The 2008 Democratic convention is over, with everyone spreading in the four directions for their respective homes. As we wend our way across the amber waves of Kansas this Sunday morning, I am beset with a wide spectrum of thoughts about the convention and its aftermath.
Most of all, the people: so many, wonderfully diverse people, hard working Americans, devoted to living their lives, surviving as best they can, striving to become the best people they can in whatever capacity their paths lead them. From Nancy and Loretta, who helped man my laptop and took phone calls, Dana and Penny who ran tirelessly around Denver, shopping and shuttling PUMAS, William From Denver, who offered--no, INSISTED--on doing the final clean up at PUMA HQ, Red and his crew who made coffee and did everything they could to make us comfortable and meet our needs, Dean, readying for his fourth tour in Iraq, who honored us with his company and the sharing of his ideas, and made us feel safe along with Igor, Patrick, our loving project manager and IT saint, Brad, Steve and Lori, who documented our journey,
Gary and Mawm in the beautiful PUMA bus, Shamour with the red truck, signs and dedication to be out there and be seen, Sandra, our caucus authority and HQ organizer, Barry, who trucked supplies all the way up from Louisiana, and, of course, all the WONDERFUL, dedicated PUMAS who marched and gave interviews, and last but certainly not least, Robin and BJ who marched tirelessly, all through Denver, including Invesco field during Obama's coronation speech, bravely wearing their NOBAMA and PUMA gear.
And now, McCain the Maverick, in chosing Sara Palin, governer of Alaska, as his running mate, has demonstrated his stance on the equality of women. Environmentalist, administrator, mother of an American soldier deployed to Iraq, she has experience in so many of the areas in which we all hold a stake. A letter from a Democratic delegate http://mail.google.com/mail/#inbox/11c1a2e0f9e47866
put it so very well in stating that we can and must take hope in the fact that John McCain has had the courage and conviction to choose as his VP a woman with demonstrable experience in so many of the areas that are so important to Americans and, indeed, the world. With this act, he has demonstrated that he supports fully one of the most important tenets of the Democratic Party: Equality for everyone, everywhere. Yes, global warming, war, finance and election reform are important, but they lose significance in the face of inequality. How ironic that the Republican candidate, long accused of sexism, has trumped the Democratic in the bid for leading the way for equal rights.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Amber Waves That Pave Our Way
The 2008 Democratic convention is over, with everyone spreading in the four directions for their respective homes. As we wend our way across the amber waves of Kansas this Sunday morning, I am beset with a wide spectrum of thoughts about the convention and its aftermath.
Most of all, the people: so many, wonderfully diverse people, hard working Americans, devoted to living their lives, surviving as best they can, striving to become the best people they can in whatever capacity their paths lead them. From Nancy and Loretta, who helped man my laptop and took phone calls, Dana and Penny who ran tirelessly around Denver, shopping and shuttling PUMAS, William From Denver, who offered--no, INSISTED--on doing the final clean up at PUMA HQ, Red and his crew who made coffee and did everything they could to make us comfortable and meet our needs, Dean, readying for his fourth tour in Iraq, who honored us with his company and the sharing of his ideas, and made us feel safe along with Igor, Patrick, our loving project manager and IT saint, Brad, Steve and Lori, who documented our journey,
Gary and Mawm in the beautiful PUMA bus, Shamour with the red truck, signs and dedication to be out there and be seen, Sandra, our caucus authority and HQ organizer, Barry, who trucked supplies all the way up from Louisiana, and, of course, all the WONDERFUL, dedicated PUMAS who marched and gave interviews, and last but certainly not least, Robin and BJ who marched tirelessly, all through Denver, including Invesco field during Obama's coronation speech, bravely wearing their NOBAMA and PUMA gear.
And now, McCain the Maverick, in chosing Sara Palin, governer of Alaska, as his running mate, has demonstrated his stance on the equality of women. Environmentalist, administrator, mother of an American soldier deployed to Iraq, she has experience in so many of the areas in which we all hold a stake. A letter from a Democratic delegate http://mail.google.com/mail/#inbox/11c1a2e0f9e47866
put it so very well in stating that we can and must take hope in the fact that John McCain has had the courage and conviction to choose as his VP a woman with demonstrable experience in so many of the areas that are so important to Americans and, indeed, the world. With this act, he has demonstrated that he supports fully one of the most important tenets of the Democratic Party: Equality for everyone, everywhere. Yes, global warming, war, finance and election reform are important, but they lose significance in the face of
inequality. How ironic that the Republican candidate, long accused of sexism, has trumped the Democratic in the bid for leading the way for equal rights.
