You Can't Wish Me Away

Song written by Steve Deasy, Lisa Sinnett and Carrie Newcomer. October 2008 was the tenth anniversary of the beating death of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming.

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Defenders Of Marriage

This is a response to Roy Zimmerman's video post of his song "Defenders of Marriage". I will be adding to to my list for performances.

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John Fosta voted early and so can you!

October2008 093
Originally uploaded by megdfoster

My son and I volunteered at Obama's Tampa rally to kick off early voting in Florida. We already voted and so can you!

Joe Biden at the Sundome in Tampa, FL

In his first rally after his vice-presidential debate, Joe Biden spoke to a crowd of 3,500 at the Sundome at the University of Sout Florida.

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"McCain Changing The Subject Ad" By Barack Obama

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Keating Economics: John McCain and a Financial Crisis

See the full-length video at http://KeatingEconomics.com starting @ noon Eastern on 10/5. KEATING ECONOMICS: The story of John McCain and the making of a financial crisis.

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McCain Can't Fix the Economic Crisis He Helped Cause

John McCain does not have the ability to fix this economic crisis. Let's make sure everyone knows McCain can't get us out of the mess he got us into in the first place.

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"Now is not the time" card (frame)

McSame is playing the "now is not the time" card. George W. Disaster Bush/Cheney have played it over and over and over again. McSame is desperately copying it.

Letterman gets it. Bush is trying to sell it. Senator Obama is not buying it.

"Now is not the time" to investigate:

Downing Street Memo & Illegal war
Outing CIA agent
Karl Rove illegal activities (Sidebar: Why isn't Rove in jail for Contempt of Congress?)
FEMA and Katrina victims
Abramoff, Delay crimes
Sexual predator, Mark Foley
Big Oil profits
Wall Street Crimes
Private company executives
Insert your "now is not the time" diversion here


Letterman gave McSame his POW props and then wondered out loud why a hero can't handle this with honor.



http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/24/204517/145/809/609401

Let's Play Wall St 'Bail Out' -- NOT!

Rep Kapture rocks the house again!: 'Lets play Wall Street Bailout!!!'September 22, 2008 C-SPAN

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Liars and BAW (baby ass whiners)

Sen. John McCain’s top campaign aides convened a conference call today to complain of being called "liars." They pressed the media to scrutinize specific elements of Sen. Barack Obama’s record.

But the call was so rife with simple, often inexplicable misstatements of fact that it may have had the opposite effect: to deepen the perception, dangerous to McCain, that he and his aides have little regard for factual accuracy.

- Markos

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/22/174351/350/343/606808

What the hell? Ike Aftermath FEMA Nightmare

No excuse for this.

Ike Aftermath FEMA Nightmare
Uploaded by dampier

"Still"

Lipstick on a Pig

Bristol Palin's choice

Bristol Palin has made the decision to have her baby, but Samantha Bee tries to remember another word for it.

Former POW Says McCain Is "Not Cut Out to be President"

John McCain has been exploiting his POW experience every chance he gets. He has used this story to justify everything from not knowing how many homes he has to his healthcare plan to his taste in music. But now a veteran who was a prisoner with McCain in Vietnam is explaining loud and clear that being a POW does not qualify McCain to lead.

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"He is in worse shape than everyone thought."

WASSERMAN-SCHULTZ: Well, it was a good one then [Palin's no Hillary Clinton line] and it's appropriate and applicable now. Hillary Clinton has 35 years of public service. Sarah Palin has been Governor of a State that is smaller than my Congressional district for less than 18 months. I just don't know how John McCain thinks that this is a person who is going to be ready to be Commander in Chief with her hand on the tiller of America's foreign policy in the event that, God forbid, anything happens to him.

SANCHEZ: Here's why - two words - evangelical vote. Don't you think that would be a smart move or [unintelligible]?

WASSERMAN-SCHULTZ: If he has to shore up the evangelical vote then he is in worse shape than everyone thought.

