Dear Obama/Biden Supporters:
The GOP is buoyant after they retook the House and the Dems are despondent and a bit relieved the damage was not worse. We are hell bent on trying to figure out what went wrong,and how to use 2011 to prepare to win big time in 2012. However, no matter what your politics, no one is really happy since most people are still angry about unemployment,taxes,the national debt, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,and the continual threat of terrorism. Somehow the message is not getting out and what seems to be apparent is that virtually everyone was appalled by the negativity of the campaigns all over the country. We know that the negativity was one of the causes for not being able to get volunteers out in MO and it was a huge turn off for young people who were so hopeful after the 2008 election.
There is a fear for the economy that we may stay stuck in the new normal-where businesses learn to do more with less. There is still fear of job losses even though Obama was able to hold off the "great depression threat"(with TARP and responsible regulations on credit card lending, etc). There is even fear that Sarah Palin's crazy accusations of "Obama's enemy-centric foreign policy" and global warming Goregate stuff" are catching on( since catchy discourse is in)!! Heads up guys, we ladies aren't fooled by this pistol packing fake mama (polling five points higher among men than women) but you better be aware that 80% of Republicans love this good ole gal!! This is the person who on April 7 of this year, spoke at a campaign rally in Minneapolis for Michelle Bachmann She had a silver cross around her neck and a flag pin on her lapel, and spoke approvingly of those who are "proudly clinging to your guns and religion" She also condemned the recent health care legislation as "socialized medicine that breaks the bank and violates the US constitution". She was very proud of her party's stout opposition,declaring "What's wrong with being the party of NO?".Well, at least we know what we are up against and I have to put some blame on the progressives ,liberals ,and grassroots voters who didn't come out but sat on the sidelines in this past election. Where are those fired up voters, rappers, young people, seniors, Gen Xers, Baby Boomers and women who care about choice,and fair pay? What do we have to do to reach out and get them to care enough about their country and the their children's future to take a good hard look at those people who want to be in charge of this country. We have been engaged in non stop ways to approach people and take back the Internet,the agenda,and most of all sanity of government and truth in journalism.
We know Barack Obama has to go directly to the people and let them know what he is doing, talk about the bills passed or stalled by the GOP,and what they mean to the average American. WE also have to get the word out via e-mail, small meetings, organizations,and continued sharing of videos like _http://healthreform.kff.org/the-basics.aspx ,where the language is clear and understandable. The majority of the country is watching Fox "news" (more like talk entertainment show) to get their information . CNN and MSNBC is actually reporting the news which should be a standard for television but it is not. An example of the outrageous non fact checked "news reporting" by Fox was described by Thomas Friedman in his op ed piece in NY Times this week. It talks about Anderson Cooper doing the country a favor this week by deconstructing on his CNN show the bogus rumor that President Obama's trip to Asia would cost $200 million a day. This was an important story that underscored just how far ahead of his time Mark Twain was when he said a century before the Internet-"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes". Friedman goes on to say, that there is an antidote to malicious journalism-and that's good journalism! In case you missed the story that circulated around the Web on the eve of Obama's trip it was that the whole trip would cost 2 billion dollars. Cooper felt compelled to check out the story because he had Michele Bachmann on his show the night before. Instead of answering a question about where the GOP would cut the budget, she used her airtime to inject the phony story into the mainstream. She said,"I think we know that just within a day the President will be taking a trip to India that is expected to cost the taxpayers $200 million dollars a day. He is taking 2,000 people with him and will be renting over 870 rooms in India,and at five star hotels like the Taj Mahal. this is the kind of over-the -top-spending."
So Anderson Cooper checked into the story since his show was used as the vehicle to circulate it. He found after doing a great deal of research that the story had " originated from a quote from an alleged Indian provincial official, from the Maharashtra reported by India's Press Trust ,their equivalent to our A. P. or Reuters. Cooper used
"alleged" provincial official since we have no idea who this person is ,no name was given. It was an anonymous quote, and no proof was given, and no follow up reporting done. You would think if a member of Congress was going to use this figure as a fact she would want to be sure it was accurate,right? Well you are wrong,and that is a fact! Cooper showed snippets of Rush Limbaugh talking about Obama's trip that will cost $200 million a day,and Glenn Beck chimed in saying, "have you ever seen a president go on a vacation where he needed 34 warships and would be traveling with 3,000 people? In Beck's rendition, the visit was a vacation and Obama was being accompanied by one-tenth of the US Navy. This went on and on until finally Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary, said:" I don't comment on these things but I will take the liberty this time to dismiss as absolutely absurd, this notion that somehow we are deploying 10 percent of the Navy and 34 warships and an aircraft carrier in support of the president's trip to Asia. That is just comical. Nothing close to that is being done." When public figures feel free to say anything they want without fact-checking , we have a huge problem! You and I have our work cut out for us, as does the legitimate press.
