African American Democrats

An Open Letter to the American People

Jimmy Smith — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:19:10 EDT

October 14, 2008
An Open Letter to the American People,

This year's presidential election is among the most significant in our nation's history. The country urgently needs a visionary leader who can ensure the future of our traditional strengths in science and technology and who can harness those strengths to address many of our greatest problems: energy, disease, climate change, security, and economic competitiveness.

We are convinced that Senator Barack Obama is such a leader, and we urge you to join us in supporting hi m.

During the administration of George W. Bush, vital parts of our country's scientific enterprise have been damaged by stagnant or declining federal support. The government's scientific advisory process has been distorted by political considerations. As a result, our once dominant
position in the scientific world has been shaken and our prosperity has been placed at risk. We have lost time critical for the development of new ways to provide energy, treat disease, reverse climate change, strengthen our security, and improve our economy.

We have watched Senator Obama's approach to these issues with admiration. We espe cially applaud his emphasis during the campaign on the power of science and technology to enhance our nation's competitiveness. In particular, we support the measures he plans to take - through new initiatives in education and training, expanded research funding, an unbiased process for obtaining scientific advice, and an appropriate balance of basic and applied research - to meet the nation's and the world's most urgent needs.

Senator Obama understands that Presidential leadership and federal investments in science and technology are crucial elements in successful governance of the world's leading country. We hope you will join us as we work together to ensure his election in November.

Signed,

Alexei Arikosov Physics 2003
Roger Guillemin Medicine 1977
Peter Agre Chemistry 2003
John L. Hall Physics 2005
Sidney Altman Chemistry 1989
Leland H. Hartwell Medicine 2001
Philip W. Anderson Physics 1977
Dudley Herschbach Chemistry 1986
Richard Axel Medicine 2004
Roald Hoffmann Chemistry 1981
David Baltimore Medicine 1975
H. Robert Horvitz Medicine 2002
Baruj Benacerraf Medicine 19 80
Louis Ignarro Medicine 1998
Paul Berg Chemistry 1980
Eric R. Kandel Medicine 2000
J. Michael Bishop Medicine 1989
Walter Kohn Chemistry 1998
N. Bloembergen Physics 1981
Roger Kornberg Chemistry 2006
Michael S. Brown Medicine 1985
Leon M. Lederman Physics 1988
Linda B. Buck Medicine 2 004
Craig C. Mello Medicine 2006
Mario R. Capecchi Medicine 2007
Yoichiro Nambu Physics 2008
Martin Chalfie Chemistry 2008
Marshall Nirenberg Medicine 1968
Stanley Cohen Medicine 1986
Douglas D. Osheroff Physics 1996
Leon Cooper Physics 1972
Stanley ;B. Prusiner Medicine 1997
James W. Cronin Physics 1980
Norman F. Ramsey Physics 1989
Robert F. Curl Chemistry 1996
Robert Richardson Physics 1996
Johann Diesenhofer Chemistry 1988
Burton Richter Physics 1976
John B. Fenn Chemistry 2002
Sherwood Rowland Chemistry 1995
Edmond H. Fischer Medicine 1992
Oliver Smithies Medicine 2007
Val Fitch Physics 1980
Richard R Schrock Chemistry 2005
Jerome I. Friedman Physics 1990
Joseph H. Taylor Jr. Physics 1993
Murray Gell-M an Physics 1969
E. Donnall Thomas Medicine 1990
Riccardo Giacconi Physics 2002
Charles H. Townes Physics 1964
Walter Gilbert Chemistry 1980
Roger Tsien Chemistry 2008
Alfred G. Gilman Medicine 1994
Daniel C.Tsui Physics 1998
Donald A. Glaser Physics 1960
Harold Varmus Medicine 1989
Shel don L. Glashow Physics 1979
James D. Watson Medicine 1962
Joseph Goldstein Medicine 1985
Eric Wieschaus Medicine 1995
Paul Greengard Medicine 2000
Frank Wilczek Physics 2004
David Gross Physics 2004
Robert W. Wilson Physics 1978
Robert H. Grubbs Chemistry 2005

The views expressed in this letter represent those of the signers acting as individual citizens.
They do not necessarily represent the views of the institutions with which they are affiliated. The
Medicine award is for "Physiology or Medicine."

Obama's tax calculator

Gretchen — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:10:31 EDT

You can see how much Obama's tax plan vs McCain's plan will effect your income.... GREAT IDEA Barack!!
http://taxcut.barackobama.com/

Share this with your friends!

