The Real Joes

Well, so much for Joe the Plumber and his fake story. Last night Barack Obama showed us some real Joes and Josephines from across the country- people we can really identify with. Obama's 30 minute infomercial was clearly aimed at middle class people- Americans who have worked all their lives just to see their pensions taken away, families struggling to make ends meet, retired people who must go back to work to pay for their medical bills. Through several touching real life stories, he showed that we are all connected, whether we are black or white, or young, old or in between. The middle class has slowly been pushed towards poverty, and we need help. Obama is taking his plan to the people, asking us to speak out and vote for change. His demeanor was calm and he looked presidential. He talked about being raised by a single mom who died of cancer, and that his children never had the chance to meet her. Michelle Obama talked about how Barack spends so much time with his daughters. It was very moving, and we cried.

On a sorta related subject, why isn't The Morning Call endorsing a presidential candidate? Is it true that the only reason is because the candidates did not meet with the MC face to face?

(I read this in a letter to the editor today.) I've noticed that they recommend Corbett for AG, and Dent for Congress, so why not a president? What is up with this? Over the weekend I read a wonderful endorsement for Obama in the Newark Star Ledger. The MC's refusal to endorse a candidate is a disservice to our community, and shows the arrogance of their editors.

The Real Joes

Well, so much for Joe the Plumber and his fake story. Last night Barack Obama showed us some real Joes and Josephines from across the country- people we can really identify with. Obama's 30 minute infomercial was clearly aimed at middle class people- Americans who have worked all their lives just to see their pensions taken away, families struggling to make ends meet, retired people who must go back to work to pay for their medical bills. Through several touching real life stories, he showed that we are all connected, whether we are black or white, or young, old or in between. The middle class has slowly been pushed towards poverty, and we need help. Obama is taking his plan to the people, asking us to speak out and vote for change. His demeanor was calm and he looked presidential. He talked about being raised by a single mom who died of cancer, and that his children never had the chance to meet her. Michelle Obama talked about how Barack spends so much time with his daughters. It was very moving, and we cried.

On a sorta related subject, why isn't The Morning Call endorsing a presidential candidate? Is it true that the only reason is because the candidates did not meet with the MC face to face?

(I read this in a letter to the editor today.) I've noticed that they recommend Corbett for AG, and Dent for Congress, so why not a president? What is up with this? Over the weekend I read a wonderful endorsement for Obama in the Newark Star Ledger. The MC's refusal to endorse a candidate is a disservice to our community, and shows the arrogance of their editors.

Catchin' a Wave!

Do you think this will be a "wave election" ? According to Election Projection, a good unbiased blog for info, Election Projection: 2008 Elections - Polls, Projections, Results, the blue democratic wave is gaining momentum. Heck, it may even be a tsunami!

In the Senate currently there are 57 Dems, 41 R's, and 2 Independents. Eight Democratic takeovers are projected. Republican Senator Ted Stevens from Alaska has been convicted of seven corruption charges (I guess he could still win as a convicted felon, doncha know?)

Obama has a lot of money, (I have heard he is taking in 7 million a day) and he is "spreading his wealth around" with media endorsements in red states like Mississippi and Georgia. Democratic candidates are doing well even in the red states!

In the House, it is projected that 25 seats will go to the Dems. That would make an 81 seat advantage (257-176)

Back in 1980 Reagan brought in a wave of Republican senators, but it seems like this conservative wave is winding down.

So do you think Sam Bennett will be riding the blue wave?

I tried to check the PA projections, but you have to subscribe in order to get that info.

Photo credit: Mr. Tom

Catchin' a Wave!

Do you think this will be a "wave election" ? According to Election Projection, a good unbiased blog for info, Election Projection: 2008 Elections - Polls, Projections, Results, the blue democratic wave is gaining momentum. Heck, it may even be a tsunami!

In the Senate currently there are 57 Dems, 41 R's, and 2 Independents. Eight Democratic takeovers are projected. Republican Senator Ted Stevens from Alaska has been convicted of seven corruption charges (I guess he could still win as a convicted felon, doncha know?)

