The Democrats are hitting the right buttons, such as bipartisan oversight of the fund, limits on golden parachutes for failed executives, and relief for Main Street. The deal is not yet final, so we will have to see.
But it seems that two important options are not on the table, and I think they should be.
(a) We could learn from Sweden’s valuable experience from 1992, when they faced a remarkably similar problem (see yesterday’s NY Times and IHT). Rather than buying the worthless assets from the banks at inflated values, the government could buy stock in the banks themselves at the current, low values. This would pump the needed capital into the system to restore balance sheets. It would give the taxpayer a much better chance to be repaid, as the government could resell later at a profit when conditions stabilize. It would remove the reward to investors who let their executives be greedy. Finally, as a stockholder, it would give a real chance to the government to prevent those undeserved golden parachutes.
Apparently, that smacks of “nationalizing the banks”, an anathema, however temporary. Too socialist for this anti-regulation/ pro-bailout government.
(b) We could let the financial system heal itself, and use the trillion dollars to build a modern social safety net and ease the pain to the population. Long term, this would leave the economy stronger and not reward the greed and mismanagement as we are doing now.
Right now, we have to avoid a feeding frenzy on Wall Street when this money is released. Good luck.
Bob
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Scandalous Finance
America’s financial crisis was unnecessary. And the scandalous remedy the Bush Administration is pushing through is going to weaken America for the very long term.
But okay, the stock market is up, isn’t it?
Honestly, this unprincipled government does not have a clue about the proper role of government in our affairs. After years of holy “deregulation”- of
- ignoring unethical lending to people who couldn’t afford to pay back,
- letting financial institutions repackage, sell and ingest highly risky “toxic paper” from those loans,
- after years of letting Wall Street walk away with billions in under-taxed bonuses and profits (and asking for still MORE tax reductions for the rich),
the Bush Administration in its wisdom has decided to save the world by once again looting the treasury, this time for the benefit of its comrades on Wall Street.
Scandalous. And we will pay for this for a generation, and will be weakened for longer.
The plan – to borrow $750 billion (probably double that, in fact – nobody knows) from whom? - the Chinese who finance America’s debt – to rush to buy worthless paper from merchant bankers whose greed knew no bounds.
This throws the basic rule of capitalism out the window: those who succeed should profit, and those who fail must take the consequences. Not so in the new Republican world of George Bush. And “deregulation” really applies only when it benefits the friends of the Bush administration.
Juan Peron is the closest historical figure to George Bush that I can think of – a man who ruined Argentina (formerly prosperous) in a decade of jingoism, reckless printing of money, and military chest-pounding. Sound familiar? It should.
The consequences are predictable.
Bob
But okay, the stock market is up, isn’t it?
Honestly, this unprincipled government does not have a clue about the proper role of government in our affairs. After years of holy “deregulation”- of
- ignoring unethical lending to people who couldn’t afford to pay back,
- letting financial institutions repackage, sell and ingest highly risky “toxic paper” from those loans,
- after years of letting Wall Street walk away with billions in under-taxed bonuses and profits (and asking for still MORE tax reductions for the rich),
the Bush Administration in its wisdom has decided to save the world by once again looting the treasury, this time for the benefit of its comrades on Wall Street.
Scandalous. And we will pay for this for a generation, and will be weakened for longer.
The plan – to borrow $750 billion (probably double that, in fact – nobody knows) from whom? - the Chinese who finance America’s debt – to rush to buy worthless paper from merchant bankers whose greed knew no bounds.
This throws the basic rule of capitalism out the window: those who succeed should profit, and those who fail must take the consequences. Not so in the new Republican world of George Bush. And “deregulation” really applies only when it benefits the friends of the Bush administration.
Juan Peron is the closest historical figure to George Bush that I can think of – a man who ruined Argentina (formerly prosperous) in a decade of jingoism, reckless printing of money, and military chest-pounding. Sound familiar? It should.
The consequences are predictable.
Bob
Monday, September 15, 2008
Alaskans Against Palin
The "Alaska Women Reject Palin Rally" was huge!
In the biggest political demonstration ever held in Alaska, an estimated 1400 people vigorously showed their opposition to bringing Palin's politics to the nation.
Heed the message from those who know.
Bob
In the biggest political demonstration ever held in Alaska, an estimated 1400 people vigorously showed their opposition to bringing Palin's politics to the nation.
Heed the message from those who know.
Bob
Friday, September 12, 2008
9/11 Misused
I am a New Yorker, and an American. I care about 9/11. I was on the first plane out of Amsterdam to New York, six days after the attack. I had to be with the people I care about during that horrible moment.
I understand the pain and suffering the attack caused. I share the horror of witnessing thousands of innocent people die brutally and for no reason, leaving struggling families behind. I honor the brave firemen and police who struggled to rescue as many people as possible. I feel the shock of my country who, until 9/11, viewed its borders as secure. I have deep respect for those who rebuilt their lives after the attack.
But… we also have to acknowledge just how the Bush administration misused 9/11 for its own ends.
- The “Patriots” Act,
- the lies told to justify the invasion of Iraq,
- the infringements on Americans’ civil liberties,
- the introduction of torture as a legitimate government function,
- the institution of government by fear – codes blue, green and yellow in public places, side-by-side with the exhortation “go on with your lives”.
The forces surrounding the Bush Administration misused the fear following 9/11 to re-order our society, politics and values. Fear and unwarranted trust in the government made people accept things they would never have accepted if they had their wits about them.
9/11 matters profoundly. It matters most in HOW you remember it, and the lessons that we will take from it.
Thus far, it seems we have not done too well.
Bob
I understand the pain and suffering the attack caused. I share the horror of witnessing thousands of innocent people die brutally and for no reason, leaving struggling families behind. I honor the brave firemen and police who struggled to rescue as many people as possible. I feel the shock of my country who, until 9/11, viewed its borders as secure. I have deep respect for those who rebuilt their lives after the attack.
But… we also have to acknowledge just how the Bush administration misused 9/11 for its own ends.
- The “Patriots” Act,
- the lies told to justify the invasion of Iraq,
- the infringements on Americans’ civil liberties,
- the introduction of torture as a legitimate government function,
- the institution of government by fear – codes blue, green and yellow in public places, side-by-side with the exhortation “go on with your lives”.
