Shocking I Tell You, Shocking!

It's almost impossible for me to think about what has occurred in this country over the last eight years without becoming completely unglued. So I won't go there today.

I've been basking in the glory of Barack Obama's decisive victory a month ago and haven't written. I can't wait until January 20! It will be so refreshing to have a president who is SMART and who not only believes in science but who listens to scientists, who values the opinions of others, who will uphold the constitution, obey the Geneva Convention, stop illegal torture and extraordinary rendition, restore habeas corpus, close Guantanamo and............well you know how I feel about these things.

That's why it was so refreshing to receive the following from my sister Patty today. It is outstanding. I'm sorry I don't know the original source.

Obama's Use of Complete Sentences Stirs Controversy

Stunning Break with Last Eight Years

In the first two weeks since the election, President-elect Barack Obama has broken with a tradition established over the past eight years through his controversial use of complete sentences, political observers say.
Millions of Americans who watched Mr. Obama's appearance on CBS' "Sixty Minutes" on Sunday witnessed the president-elect's unorthodox verbal tick, which had Mr. Obama employing grammatically correct sentences virtually every time he opened his mouth.
But Mr. Obama's decision to use complete sentences in his public pronouncements carries with it certain risks, since after the last eight years many Americans may find his odd speaking style jarring.
According to presidential historian Davis Logsdon of the University of Minnesota, some Americans might find it "alienating" to have a President who speaks English as if it were his first language.
"Every time Obama opens his mouth, his subjects and verbs are in agreement," says Mr. Logsdon. "If he keeps it up, he is running the risk of sounding like an elitist."
The historian said that if Mr. Obama insists on using complete sentences in his speeches, the public may find itself saying, "Okay, subject, predicate, subject predicate - we get it, stop showing off."
The President-elect's stubborn insistence on using complete sentences has already attracted a rebuke from one of his harshest critics, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska. "Talking with complete sentences there and also too talking in a way that ordinary Americans like Joe the Plumber and Tito the Builder can't really do there, I think needing to do that isn't tapping into what Americans are needing also," she said.

Military Salute on Veterans' Day

I received this video yesterday from Go Daddy CEO and
founder Bob Parsons.  Created as a special tribute to the
United States Marine Corps (from which Parsons is a
veteran)on its 233rd birthday, it is also meant to
salute the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
Make sure you have your speakers on. This is an 
awesome video. (It's a tad slow to load, so please
be patient.) It was especially difficult for me 
to watch the second part.

Mr. Parsons added a personal note:

"Finally, a special message to my brothers and sisters
who served our country in Viet Nam; thanks for all you
did, WELCOME HOME!"

https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/holiday/usmc2008/playmovie.asp?isc=gdp1116

Even those of us who vehemently disagree with the ill
conceived war in Iraq greatly honor the military service
of those who've fought there.  They follow their military
oath by doing so.  Our government should honor them by
stopping this insane conflict and bring them home NOW.
I'm confident that with Barack Obama as commander-in-
chief this war is finally going to end!!!!

Veterans' Day

Bill Guerrant

Chu Lai Vietnam 1967-1968
Our son Matthew now has his combat boots.

On this Veterans' Day let us honor all of our service men and women. My husband served as a journalist and combat photographer with the Americal Division in Vietnam in 1967 - 1968. He remains forever changed.

The armband Bill wore in Vietnam along with his Vietnam service medal.

Free Obama Victory Sticker

Isn't this a fabulous design? MoveOn.org joined with Shepard Fairey - the acclaimed artist who designed the iconic Obama "Hope" poster - to create a special piece of art commemorating this historic, people-powered victory. To get your own sticker, click on this link:

http://pol.moveon.org/shepstickers?id=15071-7562531-HypdRkx&t=5

An Amazing Day

The words of Michael Moore express so well many of the feelings I have today. Here they are:

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

"Friends,

Who among us is not at a loss for words? Tears pour out. Tears of joy. Tears of relief. A stunning, whopping landslide of hope in a time of deep despair.

In a nation that was founded on genocide and then built on the backs of slaves, it was an unexpected moment, shocking in its simplicity: Barack Obama, a good man, a black man, said he would bring change to Washington, and the majority of the country liked that idea. The racists were present throughout the campaign and in the voting booth. But they are no longer the majority, and we will see their flame of hate fizzle out in our lifetime.

