Posts with the tag emails

Debunking the "REV.13 --- Lord, Have Mercy on Us!" email

ccyl — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:48:36 EDT

I haven't engaged in debunking Obama emails, but this one insulted my candidate and my Christianity so I wanted to take action lest others receive it and think less of Obama OR my religion. This message claims that "Revelations 13" has predictions in it that point to Obama being the anti-Christ. It claims to describe the anti-Christ as being "a man, in his 40's, of muslim descent, who will deceive the nations with persuasive language and have a massive Christ-like appeal" It claims he "will promise false hope and world peace." It then urges people to send around the email.

Checking with my NIV study bible, I find almost everything about that is wrong from a biblical standpoint. Here are the glaring un-truths...

Republican Email LIES A-FIRE!!!

Tess — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:37:45 EDT

The last couple of days I have received so many emails with LIES about Barack Obama's postions on many things. I looked in SNOPES and was surprised to see that Barack is being ATTACKED by EMAIL LIES like no one else. Check it out!

Barack Obama – (20 lies, 9 half-truths and 4 true) : http://snopes.com/politics/obama/obama.asp
Sarah Palin – (4 lies) : http://snopes.com/politics/palin/palin.asp
John McCain – (2 lies, 2 half truths and 1 true): http://snopes.com/politics/mccain/mccain.asp

Here is the email I received, with my rebuttal. It looks like it is a combiniation of two spam lie emails in one. One about Baracks position and the other about his Tax plan. Please feel free to use this to respond to anyone who sends these lies around.

------------------

Amazing! This is so full of lies and half truths, I don’t even know where to start. I think it is great that everyone is so interested in this year’s election. Whether Democrat, Republican or Independent we should be aware of what to expect when either Barack or John wins. But, to use slander and lies or attacks, which favor one candidate is really low and cowardly. This really doesn’t serve the people. The sources below don’t even address the statements made. Before you send these type of emails around, please do check in SNOPES. The lies about his tax plan are already there. (did anyone see him talk about this on O’Reilly yesterday?) The Capital Tax, etc. is a complete lie. Bottom line is YES – Barack will increase taxes for the top 5% of Americans. I find it very interesting that there are more lies about Barack than anyone? Is this the only way the Republicans can win?? Simply on lies?

2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE COMPARISON TALKING POINTS

Â
ISSUE

JOHN McCAIN
BARAK OBAMA

· Favors new drilling offshore US (Half True) Obama will require oil companies to develop the 68 million acres of land (over 40 million of which are offshore) which they have already leased and are not drilling on

Yes
No
Will appoint judges who interpret the law not make it (Subjective and absolutely no basis for this)
Yes
No

Served in the US Armed Forces - TRUE
Yes
No
Amount of time served in the US Senate FALSE. Obama was elected to Illinois State Senate, where he served for eight years. In 2004, he became the third African American since Reconstruction to be elected to the U.S. Senate.
22 YEARS
173 DAYS
Will institute a socialized national health care plan – (HALF TRUE) Obama will make available a new national health plan to all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses, to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress. This is a VOLUNTARY PLAN if you are happy with the current insurance run healthcare you can keep it. Check it out for yourself.
No
Yes
Supports abortion throughout the pregnancy TRUE – Barack does not feel it is up to him to decide for a woman, and feels women should have that choice. What he does believe is finding a way to minimize abortions. He does not want to go back to the time when women were dying because of unsanitary and hidden abortions. God said it is not up to us to judge. Let people make their own choices.
No
Yes
Would pull troops out of Iraq immediately - HALF TRUE – Barack has repeatedly said, depending on the conditions on the ground, discussions with the Generals, plus he will force the Iraqis to take over the military operation, and bring our troops home safely in a responsible timeline. He WILL NOT pull them all out immediately.
No
Yes
Supports gun ownership rights FALSE – Supports the constitutional right to bear arms and enforce our existing gun laws. He said this again at his nomination speech.
Yes
No
Supports homosexual marriage – TRUE – Though he believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman, he thinks the government should only civil unions so that gay couples are not discriminated.
No
Yes
Proposed programs will mean a huge tax increase – HALF TRUE – Only the top 5% will see an increase. (see below and in snopes) No increase on capital gains, and in fact lower taxes and programs supporting small business owners.
No
Yes
Voted against making English the official language HALF TRUE – The bill in question was an amendment to an existing immigration reform bill. There were some problems with the bill so Barack voted against it. Here is Barack’s statement on this bill

“I believe the American people understand in order to succeed in our society, immigrants need to learn English. But the amendment would do a number of things that are problematical. The first is that it is contrary to the provisions of law that exist in many States. For example, in New Mexico, you have in their State Constitution, a provision that says that many of the documents within that State have to be provided in both English and Spanish. The same thing is true for the State of Hawaii. I believe this is a States’ rights issue, and those constitutions of those States ought to be respected. I do not believe it is a matter we ought to be imposing here from Washington DC.

