New GI Bill ! - Thank you Senator Jim Webb

Today Jim Webb's New GI Bill (The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act) was signed into law with veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate. Granting full college benefits (tuition/books/stipend) to post 9/11 vets, this legislation gives our servicemen and women the same opportunities for higher education that our World War II veterans received. It is the least that a grateful nation can do.

Jim Webb campaigned on this issue in 2006, and he delivered the New GI Bill with 58 co-sponsors in the Senate and 302 in the House. In the House of Representatives, the New GI Bill won 416 to 12 votes, and in the Senate 92 to 6. This is how you get things done, you do the right thing, and you build consensus.

Webb did have two powerful opponents to the New GI Bill: George Bush, and John McCain - both worked hard to stop the New GI Bill.

The Richmond Democrat says this:

For now, I am just going to relax and bask in the knowledge that I--along with many, many others--contributed in my own very small way to electing Jim Webb to the U.S. Senate. You have done us proud Senator Webb: keep up the good work.

Thank you Valley voters, this is also your reward!

U.S. Falling Behind in Space Exploration Warns Astronaut

Buzz Aldrin: Invest in Nasa to beat the Chinese to Mars

Buzz Aldrin, the second man on the Moon, has issued a stark warning that America must invest now in the space agency Nasa, or surrender leadership of space exploration to Russia and China.

Read the story

Army's History of Iraq After Hussein Faults Pentagon --- More...

Oil to $170 by year's end?

OPEC Leader Khelil Says Dollar Will Drive Oil to $170

Political pressure on Iran and the depreciation of the U.S. currency have caused a surge in oil prices, Khelil said. New York- traded crude has more than doubled in a year and touched a record $142.99 a barrel yesterday on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Read the article

The Bush Administration steps up its secret moves against Iran

From The New Yorker

Military and civilian leaders in the Pentagon share the White House’s concern about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but there is disagreement about whether a military strike is the right solution. Some Pentagon officials believe, as they have let Congress and the media know, that bombing Iran is not a viable response to the nuclear-proliferation issue, and that more diplomacy is necessary.

A Democratic senator told me that, late last year, in an off-the-record lunch meeting, Secretary of Defense Gates met with the Democratic caucus in the Senate. (Such meetings are held regularly.) Gates warned of the consequences if the Bush Administration staged a preëmptive strike on Iran, saying, as the senator recalled, “We’ll create generations of jihadists, and our grandchildren will be battling our enemies here in America.” Gates’s comments stunned the Democrats at the lunch, and another senator asked whether Gates was speaking for Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney. Gates’s answer, the senator told me, was “Let’s just say that I’m here speaking for myself.” (A spokesman for Gates confirmed that he discussed the consequences of a strike at the meeting, but would not address what he said, other than to dispute the senator’s characterization.)

Read the article

Our Future -- Moving Things Part 1

We will be examining the possibility and promise of sustainable transportation and energy production, alternatives to plastics, landfill management and recycling, composting on different scales, and building a society which does not place an undue and unfair burden on:

The Next Seven Generations

Moving Things, Part 1

The owners of the MS Beluga, a 462ft cargo vessel, will try to prove that modern steel ships can harness wind power and reduce their reliance on diesel engines. During the journey from Bremen to Venezuela, the crew will deploy a SkySail, a 160 square metre kite which will fly more than 600ft above the vessel, where winds are stronger and more consistent than at sea level.

Read More

Sky Sails Website

Obama House Party Saturday!

Please join Shenandoah Valley for Change and

United for Change.

Meet local Obama supporters and learn how you can get involved. Change can’t happen without you!

The event will be held at:

Simpson’s House

133 Sweetgum St.

Elkton VA.22827

Saturday June 28, 2008

2:00pm

For more information Click Here

Email Elaine Simpson

Who Cares About Virginia? Barack Obama...

Meet Bill Ney, Candidate for City Treasurer

Bill Ney was born on December 26, 1945 in Washington, DC. His parents were Dr. Joseph and Carol S. Ney. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington in 1963. He attended both the University of Richmond and George Washington University.

