Hypocritical DNC
The Democratic National Convention continues to try to limit the voters’ voice of Michigan and Florida, while still asking for their vote in November. The voters had nothing to do with the internal rules of the Democratic Party. The voters had nothing to do with the changing the date of the primary. So why should the voters of two states be excluded from the Democratic process.
Why would anyone from Michigan or Florida vote for Obama? He was the one who stood in the way of the revote. He stood in the way of all the votes being counted because he was afraid it would help Clinton. The DNC helped their heir apparent by denying Michigan and Florida voters their Constitutional right of representation.
Suddenly DNC realized that they would need Michigan and Florida to win the White House that they began to make nice. They are holding hearings to give both states reconsideration. As I write this, Florida’s delegates have been seated with only a half vote. The DNC is telling Florida that your citizens are not equal to the rest of the country--that the people of Florida will be denied their Constitutional rights as equal citizens.
The debate on Michigan has just started. The proposed “compromise” is to give Obama delegates won by Clinton and to also give cut the weight of each delegate to half. Once again, the DNC has their fingers on the scale. It is in Democratic Bylaws that delegates can’t be shifted from one candidate or category from one to another, which is exactly what is proposed. The compromise would take four delegates be taken from Clinton to Obama; in addition, all of the uncommitted delegates would go to Obama. In Michigan, 55% percent of the votes went to Clinton. Obama received none because he chose to take his name off the ballet. Undeclared received 40% of the votes. Each of the delegates will only receive a half vote.
Senator Clinton as reserved her right to challenge the committee‘s decision. For months, the DNC has been corrupting the system by systematically supporting Obama over Clinton due to gender bias. The good old boys would prefer to have a penis in office instead of the best candidate. I would hope that if the DNC continues to subvert the political system by not fully seating the Michigan and Florida delegates, then I would ask Senator Clinton to run as an independent.
The committee has voted. The voters in both states have lost part of their citizenship. So now, the DNC will be courting these same voters in November. What hypocrites! If they think the voters in either state will just forgive and forget, they are sadly mistaken.
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Showing posts with label Hiltary Clinton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hiltary Clinton. Show all posts
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
African American Women Win Nothing With Obama
African American Women Win Nothing With Obama
Father Michael Pfleger is just the newest example of how Obama judgment should be called into question. His sexist and racist comments were not taken out of context. There is no reasonable context that would justify them; the comments were hate filled not only of women but also indiscriminately of all white people. There are good and bad--wise and ignorant people in all religions, genders, and ethic backgrounds. To paint with broad strokes only reflects badly back on the speaker and has nothing to do with the subject of the discourse. Everyone sees the world through their own personal experience; our past colors the way we see the present and the future, leaving us all to see the world subjectively and in many cases unrealistically.
When I first saw Obama at the Democratic convention, I thought he was amazing. His speech showed a wise soul who wanted to be a positive force in the world. That person started the campaign; however, it has been a long time, since I saw him. He quickly changed into just another member of the good old boys club. The day after the West Virginia elections only confirmed how much he has changed. Showing up in Michigan with John Edwards was not a coincidence. It was a planned event to upstage Clinton's big win. It was their way of putting that uppity woman back in her place. Immediately, the media and the DNC jumped on Obama's bandwagon discounting both West Virginia and Kentucky’s over whelming support for Clinton and once again demanding that she concede the nomination. They continue to claim that Obama is the nominee without considering that the voters refuse to follow their lead.
While in previous elections DNC focused on the popular vote instead of the delegates, during the nomination process they have done just the opposite. The numbers have been manipulated on both sides, but none as great as those involving the popular vote. Michigan and Florida votes have been cast aside solely because of who would benefit from them. If Obama had been the beneficiary, there simply would never have been a question of those votes being included. Nor would the DNC or the media have started calling for the Obama to step aside when there was only a 26 delegate difference as the did to Clinton. Their gender bias has revealed how little respect there is for women. If the situation had been reverse, there would have been riots in the streets with claims of racial bigotry. Yet when it comes to gender, women are expected to shut up and do what they are told. How shocked they must have been when Clinton said no and to continued to fight. How dare that uppity woman!
What confuses me even more are the African American women who are Obama’s staunch supporters as if they will actually win something if he becomes President. No matter what color skin or ethic background, all women are seen the same. In 1870 15th Amendment to the Constitution granted voting rights to African American males only. African American women like all the other women didn’t get the right to make a difference until August 26, 1920 with the 19th Amendment. It took another fifty years for woman to achieve full citizenship under the constitution. So why are African American women celebrating Obama? They will gain nothing by his winning. However, since women’s glass ceiling is lower, Clinton’s winning will smash both and African American women will win twice.
Guilt by associate is not valid measuring stick in a single case. Everyone makes mistakes in their associations. It is not the individuals that need to be focused on, but the growing list of long term close associations that promote hatred, bigotry and fear among people. Pfleger is just the newest and clearest example of Obama mindset. His mocking of Clinton exposed is racism and gender hatred. It was more than a personal attack on Clinton, but an attack on women. He degraded all women without exception. Yet you see women in the congregation cheering him on. There is no all of anything when it comes to people. Whites are no more all bigots any more than African Americans are all the negative stereotypes. Any student of history will tell you that white women were just as much property of their husbands as the slave field hands. With very few exceptions, they had not rights, no voice and whatever property they did hold going into the marriage immediately became their husbands. Just because the bird lives in a pretty cage doesn’t mean it has any freedom.