There was another important "first" last night. Never before in our history has an avowed anti-war candidate been elected president during a time of war. I hope President-elect Obama remembers that as he considers expanding the war in Afghanistan. The faith we now have will be lost if he forgets the main issue on which he beat his fellow Dems in the primaries and then a great war hero in the general election: The people of America are tired of war. Sick and tired. And their voice was loud and clear yesterday.

It's been an inexcusable 44 years since a Democrat running for president has received even just 51% of the vote. That's because most Americans haven't really liked the Democrats. They see them as rarely having the guts to get the job done or stand up for the working people they say they support. Well, here's their chance. It has been handed to them, via the voting public, in the form of a man who is not a party hack, not a set-for-life Beltway bureaucrat. Will he now become one of them, or will he force them to be more like him? We pray for the latter.

But today we celebrate this triumph of decency over personal attack, of peace over war, of intelligence over a belief that Adam and Eve rode around on dinosaurs just 6,000 years ago. What will it be like to have a smart president? Science, banished for eight years, will return. Imagine supporting our country's greatest minds as they seek to cure illness, discover new forms of energy, and work to save the planet. I know, pinch me.

We may, just possibly, also see a time of refreshing openness, enlightenment and creativity. The arts and the artists will not be seen as the enemy. Perhaps art will be explored in order to discover the greater truths. When FDR was ushered in with his landslide in 1932, what followed was Frank Capra and Preston Sturgis, Woody Guthrie and John Steinbeck, Dorothea Lange and Orson Welles. All week long I have been inundated with media asking me, "gee, Mike, what will you do now that Bush is gone?" Are they kidding? What will it be like to work and create in an environment that nurtures and supports film and the arts, science and invention, and the freedom to be whatever you want to be? Watch a thousand flowers bloom! We've entered a new era, and if I could sum up our collective first thought of this new era, it is this: Anything Is Possible.

An African American has been elected President of the United States! Anything is possible! We can wrestle our economy out of the hands of the reckless rich and return it to the people. Anything is possible! Every citizen can be guaranteed health care. Anything is possible! We can stop melting the polar ice caps. Anything is possible! Those who have committed war crimes will be brought to justice. Anything is possible.

We really don't have much time. There is big work to do. But this is the week for all of us to revel in this great moment. Be humble about it. Do not treat the Republicans in your life the way they have treated you the past eight years. Show them the grace and goodness that Barack Obama exuded throughout the campaign. Though called every name in the book, he refused to lower himself to the gutter and sling the mud back. Can we follow his example? I know, it will be hard.

I want to thank everyone who gave of their time and resources to make this victory happen. It's been a long road, and huge damage has been done to this great country, not to mention to many of you who have lost your jobs, gone bankrupt from medical bills, or suffered through a loved one being shipped off to Iraq. We will now work to repair this damage, and it won't be easy.

But what a way to start! Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United States. Wow. Seriously, wow."

Yours,
Michael Moore
MichaelMoore.com
MMFlint@aol.com

YES HE DID!!!!!!!!!

My heart is full. I've always believed Barack Obama is the only one who can save us. Now he has the chance. YES HE DOES!!! GOBAMA!!! YEAH!!!!!

VOTE TODAY!

Today's the day we've all been waiting for.

Michelle Obama greets voters in Las Vegas yesterday.

My niece Kari gives an enthusiastic thumbs-up after talking with Michelle Obama! Wow! Kari's daughter Grace attends preschool at the college where Obama spoke.

Michelle Obama grooves before addressing a crowd in Las Vegas yesterday.

I've just finished my shift at Obama Headquarters, where I made calls to voters. I'll probably spend most of the day there, as it is the place to be! The buzz - the atmosphere - the electricity are palpable. It is just amazing to be there amongst campaign workers. The place is mobbed with people on cell phones, folks on laptops, workers sending volunteers out into the field and others collecting data. The campaign plans to contact every voter today in a massive effort to get out the vote. This ground operation is indeed something to behold. I'm thrilled to be a very small part of it.

Photo Credit: Josh Chenier

Turning Dixie Blue

North Carolina hasn't turned blue for a presidential election since 1976. We hope to change that this year. If it happens, and I think it will, most of the credit will go to the absolutely brilliant ground game being waged by the Obama campaign. This is one place where experience as a community organizer shines!

