Diana M. Painter's Blog

I Got The News Today...

Diana M. Painter — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:55:19 EDT

"Joseph never came home."

Some mornings I remember what is really important, to day is one of them.

"Iraq Vet in Famous Press Photo Dies from Overdose"

Idaho Young Dems: the movement returns

Diana M. Painter — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:23:12 EDT

The Idaho Young Democrats held a caucus meeting Thursday June 12, 2008 at the Idaho Democratic Convention in Boise, Id. Matt Kopydlowski organized the caucus in just a few weeks. Honestly, when he came up with this idea, I was scared. I've been to state-wide young dems meetings before where 10 people showed up and that is when I bring 7 of them. I was worried that it would be the same ol' group of young farts networking amongst ourselves, again. Just like in 2005, just like in 2006. But, boy, did I underestimate the power of youth this year and I am proud to admit it!

DNC's New Policy

Diana M. Painter — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:46:07 EDT

Oh, how I love Howard Dean, let me count the ways... A. 50-state-strategy B. New DNC Policy. I'm sure most of us already have looked at this, but I do have some questions about it. Can we have a discussion here about what it means?

Idaho College Students are Staying Busy This Summer

Diana M. Painter — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:27:38 EDT

While many students are taking time off this summer to work or spend time with their families, just because school is out doesn't mean the Idaho State University (ISU) College Democrats stop being active. You'll find us all over the state of Idaho this summer.

You think McCain is here to help (with added facts)

Diana M. Painter — Thu, 15 May 2008 02:04:00 EDT

So, my dad keeps forwarding me the craziest stuff about Obama and Hillary, so I retooled the great post "You Think McCain Is Here To Help" with some added facts and related it to something we both shared, Family Values, and am urging him to forward it to his friends. I thought some people on here might do the same. I could work on it a little more, but this seems like enough. Enjoy!

How to Host a Good Houseparty

Diana M. Painter — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:39:22 EDT

Many of us on here do more then just complain about the POTUS race. I'm wondering how many people here have had houseparties for candidates? What tips do you have on how to hold them and how to use them to raise money? Sure the Christmas Card list comes in handy if your friends are local, but what other ways have you found people interested in attending?

Please give me a few tips.
Thanks!

HELP! Neighborhood program questions

Diana M. Painter — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:00:08 EDT

Okay, We've had the house parties, we've had the training from the DNC at our state meetings, but now,

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM?

Sorry to yell, but I'm not getting any feedback from my state coordinator and can't find anything on the national website about it. Was it just a figment of my imagination?

Tonight at our county precinct captains meeting, I met a 90-some-old democrat woman who talked about how the program I described sounded like how the democrats began organizing in New York back when Adlai Stevenson was running. Seriously, Adlai Stevenson! Is this the same program that we are still waiting for? Should we just do it ourselves using the old method or do we have new tools coming, or do I have to wait for the re-incarnation of Stevenson before this gets off the ground?

Any help or insight is greatly appreciated.
P.S. I *heart* Howard Dean.

Who will resurrect Captain America?

Diana M. Painter — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:41:07 EDT

Admittedly, I heard about this from a very drunk friend last night. But just because he was drunk, doesn't mean he wasn't right.

George Bush Killed Captain America
More information on this story can be found at
http://www.watchingamerica.com/clarinar000003.shtml

Well, I'm not disputing that it has already happened, but who can make the best argument that their candidate will be able to resurrect Captain America? This is a purely affirmative argument, no talking about the other candidate. Not even in comparison. Let the readers draw their own comparisions.

Afternoon Giggles

Diana M. Painter — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:57:43 EDT

This story is just so funny, you all must read it.
DLC Underfire From IRS

What? The D doesn't stand for Democrat anymore?

And on the other topic of funny, this article is fitting for the ONION You'll laugh your photo-copied ass off. But don't do it at work. Indiana: Obama is using Purdue Students to Break Law This article is still making me giggle too much this afternoon. It might even make a good episode of "The Office" called The Audacity of Note.

Homelessness is a Democratic Issue in Idaho

Diana M. Painter — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:50:39 EDT

The Idaho Progressive Student Alliance (IPSA) an student organization from ISU, held their 3rd Annual To the Streets Homeless Awareness Event Friday night (April 4th) on the ISU Quad. They had about 50-80 people attend and just 1 hour into the event had raised over $300 for the Southeast Idaho Aid for Friends Homeless services.

This event is intimately connected to Idaho Democrats.

Operation Chaos

Diana M. Painter — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:23:28 EDT

Has Operation Chaos moved from Partybuilder to Daily Kos?