Also, this amendment would undo an executive order conceived by President Bill Clinton and implemented by President George Bush. Both recognized it is important that people who have limited English proficiency receive the kinds of services so they can understand what is going on in terms of the interface between the Government and themselves. “

No
Yes
Voted to give Social Security benefits to illegals – HALF TRUE – This was NOT about giving SS benefits to illegal aliens, it was about whether a select group of formerly illegal workers (i.e., those who might obtain legal immigration if the 2006 immigration reform act would pass), should receive credit for payments already made into the Social Security system using phony numbers.
No
Yes

The TAXES LIES : http://snopes.com/politics/obama/taxes.asp COMPLETELY FALSE (included picture from SNOPES)

CAPITAL GAINS TAX

MCCAIN
0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax.
OBAMA
28% on profit from ALL home sales. Â (How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.)

DIVIDEND TAX

MCCAIN
15% (no change)
OBAMA
39.6% - (How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama becomes president. The experts predict that 'Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.')

INCOME TAX

MCCAIN
(no changes)
Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $31,250
OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)
Single making 30K - tax $8,400
Single making 50K - tax $14,000
Single making 75K - tax $23,250
Married making 60K - tax $16,800
Married making 75K - tax $21,000
Married making 125K - tax $38,750
Under Obama, your taxes could almost double!

INHERITANCE TAX

MCCAIN
- 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
OBAMA
Restore the inheritance tax
Many families have lost businesses, farms, ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will only lose them to these taxes.

NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY OBAMA

New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet. Â New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already) New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity) Â New taxes on retirement accounts, and last but not least....New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!!
Â
Â
Â
Â

You can verify the above at the following web sites:

http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/election/2008/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.taxes.html

http://elections.foxnews.com/?s=proposed+taxes
http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/politics/articles/mccain_obama_offer_different_visions_on_taxes.html

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/barack_obama/
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/candidates/john_mccain/
Â

--
LindaÂ Hanratty
lindahanratty@embarqmail.com
Cell:Â Â 503-812-8889

Online Supporters Need Love Too

MaryanneAZ — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:12:53 EDT

Like many of us, I have written several times to HQ with questions, comments and suggestions, and received no response. In light of the recent dashboard changes and the lack of response to our awesome birthday money bomb, I have been feeling down. I have again written to HQ and will shoot the same email off to several people in hopes of getting a response. This is such an important time, election and candidate, and I do not want our campaign to blow it now.

Here is my email text:

The online support network is troubled. We have had some issues over the course of the campaign. I would like to raise the following issues and request some attention to these matters:

Unanswered Emails to HQ: We do not know anyone who has ever received a response to an email written in good faith to the campaign. We have made suggestions, comments and complaints with no effect. This campaign is about the American people—us. We need to be heard, acknowledged and responded to. A canned robo email response is not enough.

Change To Website/Dashboards: For an unknown reason and without warning, the campaign changed the website and the individual dashboards of online supporters. Many online supporters were heavily invested in their dashboard and the accomplishments it tracked. All of that past effort has disappeared with the updated dashboards. Supporters are very discouraged that their accomplishments were erased without any concern to its impact on the morale of the online supporter. This is also affecting the fundraising efforts of online supporters who are no longer engaged in the website dashboards and blogs. This can only hurt the campaign.

Obama Birthday Money Bomb: Many online supporters, lead by Andrew "Joe" Ruwe, entered into a fundraising birthday bomb to celebrate Barack's birthday on August 4th. The campaign did not acknowledge the major fundraising event in any manner on the day of the event or at any time since the event. How much effort would it have taken to shoot out a donate email and acknowledge the online supporters' efforts in the birthday money bomb fundraiser? How much money was raised in the 24 hours of August 4th? The campaign relies on us online supporters to raise funds for our candidate. We love doing it. We are, in fact, very motivated, and many of us have given more than we should personally to support this campaign.

I do not want to leave the impression that online supporters are whiners or bitter, to coin some descriptive terms; however, we are pretty bruised and demoralized. The "soft" supporters among us have already dropped out and the traffic on the blogs is significantly down. Of the diehard supporters, no one is threatening to jump ship, but we do need, and deserve, a little bit of acknowledgement and encouragement. We are just ordinary people who are trying to support an extraordinary candidate and campaign. Please reach out to us in a meaningful way and address our issues. Thank you.

I do not know if anyone else wants to try and get some action before it is too late, but I thought that I would post this blog and see what transpires. God's blessing on all of you fellow online supporters and let's try and keep faith as we strive toward the finish line. Obama '08

Fighting Bogus Emails

Debbie from Oak Park, CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:15:48 EDT

OK-I think I've come up with a great fund raising idea!?Think about how many emails you receive from well intentioned friends that contain less than accurate, if not outright false information. Within the past 2 days, I received the "O'Bama Tax" email from numerous different friends. Even with all the Fact Checking web sites out there, people just don't have the time to check all the information.Well, thanks to the Bush Administration, I'm unemployed (as is my husband and we're in foreclosure, but I digress). So I do have time. When I replied to one of the 'tax plan' emails, I was so tempted to Reply To All. However, I recognized this as an internet faux paus. So what I did was reply to the friend that sent it to me, asking her to send the corrected info. I even offered to be her Fact Checker.

