And due to the great achievements of Barack Obama`s successful 8 years in national and international politics a committee was founded, proposing the extension of his presidency for 4 more years, as applied during the Roosevelt administration.

Was all of this just a dream ? - No, you can make it happen by voting for OBAMA next Tuesday - It is now up to you, America !

SHOP AMERICA SUPPORTS OBAMA

Support for Change

Joy from California City, CA — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:21:13 EDT

Good-Morning Senator Barack & Michelle Obama,

We were pleased to receive your letter October 25, 2008, which was yesterday. So I would like to share with you why we are happy to get involved. We are hard working community participants, that’s part of my family’s life.

I was reading this morning, and thought about you. So I would like to share this with you and your wife.

With 7 days left I pray you will continue to get your strength from the Lord. With my life He gives me His Strength. “He went up on a mountainside by Him self to pray. When evening came, He was there alone.” Matthew 14:23.

Christ Jesus in His humanity felt the need of complete solitude-to be entirely by Himself, alone with Himself. Each of us knows how draining constant interchange with others can be and how it exhausts our energy. As part of human kind, Jesus knew this and felt the need to be by Himself in order to regain His strength. Solitude was also important to Him in order to fully realize His high calling, His human weakness, and His total dependence on His Father.” Streams in the Desert. L. B. Cowman. P.p.403-October 26 2008.

I understand a little about your mom, and these are a few reasons that I stay close to God. I was a single a mom for 15 years of my sons’, Keith & Kevin, life before I remarried. I quit a good job in Buffalo N.Y., so I could better our life by going to Talladega College, when I was 32 years old. At that time 1974, only the youth were on campus, so I was a big joke. I had to get on welfare and food-stamps. It made my sons hide when I had to use food-stamps instead of money, I was happy for the help. A big $80.00 a month plus food-stamps and our apt. was 200.00 a month plus utilities. HUD would not let me qualify for a $50.00 apt. because I was not getting enough money from welfare. It’s been hard for all of us who have been single moms. Thank God for grandparents and friends.

I am from Huntington W.VA, so I cast my vote by way of California City, Ca.
For these reasons:

My husband Marvin, a builder, completed two homes and lost both of them in December 2007. Built two fourplex’s, which we live in one of them, and they are trying to take these. My husband has worked so hard to make our life better, and because of Bush, we just keep hitting bottom.

God has blessed us, because a few years ago a doctor did foot surgery, I was in pain for four years he kept me coming back almost every week, sending me to all of his colleague, and it came to the point they said it was all in my head. When I was able to change insurance, the new Doctor let me know that what was wrong with my foot had never been removed. So I took my old doctor to court and he admitted that he knew he done surgery in the wrong place. When asked why he did not correct his mistake, he just shrugged his shoulders and said he didn’t know. This happen in Glendale Ca. courts; I lost the case, out of work for four years with no income from me, and was in to much pain to take care of my daughter Joy, that we adopted. They said I lost case because too much time had passed. I found an attorney the next day when I read my report that when I requested an out side doctor, he reported that the doctor had not remove the matter, and the surgery needed to be done over. This was three months later, but the old doctor did not share this with me.

After four years of pain I was able to return to my teaching position, in six weeks. I am looking forward to your insurance plan, because we have not had insurance in years. My son Joshua, just yesterday had to pay out $200.00 for x-rays, he does not have the money because he in college finishing up his Masters this spring but because he can’t afford insurance he had to pay.

I know you can help us in our community, because of the type of service you have given through out the years.

My husband and I went to a community hospital when we were living in Pomona Ca. Because his mother was in the hospital, it was a day after Christmas, and the hospital had call to say they were getting ready to take his mother back to the nursing home, and we had plans to meet her there.

The hospital and the nursing home were only a few blocks away from our home, but in 15 min they called back, to say it was now a code blue. we could not understand this because it was an in and out procedure that was to take place, she was not even suppose to spend the night, and when we asked why she was spending the night, to start with, they said that they wanted to keep an eye on her. My husband showed concern that she was out of it, and she didn’t know we were there. After getting the code blue call, we and the children rush to the hospital only to sit in the waiting room for hours, because they were working on her. It was getting late so we made arrangements with my son Kevin to take care of the younger children.

We returned to the same door that we had been using so we could find our way back to her room. It was raining cats and dogs that Friday night, so as we enter the door where the security guard asked us to sign in at front desk, so I did. I could hear the voices in the background, so I ran to see what was going on, because my husband was in the area. I don’t know why the guard was yelling about us signing in I told him that the desk clerk said I could sign in for both of us, but he was still yelling as we started to his mother’s room.

He started poking his finger in my husband back as we were walking up the halls. My husband kept walking with his mind on his dying mother. We had walked a long ways to the elevators with this guard still poking my husband. I finally turned to him and said you are acting like a punk, please stop poking him. At that moment, he grabbed me by my neck in a chock-hold I could not breathe, I was trying to free my self, but he had my feet off the ground.

He carried me, in a choke-hold, a long ways back before he threw me to the ground, placed me in handcuffs and he and another man sat on me to the point I was suffocating. Bystanders were trying to tell them to stop, but they had dogs which kept them back. The Pomona Police came, I was glad to see them until they jerked me by my handcuffs and tried to make me stand. When they saw that I couldn’t they dropped me to the ground. I was bleeding, I was bruised, I could not talk and I was hurting so bad that all I could do was whisper.

One man picked up my purse and the contents, which was a Bible and a cell phone. When the man brought me my purse while I laid on the floor, he said, “Joy, is that you?” at first I did not recognize him, then he reminded me he was the social worker in the hospital and I that I had followed the ambulance to the medical center, a young male child had been hit by a car, and the family had not arrived and I did not want him to die alone. I stayed to pray and to be with the family, and that’s how he remembered me. He said he knew I had not done anything wrong.

The hospital would not treat us, they would not get any help for us, and they were putting us out of the hospital. After about 3 hours the head of the security came and took me for treatment, also told me how sorry he was. The lady in X-ray slammed me on the cold metal table. I just did not know people could be so cruel.

After we were able to be wheeled to his mother’s room, I asked my husband why he did not help me. He replied that every time he would break lose, two mussel men would grab him and twist his arms tearing at his rotator cuffs. We were all night trying to make a report about the matter. They kept saying there was nobody in charge.

His mother never regained conscious. She died the following day; we still don’t know what happened to her. Sometimes we feel that we were beaten to distract us, so we wouldn’t ask questions concerning his mother.

We both were out of work seems like forever. We went for treatment everyday. We lost that case, because they said we were trying to steal a baby.

I know if that had been your community Obama you would had helped us, because you know how the big boys mess over the little people who don’t know what to do.

I have been a teacher for years I was hurt at work. So we had to refinance our home, in Riverside.Ca. my husband, still unable to work because of the beating. Our home was a true gift from God, it was 5.000 sft. a view of 360 of the world, on top of a mountain, we called it Mt. Zion; we had 3 ac of land. It was haven forever for anyone. My son Joshua who cares for young people had a New Years party for over 150 people so they could have a good time without drugs or alcohol and no sex. We had many people on Mt. Zion. Our plan was a camp with horses, teaching young people personal development , job training, addressing their spiritual and social needs ,helping unwed mothers, abuse women and children, working with the homeless and dysfunctional events that happen to good families in the community. That included gang and suicide prevention, parent and marriage enrichment programs .Well these are some of the achievement we were doing, until the refinance company stole our home, and gave us 30 days to move. Our things are everywhere. Some are in storage places and they are trying to auction that in a few days.

So you see must find work because of our crisis. We will no longer be victim because GOD is Victorious. We speak for all the people who can’t be heard, we will see a change in you.

WE the people are sending you 10.00 a widow’s mite, because we believe in God and you Obama for such a time as this. This is not a poor little me story , I don’t know how God has taken care of us all these years. I know we have all ways worked for HIM.

Take a good look at me, God, my God; I want to look life in the eye, so no enemy can get the best of me or laugh when I fall on my face. I’ve thrown my self headlong into your arms—-I am celebrating your rescue. I’m singing at the top of my lungs, I am so full of answered prayers. Psalms 13:3-6.

Take a long, hard look. See how great He is - infinite greater than anything you could ever imagine or figure out. Job 36:26.

Chef Keith Hicks, his new Forth Worth restaurant, Buttons will be in Chapel Hill @ Interstate 30 and Hulen St. in the former 29 Degree Tavern location. You must stop when you are in the area, and tell him his mom sent you. He would love having you and the family. He was voted #1 chef of 2007. Just like you, with the help of God. You will be voted our next PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

America for Change.

Thank you. Joy G. Anderson Hodges. joyfullspirit8.wordpress.com.

Obama Enjoys Boost in Virginia from Influential Senator Jim Webb

Lisa from Staunton, VA — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:27:54 EDT

October: From the Huffington Post

Jim Webb, Democratic Senator from Virginia, has made a huge difference in the Senate. As the 51st Democrat in the Senate, he swung the majority two years ago when he won the hotly contested seat during his race against George Allen, when Allen was derailed by allegedly racist remarks captured in news stories around the country.

And the best-selling novelist, nonfiction writer and highly decorated Vietnam War veteran had just been in office just one day when he introduced what Webb and principal co-sponsor of the bill Chuck Hagel (Republican, Nebraska) called, in an editorial in the New York Times, "one of the most important pieces of legislation in our history." The Post-Iraq G.I. Bill, which finally became law eighteen months later on June 30, 2008, provides for the first increase for college costs since the Montgomery G.I. Bill which provided a flat payment of $800 a month, which would have covered an average of less than 40 percent of state university costs and 12 percent of private university costs.

According to an editorial in the Washington Post this past June "it is a testament to the tenacity of....Webb and the justice of his cause that Congress has enacted a new GI Bill for war veterans. The freshman senator's ability to work across party lines means that men and women who risk their lives for America's well-being will, in return, get expanded education benefits, along with the opportunities for better futures."

The education benefits were part of a $257.5 billion emergency spending bill. Although the program's costs, $62 billion, are not cheap, they seem cheap in light of what the government is now spending to bailout out failed Wall Street institutions and our nation's banks. While the bill had little initial chance of passing, Webb enlisted the support of influential House Republicans and Democrats and, as the Post added, "what served him best was his justifiable outrage at how a generation of veterans was being shortchanged."

Esquire magazine recently named Jim Webb one of its most influential 75 people of the 21st Century, saying "(He) has done more to repair his party's relationship with the military than anyone since the Democrats ran afoul of the rank and file during the Vietnam era by appearing not so much antiwar as antimilitary....Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (said that) 'Jim Webb is that rarity in Washington. He knows himself.' Which is why he will have the ear of whoever wins the presidency."

But it is clear that should Obama win the presidency, it Obama's ear he will have. Webb, along with Virginia governor Tim Kaine, was one of Obama's top choices for Vice President, until Webb took himself out of the running saying he still had work to do in the Senate.

After a glowing introduction by long time Southwest Virginia representative Rick Boucher who said that "Webb is a hero to vets," Webb jumped on stage during last week's rally in Roanoke, Virginia, to thunderous applause and began by saying:

"Barack Obama is like you!" He knows what it is like to struggle."

He then turned solemn for a moment, and with a twinkle in his eye, said: "And on a personal note I would like to say that Barack Obama is the son of a dad from Kenya and a mom from Kansas by way of Kentucky so his ancestry goes back to the mountains. He is from this area. Barack Obama understands you!"

Virginia's mountains have always posed an interesting problem for Democrats. The state has not voted for a Democrat for president since Lyndon Johnson in 1964, but this year looks the most promising. Yet, it has voted for several Democratic governors, including a black man, Doug Wilder, now mayor of the capitol city of Richmond. In addition to Jim Webb, it looks likely that Mark Warner will replace retiring Republican Senator John Warner (no relation) in this year's Senate race. Many of Virginia's cities consistently vote Democratic, including small ones in the Shenandoah Valley and the small rural mountain communities, while the surrounding areas often go Republican. There has been a huge effort to sign up new voters this year, and record 300,000 new Democrats have been registered, many of them young people. There are Democratic headquarters in even the smallest towns.

Obama himself has made many trips to Southwest Virginia and Rick Boucher predicts that Southwest Virginia will vote for Obama like the rest of the state. If so, it is people like Jim Webb who will help make that possible. Despite a recent profile in the New York Times Sunday Magazine that discusses polls that wonder if Obama can resonate with white rural men, the writer comes to the conclusion that "from all the available data Obama isn't actually doing any worse with white men that the last two Democratic nominees, both of whom also ran when the national climate offered considerable advantages..." which it certainly does not now. If anything, the economic climate can only help Obama. And despite the fact that Webb may disagree with Obama on an issue or two (perhaps guns, for one,) both he and his many relatives are clear and enthusiastic supporters.

Webb was the subject of a lengthy New Yorker magazine profile in 2006 when he burst onto the political scene during his run for the Senate and surprise victory. The magazine called Webb a "Democratic iconoclast." More recently, in the Esquire interview where he was named one of this century's most influential people, he revealed that he thought of himself as a writer first and a public servant second. "I sort of unwittingly started this two-track career," he revealed. He also said that writing novels is the most disciplined thing he ever did and that he rewrote his first novel cover to cover seven times.

But at the same time he was writing, Webb also served four years as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs and then as Secretary of the Navy. After finally being convinced to run for the Senate by Bob Kerrey (former Democratic Senator from Nebraska, a long time friend), Webb said that the campaign was harder than the actual job. And now that he's in the Senate, he told Esquire that his urgent issues are ones surrounding "national security policy, economic fairness, accountability issues, and infrastructure."

Webb sounded eloquent and possibly presidential when speaking before the crowd of 8,000 on October 17.

"You can trust Obama," he said enthusiastically to the cheering crowd. "I do!"

"I'm a fairly skeptical person," Webb continued. "And when I say I trust someone, I mean it. And I trust Obama. I've known John McCain for more than thirty years, but it's gotten ugly. It's not about McCain being a bad person. But it is about who is best to govern our country!"

He went out to explain that "There are three issues that are important right now. And on all of them we need leadership from the top.

