Alexandra Pelosi was on The Rachel Maddow show Fri. night, talking about her soon to be broadcast documentary on the recent presidential race. She attended a number of McCain/Palin rallies, filming and interviewing the people that came to see the Republican ticket. There was lots of anger, shouting, and even a fight leading Pelosi to make the statement that there really are two parallel Americas trying to exist as one. I understand completely the point she was making but like Maddow, I simply disagree. As the President has stated over and over, “we are not just a red America or blue America but one America”. We are conservatives, liberals, gays, straights, Latinos, African Americans, as well as Africans, white, red, yellow, and brown. We are laborers, professionals, too many religions to list, poor, rich, and yet we are all Americans. Somehow, we have got to put that at the top of the list, and party affiliations, regional differences, religious differences, must remain secondary to our national heritage. Those that have been called to military service, be it WWI or Iraq, did so to defend not a religious belief but rather the ideal of what it means to be an American. For the first time in many years, the night Barack Obama was elected as our president I had the overwhelming feeling of pride. After 8 years of lies, deceit, our Constitution being trashed, the people spoke loud and clear and said no more. But, as the president said that very night, 48 % did not vote for him but that he would be their president also and would work to earn their vote.
If we look at some of the most divisive issues, abortion, and marriage rights, Pelosi’s point of two Americas seems to fit and therein lays the problem. It is the absolute certainty that each side believes they are right and the other side is wrong. So, how do we get from here to there? Perhaps a beginning would be to remind each of us, that country must be put first. That is, our personal beliefs must be subjugated for the whole and the whole is our country. As the pastor TD Jakes said, we are not a Christian nation as we have Jews, Moslems, Buddhists, Hindus, and non-believers, along with Christians. Our Constitution guarantees us that we can worship and hold any belief system that we want and it also protects those that have no belief system. We can argue, disagree, shout, go to court, vote, write letters, and demonstrate but in the end, we must remember that first is the fact that we are all Americans. We make mistakes as a nation, and we make mistakes as individuals but we are capable of learning as a nation, as well as individuals. This is the strength of our country.
There are those that say, “the end is near”, there is nothing left but doom and I reject that. There are those that say our new President is simply a pawn for a powerful few and I reject that. Like Lincoln, who came at a time when the nation was in peril of breaking apart, Barack H. Obama has come at a similar time. This unlikely man, child of a single mother, raised in part by grandparents, not really knowing a father, has become President of the United States. A few short years ago he was un-known and today he is one of the most recognized faces in the world. We face some very hard times ahead, perhaps in its own way, just as hard as Lincoln faced but I cannot think of a single leader that I would rather have at the helm of the ship of state. “I know Mr. President there will be mistakes made because you have already told us so. You have also said that you and we, will learn form those mistakes and we will carry on. I may disagree with some of your decisions and I will feel free to let you know but I will not lose confidence in you.” I think you are a man of unique ability, generous in spirit, perhaps the most eloquent speaker in our history and maybe, most importantly a man of good heart. I know you will do everything within your power to lead us out of this dark place, back to America at it’s best. You said recently regarding the stimulus bill, “Do not let seeking perfection stand in the way of the essential” and I believe that also applies to other issues. Perfection is always a lofty goal, but one that fails in the job because of seeking perfection, serves nothing but their own ego. My pledge to you and my fellow Americans is I will do everything in my power to examine all sides of the issues, to remember there is always another side, to speak clearly and civilly, and remember, “Yes we can”.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Are Republicans being obstructionist?
What do Republicans hope to gain with obstructionism? I called multiple times the senate offices of Shelby, Sessions, McCain, and Kyl today, and all phone lines and mailboxes were full. I particularly wanted to reach Shelby, as he had also voted against Eric Holder and had stated yesterday that, “the man on the street was against the stimulus bill”. When asked what he offered in the bill’s place, he avoided the question, obviously because he had nothing to offer. The Republican Party is in shambles; McCain/Palin was a disaster, Joe the plumber, and now the election of a black man to head the party, when the base of the Republican Party is in the South where they are still fighting the Civil War. You don’t believe that? Just today I was talking to a man from Memphis who took the old “states rights line” that says the Civil war, or as the last generation called it, “the war of northern aggression”, was not about slavery but states rights. I heard the same thing at the University of Alabama in 1962 when George Wallace stood in the door and defied the federal troops. Look back at the states that McCain heavily carried and you are now looking at the base.
Knowing how much people in Alabama disliked the election of our first African American President, Shelby and Sessions feel safe in voting against the stimulus bill, calling it a disaster in spending tax payer money; yet in the Mobile Press-Register the school board stated that without federal bailout funds there would be schools closed, teachers fired, and the usual reduction in spending that schools across the country are now experiencing. Mobile has hoped and the contract was actually awarded to EADS, for the air force tanker contract that, is now being re-evaluated due to Boeing’s charge of “foul”. Both Shelby and Sessions strongly support this contract, and although they both have damned wasteful federal spending, of course this is not wasteful spending. I wanted to ask my two senators where they were, when only 8 years ago we had the largest surplus in history, only to be left with the largest deficit. Both senators supported Bush/Cheney on Iraq, tax cuts, and of course Justice Roberts and Alito.
