Artists, Poets, and Musicians.

"Partisan Rancor" with a Side of Fries

Tim — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:11:39 EDT

As an English major, McCain could have had a better acceptance speech.

He thinks that if he borrows some of Obama's rhetoric and make it look like the Republican Party has truly been the oppressed party of the past 8 years and that George W. Bush, a self-defined Republican, doesn't have a negative legacy, even though Bush has a negative legacy and the Republican Party has been the OPPRESSOR party.

But, honestly, "partisan rancor?" It's like insulting somebody and saying that they were insulting you. At least Barack Obama stated our country's problem at little nicer, and a little less fear-mondering.

Honestly, his speech is as cheap as a McDonald's Happy Meal.

Seems Like Old Times

Tim — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:00:10 EDT

Was the song Diane Keaton as Annie Hall sang in the 1977 movie, Annie Hall. But, I am not here to talk about my favorite movies.

It does seem appropriate for what I am here to show you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM3oww9Vk-c

Seems the "party of change" is only the party that recycles already rotten tactics.

Caribu Barbie from a Woman Community Organizers prospective. (A MUST READ)

Sean Michael Patrick Gallegos — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:17:19 EDT

Posted by: Anita Marie | September 5, 2008
An Open Letter To Sarah Caribou Barbie Palin

Dear Sarah,

Do not Yell At Me, I am Holding My Infant In My Arms- Former Beauty Queen Palin. I see that you went after Obama a few nights ago. I found that amusing after watching him go up against real opponents like Hillary Clinton- however, I was not worried once your heavily made up face started to make noise ( I would watch that if I were you, you should hear what McCain said to his own wife about wearing to much makeup- WOW! ) because after a few minutes it was obvious you were never intended to be more than a little distraction with a lot of lipstick (hey now, she started the lipstick joke with that dog comparison) at the RNC.

Do you know what made me mad? You went after Community Activists (code word for Uppity Minorities). Those are people who work to make their communities a better place - they do that work for free, they will probably never be recognized outside of their community for the work they do - and sometimes they do not even get recognized inside of it because Community Activists work in groups and rarely does one name bubble up unless they have been appointed a spokesperson -

I do work like that.

So does my husband.

And so do my friends (thanks guys).

You know, I am the same age as you - which means that you HAVE benefited from the activist work that women did back in the 1960s and beyond that I have. They were activists Caribou Barbie - and if it had not been for people like that you would be up there in Alaska, sitting in your kitchen wishing that you could have been more in life then a floor waxing - baby making machine.

I have not forgotten that - but obviously YOU HAVE - which explains why you are willing to play (The Hostess With The Mostess) for McCain. Way to set the Womens Movement back 100 years you Book Banning - Her hope is to be on ESPN one day - girl.

Oh and FYI

I was NEVER a Hockey Mom like YOU.

I Played Hockey.

Sincerely,

an activist from Washington State

According to John McSame...

Sean Michael Patrick Gallegos — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:39:43 EDT

All men are created equal unless they love other men...

And women aren't equal at all since unlike men they can't decide what to do with their own bodies.

And Sarah Palin according to John McBush doesn't deserve to earn as much money Dick Cheney.

Tell John that unless ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL NO ONE IS EQUAL.

Union: A harm to one is a harm to all
MLK: Injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice Everywhere

Donate to Obama now give as much as you can as often as you can we are truly in the fight of our lives.

The Facts vs. Sarah Palin

Tim — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:35:58 EDT

Surprisingly borrowed from the Associated Press:

PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."

THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."

PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform â€" not even in the state senate."

THE FACTS: Compared to McCain and his two decades in the Senate, Obama does have a more meager record. But he has worked with Republicans to pass legislation that expanded efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to help destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. The legislation became law last year. To demean that accomplishment would be to also demean the work of Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a respected foreign policy voice in the Senate. In Illinois, he was the leader on two big, contentious measures in Illinois: studying racial profiling by police and requiring recordings of interrogations in potential death penalty cases. He also successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform legislation.

PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."

THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.

Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.

He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.

MCCAIN: "She's been governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply ... She's responsible for 20 percent of the nation's energy supply. I'm entertained by the comparison and I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America," he said in an interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson.

