Sunday, May 18, 2008

The Shift Continues to Grow Momentum...

Americans desire a positive change.




Record Obama Crowd, the Size of a City


75,000 gather for Sen. Obama rally


It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality.

Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation.

Yes we can repair this world.

Yes we can.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change. (We want change.)

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics…they will only grow louder and more dissonant ………..

We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA;

We will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation;

and together,

We will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea:

Yes We Can.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Race about Race? For Some, It Sure Is...


Let me begin this post by allowing no misunderstanding about who I support for President.

I will campaign and vote for Barack Obama. He got my vote in the primary. I think the Pubs are scared to death of him.


Thusly, the campaign this year is going to show just how far we have progressed in our attitude and beliefs regarding race, and also allow us to see that in some ways we really haven't done all that well and have some distance yet to go. I am saddened by people's attitude, people I speak with in the grocery store etc... Yet at the same time I am heartened by others and the views they hold and their willingness to speak up.


These two links provide us with a pretty broad hint of things to come:





Please weigh in with your thoughts?
For a somewhat different perspective visit Sun Vs Wind

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Is Ignorance Bliss? When it's about food, George and Bob think so.

What a Team!

The Bush Administration and Bob Goodlatte have been working hard to protect us from safe food!
They don’t want us to be worried about our vulnerable food supply.
Thanks Guys!

Bush Administration Asks Court to Block Wider Testing for MAD COW DISEASE

Bush Administration Urges Court to Prevent 100 Percent Testing for Mad Cow---FOX NEWS

Bush Administration has Denied Mad Cow Disease a Threat and Opposed Testing to Protect American Consumers for Years.


Bob Goodlatte has been working hard to protect us from knowing where our food comes from.

Bob Goodlatte travel paid for by lobby groups, many of whom oppose Country of Origin Labeling.

Full country-of-origin labeling funding denied by House Ag Appropriations Committee

Country of Origin Labeling, opposed by Bob Goodlatte for years, finally passes with Dems in control.


Please vote in our Survey---You can choose several answers.
The following statement(s) best represent my opinion(s) regarding food safety:
I support allowing a Meat Company to test for Mad Cow Disease.
I oppose allowing a Meat Company to test for Mad Cow Disease.
I don't want to know where my food comes from. I oppose Country of Origin Labeling.
I want to know where my food comes from. Country of Origin Labeling should be required.
I don't care about this, what is the latest on Becky Neal?
I don't care about this, what is the newest reality show?
What?
Free polls from Pollhost.com



“The worst problem of the 21st century is that many people want positions of leadership, but they don't want to make difficult decisions”
Carlos Ghosn, President & CEO of Renault/Nissan

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Warner for Senate in Harrisonburg!



Photos by Bubby


Visit Evan Dyson’s site for some really excellent photographs and commentary of the evening. A picture really does speak 1,000 words… Thank you Evan Dyson!

I would first like to extend special thanks to Scott Murray for his involvement and contributions to the evening. Thank you Scott, you’re the Man!

Many thanks also to the many volunteers who arrived early to help the campaign team prepare for the event. There is no doubt that when folks in the Valley are called to action, you show up ready to participate!

I began the evening after music by Mr. Murray, by thanking the 300 plus folks in attendance for coming to show their support of Mark Warner, and I posed them a question:
“United States Senator from Virginia, Mark R. Warner,…… How does that sound?” We can simply say that the applause was thunderous...

Candidate Warner was accompanied by his graceful and lovely wife and partner Lisa, who provides vital foundational support and grounding to his life and service.

Mayor Eagle welcomed everyone to Harrisonburg and did a very nice job of representing the benefit Warner has been to the city, and to the state as our Governor. Mayor Eagle spoke of Mark Warner’s willingness to face tough situations and work to bring about positive results. Taking the bull by the horns was the reference.

Our Candidate for Commissioner of Revenue for Rockingham County in 2007, Esther Nizer, probably spoke the most eloquently as to what Mark Warner has done to benefit the citizens of Virginia. Ms. Nizer spoke to the fact that Governor Warner inherited a six billion dollar budget shortfall from Jim Gilmore, which Warner turned around into a surplus by of all things cutting spending, and then crafted a bipartisan revenue enhancement that both lowered taxes on working people in Virginia while at the same time adding much needed funds to improve our overstressed infrastructure. Ms. Nizer pointed out that by the time Mark Warner left office as Governor of the Commonwealth, our state of Virginia had become recognized as the best state in the nation in the categories of “Best Managed” and “Best for Business” and “Best for Education”

Sheriff Don Farley introduced Candidate Warner with his full endorsement as an Independent, and as a law enforcement officer and elected Constitutional office holder. Sheriff Farley went on to say (my paraphrase here) that during his lifetime of watching with awareness of politics and government, Mark Warner has been the best Governor this state has seen. The crowd agreed enthusiastically.
Our Sheriff also lamented for just a moment that Mr. Warner had not chosen to seek a second term as Governor of Virginia, but went on to say he also understood that we can’t be selfish as Virginians because the nation needs Mark Warner now.
.

Then Mark Warner stepped up to the lectern to overwhelming applause.

The evening had threatened rain until Candidate Warner took the podium. But as he spoke, the sun came out and shined like it hadn’t all day… I don’t quite know what to make of this, but it happened just that way.

To be continued…





Thursday, May 1, 2008

Sam Rasoul's Conversation with the Voters

With an increased amount of housing in our area, and an upsurge of subdivisions developing in every empty field, the beauty of this part of Virginia is becoming damaged. People from all over the Valley are disappointed in the amount of land not being preserved. Is it possible at the Congressional level to provide any guidelines or programs to prevent this kind of damage since the local board of supervisors is reluctant to do so?

I believe we should find a balance between responsible growth and maintaining the beauty of the land. In Botetourt County, where I live, the development of suburbia is everywhere and it is sad to see our landscape altered so much. From a Congressional level, funds can be provided for the purchase of development rights and allowing for conservation easements. You should also push for lower taxes on a LOCAL level when it comes to special use/land use property tax breaks so that farmers do not feel pressured to sell off land to cover expenses.

What is your plan to do to satisfy your constituents while maintaining positive growth?

One way to promote growth and also advocate for responsible new development is by encouraging redevelopment of dilapidated areas. Through responsible grants, we can try to restore areas that were once vibrant which would encourage new economic growth and help to limit development that sprawls throughout the country side.

Katie S. Rockingham County

After the tragedy at Virginia Tech last year involving the deaths of 32 students at the hands of a person who suffered from mental illness, what is the stance of each candidate concerning gun control in the realm of mental illness? Would you support HR 709 in the Virginia General Assembly that would amend the Code of Virginia relating to the purchase of firearms that would require the applicant to disclose information regarding their previous mental health history?

I believe that the tragedy at VT was a failure of our mental health system. At that time, Virginia was ranked 48th in the nation in mental health. This is unacceptable for our state. While I would support legislation that would require someone to be flagged if they have serious mental health issues when purchasing a firearm, we as Virginians must fix our mental health system.

Thank you for your consideration of these questions.Alli R. and Stephanie D., Harrisonburg