Of the top four candidates, only Governor Richardson is speaking with clarity.  Only Governor Richardson would have our troops, all of our troops, all of our National Guard, home within the first year of his admiistration.

As Democrats, as Progressives, as Americans, how can we support any candidate who would advocate less?

And of course, Howard Dean is always first round these here parts.

Joan,

Of course you are correct! Which is why I am supporting Gov. Richardson this year. Of all the candidates running, Richardson is the only one calling for the end to the debacle in Iraq and has the experience and leadership skills neccessary to make it happen.

 Peace,

Chad (The Left) Shue

Linda wrote  "You quoted 'former staffer' as there are many....anyone that...is of past, not current. Roy Neel is current (no pun intended) aid to Mr. Gore."

I don't think it was him.  I was just throwing out a name because, as I said, I have no idea who it is.

so many new guys here. welcome. I think.

David wrote "Only Governor Richardson would have our troops, all of our troops, all of our National Guard, home within the first year of his admiistration."

What made him change his mind?  He was certainly in favor of having them go there in the first place.

From the previous thread

Brown: National Guard 'Overstretched'

Washington - The former chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Michael Brown, said the Bush Administration has not recognized how much of a “problem” it has with disaster response, such as dealing with the massive fires in Southern California, since so many National Guard troops are overseas in war zones.

"The White House needs to recognize that we are overstretched," Brown told ABC 7/NewsChannel 8 reporter Rebecca Cooper in an exclusive interview Wednesday. "They need to increase the size of the regular Army and stop relying so much on the National Guard."

Brown said another problem is that "some of these guys are home from National Guard duty in Iraq for literally 5 hours before they have to turn around and respond to something here, and that's not good."

On Tuesday Senator Barbara Boxer complained on Capitol Hill that California's National Guard has been compromised because too much of its equipment and personnel are committed in Iraq. ...full article: http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1007/46...

-----


CA Lt. Governor John Garamendi to President Bush -- Bring the Gaurd Home!

---

Calif. Lt. Governor On Bush: “The Record Of This Administration On Dealing With Disasters Is Disastrous”

California’s Lt. Governor, John Garamendi, spoke with Chris Matthews on Hardball yesterday about the devastating wildfires that continue to sweep through southern California. To date, the fires have burned roughly the equivalent of New York City twice over, destroyed 1600 buildings and has caused the evacuation of 950,000 Californians. Garamendi was clearly upset at the destruction in the state and wasn’t shy about sharing how he felt Bush could be much more helpful to California than to simply make a visit: ... full report: http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/10/24...

Well a little over one week until we have our very important elections here in Virginia.

DID YOU KNOW THAT VIRGINIA HAS OFF YEAR ELECTIONS???

WELL WE DO.

Anywhoo. I am working on John Miller's campaign here in the 1st Senate District.

John is a smart guy, and appeals to independents and republicans too.

www.johnmiller.com

Today I am trying to get a handle on the precinct setup which I do each election (second so far).

Since it is a state election we only have 25 precincts to cover.

I am setting up sample ballots. Also getting precinct point persons to cover and man the polls.

I am using Rich Kolker's list of things to bring. I make up a folder with all the pertinent info needed such as poll info, and a download from our VAN system with strong dems who may be able to help.

I am now going through my list from last election and calling people.

Next week we will have a giant meeting to give out signs, flyers, and all the fun stuff for our workers.

I have never seen such organization. We have paid staff from the DNC, Va Dem party, and lots more. they are doing lit drops, precint walking, etc.

I have been taking lots of pix. I may try to include one if I can figure it out how to do that.

Gov Kaine was in town last Sat for John and will be at a picnic for John on Nov. 3. Come on down.

Anyway, just wanted to drop in and say hi yah.

Think of us on Nov 6. Vote for John Miller in the 1st Senate District of Va.

written in a message from Paul Rieckhoff an Iraq Veteran and Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

A True Hero's Tale

While sports stars and Hollywood celebrities make the headlines on a daily basis, our true heroes--the men and women serving overseas--are too often forgotten. Here's one story that every American should hear.

