I'VE GOT MINE

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Sep 3, 2009 9:34 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Fair Share For Health Care Initiative, DFA Night School, Democracy for New York, dfaROCHESTER

When I attended my local Congressman's health care town hall meeting I was immediately struck by the hatred  and selfish attitudes that filled the 1000 seat auditorium.  I endured 4 hours of comments that proved  two simple points.  1.  The overwhelming majority were incredibly selfish and 2.  Misinformation ruled their thoughts and comments. 

While sitting there, sad and depressed thinking about how ashamed I was of my fellow Americans, I kept thinking of one of my favorite songs.  After that town hall meeting I came home and looked at the lyrics.  Sure enough, the song perfectly described the attitude of the majority of people attending.

Glenn Frey's I've Got Mine

I’VE GOT MINE

Someone’s sleeping on the sidewalk
As the winter sun goes down
Someone’s drinking cold champagne
In another part of town
And the only thing he thinks about
As he sips his glass of wine
“It sure feels good sittin’ here tonight
Now that I’ve got mine”

I’ve got mine, I’ve got mine
This isn’t such a bitter world
‘Cause I’ve got mine

Someone’s wandering the streets tonight
No way to warm his hands
Someone’s turning up their fireplace
Making travel plans
His mind is on some sandy beach
Where the sun is gonna shine
He thinks, “I don’t have to hang around
Now that I’ve got mine”

You see them in their limousines
You see the way they stare
They don’t see us looking back
Because they don’t really care,

They say,
“I’ve got mine, I’ve got mine
The world is as it’s meant to be
‘Cause I’ve got mine”

So I make a small donation
What more can I do?
You know I didn’t make this world
I’m in it just like you
I’ve worked all my life on this house of cards
To keep it all in line
I can’t take care of everyone
Now that I’ve got mine

There’s another kind of poverty
That only rich men know
A moral malnutrition
That starves their very souls
And they can’t be saved by money
They’re all running out of time
And all the while they’re thinking,
“It’s OK, ’cause I’ve got mine”

I’ve got mine, I’ve got mine
I don’t want a thing to change
‘Cause I’ve got mine, I’ve got mine

The Ted Kennedy/dfaROCHESTER experience

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Aug 29, 2009 7:47 PM EDT

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER, Democracy for New York

It was late February 2004...just days before the New York primary.  Dean was no longer actively campaigning.   The local county Democratic committee had advertised a rally for all candidates to take place on Saturday morning.  Representatives from all local presidential campaigns were supposedly welcome.  As the weekend approached, the county Dems were changing their plans.  The location for the rally changed.  And then on the morning of the rally, we noticed that it was being called a Kerry rally featuring Ted Kennedy. 

While most of the magic had left the Dean campaign by then, there were still some diehard supporters.  Many who were no longer actively supporting Dean were supporting John Edwards.  Even with the change in venue and a change of the intended purpose of the rally, Dean and Edwards supporter went to the rally anyway.  Dean supporters in their Dean sweatshirts, pins and baseball caps...the same for the Edwards supporters.  But there was a problem...upon entering the union hall where the rally was to take place, we were asked to return Dean/Edwards buttons and baseball caps.  We were also asked to open our coats to expose our Dean sweatshirts.  We were refused entry to the rally because we refused to take off our Dean-wear. 

Outraged?  Of course!  These were members of our own party--the inclusive Democrats--barring us from entering.  Always ones to take lemons and make lemonade, we went back outside, went to our cars and got out Dean or Edwards signs.  We then took up a position across the street from the union hall.  We attracted reporters and others on their way to the event.

When the event was about to start, and car traffic on the street and parking lot died down, we noticed a minivan approaching.  The minivan slowed even more as it was about to turn into the parking lot...and that's when the window rolled down and a head popped out.  It was Ted Kennedy.  He saw us out in the cold, not knowing the circumstances, and shouted to us to join him inside.  We followed the minivan towards the parking lot...the van continued, but we were stopped by the goons on the side walk.  We explained that Senator Kennedy had just invited us to join him inside.  The men simply said "Ted Kennedy doesn't own the building".  Again we were turned away, yet we had just had a Ted Kennedy experience...and that made everything OK.