Most of all, the people: so many, wonderfully diverse people, hard working Americans, devoted to living their lives, surviving as best they can, striving to become the best people they can in whatever capacity their paths lead them. From Nancy and Loretta, who helped man my laptop and took phone calls, Dana and Penny who ran tirelessly around Denver, shopping and shuttling PUMAS, William From Denver, who offered--no, INSISTED--on doing the final clean up at PUMA HQ, Red and his crew who made coffee and did everything they could to make us comfortable and meet our needs, Dean, readying for his fourth tour in Iraq, who honored us with his company and the sharing of his ideas, and made us feel safe along with Igor, Patrick, our loving project manager and IT saint, Brad, Steve and Lori, who documented our journey,
Gary and Mawm in the beautiful PUMA bus, Shamour with the red truck, signs and dedication to be out there and be seen, Sandra, our caucus authority and HQ organizer, Barry, who trucked supplies all the way up from Louisiana, and, of course, all the WONDERFUL, dedicated PUMAS who marched and gave interviews, and last but certainly not least, Robin and BJ who marched tirelessly, all through Denver, including Invesco field during Obama's coronation speech, bravely wearing their NOBAMA and PUMA gear.
And now, McCain the Maverick, in chosing Sara Palin, governer of Alaska, as his running mate, has demonstrated his stance on the equality of women. Environmentalist, administrator, mother of an American soldier deployed to Iraq, she has experience in so many of the areas in which we all hold a stake. A letter from a Democratic delegate http://mail.google.com/mail/#inbox/11c1a2e0f9e47866
put it so very well in stating that we can and must take hope in the fact that John McCain has had the courage and conviction to choose as his VP a woman with demonstrable experience in so many of the areas that are so important to Americans and, indeed, the world. With this act, he has demonstrated that he supports fully one of the most important tenets of the Democratic Party: Equality for everyone, everywhere. Yes, global warming, war, finance and election reform are important, but they lose significance in the face of
inequality. How ironic that the Republican candidate, long accused of sexism, has trumped the Democratic in the bid for leading the way for equal rights.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The Torch Is Passed
Tonight will bring the culmination of the long, hard struggle between the Democratic Party's DNC and its members, as the candidate with the lesser popular vote is officially crowned as the 2008 Democratic nominee. Not for nothing have 18 million people worked tirelessly to restore our democratic system to the levels of fairness and integrity it once stood for, however. This campaign has brought to light the fact that our system needs to be fixed in order to once again represent either the Democratic Party we once all knew and loved, or, out of its ashes, birth a new one.
It has shown us that taking the high road no longer works in American politics, but rather, rigging caucuses, gaming rules, and voter fraud, along with projective attacks does. I will NEVER forget the magnitude of furor, shock, and heartbreak witnessed during this campaign, nor will anyone else who was similarly involved. But, out of the remnants of this tattered ideal, our resolve has strengthened even more firmly. PUMAS everywhere have worked together, met, bonded, cheered, supported and loved one another throughout this effort, and resolved to continue our work of election and media reform in order to restore our
Democracy.
It has been one of the most incredible weeks of my life--meeting so many fantastic, diverse people, all of whom were hoping that Hillary would be our nominee despite heavily strong armed pressure and intimidation from DNC, Democratic Party and the Obama Camp. Our presence on the streets and in the convention center, at rallying places and receptions around town brought terrific enthusiasm from many, and derision and threats from the few Obama supporters whose goals seemed so sadly incompatible with Democratic principles.
And so, the torch is passing...from trusted, long time servant to the new, unknown quantity in Barack Obama. Our Movement will continue--we are looking toward an annual PUMA Convention on May 31, 2009, and in the coming year will devote ourselves to the restructuring, basebuilding and goal planning that will comprise the next phase of this glorious movement. The people who came from all over America to show a presence in support of Hillary and worked tirelessly campaigning, rallying, blogging, phoning, and pitching in wherever needed will long hold a place in my heart and I look forward to our continued efforts in restoring our country.
It has shown us that taking the high road no longer works in American politics, but rather, rigging caucuses, gaming rules, and voter fraud, along with projective attacks does. I will NEVER forget the magnitude of furor, shock, and heartbreak witnessed during this campaign, nor will anyone else who was similarly involved. But, out of the remnants of this tattered ideal, our resolve has strengthened even more firmly. PUMAS everywhere have worked together, met, bonded, cheered, supported and loved one another throughout this effort, and resolved to continue our work of election and media reform in order to restore our
Democracy.
It has been one of the most incredible weeks of my life--meeting so many fantastic, diverse people, all of whom were hoping that Hillary would be our nominee despite heavily strong armed pressure and intimidation from DNC, Democratic Party and the Obama Camp. Our presence on the streets and in the convention center, at rallying places and receptions around town brought terrific enthusiasm from many, and derision and threats from the few Obama supporters whose goals seemed so sadly incompatible with Democratic principles.