However, if the NY Jets can come back to win by moving the ball 72 yards in the last 45 seconds of the game, and the KC Chiefs can massacre Arizona, we can get the truth out. I am determined to continue this discussion and I thank you all for chiming in these last two weeks. It was not a comfortable few weeks for anyone who is intelligent enough to know that there are forces out there up to no good! It is our responsibility as caring voters to not only talk almost ourselves but get the information out, and help build up your organizations. We need to reach out to people who care enough to talk about concerns and want to learn more about government, not just from angry screaming actors on stage that can have a dangerous affect on our lives and country. So, fire up and reach out to people in your past organizations and leaders that you care about to help us make public figures aware they aren't free to just say anything without any fact-checking. We have to let them know we are out there watching, reading and making sure that "the carnival barkers that so dominate our public debate today " know they will indeed be held accountable. All we can hope as, Friedman says so beautifully, "is that more people will do what Cooper did-so when the next crazy lie races around the world, people's first instinct will be to doubt it, not repeat it. Best of all it should become common practice to fact-check all information from the Internet and absolutely the ersatz news show brought to us by FOX!!!
Love,A Mama 4 Obama
From Lisa in VT:
My heart broke with your last entry of the blog. I'm coming to NY for a Harvard dinner on Friday. Any chance you'd be in the city in the afternoon? Love your passion and activism. Its so inspiring. Looking for my own voice.
From Jane in Larchmont:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/how-obama-saved-capitalism-and-lost-the-midterms/?src=me&ref=general
How Obama Saved Capitalism and Lost the Midterms
By TIMOTHY EGAN American politics and life, as seen from the West.
If I were one of the big corporate donors who bankrolled the Republican tide that carried into office more than 50 new Republicans in the House, I would be wary of what you just bought.
For no matter your view of President Obama, he effectively saved capitalism. And for that, he paid a terrible political price.
Suppose you had $100,000 to invest on the day Barack Obama was inaugurated. Why bet on a liberal Democrat? Here’s why: the presidency of George W. Bush produced the worst stock market decline of any president in history. The net worth of American households collapsed as Bush slipped away. And if you needed a loan to buy a house or stay in business, private sector borrowing was dead when he handed over power. ..
From Val in Ohio:
http://www.danagoldstein.net/dana_goldstein/2010/11/assessing-our-first-female-speaker-of-the-house.html
A few weeks ago, a friend returned to New York City from a visit to her family in suburban Ohio with the following query: “Why do people hate Nancy Pelosi so much?”
It’s a good question. By any measure, Pelosi has been one of the most effective House speakers in American history, especially given her relatively short tenure. At Salon, Steve Kornacki offers a helpful recollection of her many accomplishments, from health care to student loan reform to the credit card bill of rights to cap and trade. Pelosi consistently delivered legislation that became law, as well as legislation that the Senate then stalled on and failed to pass. As Kornacki writes, Pelosi is unpopular less because of what the House has done or failed to do — most Americans have little idea of those particulars — but because the economy is bad and voters wanted someone to blame.
But there’s another factor that makes Pelosi that much easier to scapegoat: She is a woman — the highest-ranked woman ever to hold elective office in the United States. In January 2007, Pelosi gaveled in her first legislative session as speaker while cradling her newborn grandson (one of seven grandchildren) and surrounded by other legislators’ offspring, whom she had invited to the dais to celebrate. She spoke about her own journey from “kitchen to Congress” and promised that the Democratic Party would govern on behalf of children, and their mothers, too — a vow she fulfilled by collecting the votes to pass the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which insures 11 million kids, and the Lily Ledbetter Act, which made it easier for victims of gender- and race-based pay discrimination to file civil rights complaints and collect back pay...
From Eileen in KCMO:
good job-loved the John Adams quote
From Sheila in Larchmont:
I have deliberately not contacted you until now. I was not waiting for your blog to publish; I was thinking. Over the past two (or three) years I think all of us were so impassioned by finally having a candidate and then a President who embodied all the hopes and dreams we had suppressed as we suffered though years of Republican domination--domination that seem to slide on a downward vector philosophically as the years passed. We were pumped and we supported President Obama unquestioningly, though in many of our hearts we wished he would take his positions in a stronger way, be less conciliatory and more decisive, and, even to the extent of the technological communication of his team, be more connected as he had been during the campaign.
Hindsight stinks. The President is still the man with the mind, goals and heart we supported and support with the same fervent belief we have had from the beginning.
This election is anything but over. It will live for us in an even more looming way as the lame duck session unfolds and dreaded January makes it real in our lives. We now have two years to reverse the damage that is sure to be done. Really only one year before we have to mobilize against a Rubino or a Rand or whatever lunatic the "Republicans" (if that's even what we can call them at this point) nominate for 2012. So, more than ever, this is the time to look forward, to decide what the real lessons of the past two years have been, to write to our elected officials and let them know what the grass roots loyal supporters think, and to begin to mobilize in a handful of critical ways to get out the messages which the pros failed to get out. I hope we don't get distracted by what is sure to be tumult and chaos deliberately planted by the opposition in Washington, the mess that will continue to be designed to spin all the good into bad, to change by moving backwards, not ahead, and to so discourage the progressive electorate that it (like the students and African-Americans and other groups which were absent, though desperately needed by the Democratic party this year) will be discouraged from even turning out at the polls. I recently looked at Sara Silverman's 2008 You-Tube clip about "schleping" to Florida to convince Nana to vote for Obama, in the context of the reality that in 2010, 24% of the Florida electorate were senior citizens and 85% of them voted Republican because they had been told, and believed, that they were going to lose social security or medicare benefits as a result of the new health care bill? Where were we when this transformation of a Democratic stronghold was cowered by fear into sleeping with the enemy?
