Posts with the tag obama 2008

Transparency

wboyd58 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:05:10 EDT

Whatever happened to that transparency promise that Obama made while on his campaign trail? Is this promise just going to be one of the 514 other promises that he made and seems to have slipped his mind? He promised to place each bill that was coming up for a vote to place on a website for five days so that the people would have time to read it and get in touch with their congressmen and tell them how they wanted them to vote. This was going to be the most transparent government in history. What happened to this promise and what else do we not expect to get?

It was never made clear that we were going to be stock holders in the car industry, insurance industry or the banking industry either. This is why Obama will not place these bills online for us to see. The people would not have allowed such tom foolery for one this goes entirely against the Constitution. Everything that this man has done since his first day in office is to shread the Constitution of the United States of America.

The cap and trade bill that the congress passed and will go to the senate in August, does anyone remember seeing it posted anywhere for the American public to reveue? No, you didn't because this in reality is the largest tax increase in the history of this country. And guess what? Our representatives did not read this bill either!

Islamic countries said that their relations with Israel depend on its willingness for peace

Unknown user — Mon, 25 May 2009 19:07:01 EDT

May 25, in Syria ended 36 th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

The meeting adopted a final declaration in which the Islamic countries criticized Israel, but at the same time expressed their readiness to improve relations.

"Developing ties with Israel should be linked to its compliance with specific obligations in reaching a just and comprehensive peace that guarantees the restoration of rights (the Palestinians) and the return of occupied territories", - says the paper, which is called the Damascus Declaration.

Representatives of countries stated that they do not have to reward Israel for its crimes. The final document, they strongly condemned the actions of the Jewish state to change the character of the occupied Arab land in East Jerusalem, continued his siege of the Gaza Strip and settlements in the West Bank.

The Foreign Ministers of 57 member countries of OIC also reaffirmed the right to an occupied people to struggle for the liberation of their land and noted that this can not be called terrorism.

In the Damascus declaration condemning the attacks on Islam, inciting religious hatred and hostility, states that terrorism is a "dangerous international phenomenon that has no national, religious or cultural affiliation."

Remember, today reported on the initiative of one of the parties represented in the Israeli Knesset, to oblige Israel to swear allegiance to the state.

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My favorite Obama t-shirts from the 2008 elections.

Homeboy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:24:50 EST

I had quite a bit of fun during this past election process making t-shirt designs. Designers everywhere were inspired by Obama and there weren't any shortages of designs out there to show your support with. I was half tempted to buy one of the official limited edition shirts by Pharrell Williams that I saw on this site a while back. Anyways, I wanted to share my favorite t-shirt designs inspired by Barack Obama. It's a short list of shirts but they're all top notch designs.

In no particular order...

Since I just mentioned it... The Pharrell Williams t-shirt design:

A shirt designed by Jay-Z:

A t-Shirt made by Collarfree. Very cool use of words to make the face of Obama.

Obama Words of Hope by collarfree
Many more t-shirts online at zazzle.com
See other political t-shirts

Finally, a parody of the ninja turtles. I find this one hilarious. I don't know exactly why, but I'm thinking it has something to do with the fact that I grew up watching the show.

Barack OBAMA President by the3rdbase
Make custom t-shirts at zazzle
More funny t-shirts

history has been made!

Damion Rose — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:59:41 EST

congrats Mr president it was great helping and volunteering. i hope to once again in the future! it made me tear up and full of excitement. history has been made! -damion rose

Today is Election Day: Let''s Pray

Vicki from Burnet, TX — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:35:42 EST

I must admit the fact that considering where I live and who I live with, I’ve taken a lot of flack due to the fact that I’ve been inspired through hope to vote for Obama, a man that in fact, terrifies the people in my life. In fact, everyone I know and love claims I’ve gone insane. "Are you nuts," they ask? As a matter of fact, I just might be insane to vote for a man just because he inspired me, when in fact, I tried with all my might to be inspired by McCain, a man I admired right from the start. Still, when Obama became the source of so much fear, I began to remember the fact that most great men who made this nation great were men who made some Americans afraid. We fear what we don’t understand, and when we close our minds to the endless possibilities God provides, it keeps us from seeing the truth through the new insight of men like Obama just might be. Still, the fact remains that I can only hope and pray that I am, in fact, right and Obama is wise.
That’s why I feel the need to pray today on this election day, that what I hope and pray deep within my being is true, and in fact, Obama is meant to lead our country. Should he choose to read these blogs written in documented print by Americans inspired by him, I hope and pray that he never betrays our faith.
I hope and pray today that should Obama be elected that he, in fact, opens his mind to the wisdom that must come from some higher being than he believes himself to be. I pray that he seeks that higher being to guide him in each and every decision he makes, since American lives are at stake. He needs to see beyond his own ego and personal dreams, to the reality of the fact that otherwise he might become our demise.
Obama, please be diligently wise at all times and listen to the republican view sometimes. Be wise enough to know that a balance is the key to wise decisions great men make for great nations. Prove that you do not intend to create a socialistic nation, based on a one sided view, so that we can see the proof that you were in fact meant to be the leader we learn to trust, because you see that we, the people, are the ones you must serve and represent. Don’t go into this for an ego trip, and please, see the fact that the light of truth will shine on you eventually. Make sure you’re aware and prepared to face the fact that you might need to change your mind sometimes.
You might need to change your views to improve mankind, and you might need to see things through a more conservative view now and then. Be wise and seek guidance from those who might disagree with you. With wisdom in mind at all times, and through a balanced view, you just might become the President who improves an entire nation.
Today, I place my faith, trust, hopes, American dreams and my reality in your hands, so Obama, please understand what that means. Don’t take my faith lightly, please. With hope and faith, I’ll pray every day that you won’t let us down, because you see, we are the reason you’ve become someone with the power to do one of two things. You will either make this nation great or become the demise of what we pray every day you won’t betray, which is the faith we hold dear and the pride we feel to be Americans.

Obama Yes WE Can Rhinestone Shirts for $20-$25

Cassandra M. Bellantoni — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:15:47 EST

We are having a super sale on our Obama Yes We Can Rhinestone Shirts that were left over from the Las Vegas Rally! Call us to order (877) 9-SPARKLE or visit our website http://www.shiningstarproductions.com. The Yes We Can in all Clear Crystals is ON SALE at $20-$25 in T Shirt and Long Sleeve Styles.

Obama is an empty suit with no experiece

E from Beverly Hills, CA — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:07:05 EDT

Obama drones for change unite. This is John Kennedy all over again except this time rather than a Catholic we are getting a Muslim. Rather than the mafia, we are getting Islamic extremists. Marx and Obama would have been good friends eexcept Obama would deny knowing anything about Marx.

-E Vil

Inexpensive Ways To Spread The Word About Barack Obama

Audrey of Columbus, GA for Obama — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:06:46 EDT

Some other ways I have been using to spread the true word about Obama's Real Tax Plan is the free classifieds. It might help if we all use mediums like this together with Obama's marketing team to help get the true word to as many people as possible. I believe every chance to be seen by unknowing persons of society brings us that much closer to guaranteeing Barack Obama's presidential win.

What I do is after I have done everything the campaign suggests I come home and work on other areas. I just do not want to leave any tables unturned as far as marketing goes and it also frees the campaign up to do the major marketing.

We have to work the same 14 hour days Barack said he is going to work once he is president to get him in the position to do the job. We need to push as hard as we can until the end of elections, I think we especially need to target the battleground statesm the states where Barack only has 30%, and the states where he is even with McCain.

We really need to push the real Obama Tax Plan because the Republicans on all sides are advertising that Obama is planning to raise taxes. I also think that we need to emphasize that under the Obama Tax Plan, Joe the plumber would win largest. Joe the Plumber has also been a major weapon the McCain campaign is using against Obama.

I also think we still need to correct the rumors of the Ayers, and Obama being a Muslim, and the Michelle Whitey tape that does not exist. Even though we know as well as the McCain campaign that these allegations are totally false, we still have to correct them because the McCain campaign is counting on the rest of America believing these falshoods.

I just do not want to end up like Karry and not fight against these allegations and loose the election. If I have to work 24 hour days from now til the end of elections I am willing to do that because it is just that important to me that Obama wins.

The restoration of America, and the advancement of our future generations depend on Obama getting elected. We do not want to leave this crisis for our children's children to clean up.

Sincerely,

Audrey Simmons

Average Concerned Citizen,Veteran, & Self-Employed

Let's Go Obama Team 2008

We Can Do This

Republican Turned Democrat for Life!

Lee — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:47:11 EDT

Check this out. This is a documentary project featuring Republicans and Conservatives who are voting for Obama. These are real people, speaking in their own words.Go to:
www.conservativesforchange.com

Pass it on.

As a republican my entire life till this year I am being responsible and accountable for my errors in voting republican.

The past 6 of 8 years have been a Republican Majority - Republican President the last 8 years and Republican Majority the past 6 of 8 years.

They had their chance and failed America which is incredibly and deeply disappointing. If you look at America today after the majority of the past 8 years having a Total Republican leadership. I am not happy with where we are in America, are you?

So, in a sports analogy, if the Head coach and coaching staff of the Dallas Cowboys failed over the past 8 years, could not break .500 and were a losing team for 8 years. Then, Wade Phillips gets tossed and its time to find a new coach and staff. Now, if you were the owner of the team, do you pick someone who is almost completely identical to Wade Phillips with the same idea's, game plan, direction, which has failed. Or do you take a new direction with someone completely different who will shake things up, give a new direction, a new energetic motivation and leadership.

I say, its time for a new leader and a new direction. As it has been proven, just look around, that the republican philosophies and leadership has failed America. But, somehow, people want 4 more years of the last 8. People that are for McCain. You must know that McCain is another 4 years of Bush. Bush claimed to be "a reformer" that would be new to Washington, would shake things up and make a difference for all Americans.

Well, over the past 8 years of republican leadership we are in a National Crisis. America is not inspired. In a recession possibly going into a depression. Unemployment everywhere.

As a lifelong republican, I NEVER thought I would ever vote for a democrat. But, this year, I looked at all of the facts and saw the canidates and determined that we need a change as a country and I can understand why Obama is pulling away in most all of the polls and will probably be our next president. He represents Change and Hope and Inspiration as well as a completely new direction. And I come back to. I voted republican all my life and they had all the power and voting majority to make this country great. They FAILED. Now, I want to give someone new a chance to make a difference in our world.

Then, the Fear, Smear and really gross tactics that the RNC, McCain, the Biased Right Fox News and the GOP campaign has gone into has really turned me and many others off to the republican party. Cant win by having better idea's or policies, so instead, beat your opponent by making America fear voting for the other guy. Scare tactics and dirty, negative politics. McCain has been erratic in the way he has run his campaign and would be erratic in how he would run the country. Same way as Bush. Now, will he pull this off with Fear and Smear politics with FOX News leading the way and using "Gimmicks" like Sarah Palin to try anything he can to win. I choose HOPE over FEAR.

Anyone "scared" of Obama, go to his website and calculate your own taxes by the TAX TOOL on his site. www.taxcut.barackobama.com
The new scare tactic of Socialist and Re-Distribution of the Wealth is ridiculous. Republicans have been running a Socialist type of government for years. Except the opposite way of Obama. Republicans cut taxes for the wealthy and corporations and have the "Trickle Down" affect. While everyone gets taxed and spending stays out of control. Have you seen the Federal Deficit? With Obama, the poor and middle class, people making 250k or less get a TAX CUT and the wealthy, who can afford it, get a tax increase.

The Trickle Down ways have not worked and look around, no one can find jobs, prices going up, homeless rate at a all time high, I could go on and on. So, continue the policies that have ruined America or take a new direction, how bad does it need to get to realize we need a new direction? Maybe after 12 years of republican leadership and failed policies, THEN, people may realize it isnt working. Or we can say, 8 IS ENOUGH. Say NO to the politics of HATE AND DIVISION by Hannity, O'Reilly, Greta, Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin and the desperate John McCain. I cannot wait until Obama puts back in place the Fairness Doctrine and shuts down the biased attacks, division, gridlock and hate by these blow hards making millions by causing Hate and Division in this country. All while they ridicule Obama for trying to create Unity, Hope and Inspiration for America.

Join and visit:

www.therealmccain.com

www.foxattacks.com

www.conservativesforchange.com

Lee Wilcox
Monroe, Connecticut

Children for Obama

Paul in Kingston WA — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:01:58 EDT

Probably folks allready on this but just in case, what about some adds with a ton of kids, possibly including Obama kids, making an awesome commercial and kids web site, with their own energy for Obama and some simple but powerful messages about their future and the importance of making the right choice.

We could get groups of kids from each Obama campaign area and put it all together with video and still pics.

Let me know if anyone is interested.

thanks

Paul

Tote Bag fundraiser for Obama Oct 12, 100% of proceeds go to campaign

Kim V — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:33:31 EDT

Slate Gallery, 135 Wythe Avenuen,in Williamsburg Brooklyn between n8 and n9 is hosting a tote bag sale for Obama on Oct 12 from 2 to 6pm 100% of proceeds go to the campaign!

The gallery is 3 and 1/2 blocks from the Bedford Avenue L train stop

The Ugly New McCain

Dorothiea — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:54:09 EDT

The Ugly New McCain

By Richard Cohen
Wednesday, September 17, 2008;

Following his loss to George W. Bush in the 2000 South Carolina primary, John McCain did something extraordinary: He confessed to lying about how he felt about the Confederate battle flag, which he actually abhorred. "I broke my promise to always tell the truth," McCain said. Now he has broken that promise so completely that the John McCain of old is unrecognizable. He has become the sort of politician he once despised.

The precise moment of McCain's abasement came, would you believe, not at some news conference or on one of the Sunday shows but on "The View," the daytime TV show created by Barbara Walters. Last week, one of the co-hosts, Joy Behar, took McCain to task for some of the ads his campaign has been running. One deliberately mischaracterized what Barack Obama had said about putting lipstick on a pig -- an Americanism that McCain himself has used. The other asserted that Obama supported teaching sex education to kindergarteners.

"We know that those two ads are untrue," Behar said. "They are lies."

Freeze. Close in on McCain. This was the moment. He has largely been avoiding the press. The Straight Talk Express is now just a brand, an ad slogan like "Home Cooking" or "We Will Not Be Undersold." Until then, it was possible for McCain to say that he had not really known about the ads, that the formulation "I approve this message" was just boilerplate. But he didn't.

"Actually, they are not lies," he said.

Actually, they are.

McCain has turned ugly. His dishonesty would be unacceptable in any politician, but McCain has always set his own bar higher than most. He has contempt for most of his colleagues for that very reason: They lie. He tells the truth. He internalizes the code of the McCains -- his grandfather, his father: both admirals of the shining sea. He serves his country differently, that's all -- but just as honorably. No more, though.

I am one of the journalists accused over the years of being in the tank for McCain. Guilty. Those doing the accusing usually attributed my feelings to McCain being accessible. This is the journalist-as-puppy school of thought: Give us a treat, and we will leap into a politician's lap.

Not so. What impressed me most about McCain was the effect he had on his audiences, particularly young people. When he talked about service to a cause greater than oneself, he struck a chord. He expressed his message in words, but he packaged it in the McCain story -- that man, beaten to a pulp, who chose honor over freedom. This had nothing to do with access. It had to do with integrity.

McCain has soiled all that. His opportunistic and irresponsible choice of Sarah Palin as his political heir -- the person in whose hands he would leave the country -- is a form of personal treason, a betrayal of all he once stood for. Palin, no matter what her other attributes, is shockingly unprepared to become president. McCain knows that. He means to win, which is all right; he means to win at all costs, which is not.

At a forum last week at Columbia University, McCain said, "But right now we have to restore trust and confidence in government." This was always the promise of John McCain, the single best reason to vote for him. America has been cheated on too many times -- the lies of Vietnam and Watergate and Iraq. So many lies. Who believes that in Afghanistan last month, only five civilians were killed by the American military in an airstrike, instead of the approximately 90 claimed by the Afghan government? Not me. I first gave up on the military during Vietnam and then again when it covered up the death of Pat Tillman, the Army Ranger and former NFL player who was killed in 2004 by friendly fire.

McCain was going to fix all that. He was going to look the American people in the eyes and say, not me. I will not lie to you. I am John McCain, son and grandson of admirals. I tell the truth.

But Joy Behar knew better. And so McCain lied about his lying and maybe thinks that if he wins the election, he can -- as he did in South Carolina -- renounce who he was and what he did and resume his old persona. It won't work. Karl Marx got one thing right -- what he said about history repeating itself. Once is tragedy, a second time is farce. John McCain is both.

cohenr@washpost.com

McCain Flip Flop Video Obama Campaign Please Look

ProgressiveVoice — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:34:01 EDT

Hi all,

Here is a video from Youtube that shows what a flipflopper McCain really is .

He says one thing and then another .

Here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c

Obama/Biden 2008

Gloria Steinem says Gov. Palin is the wrong woman for the job

Dorothiea — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:09:22 EDT

Sarah Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Hillary Clinton. She is Phyllis Schlafly, only younger.By Gloria Steinem
September 4, 2008 Here's the good news: Women have become so politically powerful that even the anti-feminist right wing -- the folks with a headlock on the Republican Party -- are trying to appease the gender gap with a first-ever female vice president. We owe this to women -- and to many men too -- who have picketed, gone on hunger strikes or confronted violence at the polls so women can vote. We owe it to Shirley Chisholm, who first took the "white-male-only" sign off the White House, and to Hillary Rodham Clinton, who hung in there through ridicule and misogyny to win 18 million votes.

But here is even better news: It won't work. This isn't the first time a boss has picked an unqualified woman just because she agrees with him and opposes everything most other women want and need. Feminism has never been about getting a job for one woman. It's about making life more fair for women everywhere. It's not about a piece of the existing pie; there are too many of us for that. It's about baking a new pie. · Join the reader discussion on Gloria Steinem's Op-Ed articleSelecting Sarah Palin, who was touted all summer by Rush Limbaugh, is no way to attract most women, including die-hard Clinton supporters. Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Clinton. Her down-home, divisive and deceptive speech did nothing to cosmeticize a Republican convention that has more than twice as many male delegates as female, a presidential candidate who is owned and operated by the right wing and a platform that opposes pretty much everything Clinton's candidacy stood for -- and that Barack Obama's still does. To vote in protest for McCain/Palin would be like saying, "Somebody stole my shoes, so I'll amputate my legs."

This is not to beat up on Palin. I defend her right to be wrong, even on issues that matter most to me. I regret that people say she can't do the job because she has children in need of care, especially if they wouldn't say the same about a father. I get no pleasure from imagining her in the spotlight on national and foreign policy issues about which she has zero background, with one month to learn to compete with Sen. Joe Biden's 37 years' experience.

Palin has been honest about what she doesn't know. When asked last month about the vice presidency, she said, "I still can't answer that question until someone answers for me: What is it exactly that the VP does every day?" When asked about Iraq, she said, "I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq."She was elected governor largely because the incumbent was unpopular, and she's won over Alaskans mostly by using unprecedented oil wealth to give a $1,200 rebate to every resident. Now she is being praised by McCain's campaign as a tax cutter, despite the fact that Alaska has no state income or sales tax. Perhaps McCain has opposed affirmative action for so long that he doesn't know it's about inviting more people to meet standards, not lowering them. Or perhaps McCain is following the Bush administration habit, as in the Justice Department, of putting a job candidate's views on "God, guns and gays" ahead of competence. The difference is that McCain is filling a job one 72-year-old heartbeat away from the presidency.

So let's be clear: The culprit is John McCain. He may have chosen Palin out of change-envy, or a belief that women can't tell the difference between form and content, but the main motive was to please right-wing ideologues; the same ones who nixed anyone who is now or ever has been a supporter of reproductive freedom. If that were not the case, McCain could have chosen a woman who knows what a vice president does and who has thought about Iraq; someone like Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison or Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine. McCain could have taken a baby step away from right-wing patriarchs who determine his actions, right down to opposing the Violence Against Women Act.

Palin's value to those patriarchs is clear: She opposes just about every issue that women support by a majority or plurality. She believes that creationism should be taught in public schools but disbelieves global warming; she opposes gun control but supports government control of women's wombs; she opposes stem cell research but approves "abstinence-only" programs, which increase unwanted births, sexually transmitted diseases and abortions; she tried to use taxpayers' millions for a state program to shoot wolves from the air but didn't spend enough money to fix a state school system with the lowest high-school graduation rate in the nation; she runs with a candidate who opposes the Fair Pay Act but supports $500 million in subsidies for a natural gas pipeline across Alaska; she supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, though even McCain has opted for the lesser evil of offshore drilling. She is Phyllis Schlafly, only younger.

I don't doubt her sincerity. As a lifetime member of the National Rifle Assn., she doesn't just support killing animals from helicopters, she does it herself. She doesn't just talk about increasing the use of fossil fuels but puts a coal-burning power plant in her own small town. She doesn't just echo McCain's pledge to criminalize abortion by overturning Roe vs. Wade, she says that if one of her daughters were impregnated by rape or incest, she should bear the child. She not only opposes reproductive freedom as a human right but implies that it dictates abortion, without saying that it also protects the right to have a child.

So far, the major new McCain supporter that Palin has attracted is James Dobson of Focus on the Family. Of course, for Dobson, "women are merely waiting for their husbands to assume leadership," so he may be voting for Palin's husband.

Being a hope-a-holic, however, I can see two long-term bipartisan gains from this contest.

Republicans may learn they can't appeal to right-wing patriarchs and most women at the same time. A loss in November could cause the centrist majority of Republicans to take back their party, which was the first to support the Equal Rights Amendment and should be the last to want to invite government into the wombs of women.

And American women, who suffer more because of having two full-time jobs than from any other single injustice, finally have support on a national stage from male leaders who know that women can't be equal outside the home until men are equal in it. Barack Obama and Joe Biden are campaigning on their belief that men should be, can be and want to be at home for their children.

This could be huge.

Gloria Steinem is an author, feminist organizer and co-founder of the Women's Media Center. She supported Hillary Clinton and is now supporting Barack Obama.

Did you watch Sarah Palin's speech last night? The speech told us a lot about her.

Dorothiea — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:31:10 EDT

Did you watch Sarah Palin's speech last night? The speech told us a lot about her.

It told us that she can distort the facts and deliver mean-spirited zingers with the best of them. It told us that if Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter ever need a stand-in, she'd be a great pick.

It told us that she can be condescending and dismissive of the real work Barack Obama did helping real people on the South Side of Chicago. It told us that she can uphold the long Republican tradition of lying about Democratic tax cuts—even though Obama's plan would give Americans a bigger break than McCain's.

But the speech—written by one of President Bush's speechwriters—didn't tell us the truth about Sarah Palin's extremist positions. And the more that people know her far-right views, the less they support her. (There's a partial list below.)

One of the best ways to get the word out about Palin is to write a letter to the editor of your local paper. Today's a great day to write because this is very relevant—it just happened last night. Plus, our online tool makes it easy and has great tips. Please take a few minutes to write a quick letter to the editor now:

http://pol.moveon.org/lte?campaign_id=95&id=13701-4770726-aLCzDix&t=3

Palin's speech and the reaction to it also made clear why McCain picked her. It wasn't a decision about who's most qualified to serve a heart-beat away from the presidency—it was a political decision about pleasing the far-right base of the Republican party.

Writing a letter to your local paper is a great way to make sure voters understand that. The opinion pages are the most widely-read pages of the newspaper. Write today, and your letter's a lot more likely to get published because it's so topical. It'll help sway the editorial board too.