The forces surrounding the Bush Administration misused the fear following 9/11 to re-order our society, politics and values. Fear and unwarranted trust in the government made people accept things they would never have accepted if they had their wits about them.
9/11 matters profoundly. It matters most in HOW you remember it, and the lessons that we will take from it.
Thus far, it seems we have not done too well.
Bob
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Conservative Intelligence
See how appalled The Economist Magazine is about John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin.
The September 4 article starts with the headline:
"John McCain’s choice of running-mate raises serious questions about his judgment"
and goes on to:
"The moose in the room, of course, is her lack of experience. When Geraldine Ferraro was picked as Walter Mondale’s running-mate, she had served in the House for three terms. Even the hapless Dan Quayle, George Bush senior’s sidekick, had served in the House and Senate for 12 years. Mrs Palin, who has been the governor of a state with a population of 670,000 for less than two years, is the most inexperienced candidate for a mainstream party in modern history.
"Inexperienced and Bush-level incurious. She has no record of interest in foreign policy, let alone expertise. She once told an Alaskan magazine: “I’ve been so focused on state government; I haven’t really focused much on the war in Iraq.” She obtained an American passport only last summer to visit Alaskan troops in Germany and Kuwait. This not only blunts Mr McCain’s most powerful criticism of Mr Obama. It also raises serious questions about the way he makes decisions."
and ends with
"One of the biggest problems with the Bush administration is that it appointed so many incompetents because they were sound on Roe v Wade. Mrs Palin’s elevation suggests that, far from breaking with Mr Bush, Mr McCain is repeating his mistakes."
Let's hope the American public does not buy this irresponsible maneuver.
The September 4 article starts with the headline:
"John McCain’s choice of running-mate raises serious questions about his judgment"
and goes on to:
"The moose in the room, of course, is her lack of experience. When Geraldine Ferraro was picked as Walter Mondale’s running-mate, she had served in the House for three terms. Even the hapless Dan Quayle, George Bush senior’s sidekick, had served in the House and Senate for 12 years. Mrs Palin, who has been the governor of a state with a population of 670,000 for less than two years, is the most inexperienced candidate for a mainstream party in modern history.
"Inexperienced and Bush-level incurious. She has no record of interest in foreign policy, let alone expertise. She once told an Alaskan magazine: “I’ve been so focused on state government; I haven’t really focused much on the war in Iraq.” She obtained an American passport only last summer to visit Alaskan troops in Germany and Kuwait. This not only blunts Mr McCain’s most powerful criticism of Mr Obama. It also raises serious questions about the way he makes decisions."
and ends with
"One of the biggest problems with the Bush administration is that it appointed so many incompetents because they were sound on Roe v Wade. Mrs Palin’s elevation suggests that, far from breaking with Mr Bush, Mr McCain is repeating his mistakes."
Let's hope the American public does not buy this irresponsible maneuver.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
"Uppity"
It is starting. The forces of hate and fear are amassing to try to turn this election into another Republican distortion of reality.
US Congressman Lynn Westmoreland of the Third Congressional District of Georgia has publicly called Barack and Michelle Obama “uppity”.
Westmoreland, age 58, born and raised in central Georgia, is now incredibly denying that this word has any racial connotations.
Nonsense! People from this generation (I am one) know that the word “uppity” is routinely followed by the word “nigger” (please excuse me), and means a darkie who is reaching out of his proper, low station. A guy like Congressman Westmoreland who was raised in a mill town in Georgia during the 50’s and 60’s certainly knows it.
Congressman Westmoreland is announcing that it’s open season for racism.
Make no mistake, if they come against the blacks, they will come against the gays, the Latinos, and anybody else they view as offending the eye.
Bob
WHERE ON EARTH WILL YOU VOTE? FOR HELP:
http://www.votefromabroad.org/
US Congressman Lynn Westmoreland of the Third Congressional District of Georgia has publicly called Barack and Michelle Obama “uppity”.
Westmoreland, age 58, born and raised in central Georgia, is now incredibly denying that this word has any racial connotations.
Nonsense! People from this generation (I am one) know that the word “uppity” is routinely followed by the word “nigger” (please excuse me), and means a darkie who is reaching out of his proper, low station. A guy like Congressman Westmoreland who was raised in a mill town in Georgia during the 50’s and 60’s certainly knows it.
Congressman Westmoreland is announcing that it’s open season for racism.
Make no mistake, if they come against the blacks, they will come against the gays, the Latinos, and anybody else they view as offending the eye.
Bob
WHERE ON EARTH WILL YOU VOTE? FOR HELP:
http://www.votefromabroad.org/
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Hillary to the rescue?
It weighs on me. Sarah Palin, with little substance but high TV ratings, is distracting the national debate.
Selecting her was a political stroke, but also an act of singular irresponsibility by John McCain. She is clearly not qualified to be a heartbeat from the Presidency of the United States, especially when in John McCain’s case that heartbeat would be that of the oldest president we ever elected.
But there it is. The cameras like her. The public seems to be attracted.
This election will not be decided by the votes of people who, like me, are passionate and follow every day’s news. We decided whom to vote for years ago.
The election will be decided by the 5-8% of Americans, many in swing states, who will make up their minds in the final weeks. And they seem to like looking at Sarah.
The Democratic Party needs a specific strategy to attract these relatively uninformed, relatively uninterested voters. They are important.
In my view, we have to fight fire with fire.
Only one person can take on Sarah: that’s Hillary.
In order for the Democrats to win, Hillary should go to blows (figuratively) with Sarah Palin, day-by-day, state by state, from now until the election. Hillary has to show clearly that Sarah is no Hillary, and use her appeal to working class voters to compete with Sarah’s.
Joe Biden cannot do it. With Sarah, he will have to walk a tightrope. A man cannot be tough on a nice lady and win, no matter how abhorrent her thoughtless politics might be. He cannot appear to bully her. It won’t help that Joe is hugely more qualified and knowledgeable on the issues than Sarah. That will just make it an unfair fight, and attract sympathy to her.
This is important.
Bob
Selecting her was a political stroke, but also an act of singular irresponsibility by John McCain. She is clearly not qualified to be a heartbeat from the Presidency of the United States, especially when in John McCain’s case that heartbeat would be that of the oldest president we ever elected.
But there it is. The cameras like her. The public seems to be attracted.
This election will not be decided by the votes of people who, like me, are passionate and follow every day’s news. We decided whom to vote for years ago.