So here’s my idea. I propose that we all make a deal with our friends that if they send us political emails that are inaccurate, they donate to O’Bama’s campaign. It doesn’t have to be a lot, say $1 for each inaccurate email, but at the rate we receive these emails, it would add up quickly. And, likely put a stop to the intentionally false email smears.

Spreading the word -- about taxes, about emails

Twoberry — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:02:53 EDT

"Your taxes will go up if Obama gets elected."

Huh?

"You KNOW that, don't you? Obama will double your taxes. And you don't mind?"

That's what a friend of mine told me a coupla months ago. My reply was inadequate, but I didn't know about the email that's been making the rounds. In fact, I said: "I don't believe that's true. The Bush tax cuts would be repealed for the top 2%. It's just the wealthy who will pay more in taxes."

"No," my friend said. "YOUR taxes are going up."

"I don't believe that," I said. "But if they do, then I'll pay them. I like Barack's programs, and I've got plenty of money. What do I care?"

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

Now, I'm not really rich. Don't get me wrong. But I WAS sincere. So get me right.

The problem was, I never knew about those stupid emails -- the ones that start out with:

"INTERESTING DATA JUST RECEIVED ON TAXES

"Spread the word.....

"This is something you should be
aware of so you don't get blind-sided.
This is really going to catch a lot
of families off guard. It should
make you worry."

-- and then continue with garbage like

"Proposed changes in taxes after 2008 General election:

"CAPITAL GAINS TAX

"MCCAIN
0% on home sales up to $500,000
per home (couples) McCain does not
propose any change in existing
home sales income tax.

"OBAMA

"28% on profit from ALL home sales

"How does this affect you?
If you sell your home and make a profit, you
will pay 28% of your gain on taxes.

"If you are heading toward retirement
and would like to down-size your
home or move into a retirement
community, 28% of the money you
make from your home will go to taxes. This
proposal will adversely affect the
elderly who are counting on the income
from their homes as part of their retirement income.

"DIVIDEND TAX

"MCCAIN 15% (no change)

"OBAMA 39.6%

"How will this affect you?
If you have any money invested in stock
market, IRA, mutual funds,
college funds, life insurance, retirement
accounts, or anything that pays
or reinvests dividends, you will now
be paying nearly 40% of the money
earned on taxes if Obama become president."

There is more, much more, but I'm sure you get the point. And now I understand where these people are getting these crazy ideas.

So.

To borrow a phrase (or two):

INTERESTING DATA JUST RECEIVED ON (EMAILS)

Spread the word.....

I've got some swampland...

Char from Carnation. WA — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:01:35 EDT

You, [insert name], are who we have been looking for! Your name was randomly selected as our 1st place $10,000 winner!

An email I received this weekend depicts a dreary aspect of both the internet and some people's extraordinary gullibility. I anticipate many more to come.

The gem I received this weekend, titled "Bill Cosby on Rev. Wright", is the proverbial "true statement" by "the well respected expert". These are particularly nasty little things because they are often hard to prove and sound very legit.

In this case, it is a comment supposedly written by Bill Cosby with an opinion of Barack Obama and the infamous Reverend Wright. It is attributed to have come from the Wall Street Journal.

The problem with these little ditties is that rarely do individuals receiving them ever bother to check them out. If they did, they would find that it was gathered, not from the Wall Street Journal, but by a blog comment posted by someone who called themselves Bill Cosby.

So, let's have another little reality check here. At most blog sites you have the ability to create any username you wish. If I wanted to call myself Mata Hari or Britney Spears or the Queen of Sheba, I could do so with the web site's blessings.

Just for grins and giggles, who might this particular Bill Cosby be?

Perhaps...he is the infamous William J Cosby, head honcho of the Clay County Klu Klux Klan. Or, maybe...he is Wilhelm V Cosby, eldest son of the dock worker in Brindlesmire, Scotland. Does either of these individuals exist? Not to my knowledge. Is there a Brindlesmire, Scotland? I doubt it...I just made it all up.

Perhaps...it is even the illustrious current President, George Bush, giggling in that demented little way he has, as he sets up an account under the name of Bill Cosby to wreak havoc on the election. Could it be? I don't know. And that's my point. You just don't know. Could it be true? Yes. Is it true? I doubt it.

As Snopes points out, it is unlike Bill Cosby to make political and opinionated statements via blog comments, rather than in his speaking engagements. This type of thing is also one of the reason's all my emails have a little statement at the end: "Before you pass on that rumor, check it out on Snopes.com" That's where I found out about this supposed Bill Cosby comment.

The sad thing is...most people really don't care and don't bother to find out. They read something that fits their own personal little opinion profile and just hit that forward button trying to influence other people to be just as gullible as they have been.