Here are a bunch of points you might want to include in your letter:

Palin recently said that the war in Iraq is "God's task." She's even admitted she hasn't thought about the war much—just last year she was quoted saying, "I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq." 1, 2
Palin has actively sought the support of the fringe Alaska Independence Party. Six months ago, Palin told members of the group—who advocate for a vote on secession from the union—to "keep up the good work" and "wished the party luck on what she called its 'inspiring convention.'" 3
Palin wants to teach creationism in public schools. She hasn't made clear whether she thinks evolution is a fact.4
Palin doesn't believe that humans contribute to global warming. Speaking about climate change, she said, "I'm not one though who would attribute it to being manmade." 5
Palin has close ties to Big Oil. Her inauguration was even sponsored by BP. 6
Palin is extremely anti-choice. She doesn't even support abortion in the case of rape or incest. 7
Palin opposes comprehensive sex-ed in public schools. She's said she will only support abstinence-only approaches. 8
As mayor, Palin tried to ban books from the library. Palin asked the library how she might go about banning books because some had inappropriate language in them—shocking the librarian, Mary Ellen Baker. According to Time, "news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support" to the mayor." 9
She DID support the Bridge to Nowhere (before she opposed it). Palin claimed that she said "thanks, but no thanks" to the infamous Bridge to Nowhere. But in 2006, Palin supported the project repeatedly, saying that Alaska should take advantage of earmarks "while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist." 10

The plain fact of the matter is that Sarah Palin did a bang-up job delivering a Karl Rove-style political attack speech last night. That makes her a skilled politician but it doesn't make her views any more palatable for voters. Americans don't really want another far-right, anti-science ideologue in the White House.

Please help get the word out about where Sarah Palin really stands on the issues.

http://pol.moveon.org/lte?campaign_id=95&id=13701-4770726-aLCzDix&t=4

Thanks for all you do.

–Nita, Ilyse, Wes, Karin and the rest of the team

P.S. If you haven't seen it, check out the Daily Show clip on Palin. It's worth a watch
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24753&id=13701-4770726-aLCzDix&t=5

Sources
1. "Palin: Iraq war 'a task that is from God'," Associated Press, September 3, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24701&id=13701-4770726-aLCzDix&t=6

2. "Palin wasn't 'really focused much' on the Iraq war," ThinkProgress, August 30, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24702&id=13701-4770726-aLCzDix&t=7

3. "The Sarah Palin Digest," ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/palin-digest/

4. "McCain and Palin differ on issues," Associated Press, September 3, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24703&id=13701-4770726-aLCzDix&t=8

5. Ibid

6. The Sarah Palin Digest," ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/palin-digest/

7. Ibid

8. Ibid.

9. "Mayor Palin: A Rough Record," Time, September 2, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=24704&id=13701-4770726-aLCzDix&t=9

10. The Sarah Palin Digest," ThinkProgress, September 4, 2008
http://thinkprogress.org/palin-digest/

Attacks, Praise Stretch Truth at GOP Convention

Dorothiea — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:27:07 EDT

Attacks, Praise Stretch Truth at GOP Convention

By: Jim Kuhnhenn, The Associated Press

Many claims at the Republican convention were false. (Photo: Getty Images)

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her Republican supporters held back little Wednesday as they issued dismissive attacks on Barack Obama and flattering praise on her credentials to be vice president. In some cases, the reproach and the praise stretched the truth.

Some examples:

PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."

THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."

PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate."

THE FACTS: Compared to McCain and his two decades in the Senate, Obama does have a more meager record. But he has worked with Republicans to pass legislation that expanded efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to help destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. The legislation became law last year. To demean that accomplishment would be to also demean the work of Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a respected foreign policy voice in the Senate. In Illinois, he was the leader on two big, contentious measures in Illinois: studying racial profiling by police and requiring recordings of interrogations in potential death penalty cases. He also successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform legislation.

PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."

THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.

Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.

He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.

MCCAIN: "She's been governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply ... She's responsible for 20 percent of the nation's energy supply. I'm entertained by the comparison and I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America," he said in an interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson.

THE FACTS: McCain's phrasing exaggerates both claims. Palin is governor of a state that ranks second nationally in crude oil production, but she's no more "responsible" for that resource than President Bush was when he was governor of Texas, another oil-producing state. In fact, her primary power is the ability to tax oil, which she did in concert with the Alaska Legislature. And where Alaska is the largest state in America, McCain could as easily have called it the 47th largest state - by population.

MCCAIN: "She's the commander of the Alaska National Guard. ... She has been in charge, and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities," he said on ABC.

THE FACTS: While governors are in charge of their state guard units, that authority ends whenever those units are called to actual military service. When guard units are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, for example, they assume those duties under "federal status," which means they report to the Defense Department, not their governors. Alaska's national guard units have a total of about 4,200 personnel, among the smallest of state guard organizations.

FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."

THE FACTS: A whopper. Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor's election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries.

FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "We need change, all right - change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington - throw out the big-government liberals, and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin."

THE FACTS: A Back-to-the-Future moment. George W. Bush, a conservative Republican, has been president for nearly eight years. And until last year, Republicans controlled Congress. Only since January 2007 have Democrats have been in charge of the House and Senate.

---------

Associated Press Writer Jim Drinkard in Washington contributed to this report.

Palin lied about visiting Ireland as part of her foreign policy experience

Dorothiea — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:38:48 EDT

Palin lied about visiting Ireland as part of her foreign policy experience
John Aravosis (DC)

She didn't visit Ireland, which is what the McCain-Palin campaign claimed to Politico's Ben Smith on Saturday. She had a short refueling stopover, which means at best her extensive Irish diplomacy amounted to buying a sweater and a beer mug in the Shannon airport.

Why does Sarah Palin's duty-free-diplomacy matter? Because John McCain, who is 72 and has had 4 bouts of cancer, just picked Sarah Palin to replace him as commander in chief should he die or be incapacitated in office. Sarah Palin, in an effort to bolster her non-existent national security expertise, claimed she had visited 3 countries: Germany; Kuwait; and Ireland. Now we find out that one of those three, 33% of her experience, was pretty much a lie. Did the McCain campaign know that Palin basically lied to the media and the American people? Or did this Irish blogger do the vetting that the McCain campaign couldn't be bothered to do?

Oh, the McCain-Palin campaign now alleges that Palin visited Canada too. Sure, if you count buying a Celine Dion CD.

http://www.americablog.com/2008/09/palin-lied-about-visiting-ireland-as.html
********
"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues."
- Abraham Lincoln"

what the Repubs are really saying

Dorothiea — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:01:01 EDT

Take a listen to what the Repubs are really saying when they are not on camera!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrG8w4bb3kgThat is absolutely PRECIOUS!!!!

An Extreme Choice

Dorothiea — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:27:11 EDT

An Extreme Choice

Last Friday, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) announced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) as his vice presidential running mate, "catching almost everyone but his inner circle by surprise." Of the very little that is known about Palin is her extreme right-wing policies on a wide range of issues. For example, she supports teaching creationism in school, favors privatization of health insurance, boasts of being a "lifetime member of the NRA," opposes stem-cell research, and declared that "she would support a ballot question that would deny benefits to homosexual couples." On some of the most important issues of this election -- Iraq, energy, abortion -- Palin represents the extreme right wing.

EXTREME ON ABORTION: One of the only policy stances widely known about Palin when her name was first announced is her extreme opposition to abortion. She once said that she would not support an abortion for her then-14 year old daughter, even if she had been raped. Palin has also declared that "explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support," favoring abstinence-only programs instead. The right wing has lauded both Palin for choosing to carry her most recent child, who has Down Syndrome, to term, and her 17-year-old daughter for deciding to complete her pregnancy. Yet as the American Prospect's Ann Friedman points out, "John McCain and Sarah Palin don't believe women have a right to choose. It's absolutely absurd for the campaign to emphasize the fact that [Palin's daughter] Bristol 'made this decision,' and then push for policies that take away that choice."

EXTREME CLUELESSNESS ON IRAQ: Like George Bush before he became president, Palin has barely traveled outside the United States. She has never been to Iraq or Afghanistan and admitted last year, "I haven't really focused much on the Iraq war." In an interview with Time magazine last month, she seemed completely unaware of McCain's Iraq plan. She said she did not know "what the plan is to ever end the war." She later said it's "tough" to "talk about the plan for the war" because her son will be deployed to Iraq. "Let's make sure we have a plan here," she said. Palin then added, "respecting McCain's position on that too though." Eschewing any substantitve analysis of the war, she asserted simply that U.S. soldiers are "out on a task that is from God." She also seems to believe the Iraq war was about oil, saying that "in many [ways] the reasons for war are fights over energy sources." In another interview, she argued, "we better have a real clear plan for the war," adding, "And it better not have to do with oil."

EXTREME DENIAL OF GLOBAL WARMING: Though McCain points to his position on global warming as a chief difference between himself and President Bush, Palin shares more of the current president's perspective than McCain's. Though she admits that climate change "will affect Alaska more than any other state," she said, "I'm not one though who would attribute it to being man-made." "During last fall's political campaign, Gov. Sarah Palin said she remained unconvinced about how much human emissions contribute to current global warming trends." She has also opposed listing polar bears as endangered due to climate change. In the New York Times today, Tom Friedman writes, "With his choice of Sarah Palin -- the Alaska governor who has advocated drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and does not believe mankind is playing any role in climate change -- for vice president, John McCain has completed his makeover from the greenest Republican to run for president to just another representative of big oil."

EXTREME PAWN OF BIG OIL: "No one is closer to the the oil industry than Governor Palin," the Sierra Club's Carl Pope said. Palin told Roll Call last week, "When I look every day, the big oil company's building is right out there next to me, and it's quite a reminder that we should have mutually beneficial relationships with the oil industry." As a champion for Big Oil, Palin is a vociferous proponent of domestic drilling. "I beg to disagree with any candidate who would say we can't drill our way out of our problem," she said. She also dismisses alternative energy solutions as "are far from imminent" focusing instead on opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. During her race for lieutenant governor, she received a full 10 percent of her campaign donations from executives and their families at the disgraced oil services company Veco. In her 2006 race for governor, another 10 percent of her donations came from the oil and natural gas industry. Though she supported a windfall tax on oil profits -- an idea McCain has blasted -- she also signed a bill just last week "suspending Alaska's gasoline, marine fuel and aviation fuel taxes until Aug. 31, 2009," which will only add to Big Oil's coffers.

MEDIA -- INFURIATED ABOUT TOUGH CNN INTERVIEW, MCCAIN CANCELS LARRY KING APPEARANCE: On Monday, Tucker Bounds, a campaign spokesman for Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), appeared on CNN for a tough interview with Campbell Brown. Brown repeatedly asked Bounds to name a foreign policy decision made by McCain's running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK). Citing the Bounds interview as "over the line," McCain canceled an appearance on CNN's Larry King Live yesterday. According to the Washington Post, the McCain campaign believes that the media is "on a mission to destroy" Palin and feels "under siege." The Post writes, "The McCain camp has been unusually aggressive in pushing back against the media, and it seems to hope to persuade journalists to back off in their scrutiny of Palin." McCain even considered pulling out of a presidential debate set to be moderated by NBC anchor Tom Brokaw because of what campaign manager Steve Schmidt called NBC's "irresponsible journalism." CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer reported that CNN is standing by Brown. "CNN does not believe that Campbell's interview was over the line," he said. "We are committed to fair coverage of both sides of this historic election."

JUSTICE -- DOJ INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF GONZALES PERJURY: There is also "strong evidence" in a new Department of Justice Inspector General (IG) report released yesterday that former attorney general Alberto Gonzales "lied to federal investigators probing his careless handling of highly classified documents." According to the IG's report, "Gonzales said that he was unaware of the classification level and compartmented nature" of the Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping program he referenced in notes on the document. Yet the report also says "the envelope containing documents related to the NSA surveillance program bore the handwritten markings, 'TOP SECRET - EYES ONLY - ARG' [the attorney general's initials] followed by an abbreviation for the SCI codeword for the program." CQ's Jeff Stein notes, "Poor Scooter Libby...who suffered million-dollar legal bills and lifetime disbarment for a perjury...only to be snatched from the jaws of prison by a pardon from President Bush. Today, the Justice Department revealed that it had saved everybody the bother in the case of Alberto Gonzales."

ENERGY -- BUSH EXPLOITS HURRICANE GUSTAV TO DEMAND MORE OFFSHORE DRILLING: Early yesterday, President Bush exploited his press briefing on the "follow-up efforts" to Hurricane Gustav to attack Congress about lifting the offshore drilling moratorium. Stating that "what happens after the storm passes is as important as what happens prior to the storm arriving," he declared that "our discussion here today is about energy." Bush was not referring to the 1.4 million Louisianans who have lost power due to the storm's destructive force. Rather, he was referring to his misguided campaign to end the ban on offshore drilling in the outer continental shelf. "This storm...ought to cause the Congress to step up their need to address our dependence on foreign oil. And one place to do so is to give us a chance to explore in environmentally friendly ways on the outer continental shelf," he said. MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough were both floored by Bush's decision "to use another hurricane in Louisiana to promote offshore drilling at this point," after his administration "performed so poorly during Hurricane Katrina." Scarborough exclaimed, "Just stop!"

California lawmakers passed a bill aimed at cutting CO2 emissions by "rewarding cities and counties that prevent urban sprawl and improve public transportation." Supporters and transportation experts say it is "the first measure in the nation to link government transportation funding with urban planning and CO2-reduction goals."

Vice President Cheney "traveled to Azerbaijan Wednesday, part of a tour of three ex-Soviet republics wary of Russia's intentions following last month's war between Russia and neighboring Georgia." Azerbaijan is "home to some of the largest oil and gas reserves in the former Soviet Union."

"The Commerce Department reported Tuesday that construction spending declined 0.6 percent in July, double the 0.3 percent decrease analysts had been expecting." Construction activity is down 4.7 percent from last year, "representing one of the major drags on the current economy."

And finally: The Huffington Post claims to have caught former president George H.W. Bush checking his watch last night during First Lady Laura Bush's speech at the Republican National Convention. The site has posted the "nostalgia-inducing video" here.

Joe Lieberman

Laura — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:56:28 EDT

Dear Blog Buddies,

Joe Lieberman is a registered democrat.

Joe Lieberman is an American.

Reach out to him and let him know he is always welcome back into the fold. Promote where you stand together. Promote an individuals liberty to choose. Promote courage. Promote ways to reach across the aisle. Promote unity and connection. Promote peace.

Stay cool, don't get angry and all riled up, it does not serve your purpose!

Please, do not be swayed by the turbulent storms of politics. Be sure of what you stand for and then shout it from the rooftops. Please, do not turn to vitriolic personal attacks.

Don't take Joe Lieberman's choices personally.

Barack is asking us all to believe in change. We must be the change.

Please consider your responses and speak of what you stand for not what you stand against.

"We will never know how much just a simple smile will do."

MOTHER TERESA

Stay cool!

Laura XXX

www.yourpotentialpower.com

Biography

Franklin from Woodruff, WI — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 14:10:13 EDT

Full Name: Barack Hussein Obama Jr.
Party: Democratic
Political Office: U.S. Senator from Illinois, elected 2004; member, Illinois State Senate 1997-2004

Backing Obama in Medfield, MA

Jeanne from Medfield, MA — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:42:53 EDT

I know my town and my state of Massachusetts will vote for Barack Obama. We always vote for the right and the best candidate....We didn't vote for Nixon! In fact, we were the only state in the Union to not vote for Nixon! I want to here from anyone out there in any state other than Massachusetts, what's the buzz in your group of friends, neigborhood, work group or general word around town? Who do you think will win?

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback!

HELLO BARACK CAMPAIGN SONG

Beverly — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:04:00 EDT

Hi! Here in Rome I have thought about ways to GOTV for Obama in November. One idea born during the primary season was campaign songs including humor and slogans. Here are the lyrics to HELLO BARACK, sung to the tune of Jerry Herman's HELLO DOLLY. Hope you like it!

CIAO, BARACK
THIS IS ROME, BARACK
IN BOCA LUPO-MEANS GOOD LUCK TO YOU
IN FORMA SEI, BARACK
TUTT’OK, BARACK
WE ARE STANDIN,’ YES DEMANDIN’, FOLKS TO VOTE FOR YOU
PER CO-IN-CI-DENZA,
SI SEI TU PENSA
SI-MUL-TA-NE-A-MEN-TE,
SING OH YES WE CAN
SO,WITH ONE VOICE, BARACK
INSIEME NOI CON TE, BARACK
BARACK OH YES WE CAN, AGAIN!

HELLO, BARACK
WELL, HELLO, BARACK
GO TO THE WHITE HOUSE-THAT’S WHERE YOU BELONG
YOU’RE DOIN SWELL, BARACK
WE CAN TELL, BARACK
WE ARE GROWIN’, YES WE’RE KNOWIN’, YOU’RE STILL GOIN’ STRONG
DON’T WANT NO DOOMSAYING,WE ARE DONE PLAYING
WE’RE UNITED FOR REAL CHANGE OH YES WE CAN
SO,WITH ONE VOICE, BARACK
ALL ACROSS ONE WORLD, BARACK
BARACK, BARACK FREE WE STAND
BARACK, WE’LL UNITE THE LAND
BARACK, OH YES WE CAN, AGAIN!

YES WE DID, BARACK
WE CAN GET, BARACK
CHANGE THAT WE BELIEVE IN FOR US ALL
WE’RE MOVING UP, BARACK
MOVING ON, BARACK
WE ARE READY, WE ARE STEADY, ROUND THE WORLD FOR YOU
OUR FOUNDERS STOOD BRAVELY
‘NEATH OUR FLAG PROUDLY
OUR FREEDOM DOES DEPEND ON YOU AND ME
SO, NOW’S THE TIME, BARACK
FIRED UP TO MAKE THAT CLIMB, BARACK
BARACK, CHEER FOR OLD GLORY
BARACK, LET’S MAKE HISTORY
BARACK, OH YES WE CAN, AGAIN!

German Magazine Interview with al-Maliki re: Obama's Withdrawal Plan

Gordon Broom — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:16:46 EDT

This is a link to the complete interview der Spiegel did with Iraqi PB al-Maliki who supports Senator Obama's 16 month plan for the withdrawal of our troops. It will be interesting to see how Bush McCain parse their words.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,566852,00.html

McCain Camp: Stop Whining

Gordon Broom — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:03:25 EDT

This message from the AFL-CIO Working Families Network is worth copying and sending to your family and friends.

Gordon

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

Phil Gramm is the national co-chair of John McCain’s presidential campaign.

When he called us a nation of “whiners” and said we’re in a “mental recession,” rather than a real recession, McCain tried to head off a media storm by distancing himself from Gramm.

But the truth is, the former U.S. senator from Texas has been McCain’s chief economic adviser for many years and is on McCain’s short list for Treasury secretary.

Here’s part of what Gramm told the Washington Times this week:

"You’ve heard of mental depressions; this is a mental recession....We have sort of become a nation of whiners....You just hear this constant whining, complaining about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline....We’ve never been more dominant; we’ve never had more natural advantages than we have today.... We have benefited greatly" from the globalization of the economy in the last 30 years.

In February, McCain told the Houston Chronicle: “He’s probably the smartest—not just economist, but politician—there is.”

In January, McCain said in an interview with the New York Post, "I would rely on the circle I have developed over many years of people like Jack Kemp, Phil Gramm, Warren Rudman, Pete Peterson and the Concorde Group" (a right-wing think tank).

As soon as Gramm's comments hit the airwaves, blog world and headlines, McCain began backing away from Gramm faster than a falling Dow Jones stock. He claimed Gramm doesn't speak for him and said he didn't agree with the comments. But in an interview with Fox News in April, the candidate himself said he thinks the recession is all in our minds, "A lot of our problems today, as you know are psychological—the confidence, the trust, the uncertainty about our economic future, the ability to keep our home."

Along with sharing a penchant for playing shrink to voters worried about the economy, the McCain-Gramm pair shares pretty much the same economic philosophy and love of deregulation, especially in the banking and energy industries. In April, the Washington Post credited Gramm with creating the legislative highway for the subprime lending crisis that is causing foreclosures on the home mortgages of more than 3 million working families:

“Gramm’s aggressive efforts when he was chairman of the Senate Banking Committee to deregulate the banking and financial services industry...culiminated in the passage in 1999 of a sweeping financial services law that tore down the Depression-era Glass-Steagall wall separating regulated commercial banks from largely unregulated investment banks....To many liberal economists, Gramm’s efforts set the stage for the current crisis.”

If, heaven forbid, McCain takes the White House, you can bet, because he's said so many times, that the McCain administration's economic policies will be straight of the Gramm playbook. Pretty scary, eh?

Help spread the word by forwarding this message to your family and co-workers. We've got to stop that from happening.

In solidarity,

Working Families e-Activist Network, AFL-CIO

FISA: Sen. Obama Responds & ACLU Takes Action

Gordon Broom — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:12:57 EDT

Below is the response I received from Senator Obama regarding his FISA vote. Following that is the ACLU's wonderful action.

Gordon

Dear Friend,

Thank you for contacting us and sharing your strong feelings about this important issue. Please find a statement from Senator Obama below.

We appreciate hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Obama for America,

---
Given the grave threats that we face, our national security agencies must have the capability to gather intelligence and track down terrorists before they strike, while respecting the rule of law and the privacy and civil liberties of the American people. There is also little doubt that the Bush Administration, with the cooperation of major telecommunications companies, has abused that authority and undermined the Constitution by intercepting the communications of innocent Americans without their knowledge or the required court orders.

That is why last year I opposed the so-called Protect America Act, which expanded the surveillance powers of the government without sufficient independent oversight to protect the privacy and civil liberties of innocent Americans. I have also opposed the granting of retroactive immunity to those who were allegedly complicit in acts of illegal spying in the past.

After months of negotiation, the House passed a compromise that, while far from perfect, is a marked improvement over last year's Protect America Act. Under this compromise legislation, an important tool in the fight against terrorism will continue, but the President's illegal program of warrantless surveillance will be over. It restores FISA and existing criminal wiretap statutes as the exclusive means to conduct surveillance - making it clear that the President cannot circumvent the law and disregard the civil liberties of the American people. It also firmly re-establishes basic judicial oversight over all domestic surveillance in the future.

It does, however, grant retroactive immunity, and I voted in the Senate three times to remove this provision so that we could seek full accountability for past offenses. Unfortunately, these attempts were unsuccessful. But this compromise guarantees a thorough review by the Inspectors General of our national security agencies to determine what took place in the past, and ensures that there will be accountability going forward. By demanding oversight and accountability, a grassroots movement of Americans has helped yield a bill that is far better than the Protect America Act.

It is not all that I would want. But given the legitimate threats we face, providing effective intelligence collection tools with appropriate safeguards is too important to delay. So I support the compromise, but do so with a firm pledge that as President, I will carefully monitor the program, review the report by the Inspectors General, and work with the Congress to take any additional steps I deem necessary to protect the lives - and the liberty - of the American people.

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

FROM THE ACLU (which I'm a card carrying member of)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org

NEW YORK - The American Civil Liberties Union filed a landmark lawsuit today to stop the government from conducting surveillance under a new wiretapping law that gives the Bush administration virtually unchecked power to intercept Americans' international e-mails and telephone calls. The case was filed on behalf of a broad coalition of attorneys and human rights, labor, legal and media organizations whose ability to perform their work - which relies on confidential communications - will be greatly compromised by the new law.

The FISA Amendments Act of 2008, passed by Congress on Wednesday and signed by President Bush today, not only legalizes the secret warrantless surveillance program the president approved in late 2001, it gives the government new spying powers, including the power to conduct dragnet surveillance of Americans' international communications.