The election will be decided by the 5-8% of Americans, many in swing states, who will make up their minds in the final weeks. And they seem to like looking at Sarah.
The Democratic Party needs a specific strategy to attract these relatively uninformed, relatively uninterested voters. They are important.
In my view, we have to fight fire with fire.
Only one person can take on Sarah: that’s Hillary.
In order for the Democrats to win, Hillary should go to blows (figuratively) with Sarah Palin, day-by-day, state by state, from now until the election. Hillary has to show clearly that Sarah is no Hillary, and use her appeal to working class voters to compete with Sarah’s.
Joe Biden cannot do it. With Sarah, he will have to walk a tightrope. A man cannot be tough on a nice lady and win, no matter how abhorrent her thoughtless politics might be. He cannot appear to bully her. It won’t help that Joe is hugely more qualified and knowledgeable on the issues than Sarah. That will just make it an unfair fight, and attract sympathy to her.
This is important.
Bob
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
More Palin Revelations
I think it's important to get a very clear picture of the woman who, if elected, will be a heartbeat away from the Presidency. Given her lack of national experience, we really don't know much about her.
Sarah Palin's politics in Alaska, running for mayor of a town of 7,000 people, were marked by divisiveness, threats of book censorship, religious overtones, and a lot of other stuff we should NOT see on the national stage.
The difficulty is that she will present herself as a nice lady, which she probably is. Her politics are abhorent, but the lady has charm. This will make an opponent difficult for Joe Biden to be tough with.
Please read this New York Times article for more information.
Bob
Sarah Palin's politics in Alaska, running for mayor of a town of 7,000 people, were marked by divisiveness, threats of book censorship, religious overtones, and a lot of other stuff we should NOT see on the national stage.
The difficulty is that she will present herself as a nice lady, which she probably is. Her politics are abhorent, but the lady has charm. This will make an opponent difficult for Joe Biden to be tough with.
Please read this New York Times article for more information.
Bob
Monday, September 1, 2008
Sarah Palin's Pregnant Daughter
Sarah Palin's 17-year old daughter is five months pregnant. This is not a secret. It's on page one of the New York Times.
Personally, I think such things are, well, personal. Every family has its dramas. Yours does, too.
And as a gay person, I think it's extremely dangerous to start being judgmental about somebody else's sex life.
But that's not what this story is about. It's about the hypocrisy of the Christian right, the danger of opposing abortion when young lives are ruined and unwanted babies are born.
And most of all it's about the now questionable competence of John McCain, who chose Sarah Palin without adequate background investigation.
What was he thinking? Or wasn't he thinking at all?
Bob
Where on earth will you vote? Get help at www.votefromabroad.org
Personally, I think such things are, well, personal. Every family has its dramas. Yours does, too.
And as a gay person, I think it's extremely dangerous to start being judgmental about somebody else's sex life.
But that's not what this story is about. It's about the hypocrisy of the Christian right, the danger of opposing abortion when young lives are ruined and unwanted babies are born.
And most of all it's about the now questionable competence of John McCain, who chose Sarah Palin without adequate background investigation.
What was he thinking? Or wasn't he thinking at all?
Bob
Where on earth will you vote? Get help at www.votefromabroad.org
Louisiana Levees
Ignore that grin in my photo. It is not intended for these ghastly pictures.
I just think we all need to see what happens when our government doesn't build adequate dikes. In Holland, this is something we know about. The technology is a thousand years old. But our government in America, with definitive proof that a disaster will come, seems unable to protect the population. Now, what is wrong with this picture....
I just think we all need to see what happens when our government doesn't build adequate dikes. In Holland, this is something we know about. The technology is a thousand years old. But our government in America, with definitive proof that a disaster will come, seems unable to protect the population. Now, what is wrong with this picture....
Hurricane Gustav - a gift to the Republicans
I don't mean to seem unfeeling about real human suffering in New Orleans. I'm not.
But the fact is that the Republicans have been pondering how to remove George Bush and Dick Cheney from their national convention, or at least make them invisible. After all, George Bush takes the prize for unpopularity and Dick Cheney is, well, Dick Cheney.
They got a gift - Hurricane Gustav. At a stroke President Bush disappeared, John McCain got to look caring (though not particularly Presidential) and FEMA sought to prove that it was no longer run by political hacks.
It's too bad that John McCain visited the area. He distracted valuable resources that should have been used for rescue efforts. NOT going to New Orleans was the one inadvertently competent thing George Bush did the last time around.
But hey, it's an election year.
Bob
But the fact is that the Republicans have been pondering how to remove George Bush and Dick Cheney from their national convention, or at least make them invisible. After all, George Bush takes the prize for unpopularity and Dick Cheney is, well, Dick Cheney.
They got a gift - Hurricane Gustav. At a stroke President Bush disappeared, John McCain got to look caring (though not particularly Presidential) and FEMA sought to prove that it was no longer run by political hacks.
It's too bad that John McCain visited the area. He distracted valuable resources that should have been used for rescue efforts. NOT going to New Orleans was the one inadvertently competent thing George Bush did the last time around.
But hey, it's an election year.
Bob
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Sarah Palin – An Irresponsible Act
I respect John McCain, but I cannot respect his decision to make Sarah Palin his running mate.
She is not qualified to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency, and with McCain at 72 years old, there is a good chance the Presidency will fall to her.
Palin is an evangelical Christian, an anti-abortion, anti-feminist woman, anti-gay, anti-gun controls, sometimes pro-creationism, who comes from a state dominated by big oil and intense corruption.
Palin has no national or international experience whatever. Her major responsible job before less than 2 years as governor of Alaska was as mayor of a town of 8,000. She was also Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission for a year, so she knows how big oil works.
Her strategic plusses for McCain: She will play well with the evangelicals (who have been falling off the Republican bandwagon) and some of the working class who Hillary spoke to but who have eluded Obama.
The Alaska papers vacillate between “home town girl makes good” and horror at the possibility.
The sleaze factor is back. Why does this remind me of Spiro T. Agnew, for those of you who remember? People who think they can use government to further their personal ends. Google “Palin Trooper Gate” and see what comes up. Palin has been under investigation for pressuring the Alaska Government to fire her ex-brother in law, who is a state trooper, as part of her sister’s nasty divorce.