"We need political leadership for our war of occupation. And only one person can move us to a better place in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We need leadership on the issue of economic fairness. We have lost over 80,000 manufacturing jobs in Virginia alone and the average wages are down while the profits are going up.

"And we need leadership that requires knowledge and vision and judgment. There is a country music song that goes 'I know what I was doing, but what was I thinking?' We can't have leadership like that."

With that, Jim Webb, quickly and almost quietly introduced Barack Obama.

Yes, We CAN

Suresh from Richardson, TX — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:53:36 EDT

I am a huge fan of Obama and got inspired by Obama's speeches and wrote a poem on his views. My 7 year old son who is also a fan of Obama, recited the poem and we put it on www.youtube.com website. The link is here. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RY1NOGZ2T4 ) I got an Editor's choice award for this poem when I submitted to www.poetry.com website. Though I cannot vote, I want to show my little support in this way. We hope you like it. I wish I could meet Obama personally. The poem is below.

Yes, We CAN

Yesterday, what all happened is a history
Now there is a chance to change previous story
Oh I believe in my heart we can, Yes we can

All of sudden, there is a hope visible to me
Though hard to believe, for sure we all can acheive
Oh I believe for sure, it is not the false one

Till now it was all a different game at bay
With your support i want to change the rules to play
Oh I believe in my heart we can, Yes we can

Yes we can, Yes we can,
Yes we can change,
to make our nation,
ONE strong nation.

Yesterday, what all happened is a history
Now there is a chance to change previous story
Oh I believe in my heart we can, Yes we can

-- by Suresh Mulakala

The Politics of Fear versus Free Will

Michael Kotyk — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 10:54:19 EDT

Thinking for yourself, apparently, is a sinful thing to do. Nowadays, it is not "hip", "cool" or "politically correct" to have an opinion contrary to those of others and, if you do have one, you automatically must be wrong for having it; for thinking differently than everyone else. In America, during an election year, democracy has been replaced by the politics of fear.

Before I rant, which I'm going to do until they suspend the First Amendment, let me be clear in stating that I do not believe in the "one party rule" system being espoused, this year, by both the Democratic and the Republican Party. I don't think that either party should have a majority in Congress; especially one where the voice of the opposition can be easily drowned out. One party rule is a system reserved for communists (see the Soviet Union, China, Korea and Cuba), fascists (i.e. WW2 Italy, Japan, Nazi Germany, Argentina in the Peron era), petty Middle Eastern shiek-doms (Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates), and Latin American dictatorships (Hugo Chavez, Aristide of Haiti). In America, we should never have one party rule no matter what the political party's "good intentions" are. I'm sure that in 1936, even the Nazis in Germany originally had "good intentions" but "good intentions", historically, always seem to go bad.

In America, under our Constitution, until, of course, it is seen fit to be suspended, citizens of our nation are allowed to vote for whomever candidate they believe is best to sit in political office. It means that I have a right to vote for any candidate I choose for the office of President, Senator, Representative, Mayor or county dog catcher.

Obama Inspired Song and Video

Brad from Beverly Hills, CA — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:25:08 EDT

There is a song and video inspired by Obama that was done by recording artist Donny B. Lord on YouTube. It is very well done and the music and lyrics are powerful and haunting. It could be Obama's inauguration song.

Feel free to share with other groups and friends.

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFTe1dMQvPM

GOOD NEWS FOR OHIO OBAMA SUPPORTERS

Gordon Broom — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:13:53 EDT

Today the U.S.Supreme Court ruled against the Ohio GOP which attempted to hijack Ohio's election by removing more than 200,000 newly registered voters from the voter rolls.

Hats off to the Ohio Supervisor of Elections who took the case all the way to the Supreme Court

YES WE CAN!

Gordon

Latinos are part of the US mix

Carlos E. C�rdenas — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:09:56 EDT

The country is about to elect it's first African American president. It's a historical moment

The image of an African American as the leader of the US will bring deep social changes to our country. His presidency will be a subtle reminder to all of us that color has no correlation with intellect. He will be a role model for the African American youth, some who will most likely follow in his footsteps. His presidency will redefine and expand the meaning of being a US American, to include more deeply the African American culture

Nevertheless, amidst this historical time, we are leaving out a large constituency. Hispanics are part of this country’s mix and they are shaping the direction of the US. However, mainstream media does not show this fact, just like they failed to showcase the political voice of African Americans for many decades. There is a lag from when the media chooses to showcase an image of our country to what is really happening. African Americans have been part of our countries’ political make up for many decades, but I feel it’s until recently that the media began to project this fact. Hispanics are currently part of this country’s political make-up but this fact is not being presented to the public.

Must 30 or 50 years pass for the media to recognize the political voice of Latinos and just then finally showcase this fact to the world?

The problem with Republicans changing the rules at this stage and the main consequences of it

Ms CYPRAH — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:31:33 EDT

There are four crucial weeks left to the American elections, a very long time to test political fortunes. To the Democrats it must feel like the end is so tantalisingly near yet so achingly far away, in view of what is possible for both sides of the race up to then. Already, the Republicans are baring their nasty fangs. Bereft of innovative ideas, deprived of any real leadership and with no obvious solutions to any of the country's pressing problems (goodness knows there are many!), the intreprid Republicans, headed by John MCcain and Sarah Palin, have decided to take leave of their collective senses and get stuck into the mud instead.

The problem with accusing your opponent of anything at all that smacks of smear, slander or simple nastiness, is that two can play the same game. Having been in the line of 'terrorist for friend' fire all weekend, Barack Obama's team is now hitting back with a short documentary about McCain and Keating, an association that would have been better left unearthed in view of what is happening in the current economic meltdown.

The Sarah Palin factor

Veni Markovski — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:47:22 EDT

Since Sarah Palin was introduced in the campaign, it seems people forgot - or tend to forget - that this is a campaign for President of the United States, not VP. Is this because they don't believe John McCain will be the President, or is it because she's new, and as such draws the attention naturally to herself?

What A Nasty Republican Campaign, Sen Obama Just Clinched The White House

Tony — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:07:48 EDT

YES, Ladies & gentleman like I said before to Sen Obama and Sen Biden never lose composure, these NASTY attacks won't work this time and this Karl Rove would better retire as his dirty tricks won't work in this changed america. This is the way they act, they appear to email each other so they go talk on TV the same BS like talking parrots and all they do is repeat the same dirty BS. I said to many in Texas this republican party is poised to dissapear as they are the worst polititians and everybody have seen this with this administration who brought ruin and disaster to america and they should throw the towel like an honored boxer do because all they do is come up with dirty desperate tricks to hold on the white house for what? I guess to destroy this country like they have done so far. These people are not even a bit patriotic, a real patriotic recognizes the problem and says, let's abandon the desperate tactics and give the power to the democrats and bring the economy of prosperity of the clinton era, look at what the have brought, the Bush senior mediocre administration who left deficits and now the jr Bush disaster, are they the best?if you have intelligence you say they are the worst and take note they will dissapear and break up not now but when they see losing the next 3-4 elections in a row and they will have turmoil in leadership like they have now when you see NO leader in that party. that is the party with money but NO BRAINS.

The Latino Constituency

Carlos E. C�rdenas — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:20:30 EDT

It's a momentous time in the US. The possibility that Barack Obama will be the first African American president in US history seems more and more likely as time passes. His campaign exudes a sense of inevitable victory...like it's destined to win. I feel the media has picked up on this. It seems there are more African American commentators are on TV and the the media is giving African Americans more equitable time on TV to voice their opinions. It’s fascinating to watch this happen, however this should have occurred many years ago.

The US is no longer the black and white world, literally and figuratively, that existed 100 years ago. Today, Latinos are a big part of this mix. Latinos will, in the near future, become the majority of the minorities. English no longer holds a monopoly on the means of communication; Spanish has become a fierce competitor in the US. The growing use of bi-lingual education is testament to this fact. Favorite fastfoods such as pizza, hotdogs and burgers are now no longer the number one choice. It's now Mexican and other Hispanic foods that are seducing the palates of many around the US. We are now becoming "green" people a long past tradition of our Latin American "Indian" ancestors. I hope an Obama presidency will lead the country to recognize this reality and thus show the world that the US is more than just a black and white world.

Kurds for Obama Official Facebook Group

Kurds for Obama — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:26:58 EDT

Our official Facebook group page provides detailed information highlighting the importance of an election of Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden in 2008 Presidential Elections. Please visit the group page at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36788283248&ref=ts

Presidential Debate - Review, Polls and Highlights!

Brian Sharma — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:24:25 EDT

The results are in - BARACK OBAMA WON LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE!!

My Review

Partisans preferred their own candidate, but Independents saw Obama as the better choice. Barack's answers seemed more rational, well thought out, and he appeared more presidential overall. And part of the reason is because he didn't ATTACK McCain.

I was watching on CNN, and they had a "reaction" meter. EVERY time there was negativity, that meter went DOWN, no matter who was speaking. People realize we need a bipartisan leader for REAL change.

McCain claims to be a bipartisan leader, but he kept saying "Obama doesn't understand" and "Obama doesn't get it". On the other hand, Obama kept saying "I agree with John, BUT..." and "John is right, BUT..." showing that you don't have to attack your opponent just because you have a different opinion.

I think Obama did a wonderful job of treating McCain with respect, while showing strength and getting his messages across. Obama even let McCain get away with minor attacks while he focused on issues that are more important to all Americans.

Grades: Obama A-, McCain C+

FYI, this debate was critical for McCain. It may be difficult for him to recover.

Who won last night's debate?
                                       Obama     McCain
CNN                              51%          38%
CBS                                  39%       25%
MSNBC                           52%         33%
AOL                                   46%       44%
Wall Street Journal         58%          39%
NY Daily News                 68%          32%

TIME's Report Card:
                                       Obama     McCain
Substance                        B+            B-
Style                                    A                 C-
Offense                               B                  C+
Defense                               A-                B-
Overall Grade               A-               B-
Summary - John McCain
McCain was McCain - evocative, intense, and at times emotional, but also vague, elliptical, and atonal. Failed to deliver his "country first versus Obama first" message cleanly, even when offered several opportunities. Surprisingly, did not talk much about "change," virtually ceding the dominant issue of the race.
Summary - Barack Obama
Went for a solid, consistent performance to introduce himself to the country. He did not seem nervous, tentative, or intimidated by the event, and avoided mistakes from his weak debate performances during nomination season (a professorial tone and long winded answers). Standing comfortably on the stage with his rival, he showed he belonged - evocative of Reagan, circa 1980. He was so confident by the end that he reminded his biggest audience yet that his father was from Kenya. Two more performances like that and he will be very tough to beat on Election Day.

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS

Obama: 'You were wrong' about Iraq VIDEO

Obama: Focus on Bin Laden and Al Qaeda VIDEO
Obama: Priorities Beyond Iraq War VIDEO
Just For Fun: Bill Maher & Chris Rock Review the Debate VIDEO

Suspending Democracy

Melody — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:27:01 EDT

I know ... the title sounds over the top. But that was my thought when I heard John McCain announce "...I will suspend my campaign..." John McCain is the Republican candidate for the Presidency of the United States. This is unacceptable. We have a wonderful tradition in this country of continuing the democratic process through any and all circumstances. Here are a few examples:

War of 1812
In May the Democratic-Repulican party had nominated their candidate. In June a war was declared that was fought on American soil and would lead to the burning of the U.S. capital building. In September after debates within the party the Federalsist officially nominated their candidate. There was no suspension of the democratic process, no putting things on hold. Democracy moved on.

Civil War
In 1864 the Civil War was still in full swing but it was time for an election. This would be the first time any nation held a national election in the midst of a civil war. This is what democracy is all about ... it does not stop for anything (it must not stop for anything).

Great Depression
Unemployment was at 13 million and in 1932 in the midst of an election year wages were 60% less than they were just three years before. Yet the democratic process moved on. This was the year that Roosevelt introduced the "New Deal" to the American people. When you suspend a campaign you lose the opportunity to communicate a new deal to the people who most need to hear it.

World War II
In the year 1940 we were still an isolated country. In this election year we could see trouble coming. Hitler invaded six countries (which included France and Norway), Russia annexed 3 countries, and the U.S. assisted Britain from a distance. Democracatic processes moved on. In the year 1944 we were fully involved in W.W. II. Democracy moved on and the election was held. Nothing was suspended.

What we need at this time is a calm, reasonable leader, not one who reacts wildly and without self control to circumstances. Not one who suspends the democratic process because of national emergencies but one who believes "...the only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." In my mind "suspending" is a retreat, continuing the election process in times of trial is advance.

Elections - 2004 and 2008 Voters IQs by State

VoteforObama — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:19:17 EDT

The people who live in major U.S. cities are at an obvious advantage at least it seems based on IQs alone. Obama may be smart, intelligent and have the best intentious for the American poor and middle-class but he's not very smart politically.

Bush-McCain are not smart or even intelligent but they are good politicians who know how to turn the political wheel of fortune to their prize. Take McCain's latest stunt. He abruptly suspends his campaign, supposedly halts campaign ads, does not want to debate until there's a deal on the $700B bailout but are these his real reasons?

Obama refused to cave into McCain request to suspend campaigning or go to Washington so McCain gets President, Bush to issue the invitation to Obama instead. Even though it is known that this is a political request, Obama is placed between a rock and a hard place because he cannot be seen to be playing politics and refuse Bush's invitation. McCain once again has scored a political point on Obama - is he political maverick?

If Obama's handlers are not careful they are going to be out-smart by the "street smarts" of Bush-McCain camp and end up at the door looking in at the chance that slipped away from them. Unless you are prepared to go all the way, stop fooling around, stop this ignorance of reaching out to McCain offering olive branches.

Each time McCain sees a surge in the polls in favor of Obama, McCain goes to his political playbook and reshuffle the deck of cards. If Obama is seen to part of this "old boys network" after saying that he's for change in Washington he's going to lose a lot of support from ordinary folks and remember that these people are not very sophisticated.

