Ashley Levine's Blog
About the Author
A blog for people who are interested in Politics but who are not politicians.
Dear all Democrats,
As I am sure you are all aware, over the last month I have shared with you a story on how I felt discriminated against by the staff members working on John Edwards Campaign. For those of you who did not know, I was called by the campaign about two months ago. They were interested in me, and expressed an interest in me becoming a regional field director for New Hampshire. Unfortunately, as soon as they found out that I could not drive, the phone call changed it's tone. While they claimed later that I never told them the reason I could not drive (that I have a disability), I can tell you I did. Through the course of this, I called his campaign headquarters, as I felt that John Edwards campaign was misleading America with it's "two Americas" theme, and then putting me into the other America since I had a disability and could not drive. I spoke with the Senator's Chief of Staff, etc.
Since then, I have apologized to everyone for airing my story on this website, as I felt that it was unfair to use to air my problems as an unemployed disabled American on this site.
The only reason I am bringing it back up, is that I wanted to let everyone know that I will support John Edwards if he wins the nomination. I will support any Democrat who wins the nomination. I am a born and bred Democrat, and I could not even consider voting for another party during a general election. I hope this helps.
Peace Out...
Ashley Levine
As I am sure you are all aware, over the last month I have shared with you a story on how I felt discriminated against by the staff members working on John Edwards Campaign. For those of you who did not know, I was called by the campaign about two months ago. They were interested in me, and expressed an interest in me becoming a regional field director for New Hampshire. Unfortunately, as soon as they found out that I could not drive, the phone call changed it's tone. While they claimed later that I never told them the reason I could not drive (that I have a disability), I can tell you I did. Through the course of this, I called his campaign headquarters, as I felt that John Edwards campaign was misleading America with it's "two Americas" theme, and then putting me into the other America since I had a disability and could not drive. I spoke with the Senator's Chief of Staff, etc.
Since then, I have apologized to everyone for airing my story on this website, as I felt that it was unfair to use to air my problems as an unemployed disabled American on this site.
The only reason I am bringing it back up, is that I wanted to let everyone know that I will support John Edwards if he wins the nomination. I will support any Democrat who wins the nomination. I am a born and bred Democrat, and I could not even consider voting for another party during a general election. I hope this helps.
Peace Out...
Ashley Levine
It amazes me how the Republican party can turn a blind eye to the crimes committed by Lewis Scooter Libby when he committed the exact same crime as William Jefferson Clinton (perjury, and obstruction of Justice). When President Clinton committed these crimes, the Republicans impeached him. When Lewis Scooter Libby committed the very same crimes in the Valerie Plane leak case, the Republicans come out and turn a blind eye.
I mean really, most Republicans don't even believe that Libby committed a crime to begin with. They instead are accusing the prosecutor of having some kind of political vendetta or something; even though the prosecutor himself (William Fitzgerald) is a declared Conservative Republican himself. It just amazes me!
Most Republicans don't see anything wrong with revealing the identity of a CIA agent, so long as they can continue this horrible war in Iraq. Most Republicans will hide intelligences they believe will hurt their case, but they will kill the career, and evenput someone in harms way if they argue against them. Most Republicans don't see anything wrong with this. Do you smell a rat, or am I nuts? You tell me who is wrong in this one.
Then to top all this off, while President Clinton was impeached for committing these crimes, Republicans want to pardon Libby. Is this a double standard or what?
ooh, this makes me mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I mean really, most Republicans don't even believe that Libby committed a crime to begin with. They instead are accusing the prosecutor of having some kind of political vendetta or something; even though the prosecutor himself (William Fitzgerald) is a declared Conservative Republican himself. It just amazes me!
Most Republicans don't see anything wrong with revealing the identity of a CIA agent, so long as they can continue this horrible war in Iraq. Most Republicans will hide intelligences they believe will hurt their case, but they will kill the career, and evenput someone in harms way if they argue against them. Most Republicans don't see anything wrong with this. Do you smell a rat, or am I nuts? You tell me who is wrong in this one.