Obama has a lot of money, (I have heard he is taking in 7 million a day) and he is "spreading his wealth around" with media endorsements in red states like Mississippi and Georgia. Democratic candidates are doing well even in the red states!

In the House, it is projected that 25 seats will go to the Dems. That would make an 81 seat advantage (257-176)

Back in 1980 Reagan brought in a wave of Republican senators, but it seems like this conservative wave is winding down.

So do you think Sam Bennett will be riding the blue wave?

I tried to check the PA projections, but you have to subscribe in order to get that info.

Photo credit: Mr. Tom

What does "Un-American" mean?

Sarah Palin has branded Barack Obama as "Un-American" and claims that he "pals around with terrorists." What exactly does un-American mean? According to Wikipedia the term refers to people who are spies. It's a synonym for treason. The term has been used in the past to combat Communists, Nazis, and the KKK. Un-American - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Palin is making some pretty serious accusations/innuendos about Senator Obama. I say, prove it or shut up about it. What she is doing is immoral. It's guilt by association. Her claims have incited shouts of "kill him" at rallies. Scary stuff which further polarizes our country. And the only thing McCain has said about it is, no m'am, Obama is not an Arab, he is a decent family man. Okay, so does that mean Arabs are not decent family people?

Obama is not a Muslim, and even if he were, that does not make him someone who is un-American, or connected to terrorists. Should we be sending the message to Muslim-American children that they cannot dream about becoming President of the United States? Are Muslim- Americans less patriotic, less American? My maiden name is Muslim. Does that mean I am un-American? My good neighbors are Muslim. Sometimes I pal around with them.

I am glad Republican Colin Powell had the courage to speak out against the divisive tactics of the McCain campaign, and declare his support for Barack Obama. He said that Obama has style and substance. He expressed his disapproval of the way they have branded Obama a terrorist. He does not think that Sarah Palin was a good choice for VP. He's right. In a CNN interview he also called out that whacko senator from Minnesota, Michele Bachmann, who wants an investigation into the patriotism of all members of the U.S. Congress.

Where I grew up, in Elizabeth, NJ there were more Sam the Plumbers (Sam DeCavalcante - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) than Joe the Plumbers, fugedaboudid. Does that make me less of an American than small town Mary Smith? You betcha not.

What we have seen recently from the McCain campaign and the far right is the kind of negative hate that will further divide our country into "us" and "those people" at a time when we should be coming together as Americans. I believe that the majority of Americans do not share the views of the extreme right. I'd like to believe that the majority of Allentonians don't share those extreme views either-- although the openly racist comments at the Morning Call Forum and the Allentown Commentator blog are very telling.

Speak out against the hate.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

UPDATE: Please read this about the new RNC mailer which connects Obama to terrorists. This goes way too far. And John McCain has approved it. GOP mail ties Obama to terrorists - Yahoo! News

What does "Un-American" mean?

Sarah Palin has branded Barack Obama as "Un-American" and claims that he "pals around with terrorists." What exactly does un-American mean? According to Wikipedia the term refers to people who are spies. It's a synonym for treason. The term has been used in the past to combat Communists, Nazis, and the KKK. Un-American - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Palin is making some pretty serious accusations/innuendos about Senator Obama. I say, prove it or shut up about it. What she is doing is immoral. It's guilt by association. Her claims have incited shouts of "kill him" at rallies. Scary stuff which further polarizes our country. And the only thing McCain has said about it is, no m'am, Obama is not an Arab, he is a decent family man. Okay, so does that mean Arabs are not decent family people?

Obama is not a Muslim, and even if he were, that does not make him someone who is un-American, or connected to terrorists. Should we be sending the message to Muslim-American children that they cannot dream about becoming President of the United States? Are Muslim- Americans less patriotic, less American? My maiden name is Muslim. Does that mean I am un-American? My good neighbors are Muslim. Sometimes I pal around with them.