John McCain: Portrait of a Demagogue

Wattree — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:29:19 EDT

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

John McCain:
Portrait of a Demagogue

Demagogue: “A leader who obtains power by means of impassioned appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace.”
The American Heritage Dictionary

Demagogues are vampires who prey on the viability of society. They depend on hatred, hostility, and dissension for their very political survival. Wherever there is underlying tension and hostility, they exploit it, and in the absence of hostility, they create it. They have a vested interest in creating discontent, and they are most creatively prolific, when society is in turmoil.

And there’s a very good reason for that. A demagogue’s agenda is virtually always fundamentally at odds with what’s in the best interest of the people. So the only way that they can get the people’s support is to appeal to their hatred, fear, or anger��"that’s when individuals are most prone to act without taking the time to think about their actions. Demagogues specialize, therefore, in appealing to the emotions. That allows them to circumvent the mind, and thus, not have to deal with the nuisance of one’s common sense.

An example of that strategy at work is clearly demonstrated at a recent John McCain rally. While addressing his angry supporters--who were already frustrated over the economy, the financial bailout, pending foreclosures, and the loss of jobs--instead of reassuring them by sharing policy initiatives that he’d developed to address their concerns, he further inflamed the crowd by giving the floor to, and agreeing with, a supporter who stood up to called Barack and Nancy Pelosi hooligan socialists.

Tune In: Dem. VP Sen. Joe Biden on The Tonight Show w/Jay Leno Thurs. Oct. 16

Erin Medlicott — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:59:50 EDT

http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/

Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden joins actor Colin Farrell on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, this Thursday, October 16.

Tune in!!!

Join Us In Ohio: Sen Biden To Speak At 3 Campaign Events This Tuesday Oct 14

Erin Medlicott — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:31:56 EDT

Ohio: As part of the “Change We Need Rally” tour of Ohio, Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden will be in Ohio this Tuesday, Oct. 14th, and Wednesday, Oct. 15th, for several Obama-Biden campaign events.

Sen. Biden will kick off the tour through eastern Ohio starting Tuesday with a “Change We Need Rally” at the Warren Community Amphitheatre in Warren. Doors open at 8:30 am and it starts around 10:30 am. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but the campaign recommends RSVPing at the Barack Obama Web site.

Later on Tuesday afternoon Sen. Biden will speak at Ohio University Eastern Campus in St. Clairsville. The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 2 pm and the program begins at 4 pm.

Tuesday night Sen. Biden will speak at 7:15 pm in an outdoor rally on Armory Square in front of the old Ohio National Guard armory on Front Street in Marietta. Doors open at 5:30 pm.

For security purposes, the area around the armory will be cordoned off…no tickets are required, but the audience will be admitted first-come first serve through a gate where metal detectors will be used.

Tune In: Sunday night, 9:30 pm -C-span - Today's rally with Joe & Jill Biden and The Clintons In Scranton

Erin Medlicott — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:09:49 EDT

Tune in to C-Span tonight,Sunday, at 9:30 pm, to see this afternoon's Obama-Biden rally in Scranton, PA - with guest speakers Democratic VP nominee Sen. Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and NY Senator Hillary Clinton and former president Bill Clinton.

Hate followed by HOPE...

Gretchen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:32:31 EDT

This video brought tears to my eyes... The horror and the hate that the McCain/Palin has stirred up followed by the HOPE Obama brings...

Please watch this-- It brought tears to my eyes...

http://complainjane.wordpress.com/

The Best Dollar of the Campaign

Wattree — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:47:12 EDT

I hope you don't mind, but I'm posting this one to the Democratic site. Somehow I think Obama will view this as the best $25 he's collected during the entire campaign:

"That one" (14+ / 0-)

My husband, blue collar white guy, truck mechanic,
flag outside on the front porch, not a political junkie at all (basically, someone Sarah Palin would condescendingly describe as "Joe Six-Pack"), called me a little while ago to tell me he sent $25 to Obama's campaign. (With no prompting at all from me, BTW.)

It was his first political contribution in the 20 years I've known him. You know why he did it? Because McCain called Obama "that one." He yelled at the screen when McCain said that, and couldn't stop venting about it all through the debate.

I can't exactly describe his reaction -- it wasn't just "how dare he insult the candidate I'm voting for." It was as if it was his patriotic duty to help stand up for Obama and stop McCain.