So, for all of you who buy into and believe these types of emails and a host of others...you have been randomly selected as the grand prize winner of $10,000! All you have to do in order to receive this is to send me the following personal information...just so I can verify it is really you, of course...

Then, there is that bridge and some swampland you may be interested in...

~Later...

KNOCKIN ON Virtual Doors

Steph 4 Obama — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:59:34 EDT

Hey there! Today I will spend a lot of time knocking on virtual doors. I work a lot, so it's almost impossible for me to get up out of my office and support Barack like I would like to, but one thing I do have is powerful virtual connections. I have a lot of subscribers, a lot of facebook friends, and I know a lot of emails. I will be using today to really push for Barack Obama from a virtual standpoint. I will be sending emails, sending out my Youtube Video on getting more supporters, and doing what I can to get out the vote. The time is now, and I'm gonna make that happen!

Barack the Vote!

I'm a Student in Middle School

Asher Heimermann — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:17:14 EDT

I know you're busy, but I just wanted to check in with a quick reminder about a note I sent you earlier this week. I'm working hard to change not only our country but the political process itself by pursuing a personal fundraising goal for Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

http://my.barackobama.com/asherheimermann

Will you take a moment to check out my personal page and consider making a donation? As a 14 year old student, I have a goal opf $2,000 that I would like to reach before the week is over. I am very close to that goal.

http://my.barackobama.com/asherheimermann

Just like you, I have sent letters to the editor, volunteered my time in making phone calls, invited new friends to the campaign, and so much more. Please support me in supporting Senator Obama.

Yours Truly,

Mr. Asher Heimermann
8th Grade Student in Wisconsin
http://www.ASHERHEIMERMANN.com

Vicious attacks against Barack Obama targeting the Jewish Community

Gene — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:30:37 EDT

Many Jewish supporters of Barack Obama have been dismayed to see e-mails targeting Jews, viciously attacking Mr. Obama's patriotism, and insinuating that he is anti-semitic. Many of these attacks are based on religious and ethnic stereotypes, and exploit fears that the Jewish community has harbored for many years.

We cannot remain silent on this issue, given our own history of religious and ethnic persecution. I have personally written back to some of my friends who have e-mailed me this material, and have called them out on the issue.

I would invite anyone who has encountered these types of propaganda e-mails, to contact the senders and attach the following letter writted by Jewish Community leaders from the Simon Wiesenthal Center:

http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/apps/s/content.asp?c=fwLYKnN8LzH&b=253162&ct=4947257

"Candidates for our nation's highest office must be prepared for debate and challenges to their public record. However, we must have zero tolerance for the slightest traces of bigotry and hatred in our Nation's political discourse" —Rabbi Marvin Hier

January 15, 2008

An Open Letter to the Jewish Community:

As leaders of the Jewish community, none of whose organizations will endorse or oppose any candidate for President, we feel compelled to speak out against certain rhetoric and tactics in the current campaign that we find particularly abhorrent. Of particular concern, over the past several weeks, many in our community have received hateful emails that use falsehood and innuendo to mischaracterize Senator Barack Obama’s religious beliefs and who he is as a person.

These tactics attempt to drive a wedge between our community and a presidential candidate based on despicable and false attacks and innuendo based on religion. We reject these efforts to manipulate members of our community into supporting or opposing candidates.

Attempts of this sort to mislead and inflame voters should not be part of our political discourse and should be rebuffed by all who believe in our democracy. Jewish voters, like all voters, should support whichever candidate they believe would make the best president. We urge everyone to make that decision based on the factual records of these candidates, and nothing less.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Marvin Hier, Founder and Dean, Simon Wiesenthal Center

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean, Simon Wiesenthal Center

William Daroff, Vice President, United Jewish Communities

Nathan J. Diament, Director, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America

Abraham Foxman, National Director, Anti-Defamation League

Richard S. Gordon, President, American Jewish Congress

David Harris, Executive Director, American Jewish Committee

Rabbi David Saperstein, Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Phyllis Snyder, President, National Council of Jewish Women

Hadar Susskind, Washington Director, Jewish Council for Public Affairs

Email from Senator Kennedy

Asher Heimermann — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:00:02 EST

Below is an email that I got from Senator Ted Kennedy. I'm so fired up for Senator Obama!