Next steps: how to actualize and regain momentum. We are all discouraged, but we can't let ourselves be defeated. The reality is the Republicans won the House. Let's use this as a wake-up call. Now is the time to figure out how to stem reversal of the hard-won programs and how to win in 2012. Onward.
From Ohio Joe:
We must keep to “THEIR (GOP)” RULE24…….they(GOP) have 24 months to fix the economy, unemployment, healthcare reform, immigration, etc.
THE GOP SET THE RULES TO THE GAME, WE MUST MAKE SURE THEY PLAY BY THE SAME RULES !!! RULE24 !!!
#2
I totally agree with you and all of our others……….but when we owned our events business with 4 competitors within a 1 mile area, all competing for events business(ours mainly Jewish events) with 5 Shuls in a 1.5 mile area…….
We had 5 rules of operation….
- Fair, honest, and compassionate pricing and service.
- Give the best services and creative services to the best of our abilities.
- “blinders on” – ignore what others in the industry are doing, gossip, etc…….focus on our business.
- “if you get too close to a SNAKE, you will get bit”
- “what is the prize” look at all aspects of the outcome, from all sides.
The Dems must look forward and see better days ahead, the GOP will not perform, the American public is impatient, this too will pass……..24 months…….the American public will again jump in the arms of Obama. RULE24……..we must remind America of this.
#3
I noticed lack of concern from the public………some people didn’t even know who was Governor, I am in the inner city areas (friends there) and some of the people didn’t realize who was governor, it is not a priority, and the economy, lack of jobs, these people are too busy trying to survive AND gasoline has been 2.90 a gal. so many people are in survival mode.
AND ONCE AGAIN…….Strickland and others used young “KIDS” in management positions and from what I experienced it was like a “CLUBHOUSE” hip, groovy thing……..NOT run like a business as the GOP does and the GOP got the results.
From Christine in Switzerland:
Oh do I miss the exhilarating thrill of the elections....I still follow very closely the American politics and I am stunned, baffled, outraged and discouraged at what is happening. Rarely has a president achieved so much in so little time but it goes unnoticed.... I guess "it's the economy stupid" and people do not realize nobody could have done better given the current context. Getting down unemployment is a must for his re-election.... and this must happen, I would hate to lose him as our leader..... this being said, please keep those blogs of yours going, always a pleasure to read and an inspiration to see so many passionate people.
From Dr. Macrene in NYC:
It is a sad testimony, but we need to face reality. Politics is all about PR - Pericles led the Athenians by his gift of persuasion. It is as simple as that. What we hope is that the one who has the gift of persuasion also has a core morality that is for the good of the country rather than for his own pockets. In this battle, the Democrats do not seem to have a front person with that gift doing what it takes to be front and center in the media with the message. The President is a bit busy at the moment and so his normal persuasive oratory was absent. I wish I were not taken up with my various endeavors so that I could get out there because the lack of rational explanation of what got us into this mess was the downfall of this election.
We must hang in there.
From DC In Santa Barbara,CA:
Dear, dear Sunny,Thank you so much for your wise and loving insight. Your heart and mind are inspirations to all caring progressives. How do we get you on MSNBC? It could be a movement. You know you have a very large contingent of groupies!
From Judy A in Westchester,NY:
I share your frustration. And John Adams certainly got it right! Our trouble started in summer '09 when the Republicans branded the health care legislation socialized medicine and scared the seniors about death panels. Our message was co-opted because people just stopped listening to reason. They became crazed! But I have faith in Obama and his team. Obama isn't going to throw up his hands and quit trying. Be positive!! And be who you are - Sunny!!!
From Lilli in NYC:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/meg-wolff/create-change_b_773468.html
From Carolyn in Mamaroneck:
'I haven't left my house in days. I watch the news channels incessantly. All the news stories are about the election; all the commercials are for Viagra and Cialis.
Election, erection, election, erection –
Either way we're getting screwed!'
-- Bette Midler
From Linda in Ohio:
sunny, the original tea party recognized the importance of the separation of church and state --- something the fake tea party has forgotten. we are all devastated by what happened in ohio but take it as a wakeup call. people are hurting and this, plus huge contributions from god knows who, led to the repugs' victory. nothing will change. thay have no answers. perhaps the weeping john boehner is next great halloween mask!
From Barbara in KS:
Sunny, I can only imagine how hard you and so many others worked on this election and how sad you (and all of us) are at the results. It is just so hard to understand how stupid people are and what they expected Obama to do in two years to fix the mess that Bush left this country in. Please go on line and read ***Gusewelle,s column in today's KC Star...it is so good! (Thanks Barb,I agree terrific article-S)
***Many share blame for liberals’ losses
C.W. GUSEWELLE COMMENTARY
It is depressingly clear, in the aftermath of Tuesday’s midterm elections, that the key to political success is effective coalition-building.