Way to go Congresswoman Wasserman-Shultz... You nailed it!

McCain's Mansions

Geez, does McCain even know what a mortgage payment is? I am painfully aware of my increasing mortgage, property tax, and hazard insurance payments.

The Real Adam Putnam...He's with Stupid

Meet the Real Adam Putnam. He's with Stupid. He votes with Stupid. He accepts money from Stupid's Big Oil Buddies. He says stupid things to get elected. Putnam tells big, stupid fibs about drilling off the coast of Florida. Americans are suffering because of Stupid and his stupid friends. Vote the Stupids out of office!

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The Real Adam Putnam Part II

Adam Putnam sold Florida to big oil. He pretends to be a patriot. He pretends to care about Floridians but Putnam sold his soul to big oil and voted with Bush to screw us and our children.

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McCain Suggests Wife Participate In Topless Contest

Yesterday evening John McCain took part in the Sturgis Rally 2008 at Buffalo Chip in South Dakota, an annual tribute to veterans. The candidate told attendees, that he encouraged his wife to participate in the festivities: "I told her with a little luck, she could be the only woman ever to serve as both the first lady and Miss Buffalo Chip."

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Misogynist McCain pimps his wife at Sturgis

McCain felt so comfortable at the event that he volunteered his wife for the rally’s traditional beauty pageant, an infamously debauched event that’s been known to feature topless women. "I encouraged Cindy to compete," McCain said to cheers. "I told her with a little luck she could be the only woman ever to serve as first lady and Miss Buffalo Chi

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Misogynist McCain pimps his wife at Sturgis

McCain felt so comfortable at the event that he volunteered his wife for the rally’s traditional beauty pageant, an infamously debauched event that’s been known to feature topless women. "I encouraged Cindy to compete," McCain said to cheers. "I told her with a little luck she could be the only woman ever to serve as first lady and Miss Buffalo Chi

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Obama in Afghanistan - Nothing but net

http://www.latimes.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=2710699

2008 Temple Terrace 4th of July Parade

Local Obama supporters participated in Tampa Bay area 4th of July parades. About 50 Obama supporters represented Senator Obama at the 2008 Temple Terrace 4th of July Parade.



Lydia Hudson did an outstanding job of organizing the O-Train's participation in the Temple Terrace Parade.



Most people along the parade route loved seeing the cardboard cut-out of Senator Obama. The most common reaction was a big smile as they grabbed their cameras to snap a picture.





We were right behind Keven Beckner supporters:




The Mitch Mobile:





The crowd participated in our Obama chants!
"Be a part of something great, Obama '08"

Country I love

Obama campaign creates site to debunk 'destructive' rumors

Democrat Barack Obama's campaign said Thursday that Michelle Obama never used the word "whitey" in a speech from the church pulpit as he launched a Web site to debunk rumors about his campaign.

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15 minutes of fame

Barack Obama is coming to Tampa on May 21st!

Save the date! It's official. The next President of the United States, Senator Barack Obama, is coming to Tampa on Wednesday, May 21. This will be a day event. Further details concerning exact time and location will be released as soon as we know--likely mid-day tomorrow (Thursday). Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. For now, get excited and tell everyone you know about it. It is happening.

Let's win this election.

Johnny Bardine & Megan Foster

Love, leadership and basketball

Thanks to Turneresq:

http://www.dailykos.com/hotlist/add/2008/4/25/23727/2958/displaystory//

Philadelphia Daily News: VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA

April 17th Endorsement: "THE CHOICE in Tuesday's Democratic presidential primary is not only the one between a white woman and a black man. It's a choice between the past and the future."

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Bosnia and Back Again, starring Sen. Hillary Clinton-TRAILER

Who do you think is out of touch?