It is fairly clear neither senator, along with McCain and the rest, have a clue what to do or where to go but their only chance to remain in any sort of leadership spot light, is to simply be against anything the Administration wants to do. Regardless of how bad our economy is, regardless of job lost, foreclosed homes, two wars Republicans have decided their own political ambitions are more important than the welfare of the country. With the election of Barack Obama, the voters showed both parties that their vicious, selfish hold on the American People could be broken. It is time that the voters “cleaned house” of both Democrats and Republicans that have gone to Washington as a public servants, only to build a dynasty that it’s only aim is, to keep themselves in power and offer some effort on behalf of their largest contributors.
The president has just finished his first news conference and is receiving high marks from the pundits. Ed Rollins, Republican consultant made a very good point about the Republicans, in that after the 8 failed years of the Bush Administration the Republicans are returning to their roots of conservatism. The only problem with that is, they are a trillion short and a trillion late and the issue at hand is how do we avoid another Great Depression. It is not rocket science to see that a great majority of the American people believes] that the President is their best hope and Congress offers nothing. The Republican Party bears the brand of Bush/Cheney and until they can convince the voter that they represent something different, they will become even less of the minority
Knowing how much people in Alabama disliked the election of our first African American President, Shelby and Sessions feel safe in voting against the stimulus bill, calling it a disaster in spending tax payer money; yet in the Mobile Press-Register the school board stated that without federal bailout funds there would be schools closed, teachers fired, and the usual reduction in spending that schools across the country are now experiencing. Mobile has hoped and the contract was actually awarded to EADS, for the air force tanker contract that, is now being re-evaluated due to Boeing’s charge of “foul”. Both Shelby and Sessions strongly support this contract, and although they both have damned wasteful federal spending, of course this is not wasteful spending. I wanted to ask my two senators where they were, when only 8 years ago we had the largest surplus in history, only to be left with the largest deficit. Both senators supported Bush/Cheney on Iraq, tax cuts, and of course Justice Roberts and Alito.
It is fairly clear neither senator, along with McCain and the rest, have a clue what to do or where to go but their only chance to remain in any sort of leadership spot light, is to simply be against anything the Administration wants to do. Regardless of how bad our economy is, regardless of job lost, foreclosed homes, two wars Republicans have decided their own political ambitions are more important than the welfare of the country. With the election of Barack Obama, the voters showed both parties that their vicious, selfish hold on the American People could be broken. It is time that the voters “cleaned house” of both Democrats and Republicans that have gone to Washington as a public servants, only to build a dynasty that it’s only aim is, to keep themselves in power and offer some effort on behalf of their largest contributors.
The president has just finished his first news conference and is receiving high marks from the pundits. Ed Rollins, Republican consultant made a very good point about the Republicans, in that after the 8 failed years of the Bush Administration the Republicans are returning to their roots of conservatism. The only problem with that is, they are a trillion short and a trillion late and the issue at hand is how do we avoid another Great Depression. It is not rocket science to see that a great majority of the American people believes] that the President is their best hope and Congress offers nothing. The Republican Party bears the brand of Bush/Cheney and until they can convince the voter that they represent something different, they will become even less of the minority
Monday, February 2, 2009
HELP
I started this blog for the purpose of putting into words, some of the thoughts I have about politics and other events I find interesting. I had also thought it a good way for me to communicate with my friends that are spread across the globe, some of which I rarely see in person but still keep in touch with. I also write a good bit on OPEDNEWS, a web based news sight that has both professionals, as well as people like myself and there is at times, a lot of “back and forth”. OEN, as we refer to it, gives me all the time and interaction I need and therefore I have to remember my blog, which when I think about, I “cross post” some things. But, I get no reader response at all on ginsmill and just wonder if anyone reads it at all. Therefore, I am asking anyone that does read anything, please send me email at arnold_gin@yahoo.com and tell me what you think. If I had found OEN before I created this blog------I probably would not have ever created it. But, it did give me a chance to put in words some of my thoughts and other than the signature line on my emails, I have none nothing to promote the blog. Anyway, should you stumble in------let me know.
Peace,gin
Peace,gin
Can Obama's attempt to "reach accross the isle" work
Is President Obama’s attempt to “reach across the isle” a waste of time or will it pay off in the future? Like many, I was disappointed to see 100% of House Republicans vote against the proposed Stimulus Bill but not surprised. Conventional thinking is, that Republicans by voting no, will be in a better position to take back the Congress and the Whitehouse, should the stimulus fail. No one can say for sure exactly what needs to happen nor can anyone promise that the proposed stimulus will work but there is no argument that we are in the direst financial situation since the 1930’s. “The U.S. economy suffered its biggest slowdown in 26 years in the last three months of 2008”, so says Dean Baker, co-director of Center for Economic and Policy Research. From Krugman to Friedman to Feldstein, all agree that immediate action is necessary. How I ask, can Republicans in the face of all this economic disaster put their own political fortunes ahead of the welfare of the entire country? Does the big radio ape (I refuse to dignify anything by the use of his name) really speak for the Republican Party?