Then to top all this off, while President Clinton was impeached for committing these crimes, Republicans want to pardon Libby. Is this a double standard or what?
ooh, this makes me mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi! I am back. I was on vacation last week, so I did mot blog, but I am back and I have a lot on my mind...
Dear friends,
I want to apologize to you all for my ranting about such a selfish thing as getting denied a job position on a campaign. Though I still think I was wronged, I do not believe that Edwards is a bad person only his staff. Furthermore, I don't want others to bash his supporters for my own problem. I don't want any mudslinging in this campaign. I initially voiced my concerns and the events surrounding the interview, because I thought it might help, but I feel that at some point someone has to stop poo-pooing their situation, and get over it.
I need to find a job, and if people start to think of me as a victim who does nothing but complain, I will never get a job.
Do I think that there are flaws in the system? Yes, I do. Do I think that the ADA has become outdated, and needs to be revisit in order to adapt to the needs of modern day people with disabilities? The answer to this too would be yes. I don't however believe that all this can be accomplished by me, or because of the circumstances surrounding my problem.
What I did was plant a seed in my fellow Democrats that made them aware there is a problem. Beyond that I don't want to overdo it. I don't want to be seen as someone who forces their way into a position because some employer felt obliged to upon my accusations. I want to get a job because I deserve it.
Thank you everybody for helping me, and don't give up on the bigger picture. The ADA needs to be amended to help people with different types of disabilities. Employers need to be more accepting, but none of this is going to happen overnight. The only way we can make certain something does happen is if we run for office in droves to force the issue. Beyond that, we can organize a nonprofit to rally for people with disabilities.
Well that is it. Sorry for using this space to do this, but I felt it had to be said.
I want to apologize to you all for my ranting about such a selfish thing as getting denied a job position on a campaign. Though I still think I was wronged, I do not believe that Edwards is a bad person only his staff. Furthermore, I don't want others to bash his supporters for my own problem. I don't want any mudslinging in this campaign. I initially voiced my concerns and the events surrounding the interview, because I thought it might help, but I feel that at some point someone has to stop poo-pooing their situation, and get over it.
I need to find a job, and if people start to think of me as a victim who does nothing but complain, I will never get a job.
Do I think that there are flaws in the system? Yes, I do. Do I think that the ADA has become outdated, and needs to be revisit in order to adapt to the needs of modern day people with disabilities? The answer to this too would be yes. I don't however believe that all this can be accomplished by me, or because of the circumstances surrounding my problem.
What I did was plant a seed in my fellow Democrats that made them aware there is a problem. Beyond that I don't want to overdo it. I don't want to be seen as someone who forces their way into a position because some employer felt obliged to upon my accusations. I want to get a job because I deserve it.
Thank you everybody for helping me, and don't give up on the bigger picture. The ADA needs to be amended to help people with different types of disabilities. Employers need to be more accepting, but none of this is going to happen overnight. The only way we can make certain something does happen is if we run for office in droves to force the issue. Beyond that, we can organize a nonprofit to rally for people with disabilities.
Well that is it. Sorry for using this space to do this, but I felt it had to be said.
Dear all,
As I am sure many of you are aware, I have been stung by the Edwards Campaign because they have chosen not to hire me since I have a disability and cannot drive.
For those of you who don't know what happened, I received a call from New Hampshire for Senate nearly seven weeks ago now interviewing me for a position of Regional Field Director. Though this is a position that would require some way of getting around, this should not present a problem. It should not present a problem because, A) there are ways of getting around be it by carpool, with a volunteer, etc. Or B) According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, if a person is unable to get around but is otherwise qualified for the position, then the employer is obligated to find a way of getting you around in the same manner as employers are obligated to have ramps for those who can only get around in a wheel chair.
Well anyway, back to my story... Read More »
As I am sure many of you are aware, I have been stung by the Edwards Campaign because they have chosen not to hire me since I have a disability and cannot drive.
For those of you who don't know what happened, I received a call from New Hampshire for Senate nearly seven weeks ago now interviewing me for a position of Regional Field Director. Though this is a position that would require some way of getting around, this should not present a problem. It should not present a problem because, A) there are ways of getting around be it by carpool, with a volunteer, etc. Or B) According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, if a person is unable to get around but is otherwise qualified for the position, then the employer is obligated to find a way of getting you around in the same manner as employers are obligated to have ramps for those who can only get around in a wheel chair.