Barack Obama - Change The World (Apple Ad)

This is a video depicting Barack Obama as one of Apple's "Crazy Ones". It is intended as an independent endorsement of Barack Obama and is in no way affiliated with Obama for America, BarackObama.com or Apple, Inc. This video is not being used for commercial gain. Vote CHANGE! Vote OBAMA!

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Clinton's Michigan Stance

The Tide is Turning

Hillary, Don't be a Nader. I like you. A lot.

But this is not your year. Obama's got you beat on delegates, on states, and on the popular vote. But at this point, you can't win. Not the nomination; the Presidency. The problem here is not the delegates; it's the perception. To get the nomination you'd have to do one of two things: trade favors with superdelegates or litigate your way in.

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Obama in Plainfield, IN: 'We have to come together'

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGB8BL

You've got a friend in Pennsylvania, remind them to register to vote!

Clinton's "Foreign Policy Experience" Just Words!

Hillary Clinton has exaggerated and outright inflated her claims of "foreign policy experience" in places like China, Ireland, Rwanda, and Kosovo. She has virtually no experience, and she is NOT ready on day one for anything more than more triangulation and deception.

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The People's Ball

How Saul Alinsky would plan Obama's inauguration, and his government.

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We are ready to lead on the issues that matter

Larry David's Obama Ad

Here's an idea for an Obama ad: a montage of Clinton's Sybillish personalities that have surfaced during the campaign with a solemn voiceover at the end saying, "Does anyone want this nut answering the phone?"

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McBush or Change...I choose change!

Yes we can transform our country!

Obama

A moment of wonderful

OMAR ALMODOVAR
1961 - 2008

I encourage you to click on this link and listen to "A Moment of Wonderful." It will play automatically. Omar recorded it last month even as cancer was taking him from us.

http://www.unitytampa.org/omar61.htm

Before I became politically active in 2004, I was very active in local Tampa Bay area musical theatre productions. I met Omar when he was performing as Jesus in St. Paul's production of Jesus Christ Superstar. My daughter, Rachel, was also in that show. The first time I ever heard Omar sing, I was absolutely blown away. His voice was pure heaven to me. They repeated Jesus Christ Superstar in 2002 at the Cuban Club in Ybor City.


I eventually worked and performed with Omar in at least 5 shows. I have not seen Omar for a couple of years but I am thankful that I had so many opportunities to work with him. I was blessed by knowing him, listening to him and performing with him. I am very thankful that he gave me so many moments of wonderful. I will miss his vibrant personality, striking eyes and amazing voice.

Sheri and Omar:


I am just guessing at the lyrics:

A Moment of Wonderful
by John McEwen and Omar Almodovar
recorded January 2008

Waiting I wander
I follow my feet
Walking down cold hospital halls
The funeral is simple
I quietly grieve
I feel like a prisoner of it all
Keeping covered up for fear
That I’ll lose a life… hold dear

How can I cope
How can I live
How can this be
How can I love

I sit in the moonlight
Crickets are singing
I wonder if souls live in the stars
Then in an instant
I’m looking at me
The I of the future looking back
With non-judgmental eyes
And he’s helping me to see

I can see
I can see me
I can see light
I can see love

In a moment of wonderful
Suddenly
I feel well
all is well
and I am all I need

In a moment of wonderful
I can see for miles around
I put my broken crutches down
And suddenly I can fly
In a moment of wonderful

I can see
I can see life
I can see me
I can see light
I can see love
I can see truth
I can feel peace
Tonight

John.he.is

After Senator Barack Obama wins the Democratic nomination, the real fun can begin. Here's a preview of what is to come:

Maria made me cry today

As bobnbob will gladly tell you, I don't cry often; at least not in public. But, Maria Shriver made me cry today. She made me proud to be an American, proud to be a woman, a mother, a daughter, a grassroots organizer, and an Obama supporter. Maria made me cry with joy and hope for my daughters, for California; for America and even Florida.