I am glad Republican Colin Powell had the courage to speak out against the divisive tactics of the McCain campaign, and declare his support for Barack Obama. He said that Obama has style and substance. He expressed his disapproval of the way they have branded Obama a terrorist. He does not think that Sarah Palin was a good choice for VP. He's right. In a CNN interview he also called out that whacko senator from Minnesota, Michele Bachmann, who wants an investigation into the patriotism of all members of the U.S. Congress.

Where I grew up, in Elizabeth, NJ there were more Sam the Plumbers (Sam DeCavalcante - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) than Joe the Plumbers, fugedaboudid. Does that make me less of an American than small town Mary Smith? You betcha not.

What we have seen recently from the McCain campaign and the far right is the kind of negative hate that will further divide our country into "us" and "those people" at a time when we should be coming together as Americans. I believe that the majority of Americans do not share the views of the extreme right. I'd like to believe that the majority of Allentonians don't share those extreme views either-- although the openly racist comments at the Morning Call Forum and the Allentown Commentator blog are very telling.

Speak out against the hate.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

UPDATE: Please read this about the new RNC mailer which connects Obama to terrorists. This goes way too far. And John McCain has approved it. GOP mail ties Obama to terrorists - Yahoo! News

Women's health does matter

There is no such thing as a "pro-abortion" movement. John McCain used this term during the debate last night. It's called pro-choice. When a woman's life is at risk, there should be no question that a pregnancy should be terminated. Women voters should be aware of John McCain's faulty judgement on this issue. McCain suggested that a woman who chooses her life over the life of a fetus is taking an "extreme" position. He is diminishing the importance of women's health.

Cecile Richards, the president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said:

"Tonight, John McCain showed he doesn't care about women's health when he described protecting "the health of the woman" as "extreme." John McCain doesn't seem to understand that women's health matters. He blatantly showed that he doesn't trust women to decide what is in the best interest of their own health. Barack Obama, on the other hand, stood up for women's health."

Women's health does matter

There is no such thing as a "pro-abortion" movement. John McCain used this term during the debate last night. It's called pro-choice. When a woman's life is at risk, there should be no question that a pregnancy should be terminated. Women voters should be aware of John McCain's faulty judgement on this issue. McCain suggested that a woman who chooses her life over the life of a fetus is taking an "extreme" position. He is diminishing the importance of women's health.

Cecile Richards, the president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said:

"Tonight, John McCain showed he doesn't care about women's health when he described protecting "the health of the woman" as "extreme." John McCain doesn't seem to understand that women's health matters. He blatantly showed that he doesn't trust women to decide what is in the best interest of their own health. Barack Obama, on the other hand, stood up for women's health."

"Little Hussein"

Please click on this link and watch the video of a racist McCain/Palin supporter at a rally in Johnstown PA. Very scary.

Daily Kos: More Video of Racist with Monkey at Palin Event in PA or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKUovpF9LWU

Later on, the jerk gave the monkey to a child. And he tried to hide the monkey from view of the MSM cameras.

"Little Hussein"

Please click on this link and watch the video of a racist McCain/Palin supporter at a rally in Johnstown PA. Very scary.

Daily Kos: More Video of Racist with Monkey at Palin Event in PA or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKUovpF9LWU

Later on, the jerk gave the monkey to a child. And he tried to hide the monkey from view of the MSM cameras.

Cool jazzman vs. hot-headed toddler

Let's take a look at the body language of last night's debate. According to Robin Abcarian of the LA Times : "Obama sat like a jazz musician on his chair, one heel hooked at an angle, while McCain sat as if he might leap up at any moment, or stood impatiently waiting for his turn to speak." Obama wore a cool arctic blue tie. McCain wore a blazing striped red tie. McCain appeared to toddle and wander around on the stage. He kept interrupting and even mocked moderator Tom Brokaw by responding to Brokaw's question "who would you select as secretary of the treasury" with a condescending "not you, Tom." It was as if he was saying, just sit down and shut up, you are just the moderator. I thought Brokaw asked some tough questions.