"Spying on Americans without warrants or judicial approval is an abuse of government power - and that's exactly what this law allows. The ACLU will not sit by and let this evisceration of the Fourth Amendment go unchallenged," said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. "Electronic surveillance must be conducted in a constitutional manner that affords the greatest possible protection for individual privacy and free speech rights. The new wiretapping law fails to provide fundamental safeguards that the Constitution unambiguously requires."

In today's legal challenge, the ACLU argues that the new spying law violates Americans' rights to free speech and privacy under the First and Fourth Amendments to the Constitution. The new law permits the government to conduct intrusive surveillance without ever telling a court who it intends to spy on, what phone lines and email addresses it intends to monitor, where its surveillance targets are located, why it's conducting the surveillance or whether it suspects any party to the communication of wrongdoing.

Plaintiffs in today's case are:

The Nation and its contributing journalists Naomi Klein and Chris Hedges
Amnesty International USA, Global Rights, Global Fund for Women, Human Rights Watch, PEN American Center, Service Employees International Union, Washington Office on Latin America, and the International Criminal Defence Attorneys Association
Defense attorneys Dan Arshack, David Nevin, Scott McKay and Sylvia Royce

"As a journalist, my job requires communication with people in all parts of the world - from Iraq to Argentina. If the U.S. government is given unchecked surveillance power to monitor reporters' confidential sources, my ability to do this work will be seriously compromised," said Naomi Klein, an award-winning columnist and best-selling author who is a plaintiff in today's lawsuit. "I cannot in good conscience accept that my conversations with people who live outside the U.S. will put them in harm's way as a result of overzealous government spying. Privacy in my communications is not simply an expectation, it's a right."

The ACLU's legal challenge, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York today, seeks a court order declaring that the new law is unconstitutional and ordering its immediate and permanent halt.

In a separate filing, the ACLU asked the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) to ensure that any proceedings relating to the scope, meaning or constitutionality of the new law be open to the public to the extent possible. The ACLU also asked the secret court to allow it to file a brief and participate in oral arguments, to order the government to file a public version of its briefs addressing the law's constitutionality, and to publish any judicial decision that is ultimately issued.

"The new law allows the mass acquisition of Americans' international e-mails and telephone calls," said Jameel Jaffer, Director of the ACLU National Security Project. "The administration has argued that the law is necessary to address the threat of terrorism, but the truth is that the law sweeps much more broadly and implicates all kinds of communications that have nothing to do with terrorism or criminal activity of any kind."

In 2006, the ACLU filed a lawsuit against the National Security Agency (NSA) to stop its illegal, warrantless spying program. A federal district court sided with the ACLU, ruling that warrantless wiretapping by the NSA violated Americans' rights to free speech and privacy under the First and Fourth Amendments of the Constitution, ran counter to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and violated the principle of separation of powers. The Bush administration appealed the ruling, and an appeals court panel dismissed the case. However, the court did not uphold the legality of the government's warrantless surveillance activity and the only judge to discuss the merits of the case clearly and unequivocally declared that the warrantless spying was unlawful. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case earlier this year.

"A democratic system depends on the rule of law, and not even the president or Congress can authorize a law that violates core constitutional principles," said Christopher Dunn, Associate Legal Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. "The only thing compromised in this so-called 'compromise' law is the Constitution."

Attorneys on the lawsuit Amnesty v. McConnell are Jaffer, Melissa Goodman and L. Danielle Tully of the ACLU National Security Project and Dunn and Arthur Eisenberg of the NYCLU. Attorneys on the motion filed with the FISC are Jaffer, Goodman, Tully, as well as Arthur Spitzer of the ACLU of the National Capital Area.

More information, including today's complaint, a video discussing the ACLU's legal challenge, plaintiff statements in support of the lawsuit and the FISC motion, is available at: www .aclu.org/faa

America needs more government

CalGoldenBears — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:53:43 EDT

Hi Friends,

I hate individual responsiblity. I want the government to hold my hand and take care of my every need. Why do I need to pay my mortgage, save for the future, stay married to the mother of my children, when Obama will do all these things for me? I have a dream for America... It's called France. If you don't get what you want, start a union, stage a protest, block and make everyone's commute even worse.

I am entitled to never experience sickness, unemployment and to have my tuition paid for even though I am an illegal alien from Mexico.

Go Obama!

Obama's Iraq Position

Gordon Broom — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:00:30 EDT

With all the debate over Obama becoming more centrist, sometimes heated debate has ensued, Many Obama supporters find themselves disappointed and less enthusiastic about the campaign. Take heart as I did when I read this great piece. It's by Andrew Sullivan which is posted on his blog at http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/07/obama-on-iraq.html Gordon ----------------------------- July 3, 2008 I'm relieved that he has shifted exactly as I hoped he would: to a pragmatic commitment to a withdrawal strategy that does not jeopardize the fragile and reversible gains of the last year or so. I don't see this as a U-turn, any more than I regard my own attempt to understand the situation in Iraq as best I can and to remain open to good, as well as bad, developments as some kind of flaw. Very few people foresaw the extent of the gains we have made this past year, in part because a new counter-insurgency had the luck to coincide with some real shifts among Sunni tribes and the Sadrite opposition. But facts change. Shouldn't tactical policy respond? I would never have felt that Obama would be a good president if I felt he'd stick to a position on an issue irrespective of empirical data. As long as the goal is total withdrawal from Iraq as soon as possible, and the man doing it has the vital characteristic of having opposed the war in the first place, I'm fine with pragmatism. Any conservative should be. And this shift is yet another instance of Obama's remarkably shrewd post-primary strategy. He is slowly undermining every conceivable reason to vote for McCain. If you want to withdraw from Iraq - as prudently as possible - Obama is your man. He won't risk chaos in a precipitous withdrawal regardless of the strategic and tactical situation. Unlike McCain, he is also unafraid of Baker-Hamilton diplomacy; and unlike McCain, he does not threaten a hundred years of occupation and the suspicion that he'd like the U.S. to stay there for ever. What can McCain say now? All he can say, I think, is that Obama is cynical. I don''t think that's fair: there's a distinction between cynical and pragmatic. When you put this together with Obama's defusing of the patriotism issue and his brazen cooptation of Bush's faith-based social services policy, you see what a gifted strategist Obama is. And if you don't see the power of it, just check out the Bush-right blogs right now. They're veering between a splutter and a strange new respect. Heh.

Senator Obama's FISA Message to Supporters

Gordon Broom — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:20:24 EDT

July 3, 2008

I want to take this opportunity to speak directly to those of you who oppose my decision to support the FISA compromise.

This was not an easy call for me. I know that the FISA bill that passed the House is far from perfect. I wouldn't have drafted the legislation like this, and it does not resolve all of the concerns that we have about President Bush's abuse of executive power. It grants retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that may have violated the law by cooperating with the Bush Administration's program of warrantless wiretapping. This potentially weakens the deterrent effect of the law and removes an important tool for the American people to demand accountability for past abuses. That's why I support striking Title II from the bill, and will work with Chris Dodd, Jeff Bingaman and others in an effort to remove this provision in the Senate.

But I also believe that the compromise bill is far better than the Protect America Act that I voted against last year. The exclusivity provision makes it clear to any President or telecommunications company that no law supersedes the authority of the FISA court. In a dangerous world, government must have the authority to collect the intelligence we need to protect the American people. But in a free society, that authority cannot be unlimited. As I've said many times, an independent monitor must watch the watchers to prevent abuses and to protect the civil liberties of the American people. This compromise law assures that the FISA court has that responsibility

The Inspectors General report also provides a real mechanism for accountability and should not be discounted. It will allow a close look at past misconduct without hurdles that would exist in federal court because of classification issues. The recent investigation uncovering the illegal politicization of Justice Department hiring sets a strong example of the accountability that can come from a tough and thorough IG report.

The ability to monitor and track individuals who want to attack the United States is a vital counter-terrorism tool, and I'm persuaded that it is necessary to keep the American people safe -- particularly since certain electronic surveillance orders will begin to expire later this summer. Given the choice between voting for an improved yet imperfect bill, and losing important surveillance tools, I've chosen to support the current compromise. I do so with the firm intention -- once I'm sworn in as President -- to have my Attorney General conduct a comprehensive review of all our surveillance programs, and to make further recommendations on any steps needed to preserve civil liberties and to prevent executive branch abuse in the future.

Now, I understand why some of you feel differently about the current bill, and I'm happy to take my lumps on this side and elsewhere. For the truth is that your organizing, your activism and your passion is an important reason why this bill is better than previous versions. No tool has been more important in focusing peoples' attention on the abuses of executive power in this Administration than the active and sustained engagement of American citizens. That holds true -- not just on wiretapping, but on a range of issues where Washington has let the American people down.

I learned long ago, when working as an organizer on the South Side of Chicago, that when citizens join their voices together, they can hold their leaders accountable. I'm not exempt from that. I'm certainly not perfect, and expect to be held accountable too. I cannot promise to agree with you on every issue. But I do promise to listen to your concerns, take them seriously, and seek to earn your ongoing support to change the country. That is why we have built the largest grassroots campaign in the history of presidential politics, and that is the kind of White House that I intend to run as President of the United States -- a White House that takes the Constitution seriously, conducts the peoples' business out in the open, welcomes and listens to dissenting views, and asks you to play your part in shaping our country's destiny.

Democracy cannot exist without strong differences. And going forward, some of you may decide that my FISA position is a deal breaker. That's ok. But I think it is worth pointing out that our agreement on the vast majority of issues that matter outweighs the differences we may have. After all, the choice in this election could not be clearer. Whether it is the economy, foreign policy, or the Supreme Court, my opponent has embraced the failed course of the last eight years, while I want to take this country in a new direction. Make no mistake: if John McCain is elected, the fundamental direction of this country that we love will not change. But if we come together, we have an historic opportunity to chart a new course, a better course.

So I appreciate the feedback through my.barackobama.com, and I look forward to continuing the conversation in the months and years to come. Together, we have a lot of work to do.

Need to meet other Obama supporters in Los Gatos

suzue — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:44:01 EDT

I am new to the Los Gatos area and need to meet new Obama supporters. Together we can elect him the next President of the United States, and I hope become a part of a community that supports his ideals. I am interested in possible car-pooling to events out of the Los Gatos/Saratoga area; and attending any that are local---please help me find out how to not miss an event in this area. Barack is the presumptive nominee for the Democrats; it's up to us to make him the next President. I have lots of time, but need some friends to share my enthusiasm. Please contact me if you know of an event coming up in the Los Gatos area other than the Wednesday night and Saturday morning group on Los Gatos Blvd. I'm going there, but would like to find more people from Los Gatos. Thanks for any help you can give me.

ON CREDIT

Citizen20854 — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:56:32 EDT

I have a clear memory of how hard it used to be to get credit. Qualifying for credit lines based on income and ability to pay seems to be a thing of the past. In 2008 and I am going through the mail, the bulk of which goes into the dumpster (a subject for another day - SAVE A TREE STOP JUNK MAIL). I notice two credit card offers for my son, recently graduated from college, and not making more than his Mom did back in the mid 90's. I also notice that it is a "business card" offer. I see the name of the "business" on the offer and recognize one of his attempts to try to get a business going. Almost the day after graduation, he had registered a website for his "dream business'. Of course, before checking out what it means to start a business like that.

He since has been sprouting wings full of ideas, working at odd jobs while waiting to get into graduate school. So, I wonder how a credit card company could be offering a credit card to a business that is not even registered, doesn't have a business license, has no income, no operations, can't even be called a start up so far. And then it dawns on me. THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH CREDIT IN THE US. Who is paying for the risk? What happened to credit standards and qualifying for credit? The only purpose a credit rating seems to serve is deciding how high of an interest rate to put on a credit card. The companies make the most for those who are least able to pay. And this is where we get into regressive economic systems. Taking the lifeblood from the poor to enrich businesses.

Living in the aftermath of the subprime crisis, should we not have our eyes on future potential for more economic crisis. If credit is being offered free of charge, no pre-approval to businesses that can't be held accountable because they don't even exist, then who is taking the risk. Surely not the credit card company and most likely a watered down system of secondary insurances that cover risk, a long way down the food chain of investment, that investors are probably being lead to believe are reliable insurance companies. Afterall, they can go bankrupt if need be.

Now, that is a problem that needs talking about. Qualifying for credit and loans seems to be a thing of the past because someone figured out how to make RISK a profitable investment, and that is what is already getting us in deep problems. Let's not just discuss the mortgage industry, let's talk about the credit industry as a whole who no longer operate with risk threatening their bottem line of business. We've let our credit system outsource risk, leaving no deterrent for handing out credit like candy bars.

Congress has taken credit cards out of the "bankruptcy" filings, so credit card debt cannot be written off in personal bankruptcy. And, insurance companies buy and sell their risks to such a degree, a lay person could never follow the paper trail and find out who will pay the price for their failure. By the sounds of it, the subprime's biggest victims were the consumers and the taxpayers, looks like the same can be said about the credit card industry. Why would credit card companies care a hoot about risk and why not encourage debt, offer to the worst and most vulnerable debtors, afterall, there is even a market to sell the bad debts on. This is change that can be dealt with by returning to some of the economic ways that did work, starting with the basics, CREDIT BASED ON ABILITY TO PAY, WHETHER MORTGAGE OR CREDIT CARDS and the credit card company should have some consequences for the risk.

NEW ! Create-Your-Own OBAMA LOGO ! It's FREE !

Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:08:19 EDT

From Blacks4Barack:

New ! Create-Your Own Obama Logo !
Just Upload Any Picture...It's FREE !

Now Available at: http://www.Blacks4Barack.org/mission.html

Say It Loud...BARACK & I'M PROUD !

A Multi-Racial, Net/Grassroots org...Dedicated To Truth !

Gov't Gave 32000 Vets Trial Drug:HID SUICIDE SIDE-EFFECT !

Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:58:27 EDT

Gov't Gave 32000 Vets Trial Drug HID SUICIDE SIDE-EFFECT !

From Blacks4Barack.org — Responding to an ABC News/Washington Times investigation, the Veterans Administration plans to inform 32,000 veterans that they are using a drug linked to suicide or violent behavior. The investigation revealed that the VA waited three months to notify veterans in a VA experiment of the possible side effects from the anti-smoking drug Chantix....read complete story www.Blacks4Barack.blogspot.com

New ! Speak Out 4 OBAMA !

Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:05:52 EDT

Share your Obama thoughts, poems, ideas, artwork, etc....send your submissions to:

Speak Out 4 Obama !

http://blacks4barack.org/SpeakOut.html

A Multi-Racial, Net/Grassroots Org...Dedicated To TRUTH !

McCain: Dangerous to Women

Gordon Broom — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:30:14 EDT

Jill G. posted the following item to the Palm Beach Obama Supporters email group.

It's a GREAT piece. Spread the word to women everywhere!

Gordon

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

McCain Opposed Equal Pay Bill for Women, Said They 'Need Education and Training' Instead. McCain skipped a vote on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act that would ensure women have the opportunity to recover back pay for discrimination once they discover it. If he had been there to vote, he said he would have voted against it and that women "need education and training" rather than an equal pay bill. The bill addressed a recent Supreme Court decision that said Steelworker Lilly Ledbetter could not recover back pay for 19 years of discrimination at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. because she had not discovered the unequal pay until she retired. The bill would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to allow employees to file charges of pay discrimination within 180 days of the last received paycheck affected by the discrimination. [Source: aflcio.org; H.R. 2831, Vote 110, 4/23/08; Associated Press, 4/28/08]

McCain Voted to Gut the Family and Medical Leave Act. In 1993, before finally voting for the Family and Medical Leave Act, McCain voted to jeopardize leave for millions of workers by gutting the bill. He voted to suspend the Family and Medical Leave Act unless the federal government certified that compliance would not increase business expenses or provide financial assistance to businesses to cover any related costs. [Source: aflcio.org S.Amdt. 16, S. 5, Vote 7, 2/4/93; H.R. 1, Vote 11, 2/4/93]

Source for the following information: Planned Parenthood

McCain opposed spending $100 million to prevent unintended and teen pregnancies. In 2005, McCain voted NO to allocate $100 million to expand access to preventive health care services that reduce the numbers of unintended and teen pregnancies and reduce the number of abortions.

McCain opposed legislation requiring that abstinence-only programs be medically accurate and scientifically based.
McCain voted NO on legislation that would help reduce the number of teen pregnancies by providing funding for programs to teach comprehensive, medically accurate sexuality education and other programs to prevent unintended teen pregnancies.

McCain opposed Title X, the nation's family planning program.
In 1990, McCain voted NO on legislation to extend the Title X federal family planning program, which provides low-income and uninsured women and families with health care services ranging from breast and cervical cancer screening to birth control.

McCain opposed requiring insurance coverage of prescription birth control.
In 2003, McCain voted NO on legislation to improve the availability of contraceptives for women and to require insurance coverage of prescription birth control.

McCain opposes comprehensive sex education.
In an interview aboard the "Straight Talk Express," McCain struggled to answer questions about comprehensive sex education and HIV prevention. He also stated that he supported "the president's policy" on sex education.

McCain unsure where he stands on government funding for contraception.
"Whether I support government funding for them or not, I don't know," McCain said about contraceptives.

McCain opposed repealing the "global gag rule."
In 2005, McCain voted NO on legislation to overturn the "global gag rule," which bars foreign nongovernmental organizations from receiving U.S. family planning assistance if the organization (using its own, non-U.S. funds) provides abortion services or information or advocates for pro-choice laws and policies in its own country.

McCain supports overturning Roe v. Wade.
In February 2007, the AP quoted McCain stating, "I do not support Roe v. Wade. It should be overturned." In May 2007, he reiterated his desire to overturn Roe v. Wade during an appearance on Meet the Press stating, "My position has been consistently in my voting record, pro-life, and I continue to maintain that position and voting record."

Florida Obama Blitz to Begin

Gordon Broom — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:25:26 EDT

Lauren, our Palm Beach County Obama campaign leader shared this from a news article. This is exciting news!

Gordon

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

"Starting next week, some 400 specially trained Barack Obama campaign "fellows" will fan out across Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, for an intensive six weeks of registering voters, mobilizing volunteers, as well as working to bring Hillary Rodham Clinton supporters into the fold."

Opportunity for a Florida Win for Obama

Gordon Broom — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:19:17 EDT

This is a great article worth sharing. Florida CAN be flipped blue and Obama CAN win Florida.YES WE CAN!!Gordon From: orlandosentinel.com/community/news/doctorphillips/orl-capview0808jun08,0,1002991.column OrlandoSentinel.comCAPITOL VIEWHow Obama could capture Florida

John Kennedy and Aaron Deslatte

Capitol View

June 8, 2008

With Barack Obama struggling to win rural voters, women, Hispanics, seniors and union members, some state Democrats rightly worry whether their presidential contender has a chance at all in usually red-state Florida.

The Florida Republican Party has already seized on this anxiety, issuing a statement: "No matter how you phrase it . . . the bottom line is this: Barack Obama is way behind in the state of Florida."

Maybe. But Florida's traditional Democratic geography also may have been turned upside down by the newly minted presumptive nominee.

Say "Florida Democrats" and that usually means Southeast Florida, home of roughly one in three Democrats. Hillary Clinton drew powerful support there in easily winning the state's Jan. 29 presidential primary.

But in that primary, Obama carried nine counties in North Florida and came close to winning three others. The common thread: Each has a sizable black population.

And come November, Democrats expect overwhelming support from Florida's 1.2 million black voters.

Only half of them cast ballots in the 2004 presidential election, party analysts said; the percentage should be far higher this year.

"For Democrats, Obama has expanded the playing field," said Steve Schale, who directs state House campaigns for Florida Democrats. "He'll draw more young people and more African-American voters. And if he wins Florida, he'll win the White House."

Even though he didn't campaign in Florida before the primary, Obama ran relatively well in Miami-Dade and Hillsborough counties. But he fared poorly in the Democratic hotbeds of Broward and Palm Beach -- where the better-known Clinton built two-to-one margins.

A recent Quinnipiac University poll showed only 43 percent of Clinton voters would support Obama against Republican John McCain. But party leaders are skeptical of those numbers.

"I think Democrats are going to vote for Obama in droves," said Jack Shifrel, a marketing consultant and Democratic activist in Broward County. "The majority of Hillary Clinton supporters will come back. And those that don't? We'll make up for them with so many new people that he is bringing into the party."

Sinking feeling for Mel, CFO

Both came into office touted as the future of Florida politics.

But Republican U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez and Democratic Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink don't exactly look like locks for re-election two years from now, according to a newQuinnipiac University poll.

Martinez, handpicked by the Bush White House in 2004, shed himself of the potentially unpopular baggage of serving as the Republican National Chairman earlier this year.

But the former Orange County mayor still draws a dismal 40 percent approval mark from Floridians in the survey, compared with 35 percent who disapprove of his performance. His best hope? The remaining 25 percent don't know enough about him to give an opinion.

Sink won in 2006 amid fanfare from Florida Democrats, who finally regained a seat on the state Cabinet. She was immediately talked of as a future gubernatorial contender.

But only 33 percent approve of Sink, while 25 percent disapprove, according to the survey. The other 42 percent don't know enough about her work in the obscure CFO post to even render an opinion.

Polls set to cash in via sports

Need more evidence of how Florida's sports-crazed culture powers its politics? Consider the state Democratic Party's fundraising schedule for House candidates this year.

On Saturday, there was a New York City retreat where they watched the 140th running of the Belmont Stakes.

In July, the party's annual golf tournament at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando is followed a week later by a trip to Yankee Stadium for a Yankees- Baltimore Orioles game.

Republicans are ready to pay for play, too, with big-dollar golf and fishing trips scheduled. Last week, Senate President Ken Pruitt and President-designate Jeff Atwater hosted a party fundraiser at the Florida Marlins- Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field.

Later this month, Winter Park Rep. Dean Cannon, slated to be a future GOP House speaker, will help host a fundraiser for freshman Republican Rep. Peter Nehr at the Tampa Bay Rays- Houston Astros game at Tropicana Field.

But the biggest-ticket fundraisers will coincide with the college football schedule, with Democrats hosting events at the Sept. 6 Florida-Miami game in Gainesville, followed by the Sept. 27 Florida State-Colorado game in Jacksonville and the FSU- Virginia Tech game in Tallahassee on Oct. 25.

For good measure, they've lined up a post-election fundraiser for Nov. 23 at the Jacksonville Jaguars- Minnesota Vikings game in Jacksonville.

For more insider information and insights on Florida politics, go to Central Florida Political Pulse at OrlandoSentinel.com/politicalpulse. John Kennedy can be reached atjkennedy@orlandosentinel.com. Aaron Deslatte can be reached at adeslatte@orlandosentinel.com. Both also can be reached at 850-222-5564.

Blacks4Barack Headline News !

Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:54:49 EDT

Blacks4Barack !HEADLINE NEWS !* It's Official: Bush Lied U.S. Into Iraq War* Iraqi Legislators Want U.S. Out of Iraq...SOON !* Pres. Jimmy Carter Says Unity Ticket Would Be 'Worse Mistake"* Your Whiteness Is Showing: By Tim WiseVisit: www.Blacks4Barack.orgA Multi-Racial, Net/Grassroots Organization...Dedicated To TruthObama news updates, views, photos, videos, Celebs for Obama, volunteer info, voter registration and Much More !Blacks4Barack !

Gloria Steinem Endorses Obama

Gordon Broom — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 08:12:03 EDT

MSNBC and CNN reported on June 6th that Gloria Steinem has endorsed Obama and pledges to work for his election.

This is significant. Hillary supporters who are hurt, angry and threatening to vote for John McCain need to think carefully about what a McCain presidency would mean to them.