Republicans sent emails to reporters stating their objections to the Stimulus because it included: 50 million to the National Endowment for the Arts, 150 million to insure honey bee farmers, 335 million for preventing sexually transmitted diseases, 150 million for repairs to the Smithsonian Institution, 426 million for the CDC, 20 million to remove fish barriers in rivers, and 25 million to clear off-road trails. Republicans can certainly ask the question, “why would we support the arts” but believe it or not, as one of my artist friends told me years ago, art is the historical record of “who we are as a people”. Besides that, artist are amongst the lowest paid people in our society and funding the arts is a form of economic stimulation. If anyone has read a newspaper in the last year, the disappearance of honeybees has been of great concern across the country. Scientist are not certain of the cause but without bees, any 6th grade student knows that life cannot exist. Believe it or not Republicans, bees keep us alive. Of course we could ignore the Smithsonian--------that is probably one reason it is in need of repair-----but it is one of the largest tourist attractions in the country. Do we want it to fall down? The last time I checked, the CDC was the place that people turned to when they were scared to death of SARS, Ebola, new strains of Flu, or other threatening diseases. But lets just say, we don’t need art, the CDC, bees, and the rest; the total of this part of the stimulus is something like 0.149 of the 800 billion. So there you have it, the Republicans voted 100% against the bill because 0.149 of it went to things they did not like.
I, like many was unsure of the bank bailout and still remain so but I do not know, nor does anyone else what it would be like if we had not taken that action. In the same way, how can we argue against so many economists and their belief that something must be done to get the economy going again? It is easy to be a sideline pundit, pontificating this and that and I have been guilty many times but when the rubber hits the road, I would be a little shy it stating people like Krugman and Friedman are simply wrong in their economic opinions. My father was a physician and we argued about everything but when it came to medicine, I took his opinion. Republicans seem to think that the Stimulus just does not have enough tax cuts, yet Moody’s Economy has tracked stimulus spending and tax cuts for business’s put only .33 (cents) per dollar back in the economy, whereas expanding the food-stamp program puts into the economy a $1.73 for every dollar spent and expanding unemployment benefits puts $1.64. Of course one cannot object to feeding people and also support programs like this. I could remind Republicans that our President’s mother was once a recipient of food-stamps, but then again that might be the very reason for them to be against that “LIBERAL” program.
The only group that was rated lower than former President Bush was the Congress and it would seem Republicans are anxious to retain that position. But, as the President stated in his acceptance speech, 47% of the voters did not vote for him and therein lies a big part of the problem. Living in South Alabama I know many of this 47%-----my family for example and almost the entire congressional delegation. They are strong pro-lifers, supported Bush and his illegal war, want government to “stay out of things”, of course that does not include the plans to build air tankers in Mobile, and as much of the stimulus money they can get, and of course government help after hurricanes. Their mentality is, “government should stay the hell out of things--------unless we call on um”. Therefore, the elected officials must appeal to that voter or better yet, “be one of them”. Sen. Jeff Sessions is one such character. Sessions was born in Selma, Al. the sight of the famous 1965 Selma to Montgomery March and was later nominated by Reagan as a United States Attorney. In 1985 as U.S. Attorney he un-successfully prosecuted 3 civil rights workers for voter fraud. He spent hours interrogating black voters in predominantly black counties, where after 1.7 million votes cast produced only 14 allegedly tampered votes. The jury spent less than 4 hours before acquitting all three. In 1986 Reagan nominated Sessions for a federal judgeship but he lost when the Senate Judiciary Committee refused to let a vote come to the floor, reminding the committee of his remarks about the NAACP, KKK, and the ACLU. Sessions had previously stated that the KKK was not so bad; except he had learned they smoked pot. Sessions once labeled the ACLU and the NAACP as “un-American, and they forced civil rights down the throats of people”. He also called them “communist inspired”. In Oct. 2007 Time reported a lobbyist, Lamar Young told prosecutors that on May8, 2002 he paid thousands of dollars in apparently illegal contributions to big names in Alabama Republicans, including Sessions. Young was a key witness in the trial of former governor Don Siegelman that saw him convicted and sent to prison. Forty former state attorney generals, both Democrats and Republicans cited “irregularities”. Sessions supported Bush’s war 100%, opposed a bill by Sen. Specter that would allow Congress to file a law suit to get presidential signing statements declared unconstitutional, opposed Sen. McCain’s anti-torture amendment in 2006, 0 rating on the environment, and 100% vote with big oil. But, he was just re-elected by a landslide.
I know the President campaigned on “reaching across the isle” and I also know that is something the majority of the American people, including myself desperately want; But we must get the message across to both parties that we, the simple citizens are not going to take it anymore. The election of Barack Obama, if nothing else sent a message loud and clear, that the machines of both parties are still not stronger than a unified citizenry. We must also remember that 47% that voted for McCain, in my case, they are friends, and family and certainly not bad people. As the President moves our ship of state forward, he will need us all and if we are to survive, we had better all come forward.