McCain seemed to ramble well beyond the allotted time limit, and I thought that when he started to turn his answer into a stump speech, the moderator should have jumped in. I think the most memorable moment was when McCain mockingly referred to Obama as "that one." But the best moment for Obama was when he countered McCain's "he doesn't speak softly and carry a big stick" with "bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran." McCain started with energy, but ran out of gas at the end. Obama ended on a high note. Obama mentioned the middle class six times, McCain mentioned "middle income" 3 times. I'm glad Obama called out McCain for voting against SCHIP healthcare for kids. I wish they would have talked more about education. Obama did bring up the subject, McCain never did. And Obama believes that healthcare is a right, McCain sees it as a responsibility.

Well, my friends, I think "that one" clearly won this one.

Cool jazzman vs. hot-headed toddler

Let's take a look at the body language of last night's debate. According to Robin Abcarian of the LA Times : "Obama sat like a jazz musician on his chair, one heel hooked at an angle, while McCain sat as if he might leap up at any moment, or stood impatiently waiting for his turn to speak." Obama wore a cool arctic blue tie. McCain wore a blazing striped red tie. McCain appeared to toddle and wander around on the stage. He kept interrupting and even mocked moderator Tom Brokaw by responding to Brokaw's question "who would you select as secretary of the treasury" with a condescending "not you, Tom." It was as if he was saying, just sit down and shut up, you are just the moderator. I thought Brokaw asked some tough questions.

McCain seemed to ramble well beyond the allotted time limit, and I thought that when he started to turn his answer into a stump speech, the moderator should have jumped in. I think the most memorable moment was when McCain mockingly referred to Obama as "that one." But the best moment for Obama was when he countered McCain's "he doesn't speak softly and carry a big stick" with "bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran." McCain started with energy, but ran out of gas at the end. Obama ended on a high note. Obama mentioned the middle class six times, McCain mentioned "middle income" 3 times. I'm glad Obama called out McCain for voting against SCHIP healthcare for kids. I wish they would have talked more about education. Obama did bring up the subject, McCain never did. And Obama believes that healthcare is a right, McCain sees it as a responsibility.

Well, my friends, I think "that one" clearly won this one.

Let's Organize Our Global Community

Both Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin have mocked Barack Obama's experience as a community organizer. Obama was 24 years old and a recent college graduate when he decided to take that $12k a year job on the south side of Chicago instead of grabbing for a 7-figure salary on Wall Street which he could have easily pocketed.

I would think Dems and R's would agree that Barack's $12k move was an admirable career choice and not one to be mocked. And the R's seem to forget that Obama went on to become a constitutional and civil rights law professor at the University of Chicago, worked in the Illinois State Legislature, and worked in the U.S. Senate where he co-authored an impressive amount of bi-partisan legislation in a comparatively short amount of time. He was elected to the US Senate in Nov. of 2004. I don't think there's anything funny about that experience and track record. But as the "Hockey Mom" Sarah Palin mocked Obama, she said that she had "actual responsibilities" in her job as Mayor ... of a town the size of Emmaus. Tee Hee. And she can also see Russia (and President Putin's plane flying over her Alaskan airspace), so hey, case closed on her foreign affairs expertise. Obama serves on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The R's downplay Obama's legislation. Here's some of it:

Coburn-Obama Tranparency Act- legislation to stop abuse of no-bid contracts in aftermath of disaster, included in the final Dept. of Homeland Security funding Bill.

Lugar-Obama Non Proliferation Act- a comprehensive nuclear threat reduction plan

Veterans Affairs Committee Bill- Obama wrote legislation to improve veteran's healthcare.