My DH and I are doing everything we possibly can to get Barack Obama elected. We walked a precinct for hours Saturday, knocking on doors, talking to voters at home and on the street. We approached a huge church gathering in the park. When the minister saw our Obama literature, he handed the microphone to my DH and invited him to speak. His first words? "How many of you have already voted?" The show of hands was overwhelming.

When I last walked a precinct, in the battle between Harvey Gantt and the late Jesse Helms, I came home frustrated. Apathy was everywhere, with many citizens not even registering to vote. Not this year! Of voters who were home, 100% supported Barack Obama and more than half had already voted.

We were impressed by the precinct packet we were given early Saturday. This is a campaign versed in and taking advantage of IT. Our lists included voters' names, sex and ages. Computer-generated voter lists were bar-coded to allow for rapid tallies. Headquarters was overrun by up-beat volunteers - each anxious to do his/her part in making history.

North Carolina just finished two weeks of heavy early voting. Election officials extended voting by four hours Saturday, cutting off lines at 5 p.m. Those who were in line at that time were allowed to vote, with the last doing so at about 10 p.m. This morning's Charlotte Observer reports 2.5 million - 41% of the state's registered voters - have already voted.

The following percentage of each party's electorate has voted early:

Unaffiliated 31.31%
Republican 33.18%
Libertarian 43.65%
Democratic 44.34%

This overwhelming turnout is unprecedented. I have to believe it favors Barack Obama.

The Daily Kos reported Sunday:

Blacks made up 29.94% of the Saturday final day total of 202,854 voters at 337 sites, up from the 25.20% who early voted Friday. Both numbers exceed the 21.6% of registered voters who are Black. Two heavily Democratic counties in the Research Triangle area outperformed even that. Durham County (2004 Kerry 68%, Bush 31%) saw 97,697 early voters, 87.5% of the 2004 turnout, while Chapel Hill's Orange County (2004 Kerry 67%, Bush 32%) had 51,964 early votes, 78.6% of the total 2004 vote. Wake County (Raleigh) had 251,034 vote early, 70% of 2004 total.

I'm scheduled to canvas again tomorrow, and will probably put in a few more hours today. Can we turn Dixie BLUE? YES WE CAN!!!

KEEP THE FAITH.

"Worser Than Worst-Case" Scenario

Click on the link below and then just imagine how horrifying it would be like to have Palin as President! God forbid. My DH asked me, "Can't you just see her meeting with a foreign leader? She'd probably say, "Hey - can I call ya Vladimir?" Wink. Wink.

When you open this, make sure to move the mouse and click on objects in the room. And have your speakers on.

http://www.palinaspresident.us/

YES WE CAN - TOGETHER!!!

Have you volunteered yet? To get out the vote, I mean. My DH and I will be working Saturday and election day for Barack Obama. I believe so strongly that he is the only one who can save this country. Please do everything you can to get this man elected. Knock on doors, talk to friends and neighbors, make phone calls, offer rides to the polls. Concentrate on those who are undecided - and I can't believe there are still voters in this category!

Every single vote is desperately needed. Even with polls showing Obama with a lead, four days is a lifetime in politics. Take nothing for granted. Work as hard as you possibly can, then work a little harder. I know I will.

If your state allows early voting, take advantage of it and get to the polls today. My DH and I voted early this week, waiting just under one hour.

For a bit of a break from CNN, MSNBC and NPR, to which we've been glued for months, we visited Charlotte's famous wall of pumpkins last night. Below are a few photos of this delightfully fun and very political event.


The pumpkin wall in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood (537 Lamar, Charlotte) is an awesome sight, especially with its pro Obama theme! Note the Yes We Can words just above the lighted Obama. Be sure to click on the photo for a closer view.

Templates for carving the faces of McCain and Obama appeared in our local newspaper (The Charlotte Observer) last week. Notably absent from the pumpkin wall were images of McSame.

Note the Obama campaign logo in the letter O.

Photo Credit: Bill Guerrant

Voters Blocked from Registering! Take Action NOW!

You've probably heard about the thousands of voters whose names have been purged from the voter rolls. This is an outrage - especially so close to the election. I urge you to read the NY Times article of October 9 which outlines exactly what the problems are and in which states: Colorado, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Nevada and North Carolina.