Created through the ceaseless, strident repetition of patent untruths, a coalition of the uninformed, the misinformed, the racially bigoted and the obscenely privileged has made serious progress toward its goal.
The objective is to roll back America’s clock to the ruinous policies of the George W. Bush years: ungoverned financial recklessness, wars of choice and tax relief for the very richest among us.
Obviously there is blame to share.Liberals appeared slow to understand that the tea party phenomenon was not merely a raucous curiosity but a real danger, and that civility was an inadequate reply to ranting.
History’s lesson is that the Big Lie can only be defeated by vigorous, relentless proclamation of Big Truth.
Probably Barack Obama is to be faulted for imagining at the outset of his presidency that bipartisanship was an actual possibility, given the vindictiveness arrayed against him.
And without question the Supreme Court is culpable. Its decision allowing giant corporations to pour limitless millions into campaigns has dangerously, perhaps fatally, transformed the political landscape...
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/06/2401935/many-share-blame-for-liberals.html#ixzz14de5WTQ5
From Beth in Ardsley,NY:
My reading of the election is not as dire as the media has painted it. I believe that the standing Congress was voted out. Why? Because the general population feels angry and cheated out of economic security. The knee-jerk reaction is to find a new crop of legislators in order to feel some sense of movement out of this morass.
The bankers felt the TARP - and the rest of us feel the pinch: in education, social welfare, small businesses. retail and even government jobs. President Obama should not respond to the vote in a testy manner - he has to reach out and achieve change through getting along. You cannot get bees with vinegar.
I have complete faith in our president - and I believe that if we watch him overcome this adversity, we will see how truly superb he is in this job.
Everything happens for a reason: we just have to wait and see what this test of strength and focus will yield for this president and the nation.
From Lisa in VT:
Our message isn't so simple so we have to back it up with education. We should not compromise the message integrity but tweak a bit for the sake of a sound bite worthy version - but have all the meat and potatoes available for those who care enough to give it more time. I'd love to help you synthesize info for your blog. It's a great service you do. Hope you had a wonderful evening. Loved the meeting. Thank you so much for including me.
Professor Obama's Budget 101.
The predictably childish reactions of the left and right to the budget blueprint unveiled by the co-chairs of President Obama's debt commission offer the president a chance to play a role to which he may be uniquely suited: the grown-up in the room.
Read the entire story here: http://www.blogger.com/goog_889975063
From Kurt in Ohio:
Remember "No drama Obama" is what he was and is. Though many things were accomplished he was unwilling to blow his own horn or fight the misperceptions the corporatists, whom he dealt with, foisted upon the public.
From Val in Ohio:
I'm sure you saw this in today's NY Times. There are so many good news reports from Obama's first two years with the help of the Dems that were just thrown under the bus. We're fighting against the Fox message machine while MSNBC suspends Olbermann just because he made some donations. You would probably have to suspend the entire faux news department at Fox given those standards.
This is not for the blog. I'm just venting.
Linda is a good Dem. Will have to track her down and go out for a drink.
I can sum up what's wrong with Ohio with one word.....RACE. A group of my buddies got together the day after the election just to lift our spirits. One worked the polls in a very conservative area. She said conversation ranged from how happy the slaves were to other aspects of taking our country back. Needless to say, she has decided not to return as a poll worker but this should give you just a little insight.Thanks for serving as the intermediary. You have assembled a well connected cast of progressives who have one goal in mind...Keep the Dems in the driver's seat for the good of the country
From Sue in Long Island:
Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication in support of Tim Bishop’s campaign.
Sadly, due to a miscount, the race is far from over and we need you to pitch in for a few more days. Congressman Bishop is now trailing by 390 votes with 10,600 absentee and affidavit votes yet to be counted.
This shocking error doesn’t at all diminish the work you’ve done. I’m so proud of the unflagging commitment and constant good cheer of our volunteers. You inspire me every day.
Your calls and canvasses made an enormous difference in this tight election against a candidate with almost limitless funds who was able to dominate the airwaves, scare many seniors with outright falsehoods, and aggressively suppress the Democratic vote.
Please click on the links below to:
1) make a contribution for what will be an expensive fight:
http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/26265
2) report any irregularities you witnessed on Election Day:
http://www.dccc.org/page/s/bishoppolls
If you’re willing to volunteer to help monitor that every vote is counted, call the Bishop voter protection office at 696-1345 or email me.
Thanks so much for your continued support in making this country a better place for all.
From Ben in NYC:
Lewis Lapham, a good friend of ours, among many other endeavors puts out a weekly podcast that is invariably fascinating. In the link below, he interviews Simon Winchester, author of the new book, "Atlantic." Winchester's first anecdote is about's Israel's founding -- that it owes it to the Atlantic Ocean. I think you'll enjoy it.
http://208.131.149.119/lq/Simon_Winchester.mp3
From Jackie in New Jersey:
I owe you an email. I want you to know I understand your pain. Have some thoughts to share. Hope you are well – all things considered.