And so, the torch is passing...from trusted, long time servant to the new, unknown quantity in Barack Obama. Our Movement will continue--we are looking toward an annual PUMA Convention on May 31, 2009, and in the coming year will devote ourselves to the restructuring, basebuilding and goal planning that will comprise the next phase of this glorious movement. The people who came from all over America to show a presence in support of Hillary and worked tirelessly campaigning, rallying, blogging, phoning, and pitching in wherever needed will long hold a place in my heart and I look forward to our continued efforts in restoring our country.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Winds of Change
Another glorious day in Downtown Denver brought a plethora of special activities and programs in celebration of both the 2008 Convention and the 88th anniversary of women's suffrage. Would that there had been time enough to attend them all. The day started early with the Women's Caucus in the Four Seasons Ballroom at the Convention Center, followed by a moving Sufragettes' March to commemorate the 88th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment in Tennessee. The months leading up to that historical moment have been called "The War of the Roses", because those who were against giving women the right to vote wore red roses and those who supported it wore yellow. The vote was carried by a surprise shift of the voter upon whom the result would depend: a young man of 24 who had worn the red rose of resistance to women's suffrage received a letter from his mother the morning of the vote, in which she admonished him to "be a good boy and do the right thing." That afternoon, he placed the deciding vote for women's suffrage, saying, "I have always found it wise to listen to one's mother."
Today's march, with a large contingent of women wearing white dresses and suffrage banners, was a moving reminder of the hard fought, years long battle [1848 - 1920] for women's right to vote. The coup de grace was a luncheon on a large, multileveled piazza, where Hillary spoke as Chelsea stood by, and men and women of all ages shared the incredible good fortune of sharing the commemmoration of women's voting rights with Hillary RodhamClinton, the first woman to run for the presidency of the United States.
The day ended with an inspiring reception hosted by the incredible Heidi Li Feldman of The Denver Group, and author of Heidi Li's Potpourri blog, at which we shared our thoughts on our plans going forward with respect to our continued initiatives of media and political reform. Heidi, like Hillary, is another of our most inspiring leaders in the fight for fair, equitable and lawful election procedures.
At the end of the day, many returned from the day's mardching to gather at the PUMA den to watch Hillary's speech. Tears flowed as we watched Bill watching Hillary as she spoke, and recommitted ourselves to our shared ideals of PUMA unity in our work ahead.
As the winds of change continue to blow across civilization's timeline, bringing women's right to vote and the civil rights act, so they continue to blow life into the new movement for political and media reform.
Today's march, with a large contingent of women wearing white dresses and suffrage banners, was a moving reminder of the hard fought, years long battle [1848 - 1920] for women's right to vote. The coup de grace was a luncheon on a large, multileveled piazza, where Hillary spoke as Chelsea stood by, and men and women of all ages shared the incredible good fortune of sharing the commemmoration of women's voting rights with Hillary RodhamClinton, the first woman to run for the presidency of the United States.
The day ended with an inspiring reception hosted by the incredible Heidi Li Feldman of The Denver Group, and author of Heidi Li's Potpourri blog, at which we shared our thoughts on our plans going forward with respect to our continued initiatives of media and political reform. Heidi, like Hillary, is another of our most inspiring leaders in the fight for fair, equitable and lawful election procedures.
At the end of the day, many returned from the day's mardching to gather at the PUMA den to watch Hillary's speech. Tears flowed as we watched Bill watching Hillary as she spoke, and recommitted ourselves to our shared ideals of PUMA unity in our work ahead.
As the winds of change continue to blow across civilization's timeline, bringing women's right to vote and the civil rights act, so they continue to blow life into the new movement for political and media reform.
Monday, August 25, 2008
The PUMA PRESENCE
Convention week has begun in Denver! PUMA Presence is everywhere this week, with our people on the ground getting lots of support and recognition. Two PUMAs holding signs and wearing Tee Shirts tried to hail a cab got honks and waves from all the passersby who thought that they were doing a honk and wave-when a cab finally stopped, he was so thrilled to see the PUMA signs that he asked if he could keep one! Although there is clearly an Obama presence here, we are finding terrific support and things have been quiet for the most part, with the exception of an encounter with some angry Obama supporters at the MSNBC kiosk in Union Square. We got some good footage of Obama supporters behind a barricade chanting at Hillary supporters and Hillary Supporters made a great show of unity in expressing their objections toward Chris Matthews, who was doing the show live this afternoon at the kiosk.
On to ceremonies in Cheesman park where Riverdaughter will speak and there will be a candlight ceremony at 9:45 tonight.
PUMA HQ at 1325 Delaware Avenue is abuzz from morning to night with media presence from all over the world, PUMAS dropping by to make signs, strategize and rest between our forays out to the field. More to come, and remember The PUMA Presence!
On to ceremonies in Cheesman park where Riverdaughter will speak and there will be a candlight ceremony at 9:45 tonight.