There are three very important reasons why women need to support Senator Obama. Even if they forget everything else, these three reasons are why they should vote for Obama:

1. The Supreme Court

2. The Supreme Court

3. The Supreme Court!!!!

Justice John Paul Stevens is 90 and wants to retire. Ruther Bader Ginsberg wants to retire.

A McBush presidency will replace these two justices with right wing neo-cons and Roe V Wade will be overturned therefore making a woman's right to choose again illegal in America.

If you have friends, family members and co-workers who say they will vote for the McBush team for president, please remind them of the the fragile makeup of our Supreme Court and the importance of sending Obama to the White House to keep a woman's right to choose the law of the land.

Gordon

UPDATE: DNC Florida Compromised Reached, Michigan Uncertain !!!

Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! — Sat, 31 May 2008 11:38:54 EDT

UPDATE: Sources: DNC Florida Compromise Reached,
Michigan Hangs In Balance
Sam Stein
The Huffington Post

May 31, 2008 09:37 AM

Two sources, including a high-ranking official with the Florida delegation, have confirmed that the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee reached an agreement last night and will seat the state's entire delegation but give each delegate half a vote. The result would be a net gain of 19 delegates for Sen. Hillary Clinton, though no word yet on how the superdelegates from the state will be allocated. It is, the official says, a compromise that Sen. Barack Obama will be willing to make. "There will be theater but not much fight."
Circumstances, however, are looking very much different concerning the battle over how to handle Michigan's delegation. As of Saturday morning, no compromise had been reached. The idea of splitting the state's delegation 50-50 has been discussed but Clinton's camp, one source said, was not agreeing to the arrangement. In addition, reports are circulating around the DNC meeting that Sen. Carl Levin, who will be speaking on behalf of Michigan, will press for the seating of the state's full delegation, with full votes for each.

"If he does not get his way," wrote The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder, "he will likely challenge the RBC's ruling when the credentials committee convenes unless the rules and bylaws committee promises to strip Iowa and New Hampshire of their privileged status in 2012."
As it stands now, the Rules and Bylaws Committee could resolve the Florida situation while leaving Michigan hanging in the balance -- a situation that is tenable under party rules but leaves open the possibility, however slim, that the delegation matter would be unresolved until the convention.

Visit: Blacks4Barack OFFICIAL SITE ! A Multi-Racial, Grassroots Org....Dedicated To Truth !

Sunrise, Florida Rally

KayJB — Fri, 30 May 2008 21:47:15 EDT

I took the day off from work and lined up at 12N. It was so exciting to be in one, if not the largest, political rally in Florida and show support for Barack Obama.

To see and hear the audience do a sports wave around and around over five times and scream and shout like we see and hear at other rallies across the nation. It was good to see that it is real and not a political stunt.

As a Floridian for the 2000 and the 2004 elections; I hope we vote in such massive numbers that they can't steal our votes.

Contact the DNC

Gordon Broom — Sat, 24 May 2008 14:50:13 EDT

Please write the DNC and let your opinion be known about Hillary Clinton as a potential VP on the Obama ticket. And let them know that the rules must be obeyed as far as seating the Florida delegation at convention. You can contact the DNC here:

http://www.democrats.org/page/s/contactissues

As a guidepost, here is a copy of what I wrote:

I am highly opposed to Senator Clinton being the vice presidential candidate. Please do not force her on us. There are plenty of qualified candidates for Senator Obama to choose from. As far as the rules regarding the Florida primaries, we need to go by the rules. Seating all of the FL delegates is against the rules. However, it's also important that Florida have representation and a seat at the table at convention. For that reason, I support a 50/50 split. Regards,

May 23rd Obama Broward County Rally

Gordon Broom — Sat, 24 May 2008 14:01:32 EDT

I got off work at noon , hurried home to put my Obama tee shirt and cap on. Then Larry and me picked up a neighbor and left West Palm Beach to head down to Sunrise, a western suburb of Fort Lauderdale for the rally at the BankAtlantic Center.

The doors were to open at 2PM and Senator Obama was to arrive at 5PM. We got there at 1:45 and stood in the long line. The doors promptly opened at 2PM just when a typical Florida rainy season deluge hit, but we got in just before the severe downpour occured.

It was an electrifying and well organized event and Senator Obama actually arrived about 10 minutes early. When he was seen walking up to the stage the crowd went nuts, cheering and shouting words of support.

My congressman, Robert Wexler was the MC of the event and said that more than 20,000 people attended.

It was a great event and I'm so glad we went.

Gordon

DEMAND TO DNC...KICK HILLARY OUT !!! NOW !!!

Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! — Fri, 23 May 2008 22:07:13 EDT

From Blacks4Barack...ACTION TIME !!!!!!!!!
Demand To DNC: Kick Hillary Out NOW !
Insinuates That Obama Could Be ASSASSINATED !Now, things have gone way too far. Today, in an appearance in South Dakota, Hillary Clinton justified her reason for staying in the campaign by referring to the fact that presidential hopeful 'Robert Kennedy was assasinated in June'...implying that the same could occur to Senator Obama. THIS IS SICK !!! Regardless of how the pundits try to spin this as just another misspeak, the statement speaks for itself and displays the diobolical mentality of Hillary Clinton. It is unclear as to whether she is actually hoping that Obama would be killed, therefore giving her an open path to the Democratic nomination, or if she may be signaling her desire to some sick, warp minded homicidal maniac. Whichever be the case, her statement is automatic grounds for the Democratic National Committee headed by Howard Dean to demand that she remove herself from the race. If he does not, American Democrats should demand HIS stepping down !This can not be tolerated!!! Regardless of who you are a supporter of, Hillary, Obama or McCain, ANYONE who would wish the death of another human being in order to win a political position is sick, dangerous, maniacal, deranged and totally mentally and morally unfit for any political position, particularly President or V.P. of the United States.CONTACT THE DNC....
HILLARY MUST BE KICKED OUT NOW !!!!
FLOOD THE PHONE LINES...CALL THE DNC TODAY !!!
CALL DNC: 202-863-8000E Mail SuperDelegate Donna Brazile:
donna@brazileassociates.com MSNBC
chuck.todd@nbcuni.com
andrea.mitchell@nbcuni.com
hardball@msnbc.comHILLARY MUST BE KICKED OUT NOW !!!!
SEND THIS EVERYWHERE !!!!!!!!!!
Visit: www.Blacks4Barack.org

Radical Hospitality

Gordon Broom — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:57:27 EDT

In the next few weeks our Obama gatherings will see new members arrive. The new members I'm talking about are the folks on the Hillary Team.

It's important that we remember to go out of our way to be hospitable. Some of them will be ill at ease and some will be hurting inside.

Obama gatherings are warm and friendly anyway, but we all need to be extra attentive to newcomers and go out of our way to introduce ourselves and help make them feel truly welcome. We need to be vigilant about how we frame our references to the Hillary campaign if it comes up in conversation. Be complimentary.

We want to win this election in November and being kind will help us win.

Gordon

West Palm Beach, FL

'Dream Ticket' Would Be A NIGHTMARE For Obama !!!

Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:01:39 EDT

Now that it is obvious that Hillary has absolutely no chance of winning the nomination her team has obviously instructed certain folks in the media to push the so-called 'Dream Ticket' of Obama/Hillary. First of all....who's dream is this anyway. I have never heard Obama state that this would be such a dream ticket....why?....Because it would be an absolute nightmare for Obama, Michelle and the entire Obama Presidency. First of all, Hillary despises Obama....and can't stand the fact that someone has blocked her from obtaining the power the she felt destined to obtain. Secondly, Obama and Hillary are total opposites when it comes to character and style. Hillary lies so often that she can't keep track (sniper fire in Bosnia for example) and is so divisive that not only do Republicans have a true hatred for her....(and would be inspired to vote in great numbers against an Obama/Hillary ticket) but the longer she stays in the race.....the longer her hate list of even Democrats grows. She is a coniving, slick, will do anything, could care less about truth, or getting caught, deceit filled, power-hungry,semi-crazy, plain old bug-eyed weird woman....who's obsessed with the desire to rule. Obama is the exact opposite....with a deep desire to serve. The two are like water and vinegar....they'll NEVER mix.

Can you picture Obama, Michelle and the girls living in the White House, and at 3 in the morning, getting constant calls from W.H. security because Wild Bill is trying to sneak somebody into the Oval Office? Or do you think Hillary would really try to help Obama's Presidency go smoothly, when the whole time she's hoping he fails so she can take the reigns in 2012. My biggest fear would be that she wouldn't wait until 2012. From the look in her eyes, she seems like the type that Obama would have to have extra security.....just to watch her ! Not to mention the daily need for a food taster....to make sure she hasn't poisoned him to fill his slot.

The only people desiring this so-called 'Dream Ticket' are the Hillary supporters. But I guarantee...the only dream that would come out of this would be called Nightmare for The Obama's !Visit: Blacks4Barack OFFICIAL SITE !Contact The Authorp.s.To trolling media. NO !!!! Senator Obama DID NOT WRITE THIS....THIS IS A COMMUNITY BLOG.....I WROTE IT !!!! (Greg Jones)

Support for Clinton Wanes as Obama Sees Finish Line

Beverly Jurenko — Thu, 08 May 2008 07:17:32 EDT

Support for Clinton Wanes as Obama Sees Finish Line

Stephen Crowley/The New York Times

At a mother-daughter dinner Wednesday in Washington, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, with her daughter, Chelsea, left, said she was staying in the race.

By PATRICK HEALY and JEFF ZELENYPublished: May 8, 2008

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton struck a publicly defiant posture on Wednesday about continuing her presidential bid despite waning support from Democratic officials and donors. Some of her advisers acknowledged privately that they remained unsure about the future of her candidacy.

Skip to next paragraph RelatedPolitical Memo: For the Democrats, Signs of a Possible Changing of the Guard (May 8, 2008) Republicans Focus on Obama as Fall Opponent (May 8, 2008) Amid Talk of the End and Boos From the Crowd, Clinton Carries On (May 8, 2008) TV’s Pundits Pronounce Judgment: It’s Over (May 8, 2008) The Caucus: By the Numbers (May 7, 2008) Times Topics: Hillary Rodham Clinton Times Topics: Barack Obama BlogThe Caucus

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With the political world trained on Mrs. Clinton’s financial and electoral viability, Senator Barack Obama moved closer to becoming the first African-American presidential nominee of a major party. Mr. Obama spent the day at home in Chicago, after increasing his delegate lead in Tuesday’s primaries — a result that led David Plouffe, a top Obama aide, to say on Wednesday, “We can see the finish line here.”

After a decisive loss in North Carolina and a disappointingly narrow victory in Indiana on Tuesday night, Mrs. Clinton told advisers that she wanted to start campaigning for next Tuesday’s primary in West Virginia, advisers said. At 3 a.m. Wednesday, aides added a noon event there. She was also eager to get away from Beltway buzzards circling her candidacy and feeding off fresh tidbits like the revelation that she had lent her campaign $6 million to keep it afloat, aides said.

In West Virginia on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs. Clinton said that it was “still early” — even though 50 of 56 nominating contests have concluded — and that the “dynamic electoral environment” could still swing the nomination her way.

“I’m staying in this race until there is a nominee, and obviously I’m going to work as hard as I can to become that nominee,” Mrs. Clinton said after an event in Shepherdstown, W.Va.

As adamant as Mrs. Clinton appeared on Wednesday, several advisers said that how long she would stay in the race was an open question. Some top Clinton fund-raisers said that the campaign was all but over and suggested that she was simply buying time on Wednesday to determine if she could raise enough money and still win over superdelegates, the elected officials and party leaders who could essentially hand Mr. Obama the nomination.

Highlighting the financial woes of Mrs. Clinton’s expensive battle against Mr. Obama, campaign officials disclosed that the $6 million in loans she made to her campaign had come in three installments since April 11, with the last two since May 1. Mrs. Clinton and her husband made a separate $5 million loan to the campaign after the Feb. 5 contests.

Mrs. Clinton is willing to put even more money into her campaign, said Terry McAuliffe, her campaign chairman. “Senator Clinton has anted up and is fighting on,” Mr. McAuliffe said. Other advisers said in interviews that her campaign was nearly out of cash, raising questions about what kind of campaign she can continue to run. The campaign said, however, that it was running advertisements in West Virginia and in Oregon, which has its primary on May 20.

Clinton advisers said they were concerned that the candidate’s online fund-raising, which boomed after her victory in the Ohio primary in March and in Pennsylvania in April, had slowed by comparison on Tuesday night and Wednesday, and that her donor base was either tightening somewhat or playing wait-and-see, despite her public appeal for money on Tuesday night. Clinton aides did not send out the near-hourly e-mail blasts bragging about online donations that came after previous successes.

Political pressure on Mrs. Clinton to withdraw is growing. A widely known supporter of Mrs. Clinton, former Senator George McGovern of South Dakota, the 1972 Democratic nominee, announced on Wednesday that he had switched his endorsement to Mr. Obama and believed that Mrs. Clinton should drop out because it was mathematically impossible for her to win the nomination.

The Obama campaign also announced four new superdelegate endorsements, those of Jerry Meek, chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party; Jeanette Council, a member of the Democratic National Committee from North Carolina; Inola Henry, a member of the national committee from California; and Jennifer McClellan of the Virginia House of Delegates. Ms. McClellan also switched from Mrs. Clinton’s camp.

Representative Heath Shuler of North Carolina said on Wednesday that he would follow the will of his district, which supported Mrs. Clinton.

One Clinton adviser said the campaign was struggling to arrange meetings with large numbers of uncommitted superdelegates. This adviser said that at least a few superdelegates might not want to meet with Mrs. Clinton because they did not want to hear another pitch or because they had all but decided to go with Mr. Obama.

Still, Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the speaker of the House, was among those on Wednesday giving Mrs. Clinton room to make her own calculations about the race, saying “a win is a win,” in reference to the Indiana results. “The race is alive and well and will continue,” she told reporters.

Top Democratic officials said privately that Congressional leaders were content to have the race play out as long as it did not take on a negative tone. Attacks on Mr. Obama by the Clinton campaign or its surrogates could lead to a leadership push for superdelegates to show their hand and bring the race to a close, said aides, who did not want be identified discussing internal strategy.

The itineraries of the candidates told the story of their stations in the race. As Mrs. Clinton raced to West Virginia and then back to Washington for a fund-raiser, which was expected to bring in more than $500,000, Mr. Obama spent the day at his Chicago home — a reward from his advisers as they intensified their effort to secure the nomination.

Overnight, Mr. Plouffe, the campaign manager, sent a memorandum to Democratic superdelegates suggesting that the race had reached its tipping point.

The results on Tuesday widened Mr. Obama’s lead in pledged delegates by 13, as he picked up 17 more than Mrs. Clinton in North Carolina, and fell 4 short of her in Indiana, according to a projection agreed on by both campaigns. With six contests remaining, Mr. Obama holds a pledged delegate lead of 168, according to a count by The New York Times. A total of 2,025 delegates are needed to capture the nomination.

The Obama campaign was courting superdelegates in districts Mr. Obama carried. Calling trees were organized — with lists parceled out to supporters — to contact superdelegates this week. A separate list was given to Mr. Obama and his wife, Michelle.

But Mr. Obama issued a directive, aides said, to maintain a tone respectful of Mrs. Clinton and her supporters in the days ahead.

“It would be inappropriate, awkward and wrong for us to tell Senator Clinton when the race should be over,” said Senator Claire McCaskill, Democrat of Missouri, who supports Mr. Obama. “This is her decision. This is only her decision.”

Obama advisers said they would proceed through the final primaries mindful of a lesson learned after Iowa, when a dose of overconfidence contributed to defeat in New Hampshire. The campaign ran television commercials in Kentucky, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota and West Virginia and radio advertisements in Puerto Rico.

In a Clinton campaign conference call with reporters on Wednesday, three top advisers acknowledged that even if all the delegates from disputed primaries in Michigan and Florida were seated at the Democratic convention, Mrs. Clinton would still not have enough delegates to claim the nomination.

Phil Singer, a spokesman for the campaign, estimated that in a best-case event, where the Michigan and Florida delegates were apportioned according to each state’s popular vote, Mrs. Clinton would still be about 100 delegates shy of the number needed. Delegates in those states have not been counted, the penalty for holding early primaries.

Despite the accumulation of discouraging signs, campaign officials continued to assert, at least in the conference call with reporters, their belief that the nomination could still be won.

“We think the results last night strengthen the case that she will be the strongest candidate for the Democratic Party in November,” said Geoff Garin, the campaign’s top strategist.

One topic Mrs. Clinton and her aides discussed on Wednesday was how, and whether, the campaign could raise significant new sums when she has relatively little momentum and when so many donors have already contributed the maximum amount, her advisers say.

Even some of her most optimistic supporters were measured in their comments about how well positioned she was to stay in the race.

“It’s hard to answer that question; she has lost in North Carolina, but it looks like she won Indiana, which everyone expected,” said Alan Patricof, one of Mrs. Clinton’s national finance chairmen. “I think she’s committed to going forward, but it’s hard to know. She is the one to make the decision about what she does. And a lot of us have trust and faith in her to make the best decision.”

Carl Hulse contributed reporting.

Why Hillary Has Lost The Black Support....FOREVER !!!

Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! — Fri, 02 May 2008 09:59:23 EDT

The media should highlight
HILLARY HAS LOST THE ENTIRE BLACK VOTE....FOREVER !!!

This is the message currently being sent by blacks to the DNC in great numbers (and the superdelegates). There is no way Hillary will defeat McCain without the support of Black America aka the guaranteed Democratic vote. Please read Huffington Posts story on how the Hillary Camp has been feeding Obama attacks TO THE GOP !!!!! What a traitor to the Democratic Party !!!!!!!! Hillary started out with 82% of the black support. But as Blacks learned more about her (Goldwater Girl...Against Civil Rights Act '64....It was LBJ...Not MLK....etc) combined with Bill's (...fairy tale....Jessie Won S.C. too...etc.)...blacks were shocked beyond repair. (remember....we luved Bill so much we called him 'The First Black President')....but never again....WHERE'S THAT STORY. And if the DNC thinks.....'ohhhhhh....the blacks will be angry at first...but they'll come around'.....then they don't know the severity of what the Clinton's have done....This has nothing to do with Obama !!!! We (blacks) have awakened to the truth about the Clintons......and with more exposure like today's Huff story re: Hill's feeding the GOP Obama smears...our friends of ALL races will awaken soon !!!!!!!!!...THAT'S THE REAL STORY !!!!

Greg Jones
www.Blacks4Barack.org
(A Multi-Racial, Grassroots Org...Dedicated To Truth)

p.s. Blacks4Barack.org was started in Feb. 2007 (by Greg Jones) because of the fact that VERY few blacks were for Obama at that time.....they were ALL for Hillary !!!!! We knew that Obama was the best person to run our country and bring our troops home and that is why we started our grassroots organization with a mission to increase black voter registration and to invigorate support for Obama. (Not because he's black...but because he's most qualified) The more black voters learned about Obama...the more they liked him....and the more they learned about the Clintons....the angrier they got !!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are appreciative of our friends of ALL races....who are working together....for the very best candidate....to put America on the right track.....Barack Obama ! THANK YOU !

NOTE: To the trolling media....NO...Senator Obama DID NOT WRITE THIS POST !!!! This is a community blog.....so get it right !

Rev Wright and Senator Obama: A Parting of Ways

Gordon Broom — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:46:49 EDT

Many of us breathed a collective sigh of relief when Senator Obama totally disavowed and ended his relationship with Rev. Wright.

The Obama can get on track with the campaign and energize the message of bring hope for health care for all, stimulation in jobs, ending outsourcing and turning our economy around. Senator Obama's message of our desire to have a better, more efficient and honest administration will once again be heard.

Larry and me watched Rev. Wright on Bill Moyer's Friday night and were impressed. Then on Sunday night we watched his speech to the NAACP and were really moved by him.

And then, WHAM! Yesterday the vitriol and totally outrageous remarks the reverend made about Senator Obama were stunning, mean and totally over the top.

I'm glad that this divorce happened. It needed to.

TONIGHT Wed April 16 Obama & Hillary Debate

Gordon Broom — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:42:11 EDT

The debate will be broadcast live from Philadelphia on ABC at 8PM EST.

Gordon

See Obama on CNN tonight, 4/13

Gordon Broom — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:26:02 EDT

CNN will broadcast the live Compassion Forum with Senators Clinton and Obama tonight, April 13 at 8 PM EST. It will be repeated at 11PM.

Obama's Great Interview with The ADVOCATE

Gordon Broom — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:22:50 EDT

Please share widely. It's a great interview.

Gordon

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

From THE ADVOCATELink: Obama Talks All Things LGBT with The Advocate | Election 2008 | Advocate.comApril 10, 2008Obama Talks All Things LGBT With The AdvocateIn an exclusive Chicago sit-down with The Advocate's Kerry Eleveld, Democratic front-runner Barack Obama discusses "don't ask, don't tell," the Reverend Wright, and what he would do for LGBT Americans if he becomes president.By Kerry Eleveld

Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama has been weathering a small storm lately in the LGBT community for being too tight-lipped with gay and lesbian news media.

Unlike his rival Hillary Clinton, who's given interviews to Logo and several local papers since appearing on the cover of The Advocate last fall, the Illinois senator has talked only once, to The Advocate, to address the Donnie McClurkin controversy. But last week his campaign offered our magazine an exclusive sit-down in Chicago with the man who may well become the next president of the United States.

To some extent, it symbolizes the brilliance of a protracted primary contest where candidates continually pivot and adjust in order to engage ever more voters. Had the race stopped cold in the snows of New Hampshire, gays and lesbians would have been left with one interview of record for each Democratic candidate in total.

But in a wide-ranging interview this Monday, Obama discussed "don't ask, don't tell," the Reverend Wright, and why LGBT folks should lead on marriage equality, not politicians. Some may call the chat a shrewd political move by the Obama camp ahead of the April 22 Pennsylvania primary. We call it access.

The Advocate: Let’s start with what’s hot -- why the silence on gay issues? You’ve done only one other interview with the LGBT press. I know people wish they were hearing more from you.

Senator Obama: I don’t think it’s fair to say "silence" on gay issues. The gay press may feel like I’m not giving them enough love. But basically, all press feels that way at all times. Obviously, when you’ve got a limited amount of time, you’ve got so many outlets. We tend not to do a whole bunch of specialized press. We try to do general press for a general readership.

But I haven’t been silent on gay issues. What’s happened is, I speak oftentimes to gay issues to a public general audience. When I spoke at Ebenezer Church for King Day, I talked about the need to get over the homophobia in the African-American community; when I deliver my stump speeches routinely I talk about the way that antigay sentiment is used to divide the country and distract us from issues that we need to be working on, and I include gay constituencies as people that should be treated with full honor and respect as part of the American family.

So I actually have been much more vocal on gay issues to general audiences than any other presidential candidate probably in history. What I probably haven’t done as much as the press would like is to put out as many specialized interviews. But that has more to do with our focus on general press than it does on… I promise you, the African-American press says the same thing.

And Spanish-language?

And Spanish-language [outlets] had the same gripe. Just generally, we have generally tried to speak to broader audiences. That’s all that is.

I think the underlying fear of the gay community is that if you get into office, will LGBT folks be last on the priority list?

I guess my point would be that the fact that I’m raising issues accordant to the LGBT community in a general audience rather than just treating you like a special interest that is sort of off in its own little box -- that, I think, is more indicative of my commitment. Because ultimately what that shows is that I’m not afraid to advocate on your behalf outside of church, so to speak. It’s easy to preach to the choir; what I think is harder is to speak to a broader audience about why these issues are important to all Americans.