Support Eric

Written by: Mayme Trumble on Aug 13, 2009 10:06 PM EDT

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

Dear Rochester DFA

Get out to the town hall meetings with Rep. Eric Massa. Give him your support. Many people who want to stop health care reform will be there with their crazy myths. Here are the times and places. Please pass this information around to as many as you can. Get a group and go! Support him!

•    08/16 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Town Hall - Olean High School Auditorium, 410 W. Sullivan Street Olean, NY  14760

•    08/26 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Town Hall -  Perinton Community Center, 1350 Turk Hill Road, Fairport, NY  14450

•    08/31 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Town Hall - Big Flats Community Center, 476 Maple Street, Big Flats, NY

Not The Change I Was Expecting

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Aug 10, 2009 7:38 PM EDT

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

The September 2009 issue of the Advocate is out, no pun intended.  The cover features a stylized photo of Obama and the word NOPE under it.  Without reading the story, the message is immediately and undeniably negative. 

The biggest change I'm running into since the swearing in of Obama as our President-after-Bush is the fighting and negativity among Democrats.  It's downright scary at times.  So scary, in fact, that many of my fellow activists are now among those people I try very hard to avoid. 

Enough people find it necessary to totally trash President Obama because he hasn't done everything they expected or they wanted in his first 6 months in office.  It seems everyone expected immediate perfection and now are thoroughly disappointed with everything that is less than perfect in their eyes. 

The biggest dividing line that I see is in the health care issue.  For so many people, it is the "single-payer or nothing at all" issue.  While someone like me will accept strong reform, stopping short of single-payer, as long as it includes the "public option".  But already, I feel as if many fellow Democrats have written me off because of this more relaxed stand on single-payer. 

The gay community is growing more bitter about gay marriage and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".  While these are extremely important issues, as a gay man, I still say, "it's the economy, stupid".  I could lose my job in October and it is far more important for me to have continued employment and health care than it is to have the right to marry.  Food or marriage...think about it...and prioritize...and realize that Obama is on the right track.

Obama has been in office just over 6 months.  Give the guy a break.  Instead of immediately joining the ranks of those who are cutting him down, why not simply offer him and your other representatives your support on the issues important to you.  If Obama and other elected officials don't hear from you on a continual basis, they will not know what you are thinking. 

Our President needs our support and guidance.  Cutting him down in public just makes the Republican hopeful for victory in 2012.  Think about it.

Democracy For America needs to support Jonathan Tasini for US Senate in NY

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Jul 3, 2009 2:49 PM EDT

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER, Fair Share For Health Care Initiative, Democracy for New York

I really can't think of anyone who is more of a true, hard core progressive than Jonathan Tasini.  He has already run for Senate once, in the primary against Hillary Clinton.  In 2010, he will challenge Kirsten Gillibrand.  I will admit to not knowing too much about Kirsten Gillibrand, but I feel like I know Tasini as much as a supporter can know a candidate. 

dfaROCHESTER hosted a meeting with Tasini when he ran the first time and collectively, we were impressed.  I have continued to follow Tasini and I continued to be impressed. 

Check out his online announcement....he mentions the "great one"--Howard Dean.

http://www.jonathantasini.com/

With freedom comes responsibility

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Mar 7, 2009 10:34 AM EST

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

The big news this week in the Rochester, NY area was the death of a 19 year old SUNY Geneseo student.  It seems he drank for 3 days and had a blood alcohol level at least 7 times the legal limit. 

Of course all fingers are pointing at the unofficial fraternity PIGS.  They caused this death.  They provided the alcohol and the atmosphere to drink, drink, drink.  Right? 

I understand that the first reaction of parents would be to question and blame.  But what about the rest of us?  Are we going to fall under that old American tradition of placing blame everywhere except the most obvious place?  Since the student is dead, we must look to others in order to find justice and revenge.  That's the American way.  Of course, none of this would be complete without criminal charges and a civil lawsuit.  We have to make examples of those responsible so this type of senseless death never happens again.  Right?

For me, there are three possible explanations for the death of a student due to alcohol poisoning. 

1.  Because of mental defect, the young man did not have the capacity to understand the relationship between drinking too much and serious health concerns that could lead to death.  However, since all reports indicate that this young man was quite intelligent, I think we need to discard this explanation.