Pfleger claimed that Clinton felt entitled to the nomination because she was white and President Clinton’s wife. He totally discounted her decades of service, her education and experience. She never claimed she entitled or guaranteed anything. It was the media who claimed that she was going to be the sure winner. Never once did she try to pervert the process by declaring herself the winner--unlike Obama has already done. She has worked hard both on the campaign and with her Senatorial duties. While Obama is to busy campaigning to grace the Senate with his presence, Clinton has found a way to do both. But then again most women learned how to multi-task before there was such a word.
As an individual, I will not vote for Obama. The great man I saw and would have voted for a few years ago, no longer exists. Nor will I vote for McCain. He is equally bigoted against women. I will either write in Clinton or not vote for a President.
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Father Michael Pfleger is just the newest example of how Obama judgment should be called into question. His sexist and racist comments were not taken out of context. There is no reasonable context that would justify them; the comments were hate filled not only of women but also indiscriminately of all white people. There are good and bad--wise and ignorant people in all religions, genders, and ethic backgrounds. To paint with broad strokes only reflects badly back on the speaker and has nothing to do with the subject of the discourse. Everyone sees the world through their own personal experience; our past colors the way we see the present and the future, leaving us all to see the world subjectively and in many cases unrealistically.
When I first saw Obama at the Democratic convention, I thought he was amazing. His speech showed a wise soul who wanted to be a positive force in the world. That person started the campaign; however, it has been a long time, since I saw him. He quickly changed into just another member of the good old boys club. The day after the West Virginia elections only confirmed how much he has changed. Showing up in Michigan with John Edwards was not a coincidence. It was a planned event to upstage Clinton's big win. It was their way of putting that uppity woman back in her place. Immediately, the media and the DNC jumped on Obama's bandwagon discounting both West Virginia and Kentucky’s over whelming support for Clinton and once again demanding that she concede the nomination. They continue to claim that Obama is the nominee without considering that the voters refuse to follow their lead.
While in previous elections DNC focused on the popular vote instead of the delegates, during the nomination process they have done just the opposite. The numbers have been manipulated on both sides, but none as great as those involving the popular vote. Michigan and Florida votes have been cast aside solely because of who would benefit from them. If Obama had been the beneficiary, there simply would never have been a question of those votes being included. Nor would the DNC or the media have started calling for the Obama to step aside when there was only a 26 delegate difference as the did to Clinton. Their gender bias has revealed how little respect there is for women. If the situation had been reverse, there would have been riots in the streets with claims of racial bigotry. Yet when it comes to gender, women are expected to shut up and do what they are told. How shocked they must have been when Clinton said no and to continued to fight. How dare that uppity woman!
What confuses me even more are the African American women who are Obama’s staunch supporters as if they will actually win something if he becomes President. No matter what color skin or ethic background, all women are seen the same. In 1870 15th Amendment to the Constitution granted voting rights to African American males only. African American women like all the other women didn’t get the right to make a difference until August 26, 1920 with the 19th Amendment. It took another fifty years for woman to achieve full citizenship under the constitution. So why are African American women celebrating Obama? They will gain nothing by his winning. However, since women’s glass ceiling is lower, Clinton’s winning will smash both and African American women will win twice.
Guilt by associate is not valid measuring stick in a single case. Everyone makes mistakes in their associations. It is not the individuals that need to be focused on, but the growing list of long term close associations that promote hatred, bigotry and fear among people. Pfleger is just the newest and clearest example of Obama mindset. His mocking of Clinton exposed is racism and gender hatred. It was more than a personal attack on Clinton, but an attack on women. He degraded all women without exception. Yet you see women in the congregation cheering him on. There is no all of anything when it comes to people. Whites are no more all bigots any more than African Americans are all the negative stereotypes. Any student of history will tell you that white women were just as much property of their husbands as the slave field hands. With very few exceptions, they had not rights, no voice and whatever property they did hold going into the marriage immediately became their husbands. Just because the bird lives in a pretty cage doesn’t mean it has any freedom.
Pfleger claimed that Clinton felt entitled to the nomination because she was white and President Clinton’s wife. He totally discounted her decades of service, her education and experience. She never claimed she entitled or guaranteed anything. It was the media who claimed that she was going to be the sure winner. Never once did she try to pervert the process by declaring herself the winner--unlike Obama has already done. She has worked hard both on the campaign and with her Senatorial duties. While Obama is to busy campaigning to grace the Senate with his presence, Clinton has found a way to do both. But then again most women learned how to multi-task before there was such a word.
As an individual, I will not vote for Obama. The great man I saw and would have voted for a few years ago, no longer exists. Nor will I vote for McCain. He is equally bigoted against women. I will either write in Clinton or not vote for a President.
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Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Women's Issues: Uppity Women Unite Make All the Votes Count
Once again, political pundits and ranking members of the Democratic Party are telling Senator Clinton to drop out of the Presidential race. They keep pointing to the numbers, stating that she can reach the magic number to win the nomination, while ignoring the fact that neither can Obama. According the math, neither of them will have enough votes without the Super Delegates to achieve the magic number of 2024. Currently, Clinton has won, 253½ and Obama has won, 415½; there is only 162 separation in the pledged delegate count with 566 in eleven states yet to vote. Obama’s win in the remaining states is far from a sure thing. If the situations were reversed, these same so called leaders wouldn’t be telling Obama to concede; they would be too afraid of being called a racist. Yet they feel it is perfectly reasonable to ask a woman to step aside--for the good of the party. They are shocked that this uppity woman isn't backing down.