Republicans sent emails to reporters stating their objections to the Stimulus because it included: 50 million to the National Endowment for the Arts, 150 million to insure honey bee farmers, 335 million for preventing sexually transmitted diseases, 150 million for repairs to the Smithsonian Institution, 426 million for the CDC, 20 million to remove fish barriers in rivers, and 25 million to clear off-road trails. Republicans can certainly ask the question, “why would we support the arts” but believe it or not, as one of my artist friends told me years ago, art is the historical record of “who we are as a people”. Besides that, artist are amongst the lowest paid people in our society and funding the arts is a form of economic stimulation. If anyone has read a newspaper in the last year, the disappearance of honeybees has been of great concern across the country. Scientist are not certain of the cause but without bees, any 6th grade student knows that life cannot exist. Believe it or not Republicans, bees keep us alive. Of course we could ignore the Smithsonian--------that is probably one reason it is in need of repair-----but it is one of the largest tourist attractions in the country. Do we want it to fall down? The last time I checked, the CDC was the place that people turned to when they were scared to death of SARS, Ebola, new strains of Flu, or other threatening diseases. But lets just say, we don’t need art, the CDC, bees, and the rest; the total of this part of the stimulus is something like 0.149 of the 800 billion. So there you have it, the Republicans voted 100% against the bill because 0.149 of it went to things they did not like.
I, like many was unsure of the bank bailout and still remain so but I do not know, nor does anyone else what it would be like if we had not taken that action. In the same way, how can we argue against so many economists and their belief that something must be done to get the economy going again? It is easy to be a sideline pundit, pontificating this and that and I have been guilty many times but when the rubber hits the road, I would be a little shy it stating people like Krugman and Friedman are simply wrong in their economic opinions. My father was a physician and we argued about everything but when it came to medicine, I took his opinion. Republicans seem to think that the Stimulus just does not have enough tax cuts, yet Moody’s Economy has tracked stimulus spending and tax cuts for business’s put only .33 (cents) per dollar back in the economy, whereas expanding the food-stamp program puts into the economy a $1.73 for every dollar spent and expanding unemployment benefits puts $1.64. Of course one cannot object to feeding people and also support programs like this. I could remind Republicans that our President’s mother was once a recipient of food-stamps, but then again that might be the very reason for them to be against that “LIBERAL” program.
The only group that was rated lower than former President Bush was the Congress and it would seem Republicans are anxious to retain that position. But, as the President stated in his acceptance speech, 47% of the voters did not vote for him and therein lies a big part of the problem. Living in South Alabama I know many of this 47%-----my family for example and almost the entire congressional delegation. They are strong pro-lifers, supported Bush and his illegal war, want government to “stay out of things”, of course that does not include the plans to build air tankers in Mobile, and as much of the stimulus money they can get, and of course government help after hurricanes. Their mentality is, “government should stay the hell out of things--------unless we call on um”. Therefore, the elected officials must appeal to that voter or better yet, “be one of them”. Sen. Jeff Sessions is one such character. Sessions was born in Selma, Al. the sight of the famous 1965 Selma to Montgomery March and was later nominated by Reagan as a United States Attorney. In 1985 as U.S. Attorney he un-successfully prosecuted 3 civil rights workers for voter fraud. He spent hours interrogating black voters in predominantly black counties, where after 1.7 million votes cast produced only 14 allegedly tampered votes. The jury spent less than 4 hours before acquitting all three. In 1986 Reagan nominated Sessions for a federal judgeship but he lost when the Senate Judiciary Committee refused to let a vote come to the floor, reminding the committee of his remarks about the NAACP, KKK, and the ACLU. Sessions had previously stated that the KKK was not so bad; except he had learned they smoked pot. Sessions once labeled the ACLU and the NAACP as “un-American, and they forced civil rights down the throats of people”. He also called them “communist inspired”. In Oct. 2007 Time reported a lobbyist, Lamar Young told prosecutors that on May8, 2002 he paid thousands of dollars in apparently illegal contributions to big names in Alabama Republicans, including Sessions. Young was a key witness in the trial of former governor Don Siegelman that saw him convicted and sent to prison. Forty former state attorney generals, both Democrats and Republicans cited “irregularities”. Sessions supported Bush’s war 100%, opposed a bill by Sen. Specter that would allow Congress to file a law suit to get presidential signing statements declared unconstitutional, opposed Sen. McCain’s anti-torture amendment in 2006, 0 rating on the environment, and 100% vote with big oil. But, he was just re-elected by a landslide.
I know the President campaigned on “reaching across the isle” and I also know that is something the majority of the American people, including myself desperately want; But we must get the message across to both parties that we, the simple citizens are not going to take it anymore. The election of Barack Obama, if nothing else sent a message loud and clear, that the machines of both parties are still not stronger than a unified citizenry. We must also remember that 47% that voted for McCain, in my case, they are friends, and family and certainly not bad people. As the President moves our ship of state forward, he will need us all and if we are to survive, we had better all come forward.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
I do not like conspiracies but if the shoe fits
If you watched Rachel Maddow Monday night, she had some very interesting facts about the banks that received TARP funds. The following questions were asked of these banks: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#283583121. How much has been spent?