I have included an IQ Chart of voters in 2004 election so that any Obama strategists can take a serious look at what they are up against. Bush-McCain knows how to play these people like fiddles so ignore these facts and be caught napping.

Information for First Time Voters (and Student Voters)

AuDayShus — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:57:28 EDT

State-by-State Absentee Voter Guide

http://www.iop.harvard.edu/Voter-Information-Center/Absentee-Voter-Guide

Special rules exist for First Time Voters voting by absentee ballot in MI, IL, NV, FL

If you are a first-time voter who intends to use an absentee ballot, you must register to vote in person. If you do not register in person but instead by mail or at a registration drive, then you must vote in person the first time you vote. If you vote in person for any election, you may vote by mail in all following elections.

Absentee voting in Ohio

http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/08/15/copy/EARLY_VOTE.ART_ART_08-15-08_B1_I4B1IBC.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

The law allows absentee voting, for any reason, to begin 35 days before an election. Another law on the books for several years closes voter registration 30 days before Election Day.

That leaves a five-day period (Sept 30 – Oct 4) during which people can register and immediately vote absentee.

Disaster Movie 2: If You Liked the Patriot Act, You'll Love BAILOUT!

Pete Cenedella — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 01:41:36 EDT

Star Wars isn't the only motion picture franchise to roll out an unwelcome sequel this month. Georgey and the Con Squad are back on the big screen, too: Every time we think we're out, they pull us back in!

If Bailout! The Motion Picture gets green-lighted by Congress, the Bush years will be book-ended by made-for-TV crises so awe-inspiring, the Constitution hasn't got a chance. It's a double feature: two disaster movies for the price of one disastrous presidency.

In case anyone forgot what it felt like the first time around, here's a little action to conjure up the spirit of the Patriot Act. The Bailout, drawn up in private by the Administration over several weeks, is being sold as the only way to deal with extreme crisis -- sound familiar? Roll Call described it rather cinematically in a post on its Web site Tuesday morning:

"The White House today is drumming up extraordinary pressure on Congress to approve its plan to enact a $700 billion mortgage bailout fund, suggesting the markets cannot wait much longer and dispatching Vice President Cheney and other top officials up Pennsylvania Avenue to jawbone lawmakers.

Cheney, White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and presidential adviser Ed Gillespie are meeting this morning with House Republican conservatives, where a rebellion is brewing against the size and questionable free market credentials of the administration proposal.

Cheney will later gather with GOP Senators at the regular Tuesday lunch. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who collaborated in drawing up the proposal, are testifying this morning on Capitol Hill in an effort to defend their handiwork.

But Bush himself continues to do little to explain his plan, and he has refused to be questioned about it."

All the players are in place: silent, petulant Bush demanding not to be questioned because he's the Decider; Dick Cheney is the Enforcer, twisting senators' arms and breathing his brimstone in their faces (any time you see "jawbone" used as a verb, you know Cheney must be in the vicinity); an appointee of the executive testifying to the need for a radical consolidation of power in one agency, a la Ashcroft 2001. It's Patriot Act redux.

But let's be real: Bush has a 19 percent approval rating. Everyone in the country has already seen this movie; did the paying customers like the plot twists and surprise ending? About as much as they dig a roach in the popcorn. There is less than no reason why those cast as the original patsies, the media and Congress, need to go along this time. Most importantly, there's an obvious better way.

No matter how many sub-plots and how much heavy music and gory special F(O)X the Administration packs into this tired flick, there really is only one central plot. Stay focused, everyone -- it's the mortgage crisis. The back story is simple, really: human greed in the banking biz goes unchecked for years, and bad loans become the norm. Republicans, hellbent on proving that markets must be unfettered and free as the wind, deregulate past the point of logic, sanity, decency and sense. There's the signpost up ahead: you've entered into the Ideology Zone -- a dangerous place with slippery slopes and scary monsters, where the only thing that can save you is handing $700 billion to a banker with ... you guessed it, no regulation!

The point is, it was bad mortgage debt that got the country into this mess, and while a welfare check for the banks may help ease their immediate burden, at the end of the day, the bad debt will remain. That means that Henry Paulson's countrymen and women will be in danger of losing their homes and wandering the landscape in a dystopic, post-modern remix of the Dust Bowl refugeeism of the 1930s. Ethically wrong, and also, surprise surprise, bad for the banks. Wait -- maybe we are all in this together! But Paulson and his cronies -- well, shoot, Pa, they ain't buyin' it!

This is the point in the movie where the soundtrack swells and the voice of Bob Dylan rasps out:
"They say that patriotism is the last refuge
to which a scoundrel clings.
Steal a little and they throw you in jail,
steal a lot and they make you king..."

The only way this movie has a happy ending is if we flip the script and make the homeowners in danger of foreclosure on those rotten loans our protagonists. $700 billion is a big budget blockbuster. It should be able to buy a lot of restructuring, debt write-off, and time. It will also stabilize the banks more surely than the golden parachutes and one-time infusions of cash that Paulson and the Bushies want to go down fighting for.

The Democrats need to not settle for tacking on a few handouts for homeowners and a high cap on CEO compensation. That would be, say it with me people, like putting lipstick on a pig. No, the Democrats need to realize that this is the moment around which all their electoral aspirations can coalesce. This is the moment when they can reclaim populism from the Republicans. If they dig in their heels and insist on a fundamental restructuring of the focus of this plan, they will make the case that they are the party of Americanism, the Republicans are the Socialists. No? Look at what George Will had to say Tuesday at the Washington Post:

"The political left always aims to expand the permeation of economic life by politics. Today, the efficient means to that end is government control of capital. So, is not McCain's party now conducting the most leftist administration in American history? The New Deal never acted so precipitously on such a scale."

Esteemed conservative columnist endorses Obama? Almost. Now that's a plot twist... And it leaves us with the next questioning line of Bob Dylan's soundtrack tune, one which the MSM, the Democratic Congress, and indeed every one of us who has lived through this interminable, hellish movie should be asking of ourselves:

"Just how much abuse will you be able to take?
Well, there's no way to tell by that first kiss..."

This post originally appeared at the Huffington Post. See www.huffingtonpost.com/pete-cenedella for more.

VOTERS BEWARE!!!

Marie Yolaine — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:30:07 EDT

Please, please, please advise everyone you know that they absolutely can NOT go to the polls wearing any Obama (or whoever you are voting for) shirts, pins, hats, etc. It is AGAINST THE LAW and will be grounds to have the polling officials to turn you away. This is considered campaigning and no one can campaign within X amount of feet of the polls. They are banking on us being overly excited and not being aware of this long standing law that you can bet will be ENFORCED THIS YEAR!!!!!

They are banking that if you are turned away, you will not go home and change your clothes and return to the polls to vote. Please just don't wear ANY gear of any sorts to the polls! Please share this information with as many people as you can. If you are already aware of this, please don't take it as insulting your intelligence.

Have a great day and see you at the polls on November 4th.

Tamiko F. Jones, MSBe yourself...everyone else is already taken...

Who is qualified to lead this country?

Marie Yolaine — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:31:01 EDT

With America facing historic debt, multiple war fronts, stumbling health care, a weakened dollar, all-time high prison population, skyrocketing Federal spending, mortgage crises, bank foreclosures, etc. etc., this is an unusually critical election year.

Let's look at the educational background of the candidates and see what they bring to the job:

Obama:
Occidental College - Two years.
Columbia University - B.A. political science with a specialization in international relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in history and B.A. in political science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

vs.

McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank 894 out of 899!! Meaning that, like George Bush, McCain was at the bottom of his class!!!

Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in journalism

Now, which team are you going to hire to lead the most influential nation in the World?

Bill Clinton

Fred in VT — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:01:34 EDT

Bill Clinton seems to be distancing himself from Obama and I think I know why. He is angry over Barack's win in the primaries. Mr. President, there is too much at stake in this election to be indifferent. All of us Independents and democrats alike want your involvement in this process, and we need you. I hope you will become a person who will outwardly support Mr. Obama because if the he looses, our country will become something other than what it was meant to be.

Problems with a 2 party system?

Aram — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 10:25:45 EDT

Do the Democrats and Republicans really have things pretty much wrapped up tight, when it comes to debates and such?

I AM AMERICAN

Rose — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 14:46:35 EDT

am American...

I live life to the fullest...

I work like a dog...

I help my neighbor...

I love like there is no tomorrow....

I try to be honest....

&

I die.

I am American....

I believe in Faith and God

I believe in Freedom

I believe in People

I believe in this Country.

I believe in our forefathers who fought to get us here.....

I am American....

I have to trust our Government

I have to trust my family

I have to trust Justice

I am American.....

but.....

America is falling...

I am American....

but....

people are selfish and greedy here....

I am American.....

but...

our government is dirty to the core....on both sides....

I am American.....

but.....

everybody wants a FREE ride....

nobody wants to earn it anymore.....

I am American.....

but.....

where are all of the other Americans?

When Katrina hit....

When Ike hit.....

When our leaders have betrayed us.....

When we have sent thousands of our children into a lie.......

I am American.....

but....

who will stand with me to defend her against the enemy within....

against the liars who just want to be seen......

against the leaders who have deceived us....

against the liars that want to screw us again....

I am American.....

but....

I can't do it alone.....

I need to see common sense come back to us.....

I know there are others who see.....

I am American......

I want America to live......

I want our families to prosper.....

I want truth to be the leader.....

I want a United America not a Divided One.....

I am American......

Are you?

Historic elections: Be on the right side of history

Ken in Squirrel Hill — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:58:11 EDT

The 2008 election is shaping up to be as historic as any in our history. I am reminded of other historic elections, in which my ancestors made choices that had long-lasting consequences. When my great-great-great-uncle took a teaching job in northern Ohio in 1860, he moved there a month earlier than necessary so he could establish residency in order to cast his first vote for president, for Abraham Lincoln, whom he had heard speak in Columbus the prior year. He remained very proud of that vote the rest of his life.

One hundred years later, in 1960, my mother voted for Richard Nixon because she felt John Kennedy did not have enough experience. She regretted that vote after seeing Kennedy’s performance in office and never voted for Nixon again. After Nixon’s Watergate crimes, she was pleased to have gotten her vote right when given another chance.

In the historic 2008 election, I want to be on the right side of history. We saw in 2000 that who becomes president, and as a result the destiny of the country and the world, can be influenced by a few hundred votes in one state, out of 120 million total votes cast. Twenty years from now I want to tell my grandchildren that I did everything I could to elect Barack Obama president in 2008 so that they could inherit a country that was as strong as possible and respected around the world. I am convinced I will remain proud of my vote for Obama the rest of my life.

Sarah Palin To Be Dropped From McCain Ticket

Ruth Calabria — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:20:09 EDT

Dear Friends,

The guns on the conviction of the sinner, Senator Barack Obama, are about to be silenced. Sarah Palin has done her job of connecting with the everyday people who will make the difference in the election. She has managed to make the Republicans, the party of, by and for the ruling class, the hope of the people in the margin, the smarter evangelicals who might have voted for Obama, the moms who struggle so hard to raise their kids in this mom unfriendly environment, the moose hunters and those Hillary women who can’t distinguish their bras from their pocketbooks.

Palin has also managed to distract us all from the consequences of the hundred billion dollar bank bailout necessitated by the blind greed of Republican mortgage scammers, a grand heist on all who work for a living whose paychecks will be cut in half by the stupendous inflation this will bring about. Stocks, mostly owned by the rich, go up; and the real income of the workers and middle class goes down. This effective transfer of wealth from worker to ruling class is a continuation of the broader capitalist Republican manipulations that have caused worker incomes to drop by 2% in the last decade while those in the top tier went up by 200%.

McCain’s conservative handlers have planned from the beginning to have Sarah leave the scene, once her job was finished, along with the baggage of her Trooper-gate conniving and her obvious lack of qualifications for the presidency. We suspect her coming exit to have been intelligently designed from the start in its reeking of our situation down here in Texas where my fundamentalist mother still tries to control me, a 67 year old woman, from the grave by having left me an inheritance totally controlled by my castrated conservative brother, a lawyer who made it clear immediately after my mother’s death that there’s no way I would ever see a penny of the money left me unless I left my evolutionist professor husband of 35 years who rescued me from this moron, child abusing, family I had the misfortune to be born into. And if I know these scheming conservative game players correctly, Palin’s exit will be blamed on something Michelle Obama said about Christmas or some equally absurd and vicious zinger.

The communists used to say that the capitalists would sell them the rope they needed to hang them. This has proved to be unnecessary. Instead we have seen our greedy pig ruling class hang themselves with their mortgage scam that backfired, and hang all of us in the process. To highlight their lunatic decadence and stupidity, we note the dribbling remarks of an upper class jerk by the name of Wayne Angel, a retired Fed Board member who owns his own seven homes and blames the economic meltdown on unions demanding more money for the workers! Did we really hear him say that!? Such callousness and the fact that he truly believes it (!) borders on a criminality that calls for the forced feeding of cake to Marie Antoinette’s severed head. This bailout grand theft, soft peddled and hidden by media shills whose employment is at the discretion of said ruling class, the same crew of peppy liars who helped sell the War in Iraq that has been used as an excuse for the taking away of our freedom, fairness and justice in America, must be reversed. The upper class must go!

But rather than have the rerun of the French Revolution that these rich pigs so richly deserve, it is much easier to throw them out of power by electing Barack Obama, who, whatever his shortcomings, is a hell of a lot smarter and a hell of a lot more caring than these ruling class wolves and their loathsome surrogate in sheep’s clothing, the truly dippy, smiling lunatic, John McCain, who however he may come off in well edited sound bites on TV, looks in person like he would have trouble finding his way to the men’s room.

Don’t be fooled by kindly Uncle John. Be scared on Election Day, scared enough to make sure you go out and vote. Hidden in briefly appearing stories on the net are the new rules for domestic spying and for FBI surveillance and harassment without due cause, also known as, welcome to the police state. The Republicans are as treacherous in their plans for the coming Inquisition as they are in consistently making black out to be white in presidential campaigning.

