The President gives a radio address each Saturday, and the Democrats offer a response. President-elect Obama provided this week's Democratic response, and in an innovation, there was a video made of it. Here is the President-Elect:
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Sign Up For Equality
Sign up & make a difference. You'll thank yourself later, when we finally have equal rights for all. :-)
The results are in: Obama wins Omaha's electoral vote
Let me tell you why I am excited this afternoon. I was born in Omaha, Nebraska and grew up there the first seven years of my life before my family moved to California. Omaha is home to a respectable number of liberal Democrats who would no sooner vote for a Republican than play touch football on a freeway during rush hour. I am living proof of the truth of that statement.
Omaha is the major portion of Nebraska's second congressional district, and Obama made a big push to win that district because Nebraska, like Maine, awards electoral votes proportionately. If a candidate wins a given congressional district, the candidate receives an electoral vote even if the whole state goes to the candidate's opponent. That is just what happened. McCain won the state, but Obama won the second congressional district.
The second congressional district today completed its canvass of votes, and AP reports that Barack Obama "emerged with a 3,325-vote lead over Republican John McCain." This brings Obama's electoral vote total to 365, far in excess of the 270 he needs for election as president. Only Missouri now has failed to complete its vote tally. It has until Tuesday to finish its survey of ballots.
Omaha is the major portion of Nebraska's second congressional district, and Obama made a big push to win that district because Nebraska, like Maine, awards electoral votes proportionately. If a candidate wins a given congressional district, the candidate receives an electoral vote even if the whole state goes to the candidate's opponent. That is just what happened. McCain won the state, but Obama won the second congressional district.
The second congressional district today completed its canvass of votes, and AP reports that Barack Obama "emerged with a 3,325-vote lead over Republican John McCain." This brings Obama's electoral vote total to 365, far in excess of the 270 he needs for election as president. Only Missouri now has failed to complete its vote tally. It has until Tuesday to finish its survey of ballots.
Make an Impact
Make an impact this weekend. Do it for equal rights. Do it for yourself & your family. Do it so we'll undo the damage done last week & truly make this country a more perfect union.
Surreal
Governor Palin had her first press conference with the national press yesterday. Personally, I hope the Republicans nominate her in 2012. I think it's high time the Democrats score an Electoral College Victory of more than 500:
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton??!!
NBC News says it may happen! I just caught this on MSNBC. Both Obama transition advisers AND Hillary Clinton aides say that President-Elect Barack Obama is seriously considering her for our nation's top foreign policy role.
More details to come...
More details to come...
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
A Ruling on California's Prop 8 Coming Soon?
I was just emailed this news. Unfortunately, I can't find the link. Still, this may help right what went wrong last week.
California Gay Marriage Ban Ruling Expected Shortly
By On Top Magazine Staff
Published: November 11, 2008
Lynn Holton, a spokeswoman for the California Supreme Court, said she expects the court to rule as early as this week on a lawsuit that seeks to invalidate Proposition 8, the recently-passed constitutional amendment that yanks back the right of gays and lesbians to marry in California.
Pro-gay rights groups filed the motion on Wednesday, the day after the election, arguing that Prop 8 is invalid because it alters the constitution's "core commitment to equality for everyone by eliminating a fundamental right from just one group, lesbian and gay Californians."
To make such a radical change to the constitution would require the
approval of the legislature first, the pro-gay rights groups say.
Now I don't know if we'll actually get a final ruling this week. We may only see a decision on whether or not to issue an injunction to give the court more time to deliberate the immediate future of equal rights in California. Still, this is welcomed news for civil rights advocates everywhere.
The California Supreme Court does have a good record of standing up for LGBT rights. So hopefully, they'll go to bat for us again this time. Prop 8 was snuk onto the ballot to undo the equal rights provisions in the state constitution. But because it was not done properly as a constitutional revision, we may just see the damage undone soon.
California Gay Marriage Ban Ruling Expected Shortly
By On Top Magazine Staff
Published: November 11, 2008
Lynn Holton, a spokeswoman for the California Supreme Court, said she expects the court to rule as early as this week on a lawsuit that seeks to invalidate Proposition 8, the recently-passed constitutional amendment that yanks back the right of gays and lesbians to marry in California.