PUMA HQ at 1325 Delaware Avenue is abuzz from morning to night with media presence from all over the world, PUMAS dropping by to make signs, strategize and rest between our forays out to the field. More to come, and remember The PUMA Presence!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Tribute to Two Patriots
Robert Gwatney Murdered in office by lone gunman Aug. 13, 2008
Stephanie Tubbs Jones August 20, 2008
It would be difficult improve upon the poignance with which our own PUMAS pay tribute to Stephanie. Please click the links below.
http://freemenow.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/tell-me-why/
http://comealongway.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/stephanie-tubbs-jones-1949-2008-we-will-miss-her-fighting-spirit/
It would be difficult improve upon the poignance with which our own PUMAS pay tribute to Stephanie. Please click the links below.
http://freemenow.
http://comealongway.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/stephanie-tubbs-jones-1949-2008-we-will-miss-her-fighting-spirit/
This is so terribly sad and so horribly terrible that words cannot express the depth of it. No matter how many people try to express their shock horror and anguish, NO words work. NO words help.
It now seems fairly apparent that our electoral system is dealing with an opposition that literally will stop at nothing to thwart free elections to get what they want: be it the choir director from the Wright church; Bob Gwatney in Arkansas, the Democratic State Chair or Stephanie Tubbs Jones, stalwart and steadfast champion of Ohio voting rights, steward of the investigation into the 2004 Ohio voting fraud, 5 term congressperson and champion and supporter of Hillary Rodham Clinton--and how many others???
I received this today from an editor at cityedition.com:
After publishing a story on the Bill Gwatney murder in Arkansas last week, new information surfaced in an email to TheCityEdition.com. OnI received this today from an editor at cityedition.com:
the day before the killing, Gwatney may have told the group petitioning DNC delegates for Sen. Clinton's name to appear in a roll-call vote that he would sign on to the drive. Evidently he is the only state chair to do so. Most other members of the Arkansas delegation indicated to organizers they would support her.
Sen. Clinton won the state on Feb. 5th by 44 points, her biggest margin nationwide. Significantly, in a roll call vote at the convention, Arkansas is one of the first states called, and thus a potential for starting a bandwagon effect.
So the timeline goes like this: 8/12 Gwatney agrees to back Clinton
nomination - 8/13 Gwatney shot - 8/14 DNC announces Clinton will be
nominated.
In addition, on Tuesday, Little Rock police announced that the keys
found in the killer's home attached to Gwatney auto dealership
might have been diversionary, if not planted, evidence. The article
has been updated to reflect the latest facts. If anyone has info
on this case, please get in touch. Here's a link to the story:
http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Summer08/BillGwatney.html
I have been highly reluctant to sound alarmist or extremist--on the contrary, I am always the optimist, dismissing notions of threat, but even I, in my reluctance to believe conspiracy theorists and extremists, have been forced to reassess my views. Is it extreme to wonder whether a group that has repeatedly asserted that THEY WILL STOP AT NOTHING to win really won't stop at nothing? Election fraud in Texas caucuses, Iowa polls and Florida and Michigan, strong arm, intimidation tactics aimed at delegates, elected officials and the ultimate strong arm tactic against Bob Gwatney tell me that this truly IS a group that will stop at nothing.
This is a sad, sad day for America and a very frightening one too. Forty years ago we witnessed the killings of MLK and RFK...we now witness the killings of two of Hillary's most intrepid, loyal supporters, both of whom lived their lives espousing the words of Dr. King and Senator Kennedy, within days of one another, within two weeks of the Democratic Convention. This cannot possibly be an accident of random coincidence. The universe simply does not work that way.
Our hands tremble, our hearts are heavy and our thoughts race as we search for a way in which to protect ourselves and our country from the mob tactics of fascism and the loss of our democracy.
Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Bob Gwatney shall remain in our hearts and minds forever as courageous Americans, patriots who stood by their word, voted their conscience and espoused integrity. They will go down in history as individuals who died for their beliefs that America deserved Democracy and free speech.
As we move ahead to the Denver convention, I implore everyone to remember these brave, patriotic, public servants, and vote your conscience. Vote for the candidate most qualified to lead our country and most likely to win the election. Do not let the tactics of thugs dictate the choice of our next president.
Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Bob Gwatney shall remain in our hearts and minds forever as courageous Americans, patriots who stood by their word, voted their conscience and espoused integrity. They will go down in history as individuals who died for their beliefs that America deserved Democracy and free speech.
As we move ahead to the Denver convention, I implore everyone to remember these brave, patriotic, public servants, and vote your conscience. Vote for the candidate most qualified to lead our country and most likely to win the election. Do not let the tactics of thugs dictate the choice of our next president.
truthisgold
PUMA Central
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Hubris v. Honor Redux...and STILL No Questions from the Press
Just when it seemed like things couldn't GET either any more surreal or less credible, we start the week by learning that while Russia invades Georgia, Hillary delegates are being purged, and the news of Obama's close ties with an anti Christian, pro Taliban Kenyan leader named Odinga continues to be suppressed, http://truthisgold.blogspot.com/2008/08/obama-and-jeopardization-of-national.html we find that Mr. Obama has flown the coop for the sunny isle of Hawaii, leaving Hillary home to do his pre-convention campaigning and the DNC to do his dirty work.