THE FACTS: McCain's phrasing exaggerates both claims. Palin is governor of a state that ranks second nationally in crude oil production, but she's no more "responsible" for that resource than President Bush was when he was governor of Texas, another oil-producing state. In fact, her primary power is the ability to tax oil, which she did in concert with the Alaska Legislature. And where Alaska is the largest state in America, McCain could as easily have called it the 47th largest state â€" by population.

MCCAIN: "She's the commander of the Alaska National Guard. ... She has been in charge, and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities," he said on ABC.

THE FACTS: While governors are in charge of their state guard units, that authority ends whenever those units are called to actual military service. When guard units are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, for example, they assume those duties under "federal status," which means they report to the Defense Department, not their governors. Alaska's national guard units have a total of about 4,200 personnel, among the smallest of state guard organizations.

FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."

THE FACTS: A whopper. Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor's election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries.

FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "We need change, all right â€" change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington â€" throw out the big-government liberals, and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin."

THE FACTS: A Back-to-the-Future moment. George W. Bush, a conservative Republican, has been president for nearly eight years. And until last year, Republicans controlled Congress. Only since January 2007 have Democrats have been in charge of the House and Senate.

Please Note: The facts aren't "borrowed" from the AP, although they did come in the form of an article within the AP

Am I the only person in the world...

Sean Michael Patrick Gallegos — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:48:50 EDT

Ok Palin had a great line when addressing families with special needs children. But for goodness sake her child isn't special needs, YET! Being an infant does not make you special needs. I really am sick and tired of this woman complaining that the media is attacking her family, by not letting her pimp them out!

Want an Obama T-Shirt?

Sean Michael Patrick Gallegos — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:50:11 EDT

Hey,

Want an Obama T-shirt? MoveOn's giving them out if you make a small donation to their young-voter registration program, aimed at registering half a million young voters in swing states. I just got mine, and wanted to share the opportunity with you.

Click this link to get your Obama T-shirt:

LINK

Thanks!

Sean

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Sean Michael Patrick Gallegos — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:54:27 EDT

Give till it helps! I did and I hope you will too! I'm hoping that Barack will get more money tonight than McSame and Dalores Umbrage.

SO GIVE ALL YOU CAN!

https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/dncd4p1?source=mainnav

Link

You don't want her as your next VP!

"Washington Elite"

Tim — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:40:37 EDT

I just read from the Huffington Post about Palin's acceptance speech, and, honestly, what nerve has she to call Barack Obama and other Democratic leaders in government the "Washington elite?"

What does the elite look like to you Sarah?

I had no idea that people who lost their homes to foreclosure; workers who lost their jobs to outsourcing; families who lost their families to the war in Iraq AND returning veterans who go homeless AND wounded veterans with poor health care to handle the readjustment; people who get arrested without a warrant and call for habeas corpus for politics and just to get inhumanely tortured; women who want the right to make reproductive choices without resorting to a back alley abortion or a wire hanger; GLBT Americans who want hate crime legislation enacted; people who want civil rights and liberties preserved and maintained rather than disregarded for the sake of "protection"; and the list gets longer. I had no idea Palin considers a majority of Americans and the people who honestly stand up and DO THEIR JOBS and represent their constituents are the "elite."

Governor Palin, just look in the audience you are speaking too. Look at those rich, white faces. Have you ever noticed that the audience at the Republican National Convention looks like they are at a business convention? I guess there is a reason why they call it the RNC.

Gov. Palin,

Look at yourself. You are an eltist because you cater to a party that only cares about 1% of America, and tries to keep the rest of us in line by scaring ourselves out of our freedoms and rights.

Sarah,

You are a member of the Washington Elite. Stop peddling that reality into a party that has nothing to do with your group!

Why can't she give a speech?

Sean Michael Patrick Gallegos — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:43:06 EDT

They are always roll calls one line Dad... One line McCain... One line Son... One line Husband... Can you Actually say something? I don't care that you are a hockey mom TELL ME ABOUT THE HOUSING CRISIS!

Palin wants to go to Washington to leave the country better than she found it. Tell that to GEORGE W. ASSMONKEY... The most destructive president in the history of AMERICA! Palin wants to leave America better than she found it well as a member AIP leaving it better means without ALASKA! Perhaps if Palin really wants to leave the country better she should go back to Alaska and stay there.