2.  This could be a very plain and simple premeditated murder.  The young man, taken and held against his will was forced to consume so much alcohol that it resulted in his death.  Since there are no reports that the man was bound and physically forced to consume alcohol, again we must discard this explanation.

3.  Finally, the easy explanation that no one wants to believe or accept.  Suicide.  The young man, for whatever reason, wanted to join this unsanctioned frat and to do that he had to leave his intelligence and reason at the door.  He had to start drinking and not stop until he was dead.  All indications suggest he was free to leave at any time or free to stop drinking at any time.  But he didn't leave and he didn't stop.  This young man committed suicide, though no one will ever call it that.  He decided to drink.  He decided to keep on drinking.  He decided to go along to get what he wanted.  He took his own life.  He has only himself to blame.  Hard to swallow?  Absolutely. 

As a society, we cannot keep blaming others for actions and results that can only be caused by one's own actions. As long as we continue to blame others when others are not to blame, we will continue to see the same results.  Sure there are facilitators out there who will purchase alcohol for under aged drinkers, but those drinkers would get alcohol in other ways if necessary. It all rests with the individual, not the group.

Ultimately, we have freedom....and the responsibility that must go along with it.

Random Thoughts

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Mar 1, 2009 7:59 AM EST

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

I'm loving digital TV.  While using a digital converter resulted in losing my Buffalo, NY and Toronto channels, I gained extra PBS channels and those are awesome.  I now watch PBS 95% of the time. 

Two recent shows stand out in my mind, if only for some much needed perspective.  I just saw an episode of Scientific American Frontiers with Alan Alda.  The show was about 5 years old and it was about the emerging alternative fuels for the auto industry.  When Alan asked a GM executive why GM wasn't pushing harder or working faster to get hybrids or hydrogen fuel cells to market, the executive said it was all about profits.  The GM exec said that stockholders demanded profits and alt fuel vehicles could not compete with profitable SUVs.  This was just 5 years ago.  Where did all the profits go?  Has GM learned a lesson about looking to the future and planning for disasters, like the steep rise in gasoline prices?

Last night I watched Frontline about American soldiers returning from Iraq.  The show dealt with things such as post traumatic stress disorder.  I think the show really should have been dealing with patriotic-induced homefront denial.  Parents interviewed for this episode literally had their heads in the sand.  First, they were overwhelmed by their sense of pride that their sons signed up to go to Iraq.  This pride overwhelmed any sense of fear that families might have had.  Upon returning home, one mother commented that the crowd of 200 men, women and children waving tiny American flags was just what her son needed to see.  Really? Flag waving fixes everything? 

Another mother commented that she was amazed that there wasn't as much as a scratch on her son.  For that she was relieved.  Yet, there is the issue of blindness.  Parents seemed to be totally blind to the thought that their sons came home so totally damaged that they allowed themselves the luxury of believing the heavy drinking, violent tempers, mood swings and depression were to be expected and that the military had pre-screened everyone and those needing help were getting help. 

Unfortunately, it appears the general thinking is that going to war creates instant heros, when, in fact, war only creates damaged people...sometimes damaged beyond repair.  When their sons committed suicide, parents kept saying they never saw it coming.  Military buddies of those who took their own lives were surprised as well.  Why does this surprise anyone?  Have most Americans shut down their imaginations so they cannot think of the horrors of war?  I certainly believe parents lie awake at night hoping and praying their sons and daughters are not physically injured or killed.  But do these same parents put themselves in their children's boots?  Do they understand their children have been ordered to kill people.  Do they think about the death that surrounds all soldiers and do they wonder how this might damage someone?

Personally, I have thought about war--alot.  I will admit to knowing I could probably use great force to protect my family from a clear and present danger.  But what I cannot comprehend is going off to a foreign country and being ordered to shoot and kill people--strangers in a strange country.  Did the people who should be killed actually do anything?  In war, I guess one does not stop to think.....

A 30/40 Vision

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Feb 18, 2009 11:40 AM EST

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

When I first became aware of Howard Dean--the little known former Governor of Vermont running for President--I would listen to his speeches and I would listen to him answer questions.  At first I thought he was in trouble in the way he answered questions.  It seemed that maybe he was dodging questions just like a seasoned political pro.  But something else was going on--something quite unique.  When asked about crime and the need to build more prisons, Howard would start talking about his Success By Six program.  It took some patience, but I finally got it.  Dean saw the entire picture, past, present & future.  His mind tied everything--even things that seemed unrelated--together. 