If you were elected, what do you plan to do for the LGBT community -- what can you reasonably get done?

I reasonably can see “don’t ask, don’t tell” eliminated. I think that I can help usher through an Employment Non-Discrimination Act and sign it into law.

You think it’s transgender-inclusive?

I think that’s going to be tough, and I’ve said this before. I have been clear about my interest in including gender identity in legislation, but I’ve also been honest with the groups that I’ve met with that it is a heavy lift through Congress. We’ve got some Democrats who are willing to vote for a noninclusive bill, but we lose them on an inclusive bill, and we just may not be able to generate the votes. I don’t know. And obviously, my goal would be to get the strongest possible bill -- that’s what I’ll be working for.

The third thing I believe I can get done is in dealing with federal employees, making sure that their benefits, that their ability to transfer health or pension benefits the same way that opposite-sex couples do, is something that I’m interested in making happen and I think can be done with some opposition, some turbulence, but I think we can get that done.

And finally, an area that I’m very interested in is making sure that federal benefits are available to same-sex couples who have a civil union. I think as more states sign civil union bills into law the federal government should be helping to usher in a time when there’s full equality in terms of what that means for federal benefits.

I assume you’re talking about the Defense of Marriage Act.

Absolutely, and I for a very long time have been interested in repeal of DOMA.

Do you think it’s possible to get full repeal of DOMA? As you know, Senator Clinton is only looking at repealing the plank of DOMA that prohibits the federal government from recognizing state-sanctioned unions.

I don’t know. But my commitment is to try to make sure that we are moving in the direction of full equality, and I think the federal government historically has led on civil rights -- I’d like to see us lead here too.

Back to “don’t ask, don’t tell” real quick -- you’ve said before you don’t think that’s a heavy lift. Of course, it would be if you had Joint Chiefs who were against repeal. Is that something you’ll look at?

I would never make this a litmus test for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Obviously, there are so many issues that a member of the Joint Chiefs has to deal with, and my paramount obligation is to get the best possible people to keep America safe. But I think there’s increasing recognition within the Armed Forces that this is a counterproductive strategy -- ya know, we’re spending large sums of money to kick highly qualified gays or lesbians out of our military, some of whom possess specialties like Arab-language capabilities that we desperately need. That doesn’t make us more safe, and what I want are members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who are making decisions based on what strengthens our military and what is going to make us safer, not ideology.

Both you and your wife speak eloquently about being told to wait your turn and how if you had done that, you might not have gone to law school or run for Senate or even president. To some extent, isn’t that what you’re asking same-sex couples to do by favoring civil unions over marriage -- to wait their turn?

I don’t ask them that. Anybody who’s been at an LGBT event with me can testify that my message is very explicit -- I don’t think that the gay and lesbian community, the LGBT community, should take its cues from me or some political leader in terms of what they think is right for them. It’s not my place to tell the LGBT community, "Wait your turn." I’m very mindful of Dr. King’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” where he says to the white clergy, "Don’t tell me to wait for my freedom."

So I strongly respect the right of same-sex couples to insist that even if we got complete equality in benefits, it still wouldn’t be equal because there’s a stigma associated with not having the same word, marriage, assigned to it. I understand that, but my perspective is also shaped by the broader political and historical context in which I’m operating. And I’ve said this before -- I’m the product of a mixed marriage that would have been illegal in 12 states when I was born. That doesn’t mean that had I been an adviser to Dr. King back then, I would have told him to lead with repealing an antimiscegenation law, because it just might not have been the best strategy in terms of moving broader equality forward.

That’s a decision that the LGBT community has to make. That’s not a decision for me to make.

Is it fair for the LGBT community to ask for leadership? In 1963, President Kennedy made civil rights a moral issue for the country.

But he didn’t overturn antimiscegenation. Right?

True enough.

As I said, I think the LGBT community has every right to push for what it thinks is right. And I think that it’s absolutely fair to ask me for leadership, and my argument would be that I’m ahead of the curve on these issues compared to 99% of most elected officials around the country on this issue. So I think I’ve shown leadership.

What event or person has most affected your perceptions of or relationship to the LGBT community?

Well, it starts with my mom, who just always instilled in me a belief that everybody’s of equal worth and a strong sense of empathy -- that you try to see people through their eyes, stand in their shoes. So I think that applies to how I see all people.

Somebody else who influenced me, I actually had a professor at Occidental -- now, this is embarrassing because I might screw up his last name -- Lawrence Goldyn, I think it was. He was a wonderful guy. He was the first openly gay professor that I had ever come in contact with, or openly gay person of authority that I had come in contact with. And he was just a terrific guy. He wasn’t proselytizing all the time, but just his comfort in his own skin and the friendship we developed helped to educate me on a number of these issues.

Did you have a chance to ask him about being gay?

I’m sure we did, but as I said, he was really comfortable in his own skin, and the relationship was a strong friendship and I never felt as if I had to get over any mental hurdles to be close to him or to learn from him. He’s probably somebody who had a strong influence.

How old were you then?

Eighteen … 19. It does remind me, though, I remember in my first two years of college that was when I first saw students who were self-identified as gay and lesbian come out and start organizing around gay issues, so that would have been in 1979 and ’80. I think what’s encouraging is just to see how much progress has been made in such a relatively short period of time.

Just draw that thought out a little bit in terms of comparing it to the African-American civil rights movement.

You always want to be careful comparing groups that have been discriminated against because each group’s experiences are different. I think that the transition toward fuller acceptance of the LGBT community has happened without some of the tumult and violence that accompanied the civil rights movement. But we still have a long ways to go, and I think that it also obviously varies geographically. I think in urban communities, you can’t say there’s full equality, but in terms of the LGBT community daily round they’re not as likely to experience certainly the discrimination that they experienced 25 years ago.

Whereas, in the African-American community, you can still see some fairly overt racism. On the other hand, in rural communities, I think attitudes are slower to change.

There’s plenty of homophobia to go around, but you have a unique perspective into the African-American community. Is there a…

I don’t think it’s worse than in the white community. I think that the difference has to do with the fact that the African-American community is more churched and most African-American churches are still fairly traditional in their interpretations of Scripture. And so from the pulpit or in sermons you still hear homophobic attitudes expressed. And since African-American ministers are often the most prominent figures in the African-American community those attitudes get magnified or amplified a little bit more than in other communities.

Do you think there’s a specific prescriptive, which is not to say that there’s more homophobia in the African-American community. But is there a different answer to…

Well, I think what’s important is to have some of that church leadership speak up and change its attitudes, because I think a lot of its members are taking cues from that leadership.

Do you have any regrets about the South Carolina tour? People there are still sort of mystified that you gave Donnie McClurkin the chance to get up onstage and do this, and he did go on sort of an antigay rant there.

I tell you what -- my campaign is premised on trying to reach as many constituencies as possible and to go into as many places as possible, and sometimes that creates discomfort or turbulence. This goes back to your first question. If you’re segmenting your base into neat categories and constituency groups and you never try to bring them together and you just speak to them individually -- so I keep the African-Americans neatly over here and the church folks neatly over there and the LGBT community neatly over there -- then these kinds of issues don’t arise.

The flip side of it is, you never create the opportunity for people to have a conversation and to lift some of these issues up and to talk about them and to struggle with them, and our campaign is built around the idea that we should all be talking. And that creates some discomfort because people discover, gosh, within the Democratic Party or within Barack Obama’s campaign or within whatever sets of constituencies there are going to be some different points of view that might even be offensive to some folks. That’s not unique to this issue. I mean, ironically, my biggest … the biggest political news surrounding me over the last three weeks has been Reverend Wright, who offended a whole huge constituency with some of his statements but has been very good on gay and lesbian issues. I mean he’s one of the leaders in the African-American community of embracing, speaking out against homophobia, and talking about the importance of AIDS.

And so nobody is going to be perfectly aligned with my views. So what I hope is that people take me for who I am, for what I’ve said, and for what I’ve displayed in terms of my commitment to these issues, but understanding that there’s going to be a range of constituencies that I’m reaching out to and working on issues that we have in common, even though I may differ with them on other issues. And that’s true, also, by the way … well, I think that’s going to be true so long as I’m reaching out beyond the traditional Democratic base.

Seanator Obama Responds to Clinton & McCain

Gordon Broom — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 09:00:53 EDT

From the Official Obama Blog: Senator Obam's Response to Clinton and McCain

TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA – At a town hall meeting in Indiana, U.S. Senator Barack Obama made the following comments in response to the Clinton and McCain campaign’s attacks:

“When I go around and I talk to people there is frustration and there is anger and there is bitterness. And what’s worse is when people are expressing their anger then politicians try to say what are you angry about? This just happened – I want to make a point here today.

“I was in San Francisco talking to a group at a fundraiser and somebody asked how’re you going to get votes in Pennsylvania? What’s going on there? We hear that’s its hard for some working class people to get behind you’re campaign. I said, “Well look, they’re frustrated and for good reason. Because for the last 25 years they’ve seen jobs shipped overseas. They’ve seen their economies collapse. They have lost their jobs. They have lost their pensions. They have lost their healthcare.

“And for 25, 30 years Democrats and Republicans have come before them and said we’re going to make your community better. We’re going to make it right and nothing ever happens. And of course they’re bitter. Of course they’re frustrated. You would be too. In fact many of you are. Because the same thing has happened here in Indiana. The same thing happened across the border in Decatur. The same thing has happened all across the country. Nobody is looking out for you. Nobody is thinking about you. And so people end up- they don’t vote on economic issues because they don’t expect anybody’s going to help them. So people end up, you know, voting on issues like guns, and are they going to have the right to bear arms. They vote on issues like gay marriage. And they take refuge in their faith and their community and their families and things they can count on. But they don’t believe they can count on Washington. So I made this statement-- so, here’s what rich. Senator Clinton says ‘No, I don’t think that people are bitter in Pennsylvania. You know, I think Barack’s being condescending.’ John McCain says, ‘Oh, how could he say that? How could he say people are bitter? You know, he’s obviously out of touch with people.’

“Out of touch? Out of touch? I mean, John McCain—it took him three tries to finally figure out that the home foreclosure crisis was a problem and to come up with a plan for it, and he’s saying I’m out of touch? Senator Clinton voted for a credit card-sponsored bankruptcy bill that made it harder for people to get out of debt after taking money from the financial services companies, and she says I’m out of touch? No, I’m in touch. I know exactly what’s going on. I know what’s going on in Pennsylvania. I know what’s going on in Indiana. I know what’s going on in Illinois. People are fed-up. They’re angry and they’re frustrated and they’re bitter. And they want to see a change in Washington and that’s why I’m running for President of the United States of America.”

General Elections: Some Republicans Now Endorsing Obama...

Franklin Katunda — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:34:53 EDT

Oh yes,

While McCain is going out of country for photo op, republicans are making up their mind, in previous of the general elections.

Please read the following New York Sun's article about it. This is a good piece that can inspire an argument with John McCain, who still has no strong legs within his own party. Many say he has NO conservative credentials what so ever.

Now, on top of the chaos within his ranks, here some republican defections towards Democrats, mainly because of the "War in Iraq"... Republicans seem to know the real democrat opponent to the Iraq war's enactment; Senator Barack Obama, Democrat of Illinois who clearly stood out against it since 2003.

Please read the following link:

Franklin Katunda

An Obama Surrogate

03/31/2008

http://www.nysun.com/news/national/some-republicans-emerge-endorse-obama

An Outstanding Blog About Rev. Wright & Racism in America

Gordon Broom — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:16:51 EDT

http://www.creators.com/opinion/david-sirota/is-wright-right-about-racism.ht
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Is Wright Right About Racism?

By David Sirota

Creators Syndicate, 3/28/08

Since the 1960s, bigotry has undergone an aesthetic makeover. Today,
the most pernicious racists do not wear pointy hoods, scream epithets
and anonymously burn crosses from behind masks. They don starched
suits, recite sententious bromides and stage political lynchings
before television cameras. For proof, behold the mob stalking Barack
Obama's former pastor, Jeremiah Wright.

Wright has long delivered fiery (and occasionally outrageous)
sermons, to little fanfare. Now, though, a gang of thugs is
inflicting a guilt-by-association blow to Obama by excoriating his
spiritual adviser for three specific declarations.

Sean Hannity, Fox News' own George Wallace, turned a fire hose on
Wright for his church's focus. " is all about the black
community," Hannity thundered, claiming that means Wright supports "a
black-separatist agenda."

Pat Buchanan billy-clubbed Wright for saying, "God damn America." The
MSNBC commentator, who avoided the draft, implied that Wright, a
former Marine, lacks sufficient loyalty to country. Out of context,
Wright's exclamation was admittedly offensive. But remember: It
punctuated a speech about segregation. Buchanan, nonetheless,
unleashed, deriding "black hustlers" and insisting descendants of
those "brought from Africa in slave ships" owe whites a thank you.
"Where is the gratitude?" he asked.

Fox's Charles Krauthammer berated Wright for saying the 9/11 attacks
were "chickens coming home to roost." Krauthammer labeled the
pronouncement "vitriolic divisiveness" despite our government
acknowledging the concept of "blowback" or retaliation Wright was
referencing. The CIA knows that when it supports foreign
dictatorships, there can be blowback from radicals. While blowback is
often immoral and undeserved, its existence is undisputed. Yet,
Krauthammer alleged that Wright takes "satisfaction in the deaths of
3,000 innocents."

In promoting the Wright "controversy," most media outlets joined this
mob and embraced "colorblind racism," says Duke University's Eduardo
Bonilla-Silva, author of "Racism Without Racists."

It is polite pinstriped prejudice shrouding bigotry in feigned
outrage against extremism the operative word being "feigned." After
all, John McCain solicited the endorsement of John Hagee the pastor
who called the Catholic Church "a great whore." Similarly, according
to Mother Jones magazine, Hillary Clinton belongs to the "Fellowship"
a secretive group "dedicated to 'spiritual war' on behalf of
Christ." She is also friendly with Billy Graham, the reverend caught
on tape spewing anti-Semitism. But while Wright's supposed
"extremism" blankets the news, McCain and Clinton's relationships
with real extremists receive scant attention.

Why is it "controversial" for one pastor to address the black
community, racism and blowback, but OK for another pastor to slander
an entire religion? Why is it news that one candidate knows a
sometimes-impolitic clergyman, but not news that his opponent
associates with an anti-Semite? Does the double standard prove the
dominant culture despises a black man confronting taboos, but accepts
whites spewing hate? Does the very reaction to Wright show he's right
about racism?

Clinton seems to think so. Her aides have been calling the states
they believe Obama will lose their political "firewall." That's
campaign-speak for "race wall" one built with bricks like
Pennsylvania and Indiana. These aren't the near-purely white states
where racial politics is often muted (and Obama won). They are the
slightly diverse states where racial politics simmers and where the
black vote is too small to offset a motivated racist vote. This race
wall is now being fortified.

ABC News reports that Clinton's campaign is "pushing the Wright
story" ahead of the Pennsylvania and Indiana primaries. The crass
tactic is designed to motivate the racist vote by reminding whites of
Obama's connection to the African-American community. Put another way,
Clinton's message has become simply: Obama Is Black.

Wright probably expected this brouhaha. He says our government is
"controlled by rich white people" and our culture afflicted by
racism. Though these statements are also deemed distasteful by the
Establishment, they are truisms. You can see their veracity in the
collected portraits of white millionaires commonly called the
congressional photo directory. Or, just turn on your television and
watch the mob continue stoking the Wright "controversy."

OBAMA: CHILD OF A FEMINIST

Citizen20854 — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:35:58 EDT

A mother's unconventional life is reflected within Obama

Barack Obama's mother had a varied international career

By Janny Scott Published: March 13, 2008 document.writeln('');

In the capsule version of the Barack Obama story, his mother is simply the white woman from Kansas. The phrase comes coupled alliteratively to its counterpart, the black father from Kenya. On the campaign trail, Obama has called her his "single mom." But neither description begins to capture the unconventional life of Stanley Ann Dunham Soetoro. (continued via link)

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/13/america/obama.php

OBAMA: CHILD OF A FEMINIST - IS THAT PART OF THE REASON FOR HIS UNUSUAL ABILITY TO TRANSCEND DIFFERENCES AND HIS TALENT TO EMBRACE UNITY?

From the beginning of Obama's candidacy, I knew there was something special about him and could never quite pinpoint what gave me that feeling. I identified with his life and overcoming diversity, beating the odds. We shared common threads, but there was more. Where did he get the his almost unshakeable sure footedness - the self confidence to choose a career path into public service, a path with promise but unlikely opportunity to rise to the top. Obama was very lucky he didn't have someone in his life who told him he was a hopeless dreamer. No one who mocked his aspirations.

So, when I asked myself these questions, I recognized that something or someone influential in his life must have changed his perspective, someone who did not put ceilings between him and his dreams. Something or someone must have made sure that he knew he could do what he aspired to do if he gave hope a chance and added some hard work and commitment to the equation. Somebody taught him, YES YOU CAN. Somebody taught him to follow his dreams, or at least showed by example that following dreams is the best way to achieve dreams.

That someone was his visionary, early feminist Mother, Stanley. She did not raise him on empty rhetoric, nor star dusted dreams, she raised him by example. I can imagine her parents in the early 1960's, from Kansas yelling out, "No way, how are you going to marry a black man from Africa. How will your child have a chance? There will be no hope for him." Of course, I am imagining this unlikely dialog. Something tells me, that Ms. Dunham-Soetoro may have had visionary parents as well, who may have wanted to protect her from the bad in this world, but let her go and supported her dreams. I mean, parents from the 1940's who would name their girl STANLEY had to have had some understanding of the feminist challenge.

   And when she chose to go to Indonesia and work with the poor, bringing financing know how to the poorest and teaching them how to make credit work for their dreams, she was showing her world that she did not believe in barriers, and that she trusted her judgement. Obama's Mother lead change quietly, so quietly that the United States was caught by surprise when her quiet son emerged from the crowded Democratic candidate field as a successful contender.

The media has been scrambling ever since to understand whether Obama is a phenomena or our future. Its taken awhile for them to catch on, but soon they will understand that Obama is a part of what we women have been working for since Susan B. Anthony. We want equality for women but that won't happen until the sons we raise live the equality we aspire for. We need the other half to make this work. We can't have half the votes to win. We need women's votes and men's votes and black votes and white votes, we have to achieve united votes. We will be equal when we do not have to define our candidacy by gender or race. In that, I think Obama is one step ahead, thanks in part to his visionary Mother.

If Americans understand that this young man, Senator Obama is the GREATEST TRANSCENDER we have seen in this generation, who is empowered by common decency and good judgement (according to the Chicago Tribune) as well as a keen mind, we would all be joining the hope wagon.

Gender based voters need to open up to the real reason for Obama's support. His candidacy is new and it is innovative. He is the first son of a feminist to reach this pinnacle. He has all the fine qualities a feminist Mother would like to engender in their children. He is a shining accomplishment for women's rights and civil rights.   A single Mother who overcame not only the stigma of single parenthood, but also crossing racial barriers and career barriers. She stepped outside of the box and peacefully pursued a pioneering approach to addressing poverty in Indonesia. She practiced micro finance when few had heard about it. She walked her talked and she did not let differences get in the way. This is the one America that Obama speaks of so eloquently and so readily about, because he is a product of one America.

Now if we are true feminists, who should we vote for? The son of a feminist or a woman who has an unremarkable history in the movement. Does Hillary embody the values of the feminist movement, does she live equality and not let it define her.

I for one trust the son of a feminist more than a woman who has no experience in transcending differences nor embodies our shared values.

DONOR DAY FOR THE DNC

Citizen20854 — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:22:33 EDT

Please check out the threats to the DNC if they don't count Florida's votes from their unauthorized primary.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/15/clinton-donors-threaten-t_n_91678.html

Wouldn't it be interesting if Obama supporters fought back with another message. A DONOR DAY FOR THE DNC. Just one day, with small donations from Obama's donor base, would demonstrate that under Obama's leadership change is in the air. The DNC would not have to fear these kind of threats. We are taking back the people's party with small donors and bringing back the voice of the people. Beginning with the power behind donations.

Hillary's Slash and Burn Politics

Gordon Broom — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:14:53 EDT

I received the following today from the Episcopal Church for Obama group. It was written by H. Smith with encouragement to pass it on.It's a great piece and I'm happy to pass it along here.

Gordon

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I have noticed that since the Wisconsin primary, the strategy of fear and divisive politics has raised it’s ugly head once again. I’m actually old enough to remember the politics of the 1990’s, and it’s devastating effects on the Democratic Party. The slash and burn Clinton’s we knew well in the 1990’s, have returned “back from the future,” with a vengeance. Every democrat that remembers these political tactics, has to wonder whether the Clinton political machine is trying to re-destroy the new Democratic Party in year 2008. The political team that now claims to “embody” “change,” is seemingly very comfortable using the same old strategy of fear and divisive politics to reclaim their throne in the White House. Anyone truly interested in the future of our Democratic Party has to be very alarmed. The Clinton’s political strategy of slash and burn will serve them well now, but the eventual cost to the Democratic Party will be devastating once again. The same strategy of half-truths, nuance, fear mongering, and divisive ideological battles, that won the Clinton’s the presidency in 1992, and a subsequent New York Senate seat, will cost our national and local party seats and possibly the 2008 upcoming presidential election. The last time we allowed the Clintons to lead our party, we suffered historical political losses, never seen before in American politics. The net result of the divisive, self-serving Clinton political machine of the 90’s, shrank the Democratic Party base, and cost the party control of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. The sad result of the Clinton politics, and continuous scandals, eventually empowered George W. Bush past the setting democratic incumbent vice president, Al Gore in the 2000 presidential elections. As a result the republicans have took firm control of the United States Supreme Court, appointing 7 of the last 9 justices, currently serving. Looking at the complete picture, I don’t believe that the Clinton administration or politics have lead, served, or is currently serving our Democratic Party well in any capacity. We have to understand, that as a democrats, we have yet to fully recover from the political damage inflicted by the Clinton administration scandals, investigations, and politics during the “1990’s. As a party, if we don’t learn from our past mistakes, and demand a new leadership, we will surely suffer the same devastating consequences in this election year 2008 and beyond. We have to move forward as a party, and turn the page of fear and division, if we are going to expand our electorate and chart a stronger, more inclusive future for this country and the Democratic Party. Please forward this information to everyone you know!!!H. Smith

DNC LEADERSHIP AND CHANGE

Citizen20854 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:37:11 EDT

Where is our party leadership when we need it? It is difficult to understand that a person who briefly was on the winning side of the presidential campaign trail, Gov. Dean, has opted out of standing on ethics and standards. For a man who went down because of the media echo chamber's spin on his victory cry, I just do not understand why he has chosen to remain silent. Each time the middle name of Barack Obama is used as a liability, each time Sen. Clinton refuses to answer whether Sen. Obama is a Muslim, we are left hearing, INTOLERANCE AND RACISM. By denying the truth to the people, Sen. Clinton is accepting the lies being spread. Any candidate from our party should be denouncing outright the implications that religion, race or ethnicity can be barriers to winning.

In January, I had the opportunity to say a few words to Howard Dean, while he was in the halls of the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland. Running from meeting to meeting, I had the chance moment that I ran into him on the staircase. I introduced myself and then asked him, "Gov. Dean, just how good is our Party with emergency preparedness for the Tsunami to come." He looked at me quizzically and answered a nice, "policy wonk answer on being better than the republicans." I said, "No, I am not talking about that tsunami, I am talking about the one that will hit the Democratic National Convention when this election comes down to the super delegated. That's the disaster I am asking if you are prepared to respond to." Once again, he looked as if I was a doomsday forecaster to be soothed. He said with the perfect political expression (NONE WHATSOEVER). "Oh, that is not going to happen. Don't worry, this will be settled long before."