"Tens of thousands of eligible voters in at least six swing states have been removed from the rolls or have been blocked from registering in ways that appear to violate federal law, according to a review of state records and Social Security data by The New York Times." (quote from article below)

I URGE you to read the following article and then take action by calling state election officials and demanding this injustice be fixed NOW - even if you don't reside in one of the six states listed. The outcome of this election which affects us all so profoundly, depends on every voter being allowed to vote and on every single vote being counted!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/09/us/politics/09voting.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&oref=slogin

Get Involved in this CRITICAL Election

I received this note from from MoveOn.org this morning:

If you're an Obama supporter, watching the polls or reading the news can feel pretty good right now. And we should feel good—progressives have worked hard to get this far!

But we can't listen to the pundits who say it's over. I encourage all of you out there to volunteer for Obama between now and Election Day! This election is too important not to.

TOP 5 REASONS OBAMA SUPPORTERS SHOULDN'T REST EASY

1. The polls may be wrong. This is an unprecedented election. No one knows how racism may affect what voters tell pollsters—or what they do in the voting booth. And the polls are narrowing anyway. In the last few days, John McCain has gained ground in most national polls, as his campaign has gone even more negative.

2. Dirty tricks. Republicans are already illegally purging voters from the rolls in some states. They're whipping up hysteria over ACORN to justify more challenges to new voters. Misleading flyers about the voting process have started appearing in black neighborhoods. And of course, many counties still use unsecure voting machines.

3. October surprise. In politics, 15 days is a long time. The next McCain smear could dominate the news for a week. There could be a crisis with Iran, or Bin Laden could release another tape, or worse.

4. Those who forget history... In 2000, Al Gore won the popular vote after trailing by seven points in the final days of the race. In 1980, Reagan was eight points down in the polls in late October and came back to win. Races can shift—fast!

5. Landslide. Even with Barack Obama in the White House, passing universal health care and a new clean-energy policy is going to be hard. Insurance, drug and oil companies will fight us every step of the way. We need the kind of landslide that will give Barack a huge mandate.

If you agree that we shouldn't rest easy, please sign up to volunteer at your local Obama office by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/obama/office.html?source=blog&id=14534-6188485-RfSuulx&t=1

We're just two weeks away from turning the page on the Bush era—but we can't afford to take our eye off the prize. We've got to keep pushing until the very end.

Colin Powell Endorsement

General Colin Powell

Colin Powell just endorsed Barack Obama for President. Appearing on NBC's Meet the Press with Tom Brokaw this morning, Powell spoke very strongly about both candidates before endorsing Obama. Amongst his concerns about McSame: the Republican party has gone way too far to the right, the selection of Palin was concerning - she is not at all ready/qualified to be president in his view, the conduct of Palin on the campaign trail - of interjecting hate, religious bigotry and character assassination into her speeches and the failure of McSame to stop same. He's also concerned about the potential appointment of two right-wing conservatives to the Supreme Court.

Amongst the strengths of Obama: His intellectual curiosity and steadiness in times of crisis and his depth of knowledge.

To read the full story, go to: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/19/colin.powell/index.html

Interestingly, when doing my GOTV calls yesterday, I spoke with a 28-year old female voter in Charlotte. Asked what most attracted her to Obama, she responded: "His intelligence and his willingness to listen to differing views." Indeed.

Feet Don't Fail Me Now!

Obama Headquarters in Charlotte

This place is always buzzing with volunteers
and supporters.

Our street has a lot of active Obama supporters. We outnumber
McSame voters by a wide margin.

I spent this afternoon calling voters. Of those I reached, ALL enthusiastically said they are voting for Barack Obama. One young voter has moved to NYC so I spoke with his father who told me both he and his wife are supporting Obama and voting early.

It's always easier to preach to the choir of course. But talking with and convincing Independents and Republicans to support the Barack Obama campaign for CHANGE is more important than ever. Please do everything you can to GOTV - get out the vote! Thanks!

As Senator Obama so often quotes from Scripture: "Hold firmly without wavering to the hope that we confess."

Keep the Faith!

There are just 17 days until the election. Early voting, which began Thursday in North Carolina, was extremely heavy. Last year, 740 people voted in Mecklenburg County on the first day. This year? Over 7500. That's a very encouraging sign. But we can't stop working now. Each time the Republican slime machine spews more hatred and division, we must respond by hitting the streets, knocking on doors, making more phone calls and talking with friends and neighbors.