And while we are at it, let’s put the blame for the personal unhappiness and heartache of young people where it belongs to make sure they get out and vote. It’s not hard to understand. First turn off Dr. Phil, a castrated propagandist who has enough money to buy a trophy wife to cover up the fact that his fast talking is as cross wired as his face is goofy. The problem of the breakdown of love and happiness in America is not a mental problem.

Rule #1: The ruling class has the power to do whatever they want to do.

Rule #2: What they and their managers want to do is screw all the women, which they do in the workplace and in the schools in various ways.

Rule #3: If you want to keep your job or get an A on that term paper, honey, pull up your skirt, as happens as often as folks drink coffee in the morning.

Rule #4: Every woman comes to know these rules.

Rule #5: No woman talks about them.

Today’s women are a harem for the ruling class. The owners and bosses and the worst teachers and priests get to toy with the women (and with the kids) while the men who fall in love with the women are DENIED ACCESS, crowded out by the creepy lechers whose taking advantage insults the women and destroys the self respect and emotional integrity necessary for successful courtship and love, with the problem made all the worse with the cockeyed morality spouted on corporate run TV. And men being made obedient fools out of by bosses, also as common as morning coffee, doesn’t improve their attractiveness to women. It’s time for a revolution and electing Obama is the first step. We make the case for what we say, as taboo as these truths are in an America where lies rule by swift condemnation of truth tellers as evil or crazy, on www.matrix-evolutions.com where we use a compelling scientific argument based on a mathematical understanding of evolution and information.

Mrs. Ruth and Dr. Peter V. Calabria

Sarah Palin To Be Dropped From McCain Ticket

Ruth Calabria — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:20:09 EDT

Dear Friends,

Rule #1: The ruling class has the power to do whatever they want to do.

Rule #2: What they and their managers want to do is screw all the women, which they do in the workplace and in the schools in various ways.

Rule #3: If you want to keep your job or get an A on that term paper, honey, pull up your skirt, as happens as often as folks drink coffee in the morning.

Rule #4: Every woman comes to know these rules.

Rule #5: No woman talks about them.

Mrs. Ruth and Dr. Peter V. Calabria

Sarah Palin To Be Dropped From McCain Ticket

Ruth Calabria — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:20:09 EDT

Dear Friends,

Rule #1: The ruling class has the power to do whatever they want to do.

Rule #2: What they and their managers want to do is screw all the women, which they do in the workplace and in the schools in various ways.

Rule #3: If you want to keep your job or get an A on that term paper, honey, pull up your skirt, as happens as often as folks drink coffee in the morning.

Rule #4: Every woman comes to know these rules.

Rule #5: No woman talks about them.

Mrs. Ruth and Dr. Peter V. Calabria

Home Page Redesign

Travis J. Todd, Founder, GrowVotes.org — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:10:14 EDT

We've redesigned the homepage of GrowVotes.org. Check it out!

Your local candidates and elections on www.growvotes.org.

McCain in Deep Trouble: More than He Knows!

Black Issachar — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:27:54 EDT

This morning I was cleaning out some old files on my compouter and look what I found buried among tidbits of wisdom? I found some eviudence that McCain is in deeper trouble than he knows by even invoking the name "Bush." Read it O Faithful and weep for the Religious Right.

“Bush” in Biblical Prophecy:A discovery of the meaning of the name

Kenneth R. Adderley, PhD, M. Div., M.A.

This morning I received the shock of my literary life while reading my bible in daily meditation. The effect was so great that I felt compelled to record my discovery. For more than two years (since late 2005 when the Bush Republican Administration went to great lengths to deny that a civil war was occurring in Iraq, even calling upon the Religious Right for its support) the Religious Right, which had stood solidly behind its presidential candidate began to say that they felt betrayed, and were “ashamed” by the Presidential pronouncements. Today, there is a message from the Lord, which has been in my hands for more than 20 years and in Scripture for thousands.

The passage in Isaiah 1:18-20 has become one of the most read passages within Christianity and Judaism for the purpose of calling sinners to repentance. However, I have not heard anyone in 30 years read, concentrate or explain any of the verses between Isaiah 1: 21-31.

“Zion shall be redeemed with judgment and her converts with righteousness. And the destruction of the transgressors and of sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed. For they shall be ashamed . . .” Isa. 1:27-29

The number for the Hebrew word translated “ashamed” is 954, which I promptly looked up in the Strong’s Greek-English Dictionary and Lexical Aids to the Old Testament at the back of my Bible. The word is “Bush" (buwsh = boosh)! Following is the explanation cited word for word for this scholarly research:

954. Bush; to be ashamed, to feel ashamed, to be confounded, to make ashamed, to keep waiting, to deceive, to act shamefully; to disgrace. This is a root meaning “to become pale” or “to blush.” When failure or sin occurs, there is a disconcerting feeling, a flushing of the face. The word often occurs in contexts of humiliation and shattered human emotions. It is the feeling of public disgrace. Bush is the confusion, embarrassment, or dismay when things do not turn out as expected. The idea of shame of an utter defeat pervades the mood. Disillusionment and a broken spirit follow (Ezra 9:6; Isa. 1:29; 30:5; Jer. 2:36; 9:19). The opposite meaning is trusting God (Isa. 29:22; Joel 2:26, 27; Zeph. 3:11). There is a strong connotation of guilt (Jer. 6:15; Ezek. 16:63).”

While it is common knowledge that a Hebrew word may have multiple meanings, of considerable interest should be the meanings “to deceive” “to act shamefully” “to disgrace.” In addition, please notice that “it is a feeling of public disgrace” and also that “the opposite meaning is trusting God.” Does this mean that the Religious Right was deceived into supporting this candidate, and subsequently became disillusioned and ashamed? Mine is not to judge or conclude, but rather to report the findings of true research as a “research professor.”

K. R. Adderley, PhD

December 2, 2007

For What it's Worth . . .

Black Issachar

Please join us

Jill and Andrew — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:50:24 EDT

The Scottsdale for Obama Group will be hosting a meet and greet Wednesday, 9/17/2008 at Coffee Plantation Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85260. We will discuss everything from canvassing, to recruiting and everything in between. If you are unavailable to meet us please feel free to post any ideas you may have to promote events and get voters support.
-Jill
"We are the change we've been waiting for"

New Era

Iuliu from Van Nuys, CA — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:00:56 EDT

Dear Senator Obama, It is with great hope that I write you. This is a pivotal moment in history. Never before, in the history of mankind, have there been such realistic possibilities to bring about true progress as now. I believe that you have the moral conviction, strength of character and courage to unite our land and bring about a global change that will benefit us all. This country was founded on courage and an ideal that all men are created equal and should be treated as such. A survival of the fittest mentality is not the true spirit of mankind. It is the mentality of greed and oppression. It is the ideal of those few that find solace in arrogance rather than in empathy. We all exist together and should do our best to help each other. There have been countless sacrifices endured by millions, globally, to ensure that freedom prevails and tyranny fails. I’m disturbed that political campaigns are still regarded as races, competitions to attain a prize. That prize being public office. Holding a political office is an honor, neither a prize nor a goal. An elected official has a responsibility that is greater than him. One bestowed to him by the countless sacrifices and hopes of all generations past. Today, this means that the trust of millions is placed in his hands. Trust is a sanctity that should not be violated. This quote, from your website, brings me hope. “It's time to put an end to the say-anything-to-win politics of the past. Together we can face the challenges of the future with a new kind of politics and a new kind of leadership.” I truly hope that by “a new kind of politics and a new kind of leadership”, you mean to say that we can all look forward to a leadership that can bring about the truest sense of democracy. We have unprecedented power, and as such have a responsibility that has never before been endured. You, as the potential leader of our nation, have the hopes of millions, potentially billions, in your hands. Our strength should be used to benefit all of mankind, not just ourselves. “With great power comes great responsibility.” You have my best wishes and support. Respectfully, Iuliu M. Oros

production@generalordersno11.com .

Lay off Palin, Get McCain

Charles from Silverton, OR — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:58:55 EDT

This is my first post and I am doing this only because I am an American from Oregon working in North Africa.

I'm writing out of a sense of deep foreboding. Obama-Biden need to lay off Palin but go hard at McCain ON THE ISSUES.

Forget the red herring and the lipstick! Forget it. It is a trap just as was Swift Boat. I'm sick to death of the republicans beating us over stuff that makes no difference.

Their smokescreen, mirrors and voodoo economics wins only when issues are not the key.

When that hocus pocus wins, jobs disappear, lenders steal back what they sold on loan-shark rates, oil tycoons become ever wealthier and the American people lose.

A tasteful, respectful ad that does not preach can beat them. Simply have decent photos of each team. State something absent of malice, like, say, President Obama and Vice President Biden sill bring you a government that fights for the little guy and liberty. We think McCain-Palin will fight for big business, big government that tells you you do not have the wisdom or the intelligence to make proper decisions.

Please, ladies and gentlemen, look through the checklist below at what each team promises to provide to or for you. Which of the two lists is what you agree with. Then, if both lists look appealing to you, ask yourself, which team is more likely to be able to work with Congress and the courts to provide what they promise.

[Here you list 10 promises or goals of each. Fairness and objectivity is necessary so provide attribution to a reputable independent group - preferably League of Women Voters]

Then close it with a simple statement to the effect, "No one among us can honestly promise they will succeed in any promise, for future events can alter all plans, as can the will of God. However, I, Barack Obama,as well as my partners Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Evan Bayh, Ted Kennedy, Christopher Dodd (add as many as you like) as proud Americans and as Christians promise to do our level best to make certain that each of you has the opportunity and hope to pursue your dream to become President, Supreme Court Justice, Educator, Community Organizer, Soldier, Sailor or Marine or whatever it is you desire so you also can work to provide a better, safer, cleaner and greener America and world.

As you and I know, it is not extraordinary people doing the ordinary that built our great country. It is the ordinary people doing the extraordinary that has made America the greatest. We salute our worthy opponents John McCain and Sarah Palin for their contributions as well as we do yours. I trust they return our respect or you shall help us hold them accountable.

If you support our goals we ask you to join our team. With you, we shall prevail.

Step Right Up! Check Out The Lovely Sarah Palin!

Ruth Calabria — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:39:55 EDT

The presidential election has become like an amusement park side show. Sara Palin shows her pretty teeth and shakes her cute, if evangelically foul, behind while McCain’s campaign ads perfectly mirror a carnival barker shouting empty slogans to get the fools into the circus tent and waste their vote and money for another four years. In the meantime, Obama, in trying to stay presidentially on message with temperate words like “the American people are just gonna know better” is not giving the warning necessary to save the poor bumpkins at the mercy of the corporate media’s schmoozing this reelection towards the looniest, greediest gang of war making dogs ever passed off as concerned leaders in the history of this nation.

We at revolution ground control are delighted. It may just take another four more years of suffering to get people to the point where the delusion of a happy retirement and a kiss on the cheek from father God and the distraction of dancing girls tonguing the pet Doberman on TV isn’t enough to relieve the misery of life, to get people to the point where they’re finally angry enough to make Marie Antoinette’s head eat cake without her body attached. But a gentler, kinder, bloodless version of this political revolution may yet be had with the election of Barack Obama if everybody urges him to wake up and read the realistic take on life on www.matrix-evolutions.com that replaces the liberal fascism conjured up by the conservative castrate, George Bush, and currently peddled by his cancer prone surrogate, John McCain, and his lovely assistant, Sara Palin, who is about as qualified to be president as Vanna White.

Mrs. Ruth and Dr. Peter V. Calabria

Also please take a look at the very perceptive note on direct election fraud by Jennifer Suits at http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Obama_The_Price_of_Being_Black_TNYRB

She wrote us concerning our feelings about Sarah Palin, whose directness may put some people off,

Hello Ruth,

I received this e-mail with the long thread and eventual message it morphed into. I just wanted to let you know that your e-mail was heard, pass along way around the Internet (albeit lost the message in its journey). But I agree with everything you said. I am always afraid to write things like that aloud, particularly about what motivates our respective sense of ethics/morality. I am even afraid to think things like that because it sounds so self-righteous and just plain snotty. But I do think that. I pulled up your website and will read it in the morning. Just thought I would let you know that e-mails do travel around, get lost in translation and sometimes, maybe a little bit rediscovered.

Jennifer

Broken Arrow, OK

What Color is the Democrat Rainbow?

Fr. Abad — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:07:13 EDT

One of my favorites symbols of hope and mercy is the rainbow. To me and to many believers, the rainbow is a sign of the covenant that our Heavenly Father made with us to never again cause the earth to flood as it did with Noah. Why did He make such a promise?

Was it because we would ever deserve or earn special treatment? Those of us who have seen the Glory of God know that we are undeserving heirs. We know that His covenants with us come about because of His great mercy. In addition, we know that because of His mercy we are compelled to move about on this earth sharing His love, which moves us to be merciful and compassionate with those around us. Moreover, when we are compassionate and merciful we cannot help but to share God’s love with everyone regardless of race, regardless of color, and with everyone even if they do not agree with what we believe.

Because God is the focus of my life, by His mercy I try to look at things from a biblical perspective. Therefore, in looking at our top political parties, and what I have heard and seen from their leadership thus far, I decided to place a template of the rainbow from Genesis over them, so that I could determine which of the two parties serves God’s desire for mercy and generosity best.

As I took the template of the rainbow from Genesis and placed it over the Democratic Party, I saw a party that is much attuned to the needs of the people. Their presidential candidate, Barack Obama is a man that has given the bulk of his talent to helping those in need. His community activism denotes a desire to help those who are less fortunate by giving them a voice, which in turn fills them with hope. At the Democratic National Convention, people of many colors and races were amongst the delegates, and a diverse group of people gave speeches and was given a chance to share their voice. Overall, just as the rainbow from Genesis, the Democratic convention had a rainbow of many vibrant and beautiful equally distributed colors.