Bill moved to Harrisonburg in 1968 to manage the men's department of Alfred Ney's Clothing Store, working for his aunt, Polly Zindler and his cousin, Leo Zindler. He was the fourth generation working for the family business. In 2000 Bill opened B. Ney's Men's Clothing Store and continued to operate the store until April, 2008. This was the conclusion of 140 years of a family business.

On February 7, 1970 Bill Ney married Leslie Steadman. The couple has two daughters, Jennifer & Meredith. They are both living in Washington, DC working for Americorps programs.

During the 1970's Bill was a member of the Harrisonburg Jaycees and served on their board for several years as a Director, Vice President and State Director. He was selected as the Outstanding State Director for Virginia.

For the past 12 years, Bill has been serving on the Board of Directors of Beth El Congregation. He spent 2 years each as Brotherhood President, Vice President, and President, before serving the last 6 years as Treasurer. Currently Bill is serving on the Board of Directors for a 6 year term as Trustee.

Visit Bill's Web Site to Learn More!

Click here to vote in the Poll for City Treasurer

Record number of Dems go door-to-door

It began last weekend in 25 locations across the Commonwealth. Fired up democrats canvassed door-to-door, meeting voters and talking about the issues and candidates. In Winchester, a record 60 Democrats worked the neighborhoods. In Charlottesville, volunteers were joined by local elected officials. Join in and be a part of the change - sign up with the Rockingham County Democrats, or the Harrisonburg Democratic Committee, and make a difference for a better Virginia.

"Yeah, I don't do cowering."

From the NYT:

Here is something you might not know about Senator Barack Obama: His musical tastes are pretty mainstream. His reading list is, well, a little dark.

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine to be published on Wednesday, Mr. Obama revealed that his iPod was full of dozens of selections from, top to bottom, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, Jay-Z and Yo-Yo Ma. (Joining perhaps every other Democratic politician alive, he also confessed a deep love for Bruce Springsteen.)

When asked what books have most inspired him, Mr. Obama named “the tragedies of William Shakespeare” and Hemingway’s novel of the Spanish Civil War “For Whom the Bell Tolls” — incidentally, a favorite of Senator John McCain, who is known to quote from it at random.

For the second time, Mr. Obama will grace the cover of Rolling Stone this week, and Jann S. Wenner, the magazine’s editor and publisher, conducted the interview on the Obama campaign plane on June 12.

It was not all about pop culture. When Mr. Wenner asked how Mr. Obama might respond to harsh attacks from Republicans, suggesting that Democrats have “cowered” in the past, Mr. Obama replied, “Yeah, I don’t do cowering.”

McCain vs. Obama on the issues Gallup 6/15-19

Click to embiggen

Powerpoint for Nerds

Many news sources have been reporting that the Obama campaign has been making the rounds of Hilary Clinton donors, with campaign manager David Plouffe using this Powerpoint presentation as a briefing tool. Lots of interesting data for wonks, including the fact that Obama has more thqan 5 million names on his email list.

Brain injuries taking toll on senior citizens too

Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI is a growing issue. Often a quiet and lonely struggle for the individual and his or her family and friends, it is little understood and assistance is often hard to find. Not only the injury of highest incidence affecting our combat veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, but also a serious concern for our aging population.

Brain injuries cause half of seniors' fall deaths

Click here for information on TBI and the Local Organization "Crossroads to Brain Injury Recovery"

Latest! Obama holds 12-point lead over McCain

A Times/Bloomberg Poll says that in a two-man contest, 49% of respondents favor Barack Obama, while 37% support John McCain. With Ralph Nader and Bob Barr added to the mix, Obama holds 15-point edge.

Read the story

Fiscal Responsibility at Home?

From MSNBC: (Saturday June 14)

Senators John McCain and Barack Obama released their Senate financial disclosure statements on Friday, revealing that Mr. McCain and his wife had at least $225,000 in credit card debt and that Mr. Obama and his wife had put more than $200,000 into college funds for their daughters.

The bulk of the McCains’ obligations stemmed from a pair of American Express credit cards that are held in Cindy McCain’s name. According to the disclosure reports, which present information on debts in a range rather than providing a precise figure, Mrs. McCain owed $100,000 to $250,000 on each card.

