Archive for the '2008 election' Category

My, Oh, My. John McCain is Predictable. Literally.

Friday, October 10th, 2008

It’s only 2 minutes long, and it’s eerie how on-target Obama was with what McCain would say and do.

(h/t Glenden Brown)

Martial Law Without Panic-y Voting for Bailout

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

A long time ago, in a place far, far away, I wrote about Bush giving himself teh power. To remain King of America, and ignore the next president. I only found this blog with a quick search, and I must say that even bringing this up made me feel like some kind of conspiracy theorist. But, respected blogger JM Bell also covered it back then, and he recently covered it again. Just watch the video, will you?

Don’t let this be a close election. Make it overwhelming, and you’ll prevent yourself from being a subject of fear-mongering King George III.

(h/t Open Congress)

It. Really. Matters.

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

Like Ezra Klein, I just can’t describe this, so I’m going to give you a quote, and ask you to read it.

“In a lot of these communities in big industrial states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, people have been beaten down so long,” he said. “They feel so betrayed by government that when they hear a pitch that is premised on not being cynical about government, then a part of them just doesn’t buy it. And when it’s delivered by—it’s true that when it’s delivered by a forty-six-year-old black man named Barack Obama, then that adds another layer of skepticism.”

Marriage Equality in California in Serious Trouble

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

The fight for marriage equality in California is in serious trouble. I’ve thought that it was sitting pretty, between the large celebrity donations, and the polls saying it would win. However, news today says different. Before I get there, though…I’d like to address why you may care.

The reason I think you (provided you aren’t wanting to marry your partner, but can’t) care is because even though you may not be gay, and you may not even think gay marriage is ok, it still affects you, and your world. When the government takes sides in what is fundamentally a religious battle, religious views get the short stick.  Just because your religion may not approve of gay marriage, doesn’t mean you are exempt. Gay marriage is purely a legal battle. A battle for two people who live their lives together to get legal recognition, for things like medical care, financial equality and even taxes. Whether you agree with it, or not, it makes legal sense for these people to be allowed to commit legally. It means that if one of them dies, the child isn’t sent into the foster care system. It means that when one of them gets hurt, the other is allowed to make medical decisions. It means they have to face up the the responsibilities that committing to another person brings, and that they are allowed to.

Some people seem to think that allowing California’s Proposition 8 would mean that churches would be required to perform gay marriage. That’s blatantly false.

Marriage as a legal term, and marriage as a religious term, are two very different things. No one is asking the LDS or the Catholic Church to “submit” to gay marriage. And if they aren’t performing the wedding, they have no business trying to ban it.

And if you are ok with, or do support, gay marriage, if the ban on gay marriage in California passes, the effort will be set back by decades. Literally. I got this email from a friend this morning (personal info obscured for privacy):

My friend, Peg, in L.A. sent this to me today.  Please consider helping to protect the right to marry for same-sex couples in California. The proponents of Proposition 8 (the LDS church among others) are well funded and seem to be winning the fight at this point. There are only a few weeks left to turn this one around.  Best, Janet

Janet (personal info removed)

Begin forwarded message:

Subject: Fwd: Marriage Equality in CA:  We’re losing today, HELP!

Here’s a way to make your dollar go twice as far.  Ellen Huang is my landlord and a great activist.  Any small donation will make a difference.  I know we’re all strapped to the max and I am so moved by everyone’s efforts this year on behalf of Barack Obama.  (Don’t forget the Bake for Barack bake sale in Silverlake this Sunday am!)  Prop 8 is also near and dear and important.  Anything is appreciated.  Thanks

**************

From: Ellen Huang <ellen@queerlounge.org>
Date: October 9, 2008 12:41:50 AM MDT
To: Ellen Huang <ellen@queerlounge.org>
Subject: Marriage Equality in CA:  We’re losing today, HELP!
Friends in and outside of California:  

I presume that most of you have heard the alarming news of where we are vis a vis money and in the polls to save marriage equality for gays and lesbians in California.  A loss would mean turning back decades of progress the LGBT movement has made - not only affecting those in California, but all of our progress nationwide.  