I spent this afternoon calling voters. Of those I reached, ALL enthusiastically said they are voting for Barack Obama. One young voter has moved to NYC so I spoke with his father. Is he voting for Obama? Yes he is.

Isn't it Ironic?

Ever since Treasury Secretary Paulson announced he needed $700 billion of the tax payers' money immediately in order to bail out Wall Street, I've been curious. Am I the only one who feels the oddness of this? The largest majority of brokers and bankers are Republicans. Deregulation and the lack of oversight, in my view the greatest causes of this situation, were pushed and put into law by Republicans. Now these fat cats (mostly Republicans) are in trouble because they made bad decisions and investments. But are they willing to take responsibility for their actions? No. They want US, as in you and me, to bail them out - to issue a get out of jail free card.

My DH and I were watching CNN yesterday afternoon when voting on the bailout bill concluded. To our amazement, Republicans voted two to one against the bill as did some Democrats. And yet prominent Republicans immediately began to blame Nancy Pelosi - whose leadership had brought most Democrats on board. HELL - O! The Democrats did not defeat this bill - the Republicans did.

What happened? Members of congress were overwhelmed with calls and emails from constituents demanding the bill, which provided for no oversight whatsoever, be defeated. For once they listened - especially those up for re-election in November.

Also playing a huge role in this was the Bush administration which has cried "wolf" once too often. What little credibility they once had is now totally gone.

I don't know how to fix this thing. But I know the enormous cost cannot be put upon the shoulders of the taxpayers who've already seen their money spent to rescue Bear Stearns and AIG not to mention mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

I found the remarks of these three Representatives, made before the initial vote on Monday, to be especially relevant and thought provoking:

Comments of Sheila Jackson Lee:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwysnA7ZmE8

Comments of Dennis Kucinich:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaF_MZVWM3E

Comments of Marcy Kaptur:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S27yitK32ds

It's Deja Vu All Over Again

Phil Gramm and John McCain -

Longtime proponents of deregulation.

Are you getting the same feeling I've been having - that we've made this awful journey before? I think Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and the Bush administration highly underestimate the intelligence and memory of the citizens of this country. Do they think we've forgotten all about the rush to war in Iraq? The current scare tactics and another rush to judgment in Washington have exactly the same tone.

Yes, the current financial crisis is extremely serious. But we (I use that term loosely) didn't get into this mess overnight and won't get out of it quickly. I cannot believe Paulson's audacity and presumption in presenting a three-page plan which allows for absolutely no oversight. Asking the taxpayers to bail out private firms to the tune of 700 BILLION dollars is galling enough. What about the little guy - the taxpayer with a sub-prime loan who's already been screwed over once? What happens to him?

I'm glad so many in congress are balking and asking tough questions. I hope they continue. As you know, Paulson left Goldman Sachs with a 40 MILLION dollar golden parachute.

Lastly, does anyone else think it's strange that, after several days of crisis, John McCain suddenly feels he must rush back to Washington to solve the situation? Isn't this the guy who has openly admitted he knows nothing about economics? What could he possibly add to the conversation? Mr. Deregulator himself who voted against regulation for many years, along with his chief economic advisor Phil Gramm* (who wrote the deregulation plan) are amongst those I feel are to blame for this mess.

It's obvious John McCain's move is a desperate ploy to avoid talking about the issues in Friday's scheduled debate - especially with Barack Obama. By now you've all heard about McCain's charade this afternoon saying he was suspending his campaign, returning to Washington due to the crisis and suggesting the debate be postponed. He was going to put "country first." Isn't it strange to have both candidates on the Republican ticket avoiding the issues?

*For a comprehensive article about the role McCain's chief economic advisor played in creating the financial crisis, go to:

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2008/07/foreclosure-phil.html

More Pix from the Obama Rally

Here are just a few more photos from the Obama rally I attended Sunday. Over 25,000 turned out to see him. The outdoor venue chosen was way too small, but I'm sure much easier to secure than nearby Marshall Park where I saw Bill Clinton in 1992.

I spoke with several campaign workers who were extremely uplifted by the crowd and its energy. Very well organized, they were handing out registration and early voting info as well as recruiting additional volunteers.