Pro-gay rights groups filed the motion on Wednesday, the day after the election, arguing that Prop 8 is invalid because it alters the constitution's "core commitment to equality for everyone by eliminating a fundamental right from just one group, lesbian and gay Californians."
To make such a radical change to the constitution would require the
approval of the legislature first, the pro-gay rights groups say.
Now I don't know if we'll actually get a final ruling this week. We may only see a decision on whether or not to issue an injunction to give the court more time to deliberate the immediate future of equal rights in California. Still, this is welcomed news for civil rights advocates everywhere.
The California Supreme Court does have a good record of standing up for LGBT rights. So hopefully, they'll go to bat for us again this time. Prop 8 was snuk onto the ballot to undo the equal rights provisions in the state constitution. But because it was not done properly as a constitutional revision, we may just see the damage undone soon.
Inside the House
Courtesy of Politico, an interesting read on Speaker Nancy Pelosi & how she runs the House.
The First Senate Health Care Plan
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Montana), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, has released his health care plan that he plans to push in his committee and work with Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions Committee, on refining.
The bad news: There aren't too many details on financing.
The good news: So far, the plan looks an awful lot like the plan advocated by our favorite Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York) during the Presidential Primary Season. For one, the plan has a requirement that everyone be covered. And as we all learned some months back, the ONLY way a health care plan can truly be "universal" is that everyone be covered.
Also, there are some extra goodies on lowering costs & improving technology. So far, the news on the health care front looks good. If we can get a plan passed that covers everyone and makes health care affordable for everyone, we can go a long way to solve the problems crippling our system today.
So what kind of health care plan do you want Congress to pass & President Obama to sign into law? How far should we go to regulate the insurance companies? How strong of a "mandate" for coverage should we have? How far should our government go in getting involved in the system?
Let's talk health care today. Consider this a wide open thread.
The bad news: There aren't too many details on financing.
The good news: So far, the plan looks an awful lot like the plan advocated by our favorite Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York) during the Presidential Primary Season. For one, the plan has a requirement that everyone be covered. And as we all learned some months back, the ONLY way a health care plan can truly be "universal" is that everyone be covered.
Also, there are some extra goodies on lowering costs & improving technology. So far, the news on the health care front looks good. If we can get a plan passed that covers everyone and makes health care affordable for everyone, we can go a long way to solve the problems crippling our system today.
So what kind of health care plan do you want Congress to pass & President Obama to sign into law? How far should we go to regulate the insurance companies? How strong of a "mandate" for coverage should we have? How far should our government go in getting involved in the system?
Let's talk health care today. Consider this a wide open thread.
While The Sun Belt Grows Cold to Equality...
We at least have some good news from Connecticut. How fitting that The Constitution State becomes the second state (after Massachusetts and before California gets its act together) to offer full marriage equality to all loving couples. Hooray for Connecticut! :-D
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Where I Think We Can Go Now
This last week has been so much for me. I've been delighted. I've been hurt. I've been in mourning. I've been in celebration. I've even been sick in bed!
And especially since I've been sick, and again today when I had to renew my state ID at the DMV, I've had some time to think about what we can do next. As someone with Latinos & Asian-Americans and Arab-Americans my family, I've been so proud that so many in this nation voted for our first President that also happens to be a person of color. But as a gay person, I've also been extremely depressed that a majority of voters in three states (including the state where I presently live) decided to deny gay & lesbian couples the basic right of marriage. I feel like part of me wants to feel proud of this nation while the other part of me is still embarrassed of the continuing oppression of at least 10% of this nation's people.
So where do we go from here? First off, do whatever you can to help the ACLU & other progressive legal organizations as they fight the Florida & California marriage bans in court. Amidst the bad news of these two evil, discriminatory initiatives passing, the good news is that they're so poorly written that we stand a good chance of defeating them in the courts. And if the courts side with us, it will be nearly impossible for the homophobic radical right bigots to try this in The Golden State & The Sunshine State ever again!