This is a great article on just what is Operation Chaos and worth thinking about as we blog around here. Other people are watching.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/5/02632/84007?detail=f

New Idaho Dem Party ED is Jim Hansen

Diana M. Painter — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:38:47 EDT

Great News for Democrats, especially those in Idaho.
Jim Hansen has been announced to be the new Executive Director of the Idaho Democratic Party. We are truly blessed that he would take this position. This IS the type of man we want representing us as Democrats, especially in Idaho.

FLDelegates Seated or bad journalism

Diana M. Painter — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:26:18 EDT

I couldn't believe when I heard that the FL delegates would be seated. It seemed too easy and didn't seem to follow the moral hazard doctrine currently being used. As I looked through other articles trying to sort out what was actually said, I just found misleading journalism, yanno, the stuff where rumors start.

Dr. Dean, I love you.

Diana M. Painter — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:44:29 EDT

Okay, I love Howard Dean, but my old "Republican roommate" (yes, that is is title) keeps saying bad things about him. It is so silly. And sometimes I even read nearly exactly the same thing the Republicans are saying about Dean on this website. I swear they must be getting these talking points somewhere. Anyway, I was thrilled today when I saw this story posted on Daily Kos. Check it out. It is awesome. It finally says all the things I've been thinking, but by a professional writer.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/4/2/1481/51962/494/488701

Same-Sex Unions?

Diana M. Painter — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:03:36 EDT

Um, so if corporations are seen as people by the government, then can corporations merge, or only those of opposite sexes? Or do just there CEOs have to be of different sexes?

Who is really for change?

Diana M. Painter — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:29:53 EDT

I was just reading through the Wellstone voter engagement book and remembered this quote:

"Leaders are indispensable, but to produce a major social change, ordinary people must also be involved" -Ann Frior Scott

Hey, thats us!

The Myth of Reverse Racism

Diana M. Painter — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:48:49 EDT

Thank you Jenna for this article.
Excerpt from the Tim Wise article "Obama, Black Voters and the Myth of Reverse Racism ".
For the entire article go to:
http://www. timwise. org/
...
Simply put, there are any number of reasons why whites voting for a white candidate because of race is altogether different than blacks voting for a black candidate because of the same. For African American voters, voting for Barack Obama--a man of color who actually stands a chance of winning the Presidency--is an opportunity to participate in a major historic moment.

Better investment, War or Prostitutes.

Diana M. Painter — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:06:00 EDT

My friend Brad sent me this...
"I read this report that Iraq is costing $12,000,000,000 a month. That work out to $4566.21 PER SECOND.. As we both know Eliot Spitzer was found out to be spending $5500 per hour on prostitutes. Pricey, to be sure but I'm sure they were very talented. Now this means that every MONTH we are in Iraq we are spending the equivalent of 249 YEARS with one of these high end call girls. So my question is this. If Obama or Clinton is elected, can we withdraw from Iraq 1.2 seconds earlier and spend that on me for one hour so I can find out what $5500 an hour gets?"

I replied "If you divide up the $5500 by the population of the U.S. (303,617,064), you could only get a girl who costs $1.82 ...I'm sure you already have been with a girl like this...BooYAH!"

Are you more dangerous then a terrorist? Take this quiz.

Diana M. Painter — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:32:20 EST

Question 1.
Are you gay? Yes or No
If yes, you are more dangerous then a terrorist. If no, go to question 2.

Question 2.
Do you support teaching acceptance of diversity in public schools? If yes, you are more dangerous then a terrorist. If no, go to question 3.

Question 3.
Do you support early childhood education? If yes you are more dangerous then a terrorist.

These are the criteria set forth by Sally Kerns, teacher and Oklahoma state rep, who told supporters at a country Republican meeting that gay people are more dangerous than terrorists.

Danger In the Journey to the National Convention

Diana M. Painter — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:54:57 EST

First of all, IÃ¢ï¿½ï¿½m an anthropologist. I love to study people. I also love politics and am a strong democrat. As a strong democrat, I am pained to see the division of the party right now. I helped at the caucuses in Nevada and saw it there. I have been at the caucus here in Idaho and saw the divide between Clinton and Obama supporters (the undecided and Edwards people were hiding in the corners). I am seeing it in my personal life between my roommates and friends, and as part of my College Democrat club. I see the division online like through the DNC.org partybuilder toolÃ¢ï¿½ï¿½s blogs, and IÃ¢ï¿½ï¿½ve seen it in my facebook groups. It hurts. My social groups are having in-group fighting. Behavior we would never allow during a normal year is being allowed. It hurts a lot to see your friends and fellow democrats form camps, circle the wagons, and shoot at the center. But IÃ¢ï¿½ï¿½m lucky IÃ¢ï¿½ï¿½m an anthropologist. With my knowledge of human behavior I can think through it and calm myself. For those of us who are already tired of the fighting, here are some words of relief.