From Judy in Mamaroneck:
There was a time not so long ago when Americans,regardless of their political stripes, rallied around their President:http://www.seniorlivingmag.com/articles/america-hes-your-president-for-goodness-sake
From Mary in KCMO:
I have started and deleted this message about six times in the past five days. I realize I was over thinking and over analizing the reasons and results of November 2nd. Lord knows, there is plenty of blame to go around.
At this point, it's very simple: we need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and gear up for the next battle.......that's it.
"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
Ted Kennedy, 1980
"WE ARE the Dream Keepers!"
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, (D-18th, Texas) November, 2010
Think about it...............
Is there work to be done? You bet!!! More later..............
Mary
PS Congratulations California and New York!!
PPS A special Thank You to Sunny and her team in New York for making all those calls for Robin Carnahan.
From Ruthie in AZ:
Things are wrong on EVERY level. I agree with Peggy. The democrats need to step up and quit being the "nice" guy. Someone has to get Nancy Pelosi and tell her to get out of the friggin spotlight.
I was in so many states before the election that either the campaign ads or the signs said something that tied a candidate to Pelosi as if it was the plague. They will ride that through the next election if she stays in the limelight.
I am nearly ill over this election. I knew Arizona would go "down" but I had no idea BEN QUAYLE would get elected and that Harry Mitchell would be thrown out of the house. (every one of his opponents ads had his name and Nancy Pelosi's - never even mentioning the republican candidate)
On a rather simple level - having nothing to do with major politics - Bristol Palin is on Dancing with the Stars. You probably don't watch this show but the ex-Cardinal qback, Kurt Warner was on this season so I have been off-and-on watching. She is the worst dancer ever. Just a clutz. HOWEVER, the republican and tea party websites encourage people to vote for her. Hence, she is still on and has made the semi-finals. She will probably win this stupid competition. Case in point. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE. They are like mormons or morons, whatever.
From Joe in Ohio:
I believe Val may have the same feelings, one of the issues with the DEMS and Ohio with this election, they put as I said before the YOUNG, COOL, HIP (its cool to run a campaign, clubhouse mentality) people to MANAGE the campaign…….then people like myself see what a mess it is and QUIT.
This is what happens with the Kerry/Bush deal in some areas of the Ohio……. In Ohio election campaigns many times are a HOBBY not a BUSINESS……the GOP always runs it like a business.
2008 was different; you had Obama master of communication, charisma and knew how to work the WEB!!!! Strickland was the lesser of the two evil…..he has NO charisma, etc…….and Kasich worked it and own……even if there was funny business, the GOP WORKED it……..not a casual hobby.
On to 2012……..and keep them to RULE24 24months……the GOP promised all the answers and solutions…….WE MUST KEEP THEM TO THEM.
From Eileen in KCMO:
good job-loved the John Adams quote
From Patty R in KCMO:
John Adams also said that a democracy could only exist with an educated populace – he was amazingly wise – great quote from Sunny.
From Gwynneth in White Plaiins:
Did you know that:The words "race
> car" spelled backwards still spells "race car"?"Eat" is the
> only word that, if you take the 1st letter and move it to
> the last, spells its past tense, "ate"?And if you rearrange
> the letters in "so-called tea party Republicans," and add
> just a few more letters, it spells: "Shut the f--- up you
> free-loading, progress-blocking, benefit-grabbing,
> resource-sucking, violent, hypocritical douche bags, and
> deal with the fact that you nearly wrecked the country under
> Bush and that our president is black."Isn't that
> interesting?
From DC in CA:
Let’s take a little laugh break compliments of Randi Rhodes! Love you –
Let’s take a break from obsessing about current Republican nightmares, and revisit a Republican nightmare from the past. George Bush recently sat down with Matt Lauer. Bush didn’t exactly open up about his mistakes. Thank God. Bush “opening up” about his mistakes would be a venting that would dwarf the BP oil spill.
On his “Mission Accomplished” speech, Bush said he was caught up in an “exhilarating moment.” I guess the codpiece went to his head.
He says he didn’t fire Donald Rumsfeld over Abu Ghraib because “there was no obvious replacement for Don.” What? All a person needs to replace Donald Rumsfeld is an ability to stand for prolonged periods and talk nonstop without saying anything. I’ll tell you where you can find a replacement for Donald Rumsfeld— in the areas north, west, south, and east of Washington .
He said the photo of him looking out the window of Air Force One in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina made him look “uncaring and detached.” I think photographers refer to that as “capturing the moment.”
George Bush claims he was not in shock when he sat there stunned after being told of the attacks on 9/11. I’m sure he was NOT in shock. 9/11 was just the inevitable result of the half-assed way he had been conducting national security. Still, he wants people to know that he was not paralyzed into inaction. No, the paralysis had occurred earlier, when he was handed a memo saying “Bin Laden determined to strike within the US .”
The former president also described his battles with booze. He says that he was never tempted to start drinking again during his presidency. Good. He would have had to fight the rest of us for the vodka. Of course, in the end, all of his years of hard drinking failed to prevent George Bush from getting to the White House. Well, the bottle let us down again.