Well anyway, back to my story... Read More »
The calender on the wall might say May 2007, but for all intents and purposes my fellow Democrats, the calendar could say 2008. With the rushed primary calendar bunched up to the beginning of next year we could have our nominee as early as February 5 of next year. Then wait another nine months, and finally we can vote in the general election. Fast forward to January 20, 2009, and ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls it is inauguration day.
All this sounds normal except for the part where we now have all those state primaries early in the calendar year, and will have picked the nominee by February of next year. Usually, in the year before the Presidential elections, one has to wait until Summer before many candidates even announce their intentions, and then it is not until September that you start to hear rumblings of the candidates trudging through the leaves in Iowa and New Hampshire. All things have changed however now.
Now, due to the fact that the primary calendar for next year is so rushed, candidates are running full fledged campaigns. Now, due to the fact that the primary calendar is so early, our Congress is acting like it is an election year, and are too scared to challenge the president out of fear that it will hurt their chances of winning in 2008. Our Congress is shy of change. They want the status quo to stand so that they can run against it next year.
The problem is, the calendar on the wall does not say 2008. The calendar still says 2007, but since the State governments have gone out of control as they vie for attention and influence in picking our next President, we the people have to suffer as our politicians are forced to act as if it is an election year too early.
I only wish something could be done to reign in on the state governments. I only wish that we could draw back the clock to the days when primaries were drawn out, and nominees were picked at convention. I only wish it didn't feel like 2008. These are only wishes however, so as I may continue to wish, I will continue to stare at my wall, and ponder why it feels so much like 2008 in 2007, and what the DNC can do about this.
All this sounds normal except for the part where we now have all those state primaries early in the calendar year, and will have picked the nominee by February of next year. Usually, in the year before the Presidential elections, one has to wait until Summer before many candidates even announce their intentions, and then it is not until September that you start to hear rumblings of the candidates trudging through the leaves in Iowa and New Hampshire. All things have changed however now.
Now, due to the fact that the primary calendar for next year is so rushed, candidates are running full fledged campaigns. Now, due to the fact that the primary calendar is so early, our Congress is acting like it is an election year, and are too scared to challenge the president out of fear that it will hurt their chances of winning in 2008. Our Congress is shy of change. They want the status quo to stand so that they can run against it next year.
The problem is, the calendar on the wall does not say 2008. The calendar still says 2007, but since the State governments have gone out of control as they vie for attention and influence in picking our next President, we the people have to suffer as our politicians are forced to act as if it is an election year too early.
I only wish something could be done to reign in on the state governments. I only wish that we could draw back the clock to the days when primaries were drawn out, and nominees were picked at convention. I only wish it didn't feel like 2008. These are only wishes however, so as I may continue to wish, I will continue to stare at my wall, and ponder why it feels so much like 2008 in 2007, and what the DNC can do about this.
Dear my fellow Democrats,
I have read many of your posts complaining about the actions of our Congress as they caved into the President, and I started to raise my red flag. Stop blaming the Congress. It is not their fault. It is the President's fault. The Democratic majority in the Senate is too slim to stand up to the President, and he knows that. The Democrats had no other choice. My advice to you, is to support the Democratic party now, so that in 2008, we can send a larger majority to Washington. It won't help us though, if we appear to be divided.
I ask you this, as all of you are disappointed with the Congress, would you rather have a Republican in office than the Democrat who had no other choice but to cave in in front of a President who knew that the size of our majority was not strong enough to overcome him?
I have read many of your posts complaining about the actions of our Congress as they caved into the President, and I started to raise my red flag. Stop blaming the Congress. It is not their fault. It is the President's fault. The Democratic majority in the Senate is too slim to stand up to the President, and he knows that. The Democrats had no other choice. My advice to you, is to support the Democratic party now, so that in 2008, we can send a larger majority to Washington. It won't help us though, if we appear to be divided.