STEP UP- summer learning plan for disadvantaged youth (please see my prior posts about Obama's education plans)

Stop Fraud Act-protects low income home buyers

See here for more About Barack Obama (scroll down to ACTIONS) and here for more The New York Times > U.S. > Image > Obama’s Record in the Illinois Senate

When Obama was a young man working with poor people who had lost their jobs, he was responsible for organizing after school programs for at risk youth, job training programs, removing harmful asbestos from a housing project, and early education programs, just to name a few. He helped ordinary hardworking people organize for CHANGE as a response to the failed policies of out of touch politicians. He says that this work "taught me a lot about listening to people as opposed to coming in with a pre-determined agenda." McCain, on the other hand, has continuously voted against minimum wage increases, SCHIP, and funding for Head Start. And Palin's positions are identical to Bush and Cheney. Very scary looking, even with lipstick. She also believes that women should not have the right to choose to give birth, or not, in cases of rape and incest.

In these chaotic and troubling times, we can't think of a better quality for our next President to have than the demonstrable and documented quality Barack Obama has to reach across the aisle and bring disparate and opposing factions to common ground. Let's give Barack Obama a mandate to organize our national community and our global community.

Mr. Dottie/Bill Villa contributed to this post.

Let's Organize Our Global Community

Both Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin have mocked Barack Obama's experience as a community organizer. Obama was 24 years old and a recent college graduate when he decided to take that $12k a year job on the south side of Chicago instead of grabbing for a 7-figure salary on Wall Street which he could have easily pocketed.

I would think Dems and R's would agree that Barack's $12k move was an admirable career choice and not one to be mocked. And the R's seem to forget that Obama went on to become a constitutional and civil rights law professor at the University of Chicago, worked in the Illinois State Legislature, and worked in the U.S. Senate where he co-authored an impressive amount of bi-partisan legislation in a comparatively short amount of time. He was elected to the US Senate in Nov. of 2004. I don't think there's anything funny about that experience and track record. But as the "Hockey Mom" Sarah Palin mocked Obama, she said that she had "actual responsibilities" in her job as Mayor ... of a town the size of Emmaus. Tee Hee. And she can also see Russia (and President Putin's plane flying over her Alaskan airspace), so hey, case closed on her foreign affairs expertise. Obama serves on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The R's downplay Obama's legislation. Here's some of it:

Coburn-Obama Tranparency Act- legislation to stop abuse of no-bid contracts in aftermath of disaster, included in the final Dept. of Homeland Security funding Bill.

Lugar-Obama Non Proliferation Act- a comprehensive nuclear threat reduction plan

Veterans Affairs Committee Bill- Obama wrote legislation to improve veteran's healthcare.

STEP UP- summer learning plan for disadvantaged youth (please see my prior posts about Obama's education plans)

Stop Fraud Act-protects low income home buyers

See here for more About Barack Obama (scroll down to ACTIONS) and here for more The New York Times > U.S. > Image > Obama’s Record in the Illinois Senate

When Obama was a young man working with poor people who had lost their jobs, he was responsible for organizing after school programs for at risk youth, job training programs, removing harmful asbestos from a housing project, and early education programs, just to name a few. He helped ordinary hardworking people organize for CHANGE as a response to the failed policies of out of touch politicians. He says that this work "taught me a lot about listening to people as opposed to coming in with a pre-determined agenda." McCain, on the other hand, has continuously voted against minimum wage increases, SCHIP, and funding for Head Start. And Palin's positions are identical to Bush and Cheney. Very scary looking, even with lipstick. She also believes that women should not have the right to choose to give birth, or not, in cases of rape and incest.

In these chaotic and troubling times, we can't think of a better quality for our next President to have than the demonstrable and documented quality Barack Obama has to reach across the aisle and bring disparate and opposing factions to common ground. Let's give Barack Obama a mandate to organize our national community and our global community.

Mr. Dottie/Bill Villa contributed to this post.

Great day for women

Today, Aug 26, 2008 marks the 88th anniversary of the day that the U.S. Constitution was amended to grant women the right to vote.