This week, President Bush presented the nation's highest military honor for valor in combat to Lt. Michael P. Murphy. This is only the third time that the Congressional Medal of Honor has been awarded since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began. Lt. Murphy, a Navy SEAL who sacrificed his own life to save the members of his team, is the first recipient for combat in Afghanistan.

If you haven't heard Lt. Murphy's story, you can watch it now: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/436...

For more than thirty years John Miller has been involved in our community. He spent 18 years at WVEC-TV reporting on the issues facing Hampton Roads. For six years he worked on the problems of Virginia and the nation in the United States Senate as a top aide to Senator Paul Trible. John served as Vice President of University Relations at Christopher Newport University for five years, where he was the legislative liaison to the General Assembly. After several years in public broadcasting at WHRO, he now serves as Associate Director of The Virginia Electronic Commerce Technology Center at CNU, which teaches small businesses and non-profits about electronic commerce.

In 2001, John ran for the Virginia House of Delegates from the 94th District and waged a campaign that has been called a “model for civility”.

John and wife Sharron are both very active in our community. He currently serves on the boards of the Newport News Youth Commission, Newport News YMCA, the Downtown Hampton Child Development Center, Newport News Alliance for Youth and the Junior League of Hampton Roads Community Advisory Board. He is a member of the Newport News Economic Development Authority Marketing Committee and a member of People to People, an organization dedicated to improving race relations in Newport News. John has spent more than a decade as an umpire in the Warwick Little League. He has also served on the board of Peninsula READS – the Literacy Council, The FoodBank of the Virginia Peninsula, Young Audiences and Hampton Bay Days.

Sharron, who was born and raised in Newport News, is a former pediatric administrator and serves on the Newport News Public Works Citizen Advisory Committee. She is an active member and past President of the Newport News Master Gardener’s Association. For the past five years Sharron has served as a marshal for the LPGA tournament at Kingsmill. She has helped raise money for many charitable events, including the Red Cross “Dress Down Under.” Sharron is the First Congressional District representative for the Virginia Democratic Women’s Caucus and is chair of the Scholarship Committee of the Newport News Democratic City Committee. She is currently employed by Christopher Newport University in the Office of Advancement.

John and Sharron live in Newport News. They have a daughter, Jenny and a son-in-law Mark; a son, John, daughter-in-law Mary

Beautiful post linda!

http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/17362...

Fresno Bee staff reports
10/25/07

Democratic committee to unveil its Wall of Honor

The Democratic Central Committee of Fresno County will unveil its Wall of Honor today at a downtown press conference.

The wall, 8-feet-high by 30-feet-long, lists the names and photographs of every service member killed in Iraq. It is to be displayed for the public from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Fresno County Plaza Building during the Central California Democratic Convention.

----

Invite - (Fresno, CA) Presidential Candidates: Y'all come: http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/22065...

Central California Democratic Convention November 10, 2007

Central California Democratic Convention Saturday, November 10, 2007 This will be a full day event. All registered Democrats are invited. All of the Democratic Presidential candidates have been invited. All Democratic candidates are invited. ....This event is hosted by the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee and is cosponsored by other Central Californian Democratic Central Committees.... details: http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/...

----

Hillary Clinton campaigns in Fresno

DEMOCRATS' HOPES IMPROVE IN REGION By Mary Anne Ostrom

San Jose Mercury News

FRESNO - What's a Democratic candidate for president doing in the state's conservative farm belt 100 days before the California primary?

"It had all of us scratching our heads," Jay Hubbell, secretary of the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee, said with a chuckle.

Especially considering there was no fundraiser on the schedule.

But the candidate, Hillary Clinton, drew about 4,000 residents to a mid-morning rally Monday in front of Fresno High School, providing a picturesque backdrop for a candidate who is running away from her rivals in California, according to several recent polls. Some old-timers said Clinton drew the biggest turnout for a presidential candidate's rally since Robert F. Kennedy stumped in Fresno in 1968.