I ask you this, as all of you are disappointed with the Congress, would you rather have a Republican in office than the Democrat who had no other choice but to cave in in front of a President who knew that the size of our majority was not strong enough to overcome him?
THOSE IDIOTS/CRIMINALS IN THE WHITE HOUSE KNEW FROM EVEN BEFORE THE START OF THIS HORRIBLE WAR, THAT IT WOULD COME OUT THIS WAY! ACCORDING TO THE BOSTON GLOBE, AN INTELLIGENCE REPORT THAT IS ABOUT TO BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC CAME OUT IN EARLY 2003 THAT PREDICTED THAT ONCE WE OVERTHREW SADDAM, CHAOS WOULD ENSUE! ACCORDING TO THE INTELLIGENCE REPORT, IT WAS PREDICTED THAT THE END OF THE SADDAM ERA WOULD BE THE BEGINNING OF AN ERA OF TERROR. IT WAS PREDICTED THAT ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS WOULD COME STREAMING INTO IRAQ TO FIGHT AMERICA. IT WAS PREDICTED THAT THE BATHISTS WOULD RISE UP AGAINST THE NEW GOVERNMENT. IT WAS PREDICTED THAT ETHNIC TENSIONS WOULD BECOME A BIG PROBLEM. EVERYTHING THAT IS NOW, WAS ALL KNOWN THEN, AND WE STILL WENT TO WAR! IT JUST DISGUSTS ME!
ALL THOSE AMERICANS LOST THEIR LIVES FOR A WAR THAT WAS NOT ONLY UNJUST, BUT ONE IN WHICH WE KNEW THEN (IN THE BEGINNING) THAT BY GOING TO WAR, WE WOULD BE CREATING MORE TERROR THAN LESS. IN THE END THE ONLY ONES TO BENEFIT FROM THIS WERE BUSH AND HIS CRONIES. AT LEAST THEN, THEY COULD MAKE SOME MONEY OUT OF THIS. ALL THOSE HALIBERTONS, EXXON/MOBIL, AND OTHER COMPANIES OWNED AND OPERATED BY BUSH-CHENEY AND THEIR CRONIES WON, WHILE EVERYONE ELSE SUFFERED. AND THEY KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THEY ACTUALLY KNEW.
ALL THAT TIME WHEN THEY WERE WRAPPING ON THAT WE WOULD BE WELCOMED AS LIBERATORS AND FRIENDS, THEY KNEW THAT WE WOULD NOT BE. THEY KNEW WE WOULD FAIL, AND THEY TOOK US TO WAR ANYWAY!
Link
GOD, I HATE THE PRESIDENT! I AM STEAMING MAD RIGHT NOW. CAN YOU TELL?
ALL THOSE AMERICANS LOST THEIR LIVES FOR A WAR THAT WAS NOT ONLY UNJUST, BUT ONE IN WHICH WE KNEW THEN (IN THE BEGINNING) THAT BY GOING TO WAR, WE WOULD BE CREATING MORE TERROR THAN LESS. IN THE END THE ONLY ONES TO BENEFIT FROM THIS WERE BUSH AND HIS CRONIES. AT LEAST THEN, THEY COULD MAKE SOME MONEY OUT OF THIS. ALL THOSE HALIBERTONS, EXXON/MOBIL, AND OTHER COMPANIES OWNED AND OPERATED BY BUSH-CHENEY AND THEIR CRONIES WON, WHILE EVERYONE ELSE SUFFERED. AND THEY KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THEY ACTUALLY KNEW.
ALL THAT TIME WHEN THEY WERE WRAPPING ON THAT WE WOULD BE WELCOMED AS LIBERATORS AND FRIENDS, THEY KNEW THAT WE WOULD NOT BE. THEY KNEW WE WOULD FAIL, AND THEY TOOK US TO WAR ANYWAY!
Link
GOD, I HATE THE PRESIDENT! I AM STEAMING MAD RIGHT NOW. CAN YOU TELL?
Dear all,
I thought I should share this link with all of you. It is a link to a letter signed by Mr. Alberto Gonzales ENTIRE graduating class from Harvard Law School asking for him to resign from his position as Attorney General.