So yeah, I think he sees Obama as his President.

From Daily Kos

A Footnote to Posterity

Wattree — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:43:22 EDT

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

A Footnote to Posterity

As I watched the second presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain, my mind drifted off to when I once watched a Space Shuttle landing. All the drama of the mission was over, and the space walk had been completed successfully. Now all that was left to complete a perfect mission, was to bring the bird in for a landing.

As the shuttle grew larger over the horizon, I remember being overwhelmed with pride over this marvel of engineering, and for the thousands of ordinary people who had come together to accomplish its mission. Then as we continued to look out over the horizon, the sound of unabridged competence suddenly crackled forth as the commander of this magnificent vessel spoke to ground control: “Landing gear down, and all systems online. Glide path and descent, five by five.” Then after several seconds of awestruck silence, and as we watched the majestic bird descend, the commander’s voice chimed in once again, with that matter-of-fact tone, as though he was pulling his car into the driveway. “Thirty seconds to touchdown.”

As impressed as I was over the feat of engineering that went into the space shuttle and its mission, I found myself even more fascinated by what must have gone into building the kind of man with the competence, intelligence, and cool professionalism that could command such a vessel--and I had that very same feeling as I watched the cool professionalism of Barack Obama’s performance last night. I felt privileged to bear witness, to the very best this nation has to offer.

Is a Black President Too Much Change for America to Bear?

Wattree — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:43:42 EDT

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

Is a Black President Too Much Change for America to Bear?

Ok, let’s drop the nonsense and be real, here. If Barack Obama was White, he’d be at least twenty points ahead of John McCain in every major poll in the country. His election would have been so certain by now that Michelle would have already been sent the keys to the White House--and we all know it.

By any indicator--intellect, character, prudence, demeanor, or competence--Barack Obama is clearly not only head and shoulders above John McCain, but he’s one of the most impressive presidential candidates in the history of this nation. So what American voters have to decide at this pivotal point in our history, is how much do they truly love America. It’s time that we really embrace this question, instead of simply paying lip service to it.

It's Over...!

Percy H Florez — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:08:04 EDT

The only plausible think the government has to do is CLOSE the market for at least one week until they decide declare the country economy in recession and take the necessary approach to handle this economic overturn.

Percy H Florez

The Vice Presidential Debate: Biden v Boop

Wattree — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:06:05 EDT

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

The Vice Presidential Debate:
Joe Biden Vs. Betty Boop

The writers can take the day off at Saturday Night Live this weekend, because comic relief won’t be necessary. Mark Twain himself couldn’t have provided better satire than the reality of last night’s vice presidential debate. The face-off between Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin had the surrealistic air of a movie that combines a human actor with a cartoon character. It should have been billed Joe Biden versus Betty Boop--or Biden v Boop, if you will. But I have to begrudgingly tip my hat to Ms. Palin, even if I have to mix my metaphors, because she was forced to face Zorro with a wooden sword, and due to her fancy footwork, she almost pulled it off.

I also have to give credit to the McCain campaign. They set the stage well to mitigate a pending disaster by complaining that the moderator, veteran journalist Gwen Ifill, may have had a conflict of interest because she wrote a book on a new generation of Black politicians that included a chapter on Sen. Barack Obama. Of course, they didn’t make a big issue of it--after all, that would have precluded any journalist from writing a book that included any national politician during an election year--but they did make enough of it to possibly give Ms. Ifill pause before pursuing any of Ms. Palin’s cutesy, non-answers with aggressive followup questions to probe her grasp of the issues beyond superficial talking points. Who said desperation can’t inspire a stroke of competence?

The Name's of The Fallen / Part 16 / Total Count as a today 5/25/2008 4177 Soldiers are Dead / Names In Reverse order from: 4158 to 4177

Percy H Florez — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:02:26 EDT

The Name's of The Fallen / Part 16 / Total Count as a today 5/25/2008 4177 Soldiers are Dead / Names In Reverse order from: 4158 to 4177