 

In May, California made history by allowing gays and lesbians to legally marry, but marriage equality is now being threatened by those who would write discrimination into California’s constitution and ban same-sex marriage.  Our opponents, the YES on 8 forces funded by the Knights of Columbus and the Church of Latter Day Saints and others reported raising almost $26 million dollars—out performing US by $10 million.  Yesterday the first public poll was released by CBS that showed us 4 points behind. 

 

What does all of this mean?  It means this race is a DEAD HEAT at best.  It also means that this race is close enough that we can turn the tide.  But, it will take EVERYONE doing more than they ever thought they could do for this campaign.  That means digging deeper. 


We have multi-million dollar media buys to make every week between now and November 4th

 

I’m committed to raising $10,000 toward this effort to defeat Prop 8, and welcome ANY contribution, no matter how small to help.   Go to the link www.noonprop8.com and to the donation page specifically https://secure.ga4.org/01/equalityforall, and please contribute.  Pleaseput in my reference code 558 too!  

 

If you donate $1,000, you get a ticket to a party at billionaire Ron Burkle’s house in Los Angeles (Barbra Streisand is co-chair and Melissa Ethridge will perform – see invite) on October 21.  There’s a form on here labeled REMIT, and fax it back to get into the event.  This is a perk for doing the right thing and helping!

 

 

Ellen Huang
Founder & Program Director
Queer Lounge, a program of GLAAD
(323) 663-6016 office
(323) 578-9667 mobile
(323) 933-2241 fax

Notes from my Utah Call Team Special Conference Call

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

Tonight was a special “Utah Call Team Conference Call”, where Emily Murphy and Amy (didn’t catch her last name) gave a quick training of the neighbor to neighbor calling tool available for supporters of Senator Obama to help the campaign. Because Utah is helping drive the effort in Colorado, there were a few special guests on before that training began.

Ray Rivera, the campaign’s Colorado Director, introduced Roy Romer, former Colorado Governor. Roy talked about how we can win Colorado, but we have to reach everyone we can. Every call is critical. Sincere calls from out of state will be effective. He said: “We need you. It will be effective. There’s nothing more important you can do for the campaign.”

Ken Salazar came on and talked about how we can move the votes from 250 to 271 by winning in Colorado, and that win the election.

Amy Klobuchar, Senator from Minnesota, talked about being in Wisconsin with Barack, and is now in Colorado. She told a story about how she got stopped by State Trooper, thinking she’d be given a ticket, and have to “take one for the team”, and found out that it was just because the tags on her license plate were reversed, which was quite a relief to her. She said “You can make a difference, you taking the time out to make these calls WILL make the difference.”

Ray came on again, and said that to win, we need to get 2.5 million Colorado voters to the polls, and we need to reach them at least 2 times to make that happen.

Amy came back on and stressed that nothing is more important right now than reaching out to neighbors, and personalizing Barack’s message.

Emily then led the training, and the first thing she had to say is that if you can make it to Colorado for Get Out The Vote (GOTV), it will be fun.

Emily then walked us through Neighbor to Neighbor tool to show how it’s used. If you come to the Phone Banking set up for this Saturday or Sunday, we’ll be showing you how to use the web tool then, if you bring your laptop with you, or we can give you lists if you don’t have one.

Each state’s call script looks different, so if you switch states, make sure to read the script before you make the call. The web page is simple, and easy to use. You can even do it from home. Peak times are 6 to 9 PM, so if you can make calls during this time, please consider it. Even half an hour is great.

When looking at the script, you don’t need to read it word for word, if it doesn’t feel comfortable. However, each of the questions need to be answered, if possible, so try to make sure to fit them in when talking to the person you’re calling.

You don’t have to call every number you’re given. If you don’t get to the calls, they will go back into the queue.