Enjoy!!!
Link
I thought I should share this link with all of you. It is a link to a letter signed by Mr. Alberto Gonzales ENTIRE graduating class from Harvard Law School asking for him to resign from his position as Attorney General.
Enjoy!!!
Link
I never understood, and still don't understand how moral values are always referred to as Christian values. I am a Jewish American, and I hold many of the same moral values as my Christian brethren. Are my values then to be called Christian values even though I myself am not Christian. As far as I am concerned, Christian values are nothing more than human values, and we should think of them as nothing more.
Why is it that Christianity is often perceived as superior to all other religions? I mean according to Christian teachings (as far as I understand it) if you are not Christian, you are doomed to hell in the after life. Does that mean that I as a good Jewish American who has never committed a crime in my lifetime, and who tries to put others before myself more often than not am doomed to suffer upon my death? Is this fair? Jewish people don't believe in hell. We don't believe that anyone should suffer upon their death. We don't believe anyone is better than another just because we hold different beliefs. We are tolerant. The only time we are intolerant is when someone terrifies us with violence and hate. Then we come out and try to defend ourselves, but we don't go out there in a preemptive way to hurt people. We don't tell you that you are wrong or that you are a bad person just because you pray to a different god.
I just don't understand it. I like to believe that we are all equal under gods eyes. I like to believe that we all have the right to pray to whichever God we want to without fear of persecution. I like to believe we live in a tolerant world. The unfortunate fact is however, we don't. We don't live in a tolerant world because so long as we have people parading around saying they are better than you because they pray to the "real" God, or that you are doomed to burn in hell upon your death no matter what kind of life you have led while they go to heaven. we won't live in a tolerant and peaceful society until everyone can accept their neighbor for who they are, and not for what they believe in. I pray for the day when this becomes a reality, but I to be honest with you doubt it will ever happen.
Why is it that Christianity is often perceived as superior to all other religions? I mean according to Christian teachings (as far as I understand it) if you are not Christian, you are doomed to hell in the after life. Does that mean that I as a good Jewish American who has never committed a crime in my lifetime, and who tries to put others before myself more often than not am doomed to suffer upon my death? Is this fair? Jewish people don't believe in hell. We don't believe that anyone should suffer upon their death. We don't believe anyone is better than another just because we hold different beliefs. We are tolerant. The only time we are intolerant is when someone terrifies us with violence and hate. Then we come out and try to defend ourselves, but we don't go out there in a preemptive way to hurt people. We don't tell you that you are wrong or that you are a bad person just because you pray to a different god.
I just don't understand it. I like to believe that we are all equal under gods eyes. I like to believe that we all have the right to pray to whichever God we want to without fear of persecution. I like to believe we live in a tolerant world. The unfortunate fact is however, we don't. We don't live in a tolerant world because so long as we have people parading around saying they are better than you because they pray to the "real" God, or that you are doomed to burn in hell upon your death no matter what kind of life you have led while they go to heaven. we won't live in a tolerant and peaceful society until everyone can accept their neighbor for who they are, and not for what they believe in. I pray for the day when this becomes a reality, but I to be honest with you doubt it will ever happen.
Will the White House ever learn? Do they have any respect for anybody? I guess not. According to the Boston Globe (and I am sure other papers as well), Mr. Comey (former undersecretary for the Department of Justice) testified on Capitol Hill yesterday that in March of 2004, he rushed over to a very sick John Ashcroft's hospital room (with permission from John's wife) to warn him that then White House Chief Council and then White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card were on their way over to seek legal aproval to reauthorize the illegal warrantless wiretapping program.
At the time, Ashcroft was recovering from major surgery, and his wife had barred any visitors in order not to upset her husband. Yet Andrew Card and the despicable Alberto Gonzales came anyway.
According to the article, many players at the Department of Justice were rethinking the program, and were starting to think it illegal. These players included FBI director Mr. Mueller, Mr. Comey, and Mr. Ashcroft. When Mr. Gonzales and Mr. Card came to the hospital, Mr. Ashcroft said as much. Acting Attorney General (in the absense of Mr. Ashcroft) at the time was Mr. Comey, and he had already ruled it illegal.
