Posts with the tag florida

UNITED AGAINST RACISM

WEBMASTER — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:46:34 EDT

Hi Friend

There is a new group that just started on Facebook that I thought Organizing for America members may be interested in joining. Please see United Against Racism -

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/354956/80588439?m=9dc74a6e

United Against Racism

posted by David Apperson

Little Black Dress Party for College Affordability

Saint Lucie County Group — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:18:49 EDT

Port St. Lucie, August 12, 2009 – Press Release

Port St. Lucie, FL - On Saturday, August 29, Iduka Corporation will hold its inaugural “Little Black Dress Party for College Affordability” event in Port St. Lucie to bring members of the community together to show support for college students with varying financial needs. The event will take place in Saint Lucie West at Elements Martini Bar, 2096 NW Courtyard Circle, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986.

Online registration is available at http://www.iduka.citymax.com/events1.html. Pre-registered participants will pay $5 at the door, all other attendees without RSVP will pay $10 donation for entry. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. Drink specials and finger food will be served until 10:00 p.m. Ladies in black dresses are eligible to win prizes! Ladies get one free drink. Please register early, as space is limited!

Iduka Corporation is a non-profit organization that has a pending application for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Our mission is to promote college affordability by connecting students with lenders, schools, and community service organizations through an Internet based micro-loan program.

Our goal is to provide students and their families one more financial tool to help them in their pursuit of higher education. We make this possible by offering an innovative plan based in a Web-based micro-lending system that connects students with lenders, and incorporates, whenever possible, student volunteerism as a mean for students to pay back their loans.

Media contact:

Darlene Craddock

darlene.craddock@iduka.org

772-284-6455

www.iduka.org

www.iduka.citymax.com

www.facebook.com/iduka.microloans

OFN-Jax: house meeting 8 plan and leadership workshop on Senge

Jerry E Fluellen Jr — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:05:19 EDT

House Meeting 8 The Obama Family Network of Jacksonville, Florida (OFN-Jax) University Park Branch of the Jacksonville Public LibraryMeeting Room B University Blvd NorthJacksonville, Florida2:00 PM to 5:00 PM “All learning integrates thinking and doing.”Peter Senge Goal: Prepare leaders for President Obama’s 2012 Presidential campaign. The circles· Welcome circle: Greet your neighbor with the words “Sawu bona” (I see you). Answer, “Sikhona” (I am here.) Ubuntu as a powerful analogy for a learning organization · Prayer circle · Qi Gong circle The context· Check in game My name is _____, and I am checking in. What has been President Obama’s main contribution to the well being of our nation?· OFN-Jax story of the first nine months· Draft OFN-Jax strategic plan The workshopShared vision (This is the second of five disciplines from Peter Senge’s fifth discipline framework for leading learning organizations.)· vision building activity· Senge’s definition of shared vision (audio book excerpt)· knowledge as design power point slide show exploring shared vision UbuntuCheck out game:My name is____, and I am checking out. How has President Obama been creating a shared vision for 21st century government?

“ ‘…Learning does not make one learned: there are those who have knowledge and those who have understanding. The first requires memory, the second philosophy,’” said Abbe Furia.

Edmund Dantes replies, “’But can’t one learn philosophy?’” “Philosophy cannot be taught. Philosophy is the union of all acquired knowledge and the genius that applies it: philosophy is the shinning cloud upon which Christ set His foot to go up into heaven.’” p168-169 Dumas, A. (1840/1996 translation). The Count of Monte Christo. New York: Penguin Books. Peter Senge Workshop in Shared Vision (1 of 4)for Leaders in The Obama Family Network of Jacksonville, Florida Goal: Understand how to create a shared vision for OFN-Jax. 1. Vision building activity 2. Senge audio on shared vision 3. Power point slide show on shared vision/talking points:· Why does OFN-Jax need to create a shared vision?· How did Peter Senge define shared vision?· How does shared vision compare with personal mastery?· How has President Obama been creating a shared vision of 21st century government?

Florida Election Blog

WEBMASTER — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:38:34 EDT

As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."

It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Florida to post a message on the Florida Election Blog.

Florida Election Blog
florida-election.blogspot.com

reed here!

Unknown user — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:59:20 EDT

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Fghjy from Quebradillas, PR — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:12:29 EDT

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NASA IS NECESSARY

Jim — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:56:50 EDT

We need NASA more then bailing out AIG and all the Wall Street Fat Cats. Look back to the days when we were caught flat footed by the Russians launching Sputnik and that's how we'll be caught by the Chinese when they land on the Moon and Mars while we become a 3rd World country with no technology. A culture of minimum wage earners.

Obama claims he's for Science, well NASA and the Space Program are about Science more then anything else. We should be developing vehicles and programs that continue to explore the Universe around us. There are also ten's of thousands of jobs at stake in various States.

If the Obama administration cuts or eliminates NASA and the Space Program it will loose a part of my support and serve as a kind of sign that maybe the President's words are empty. It also could loose Central Florida which helped elect this President and could help elect a Democratic Senator soon.

Celebrating the first 100 days of President Barack Obama - Education & Healthcare

Saint Lucie County Group — Thu, 07 May 2009 11:10:41 EDT

A couple weeks ago we were asked by OFA if we had in our community a positive story to highlight the first 100 days in office of President Barack Obama, and here in Saint Lucie County, Florida, we do. We started organizing and holding regular meetings right after the elections.

Within days of the President’s call to service, a small planning group was formed to help with the President’s vision to bring hope to thousands of college students in our communities and the group’s mission was outlined to provide an outlet for active citizenship in the area of college affordability.

On April 11, 2009 a new non-profit organization, Iduka, was incorporated in the state of Florida.

Iduka was created to promote college affordability by connecting students with lenders, schools, and community service organizations through an Internet based interest free micro-loan program.

Students may also qualify for a loan to grant conversion. In such cases students can pay off their loans by volunteering in their communities if Iduka can secure enough donations to cover such loan to grant conversions. A student enrolled in a Health Care Program at the local community college, can, if matching funds are available, convert an Iduka micro-loan into a grant by volunteering at a local hospital or community hospice.

In addition to a few professionals that have already provided pro bono services, we currently have a group of 10 local volunteers working hard to make this project a reality. This commitment and enthusiasm is a direct result of President Obama’s call to bring change to our communities, country, and the world.

Iduka is currently seeking seed money start operations and fulfill its mission. We are also actively recruiting members to serve on the Board of Directors, particularly individuals with a background in Law and Finance.

Please feel free to contact Miguel Martim (772) 380-4883 or Joan Barnes (772) 871-9104 in case you need any further information and/or would like to partner with Iduka. You can also visit us online at www.iduka.org

National Charter Schools Week - LACHS

Jodie from Lehigh Acres, FL — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:02:05 EDT

Happy National Charter Schools Week! May 3-9 is National Charter School Week. There are more than 4,600 charter schools in America serving over 1.4 million students. Charter Schools are making differences in the lifes of so many children. I am the principal of Lee Alternative Charter High School in Lehigh Acres, Florida. My school has a population of about 200 students, who for one reason or another, do not choose to attend traditional high school. My students are extremely special kids, who have risen above their home and community lives, and are fighting to get their high school diplomas. Students who dropped out of school, are now back in school, working hard to earn the diploma that will help to make their lives better. This is the first year that Lee Alternative Charter High School was open. We have about thirty students planning on graduating in June, many of them first generation graduates. They are realizing their dreams: some are going on to serve our country, some are going to vocational schools, and some are going where they never dreamed they could - college. I would like to take this time to thank the people who support charter schools and let them know that they are making a difference in the lives of students in Lehigh Acres, Florida. Happy National Charter Schools Week!

BARACK OBAMA FIRST 100 DAYS

WEBMASTER — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:23:01 EDT

During the first 100 days of the Obama presidency we have seen outstanding leadership in tackling the many issues facing our great nation. And it seems that overwhelming poll numbers indicate that America agrees with President Obama. see THE WHITE HOUSE

The question remains; What can we as fellow Americans do to help our neighbors and countrymen? Included are nine things you can do to help the President celebrate his first 100 Days in office:

1. Donate unused suits to the Salvation Army
2. Donate time to Americorps
3. Donate toys for children at Toys for Tots
4. Donate blood at the Red Cross
5. Donate a can of food each week to a Local Shelter or Food Pantry
6. Donate money to Save the Children
7. Donate time at local a Veterans Hospital
8. Donate an hour a day to your Child
9. Donate to the Make a Wish Foundation

Participation is greatly appreciated. What you do for the least of our brethren, you do for yourself -
http://donate.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxWJh

Barack Obama First 100 Days posted by David Apperson

Miami, my second home, but really out of touch!!!

Unknown user — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:31:26 EDT

It seems that when you go to Miami Florida on vacation, you would expect everyone to enjoy the beach! Well, being I am a proud Canadian, and also a proud tourist of the sunny alligator state, I was a bit appalled at what transpired while staying at a Hotel.

I was brought up to recycle, as we all know, recycling produces 75% of garbage and waste. If you have a city that wants to be up to date, and make sure the least amount of money is spent on picking up recyclables , you would put into action a plan to invest in that cities future. Better recycling systems.

I stayed at the Marco Polo Ramada Inn, which in itself is a fair , average stay in and near the Bal Harbour area, good enough for this tourist! I kept all my recycling with me till the end, thinking of doing the last day deed of getting rid of all the recycling.

I was shocked to hear the hotel did not recycle. My mission was now to find one that did, and "sneak" my recycling in, as apparently the cost of recycling is hefty in Florida.

I was able to find one, that had visibly recycling bins outside, at night, I jumped the fence, and placed all my recycling in the proper containers. My girlfriend thinks I am crazy for taking all this effort, yet it is her type of mentality which is the problem at heart.

I pondered, why would this great city, full of wealth (as they did not show signs of the economy slowing down especially in the way the televised Miami Dade County hearings of the taxation system, went on about issues, laughing about money expenditures as if life was grand!).

It occurred to me, they did not see the profit behind recycling.
I guess, if you look hard enough you can find a way to make it profitable, as Calgary sure did!. So how can a place that has cow tipping competitions be so far ahead then Florida?

Greed! The Florida state does not think it is up to them to put in place the proper system to be able to recycle your stuff.

If I could ask Obama to do one thing, it would be to push forth a FEDERALLY imposed recycling system that based on population, the city would be fined if it were not within a certain amount of technology to take care of recycling. As for the cities, they could have better R&D on the subject (Florida has none!).

You could develop a fine system for all hotels that do not recycle properly, and offer their guests a greener environment. 5000$ for the first infraction and going up from there. There could be a random policing of hotels, to enforce the issue as well as a civilian declaration center, where people with proof (photos) can place a complaint against the hotel, 3 strikes you are fined 10,000$

That would start the money rolling in to the city for better system....and better technology!

The beach where I stayed was soooo dirty, it made my stomach turn. I was afraid of going on the sand. Cans, bottles, paper, all of it could have been recycled to boot. Not only was it dirty showing the little amount of effort people took to place their garbage in the containers, but also the lack of proper receptacles for recycling meant that much more garbage.

In the end it always ends up on how to get the city to make it their business to want to recycle, but in this case if they were to lose money to the federal gov. by not taking care of it, this would get the ball rolling!
If someone like Britany Spears or Paris Hilton can be seen to recycle so should we, no?

MISSING CHILDREN - IMMEDIATE WEB CIRCULATION NEEDED - PLEASE HELP

Please Help Missing Children — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:21:03 EDT

Daniel Zamlen - Endangered Missing - Minnesota

Nathaly Alonzo 12 - Abducted - Delaware

Joshua David Avara 11 - Abducted - Texas

Sandra Cantu 8 - FOUND DECEASED

JACK CONNOLLY 7 - FOUND DECEASED - KILLED BY NON-CUSTODIAL FATHER WITH VIOLENT HISTORY - NO SUPERVISED VISITATION

DUNCAN CONNOLLY 9 - FOUND DECEASED - KILLED BY NON-CUSTODIAL FATHER WITH VIOLENT HISTORY - NO SUPERVISED VISITATION

BRITTANY WELLS 17 - SUSPECTED RUNAWAY - NORTH DAKOTA

Rochelle Denise Battle 16 - MISSING - MARYLAND

ALLYSON CORRALES 4 - ENDANGERED MISSING - MISSOURI

Mariah Sparks - MISSING CHILD - ALABAMA

Amber Leeanne Dubois - Endangered Missing - California

Haleigh Cummings - Endangered Missing - Florida

Tierny Perry 16 - Endangered Runaway - Florida

Adji "Ji Ji" Desir - Endangered Missing - Florida

SAMANTHA CHER HOWELL 15 - ENDANGERED RUNAWAY - NEW MEXICO

Jeff Renaud - Missing - Ontario

Crystal Ann Fox - Missing - California

Mystic Dawn Salazar - Missing - Colorado

Omar Qutaiba Mahoud - Abducted - New Mexico

Nadia Mahmoud - Abducted - New Mexico

Pebbles Jace - Missing Endangered - California

Max-Gian (Max-Jon) Alcalde 7 - Missing - Idaho

Ashley Nicole Lopez 18 - Endangered Runaway - New Mexico

Wendy Rameriz-Beristain - Endangered Missing - Florida

Marlene Torales - Endangered Missing - California

Claudia Vanessa Yat - Endangered Missing - California

Tangena Hussain 2 - Endangered Missing - Michigan

Jaliek "Jay" Rainwalker 12 - Endangered Missing - New York

Elian Amilcar Majano 2 - Endangered - Texas

Benjamin “Ben” Melvin Roseland - Missing - Iowa

Yasmin Acree - Missing - Illinois

Amy Fitzapatrick - Missing - Spain

Adrian Gonzalez 7 - Endangered Missing - Florida

Neida Rodriguez-Gonzalez 3 - Endangered Missing - Florida

Thor Danielsson Wang 1 - Endangered Missing - California

AMBER ADELIA BITTINGER 15 - ENDANGERED RUNAWAY - NEW MEXICO

Latoya Fleming 6 - Endangered Missing - New York

JOANNA CANO 15 & ANGEL 6 mo. - "PERSON OF INTEREST" WANTED FOR 1ST DEGREE MURDER - NORTH CAROLINA

XYLONIA BEGAY - MISSING - NEW MEXICO

MADELEINE MCCANN 4 - MISSING - INTERNATIONAL

Tabitha Tudor 18 - Endangered Missing - Tennessee

Kyle Fleischmann - Missing - North Carolina

Justin Gaines - Missing - Georgia

Donna Jou - Missing - California

Jason Michael Rourk - Missing - Georgia

Jennifer Keese - Missing - Florida

Mark Degner - Missing - Florida

Brian Hayes - Missing - Florida

Maura Murray - Missing - New Hampshire

Tabitha Tudors - Missing - Tennessee

Branson Perry - Missing - Missouri

Suzanne "Suzy" Gloria Lyall - Missing - New York

Karen Wilson - Missing - New York

Michael Mayfield - Endangered Missing - Texas

Pamela Mayfield - Endangered Missing - Texas

Florida Energy Problems and Solutions

BernieW — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 10:33:26 EST

Florida Energy Problems, Options, and Suggested Solutions The following is a brief summary of the main energy related problems and issues to be dealt with over the next few years, and policy options and solutions to deal with the problems and needs. Recent trends in energy use have been unsustainable and have led to major environmental and economic problems including climate change, energy dependency, and export of economic capital and falling value of the dollar. Rapid advances in technology of alternative energy options like thin-film solar PV, concentrators, dye-sensitized solar cells, energy storage equipment, wind turbines, ocean and tidal power, CHP, etc. appear likely to make such options more cost effective, as well as cleaner, than traditional generation technologies within 5 years. Some of these options including energy efficiency options and combined heat and power(CHP) applications are already more cost effective than traditional generation technologies, as well as reducing global warming and pollution effects. Many experts expect some solar PV and concentrator options to be more cost effective than traditional fossil fuel and nuclear options within 5 years, since technology is advancing rapidly and production costs are declining rapidly. Nuclear power and coal plant capital cost have been rapidly increasing in recent years due to rapidly rising costs for steel, concrete, copper, other materials, and specialty labor. Total capital and operating costs for all of the major fossil fuel and nuclear power options are currently of similar magnitude, but fossil fuel plants have significant health and environmental externality cost and nuclear plants have questions about future decommissioning and radioactive waste cost plus proliferation and security issues.

Energy is a major issue in Florida for the next decade. Details:

http://www.flcv.com/flenergy.html

Test

One Nation Volusia — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:03:53 EST

Hello from West Volusia

PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL SPEECH

WEBMASTER — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:39:36 EST

Presidential Inaugural Address Delivered by President Barack Obama on 20 Jan 2009

My fellow citizens -
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents. So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it."
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
President Barack Obama

Presidential Inaugural Speech - A message for all people
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT

source: David Apperson, webmaster

Op ' cast Lead' Israel/Gaza: Triple Islamic Crime: 1) Firing upon Israeli civilians, 2) using its own populations' women and children to make sure they die, so they can bash Israel even more, 3) Calling for genocide on Israelis or on all Jews.

Natalia from Acampo, CA — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:41:37 EST

December, 2008 - January 2009

Triple Islamic Crime: 1) Firing upon Israeli civilians, 2) using its own populations' women and children to make sure they die, so they can bash Israel even more, 3) Calling for genocide on Israelis or on all Jews.

Operation 'Cast Lead' - Israel decided it had (1) - enough of: Years of Islamic 'Palestinian' Hamas' barrage of rocket attacks aimed intentionally on Israeli civilians, preferably children (at the times they go to schools and kindergartens), around a Millions Israelis are under this threatening range.
(2) - The Islamic terror Hamas fights the Israeli humane anti-terror defensive forces via most inhumane tactics - using its own civilians, women and children as human shields in order to cause Arab kids' deaths and then parade with them on global TV cameras.

(3) - An expolsion of Islamofascism's hatred and call for genocide on (all) Jews in wordlwide demonstrations under the flag of "free Palestine".

On Dec. 27, Israel began defensive operations to dismantle Iran-backed Hamas’s terrorist infrastructure in Gaza and stop the terrorist group from its 8-years-long campaign of attacking Israeli civilians with 10,000 rockets, missiles and mortars.

Despite Hamas’s unrelenting rocket attacks, Israel continues to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, warning the civilian population to stay clear of terrorist sites. Said Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, "Israel has made it clear that we are fighting against terrorism, not the Gazan residents, and the extremists are the ones who are taking advantage of the concern of the humanitarian organizations and the international community as a means of pressuring Israel."
http://www.theisraelproject.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=hsJPK0PIJpH&b=689705&ct=6479 919

Harris noted that Israel has always gone to great lengths in an attempt to avoid civilian casualties, but that, tragically, Hamas uses civilians "as human shields," making Israel's efforts still more challenging. (Dec 27, 2008)

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/12-27-2008/00049 47081&EDATE=

Hamas Prepares 15,000 Soldiers, Civilian Human Shields For Full Confrontation With Israel (Dec 27, 2008)

http://www.mererhetoric.com/archives/11275253.html

Hamas took no heed of the plight of their own brethren, "and just as they have used human shields in their terror operations, they are now taking the whole ...

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1229868820574&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Israel's Challenge Family Security Matters, NJ - Dec 26, 2008 Why is criticism never leveled at Hamas or Hezbollah who regularly use children as human shields to protect their leaders and their weapons? ...

http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.2115/pub_detail.asp

Israel retaliation in Gaza, Hamas hit hard Canada Free Press, Canada Any suspected hideouts of Hamas leadership must be taken out. Israel had opportunities in earlier decades to do this and refused because of the human shield

http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/7171

Hamas Explains Use of Civilians as Human Shields
By Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook
"We desire death as you desire life."
The UN announcement that 51 civilians have died in the conflict in Gaza must be understood in the context of Hamas's declared ideology to use civilians as human shields for Hamas fighters. Indeed, Hamas continues to emphasize and promote the religious ideology that death for Allah is an ideal to be actively pursued.
The goal is to convince Palestinians, including women and children, not to fear death but even to face it at the front to protect Hamas fighters. Hamas's placement of its military installations and fighters among civilians reflects this ideology, and has led to these 51 deaths.
A Hamas representative in the PA legislative council this year expressed pride in the fact that women and children are used as human shields in fighting Israel. He described it as part of a "death industry" at which Palestinians excel, and explained that the Palestinians "desire death" with the same intensity that Israelis "desire life."
The following is the full text of the comments by Hamas representative Fathi Hamad: "For the Palestinian people death became an industry, at which women excel and so do all people on this land: the elderly excel, the Jihad fighters excel, and the children excel. Accordingly [Palestinians] created a human shield of women, children, the elderly and the Jihad fighters against the Zionist bombing machine, as if they were saying to the Zionist enemy: We desire death as you desire life."

http://newsblaze.com/story/20081229092838zzzz.nb/topstory.html

Injured Palestinian girl: Hamas is the cause of all wars
A haunting clip from an outfit that specializes in them: Portrait of a human shield, her four-year-old sister one of 60 civilians killed...