At least watching this interview makes it clear why Republicans begged George Bush to hold off his book tour until after the election. If Bush had been all over the airwaves 10 days ago, every Democrat this side of Alvin Greene would have won their election. How soon we forget. And that’s pretty much what Republicans rely on.
From Val from Ohio:
True story
I went to my part time job yesterday and read some evaluations from a workshop I did for the program. One was particularly scathing and left me feeling totally worthless. While musing over the words, I started to think about our wonderful President and how he's disrespected on a daily basis yet he continues trying to do what's best for our country. If he can weather those daily storms, I can get over a disgruntled parent.
Still anxiously waiting to hear the outcome of your Thursday session with Kaine. Our meeting yielded a good review though some of the feedback was incredulous. The OFA field director tried to get a couple of the volunteers to write up a disciplinary action against other volunteers! Needless to say, we lost many volunteers. There was no cohesive message for the volunteers to deliver anyway.
I hosted a MoveOn party this evening. Had a good turnout (about 15 people). Hard to keep them focused on finding solutions. More of a tendency to admire the problem. Nevertheless, we did come up with some ideas for moving forward mainly centered around the need to educate the general public and get the real facts out about issues like health care reform.
One man who attended was a physicist who tended to go against the flow of ideas. He seemed to know quite a bit about economic policy. If looking at a long range remedy, he felt all of the tax cuts needed to expire, however he recognized that was not politically wise. Would have enjoyed hearing more from him.
From Sharon in Scarsdale: Great article shown once before but worth the read!
http://underthelobsterscope.wordpress.com/2010/09/30/guest-article-obama-will-triumph-so-will-america-by-frank-schaeffer/
Obama Will Triumph — So Will America
By Frank Schaeffer
Before he’d served even one year President Obama lost the support of the easily distracted left and engendered the white hot rage of the hate-filled right. But some of us, from all walks of life and ideological backgrounds — including this white, straight, 57-year-old, former religious right wing agitator, now progressive writer and (given my background as the son of a famous evangelical leader) this unlikely Obama supporter — are sticking with our President. Why?– because he is succeeding.
We faithful Obama supporters still trust our initial impression of him as a great, good and uniquely qualified man to lead us.
Obama’s steady supporters will be proved right. Obama’s critics will be remembered as easily panicked and prematurely discouraged at best and shriveled hate mongers at worst...(Read rest on line)
From Judy in Mamaroneck,NY:
Subj: Message to the Tea Party -- What took you so long to get angry?
I thought that should go in the blog! Clearly the Republicans and Tea Partiers are a different breed of people.. heartless and selfish!
Message to the Tea Party -- What took you so long to get angry?
You didn't get mad when the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and
appointed a President.
You didn't get mad when Cheney allowed Energy company officials to
dictate Energy policy and push us to invade Iraq .
You didn't get mad when a covert CIA operative got outed.
You didn't get mad when the Patriot Act got passed.
You didn't get mad when we illegally invaded a country that posed no threat to us.
You didn't get mad when we spent over 800 billion (and counting) on said illegal war.
You didn't get mad when Bush borrowed more money from foreign sources than the previous 42 Presidents combined.
You didn't get mad when over 10 billion dollars in cash just disappeared in Iraq.
You didn't get mad when you found out we were torturing people.
You didn't get mad when Bush embraced trade and outsourcing policies
that shipped 6 million American jobs out of the country.
You didn't get mad when the government was illegally wiretapping Americans.
You didn't get mad when we didn't catch Bin Laden.
You didn't get mad when Bush rang up 10 trillion dollars in combined budget and current account deficits.
You didn't get mad when you saw the horrible conditions at Walter Reed.
You didn't get mad when we let a major US city, New Orleans, drown.
You didn't get mad when we gave people who had more money than they could spend, the filthy rich, over a trillion dollars in taxbreaks.
You didn't get mad with the worst 8 years of job creations in several decades.
You didn't get mad when over 200,000 US citizens lost their lives because they had no health insurance.
You didn't get mad when lack of oversight and regulations from the Bush Administration caused US citizens to lose 12 trillion dollars in investments, retirement, and home values.
No . . . You finally got mad when a black man was elected President and decided that people in America deserved the right to see a doctor if they are sick.
Illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, job losses by the millions, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, and the worst economic disaster since 1929 are all okay with you, but helping fellow Americans who are sick . . . Oh, Hell No!!
From Jennifer in DC:
I hope you’re doing well. What a depressing election night. I still can’t get over all the good Members we lost in New York. It was truly a terrible night for our country.
I’m writing because as I’m sure you know, Cong. Tim Bishop is in a very close recount. His 3,461 vote lead on Election Day is now a deficit of just under 400 votes after a recanvass of the voting machines. This is a dramatic swing of approximately 4000 votes and after reports of problems at polling places, it is clear that we must do everything to ensure that every single vote is properly counted.
Individuals can contribute up to $30,400 to the DCCC’s recount fund and/or $2,400 to the campaign recount fund. Would you be willing to make a contribution or do you know of others that might be interested?