Then, I took the template of the rainbow from Genesis and placed it over the Republican Party, and I saw a group of individuals united by a desire to force their hand on the life of other people. Their presidential candidate, although familiar with warfare and capable of fighting with weaponry, has not shown a desire to help those who are in need. His lack of community activism shows that his passion is not people, but country. If I am not mistaken, that is the Republican slogan, “Country First” However; the country he is passionate about seems to be void of the majority of the people that live in it. The country that the Republican candidate loves can best be exemplified by what we saw in the Republican National convention.

If you recall, the different races and colors that cheerfully adorn the American landscape, were painfully and unequivocally absent at the Republican National Convention. I recall seeing a few (very few) African Americans there, and no other race or color was represented from what I could see. To be honest with you, I felt sorry for the few African Americans that were there. Can you imagine being told that you matter, being invited to speak, but not having a voice? May God have mercy on all who feel the pain from the Republican Party’s rejection. For it is painful to be told that you do not matter. However, it is eve more painful when they treat one as a fool. Because to have a show of force as their attendance make up loudly stated, and then to have them tell us that they care about America is a slap on the face.

So there is no match between the rainbow from Genesis, and the rainbow from the Republican Party. The rainbow from the Republican Party has only one color, which makes it exclusive and contrary to the hope of God. Who told them that rainbows have only one color? Who told them that one could have hope while people are being oppressed, mocked and used?

I propose to you my evangelical brethren, that you do not allow people to be used. I propose to you my brethren that you stand up and stop the abuse. I propose that you do not be fooled and confused. You know that the colors of the rainbow are many. It is time for the elite to be removed from their seats, and for a new leader to be appointed to lead those who desire to be free. For God loves all of His children, black, white, brown, yellow, or whatever race they might be. So do not be fooled, give America a chance. The only clear choice we have is Obama, not to be our pastor, not to preach to us, but to be a president that will care for all our people.

Change Anyone?

deliziosa: 8 is Enough — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:00:45 EDT

I think it's apalling how the McCain campaign has decided to try to "steal" the change idea. It shows that indeed they really don't understand this at all. When we're yelling "Change", when Obama talks about change, it's not just something cute to say. I can speak for myself, when I'm talking about the changes I want to see, I'm talking about wanting my country and, probably for the first time in my life, BELIEVING my country can change for the better.

I'd like to ask John McCain what changes he's offering, besides, as Biden put it, the billions of dollars worth of change he's offering to put into the pockets of the oil companies. And if there were to be real changes in Washington under a McCain presidency, who would they be catering to? Based on his vice presidential selection, I'd guess the far right, ultraconservatives. I don't want those kinds of changes in my or my son's lifetime.

Palin gives a good speech

Bill — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:37:11 EDT

Wow! What a performance Gov. Palin gave last night. Everyone is so impressed...so what

I find it interesting that the republicans feel that giving a great speech is proof positive that Sarah Palin is ready to the V.P. These same people claimed only a week ago; the exact same reason for Obama's not being ready to be the President!

I am outraged;but glad that the speaking part is over. Now Let's get real about this election!

I think that Time magazines' Joe Klein said it best... Calling the McCain campaign’s assault on the media “insidious”, “bullying” and “not only stupidly aggressive, but unprofessional in the extreme.”

The story of the day out here in Minneapolis is the McCain campaign’s war against the press … So what’s going on here? Two things. McCain is just plain angry at us. By the evidence presented in the utterly revealing Time interview, he’s ballistic. This is a politician who needs to see himself as the man on the white horse, boldly traversing a muddy field…any intimations that he’s gotten muddied in the process, or has decided to throw mud, are intolerable. The second thing is more insidious: Steve Schmidt has decided, for tactical reasons, to slime the press. He wants the public to believe that there is an unfair–sexist (you gotta love it)–personal assault going on against Palin and her family. This is a smokescreen, intended to divert attention from the fact the very real and responsible vetting that is taking place in the media–about the substance of Palin’s record as mayor and governor. …There is a tendency in the media to kick ourselves, cringe and withdraw, when we are criticized. But I hope my colleagues stand strong in this case: it is important for the public to know that Palin raised taxes as governor, supported the Bridge to Nowhere before she opposed it, pursued pork-barrel projects as mayor, tried to ban books at the local library and thinks the war in Iraq is “a task from God.” The attempts by the McCain campaign to bully us into not reporting such things are not only stupidly aggressive, but unprofessional in the extreme.

That’s straight talk, the clear-quill real deal.

Klein comes in for a lot of grief from liberal blogs because he was originally a vocal supporter of the Iraq invasion. It’s been a goodly while now since Joe said that was a mistake he regrets and that’s good enough for me. Liberals really should be cutting Joe some slack - he’s a well-connected, establishment journalist who has worked out that he was fooled once and is determined not to have it happen again.

Let's Talk Issues.

Let's Talk Truth.

Let's leave the Rove, Bush "old" RNC tactics out in the cold.

PHALEN - Who Funded Her Past Campaigns?

Madera Strong - Team Co-ordinator For City of Madera — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:44:49 EDT

Gubernatorial elections cost millions. Who funded Phalen's past elections?

What Experience?

deliziosa: 8 is Enough — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:33:32 EDT

Next time someone tells you that Barack Obama doesn't have the experience to lead, or asks you what foreign policy credentials does he have. Ask them to consider a few people from our past:

Where did Martin Luther King Jr. come from? How did he end up getting all those people to show up in Washington with no experience? How did he become the leader of the civil rights movement w/out years of training? Who cares!?! We have equal rights now!

How much experience did our founding fathers have with writing constitutions, building a nation, and governing a people? None. And who cares?!? Look where we are today, we are the United States of America!

How much experience did Harriet Tubman have when she became the leader of the underground railroad which led slaves to free states? She didn't even have a map! Who cares!?! She led them to freedom!

I don't care how much experience Obama has or doesn't have because he inspires me and millions of others to get off our butts and change OUR country for the better. By the People, For the People

Vote Down the Ballot to elect Local Democrats Today!

Tommy McNeeley — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:41:30 EDT

Here is a list of candidates I am endorsing for the 26 August elections. A majority of the candidates are also recommended by Seminole Heights Democratic activist Pat Kemp. Remember to Vote Down the Ballot to elect Democrats to represent us locally. Click on the candidate's names to learn more about them.

Board of County Commissioners

District 6: Kevin Beckner

Judges

Group 1: Miriam Velez
Group 2: Caroline Tesche
Group 7: Kevin Carey
Group 21: Lisa Campbell
Group 30: Constance Daniels

School Board

District 1: Susan Valdes
District 7: Stephen Gorham

Precinct Committeewoman and Committeeman

Committeeman Precinct 233: Patrick Cannon
Committeewoman Precinct 231: Patricia Kemp
Committeewoman Precinct 231: Jennifer Fenn

Tommy McNeeley
Seminole Heights for Obama

Obama Demolishes the Last Outlier Poll And New Ad

Stephen — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:12:56 EDT

Don't know much about the science behind poll numbers but these numbers look pretty good for the Obama Campaign considering they are a pre-VP selection poll which would put them around the time the McCain's multiple housing hypocrisy started to break:

Obama holds a 47%-43% edge over McCain among registered voters and a 48%-45% edge among likely voters. Both leads are within the margin of error of +/—4 percentage points.

In the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll a month ago, Obama led McCain by 3 percentage points, but McCain held a 4-point lead among likely voters.

Most of the telephone survey of 1,023 adults was taken before Obama announced Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate Saturday.

This really does kill the media meme from the last outlier poll giving McCain a supposed lead. Also, I really think McCain's housing failure hasn't really set in completely yet. It broke big on Thursday, and stories like that really need to be out there for a while in order for everyone to get a clue on McCain's uncaring ignorance.

Oh yeah... As for tying bush to McCain: "66% say they're concerned he'll pursue President Bush's course. That includes 64% of independents and 35% of Republicans." An anchor issue sure to drag McCain down given bush having cemented his place in history as the worst president ever and McCain has shown no signs of changing things.

Barrack Obama has a huge double digit lead on handling the economy - the number one issue for voters, as per usual - as McCain has lost even more ground there. And 40% of those polled think McCain is just too old to be president.

And wouldn't you know that 80% say the country is in bad shape and 70% say it is getting worse. I guess they have been paying attention to what the GOP policies have done to their bank accounts over the years? Never mind that they can't be too happy at the prospect of paying for endless wars, in lives and treasure, if McCain wins.

I do know that CNN is using old polls to ignore their own most recent poll numbers:

PS: If Anyone is concerned about the CNN Poll that they're pimping today, read Nate @ 538.com

There is a little bit of sleight-of-hand here. The analysis begins by comparing Obama's performance in this new poll to CNN's next-most-recent one, which had been conducted in late July. However, CNN then switches to discussing a different poll, one which was conducted in late June, and pulls several pieces of information about the preferences of Hillary Clinton supporters from that June version of its survey.

The other possibility, of course, is that CNN did identify Clinton supporters in its July poll, but chose not to cite those results because they didn't fit with its storyline. The number of Clinton-supporting Democrats will be fairly small in any given survey (probably about one-sixth of the total sample), and results from that subgroup will therefore shift around a lot, with or without reason.

Keep in mind, in a poll of the larger voting universe, Hillary supporters are 50% at best of the Democratic population - 35%, and further, of the active Democratic Population, probably closer to 16% (110M Voters in 2004; 18M for Hillary). They're looking at a sample of literally 15-18% of the poll, and from that, extrapolating in ways that do not hold up statistically. The MOE on a sample this small is 10%... CNN is garbage

And I do know that there is new Obama campaign ad on, you guessed it, the economy ...

VP and BIG problem of party politics

anatolant — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:32:50 EDT

8.23 -- my comment to NYT on VP for Obama:

Are you still voting "party ticket"? Democrats, Republicans? Now -- eat it!
Make Obama a safe choice? How about ObaMcCain? Don't blame the politicians -- you have no guts to vote your hearts, you minds. You turn the election into selection between Pepsi and Coke! Continue to play team football between red and blue, but do not ask -- where is the MAN?
Go on, cheer your support group as 50 years ago. So sad to see how you. yes, you all, turning Barack into Mr. President ... and they complain about Bush? How about that for hypocrisy? God bless America? Are you taking God for an idiot to bless people who turn FREE elections into counting chats. Not again, Lord!

Arkansas Business Weekly: Waiting on Hillary

Dr. Mark Elrod — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:54:43 EDT

I posted my first story from the convention with Arkansas Business Weekly yesterday.

t was an embellishment of a story I first posted here about the importance of HRC's speech at the convention on Tuesday night. You can read it here.

I guess the other big news is that I learned yesterday that I have been accepted to work at Invesco Field as a "community volunteer" on Thursday night for Senator Obama's acceptance speech here in Denver.

The good news is that I'll be there; the bad news is that it looks like I'll be there *all day* Thursday.

Depending on the wireless situation at Invesco, that may limit what I'm able to write on the biggest day of the convention.

Stay tuned.

Once You Get Past Three, It's Hard to Keep Count

Dr. Mark Elrod — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:00:10 EDT

The next time you hear John McCain or one of his spokespersons suggest that Barack Obama is not like other Americans, ask yourself how many Americans would be stumped when asked the following question:

"How many homes do you own?"

Most Americans can tell you without thinking about it very much but Senator McCain isn't sure...

From Politico.com: "Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said in an interview Wednesday that he was uncertain how many houses he and his wife, Cindy, own. 'I think — I'll have my staff get to you,' McCain told Politico in Las Cruces, N.M. 'It's condominiums where — I'll have them get to you.' "

The correct answer is at least four, located in Arizona, California and Virginia but Newsweek estimated this summer that the John and Cindy McCain own at least seven properties.

But it could be higher. Who really knows?

We control reality

Derrick Gibson — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:47:20 EDT

And by we, I mean the collected users of myBO.com, and by reality, I mean the outcome of this upcoming Presidential election.

Mid-Week Sign of the Impending Apocalypse

Dr. Mark Elrod — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:38:48 EDT

Toby Keith endorses Barack Obama.

Toby Keith, perhaps best known to non-country audiences for his post-Sept. 11 song "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," says he's a Democrat, and was impressed by the senator from Illinois.

Keith has said in the past that the 2002 song — which included lines aimed at the Taliban like "we lit up your world like the Fourth of July" — was more patriotic than pro-war.

Asked while promoting his new movie "Beer For My Horses" about the role of patriotism in the current presidential election, Keith replied: "There's a big part of America that really believes that there is a war on terrorism, and that we need to finish up.

"So I thought it was beautiful the other day when Obama went to Afghanistan and got educated about Afghanistan and Iraq. He came back and said some really nice things.

"So as far as leadership and patriotism goes, I think it's really important that those things have to take place. And I think he's the best Democratic candidate we've had since Bill Clinton. And that's coming from a Democrat."

Go, Toby, go.

I hope Hillary is VP or Obama will be doomed to disaster

Charlie from New York, NY — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:42:16 EDT

Hi All,

I have been called a troll in the past for expressing the idea of having Obama and Clinton together in one ticket. I bring the controversial subject back to the table because two recent polls show a decline in Senator Obama's popularity among registered voters.

I know for a fact that the Latino vote is in limbo. Hillary Clinton manages to do well with those people. Reports indicate that Obama will pick his VP on Saturday.

I support, respect and admire Obama but if Hillary is not on that ticket I WILL NOT VOTE in november.

I live in NYC and I know for a fact that Obama will loose the general election to McCain if Clinton is not chosen for VP.

Yes, I admit this sounds crazy. I might need to adjust my medications. Call me a troll, a traitor, whatever you want ( That is if you disagree with me ofcourse ).

But mark my words and mark them well. Hillary as VP or Obama will be doomed in the elections and we will end up with George Bush III in the White House.

If you don't believe me, save this post somewhere and come back to it on November 4, 2008.

Starting Out...

Jen on a Mission — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:46:53 EDT

Hello, all! This is the first "official" blog on the BarackObama.com site from me, Jennifer Estroff. I'm a Community Health Educator, a Reproductive Health Contributor for Qvisory.org, and also the CD 4 Alternate Delegate for Obama from Washington State. In just a few short days, I will be flying out to my first Democratic National Convention...which is truly the most exciting and humbling opportunity I've ever had.