Also, we need to get into the American people's heads that marriage bans are segregation. Remember when racists said only 50 years ago that "separate but equal" is AOK, thereby Jim Crow segregation laws should stand? Well, they're doing it again. This time, the homophobic bigots in California tricked voters here into thinking that "separate but equal" domestic partnership agreements are AOK. And in Florida, they went even further in banning ANY AND ALL LEGAL PROTECTIONS for same-sex couples! We need to educate people that love is love is love and that all relationships between two loving adult people deserve the same equal protection under the law... And that the ONLY way for us to achieve this is by granting full marriage equality to everyone!
So now that we've talked about civil rights on the state fronts, let's talk about the national scene. Fortunately, we have better news there. We have a Democratic President & a Democratic-controlled Congress. So what should we now demand from Washington?
First off, how about fixing our broken economy? How about energy independence? How about universal health care? How about bringing troops home from Iraq? How about taking action on all these items?
Let's face it: Our economy will need one heck of a stimulus to recover! And perhaps instead of simply encouraging us to buy more crap from China, our government should take action to secure the long-term health of our economy. This means creating new jobs in the growing renewable energy sector. This means using the money we'll save by ending the Iraq occupation to fund investment in American infrastructure. This means making our workforce more attractive in the global marketplace by solving our national health care crisis.
I know the Republicans now say that "we can't afford any of this". However, the truth is that we can't afford NOT to take action on these matters. Frankly, we need the extra money invested in our economy. This is why President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Reid shouldn't hesitate to enact a BIG agenda that addresses all that'swrong with our economy.
So do you agree with my agenda? Perhaps not? Well, then tell me why! Let's finish formulating our agenda so we can get it done!
And especially since I've been sick, and again today when I had to renew my state ID at the DMV, I've had some time to think about what we can do next. As someone with Latinos & Asian-Americans and Arab-Americans my family, I've been so proud that so many in this nation voted for our first President that also happens to be a person of color. But as a gay person, I've also been extremely depressed that a majority of voters in three states (including the state where I presently live) decided to deny gay & lesbian couples the basic right of marriage. I feel like part of me wants to feel proud of this nation while the other part of me is still embarrassed of the continuing oppression of at least 10% of this nation's people.
So where do we go from here? First off, do whatever you can to help the ACLU & other progressive legal organizations as they fight the Florida & California marriage bans in court. Amidst the bad news of these two evil, discriminatory initiatives passing, the good news is that they're so poorly written that we stand a good chance of defeating them in the courts. And if the courts side with us, it will be nearly impossible for the homophobic radical right bigots to try this in The Golden State & The Sunshine State ever again!
Also, we need to get into the American people's heads that marriage bans are segregation. Remember when racists said only 50 years ago that "separate but equal" is AOK, thereby Jim Crow segregation laws should stand? Well, they're doing it again. This time, the homophobic bigots in California tricked voters here into thinking that "separate but equal" domestic partnership agreements are AOK. And in Florida, they went even further in banning ANY AND ALL LEGAL PROTECTIONS for same-sex couples! We need to educate people that love is love is love and that all relationships between two loving adult people deserve the same equal protection under the law... And that the ONLY way for us to achieve this is by granting full marriage equality to everyone!
So now that we've talked about civil rights on the state fronts, let's talk about the national scene. Fortunately, we have better news there. We have a Democratic President & a Democratic-controlled Congress. So what should we now demand from Washington?
First off, how about fixing our broken economy? How about energy independence? How about universal health care? How about bringing troops home from Iraq? How about taking action on all these items?
Let's face it: Our economy will need one heck of a stimulus to recover! And perhaps instead of simply encouraging us to buy more crap from China, our government should take action to secure the long-term health of our economy. This means creating new jobs in the growing renewable energy sector. This means using the money we'll save by ending the Iraq occupation to fund investment in American infrastructure. This means making our workforce more attractive in the global marketplace by solving our national health care crisis.
I know the Republicans now say that "we can't afford any of this". However, the truth is that we can't afford NOT to take action on these matters. Frankly, we need the extra money invested in our economy. This is why President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Majority Leader Reid shouldn't hesitate to enact a BIG agenda that addresses all that'swrong with our economy.