POW Brother States " John Not Cut Out"

Tim — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:00:44 EDT

I understand how close our troops might be with each other, like brothers and sisters.

And, even though we all know McCain's POW story inside and out, it is kind of well....interesting that a former POW that McCain knew in Vietnam states this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KjsEs46C70

Makes you question his leadership abilities, doesn't it?

Someone questioned me about my level of hate...

Sean Michael Patrick Gallegos — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:36:29 EDT

Allow me to describe to my level of hate. According to Merriam-Webster:

Main Entry:
1hate Listen to the pronunciation of 1hate
Pronunciation:
Ã�ï¿½hÃ�ï¿½t
Function:
noun
Usage:
often attributive
Etymology:
Middle English, from Old English hete; akin to Old High German haz hate, Greek kÃ�"dos care
Date:
before 12th century

1 a: intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury b: extreme dislike or antipathy : loathing 2: an object of hatred

Bristol Palin is 5 months Pregnant, but don't worry the 17 year old will mary her baby daddy...

Sean Michael Patrick Gallegos — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:39:42 EDT

Oh the Hipocracy, I don't want to hear a single person from the GOP say damn word about "Family Values." I believe this child is a blessing BUT this childs grandmother is a hipocrite of the highest level. Gov. Palin believes in: No child sex education, birth control is abortion, and no pregnant mother whether RAPED, a victim of INCEST, or posibly DYING, should ever have an abortion. Well, it seems Bristol has learned from her mother well.

Palin says 17-year-old daughter is pregnant

By LIZ SIDOTI " 4 hours ago

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) " John McCain's running mate Sarah Palin said Monday that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter is five months pregnant, an announcement campaign aides said was aimed at rebutting Internet rumors that Palin's youngest son, born in April, was actually her daughter's.

A statement released by the campaign said that Bristol Palin will keep her baby and marry the child's father. Bristol Palin's baby is due in late December.

"Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents," Sarah and Todd Palin said in the brief statement.

John McCain ... The Anti-Choice

Matt — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:19:59 EDT

OK so you want to vote and you have to vote democrat or republican. Why in god's name would you vote for John McCain?

Because he wants to be president?

He was tortured for 6 years at the Hanoi Hilton yet he advocates war and torture. Where was he when Caesar needed a successor. He could have spared us from Caligula and Nero ... or would he have been worse than Caligula and Nero.

The Roman Empire is dead and so are we if we continue to follow Bush doctrine.

A vote for Lassie would be better than a vote for mean McCain. Defense is one thing but bringing our anger to the rest of the world has resulted in Israeli, Russian, and Pakistani aggression. Because we are the only superpower everyone else thinks they can get away with their own "war on terrorism". Even if they are responsible for the hostilities.

Our troops in WWII helped bring peace to the world and we have forgotten our place and responsibilities. McCain will bring more hostility not less. And Bush doctrine has worked to destabilize the world in the pursuit of wealth. Democracy and capitalism are not the same.

Vote Obama.

Every Election Year

Tim — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:49:37 EDT

I try my hardest to be respectful of the other side's perspective and point of view, and, though it was hard out here for a liberal Democrat these past 8 years, I have always tried to be respectful, especially because I have Republican friends.

My goal when talking with them is to just not bring up politics with them. It's been a hard goal to accomplish, because, in this day and age, how can you not? But, with my politics, I get so passionate, so assertive, and so competitive I lose sight and fear that I lose friendship, this is why I don't know what to do with a friend of mine who is shoving Palin info down my throat and expects me to not say anything about kicking his party's inflated gray butt cheeks this coming November. Just the other day I was talking to a classmate of mine and I said : "Sorry, I hate it when I get all preachy to people who may or may not share my political views." Luckily, my classmate wasn't offended. But still.

Can't America just agree to disagree and do so respectfully? I can disagree with someone respectfully, but I am sick and tired of giving respect towards someone only to have it thrown back in my face by the other who acts like an ungrateful child( or Elisabeth Hasselbeck take your pick).

Seriously, if there is one thing we can learn with this campaign and this election, is that it is okay to agree to disagree and that respect needs to be a socially reciprocal activity on both ends of the spectrum.