Yesterday, my youngest daughter was racially profiled at a clothing store. We entered the store together, but my daughter's body language was a little sullen and distant because she was being punished for normal teenage rebellious behavior. The salesperson must not have known that we were together, but I noticed her following my African American daughter around the store. She tried to be subtle about it, but I could see what was happening. She was racially profiling her. My daughter wasn't profiled because she was a female, she was targeted because of her race.

I want more for my children. I want more for my daughters. I want more for my sons. I support Barack Obama for many reasons. I support him for his amazing credentials. I support him for his intelligence. I support him because of his good judgement. I support him because of his amazing ability to bring people together. I support him because he has been able to engage our youth, including my own children, for the first time. My kids are finally engaged in politics; in their political future. I support Obama because he is infusing energy, youth and enthusiasm into the Democratic Party. I support Barack Obama because he can make us all work to believe that together..."Yes, we can heal this nation."

Maria reinforced my belief that "Yes, we can" change our country. We have the power to change it voice by voice, citizen by citizen, vote by vote.

Yes We Can!

Fired up! Ready to go!

And a video that includes some commentary...

In my mind I'm goin to Carolina (Part 1)

When we left for Columbia, South Carolina last Friday at 5 am, I didn't expect to fall for South Carolina's voters but it hit me from behind.

In my mind I'm goin to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Maybe just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin to Carolina in my mind

Dark and silent last night
I think I might have heard the highway calling
Geese in flight and dogs that bite
Signs that might be omens say I going, going
I'm goin to Carolina in my mind

With a holy host of others standing round me
Still I'm on the dark side of the moon
And it seems like it goes on like this forever
You must forgive me
If I'm up and gone to Carolina in my mind

- James Taylor


I was excited to finally be doing something concrete for Obama in an early primary state. But at the same time, I also felt torn about leaving Florida and all of the grassroots energy we had been putting into the Tampa Bay area, especially Monday's MLK parade in St. Petersburg.

Since the Florida primary debacle, the Tampa Bay O-Train volunteer group has refocused its attention on the national effort. With that in mind, we sent almost 40 volunteers to South Carolina. Some went for a long weekend and others volunteered for an entire week. We understand that this election is not about Florida anymore. It is now South Carolina's turn. South Carolina's voters are in a position to change the world.


Our particular O-Train caravan drove to Columbia, South Carolina with 9 volunteers in two cars with 2 more volunteers following a few hours later. We only made one food stop. When we stopped to eat breakfast at Cracker Barrel, we didn't realize that it would be our last meal until after 9 pm that night. Good thing I packed some snacks in my O-Train mobile.


We arrived at the Midlands Regional Headquarters around 3pm.


And they immediately put us to work.

Now I must admit that phone banking is my least favorite thing to do, so I jumped at the chance to canvass. It didn't look like Jerel was enjoying phonebanking either,

so I pulled him away from the phone to canvass with me. It was cold but we kept on knocking on doors until headquarters called us back in.

After a very late dinner, we went home to Mike's house. Mike had agreed to house a few volunteers from Tampa. Not only did Mike allow 9 of us to sleep at his place, but he also cooked breakfast for us. It was delicious!

We like Mike!




We reported for duty on Saturday morning at 10 am. Jerel and I were leaving headquarters to finish canvassing the neighborhood that we started the day before when a new volunteer, Mohan, walked in. Having traveled by plane and bus from Princeton University, Mohan was happy to join us. Fellow O-Trainer, Michele also helped us canvass this neighborhood.

Jerel, Mohan, an exhausted Edward and me:


Did I mention that Saturday was cold and rainy all day? Having lived in Pennsylvania most of my life, I knew that wearing plastic bags over my socks would be essential to my success and sure enough, the newspaper bags kept my socks dry. We knocked on doors all day. We only stopped to look for a Starbucks so we could have some hot chocolate and coffee. We couldn't find any Starbucks nearby so we ended up at a local McDonalds. We caused quite a scene at this McDonalds. First of all, Mary behind the counter, talked me into giving her my Obama button. Now I have given away a lot of Barack Obama buttons but this one was special. I had it since February 07 but there was something about Mary at McDonalds. After I gave it to her, she allowed me to video tape her.