Clinton's visit was a recognition that while Fresno may still lean Republican, the region is increasingly home to Democrats, especially Latino and Asian voters, whose political clout has been growing over the last decade.

"There's been a sea-change in demographics," said Steve Haze, a former Cupertino resident who seven years ago left his fast-paced Silicon Valley life and moved to the tiny Sierra foothill town of Auberry, outside Fresno.

"The new California is here," said Haze, who is running for Congress as a Democrat in the 21st District.

Today, Fresno County is a great place to reach Latino voters and more conservative Democrats, who can help build a strong primary base of swing voter... full story: http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_72557...

Eco-Friendly Vision Laid Out for France



By CHRISTINE OLLIVIER – 2 hours ago


PARIS (AP) — France will eliminate all energy waste by households and ban incandescent light bulbs and polluting cars, under proposals announced Thursday by President Nicolas Sarkozy, who also met with former Vice President Al Gore.


Gore, who shared this year's Nobel Peace Prize for his work highlighting global warming, thanked Sarkozy and the French participants of a two-day environmental conference for tackling what he called "a planetary emergency."


Sarkozy called his proposals "an ecological New Deal" that emerged from months of talks aimed at pushing France into the vanguard of the fight against global warming.


Sarkozy also urged study of a much-disputed carbon tax that would punish polluters, but stopped short of a full endorsement. The conservative president has sought to cut taxes in France.


Sarkozy said that by 2020, all new buildings should "produce more energy than they consume," although he did not elaborate. By 2010, all incandescent light bulbs and single-paned windows would be banned under the plan.

 http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j-eG8z2TRaH_DClRfgRB3XFB4UDQ

Festival offers a taste of India

7,000 Punjabis from as far afield as New Jersey converge on Fresno for a day of shopping, dancing and deep-fried food.

By Vanessa Colón / The Fresno Bee

The Punjabi people are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group from South Asia.

They are primarily from the Punjab region of Pakistan and northern India.

In Pakistan, they're the largest ethnic group in the Punjab region, making up about 60% of the total population. India's Punjabis live across the greater Punjab region such as the states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

Thousands of Punjabi residents from across the state and beyond converged on Fresno's Woodward Park on Sunday to celebrate Punjabi culture and music at Jhankaar 2007.

The fair drew about 7,000 people who came to indulge in Bhangra music, deep-fried snacks and clothing made in India. People came from as far away as Indiana and New Jersey.

The strictly cultural fair is traced back to about 17 years in Punjab, India said Rama Kant Dawar, a Fresno organizer of the mela. A host introducing the dance performances spoke entirely in Punjabi. Other melas -- a Sanskrit word for "gathering" -- have been held in Valley towns such as Caruthers, but they're primarily religious harvest festivals known as Vaisakhi, Dawar said.

More than 40,000 people of Punjabi descent live in the central San Joaquin Valley, Dawar said. Many Punjabis are Sikhs, who follow the religion founded by Guru Nanak in 1469. ... full story and photos: http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/17070...

I have been a Democrat all of my life, and have voted as such for 20 years. I am conpletely disappointed with our current choices in the Democratic party. I have looked elsewhere to find a ideology that best suits my views on the issues that face this country.

 I'm tired of the Political field to be choices of the lesser of two evils. We elected the Democrats to end the war, they have done NOTHING. They have voted for this new act overwhelmingly for a "thought prevention act" or  "home grown terrrism" act  which makes it now legal for anyone who opposes the Govt can be deemed a terrorist.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2007-993 

 Ladies and Gentleman, fellow Americans I introduce Ron Paul, a Barry Goldwater conservative (Hillary Clinton was a Goldwater girl) with over 20 years of constistance principled voting. 

This isnt about left or right, its about right and wrong. Its time we put down the party lines and start voting for America.

http://ronpaullibrary.com

http://ronpaul2008.com 

Ron Paul want out of the Iraq NOW!

Voted againt the Iraqi regime change act by Bill Clinton in 98

He has never voted to raise taxes.
He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
He has never taken a government-paid junket.
He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.

He voted against the Patriot Act.
He voted against regulating the Internet.
He voted against the Iraq war.