In the last week, Obama’s comments at a California fundraiser revealed his true character.
“Our challenge is to get people persuaded that we can make progress when there’s not evidence of that in their daily lives,” he said. “You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing’s replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are going to regenerate and they have not.
“And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”
His response to criticisms has been has been typical to his past reactions. First denial, followed by a shallow explanation and sarcastic retorts attacking those who criticized him, all of which was followed by a half heart apology. In this case, it is easy to see why he discounts the rural and small town voter. Living most if not all his life in urban area, he has no concept of any other way of life. He is an urbanite who doesn’t have a clue to what it means to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. He sees the people who live in small towns as uneducated hicks who can be talked down on or around. Small towns are not made up of local yokels who consist of high school dropouts, trailer parks and small minded bigots. This is so far from the truth, that the statement only reveals Obama’s ignorance and bigotry.
Not only are we made up of a cross section of cultures and religions, but also many of the well educated people have sought refuge from the dirt, crime and over crowding of the big cities in the smaller towns. The guns that we own are for hunting, not for trophies or for drive by shootings like the big cities boys, but to provide meat for the family. Hunting is not a sport for us. We don’t clip wings or fence in game. We go out in the woods where the odds are even for both sides. All of what is killed is used. We don’t just mount the head and call ourselves big time hunters.
Unlike the corporate farms, family own farms are going green not only for energy sources but also with agriculture and the raising of livestock. Many families still have their own gardens in the summer and preserve the harvests in the fall. We don’t use artificial fertilizers in our gardens; we spread our cow and horse manure on the fields instead of serving it up at fancy fundraisers.
News flash, the internet has opened many new employment and business opportunities. Many of the top ten corporations have started telecommuting programs. It is a more cost efficient and effective way of doing business. No longer to employees have to be located in the same area as the main office to be employed. It saves energy and increases productivity. We can have the good jobs and still live in our small towns.
In many ways we are more self sufficient than urban dwellers not only out of necessity but because that is who we are. When the snowfalls, we drive through feet; a couple of inches are enough to reek havoc the city. In most cases, we walk or bike instead of drive. Neighbors not only know each other’s names but also have created bonds of friendship. We don’t have elaborate parties with over priced designer dresses; we have barbeques in the back yard not because we don’t like sit down dinners, but because we better ways to spend five grand than on a single dress. Although we have our own issues, for the most part we are well-educated people who are doing the best to provide for our families.
Obama, the Democratic Party leaders and political pundit have made in more than clear that they aren’t in having all the votes count, only those that are in Obama favor. Michigan and Florida votes were excluded from the process, while they would prefer for the remaining state votes not to have a choice between candidates. By pressuring Clinton to step down before everyone has an opportunity to vote, they are usurping the voters’ rights. As it stands now the race is so close that every vote counts and should could count. By trying to remove Clinton from the race, you are telling millions of voters that there isn’t room in the process from them or their needs. Party leaders are so despite to win the White House that they are forgetting that the primary goal is to serve the pubic--in short to represent, all of the people, not just those who voted at the beginning of the primary. By usurping the voters’ choices, they are opening the door for Senator McCain and helping him through it.
Just so you know Obama, most of us don’t have a clue how to play the banjo, but I’m beginning to wonder about you. Congratulations on joining the Good Ole Boy’s club. I’m sure it’s making you Mother’s soul proud to see you become what she disliked most about society. Have a good look in the mirror. Just in the short time, you have been running for the Presidency, you have already become that which you intended to fight against.
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Guest Blogger: Primary Battles Prove Feminized Values to be Defining Element of 2008 Presidential Race
Primary Battles Prove Feminized Values to be Defining Element of 2008 Presidential Race
By Katherine Adam and Charles Derber
As Democrats come closer to choosing their candidate for the 2008 presidential election, gender has emerged again and again as the defining element of the primary race. Hillary has relied heavily on a base of older and working class women. Barack Obama has pulled ahead of Hillary Clinton with a feminized personal style and using feminized language about unity and community.
New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd picked up on this phenomenon, writing, "The first serious female candidate for president was rejected by voters drawn to the more feminine management style of her male rival." Boston Globe writer Ellen Goodman has a different take on the events: "Now we see a woman running as the fighter and a man modeling a 'woman's way' of leading. We see a younger generation in particular inspired by ideas nurtured by women, as long as they are delivered in a baritone. So, has the women's movement made life easier? For another man?"
Dowd and Goodman both touch upon a theme we discuss in our book, The New Feminized Majority: How Democrats Can Change America with Women's Values. The Obama-Clinton gender battle ultimately comes down to feminized values, which will also be the defining element in the 2008 election and beyond.
For many Democrats, it seems strange to talk about values-based politics. We usually equate values with religion. The media calls evangelical conservatives the only “values voters.” Yet, values are nothing more than socially constructed ideals of how the world should be. Many aspects of a person's identity beyond religion create his or her value system –age, race, and nationality. However, the most important values for Democrats to understand are values shaped by gender.