It gets easier and easier as you use N2N. You’ll probably even start to love making the calls, and it definitely becomes more comfortable after you’ve started.

Amy came back on and asked us to invite friends, family and neighbors to our own house, and pointed out that there’s even a Host Guide available online.

Don’t let November 4 pass you by. Your involvement does matter. Just ask Al Gore.

Sarah Palin Parking Lot

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

(via Wonkette)

I thought about this for a moment after watching, and wondered how I’d like it if “they” came to an Obama event and tried pulling the same thing on me. I’d be a bit irritated, right? Then I realized, I’d just be laughing because it would be the same nonsensical people, only behind the camera instead of in front of it, and I’m sure I’d have to see the humor in it. Idiocy at it’s finest.

I’m Voting Republican, Too!

Sunday, October 5th, 2008

I normally don’t like to “copycat” other local blogs, and JM Bell posted this a couple of days ago, but I couldn’t help myself. Watch, and sound off with your favorite reason to vote Republican.

For me, my favorite reason to vote Republican is because I want the middle class to disappear. All that hope that I might someday not have to stress over money is just too much stress. At least if the middle class is gone, I won’t have to try anymore. And my kids can relax on their schoolwork, too, since that hope of getting into college won’t be hanging over their heads for the next 10 or 12 years.

Oh, and because… I can.

AFL-CIO’s Richard Trumka on Racism and Obama

Sunday, October 5th, 2008

This is 7 minutes long, but worth every second of your time. Especially the last 2 minutes.

Come to Colorado (With Video Plea)

Sunday, October 5th, 2008


I do have one minor disagreement with Ed from Park City, there at the end, though. He said there’s not much you can do from Utah to help Obama. I disagree. We might not take Utah’s electoral votes, but helping elect Democrats in Utah goes a long way towards helping Obama’s administration, not to mention how it helps Utah become just a little more progressive. So, make sure everyone you know is registered to vote, and then make sure they go vote. And don’t forget to help local candidates with door-knocking. You can also make phone calls through the Neighbor to Neighbor program, right from your home.

Tuesday’s Presidential Debate

Sunday, October 5th, 2008

Once again, Saints and Sinners has offered to host a Debate Watch Party. I’m helping Becky set it up, and we’re planning on giving local candidates some time before the debate to speak to attendees. There will also be a table set up with lawns signs, bumper stickers, etc.

This debate will be Town Hall style, coming to us from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Questions will be taken from the audience and from the internet. MySpace is the place to submit your own question.

Here are the Debate Watch Party details:

We will start at 6 pm to offer our candidates running for office in 2008 a moment to preach to the choir. Candidates will have lawn signs & email sign-up forms. (If you are a candidate who would like to participate, please call me at 801.755.3974 or Becky Isais at 702.354.2984 and we’ll get it set up!)   

The debate begins at 7 pm, and ends at 8:30.

OUR FRIENDS AT SAINTS & SINNERS ARE OFFERING………
*5 T.V.s to enjoy the debate*
(1 flat screen & 1 HUGE screen)
FREE ADMISSION & DONATED FREE MEMBERSHIPS!
FREE PIZZA!

Remember, this is a Private Club for Members, which means you must be 21 or older to attend!

This debate will be town-hall style, and questions will be taken from the audience and the internet. To submit your own question, go to http://www.myspace.com/mydebates

Time: Tuesday, October 7 at 6:00 PM
Duration: 4 hours
Host: Misty Fowler
Contact Phone: 8017553974
Location:
SAINTS AND SINNERS, A PRIVATE CLUB FOR MEMBERS (SALT LAKE CITY, UT)   

3040 SOUTH STATE STREET
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84115

There are many more events being hosted statewide, click here to find them all. You can also sign up to host your own party at my.BarackObama.com.

Don’t forget, Monday is the last day to Register to Vote By Mail in Utah. If you or a loved one haven’t done this yet, or need to update your address, drop everything you’re doing and visit VoteForChange.com RIGHT NOW! You can’t put it off any longer!