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/12/30/injured-palestinian-girl-hamas-is-the-cause-of-all-wars/

The suffering that Hamas causes (Dec 2008) ...
But it isn't only Israelis whose fundamental human rights Hamas is violating. It is those of the Palestinian population about whose welfare Hamas professes to care.
In direct contravention of international law, Hamas uses Palestinian civilians as human shields, utilizing homes, schools and community centers as launching pads, content in the knowledge that if innocent Palestinian civilians are caught in the cross-fire, it will be Israel that is criticized. This amounts to a sort of Daily Double of human rights violations: the use of innocent Palestinians as human shields for the infliction of violence upon innocent Israelis.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/12/30/the_suffering_that_hama s_causes/

The Father of the Human Shield Dead
DigitalJournal.com - 2 Jan 2009
Nizar al-Rayyan invented the Human Shields method. IsraelPolitik reports that Hamas has released an official statement “declaring that Dr. Nizar al-Rayyan, ...

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/264390

Ground push / Mission: Break Hamas Ha'aretz - Jan 3, 2009
Hamas may also use children as "human shields" for weapons caches inside mosques.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052336.html

IDF launches Gaza ground operation
Ha'aretz - Jan 3, 2009
Those who use civilians, the elderly, women and children as "human shields" are responsible for any and all injuries to the civilian population.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052341.html

They Asked For It! Hamas goads Israeli military to invade Gaza Strip
Gather.com - Jan 3, 2009
They're showing no regard for the high, civilian casualties due to the upcoming, street fighting. They're using their countrymen as human shields.

http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/35544

NETANYAHU: This humanitarian crisis is the direct result of the Hamas tactic of firing at our civilians and hiding behind their civilians, and it’s something that we cannot tolerate. No nation would tolerate 6,000 rockets fired on its cities, and Israel finally decided to take action.

We have to make sure that we don’t just have a cease-fire, but that this criminal rocketing of our cities is not resumed a few months from now. Because that’s exactly what happened a few months ago. They were firing rockets at us, the Hamas. We had a cease-fire. They used the cease-fire to get further range — longer-range rockets, which they have now fired at Beersheba and Ashdod and into the southern suburbs of Tel Aviv. So obviously, we have to remove the threat, not just stop the firing. And that’s what Israel is engaged in right now.

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000003002618

Crush Hamas and brave the backlash | The Australian - But as was pointed out - Israel attempts to target military and political sites. hamas attacks civilians. there is no such thing as disproportionate attacks …

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24853482-7583,00.html

Rocket alert sends New York’s Bloomberg running for cover in Sderot…
the onus of the civilian deaths was on Hamas for using them as human shields.
“They have been the main victimizers of the innocent Palestinian people by inviting these kinds of attacks,” he said.

http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052557.html

IDF coordination chief: There is no humanitarian crisis

Hamas terrorists are using civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip - including hospitals, mosques and areas next to offices of international aid groups - to conduct terrorist activity and fire rockets at Israel, Col. Moshe Levi, commander of the IDF’s Gaza Coordination and Liaison Administration (CLA), said Thursday.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1230733138893

Hamas Exploitation of Civilians as Human Shields
Right Side News
This study examines how Hamas and the other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip make extensive use of Palestinian civilians as human shields. ...

http://rightsidenews.com/200901063218/global-terrorism/hamas-exploitation-of-civilians-as-human-shie lds.html

'Hamas is guilty of war crime'
BBC News
... artillery attack near a UN school in the Gaza Strip. On Radio 4's The World Tonight he claimed that Hamas were guilty of using civilians as "human shields".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7814762.stm

Yes, free Gaza — from terrorist tyranny
By REDA MANSOUR
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Some of the Arab and Muslim demonstrators who recently came to our offices were holding signs that said “Free Gaza.” Many Israelis would raise that same sign, me included, but for different reasons. People tend to forget that as of August 2005, Israel has not been in Gaza, and that the Gazans have been under Hamas control since June 2007. Indeed, Gaza needs to be freed from many different extremist forces.
Gaza should be freed from Hamas, a terrorist organization that seized the strip by force. Since the takeover, Hamas has run Gaza’s economy into the ground and now nearly half of the work force is unemployed. Hamas has built a Taliban-style state in Gaza and introduced many of the Islamic Shari’a laws, institutionalizing the persecution of women and minorities.
Hamas has transformed Gaza from a free territory to a large bunker, a place where rockets are stored under families, schools and places of prayer. Unfortunately, Gazans not only live among this militarization, but are now a tool in Hamas’ aggression. The terrorist organization has developed a strategy of using innocent civilians as human shields. When Israel warns that the houses of Hamas operatives and commanders will be targeted, the terrorists bring in innocent citizens, often by force, in an effort to increase the likelihood of civilian casualties. Hamas’ leaders rely on the strict Israeli moral code, hoping to avoid being attacked or that a strike will allow them to score points in the media by sacrificing their own people, creating what looks like acts of Israeli military aggression.
Gaza should be freed from the intervention of Iran, a state that openly admits to financing Hamas. Iran is also helping Palestinian terror organizations with training, intelligence and equipment. Some of this “aid” is channeled through Hezbollah in Lebanon — yet another Iranian proxy organization. Hezbollah and Iran use the Gazans to maintain regional political relevance in their empty agenda against Israel.
Gaza should be freed from some of the Arab satellite channels like Al-Jazeera. These television stations engage in the direct incitement of the Arab and Muslim world. Everything is acceptable in their eyes to raise their ratings: including long shots of bodies and injuries. Some of these channels do not dismiss any editing trick and consider propaganda as a normal part of their news reporting.
As far as Israel is concerned, Gaza is free and it is the decision of its inhabitants what the area’s destiny will be. They can continue to buy into the self-defeating promises of terrorist organizations and extremist ideologies. Even worse, they can continue to let these organizations use them as human shields and demolish their hopes and futures.
Gazans can only truly be free by declaring Gaza a terror-free zone. The people of Gaza have many resources in their hands to achieve success. Gaza could use its beautiful Mediterranean coast to attract Israeli and Egyptian tourists. It can renew the flower and fruit exports to Europe that Israel left behind. The airport that was built there can be reopened. The seaport that is planned and even the natural gas fields in its waters could be built.
The people of this region need to make the decision that Gaza will become a model of peace and stability and hopefully, the beginning of the two-state solution: Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace.

http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2009/01/07/mansoured_0107.html

Hamas uses people as shields
Updated: 01/06/2009 06:53:52 AM EST
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has heated up again. A cease-fire agreement has collapsed and Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist organization, immediately renewed its rocket attacks from Gaza into Israeli civilian areas.
Hamas does not attack military targets. They openly declare their intent to kill civilians, including women and children.
These rocket attacks have gone on for years and have steadily increased in intensity. The range of these weapons has increased as well, bringing more civilian areas in Israel under attack, with an increase in danger to civilians.
There is no warning for these attacks, no air-raid sirens, just the sudden explosion of a rocket missile in your neighborhood with the possibility of death and destruction.
During the several years that these rocket attacks have continued, never has anyone raised a voice condemning these attacks, which are knowingly directed against civilians.
Hamas deliberately sets its rocket launchers and mortars in densely populated areas using their own people as human shields against retaliation.
Now that Israel is striking back, the Israelis are being condemned for causing civilian casualties. Where were these voices during the years that Hamas was deliberately and admittedly killing Israeli civilians? Where were these voices when Hamas implemented its policy of using its own people as human shields against retaliation?
Two facts become obvious:
Israel values the lives of its citizens and is now doing and will continue doing what is necessary to protect its citizens.
Hamas views its own people as expendable pawns and willingly and knowingly places them in danger in order to gain a propaganda victory against Israel.

http://www.newstimes.com/ci_11376001

Hamas at fault, not Israelis
Sir:It amazes me that every time Israel makes a move to protect its citizens and sovereignty, bleeding hearts at the CBC continue to pester Israel over its alleged unbalanced response.
Even when the ceasefire was signed, Hamas militants fire rockets haphazardly into Israel.
Hit a military compound, that's nice. Hit a school or hospital, equally nice.
This is terrorism on a daily basis.
To feel sorry for the Palestinian people is a stretch considering they voted for Hamas, knowing the blow-back they would receive not only from their immediate neighbours but from most western powers as well.
As a matter of fact, Palestinians should be thankful that Israel still considers its targets as carefully as it does and not use the laissez faire targeting of Hamas.
The reason why there are civilian casualties at all is again due to the cowardice of the militants using civilians as human shields.
I would certainly hope that those at the liberal CBC that think Israel should open its borders to incoming Palestinian workers when such a threat exists for suicide bombers never end up with the job of minister for public safety in this country.
Hard hats and bomb shelters for all!

http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1374059

The Volokh Conspiracy - Human Shields in Gaza:
But it takes a special kind of depravity to use your own civilians as human ... If the Hamas civilians *know* they are acting as human shields for the ...

http://volokh.com/posts/1230756039.shtml

Children of Hamas
Hamas has been firing these rockets from within densely populated areas using the Palestinian people as human shields. Mosques, hospitals, kindergartens

http://anadafreepress.com/index.php/article/7366

Peres: Europe must 'open eyes' on Gaza
United Press International
Peres blamed Hamas for the deaths of innocent civilians in the siege, saying the militants use them as human shields...

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/01/06/Peres_Europe_must_open_eyes_on_Gaza/UPI-94771231247258/

Hamas exploits public opinion
Newstimes Updated: 01/06/2009 07:23:35 PM EST
It is time to support Israel in her time of need. After living in a war zone with relentless rockets firing on innocent citizens even in a "cease-fire" agreement with Hamas, Israel has no choice but to destroy the terrorists who have one goal and that is to destroy Israel.
If the press would comment on Hamas' tactics of using women and children as human shields, of firing rockets from residential neighborhoods, of dressing Hamas officials in medical uniforms in hospitals, the tragic deaths of innocent Palestinians may be understood.
Israel has no choice but to destroy the point of rocket fire. If it comes from a mosque, a hospital, a home, a school, it is designed that way by the terrorists to hurt Israel.
They have no regard for their citizens and use them as propaganda tools to affect world opinion.
It would be helpful if the press would mention the tactics at the same time as they mention the tragic deaths of innocent bystanders. It is all calculated by Hamas and unfortunately not everyone is aware of their depth of cruelty.
Our tradition teaches us, "He who saves a single life, it is as if he saved an entire world." Israel reveres life and the terrorists revere death. It is unfortunate and tragic.
When the terrorists will show the same passion for peace as they do for death and hatred, there will be peace.

http://www.newstimes.com/ci_11387960

We have counseled our ally Israel to be very cautious about protecting innocents, and I do think that the Israelis take great care to do so. I saw the reports about the school. I don't have any information about that. I think that we should not jump to conclusions, and we should wait to find out what the evidence says. What we do know is that Hamas often hides amongst innocents, and uses innocent people, including children, as human shields.

http://www.enewspf.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5435:press-briefing-by-p ress-secretary-dana-perino-&catid=88888933&Itemid=88889535

Evidence of Hamas Use of Human Shields

http://yaakov.newsvine.com/_news/2009/01/06/2278116-evidence-of-hamas-use-of-human-shields

Global Islamo fascism's Genocidal Anti - Jewish demonstrations using the Gaza anti terror operation ' cast lead' as a cover (Dec 2008 - Jan 2009)
(Jan 2009) Jihad Watch reports that in the Netherlands, anti-Israel demonstrators have once again been chanting
Hamas Hamas, Jews to the gas
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/024231.php
Atlas has pictures of the Muslims that have taken over Europe chanting “Jews to the gas.”
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/01/video-anne-fran.html
Demonstrators cry 'nuke Israel,' carry Hezbollah flags at U.S. ... 6 Jan 2009 ... ... Florida last week featured demonstrators carrying signs reading ...
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052901.html
Florida demonstrator: Jews - you need a big oven' - 6 Jan 2009 ... Florida demonstrator: Jews - you need a big oven' ... Nuke, nuke Israel," followed by "Go to hell; go to hell; go to hell!" ...Another woman, wearing a (Muslim) headscarf, shouted: "Go steal other lands. Go! Murderers! Go back to the oven! You need a big oven."
Other signs accused Israel of "ethnic cleansing." "Israel is the terrorist," read a second, while a third wondered whether Israel had taken "notes during the Holocaust?"
An imam led the crowd in prayer. "Allahu Akhbar," they chanted before prostrating themselves on their prayer mats.
"We want to educate the people about what Islam really is so that they can appreciate the beauty of it," the imam told a reporter. "Once people understand the real beauty of Islam they will have no choice but to accept it because they will realize that it's part of their nature."
Following their (Islamic) prayers, the crowd crossed the road and confronted the pro-Israel group
http://www.jnewswire.com/article/2606
Genocidal hatred from pro-Hamas demonstrators -- "Nuke, nuke Israel." Chilling video from Tom Trento of WatchObsession.org. .... Florida A Tampa highway was lined with anti-Gaza War demonstrators on ...The stone, which is thrown at the Jews, hates these Jews, these Zionists, because Allah .... Muslims in American mosques praying for destruction of Israel ...
http://www.israelmilitary.net/showthread.php?p=36183
Protesting Against Israel or Hating Jews? - 6 Jan 2009 ... 'Muslim American Society'... The anti-Israel demonstration of some 200 to 300 people outside the ... for instance, carried signs saying "Nuke Israel,"...Now the notion of using of a nuclear device to eliminate Israel and thereby attempting to kill its roughly 5 million Jews is not a unique one, since words to that effect are regularly uttered, among others, by Iran's raving president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who dreams of such apocalyptic final solutions. What is unique is the morally-defective logic that would enable someone to justify a second Holocaust, the mass murder of Jews, on the basis of Israel having defended itself from years of rocket attacks and having killed several hundred murderous terrorists in the process. Making the Middle East free of Jews, Judenfrein, is exactly what Hamas, the group of murderous thugs being cheered on by the demonstrators here, ardently longs for; Hamas' charter, in fact, expresses as one of its core tenets that Israel should be eliminated, that "Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it."
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/01/protesting_against_israel_or_h.html
December 31, 2008
"Death to all juice": Calling for genocide with plausible deniability?
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/024163.php
January 4, 2009 chill and evil wind is blowing over the world. Genocidal Eurabia Alert
Denmark (Islamic banner reads): "Kill Jewish people evry where in ther world"
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/024235.php
The banner reads, "Jews go to hell." Attached Images ...
http://www.goldtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=226463
Indonesian Muslim protesters hold a banner during a rally against . ... The banner reads, 'Jews go to hell.' REUTERS/Beawiharta. (INDONESIA) ...
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Israel--Indonesian-Muslim-protesters-hold-banner-during-rally-again st-Israeli-attacks-Gaza-Strip-Jakarta-January-2-2009-banner-reads-Jews-go/ss/events/wl/20070128_isra el/im:/02012009/6/photo/photos-n-news-indonesian-muslim-protesters-hold-banner-during-rally-against- israeli.html/
That Old Lovable “Jews Are Apes And Pigs” Canard
http://outoftheblu.wordpress.com/2009/01/04/that-old-lovable-jews-are-apes-and-pigs-canard/

A Craigslist for Service

Casie — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:25:36 EST

Since two of our team members (thanks Juli & Steve) have shared the article "A Craigslist for Service" with me (printed by The Huffington Post) I will pass it along. There are several relevant and thought-provoking ideas that connect with Saturday's discussion.

Change is coming to Riverside!

Casie — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:34:27 EST

New Beginnings

Riverside for Change met for the first time on December 13, 2008 to discuss how we could enact Barack's vision by working as a positive force in our local community. We gathered in small groups based on issues most important to us and explored ways that we might use our available resources to improve folks' lives in nearby neighborhoods.

Key Findings

As the groups joined together to discuss our findings, several key issues and avenues for action emerged. If you're interested in reading more about this discussion, please view the complete post.

01 The Economy | 02 Education | 03 Healthcare | 04 Energy

Planned Service Event

Our service event will take place in early January. We will plan a food + donations drive in Riverside and then serve folks at a local pantry. We will use existing community networks we have ties to in order to have as large an impact as possible. More details to follow. If you're interested in being included in our project, please email casie.simpson@gmail.com.

Change is Coming! Not your typical House Party

Lisa M — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:37:24 EST

Tonight I attended a very special house party. It wasn't a typical house party, it wasn't held in a house, nor was it a party. More than 25 people came to Cafe Kili in Temple Terrace. For team members who worked with Field Organizer's Genora Reed, Sheila Cherizard Donovan Nwokeji and Jill Stracko, Cafe Kili was our satellite North Tampa Field Office, our outpost, our home. Special, because Patrick and Rose, the owners, are Kenyans; they opened their shop to us, even opening for us on their one day off; they sacrificed their only day of rest to help the Obama Campaign, they gave more than any of us had been asked to give. You see, their son died in Iraq - the first Kenyan-American to die in service to our country. They knew the importance of our mission, they knew we needed the Change Barack Obama would bring; a man whose Kenyan heritage was part of their family and their countries, Kenya and America.

We listened to the message from the incoming Administration; we listened to our Field Organizers, Sheila Cherizard and Ryan Metcalf and from Jerid Fox, Biji Anchery and others who attested to the resolve of every individual who contributed their precious time canvassing, phone banking and registering voters. People who worked the Early Vote, Vote by Mail and finally the Get Out The Vote campaigns, the local candidate literature drops and even on Election Day were canvassing or driving people to the polls. We shared stories of the recent past while at the same time looked forward to, and planned for the future.

The Obama Administration has developed Obama 2.0, tech speak for the next phase. This Presidency is like no other in our generation. They built a network of communities, of neighborhoods; they spent countless hours and many millions of dollars to wake the sleeping giant of Democrats and Progressives in America. Scores of volunteers and organizers, who maybe until now had not realized their potential, who rose to the challenge, who now are recognized in their own towns as citizens engaged in the process of government; who found their voice. We can and we will Change the face of politics in America.

There will be one more house party, this one in a house and it is a party. Dr. Alayne Unterberger is a proud community organizer, who as one of the founders of the Florida Institute for Community Studies, was chosen to introduce Senator Hillary Clinton during the Florida campaign effort. She has worked to educate a community who others have ignored, her organization teaches English, conducts AIDS education and testing, provides health assessments for those at risk of Diabetes and offers after school child care. Her center is even a "Safe Place" chartered by the State of Florida is so committed to being the "Change We have been Waiting For" that she has opened her home to the campaign once again, this time not as a staging location for canvassers, but to continue to Change America has been waiting for effort.

If you can, please join us Monday, December 15th at 7pm to be a part of the Change which has come to America, to continue your service to your neighborhood, or to begin your journey of civic engagement.

Whether you are a Democrat, an Independent, an informed Republican, a Green Party member, or any associated with any other affiliation, you can bring Change to America, you can make a difference. Your community needs you. Tampa needs you, Temple Terrace needs you, and your neighbor needs you. Come to find out how you can make a difference.

Visit BarackObama.com search events for your zip code on a regular basis. We are out here, waiting for you, welcoming you, engaged in service to our community.

Wishing you Peace,

Lisa Montelione

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

WEBMASTER — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 02:26:14 EST

The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.

Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.

Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when

individuals and organizations understand that alternative energy technology exists and
when people see the economic benefits of using alternative energy technologies

Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.

Alternative Energy
Source: David Apperson

url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy

PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION TEAM

WEBMASTER — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:06:01 EST

Obama-Biden PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION TEAM is giving all people a voice in the administration -

The PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION TEAM is doing a great job. Thank the Almighty Creator that this is a new day in the history of this great nation.

WEBMASTER - DESIGNERS AND DEVELOPERS

WEBMASTER — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 04:14:56 EST

President Barack Obama

Internet Webmasters, Designers and Developers

If you are an independent webmaster, designer or developer and have linked a business, personal, or political website or blog to your barack obama posts or other barackobama.com web pages and would like to be recognized for your efforts let me know.

Mail your contact and other pertinent information to:

David Apperson, Webmaster
10336 Loch Lomond Rd PMB 105
Middletown CA 95461

or email contact information to yofast@gmail.com

Florida 4 Obama

freedom4u_n_me — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:30:43 EST

I just wanted to let all of you know that I'm in Florida for the winter!

I'll be involved here (looking for fellow supporters in the Daytona Beach area!) and I'll see you in the spring!

I know all of you will keep up the great work that you do and volunteer in your community this holiday season!