By now, I'm sure you've heard of my enthusiastic endorsement of Barack Obama.
You know that I believe he's the one candidate running for president who can unify the country and inspire Americans to believe that our best days are still ahead. I've also worked with him in the Senate and know he has the experience and qualifications to hit the ground running on the first day.
You're getting this email because the Wisconsin Democratic primary is today. I hope you're planning to vote and that you will consider supporting the candidate I have spent the past few weeks campaigning for: Barack Obama.
If you're not sure where you're supposed to vote, or need help contacting your elections official, please visit the campaign's website:
http://wisconsin.barackobama.com
If you support Senator Obama like I do, and want to do more to help the campaign in these critical last hours, you can help get out the vote by calling supporters from your own home.
Click here to use the Obama campaign's online calling tool:
http://my.barackobama.com/call
Today's vote is the first step toward changing our country. I hope you'll do your part. And, I hope you'll join me in supporting the one candidate who can bring about real change, unite our country, and get America moving again.
Sincerely,
Senator Edward M. Kennedy

Ship of Hope -- WE CAN and WE Will

RD Larson — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:46:36 EST

When I first heard Barack Obama speak at the National Convention I was moved by his words:

“That is the true genius of America, a faith in the simple dreams of its people, the insistence on small miracles. That we can tuck in our children at night and know they are fed and clothed and safe from harm. That we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door. That we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe or hiring somebody's son. That we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will he counted - or at least, most of the time.”

He has not changed his message nor has he been swayed by detractors nor by other candidates. Obama's message that day inspired me to become more active in the political process. This year I attended the caucus here in Washington State for the first time. Barack Obama won easily in our room. His supporters were all ages and all sizes. They all knew his story and his stand on the issues. The Hilary supporters were more emotional and less likely to know as much about the issues.

I firmly believe that Barack Obama can win against John McCain in 2008! Please lend your support

to this incredible, brilliant man. A man who can lead this nation forward to the greatness that the writers of our Constitution passionately envisioned.

A story that begs comment....

Kelly Ayers — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:55:57 EST

Wow, this story got me. Anyone else ever read it? What does it stir in you?

Don't Close Your Blinds

The other day, my nine year old son wanted to know why we were at war. My husband looked at our son and then looked at me.
My husband and I were in the Army during the Gulf War and we would be honored
to serve and defend our Country again today. I knew that my husband would
give him a good explanation. My husband thought for a few minutes and then told
my son to go stand in our front living room window. He said 'Son, stand there
and tell me what you see? ''I see trees and cars and our neighbor's houses,' he
replied. 'OK, now I want you to pretend that our house and our yard is
the United States of America and you are President Bush. 'Our son giggled and said
'OK. ''Now son, I want you to look out the window and pretend that
every house and yard on this block is a different country' my husband said. 'OK Dad,
I'm pretending. ' Now I want you to stand there and look out the window and
pretend you see Saddam come out of his house with his wife, he has her by
the hair and is hitting her. You see her bleeding and crying. He hits her in the
face, he throws her on the ground, then he starts to kick her to death.
Their children run out and are afraid to stop him, they are screaming and crying,
they are watching this but do nothing because they are kids and they are afraid
of their father. You see all of this, son ... what do you do? ''Dad?'   What do
you do son?'   I'd call the police, Dad. ''OK. Pretend that the police are the
United Nations. They take your call. They listen to what you know and saw but they
refuse to help. What do you do then son? ''Dad ......... but the police are
supposed to help!' My son starts to whine. 'They don't want to, son, because
they say that it is not their place or your place to get involved and that you
should stay out of it,' my husband says. 'But Dad ... he killed her!!' my son
exclaims. 'I know he did ... but the police tell you to stay out of it. Now
I want you to look out that window and pretend you see our neighbor
who you're pretending is Saddam turn around and do the same thing to
his children. " Daddy ... he kills them? 'Yes, son, he does. What do you do?' Well, if the
police don't want to help, I will go and ask my next door neighbor to help me stop
him,' our son says.'   Son, our next door neighbor sees what is happening and
refuses to get involved as well. He refuses to open the door and help you
stop him,' my husband says. 'But Dad, I NEED help!!! I can't stop him by myself!! ''WHAT DO YOU DO SON?' Our son starts to cry. 'OK, no one wants to
help you, the man across the street saw you ask for help and saw that no one
would help you stop him. He stands taller and puffs out his chest. Guess what he
does next, son? 'What Daddy?'   He walks across the street to the old ladies
house and breaks down her door and drags her out, steals all her stuff and sets her
house on fire and then ... he kills her. He turns around and sees you standing
in the window and laughs at you. WHAT DO YOU DO? ''Daddy...''WHAT DO YOU DO?'
Our son is crying and he looks down and he whispers, 'I'd close the blinds,
Daddy.'   My husband looks at our son with tears in his eyes and asks
him 'Why?' 'Because, Daddy ..... the police are supposed to help people who
need them ... and they won't help ... You always say that neighbors are supposed
to HELP neighbors, but they won't help either ... they won't help me stop
him ... I'm afraid ... I can't do it by myself, Daddy... I can't look out my window
and just watch him do all these terrible things and, and, do nothing ...
so, I'm just going to close the blinds ... so I can't see what he's doing ... and
I'm going to pretend that it is not happening.'   I start to cry. My husband looks
at our nine year old son standing in the window, looking pitiful and ashamed
at his answers to my husband's questions and he says ...'Son 'Yes, Daddy.' Open
the blinds because that man ... He's at your front door...'WHAT DO YOU DO?' My
son looks at his father, anger and defiance in his eyes. He balls up his tiny fists
and looks his father square in the eyes, without hesitation he says: ' I DEFEND
MY FAMILY, DAD!! I'M NOT GONNA LET HIM HURT MOMMY OR MY SISTER, DAD!!! I'M
GONNA FIGHT HIM, DAD, I'M GONNA FIGHT HIM!!!!!' I see a tear roll down my
husband's cheek and he grabs our son to his chest and hugs him tight, and says ... '
It's too late to fight him, he's too strong and he's already at YOUR front door son
... you should have stopped him BEFORE he killed his wife, and his
children and the old lady across the way. You have to do what's right, even if you have
to do it alone, before its too late,' my husband whispers. THAT scenario I just
gave you is WHY we are at war with Iraq. When good men stand by and let evil
happen, son, THAT is the greatest atrocity in the world. 'YOU MUST NEVER BE AFRAID
TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO DO IT ALONE!' BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! BE PROUD OF OUR TROOPS!! SUPPORT THEM!!! SUPPORT AMERICA SO THAT IN THE FUTURE OUR CHILDREN WILL NEVER HAVE TO CLOSE THEIR BLINDS... 'This should be printed in every newspaper and posted in every school in America. Of course that won't
happen so we'll use the Internet. If your blinds are closed, do nothing
with this email. If they are open I do not need to tell you what to do. GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!! Steven R Chandler, CMSgt332 ELRS/Vehicle Management Flight
> Balad Air Base , Iraq