So...What is Wrong With This Picture?
Well, first of all, it speaks to Hubris [his] and Honor [hers]. Apparently deciding he can't take the heat, political or otherwise, he's off to "vacation" [at least that's what he SAID] while SHE, the candidate with the hugest popular vote in primary history, is off to work, keeping her word [as usual] to campaign for him.
It speaks to the Hubris of a Democratic party who is apparently so terrified that the fast waning popularity of their selectee will result in his failure to be nominated that they have gone into panic mode, hunkered down in their bunker, purging, McCarthy style, delegate after delegate that might be so much as even rumored to support Hillary. The latest in this string of casualties [preceded by Wisconsin's Debra Bartoshevich] is Sarah Millstone of Boulder Colorado, who, after PRIVATELY acknowledging to a fellow delegate in an email that she was upset at the Obama campaign's tactics of dismissal and intimidation of Hillary delegates and was not sure that she could vote for Obama at the Convention, received a letter from Pat Waak, chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, threatening her with the loss of her delegate seat.
"I think that one of the reasons I got this...was to intimidate me," said Millstone. "It sounded... totalitarian [and]...undemocratic and I was completely shocked. Having had conversations on the pros and cons of those candidates, I don't think this is an unusual thing at all in the Democratic Party."
About Millstone, Waak stated, [giving new meaning to the phrase, 'Waak Job',]
"From our point, it's over with. She's chosen not to come in and talk with us...so, we're two weeks...from the convention and we'll continue to work with the delegates who want to be worked with."
Fear Tactics, Intimidation & Threats: Our Party at Work??
Millstone firmly believes the letter was a clear message to Clinton delegates nationwide to refrain from any comment, even those made privately, that could be construed as even slightly critical of Obama if they wish to attend the convention. "I think that it was calculated to have an impact on other delegates...this kind of communication...has a very chilling impact on other delegates because people become afraid to speak up. They become afraid to say what they think."Millstone added, "You can't get unity by telling people to shut up." http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/17163668/detail.html
Unlike those who, like Gerry Ferraro, [rare birds in a forest of parrots], have tremendous courage, conviction and power, most delegates are ordinary folk, desirous of doing their patriotic duty unhampered by threats, intimidation and fear tactics. Like the lone suffragette in the famous picture, standing alone on a sidewalk crowded with men, holding her simple sign, Gerry Ferraro stood up to the DNC Machine yesterday and stood her ground, speaking her piece in support of Hillary Clinton, the lone voice of reason.
Res ipsa loquitur, or...the thing speaks for itself...and it echoes the multitudinous pattern of threats from not only the Obama camp, but DNC and Democratic Party elected officials as well, to wit: one among many received by an Election Watch writer from none other than Donna Brazile:
"Do not send me...this crap and I promise not to send your email address to anyone.
Soon, I will have to kick some truth into the lies.
Sent wirelessly via BlackBerry from T-Mobile. Please excuse any typos or grammatical errors."
None But the Brave
Not to be outdone, the direct approach from Montana's Senator Jon Tester:
"Your message has been forwarded to the U.S. Capitol Police Force for investigation. Do not send any further messages to this address."
And, although certainly neither the last nor the least, this from http://freemenow.wordpress.com/
"Democratic Party Collapses Into Stiff Arm Politics"
TO: All Clinton Delegates
FROM: Mary Isenhour, Executive Director
DATE: August 11, 2008
RE: Nomination
If anyone approaches you about signing a petition to place Senator Clinton’s name in nomination at the Democratic National Convention, the Governor has asked me to ask you to refrain from signing such a petition until we know what Senator Clinton and Senator Obama have worked out.
As always, please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
Rachel A. Moore, Office Director,Pennsylvania Democratic Party
300 North 2nd Street, 8th Floor,Harrisburg, PA 17101
ofc. 717.920.8470 / fax 717.901.7829
Feel the love. ClintonDems.com states:
"With the convention just around the corner, it is imperative that all Democrats everywhere understand that whether or not Hillary is nominated, we are in this for the long haul. This primary has revealed DNC "leadership" to be corrupt, mean-spirited, and devoid of respect for basic democratic principles. They have completely and effectively ceded the moral high ground to Republicans at this point." http://hillaryclintonnews.blogspot.com/2008/08/action-item.html
Brave New World
In the meantime, life goes on: we are informed that Mr. Obama, still on vacation in Hawaii, far from the madding crowd and its pesky, inquisitive reporters, will take HIS brave stand and announce his vice president via text message, thus eliminating the need for a press conference and those burdonsome concepts of Hubris, Honor, and Courage of Conviction can be dispensed with and replaced with Newspeak until further notice...by text message, of course.
So...What is Wrong With This Picture?