2. What was it spent on?
3. How much is being held in savings?
4. What’s the plan for the rest of it?
It would seem that these are all good questions and certainly since we are talking about “tax payer monies” it would seem only appropriate that the questions should be answered. JP Morgan Chase however, have stated to the AP that they are declining to give the information out. The Mellon Bank asked the AP to please not say that they were refusing to give out any information and that after receiving 3 billion of our dollars.
The application for TARP funds is a one and a half pages and asks the name and address of the institution, it’s federal id numbers, address and city and oh yes, there is a line asking the amount requested. The last time I borrowed any money to purchase my home, it was at least 5 different documents, the longest which was probably 8 pages. It would seem that when the loan was in the billions, it would at least be as many pages as it takes to buy a home------or how about a car. When the Congress was debating whether or not to bail out the auto industry, it would seem they wanted the CEO’s to drop compensation, the union to give up benefits, all the suppliers, dealers, and parts people to come to the table and yet when it is the banks, they receive a blank check, and “how dare you question how we spend YOUR money. It would seem that Vice-President Cheney, in his admission to torture is not the only arrogant person around. One thing that has been reported about how the money was spent is the admission that the various banks that have received bailout money have paid out over 1 billion in bonuses. When we were all told of the consequences of not doing this bailout, we were led to believe that if something was not done, we would face an entire breakdown of the whole monetary system and throw the country into a financial disaster greater than the Great D. I for one was not willing to take that chance and so stated my position a dozen different times. Now, it appears, that we are in the financial disaster, perhaps greater that the dreaded GD, with the only difference being the 350 billion given to a few banks.
I have spoken, written, and screamed my position on conspiracies, in that I simply am a disbeliever but it has become much harder to maintain that opinion. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we were lied to about Wad’s, Cheney now admits that we were lied to about torture, it has been admitted that there are billions missing that was moved by our government from N.Y. to Baghdad, so one must begin to grow suspicious. Amy Goodman just did an interview with Mark Crispin Millerhttp://www.alternet.org/election08/114674/rove%27s_it_guru_warned_of_sabotage_before_fatal_plane_crash%3B_was_set_to_testify/ , about the recent crash and death of Mike Connell, a Rove operative. Connell, an experienced pilot, who died under suspicious circumstances, was Rove’s IT specialist and was under subpoena regarding the Ohio vote in 2004. His company, GovTech, was one of three so called “middle men” companies that after the votes are cast, they are then sent to a server, in the Ohio case it was located in Tn., and then back to the Secretary of State. People that follow the electronic voting issue are quite familiar with this but it appears that this is the opportunity to “shave the vote”, thus Fl. 2000. Connell was present in Florida at that time, as well as Ohio in 2004, and Alabama in 2002. All of these races were decided in favor of Republican candidates and all were extremely close. A whistleblower by the name of Stephen Spoonamore broke the story and according to Spoonamore, Connell said he “did it to save the babies”.
I have to admit, there is a lot of evidence out there that supports a lot of dirty laundry and although I have spoken out loudly about conspiracy talk on OEN, my case has become much weaker. I may very well need to apologize to Mr. M and Mark Sashine, as I have criticized them for their conspiracy thinking-----they may just be right.
2. What was it spent on?
3. How much is being held in savings?
4. What’s the plan for the rest of it?
It would seem that these are all good questions and certainly since we are talking about “tax payer monies” it would seem only appropriate that the questions should be answered. JP Morgan Chase however, have stated to the AP that they are declining to give the information out. The Mellon Bank asked the AP to please not say that they were refusing to give out any information and that after receiving 3 billion of our dollars.
The application for TARP funds is a one and a half pages and asks the name and address of the institution, it’s federal id numbers, address and city and oh yes, there is a line asking the amount requested. The last time I borrowed any money to purchase my home, it was at least 5 different documents, the longest which was probably 8 pages. It would seem that when the loan was in the billions, it would at least be as many pages as it takes to buy a home------or how about a car. When the Congress was debating whether or not to bail out the auto industry, it would seem they wanted the CEO’s to drop compensation, the union to give up benefits, all the suppliers, dealers, and parts people to come to the table and yet when it is the banks, they receive a blank check, and “how dare you question how we spend YOUR money. It would seem that Vice-President Cheney, in his admission to torture is not the only arrogant person around. One thing that has been reported about how the money was spent is the admission that the various banks that have received bailout money have paid out over 1 billion in bonuses. When we were all told of the consequences of not doing this bailout, we were led to believe that if something was not done, we would face an entire breakdown of the whole monetary system and throw the country into a financial disaster greater than the Great D. I for one was not willing to take that chance and so stated my position a dozen different times. Now, it appears, that we are in the financial disaster, perhaps greater that the dreaded GD, with the only difference being the 350 billion given to a few banks.