Make the Call

Asher Heimermann — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:48:29 EST

More than 20 states will vote three weeks from now on February 5th.

We have a lot of people to contact, and you can help right now by making a few phone calls from your home.

It's easy; it's fun; and it will make a difference.

Try making five phone calls, and I promise you'll want to make five more. You can start right here:

http://my.barackobama.com/callFeb5

In order to win on February 5th, we're going to need to identify Obama supporters and make sure they get to the polls.

Our staff and volunteers in these states are working around the clock to identify new supporters and empower them to spread the word in their communities.

But this is a national campaign and a national movement, and you can make an impact no matter where you are.

It's not just the voters you reach that will make a difference.

By getting these calls done faster, using our nationwide network of volunteers like you, our staff and volunteers in February 5th states can focus on tasks that can only be done in-person: knocking on doors, holding organizing meetings, and face-to-face outreach in local communities.

Give our My.BarackObama calling tool a try, and you could make the difference in a close race:

http://my.barackobama.com/callFeb5

The early state primaries and caucuses are a sequential process. Nevada will hold its caucuses on Saturday, and South Carolina will hold its primary a week later, on January 26th.

But when we get to February 5th, we face a truly nationwide challenge -- and your calls today on behalf of Barack Obama will ensure that our organization is ready.

Pick up the phone and make a difference right now.

Disrespectful Emails

Asher Heimermann — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:02:10 EST

It has come to my attention that the citizens of South Carolina have once again been been sent an erroneous and disrespectful email and US postal mailing regarding a Presidential candidate. South Carolinians were subjected to smear tactics and out right lies regarding Presidential Candidates in the 2000 primary and now in 2008 the same abhorrent tactics are being used. The citizens of South Carolina do not deserve being subjected to juvenile and dishonest political ploys, that distort, disrespect, and out right lie about the candidates and their families.

The media outlets of South Carolina have a duty to uphold and protect their viewing and reading audiences by living up to the esteemed honor of being the unspoken fourth branch of government and be the watch dog it is designed to be. The media has a duty to keep its public well informed about the facts and reject mass misinformation and report factual information about all political candidates, be it local, statewide, or national.

South Carolinians, as well as citizens of the United States have a huge responsibility in picking the leaders that represent all of our interest. With that responsibility we are all owed unimpeachable, unblemished, and honest information about all of our public leaders. We all deserve to make an informed decision based on fact and integrity.

With that in mind, I urge the South Carolina news organizations to reject false hoods, reprehensible political tactics, and misinformation. And, report true and accurate profiles of all of the candidates which allow the citizens to make a decision based on fact.

As a matter of record and full disclosure I am a signed supporter, volunteer, and member to the of the volunteer based Obama Rapid Response team. And in no way is this letter an official response or statement from the Obama for America Presidential Campaign. I am a citizen that is disgusted by individuals and groups that insist on perpetuating lies and rousing fear and smearing all candidates from all political parties and ideologies.

I urge you all to make a stand for integrity and deem the antagonists of a pure democratic system, (which requires a well informed electorate) inept by providing your citizens accurate information and providing the antidote for the poison of misinformation that has seeped into the political process. I am not only writing this letter as a supporter for Senator Barack Obama I am writing as a proponent of politics grounded in honesty and integrity. I write on behalf of us all.

Fact Check for you to send to those sending or receiving the Obama smear emails

Chris Schultz of "Green is Good" — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:05:45 EST

The other day I received a despicalbe email forward that was sent to my sister and others by her friend down in South Carolina. Appartanly, a number of these Obama "slime" emails are going around claiming that the story of his upbringing and roots are false and that he and his father should be both considered radical muslims, and a number of other smear attepts as well. This is gutter politics at its worst.