Another charge card, held by what was described as a “dependent child,” had also accumulated debts of $15,000 to $50,000. In addition, a credit card held jointly by the couple was carrying $10,000 to $15,000 in debt, the filing indicated, at a stiff 25.99 percent interest rate.

Click on the link above for the rest

Walk the Harrisonburg July 4th Parade!

Can you think of a better way to show your patriotism and support the local Democrats than walking in the July 4th Parade?!

Join with local Democrats at Valley 4th in downtown Harrisonburg to walk down Main Street at the biggest downtown event of the year! The parade is at 5:00pm, and ends at 6:00. The Democrats will have a vehicle and signs for everyone interested in walking with the Democrat nominees for local office - join us!

Line-up at 4:30 in the Municipal Building Parking Lot (behind 345 South Main St). Come early to enjoy vendors and food, stay afterwards for music and fireworks! See the full schedule of events here.

Planning to come? RSVP to Kai Degner at kai.degner@gmail.com today!

This entry is supported by the Harrisonburg Democratic Committee and the Rockingham County Democratic Committee, and sponsored by Kai Degner for City Council.

McCain's 10,000 Year War for America

What?! Oh My God!

McCain's 100 Years War for America

Six Months at a Time...

PLUS ADDITIONAL REPUBLICAN BONUS!

Watch the video below to learn how to "Speak Republican"

Quotes of the week from the Demo Memo

"I have been working really hard since last fall, and I am committed 110 percent to asking the people of Virginia to give me the honor of being elected their next United States Senator. I have not sought and will not accept any other opportunity, because I want to serve in the United States Senate."

- U.S. Senate candidate Mark Warner, at the 2008 Virginia State Democratic Convention [Roanoke Times, 6/15/08]

"Gilmore's strategy is to avoid Southside at all costs. Mark Warner on the second day of his announcement tour was here."
- House Democratic Leader Del. Ward Armstrong, on Jim Gilmore's kickoff tour mysteriously avoiding Southside Virginia [Martinsville Bulletin, 6/16/08]

"I don't know a lot of young Republicans who end up being felons."
- Del. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah), who apparently doesn't read the news [Washington Post, 6/17/08]

"Virginia's years as a Republican stronghold are well over."
- Prof. Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics [Crystal Ball, 6/19/08]

Harrisonburg City Treasurer Poll

If the Election for Harrisonburg City Treasurer were held today, How Would You Vote?
	Penny Imeson
	Bill Ney
	Jeff Shafer
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Obama 51%, McCain 36% among registered voters

From the article in Newsweek:

A new NEWSWEEK Poll shows that he has a substantial double-digit lead, 51 percent to 36 percent, over McCain among registered voters nationwide.

"Obama's current lead also reflects the large party-identification advantage the Democrats now enjoy—55 percent of all voters call themselves Democrats or say they lean toward the party while just 36 percent call themselves Republicans or lean that way."

This article and poll seems to reinforce Deb's preceeding post regarding the Gallup Survey.

Age Demographics and the Presidential campaign

Gallup has an interesting analysis up on voting patterns. Sample period = June 5-16, sample size nearly 10,000 registered voters nationwide, including 1,637 in their 40s. Obama led McCain by an average of 47% to 42% among the entire sample of registered voters.

If I'm Obama, it looks like I need to register as many 18-39 year-olds as possible. And isn't it odd that Obama does better with 50-year-olds than 40-year-olds and 80-year-olds than 70-year-olds? I would have guessed that presidential preference this year would be almost directly correlates with age, but not so. I'd read somewhere (sorry, don't remember the link- that's what comes from being 50!) that the theory is that 40 year olds came of age politically during the "failed" Carter and "successful" Reagan presidencies, making them more conservative than nearby age groups.

What We Can Do to Help Our Candidates Win

Important!

Meeting Tonight!

Rockingham County Democratic Committee

Date: Thursday, June 19,2008

Location: Rockingham County Administration Center

Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Help RCDC Turn Virginia Blue This November

How You and I Can Help Our Candidates Win

At our June meeting, we’ll hear from the campaign organizations of

VA Victory ’08 (The Virginia Coordinated Campaign,

Adam White, from the Mark Warner for Senate Campaign,

(Adam will be bringing us signs and campaign materials)

and

Sam Rasoul, for Congress

about how we can be part of the ground game

to help their campaigns succeed.