He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.
He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

Congressman Paul introduces numerous pieces of substantive legislation each year, probably more than any single member of Congress.

ABC matcho-matic if you're interested in seeing which candidate matches up to your expectations.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/...

For me: 1. Kucinich, 2. Gravel, 3. Paul (LOL)

The problem with Ron Paul:

 http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/22656

 On Social Security:

As for Social Security, "we didn't have it until 1935," Paul says. "I mean, do you read stories about how many people were laying in the streets and dying and didn't have medical treatment? . . . Prices were low and the country was productive and families took care of themselves and churches built hospitals and there was no starvation."

"Is bailing out people that chose to live on the coastline a proper function of the federal government?" he asks. "Why do people in Arizona have to be robbed in order to support the people on the coast?"

Why Congressman? Because that's what makes us who we are. The sense of community, that we are all Americans and that in times of need we help our neighbors.

On foreign aid:

He is against the government's "delusional, feel-good" policies of giving aid to needy countries in places like Africa; instead, private citizens and private groups should give charity if they want to.

On education:

He'd get rid of the Department of Education and leave the business of schooling to local governments, because he believes that's what the Constitution intended.

On the United Nations

"The UN also wants to confiscate our firearms and impose a global tax. The UN elites want to control the world's oceans with the Law of the Sea Treaty. And they want to use our military to police the world."

Now, if you support leaving people to drown in a hurricane, abolishing the Department of Education, Social Security, and most other government agencies and programs, returning to the gold standard, opposing reproductive freedoms, ignoring GLBT rights, and withdrawing from the UN, Congressman Paul is for you.

17/

Yeah, right. . .

THEY ARE BREAKING OUR SOLDIERS BODIES, MINDS AND SPIRITS!  SOMEBODY SAVETHEM !

Inter Press Service
By Dahr Jamail
Oct 24 (IPS) - Iraq war veterans now stationed at a base here say that morale among U.S. soldiers in the country is so poor, many are simply parking their Humvees and pretending to be on patrol, a practice dubbed "search and avoid" missions. (avoid being killed - for nothing.)

...Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the number of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans seeking treatment for PTSD increased nearly 70 percent in the 12 months ending on Jun. 30.   

The nearly 50,000 VA-documented PTSD cases greatly exceed the 30,000 military personnel that the Pentagon officially classifies as wounded in both occupations.    

VA records show that mental health has become the second-largest area of illness for which veterans of the ongoing occupations are seeking treatment at VA hospitals and clinics. (and at least half don't seek help)

The total number of mental health cases among war veterans increased by 58 percent; from 63,767 on Jun. 30, 2006, to 100,580 on Jun. 30, 2007, according to the VA.

Sobering excerpts from: John Stanto:  Virginia based writer specializing in political and national security matters. His most recent book is Talking Politics with God and the Devil in Washington, DC

...The uniformed, active duty members of the United States military are now the only force potent enough to stop the corporatization of America’s public goods: its land, its air, its water, its people, its institutions, its infrastructure, and its rapidly deteriorating social compact. They are the only force capable of stopping America’s politicians and their corporate handlers from transforming America and the world into a living, breathing Dante’s Inferno. And they are the only organization self-critical enough to bleed out commanders who long for perpetual warfare.

The clock is ticking fast though. The uniformed US military is allowing itself to be transformed into a corporate monster. Even now, some military leaders act just like the callous CEO’s in private industry. They throw away lives like a CEO blithely chops away 1,000 livelihoods. As it stands, within a decade the uniformed services will be totally polluted with over-the-horizon leaders who see their service to the country as little more than a CEO training exercise. At that point, the uniformed services will become little more than corporate muscle that is used to eliminate local or regional resistance to the corporate takeovers.

…The uniformed services are now openly abused by the politicians and their corporate handlers as policy and propaganda shields to mask dreadful national security strategies that are based solely on profit-taking motives....

Nice canned answer you have, I guess you knew I was coming. Thanks for the reply.

I will continue this on the other thread started.