Will America fall for this? The Hillary people certainly won’t. Sarah Palin is as far from Hillary Clinton as could be.
Mr. McCain, this was irresponsible.
Democrats: Every vote counts!
Bob
Live Abroad? Need to Vote?
We make it easy. See www.votefromabroad.org
She is not qualified to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency, and with McCain at 72 years old, there is a good chance the Presidency will fall to her.
Palin is an evangelical Christian, an anti-abortion, anti-feminist woman, anti-gay, anti-gun controls, sometimes pro-creationism, who comes from a state dominated by big oil and intense corruption.
Palin has no national or international experience whatever. Her major responsible job before less than 2 years as governor of Alaska was as mayor of a town of 8,000. She was also Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission for a year, so she knows how big oil works.
Her strategic plusses for McCain: She will play well with the evangelicals (who have been falling off the Republican bandwagon) and some of the working class who Hillary spoke to but who have eluded Obama.
The Alaska papers vacillate between “home town girl makes good” and horror at the possibility.
The sleaze factor is back. Why does this remind me of Spiro T. Agnew, for those of you who remember? People who think they can use government to further their personal ends. Google “Palin Trooper Gate” and see what comes up. Palin has been under investigation for pressuring the Alaska Government to fire her ex-brother in law, who is a state trooper, as part of her sister’s nasty divorce.
Will America fall for this? The Hillary people certainly won’t. Sarah Palin is as far from Hillary Clinton as could be.
Mr. McCain, this was irresponsible.
Democrats: Every vote counts!
Bob
Live Abroad? Need to Vote?
We make it easy. See www.votefromabroad.org
Friday, August 29, 2008
Convention Day 4 – Obama’s Acceptance Speech
I am so proud to be a Democrat.
The open-air event at Invesco Mile High Stadium in Denver was a show of Democratic unity and values.
The best way to understand this is to take the time to watch Obama’s magnificent speech.
I can’t anything to improve on what the man said. Please look at his amazing speech. Do it twice. These are words to remember.
For those of you who want even MORE depth, look at Al Gore’s speech. It rocks!
Remember: The most important thing is to Elect Barack Obama and a Democratic Congress. There is SO much damage from the Bush administration to repair.
Future Blogging
Writing this blog and communicating with the hundreds of you who read it has enhanced my experience of the Convention. I am grateful for the comments I received both directly and posted on the blog. Thanks to you all.
I'm going to stop for a while, but will resume when I return to Holland.
To stay reasonably brief (and to let me get to bed before 4 a.m.!) I omitted a lot of the things that happened.
For example:
At Democrats Abroad breakfasts we were honored to have speeches from two terrific members of Congress: Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Democrat from New York (who happens to represent my home district in Manhattan), who founded the Americans Abroad Caucus in Congress, and Senator Benjamin Cardin of Maryland, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee, as well a being the ranking member on the Helsinki Commission for security and cooperation with Europe.
Senator Cardin’s best quote: The Bush administration has trampled on our civil rights, and destroyed our fiscal responsibility” We MUST elect Baraka Obama to repair this damage.
At the LGBT Caucus, we were addressed by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome, who started doing same-sex marriages in San Francisco in defiance of then state law.
The Chair of the Democratic National Committee, Gov. Howard Dean, also spoke to the LGBT Caucus. He is the best friend we could have. As Governor of Vermont, in 2000 Governor Dean signed the first legislation in the United States permitting same-sex civil registration.
Being a Delegate to a Democratic National Convention was a great experience, which I recommend to anyone.
I realize Obama seeks to be President of the entire country, and not just the Democratic Party. But I regret the Convention’s references to religion, and repeatedly to “America’s Warriors”.
Those are not my values. Religion should be kept out of politics. I yearn for secular, civil government, where no particular religion, or religious belief in general, is held above those who believe differently. And our military might must be used rationally, and only where needed. I admire and support those brave men and women who risk their lives for America. We disrespect them when we use them wrongly.
Where on earth will you vote? See www.votefromabroad.org
The open-air event at Invesco Mile High Stadium in Denver was a show of Democratic unity and values.
The best way to understand this is to take the time to watch Obama’s magnificent speech.
I can’t anything to improve on what the man said. Please look at his amazing speech. Do it twice. These are words to remember.
For those of you who want even MORE depth, look at Al Gore’s speech. It rocks!
Remember: The most important thing is to Elect Barack Obama and a Democratic Congress. There is SO much damage from the Bush administration to repair.
Future Blogging
Writing this blog and communicating with the hundreds of you who read it has enhanced my experience of the Convention. I am grateful for the comments I received both directly and posted on the blog. Thanks to you all.
I'm going to stop for a while, but will resume when I return to Holland.
To stay reasonably brief (and to let me get to bed before 4 a.m.!) I omitted a lot of the things that happened.
For example:
At Democrats Abroad breakfasts we were honored to have speeches from two terrific members of Congress: Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Democrat from New York (who happens to represent my home district in Manhattan), who founded the Americans Abroad Caucus in Congress, and Senator Benjamin Cardin of Maryland, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee, as well a being the ranking member on the Helsinki Commission for security and cooperation with Europe.
Senator Cardin’s best quote: The Bush administration has trampled on our civil rights, and destroyed our fiscal responsibility” We MUST elect Baraka Obama to repair this damage.
At the LGBT Caucus, we were addressed by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome, who started doing same-sex marriages in San Francisco in defiance of then state law.
The Chair of the Democratic National Committee, Gov. Howard Dean, also spoke to the LGBT Caucus. He is the best friend we could have. As Governor of Vermont, in 2000 Governor Dean signed the first legislation in the United States permitting same-sex civil registration.
Being a Delegate to a Democratic National Convention was a great experience, which I recommend to anyone.
I realize Obama seeks to be President of the entire country, and not just the Democratic Party. But I regret the Convention’s references to religion, and repeatedly to “America’s Warriors”.
Those are not my values. Religion should be kept out of politics. I yearn for secular, civil government, where no particular religion, or religious belief in general, is held above those who believe differently. And our military might must be used rationally, and only where needed. I admire and support those brave men and women who risk their lives for America. We disrespect them when we use them wrongly.
Where on earth will you vote? See www.votefromabroad.org
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Convention Day 3 - Obama by Acclamation!
They did the deed! And they did it beautifully. Barack Obama is the candidate of the Democratic Party for the Presidency of the United States, and Joe Biden Obama is the Vice Presidential candidate.