The Rockingham County Democratic Executive Committee

will also discuss

our organizational plan for party involvement and growth.

Please join us. The time to get involved is now.

Directions: The County Administration Center is located at 20^th East Gay St., Harrisonburg (corner of East Gay and North Main).

RCDC – Dedicated to working on the real issues affecting the Valley

Obama the Pragmatist of Commonsense

America is Ready, Are You?

Ann Coulter, Priestess of the Reich, er... Right

Spokes Model of the Republican Elite

"We're Americans.
We want 18-ton Ford Exploro-cruisers, cell phones, CDs,
hot showers, blow dryers, DVD players and jet skis."

"The lower species are here for our use.
God said so: Go forth, be fruitful, multiply, and rape the planet -- it's yours."

"That's our job:
drilling, mining and stripping."

"Sweaters are the anti-Biblical view.
Big gas-guzzling cars with phones and CD players and wet bars -- that's the Biblical view."

Ann Coulter

Ann Coulter has been the ideal for and of the Republican Party for the past decade...
Is it any wonder we find ourselves where we are today?

Transportation Funding - Thanks For Nothing Delegates!

After three years of playing politics with transportation funding in Virginia, the chickens have come home to roost for Virginia Republicans who control the House of Delegates, and the power to raise revenue.

Last Friday, VDOT released it's budget for road construction 2009 to 2014. Roadbuilding is expensive, and then roads have to be maintained. Maintenance of existing roads takes precedence, and when funds are short, roads don't get built. The shortfall was $1.1 billion for the 6 year plan and VDOT has cut some important new road projects in Rockingham. There is no money for widening of Port Republic Road from the Harrisonburg City limit, to the new hospital.

And funding for the Southeast Connector in Rockingham County - no money.

Congratulations to the City of Harrisonburg - proper financial planning will allow them to complete Port Road improvements, and their portion of the SE Connector is under construction. The County Board of Supervisors have gone begging to the Governor. Hey gentleman, contact the House of Delegates, you know the legislative body tasked with raising revenues, and demand that fiscal sanity prevail in the Republican caucus. Good luck with that. Delegate Chris Saxman (R-McCain) says:

"The governor decided to decree that the budget for these transportation projects is $1.1 billion short," the delegate said. "He made recession-based revenue assumptions, and I think he made incorrect assumptions."

In addition to not believing in taxes, Delegate Saxman doesn't believe we are in a recession.

"The governor is looking for a reason for a tax increase. He's doing that, in my opinion, for his legacy, to make himself seem more popular than he really was," he added.

In what world does raising taxes make someone 'more popular'? It may be the adult, responsible thing to do, but it is never a happy thing.

The smackdown was swift and to the point - delivered by Gordon Hickey (Gov. Kaine's Press Secretary):

"That sounds to me like someone who's looking for an excuse not to do the job," Hickey said. "We have a real shortfall of $1.1 billion, and the only political maneuvering is being done by people who don't want to do what the taxpayers want them to do, which is take care of business."

So Delegates Saxman, Landes, Cline; and Senator Obenshain, what will it be? Will you take care of the peoples business, or will you choose to cozy up to lobbyist Grover Norquist and his Anti-Tax Lobby? When will the pandering end? It's a tough job, and we expect you to sometimes make tough, unpopular decisions...or get out of the kitchen.

The Demo Memo is Back!

Go here and click on the link at the top of the page to sign up. Levar Stoney mentioned the return of the Demo memo at last Friday's 6/13 steering committee meeting at the state convention in Hampton, noting that he has frequently been asked to bring back this feature. They put it near the top of their winter priority list and have been signing up people for about 6 weeks.

#6 of 6 : DPVA State Convention Hampton VA

And finally, the last two big guns, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner. All three spoke about Hillary Clinton's wonderful campaign, and there were many folks in the house with Clinton buttons and Clinton signs. Jim Webb mentioned briefly the death of Tim Russert, noting that his contribution to political reporting will be greatly missed. Warner made news by clearly ruling out interest in being tapped as VP; we knew it at the time. Warner was the only one who moved down into the crowds when he finished speaking and was, as you'd expect, mobbed. He looked like he was having a blast.