During my time to, in, and coming back from Denver, I will be adding my thoughts to this blog, and keeping the experience as close to home as I can for those of you who are not able to attend for thousands of reasons...from family emergencies to the constant, steady need to earn enough money to get by in this....I'm saying it....RECESSION!

Tonight, for instance, I have been trying to create business cards for the DNC trip, because I can't stand the thought of not networking and making the most of every possible connection with Democrats from across the country.

I'm also checking online for the Washington State Primary results....we've got some work to do in Kittitas County! Bring it on!

Alright, I'm off to bed. Birth control lesson, meetings with middle school instructors for a grant about media literacy and protecting our youth from harmful messages, letter-writing, and buying a camera....and then another class...working out....and organizing next week's schedule. Short day!

G'night, all!

Will You Let ANOTHER Election Be Stolen - THIS ELECTION?

Dane from Los Angeles, CA — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:19:23 EDT

Greetings!

Everyone reading this should understand that the Republicans are the robots of the warlords and billionaires of this universe and do not play fair and are right now toiling into the wee hours trying to figure how to steal THIS ELECTION FROM US! Like the LAST ONE AND THE ONE BEFORE THAT – just for example. These are facts and can be verified by simple research. As they see it, there is far too much to lose to RISK giving up the power that goes hand in hand with absolute power of WAGING AND CONTROLLING WAR – PRIVATE CONTRACTORS – OIL – RAPING THE ENVIRONMENT – OCEANS – AIR – FRESH WATER AND FORESTS.

The main of these were the primary reasons why our own government along with rich and powerful oil men from Texas (exactly where the Bush dynasty is from) and central criminal elements at the time conspired and successfully assassinated the LEADER of OUR OWN GOVERNMENT – one of the most beloved and inspiring leaders this country, in fact the entire world, has ever known. He died because he wouldn’t play ball. He was in process of ending the war which hadn’t really gotten out of control yet AND signing an OIL DEPLETION ALLOWANCE – which was waiting for his return to Washington to be signed into law. The allowance would have “robbed” the oil companies of millions in additional profits and that combined with the abrupt end to all the wartime profiteering is something that the REAL powers that be could just not live with.

To those with a functioning mind it is ludicrous to believe that anyone would go to such risk if they did not KNOW that the replacement would play ball. This is why the FACT learned from a documentary where many of the attendees and associates to the actual meeting THE NIGHT BEFORE THE ASSASINATION included among numerous right wing luminaries, several oil billionaires, Nixon and the replacement himself – LBJ – who was the poster boy for Texas Oil and their political machine (and someone BTW who NEVER LEGALLY WON ANY ELECTION AT ANY LEVEL – AND BECAME THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD on the heel of THE SALACIOUS MURDER OF THE RIGHTFUL KING. – This fact makes us all Hamlets in a sense because our rightful, brilliant, compassionate and caring leader and father figure was murdered so a lame, heartless, soulless flunky conspirator could take his place and insure billions in profits for his mostly Texan cronies)

Any similarities come to mind???

The Controversial Nigerian "Pro-Obama" Fund-Raiser

Akogun — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:22:30 EDT

Some things are meant to be sacred. Inviolate, even. Well, at least to people with common decency.

As a first generation American of African descent, the candidacy of Barack Obama evokes indescribable pride in me. I have often confessed that I did not start out supporting Barack Obama when he announced his candidacy. I will self-congratulate myself for wanting to take a closer look at the man and his intellect, judgment, temperament and substance before I was convinced to stand solidly behind him. This has afforded me the ability to truthfully state that I support Obama not just because....

My pride is much more stoked by the unprecedented and equally unfathomable acceptance of Obama by the general populace. As an American with no political ambition, I am able to declare that I have never been prouder of my adopted country and its citizens at any point in time in my life. I am not ashamed to say that the fact that the general populace adopted and accepted Barack Obama in spite of the hue of his skin played a very significant role in my warming up to Obama as a candidate, and I am thankful for everyone for validating the common decency I have always known the American people to possess.

Common decency (and the need for transparency and integrity) is the subject I seek to address in the following write-up. That the Obama phenomenon is universal in its reach, scope and effect is an indisputable assertion. However, the depth and reach of the interest in the man and the candidate cannot be truly explained to anyone until he/she has taken a journey outside the shores of America to personally experience it. Having been to various parts of the world since the beginning of Obama’s candidacy, I can attest to the rather unbelievable interest in the man and the significance of his candidacy for America and the world politics.

August Elections

Alexandria — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:20:09 EDT

So this August's primary was my first ever chance to vote for myself, having just turned 18 the week before. How did I spend it? Serving as a pollworker in St. Louis County. (Civic duty and all that. Okay, or just geekdom.)

According to Wikipedia, "South County is the most politically conservative section of St. Louis county, with the South County chamber of Congress reporting nearly 70% of its residents who voted for George W. Bush over John Kerry in 2004." Well, if I hadn't gotten a hang of that after helping out with various local and national campaigns over the last handful of years, I definitely would believe it after asking for ballot preferences for 13 hours. But the thing that really struck me was an overwhelming sense of a great need for improved voter education. I admire each and every single person who came out on that miserably hot August day to vote, but far too many of them didn't understand what they were voting for. Why were you there, I asked myself time and time again as voters continued to not seem to understand that this was a <i>primary</i> election and that they therefore had to declare a party. But I'd answer myself every time: civic duty, the same reason I was there.

Now, my parents are public school teachers. I graduated last May from a public high school. I know this stuff is being taught in class. But there's still a gap, one that I saw in every demographic on August 5th: the elderly, the recently naturalized immigrants, the couples in their mid-30s, everyone--even among my fellow pollworkers who had to be instructed on the nature of the election during training the week before. Therefore, I bring this appeal to all my fellow Obama supporters and everyone who's got even an inkling of desire to help turn the November election into a fruitful one: don't just pass on information about your candidate. Help make sure that your neighbors and friends understand the process as well. Explain the primary system and the conventions and the electoral college (if you can!) and the nature of any other initiatives that will be on the local ballot; being helpful and friendly goes a long way to ingratiate yourself (and thereby the information you're bringing them) to the masses.

Being a responsible political activist goes beyond just supporting our candidate, it's being an activist for the political system as well.

Yes We Can!

DimandsR4Evr — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:24:14 EDT

An Obama Fellow in MO told me this summer that the way that Democratic candidates have been defeated in the past is that the opposition is effective in getting Democrats NOT to vote by a multitude of methods. But, NOT THIS TIME. Obama has inspired millions of young people and others to get involved and make a difference.

We must keep our eyes on the prize and press forward until the changes we need are in-hand. Volunteer recruitment, voter registration, visibility events, phone-banking and raising money for the campaign are different things that each of us can do before November... YES WE CAN!

How Do You Explain Your Actions To Your Kids?

TarekP4Obama — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:52:09 EDT

I have been watching the news and listening to bloggers who are still bothered by Democratic Primary. Let's get straight to the point. Where would we be if Clinton had won? We all would be behind her to defeat the Republican machine. In researching almost the last 70 years, you cannot tell me that we have been that well run through Republican executive power. We have had some good outtings, but it has built us a financial debt that we solved under the Clinton administration in the 1990s. Now, let's rewind that 30 years. How do you explain to your children to be fiscally responsible when your leadership was not? It took a strong concern of intranational issues to bring us out of debt. In other words, we started working together. Now, in just 8 years, we are dealing with these issues three fold. Why? Because all of the bad things that are happening around the world besides correcting 9/11 are our business.

Now, don't get me wrong. If we are attacked, I believe we should retaliate in short detail. But, even your house would not spend all of your grocery money unless there were good reason to divert that cash. Let's put this into our own home context. I am spending uncontrollably. My family needs clothes, food, shelter, and I cannot pay. So, do I raid their college so that we can continue my issue? You decide. My household would not be able to survive this irresponsibility. More importantly, my children would not understand.

So, now how do I explain to my children that we are working for change when we are too quick to be upset at others? The greatest families in the world, resolve disputes and move on. They continue to dialogue and stop taking swipes at each other. THE WORLD IS WATCHING OUR HOUSE NOW!!! I am tuning in to see people attack Barack and Michelle still. Are you kidding me? Do you stay that angry in your household? When do you let your anger work for you to change your mindset? If you have not, we are in for another 8-12 years of getting nowhere fast.

I,nor you, can explain to my children that we did not do everything we could to put them in a better place. If we are all in a boat and half the people are rowing east and the other half are rowing west, where do we go? Right. Now we have provided that movement for the past 8 years, and more importantly, we would rather fight about who is guiding us, instead of helping guide. Everytime we pick up the blog and leave something behind, we affect others. I want your children to enjoy the same better future I am providing for my children. It is just a lot easier to get there if we row in the same direction. How do you explain your actions to your kids if this is not the case?

A Theory

Dr. Mark Elrod — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:20:39 EDT

After looking as the McCain campaign ad comparing Barack Obama to Brittany Spears and Paris Hilton and an offer at JohnMcCain.com to give a Barack Obama tire gauge to anyone who makes a $25 contribution, I have concluded that John McCain's presidential campaign is being run by 18-year old interns.

Prove me I'm wrong.

THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS FOR ALL 50 STATES + DC

GoBO 08 — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:37:08 EDT

ALABAMA Link
ALASKA Link
ARIZONA Link
ARKANSAS Link
CALIFORNIA Link
COLORADO Link
CONNECTICUT Link
DELAWARE Link
DC Link
FLORIDA Link
GEORGIA Link
HAWAII Link
IDAHO Link
ILLINOIS Link
INDIANA Link
IOWA Link
KANSAS Link
KENTUCKY Link
LOUISIANA Link
MAINE Link
MARYLAND Link
MASSACHUSETTS Link
MICHIGAN Link
MINNESOTA Link
MISSISSIPPI Link
MISSOURI Link
MONTATA Link
NEBRASKA Link
NEVADA Link
NEWS HAMPSHIRE Link
NEW JERSEY Link
NEW MEXICO Link
NEW YORK Link
NORTH CAROLINA Link
NORTH DAKOTA Link
OHIO Link
OKLAHOMA Link
OREGON Link
PENNSYLVANIA Link
RHODE ISLAND Link
SOUTH CAROLINA Link
SOUTH DAKOTA Link
TENNESSEE Link
TEXAS Link
UTAH Link
VERMONT Link
VIRGINIA Link
WASHINGTON Link
WEST VIRGINIA Link
WISCONSIN Link
WYOMING Link

My pics of Obama

Kimberlie R. Acosta — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:55:59 EDT

I got to see Obama at the 2008 Unity Conference in Chicago this past Sunday. It was awesome to get to see him and shake his hand. His energy is very powerful indeed. If you would like to see my pics they are at my site www.kimberacosta.com

Arab Muslim Apartheid world vs democratic Israel the gem in the jungle

Martha from Washington, DC — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:42:16 EDT

Arab Muslim Apartheid world vs democratic Israel the gem in the jungle

With the elections (in Israel) over, and as the political machinations surrounding the formation of the new Israeli government reach their height, it is of note that in "apartheid Israel" (which is also accused by the Palestinians of "ethnic cleansing"), around 12 Arabs, Bedouin and Druze will sit in Jerusalem's 17th Knesset. That's 10% of the parliament. Exactly how many Jews are represented in the parliaments of Cairo, Rabat, Amman, Baghdad, Damascus or even Ramallah?
http://dfrankfurter.livejournal.com/73264.html

Not one media representative will use the true applicable word: Apartheid & Racism where it belongs, i.e. Islamo Arab world.
All of it!

Still Searching for the Better Angels of Our Nature

Dr. Mark Elrod — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:58:42 EDT

The message below really touched a nerve with ME and the author has given me permission to share it.

It comes from Al Price in Memphis.

I'm starting to feel more and more that the angst among many Christian evangelicals about Barack Obama becoming our nation's 44th president is based on race as much as anything. Al's email makes it pretty clear that's what he's seeing and hearing in his community.

On my best days, I like to think we're better than this as both Christians and Americans. But I'm also starting to think that I've been naive when it comes to the abject racism that still lingers within the hearts of many of the people who share a pew with me on Sunday mornings.

On the eve of the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln closed his first inaugural address with a plea for union and hope that all Americans would be "again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."

Maybe we're no closer to accomplishing that mission than we were in 1861 and I've just been engaged in wishful thinking for most of my adult life.

In either case, I'm committing myself to lifting up a prayer every day to ask that that the "better angels" will find and touch the people Al describes in his message.

*****

Dear Brethren:

One of my favorite quotations comes from the great German reformer Martin Luther: "If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battlefields besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point."

Today, the devil is attacking and Christians appear not only to be oblivious to its nature but even embracing the message and the behavior. Whether other voices will be raised against this onslaught, I know not, but I do know that I must speak now. I'm taking this means to do so and to be on record. None of our Christian papers will publish an article of this type.

We are discovering that there is a latent form of racism existing among our brethren, just waiting for an opportunity to reveal itself. That opportunity came when it appeared that an African American would be the nominee of his party for the presidency of the U.S. In the past three months, I have been appalled at the racist messages coming from preachers, church leaders, and members, in sermons, in Bible classes, word of mouth, and via e-mail. It appears there is a sense of justification for the racist expressions and sending deliberate lies in supporting another candidate and party.

At the beginning of a Bible class a church leader said, "I'm sure by now that all of you have seen the sad report on the evening news. It was announced yesterday that the Rose Garden at the White House was being torn up. It is being replaced by a watermelon patch." (Laughter) And another leader responded, "And I hear they are changing the food to chitterlings." (Laughter)

Here is an e-mail from a Christian: "Knock, knock. Who's there? Eyes! Eyes who? Eyes your new president."

Another e-mail from a Christian quoted the candidate as saying, "When I'm president, everyone will have a job." The picture shows a large crowd of African Americans fleeing. The caption reads: "The candidate just lost the black vote."