We met a lot of Obama supporters at this McDonalds including Miss Cynthia. We were handing out tickets to the Sunday Obama Rally and Miss Cynthia handed us a pen as she invited us to come to her church the next morning. On the pen was a phone number for Shekinah Glory Family Care Ministries. I called and left a message that we wanted to attend their services on Sunday morning. Pastor Margaret Harper called me back Saturday night and gave me directions to their Sunday morning services. She told me that it was a small church that focuses its outreach ministry to single mothers and children.

After our McDonalds break, we knocked on doors in a new neighborhood. We were glad to hear that Obama had a lot of support in this neighborhood. Our favorite Obama supporter was Leon Robinson of Columbia, SC:

We were wet, cold and hungry but Leon got us fired up and ready to canvass some more. We finally joined other volunteers at Damon's for dinner Saturday evening. Jerel had discovered Damon's Friday night and it ended up being our favorite place to unwind. Chandra the bartender took good care of us:


The next morning, Jerel, Mohan and I were driving on the highway to attend church when the tire pressure warning symbol lit up on my dashboard. I admit that I am not very good at monitoring tire pressure but I believe that my brand new car was being a little extreme with its warning. I have only had this car for about 2 weeks so I wasn't sure exactly what the symbol meant. My co-pilot, Jerel, looked it up in the cliffnotes version of the manual. It had the whole color code scare-o-meter just like Homeland Security. Apparently, we were at the "immediately pull over and read owner's manual" alert stage. Knowing that the change in air temperature most likely caused a change in the air pressure in my tires, we stopped at the nearest gas station to add some air.


When Jerel, Mohan and I arrived at the strip mall where this small congregation would be worshipping, we didn't know what to expect. We didn't know how we strangers would be received. As we approached room where the church service was being held, we could hear it rocking with electric piano, drums, guitar, Congo drums and joyful voices. We were led to the second row and watched as a lesson about the Shield of Faith, the Sword of the Spirit, the Breastplate of Righteousness and the Helmet of Salvation was presented to the congregation. To briefly summarize; with prayer and faith, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from those who would tempt us or do us harm.


They involved the children in the lesson by dressing them in toy armor and then quizzed them by giving away the toy armor set to the child who could name all four. They also had many of the children take turns reading Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech.


Pastor Harper


Pastor Harper allowed Jerel to read a letter from Senator Barack Obama outloud to the congregation. Jerel also talked about how Obama was the target of negative and misleading attacks. I thanked them for allowing us to attend their church. I mentioned that although we could have gone to any church in Columbia, we believed that we were meant to meet Miss Cynthia at McDonalds and attend their Sunday worship service.


Jerel and I both had experienced this kind of environment before but Mohan is a Hindu-Indian from England. He kept turning to me and whispering in his British accent “This is amazing. This is brilliant!”

A few minutes later, Jerel, Mohan and I were called to come up front to be Obama’s surrogates for prayer. Pastor Harper said that God wanted them to pray for Obama’s protection. They were going to pray for Obama through us as his surrogates. Jim Reed led the prayer as Jerel, Mohan and I held hands in the front of the room. The entire congregation surrounded us (also holding hands) and prayed for our protection. Tears streamed down my face as I felt all the prayers and energy in the room directed toward Senator Obama and his volunteers. Mohan was right. It was brilliant! This small congregation had opened their arms wide to welcome us and then wrapped them around us to protect us and Obama. I don’t think that the 3 of us will ever forget this experience.

The time at this service flew by so quickly that we had not realized that it was already 2 pm and we were supposed to report at the convention center to volunteer for the Obama rally at 3 pm. Would we make it in time? To be continued...

Young voters energize election