Unfortunately, I'm not convinced we are seeing that type of vision from Obama--at least not yet.  Or maybe it is just another case where the ultimate goal is still hidden by clouds--for me.  Maybe Obama is tying everything together.  Let's hope.

One topic that needs vision is the continued effort/need to bail out the auto industry.  Once again, GM and Chrysler are extending a hand and asking for money.  I hope it is as humiliating for them as it should be.  High powered and highly paid executives crawling to Washington DC to admit their management has been a failure for decades.  (Don't worry, I don't really believe Detroit executives think they are failures--they are too out of touch to think or believe that.)

The warnings have again been sounded.  GM and Chrysler executives revealed the cars they believe will fuel their turnaround and those vehicles reveal more "head in the sand" mentality.  GM showed off production photos of the Cadillac CTS Coupe--an expensive, luxury car that cannot be considered fuel efficient by any stretch of the imagination.  Chrysler was even worse, showing off their redesigned large Jeep and Chrysler's biggest car, the 300.  Again, neither inexpensive or fuel efficient.  What is the message they are trying to send?  "WE DON'T GET IT?"  Where are the small fuel efficient cars?  Where's the future?  Where's the concern for the environment?

I think Obama needs to take an entirely new approach to the auto industry bailout--one that centers on the consumer, not the unions or the car companies.  Whether Americans know it or not, the easiest way to have more money is to conserve it.  One great way to conserve money would be to buy less gasoline.  One way to buy less gasoline is to drive less, but the more realistic approach would be to put programs in place that urge Americans to trade in their SUVs that get 15/20 city/highway mpg for something American made that gets 30/40 city/highway mpg.  Many will automatically say this just isn't possible--but then, many said Obama could never get elected.  Whether the new fuel efficient car is a hybrid or a diesel or just extremely small, think of the money left over from not having to pay so much for gas.  That kind of cash is an instant kick to the economy.  It is extra money consumers would have every week. 

Obama needs to encourage citizens to become more fuel efficient.  That needs to be the cornerstone of any stimulus for the auto industry.  I believe Obama needs to also judge the progress of the auto industry the entire time he is in office.  All too often, each new model or redesign is larger and heavier.  Why?  Shouldn't we view progress as cars staying the same size, but weighing less and getting better gas mileage with each redesign?

If this is truly the time for change, let's have trickle up economics.  Let's encourage consumers to trade in those SUVs.  Let's show consumers a great way to have extra cash in their pockets to further spur the economy.  Let's reduce our need for Middle Eastern oil.  Let's help the environment.  Let's focus on the entire picture--the past, present and future.

Watch Countdown with Keith Olbermann on the net at http://liberal.democratz.org

Written by: Dennis Baer on Feb 17, 2009 4:04 PM EST

Linked to groups: Upper Green Side, Washtenaw County Democracy For America, NJ for Obama, Blog For America, Emerald City DFA

Did you miss last night's episode of Countdown with Keith Olbermann? Does your tv system not have MSNBC? If so then you can watch Countdown with Keith Olbermann on the net at

http://liberal.democratz.org and if you can't get to that web page then go to

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2pnn4/dmocrats1/id2.html

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Send this letter to congress to end Republiklan filibusters and get needed legislation enacted. http://write2congress.buyblue.biz

Written by: Dennis Baer on Feb 17, 2009 1:19 PM EST

Linked to groups: The Original Broward County DFA- DFAB, Connecticut Greens, Progressive Healthcare Reform, DFA Central Ohio, Democracy for America at Quenchers

Send the following letter by fax to Senate Republican minority leader Senator Mitch McConnell. Tell other people to visit this site and have these people to get other people to visit this site.

Go to http://write2congress.buyblue.biz which will have the letter shown below in the text box and the fax information for Senator McConnell. Just enter your name and email in the left hand box and fill in the captcha code and then click on the button that reads send free fax now.


Dear Senator Senator McConnell

I want the following actions taken and legislation enacted into law.

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