A preacher sent me an e-mail that declared the candidate is a Muslim, identified with the anti-Christ in Revelation, doesn't put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance, took the oath of his office on the Quran, associates with the Taliban, and quoted him as saying that if there were ever conflict between America and the Muslims, he would choose the Muslims, etc. When the veracity of these claims was challenged, he said, "I don't care."

Another preacher declared from the pulpit: "This is the scariest election we as Christians have ever faced. From the looks of the polls, the Christians aren't voting Christian values."

When did God give us the right to engage in such behavior (spreading lies and racism) when defending a political choice?

know that many Christians, when unable to defend such negative stereotyping, will spring the abortion issue as if that allows them to engage in the behavior above. I've written some thoughts on that topic as well. Should you wish to consider how this issue has been "used" for the past 28 years to garner support for a party, I'll send it to you.

Sincerely, Al Price

Let's not worry, Let's Sing instead.....

Marie Yolaine — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:51:10 EDT

http://www.dipdive.com/dip-politics/wato/

Let's play a little role in this elections

Gregory from Edwards, CA — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:45:50 EDT

I found a website, that invites people to insert into their websites or blogs an animated counter, that counts days left before New U.S. President Inauguration.

Let's inform people about this. I like this idea. And what about you?

What Motivates Modern Voters?

Ken — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:48:45 EDT

What motivates the modern voter? Is it personality? The Issues? The proverbial pocketbook? Ever since Nixon was outed as a scoundrel in the 70s, America's sponsored media have pushed hard on identifying the problems with America as not being the result of a system in decay but rather the result of aberrant personality types and have refocused public attention to individuals rather than on the systemic source of the problems themselves. One look at the preoccupation of the public with celebrities gives you an idea of how far this obsession's been carried to consensus. Reviling Bush and Cheney only serves to divert attention from the systemic process these men only lead and refocus attention onto a cavalcade of personalities we call elections.

But not all people respond to this kind of distraction. What then does motivate the modern voter?

In my experience, there are 4 types of voters out there: About 30% of the public responds to what is commonly called "charismatic authority." This is when people respond to personality types regardless of what their position is.

Another 30% responds to what might be called "administrative authority." These are people that respond to the bureaucratic authority of the society's rule keepers, people likely to want law and order.

A third group of another 30% constitutes "the authority of self-interest." You know the type; the ones who ask "What's in it for me?" This group is exemplified by salespeople and their penchant for a 10% cut for anything to happen.

The 10% balance are those of us who believe that we are motivated by logic and reason, a small number compared to the 3 great motivators at work. Whether this is true or we all simply fooling ourselves remains to be seen.

Now, a good leader has to learn how to manage all 4 constituencies to effectively run any kind of organization. But a politician only needs a simple majority to win. In this way, it is easy to see how Ronald Reagan can gather in the charismatics and the bureaucrats and still preside over a crappy economy that wasn't in anyone's interest, and still fool the country into thinking he was a great president. It's also easy to see how Bill Clinton was able to win over many of the same charismatics while appealing to the self-interest crowd and ignoring the rule-keepers entirely. After all, he was our nation's rule-breaker-in-chief, wasn't he?

As for Senator Obama: He seems to have the ability to attract supporters from all 4 constituencies, attesting to his brilliance as both a politician and a manager making him a true leader. Hence, moving forward, as we continue discussing electoral choices with voters, our approach depends on what each voter's motivators are. As a result, as we approach the general voting public, it is probably wise for the campaign as a whole and each of us as individuals to grasp these archetypes, understand each audience's needs (and hot buttons) and then proceed with each accordingly. Make sense?

Obama on the Right Path for Withdrawal of Troops

Gordon Broom — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:14:19 EDT

I heard on MSNBC this morning that the Iraqi's Prime Minister al Maliki supprts a plan for withdrawing US troops that is closer to the Obama 16 month withdrawal plan. I could not find anything about this on the MSNBC website, but through a google search I turned up the following from cbs2chicago.com.

"In an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel, Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said he supported a plan proposed by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq within 16 months. When asked when he thinks U.S. troops should leave Iraq, al-Maliki told the magazine, "As soon as possible, as far as we are concerned."

The article goes on to say that Prime Minister al Maliki added, "U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama is right when he talks about 16 months."

MSNBC in their coverage this morning stated that the prime minister wants to stay out of the American presidential campaign and does not want his comments seen as an endorsement of Senator Obama.

I think that the "Horizon" verbiage used by the Bush McCain camp is a smoke screen. The bottom line is that Iraq wants the American military out of Iraq A.S.A.P. and Bush McCain want the American troops to leave on the Bush McCain timetable not the timetable of the country America chose to invade.

Obama has it right. Bush McCain has it all wrong.

3 Facts That Could Change This Election (If We Share Them)

Sherry C. - Talent, OR — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:30:17 EDT

3 Facts That Could Change This Election (If We Share Them)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6430781

Here are 3 Stunning facts that could not only change the outcome of this election, but with regard to the first two points, they could change the results of every election for years to come if we make enough people aware of them.

I want to keep this as simple and short as poss ible, so that the people who need to read this actually do. And again, I encourage you to share this information with as many people as you can, either by recommending and commenting on this thread, by emailing these points out and or by posting a link to this thread on the appropriate websites.

1) Over 70% of our National Debt was created by just 3 Republican presidents.

Go ahead, get out your calculator and add up debt by president/party. Apparently the party that claims fiscally responsibility thinks it's ok to borrow massive amounts of money from foreign countries like China. Consider that we spend hundreds of billions of dollars in interest payments on this debt each year. That means more and more of your hard earned money is going to make interest only payments on what is basically a Giant National Credit Card. Not to mention the fact our debt/deficits are largely behind the weakness of our dollar, which in turns makes gas more expensive and creates other serious problems.

If you want to learn more about the National Debt, check out these links:

http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock /
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...
http://zfacts .com/p/447.html (A running clock with the cost of the war)
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/business...

2) According to new research from Larry Bartels out of Princeton, real middle class wage growth is double when a Democrat is president compared to when a Republican is president.

"...Even more remarkable, the real incomes of working-poor families...grew six times as fast when Democrats held the White House. Only the incomes of affluent families were relatively impervious to partisan politics, growing robustly under Democrats and Republicans alike...": http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/magazine/27wwln-ideal...

Here is a short summary of this research: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008...

And here is a good, short audio interview with Larry Bartels: http://youngturks.wmod.llnwd.net/a591/o1/4-25-08Bartels...

3) 90% of Americans would pay less taxes under Obama's proposed tax plan compared to McCain's.

This is according to the non-partisan Tax Policy Institute as reported by CNN: http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/11/news/economy/candidates...

People making under $112,000 a year in individual (not household) income would pay less taxes under Obama's plan.

By contrast, John McCain's tax cuts mostly benefit the top 10% of Americans. Under McCain's plan, people making over 2.9 million dollars in individual annual income would get almost a million dollar tax break.

Conclusion: Countless millions of Americans vote Republican because they believe they'll pay less taxes and that they'll have their money spent more responsibly. As you can see, those beliefs are directly contradicted by the facts. Of course we can choose to ignore the facts and instead focus on which candidate is wearing a flag pin (you ever notice that Hillary and McCain don't wear them? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi5nbZvS9cg ) but I think we're a smarter country than that.

PS---If you're not sure how to respond to those laughably bad, factually inaccurate anti-Obama smear emails and or you want more information on John McCain, here is a nice resource guide of articles, videos and commentary: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6430781

Why Obama wins big in November, and Dems get Supermajority

Brett D. — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:33:42 EDT

As much as the media narrative screams "close race" and tries to make us believe that there is some sort of rallying of the republican faithful taking place around Grandpa John -- it's all bullshit, and they know it.

I am a long beaten down Democrat, living in a deeply red district in Washington State, seriously disheartened by the disasters of two Bush terms, and 16 years with Doc Hastings as my representative, and I am telling you right now, Obama is going to win in a landslide. It won't even be close. He'll win at least 300 electoral votes, probably more.

The difference will be turnout. No opinion poll can tell me what a likely voter will look like in November, just as they couldn't have predicted the record shattering showing Democrats had in the primary race. In 2004 we had 125 people show up at the county wide convention for John Kerry. This year we had almost 700. This in a Bush +10 congressional district. College campuses have become incubators for the largest turnout among the youth in history - probably even eclipsing that of 1972 when 18 year olds could first vote. And, think of this -- the 50 state voter registration drive the campaign is planning hasn't even started yet.

Add to this the sheer motivation of Obama's supporters. Never having given money to a campaign before, this year I made small donations to no less than six. I have run into scores of people who say the same thing. People who have never gone to a political meeting now are hosting their own, and volunteering for campaigns.

This race is over already, but the world will know it by the time of the conventions, when 75,000 screaming Obama disciples pack Invesco field for the nominee's acceptance speech, a true pageant of hope, to be followed a week later with a pasty John McCain, an anemic crowd, well-worn Republican slogans, and a long series of senior teleprompter flubs.

Finally, the effect this turnout will have on down the ticket races will be phenomenal. Republicans will look back and call this "Bloody Tuesday". Look for a 40+ seat gain for the Democrats in the House, and at least 8 in the Senate. Even George Fearing in the red 4th District in Washington State has a real chance to unseat Doc Hastings, our beloved champion of "ethics".

So take heart, Democrats. This is the election you've waited your whole lives for. We only need to pull together one last time, take to the streets and make it happen.

View from down south

PG — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:44:57 EDT

Sure, Australia's a long way from the elections, but it's certainly encouraging and inspiring to see such passion exhibited for such an important decision.

FYI: GA Primaries -- Qualifying Link

EMK — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:59:11 EDT

FYI:

I found the link for the GA Primaries. However, as I said in my last blog, One Blogger's Observations and Opinions on FISA Replies: Dissent and Community Activism:

...[T]his is not just an election of a President. The entire House of Representatives, 1/3 of the Senate, as well as various state and local positions are up for grabs all over the country this November. If you do not believe that your official does not have the best interests of you, your community, your state, or the country at hand, consider looking for a candidate who does have them, or even consider running yourself. I don't remember the requirements for running for office to require political experience, at least not in the Consitution. [Emphasis added]

Here is the Qualifying list for the GA primaries: http://www.sos.ga.gov/cgi-bin/qualifyingindex.asp.

Early voting: 7/7-7-11

Primary Day: 7/15

Not in GA, post your state on the blogs, too!

Good luck

EMK

The Workings of Democracy

CGBacani — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:26:11 EDT

As I have stated in my earlier post, I am excited to learn the workings of democracy here in the US as evidenced by the process of how Senator Obama became the presumptive democratic presidential candidate.

Looking back the choice for Senators Obama and Clinton as the democratic candidate speaks of how the United States transform to accept a change of the political domination of white male politicians-- considering the predominant white majority in the field of politics.

Indeed, there is nothing impossible on how democracy works here in the US -- to have a choice for a woman candidate and a black candidate is the beginning of a change that seems impossible to happen.

But the American people have embraced the politics of both Clinton and Obama and are in fact instrumental to open the opportunity not only for those who have been in power but also of the powerless. The chance of women to become leaders of this country. A choice not only of the white majority but also of the chances of other minorities to serve the country.

This coming elections means more than just a fight for who is best to lead our country. It will show to the rest of the world that the US is the bastion of democracy and the American people are ready to move on to the next step -- a democratic change that we can all be proud of.

What's the difference?

Elidet — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:11:49 EDT

It saddens me to hear about the elections in Zimbabwe and all the violence and intimidation surrounding it.

"Despite threats from Mr Mugabe's thugs to beat those who refused to vote......"
Although Mugabe wants people to vote, he wants and is enforcing violence to get people to vote FOR HIM and only him.

And if those who don't vote think they are off the hook:
"Mr Mugabe's militiamen warned they would launch "Operation Red Finger", targeting anyone whose left little finger is not stained with the ink used to indicate who has voted."

"ZBC's Freedom Moyo, its reporter in Bulawayo, defied the station's remit by telling the nation: "There are very few people. People have listened to Tsvangirai's call to boycott the election." He was not heard from again."

My question is this, especially regarding the violence towards supporters of the opposition:

Even after Mugabe is being condemned by the UN and many countries around the world, why was it ok for us to take on Saddam but not Mugabe? Because there is nothing for us to benefit from it?

I'm not saying we should go to war with another country, but isn't it a bit hypocritical to oust Hussein because of the freedom he denied to his people and the treatment they were receiving, but not Mugabe?

I'm surprised that he has been holding power for as long as he has.

This was just bothering me ever since he's been getting more more press for the upcoming elections.

People have died because of these elections.

This just made me appreciate being in the United States more and more, and can't wait for Bush's regime to be over.

(Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/2207507/Zimbabweans-refuse-to-vote-and-spoil-ballot-papers-despite-Robert-Mugabe's-violent-threats.html)

Clinton Supporter in Wisconson: Good bye and good ridance

smffy — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:35:42 EDT

A die hard Clinton supporter from Wisconson is demanding to keep her status as a delegate (despite the rules of the DNC). She has decided Hillary is the "best" and only candidate for the job, unless you want to count John McCain.

She has said she would vote for McCain instead of Obama in the elections. Evidently, she has no convictions and a lot of bitterness and anger (as does NOW - an organization I will have absolutely no affiliation with).

I say, given the kind of person she is, we are better off without her, and good bye to bad rubbish. Nothing could be further apart than Obama and McCain. She has no integrity at all.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/24/politics/politico/thecrypt/main4206495.shtml

Documentaries Re: Media + Elections

Jack — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:10:07 EDT

I saw both of these documentaries recently and thought that they will be relevant to the upcoming 2008 election.

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

http://tvshack.net/documentaries/The_Revolution_Will_Not_Be_Televised/

American Blackout

http://tvshack.net/documentaries/American_Blackout/

Tick, Tick, Tick

Dr. Mark Elrod — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:01:38 EDT

Start the clock on the Charlie Black deathwatch:

A top adviser to John McCain said another terrorist attack on U.S. soil would be a "big advantage" for the Republican presidential candidate, drawing a sharp rebuke Monday from both the presumed GOP nominee and Democrat Barack Obama.