Gail/freedom4u_n_me

SAVE MAYPORT FISHING VILLAGE -NO CRUISE SHIPS

Becky Hussein Obama — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:11:35 EST

Dec. 3, 2008, WednesdayThe City Council will be voting next week on whether to okay plans to put a cruise ship terminal at Mayport Village. If any of you have ever spent any time there, you can imagine how this would destroy the place. The residents have been ignored. I don't know how else to help them, so I'm asking that you join me in urging the council to spare this little spot of old Florida. The locals have a website here:
SAVE MAYPORT FISHING VILLAGE A Dec. 3, 2008 article from Jacksonville.com: Mayport cruise terminal plans gain ground | Jacksonville.com I wrote to the council, and Mayor Peyton, stating that the impact of a cruise ship terminal would pose too great a threat on the environment, and that it would be detrimental to the shrimpers, and all that is quaint and lovely about this historic little village. Here are their email addresses:jpeyton@coj.netCC:clay@coj.net, wbishop@coj.net, rclark@coj.net, redman@coj.net, ashad@coj.net, webb@coj.net, gaffney@coj.net, edlee@coj.net, wajones@coj.net, RBrown@coj.net, mjones@coj.net, JRC@coj.net, holt@coj.net, ddavis@coj.net, artg@coj.net, corrigan@coj.net, ronnief@coj.net, joost@coj.net, khyde@coj.net, gloriousj@coj.netPlease help.

OBAMA FOR FLORIDA [ 1 ]

WEBMASTER — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:53:50 EST

Alachua * Alafaya * Alford * Aloma * Altamonte Springs * Altha * Altoona * Alturas * Alva * Amelia Island * Anna Maria * Anthony * Apalachicola * Apollo Annex * Apollo Beach * Apopka * Arcadia * Archer * Argyle * Aripeka * Astatula * Astor * Atlantic Beach * Auburndale * Aventura * Avon Park * Azalea Park * Babson Park * Bagdad * Baker * Bal Harbour * Baldwin * Balm * Barberville * Barefoot Bay * Bartow * Bascom * Bay Harbor * Bay Pines * Bayonet Point * Bearss-Plaza * Bell * Belle Glade * Belleair * Belleair Beach * Belleair Bluffs * Belleview * Beverly Hills * Big Pine Key * Boca Grande * Boca Raton * Boca Rio * Bokeelia * Bonifay * Bonita-Springs * Bostwick * Bowling Green * Boynton Beach * Boys Ranch * Braden River * Bradenton * Bradenton Beach * Bradley * Brandon * Branford * Brickell * Bristol * Bronson * Brooker * Brooksville * Bryant * Bryceville * Buena Ventura Lakes * Bunnell * Bushnell * Callahan * Callaway * Campbellton * Canal Point * Candler * Cantonment * Cape Canaveral * Cape Coral * Captiva * Carl Fisher * Carol City * Carrabelle * Caryville * Cassadaga * Casselberry * Cedar Key * Celebration * Center Hill * Century * Chattahoochee * Chiefland * Chipley * Chokoloskee * Christmas * Chuluota * Cinco Bayou * Citra * Citrus Ridge * Clarcona * Clarksville * Clearwater * Clearwater Beach * Clermont * Clewiston * Cocoa * Cocoa Beach * Cocoa Village * Coconut Creek * Coconut Grove * Coleman * College Plaza * Cooper City * Copeland * Coral Gables * Coral Springs * Cortez * Cottondale * Crawfordville * Crescent Beach * Crescent City * Crestview * Cross City * Crystal Beach * Crystal River * Crystal Springs * Cudjoe Key * Cypress * Cypress Gardens * Dade City * Dania * Davenport * Davie * Day * Daytona Beach * Daytona Beach Shores * De Leon Springs * DeBary

Maintaining the Obama Network in Florida

Tally — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:45:52 EST

One of the many pleasures of the Obama victory was being able to live through a "Tipping Point" experience as described by Malcolm Gladwell in his book of that name. As Kos has pointed out, the Obama campaign made good on the ideas that first arose during the Dean presidential run. And it was the connectedness provided by the internet that was able to deliver the organized community that became the grassroots phenomenon that brought American politics to a new level.

Bail Out Package

Dennis from Angwin, CA — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:23:45 EST

Iʼm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.

Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a "We Deserve It Dividend".

To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonifide U.S. Citizens 18+.

Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up.

So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals $425,000.00.

My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a "We Deserve It Dividend".

Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.

Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband and wife has $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?

Pay off your mortgage, housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans, what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college, it'll be there
Save in a bank, create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car, create jobs
Invest in the market , capital drives growth
Pay for your parent's medical insurance, health care improves
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean, or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 (vote buy) economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.

If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG liquidate it. Sell off its parts. Let American General go back to being American General. Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.

Sure it's a crazy idea that can never work. Maybe???

But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!

How do you spell Economic Boom?

I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion "We Deserve It Dividend" more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC .

And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

If you believe all humans are equal

Ed from Fort Lauderdale, FL — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:54:32 EST

Friday November 14 at 6 pm in every city in the US anyone who feels that all humans have the same rights and are equal, should march with us... friends family anyone you know... please turn out at either you city hall or gay community ...this is a grass roots call to anyone who feel discrimination is unfair... Barack said: "there are no first class citizens there are no second class citizens there are only American citizens" If you believe this then help us have the same rights as everyone in America.....
PLEaSE email... blog.... call..... text or whatever this to anyone you can think of.... If you have a conscious even if u do not understand, we are people too

Black Voters, Gay Voters - The Bait and Switch

Jarrett in Florida — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:44:53 EST

Yet Another Glass Ceiling With Many Cracks...

I write this blog post in a moment of bittersweet victory. Having campaigned my heart out for Barack Obama over the last 3 months, I am overjoyed at our victory and feel that real change is finally coming to Washington and Main Street.

On election night, I partied in the street on the West side of Fort Lauderdale - a gay white boy surrounded by black people, most of whom were probably heterosexual. It could not have made a difference at the time, because we were all so optimistic and excited. The following morning was a different experience entirely... My friends and I were informed that Amendment 2 had passed and that not only would gay marriage now be outlawed but also civil unions and commonlaw marriages would be denied legal status.

So drops the other shoe.

The most disappointing part of the experience was the media coverage. Every news station was telling us that Black People were to blame... That all of the blacks who came out in droves to vote for Barack Obama had not listened to his supportive speeches and had voted specifically and willfully against my rights... The media maintained that Black people had not returned the "favor" of equality.

I'm not buying it. Here's something that the media is not telling us:

According to the same exit polls from CNN which indicate that Blacks voted for Prop 8 & Amendment 2 at higher percentages than whites, there is a key bit of information that needs to be explored - The total number of black voters for the anti-gay amendments is still not even 1/3 the total number of white, Evangelical voters who voted for the Amendments in the rural areas of the state... In fact, most black voters did not vote on Amendment 2 at all...

It is unfair, unreasonable and devisive for the mainstream media to pit blacks and gays against eachother at a time when we should all be celebrating eachother's diversity... As a white, gay male who supported and voted for Barack Obama with all my energy, I can honestly say that I have not experienced the slightest amount of homophobia from anyone in the Campaign For Change. I have never really felt any exceptional homophobia from the Black community at large, either...

Furthermore, it was not black people who put this Amendment on the ballot in the first place. Once again, this hateful bit of legislation has been brought to you by those "true Americans" who live in the remote grassy knolls that you drive by on your way to better places.

I think it's time to stop blaming races and sexual orientations for problems which are largely brought to us by Republicans. That's the other missing statistic here... Those who voted for John McCain also voted 91% in favor of Amendment 2.

It's time for Black people and Gay people alike to stand up for ourselves and refuse to let Republicans and the mainstream media continue to assail us in the name of "divide and conquer"...

God Bless all of you who helped on this campaign and remember to keep your cool and love your neighbors... even the bigoted ones. We shall overcome.

NEW IDEAS TO HELP AMERICA NOW

Ed from Fort Lauderdale, FL — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:43:41 EST

Congrats, even my 80 year old mother in Indiana voted for you which was no small feat.
I am a college professor in Fort Lauderdale and I made sure all my students went out and voted but I want to tell you, I admire your managerial skills, more than anything. One of the main things is getting people involved, when a person believes what they are doing is their idea or benefit to them, they always perform much better. Never before have I seen this applied enmasse as you did with our volunteers and donaters, which brings me to my point.

As a professor, I have noted that you already have a majority of the young people in college with you and now feeling part of our success. They are involved in your presidency and a year ago they did not even know who the vice president was. It is a entire new attitude from the young people, I love it. I have never seen this in 25 years of teaching.

My suggestion.. .offer a scholarship competition for the best energy efficient vehicle design,energy use in building and interior design, new energy sources and so on and so forth. Allow it developed at the university level in team effort so cross over skills in various programs can be utilized. Whenever ideas are exchanged between different majors thats when innovative new ideas occur Have a top 3-5 winner range,reward all members of the TEAM , faculty involved and school and do it annually.

You have a fired up base, students as well as educators. The minds are here to help America solve our energy crisis, competition always leads to perfection,drive and purpose. The reward increases all of these.

I am working in holographic technology we have already took 200 dollars worth of equipment and a couple months ago made a HD TV display the objects as holographs in front of you. This technology would decrease the need to travel by virtually putting someone in a conference room with complete interactivity without being there. If you watched CNN on election night they did this with an alternative method of broadcasting a live person.

This is here and it is available now.

Anyway, all America needs is a push in the educational system to develop it cheaply and enmasse.

If new jobs and new energy is what we need, we need new inovations and lets put our young minds in this manhanttan project and become the technology leaders of the world.

Yes We Can! Yes We Did!! Yes We Will!!!

Scott from Seattle, WA — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:07:43 EST

We did it!! We all did it!!! Anyone reading this blog was part of history. And its not that we elected a black president, its that we elected a great president.

President Barack Obama's ability to inspire and motivate people was on full display the past three days in West Palm Beach County. Over 1000 volunteers had spread out across the county to Barack the Vote, outnumbering the McCain support greater than 3 to 1. We had people all across the nation working together to get every single vote to the ballot box.

At this point in our nation we need a President who can inspire and President Barack Obama showed to the world today that he has the ability to do that.

Enjoy the pics and videos from the celebration at McCrays Backyard BBQ in Mangonia Park, Florida.

I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER

Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-_DDLqlon8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGDGXd-iEGw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47cT4p5xvQs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wnOCCLsuFk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rooqE7cqN3s

Every Vote Counts

Scott from Seattle, WA — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:55:19 EST

We pounded the pavement the final day in Riviera Beach and West Palm Beach with Suzie, a 70+ plus grandma driving a Mercedes. We definitely stood out even more today than on Sunday. But indications of victory were early when during our first packet of houses it seemed everyone we spoke to had already voted and vote Obama.

Our objective was to get every registered Obama supporter to the polls. We identified two that were planning to go later and tagged them for follow-up.

After getting lost a few times and taking a side trip to an old hotel that I guess is a landmark in the area, we did a final push for votes in a trailer parker outside West Palm Beach. There was some enthusiasm:

But it was little and it seemed we were making little impact. It was almost 6 and only an hour to the polls closed. We were about to stop canvassing when one person told us that this was like the 3rd time the Obama campaign came to her house that day. But we decided to do a few more trailers.

That's when we met Ricardo Garcia. He grew up a son of Salvadorians in New York and just moved to Florida. When he got his drivers license he checked the box to register to vote.

When we met him, 1 hour before the close of the poll, he told us he was not gonna vote. He said he had never voted and seemed too difficult. We asked if he supported Obama and he said he does and even waived banners for him. We told him the best support is the vote. He hesitated and then asked "what do I need to do?" We told him get in the car and we would take him to the polls.

Ricardo was reluctant. He was told how long the lines were, that votes don't get counted, that it's just too difficult. After a little more urging, he grabbed his brother and hopped into his car and followed us to the poll.

We arrived at the polls and there was not line. I informed the old ladies manning the sign-in that "we have a first time voter". They got excited. A first burst of claps took place when they found his name and address (that's always a concern). Ricardo then filled out his ballot. When he slipped it into the ballot box, the entire poll station erupted in cheers!!! It was awesome!!!!

When Ricardo walked out of the poll station, he turned to his brother with a big smile on his face and said "that was easy!"

We introduced someone to the voting process in the US. I think he will vote again. And with the results that were to be announced in just a few hours, I bet he felt that he was involved in something special.

Thanks to Ricardo Garcia, I also felt I was involved in something special. It was finally clear the impact we were making. Sure it was only 1 vote, but it was only one meeting. When we multiply that by 1000 volunteers in West Palm County alone and multiply that with the number of volunteers across the nation, the results we were to see in just a few hours really were just inevitable.

And besides, every vote counts!!!

27 More electoral votes...

Sharon — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:30:05 EST

They just turned Florida Blue on CNN... and as I watch the McCain speech with their 'boo's and sneers - I have to smile the most calm and peaceful I have smiled in years...

We 'Baracked the Vote' here in Florida....

Here's to at least 4 years (and onward) of the CHANGE we have worked to help bring.

President Obama Wins

www.EasyToInsureME.com — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:12:26 EST

President Obama wins Pennsylvania. President Obama wins Ohio. President Obama wins Florida. President Obama wins the Presidential Race.

11:11 pm

11/04/08

Election Day!!!

Scott from Seattle, WA — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:12:02 EST

Wow. Today is the day. Definite excitement and nervousness fills the air.

News came in last night that our precinct hit 100% goal for early voting numbers!!! Some information behind that data point.

Democrats out registered Republicans in Florida (I think heard by over 600,000 registrations).
Over 4 million of the 11 million registered voters have already voted.

Those are good numbers. We have 7 million people to get to the ballot today. If we get all registered dems to the ballot, Obama most likely carries Florida!!

For me, that means off to Riviera Beach. I'm focusing on Pro-Obama neighborhoods - especially the neighborhoods other volunteers may be a little nervous going to. We are going to get everyone to that ballot box!!!

Don't forget to Barack the Vote!!!!!

Door Hangers and Yard Sign

Scott from Seattle, WA — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:17:47 EST

There was no voting today in Florida. Early voting had closed mid-afternoon on Sunday. Today we focused on getting people we believe are voting Obama information on where to vote. That meant door hangers.

Beth (my co-worker at Grameen) and I visited a neighborhood she lived in 20 years ago. Door hangers is a boring job. We are not interfacing with the vast majority of homes we visit, we are simply leaving an informational. Still, we ran into people. Only one was negative. The rest were Obama supporters (though one said his Mom is voting McCain and another said his wife is voting the "wrong way").

We met a couple from Turkey eager to send in their absentee ballot. In Florida, the ballot must be received by Nov 4th, not sent by that date. So this couple was going to the county administrator office. We offered to deliver the absentee. The husband was ecstatic, the wife thought we were McCain supporters trying to suppress votes. I provided all my information (including this blog) and they gave us the ballots and, I assure everyone, the votes were delivered!!

I definitely understand the concern, after the last couple elections, I doubt I would've given my ballot to anyone but the ballot box.

A few blocks down, I got my cigar for Tuesday night!! After handing the supporter an Obama water (I'll explain later), he gave me the one thing I still needed to find for Tuesday night (notice, it is still in the wrapper. No smoking it until results are official).

After finishing that neighborhood, we went to a neighborhood in (or near) the swamps. It was dark out and so we didn't really run into people on the streets, though I did need to take on a raccoon to deliver one door hanger.

Overall, the door hanging experience provided another data point of overwhelming Obama support down here. We definitely ran into more Obama supporters than McCain.

After dinner and filing, Richard - a Polish volunteer by way of New York to Florida - and I were sent on a midnight mission to get the Obama yard signs out by the voting centers.

The picture below is an example of a trend we noticed - can you tell what is missing from this picture? (Hint: it starts with McCain and ends with Palin):

Any time we did run into a McCain sign, we buddy up to it with two Obama signs. Just a reminder of the sheer numbers - Obama volunteers are said to outnumber McCain by three to one in Florida.

We finished our midnight mission at about 2:30AM. By the time I returned to the office, it was locked. So I crashed at Richard's house, minus my luggage (after a few beers - that's right bars stay up way past 2AM here - I like that).

Early voting results in battleground states compared to 2004 election

Vote for the Future — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:31:19 EST

Nevada

2004 Final Results:

Kerry 48%

Bush 51%

2004 Final Results (Distribution by Party):

Democrats 35.0 %

Republicans 39.0 %

Independents 36.0 %

2008 Early Voting (Distribution by Party):

Democrats 51.0 % (gained 16% compared to 2004)

Republicans 31.6 % (lost 7.4%)

Independents 17.4 % (lost 8.6%)

A total of 59% of 2004 turnout already voted (as of October 31).

New Mexico

2004 Final Results:

Kerry 49%

Bush 50%

2004 Final Results (Distribution by Party):

Democrats 40.0 %

Republicans 33.0 %

Independents 27.0 %

2008 Early Voting (Distribution by Party):

Democrats 52.7 % (gained 12.7% compared to 2004)

Republicans 32.8 % (lost 0.2%)

Independents 14.5 % (lost 12.5%)

A total of 25% of 2004 turnout already voted (as of November 1).

Iowa

2004 Final Results:

Kerry 49%

Bush 50%

2004 Final Results (Distribution by Party):

Democrats 34.0 %

Republicans 36.0 %

Independents 30.0 %

2008 Early Voting (Distribution by Party):

Democrats 46.9 % (gained 12.9% compared to 2004)

Republicans 28.9 % (lost 7.1%)

Independents 24.2 % (lost 5.8%)

A total of 32% of 2004 turnout already voted (as of November 1).

North Carolina

2004 Final Results:

Kerry 44%

Bush 56%

2004 Final Results (Distribution by Party):

Democrats 39.0 %

Republicans 40.0 %

Independents 21.0 %

2008 Early Voting (Distribution by Party):

Democrats 51.5 % (gained 12.5% compared to 2004)

Republicans 30.1 % (lost 9.9%)

Independents 18.4 % (lost 2.6%)

A total of 74% of 2004 turnout already voted (as of November 2).

Florida

2004 Final Results:

Kerry 47%

Bush 52%

2004 Final Results (Distribution by Party):

Democrats 37.0 %

Republicans 41.0 %

Independents 22.0 %

2008 Early Voting (Distribution by Party):

Democrats 45.7 % (gained 8.7% compared to 2004)

Republicans 37.2 % (lost 3.8%)

Independents 17.1 % (lost 4.9%)

A total of 56% of 2004 turnout already voted (as of November 2).

Colorado

2004 Final Results:

Kerry 47%

Bush 52%

2004 Final Results (Distribution by Party):

Democrats 29.0 %

Republicans 38.0 %

Independents 33.0 %

2008 Early Voting (Distribution by Party):

Democrats 37.7 % (gained 8.7% compared to 2004)

Republicans 35.9 % (lost 2.1%)

Independents 26.4 % (lost 6.6%)

A total of 61% of 2004 turnout already voted (as of October 31).

_____________________________________________________________

Sources:

CNN (2004 results): http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/president/

CNN (2008 early vote results): http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/27/early.voting.map/index.html

US Election Project (2008 early vote results): http://elections.gmu.edu/early_vote_2008.html

Miami for Obama pumpkin - please vote ;)

Kimberlee from Miami, FL — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:04:24 EST

Hi everybody,

I know it's hectic out there but can you share this link with some family/friends and ask them to please vote for our Miami for Obama pumpkin, Photo #1 in the contest (it's only a 24 hour poll) ...

http://yeswecarve.com/contest/ and click "cast your vote now" to view the top ten pumpkins and vote for pumpkin 1 - please.

Let's give the country a preview of Florida going for Obama tomorrow night, Thanks!

ps -I can bear losing this pumpkin carving contest, but we absolutely have to win on Nov 4th, keep your chin up and keep rocking the vote!