If you think the Govt should take care of you from Cradle to Grave then I guess I see all of your points being made. Free social services mandated by the Govt that rarely reach the people its intended for, just look at the illegal immigration, its bankrupting hospitals nation wide and drain the resources away from people who have been paying into the SSI system which are now in danger of not being funded. 

Has anyone addressed the North American Union yet (except Ron Paul), or that all part of helping the world at our expense?

http://www.nascocorridor.com/

http://spp.gov/

http://www.amerocurrency.com/

Its unfortunate people still vote the party line regardless of principle, this isnt a football game of who is going to "win", we the people either win or lose, period.

A story about the troops, or at least some of them.

There was a battle between US/Iraqi government troops and the "other guys" (probably AQII).  It took place in a fairly built up area, and although no civilians were killed, lots of damage was done to the local infrastructure.  A couple of days later, one of the US troops fighting was still "down" about the whole thing.  Not because US troops were killed, none were.  Not because civilians were killed or injured, none were.  It was because the families in the area who lived there or owned small businesses and had merely been in the wrong place at the wrong time were now left with no, or badly damaged, homes, stores and belongings.  They didn't deserve that.

There was a chicken shop whose stock had been destroyed along with their freezerwhen their shop was shot up.  The troops made sure they got a replacement freezer within days.  No determination which side shot up the store, just make it good.

This is why "support the troops" has to be more than a slogan.  A lot of them are doing the best they can with a bad situation, whether they supported or opposed going in in the first place.

19.

Ilya Sheyman
Thu, 10/25/07
3:22 pm


Thanks Ilya

Ron Paul is a real Republican. And one of the most conversative that I have ever seen.

I saw a bumper sticker the other day. It said, "I never thought I would be missing Nixon."

Ron Paul supporters,

You're not the only people with principles, and to infer you are , isn't going to win you any supporters around here.

A lot of us believe we are the government, and as such have a communitarian responsibility to our fellow citizens.  That is embraced in the Constitution's "promote the general welfare".  It is supported by history, one which required the progressive revolution of the early 20th Century as a response to unbridled free enterprise, which was not only letting people die but actively killing them with unsafe living and working conditions, unsafe foods, unsafe drugs without the ability to organize...I could go on.

I am not old enough to remember that, but I am old enough to remember what  poor meant before food stamps and the programs of the War on Povery in the 1960's.

I've been a Texan, and have followed Ron Paul's career for a long time.  He's a libertarian, and I agree with some of what the libertarians do, but not enough to support him for President.  That would be a very scary thing for someone whose view of Progressiveism exceeds someone's position on the Iraq war. 

19.

Ilya Sheyman
Thu, 10/25/07
3:22 pm

Reply to this

The problem with Ron Paul:
...............
----------------

Should not confuse Ron Paul's OWN opinions/preferences/inclinations with THOSE that People might be willing to agree upon!

Ron Paul NEVER mentioned that he is AGAINST ANY People's decision on foreign aid, education, United Nations, etc. BUT HE ALWAYS AGAINST ANY Governmental dictate on those very same issues. All of that, probably, because in his libertarian ideology People and Government ARE NOT ONE and THE SAME!

Therefore, the problem with Ron Paul “prof” Democrats have is just ONLY one:

He wants freedom FOR People to COOPERATE and FROM Government to DICTATE, THE SAME what MOST AMERICANS DO!

new thread

http://blog.cadem.org/chairman/2007/10/c...

California Wildfires: How You Can Help
by Chairman Art Torres

Like you, my thoughts and prayers are with the more than half-million Californians who were evacuated this week due to the fires in the Southern California and San Diego area. A disaster of this proportion demonstrates once more the very best of our citizens. The resilience of the people who have lost their homes, firefighters from around the state braving the firestorm to save homes and lives, other emergency personnel who have answered the call, and the many volunteers who have stepped in to give comfort and assistance to their fellow Californians.