I found a great link on FactCheck.org that refutes pretty much every negative and false claim made against Senator Obama. Send this to anyone who is forwarding or receiving these emails.

One Week until NH!

Asher Heimermann — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:23:27 EST

Happy New Year New Hampshire!

We're down to one week before the NH Primary. That's only 7 days to get the job done, to give Barack Obama a victory in the Granite State.

This past weekend more than 850 volunteers canvassed all over the state.

More than 15,000 new supporters have joined the campaign this month alone.

Thousands of supporters have signed up to volunteer on January 8th and the days leading up to it.

Hundreds of new volunteers are signing up to join them each day.

But beyond the numbers, its people like you that have built this amazing grassroots organization. That's why we're going to need your help with our critical get out the vote (GOTV) effort on Tuesday, Jan. 8th. We need your time and we need your voice - join us in the final push:

http://nh.barackobama.com/jan8

Finally, if you haven't yet seen this great video, please take a minute. THIS is what a movement looks like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmUUYo9o9eg

In seven days we will change the world - are you ready NH?

Meet Barack at the Daily Show

Sam Graham-Felsen — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:13:33 EDT

David Plouffe just sent out this email:

Dear Sam,
Barack is scheduled to be a guest on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart next Wednesday, August 22nd.
You and a friend could get a free trip to New York City and tickets to be part of the studio audience -- you'll even get to meet Barack.
We're going to choose one new supporter who signs up this week to go to New York along with the person who invited them to join the campaign.
We'll pay for travel, and you'll both get to meet Barack and be part of the studio audience when he's on The Daily Show next week.
Help grow the movement -- each friend you invite could be the one selected to join you at Comedy Central's World News Headquarters:
http://my.barackobama.com/dailyshowtix
To participate, all you need to do is invite someone new to join the movement this week.
We'll select a new supporter to attend the show, and they get to bring the person who invited them -- maybe you! New supporters will share why they joined the campaign, and we'll choose an interesting story from someone who signs up for the first time this week.
Invite as many of your friends, family, and colleagues as you'd like -- click here for more details and to participate:
http://my.barackobama.com/dailyshowtix
We can't guarantee that Jon Stewart won't make fun of us for giving away these tickets or you for getting them -- but hey, it's about bringing more people into our movement.
So reach out.
Thank you,
David
David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Watch this video

Sam Graham-Felsen — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:55:55 EDT

David Plouffe just sent out this email:

Dear Sam,

You've got to see this exchange from last night's AFL-CIO debate. It's about how the Iraq war has made us less safe, how Barack would get us on the right battlefield, and how we need to challenge the insiders' conventional thinking about our foreign policy:

Responding to an attack on his common-sense approach to fighting terrorism, Barack said:

I find it amusing that those who helped to authorize and engineer the biggest foreign policy disaster in our generation are now criticizing me for making sure that we are on the right battlefield and not the wrong battlefield in the war against terrorism.

Watch the full exchange, share the video, and ask someone you know to join our movement:

http://my.barackobama.com/AFLCIOforum

Barack said it was the biggest strategic mistake in a generation for the Bush administration and its enablers to let Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda slip away while they rushed to invade Iraq, a country that had nothing to do with the attacks of 9/11.

You know it, I know it, and the rest of the world knows it -- everyone, it seems, except the inside-the-beltway establishment who helped George Bush create this mess in the first place.

In response to his honest assessment, Barack was told that presidents aren't supposed to tell the American people what they think.

That's exactly the kind of don't-ask-questions politics that led to the disaster in Iraq. The American people deserve a president who respects them enough to tell them what he thinks and how he'll keep them safe from the most urgent threats to our national security.

The conventional thinking of Washington insiders is part of a pattern of denial -- it's the same kind of alternate reality we saw just this weekend at the YearlyKos debate during a discussion of the role of Washington lobbyists in our political process.

Watch the video:

http://my.barackobama.com/YearlyKosDebate

On Saturday, Barack challenged the ridiculous assertion that Washington lobbyists and the millions of dollars they use to distort the political process represent real people. Barack said:

I disagree with the notion that lobbyists don't have disproportionate influence. The insurance and drug companies spent one billion dollars in lobbying over the past ten years... You cannot tell me that that money did not make a difference. They are not spending that just because they are contributing to the public interest.

Watch the exchange and ask someone you know to join our campaign to change the way Washington does business:

http://my.barackobama.com/YearlyKosDebate

Barack will continue to speak the truth, but it's up to us to build this movement.

Send one of these videos to your friends and show them why Barack Obama is the candidate who will bring the kind of change we need.

Thank you,

David

David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

What Inspires You?