My past, Your Future (poem)

Sean Michael Patrick Gallegos — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:38:53 EDT

My past, your future

My brother from another mother, skin tinged dark and darker where the marks of frequent sweat remained stained. You worked while I played, you worked while I slept, and you produced the food I greedily consumed. I am sorry

My sister I am sorry that I was complicit in your assault. I am sorry that I am responsible for your pain. I am sorry that we look and jeer and cast side long glances when you appear. Your fear has given me strength, and as you were diminished, I was held up as the good son. As you were guilted and jilted I was directed and respected all the while protected. And I am sorry

While you were lynched I held the torch, while you were raped I sat and watched, while you were shot my tax dollars bought the gun and bullet and paid the man to pull the trigger the rigors of your life I will never know. And some who look just like me, hate the way things are but never except that this, is the harvest of what we sowed, I sowed.

I shake with the rage of what I am responsible for: Slavery, Mass Murder, Rape, False Imprisonment. My War on Drugs has transformed the poor into thugs. My war on terror has not only imprisoned us but tortured them. I feel like I am drowning in the broken levies of my inabilities.

And they all, each one staring at me, each one like a choir singing from across the mass grave which are the vast failures of my past. At long last proclaimed you dont have to say sorry and in fact we wished you wouldnt but rather own those crimes, acknowledge those atrocities, If you can. So, that way you may have your past, and us, our future.

Sean Michael Patrick Gallegos

Yes we can (poem)

Sean Michael Patrick Gallegos — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:35:48 EDT

Stark is the contrast between right and wrong
An elegant throng
Beautiful is the choir, When Change is their song!

Yes we can yes we can
Thank God Almighty
YES WE CAN

Since when has speaking values been a crime?
Was it not what won us the house last time?
Again I hear their voices chyme.

Yes we can yes we can
Thank God Almighty
YES WE CAN

Half orator and the other is in a channeler's mold.
Possessed of Kings and Jacks of old.
He has a dream of hope in a time when hope is gold!

Yes we can yes we can
Thank God Almighty
YES WE CAN

The mountainous momentum of the collectively mundane.
The U.S. in the cross hairs of global disdain.
The chorus is calling for us to hear their refrain.

Yes we can yes we can
Thank God Almighty
YES WE CAN

Harsh has been the tax of wallet, eye, and ear.
in an age when politics equals fear!
from roof tops, and flooded lots
The crowd talks, "WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SO DEAR!"

YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN YES WE CAN
Si Se Puede!
YES WE CAN!

Post-Convention Thoughts & Insights

Tim — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:37:42 EDT

All in all, it was a great Convention. In my whole lifetime, I have never felt so much hope and pride to be a Democrat and to be behind Barack Obama.

There were no speeches that lacked anything that didn't build momentum, no tributes left ineffective, no nothing.

Well, that isn't entirely true, I wish that we did a video tribute to the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones and having Barbra Streisand perform. I did enjoy Sheryl Crow, John Legend, and Stevie Wonder.

Well, the party is over, now it is time to pull up our sleeves and get working!

Palin, The Picture of Pandering

Tonya — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:12:40 EDT

With McCain's advanced age, never has a VP choice been so important. Let’s see if the Republican voters will wage their persistent question at their own VP nominee. Is Sarah Palin, the self-proclaimed “hockey mom” ready to lead after being Alaska’s governor for two years? What do you think his decision says about his judgment? Will voters risk more pocket breaking policies, in a Republican attempt to create their own groundbreaking candidate to pander to Hillary‘s stanch supports?

We understand that change is contagious and that the Republican choice for VP was in response to the inspirational narratives of several of the candidates our party produced. We are pleased that we have motivated inclusiveness; something that doesn’t come naturally to the party of the status quo. While the Republicans are artful at painting a scene, it doesn’t make the picture of value or substantive.

Convention Journey Entry 4

Tim — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:05:35 EDT

Fresh off Obama's acceptance speech... the speech that all of America needed to hear.

I am ready to get my hands dirty to see that Obama gets to make history as the 44th President of the United States, and the first African American President Of The United States.

It was a beautiful day in Denver, and that just makes me so emotional. Honestly.

I've been watching it on C-SPAN again, this time since 5:45pm.

And, what a preceding speeches! I am so bursting with excitement and hope I can't remember every one of them!

Post-Convnetion thoughts tomorrow!!