Well, first of all, it speaks to Hubris [his] and Honor [hers]. Apparently deciding he can't take the heat, political or otherwise, he's off to "vacation" [at least that's what he SAID] while SHE, the candidate with the hugest popular vote in primary history, is off to work, keeping her word [as usual] to campaign for him.
It speaks to the Hubris of a Democratic party who is apparently so terrified that the fast waning popularity of their selectee will result in his failure to be nominated that they have gone into panic mode, hunkered down in their bunker, purging, McCarthy style, delegate after delegate that might be so much as even rumored to support Hillary. The latest in this string of casualties [preceded by Wisconsin's Debra Bartoshevich] is Sarah Millstone of Boulder Colorado, who, after PRIVATELY acknowledging to a fellow delegate in an email that she was upset at the Obama campaign's tactics of dismissal and intimidation of Hillary delegates and was not sure that she could vote for Obama at the Convention, received a letter from Pat Waak, chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, threatening her with the loss of her delegate seat.
"I think that one of the reasons I got this...was to intimidate me," said Millstone. "It sounded... totalitarian [and]...undemocratic and I was completely shocked. Having had conversations on the pros and cons of those candidates, I don't think this is an unusual thing at all in the Democratic Party."
About Millstone, Waak stated, [giving new meaning to the phrase, 'Waak Job',]
"From our point, it's over with. She's chosen not to come in and talk with us...so, we're two weeks...from the convention and we'll continue to work with the delegates who want to be worked with."
Fear Tactics, Intimidation & Threats: Our Party at Work??
Millstone firmly believes the letter was a clear message to Clinton delegates nationwide to refrain from any comment, even those made privately, that could be construed as even slightly critical of Obama if they wish to attend the convention. "I think that it was calculated to have an impact on other delegates...this kind of communication...has a very chilling impact on other delegates because people become afraid to speak up. They become afraid to say what they think."Millstone added, "You can't get unity by telling people to shut up." http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/17163668/detail.html
Unlike those who, like Gerry Ferraro, [rare birds in a forest of parrots], have tremendous courage, conviction and power, most delegates are ordinary folk, desirous of doing their patriotic duty unhampered by threats, intimidation and fear tactics. Like the lone suffragette in the famous picture, standing alone on a sidewalk crowded with men, holding her simple sign, Gerry Ferraro stood up to the DNC Machine yesterday and stood her ground, speaking her piece in support of Hillary Clinton, the lone voice of reason.
Res ipsa loquitur, or...the thing speaks for itself...and it echoes the multitudinous pattern of threats from not only the Obama camp, but DNC and Democratic Party elected officials as well, to wit: one among many received by an Election Watch writer from none other than Donna Brazile:
"Do not send me...this crap and I promise not to send your email address to anyone.
Soon, I will have to kick some truth into the lies.
Sent wirelessly via BlackBerry from T-Mobile. Please excuse any typos or grammatical errors."
None But the Brave
Not to be outdone, the direct approach from Montana's Senator Jon Tester:
"Your message has been forwarded to the U.S. Capitol Police Force for investigation. Do not send any further messages to this address."
And, although certainly neither the last nor the least, this from http://freemenow.wordpress.com/
"Democratic Party Collapses Into Stiff Arm Politics"
TO: All Clinton Delegates
FROM: Mary Isenhour, Executive Director
DATE: August 11, 2008
RE: Nomination
If anyone approaches you about signing a petition to place Senator Clinton’s name in nomination at the Democratic National Convention, the Governor has asked me to ask you to refrain from signing such a petition until we know what Senator Clinton and Senator Obama have worked out.
As always, please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
Rachel A. Moore, Office Director,Pennsylvania Democratic Party
300 North 2nd Street, 8th Floor,Harrisburg, PA 17101
ofc. 717.920.8470 / fax 717.901.7829
Feel the love. ClintonDems.com states:
"With the convention just around the corner, it is imperative that all Democrats everywhere understand that whether or not Hillary is nominated, we are in this for the long haul. This primary has revealed DNC "leadership" to be corrupt, mean-spirited, and devoid of respect for basic democratic principles. They have completely and effectively ceded the moral high ground to Republicans at this point." http://hillaryclintonnews.blogspot.com/2008/08/action-item.html
Brave New World
In the meantime, life goes on: we are informed that Mr. Obama, still on vacation in Hawaii, far from the madding crowd and its pesky, inquisitive reporters, will take HIS brave stand and announce his vice president via text message, thus eliminating the need for a press conference and those burdonsome concepts of Hubris, Honor, and Courage of Conviction can be dispensed with and replaced with Newspeak until further notice...by text message, of course.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Why I am a PUMA:
This does not mean, however, that I won't do everything in my power to work for reform of media and politics in our country.As long as a political campaign abrogates all responsibility toward the democratic process of one person-one vote and mainstream media continues their complicity in eradicating the electorate's ability to be informed, any concept of democracy is dead. It is for this reason that I will in NO way support the DNC or its selected but unelectable messiah, who continues to demonstrate the fact that he is Inexperienced, Unqualified and Dangerous.