It was at that moment that I was relieved he never made it past Iowa. He failed my red phone standards then and there. If the DNC leadership was in denial in January, it may explain why the members of the party who are apparently equally divided with their enthusiasm for the two candidates, are running around in circles trying to make their voice heard. Common sense was left behind when the first signs of problems began to surface. This is because, the party is still heavily weighted with the politics of old, and the behind the door power brokers who decide the future political arrangements.

It is so difficult to believe that the Party I have fervantly supported since my first vote was cast 37 years ago, does not stand up on ethics. While names are becoming liabilities, our party and their leadership should be the first to confront these unethical campaign tactics. It is unethical and unAmerican to be slandering a candidate. I do not understand how Hillary Clinton, if she is all she says she is morally, why she does not stand up and say who Barack Obama is, what his religion is and denounce the abuse of his middle name and the fear implications. And, go one step further denounce the use of religion as a wedge issue. Any American, muslim, catholic, protestant, buddhist, from any ethnicity or race, has the constitutional right not to be discriminated against particularly on the road to the Whitehouse. Our DNC leadership should be the first to lead the behavior of people who claim to be members of the Democratic party. The party has standards and we should demand we be led with those standards.

Gov. Dean, I urge you, if you are listening, to stand up and say, "NOT ON MY WATCH". Meet with the Clintons and ask that they remove race, ethnicity and religion from the slate by standing up against the use of these tactics.

Furthermore, there is another solution that must be lead, not haphazardly left to fall in place. The message coming out of the Florida/Minnesota debacle is an embarrassment to our party. We cannot stand on the rule of the procedures and then change those rules. There are a few basic kindergarten rules of life. If the rules are broken, there must be consequences to be paid.

The voters of Florida and Minnesota knew far in advance the decision of their state leaders and legislature. This was a hotly debated issue locally. When the step was taken, every person who voted knew that their vote was disenfranchised because they accepted this disenfranchisement when they did not protest the move. Had the citizens of the two states objected to the violation of the party rules and the resulting punishment, then why did they not stand up then.

There should be a stance by Gov. Dean and the least of which should be...."I'll concede to each states decision,." We lead with the rules, the consequences were well known, published, discussed and negotiated. There was no surprise response. If I know my hand will get burned, is it fair to put it in the fire and then ask why it got burned and how unfair it is that I got burned. Don't think so.

Governer Dean, stand up and bring together your party. It is more about the voters who have followed the rules than those who broke the rules. Senator Clinton is violating the ethical standards of our party and she should be confronted. The party's standards are our standards, therefore we identify with the Democratic Party. If you choose to change those standards, then CHANGE may be in the air for the party as well.

IN HILLARY CAN WE TRUST?

Citizen20854 — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:57:24 EST

Let's listen to the voices of the mybarackobama.com community. Everyone wonders how the young think, this is a place to hear. The buzz that flies between the members indicates there is fear in the air. What is going wrong here? In the Democratic party’s wildest dreams, did we imagine such a ground swell provoked by a young, inspirational candidate of the likes of Obama.   And, what are we allowing to happen. They are afraid of their own party’s behavior. They want a Democrat back in the Whitehouse, but they fear that the demonizing and underhanded campaign tactics of Hillary will make that impossible. Not exactly the role model, we women aspired for as our first female candidate for President.

This party, as it has done for quite some time, is shooting itself in the foot before the race has begun.   While the media echo chamber says, the candidates are equal, on equal footing, with almost mirror policy proposals, they ignore the toll the tone of the election is taking on their electorate.

They see a charismatic, nice and smart man, who brings hope and inspiration to the mix targeted by a not so nice opponent, who distorts the truth, mocks his character and demeans his public record. He even gets criticized for pulling out a chair for Hillary in a debate. Common decency and respect, not a sword.

When we disenfranchise half of the party by campaigning with fear tactics and distortions, rather than the real issues, we have little to inspire these young voters to continue on. Obama, indisputably is the nicest candidate still standing. Left, right and center, Republican and Democrat will agree with that. They may hold his inexperience against him but they know he is a good politician, with a fine family behind him, and strong American values. He’s walked the American talk, as has Senator McCain. Hillary is not trusted, justified by her ongoing resistance to transparency. The polls have been clear with that.

The younger voters understand how important it is to get a President in the Whitehouse who is not compromised by past performance and relations to special interests. Is it wrong for them to aspire to have an open and transparent government, beginning with the top job?   Is it wrong for them to believe in a hopeful future, one that they have ownership in?

What I have grown to respect among these young “mybarackobama.com” communities is how serious they are at going after the truth. They work at understanding the issues. They share articles from newspapers at break neck pace, spreading alarm when underhanded tactics are in the air. They answer smears, or fend off potential voter disenfranchisement. But isn't it sad, that these young new participants in the electoral process have to fear one of their own candidates. These effects leave lasting impressions and will leave a deep scar if Hillary were to win with these tactics and not her leadership talents.

I ask and they ask, if the racism and ethnicity card did not spawn from the Hillary campaign, then why did Hillary not denounce the tactics. If President Bush had an ounce of integrity, he would have stood up and recognized that Sen. Kerry was a true American war hero, as Senator Obama repeatedly says of Senator McCain. When Hillary was asked if Obama was Muslim, she could have answered with an emphatic NO. She could have taken the opportunity to highlight her personal values and take a stance against these divisive rumors. And she should, as a candidate for President, question why in America is being Muslim a liability.

The young men and women on mybarackobama.com have grouped together, Latinos and Blacks for Obama, Latinos4Obama, University of TexasStudents and Alum for Obama, demonstrating the fervor with which they believe they are under represented in the bloc voting assumptions. These same groups reach out with their experience and communicate with the groups in the upcoming state primaries.

I have the insightful opportunity to read their communications and I am truly impressed with the depth of thought they put into this campaign. Their support is not messianic fervor. They offer a sound commitment to participate in the future leadership of our country. The young Latina women are not worried about gender politics, they are worried about American politics and their biggest outcries are when they hear prejudice. Not on their guard will they allow their voice to be misrepresented.

HERE ARE A SERIES OF CUTS AND PASTES OF THEIR EFFORTS

This is a link to a youtube declaration by one of the members of the Latinos4Obama by Miguel Haro of Los Angeles. Take a moment to hear how a young 23 year old sees the recent racist remarks by a Latina leader in Texas:

Miguel writes, “I made a response to what Adelfa Callejos said on youtube. Can you guys post this on other websites to try to get attention on the subject and inform the world that while Hillary tries to divide and conquer we will not seperate. Here is the link. Thank you!!!”

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xQouKkYOXrc

Robyn Donaldson with Latinos4Obama advocates action after hearing Hillary on a 60 Minutes Program writes:

“Hi everyone,

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE email, fax and/or make phone calls to John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Al Gore, Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Kennedy and the DNC about Clintons 60 Min. remarks. We must do this for American voters, Muslim Americans, Muslims abroad, our soldiers and 9/11 victims who have all been affected in irreversible ways due to hate-- whether hate of Americans or Muslims. We cannot sit back and allow her to make such comments. Clinton is taking us back to hate and fear, while Obama is moving us forward with truth, hope and peace.”

Last but not least is my favorite campaign strategy to fight back with Roses by Adoyo Owuor. Follow the link and you will be proud of the creative energy that has found their voice in Campaign 2008:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4rfjv

We have to choose what kind of leadership we want in the Whitehouse for the next 4 to 8 years? Do we want leadership that inspires Americans to move forward and work honestly together to unify our country, or do we want a leader who ignores the values of her country, in order to win? The story of George Washington cutting down the cherry tree has hung around for 100’s of years, and there is a reason why, That is because the United States was founded on TRUST which begins with truth! Obama is a candidate of "self correction", he is swinging the pendulum back to where it needs to be in order to have a fairer and more just America.

How to Reclaim Momentum That Was Never Lost Without Going Negative: A Speech-Writing Wish List

Leo — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 01:35:00 EST

I am writing to encourage a particular political method to combat what appears to be a partially successful spin campaign by the Clinton camp. It at least appears that the Clinton camp is attempting to portray us as: 'about to go negative'.

I believe the following form of 'political aikido' would be successful as a response in the form of the following questions to the press and public while at the same time maintaining the ground of 'high integrity' which is so pivotal to our campaign and movement, i.e.:

Read the full posting to judge some of these ideas and feel free to let me know what you think.

Obama's Gay Lesbian Equality Message to the Church

Gordon Broom — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:28:54 EST

From Ben Smith over at Politico, which is really a great blog

Selling gay rights - Ben Smith's Blog - Politico.com

February 28, 2008 Read More:

An interesting moment came when he was asked a question about LGBT rights and delivered an answer that seemed to suit the questioner, listing the various attributes — race, gender, etc. — that shouldn't trigger discrimination, to successive cheers. When he came to saying that gays and lesbians deserve equality, though, the crowd fell silent.

So he took a different tack: "Now I’m a Christian, and I praise Jesus every Sunday," he said, to a sudden wave of noisy applause and cheers."I hear people saying things that I don’t think are very Christian with respect to people who are gay and lesbian," he said, and the crowd seemed to come along with him this time.
To hear someone defend gay and lesbian dignity and equality from a Christian perspective and to do so in the context of a largely African-American crowd, is much, much more than any candidate for the presidency has ever done. It's a break through. If it were just words, it would be one thing. But he has now done this repeatedly in front of black crowds, when he didn't have to. And he has put his specific commitments in writing in an open letter.It's time to be candid about this - because gay voters, in my judgment, could make the difference in Ohio and Texas and Vermont and Rhode Island. There are very large gay communities in Texas' cities, and Ohio has the sixth largest gay community in the country. A plea: Do not sleep-walk into that voting booth with vague good feelings about the Clintons. Walk into that booth with eyes open and see what gay people have in front of them.Now you may have many reasons not to vote for Obama, and no gay voter should vote on one issue. But solely with respect to gay matters, there is simply no choice here. Obama's positions, candor, courage, generation and religious embrace of us are dispositive.Yes, the McClurkin flap was poorly handled and a casualty of the usual gay-straight tensions in the African American south. But it is overwhelmed by Obama's clear support and understanding of gay people and willingness to support our dignity at times and in places where others have not. I've seen it unprompted in private and unapologetically in public. Inever saw it in the Clinton years, and Clinton herself is a victim of the defensive crouch that has immobilized progress at the national level for a decade or more. The current Washington set-up is broken. If you haven't seen that these past few years, you have blinders on. It doesn't deliver - and won't, without a president who actually believes that gay people deserve full equality. Yes, it's partly generational - Obama sees gay people in a way Clinton never will, as a function of her age and background. But it's also, it seems to me, an indication that he really is a Christian. One day, it will seem as obvious that Christians should support gay equality as it is now obvious that they should have opposed segregation. What Obama does for gay people in a religious context is just as important as what he does for us in a political one. Both are vital - because it is the abuse of religion that is at the core of the hostility to gay dignity.What Obama is doing on the gay issue has the potential transform it and help us as a society to move past it. No, he's not a savior. No, we shouldn't expect miracles. No, we should never delegate the work of our equality to anyone else. We, after all, are the ones we've been waiting for. But within the Democratic contest, the case for backing Obama at this point in time is, to my mind, urgent, vital, historic..Gay Americans must not throw this chance away.

TIME FOR CHANGE - OBAMA, WE NEED YOU!

Lee — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:25:30 EST

DO YOU REALLY WANT MORE OF THIS? SHOW THIS TO CLINTON SUPPORTERS OR PEOPLE UNDECIDED.

This is CHILLING to me and SCREAMS, its time for change.

If curious about the CLINTON past History, just go to YOUTUBE and tpe in Clinton Scandals or Clinton History or Clinton and Monica. In order to see video's of this past president you have to register your YOUTUBE account to be Over 18. And many are going to vote to put these people back in the White House tommorrow. Come on... Dont get fooled again America!!!!!!!

MSNBC Debate Thursday 2/26/09

Gordon Broom — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:54:03 EST

Try to catch the debate between Barack and Hillary tonight at 9PM EST, 8PM CST on MSNBC.

THE WIKI=WAY FOR WIKIPOLITICS AND POLICY BUILDING

Citizen20854 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:42:37 EST

Finally a small hole in my wall between e-obama-communities has been broken down. Another member of the mybarackobama community wrote me today about my WIKIPOLITICS blog yesterday. Wow, like finding water in a desert, finally a sign of life on the Obama blogs, I was feeling pretty alone in my blogging pursuits. Something to say and no one reading it. I followed this person's blog trail and discovered that we were on to the same doubts. Someone else who is writing about the morning after the election and how to transcribe this effective bottom up energy formed within the community of Americans for Barack Obama. In the spirit of true wiki-creative collaboration, let the WIKI-THINKING begin. How can we create a wikipedia of policy? All those experts just need a medium to feed into. In the meantime, I will reprint my yesterdays blog, add a link to his blog and a link to a friend's blog outside of the obama community that printed their take on this concept. Here is Mr. Messerly's take

http://my.barackobama.com/page/dashboard/public/Cq2g

Here is Madame Mayo's input:

http://madammayo.blogspot.com/2008/02/j-on-obama-and-practice-of-wikipolitics.html

My latest blog post on WIKIPOLITICS, debunking the pied piper theory on Obama supporters. Also a great read for political strategists trying to figure out why the Obama WIKI-WAY will keep working, its not a phenomena!.

WIKIPOLITICS

What is WIKIPOLITICS? It is the power of mass political collaboration – the power to change everything. It is an American style constitutional power - of the people, by the people and for the people.   Obama is the first candidate to practice WIKIPOLITICS.

In my opinion, which I would not have been able to form, without Wiki-input, I have used the thoughts and ideas of others and proposed a political theory, that I imagine, will take shape once it hits the wiki-political community. Before I say more, I would like to credit those who have inspired my thoughts on the first draft of WIKIPOLITICAL THEORY .

Many of us are familiar with Wikipedia, the pioneer of open source internet mass collaboration. From Wikipedia comes the “Wiki”. Wikipedia brings together the knowledge of many to collectively write a living encyclopedia. Where google leads us to the sources, Wikipedia consolidates the collaborative input.   I also give inspirational credit to a book entitled: WIKINOMICS: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything by Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams. This book was compiled with mass collaboration, bringing together the thoughts of many on how mass collaboration can change everything. As this book illustrates, from YouTube, Flickr, MySpace, Linux to the Human Genome Project, we are seeing revolutionary positive, results spawning from mass collaboration.

When I began to read this book, I had my “a-ha”(Oprah Winfrey term) moment.    I realized that there was a good explanation for Obama’s record breaking campaign. There is a reason the political analysts are having a hard time putting their finger on Obama’s successes besides just liking the guy.

WIKIPOLITICS is what is happening in this election and for now it is changing the power to choose our candidates. People, outside the campaign, are having a hard time understanding the power that has been unleashed in this campaign, It’s an irony that Obama’s rivals have taken on hope and optimism as the enemy. The challengers blame his eloquent evangelist- style communication skills. What else could it be? Many would like to believe, he is just so blatantly inspirational and that must be the reason why his supporters are so hopeful and committed to his candidacy. But for some reason, this supposed phenomena, just doesn’t go away no matter how hard his supporters are criticized and insulted for their hope and optimism. That’s because WIKIPOLITICS is in play.

It will be hard for the opposition to accept that Obama’s campaign is not magical. It is not messianic. It is a pioneering massive collaborative undertaking that inspires everyday Americans to stand up, participate in the campaign and vote. This wiki-campaign is an emerging example of how Obama will move this country towards the American future laid out by our founders – the wiki-way.   Changing course is happening peacefully without a revolution and it feels good.   We do not need to turn against each other to achieve this change as so often is believed.

Americans have spent too many years feeling bad and helpless about what is happening to our country. Much of the disenfranchised, helpless feeling has hinged on political leadership that is deaf to the voice of most Americans. Solutions have not come lightly because the hand that feeds them their campaign finance has its own self-interest, not the best interest of the majority of Americans. WIKIPOLITICS is public campaign finance at its best because the people are deciding who their money should support dollar by dollar.

It’s hard to imagine that America’s most patriotic moment, in the last 8 years was when we all came together after 9-11.   One of our worst patriotic moments was when we stood by helplessly watching an entire American city go under water and our government doing little to save them. Had there been a Wiki-Disaster Response mechanism, a Web 2.0 community with smart political leadership influences, I have the feeling the rescue and reconstruction efforts would have been far more effective and collaborative.

In Election 2008, we are witnessing the best of patriotic moments in a long time - watching Americans participate person by person, town by town, state by state in this election. This surge has momentum because people are waking up and feeling the positive energy of mass collaboration, WIKIPOLITICS can change our future.

WIKIPOLITICS

Citizen20854 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:54:59 EST

WIKIPOLITICS

What is WIKIPOLITICS? It is the power of mass political collaboration – the power to change everything. It is an American style constitutional power - of the people, by the people and for the people.   Obama is the first candidate to practice WIKIPOLITICS.

In my opinion, which I would not have been able to form, without Wiki-input, I have used the thoughts and ideas of others and proposed a political theory, that I imagine, will take shape once it hits the wiki-political community. Before I say more, I would like to credit those who have inspired my thoughts on the first draft of WIKIPOLITICAL THEORY .

Many of us are familiar with Wikipedia, the pioneer of open source internet mass collaboration. From Wikipedia comes the “Wiki”. Wikipedia brings together the knowledge of many to collectively write a living encyclopedia. Where google leads us to the sources, Wikipedia consolidates the collaborative input.   I also give inspirational credit to a book entitled: WIKINOMICS: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything by Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams. This book was compiled with mass collaboration, bringing together the thoughts of many on how mass collaboration can change everything. As this book illustrates, from YouTube, Flickr, MySpace, Linux to the Human Genome Project, we are seeing revolutionary positive, results spawning from mass collaboration.

When I began to read this book, I had my “a-ha”(Oprah Winfrey term) moment.    I realized that there was a good explanation for Obama’s record breaking campaign. There is a reason the political analysts are having a hard time putting their finger on Obama’s successes besides just liking the guy.

WIKIPOLITICS is what is happening in this election and for now it is changing the power to choose our candidates. People, outside the campaign, are having a hard time understanding the power that has been unleashed in this campaign, It’s an irony that Obama’s rivals have taken on hope and optimism as the enemy. The challengers blame his eloquent evangelist- style communication skills. What else could it be? Many would like to believe, he is just so blatantly inspirational and that must be the reason why his supporters are so hopeful and committed to his candidacy. But for some reason, this supposed phenomena, just doesn’t go away no matter how hard his supporters are criticized and insulted for their hope and optimism. That’s because WIKIPOLITICS is in play.

It will be hard for the opposition to accept that Obama’s campaign is not magical. It is not messianic. It is a pioneering massive collaborative undertaking that inspires everyday Americans to stand up, participate in the campaign and vote. This wiki-campaign is an emerging example of how Obama will move this country towards the American future laid out by our founders – the wiki-way.   Changing course is happening peacefully without a revolution and it feels good.   We do not need to turn against each other to achieve this change as so often is believed.

Americans have spent too many years feeling bad and helpless about what is happening to our country. Much of the disenfranchised, helpless feeling has hinged on political leadership that is deaf to the voice of most Americans. Solutions have not come lightly because the hand that feeds them their campaign finance has its own self-interest, not the best interest of the majority of Americans. WIKIPOLITICS is public campaign finance at its best because the people are deciding who their money should support dollar by dollar.

It’s hard to imagine that America’s most patriotic moment, in the last 8 years was when we all came together after 9-11.   One of our worst patriotic moments was when we stood by helplessly watching an entire American city go under water and our government doing little to save them. Had there been a Wiki-Disaster Response mechanism, a Web 2.0 community with smart political leadership influences, I have the feeling the rescue and reconstruction efforts would have been far more effective and collaborative.

In Election 2008, we are witnessing the best of patriotic moments in a long time - watching Americans participate person by person, town by town, state by state in this election. This surge has momentum because people are waking up and feeling the positive energy of mass collaboration, WIKIPOLITICS can change our future.

Obama Painting at Lake Worth Street Painting Festival

Gordon Broom — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:31:00 EST

Larry and I went to Lake Worth's Annual Street Painting Festival today and ran upon a huge painting of Senator Obama. Then we met the painter. Her name is Dahlia who posed for a picture with the painting. And Larry got a picture of me with the painting and with the picture taking, the painting of The Man himself and Obama discussion we attracted a little crowd.

Hay que Cantar!!!

Citizen20854 — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 11:27:42 EST

Isn't it nice to know how truly committed Senator Kennedy is to giving a helping hand to Senator Obama's campaign. Follow this singing link and I guarantee a Saturday smile!!! I have no doubt that one day Senator Obama will offer to do the Irish Jig with equal grace, in front of an Irish American group, campaigning for a future generation of kennedy's. :) We are one! Let's win the Alamo and get on with a united America, campaigning for the general election!!!!!!

http://www.breitbart.tv/html/51374.html

Hillary's Scorched Earth Policy

Citizen20854 — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:29:24 EST

The evidence is in. Hillary will do whatever it takes to win. In New Hampshire, Emily’s List passed out last minute lies on Obama’s position on choice. In South Carolina, it was Bill’s fault. Falsely accusing Obama today that he plagiarized his speech well that is what I call, Hillary’s fault. This is “scorched earth – win at all cost” campaigning.

Giving the plagiarism accusation a little more thought, if we go by Hillary’s line of reasoning, then all campaign speeches are an act of plagiarism. I don’t believe I have ever heard a politician begin his speech by thanking all the thought contributors in person. Politics, by nature, is a collaborative activity, where input is a part of the design.

The last time a President was elected using scorched earth politics, look who made it to Whitehouse and look at the consequences. Twisting the truth took us down a long and winding road to a Clinton impeachment process that divided our country and strangled progress. This is the past Obama is pushing to leave behind, it is the past that is broken.

Unity and collaboration is the future. Lying campaign strategies are the past.

In the words of Henry Ford,

"Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success."

Obama brought us together, he has kept us together and now we are working together. I haven’t heard about supporters who changed their mind on Obama, but I sure have heard a lot who have changed their mind on Hillary. Now that is the progress and change we are looking for - OBAMA 2008! SI SE PUEDE!!!! ADELANTE USA!

Aguas Bendixen: Not all Polls are created equally!

Citizen20854 — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:49:39 EST

Sergio Bendixen may be the only Latino/Hispanic pollster but just maybe he has missed measuring the voice of the people or he is in the wrong pocketbook. Obama transcends the differences that have separated America and the Americas for entirely too long. We are the New World, we will be one, and SI SE PUEDE! And, Mexican American Democrats in Texas are the leaders of change for the Latino community, to stand up and let their voice be heard. Bravo!!!!! Adelante Obama 2008, Adelante Texas, Adelante USA, one country, one people, one wonderful group of great Americans! Check out this endorsement. GRACIAS!!!!

http://ruralvotes.com/thefield/?p=645

Senators Obama & Clinton CNN Debate this Thursday

Gordon Broom — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 10:24:15 EST

Mark your calendars or sent your DVR timer. The CNN Debate with Senators Obama and Clinton will be this Thursday at 8 PM Eastern Time/7 PM Central Time.

Houston Chronicle Endorses Obama in a Wonderful Way

Gordon Broom — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 20:23:26 EST

Houston Chronicle endorses Sen. Obama, calling him "best-qualified by life experience, skill and temperament to be the standard bearer for his party". Read the article here: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/recommendations/5546874.html

The Dallas Morning News had already endorsed him: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-demprezrec_23edi.ART.State.Edition1.36adeae.html

Here's how they put it: "Mr. Obama is our choice because of his consistently solid judgment, poise under pressure and ability to campaign effectively without resorting to the divisive politics of the past."