It’s a dynamite team. Obama inspires. Biden fights. Both are brilliant. This is going to be good.
And it happened by acclamation. That means no vote was needed. The entire convention voiced (well, shouted) its approval as one. As if to show the complete unanimity of the support.
And the acclamation was a surprise act of grace and generosity by Hillary Clinton.
You can see this extraordinary moment (with a bonus blip of me in the picture).
The event was so thrilling, that I’d like to explain how it worked for those of you who like these fascinating details. Everybody else should stop reading.
The Acclamation:
First, Senator Nancy Pelosi, the Secretary of the Convention, called the usual role all. When we got to Democrats Abroad (right after Delaware), our Chair, Christine Schon Marques, made a great little speech about the 6-7 millions abroad whom we represent, and then cast our measly 12 votes. The contrast between population and votes was clear.
Almost every state voting had massive votes for Obama. This confused me, because I didn’t recall his winning by such huge margins. Someone told me that since 1980 candidates are not “really pledged” any more, so many Clinton candidates have shifted their votes to Obama.
When we got to California, they “passed”. That huge number of votes was not counted! I was confused, but we decided that California probably wants to vote last, so as to “make the difference.” Ah, well.
When we got to New Jersey, the state cast its entire 127 votes for Obama. All their Clinton people had defected. Massive cheering followed.
When we got to New York – here’s the clincher – things changed. Hillary Clinton came out from behind the delegation, walking slowly down the aisle to where the New York State delegation was sitting. The house erupted into cheers and applause. That took five minutes. When she finally reached her destination, her aide handed her a paper, which she read out loud:
“With eyes firmly fixed on the future, in the spirit of unity, with the goal of victory, with faith in our party and our country let’s declare together in one voice, right here and right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate, and he will be our president."
“Madame secretary, madame secretary, I move that the convention suspend the procedural rules and suspend the further conduct of the roll call vote. All votes cast by the delegates will be counted, and that I move Senator Barack Obama of Illinois be selected by this convention by acclamation as the nominee of the Democratic Party for president of" the United States.”
Nancy Pelosi called for a “second” to the motion, as the rules require, and thousand cheered. She then called for a vote on the motion. And thousand cheered again.
The deed was done!
I later learned that the reason California probably passed was to allow this acclamation to happen. The states are called alphabetically, and if the California votes had been counted, Obama would have had enough votes to win before the voting got to New York.
Biden, too!
Then Joe Biden was ALSO nominated by acclamation. He gave a terrific speech, too. Heart-warming, tough, intelligent.
Bill Clinton’s Speech – The best.
For me, the highpoint was Bill Clinton’s speech, the last of the evening. When he stepped on the stage, we all remembered that at one point or another, we have loved Bill Clinton. He was the finest, wisest President since Kennedy. His administration accomplished so much, and left the country in better shape than it has ever been. It is a tragedy that the Bush Administration has trashed these advances, leaving behind huge debt, trade deficits, war, poverty, and social dislocation.
In his second sentence, Bill Clinton praised Barack Obama, said he was “ready” to be President, and said, “Hillary and I will support him fully in his campaign for the Presidency” (I paraphrase). This was an historic statement. It can change the future of the world.
Obama’s surprise visit.
Obama then walked on the stage. A surprise visitor! The house – which could not have gotten much more excited – went wild. Cheers, followed by a warm and short speech by Obama.
The evening ended with the Obama family and the Biden family (including numerous children, spouses and cute grandchildren) coming out on the stage for massive ovation.
The new age begins…
Where on earth will you vote? See www.votefromabroad.blogspot.com
It’s a dynamite team. Obama inspires. Biden fights. Both are brilliant. This is going to be good.
And it happened by acclamation. That means no vote was needed. The entire convention voiced (well, shouted) its approval as one. As if to show the complete unanimity of the support.
And the acclamation was a surprise act of grace and generosity by Hillary Clinton.
You can see this extraordinary moment (with a bonus blip of me in the picture).
The event was so thrilling, that I’d like to explain how it worked for those of you who like these fascinating details. Everybody else should stop reading.
The Acclamation:
First, Senator Nancy Pelosi, the Secretary of the Convention, called the usual role all. When we got to Democrats Abroad (right after Delaware), our Chair, Christine Schon Marques, made a great little speech about the 6-7 millions abroad whom we represent, and then cast our measly 12 votes. The contrast between population and votes was clear.
Almost every state voting had massive votes for Obama. This confused me, because I didn’t recall his winning by such huge margins. Someone told me that since 1980 candidates are not “really pledged” any more, so many Clinton candidates have shifted their votes to Obama.
When we got to California, they “passed”. That huge number of votes was not counted! I was confused, but we decided that California probably wants to vote last, so as to “make the difference.” Ah, well.
When we got to New Jersey, the state cast its entire 127 votes for Obama. All their Clinton people had defected. Massive cheering followed.
When we got to New York – here’s the clincher – things changed. Hillary Clinton came out from behind the delegation, walking slowly down the aisle to where the New York State delegation was sitting. The house erupted into cheers and applause. That took five minutes. When she finally reached her destination, her aide handed her a paper, which she read out loud:
“With eyes firmly fixed on the future, in the spirit of unity, with the goal of victory, with faith in our party and our country let’s declare together in one voice, right here and right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate, and he will be our president."
“Madame secretary, madame secretary, I move that the convention suspend the procedural rules and suspend the further conduct of the roll call vote. All votes cast by the delegates will be counted, and that I move Senator Barack Obama of Illinois be selected by this convention by acclamation as the nominee of the Democratic Party for president of" the United States.”
Nancy Pelosi called for a “second” to the motion, as the rules require, and thousand cheered. She then called for a vote on the motion. And thousand cheered again.
The deed was done!
I later learned that the reason California probably passed was to allow this acclamation to happen. The states are called alphabetically, and if the California votes had been counted, Obama would have had enough votes to win before the voting got to New York.
Biden, too!
Then Joe Biden was ALSO nominated by acclamation. He gave a terrific speech, too. Heart-warming, tough, intelligent.
Bill Clinton’s Speech – The best.