Daily, he exhibits frighteningly poor choices, all of which constantly remind us that his self serving, self absorbed focus takes precedence over anything and everything else. Witness his refusal to visit wounded troops in Germany because the Pentagon refused to allow him to drag a fawning media entourage with him and turn it into a campaign photo op: his decision to work out rather than ditch his media facetime for an hour or two and visit with veterans clearly illustrates the degree to which he places Self before Country…or his claim that the Senate Banking Committee was "His."Scary business all around. It's time for PUMAs to leave the ground and POUNCE!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Obama and the Jeopardization of National Security
Blood Brothers or Cousins...?
Reviewing Paula Abele's "Obama and Odinga"
Rumors always abound, but this well documented [from highly credible news sources] article by Paula Abele is a treasure of truth, and one that everybody should see. It addresses the startling danger to our national security that lies behind poor the judgment and questionable associations that plague Barack Obama wherever he goes.
A brief synopsis herein, the full article with documentation and pictures can be found at www.realdemocratsusa.org . It is WELL worth the read, and, more disturbingly still, begs the
question as to why mainstream media has not been more forthcoming in their coverage despite articles previously published in the N.Y. Times, London Times and USA Today.
question as to why mainstream media has not been more forthcoming in their coverage despite articles previously published in the N.Y. Times, London Times and USA Today.
Although the Obama camp, as with so many things, has been less than forthcoming about the relationship between Barack Obama and Rail Odinga, the political affiliation between their fathers, both of the Luo tribe, is well established. Contrary to Barack Obama's assertion that his father was a poor goat herder from Kenya, he came from a politically privileged, well connected family where he was closely associated with Rail Odinga's father.
What we do know about Rail Odinga is that he was reportedly set up in the oil business by the al Bakri Group and Muammar Qaddafi and listed in the infamous "Golden Chain, " list of wealthy Saudi financial sponsors, and, after coming to power, signed an agreement with Islamic extremists in Kenya, in which he agreed to institute Islamic law [with Sharia courts for family law] in exchange for their support, thereby extinguishing the liberties and lives of millions of Christian Kenyan women and establishing a safe haven for terrorists in Kenya.
Further, Odinga made opposition to the Kenyan government's crackdown on Al Quaeda supporters a cornerstone of his campaign. After Odinga took office, Al Quaeda cells that blew up embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam were known to have been recruited from mosques near Kenyan beaches. In what appeared to be a coordinated strategy from the top, a core of whom called themselves, 'The Taliban,' Odinga's Luo supporters engaged in what US envoy Jendayi Frazier called "clear ethnic cleansing" of the Kikuyu opposition, burning Christian women and children alive in churches they had fled to for sanctuary. Odinga supporters went on a rampage, burning, raping and killing everyone in their path, recreating the horror of the bloody Mau-Mau rampages of the 1950s where thousands were massacred and their property taken.
What does this mean to the American people and, indeed the world?
Well, for one thing, Obama has not attempted to distance himself from Odinga, with whom he admitted speaking by phone during the primary. On the contrary, he endorsed and campaigned for Odinga, who is corrupt, ruthless and has financial ties to terrorists. Further, it is believed that political strategist Dick Morris worked gratis for Odinga's campaign, according to Odinga, at the "request of a mutual friend," purported to be Obama. In any case, the two campaigns share remarkable similarities, including ties to foreign money, oil and banking interests and intimidation tactics, but perhaps most disturbingly, the use of the campaign phrases, "It is Our Time" by Obama and "It is Our Turn" by Odinga, who claimed that no matter what, the Luo's were going to take power. Thus far, about 7,000 have lost their lives and 250,000 have been displaced. Human Rights Watch claims that they have evidence that Odinga leaders actively fomented violence that included roaming bands of machete wielding youths.
Senator Obama's actions, endorsing and campaigning for Odinga, decried by both the U.S. State Department and the former Kenyan government, were in direct opposition to the efforts and interests of both the Kenyan Christian population and U.S. National Security.
Senator Obama's efforts on Odinga's behalf, despite his ties to Al Queda and Qaddafi, can only be construed as extremely poor judgment, be they the result of a frightening loyalty or merely that of inexperience and naivete. Either way, it is dangerous and no one can hope to really know what lies behind Obama's true intentions.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Honor vs. Hubris
According to Merriam Webster' Online Dictionary, the word "Honor" denotes "a keen sense of ethical conduct; integrity."
"Hubris," on the other hand, denotes "exaggerated pride or self confidence," stemming from Classical Athenian usage meaning "intentional use of violence to humiliate or degrade; [it] could also characterize rape."
And this, in a nutshell, is what the 2008 presidential campaign boils down to: The choice between a man whose actions and words have consistently demonstrated his honorable character and one whose short but checkered history has demonstrated little more than his complete and utter hubris.