OKAY, LET'S AGREE THAT TEXAS is ours to win. Let's get this over with: make some phone calls and make sure we GOTV (Get Obama The Vote)! You can get started here: http://my.barackobama.com/call

YES WE CAN!!!!

Washington and the lobbyists

DR SALEH — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:43:28 EST

For so many years we felt that our representatives and the people in the white house goes against our wishes and do things just to satisfy the needs of certain people with specific and special political interests. When Mr Obama said he will work very hard to free Washington from that influence ,i believed him but the question here , do you think he will be successful of accomplishing that goal and how??.

Convincing Others to Vote for Obama

Gordon Broom — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:08:05 EST

When talking to friends and family about the election, here are some facts to provide in your endeavors to assist folks in deciding who to vote for. A really neat lady (Jersey Girl), from the Palm Beach Supporters of Obama group, sent out a really great email describing the differences between Hillary and Obama.

I want to post the Obama part of her email here because it provides alot of insight into why it's important for him to be elected president of the U.S.

Gordon

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

During the first (8) eight months of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. He introduced

233 regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 ve terans affairs and many others.

His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These included the following:

**the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 (became law),
**The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, (became law),
**The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate,
**The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, (became law),
**The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, (In committee), and many more.

In all since he entered the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096. An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no legislative record.

Tell the DNC to Stick to the Agreed Rules

Gordon Broom — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:09:56 EST

Please contact the DNC and tell them to stick to the rules agreed to.Thank you Leonel Picun for updating us and for initiating the event. You can email the DNC here: The Democratic Party | Questions about the Issues Or, you can call at 1-202-863-8000 As a guide for what to say in your email or telephone call, below is a brief message to the DNC which Leonel posted on the event:
Gordon --------------------- "I urge you to be fair and not change the rules that the candidates agreed to before the Michigan and Florida primaries. And if you do decide to allow those states, allow us to vote again after Obama and Clinton are allowed to campaign here.

It is not fair that Clinton wants to go back on her word and it is important to the people of this country that you do not allow an unfair race to take place."

Great Obama Article for Voters in VA,DC,MD

Gordon Broom — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:33:06 EST

Please share this with friends in VA, MD and the District-- a great piece from the Financial Times: FT.com / Columnists / Clive Crook - Why Democrats must choose Obama The manager or the visionary. Hillary Clinton’s own supporters – the candidate herself, in speech after speech – have cast the fight this way. Stirred emotions and soaring rhetoric are all very well, goes the line. If that is what you want, vote for Barack Obama. But if you care about getting something done, choose experience, technical expertise and a safe pair of hands.Do not be blinded by passion and excitement. Do not gamble on a dream that way. Rise to the challenge of being dull. “I am Hillary Clinton, and I endorsed this message.”It may not be the most alluring pitch, but it has served well enough so far. Such a boastful lack of sex appeal in a political campaign does command a certain respect. And after two terms of President George W. Bush, Americans would give a lot for humdrum competence. The Democratic electorate is split in half and bracing for weeks and maybe months of further campaigning. Mrs Clinton, on some estimates, is still favourite to win the nomination.Still, this was an audacious theme for her to adopt. Hillary Clinton, manager extraordinaire? It bears repeating that there is a single point of data to test this claim: her supervision of the healthcare task force set up by her husband during his first term. Opinions differ even now about that exercise – about whether Mrs Clinton was responsible for one of the most celebrated domestic-policy train wrecks in recent American history, a scapegoat for her husband’s misjudgments, or the hapless victim of organised special interests. What is undisputed is that the whole affair was an epic of hubris and mismanagement.Yes, that was a regrettable episode, she now says – but she is the stronger for it, having learned from her mistakes. That is good to know, but since when was failure, unredeemed by subsequent success, a qualification for the top job? By all accounts, Mrs Clinton has been a fine senator, as has Mr Obama for a shorter time, but this is not an executive role. It is good political experience, to be sure, but (unlike having been the successful governor of a big state, for instance) it tells you little about fitness to manage, and less about fitness to be president.The US is tired and discouraged these days. The country is right to seek a little inspiration, a lifting of the spirits, a sense of renewal. Mrs Clinton is the perfect antithesis of those things. She is commanding in debate; she knows her facts. But she is dreary and angry at the same time, which is no easy feat. She personifies partisan division. And, through her husband and her nostalgia for the 1990s, she is tied to the past. She is indeed the paradigm of business as usual, with the taint of dynastic succession thrown in. The Democrats would be wrong to make her their nominee, in my view, even in a field of unexceptional candidates – but this is not a field of unexceptional candidates.Make no mistake, Mr Obama is a once-in-a-generation possibility. Admittedly, in many ways he is too good to be true. Hopes of what he might achieve are running out of control. His followers say he is uniquely able to restore US standing in the world, partly by adopting a more conciliatory approach and partly (it seems) by being black. The sad truth is that on many issues US interests diverge from those of other nations. Any new president could improve relations with other governments; the current administration has set that bar into the floor.But if President Obama aimed first and foremost to advance US interests, as he would, then, regardless of how enlightened and encompassing his notion of US interests proved to be, overseas rapture at his election would quickly fade.At home the disappointment might be worse. He is a liberal (the most liberal in the senate, according to National Journal’s annual assessment) yet running as a bipartisan moderate. If he were president, one of those tendencies would have to give way.And then there is the question of race. Black Americans were initially sceptical about the Obama candidacy: they backed Mrs Clinton in early polls. But now they have come around, and how. They have decided he is real; they think he can win; and they long for this affirmation of their standing in the nation. Gratifying that longing is one of the best reasons to nominate Mr Obama, but be under no illusion that he or any other president could fix the problems that have created and entrenched the black urban underclass. Soaring expectations would have to come to terms with (at the very best) grinding incremental progress. Again, the disillusionment might be bitter.All this is true, but secondary. What makes Mr Obama remarkable is that his message of hope, resonating so powerfully with black America, is cast to every American, regardless of colour, to Democrats and Republicans alike. This is surpassingly important: a man of outstanding intellect and magnetic personality, he is running on a one-nation platform, as though he merely happened to be black. And the best part is, the whole country is paying attention: polls say that he is more electable in November than Mrs Clinton. In a close election, he could make the difference.Republicans, of course, are bound to dislike his liberalism – but what is there for Democrats to think about? Why are they even having this conversation? They have been waiting an awfully long time for a politician like Mr Obama. If, having come so close, they still manage to nominate Mrs Clinton, I think it is a choice they will regret for years and maybe decades.Send your comments to clive.crook@gmail.com

Michelle Obama on Larry King Live

Gordon Broom — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:28:06 EST

Please share widely. Michelle Obama will be on Larry King Live, CNN, Monday 2/11/07 9PM EST.

Gordon

Spanish Language Obama Site

Gordon Broom — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 07:38:05 EST

One of the folks in the Palm Beach Supporters of Obama email group sent out this great site of everything Obama in Spanish.

It is a wonderful resource for our spanish speaking community. Please pass the information along: Austin for Obama

Gordon

Link to the Petition as Mentioned in Previous Post

Gordon Broom — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:05:55 EST

Here is the link to sign the petition AGAINST having a re-do election or caucus. I read it carefully but

didn't sign it, which doesn't mean I won't go back and sign it at another time if I decide that doing so

will help Obama.

http://www.petitiononline.com/fordnc/petition.html

Gordon

Anxious Florida Democrats

Gordon Broom — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:56:10 EST

I don't know what to think and I don't know what petition to sign or not sign. I am totally confused.

But one thing's for sure. I don't think I'm crazy for thinking just like in 2000, Florida democrats have

again been screwed.

I've heard Obama supporters say that we need to sign the petition demanding that there be NO

second caucus or primary. The thinking is that Barack obeyed the rules and didn't campaign in

Florida. Therefore, hoping that our delegates will not be seated and not allowed to vote will keep

Hillary from getting the 210 delegates.

On the other hand, having a re-do would make Florida democrats believe in the system because

their votes actually counted for something.

So I'm torn. I don't know which side to take a stand for.

Gordon

Second Sun-Sentinel Article on Florida Election Re-do

Gordon Broom — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:46:10 EST

sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-flfdems0208sbfeb08,0,983344.story

South Florida Sun-Sentinel.comFlorida Democrats still unsure whether delegates will be seated

By Linda Kleindienst

Tallahassee Bureau Chief

February 8, 2008While Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama slug it out in an unexpectedly tight national battle for their party's presidential nomination, FloridaDemocrats remain in political limbo, not knowing whether their votes could tip the balance.

State party leaders on Thursday voiced confidence that Florida's 210 delegates would be seated at this summer's nominating convention in Denver. They just don't know when that will happen.

"The devil is in the details and the timing," said Mitch Ceasar, Broward's Democratic Party chairman. "We might be seated a month before convention; we might not be seated until the second day, when there is already a nominee."

The decision could well fall to the Democratic Party's convention credential committee — and Florida won't have a voice on it.

"We're in politically untested waters," Ceasar said. "And the last act has yet to play out."

State party officials are moving ahead with delegate selection that will be based on the outcome of the Jan. 29 Florida primary. Meetings will be held in the state's 25 congressional districts, and delegates will be apportioned to the candidates based on the vote in each district.

State party officials are hoping a clear nominee will emerge during the remaining primaries and he or she will call for the Florida delegates to be admitted to the convention.

"We're urging patience," said Alejandro Miyar, press secretary for the Florida Democratic Party. "This process goes until June. We hope the nominee will come forward and will appeal to seat the delegation."

But what if there is no clear nominee?

"It's premature to speculate about anything else," he said.

Florida ran into trouble with the Democratic National Committee when the Legislature voted to move the state's primary to Jan. 29, a week before Super Tuesday. Even if Democrats had wanted to stop it, they couldn't have, because Republicans control both the House and Senate.

The fallout: The Democratic National Committee stripped Florida of its delegates to the national convention.

"We have run into a Washington wall," said Jon Ausman, a member of the DNC from Tallahassee. "They were only supposed to penalize half the delegates. The national party went overboard.... They went nuts."

Despite rumored pressure from the committee for Florida to consider holding caucuses this spring to ask the state's Democrats to again pick their favorite contender, the idea is being almost universally rejected.

Holding caucuses around the state would cost $3 million to $4 million, and the national party has agreed to contribute only $850,000. And on Jan. 29, Florida Democrats came out in record numbers, more than 1.7 million, to cast votes for their favorite contenders, while a caucus might attract only 80,000 or so people.

"That's basically a do-over. And the only sport that has a do-over is volleyball," Ausman said.

It takes 2,025 delegates to win the nomination. An Associated Press estimate on Thursday had Clinton with 1,045 and Obama with 960. Clinton has promised to seat Florida's delegation; Obama has not.

Meanwhile, no hotel rooms have yet been set aside in Denver for the Florida delegates.

"Hopefully, we'll have rooms," Miyar said.

Linda Kleindienst can be reached at lkleindienst@sun-sentinel.com or 850-224-6214.

Yes We Can! Obama 2008

June from Harrison, AR — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:37:24 EST

Yes We Can Music Video

June from Harrison, AR — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:44:17 EST

get out and vote! yes we can make a change!

Yes We Can

Length: 4:29
Rating Average: 4.75 from 16 people
View Count: 300
Author: YouBamaVideos

Tags: barack obama www.youbama.com youbama

According to will.i.am, founding member and frontman of Black Eyed Peas, the "Yes We Can Song" was inspired by Senator Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and especially the speech Obama gave following the New Hampshire primary. He states, "It made me reflect on the freedoms I have, going...

Billary: Another Reason to Fight For An Obama Victory

Gordon Broom — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:20:35 EST

Besides Senator Obama being a brilliant person and the best person to be the president of the U.S., here is another very important reason that we must work hard to do everything we can do to help Barack Obama win the democratic nomination. A friend and Obama supporter sent me this article from the NY Times.

Many of you might have already read it. But for those who haven't here it is:

Gordon

Published on Sunday, January 27, 2008 by The New York Times

The Billary Road to Republican Victory

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/01/27/6656/

by Frank Rich

In the wake of George W. Bush, even a miracle might not be enough for the Republicans to hold on to the White House in 2008. But what about two miracles? The new year’s twin resurrections of Bill Clinton and John McCain, should they not evaporate, at last give the G.O.P. a highly plausible route to victory.

Amazingly, neither party seems to fully recognize the contours of the road map. In the Democrats’ case, the full-throttle emergence of Billary, the joint Clinton candidacy, is measured mainly within the narrow confines of the short-term horse race: Do Bill Clinton’s red-faced eruptions and fact-challenged rants enhance or diminish his wife as a woman and a candidate?

Absent from this debate is any sober recognition that a Hillary Clinton nomination, if it happens, will send the Democrats into the general election with a new and huge peril that may well dwarf the current wars over race, gender and who said what about Ronald Reagan.

What has gone unspoken is this: Up until this moment, Hillary has successfully deflected rough questions about Bill by saying, “I’m running on my own” or, as she snapped at Barack Obama in the last debate, “Well, I’m here; he’s not.” This sleight of hand became officially inoperative once her husband became a co-candidate, even to the point of taking over entirely when she vacated South Carolina last week. With “two for the price of one” back as the unabashed modus operandi, both Clintons are in play.

For the Republicans, that means not just a double dose of the one steroid, Clinton hatred, that might yet restore their party’s unity but also two fat targets. Mrs. Clinton repeatedly talks of how she’s been “vetted” and that “there are no surprises” left to be mined by her opponents. On the “Today” show Friday, she joked that the Republican attacks “are just so old.” So far. Now that Mr. Clinton is ubiquitous, not only is his past back on the table but his post-presidency must be vetted as well. To get a taste of what surprises may be in store, you need merely revisit the Bill Clinton questions that Hillary Clinton has avoided to date.

Asked by Tim Russert at a September debate whether the Clinton presidential library and foundation would disclose the identities of its donors during the campaign, Mrs. Clinton said it wasn’t up to her. “What’s your recommendation?” Mr. Russert countered. Mrs. Clinton replied: “Well, I don’t talk about my private conversations with my husband, but I’m sure he’d be happy to consider that.”

Not so happy, as it turns out. The names still have not been made public.

Just before the holidays, investigative reporters at both The Washington Post and The New York Times tried to find out why, with no help from the Clintons. The Post uncovered a plethora of foreign contributors, led by Saudi Arabia. The Times found an overlap between library benefactors and Hillary Clinton campaign donors, some of whom might have an agenda with a new Clinton administration. (Much as one early library supporter, Marc Rich’s ex-wife, Denise, had an agenda with the last one.) “The vast scale of these secret fund-raising operations presents enormous opportunities for abuse,” said Representative Henry Waxman, the California Democrat whose legislation to force disclosure passed overwhelmingly in the House but remains stalled in the Senate.

The Post and Times reporters couldn’t unlock all the secrets. The unanswered questions could keep them and their competitors busy until Nov. 4. Mr. Clinton’s increased centrality to the campaign will also give The Wall Street Journal a greater news peg to continue its reportorial forays into the unraveling financial partnership between Mr. Clinton and the swashbuckling billionaire Ron Burkle.

At “Little Rock’s Fort Knox,” as the Clinton library has been nicknamed by frustrated researchers, it’s not merely the heavy-hitting contributors who are under wraps. Even by the glacial processing standards of the National Archives, the Clintons’ White House papers have emerged slowly, in part because Bill Clinton exercised his right to insist that all communications between him and his wife be “considered for withholding” until 2012.

When Mrs. Clinton was asked by Mr. Russert at an October debate if she would lift that restriction, she again escaped by passing the buck to her husband: “Well, that’s not my decision to make.” Well, if her candidacy is to be as completely vetted as she guarantees, the time for the other half of Billary to make that decision is here.

The credibility of a major Clinton campaign plank, health care, depends on it. In that same debate, Mrs. Clinton told Mr. Russert that “all of the records, as far as I know, about what we did with health care” are “already available.” As Michael Isikoff of Newsweek reported weeks later, this is a bit off; he found that 3,022,030 health care documents were still held hostage. Whatever the pace of the processing, the gatekeeper charged with approving each document’s release is the longtime Clinton loyalist Bruce Lindsey.

People don’t change. Bill Clinton, having always lived on the edge, is back on the precipice. When he repeatedly complains that the press has given Mr. Obama a free ride and over-investigated the Clintons, he seems to be tempting the fates, given all the reporting still to be done on his post-presidential business. When he says, as he did on Monday, that “whatever I do should be totally transparent,” it’s almost as if he’s setting himself up for a fall. There’s little more transparency at “Little Rock’s Fort Knox” than there is at Giuliani Partners.

“The Republicans are not going to have any compunctions about asking anybody anything,” Mrs. Clinton lectured Mr. Obama. Maybe so, but Republicans are smart enough not to start asking until after she has secured the nomination.

Not all Republicans are smart enough, however, to recognize the value of John McCain should Mrs. Clinton emerge as the nominee. He’s a bazooka aimed at most every rationale she’s offered for her candidacy.

In a McCain vs. Billary race, the Democrats will sacrifice the most highly desired commodity by the entire electorate, change; the party will be mired in déjà 1990s all over again. Mrs. Clinton’s spiel about being “tested” by her “35 years of experience” won’t fly either. The moment she attempts it, Mr. McCain will run an ad about how he was being tested when those 35 years began, in 1973. It was that spring when he emerged from five-plus years of incarceration at the Hanoi Hilton while Billary was still bivouacked at Yale Law School. And can Mrs. Clinton presume to sell herself as best equipped to be commander in chief “on Day One” when opposing an actual commander and war hero? I don’t think so.

Foreign policy issue No. 1, withdrawal from Iraq, should be a slam-dunk for any Democrat. Even the audience at Thursday’s G.O.P. debate in Boca Raton cheered Ron Paul’s antiwar sentiments. But Mrs. Clinton’s case is undermined by her record. She voted for the war, just as Mr. McCain did, in 2002 and was still defending it in February 2005, when she announced from the Green Zone that much of Iraq was “functioning quite well. ” Only in November 2005 did she express the serious misgivings long pervasive in her own party. When Mr. McCain accuses her of now advocating “surrender” out of political expediency, her flip-flopping will back him up.

Billary can’t even run against the vast right-wing conspiracy if Mr. McCain is the opponent. Rush Limbaugh and Tom DeLay hate Mr. McCain as much as they hate the Clintons. And they hate him for the same reasons Mr. McCain wins over independents and occasional Democrats: his sporadic (and often mild) departures from conservative orthodoxy on immigration and campaign finance reform, torture, tax cuts, climate change and the godliness of Pat Robertson. Since Mr. McCain doesn’t kick reporters like dogs, as the Clintons do, he will no doubt continue to enjoy an advantage, however unfair, with the press pack on the Straight Talk Express.

Even so, Mr. McCain hasn’t yet won a clear majority of Republican voters in any G.O.P. contest. He’s depended on the kindness of independent voters. Tuesday’s Florida primary, which is open exclusively to Republicans, is his crucial test. If he fails, his party remains in chaos and Mitt Romney could still inherit the earth.

That would be a miracle for the Democrats, but they can hardly count on it. If Mr. Obama has not met an unexpected Waterloo in South Carolina - this column went to press before Saturday’s vote - the party needs him to stop whining about the Clintons’ attacks, regain his wit and return to playing offense. Unlike Mrs. Clinton, he would unambiguously represent change in a race with any Republican. If he vanquishes Billary, he’ll have an even stronger argument to take into battle against a warrior like Mr. McCain.

If Mr. Obama doesn’t fight, no one else will. Few national Democratic leaders have the courage to stand up to the Clintons. Even in defeat, Mr. Obama may at least help wake up a party slipping into denial. Any Democrat who seriously thinks that Bill will fade away if Hillary wins the nomination - let alone that the Clintons will escape being fully vetted - is a Democrat who, as the man said, believes in fairy tales.

Frank Rich is a regular columnist for The New York Times.

Why Senator Barack Obama?

Tom Hayes, working for change — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:57:17 EST

The following is presented here with the express permission of the author, Danae Curtis. She was writing in response to being asked: Why should somebody in Minnesota vote for Barack Obama?

I just wanted to share a little bit about myself with you. I was born in the west bank neighborhood of Minneapolis and attended Hopkins schools K-12. I was raised by my AMAZING white mother and the loving farm family of Wisconsin that didn't disown her for marrying a black man from Texas a few years after they said it was legal.

My family has endured more attacks than time will permit me to comment on. This moment in time has made all of my struggles worth it.

I used to write in my journals as a young girl about how I had a dream. A dream that one day no one would ask me what I was, or accuse me of not being human. (The word mulatto was tokened in slavery days to signify that a child conceived by a black person and a white person would not be human. It would be less than human; less than a donkey; less than a mule; that animal is known as a mulatto. The Spaniards originally used the term upon arrival to the US.)

I was the first black girl to attend public schools in the Hopkins School District in 1981. My mother received hate mail threatening our lives on the playground. I received swastikas on my locker in high school. Because I was not only black (so said the uninformed,) but also poor in a land of affluence during the initial assimilation experiments of the 80s, I was a double threat.

Hopkins built their first brand new low income housing on Main Street in 1980 and we were the second family to move into these "projects in the suburbs."

Not only were we poor, but we were the first family of any color (beyond white) that moved to the city of Hopkins. Then came my close friends from Laos. My friends from Nigeria came next. Many of us who went through these experiences were scarred for life, despite our numerous successes.

The wounds are healing now, thanks to the efforts of Barack and Michelle Obama. The part of my life story that breaks my heart is that I have never been racist; it's not in genes to be able to do so. However, I have constantly been judged, by all sides, be it for my skin color, my hair, or my proper English that the mighty Hopkins School District 270 taught me with flying colors!

Are Black Civil Rights Hillary Supporters SELL-OUTS ?

Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:05:56 EST

Are Black Civil Rights Leaders
Who Support Hillary SELL-OUTS ?
By: Greg 'Peace Song' Jones

As a fifty year old black man from Cleveland, Ohio I'm at the age where my mind is full of memories. I remember how, as a child, we were all so proud as black people to be able to watch Julia on TV, the first TV series starring a black woman. I would watch 'I Spy' co-starring Bill Cosby with excitement and a sense of connection. I remember the pride we all felt when Carl B. Stokes won as mayor here in Cleveland, becoming the first black mayor of any major city. I remember the shock of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's death and the riots that resulted in many buildings being burned down in our neighborhood. I remember the National Guard riding up and down my street making us stop playing football forcing us to go in the house. I remember going to church each night where it seemed liked hundreds of blacks all came together, while we kids were in another area of the church in what was called 'Freedom School'. I remember listening to the preacher who preached the message....and I first learned the song....'We Shall OverCome'. I remember looking up at the preacher, who was our leader at that time, in total belief. All throughout my growing years I have held steadfast to the vision that we shall overcome.

But now, in 2008, I listen to our modern day civil rights leaders and find myself in absolute dismay. The very leaders who, since the civil rights movement of the 60's, had invigorated, motivated and preached the message that we shall overcome through being a united people working together toward empowerment, have unbelievably chosen to support Hillary Clinton instead of a highly qualified, capable, intelligent man who is an extremely credible candidate for President of the United States and is black. My heart just drops every time I hear an Andrew Young, Al Sharpton, Calvin Butts or Jesse jackson making statements that question whether we should support Barack Obama, and instead, being supportive of Hillary Clinton. It makes no sense at all. How can these 'leaders' claim to have devoted their lives to black empowerment, while simultaneously doing all they can to block our progress as a people? It is the most hypocritical thing I have ever witnessed and I find it to not only be very sad but also destructive to the cause.