GOBAMA!
Kim, Juergen, Max and Gunnar

electoral predictions 2008: think 1992

jonathan | cvg — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:34:26 EST

so here we are: one day remaining. doesn't seem too long ago that i kept catching glimpses of this obama fellow in 2007 and thought how wonderful would it be... never expecting him to come this far up against edwards and clinton. as i have said before, from a marketing perspective, gaining a significant share of the market (in this case: eligible voters) is complicated in today's environment. any start-up firm would be hard pressed to snatch away a significant portion of p&g or coca cola customers. that same start-up firm would exemplify modern brilliance should it manage to overtake the market and gain control for any period of time. that is, in essence, what obama did in 2008. i recognized his potential. i praised his marketing campaign. yet, until super tuesday, i remained unconvinced that obama would succeed at becoming the nominee and beat the two well-established brands of edwards and clinton.

once we knew obama was our nominee, i often joked that the only way mccain stood a chance against obama was by selecting a female running mate. i certainly did not mean "that one." when mccain announced palin in dayton, i first cringed. then i googled her investigation to confirm that she had been exhonerated. to my surprise, his popular governor from alaska was still under investigation for abuse of power and likely guilty as hell. was the crime all that bad? not really. yet, just as getting a blow job or sticking a cigar in your chubby aide's kootch is not that bad... when you lie repeatedly and attempt to disguise your blunder... that is often far worse than the original crime. what people i have met and people like palin do not seem to understand, many of us are forgiving of a mistake or two... just not the pattern of lies or unfaithfulness that accompanies deception. its the compulsiveness, the ease, and the noticeable pattern that deteriorates and ultimately destroys trust.

needless to say, prior to the veep picks, i began imagining an electoral map in 2008 that mimics the map ross perot carved out for bill clinton in 1992. while initially i was nervous to see what became of clinton's stalwart supporters of which,in exit polls, many had proudly proclaimed gender as major factor in their support. however, with time, palin did backfire in the sense that she was ineffective at luring independents and former clinton voters. arguably, i assert that palin has been effective in igniting the base to match the sweat behind obama. only tomorrow will we know whether the fire palin lit in the far right-wing nuts of our country is burning strong or whether it turns out to be like a rash between your legs after a good date gone bad.

to refresh your memory, review the electoral map in 1992 where clinton pulled out a huge upset against the incumbent thanks to ross perot who remains the only successful third party candidate in modern elections.

first states i would point our are louisiana, kentucky, and tennessee. i knew this summer that those states were outside the realm of possibility. in fact, tennessee turned against gore in 2000 largely due to his environmental convictions. given that bobby jindal is about as far too the right as sarah palin, i assumed louisiana was also outside the realm of possibility despite the outcome in the primary in obama's favor. and kentucky... well that ole kentucky home is a thorn in my side, but i will defend her natural beauty until my dying day... just not the folks' politics. ross perot's impressive 18% popular vote splintered the would-be republican votes and carved out a victory for bill clinton in additional states that stay with mccain: arkansas, montana, and west virgnina. while its true that mccain's lead in arkansas is presently only in single digits, i was always hopeful that with help from bill and hillary, obama would remain more competitive as far south as arkansas.

like kentucky, west virginia seems to be very confused as to who has their best interest at heart. and, i might as well say it within this blog since i had to slam a door on my fingers a few weeks ago when i thought about writing a blog strictly targeting the separation of church and state. for those of you who forgot, we are suppose to acknowledge a separation of church and state! separation of church and state is among the founding principles of the united states of america. heads up people! when we fail to pratice our civil duties and vote for the best qualified leader to restore economic and foriegn matters because we want a candidate that agrees with the majority of our religious doctrine... hello... that is how you end up with george w. bush twice and the deteriorated condition of our country today. vote for the best candidate. don't vote based on religious convictions. if we transfer our country's power and wealth to china, russia. or the middle east... you may not have always have the freedom to practice that religion you love so much and wanted to shove down my throat.

obama appears to be strongly competing to win with an electoral map much like bill clinton's first win. the difference, and what makes this especially remarkable, obama will accomplish this without a strong third party candidate which means he is winning with a more united country and a greater percentage or the popular vote. a percentage not seen since the eighties. obama's net reduction would be 39 electoral votes after losing these five states which is still enough to make him the victor tomorrow. however, obama will likely and hopefully pick up states that even bill clinton could not win in 1992. according to new sources such as real clear politics, abc and msnbc news, toss up states include: montana, indiana, missouri, north carolina, ohio, georgia, virginia, and florida. the other three that are sometimes considered a toss-up are: nevada, north dakota, and arizona. however, i am relatively confident that nevada will break for obama and north dakota and arizona will break for mccain... albiet narrow victories no matter what the outcome. with that said, my electoral predicions for tomorrow night:

given the nature of a predicion, i have to make a few tough calls and my map is admitedly optimistic in the sense that i really want obama to win in north carolina and georgia and prevent mccain from narrowly squeaking by him. since the beginning of the summer, i have envisioned a 1992 map where obama gave up four or five states and replaced them florida, virginia, and georgia which is a net 51 electoral votes. the end result would be a few less states, but a greater electoral and popular vote win on election day for barack. based on a series of recent polls and early voting results, i feel good about viginia and florida.

i may still be overly optimistic about georgia, but it now looks like obama has an equally optimistic chance in north carolina so i moved both to obama's column. if you read my earlier blog during the primaries, i liked to mention obama's performance in north and south carolina. he alone, had more votes cast for him than mccain and his republican counterparts combined. early voting and polls show the margin in the general election tight in south carolina while virtually tied and potentially leaning to obama in north carolina. amazing! as for georgia, a relatively strong third party candidate in georgia, bob barr, could "help" tip that state to obama like ross perot did in 1992. barr polled around 8% this spring, but third party candidates generally poll better early than the final outcome because more and more voters fold into the two major parties. presently, "other" in georgia is at 4% and bob barr, a georgian, is believed to compose the majority of that 4% or better... as he has been gaining in the polls this last few weeks by picking up undecided georgia independents.

last week's cnn/time poll revealed that among "likely" georgia voters — presumably those who are both registered and have a proven track record of participating in elections, the race breaks down as follows: mccain: 50%, obama: 46%, barr: 3%

however, if the pool of voters is widened to include simply registered voters — which would include first-time voters or those who rarely participate in general elections — then the georgia vote shifts in obama's favor: mccain: 46%, obama: 49%, barr: 4%

so there you have it, i was dissappointed when the obama for america campaign shifted resourced from georgia last month, but happy to hear that more than half of registered voters have voted early thought to benefit obama. i was also happy when obama shifted resources back to georgia last week and may help see my wish to fruition.

what of my other swing state calls? montana is close. originally, that state looked good for obama, but slipped back to mccain after the palin pick. perhaps montana is the one state that palin helps mccain win. yet, we are squabbling over three electoral votes and i my calculations are that obama will succeed with or without montana. i call montana for mccain because the last month's series of polls generally have mccain leading in spite of that gap closing and now close. the same is true of arizona. i was in arizona in may. i kept asking people i met, and i gathered that if mccain was not from arizona, the state would go blue. yet, i see arizona staying narrowly red. meanwhile, long before the pundits and major shift in the polls, i have felt confident that obama would perform better in florida than ohio which was not the case for bill clinton in 1992. however, like nevada, florida's economy is hurting and unlike mccain who hosted a convention centered around terrorism... i have long thought the economy is the greatest security risk facing our country. i trust that florida agrees and i will take back every sand bar comment i've made since 2000.

ultimately, i call ohio for obama... but i predict ohio to be too close to call until after the west coast polls are closed. additionally, for the same reason i foresee ohio ending close, i also see indiana close. however, i see indiana narrowly red for mccain. unlike missiouri, indiana's popular senator is somewhat a bore and moderate. indiana reminds me of northern kentucky democrats. in order to win, you have to market yourself as a virtual republican. with that said and given that indiana did not break for clinton with perot's help, i call indiana for mccain and i call missiouri for obama... home of the likable, well-known, and early obama activist, senator claire mccaskill. if she ran for governor first, she could be president in 2016, eh?

end game: obama with 379 electoral votes. the greatest victory since the eighties. and incidentally, i alway hinted he would prove to be our next great american president. finally, i win a contest... by virtue of association or vicariously or something like that.

~ j

Thoughts from First Day

Scott from Seattle, WA — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:22:07 EST

In retrospect, my first day in Florida was a very positive day. Canvassing in a Pro-Obama neighborhood is very invigorating, but I took away from my visit much more than just a connection made through our common support for a candidate.

Voter Enthusiasm and Turn-out: I didn’t do the official count, but it seemed more than ½ the people we talked to in Riviera Beach already voted. That is awesome!! It is a poor, African-American neighborhood. From what I have read, it fits a description of a neighborhood that usually does not show up in large numbers at the polls. The sheer enthusiasm was overwhelming. In all honesty, it does leave a question of how many where telling the truth when they said they already voted (early voting lines were queuing at 4 hours waits), but my gut tells me the majority were telling the truth.

The Children have a hero: It’s not too often that white people could walk a neighborhood like Riviera Beach and be greeted let alone embraced. There was skepticism, but the overall there was enthusiasm. What was truly touching was handing a flyer with Barack Obama to a young African-American child. Their eyes lit up and smile spread across their face. A generation truly has a hero.

From my experience yesterday, I have optimism for the first time about this election. I’m still concerned, because I believe the polls can’t be accurate because the variables (voter demographics, voter turnout, etc) are so different than any other year and long voting lines have to impact the final vote (again, they are experiencing lines of over 4 hours for early voting in S. Florida). People are motivated to vote.

However, I saw firsthand the excitement and motivation Barack Obama has brought to a neighborhood that most likely normally is not politically active. As a volunteer, my greatest impact can be made by making sure this enthusiasm shows up to the poll.

Nov 2nd - Obama Jupiter Field Office, Florida

Scott from Seattle, WA — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:48:14 EST

I set out on a red-eye from Seattle Nov 1st @ 11:55PM PST. Goal is to get Barack Obama elected by impacting the final days of campaigning in the most important and closest fought battle ground state - Florida.

I finally arrived at 1PM Nov 2nd after 5 1/2 hours in the air and a layover where I slept on the floor of the Dallas/ Ft Worth airport for 4 hours. I was picked up by two voluteers that represent Obama's base - Jewish, Harvard grad, elitists from NYC - and brought to the Jupiter Floride Field Office.

We were sent to Riviera Beach, where went to an Obama bungaloo to get our assignment.

We were given a five block by five block area within the neighborhood. Riviera Beach is a African-American, Pro-Obama neighborhood. Four white Jewish kids hiking around the neighborhood definitely stood out.

We initially got a few shout-outs:

"White fellas!!"

"Hey, you don't look like your from here?"

"What are white guys doing in Riviera?"

As we started to spread the word that we were with the Obama campaign, the excitement spread around the neighborhood.

If you visit Riviera Beach and see young African-Americans kids running with the sticker below (Barack Obama written in Hebrew), you will be witness to my work in the neighborhood:

We came back to the Jupiter Field Office for hardcore paperwork and data entry until 1AM.

A surprise visit by the man himself made it all worth it!!!!

Thank you Barack!! And his response is thank you to all of his supporters, thank you!!! For it is all of us that must get involved to creating change. Yes We Can!!!

Sundays are for Strategizing

Carla from Arlington, VA — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 18:07:38 EST

Earlier this morning I chatted with my friend on MySpace comparing notes on our campaign participation during this final weekend. I told her that after the third debate concluded on October 15th, I stepped up my involvement by volunteering and donating more money. She said that she was canvassing neighborhoods. Immediately after this exchange, I donated money to the campaign. Obama needs as much money as possible to run advertisements in Ohio (the author's home state with 21 electoral votes!), Virginia, Arizona, Montana and North Dakota. The pollsters have updated McCain's home state from solid to leaning McCain meaning that Barack can steal this win! Furthermore, Montana and North Dakota, once Republican strongholds are up for grabs! Putting these states into the Democratic column is the first step towards dissolving the lunatic fringe radical Christian Right grip in the mountain states. Finally, winning these smaller states cushion the fall if McCain wins either Ohio, Virginia or Florida.

Down To The Wire

Jim — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 12:27:25 EST

We're down to wire now. I voted early and having been urging everyone I know to vote early too. I believe that Obama will win in a big way. Especially if we don't take this notion for granted and everyone gets out there and votes.

Most of the Republican hype and advertising is last minute attempts to make it appear that they are in the running to get out their base.

McBush said he wouldn't use the Rev. Wright in the campaign but I just saw a slimey ad here in the Orlando area of Florida using Rev. Wright. It was put out there by some PAC group "God Trust" or something like that. In actual fact McCain's campaign controls these groups.

Anyway one of the biggest anti McCain advertisements is Palin who proves every time she spouts all the lies she usually does that McCain's judgement leaves a lot to be desired and proves he is not sane enough to be president.

Newlyweds for Obama

Carmen from Decatur, GA — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:38:26 EST

I have been so incredibly inspired by the legions of volunteers who have supported Senator Obama. There are so many great stories from people leaving their jobs to work on the campaign for no salary to stopping what they are doing to give a ride to an elderly woman and then waiting with her for several hours in line to vote. I just wanted to share one more story. My brother and his wife got married yesterday - on November 1, 2008. They have the opportunity to take the honeymoon they have dreamed about, and they decide, without hesitation, to fly to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for their honeymoon. But they will not spend one second relaxing on the beach. They will spend the next three days doing whatever is asked of them volunteering for the Obama campaign in the swing state of Florida. I am so very proud of them. They have inspired me to take the next couple of days doing what I can to help get Obama elected. I hope they, and all the other people out there volunteering, will inspire you to do what you can wherever you may be.

OBAMA '08

Florida oh Florida

My Vote Matters — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:54:52 EDT

I got a phone call from my mother the other day. She has been staying in her Jacksonville, FL house for the past 3 months. The call was some routine question about her house here in Maryland then ended. Shortly thereafter she called again. This time it was to vent about something or everything. I am not sure which but the conversation started with something like, “I am really upset about these markets.” Then some spouting about “This $700 billion bail out is ridiculous. Using taxpayer money like this really pisses me off. I am really pissed off about these markets. I mean I worked very hard for my money and now it is nearly gone. That xyz mutual fund I have is down to nothing (she was gleaming when it was going up during the unwarranted record reached in the Dow about a year ago). And what about this damn election… I don’t understand why all these black people are voting for Obama. I mean they are all excited to vote just because he is black. That really makes me mad. They are even registering “homeless” people here. Some guy was given an address like “pillar #4 under freeway…”

OK, this is when I have to just cut off the conversation and hang up (with a few short words expressing my extreme displeasure of her “TV induced Talking Head view of the world”, most likely from the antithesis of intelligent reporting, FOX news).

So what is it about Florida that once my mother has been there for more than 60 days she becomes some kind of extreme right wing racist? After she had been there 5 months or so she usually gets fed up with Florida herself and can’t wait to get back to Maryland. That is when I breath a sigh of relief and realize she is only truly 30 percent right of center and not 70 percent as she becomes after a couple of months in that dreadful state.

Occasionally I get questioned about when I am going to come down and visit. Mind you, my mother’s snowbird home is in Jacksonville. She might as well be in Alabama or Georgia cause everything north of Orlando is not worth a wintertime visit. It gets cold there. The beaches are lacking, the economy non-existent, culture does not exist and it is not perpetually warm. What in the hell would I want to go to Jacksonville Florida for? Anything north of Orlando is just not worth the trip.

My impression of the northern ½ of Florida is that it’s heavily settled by blue-collar northerners who just wanted to be in Florida when they retired and found the cheap real estate enticing. The economy there is like that of a Central American nation where all the “currency” that supports the local economy comes from the pension funds and 401k’s built up while people worked in states with productive economies. Go south of Orlando and you get the better off northerners who can afford the more pristine locations and 365-day warm weather offered by the tropical southern part of the state. Here, for example, is where you get the New Jersey and New York Jews who buy up “nice” condos on the beach in Miami and elsewhere they can use to bribe their reluctant children down for a visit. I mean even their kids cannot resist a free condo on the beach in Southern Florida. In fact, I might even visit my mom if she were down there. But no, she had to be where her siblings settled in the northern part of the state.

Initially there was hope. My mom first purchased a condo on a golf course just outside of St. Augustine, still not far enough south but it was a start. I figured maybe she would find it to cold and move closer to her ½ Jewish cousin who lives just west of Miami. I actually went to her condo for about 4 days in November 2007. It was cold. There was some kind of costal storm that had wiped out the beaches. Everything was deserted. I was told the “season” did not start till December. Huge multi story condo buildings rested on the deserted beaches south of St. Augustine. There were no restaurants, no grocery stores, bars, nothing, just rows of condos on the beach nearly deserted. It was surreal to say the least.

One day the little bridge we drove over from my mother’s misplaced “condo on golf course development” was closed and I had to take a detour to get to town where I would go the 5 Star St. Augustine hotel and borrow their network for a few hours for about $10. I was amazed at what I saw. On this detour only minutes from downtown and my mothers condo was a road bordered by double wide trailers on cinderblocks, tiny bungalows and houses that looked like servant quarters from some long lost Georgia plantation that were dragged down to Florida and had survived for 100 years only because of the hardiness of their tin roofs. I mean, the place was downright poor, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana poor. Yep, we were in Florida, home of stolen elections, inbred politicians and God fearing racists.

My trip to downtown St. Augustine with friends from the Netherlands and Germany who happened to be in Florida at the same time, hence my reason for trekking down there, were to find places to hang out and enjoy some bourgeois time in town. Unfortunately since we were there in November (once again before the prime season) the place was perpetually deserted except for an occasional day tripper bus tour, a few off season tourists and some students from the tiny collage in town. What was worse than the desertedness of the place was the lack of places where I would want to spend more than 10 minutes hanging out in. I mean poor towns are quite depressing to hang out in. We found one lively bar at the end of a pretty extensive strip of mostly deserted and closed bars (due to the off season time I presume) where they had live music and some people actually in the place. I met a few locals and one nice girl explained how the majority of the strip of bars I asked her about had migrated into the hands of one or two owners over the years. Yep, this is a reality in many towns in America that have seen they’re past glory come and go. The stately houses become 8 one or two bedroom tenement style housing units owned by one or two old school families and the commercial district follows suit, often by the same clan. That is when the rest of society drags down along with the town. If you have an outspoken attitude you are run out of town and if you are black or lacking in education you get exploited to the n’th degree and if you speak out, your destined for the food stamp line for life.

This is an area where the right wing politicians push for school vouchers (an idea pushed by the right wing that a family can obtain a “voucher” they can take to a school that is “achieving” positive test scores and get out of the cycle of sending their children to failed schools in their home district). The reason they push for the vouchers is these pieces of paper allow the families with the means (i.e.; transportation, income/job, freedom of movement and connections) to get a government issued pay out where they can “self bus” their kids to the one school in the entire county that may be able to have test scores that pass the national standardized tests. What the right wing does not bother to say is that in most school districts in poor states (and even in entire districts in most American cities) there is not one public school that is capable of passing national standardized tests. Thus the damn voucher is a worthless piece of paper unless you have the means to trek your kid to some other far school or district or ability to get them into a “limited access” charter school. The people with these means are going to benefit and they of course are the last people who need it. Hence, the voucher program is nothing but another subsidy for the wealthy conservatives who rake the most “rents” from poorer parts of the nation and want some kind of government handout to get their kids to better schools on the broader taxpayer’s dime. Yea, you got it, Banana Republic, I mean America, well the US anyway.

Let’s not mistake my attitude here. I had only been to Florida once, when I was 15 years old and my mother took us down to visit my right wing religious aunt and her family and to see Disney world (or land or whatever they call it there). I think that trip was also to Jacksonville where my aunt and uncle and cousins had recently moved from Tampa. My uncle was from a big farm family in Georgia and all I remember from the trip were new churches with lots of people, a different way of talking and trying to water ski (Disney whatever is a kind of blur). That trip left no lasting impression. I always made an effort to see my aunt and uncle when they came up north to visit the family though. My cousins were great when we were kids and as an adult I always enjoyed the cultural experience of talking at length with my aunt and uncle about everything. I may trash macro cultural realities but I love communicating with individual people of all stripes.

I don’t however like Florida.

I suppose if I were a CEO of a Fortune 500 company and could use the corporate jet to fly down to my waterside house in Palm Beach or Boca Raton for the weekends like about 60% of them do there might be some reason to visit the place. But even then I wince at the idea of finding any kind of cultural entertainment or other stimulating leisure experience to recharge before heading back to the office in some productive economy state. (Well other than having a rolodex of other Fortune 500 company CEO’s and good social calendar where I could always find the hottest place to hang out and flirt with hordes of beautiful borderline professional women who haunt the place looking to land their sugar daddy CEO. Needless to say, this is not happening any time soon.)

So to my loving mother I politely asked again in a follow up email full of apologies and other niceties both ways about the short heated conversation on everything that is wrong with our lovely country simply to avoid political issues in our conversations. We are days from an election and even though many of her siblings up north that moved right of center during the waning years of the Clinton administration have, after being completely disenfranchised by the doorknob running our country for the last few years, decided also to vote for Obama (even though they are not black) my loving mom who has spent the last 90 days surrounded by the many God fearing racist in the poor state of Florida, has not had the opportunity to change her mind.

103 Hillsborough County FL absentee ballots flagged so far

Libertarians for Obama — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:21:49 EDT

http://www.abcactionnews.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=11171@wfts.dayport.com

Reported by: Don Germaise
Email: dgermaise@abcactionnews.com

TAMPA, FL -- 103 absentee ballots out of 10,000 filed so far in Hillsborough County have been flagged for irregularities. The Hillsborough County Canvassing Board rejected 91 of those, saying they will not count in the November 4th General Election.

Canvassing Board member Kevin White told ABCActionNews.com that 51 of 103 ballots canvassed today were rejected because they had no signature.

White, who is a Hillsborough County Commissioner, is warning those with absentee ballots to sign the ballots themselves, or they will not count.

Other problems with the ballots were signatures that didn't match what was on file and signatures that didn't match the name on the ballot.

Concerns in Pinellas County FL about Early Voting Suppression, Long Lines

Libertarians for Obama — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:58:35 EDT

http://www.ercpinellas.org/newsblog.htm?blogentryid=4174770

Watch Video at YouTube

Concern in Pinellas County about early voting sites

Video

Reported by: Keith Baker
Email: kbaker@abcactionnews.com

Voters wait in line at a Largo early voting location

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL -- Some voters in Pinellas County are concerned about the number of locations for early voting with only three sites. As a result of the robust turnout, voters are upset, saying they feel their right to vote early is being suppressed.

More than 600,000 are registered to vote in Pinellas County, with many voters opting to vote early creating lines in some cases.