Contrast, if you will, the man who declined to be released from POW camp simply because he had family ties in upper echelon military, with one who refused to visit wounded troops because a press entourage was not allowed, claimed that the Senate Banking Committee was "his committee," and has been unable to produce an authentic, verifiable American birth certificate. http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/08/03/breaking-techdude-finds-original-text-on-birth-certificate/#more-3979
Contrast a man willing to appear at a Town Hall Meeting at a military base with one who always claims, regardless of the choice of dates given to him, that he "has a prior commitment."
It is all too well known that Mr. Obama's chief campaign strategy has been that of playing the Victim by repeatedly race baiting while accusing the Clintons, long time uber champions of civil rights, of racism.
This is indeed a clear pattern with the Obama campaign: crying foul while committing fouls themselves, as reported on by Politico last month in an article entitled "Who’s Smearing Whom."
Few things are more universally unattractive than the kind of smug, out-of-touch arrogance that characterizes Barack Obama and thus, his campaign. Few things are sadder or more dangerous than someone who has demonstrated beyond all doubt, in instance after instance, by his outright lies, http://onemansthoughts.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/46-lies-of-obamas/
repeated failure to keep his word, and who, to date, has failed to produce an authentic birth certificate, thus raising questions about even his LEGAL qualification to run for the presidency of the United States. Clearly, his candidacy is no longer viable and due to his pathological pattern of falsifying documents he should be censured and have his Senate seat stripped from him.
Are these the acts of a desperate man? Perhaps so, but, more importantly, they are the acts of one who is inexperienced, unqualified and dangerous, and, more sadly still, one who will stop at nothing to get into the White House.
For further reading see Jerome Corsi's #1 bestseller Obama Nation book and Andy Martin's, "Obama: The Man Behind the Mask"
Friday, August 1, 2008
About TruthIsGold
Welcome to yet another woman’s opinion...
The heat of the summer of 2008 has been nothing compared to that which has befallen the Democratic National Committee in the wake of their decision to disenfranchise millions of voters in Florida and MIchigan. I read with interest, amusement and chagrin as mainstream media, both broadcast and print, attempted to downplay, deride and defuse Hillary supports by calling them fanatics, sore losers and wackos. However, as history has proven, it is always unwise to underestimate both the outrage and the determination of a disenfranchised people. Time and again, the disenfranchised have risen up to get their story told and gain representation, and time and again they have succeeded.
Craig Della Penna’s Heraclitis summarizes the current political climate in the Democratic Party and makes an excellent argument for the formation of a third one in light of the DNC's decision to disenfranchise and alienate 18 Million voters.
Not Now Not Ever
The story is not over by a long shot–over past weeks I have listened to people from all walks of life–from people who live in the street to those who clean it to those who it, figurative speaking–and the prevalent view is that they will not stand by and let their own party disenfranchise them by arbitrary rules and back room deals. These people are not going to just “get in line” or go away. They are going to make themselves heard and they are committed to taking action for the future of their country, their families and their party...many are committed to leaving that party when they feel it no longer represents them. They will not accept a candidate whom they do not trust represent them. Overnight, after the May 31 RBC meeting in Washington, DC disenfranchised millions of its own voters, dozens of sites have sprang up, forming a coalition of PUMAs. With thousands of members and more joining every day, We are indeed a force to be reckoned with, and a force that refuses to have its vote stolen by insider party politics.
The outcome remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the story is NOT over!
The heat of the summer of 2008 has been nothing compared to that which has befallen the Democratic National Committee in the wake of their decision to disenfranchise millions of voters in Florida and MIchigan. I read with interest, amusement and chagrin as mainstream media, both broadcast and print, attempted to downplay, deride and defuse Hillary supports by calling them fanatics, sore losers and wackos. However, as history has proven, it is always unwise to underestimate both the outrage and the determination of a disenfranchised people. Time and again, the disenfranchised have risen up to get their story told and gain representation, and time and again they have succeeded.
Craig Della Penna’s Heraclitis summarizes the current political climate in the Democratic Party and makes an excellent argument for the formation of a third one in light of the DNC's decision to disenfranchise and alienate 18 Million voters.
Not Now Not Ever
The story is not over by a long shot–over past weeks I have listened to people from all walks of life–from people who live in the street to those who clean it to those who it, figurative speaking–and the prevalent view is that they will not stand by and let their own party disenfranchise them by arbitrary rules and back room deals. These people are not going to just “get in line” or go away. They are going to make themselves heard and they are committed to taking action for the future of their country, their families and their party...many are committed to leaving that party when they feel it no longer represents them. They will not accept a candidate whom they do not trust represent them. Overnight, after the May 31 RBC meeting in Washington, DC disenfranchised millions of its own voters, dozens of sites have sprang up, forming a coalition of PUMAs. With thousands of members and more joining every day, We are indeed a force to be reckoned with, and a force that refuses to have its vote stolen by insider party politics.
The outcome remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the story is NOT over!
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