Barack Obama in Charlotte Sunday.

The economy is the #1 issue for most voters, as evidenced by this sign.
Click on the photo for a closer view.

The enthusiasm of the crowd was palpable. Horns honking, people waving, sign holding...........it was indeed an uplifting day.

This gentleman wore an Obama shirt I've not seen anywhere else.
He graciously allowed a photograph.

Obama campaign workers.

These organizers were recruiting volunteers.
You know I'm one of them!

Barack Obama Was Here Today!!!

Nakeeda and I talked politics while we awaited the arrival of Barack Obama,
the next president of the United States!

Photo credit: Tim

Barack Obama was in Charlotte today and I was amongst the thousands who came out to see him. It is estimated 20,000 people went through security while another 10,000+ stood just outside the viewing area. It was an awesome, amazing, inspirational sight. And did we make some noise? YES WE DID!

I'll write more about the experience tomorrow, but wanted to share a few shots from this day.

Lines stretched for block after block after block. Destination? The pink granite building on the right side of this picture.

The security check-point at the front of the line.

Campaign buttons of all types were available. I purchased a very cool Obama PEACE one from this fellow.

The unity expressed by this family says it all.
Can we do it in November?
YES WE CAN!!!

For All the Right Reasons

I've just read a very thought-provoking article which speaks to the reasons we vote the way we do. It was sent to my DH from our friend Ann.

I've excerpted some of Goldie Taylor's words from Ebony/Jet's on-line site. You can read the complete article by going to this link:

http://www.ebonyjet.com/politics/national/index.aspx?id=9282

When I cast my vote, it will be for people who will lay more bricks for people like me. It will be for people who will put diplomacy before war, challenge us all to provide healthcare for the sick, help another child go to college, and check the special interests in Washington. This fall, I'm not looking for a woman.

I'm looking for a brick layer.

I could care less if that person hasn't spent "enough" time in Washington or can "properly field dress a moose". I could care less if that person likes hockey, soccer, football or table tennis. I could care less if they graduated from Harvard or the University of Iowa. I'm a Christian, but I could care less if they are down with Deuteronomy, Leviticus or Numbers. I want them to uphold the Constitution.

So no, I will not sit idly by as they attempt to suspend habeas corpus at Guantanamo Bay, engage wiretaps on American citizens without a warrant, and hide behind executive privilege when they are caught firing attorney generals based on how well they tow the Republican line. I won't let them cost us $12 billion a month fighting a war that should have never been authorized and never been waged. Not while working people lose their homes to predatory lenders and watch as we bail out the financial institutions that created the housing crisis.

I will not, in the name of history, vote for a woman like Sarah Palin who does not share my values.

But here’s what I will do.

I will continue raising money for Barack Obama. I will get on the phone again and call people in distant states I've never met. I will e-mail, call, and knock on doors until the final vote is cast. I do this, not because he shares my skin, but because I admire his principals and he shares my values. I do this because Barack Obama is more than a community organizer, he is a bricklayer. And he sees -- just as he sees the light in Michelle's eyes -- my struggle, my worth as a woman.

Goldie Taylor is CEO of Native Brand Communications and chairman of Goldie Taylor OmniMedia, LLC. She is the author of In My Father’s House (Wheatmark, 2005) and The January Girl (Madison Park, 2007 & Warner Books, 2008) and is currently working on her third novel, Come Sunday. Taylor and her children live in Atlanta and New York. For more information, visit www.goldietaylor.net or her blog Second Day at www.goldietaylor.wordpress.com.

Palin Politics - Is She Really the Issue? Yes and No.

I swear this is the last time I want to write about Sarah Palin!!!! Democrats have allowed themselves to be totally thrown off their game, i.e., message, by her and her handlers. What the heck are we talking about? Palin, Palin, Palin - Wal-Mart Moms, Hockey Pucks and Lipstick. Her face and/or those of her entire family grace the covers of nearly every chick magazine in the grocery store check-out line. Huge expletive deleted here!!! Her presence on the ticket IS of great concern to me and many others. But the target is McSame or as some are calling him: Bush Forty-four!

I'm a life-long Democrat and a proud card-carrying member of the ACLU (I'll write about civil liberties when I'm calmer) both of which I support with my words and coin. I am beyond worried about the upcoming election. If McSame is elected, well I can't even go there. With his much talked about health issues, we all know Palin could end up in the White House. We CANNOT let that happen. She has no clue what the Bush Doctrine is, but can see Russia from her house! What, me worry? The woman is freakin' crazy!!!