I have spoken, written, and screamed my position on conspiracies, in that I simply am a disbeliever but it has become much harder to maintain that opinion. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we were lied to about Wad’s, Cheney now admits that we were lied to about torture, it has been admitted that there are billions missing that was moved by our government from N.Y. to Baghdad, so one must begin to grow suspicious. Amy Goodman just did an interview with Mark Crispin Millerhttp://www.alternet.org/election08/114674/rove%27s_it_guru_warned_of_sabotage_before_fatal_plane_crash%3B_was_set_to_testify/ , about the recent crash and death of Mike Connell, a Rove operative. Connell, an experienced pilot, who died under suspicious circumstances, was Rove’s IT specialist and was under subpoena regarding the Ohio vote in 2004. His company, GovTech, was one of three so called “middle men” companies that after the votes are cast, they are then sent to a server, in the Ohio case it was located in Tn., and then back to the Secretary of State. People that follow the electronic voting issue are quite familiar with this but it appears that this is the opportunity to “shave the vote”, thus Fl. 2000. Connell was present in Florida at that time, as well as Ohio in 2004, and Alabama in 2002. All of these races were decided in favor of Republican candidates and all were extremely close. A whistleblower by the name of Stephen Spoonamore broke the story and according to Spoonamore, Connell said he “did it to save the babies”.
I have to admit, there is a lot of evidence out there that supports a lot of dirty laundry and although I have spoken out loudly about conspiracy talk on OEN, my case has become much weaker. I may very well need to apologize to Mr. M and Mark Sashine, as I have criticized them for their conspiracy thinking-----they may just be right.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Now is our time
Is it the fact that this is such an historic election that the turnout is so great; or is there something else going on? I voted for the first time 44 years ago and I have never seen the same sort of feeling that people are expressing across the country. No doubt, the young voters are turning out in mass and that is maybe the most positive sign of all, for these voters are the future, not only of this country but also of the world. After the last sad, corrupt, and depressing 8 years, people are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Not for a minute do I believe that the hopeful election of Barack Obama will solve the many problems we are facing, but at least perhaps the healing can begin. Healing our economy but also healing us, and at the same time contributing to the health of the rest of the world. Tomorrow this election is over, and regardless of the outcome, history will have been written. The ads will be over, the debates, signs will come down, campaign offices across the country will shut down, and people will return to their more normal routines. The economy will still be bad, troops will still be in Iraq and Afghanistan, and people will still be dealing with job loss and no health care. There is a lot of work ahead and if the Obama Administration is to be successful, it will take us all to be part of the solutions. We are going to have to take a new approach to things, in that we are going to have to begin to solve problems on the local level, and not always expect “them” to do it. We are going to have to begin giving our time to local needs, without expectation of “what is in it for me”. We are going to have to work on helping those on the bottom, to find a way out of poverty and thus become part of the solution instead of part of the problem. Young people will need to think anew about public service, and instead of a rush to get to Wall Street, work on main street a few years giving back.
Even though our country has been severely injured from the last miserable 8 years, there is a sign of change that is sweeping the country, a sign of hope, a belief once again that America can still be great. There are those that are frightened by the election of Obama and those people must be made to feel comfortable in an Obama Administration, for if they are not, we are leaving out and losing a very important part of our society. Just like those on the bottom, the people that vote for John McCain, need to know that their security is just as important as anyone else’s, and they will not be asked to do anything that will destroy their peace and happiness. We have to face some highly divisive issues, and we must make sure that all voices are heard and that everyone’s position is acknowledged. If we can come together, realizing that it is ok to disagree on some issues, but in the end, as Obama has so eloquently put, “we are not just Republicans, or Democrats, black, white, urban, or rural but we are all Americans and together we can accomplish anything. There will be people over the next weeks that will damn either candidate, feed on negativism, offer nothing other than some absurd position that will be completely irrelevant. These people will be like the flu, in that they will be out there but like the flu will also disappear. As Barack Obama has said, “now is our time” and it is our choice what we do with it.
Even though our country has been severely injured from the last miserable 8 years, there is a sign of change that is sweeping the country, a sign of hope, a belief once again that America can still be great. There are those that are frightened by the election of Obama and those people must be made to feel comfortable in an Obama Administration, for if they are not, we are leaving out and losing a very important part of our society. Just like those on the bottom, the people that vote for John McCain, need to know that their security is just as important as anyone else’s, and they will not be asked to do anything that will destroy their peace and happiness. We have to face some highly divisive issues, and we must make sure that all voices are heard and that everyone’s position is acknowledged. If we can come together, realizing that it is ok to disagree on some issues, but in the end, as Obama has so eloquently put, “we are not just Republicans, or Democrats, black, white, urban, or rural but we are all Americans and together we can accomplish anything. There will be people over the next weeks that will damn either candidate, feed on negativism, offer nothing other than some absurd position that will be completely irrelevant. These people will be like the flu, in that they will be out there but like the flu will also disappear. As Barack Obama has said, “now is our time” and it is our choice what we do with it.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Two days on the ground with the Obama campaign
TWO DAYS ON THE GROUND WITH THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN:
Like many Obama supporters, I have been receiving emails with information, requests for support etc., for many months. Living in Alabama, where McCain has more support than any other southern state, the outcome is fairly certain, so other than a few dollars I felt my contributions were limited. Then, last week I got an email asking if I could come to Florida, and seeing that I live less than an hour from Pensacola I answered in the affirmative. A national person called me and asked if it would be possible for me to go to Destin, a high-end resort town about 2.5 hours to the east, as they really needed some more people there. Going to Pensacola is easy but Destin would require over night, packing, and of course the expense of spending a night or two away. But, I thought, how many times have I told my grown children that, “democracy is not a spectator sport” and therefore maybe I should get off by butt and do something besides talk. So I did. The following is a short replay of my two days.