So do you agree with my agenda? Perhaps not? Well, then tell me why! Let's finish formulating our agenda so we can get it done!
Where Do We Go Now?
Today is our first weekly strategy session post-election. We have some HUGE decisions to make. Later on, I'll be sharing my ideas of what we can do next. But first, I want to hear from all of you!
So what should we focus on now? What can we do in the coming days and weeks and months to overturn the horrendous marriage bans in California & Florida? What can we do to help those Democrats still locked in too close to call races? What can we do now to prepare for 2010 & 2012?
And perhaps more importantly, what do you want to be President Obama's policy priorities? What should be the top issues we ask President Obama & Congress to tackle ASAP? Where should the new administration begin?
This week's strategy session will be two segments. Now, I want to hear from you. Later, I'll discuss my ideas. And in the coming days, we'll formulate a plan of action for the next four years.
Sound good? I hope so. Now let's start talking!
So what should we focus on now? What can we do in the coming days and weeks and months to overturn the horrendous marriage bans in California & Florida? What can we do to help those Democrats still locked in too close to call races? What can we do now to prepare for 2010 & 2012?
And perhaps more importantly, what do you want to be President Obama's policy priorities? What should be the top issues we ask President Obama & Congress to tackle ASAP? Where should the new administration begin?
This week's strategy session will be two segments. Now, I want to hear from you. Later, I'll discuss my ideas. And in the coming days, we'll formulate a plan of action for the next four years.
Sound good? I hope so. Now let's start talking!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Feeling Better While I'm Sick
Sounds downright paradoxical, right? Actually, no. I'm sick with a nasty cold and a sore throat. I've had a hard time getting out of bed today.
So am I feeling miserable? Not quite. President-Elect Barack Obama looked awfully good on the teevee today. Indications from his economic team suggest that he might take Paul Krugman's (and Chris Matthews', for that matter) advice in taking bold and progressive steps to rehabilitate our gravely ill economy. And closer to home, I heard some new news on the Prop 8 Lawsuit in California while the House races in CA-44 & CA-04 remain too close to call.
So tonight, I'm not feeling so bad. Even though I'm super sick, I'm feeling better about the future well-being of this nation. And even though the California election results have really depressed me, maybe there is light at the end of this dark tunnel.
OK, I should probably get slip back under the covers. I can feel the cold from outside. Still, it's nice to be warmed from inside by a strong feeling of hope for a better America.
So am I feeling miserable? Not quite. President-Elect Barack Obama looked awfully good on the teevee today. Indications from his economic team suggest that he might take Paul Krugman's (and Chris Matthews', for that matter) advice in taking bold and progressive steps to rehabilitate our gravely ill economy. And closer to home, I heard some new news on the Prop 8 Lawsuit in California while the House races in CA-44 & CA-04 remain too close to call.
So tonight, I'm not feeling so bad. Even though I'm super sick, I'm feeling better about the future well-being of this nation. And even though the California election results have really depressed me, maybe there is light at the end of this dark tunnel.
OK, I should probably get slip back under the covers. I can feel the cold from outside. Still, it's nice to be warmed from inside by a strong feeling of hope for a better America.
BHO = FDR?
Perhaps. Paul Krugman just hopes President-Elect Obama doesn't make the same mistakes President F. Roosevelt made in assuming he "went to far" in pushing for The New Deal & taking "budget balancing" to the extreme that it prolonged The Great Depression. You know, "fiscal conservatism" is good for nothing when our economy needs more money injected into it to be stimulated!
Hopefully, Obama's learned the lessons of the past & he will do something that will get our economy going again.
Hopefully, Obama's learned the lessons of the past & he will do something that will get our economy going again.
A Popular President... REALLY??!!
Are we ready for this? Will Rasmussen be able to handle this?
Obama's Job as President-Elect:
58% Approve
38% Disapprove
Can we handle a popular President Obama? I say YES WE CAN! ;-)
Obama's Job as President-Elect:
58% Approve
38% Disapprove
Can we handle a popular President Obama? I say YES WE CAN! ;-)
Sunday, November 9, 2008
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