4177 9/29/2008 Specialist Christopher T. Fox 21 Memphis TN
4176 9/27/2008 Private 1st Class Jamel A. Bryant 22 Belleville IL
4175 9/24/2008 Captain Michael J. Medders 25 Ohio OH
4174 9/25/2008 Staff Sergeant Ronald Phillips Jr 33 Conway SC
4173 9/23/2008 1st Lieutenant Thomas J. Brown 26 Burke VA
4172 9/14/2008 Chaplain (Col.) Sidney J. Marceaux Jr 69 Beaumont TX
4171 9/21/2008 Staff Sergeant Matthew J. Taylor 25 Charleston SC
4170 9/18/2008 1st Lieutenant Robert Vallejo II 28 Richland Hills TX
4169 9/18/2008 Corporal Michael E. Thompson 23 Harrah OK
4168 9/18/2008 Chief Warrant Officer Brady J. Rudolf 37 Oklahoma City OK
4167 9/18/2008 1st Sergeant Julio C. Ordonez 54 San Antonio TX
4166 9/18/2008 Sergeant Anthony L. Mason 37 Springtown TX
4165 9/18/2008 Sergeant Daniel M. Eshbaugh 43 Norman OK
4164 9/18/2008 Chief Warrant Officer Corry A. Edwards 38 Kennedale TX
4163 9/17/2008 Captain Darrick D. Wright 37 Nashville TN
4162 9/17/2008 Private 1st Class Leonard J. Gulczynski I 19 Carol Stream IL
4161 9/14/2008 Lt. Colonel Ralph J. Marino 46 Houston PA
4160 9/14/2008 Sergeant Wesley R. Durbin 26 Hurst TX
4159 9/14/2008 Staff Sergeant Darris J. Dawson 24 Pensacola FL
4158 9/15/2008 Sergeant 1st Class Daniel R. Sexton 53 Wentzville MO

Total Count as a today @ 5:50 PM 10/2/2008 : : 4177 soldiers are dead
More Information please visit our data base: : The Name's of the Fallen
Or you can visit the DoD web site: : US DoD News Release

S T O P T H E W A R

Stop the War & Bring Troops Home

Percy H Florez

A Stately Old Ship

Wattree — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:01:28 EDT

The stately old vessel
Limps weakly towards port
As the rolling storm begins.
Vermin gnaw its rotting hull,
Destroying from within.
Colors that once flew proud and strong
In distant and exotic lands,
Now flutter shamefully,
Tattered and torn,
Reflecting the flaws of man.

With cheers of fading greatness,
True patriots were scorned;
Demagogues were lifted aloft,
While the ship of state we mourned.

But the old vessel was
Made of sterner stuff
By a different kind of man;
Storms and vermin and rotting hulls
It can easily withstand.
Waiting in port, a fresh new crew
Eager to take command;
A new coat of paint, and fresh colors await,
A proud ship of state's next stand.

Eric LaMont Wattree
Copyright ©2008 Eric LaMont Wattree

wattree.blogspot.com

I take great pride in being the product of adversity, because having simply survived provides me with unassailable credentials.

True & False - about the bailout & the campaign of terror!

Percy H Florez — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:59:19 EDT

They said:

If the bailout does not pass the people are going to loose the money in his bank accounts.

FALSE: THEY ARE INSURED BY THE FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)

If the bailout does not pass is the end of the world, it’s a financial catastrophe.

FALSE: nothing like that is going to happen because this crisis is a failure of CORRUPTED financial institutions and they are small in number compare with those who are playing by the rules.

If the bailout does not pass the economy are going to sink in to a deep recession.

FALSE: This is another argument they use to hidden the real true and scare the people in “MAIN STREET”. This economy of this country is “IN CONTRACTION STATUS”, this means the power of acquired good for the people every day is less than before. This could be corrected with a good and strong policies reinforcing the INCOME of every American and reinforcing this sectors of the economy that are capable to generate more employment. A good example could be investing this 700 billion in infrastructure around the nation.

If this bailout does not pass you can not get loans to buy house, cars and you can loose your credit card.

FALSE: One of the main problems of this crisis is THE ABUSE and the BAD USE of the credit. They buy houses they couldn’t afford to pay. They buy cars they couldn’t afford to pay. They misused his / her credit card and they couldn’t afford to pay. All this happen for the ambition and mismanaged of the CEOs of this corrupted bankers or institutions.
So what kind of bailout (CORRECTION) would be this, if this money go again to the market with the same purpose as is the mantra of the government and the lawmakers who are supporting this legislation.
Moreover if you want a loan and have a good credit and you can afford and pay your debts do so, but if not, don’t do it!

If this bailout does not pass the entirely banking system are going to crash and people in Main St., are going to suffer for a lot!