#5 of 6 : DPVA State Convention Hampton VA

Now to the speakers. This is the first time in, well, a long time, that dems are running someone in each of the 11 congressional districts, and we heard from every single one of them.

Sam was terrific; he easily grabbed the attention of a distracted
audience. He was polished, warm, and funny.

Senator Jim Webb

Senator Creigh Deeds

Delegate Brian Moran

#4 of 6 DPVA State Convention Hampton VA

More R'ham and H'burg folks at the convention...
here's Alan Finks, Harrisonburg city chair.

Nancy Martin Finks, secretary for the H'burg city committee

Bob Loweree, Shenandoah county

Confirming the credentials for the 6th district delegation; Joe, Linda Wyatt, Dorothy Blackwell and Joseph Hancock (who's going to Denver as an elected Obama delegate from the 6th district).

Joe with Creigh Deeds.

#3 of 6 DPVA State Convention Hampton VA

By Saturday morning, vendors were set up in the hall with all sorts of things
to buy; buttons, shirts, bumper stickers, signs.

Dorothy Blackwell, 6th district rep from Lynchburg, chatting with me about the program.

Bob and Dot Loweree, from Shenandoah County. Bob is the 6th
district repfor Shenandoah, and a great friend of H'burg and
R'ham county dems.

Peggy Raines and Linda Shuler, pretty in pink.

Cheryl Talley, 05-07 chair of the H'burg Dems
with Linda Shuler and Jack and Peggy Raines in the next row.

Hurry up and wait....

#2 of 6 DPVA State Convention Hampton VA

These come from the DPVA Steering committee meeting, 7 PM Friday night. We'd expected a quiet time filled with reports from campaigns and lots of logistical details from party officials. There were, maybe, 100- 150 people in the relatively small room. Boy, were we wrong.

New VA State Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw ("the Hammer" of the 35th, as DPVA chair Dickie Cranwell called him) Dickie, and Levar. Senator Saslaw noted that the Repubs are doing everything they can this year to help us out, including throwing over John Hagar for Jeff Edwards. Be ready for the mean, the nasty, and the vicious.

Congressman Bobby Scott, from VA's 3rd Congressional District. He was warm, funny, just delightful. He made the point that we can't be complacent, and that we know how to turn VA blue for Obama... register, register and register new voters.

Jim Webb was the big surprise, even to the folks running the meeting. He was not on the agenda; he spoke for about 10 minutes, discussed the projects he's most intensively involved in, and then took questions from the floor. I've only seen him speak in large venues, where he can come off as somewhat stern and formal. His intensity comes across just as much here in a smaller room with just 100 or so people, but his warmth and sense of humor does as well. He touched on his GI Bill for Iraq vets, as well as energy security issues. He mentioned that he got a degree in engineering when he was in the military.. didn't want it, but figures that it's time to use it!

Linda Wyatt, who has taken over as chair of the 6th district following the untimely death of David Layman. Linda has done a terrific job, pulling together the district to supervise caucuses, the district wide convention, and now representing the district on the DPVA Steering committee. She rocks; it seems to help that, in her previous life, she was a first grade teacher.

The overall theme from most of the campaign folks and elected officials who spoke was a caution against complacency. We can't take anything for granted, forget the polls, forget the commentators, keep you head down and do what you know you have to do.

#1 of 6 DPVA State Convention Hampton VA

Joe and I wandered around a bit after we got in early Friday evening,
watching a bit of the sound check.

Credentialing went smoothly, after they got the hang of it!

Levar Stoney, Exec Director of the DPVA and Susan Swecker,
DNC member- State Steering Committee member.

Barack in Bristol --- June 5th 2008

Barack Obama secured the nomination to be the Democratic Presidential Candidate on June 3rd 2008.
The very first area of the United States he visits?
Virginia!

I'm Voting Republican

Democrats, Libertarians, Vegetarians, and the most of the rest of the Free World often sit around wondering aloud why folks vote Republican. God gave us a brain, why would we let someone else put an "R" in front of any damn-fool candidate, or lame idea and expect us to vote for it. Well, we now have our answer:


I'm voting Republican...because sometimes the Constitution is just a big pain in the neck!