For me, the highpoint was Bill Clinton’s speech, the last of the evening. When he stepped on the stage, we all remembered that at one point or another, we have loved Bill Clinton. He was the finest, wisest President since Kennedy. His administration accomplished so much, and left the country in better shape than it has ever been. It is a tragedy that the Bush Administration has trashed these advances, leaving behind huge debt, trade deficits, war, poverty, and social dislocation.
In his second sentence, Bill Clinton praised Barack Obama, said he was “ready” to be President, and said, “Hillary and I will support him fully in his campaign for the Presidency” (I paraphrase). This was an historic statement. It can change the future of the world.
Obama’s surprise visit.
Obama then walked on the stage. A surprise visitor! The house – which could not have gotten much more excited – went wild. Cheers, followed by a warm and short speech by Obama.
The evening ended with the Obama family and the Biden family (including numerous children, spouses and cute grandchildren) coming out on the stage for massive ovation.
The new age begins…
Where on earth will you vote? See www.votefromabroad.blogspot.com
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Convention Day 2
Maya, Dennis and Hillary
For Democrats Abroad, the day began with a breakfast presentation by Maya Soetero-Ng, who is Obama’s half-sister. Like Obama, Maya speaks with great charm and intelligence. It’s a real pleasure to listen to her.
Both Maya and Barack have multi-cultural backgrounds. (Maya’s father was Indonesian). How odd that Obama, with an international background, has been accused of lacking “foreign policy” knowledge. Nonsense! He (and Maya) have a deep understanding of this multicultural world that we live in.
--
At the Convention
The burning question for weeks has been: Will Hillary and her people support Obama? It’s important that they do, if we are to win this election.
Today she made it magnificently clear that she does and she will.
First, Hillary visited the Democratic pro-choice women’s group Emily’s List together with Michelle Obama. I wasn’t there, but I hear they made a great team, and it was abundantly clear that Hillary will work hard to be sure Obama is elected. He has her full support. There were smiles all around.
At the Convention, a series of speeches built up to Hillary’s own speech, the highlight of the evening.
For me, the pre-Hillary topper was Dennis Kucinich. See it if you can. His energetic presentation was based on three simple words: WAKE UP, AMERICA! – Wake up to the great damage the Bush Administration is doing to our economy, to the lack of health care for many, to growing income disparities, by creating reliance in foreign oil, and burgeoning debt, etc. An electric speech!
Elizabeth Kucinich, who is English, is a friend of Democrats Abroad and spent time with us during our meeting in Heidelberg. She was happy to see us again in Denver.
The theme of the evening was economic, entitled Renewing America’s Promise. It focused on the suffering of working people under Bush, and the need to rebuild America’s middle class, a term which stretches to include the working poor.
Speakers included eight state governors, two US senators, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, as well as AFL-CIO President John Sweeny ad the President of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards.
I like that we are not shying away from our values. The speeches made that clear. We are not afraid of being labeled “liberal”. This time, we are not letting the opposition determine our agenda. We are on “the attack”, as they say.
But we are only attacking on substantive issues. We are not making personal attacks (unlike the Republicans). In fact, at one point Hillary Clinton said that “John McCain is my friend and colleague, who has served honorably as a Senator for many years”.
We oppose McCain because his policies are wrong, are nothing more than a continuation of the destructive Bush years. But our side treats the opposition with respect.
Of course, Hillary’s speech was the high point of the evening. Introduced by daughter Chelsea, Hillary got a five-minute standing ovation when she entered. The profound love, respect, and gratitude that she engenders were palpable.
Hillary’s speech was close to perfect. Her work to advance the rights of women was a recurrent theme. She stated the values that propelled her work, and said that she supports Barack Obama because those values are his, as well. She gave him, Joe Biden, and Michelle Obama unqualified support. She was intelligent, gracious, and grateful for the support that is around her. You can read the speech online at www.nytimes.com. It’s beautiful.
The press was everywhere, looking for signs of conflict or harmony between Obama and Clinton. WABC TV, the New York City affiliate, wanted one of us to give live comments on Hillary’s speech.
CNN’s Jonathan Mann (a very nice guy) interviewed several of us, and said he wanted to report on Democrats Abroad as a matter of public service.
Just like yesterday, when CNN caught me dancing, today Fox TV caught me studying my palm. I got emails and calls from friends in New York about it.
Bob
Where on earth will you vote? See www.votefromabroad.org
For Democrats Abroad, the day began with a breakfast presentation by Maya Soetero-Ng, who is Obama’s half-sister. Like Obama, Maya speaks with great charm and intelligence. It’s a real pleasure to listen to her.
Both Maya and Barack have multi-cultural backgrounds. (Maya’s father was Indonesian). How odd that Obama, with an international background, has been accused of lacking “foreign policy” knowledge. Nonsense! He (and Maya) have a deep understanding of this multicultural world that we live in.
--
At the Convention
The burning question for weeks has been: Will Hillary and her people support Obama? It’s important that they do, if we are to win this election.
Today she made it magnificently clear that she does and she will.
First, Hillary visited the Democratic pro-choice women’s group Emily’s List together with Michelle Obama. I wasn’t there, but I hear they made a great team, and it was abundantly clear that Hillary will work hard to be sure Obama is elected. He has her full support. There were smiles all around.
At the Convention, a series of speeches built up to Hillary’s own speech, the highlight of the evening.
For me, the pre-Hillary topper was Dennis Kucinich. See it if you can. His energetic presentation was based on three simple words: WAKE UP, AMERICA! – Wake up to the great damage the Bush Administration is doing to our economy, to the lack of health care for many, to growing income disparities, by creating reliance in foreign oil, and burgeoning debt, etc. An electric speech!
Elizabeth Kucinich, who is English, is a friend of Democrats Abroad and spent time with us during our meeting in Heidelberg. She was happy to see us again in Denver.
The theme of the evening was economic, entitled Renewing America’s Promise. It focused on the suffering of working people under Bush, and the need to rebuild America’s middle class, a term which stretches to include the working poor.
Speakers included eight state governors, two US senators, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, as well as AFL-CIO President John Sweeny ad the President of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards.
I like that we are not shying away from our values. The speeches made that clear. We are not afraid of being labeled “liberal”. This time, we are not letting the opposition determine our agenda. We are on “the attack”, as they say.
But we are only attacking on substantive issues. We are not making personal attacks (unlike the Republicans). In fact, at one point Hillary Clinton said that “John McCain is my friend and colleague, who has served honorably as a Senator for many years”.