FALSE: As I said before, this particular crisis can be solving by the market as is. In this country there are very serious banking institutions that are capable to absorb the failure of the others in a very intelligent manner without compromising his capital.
Bank of America, JP Morgan and other banks are a good example and they will be very happy receiving those people looking loans for homes, cars, boats and credit cards!, working people who are capable and can afford to pay on time his bills.

These bailouts has to pass, to secure more liquidity to the banking systems buying his negative assets and generate the reactivation of the economy, them people in Main St., can get more loans of any kind.

FALSE: The economy of this country is IN CONTRACTION STATUS, people can afford pay his bill because the power of the dollar is less than before. Essentially this MODEL can’t afford print more dollars with the deficit the country had. Actually the difference between this country and countries around the world less wealthy is his ability to PRINT MONEY. This NEGATIVE economic behavior is the main concern of economists around the world. I have no doubt Mr. Paulson and Mr. Bernanke know very well about it, but they prefer to buy time instead to try and get the right solution for this crisis.

If this bailout does not pass the economy could be worsened

TRUE: The economy will be worsened but not because the bailout could be pass or not. The economy is in a bad shape and the solution has to come with a structural correction of the deficit and a best economic practice with the conscientious study of the factors that are generating this contraction in the economy and come up with good, reliable and stable economic practice solutions.

People must remember this on November 4 and remove this politician with the "POWER OF THE VOTE"

Percy H Florez

True & False - about the bailout & the campaign of terror! | TERROR # 6

Percy H Florez — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:49:45 EDT

If this bailout does not pass the economy could be worsened

TRUE: The economy will be worsened but not because the bailout could be pass or not. The economy is in a bad shape and the solution has to come with a structural correction of the deficit and a best economic practice with the conscientious study of the factors that are generating this contraction in the economy and come up with good, reliable and stable economic practice solutions.

People must remember this on November 4 and remove this politician with the "POWER OF THE VOTE" Percy H Florez

True & False - about the bailout & the campaign of terror! | TERROR # 5

Percy H Florez — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:30:26 EDT

FALSE: The economy of this country is IN CONTRACTION STATUS, people can afford pay his bill because the power of the dollar is less than before. Essentially this MODEL can’t afford print more dollars with the deficit the country had. Actually the difference between this country and countries around the world less wealthy is his ability to PRINT MONEY. This NEGATIVE economic behavior is the main concern of economists around the world. I have no doubt Mr. Paulson and Mr. Bernanke know very well about it, but they prefer to buy time instead to try and get the right solution for this crisis.

People must remember this on November 4 and remove this politician with the "POWER OF THE VOTE" Percy H Florez

True & False - about the bailout & the campaign of terror! | ARGUMENT OF TERROR # 4

Percy H Florez — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:50:47 EDT

If this bailout does not pass the entirely banking system are going to crash and people in Main St., are going to suffer for a lot!

FALSE: As I said before, this particular crisis can be solving by the market as is. In this country there are very serous banking institutions that are capable to absorb the failure of the others in a very intelligent manner without compromising his capital. Bank of America, JP Morgan, and other banks who are trembled with this financial crisis, they would be very happy good people come to his office requesting loans for homes, cars, boat and credit cards!, the only concern is that they want people who are capable and can afford to pay his loans.

People must remember this on November 4 and remove this politician with the "POWER OF THE VOTE" Percy H Florez

True & False - about the bailout & the campaign of terror! | ARGUMENT OF TERROR # 3

Percy H Florez — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:14:31 EDT

If the bailout does not pass the economy are going to sink in to a deep recession.

FALSE: This is another argument they use to hidden the real true and scare the people in “MAIN STREET”. This economy of this country is “IN CONTRACTION STATUS”, this means the power of acquired good for the people every day is less than before. This could be corrected with a good and strong policies reinforcing the INCOME of every American and reinforcing this sectors of the economy that are capable to generate more employment. A good example could be investing this 700 billion in infrastructure around the nation.

People must remember this on November 4 and remove this politician with the "POWER OF THE VOTE" Percy H Florez

True & False - about the bailout & the campaign of terror! | ARGUMENT OF TERROR # 2

Percy H Florez — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:57:48 EDT

They said:

If the bailout does not pass is the end of the world, it’s a financial catastrophe.

FALSE: nothing like that is going to happen because this crisis is a failure of CORRUPTED financial institutions and they are small in number compare with those who are playing by the rules.

People must remember this on November 4 and remove this politician with the "POWER OF THE VOTE"

Percy H Florez