One voter says a woman in a wheelchair couldn't wait for the hour it was taking to move through so she left the line and was joined by two others.

A Democratic National Committee leader is calling for a Grand Jury to investigate Pinellas and Manatee Counties to find out why so few voting locations were assigned for early voting.

The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections said she didn't feel there was any merit to the need for an investigation and is confident that the current early voting program is in the best interest of Pinellas County.

Manatee County has one early voting location. The other counties with the number of designated early voting locations in the Tampa Bay Region are:

Hillsborough 13

Sarasota 7

Pasco 7

Polk 6

Prominent Jewish Clevlanders Show Their Support for Obama...

Brady — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:16:34 EDT

I had the honor of being hired by the Cleveland chapter of the NJDC to design an ad in support of Barack Obama. The ad ran in last weeks issue of Cleveland Jewish News and included OVER 1,000 names of prominent Cleveland Jewish families who will be voting for Barack Obama! To see a copy of the ad please see the posting titled "Prominent Jewish Clevlanders Show Their Support for Obama..." at www.85andchange.com . PLEASE PASS IT ON TO ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE INFLUENCED BY IT!!

Pay attention to the touch screen.....

Andral from Miami, FL — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:23:30 EDT

As a Computer scientist...I can confirm that the technology behind the tuoch screen can easily be manipulated be either changing one chip or simply using similar technique as the ATM thieves.

A vote may appear for one candidate and be recorded for another simply by overlapping the sensor under the touch screen ....

You know when you get to the ATM, that indecision between which button is $20 or $ 40

Make sure those machines in South Florida are sealed after the election ......JUST IN CASE.

Times are hard....

I HAVE VOTED in West Palm Beach!

Dexhu — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:30:39 EDT

I VOTED 22 Oct 2008 at the Main Supervisor of Elections Office!

I havd to wait

Dr. Duane Elihu Xavier

Cuba and the change it needs

Anthony from Miami, FL — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:29:57 EDT

The following opinion piece was written by my boss Chairman of the Cuban American National Foundation Jorge Mas Santos.

How to Win the Cuban American Vote
By Jorge Mas Santos
Saturday, October 25, 2008; Page A15

U.S. policy toward Cuba is at best static and at worst counterproductive, a source of increasing frustration to many Cuban Americans. This sad status quo contributes to the challenge that Cuban Americans will face on Election Day as, once again, particularly in Florida, our vote will probably help determine the next occupant of the White House.

The overwhelming majority of Cuban Americans expect the next president to abandon today's failed "wait and hope" policy and adopt a policy of support and engagement directed toward opening new avenues of freedom for the Cuban people as well as enhancing stability in the United States.

The Cuban American National Foundation, the nation's largest Cuban exile organization, has a predominantly Republican membership. Yet our fundamental interest is not partisan politics but helping to restore freedom to our brothers and sisters on the island.

We entered the new millennium expecting U.S. policy toward Cuba to follow the effective model of the West's support for Poland's Solidarity movement and civil society across Eastern Europe. It was our hope that by seeking to empower Cuba's independent civil society through unlimited support for the brave men and women on the island opposing the Castro regime, the energy and resources of the Cuban American community would be unleashed. To this end, we have been sorely disappointed.

As a direct result of President Bush's strategic blunder in 2004 restricting contact with the island, Cuban dissidents have experienced a significant reduction in material and humanitarian assistance. They are also subject to a ban on receiving cash remittances that help them and their families survive. The isolation of these and other Cubans has increased while Fidel Castro's departure from office caught the Bush administration off guard. Together, these developments have helped Raúl Castro consolidate control over the Cuban people.

These failures in U.S. policy undermine important American interests. Just as a democratic Israel is a key U.S. friend in a critical region, a democratic Cuba would be a crucial ally in furthering democracy in Latin America. Cuba is important, also, because the dissatisfaction of its people under the Castro regime is bound to have a significant effect on Floridians and Cuban Americans nationwide. It has in the past.
The next president must put a stop to America's spectator approach. To this end, we have presented the campaigns of Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama with simple recommendations based on two basic premises: (a) the status quo is unacceptable; and (b) change needs to come from within Cuba. Our specific recommendations are:
• Change the rules that make it impossible to send cash aid and allow direct, substantial and unfettered aid to Cuba's dissidents.

• Lift the 2004 restrictions on travel and remittances by Cuban Americans. Removing the handcuffs that have prevented us from becoming active participants in the development of Cuban civil society will make us agents of change.

• Maintain sanctions that diminish the Castro regime's access to hard currency, which it uses to help fund its apparatus of repression.

• Engage democratic and reformist forces in Cuba, including those in the military and in the civilian government. They need to know that they can count on the friendship and support of the United States.

• Rebuild our intelligence capabilities in Cuba; they have been dismantled over the past decade, creating a vulnerability in this nation's security.

Both presidential candidates have made clear that they want to help the Cuban people achieve freedom. But Barack Obama's forward-looking and proactive approach toward empowering the Cuban people is more in line with these proposals than John McCain's vow to continue the Bush administration's policy.

More of the same will not bring about freedom in Cuba, and more must be done to directly assist Cuba's opposition movement. Cuban Americans are wary of empty promises. But on Nov. 4, before casting ballots, we will ask ourselves two important questions: Who will adopt a proactive policy toward Cuba, and if dissidents in Cuba had a vote in our election, for whom would they vote?

The writer is chairman of the Cuban American National Foundation.

http://canf1.org/artman/publish/home_page/How_to_Win_the_Cuban_American_Vote.shtml

-------------End--------------

For far too long the politics that relate to Cuba and it's people have been highjacked by the Republican party and it's goons here in Florida, and finally, for once, it seems like change is in the air!

PLEASE if anyone that's close to the campain reads this it is imperative that we take action and implement the points that Mr. Mas Santos has eloquently stated in his article.

As a Cuban/Venezuelan/American living in Miami I can say without any doubt that if real change in the policy towards Cuba is enacted by Mr. Obama the politics of this state will change from a "battleground" to a solid BLUE state for the Democrats!

This is a state that the Republicans have short changed with it's elected representatives since I arrived here and that is exactly the reason why it has always remained "at play" every election year.

It is time we change that once and for all, it is time we help the political prisoners and the people of Cuba not just with rhetoric but with action!

Go Obama Go Cuba!

Voices for Change: Sashi in Virginia

Sarah Ramey — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:21:44 EDT

"Barack Obama is the first global citizen to run for President of the United States."

When Sashi first read Dreams From My Father, she couldn't believe how much she could relate. If you're Sashi, it's not every day you find a candidate running for President who has lived in Indonesia, like you, who was raised by a family that valued education and hard work above everything, like you, and who chose community organizing and social service over other jobs on Wall Street -- just like you.

Sashi recommended the book to everyone she knew.

"Growing up in the developing world gives you an understanding of poverty that is impossible to grasp otherwise. We live in an increasingly global community, and Barack Obama is exactly the right person to lead this country, and other countries, into the new interconnected age."

30-year-old Sashi was originally born in Sri Lanka and came to the United States when she was 6. Her family left their country because it was in a state of war. Once they got to South Florida, Sashi says she watched her family live the American Dream.

We didn't live in the best of neighborhoods, but my parents instilled in us strong values and an appreciation for education. They helped us improve ourselves simply through hard work and school. My sister and I went to public schools our entire lives until we both received scholarships to college. In college, I became involved in social change and mobilizing people to advocate for the betterment of their communities.
Reading Senator Obama's memoir, I understood why he stayed in Chicago and could appreciate some of the difficulties he faced in learning his own identity. I also know how hard it is to choose a career, such as his in community organizing, that is not lucrative and is outside the norm. He did these things because he felt he had to.

And Sashi herself went on to do work that needed to be done, leading a group of students on a HIV/AIDS peer education trip throughout South India after college, interning with the World Organization Against Torture, working in an NGO for 2 years in microfinance, and working on economic development issues in Sri Lanka. When she read Senator Obama's first book, she found someone as committed to the same principles she valued -- and so, what seems like ages ago, started recommending the memoir to anyone who might listen.

But she knew that wasn't enough.

During the primaries and over the summer, Sashi got seriously involved in the campaign and canvassed in Pennsylvania and also Northern Virginia, where she currently lives. She recruited lots of friends to join her in canvassing and phone banking and she also donated to the campaign.

I've been a pretty outspoken advocate of Senator Obama, because I want people to know that his supporters are not afraid to talk politics and not afraid to confront the major issues. If we can't talk about these things then are we really informed voters?

Now with only six days to go, Sashi and thousands of other Virginian and Floridian volunteers are making the final push to prove, as she says, "that grassroots movements and communities CAN have a voice in government."

Every door knocked is one step closer to electing the first President to inspire our nation to be global citizens and local community organizers; a President who knows that the American Dream is alive in red states and blue states; in public schools and private schools; and on the main streets of small towns everywhere, from South Florida to Northern Virginia.

Vote Hope.

And get out there:

barackthebeach08.com

Cory — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:15:55 EDT

Surfer's Unite. View web site http://barackthebeach08.com for updates.

Join us, surf with us.

Ride the tide to Victory!

Cool New Video from Obama/Clinton Rally in Orlando!!!

Chris Burns — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:46:55 EDT

Check this out!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImpWaoqzYqw

We need to get our momentum back from attack dogs

Sin City Scott — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:42:58 EDT

Seems that the disgusting attack machine the Repulsivecans roll-out every election, coupled with the voter suppression efforts are tightening the race in Fl. Of Course, Fl.! So here is the final word on the fakery and the utter unamerican republican/mccain/palin/bush/rove/slime.

The Antidote: THE TRUTH

OK, finally- let’s clear this up!

In the six years since the Bush administration made it a priority, barely 100 people have been convicted and fewer than 200 have been charged with voter fraud. The overwhelming majority either were people who thought they were eligible but weren’t such as immigrants and felons or individuals registering fictitious people who couldn’t turn up to vote in any event.

A Worse Fraud
Knowingly false cries of “voter fraud” are a much worse fraud the GOP is trying to foist on the country than the actual crime itself – which doesn’t exist in any event. But its real purpose is to intimidate voters, especially those who are uneducated, poor and black or brown when they show up to vote.

“If they found a single case of a conspiracy to affect the outcome of a Congressional election or a state-wide election, that would be significant,” Richard Hasen, an election law expert at Loyola University Law School, told the New York Times last year. “But what we see is isolated, small-scale activities that have not shown any kind of criminal intent.”

This doesn’t stop Republicans from trying.

Over the weekend, President Bush sent Attorney General Michael Mukasey a letter asking him to investigate the Ohio case already rejected by the Supreme Court. And don’t forget that five of the 12 US attorneys fired last year in the scandal that led to the resignation of Alberto Gonzales were illegally fired because they refused to pursue voter fraud with sufficient zeal to satisfy their ideologue masters in Washington.

It also explains the Republican attacks on Acorn, which pays people to register voters in low income and minority areas. A tiny handful of Acorn workers made up names this year, which was condemned by both Acorn and the Obama campaign; in fact, Acorn flagged suspicious registration forms before submitting them to county clerks, something the GOP vote suppressors never mention when doing cable news interviews.

But there is absolutely no evidence – none, nada, zip – that Acorn or anyone else resulted in a single fraudulent vote ever being cast since Acorn began its large-scale drives in 2004.

While attempts at voter suppression are partisan in intent, they are racial in effect.

The Democrats have not won an election without the black vote since 1964. The most effective and crude way to undermine their base is to minimize the vote in black areas. This is just what happened in Florida in 2000, where Republican Secretary of State Katherine Harris lowered dramatically the threshold for including someone on the “purge list.” By the time Harris and her minions were done, African-Americans were 88% of purged names even though they account for only 11% of the actual electorate.

McCain insiders say that the campaign and the Republican National Committee are allegedly conspiring with outside groups to supress voter registration and turnout. Bush’s weekend letter to Mukasey is another piece of damning evidence that the GOP plans to keep people from voting since they cannot be convinced to vote for McCain.

Angry yet America? Disgusted? Even if you’re a Republican, tell me this isn’t revolting.

Baracking the vote one voter at a time...

Amy — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:43:26 EDT

I was so excited to canvass for Barack today--in my neighborhood! Thanks to fellow canvasser Barry, we knocked on over 80 doors and we made a huge difference--I know we did! Most people we talked to either already voted--or were going to vote--for Barack. There were only two people whe weren't very nice, but, what can you do? All in all, we had a great time canvassing together, and it felt good getting out the vote!

Tomorrow, Dan and I are going to the Biden rally in Jupiter. We'll have to get there early, as a lot of people are expected to be there. And Dan, Barry, and I were told that we'll get a good spot behind Joe Biden at the podium. I'm so excited! :)

Fingers crossed these last few days--and hopefully we can win Florida! Yay!

Polls show McCain not making up ground in Ohio or Florida

Jeremy Smith — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:56:54 EDT

Our calls are making a difference. October 28, 2008Polls show McCain not making up ground in OhioPosted: 09:00 PM ET
From CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

(CNN) — John McCain does not appear to be making up ground in Ohio, the key battleground state that is crucial to keeping his White House hopes alive.

According to CNN's latest poll of polls of the state, the Arizona senator now trails Obama by 6 points there, 50 percent to 44 percent. That gap is two points wider than it was Monday and double what it was one week ago.

Election Center: Check out recent Ohio polls

No Republican has won the presidency without carrying Ohio, and barring a major upset in another big state, the state's 20 electoral votes are a must win for McCain. The Republican presidential candidate is expected to spend two full days there later this week.

The latest Ohio poll of polls consists of recent surveys from LA Times/Bloomberg (October 25-27), Reuters/Zogby (October 23-26), and CNN/Time/ORC (October 19-21). CNN Poll of Polls do not have a margin of error.Meanwhile, a new poll of polls in Florida shows a similar story. The Arizona senator trails Obama by 4 points there, 49 percent to 45 percent. That gap is 3 points higher than it was earlier today and is largely due to a newly released survey from LA Times/Bloomberg showing McCain down 7 points in the state. The Florida poll of polls also includes surveys from Suffolk University and Reuters/Zogby.

Is McCain for Reagan Economics?

VoteforObama — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:36:23 EDT

Now Obama is a Marxist, socialist because supposedly he tells Joe the fake plumber he wants to spread the wealth around.

The Income Tax Act was established and enacted to support the Civil War and was based on the basic principles of graduated or progressive taxation and withholding income tax at source.

Ronald Reagan implemented the Earned Income Tax Credit to distribute the wealth amongst the so-called "working poor" as part of his trickle down economics. Was Ronald Reagan also a Marxist or a socialist?

Remind everyone that The Income Tax Act was enacted in 1862 and saw the establishment of the office of Commissioner of Internal Revenue so Barack Obama is playing by the rules of engagement, he's not doing anything that's socialist. If it was not socialism then, it sure ain't socialism now so don't let John McCain get away with this latest "slogan".

McCain-Bush Republican administration just gave $750B to Wall Street private corporations. The State taking a financial stake in private enterprise - what do you call that, McCain? Whose wealth is Bush spreading around and to whom?

In 1913, an amendment to the Income Tax Act gave Congress full legal authority to tax incomes of both individuals and corporations.

Florida Early Vote EXTENDED statewide

Kristen Psaki — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:32:42 EDT

Early Voting for the entire state of Florida has just been extended.

Every Early Vote location in Florida will now be every day from 7am-7pm up through November 2.

Please pass along this great news to everyone you know who will be voting in Florida. Click here to find your nearest early vote location.

Here's the release:

GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS
~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~
October 28, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008.

"I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote."

Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting.

Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting.

Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29.

Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217.

STATE OF FLORIDA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217

WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and

WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and

WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and

WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties;

WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; and
WHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:
I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008.

GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
SECRETARY OF STATE

Representing the Obama Campaign on European TV -- taking on the right-wing

Sinfonian — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:30:28 EDT

Yesterday, I had the honor of appearing in my role as a blogger on the UK's Sky News, which is covering the U.S. election extensively in several cities including Miami, where I made my appearance.

I had two separate appearances, actually. The first was a "stand-up" with just me on camera, talking with an anchorperson in London and a representative from the conservative blog RedState.com in Washington, and we were asked about the election and, specifically, the electoral chances of John McCain. I pointed out that, no matter what the national polls (which the anchor cited) might say, we actually have what amounts to 51 separate state elections (including D.C.), and "unless Karl Rove has some new math we're not aware of," it was going to be very hard for McCain to make a comeback.

My second on-screen took place about an hour later, with the anchor of on-site coverage in Miami, facing off one-on-one against the infamous Republican operative Roger Stone (a well-known disciple and former partner of Bush 41's dirty-tricks guru Lee Atwater). We were asked to discuss negative campaigning, in particular the historical references of the 1988 "Willie Horton" ads and the 2004 swiftboating of John Kerry. I made the point that the smears don't stick to Obama because they simply have no truth to them. Stone tried to paint Obama as a "closet Muslim" again (as though there might be something wrong with that), to which I objected but was interrupted as we ran out of time. Definitely a learning experience, as a novice going up against a seasoned political veteran ...

Naturally, when I commented about Obama's big electoral lead, I didn't mean we can be complacent. I am continuing to volunteer and will be serving as a Voting Rights Attorney in Palm Beach County, Florida on Election Day. Everyone needs to keep working hard, right through next Tuesday. Get out the vote, make phone calls, drive people to the polls, and don't forget to vote yourself!

Please look for more coverage from my Sky News appearances, as well as from tomorrow's local appearances by Joe Biden and Barack Obama, at Blast Off!, http://flprogressive.blogspot.com.

Rising Tide of Hope

Loren the Prince — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:18:02 EDT

There has been a surge of support for Barack Obama in recent weeks, especially in traditionally Republican states. As Adam Nagourney and Jeff Zeleny report in the New York Times, the race for the presidency has shifted from normal battle ground states, i.e. Florida and Ohio, to states won by President Bush in 2004, e.g. Colorodo, Virginia, and Georgia. Ohio and Florida have not lost their importance, but in fact have become more important because Obama has gained support in each state. This has forced John McCain to reallocate resources to two states he thought were locked up. It is well documented that McCain is far behind Obama in caimpain money thus any shift that he has to make in his advertisements will aid Obama's caimpain. Even if, for example, Barack does not win Florida in the election but wins other closly contested states because of McCain's resource shift, the effort in Florida will be well worth it. I urge voters in all states, but especially Florida, Ohio, Colorodo, Virginia, and Georgia to get out and vocalize your support for Obama and Biden. For those of us in the "locked up states" we still need to voice our support, but we need to reach out to our relatives in other states to vote properly.

With this evidence of increased support for Obama, the tide of Hope is truely rising and the U.S. shall be caught in the swelling ocean of Change.

Peace and Love,

Loren the Prince

Take Action: We Deserve Honesty

bkirby816 — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:38:11 EDT

As you know, I'm a big supporter of Representative Keith Fitzgerald down in District 69.

In 2006, he and his campaign manager, Duncan (my wife), ran one hell of a race, and won in a predominantly Republican district. He won despite the fact that they ran a very nasty campaign against him, at one point saying he was going to shred the fabric of democracy, or something along those lines. Keith responded by running a clean campaign, talking about the issues, and about what he was going to do in Tallahassee.

Going to Florida

debbier — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:03:12 EDT

My sister, Angela, and I are going to Florida tomorrow. We will be campaigning in St. Petersburg. I will let y'all know how it is going while we are there. I hope to get a chance to see Barack and Hillary on Wednesday, in Tampa.

Me

matt_in_gainesville_for_obama — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:41:25 EDT

Hey, I'm Matthew Craig. I live in Gainesville, FL (that is where the University of Florida is).

My dad is well known in Gainesville, especially right now with the election (he is the chair of the Political Science department at UF).

I will try and update every other day.

Keep checking my Blog

Joe's Interview in Florida

Mickiboop (P.O.B.) Be the Change — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 11:36:42 EDT

Obama supporter, Jane Risher post a message about Joe Biden's interview with a sharp-edged Florida news woman. We both believe Joe did an excellent job of responding to the harpie. I think our campaign should put it on the front page of our site. Check out the YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQXcImQfubM

You Go Joe Biden - I love your answers and your temperament!

McCain workers are being paid just like the ACORN folks, except they are dealing with actual ballots, actual votes.

Darren — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:36:42 EDT

This is eye opening. In this video, McCain workers in Florida are interviewed and what they are doing and saying is interesting. It shows that the whole ACORN situation was nothing. The Republicans are paying people to solicit and transport absentee ballots.

Why on earth should we consider these ballots on the up-and-up? These workers are being paid just like the ACORN folks were, except that they are dealing with actual ballots, actual votes. Oh, and one of them is a really rude fella.

Check it out:

http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/7921m/the_mccain_campaign_may_not_want_you_to_see_this/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d98t2c2XZE

Who's been volunteering for Obama in Florida?

Destiny's Child — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:33:38 EDT

I have a writing assignment and I need to interview someone who has been volunteering in Florida for this election.