After watching Michelle Obama speak last night I feel really proud to be a woman. She is an outstanding speaker. She is a compassionate, intelligent woman who has worked hard to accomplish so much in her life. And she puts family first. What a great American story she told about her life. She talked about American values that all of us, liberal, conservative or whatever, should be able to relate to. Her picture should be on the front page of every newspaper today. She is an inspiration to ALL women. And she's real. Unpatriotic? Elitist? I don't think so. In fact, hearing her speak last night made me feel a little more proud to be an American. And it gave me hope.

Go Obama! Let's take this country to where it should be.

Great day for women

Today, Aug 26, 2008 marks the 88th anniversary of the day that the U.S. Constitution was amended to grant women the right to vote.

After watching Michelle Obama speak last night I feel really proud to be a woman. She is an outstanding speaker. She is a compassionate, intelligent woman who has worked hard to accomplish so much in her life. And she puts family first. What a great American story she told about her life. She talked about American values that all of us, liberal, conservative or whatever, should be able to relate to. Her picture should be on the front page of every newspaper today. She is an inspiration to ALL women. And she's real. Unpatriotic? Elitist? I don't think so. In fact, hearing her speak last night made me feel a little more proud to be an American. And it gave me hope.

Go Obama! Let's take this country to where it should be.

"Lay Off My Wife"

I guess some radio talk show hosts and media commentators just can't dig up enough dirt on Obama so they have to attack his wife by calling her unpatriotic or elitist. To go after a politician's wife, or to verbally attack a female to me suggests a cowardly, weak man. I hope the Dems don't go after McCain's wife, who I believe has an impressive resume of charity work, and is worth millions from overseeing her family's beer distributing business.

I liked Obama's reaction to the Republican attack ad from Tennessee which criticized Michelle Obama for being "unpatriotic" because she said that for the first time in her adult life she was proud of her country. He said "lay off my wife." And then there's the "he's not sporting a lapel flag pin" crap, and of course the whole pastor Jeremiah Wright issue. I guess the right can try to use this as evidence that the Obamas are not as "patriotic" as they should be. I don't think it is going to work.

One of the reasons why I am supporting Obama is because of the patriotism he showed by not voting for Bush's war, and for speaking out against Bush's policies. Michelle has explained her comment by saying that she meant that for the first time in her life she felt proud that an African American, her husband was being accepted, but mostly she was speaking about how average people have been re-invigorated to vote, and how people like college students and housewives are starting to "give a damn" again. She's a strong, successful woman with strong opinions, and that should be applauded, not put down.

Speaking of being accepted, I wish people would just accept people for who they are and just "lay off." I am going to remember Obama's wise words this weekend at our family barbeque where hubby and I will be the only Democrats out of 30+ people. Just "lay off."

"Lay Off My Wife"

I guess some radio talk show hosts and media commentators just can't dig up enough dirt on Obama so they have to attack his wife by calling her unpatriotic or elitist. To go after a politician's wife, or to verbally attack a female to me suggests a cowardly, weak man. I hope the Dems don't go after McCain's wife, who I believe has an impressive resume of charity work, and is worth millions from overseeing her family's beer distributing business.

I liked Obama's reaction to the Republican attack ad from Tennessee which criticized Michelle Obama for being "unpatriotic" because she said that for the first time in her adult life she was proud of her country. He said "lay off my wife." And then there's the "he's not sporting a lapel flag pin" crap, and of course the whole pastor Jeremiah Wright issue. I guess the right can try to use this as evidence that the Obamas are not as "patriotic" as they should be. I don't think it is going to work.

One of the reasons why I am supporting Obama is because of the patriotism he showed by not voting for Bush's war, and for speaking out against Bush's policies. Michelle has explained her comment by saying that she meant that for the first time in her life she felt proud that an African American, her husband was being accepted, but mostly she was speaking about how average people have been re-invigorated to vote, and how people like college students and housewives are starting to "give a damn" again. She's a strong, successful woman with strong opinions, and that should be applauded, not put down.

Speaking of being accepted, I wish people would just accept people for who they are and just "lay off." I am going to remember Obama's wise words this weekend at our family barbeque where hubby and I will be the only Democrats out of 30+ people. Just "lay off."