As you can imagine, we are in the beginning stages of what could prove to be a lengthy and costly process and Nita is doing all she can to help Tim. Please let me know if you have any questions and thank you for your consideration.
From Jane in Larchmont,NY:
Well, another day, another link from me--although it's yesterday's Times--Bob Herbert, and I think he basically gives the Democratic case.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/opinion/09herbert.html?scp=4&sq=herbert&st=cse
Thank you for everything you are. Hope your meeting goes well.
#2
http://www.thenation.com/article/156387/agenda-lame-duck-congress
This confirms what you said--
http://www.blogger.com/goog_889975046
From Letty P in NYC:
I've been participating in a Palestinian/Jewish women's dialogue group for nearly three years. When The Forward asked me to be the guest editor of their Op-Ed page, I invited my Palestinian sisters to each contribute an essay. For my brief intro, followed by their four essays, click here or paste the URL into your browser.
As always, I'll be grateful for your reactions but please don't feel obligated to respond.
Click here: Forward Forum – Forward.com
http://www.blogger.com/goog_889975043
From Ellen in Chicago: (Obama delegate to convention in 08)
Although This may seem a bit elementary to some of you, this is one of the best presentations I've seen on Healthcare Reform
_http://healthreform.kff.org/the-basics.aspx_
From Randy in Berkeley:
The Republicans have already started in!!!! We are in for big troubles. It's amazing how much power one person can hold over an entire senate. I'm speaking of John Kyle from Arizona!
From Ruthie in AZ, formerly of KCMO:
http://electionink.com/showthread.php/2602-Harry-amp-Bess-The-way...?p=26685
Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He
probably made as many, or more important
decisions regarding our nation's history as
any of the other 42 Presidents preceding him.
However, a measure of his greatness may rest on
what he did after he left the White House.
The only asset he had when he died
was the house he lived in, which was
in Independence Missouri .
His wife had inherited the house from her
mother and father and other than their
years in the White House, they lived their
entire lives there...(Read rest on line)
From Weschester 4 Change:
CANVASS FOR THE EXPIRATION OF TAX CUTS FOR TOP 2%
If you cannot join us, please call The White House, your senators, and representative TODAY!
If you need more information, please read here
President Obama : 202-456-1111
Rep. Nita Lowey: 202-225-6506 (Washington) and 428-1707 (White Plains)
Rep. John Hall: 202-225-5441
Rep. Eliot Engel: 202-225-2464
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: 202-224-4451
Sen. Chuck Schumer: 202-224-6542
MOVING FORWARD
As we enter the holiday season, come share a glass of wine and help plan our next steps after the mid-term elections.
WHAT: We invite everyone to gather to socialize, discuss the implications of the mid-term elections, and most importantly plan next steps. In addition to the necessary griping, we will be talking about what progressives did well, what we did not do well, and how we should proceed. At this gathering, we will be accepting small voluntary contributions to help defray our organizational expenses.
WHEN: Saturday, December 4th 2pm
WHERE: Home of Rachel Estroff, 7 Davenport St. Harrison, NY 10528
RSVP or QUESTIONS: Rachel Estroff 914-525-1940, westchester4change@gmail.com, or Meetup
NEW YORK STATE BUDGET WORKSHOP
WHAT: Join us for a workshop focusing on the New York State budget process and how we, as progressives, can influence the results. Specifically, this workshop will teach us about the process, as well as how revenue is raised through income taxes, property taxes and user fees. The goal is to equip us to protect important services and press for the most progressive taxes possible in the current economic and political climate.
WHEN: Tuesday, December 14th, 7-9:30pm
WHERE: CWA, Communication Workers of America Offices in Port Chester 345 Westchester Ave. Port Chester, NY 10573
RSVP or QUESTIONS: Rachel Estroff 914-525-1940, westchester4change@gmail.com or Meetup Space is limited.
From Dani in Brooklyn:
Please call - I want my 13 cents worth!! (as opposed to the 77 cents I make for every dollar a man makes doing the same work). It's incredible that we're still not there yet; that somehow it's OK to say that work is worth less when a woman does it.
http://action.now.org/o/5996/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=88455
TAKE ACTION:
The countdown is on and we need your help to get the bill across the finish line. On Tuesday, November 16, participate in the national call-in day! Call your senators at 1-877-667-6650 and ask them to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act this session!
BACKGROUND:
The moment is here – thanks to your support, we are within striking distance of passing the Paycheck Fairness Act! The Senate is back in session and precious few days remain for them to pass this critical bill.
Taking action has never been more important than it is right now. The Senate must make this bill a priority: the Paycheck Fairness Act would deter wage discrimination by closing loopholes in the Equal Pay Act and barring retaliation against workers who disclose their wages to coworkers...
From Betty in Scarsdale:
Ck out Schumer and messaging!
Chuck Schumer gets more power
Schumer has been put in charge of the Senate Democrats' "messaging."
» Read full article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html
From Charlie in Larchmont:
I'm sure it was just a coincidence that this was cut from the broadcast...