We oppose McCain because his policies are wrong, are nothing more than a continuation of the destructive Bush years. But our side treats the opposition with respect.
Of course, Hillary’s speech was the high point of the evening. Introduced by daughter Chelsea, Hillary got a five-minute standing ovation when she entered. The profound love, respect, and gratitude that she engenders were palpable.
Hillary’s speech was close to perfect. Her work to advance the rights of women was a recurrent theme. She stated the values that propelled her work, and said that she supports Barack Obama because those values are his, as well. She gave him, Joe Biden, and Michelle Obama unqualified support. She was intelligent, gracious, and grateful for the support that is around her. You can read the speech online at www.nytimes.com. It’s beautiful.
The press was everywhere, looking for signs of conflict or harmony between Obama and Clinton. WABC TV, the New York City affiliate, wanted one of us to give live comments on Hillary’s speech.
CNN’s Jonathan Mann (a very nice guy) interviewed several of us, and said he wanted to report on Democrats Abroad as a matter of public service.
Just like yesterday, when CNN caught me dancing, today Fox TV caught me studying my palm. I got emails and calls from friends in New York about it.
Bob
Where on earth will you vote? See www.votefromabroad.org
Michelle Obama and Gay People
The big LGBT event today was the luncheon for delegates, hosted by Rep. Barney Frank, Rep. Tammy Baldwin and the Human Rights Commission. Le tout LGBT world was there. Close to 1,000 people, I’d guess, for a fancy sit-down lunch at the Sheraton Hotel.
But the big surprise was the visit by Michelle Obama, who was received with a powerful standing ovation.
We were so grateful that Michelle had come. Her visit was a statement that Barack is aware and concerned about our problems, and she made that clear in a thoughtful speech.
This was different than the speech the night before at the Convention, where Michelle focused on family and general values. In this speech of over 20 minutes, Michelle showed the good lawyer she is. She discussed the legal issues that affect the LGBT community, and showed her sincere concern and desire to help.
She pointed out that Barack has:
- voted to overturn the so-called Defense of Marriage Act which bars the Federal government from acknowledging any same-sex relationship,
- voted against the Federal (anti-)Marriage Amendment to the Constitution
- opposes the don’t ask/don’t tell rule in the military
- opposes discrimination in the workplace
Some of her remarks brought tears to my eyes. I was so very moved to see our possible future first lady standing strong and clear for LGBT rights. Michelle rightly said that, “discrimination has no place in a nation founded on equality” and encouraged us to work for the world “as it should be”. Alluding to the political issues surrounding LGBT rights, she said “We can win if we can move people away from fear and toward hope.” How true.
I was lucky enough to shake her hand as she left the hall. I thanked her for visiting our community, and told her how much it meant to us. I also asked her to think of us Americans who must live abroad because we have a foreign partner we cannot get a US visa for, and she looked me in the eye, and said, “We have to get you back home!”
That ended it for me. My eyes got moist.
Michelle is terrific.
Bob
Where on earth will you vote? See www.votefromabroad.org
But the big surprise was the visit by Michelle Obama, who was received with a powerful standing ovation.
We were so grateful that Michelle had come. Her visit was a statement that Barack is aware and concerned about our problems, and she made that clear in a thoughtful speech.
This was different than the speech the night before at the Convention, where Michelle focused on family and general values. In this speech of over 20 minutes, Michelle showed the good lawyer she is. She discussed the legal issues that affect the LGBT community, and showed her sincere concern and desire to help.
She pointed out that Barack has:
- voted to overturn the so-called Defense of Marriage Act which bars the Federal government from acknowledging any same-sex relationship,
- voted against the Federal (anti-)Marriage Amendment to the Constitution
- opposes the don’t ask/don’t tell rule in the military
- opposes discrimination in the workplace
Some of her remarks brought tears to my eyes. I was so very moved to see our possible future first lady standing strong and clear for LGBT rights. Michelle rightly said that, “discrimination has no place in a nation founded on equality” and encouraged us to work for the world “as it should be”. Alluding to the political issues surrounding LGBT rights, she said “We can win if we can move people away from fear and toward hope.” How true.
I was lucky enough to shake her hand as she left the hall. I thanked her for visiting our community, and told her how much it meant to us. I also asked her to think of us Americans who must live abroad because we have a foreign partner we cannot get a US visa for, and she looked me in the eye, and said, “We have to get you back home!”
That ended it for me. My eyes got moist.
Michelle is terrific.
Bob
Where on earth will you vote? See www.votefromabroad.org
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Convention Day 1
If the next three days of the convention are as good as the first day (they will be), this is going to be a fantastic week!
What was the highpoint last night? That’s almost hard to say:
Caroline Kennedy – President John Kennedy’s beautiful daughter - gave a stirring speech about both Obama and her uncle, Ted Kennedy. She said: "Some people say Barack Obama inspires them as much as my father did.” I was moved by that. It brought it all together, the traditions of the Democratic Party that are being fulfilled by Barack Obama. Her homage to her dear uncle was homage to 50 years of Kennedy leadership stretching from JFK to the present.
When Senator Ted Kennedy appeared, the love-fest began in earnest. He is suffering from advanced cancer, and he is not young, and it clearly as not easy for him to walk. He began his speech by saying: “NOTHING would keep me away from this celebration.” And the crowd went wild. We cheered the man who has fought hard for the right causes for decades. We cheered the Democratic leadership we respect and want more of.
But Michelle Obama was definitely the star of the show. Her closing speech was personal, political and philosophical. She told the story of her family’s roots as working people who struggled to survive, but who succeeded with deeply-rooted principles and a belief that:
- If you want something, you have to work very hard to get it.
- Keep your word. Keep your promises.
- Have faith in the future.
Deeply American values of hard work, honesty and optimism.
She told the story of how she met Barack, of her parents’ lives, of her work as an attorney, of her children who she loves so very much. It was a heart-rending speech, and hard not to love her at the end.
She brought out her two daughters, sweet little girls.
Barack himself appeared by video, from the house a family he is visiting in Kansas. He asked his daughters, “How did Mommy do”, and they told him! He told of his first date with his wife. They shared their family with us, in a way that was wonderfully genuine and simple.
Also stirring speeches from Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., Obama’s sister Maya Soetero-Ng, Michelle’s brother Craig Robinson,
And an appearance by President Jimmy Carter and Roslyn Carter.