Women's history of oppression, combined with their fights for liberation, have created what we term feminized values. These include empathy, cooperation, and a preference for non-violent solutions to conflicts. Conversely, men's history of political and economic dominance socialize men into a system of masculinized values, including aggression and individualism.
Gender gap data from surveys consistently show this gendered difference. But it is important to understand that gendered values are not embedded in a person's DNA. Women are not inherently more peaceful and nurturing, men are not born as cutthroat, "every man for himself" individualists. (Just look at Condoleezza Rice and Dennis Kucinich.) People, in general, are socialized into values based on gender, but gender is open to variance and change. Men can adopt feminized values, and, as we will show, millions have.
Women's increasing progressivism won't lead to a battle of the sexes showdown. In fact, millions of men are following the feminized progressive example, holding opinions on issues that match those held by a majority of women. This points to the reason Obama or Clinton needs to pay close attention to gendered values: for the first time, feminized values—which are progressive, community-minded, and often closely aligned with Democratic Party policy—are now held by a majority of Americans.
While gender gaps still exist, a large enough minority of men support feminized principles to make them majoritarian. We find these values reflected in issue after issue, in poll after poll. From ending the Iraq War to funding stem cell research, from raising the minimum wage to adopting government-sponsored universal healthcare, the feminized position is the majoritarian position—which means it is the winning position.
While Clinton seemed to be the more "masculinized" candidate in the Democratic race, the differences between Clinton and Obama will seem microscopic once we enter the general election. The race between McCain and the Democratic candidate shows a HUGE chasm between feminized and masculinized morality.
McCain's hypermilitarized foreign policy objectives and traditionalist social policies reflect his masculinized values. At events, he is often flanked by symbols of American masculinity, such as cops and soldiers. These visuals are an attempt to convey a subliminal promise of masculine protectionism: vote for me and men like these will keep your wives and children safe. The other unspoken part of this message is clear: Democrats are too weak and womanly to lead.
Unfortunately for McCain, a majority of Americans have turned away from this dated definition of "strength". With hundreds of thousands dying in Iraq, GIs returning home paralyzed or in body bags, and pictures circulating of hooded Iraqi prisoners with electrodes attached to their bodies, Americans are looking for a new kind of foreign policy. And with multiple corporate mergers, rising poverty rates, and economic inequality unparalleled since the Gilded Age, Americans can't afford anything but new domestic policies.
Obama or Clinton can provide an alternative to the morality offered by McCain. All they need to do is recognize the new feminized majority, and embrace it.
To order “The New Feminized Majority” visit Paradigm Publishing at http://www.paradigmpublishers.com/books/BookDetail.aspx?productID=180321 or Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/New-Feminized-Majority-Katherine-Adam/dp/1594515689/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204436315&sr=8-1
Building beyond Lakoff’s election-year best-seller, Don’t Think of an Elephant, this new book shows how the values of American voters are dramatically shifting. With the arrival of the 2008 election year, a rising feminized majority’—made up of both women and men—is emerging as the pivotal force in American politics. Emerging trends show these values are broadly progressive and address not just the needs of women but the general interests of society. They are held by women substantially more than by men but have become the values held by a majority of all voters, including millions of men.
Like earlier eras in American history, such as the New Deal, the rise of the feminized majority today presents an opportunity for the Democrats to become the governing party for decades to come. Looking beyond the 2008 election, Adam and Derber describe a new political strategy that targets the feminized base and opens up a window for major social justice movements to make progressive change.
Like Lakoff’s, this striking new book—perfectly timed for election year 2008—offers a new vocabulary for every citizen who wants to understand (and reimagine) American politics. It will intrigue and provoke readers, stirring new conversation among progressives and new insights for every citizen interested in politics, morality, religion, values, and social justice.
Reveals the “Three Hillaries” and why two of her three political dimensions consist of masculinized values.
Shows why Obama and Edwards are more “feminized” than Hillary Clinton
Builds beyond Lakoff’s Elephant in showing how gender is increasingly pivotal in political values, and by revealing the deep historical roots of gendered values in America
Looks at the relation between religion, values, and politics in a new way
A book perfectly timed for the first election in which a woman, Hillary Clinton, stands a strong chance of becoming president
Written by a widely experienced political campaigner and a noted social critic
Shows how political discussions have been gender-blind and how gender awareness opens new windows to social justice in America
Gender, Values, and the Democrats
As the only group targeted by a political party using a value-based strategy, evangelicals are seen as the only people who match their actions and politics to their values. Values, however, are a universal human phenomenon. In their simplest form, values are socially constructed views about how the world should be. In 1651, Thomas Hobbes wrote about the subjectivity of values and how we shape our values to fit our ideas of what makes a perfect society.
But whatsoever is the object of any man’s appetite or desire, that it is which he for his part calleth “good”; and the object of his contempt “vile” and “inconsiderable.” For these words of good, evil, and contemptible, are ever used with relation to the person that useth them. There being nothing simply and absolutely so; nor any common rule of Good or Evil, to be taken from the nature of the objects themselves.7
Looking past Hobbes’s notorious pessimism about the human condition, this idea highlights that everyone acts on values and that values are socially constructed. Therefore, values vary from person to person, and a person has the ability to change his or her values.