By the way, did I tell you that I'm going to lunch with The Easter Bunny next week? I'm so excited to finally meet him face-to-face after all these years!
http://www.blogger.com/goog_889975027
From Sue in Long island:
The economy’s improving but businesses are struggling and unemployment remains stubbornly high.
We CAN do something about this crisis locally. For the Holidays, let’s buy local and support our volunteers’ retail businesses, food products, and creative works. Whether you’re looking for stocking stuffers or ride-on lawn mowers, a painting for your living room or an illustrated book to read to your grandkids, a designer jacket or a healthy edible treat, we have volunteers with entrepreneurial and creative talents who can delight you and your loved ones.
The first step: If you own a retail business, or are a local food or wine purveyor, send us your name, business address, and ONE descriptive sentence (include hours and website).
If you’re an artist, published author, or an artisan, send us your name and where to purchase your works (a descriptive sentence and website too).
Please email me as soon as possible. Last date to be included is next Tuesday, November 23.
I’ll put together a list and email it to OFA volunteers. Let’s make a difference in our community this Holiday season!!
From Edith in NYC,once again:
To amuse…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y54FRMedT_s&feature=player_embedded
From Elizabeth and Sheila in Westchester after viewing video http://healthreform.kff.org/the-basics.aspx from Ellen: (Also Val in Ohio)
Agree about this video!! I just watched it and was so impressed. The way it can be effective of course is by going viral, grassroots. If it seems to be coming from the WH or DNC, people will either not invest the nine minutes or just think of how to oppose it. I'll get to work spreading it right away. Kaiser has been superb on this from the start.E
Great, Sunny. Would help if everyone passed it on, for starters. Sheila
It's a start. At our meeting someone was saying how Obama needed to do better at getting his message out about his accomplishments. My answer to her was "that's our job." The Dems in Congress should also get on board and stop running away from progress. That's exactly what we talked about last night. Do you remember the film shown in just about all elementary schools called How a bill becomes a law? It was simple but something a developing mind would remember. Send my thanks to Ellen for providing a similar little ditty that even a tea party person could understand (our low information voters).
Now if someone will just do the same to provide an explanation of our economic mess.
It is what we were talking about specifics, clear- a bit too long but a start! Sunny
From Amy in Mamaroneck:
This is just going up now on the front page at HuffPost – tried to point out the only silver lining in the travesty of the Paycheck Fairness Act getting shot down – our gal Gillibrand!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-siskind/how-the-gop-blew-it-on-th_b_785194.html
From Judy in Mamaroneck,NY:
What a sad commentary on the widespread intelligence of the voting masses in this country! Article about Sarah reaching the top and running for President by Frank Rich,NY Times!!!
Click here: Could She Reach the Top in 2012? You Betcha - NYTimes.com
From Joe in Ohio:
Try to relax…..WE MUST REGROUP. I want you to think about something…….”Blinders on” I think this is what we must keep in mind……ignore all the GOP and work toward the light at the end of the tunnel…….2012.
Secondly…….for the mass American public, JOBS, JOBS, JOBS and Obama needs to be more public with this issue. The average mild American can not see the good in the equal pay issue, when both mom and dad are unemployed. I personally believe if Obama starts to “WORK IT” the jobs issue in the press…..and I mean “WORK IT” the press…..he can skip the Whitehouse in 2012. The issue with the unemployed is the numbers are decreasing…….BUT they are decreasing because people are running out of benefits….and no longer being counted. So…..ignore that…..just a note…….Focus on JOBS JOBS JOBS……create federal jobs……simplify the application deal…..Homeland security, FDA protecting the food, drugs, etc………from what I see this is what “mild American” can comprehend……don’t forget with Kerry wind surfing…..mild America could not relate and hence he lost………Bush bailed hay and AMERICA GOT THAT…….sad to say……most of America is OHIO, not the coasts.
LAST……….I promise…….I truly believe most of America is ok (including females) with men making more money… with the unemployment issue, they would rather make less and be employed. I believe this…..its back to JOBS JOBS JOBS.
And as we have said America is STUPID…..Obama talks over their heads…..even with his agenda…..I believe this is why Bush, Palin, etc America can relate to them….they use a simple agenda, language, etc…….Obama needs to “dumb up” to relate to AMERICA…..I believe at this point America does not care about the other issues….. its stupid simple for AMERICA JOBS JOBS JOBS…….and I must admit……I can understand, food on the table and even having a home and a table is most important….its survivial
…….I know they think Palin is an idiot. Hopefully Palin will be the candidate……I did a trade show this weekend, MANY GOP ( had to keep my mouth shut) what I over heard is they HATE Palin. So Palin being the candidate could be a GREAT thing.
I do think that Obama needs to pull Hillary with him……With Ohio back in the hands of GOP, we must have a FIRM ticket and be mindful of the past election voting “tricks”…….I can’t believe that Ohio went all GOP……..every office.
If you want to see some real GOP S---…….go to fixohionow.com look at the website……this is the GOP right wing at its best……this is just a HINT of what DEMS will be up against come 2012 and what type of people will be at the helm of the GOP rule and THE 2012 ELECTION process.
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