Early Vote for Change - Gainesville, FL

Liz — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:09:21 EDT

My partner Wendy and I attended Gainesville's Early Vote for Change, and waited for 4 1/2 hours to see and hear Michelle Obama. We arrived in downtown Gainesville at 11am, voted early at the county administration building, waited in line, made some fun friends there, and had a great time! It was tough in the heat, but it was well worth the wait to see Michelle Obama in person, and hear her strong speech for Barack Obama.

Here's a link to some pictures from the event.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/crazyredlizard/sets/72157608274436412/show/

My First Post!

Bryan D. — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:54:32 EDT

Well this is my first blog post ever. Not just on Obama's page but ever...anywhere on the internet. Never really saw myself as the blogging type but I feel inspired lately.

I figure I should start this off with a little general information about myself. I am a 25 year old professional living in Denver, CO. I recently moved here from Florida after graduating from Florida State University. Go Noles!!!

Back on topic. --> Barack Obama is a very captivating figure with ideas that really speak to my demographic. I can't wait for election day! Hopefully smooth sailing until then.

Sarasota Rally video 10/19/08

Insideoutgraphics — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:40:07 EDT

I attended the Yes We Span Rally in Sarasota Fl. 5,000 people strong marched across the bridge. I've posted a video on you tube of the event.Local news did not cover the event as I thought they should, but show a short clip only after the sports and weather segments. Frustrating when there is news in a town and the media fails to provide adequate air time. My opinion only

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s17SsZmp1UU.

I also tried to load another video of the same event, however, it has yet to be processed.Update: 2nd video has finally been processed on youtube is now available for viewing.(click to Watch in High Quality)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYMpDBSvS8A

I plan to attend a rally tomorrow evening across from Robarts showing my support for Obama/Biden.

Edited 10/23/08: I thought about the above statement and I do not see it as productive to stand out in front of a McCain Event. It serves no purpose. So I won't be out there tonight at Robarts during McCain's Event.

I'll be down at Obama headquarters this saturday to volunteer.

Back from the Darkest Heart of Florida

Linda — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:49:26 EDT

My adult kids and I just returned from a five-day trip to central Florida (Orlando and environs to be precise). It's frightening to consider how many McCain/Palin signs we saw. I actualliy wore my Obama/Biden t-shirt to the beach on Sunday and felt just a teeny bit nervous that I might be the recipient of some hateful invective. Fortunately, I wasn't.

Granted, this is middle Florida. It isn't gay-friendly South Beach (Miami) or Repug-friendly Miami-in-general. But it showed me something frightening...there's a huge racial divide in the south. I've known of it intellectually but not experienced it.

Combine with that the under-educated Anglos that are so prevelent in this area. Perhaps this encounter at Disneyworld (in line, of course!) explains it all:

Me to old guy wearing MoveOn.com Obama shirt: I like your shirt!

Old guy: Thanks! I appreciate it.

Me: Yeah, I was starting to think I was all alone!

Old guy: No. I was at Epcot yesterday and I couldn't believe all the people wearing Obama shirts.

Me: That's where all the smart people hang out.

Old guy: You're right!

Ouch.

Glad to come home and be adjacent to my left-wing liberal neighbor and see my Obama/Biden sign.

May the Lord bless Barack and his granny in Hawaii who is apparently on her deathbed.

Diary of a Mad Florida Voter - New Process Discourages Voting

Brian M Ross — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:11:28 EDT

Early voting rolled out today in Florida, and, if the West Delray Beach Library, where I voted this afternoon, is any indicator, the new paper/scan voting system will cause extreme delays, is easily subject to error, and throws the privacy of the secret ballot right out of the window.

Orlando Florida

Khaidji — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:19:12 EDT

The Elections are only 15 Days away. Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton took a plane ride together as they prepared to share the platform in Orlando Florida. You may recall that there was some trouble regarding the primary between these two in Florida but now, there is no love lost. The united front made for a dynamic duo as they stumped against the McCain/Palin team whose campaign has become so dirty it’s starting to get frightening

Orlando Florida

Our challenges are too great to turn back

Removed the republicans and elect Barack

Lower wages than in a decade before

And 115,000 lost jobs here and everyday more

Now they want to insist “no home, no vote”

Don’t care that people just got the foreclosure note

Out of ideas, out of touch and running out of time

Floridians, John McCain’s change doesn’t worth a dime

Let’s understand, we are all in this together

Our Wall Street got a boost but the people needs another

Rescue all our middleclass and jump-start the economy

I see no separation of real and fake parts of this country

Dangerous phone calls and outrageous statements must finish

And Sunshine returned to America and grant us our wish

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

UNBELIEVABLE TURNOUT IN FT LAUDERDALE TODAY

Ed from Fort Lauderdale, FL — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:17:42 EDT

Ok THIS IS 150% a good post today. I blogged about the candidates not being here in FLorida and low and behold they show up here on monday and tuesday ...YOU GUYS LISTEN LOL

I saw Hillary today and she was great in FORT LAUDERDALE.

SO heres what happened in Fort LAUDERDALE TODay..Early voting started..so after the Hilary rally i went across the street to vote early at the main library..the line was in the hundreds out the doo... I HAVENEVER EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.... so I decided to go to a local branch near by house... cars everywhere.. people lined up to the street..waiting time 4 hours... so i say WHAT THE HELL this is unbelievable is everybody this fired up? so i go to Wilton manors to vote same thing lines to the street waiting time in hours not minutes... so i run do my errands and say ill go back at 4 .. at 4 pm same lines and now they are posting the line wait outside as 2 hours forty minutes... at the same time i arrive at the voting place about 30 other poeple do and all of us decide to come back tomorrow ... which I will do...

but heres the best thing... It wasnt islotaed on the news it was like that EVERYWHERE..

and People arent waiting in line for 4 hours for more of the same so i would say its 90% or more obama voters ... better yet i bought an obam button at the hillary function and everyone that saw me when i went shopping to the market and other places asked me if i voted and how fired up they were about voting for obama ... i mean if there was a Mccain votr anywhere near they never showed themselves and the register clerk at walgreens and publix both said they were first time voters and voting for obama and they were in their 40's... I REALLY DO NOT THINK THE POLLS ARE REFLECTING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO VOTE THAT NEVER VOTe and all of them today were voting for obama in Broward County Florida..

SO THIS IS A 150 % great day in fort LAuderdale for BArrack.. GREAT JOB BRINGING HILLARY HERE they playedd inall over the news ... and IN MY ENTIRE LIFE I HAV NEVER SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE COME OUT WITH ONE PURPOSE TO VOTE.. TO VOTE FOR BARRACK..

GREAT JOB OBAMA CAMPAIGN ..IT LOOKS REAL GOOD HERE REALLY GOOD..and if you read my other blogs you know im not a RAH RAH..lol

Voting in Florida..and me.

Tracy from Palm Coast, FL — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:36:27 EDT

You know, Barack Obama is the first candidate that has ever motivated me to vote. Granted, being 27 years old, I've only been able to vote for the 2 elections prior to this one, and after squandering my first two opportunities I've grown older, and wiser..and just care more.

We just moved to Florida about 2 months ago, and since my husband works an hour away and we only have one vehicle, I was worried about being able to cast my ballot. I asked my mother in law to borrow her car and I went today! My two smallest children in their stroller babbling away, I got in the long line at the library to vote..

I was saddened to see a bunch of people sporting "I support McCain/Palin" buttons. I tried talking to one of them before we went in, asking him why he supports the Republican ticket and he said "I've always been a Republican, they're the only party that supports my values." I asked him if his values involved higher tax cuts for large corporations. Cutting funding for people in need, such as people who need college grants, or state aid for families who don't make enough money working several jobs to support themselves. I told him that this is the first election I've ever cared about because we can't afford more of the exact same policies that we've had the last 8 years, and that if nothing else, I was voting for the Obama/Biden ticket for the future..my future, my children's future. That I want to be able to retire when I was his age and not work until I am 90. That I want my children to be able to do the same. That I want to see this country self sufficient, not in this ever increasing hole of national debt we are digging ourselves into..

How to Decipher CHANGE to Undecided Voters. (Helpful for Phone Calls)

Amy — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:31:02 EDT

Introduce voters to CHANGE.

Obama in this campaign offers change in its most absolute way: change from failed policies but also change in terms of opening a new page which will burry the racial divide in this country. That change, as exciting as it sounds, needs to be defined so it doesn't scare older and less informed people, into voting for Obama. Change should not be perceived as ‘the unknown’ but “the fundamental”

You guys need to emphasize the long terms effect of Change so they understand the impact their vote will have on their children and future generations.

In terms of communicating race, I think you need to confront racism in a very considerate way so people understand this is not about electing the first African American president in history but electing the one who has the judgement to lead us out of this financial turmoil.
(Insist on the numbers: over 600,000 jobs lost)

When someone tells you the only reason why they wouldn't support Barack Obama is because he is black, tell them “this is not about Obama, this is about you and your children”.

When someone tells you, I like Sarah Palin tell them, “I hate to break it to you but chances are you're never going to sit with her. Once these elections are over, whoever wins will be presiding from the White House, and what will strictly matter then on are the ways in which their policies are going to affect your life, your children. Children can't vote but the impact of your vote, will be part of the legacy you are going to leave them.”

Talk about the power of democracy. (Insist on everything they are going against by supporting the McCain Palin ticket)

If we have a democracy today where women can vote it is because:

Þ Democratic President Woodrow Wilson stood up for Change in 1918 in support of the 19th amendment which forbid any state to deny any woman a right to political expression.

Þ It is the Democratic Party that promulgated Hillary to almost becoming the first female president.

Þ Sarah Palin goes against every thing Hillary has ever fought for:

Þ she is on a ticket which rejects Equal Pay for women.

Þ Insist on the fact that there are 10.4 million single moms in the United States who live with children younger than 18, up from 3.4 million in 1970 and that today more than ever, we need to support those moms so they can have a decent lifestyle and give to their children a sense of education. You can't say you support those women if you stand against equal pay and you stand against raising the minimum wage.

Þ And make the case that if you support the McCain-Palin ticket, you are also denying those proud American citizens the right to a better existence.

The Democratic Party never stopped fighting for the women's rights.

Þ In 1994, President Clinton provided $1.6 billion to enhance investigation and prosecution of the violent crime perpetrated against women by signing the Violence Against Women Act, which John McCain firmly opposed.

Þ This VAWA was drafted by Joe Biden who now runs on the democratic ticket as VP

Þ It is thanks to Biden that domestic violence became a public health policy and human rights concern. (You need to insist on that)

Þ According the National Organization for Women, which stepped out of its usual neutrality to proudly endorse the Obama-Bide ticket, every day in America:

Þ Four women die as a result of domestic violence bringing the number to 1,400 women a year.

Þ two to four million women of all races and classes are battered each year, and 170,000 of those violent incidents are serious enough to require hospitalization

Thanks to Joe Biden, this has become a real human rights concern.

If Hillary Clinton chooses to put pride aside and step up for a "rally for change" it is because she understands the vital necessity to all be on the road for Barack Obama.

By helping each others, women pave the way for their daughters, granddaughters in ensuring that they won't be denied any fundamental human rights.

As you know, many of these women are affected by the economy crisis and for McCain to stand firm and say that he won't raise the minimum wage is simply unacceptable when he supports sending 10bn$ monthly in US taxpayers' money to a country which has an 80bn $ surplus.

Yes, the war in Iraq needs to end and it will end under the presidency of Barack Obama.

Painting the surge as having worked does not take away the fact that this war, which killed 4,152 (as of September 3rd 2008) and wounded 30,568 American soldiers should have never been authorized. Isn’t it fair to remind people that 600, 000 Iraqi civilians, who had absolutely nothing to do with September 11th, were also killed in this war, along with thousands of other soldiers and journalists.

Careless of all the critics Obama has heard on his experience and position against the war, "soldiers have donated more presidential campaign money to Democrat Barack Obama than to Republican John McCain, a reversal of previous campaigns in which military donations tended to favor GOP White House hopefuls, a nonpartisan group reported Thursday", according to USA Today. (8/14/2008)

Yes, soldiers are putting their trust in Obama and so should we when it comes to handling the economy and the foreign policy of this country.

So when John McCain says he is going to fight, ask yourself for what…or better yet, against what? Is he going to keep fighting against the elements so desperately needed for Change, like funding for education, funding for healthcare…?

John McCain doesn’t have a record to claim that he can bring real change. What has long years in Washington ever brought to a candidate? If it mattered so much why is Palin in a position which puts her heart bit away from the presidency, when more experienced Republican candidates are available? If he just wanted to rally the right wing base, he could have chosen Huckabee, if he cared about the economy, he would have appointed Romney but instead he opted for someone with absolutely O experience.

Are you ready to have Palin as President and take a 10% risk of having change? Well after all, McCain voted 90% of the time with Bush and a 100% in 2008.

If Obama wins, America wins and therefore you win.

You should have banners saying If Obama wins, America wins / If Obama wins, you win.

Talking About Restoring the Constitution

Jan H. — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:20:39 EDT

Barack is coming to Legends Field in Tampa tomorrow. This is so exciting. I was at Knology in Dunedin with 11,000 other Floridians. We have been hearing about important subjects such as the economy, Iraq, and healthcare. Can we also talk about restoring Constitutional rights such as protection of property (imminent domain), our privacy (phone tapping), against false imprisonment and torture? We need to know that the America our forefathers created with checks and balances between legislature and judiciary branches can be restored. Pinellas County, Florida (Oldsmar Team)

on my way to Orlando

Carol from Woods Hole, MA — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:21:21 EDT

My absentee ballot is mailed, my car is packed, the route is set (95 all the way, it'll be me and the truckers), and I'm on my way! I've got a 21-hour drive and 27 hours until Barack and Hillary's rally in Orlando. Thank goodness I've been on the road for a year "in training" for this.

Blessings and thanks to another Carol C who is hosting me in Orlando!

Someday, I'll drive north-south at a leisurely pace and do the magnificent Blue Ridge again. (Am I really bypassing it on a weekday in leaf-peeping season?) Hopefully on the motorcycle next time - or even slower, on a bicycle.

Adopt Five Florida Voters, Win This Election

jgabriel — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 19:17:57 EDT

There's a great new program from Florida for Obama:

If Barack Obama wins Florida, he will be the next President of the United States. The margin of victory here in 2004 was 380,978 votes. If you each commit to taking five friends, neighbors or family members to early vote, we will surpass this margin.

adoptfive.barackobama.com

Questions

Jim — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:26:04 EDT

I live in Winter Park Florida and over the years as I jog through the area during an election I see a lot of political yard signs that usually strongly favor who ever is Republican. This time there are less McCain/Palin signs then one might expect and more Obama/Biden signs but there are a lot less signs of any kind, overall.

When I see a McCain/Palin sign I want to go up and knock on the door and ask the residents if their home is worth what it was four years ago, if their retirement resources are up or down, if they are okay with an indefinite stay in Iraq, if they want someone in office who will perpetuate the economic policies of the last eight years and who at 72 and in poor health has a totally unqualified person as a running mate?

I want to inquire why they are willing to trust candidates with a campaign staff made up of lobbyists who have a tarnished and dubious record of involvement in influence peddling? I want to ask how they can vote for a candidate who, along with his running mate has lied in public on a constant basis and encouraged derision on the basis of race, ethnicity,and patriotism? Who ends his speech with words that are a metaphor for calling his opponents un-American.

Could they tell me how anyone who has lived in this country could not recognize the "code" and buzz words that inspire hate and derision. McCain and Palin are guilty of every possible attempt to "Frame" Obama as an unknown quantity, foreign, un-American, a terrorist, and "someone who isn't like us." I would ask how Obama might not "be like us?"

Before I left that home I would like to ask them to truly consider who is the best qualified team, with the best real plan for the economy and our country? I would ask them to look in to their hearts and brains and ask themselves why they put that sign in front of their home?

My Day At A McCain Rally

Suzanne — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 05:58:40 EDT

oh my goodness... I've never heard such vicious bile thrown at me... ever.

Here's the story:

YouTube Video

For My Bubbes and Zaydes by Proxy

Ronnie — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:16:53 EDT

I was blessed with the most wonderful Grandma who ever walked the planet. She was a devout, Orthodox Jew who never turned on a light let alone rode in a car on Shabbas until the day my equally wonderful Grandpa was dying.

Becoming a citizen was one of the highlights of her life, not only because she loved this country and viewed her citizenship as an honor, but because she had also earned the right to vote. I was very close with my Grandma, and I know if she were here today she would have proudly voted for Barack Obama.

Grandma was a very smart lady even though she had almost no formal education. She read the The Forward everyday and watched the news every night in their little one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. She sat on the benches on Ocean Parkway and talked about everything, from politics, to her adoring family. With all that she had been through and seen in her life she believed that there was good in everyone, but recognized that being a good person and having good judgment were entirely two different things .

Road Trip!!!

Steve — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:19:56 EDT

I'm excited! I will be flying down to Ft. Lauderdale FL, and driving back to Chicago! On my way I will have stops in Naples FL, Tampa FL, Lake City FL, Atlanta GA, Augusta GA, Charleston SC, Chattanooga TN, Kimball TN, Nashville TN, Louisville KY, and Indy IN. (Yes, I'm taking the LONG way back). It would be great to find anyone out there to help campaign with as I take this trip. I go to FL on Oct 28, and return to Chicago on Oct 3. Anyone out there have any ideas for me, as I make my own "Campaign Trail"?

Thanks!!

Steve

Targeting State by State

John Zwier — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:40:12 EDT

Reposting from Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bart-motes/obamas-smart-targeted-web_b_135249.html

Obama's Smart Targeted Web Campaign

Add another headache to the McCain campaign's faltering efforts. Barack Obama, avid Iphone user (see video) is employing state specific web sites to hammer John McCain. Websites specific to Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, and Ohio point out the disastrous impact of a McCain presidency on the lives of voters in each state. Though the websites employ the same basic format, they include statistics specific to each state.

The websites aren't quite as sexy as the new Obama for Iphone application, which gives you a ready made call list of your friends, uses the Iphone's GPS to tell you where your nearest office is, and provides users with position papers on every imaginable issue. But they may be even more effective.

For instance, the Ohio website notes that "Bankruptcies Rose 19% In Ohio In The 12 Months Leading Up To June 2008; 54,160 Bankruptcies Were Filed During This Time."

Specific data such as this arms local supporters and helps convince undecided voters that John McCain will directly and negatively impact their lives.

The program is another example of the Democratic National Committee's 50 State plan. States like North Carolina and Virginia would have been ignored by a less aggressive (read previous Democratic) campaign. But because the Obama campaign built on Howard Dean's decision to build a presence in every state, not just reliably Democratic states, the McCain campaign is forced to use its limited resources to play defense in North Carolina and Virginia.

Most provocatively, the North Carolina and Virginia sites allow voters to click on their area and see funding for local projects opposed by McCain.

Websites cannot substitute for the hard work of grassroots campaigning: particularly phone banking and canvassing. But they can augment the work of local organizers and volunteers. Since the names of the state specific websites are catchy and memorable "McCain Versus Ohio," it is easy for volunteers and staff to mention them to voters and magnify their impact.

The Obama campaign is pioneering the merger between high technology and grassroots campaigning begun by Howard Dean and Joe Trippi. The results will be felt long after this election.

Note that since this post, several other state sites have been targeted. These include:

www.McCainvsMontana.com

www.McCainvsNM.com

www.McCainvsMichigan.com

Barack Pledging To Increase NASA Funding

Charles from Raleigh, NC — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:51:27 EDT

In the roar of coverage leading up to the election in eighteen-odd days, some of my fellow Space Democrats outside of Florida may have missed this:

http://www.floridatoday.com/content/blogs/space/2008/10/campaigns-compete-for-space-votes.shtml

Sen. Barack Obama has released a radio ad touting his pledge to increase NASA funding.

The ad features Sen. Bill Nelson, who says the additional $2 billion and an extra shuttle flight would reduce layoffs expected at Kennedy Space Center when the shuttle is retired.

Holocaust survirvor supports Obama

March4health4All — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:20:09 EDT

My father, Louis,has a message for all Jewish voters about why the supports Barack Obama

Please watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylav7dY7SJQ

Why Barack Obama is Better for the Security of Israel

Marc Ginsburg — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:41:52 EDT

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Wednesday, October 8, 2008-Friday, October 10, 2008-Monday, October 13, 2008-Tuesday, October 14, 2008-Thursday, October 16, 2008

Dear friend and fellow Jewish American,

I know that when it comes to security, that of Israel is as important to you as that of America, and I know that we have long shared a concern for this s nation that represents the hope of Jewish security, particularly in light of our history of non-sovereignty and the price we've paid.

In viewing the two candidates in the current election campaign, as in every past campaign, I know that you are asking yourself that most paramount serious question, “Which of these two candidates will be the greater guarantor of Israel's safety and security in this time of increased turbulence in the Middle East?.