Although Hobbes refers to an individual’s values, his message translates to larger community values. Americans, for example, hold American values. Every political candidate, on the right or the left, knows that most Americans respond favorably to the idea that a person should be rewarded for hard work. This is a capitalist, American value. Members of other societies might feel that a person should be rewarded for his or her skin color or family bloodline. Every person is socialized into the values of his or her community or nation, and these values then intersect with other values the person has, such as those based his or her religion, race, and socioeconomic class.
Perhaps the most important set of socialized values, however, is based on a person’s gender. We term these values feminized values and masculinized values. In this book, we will outline how men’s and women’s different value systems create divergent views about what America should be. We argue that Americans carry gendered attitudes into the voting booth and, like the evangelicals, vote based on how these values translate to specific political issues.
Just as some groups’ values fall to the more conservative end of the political spectrum, other groups’ values fall to the left. Evangelicals usually support right-wing candidates, because their moral values are highly conservative. We will introduce a group of voters whose values reflect progressive ideals: feminized values voters. If evangelicals represent the key to Republican electoral victory, then feminized values voters represent the chance for Democrats to usher in a new progressive era.
Feminized values are the values into which women are socialized; a majority of women hold these values, as do a smaller percentage of men, for reasons we will describe shortly. The potential for a more progressive era arises because the women and men who hold feminized values make up today a majority of the country and of voters.
We term feminized values voters the feminized majority. These women and men will not only change election outcomes, but also will transform American values and the American Dream. The feminized majority supports a strong welfare state, views social issues through a lens of egalitarianism, and feels that government should do more in general to help its most vulnerable citizens. Feminized majority voters support stem cell research, comprehensive sex education, and environmental protection. They reject violent imperialism. They worry about their long-term economic security and fear that neither party will provide them with adequate health care. In a much deeper and richer way than American masculinized voters, the feminized majority yearns for a progressive, populist America.
We call these voters the feminized majority because the values they carry truly are becoming majoritarian. We will describe the political and economic changes that have led to this point. It is important to remember that President Bush changed the 2004 election by mobilizing evangelicals, who represent only 23 percent of voters. Now, Democrats have the opportunity to change America in dramatic ways with the support of a much larger part of the electorate. While the general perception is that the United States is a conservative country, we shall show that feminized values are held by an increasingly robust majority of voters in the country who are prepared to support a progressive politics of social justice.
The Democrats can lead the feminized majority if they are willing to abandon their triangulation strategy and create a values-based platform. This approach seems unorthodox, because we usually conflate values and morals with religion and conservatism. However, values are nothing more than socially constructed ideals that provide a moral compass for each person, regardless of where he or she falls on the political spectrum. Once Democrats recognize the power of values in elections, they can begin appealing to values voters.
A noted social critic, Charles Derber is a Professor of Sociology at Boston College. Katherine Adam is the Outreach Director for the Philadelphia GROW Project of the Drexel University School of Public Health. She has been active in Democratic Party politics at the federal, state, and local levels, including interning for Senator John Kerry. Derber and Adam collaborated on the newly released nonfiction title, “The New Feminized Majority: How Democrats Can Change America with Women’s Values” which can be purchased at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and from the publisher’s website.
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Thursday, March 20, 2008
Obama, Why Do You Hate the Voters of Michigan?
Obama, Why Do you Hate the Voters in Michigan?
It was reported to day that there are four factions working toward getting a revote for in Michigan. Clinton has already come out in favor, while Obama has remained silent. Which only leads me to believe that his is either he is afraid or that he hates the voters of Michigan.
The governor, state representatives, many Democrats, and businesses have been working to make it possible for Michigander votes to count. The people in the state, who weren't involved with decision to move up the date, want their voices heard. The 12million dollars have been pledged. It will not cost the National Democratic Party or the state a cent. All that needs to be decided is the manor of the revote and the date.
Clinton honored the agreement by not campaigning in Michigan; however, she showed the residents respect by not removing her name from the ballet. She has been asking for the revote, even though she originally carried the state.
Removing his name was optional, yet Obama chose to over look the millions of voters in Michigan. Since then he has continued to snub the state, by remaining silent and subtly discouraging the revote. So is he afraid of loosing and giving Clinton momentum or does he simply hate the people of Michigan.
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Michigan, politics, Obama, Clinton, voters, revote, 2008 elections, fair voting, democrats, making votes count, Michigan Governor, political representatives, Michigan Voters, Florida voters, elections,
It was reported to day that there are four factions working toward getting a revote for in Michigan. Clinton has already come out in favor, while Obama has remained silent. Which only leads me to believe that his is either he is afraid or that he hates the voters of Michigan.
The governor, state representatives, many Democrats, and businesses have been working to make it possible for Michigander votes to count. The people in the state, who weren't involved with decision to move up the date, want their voices heard. The 12million dollars have been pledged. It will not cost the National Democratic Party or the state a cent. All that needs to be decided is the manor of the revote and the date.
Clinton honored the agreement by not campaigning in Michigan; however, she showed the residents respect by not removing her name from the ballet. She has been asking for the revote, even though she originally carried the state.
Removing his name was optional, yet Obama chose to over look the millions of voters in Michigan. Since then he has continued to snub the state, by remaining silent and subtly discouraging the revote. So is he afraid of loosing and giving Clinton momentum or does he simply hate the people of Michigan.