The sad part is however, in the Bush Administration's panic after Comey's decision, they had to harass a sick man. These people have no soul. They have no conscience. They are spineless. They are criminals.
In the end, the Bush Administration reauthorized the warantless wiretapping program even though Justice had ruled it illegal, and according to Albeto Gonzales, it ended in 2006. Whether that is to be believed, I will leave that open for debate, but the point is, that the Bush administration went to far [again] in harassing a very sick man.
At the time, Ashcroft was recovering from major surgery, and his wife had barred any visitors in order not to upset her husband. Yet Andrew Card and the despicable Alberto Gonzales came anyway.
According to the article, many players at the Department of Justice were rethinking the program, and were starting to think it illegal. These players included FBI director Mr. Mueller, Mr. Comey, and Mr. Ashcroft. When Mr. Gonzales and Mr. Card came to the hospital, Mr. Ashcroft said as much. Acting Attorney General (in the absense of Mr. Ashcroft) at the time was Mr. Comey, and he had already ruled it illegal.
The sad part is however, in the Bush Administration's panic after Comey's decision, they had to harass a sick man. These people have no soul. They have no conscience. They are spineless. They are criminals.
In the end, the Bush Administration reauthorized the warantless wiretapping program even though Justice had ruled it illegal, and according to Albeto Gonzales, it ended in 2006. Whether that is to be believed, I will leave that open for debate, but the point is, that the Bush administration went to far [again] in harassing a very sick man.
To all my fellow Democrats:
Over the last few weeks, I have seen as many of my fellow [progressive] Democrats have riled on about supporting [real] Democrats in the next election. You don't want the type that turn over to the other side like Independant Senator Joseph Lieberman, or that former Senator from Georgia (sorry I forgot his name already) who spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2004. You want someone who will toe the party line.
While I understand your sentiments, I want to warn all of you that this could spell disaster for the party if we insist on this. A Senator's or Representative's job is to represent their constituents first and party second. Many of our newly elected Democrats come from very conservative areas. They voted Democrat in the last election out of disgust of George Bush and his rubber stamp Republican Congress. They wanted someone to represent them and not someone who was just going to toe a party line.
That being said, if we don't want to lose all the seats we gained in the last election, we have to be more open minded, and accepting. The Democratic Party is a party of many different types of people. We come from many different backgrounds, and we have many different sets of beliefs. There is no status quo in our party, and that is what makes us special. We have to understand this now, so that we don't end up shooting ourselves in the foot.
Remember this...
A Senator's or Representative's job is to represent their constituents first and party second.
If we can respect this one rule, we will not lose, we will win. If however, we insist that our representatives in Washington toe a party line, we will lose all those seats from conservative leaning districts/states, and once again find ourselves in the minority.
Over the last few weeks, I have seen as many of my fellow [progressive] Democrats have riled on about supporting [real] Democrats in the next election. You don't want the type that turn over to the other side like Independant Senator Joseph Lieberman, or that former Senator from Georgia (sorry I forgot his name already) who spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2004. You want someone who will toe the party line.
While I understand your sentiments, I want to warn all of you that this could spell disaster for the party if we insist on this. A Senator's or Representative's job is to represent their constituents first and party second. Many of our newly elected Democrats come from very conservative areas. They voted Democrat in the last election out of disgust of George Bush and his rubber stamp Republican Congress. They wanted someone to represent them and not someone who was just going to toe a party line.
That being said, if we don't want to lose all the seats we gained in the last election, we have to be more open minded, and accepting. The Democratic Party is a party of many different types of people. We come from many different backgrounds, and we have many different sets of beliefs. There is no status quo in our party, and that is what makes us special. We have to understand this now, so that we don't end up shooting ourselves in the foot.
Remember this...
A Senator's or Representative's job is to represent their constituents first and party second.
If we can respect this one rule, we will not lose, we will win. If however, we insist that our representatives in Washington toe a party line, we will lose all those seats from conservative leaning districts/states, and once again find ourselves in the minority.
It saddens me how reliant we have become on our automobil