Sam Graham-Felsen — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:36:56 EDT

Barack Obama just sent out this email:

Dear Friend,

Make a donation
and share your
story of inspiration

BarackObama.com/inspire
Candidates typically spend a week like this -- right before the critical June 30th financial reporting deadline -- on the phone day and night, begging Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs to write huge checks.
Not me. Our campaign has rejected the money-for-influence game and refused to accept funds from registered federal lobbyists and political action committees.
But there are serious financial consequences to that decision.

Cutting off the flow of easy Washington money means we have to work harder. Instead of relying on a handful of powerful interests, we must bring together hundreds of thousands of supporters, each owning an individual piece of our movement.

It's one thing to talk about financing campaigns differently. It's another for us to take that risk and put our trust in one another.

The June 30th deadline will prove that this era of broken politics and widespread cynicism is coming to a close. We're ready for that change, and together we can turn the page.

The rest of the country, and the world, is watching. They want to see if we can shake up the politics of the past and set the tone for this election and the future of our democracy.

You have shown your support before, and now you can share your inspiration.
Make a donation of $50 and be a part of something big:

barackobama.com/inspire

But don't stop there.
If we're going to get hundreds of thousands of people to join our movement, we need to do something different. That's why I'm turning the rest of this fundraising drive over to you.

This is the last you will hear from me until after the June 30th deadline.

From here on out, your stories and your passion will determine our success. When you make a donation, I want you to share what inspired you to join our movement. For the rest of the week, those stories -- including your story -- will drive the results.

Something powerful and personal inspired you to join our movement. It may be your family's rising health care costs or a relative fighting in Iraq. You might be fed up with corruption in Washington or frustrated by how petty and divisive our national politics has become.

Whatever your reasons, they will connect with someone else and they will make a difference. Make your donation now and share what inspired you to support our movement for change:

barackobama.com/inspire

Pundits and Washington insiders use these fundraising deadlines to measure the viability of campaigns. They like to judge potential in dollars, as if money alone somehow indicates widespread support.

But we measure success in people -- the number of supporters giving to the campaign, and the number of donations they make to show their commitment.

We can get at least 10,000 people involved this week, but only if you take control.

Each of us must reach out to the people we know -- our friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors -- and inspire them to join our movement for change.

Donate now. Share your story and spread the word:

barackobama.com/inspire

Watch our website and your inbox for real stories from supporters like you.

This fundraising deadline is an important challenge for our campaign, but I know I can put my trust in you.

I have faith that we will succeed, and it won't be because of me -- it will be because each of you has the power to inspire.

Thank you.

Barack Obama

P.S. -- We've built something together that's bigger than me or my candidacy. I just made my own donation to this movement and wrote a short note about how you've inspired me:

I've seen what can happen when people who love their country come together and decide it's time for change. As a community organizer in the South Side of Chicago, I was part of a movement that turned around neighborhoods that others had given up on. I know what's possible for this country. I know we can build a new kind of politics that recognizes we're all connected as one people, that we rise or fall as one nation, and that we're ready to turn the page and start anew.

Who can you inspire? Get started here:

barackobama.com/inspire

Women for Obama and listserv messages

Donna — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 13:36:24 EST

As some of you may have noticed, this site allows members to send messages to a group's listserv. Those messages would be emailed to each member of the group. Because of the group settings, I have to approve each message before they are sent to the member list.

I just wanted to write a post about my opinion on this feature and explain why those of you who have submitted listserv messages haven't had them sent out. I think that sending email messages to every member for anything other than the occasional announcement is intrusive. If I approve a message or two every day (especially messages that aren't specifically related to women and Obama), then group members may rightly start to view them as spam. I don't want members getting enough unwanted email that they either start to ignore it or drop out of the group.

There is no way to entirely turn off the listserv feature, so I will have to personally approve or reject each message. I will only rarely approve emails, and the only messages that will be sent along are major, on-topic announcements. I'd like to ask that personal observations, networking between groups, and the like be kept on the blog.

If your message is not accepted, please don't take it personally. I have great respect for all of your enthusiasm and effort. I just have strong opinions about email lists, and I think that this site and this group won't have much impact if we annoy our membership.

How to Remove Yourself From Listserv Emails

Lynn, Sacramento, CA — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 08:55:02 EST

Copy of email sent to the Rapid Response Group. We have several people dropping out of the group because of the volume of listserv emails flowing.

Folks, if the volume of email you are receiving is becoming a nusance for you, it is not necessary to drop out of the Rapid Response group to stop the flow. All you need to do is go to the barackobama.com website, login and then go to My Groups, then click on the Rapid Response group name in the list of groups you've joined. On the next page you'll have the option of removing yourself from this listserv.
Doing this, assures you are still in the loop and can help with the effort while not being bogged down by the clutter of emails.Please reconsider this option before dropping out of the group. We need every single one of you to make this happen.Visit the group's blog often to remain focused on the project. Let's move as much of these discussions to the blog where we'll have an archive of the discussions for new people to review down the road when they join up.I've written a request to have more options regarding receiving listmails. Please add your supporting comments here in the Website Feedback group blog.