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Michigan, politics, Obama, Clinton, voters, revote, 2008 elections, fair voting, democrats, making votes count, Michigan Governor, political representatives, Michigan Voters, Florida voters, elections,
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Wiccans And Pagans: It's time to Make Your Vote Count
Wiccans and Pagans: It is time to Step Of the Shadows And Make Your Vote Count
By
Theresa Chaze
I posted a political piece on my page at a Wiccan and Pagan Networking site. The first comment was made by someone who didn't give a damn. Being politically and socially active isn't optional; it is a responsibility that we all share. After the past seven years of the whittling away of civil liberties, corporate greed, and government spying on the citizens of this country, we don't have the luxury of not giving a damn. Unless we are willing to get involved and hold our representatives responsible for their actions, they will continue to be public masters instead of public servants. In addition, the religious zealots will continue to be the only source of information about who we are and what we do. What each of us must ask ourselves is do you want the Pat Robertsons, the Pat Buchanans or an other right wing religious extremists disseminating information about us and our religious practices? Unless we step up to the podium and speak our truths that is all the society will know about us.
In the past seven years, the only people who are better off are those in the upper 10% economic bracket. They are the ones who received the big tax breaks. The oil, drug and insurance companies make record breaking profits on the backs of workers whose wages remained stagnant, while their benefits shrank. The cost of living has risen to the point that people are losing their homes. No matter how hard people work, they simple are unable to provide for their families. Soldiers who are returning home from an unnecessary war aren’t being provided the necessary medical, emotional and physical care needed to heal from the damage done to them by extended and repeated tours. Civil liberties both on the local and national levels have been usurped in the name of national security when in most cases those involve have done nothing wrong outside of being different or unique. From law enforcement abusing their authority to telephone companies spying on the government’s behavior, the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are no longer guaranteed.
Recently the Livingston Parish Council in Louisiana tried to enforce the archaic fortunetelling ordinance. It was only after the Wiccan minister, Cliff Eakin, challenged the ordinance in federal court that the Parish Council decided to review their decision. Last Samhain, a witch being hung in effigy was considered a Halloween decoration, while empty nooses hung on a tree caused national controversy. At Yule, the city of Green Bay, WI opened it holiday display to other religions, yet the fair mindedness was short lived. The pentacle wreath was deliberately destroyed and was not allowed to be replaced, yet the nativity scene remained. In his State of the Union speech, Bush once again reaffirmed his commitment to the faith-based initiatives and support for religious schools at public expense; to date the only benefactors of those programs have been Christian.
Becoming political doesn’t mean that you aren’t spiritual. Protecting the environment, each other, and working towards peace is spirituality in action. It is walking the walk, instead of just talking the talk. Speaking out and being socially active does more than bring about positive change, it openly confronts the bigotry and misunderstandings that the small minds continue to spread. If all the public hears about how two girls were killed by a ritual gone bad or how a Wiccan couple lured teenage girls into their homes with sex and drugs, the stereotyping will only continue. The general public will never know the good we do in the world. If we don’t step up and out of the broom closet. We don’t have to march on city hall or protest in the streets to make a difference. However, if both as individuals or as groups, we openly volunteer for community service, become involved with charity events, run for political office or the many other socially positive options available, we will disprove the lies and build strong bridges. The more involved we become the clearly others will be able to se us for the people we are, instead of the lies that continue to be spread. Change will happen when we the people decide to make them happen. As long as we hid in the shadows, the world will not be able to see our light.
Technorati Tags:
Wiccan, Pagan, Election 2008, vote, change, getting involved, socially active, Obama, Edwards, Clinton,
By
Theresa Chaze
I posted a political piece on my page at a Wiccan and Pagan Networking site. The first comment was made by someone who didn't give a damn. Being politically and socially active isn't optional; it is a responsibility that we all share. After the past seven years of the whittling away of civil liberties, corporate greed, and government spying on the citizens of this country, we don't have the luxury of not giving a damn. Unless we are willing to get involved and hold our representatives responsible for their actions, they will continue to be public masters instead of public servants. In addition, the religious zealots will continue to be the only source of information about who we are and what we do. What each of us must ask ourselves is do you want the Pat Robertsons, the Pat Buchanans or an other right wing religious extremists disseminating information about us and our religious practices? Unless we step up to the podium and speak our truths that is all the society will know about us.
In the past seven years, the only people who are better off are those in the upper 10% economic bracket. They are the ones who received the big tax breaks. The oil, drug and insurance companies make record breaking profits on the backs of workers whose wages remained stagnant, while their benefits shrank. The cost of living has risen to the point that people are losing their homes. No matter how hard people work, they simple are unable to provide for their families. Soldiers who are returning home from an unnecessary war aren’t being provided the necessary medical, emotional and physical care needed to heal from the damage done to them by extended and repeated tours. Civil liberties both on the local and national levels have been usurped in the name of national security when in most cases those involve have done nothing wrong outside of being different or unique. From law enforcement abusing their authority to telephone companies spying on the government’s behavior, the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are no longer guaranteed.