Charlie Black, already in the spotlight for his past lobbying work, is quoted in the upcoming July 7 edition of Fortune magazine as saying such an attack "certainly would be a big advantage to him." Black said Monday he regretted the comment.

The classic definition of a political gaffe is saying something that is true in public that you should only say in private.

In that case, Mr. Black's comments are just another bucket of water over Niagara Falls.

But just imagine how terrifying this statement would been if it had come from John McCain's pastor in a sermon rather than just one of his top political advisors.

Independence Decision

Cath-E NYC — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:42:42 EDT

[cross-posted on dKos]:

I'm thrilled about the Obama campaign's decision to opt out of public financing for the general election. I've been hoping for months that it would break this way. And I'm happy about this first and foremost not for pragmatic reasons (though that's exciting!) or tactical reasons (I'm not a bundler or a big donor), but because from the very beginning I've really enjoyed being a small donor to the Obama campaign. I've enjoyed it so much I don't want to give it up, especially not now!

I am a life-long voter. Before I could vote, I watched: I spent parts of my childhood lying on gymnasium floors while my mother collected vote counts late on election nights for the League of Women Voters. I participate in voter registration drives and encourage my 18-22+ students to register to vote when they are old enough. Voting is important, but recently it just hasn't been satisfying: I voted in 2000 (for Gore), in the 04 primary (for Dean), and in the 04 general (for Kerry). These, especially the 2000 vote, felt futile.

World Talk LIVE!

Barack Obama Supporter — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:03:43 EDT

World Talk LIVE! on Blog Talk Radio (Internet Radio Show with Celeb Interviews and Extensive Coverage of the 2008 Election) will be doing extensive coverage on the 2008 Presidential Election. We are trying to get Barack or Michelle Obama on the show to discuss the election! Us at World Talk LIVE! would like you to check out the site at www.worldtalklive.com . You can check for updates on when we will be having special shows geared to political views and the 2008 Election. You can call-in when we have call-in's and voice your opion and get Barack to be our 2008 President of the United States.

VOTE BARACK OBAMA!

Say it isn't so!

Arizona Charlie — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:38:22 EDT

Oi! I'm still not sure whether I actually just read this, or if I'm caught in some horrible nightmare:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/16/second-president-bush-floats-prospect-of-a-third/

Short story - while in Europe Dubya is floating hints that his brother Jeb might run for president at some point in the future.

Could we possible let another Bush into our nation's highest office? Somebody please tell me it isn't so!

Why I Like Obama

Wesley — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:26:44 EDT

I have liked Obama ever since it has been him vs Hilary. When Obama started off losing the polls for Democratic Nominee, I did not know if he could do it. But when he started closing the gap, I knew then that he would win. This was back in February. Oh what a journey it has been since. I just have a feeling that there is no way that McCain can beat Obama. I do not think that it can happen. I will not think it. Elections seem so close yet so far away. We have a lot of time to make a good impression on a lot of people. If we all do our part then we can influence the nation and the White House shall be Obama's at least for four years. That is my hope anyway. So people, let us influence.

The Palestinian People and Jerusalem

Osamah Abdallah — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:16:06 EDT

On May 30, 1987 I was born in a hospital in Jerusalem. I grew up in a village called "Turmusaya," not far from the city of Jerusalem, only 40 minutes away back then. I remember as a child how we went to Jerusalem so we can pray in our holy mosque, Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa and to observe the Dome of the Rock and the "Wall of the Burak." It is now re-named to the wailing wall after the Zionist movement occupied the land of Palestine in 1948 and 1967, however, to us it is still known as the Wall of the Bura. It was the wall in which prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, ascended to heaven in his journey to meet prophet Jesus, Moses, Abraham and the rest of the prophets and most importantly, meet God. God mentions this trip in the Quran: "Glory to Allah, Who did take His servant for a journey by night, from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless - in order that We might show him some of Our signs. For He is the One who hears and knows all things." (17:1).

I remember the trip to Jerusalem, it was filled with so much excitement and love for the place. We first took a taxi to Ramallah, which was 15 minutes away back then and then took another taxi from Ramallah to Jerusalem which took us another 25 minutes. My mother always used to point out to me the hospital that I was born in on the way, and once we got their I never failed to convince my mother to buy me a tasty piece of fresh toasted bread with butter. However, my mother left my country in 2000 to give my brother Muath, mentally impaired due to an untreated fever at seven months old during the war in 1989, a better chance at recovery. She and my four younger siblings departed for the United States. After a year, however, the new war in 2000 and my grandfather's poor health forced me to leave my native country and join my parents in America.

However, things have changed back there now. It takes about 2 hours just to get to Ramallah due to the road blocks put by Israeli soldiers inside the West Bank to restrict Palestinian movement. Entry to Jerusalem is denied to anyone that holds Palestinian Citizenship, even if the person is born in Jerusalem like me. The city, that my heart pounded so hard once when I went to it because of my love and connection to it, is no longer a place that I can go and visit, although it is my birthplace. You are allowed inside Jerusalem only if you are an Israeli or if you are an American with a Visa to enter Israel. However, if a person happens to be an American Citizen that was born in Jerusalem to Palestinian Parents, which is my case, that person is not allowed entry to the holy city.

These changes started to appear after Israel announced that it is a Jewish Democracy last year, and that Jerusalem is unified under its laws, thus, a Palestinian which is not a Jew or an Israeli, has no right to enter the city of Jerusalem, although it might be there birth place and their holy city. Before the occupation of Palestine by the Zionist movement in 1948 Muslims, Christians and Jews all alike lived in peace in the holy city of Jerusalem. However, in less than 60 years of Zionist occupation of Palestine and the rise of the state of Israel, things changed so much that Muslim Palestinians can't event enter Jerusalem any more. If we truly believe in Social Justice, it is very important not to recognize Jerusalem as unified under Israeli Democracy, because it is only a Jewish Democracy. East Jerusalem and West Jerusalem must be recognized as separate for now until there is a solution to a Palestinian state that would include East Jerusalem, or Muslim Palestinians will not only become second-class citizens which is the current state of Muslim Israelis, but will become third-class citizens since they are Palestinians and will be denied entry to the holy city of Jerusalem.

This campaign is a campaign of change, a change in our policies and ways towards what is socially just, towards what promotes peace and towards what brings stability to the United States and the world. However, a unified Jerusalem under Israeli democracy is a change that goes against the principles of social justice, a change that promotes the continuation of violence and not peace and is a change that will not bring any stability to us, the American Citizens or the rest of the World.

It is the hope of every Muslim, and it is my hope, that the Holy Land, Jerusalem, will be restored to a land of peace. It is my hope that I can enter my birthplace, Jerusalem, once again. It is my hope that we choose the change that promotes peace.

Calling the Race

Dr. Mark Elrod — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:06:00 EDT

I suspect that as the remaining super delegates trickle toward Obama today that the new services will follow suit and begin calling Barack Obama as the winner of the 2008 Democratic primary.

The Associated Press calls it for Obama at 1:28 CDT today.

As of 1:53 CDT, MSNBC still puts Obama 27.5 delegates short of the 2,118 but the AP count is based 15 delegates who committed to Obama with the Associate Press and on and the number of delegates Obama will pick up if he wins at least 30% of the vote in Montana and South Dakota.

Maybe a little premature put it certainly puts more pressure on HRC to call make some kind of announcement tonight when the polls close.

Where We Are

Dr. Mark Elrod — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:11:03 EDT

Barack Obama is 37 delegates short of the 2,118 delegates (now) needed to secure the Democratic nomination for president.

Hillary Clinton is 198 delegates short of 2,118, which means she needs about 84% of the 235.5 remaining pledged and super delegates to be nominated.

NBC reports that approximately 18 remaining super delegates in the Senate and at least 34 members of the House of Representatives are now ready to endorse Obama. With Obama set to win about 17 delegates in Montana and South Carolina tomorrow, this would easily put him over the top. More importantly, it would appear that the reality of the mathematics of the delegate count has finally gotten through to the Clinton campaign.

By all reports, Hillary Clinton certainly seems to be on verge of suspending her campaign and while she could technically take her case for the nomination to the Denver convention, the impending super delegate rush tomorrow and on Wednesday is going to make that unlikely.

The best news for Obama is that when these 50 or so super delegates are combined with the Montana and South Dakota results tomorrow, HRC’s only remaining arguments for getting the nomination become moot, particularly among Democratic party leaders.

The postmortem among media pundits and the incriminations within the Clinton campaign will start sometime on Wednesday morning but I’m going to jump ahead and suggest at least three factors right now:

Overestimating the importance of New Hampshire: While New Hampshire was technically a draw, Clinton won the popular vote and was able to claim victory in what has traditionally been the most important primary for both parties. In the past, winning New Hampshire has been critical to securing the nomination, the exceptions being Republicans John McCain in 2000 and Pat Buchanan in 1996 and Democrats Estes Kefauver in 1952 and 1956 and Paul Tsongas in 1992. With the addition of an additional caucus (Nevada) and primary (South Carolina) state in 2008, both Iowa and New Hampshire became less significant to gaining or losing momentum in the campaign.
Underestimating the power of a movement: The Clinton campaign has pointed out (correctly) on numerous occasions that it has been out-spent by the Obama campaign. But what they fail to mention is that Obama was able to spend more because his campaign was able to raise more money from more people in smaller donations. I’m pretty certain that more than a few books or dissertations are going to be written about the tactical brilliance of the Obama campaign but it’s real beauty was in not being taken seriously by the Clinton campaign until it was too late.
Almost-weekly movement of the goalposts: In spite of the fact that the Democratic party set some clear criteria for winning the nomination (like winning 2,025 delegates) nobody in the Clinton campaign seemed to take them seriously and was constantly presenting new reasons why HRC should be declared the party’s nominee. I think this began with Bill Clinton’s assertion that “even Jesse Jackson won South Carolina” when Democrats in that state rejected the Clintons in favor of Obama. It continued with Hillary and her surrogates continuing to argue that HRC had won the popular vote (in selected states) and that’s what matters and that the votes of people who vote in caucus states don’t matter as much as those of voters in Florida and Michigan. These appeals were directed toward super delegates but I think they ended up insulting the intelligence of most other voters.

I’m sure there are at least 1-2 other factors I haven’t considered but I’m sure you’ll let me know what they are before Wednesday.

Your Character Is Showing

smffy — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 10:01:33 EDT

I'm not sure I can say enough about the need to stay cool in the midst of all the heat that's coming from Hillary's kitchen (I can say that because I have one too and there have been men in it - cooking!) It would do nothing more than fan the flames to enter into an attempt at civilized debate.

I think civility and dignity are rare commodities now days. Rarity in and of itself creates value and demand. If the streets were paved with diamonds would everybody want to own one? Hardly. It is exactly because they are scarce that they are valuable.

This election year has captured me. It has offered us what may be a once in a life time chance to elect a president who is not owned by lobbyists - who does not stoop to political sham and theatrics. I have never believed in a candidate so strongly. Not even JFK. I was only in the fifth grade when he ran for president, but I read the newspapers and I worried about where his family money came from. He turned out to be a great president, from a family of great political leaders, but my little girl worries have never gone away.

I have seen in my own life what money in the wrong hands can do. I know about pay back and back scratching very well. I am jaded. But I believe this message of hope. I believe Barack means what he is saying. It will be very difficult to turn Washington inside out. Just look at the resistance now. But, people are hungry for it. Reasonable people can see that what has been going on is unreasonable.

I say seize the day. Creating opportunity for one, creates opportunity for many. Every donation, every letter, every email, every conversation can make a difference. There is not enough I can do to see this election through to a positive conclusion. There is not enough I can do for my country right now.

It has been said that evil only prospers when good men are silent. This is no time to shout others down, it is a time to stand up firmly for what you believe in.

New York - A Blue State - Favors Obama

smffy — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:58:18 EDT

The majority of New York State's voters favor Obama The majority of New York voters favor Obama and believe it is time for their very own Senator Clinton to drop out of the race. Obama leads John McCain by a sizeable margin. This will be a very important state in the upcoming electiions. It is time for the voters to be heard.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/new_york/election_2008_new_york_presidential_election

RECOUNT

♫Parodee♫ — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:20:04 EDT

Although it pained and re-angered me to watch it, this HBO movie was very well done!

It captures the frenzy, frustration, and failure of the system in the 2000 Presidential election. Of course it is told from the Democratic viewpoint which I think has the right to be heard on this. The actors cast were made to truly resemble the actual "players" in 2000.

Having been a resident of Florida at the time, I was so ashamed of my state for the covert and overt blunders and manipulations that made us a national laughing stock which soon turned into something to truly cry about!

We need to organize for November -- They (Republicans) will try this again --- why shouldn't they? It worked then and too many states have turned to those non-paper-trail Diebold machines. How do we prevent another White House Robbery?

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What She Said

Dr. Mark Elrod — Fri, 23 May 2008 20:38:26 EDT

At a meeting today with the editorial board of the Argus Leader today in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (somewhat paraphrased; watch the video for context):

People have been trying to push me out of this ever since Iowa... It is unprecedented in history... My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it.

And later today in a Brandon, South Dakota grocery store:

Earlier today, I was discussing the Democratic primary history and in the course of that discussion mentioned the campaigns that both my husband and Sen. Kennedy waged in California in June in 1992 and 1968, and I was referencing those to make the point that we have had nominating primary contests that go into June. That's an historic fact. The Kennedys have been much on my mind in the last days because of Sen. [Edward] Kennedy, and I regret that if my referencing that moment of trauma for our entire nation and particularly for the Kennedy family was in any way offensive. I certainly had no intention of that whatsoever.

I'm going to give Mrs. Clinton the benefit of the doubt and assume that she was not expressing a desire that something bad happen to Barack Obama before the convention in August. But it was a pretty ham-handed comment from somebody who is an astute politician.

Personally, I found the strangest part of HRC's comments to be her assertion that "people have been trying to push me out of this since Iowa".

Of course they've been trying to "push her out"... we do elections in this country, not coronations.