We Democrats have to get it together NOW! I urge you to read an article about Miss AK47 which ran on the front page of yesterday's (9/14) The New York Times. Written by journalists Jo Becker, Peter S. Goodman and Michael Powell, the piece is entitled "As Governor and Mayor, Palin Hired Friends and Hit Critics." It was a front page story which continued for an additional ENTIRE page! I don't shock easily, but I was stunned, stunned I tell you, at the revelations. As former mayor of NYC Ed Koch said, "The woman terrifies me."

Here's the link.

www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us/politics/14palin.html?hp -

On "The Google" the article is entitled: "Once Elected, Palin Hired Friends and Lashed Foes." It should be required reading for every voter.

Also not to be missed, is Frank Rich's op-ed piece "The Palin-Whatshisname Ticket," also in yesterday's Times.

www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/opinion/14rich.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin -

Hockey-Puckey

WE THE PEOPLE! These are the first three words of the Constitution. We The People are the ones served by government and who decide which people we want to represent us. When one is running for the second highest office in the land; i.e., vice-president, he or she is applying for a job. The employers? WE THE PEOPLE!

Rick Davis, McSame's campaign manager, told Fox News that Palin wouldn't be talking to reporters "until the point in time when she'll be treated with respect and deference." To quote Giuliani (from his speech at the Republican Convention): "What? What is that?"

Deference? They must be joking! Deferential is the last thing our press should be. They should ask questions, press for answers, get at the true views, thoughts and character of a candidate and then provide that information to all citizens. Before it's too late!

Since when have we allowed someone running for office to be insulated from the press? We ought to be up in arms about this! It is an outrageous proposition that our free press (at least free for now) cannot interview a candidate until that party's spokesman decides the press will be respectful and deferential to said candidate. And then they (the campaign) and they alone will decide who the interviewer will be.

In a letter to the editor of the Charlotte Observer today, Donald Latham wrote: "The McCain campaign has said any interviewer must treat Gov. Palin with 'some level of respect and deference.' The only other individual involved in America's government who demanded respect and deference was King George III."

Well said, Donald.

Queen Charlotte.

Has the McSame campaign's Rick Davis confused Sarah Palin with this woman?

Community Organizers

The Original Community Organizers

These courageous rebel rousers shown above were great thinkers, dissenters, revolutionaries and writers. Among their most famous works: the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. All citizens of this great country owe them a tremendous debt. Their insurrection gave us our freedom from Britain. These noble community organizers? Members of the Second Continental Congress.

To belittle the role of a community organizer greatly dishonors the early history of this nation. It also displays a lack of respect for the courage of all those grass-roots organizers such as John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, the first president of the United States.

American Prayer

This amazing poster is the art of Shepard Fairey.

If you need an uplifting message, and who doesn't these days - click on the youtube video link below. It is really quite wonderful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVi4rUzf-0Q

I'd seen the video a while back, but viewed it again after reading my friend Gerrie's incredible blog. If you want levity, wit and serious thought on politics, click here:

http://gericonpolitics.blogspot.com/

Court Jester

Check the Lipstick!

The vice president of the United States has just two duties: Assuming office in case the president dies, retires or is impeached, and presiding over the Senate and voting in the case of ties. We know Sarah Palin doesn't think being vice president is important, as she stated in a televised interview: "What is it the vice president does anyway?"

Now that she has been nominated, she appears to think her job is to do stand-up comedy while McSame tries to pretend he's not part of Washington. Guess not, after only 26 years. In her stump speech is this pathetic joke so pertinent to her questionable experience: "What's the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom? Lipstick." What's happened to this nation over the last eight years is no joke! Palin's comments about McSame's opponent are mocking, derisive and insulting. It's as if she's jeering and laughing at the electoral process. Truly unbelievable!

Nine vice-presidents in our nation's history have had to finish the term of a president: four inherited the office because of the natural death of the incumbent, four because of assassination, and one by resignation.* Nine out of 43 is a huge percentage! And in the case of John McCain, a 72-year old melanoma survivor, there is ample reason to think he may not be able to complete a four-year term. No one wishes the man ill, but it could happen.