Recently the Livingston Parish Council in Louisiana tried to enforce the archaic fortunetelling ordinance. It was only after the Wiccan minister, Cliff Eakin, challenged the ordinance in federal court that the Parish Council decided to review their decision. Last Samhain, a witch being hung in effigy was considered a Halloween decoration, while empty nooses hung on a tree caused national controversy. At Yule, the city of Green Bay, WI opened it holiday display to other religions, yet the fair mindedness was short lived. The pentacle wreath was deliberately destroyed and was not allowed to be replaced, yet the nativity scene remained. In his State of the Union speech, Bush once again reaffirmed his commitment to the faith-based initiatives and support for religious schools at public expense; to date the only benefactors of those programs have been Christian.
Becoming political doesn’t mean that you aren’t spiritual. Protecting the environment, each other, and working towards peace is spirituality in action. It is walking the walk, instead of just talking the talk. Speaking out and being socially active does more than bring about positive change, it openly confronts the bigotry and misunderstandings that the small minds continue to spread. If all the public hears about how two girls were killed by a ritual gone bad or how a Wiccan couple lured teenage girls into their homes with sex and drugs, the stereotyping will only continue. The general public will never know the good we do in the world. If we don’t step up and out of the broom closet. We don’t have to march on city hall or protest in the streets to make a difference. However, if both as individuals or as groups, we openly volunteer for community service, become involved with charity events, run for political office or the many other socially positive options available, we will disprove the lies and build strong bridges. The more involved we become the clearly others will be able to se us for the people we are, instead of the lies that continue to be spread. Change will happen when we the people decide to make them happen. As long as we hid in the shadows, the world will not be able to see our light.
Technorati Tags:
Wiccan, Pagan, Election 2008, vote, change, getting involved, socially active, Obama, Edwards, Clinton,
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Pump Your Book Promotion Virtual Book Tour January 08: The next best selling authors
Virtual book tours with Pump Up Your Book Promotion continues! All authors on tour in January will be giving away FREE incentives if you buy their books by any online book store, including publisher's websites. Click here for more information!
The following authors on tour and their tour stops today are:
Judy Gregerson, author of the young adult fiction novel, BAD GIRLS CLUB (Blooming Tree Press) will be stopping off at The Book Connection!
Judi Moreo, author of YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH ACHIEVEMENT JOURNAL (Stephens Press, Dec. 07) will be stopping off at Virtual Wordsmith!
Carole Whang Schutter, author of the historical romance novel, SEPTEMBER DAWN (Author House, June˜07) will be stopping off at Beyond the Books!
Hazel Statham, author of the historical romance novel, MY DEAREST FRIEND (Wings ePress, Jan. 08) will be stopping off at A Biblio Paradise!
Amanda Young, author of the personal memoir, SILENT PRISONER (BookSurge, Nov.07), will be stopping off at Paperback Writer!
All authors will be giving away free personalized bookmarks or other freebies during their tour. Don't miss out on this opportunity to win free incentives when purchasing their books! Click here for more information.
These virtual book tours are brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion at www.pumpupyourbookp romotion. com.
PUMP UP YOUR BOOK PROMOTION VIRTUAL BOOK TOURS
"Leave your tour in our hands!"
www.pumpupyourbookp romotion. com
The following authors on tour and their tour stops today are:
Judy Gregerson, author of the young adult fiction novel, BAD GIRLS CLUB (Blooming Tree Press) will be stopping off at The Book Connection!
Judi Moreo, author of YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH ACHIEVEMENT JOURNAL (Stephens Press, Dec. 07) will be stopping off at Virtual Wordsmith!
Carole Whang Schutter, author of the historical romance novel, SEPTEMBER DAWN (Author House, June˜07) will be stopping off at Beyond the Books!
Hazel Statham, author of the historical romance novel, MY DEAREST FRIEND (Wings ePress, Jan. 08) will be stopping off at A Biblio Paradise!
Amanda Young, author of the personal memoir, SILENT PRISONER (BookSurge, Nov.07), will be stopping off at Paperback Writer!
All authors will be giving away free personalized bookmarks or other freebies during their tour. Don't miss out on this opportunity to win free incentives when purchasing their books! Click here for more information.
These virtual book tours are brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion at www.pumpupyourbookp romotion. com.
PUMP UP YOUR BOOK PROMOTION VIRTUAL BOOK TOURS
"Leave your tour in our hands!"
www.pumpupyourbookp romotion. com
Friday, January 04, 2008
Virtual Book Tour: Thomas Kuiper: I've Always Been a Yankees Fan: Hillary Clinton in her own words
With the Presidential election looming in the near future, what better time than to catch Thomas D. Kuiper's guest post at World Net Daily! Visit the link below!
Thomas D. Kuiper, author of the current events book, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A YANKEES FAN: HILLARY CLINTON IN HER OWN WORDS (World Ahead Media, April 06) will be stopping off at WorldNetDaily!
This message is brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion.
PUMP UP YOUR BOOK PROMOTION VIRTUAL BOOK TOURS
"Leave your tour in our hands!"
www.pumpupyourbookp romotion. com
Thomas D. Kuiper, author of the current events book, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A YANKEES FAN: HILLARY CLINTON IN HER OWN WORDS (World Ahead Media, April 06) will be stopping off at WorldNetDaily!
This message is brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion.
PUMP UP YOUR BOOK PROMOTION VIRTUAL BOOK TOURS
"Leave your tour in our hands!"
www.pumpupyourbookp romotion. com
Virtual Book Tour: Kathleen Willey TARGET: CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON
Kathleen Willey -- wife, mother and Democratic political activist -- was working as a White House volunteer when, in 1993, President Clinton sexually assaulted her in the Oval Office. On the same day, her husband of 23 years committed suicide.