I am writing to you as someone who is confident that Barack Obama, through his policy of building strong alliances and tough diplomacy, is the one who can best ensure the safety and protection of all of Israel's citizens and I will outline below the various reasons I believe John McCain's presidency promises instead a tone of recklessness that ultimately will plunge all of us, but particularly Israel, who, as you know, is in the midst of this region that has become much more tense during the Bush administration's tenure, into great and unthinkable danger, even if unintentionally.

I know that some of you may be supporters of John McCain while others among you may just not like Barack Obama. That is fine. I hope you receive my plea and supporting evidence for it in the spirit in which it is intended and give it a chance by at least taking the time to read it, and, if it stirs you to be of like mind, to pass it on to others in the Jewish community who you feel will be touched by these words, and if not, I apologize if I've upset you, but as you know, our tradition is rich with discussion and debate over issues of the greatest importance and I hope you will receive and even respond if you desire in that spirit—sacred to both the American and Jewish traditions of expressing our viewpoints while respecting and considering the opinions of others that differ.

I am certain that we all agree that America's enemies and Israel's enemies are the same. I think we can also agree that those who threaten Israel's safety also threaten America's safety. That has become especially apparent after September 11, 2001, as well as since the engagement with Iraq has led to the spread of both Al-Qaeda as well as the influence of unsavory leaders such as in Iran. I think we can therefore all agree that whoever can best protect America will best protect Israel. The problem is that many in the Jewish community have been fooled by the tough talk of the Republicans before, most notably in 2004, when John Kerry's totally correct position that going into Iraq was a big mistake that allowed Osama bin Ladin to get away and strengthened Al-Qaeda was perceived as weakness. But if anyone knows the difference between tough talk and effective talk, it's Israel's leaders, who have never been able to afford to make the kinds of mistakes the Bush administration has made over and over again, including its gross negligence in being ready, as the Clinton administration had been many times before it, to prevent the kind of attack that occurred on September 11, because, unlike Bush, Clinton thwarted these terrorists when they bombed embassies abroad and took seriously the warnings of intelligence briefings, and Israel, likewise, has dealt effectively with this kind of threat, minimizing loss of life. The gross negligence of the Bush administration that both allowed 9-11 to occur as well as detracted from ensuring safety and security is the same kind of negligence that is clearly evident in John McCain's policies and positions on American foreign policy. As Barack has indicated over and over, McCain's and Bush's policies are essentially the same. With the one notable exception of the use of torture on military prisoners—an exception for which John McCain should be greatly praised and commended, nowhere is Barack's description of the McCain doctrine as identical to the Bush doctrine (a term I use loosely knowing the latter has undergone many alterations) as accurate with respect to foreign policy.

The situation in the Middle East, like the global economy—and the two are very interconnected, as I'm sure is a surprise to no one—has become more destabilized during the 8 years of the Bush administration and is now both very precarious and dangerous. It should be as obvious to everyone as it is with respect to foreign policy that repeating the same reckless course for the next 4 or 8 more years has unthinkable consequences if we pursue such a course. It is beyond obvious that the only way to bring peace and stability to the region where Israel's 7,337 citizens live is to drastically change U.S. policy to one which calms tensions and brings hope for rapprochement. It is clear that Barack's policy of tough engagement yet engagement nonetheless holds the only olive branch hope of true peace and security for Israel, not John McCain's reckless, hair-trigger attitude of trying to increase tensions between enemies. Iran is a much bigger entity than Iraq and escalation into a conflict there would have consequences unimaginable both for Americans and Israelis. We all have a nothing short of desperate interest in seeing Barack, reason and sanity prevail in this election over madness.

But the bigger picture is not even begun to be expressed simply in military or political terms. The bigger picture can be summed up in a 3-letter word, which every Israeli is keenly aware of, “O-I-L”. Yes, my Jewish friend, that 3-letter word has been the source of a great deal of Israel's troubles, even if not the predominant one. Hezbollah, which is tied to oil-driven Iran, is probably the most significant terrorist tie. But there is a bigger picture here. And if you want to be sure you understand what's at stake for not only Israel, but for you, me and all of us, before you enter the voting booth and not after, you will take the time you need to read on and to think about this issue for yourself until you come to a reasonable conclusion on why oil imperils all of us, including and especially Israel.

Now I know many of you are saying, “Wait a minute! America's ties to oil-producing states protected Israel for that's when they abandoned their attempt to annihilate Israel as they had been doing up till then.” Actually, you're right. In the mid 1970s, when America, for reasons totally unrelated to Israel's security, joined with the Saudis and others to ensure the removal of the choke hold on America's access to oil, all of a sudden, nations that had been hostile and violent toward Israel signed treaties. It is therefore natural to assume that America's dependence on Middle Eastern oil spelled security for Israel and that ending it would once again put Israel at tremendous risk of being attacked by her neighbors.

And that may have actually been true for a good part of the history of Israeli-Arab relations. But I think all of us in the Jewish community are aware that America's dependence on oil, while it did help Israel become free of its neighbors ganging up on her, did nothing to keep Israel from the constant threat of violence from terrorist groups, both from inside and outside. It also did nothing to help Israel and the Palestinians work out the kind of solution that would have greatly reduced if not altogether eliminated the kind of violence she has suffered over the years, from then until now. To be sure, Israel has dealt effectively with the attacks of terrorists, but Israel should not have to live under this constant threat.

At the same time, almost completely parallel with America's tryst with the Saudis and other oil-producing nations in the Middle East, a new brand of terrorists started to emerge from the region along a new type of hostile enemy nation. While you may be able to say that Israel benefited partially from the oil tryst, you cannot deny that America has suffered for it and the price today is nothing short of completely frightening. We already know who America's enemies are in the region and the enormous toll it has exacted of us so I need not repeat it here. But what is significant is that this threat to Americans did not start on September 11. It had already been present for a very long time. It started as soon as America became heavily involved in the region as a power broker for oil. Ironically, America prepared the terrorists to be able to attack America on September 11 when they armed the Taliban and Al Qaeda in their war with the Soviets. Once they had thrown off the Soviets, these beneficiaries of our huge material and military support repaid us, their benefactors by plotting our destruction as enemies of Islam. Many times during the 1990s, they tried to pull of the kind of attack they succeeded in pulling off on September 11, but President Clinton was too wise and too prepared to let them succeed. He knew how to govern effectively and he knew how to keep his activities from the public eye, with top secret intelligence briefings on Al Qaeda's movements that allowed all attempts at attack on our soil to be thwarted before they occurred. The attacks that did succeed, such as at the embassies in Africa, were signs of their unceasing effort to destroy American life. As soon as President Bush came into office, he proceeded to undermine and weaken the combined efforts of a strong executive branch, a strong intelligence body and a strong military and thereby allowed the attacks that occurred on September 11 to occur.

I mention all this solely to illustrate the clear link between our dependence on oil—particularly foreign oil—and the two big threats we and Israel face as a result—the Sunni threat from the Al Qaeda fanatics and the Shia fanatics in Iran—which, I must point out, includes most notably their current President, but not all of the influential players in Iran's policies and power circles, which Barack alone among the two candidates recognizes. I hope you haven't forgotten also that Senator Lieberman had to point out—on camera—the difference between Sunni and Shia to John McCain. Oops.... Are you sure this man is the man you want protecting—or trying to protect—Israel?

But let's get back to oil and what we can do to make not only Israel's but our own situation billions of times safer. In fact, the answer lies within Israel itself. Israel, which, for obvious reasons, has been forced into energy independence, has achieved an amazing success with alternative energy. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you have no choice but to be energy independent. I think there's a tremendous way Israel can be our teacher and benefactor in helping us free ourselves from this dependence which puts America and Israel both at risk. Google “Israel's use of alternative energy” and you will be amazed at the results you come up with. (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=WEP&q=end+to+1970s+energy+crisis&btnG=Search)

At http://www.unep.org/gc/gcss-ix/documents/israel-energy3.pdf, you will read a very interesting article that states the economically efficient nature of clean, alternative energy sources as opposed to crude oil and that regulations require that “all new buildings be equipped with solar collectors for water heating”. I can feel John McCain s squirming at the idea that there is regulation and mandate but it was Sarah Palin, I'd like to remind any of you that are even entertaining voting for this team, who said we shouldn't question Israel's actions. The article also contains the following statement: “Recent regulations will raise energy efficiency...” Included in the mix is an accord recently signed with Egypt whereby Israel buys natural gas, a type of gas that is efficient, environmentally more friendly than crude oil and higher up on Barack Obama's energy agenda than on John McCain's crude-heavy one.

t http://www.metimes.com/Technology/2008/01/24/israels_electric_car_will_cut_oil_needs/7949/, the Middle East Times offers an even better example in “”Israel's electric car will cut oil needs” of how business partnering with government—the Obama model of government—along with alternative energy sources is making Israel seem like a utopian dream of the best of government, industry and social responsibility all combined into one. Wow! What we can learn from them! “In a joint venture, Project Better Place, owned by Israeli-American entrepreneur Shai Agassi, will provide lithium-ion batteries and the infrastructure to refresh or replace them, while Renault and Nissan will build the cars. “ “Project Better Place will provide infrastructure including parking meter-like plugs on city streets or service stations along highways at which batteries can be replaced.” “Israeli President Shimon Peres...who was first exposed to [Israeli-American entrepreneur Shai] Agassi's idea at a 2006 meeting of the Brookings Institution's Saban Forum, strongly promoted Israel's involvement... 'Oil is becoming the greatest problem of our time,' he said. Not only polluting, but 'it also supports terror and violence from Venezuela to Iran.'...Idan Ofer, chairman of Tel Aviv-based industrials conglomerate Israel Corp...said that if Agassi's plan works in Israel, ''it will work even better in China. Their pollution is killing them and the rest of us, too.'...

“Israel's efforts to contribute environmental technologies also recently culminated in the passage of the American-Israeli joint energy research bill, signed into law by U.S. President George W. Bush in December 2007. ..Speaking when the bill first passed in the House of Representatives, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert emphasized that 'both our countries share a desire for energy security and prevention of global warming.'”

Lastly, the article states, “Israeli companies have been working to provide alternative energy in the United States for decades.”

Next, google the following: “hydro power fueling stations in Israel” and you will come up with http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=hydro+power+fueling+stations+in+Israel&btnG=Search

At http://interestingenergyfacts.blogspot.com/2008/07/alternative-fuels-fueling-stations.html, you can read “Israel and Electric Cars”, which states, “The Israeli government has announced a major initiative to push nation’s drivers away from fossil fuels and toward electric cars” that fuel on liquefied natural gas, a much cheaper form of fuel, with the obvious other benefits of saving the environment and being free of dependence on a dangerous commodity and terrorism.

Another initiative is that Israel's auto fueling stations are run by a form of alternative energy, I believe hydro. This I heard through word of mouth from a reliable source. They are the only nation in the world I believe whose infrastructure allows automobiles to be totally independent of oil.

In short, Israel is probably the world's leading nation in demonstrating the capacity of a sovereign state to exist almost completely energy independent. Of course, we all know Israel's tremendous capacity for development and ingenuity, something characteristic of this nation since decades before it even became a nation. What we should also not underestimate is Israel's capacity to understand why energy dependence, particularly oil dependence, is the most dangerous thing today and the leading cause of war. As a people on whose lips the word “peace” is heard more than a few times throughout the course of each and every day, they know the tragedy of war which most Americans have no concept of, unless they have lost someone personally. There isn't an Israeli who isn't called up to serve in the army to defend her against constant threats. They know the continued and increasing peril of oil consumption but unfortunately too many Americans don't share that knowledge and are unable to see that terrorism did not come of it's own but sprang up in exact proportion to America's consumption of Middle Eastern oil.

You've heard John McCain express his determined and strong desire to completely free America from foreign oil dependence by drilling here in America. Now no one can disagree that that would be a great first step and that the consequences of that move would greatly eliminate the threat of terrorism against both America and Israel. Don't forget, these terrorists who threaten Israel exist because they are funded from oil-rich nations who are getting our money. But here's a couple of things John McCain is leaving out of the equation. First, while exploring and utilizing the sources of oil that we have, in addition the supply from Canada, will provide us with a great source of oil, the reality is that there is absolutely no conclusive data confirming that the amount of oil that exists underneath America and offshore will, in the long run, keep up with the growing demand for energy that not only Americans will be increasingly in need of in the coming years but that growing demand from foreign consumers of oil, particularly in India and China, will need. America simply won't be able to keep up with this demand and eventually, the need for this oil, as has been the case up till now, could easily plunge America back into wanting to get that oil from elsewhere. There is no mystery why Sarah Palin, in her first public interview, spoke very alarmingly and aggressively about Iran, George and Russia, 3 nations with access to an oil pipeline. McCain's tone, demonstrated in his first debate, is equally aggressive and militant. I think we all need to reflect on the fact that both he and his running mate have talked about not only completely domesticating our oil sources but also that they are people who stand up to big oil. Remember? From the convention. Funny, how they're not talking that way much now. That's because they are owned by Exxon and Mobil, two of the biggest oil giants who, in league with the Saudis, have placed Israel's security in tremendous jeopardy for decades through their decadent and disgusting greed for power and money. And that's what Republicans do. They fight for big business. They fight for big oil. They do not fight for you. And they certainly do not fight for Israel. Why just today I learned on NPR's Morning Edition that there is a huge network supplying Gaza through underground tunnels that is a big business itself. This is the result of 8 years of Republican policy, 6 of it totally Republican.

Barack Obama's energy program, you might say, is exactly the same as John McCain's. Which is true. He and McCain both say they'll get us energy independent by cutting off Middle Eastern sources. They have a smorgasboard or a potpourri of every energy source available, ranging from crude oil to solar, wind and hydro. But here's the difference. Their priorities. McCain has crude at the top and solar/wind/hydro at the bottom. Obama's plan is the reverse. And that means a big difference. You might also say that what can be done in Israel cannot be done in America because America's a lot bigger and tougher to manage. I refuse to give in to that. Especially now at a time when we can't afford to. Yes, it will be a lot harder in America to convert to the clean energy forms than it was in Israel. But not impossible. We also have that many more people who can be a part of that conversion, many of them hungry for the jobs that that green economy would create. And the best part is that by putting green energy at the top of the list and crude at the bottom in terms of priority, we are, in doing so, making it possible for every Israeli to breathe a lot easier and to sleep better at night. For not only are we creating a model that can work for us, we are also creating a model that can work for China, for India and for many large energy consumers, such that Iran won't have the revenue to develop nuclear technology. And maybe, by sharing the safe technology of solar, wind and hydro with Iran, we may also eliminate largely the reason for it to want to do so. Now I'm sure President Ahmadinejad may not be too cooperative. But the reality is that Iran is a much larger nation and he is not even very popular with his own people. It is possible to find Iranians who are more interested in coexisting peacefully with others. And wouldn't that make you sleep a lot better at night? Still not convinced? John McCain is fond of quoting Teddy Roosevelt about speaking softly. But he really doesn't speak softly at all. In fact, his saber-rattling, which he displayed in the first debate, proved quite succinctly that he is a destabilizer of relations with other countries, which is the last thing we need after President Bush has done so much damage to our foreign policy. Roosevelt was the sort of person who was tough but knew how to be tough wisely, and belief in and compassion for people lay at the heart of his actions and policies. That sounds a lot closer to Barack Obama's approach. Now, I agree with you that Obama has not been in government as long as McCain. But you can say that comparing Obama and Bush as well. And look where Bush has gotten us. And Israel. I think it's more than abundantly clear that the future safety of Israel in a region where tension is fast erupting depends on a truly “steady hand at the till” and not just one who talks, with an angry undertone, about having a steady hand. It also should be in the hands of someone who has the same kind of compassion that Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton had in laboring to bring peace between Israel and those who were once her enemies. And it succeeded in Carter's case, as you know, with a now 30-year long friendship with Egypt, and it partially succeeded in the case of Clinton. But the point is these Presidents knew how to handle the power of the presidency effectively and it was because they were not pawns of big power and money as Republicans are. They are men who are basically motivated by compassion and caring. And that is exactly the sort of man Barack Obama is.

Now I could say you should vote for Barack Obama because he is the only candidate who has the first same name (or almost the same first name if you go by exact English spelling) as the last name of a former Israeli prime minister. But I'm not going to use his advantages anymore than the right-wing pundits have been using the parts of his name that sound antagonistic to Israel as a reason to vote against him. We Jews are a lot smarter than that kind of silliness.

But I would ask you to consider the following:

John McCain, as has been pointed out publicly on camera, doesn't even know the difference between a Sunni and a Shia. Is this someone with the kind of foreign affairs expertise you can trust?
Both McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin, are focused on making enemies out of countries who have large quantities of oil which we could seize in a war (as was the case with Iraq and now is the case with Iran and Russia, which sit on either side of the Georgian pipeline). Hence, they are not concerned with you or Israel but with big oil, the very thing they claimed they stood up to.
Although Senator Lieberman has endorsed McCain (and it is clear that he aided in demonstrating McCain's ignorance of matters vital to Israel's security), former New York City mayor Ed Koch, has endorsed Obama after listening to Sarah Palin's scary words for 2 minutes. And current NYC mayor Mike Bloomberg has not endorsed either candidate, but he has met twice with Senator Obama earlier this year, which demonstrates a respect for him.
And even though this does not directly concern Israel, since many of you who I'm hoping to reach live in Florida, remember that number one on McCain's list of energy sources are the waters right offshore from where live. How do you like them oily apples?
But most important, Barack Obama shares something in common with the Israelis. He's very intelligent, resourceful and has a lot of ingenuity on how things can be done differently. He believes in the same model that exists in Israel, of business and government partnering to create economic growth that most benefits people in a responsible way. Now it's amazing that Israel has achieved all it has in spite of the obstacles constantly confronting her. But, as some might say, it's precisely because of those obstacles that her people have been thrown into having no choice but to follow the wisest path. And Barack Obama is the kind of person who will bring that kind of wisdom to Washington. I see many new ventures forward for America and Israel, away from lack of safety and toward a strong alliance that frees both of us from the frightening threat that looms ever more before both our nations at the present moment.

I deeply apologize for taking so much of your time to argue this point. I wouldn't do so unless I felt personally that it were so important. I hope that if I've impressed upon you why it is so important to fight for Israel and for America by fighting for Barack, I sincerely hope you will take the time it takes to pass this message on to as many of your Jewish friends and family members and even associates who live in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania or another very contested battleground state.

Sincerely and with my best wishes for real שלום בישראל ובעולם

Marc Ginsburg

m_ginsburg@hotmail.com

65 Bergen Ave, 5K

Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660

201-783-2770

For more writings like this, go to: http://cid-25778f2b4fd49ba2.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Public

and go to “Marc Ginsburg”.

Voices For Change: Marla in Florida

Sarah Ramey — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:43:12 EDT

Marla is a home health therapist in Florida -- when elderly patients come home from the hospital, she's there to help them get around the house, get dressed, navigate the shower, and balance their checkbook.

This part of Florida is like the deep South -- most of my patients think they should be Republicans. Hey, I thought I was a Republican.

That was before she really started looking into the issues. Once Marla found out about Barack's plan to initiate a new era of affordable healthcare that would put the interests of patients first, she started to lean towards Obama. When she learned that Barack has been against this war from the beginning, (and Marla has a cousin of her own who will be deployed to iraq this winter) she really started to take Obama seriously. Then, looking at Barack's plan to jumpstart the economy, and his plan to protect Social Security, and it all made a lot of sense to Marla. In fact the more she learned, the more impressed she became.

At the beginning, it was a question of getting informed. Now it's a question of making the effort to get that information out there.

And if those are the questions, Marla is making sure that she is part of the answer. Using the Neighbor to Neighbor tool, Marla has canvassed an impressive 250 neighbors in her tiny community, all by herself.

I remember what my questions were about Barack Obama, my reservations -- and so that's what I talk about when people open the door. One issue in particular that resonates with many of the older Florida folks is of course Social Security. I talk about it with my clients all the time. The problem is: people don't really know what privatizing Social Security means.
First things first: John McCain wants to privatize Social Security, Barack Obama does not. McCain makes no bones about it. But people still don't really know what that entails. They look at stocks going up and down on Wall Street, and they think that's just about the fat cats who can afford to play the market. So I tell people -- you know how you keep waking up every day and the stock market keeps dropping 200, 500, 700 points? Privatizing Social Security means that your money, your Social Security gets put into the stock market -- and your money, your Social Security could drop 200, 500, 700 points.
That's a good way to convert a Florida McCain supporter.

Marla is full of good ways to convert McCain supporters -- often pointing out that Barack Obama recently paid off his student loans. That he was raised by single mom and his grandparents, sometimes on food stamps. And that John McCain, on the other hand, has seven houses.

If you have too much money, you can't possibly begin to understand people like my mom who won't be able to pay her electric bill at the end of the month.

Which is why Marla's whole family, who she describes, "very, very Catholic," are all voting for Barack Obama.

Of course there are a lot of Catholics who vote Republican because of one or two issues. But we're talking about the future of this country -- and we have to look at the broader picture: healthcare, the economy, education, Social Security, the way we're respected around the world. Barack is the clear choice when it comes to any of these issues.