I have been asked by people around the state and the country how they can help out. The California Democratic Party, the San Diego Democratic Party and Democrats Work are working together to support the Californians devastated by this week’s fires. You can join us:

Give Food and Household Goods
The San Diego Democratic Party is collecting food and household goods, such as canned meats, fruits, vegetables as well as cleaning supplies, diapers, detergent and personal hygiene products for families in San Diego. You can also send a gift card for a local supermarket chain such as Ralphs, Vons or Albertsons.

Donated items may be delivered or mailed to: 8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite 108, San Diego, CA 92111 or by calling (858) 277-3367.

Donate Other Goods or Money
The San Diego Democratic Party has partnered with the San Diego Food Bank, which has a network of more than 260 agencies throughout the San Diego area. You can order goods directly from the Food Bank’s Virtual Market or make a monetary donation.

Roll Up Your Sleeves
While there are many things we can do right now to help, there will also be a need in the coming weeks and months for assistance with the rebuilding efforts in the affected communities. Sign-up today through Democrats Work so we can keep you posted on our future efforts once the fires have been brought under control.

I hope you will join me in helping fellow Californians through this crisis. After all, community is what being a Democrat is really about.

Its scary that people need some monolithic Govt programs over state run programs where the people of the state have the control to where any money through taxation (voted in by the state) makes sure the money gets to the right people.

If you do some simple math you will see that SSI is a complete sham, the money being paid vs the money being paid out is horrible, the private markets with the same money could do almost 70% better return then whats being paid out now. Thats just basic math.

Also I want to clarify, Ron Paul is a civil libertarian which means he believes in Liberty and a 
strong national defence with BORDERS.

Everything is still possible that we currently have but at the state level, not the Federal level. How can anyone say a "one law fits all" could be the best solution for some very complex situations is beyond me.

30.

Tim Morrow
Thu, 10/25/07
4:40 pm


Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) is a registered Republican and is running for U.S. President as a Republican.

I'm sure he voted more than once for G.W. Bush.

New here to Democracyforamerica and blogforamerica but thanks Susan Rowe for the warm welcome.

Ron Paul did vote for GWBush in 2000, but not in 04. You go ahead and vote party lines regardless of principle you will just get more of the same.

Its scary that people need some monolithic Govt programs over state run programs where the people of the state have the control to where any money through taxation (voted in by the state) makes sure the money gets to the right people.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More scary that some peeps is such control freaks that they're willing to let other's fall through the cracks just in order to stay in charge. 

Bill Richardson is a member of the New Democrats DLC Republican Lite 20% class and culture that split off the 90% Majority Common Population to be a 2nd Elite class and culture in the United States, as is Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Al Gore, Christopher Dodd and all the candidates running for the presidency in 2008, with the exception of Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel, who are the only two candidates actually representing the 70% Majority Common Population. 

It is always best to vote for those who actually represent you, especially if you are of the 70% Majority  Common Population who have no representation at all at the current time because of the DLC New Class and Culture. 

The DLC's war agenda represents only the military industrial complex, with the left's 20% DLC new class & culture  trying to gain power over or become equal to the right's 10% Elite through using the 70% Majority Common Population's working people against their best interest without any concern for the 70% Majority Common Population, other than to use them as pawns to acquire the votes needed so that the DLC will be able to continue the DLC's Right Wing EXTREME Republican agenda.  I guess it could be called a game of chess between the DLC and the Elite, using all the 70% Majority Common Populations as PAWNS.

Ron Paul is a Republican.  No matter what Ron Paul says -- Ron Paul is a Republican.  Republicans represent the upper 10% of the population of the United States ONLY.  The president is supposed to represent everyone, but it is plain to see how well George W. Bush represents the whole.  George W. Bush is a Republican who represents his constituency, the upper 10% crust of society,  and Ron Paul will represent his constituency as well, as all Ron Paul's advisors will be of the Right Wing's 10% constituency. 

It is best for our country to not let any Republican or Republican Lite get back into power, because we well know what happens when either is in power.  WE THE PEOPLE, the 70% Majority Common Population, will suffer maybe a little less with a DLCer, but it is really a toss up as to how much less , because both have the same New American Century agenda. 

 http://www.newamericancentury.org

 http://blogforamerica.com/view/22628#more