Four years later, she was drawn into the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit and subsequently, the Monica Lewinsky scandal, when she was forced to testify against Bill Clinton.
Despite being targeted by the Clintons for daring to tell the truth and becoming the focus of media smear campaigns, terror tactics, and witness intimidation, Ms. Willey has pursued a successful career in real estate, and is a popular commentator on political affairs. She currently lives in Virginia.
Read an exclusive interview with Kathleen at Fiction Scribe today! If you would like to visit her tour page, click here!
This message is brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion.
PUMP UP YOUR BOOK PROMOTION VIRTUAL BOOK TOURS
"Leave your tour in our hands!"
www.pumpupyourbookp romotion. com
Four years later, she was drawn into the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit and subsequently, the Monica Lewinsky scandal, when she was forced to testify against Bill Clinton.
Despite being targeted by the Clintons for daring to tell the truth and becoming the focus of media smear campaigns, terror tactics, and witness intimidation, Ms. Willey has pursued a successful career in real estate, and is a popular commentator on political affairs. She currently lives in Virginia.
Read an exclusive interview with Kathleen at Fiction Scribe today! If you would like to visit her tour page, click here!
This message is brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion.
PUMP UP YOUR BOOK PROMOTION VIRTUAL BOOK TOURS
"Leave your tour in our hands!"
www.pumpupyourbookp romotion. com
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Virtual Book Tour January 2008--Hiltary Clinton, Civil Justice, Bad Girls
Pump Up Your Book Promotion January Authors on Tour - Day One
Posted by pumpupyourbookpromotion on January 2, 2008
Virtual book tours with Pump Up Your Book Promotion continues! All authors on tour in January will be giving away FREE incentives if you buy their books by any online book store, including publisher’s websites. Click here for more information!
The following authors on tour and their tour stops today are:
Judy Gregerson, author of the young adult fiction novel, BAD GIRLS CLUB (Blooming Tree Press) will be stopping off at American Chronicle!
Anita Hackley-Lambert, author of the biography, F.H.M. MURRAY: FIRST BIOGRAPHY OF A FORGOTTEN PIONEER FOR CIVIL JUSTICE (BookSurge Publishing, Aug. ‘07) will be stopping off at Book Marketing Buzz!
Thomas D. Kuiper, author of the current events book, I’VE ALWAYS BEEN A YANKEES FAN: HILLARY CLINTON IN HER OWN WORDS (World Ahead Media, April ‘06) will be stopping off at NoHillaryClinton.com!
Judi Moreo, author of YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH ACHIEVEMENT JOURNAL (Stephens Press, Dec. ‘07) will be stopping off at Boomer Chick!
Carole Whang Schutter, author of the historical romance novel, SEPTEMBER DAWN (Author House, June ‘07) will be stopping off at The Book Connection!
Hazel Statham, author of the historical romance novel, MY DEAREST FRIEND (Wings ePress, Jan. ‘08) will be stopping off at Buzz the Book!
Amanda Young, author of the personal memoir, SILENT PRISONER (BookSurge, Nov. ‘07), will be stopping off at Families.com!
Kathleen Willey, author of the nonfiction title, TARGET: CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON (World Ahead Media, Nov. ‘07) will be stopping off at Right Wing News!
All authors will be giving away free personalized bookmarks or other freebies during their tour. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to win free incentives when purchasing their books! Click here for more information.
Posted by pumpupyourbookpromotion on January 2, 2008
Virtual book tours with Pump Up Your Book Promotion continues! All authors on tour in January will be giving away FREE incentives if you buy their books by any online book store, including publisher’s websites. Click here for more information!
The following authors on tour and their tour stops today are:
Judy Gregerson, author of the young adult fiction novel, BAD GIRLS CLUB (Blooming Tree Press) will be stopping off at American Chronicle!
Anita Hackley-Lambert, author of the biography, F.H.M. MURRAY: FIRST BIOGRAPHY OF A FORGOTTEN PIONEER FOR CIVIL JUSTICE (BookSurge Publishing, Aug. ‘07) will be stopping off at Book Marketing Buzz!
Thomas D. Kuiper, author of the current events book, I’VE ALWAYS BEEN A YANKEES FAN: HILLARY CLINTON IN HER OWN WORDS (World Ahead Media, April ‘06) will be stopping off at NoHillaryClinton.com!
Judi Moreo, author of YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH ACHIEVEMENT JOURNAL (Stephens Press, Dec. ‘07) will be stopping off at Boomer Chick!
Carole Whang Schutter, author of the historical romance novel, SEPTEMBER DAWN (Author House, June ‘07) will be stopping off at The Book Connection!
Hazel Statham, author of the historical romance novel, MY DEAREST FRIEND (Wings ePress, Jan. ‘08) will be stopping off at Buzz the Book!
Amanda Young, author of the personal memoir, SILENT PRISONER (BookSurge, Nov. ‘07), will be stopping off at Families.com!
Kathleen Willey, author of the nonfiction title, TARGET: CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON (World Ahead Media, Nov. ‘07) will be stopping off at Right Wing News!
All authors will be giving away free personalized bookmarks or other freebies during their tour. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to win free incentives when purchasing their books! Click here for more information.
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