McCain's choice of Sarah Palin was very reckless in my view. It's been proven she lied in her acceptance speech when she said, "I got rid of the corporate jet - sold it on eBay for a profit." Lie. She did list it on eBay twice but it didn't sell. It was eventually sold by a private broker at a loss of $600,000. Statements like that show the true character of a candidate. To tell a lie about something which could so easily be fact checked demonstrates a flippant attitude about TRUTH. What is it with the current administration and those Republicans wanting to take their place? Do they even know how to tell the truth? I'll save my rant on that for another day.

I really think Palin thinks the job for which she is running is that of Court Jester, also known as a fool or buffoon. That she could probably do.

*Source: answers.yahoo.com

Message to Christopher

Please email me at ellen@ellenguerrant.com. We have to be related some way. Thanks for your comments, btw. Ellen.

Half-Baked Alaska

Last week I was so PROUD to be a Democrat!!! I felt so very strongly that my party was on its way to victory, especially with the choice of Joe Biden as VP. I was uplifted and hopeful after Barack Obama's awesome speech Thursday evening. I respect and trust him to do what's right for this country! He is a truly decent man who has real, stated ideas for change - not just rhetoric. Our ticket is outstanding.

When I learned McSame had named a neophyte who'd been mayor of a town with just 7K citizens, 50 employees and 10 stoplights and who'd been a governor for just 20 months, I was stunned. Are you kidding me???? What the............? Then I went to Obama Headquarters where the young field manager, perhaps thinking I'd been a Hillary supporter, asked me what I thought of Palin. I responded that NO woman I know who'd supported Clinton would even THINK of voting for this person. That he seemed concerned in turn made me begin to worry a bit.

Because of a meeting last night, I missed all Republican convention stuff until Giuliani was half way through his belittling speech. As if that hadn't been distressing enough, then came Palin.
What a piece of work! I watched and listened carefully to every word she had to say. Her speech was so very "Frank Lutz like." Even if Karl Rove had a hand in it, it was low. I could not believe what I was hearing. The sarcasm, the outright lies, the condescending manner were beyond belief. And the spin!!!!! Republicans are masters at spin, and spin it they did.

Do they think we don't remember Barack Obama saying months ago, "It's not red states and blue states, it's the United States!" They've spun that into "America First." They've portrayed themselves as the ONLY people who could possibly be patriots. They'll ask anyone who disagrees with them, "Why do you hate America?"

My DH observed that the Republicans have stolen Obama's campaign and totally twisted Obama's ideas into something they want us to think they thought of. NOT!

It is assumed that McSame will discuss "national security" tonight, amongst other things. Do these people forget who was in charge on 9/ll? THE REPUBLICANS! Do they forget the ignored intelligence - as Condy recalled, "I think the memo said something like "Al Qaeda determined to strike United States." Do the Republicans remember the price of gasoline or a barrel of oil ($33.51) when Bush took office? Do they remember our government had a surplus when Bush took office? Do they realize we've spent trillions in Iraq and continuing to spend over $10 billion per month. Do they realize 47 million in this country, many of them children, are without health insurance? Do they even care???? As Cheney would say, "So?"

How Ironic

When my DH asked me just now if I'd heard Jesse Helms had died, my first thought was, "Oh no! Not on the 4th of July!" Considered a racist, the five term Senator was a polarizing figure not only in NC, but much of the country. He once said his most important job was to "derail the freight train of liberalism."

Helms became known as "Senator No" because of his opposition to affirmative action, arts funding, gay rights and a federal holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King. These causes are all dear to my heart.

For him to die on this day seems totally ironic. Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who wrote our Constitution, also died on July 4. The difference between their deaths and his is vast. Adams and Jefferson were true patriots who fought for and believed in truth, liberty, freedom and the dignity of man. Jesse Helms vented hate for as long as he served. The only good thing I could ever say about Helms is that you always knew where he stood.

Despite how I felt personally about the man, I am sorry for his family in their loss.

The End is Near

I need a countdown calendar of the number of days left in the disastrous George W. Bush presidency! Knowing the worst president this country has ever had is on his way out is of little comfort, however. We Democrats knew his term(s) would be bad, but I don't think the most cynical amongst us could have imagined the lengths to which he would go. Knowing he was never legally elected makes it even worse!