I got to the campaign headquarters and it looked just like I would expect a Democratic “job sight” to look like. An older vacant real estate office, maybe 25 years old, basic all the way, no frills at all. The young man in charge was a 26-year-old Iraq veteran, tired looking, nursing a broken tooth that obviously was in need of a root canal. The rest, mostly women in their 50’s and 60’s, made me feel right and home, gave me a phone and voter list and said today was the last day for early voting, and start calling. After 130 calls, the poll was soon closing, so I started collating my calls. Just about what you would have guessed, working from a list of supposedly Democrats, and independents, in that some wrong numbers, some McCain supporters, some already voted, some that did not want to talk. In the end, my Obama supporters were probably 3 to 1. I guess it was around 7 that the conference call from Barack came through. I was told that there were 20,000 people on the call, which I guess in my case in a room of maybe 20, there were at least 400,000 people listening. Quite a ground game it seemed to me.
The next day started out at 9:00 with me following Justin to the Fort Walton campaign office. Once again, looked very Democratic, a step down from the other office, and more young and more black. This office----use that term loosely, outside restroom and all----was on a busy intersection, and we began our day putting out signs on the edge of the street. I was told that the day before, a protester was standing across the street holding a sign that read “Obama a baby kiler. When he opened the office, we saw two McCain signs on the floor and Justin commented that “they should not have done that”. Seems the owner of the bait and tackle shop in the other part of the building was a McCain supporter and was displaying his signs on his part of the property. Justin immediately returned the signs to the owner apologizing and “Bubba” dressed in overalls graciously acknowledged the return. Bubba was certainly close in age to me and we shook hands and talked a bit. I was struck by his remarks that one thing was for sure, this campaign had gotten lots of new voters involved, and that was a good thing. I thought, good thinking Bubba and I bet you and I could enjoy a day of fishing together, and is not that something we need in today’s politics.
Mary, a black Air Force sergeant was my canvas buddy for the day and off we went, complete with Amiriah (I’m told princess in Arabic) her 2 yr. Old. A bonus I had not expected. This was the poor part of town. Our first stop was a housing project that had just about emptied out, as people were being moved away. A mixed area, but one thing in common was everyone was poor. Young white kids that looked like you might not want to meet on a dark street at night. Young black kids that seem a bit nicer but not many McCain supporters here. And probably not a lot that were voting at all. I have grumbled about how much we have lost in the market, but these people were more concerned about the next meal and I realized once again, it is the economy stupid and these are the ones that get kicked first and hardest. I know Barack Obama saw many of these people in his community organizing days and somehow, I don’t think he will be able to forget them. I know I cannot. But there was the occasional person that had already voted and the ones that said they were going to vote and in this neighborhood, there were not many McCain signs.
That afternoon I rode with Aaron, a retired Air Force officer who had also taught government and politics. Nice to be with someone my age and mindset. We went to the other end of the spectrum, in that on the water, the price of homes is quickly in the millions. Lots more McCain signs here but also some Obama ones as well. All and all, I would say a split between the two candidates.
On my way back home, I mulled over the past day and a half and came to several conclusions. What we have heard about the “on the ground game” that Obama has-----is exactly the facts. No matter how much money he has raised, I did not see any waste. I could imagine that was stressed more than once by him, as he came from roots that were careful not to waste. Seems the opposite of what the government does. The “hope” that he has built so much of this campaign around, was palpable with these folks. Let me be clear here, there were people working so hard, neglecting family time, tired but still going strong, and some obviously financially very well off, that it was that hope that Obama keeps talking about that was making the difference. I also felt that I should have done more, than give a few dollars and a day and half of my time and how talk is so cheap but getting off the chair is where it is. I do know this, I am a bit wiser for having spent some time with these good folk and once again, I am reminded of why I tend to cast my vote with the Democrats. They do not always get it right, but who does. I want to see a political system that sees me and Bubba both make our points and then go fishing together. If Barack wins, I would hope Republicans like Powell and Hagel step forward and take the Republican Party in a new direction. This country is facing great difficulties and no matter who is elected, those difficulties will be waiting. There has never been a time that we needed more for people of all political persuasions to come together. Tomorrow can be the first step in a very long journey and it will be time to put all party’s aside and reach out as Americans. God bless America.