Barack Obama UnPlugged

What kind of politics do you want?

Mac, PC or Cindy McCain?

Thanks to RockDem for the invite to post on the blog!

This video has been making the rounds today, in which a handful of prez candidates are asked the PC vs. Mac question, as well as about their favorite movies of last year. Some of the answers are kind of funny, and all the candidates come off pretty well. But most interestingly, John McCain acknowledges that he doesn’t know how to use a computer. His wife does whatever he needs done for him.

It brings up an interesting question; in 2008, is computer use and understanding the internet part of the basic set of knowledge we expect from people in positions of prominent public leadership? We expect high school students to graduate with these skills. Any student entering the workforce or college without them would be at a significant disadvantage. The net is past being a fad; can you really understand the modern world without this kind of knowledge?

What do you think?

Politician Games --- We Need a Change

Not This Time...

Tragic. McCain vetoes beer.

Dear Mr. President, Times are changing and we were born to run!

On the Hope Epidemic -- It's Taking Over America!

McCain distances himself from Bush, or is he Mini Me?

Caption this photo in the comments below.

Getting to know John McCain

Until Tuesday evening
June 3rd of 2008
National attention has been,
unfairly to John McCain,
focused on the Democratic Candidates.

Now it is time to give the Republican Party Candidate
the attention he has been denied, and so richly deserves...

Let's get to know the best the Republican Party brings to the table,
and their greatest hope to keep the White House in Republican hands,
for
Four More Years.

Barack Obama, a speech for Tomorrow

Text of Democrat Barack Obama's prepared remarks for a rally on Tuesday in St. Paul, Minn., as released by his campaign:

Sixteen months have passed since we first stood together on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois. Thousands of miles have been traveled. Millions of voices have been heard. And because of what you said—because you decided that change must come to Washington; because you believed that this year must be different than all the rest; because you chose to listen not to your doubts or your fears but to your greatest hopes and highest aspirations, tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another—a journey that will bring a new and better day to America. Tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.

Read the full speech here

Kai Degner To Announce City Council Candidacy

Degner Seeks Third Democratic Nomination

Harrisonburg, VA — Kai Degner plans to announce his candidacy for Harrisonburg City Council Thursday, June 5, at 5:15 at Clementine Cafe in downtown Harrisonburg.

The free event will feature a brief introductory speech by Degner followed by an open community discussion, which Degner plans to make a staple of his campaign.

Degner plans to focus his campaign on three issues: smart growth, citizen education, and open government.

"Harrisonburg is changing extremely quickly and we have an opportunity to make decisions today that will preserve the character and spirit of Harrisonburg in 10, 20, and 50 years. The city government has an opportunity to involve citizens in current decisions about the future at a larger scale than has ever before been seen. I have direct experience and knowledge to create additional ways for the city government to be responsive to citizen input."

Quick Facts about Kai Degner

• Member of Harrisonburg's Board of Zoning Appeals

• Graduate of the Harrisonburg Citizen Academy's Inaugural Class

• Executive Director of the Arts Council of the Valley

• Small Business Owner

• Co-founder of The OrangeBand Initiative

• Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelors of Science from JMU

• Member of the Harrisonburg-Massanutten Rotary Club

Get to know Kai Degner

Episode IV-----A New Vision-----Accepting the Nomination

2008 Democratic Party Presidential Nominee Acceptance Address

"The New Vision"

My fellow Democrats:

With high resolve and deep gratitude, I accept your nomination. It has been a long campaign -- too long, too expensive, with too much media attention on matters irrelevant to our nation’s future. I salute each of my worthy opponents for conducting a clean fifty-state campaign focusing on the real issues facing our nation, including health care, the public debt burden, energy independence, and national security, a campaign testing not merely which of us could raise and spend the most money but who among us could best lead our country; a campaign not ignoring controversial issues like taxation, immigration, fuel conservation, and the Middle East, but conducting, in essence, a great debate -- because our party, unlike our opposition, believes that a free country is strengthened by debate.

Click here to read the rest of the speech