I ask myself, how could this be? Why would our civil rights leaders be anti a black man who is truly credible, choosing rather to support a white woman instead? So, I just wonder. I wonder if they are truly sincere about their desire to see us as blacks overcome, or are they just in the civil rights business to make a living? I wonder if the Hillary camp has promised these 'leaders' certain benefits if they 'deliver' the black vote? If that is the case it would mean that personal gain is more important to them than actual achievement and empowerment for us as a people. So I watch as we cry out....we march....we boycott.....then our 'leaders' turn their backs on our very own. To me, that is the epitamy of a SELL-OUT ! I just hope that the average black man and woman will see through the tactics of our so called leaders, and will rally together, as we should, striving together so that one day.....We Shall Truly OverCome !

Note: There is a new crop of black leaders sprouting who are sincere about the rise and empowerment of Black America. One new leader is Attorney Warren Ballentine who is the host of a nationally syndicated radio program. Visit: thetruthfighters.blogspot.com for a list of radio stations nationwide.Visit Official Site: www.Blacks4Barack.homestead.com

It's Time For Change !

PUSH THE FACTS !!!!

Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:41:52 EST

Delegate Count Obama Leads Hillary 25 to 24 with Nevada then S. Carolina next !The Delegate count is the most important element of this race. A candidate must receive 50% of the delegates to win their Party's respective nomination. This year, a Republican must reach 1,191 to win their Party's nomination. The Democrats must reach 2,026 delegates. Keep in mind, several states have been sanctioned by the DNC and RNC and has either loss all their delegates or half of their delegates. However it is still entirely in the realm of possibility that the eventual nominee or winner of the state will demand their delegates be seated at the convention and counted.Obama has picked up the 2 major culinary endorsements in Nevada as well as the endorsement of Senator John Kerry

my 1st blog post EVER!

Steve Severson — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:36:27 EST

Hey everyone! Never having blogged before, I will begin by saying the only reason I could find to start one is due to the enormity and gravity of the situation in which we find ourselves.

Politics as usual. Special interest shaking down the very people elected to end the war. The list is endless, and we all know what's at stake, so I wont go on a major littany.

Here in Madison, we're having meetings at Border's Books at 3750 University Ave 1/8, 7pm, and another Thursday at Ground Zero 744 Williamson St. also at 7pm. We can discuss building coalitions with the local established groups(see if there are connections by degrees of separation), discuss obtaining of gear(there's a good Idea out there already), and the start of a potential fundraising drive in the upcoming weeks.

I have many years of experience organizing and fundraising, and could be helpful in this fashion.There are also phonebank opportunities, according to Obama's website.

Well, thats the 1st blog. I will appreciate any comments! Steve

Big Secret ? Hillary Served 6 Years on Walmart Board !

Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:23:58 EST

Did you know Hillary served on Walmart's Board of Directors for 6 years but for some reason NEVER mentions her 'experience' there. Why is it such a big secret ? Could it prove that she is not as pro-union as she pretends.....or is she secretly part of the Made In China takeover ? And she claims that she's open and 'vetted' with her past. BEWARE ! (Read More)

http://blacks4barack.blogspot.com/2008/01/hillary-was-on-walmart-board-of.html

Spread The Word !!!

Visit Official Site: www.Blacks4Barack.homestead.com

Obama Campaign Proves Whites Much Less Prejudiced Than Blacks Thought !

Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:22:22 EST

By: Greg 'Peace Song' Jones
" There's no way America would vote for a black president !.....America's not ready for a black president." That has historically been the sentiment and attitude shared by the majority of blacks in America due in part to the fact that we have always been under the assumption that most whites are so prejudiced that a black president in America would just never happen. But one of the most incredible things that has arisen through Barack Obamas campaign has been the vision of mass numbers of white people at each of the Obama rallys showing great love and support for this credible, intelligent, gifted, strong leader....who happens to also be black. It has been incredibly eye-opening and uplifting, and it, for the first time, shows us blacks that we have actually been wrong in our assumption that most whites are prejudiced toward us. Guess what ? Although you do have the exceptions to the rule, the fact is....most whites ARE NOT racist toward blacks. This is a very important revelation. VERY !!!

We, as blacks have held on to our injured history, which we rightfully feel was caused by whites, to such a degree that we have never had the opportunity to see or learn that the prejudiced attitudes of whites does not exist today like it had in the past. We just didn't know. We knew that a lot of whites like black music. We knew that millions of white women love Oprah, but we thought that was just a 'woman thing'. But in all honesty, we had no idea, until now, that white people of all ages....even older ones...could be as supportive of a black candidate as they have shown in great mass. We, as blacks have been wrong !

And now, to my black brothers and sisters....It's time for us to acknowledge this extremely important revelation...In other words....all whites are not prejudiced !!! In fact, MOST whites aren't ! I know, it's hard to believe because of our lifetime of thinking differently....but these are the facts. Just look in the eyes of the whites at Obama's rallys. You see a true warmth, compassion and true support for this man....who is black. What this means is that most whites have risen above the racism of old. Now, it is time for us, as blacks, to rise up as well. Of course, we as blacks will have the specific cases of injustice and prejudice as displayed through examples like Jena 6, Genarlow Wilson, Katrina and the like....and specific cases like those should be dealt with accordingly. But we must not continue to allow certain negative occurances to misdirect our minds toward thinking that these negative examples speak for the entire white race. The majority of whites of today are actually on our side !

Obama's campaign has already won by proving that whites and blacks can not only get along....but can work TOGETHER....toward a better tomorrow...for us all. And guess what my black family....America IS ready !!!

Blacks View latest Hillary Attack RACIST !

Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 15:35:12 EST

Blacks View Latest Hillary Attack
on Obama as RACIST !
By GREG JONES, Blacks 4 Barack writer (Dec. 15)


In what many consider to be a sign of desperation due to the increase of Obama support in the polls, Hillary Clinton's campaign struck with a new smear tactic recently which some blacks consider to be racist. Many are stating that her underlying tone and tactic reflect her subliminal opinion that all black men are drug dealers....even Barack Obama ! After her co-campaign chairman Bill Sheehan 'resigned' for making the drug dealer comment, Clinton's strategist, AKA her Karl Rove, continued to make drug dealer accusations during a cable news appearance while he was supposedly apologizing for the comments, but was quickly exposed for his tactic by John Edwards strategist Joe Trippi..

     National talk-radio shows began raising the issue of Hillary's racist view on Friday. It also raised the question that if Bill Clinton was so 'pro-black', why as President was he responsible for setting the federal crack cocaine penalties to be 8 times harsher than powder cocaine users, knowing that crack cocaine was more of a black used drug as compared to powder cocaine which is more used by whites. A person convicted of possession of 5 grams of crack could be sentenced to up to 8 years in prison while in order for a person to be sentenced to 8 years with powder they would have to have 500 grams. The imbalance of this Clinton law was reviewed recently by the U.S. Courts and is being overturned.

     "I'm just not sure about these Clinton's anymore", states Linda Jackson, a black professional and former Hillary supporter. "

Visit: www.Blacks4Barack.homestead.com

LD22 meeting--first time for me

Silvia — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 01:06:15 EDT

Lost my first posting into cyber-space. I hope I'm not repeating myself. . . . Exciting things are happening in Arizona for Obama's campaign. The meeting I attended this evening in Gilbert was small in attendance yet big in committment. For a first-time political activist, I found it exciting to hear others express my own feelings about why Obama is the candidate to back. He has the power, the charisma, and definitely the intelligence to draw out people like me whose only interest in politics has been confined to voting on election days.

With his interracial background and his academic history, he seems the correct person to bring together our much divided country. His down-to-earth approach to campaigning and his accessibility to the ordinary citizen have made him someone I can feel hopeful about, willing to work for. Only Kennedy has incited similar feelings in me, but I was too young then even to understand the loss his death meant for our country.

No question for whom I am willing to volunteer my time. Good luck to us.

Obama is coming, clear the way!

ApondoNET — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 03:34:23 EDT

Article First Posted At AfroArticles.com on: 10-29-2006

"Obama biro, yawne yo!" (Obama is coming, clear the way) -- Tens of thousands of cheering Luo "Tribesmen" and ululating women screamed as they welcomed Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) back to his father's ancestral land -- Nyangoma Kogelo village in Luo Land, Western Kenya, several weeks ago.

In a matter of hours Obama had soared to unprecedented political prominence in Kenya, eclipsing a bunch of corrupt and heartless nincompoops -- The (Mt. Kenya Mafia), who are ruthlessly grinding beautiful Kenya to the ground.

The only difference between the Mt. Kenya Mafia and the current U.S. Republican administration, is that the former have brought Kenya down to it's "Economic Knees," while it's virtually impossible for George Bush's government to bring down the mighty economy of the United States, no matter how much they misappropriate it's coffers by way of inflated Iraq reconstruction contracts or Katrina FEMA trailers. Otherwise both groups employ similar schemes - exploiting and manipulating ethnic (racial) intolerance and promoting rampant corruption -- a bunch of "cold-blooded" louts.

The six year cesspool of a mess presided over by the Bush administration might not be in vain after all. It has made America hungry for a messenger with a message of hope.

In the NBC "Meet The Press" interview of Sunday 22nd October, I watched Senator Obama intimate that -- based on the responses he has been receiving across the country, he is considering running for the presidency of The United States in 2008.

What impressed me most about him is how he tackled the question regarding his previous assertion in 2004 -- that he would complete his six year Senate term and not run for President in 2008: "I have thought about the possibility, but I have not thought about it with the seriousness and depth I think is required," Obama said. "My main focus is on 2006, and making sure that we re-take the Congress. After November 7th, I will sit down and consider it."

Unlike the shifty, programmed, and selfishly partisan politicians I am used to watching on Sunday morning political TV, Barack Obama countered Tim Russert's questions with poise, spontaneity and most important, he seemed very genuine.

In a political system muddied and tainted by arrogance, corruption and incompetence, watching and listening to Obama is inordinately refreshing.

In Obama I see an intelligent and capable man, unlike the current President who constantly reminds me of an unprepared and confused "open book, open notes" exam taker, badly rehearsed and totally incapable of articulating his views without the stewardship of his father's cronies, Karl Rove his "Political Architect" and a bone breaking conglomeration of "Hyena" special interest groups.

Obama's apparent good human qualities added to the fact that he is a great American story, makes the Senator a very attractive prospect for the ultimate prize in politics -- The Presidency of The United States.

Is Obama Presidential material?

Many cite his lack of political experience, claiming his resume is too thin for a run at the Presidency. I disagree and here is why:

1. Unlike other black leaders, Obama doesn't grind "white noses" in Racism, and at the same time he is a symbol of hope to millions of dis-affected blacks and other minorities.

Judging by his Senatorial election win of a 70% majority, Obama has proven that he is a very powerful vote magnet across racial lines. He has established an "inclusive" track record that would be vital in a presidential election if he decides to run. His candidacy would draw out millions of dormant black voters thus making the Democratic candidacy more viable.

On the flipside, we all know that there are some whites such as the right wing gutter constituents of con-man Rush Limbaugh, who will forever embrace Racism and will never accept a black president. A President Obama would mark the beginning of the placement this irritant breed to the fringes of political obscurity.

2. He is NOT a bumbling idiot, appears humble and has not been tainted with partisan politics. Perhaps even more important is that he is a confident intellectual, which I think is a necessary pre-requisite for handling the complex issues of the highest political office in the world.

3. The last Republican President who had some smarts was the foul-mouthed bigot -- Richard Milhouse Nixon, who engineered his own downfall with a lethal concoction of homophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-black and "Communist Paranoia." As a matter of fact Nixon's political career spanned three decades of scare mongering, witch-hunts and dirty tricks, the same tactics that have been successfully deployed by the current administration over the last six years.

All others after him have been bumbling buffoons with slight exceptions in George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan.

Reagan the Serial Liar who made Americans feel good about themselves, was not only ill informed but partially senile towards the end of his second term - not particularly smart, but a great "Political Actor," whose major achievements included presiding over the disintegration of the Soviet Empire (which was inevitable anyway), misuse of the World Bank and funding of CIA death squads to safeguard the corporate thievery by US multinational companies in Latin American countries.... and the worst in my opinion; propping the racist Apartheid regime in South Africa.

The "Great Communicator" was just another Republican crook!

Bill Clinton and John Kennedy did not have that much experience. Abraham Lincoln ran after two years in the House, Woodrow Wilson after two years as governor, and Franklin D. Roosevelt & Jimmy Carter after four years as governor.

Perhaps Dr. Martin Luther King summed it up best in his "The Drum Major Instinct" sermon delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, February 4, 1968 - He said: "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.... You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant," qualities that are thoroughly lacking in the Republican base - the "self-chosen" people of "Faith."

If the Democrats nominate Hillary Clinton, a very polarizing Democrat, the Republican smear spigots will spill out of control and flood the whole country to an extent that the Katrina calamity will look like a storm in a teacup. On the other hand, an Obama nomination would fuel vicious racial and below the belt "Nyangau" attacks from the right wing, like the slime being spewed by Republican troglodytes against black Democrat Harold Ford Jr. in the Tennessee, or by incumbent Senator George "Macaca" Allen in Virginia.

I wonder if Senator Obama has the stomach for such personal and racist attacks -- a GOP staple!

Colin Powell assessed these circumstances in 2000 and chickened out, and subsequently dimmed his star serving in this ham-fisted administration for four years before being pushed out in favor of "yes-woman" Condoleezza Rice. It is rumored that he feared political assassination.

Will Obama follow through or is his potential candidacy just hype?

It is time for America to put it's Racist legacy behind it, to re-assess its future, and take a closer look at this rising star, for I think Barack Obama is ready -- to cleanse the "maligned" soul of America.

About The Author: James Opiko writes for AfroArticles.com & PoliticalArticles.Net. Button - Courtesy: http://www.cafepress.com/votedem2008/572242 | Article Source: AfroArticles.com - Article Marketing Directory

10 Easy Ways to Help Obama!

Nathan Green (Sioux City, IA) — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:40:10 EDT

These are 10 easy things you can do to be part of the change politics has needed for decades. Try one or complete them all!

2/19

HA — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 10:28:59 EST

I'm doing pretty well, but I haven't quite made it to daily yet. It's not entirely my fault, you see, there's really not something interesting to talk about every single day. I mean, don't get me wrong, when something does happen, I get really fired up - like today. Every time I direct my DVR box to fast forward through some worn out soft news story like this Anna Nicole Smith and Brittany Spears smut, I empathize with the 24 hour news networks. I mean, it's not like they could follow any more people around, they have their nose in everything, there's just not enough stuff going on for them to have constant coverage like they do.

Well, this weekend, amid running from New Hampshire to Washington to take part in a failed vote, Senator Hillary Clinton, the biggest threat to our dear Obama, made a tender misstep. Or, as I am certain she considers it, a cool calculation. Sick of hearing those pesky voters question her vote on the Iraq war and her refusal to call it a mistake, she went for a great soundbite, cementing her attempts at becoming "The Iron Maiden." She simply informed voters that if they were looking for someone who was calling their vote a mistake, there were other candidates out there. It is a bold politician who willingly shuns voters for image. (*cough Republicans cough*)

The New Hampshire primaries used to be an important day in the selection of the Presidential Nominee, how will her cold dismissal of pandering to voters play there? Oh, I know....

Ms. Clinton really is a cool and calculating woman. She does not care how it will play in New Hampshire, for she is in the process of seeing the California primary moved up too and with her money raising capabilities, she can focus there and afford to loose a small state or two. Aren't the Democrats only about the big, coastal states anyway? Well, that's not what Howard Dean tells me in my newsletter.

Shortly after the 2006 election, members of the Clinton circle came out against Dean and his 50-state solution. They argued that Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, had wasted campaign dollars in "red" states, and if the money had been spent in "swing" districts, the Democrats would have won more seats and have a firmer majority (and perhaps gotten those precious 4 votes this weekend.)

What the heck is the story with the Democratic Party? Why are we, America, stuck in this rigid two party system where basically, if you are not a Republican, you are obviously a Democrat. If we had an invigorating multi-party system where a range of ideas could be heard and worked with toward our common goal of compromise and better human living, there could be two "Democratic" parties; the coastal big state party and the 50 state solution party. But, this is America and it does not work like that.

There is only one Democratic Party, and soundbites like that will not get you the nomination on their ticket. However, ones like Obama made this weekend in South Carolina, cocky confident comments implying not just a first term, but a second as well....I sure hope so....

HA, out....

2/17

HA — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 09:41:03 EST

I absolutely can not believe that the House was sucessful at passing thier Non-Binding Resolution yesterday. It really was a touching moment. Despite the pundits trying to say that it was undermining the President, a rebuke even.

But in reality, when we think about what actually happened, the Democrats had two of their own vote against the resolution and were only able to convert less than twenty Republicans. The early estimates, as late as yesterday morning, pegged the Reps at nearly sixty about to stray and vote in favor of the resolution.

Now, in a move I can only call hasty and sloppy, Senate majority leader Harry Reid has called a very rare Saturday session of the Senate to vote on the Resolution that passed in the house. As many as six Senators seeking the Presidential Nomination had campaign events scheduled for today.

In a matter of moments, we will find out who puts what first. But, also we will see the minority able to pull their ranks together well and hold a filibuster and refuse to budge on even the simpliest of matters which the electorate has obviously already spoken out on. I do not believe that Harry Ried will be able to get the needed number of votes on this day to take up the Resolution in the Senate as well.

In addition to this blatent failure, I also believe that the social dynamics of this day will factor into primary voters minds. You are not going to forget a leader too busy campaigning to vote for something you feel pasionate about. Suddenly I am having flashbacks of Georgie Boi's intense enrapture with the epic children's book.

No doubt, it will proove to be an interesting day, all around.

HA, out....

2/15

HA — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 09:10:58 EST

I think that one of the biggest blunders politicians make is apologizing all the time. Some things, no matter how hurtful, are true and often need to be said. Senator Obama has clearly voiced his opposition to the Iraqi war since before it began. That would make it obvious that, in his opinion at least, the lives of over 3,100 American citizens have, in fact, been wasted. An absolute waste, these citizens could be contributing to society, laughing, enjoying life with their friends and family and all around being contributing parts of our American society.

Instead, they are dead. Their families are sad and broken; their children will grow up knowing that their parents died for a meaningless war.

There is nothing about these facts that Barack should apologize for. It is not his fault that the war is going terribly, or that it was even begun. He has projected a plan which will bring our troops home in thirteen months and keep countless others from dying in vain. He needs not apologize for those that have fallen.

It really is a tragedy that for some to live, others must die. What is more of a tragedy is when our fellow Americans die without reason and their sacrifice is dishonored by petty quarrelling over what to do with their comrades and when to admit mistake and just return home to deal with our real issues here.

Please, Barack, stop apologizing and continue working to save others from the fate that far too many have already suffered at the greedy incompetent hands of our Commander in Chief.

2/14

HA — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 08:07:48 EST

So...this has been gnawing at me for days now.

Time magazine this week published an article written by an African-American man about Barack and how he is not black enough for the American black voter. This article, any the many "talking heads" on tv who have been talking about it, bases it's information on a poll that says only 20% of black voters are interested in Senator Obama, whereas near 40% are interested in Senator Clinton.

Now, I do not intend to make racially slanted comments as this entire line of "news coverage" has. The Daily Show's "Senior Black Correspondent" informed John Stewart last night that these figures actually boded well for Barack. He said, "No black candidate wants the support of black voters. There's a formula, for every three black voters you get, you scare away five white voters. Just ask Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton." After waiting the required time for applause he added insult to injury, "no really, John, ask them, they're just sitting in a studio somewhere waiting for someone to interview them on satellite feed."

I don't find this funny at all. Granted, I am a whole hearted believer in the Twain ideal, "there are liars, damned liars, and statisticians." However, this is not my main concern. I just think that it is absolutely audacious that an articulate African-American man is representing his race as capable, intelligent and ready to lead the country in a new direction and the African-American community finds that he is too "different" from them. Well of course he doesn't live in government provided sub-standard housing, stay at home all day and jam to 50 cent and wear street clothes fourteen sizes too big for him. Is one to believe that in order to get the "black vote" one must embrace "the gansta lifestyle?"

If that were indeed the case, the Daily Show's commentator would be correct, that line of bringing around African American voters would indeed scare off white voters. This, our clean cut man in a suit would certainly not deign to do.

On 60 minutes, Michelle made an appeal to race. When asked if she feared that Senator Obama might encounter an assassination attempt on the campaign train, she responded "as a black man, Barack could get shot going to the gas station." And she laughed. I wanted to be sick. Could a white man not be shot at a gas station? Do white people not get shot all the time? Crime, while obviously skewed toward the black community as perpetrators, does not skew the victims.

All I know is that I am white and think Barack is plenty black, plenty white, plenty young, plenty young, plenty ready and willing.

O-ba-ma

Yeah....I’ll stop chanting now; I think I woke the neighbors....

HA, out...

2/13

HA — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 07:57:10 EST

Just a little note on website functionality. On my screen, once I roll over the drop down menus, they expand but fail to "de-expand" after I have navigated my pointer away and are now in the way of my seeing what I am typing....

(Also, when I try to click on the oh - so - helpful "what is this" lower on this page near extended post text, the text box flashes and fades with the click, far too fast for any human I know to read it....thanks)

I am certain someone will get to that.

Troops Home Now

Georgie Boi was our first president to see protesters on his Inauguration Day. Is this a trend that will never end? When before in history was a politician interrupted several times while announcing his intent to run for the highest office in the land by onlookers chanting his name in five degree weather. Senator Obama has brought a 'Happy Gilmore' feel to the once drab world of politics.

Unfortunately for him, one must accept the good with the bad and following his name chanting interruptions, he found himself being interrupted by people chanting "troops home now". Well, would we not all like the troops home now? Perhaps. Maybe Barack even wants the troops home now; he was against the very idea of this war from the start. However, until we get him elected, it is not his decision and if angry protesters want to interrupt someone with their troops home now rhetoric, they should be interrupting King George and the Royal Court or someone who didn't already lay down a clear plan of phased redeployment getting our fighting men and women out of harm's way by March of 2008.

HA, out....

2/12

HA — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 08:30:24 EST

Every day I find my mind wandering to the possibilities that are possible for our great nation and we are not even reaching for. Every day as I drive, I dream of seeing houses with solar panels rather than satellite dishes; hybrid cars rather than bigger and bigger SUVs; and peace and equality rather than war and racial bigotry.

I imagine that Senator Obama has the capacity to lead us past the decades of ignorance and intolerance that our country has stumbled its way through. I imagine that he will lead us to technological highs, saving the environment, as well as personal highs, saving each other in the global community.

It is only through dedication that we can affect change, and I intend to dedicate myself.

Before the announcements, I wrote Senator Obama a letter, stating if he would be so kind as to forward me a copy of his schedule and speak with me for a moment or two daily, I could write a really charged blog "On the Campaign Trail with Barack Obama."

I remembered all of the....slanted and biased opinion pieces I posted on my Myspace blog only after I had written him. Thankfully, the Edwards camp has set the precedent that past blogging, no matter how offensive, is not reason enough to be fired from the campaign group.

A blogger for Edwards apparently, prior to being employed by Edwards, wrote something to this effect, "and what if after the holy ghost had filled her with his seed, the Virgin Mary had opted for Plan B. Bet you'd have some different rhetoric then..." Wow, now that is "so-o" offensive. I've sliced worse into the pulsating vein that is the Christian Right.

Thankfully, we live in a free world, where I can write as I please. And today it pleases me to announce that I whole-heartedly support Senator Barack Obama in his quest to be the very next President of the United States of America.

HA, out....