Please help Marla continue to keep up the good work educating residents in Florida -- a critical swing state -- one voter at a time. You can even call Florida residents right now, using this handy calling tool.

And wherever you are, check out Neighbor to Neighbor like Marla did -- which gives you the names and addresses of people right in your neighborhood -- and start talking to some people on your own block:

This election is too important to sit on the sidelines -- so get out there, and get started!

1st blog post

Courtney — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:33:12 EDT

This is my first blog post here. Life has been moving fast and there's so much to do. I think I'll be sad when the campaign is over but then I can focus on other volunteer oppurtunities. I was going to go down to headquarters today but I'm sick thanks to my coworkers.

I've been reading stuff about Obama and McCain on the Obama_2008 Livejournal and I learned two things from an article that I didn't know previously. I apologize for not having the link. This article was actually comparing Barack and Bush. The interesting things I found out if Obama supports the Patriot Act which I'm against, I think it takes away privacy. Why do I have to sign a paper saying I'm not a terrorist when I buy a car? Also, I learned that Barack Obama supports the death penalty. This is very rare for a democrat or liberal. I find it amusing that they call him the most liberal senator. There was a quote from Obama saying in some cases like mass murder and the rape and murder of a child, he supports the death penalty. I can't say I don't agree. Most of my liberal friends down in Orlando were against it and it's one of those subjects we didn't talk about too often.

Well, that's all I have to say for now. More later hopefully.

Schlep BABY Schlep

memanni — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:42:18 EDT

St Petersberg Tampa Brandon

Schlep one for me

Good Thinking, Great Job

http://www.thegreatschlep.com/site/index.html

Doctors: McCain Has Advanced Melanoma, 6 to 18 Months To Live

David from Muskegon, MI — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:25:59 EDT

McCain's Doctor: He Has 6 to 18 Months To Live
Mayo Clinic M.D. Originally Reported On Findings, But Has Since Gone Silent

During his first campaign for the White House in 2000, Senator John McCain unconditionally released all of his medical records to the press and gave reporters virtually unlimited access to his entire medical history.

However, last May Sen. McCain agreed to allow only highly restricted access to the very same kind of records. Only selected news organizations and journalists were allowed access to Sen. McCain's medical history during this election cycle. Members of the news media were permitted just three hours to go over 1000s of pages of files in an sealed and isolated room. Reporters were not allowed to use cell phones or use the internet while in the sealed area. Anyone who left the room was not allowed back in. This new level of secrecy baffled many members of the press who remarked that the move was inconsistent with the openness the McCain campaign showed in 2000.

The reason why Sen. McCain has gone from absolute openness with his medical records to a new level of secrecy is because the Senator's health has declined considerably since his original presidential campaign. This decline is not unusual for a man who was 64 eight years ago.

John McCain is 72 years old, and if elected he would be the oldest first-term President in history. Both voters and medical experts have expressed concern that the state of Mr. McCain's health may preclude him from executing the most important tasks of his presidency if he is elected.

At his most recent physical, McCain's personal physician at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. John D. Eckstein said that because of a "serious aliment" that Sen. McCain has just 6 to 18 months to live.

While Dr. Eckstein was not specific on the nature of the illness himself, other experts in the field say that McCain is likely to be suffering from advanced melanoma that could require chemotherapy in the near future. No one is quite sure if McCain's major illness is treatable or if his illness is terminal.

"We aren't going to talk about any potential illness or potential treatment until after the election." said an Senior McCain aide who asked not to be named.

"Right now, it's all speculative" said Dr. Eckstein when he was asked if Senator McCain would be able to maintain a full schedule as President while he underwent chemotherapy. Side effects of the chemotherapy include rapid weight loss, a suppressed immune system,memory loss, malnutrition, nausea and hair loss.

If McCain underwent these procedures it is possible that he would be unable to discharge his duties as President on a full time basis. If elected, McCain might be put in a position where he would have to frequently and regularly invoke the third section of 25th Amendment which would make the Vice President the Acting President.

The constitutional provision was used by Ronald Reagan in 1987 when he underwent surgery as George H.W. Bush became the Acting President. President George W. Bush invoked it when he underwent two separate colonoscopies in 2002 and 2007. However, since the inception of the 25th Amendment, no one has invoked it to cover anything as serious or as long term as chemotherapy.

In a potential McCain administration, current Alaska Governor Sarah Palin would be Vice President and ultimately she would bare the responsibilities of the "Acting President" if section three of the 25th amendment was enacted.

"Even with chemotherapy, the Senator is gravely ill and he is unlikely to serve a full term", said Dr. Eckstein.

The Mayo Clinic physician initially expressed that he was upset that his findings were removed from the medical records to which reporters had access. "Senator McCain would be the oldest first term President ever, and his medical conditions could have a profound impact on his ability to conduct while in office".

Dr. Eckstein was contacted for a follow-up interview, but he did not respond.

Go Christy Luv...Florida Listen Up!!!!

Victoria Blakeman — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:02:00 EDT

By Christy Luv......Listen Up Florida!!!!!!! Vote Early Oct 20-Nov 4 ALL OBAMA SUPPORTERS! POST A "VOTE TODAY" SIGN IN YOUR YARD NOW!!! (Drive for Change)MY GRASSROOTS POSTER/SIGN WILL READ SOMETHING LIKE THIS: "OBAMA SUPPORTERS: VOTE TODAY!!! IF YOU WANT HIM TO WIN, VOTE RIGHT NOW @ Jean Rhein Central Branch Library, 215 N. Oxford Road, Casselberry, Florida 32707 (407-665-1500) VOTE NOW NOW NOW!!!!!"

WHY: IF WE DON'T VOTE NOW & GET EVERYONE TO VOTE NOW, THERE WILL BE (1) VOTE "RECOUNT", "RIG", "FRAUD" & "VOTER SUPPRESSION" CONTROVERSY, (2) GENERAL VOTER LAZINESS & (3) FICKLE VOTES.

1) THERE'S ALWAYS A CONTROVERSY IN FL. DON'T LET THE SUPER VILLAINS OF THIS DECADE STEAL THE PRESIDENCY FROM OBAMA THE WAY THEY DID AL GORE. THAT WAS REALLY MESSED UP & WE COULD'VE PREVENTED SO MUCH CHEATING DRAMA THROUGH EARLY VOTING.

2) A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY "OH, OBAMA'S GONNA WIN, WITH OR WITHOUT MY VOTE, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT". MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAID THAT WERE NOT EVEN REGISTERED TO VOTE AT THAT TIME, & TOO MANY WHO ARE REGISTERED STILL SAY THAT. HENCE, EVEN IF THEY COME OUT TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY, IF IT'S "TOO HOT" OR THE HISTORICALLY LONG, NEVER-ENDING LINES ARE "TOO LONG", MANY LAZY VOTERS ARE GONNA SAY "OH HE'S GONNA WIN. HE DOESN'T NEED MY VOTE. LET'S JUST GO SIT & EAT IN SOME AIR CONDITIONING SOMEWHERE. HE'S GOT THIS." WHEN IT'S NOT EVEN LIKE THAT! SO GET 'EM TO VOTE NOW, SO THEY CAN'T BE TOO LAZY TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY. THIS ELECTION COULD END UP BEING FRIGHTENINGLY CLOSE (EITHER WAY) WE NEED ALL OBAMA SUPPORTERS TO VOTE NOW!!!

3) FICKLE VOTERS WHO AREN'T TOTALLY DECIDED COULD BE FOR OBAMA TODAY DURING THE AWAKENING OF THE ECONOMIC CRISIS, BUT UPON THE FINAL DAYS OF SWIFTBOATING & SMEAR CAMPAIGNS FROM TEAM CRAZY, BE EITHER SWAYED TO THE DARK SIDE (MCBUSH) OR GIVE UP OUT OF MENTAL FATIGUE & FRUSTERATION & NOT EVEN VOTE AT ALL. WE WANT THEM HOOKED, LINE & SINKER RIGHT NOOOOOW!

BONUS: NOT TO MENTION THE FICKLE CIRCUMSTANCES OF SECURE VOTERS, IE: OBAMA SUPPORTERS WHO CAME OUT TO VOTE, BUT HAD TO LEAVE TO GET TO WORK OR PICK UP THE KIDS OR PUT THE KIDS TO BED OR WHATEVER-- THAT'S NOT FAIR. THEY SHOULDN'T FEEL PRESSURED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN RESPONSIBILITY TO COUNTRY & RESPONSIBILITY TO HOME. ME? I'M JUST STRAIGHT TAKIN' OFF FROM WORK TO DRIVE PEOPLE AROUND WHETHER THEY FIRE ME OR NOT, I HONESTLY DON'T EVEN CARE, BECAUSE THIS ELECTION MEANS TOO MUCH TO ME & ALL OF US & IT'S TOO HISTORICAL & I KNOW THEY UNDERSTAND THAT,& IF THEY DON'T, THEIR LOSS. SO THERE ARE SO MANY REAL REASONS WE NEED PEOPLE TO VOTE ~AS~SOON~AS~POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!

Early voting begins 15 days before an election and ends on the 2nd day before an election.

ALL FLORIDIANS 4 OBAMA CLICK HERE:
http://election.dos.state.fl.us/voting/early.shtml

SEMINOLE COUNTY CLICK HERE:
http://election.dos.state.fl.us/SOE/countyInfo.asp?county=SEM

BUT ESPECIALLY HERE:
http://voteseminole.org/en-us/where_do_i_vote/vote_early.php

2008 Early voting locations:

Elections Office in Sanford
1500 E. Airport Blvd.
Sanford, Florida 32773
407-708-7700

Jean Rhein Central Branch Library
215 N. Oxford Road
Casselberry, Florida 32707
407-665-1500

Northwest Branch Library
580 Greenway Boulevard
Lake Mary, Florida 32746
407-665-1640

West Branch Library
245 N. Hunt Club Boulevard
Longwood, Florida 32779
407-665-1670

East Branch Library
310 Division Street
Oviedo, Florida 32765
407-665-1560

PRE-WEEKEND BROWARD PLANS & STRATEGIES

Broward Amateur Strategist ( FL ) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:08:07 EDT

if your read the whole thing you'll appreciate it!! alot of info.. BUT SEND TO AS MANY FIRENDS AS POSSIBLE AND COMMENT!!!!! ''Maria Shriver said 8 inspirational words..
'We are the ones weve been waiting for'
but
'the world is the ones whos been waiting for us!'

waiting for us to lead on Global Warming..etc...ect.. (IND- favorablities)

(i think obama should use that as closgin campaign.)

Hello Everyone!! This blog is my ideas/suggestions for the weekend before the November election. We all now the United States is well aware of a massive movement that has swept across the country red and blue, he actually created a new American ''electoral color'' -- PURPLE. The human brain remembers alot, but when you vote on a Tuesday and your out on the weekend and you see massive...i mean M A S S I V E support for Obama that memory is going to stick with that person for that very important vote 3 days later. Broward County could/will offset the physical geography advantage of the conservatives in Florida (Broward County had risen to almost 1.8 million people, and increased by 10.1% between April 1, 2006 and July 1, 2006. This number is accounted for by an increase to 441,678 (25.3%) in its black population and an increase to 408,335 (22.8%)..Broward County is now "minority-majority". voter registarion needed though..35% of Floridas population in tri county area .I've listed resources and links to certain sites pertaining to the suggestion/idea.1. FRIDAY SATURDAY NIGHT (halloween/voters going out on the town)---We need big exposure in certain areas-las olas-a1a-downtown Ft. Lauderdale-downtown Miami-sawgrass mall-combing the beach-South Beach-Weston-Coral Springs-Parkland-swap shop-movie theaters in areas of higher dem pops/ & hispanic.. Also If you see parents try an angage!!!! A. FLAG WAVING-- Flag waving (Obama & American & State flag) visual is nothing but a positive.. 2 Areas of Flag Waving Needed (1)up and down las olas and a1a-downtown ft laud downtown miami south beach....(2) on major instersection/major offramps *oakland park-sr7*95-broward & 95-Sunrise-Borwas Blvd.*75 royal palm blvd area (coral springs)* YEARD SIGN ARE INMPORTANT IN ALL AREAS BUT ..in my opinions registration is over---go to the area with least supp. (w signage) http://www.united-states-flag.com/fl3x5p.html- FLORIDA STATE FLAG - PRICEhttp://www.united-states-flag.com/usflagprinpo1.html- USA Flag - PRICEhttp://bestcustomflags.com/- OBAMA FLAG/CUSTOM B. YARD SIGNS-BUMPER STICKERS-CONVERSATION-- I'll fist start off with bumper sticker (my niche is marketing/advertising) a bumper sticker is a visual advertiseent that us in south florida get an est. 800 cars a day that see that bumper sticker. (so i said it =)----Yard signs: We all know theres a sign war that has been going on for years but in this county the percentage is decresed because of the poltical lean in Broward - LIBERAL- but the point is agin VISUAL - READ THIS------------needed in all major broward (also tri county) instersections and offrapms to INTERSTATES/EXPRESSWAYS)There is growing interest in mental imagery for good reasons. First, imagery has ample potential for drawing information stored in long-term memory into working memory. This phenomenon has been called "high elaboration" by MacInnis and Price (1987), and tapping long-term memory is believed to lead to greater communications effectiveness (MacInnis and Jaworski 1989). Second, mental images have potential to be more personally relevant because they are anchored in the person's experience base and generated by his/her own mental processes. Strong relevance is a desirable facet of persuasive communications (MacInnis and Jaworski 1989). Next, imagery has the capability of being multisensory and thus could provide for multiple avenues of information processing. Triggering multiple channels of information processing is believed to enhance advertising effectiveness (Rossiter 1982; Lutz and Lutz 1978). Also, images are experiential rather than discursive; thus, they afford a richer base of raw stimuli. Finally, it can be argued that because imagery is believed to be more closely linked to long-term memory, is more personally relevant, and is richer, its effects on consumer attitudes and intentions will be more robust than stimuli which do not engage such depth and breadth of information processing. In fact, Richardson (1983) claims that the consequences of self-initiated thought imagery are indistinguishable from its genuine sensory counterparts. This contention underpins what should be the strong appeal of imagery to advertising strategists.--Conversation--conversate with people..example..''in the grocery line see a mag with obama- make a positive comment see there reaction-analyze it pos or neg...neg stae pos...pos well then...have a moment..lol =).... C. Media--keep ckeacking the event listing in the 150 mile range and if enough people call in and say theres 200 events going on today..belive they'll play a story. <---thats a big oneWell.. In my conclusion I am just a 22yo gay male working at technical support call center division in an internation satellitee company (whoms customer only get international channels 80% middle east i might add)..i make 10.00 an hour...I am just what I am but damnit I want this man in the white house!

I Don't Have a Twin

Just me — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:20:57 EDT

Well this is really something!

Although, it is not impossible, it seems very unlikely that somebody else has my exact name, so I write today to clear up this confusion that I have just this day, discovered... "I" am the real "flesh and blood" "Todd Larkin"!

I share few if any views with the mystery blogger and supposed vet_08 author of the other "Todd Larkin's Blog" on this site. I would appreciate it's prompt removal as a possible imposter since I am an exceedingly conservative/libertarian minded Republican in good standing. I live in Alaska, burn wood, kill stuff too eat, don't want government to get another dime from American business and workers and so on...

If (and that is a big "if") I had any reason at all to support the likes of Barack/Biden, it would only be in the desperate hope, that a hard enough or radical enough turn to the left and full embrace of socialism or outright Communism, would be 'enough' to shake people out of their slumber and reject such notions once and for all as the failed experiment they are. Then we might get back to what built the most successful and powerful country the world has ever seen; principals such as, free market exchange between common citizens, unfettered by government constrictions or taxation, or, applying the occasional biblical principal to such things as work ethic/caring for the needy/treatment of others/government actions/etc... and finally, the right to (yes) fail! We once honored the right to bet the farm or just never even get up and milk the darn cow and suffer for the consequences without the constant and hugely expensive "safety nets" government sets up and complicates life with.

Beyond that singular reasoning for Obama support, i am at a loss as to why one would vote for this man or any similar socialist.

Now if it is not obvious, I am supporting, McCain/Palin in this presidential race, not that my party's nominee is terribly conservative but, with the addition of Palin, it seems there is a brighter future for us conservatives and a seat at the table; nevertheless, it is McCain/Palin that I endorse and NOT Obama/Biden, so I would thank you to not create confusion around my name. I am active and somewhat known in Alaska political circles and do not appreciate it one bit!

You (the Obama Campaign) would do well to 'vet out' whether your "vet" is who he claims to be before a lawsuit arrives at your campaign doorstep. As for me? Vet me out all you like, I AM "Todd Larkin", the real thing! I live here in Alaska with my dog in a small one bedroom house I built myself and barely afford. I'm here all the time and darn easy to find, so get on it! If you want pictures... Google me and you'll see that I "am" and that I have a bit of political activity under my belt and all those people I dealt with are pretty sure I'm really me too (especially my enemies, don't be one).

As for the "other" Todd... if by some outside chance you are just another guy with my exact name, I (and my name) are very disappointed in what you've become. Stop feeling and start thinking! Go try to find the socialist or communist society that worked out well for the people or didn't result in mass killings, and wake up to the failed experiment, Jeeze man!?

Slightly frustrated regards,

Todd Larkin

Voting For Change!

Terry from Carmi, IL — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:40:13 EDT

I am more and more convienced daily that Obama is the choice for me. I am not that INTO politics (or at least not anymore) after seeing out country go to shambles over the last few years. And after the Florida incident where they made Bush President. I fear something like that is going to happen again. I plan to vote Obama because I simply DO NOT WANT McCain as my leader.

I hope there are many others out there that share my thoughts! WE NEED SOMETHING ... and CHANGE is it, I believe. I also believe, in my heart, that McCain is a puppet for the Bush ERA.

I WILL Vote ... And I WILL Vote Obama.

Terry

Standing Room Only for Change!

Jill — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:22:04 EDT

For several days in Pasco County, hardworking volunteers worked the phones contacting local Obama supporters who might want to help out in the final push to turn Florida a beautiful, deep Blue. I was one of those doing the Octoberfest phone banking; and had high hopes for our Saturday morning meeting turnout.

Being a Democrat in Land O’Lakes has not always been easy; my county has trended red for several election cycles now. But I always knew my area in the exurbs of Tampa was full of good people, they just didn’t always vote in their best interest, I’ll admit, it frustrated me, but I’m not the kind to give up in the face of opposition. So I kept at it during the primaries, calling voters in other states and writing out postcards to undecided women as their primaries approached. The country was paying more attention to the results of fear-based balloting, and they didn’t like the result.

Artwork inspired by the infamous McCain gaffe from the second debate

Shamus McFamous — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:57:35 EDT

Pre-Election Graphic

Post Election Graphic.

Hope you like them.

If anyone wants a high resolution version to print out let me know and I'll post up a link.

VIRGINIA! Or: how to volunteer.

Nada — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:31:45 EDT

My friend Pete from DC and I are going to go to Virginia for the week (or so) before the election. Last night we looked over the 2004 presidential election map by county, and the voter turnout in 2006 and 2004, and pinpointed Buchanan and Tazewell counties as areas with Democratic views, medium-high population, and low voter turnout - those are counties in the far SW of VA, where the state makes a little sharkfin shape. This morning, I was able to speak with the Tazewell office directly, and the director there welcomed us with open arms and is making arrangements for us to come. I contrast this with the approach of simply using the "come to Virginia" link or contacting the VA campaign outreach - there we were met with little enthusiasm and a lot of vagueness about what we could do. I would much rather work hard and know I was making a difference, personally, so I'm REALLY EXCITED about this opportunity.

I was also just speaking with Fred Wong of the Tallahassee office in Florida, and he's saying that they're very, very eager for volunteers down there, and will have no trouble hooking you up with work and housing if you need it. It sounds like Florida is gearing up in capacity to handle out-of-state volunteers, but I note that the Florida page doesn't have an obvious "Come to Florida" link. So, if you're interested, I'd suggest that you try contacting Tallahassee directly. ;)

I guess that in sum I would just like to say: it's hard to organize volunteers, especially out of state volunteers. Obama offices want you, and if they fail to respond to your generous offer of volunteering the first time, don't give up. Keep trying, get creative, try to talk to specific people. I know it's more work, but it will pay off - you'll get a more rewarding volunteer experience, the offices will get the help they badly need, and hey, maybe America will even get the president we so richly deserve.

P.S.: If you're in NYC, Harlem4Obama is always looking for more office volunteers. They're located at 2479 Frederick Douglass just below 133rd. You can also call 347.577.7547.

Florida Postcards!

Nada — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:42:31 EDT

I'm in the midst of printing out address labels for about 3,000 Tallahassee-area swing voters, in anticipation of the postcard and cell phone bank we're running in Harlem on Sunday. I have friends already hard at work writing postcards, but any additional volunteers you can muster up would be most appreciated. Also, we're very happy to take any donations of 27-cent stamps or money for postage. $30 sends 100 postcards!

See more details on the event here:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs5fh3