Like many Obama supporters, I have been receiving emails with information, requests for support etc., for many months. Living in Alabama, where McCain has more support than any other southern state, the outcome is fairly certain, so other than a few dollars I felt my contributions were limited. Then, last week I got an email asking if I could come to Florida, and seeing that I live less than an hour from Pensacola I answered in the affirmative. A national person called me and asked if it would be possible for me to go to Destin, a high-end resort town about 2.5 hours to the east, as they really needed some more people there. Going to Pensacola is easy but Destin would require over night, packing, and of course the expense of spending a night or two away. But, I thought, how many times have I told my grown children that, “democracy is not a spectator sport” and therefore maybe I should get off by butt and do something besides talk. So I did. The following is a short replay of my two days.
I got to the campaign headquarters and it looked just like I would expect a Democratic “job sight” to look like. An older vacant real estate office, maybe 25 years old, basic all the way, no frills at all. The young man in charge was a 26-year-old Iraq veteran, tired looking, nursing a broken tooth that obviously was in need of a root canal. The rest, mostly women in their 50’s and 60’s, made me feel right and home, gave me a phone and voter list and said today was the last day for early voting, and start calling. After 130 calls, the poll was soon closing, so I started collating my calls. Just about what you would have guessed, working from a list of supposedly Democrats, and independents, in that some wrong numbers, some McCain supporters, some already voted, some that did not want to talk. In the end, my Obama supporters were probably 3 to 1. I guess it was around 7 that the conference call from Barack came through. I was told that there were 20,000 people on the call, which I guess in my case in a room of maybe 20, there were at least 400,000 people listening. Quite a ground game it seemed to me.
The next day started out at 9:00 with me following Justin to the Fort Walton campaign office. Once again, looked very Democratic, a step down from the other office, and more young and more black. This office----use that term loosely, outside restroom and all----was on a busy intersection, and we began our day putting out signs on the edge of the street. I was told that the day before, a protester was standing across the street holding a sign that read “Obama a baby kiler. When he opened the office, we saw two McCain signs on the floor and Justin commented that “they should not have done that”. Seems the owner of the bait and tackle shop in the other part of the building was a McCain supporter and was displaying his signs on his part of the property. Justin immediately returned the signs to the owner apologizing and “Bubba” dressed in overalls graciously acknowledged the return. Bubba was certainly close in age to me and we shook hands and talked a bit. I was struck by his remarks that one thing was for sure, this campaign had gotten lots of new voters involved, and that was a good thing. I thought, good thinking Bubba and I bet you and I could enjoy a day of fishing together, and is not that something we need in today’s politics.
Mary, a black Air Force sergeant was my canvas buddy for the day and off we went, complete with Amiriah (I’m told princess in Arabic) her 2 yr. Old. A bonus I had not expected. This was the poor part of town. Our first stop was a housing project that had just about emptied out, as people were being moved away. A mixed area, but one thing in common was everyone was poor. Young white kids that looked like you might not want to meet on a dark street at night. Young black kids that seem a bit nicer but not many McCain supporters here. And probably not a lot that were voting at all. I have grumbled about how much we have lost in the market, but these people were more concerned about the next meal and I realized once again, it is the economy stupid and these are the ones that get kicked first and hardest. I know Barack Obama saw many of these people in his community organizing days and somehow, I don’t think he will be able to forget them. I know I cannot. But there was the occasional person that had already voted and the ones that said they were going to vote and in this neighborhood, there were not many McCain signs.
That afternoon I rode with Aaron, a retired Air Force officer who had also taught government and politics. Nice to be with someone my age and mindset. We went to the other end of the spectrum, in that on the water, the price of homes is quickly in the millions. Lots more McCain signs here but also some Obama ones as well. All and all, I would say a split between the two candidates.
On my way back home, I mulled over the past day and a half and came to several conclusions. What we have heard about the “on the ground game” that Obama has-----is exactly the facts. No matter how much money he has raised, I did not see any waste. I could imagine that was stressed more than once by him, as he came from roots that were careful not to waste. Seems the opposite of what the government does. The “hope” that he has built so much of this campaign around, was palpable with these folks. Let me be clear here, there were people working so hard, neglecting family time, tired but still going strong, and some obviously financially very well off, that it was that hope that Obama keeps talking about that was making the difference. I also felt that I should have done more, than give a few dollars and a day and half of my time and how talk is so cheap but getting off the chair is where it is. I do know this, I am a bit wiser for having spent some time with these good folk and once again, I am reminded of why I tend to cast my vote with the Democrats. They do not always get it right, but who does. I want to see a political system that sees me and Bubba both make our points and then go fishing together. If Barack wins, I would hope Republicans like Powell and Hagel step forward and take the Republican Party in a new direction. This country is facing great difficulties and no matter who is elected, those difficulties will be waiting. There has never been a time that we needed more for people of all political persuasions to come together. Tomorrow can be the first step in a very long journey and it will be time to put all party’s aside and reach out as Americans. God bless America.
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