And the music was great, too! A large band with great singers playing music you can MOVE to. Apparently, CNN got a shot of yours truly dancing in the aisle, and it flashed around the globe. I’ve gotten emails from Australia, California and New York from friends who saw it.
Looking forward to tomorrow,
Bob
What was the highpoint last night? That’s almost hard to say:
Caroline Kennedy – President John Kennedy’s beautiful daughter - gave a stirring speech about both Obama and her uncle, Ted Kennedy. She said: "Some people say Barack Obama inspires them as much as my father did.” I was moved by that. It brought it all together, the traditions of the Democratic Party that are being fulfilled by Barack Obama. Her homage to her dear uncle was homage to 50 years of Kennedy leadership stretching from JFK to the present.
When Senator Ted Kennedy appeared, the love-fest began in earnest. He is suffering from advanced cancer, and he is not young, and it clearly as not easy for him to walk. He began his speech by saying: “NOTHING would keep me away from this celebration.” And the crowd went wild. We cheered the man who has fought hard for the right causes for decades. We cheered the Democratic leadership we respect and want more of.
But Michelle Obama was definitely the star of the show. Her closing speech was personal, political and philosophical. She told the story of her family’s roots as working people who struggled to survive, but who succeeded with deeply-rooted principles and a belief that:
- If you want something, you have to work very hard to get it.
- Keep your word. Keep your promises.
- Have faith in the future.
Deeply American values of hard work, honesty and optimism.
She told the story of how she met Barack, of her parents’ lives, of her work as an attorney, of her children who she loves so very much. It was a heart-rending speech, and hard not to love her at the end.
She brought out her two daughters, sweet little girls.
Barack himself appeared by video, from the house a family he is visiting in Kansas. He asked his daughters, “How did Mommy do”, and they told him! He told of his first date with his wife. They shared their family with us, in a way that was wonderfully genuine and simple.
Also stirring speeches from Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., Obama’s sister Maya Soetero-Ng, Michelle’s brother Craig Robinson,
And an appearance by President Jimmy Carter and Roslyn Carter.
And the music was great, too! A large band with great singers playing music you can MOVE to. Apparently, CNN got a shot of yours truly dancing in the aisle, and it flashed around the globe. I’ve gotten emails from Australia, California and New York from friends who saw it.
Looking forward to tomorrow,
Bob
A Duel of Words
The European American Instituted hosted one of the most impressive panels on international relations I have ever attended.
The panelists: American Ambassador Richard Holdbrooke, Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, Former Bosnian Prime minister Zlatko Lagumdzija, the French Ambassador to the US, the former Prime Ministers of Chile and Norway, a Russian professor, and others.
The topic: How can we restore confidence in American Leadership in the world?
How can we repair the current dissonance between America and its allies?
The broad consensus: America will lead when it works in cooperation and consultation with its friends. The Bush Administration’s bullying attitudes of “My way or the high way”, and the “Coalition of the willing” and the “pre-emptive strike” policy of the United States as expressed in Iraq, are only going to cause long-term problems for both the US and the Western Alliance.
We clearly need a new direction.
There was also a pithy discussion between Ambassador Holdbrooke and the Russian professor about: Why are Russian troops in Georgia, and what are Russia’s true intentions? Has America responded correctly? Did US provocations by placing missiles in Turkey and Poland lead to the crisis? Is the proposed expansion of NATO to include Ukraine and Georgia a mistake? Are we heading toward a new cold war?
Consensus was not reached.
Most impressive: ALL of the questions from the audience came from members of Democrats Abroad, mostly people who live in the countries affected. One after another, DA members stood up, said they were from DA __ and DA___, and asked probing and knowledgeable questions. The question/answer period was extended 20 minutes to fit them all in. The questions were of a very high quality, and showed that DA members understand and care about international relations.
Bob
The panelists: American Ambassador Richard Holdbrooke, Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, Former Bosnian Prime minister Zlatko Lagumdzija, the French Ambassador to the US, the former Prime Ministers of Chile and Norway, a Russian professor, and others.
The topic: How can we restore confidence in American Leadership in the world?
How can we repair the current dissonance between America and its allies?
The broad consensus: America will lead when it works in cooperation and consultation with its friends. The Bush Administration’s bullying attitudes of “My way or the high way”, and the “Coalition of the willing” and the “pre-emptive strike” policy of the United States as expressed in Iraq, are only going to cause long-term problems for both the US and the Western Alliance.
We clearly need a new direction.
There was also a pithy discussion between Ambassador Holdbrooke and the Russian professor about: Why are Russian troops in Georgia, and what are Russia’s true intentions? Has America responded correctly? Did US provocations by placing missiles in Turkey and Poland lead to the crisis? Is the proposed expansion of NATO to include Ukraine and Georgia a mistake? Are we heading toward a new cold war?
Consensus was not reached.
Most impressive: ALL of the questions from the audience came from members of Democrats Abroad, mostly people who live in the countries affected. One after another, DA members stood up, said they were from DA __ and DA___, and asked probing and knowledgeable questions. The question/answer period was extended 20 minutes to fit them all in. The questions were of a very high quality, and showed that DA members understand and care about international relations.
Bob
Monday, August 25, 2008
Hillary’s tears.
I have to admit, I did not understand the depth of feeling of Hillary’s supporters, their sense that Hillary's loss is not right.
Yes, in public I have said for months, “the Hillary people worked hard for their candidate, so naturally they are disappointed”, and “Hillary has made history by being the first serious woman candidate for the Presidency”, and “Hillary Clinton has earned our respect for her tremendous contributions” and so on and so on. And it was all true.
But I didn’t really GET it. Until I saw the glimmerings of tears this week from women I respect. Until I saw intelligent women threaten to vote for …. well, if not actually to vote for McCain, then just not to vote at all.
I had sexist thoughts (I thought us gay guys were exempt) such as: “She lost. Why can’t they get over it?” and “Why are they changing the rules of the game by talking about the popular vote? It’s irrelevant!” I resented that any candidate would feel “entitled” to the nomination.
As a gay man myself, shouldn’t I understand the feeling that we are always dismissed unfairly when the good stuff gets handed out? Nope. I didn't.
But now I do. It’s not enough to say “Obama won fair and square”. It’s not enough to rely on their reluctance to criticize a black man’s victory. Something more has to be done and said. I think that will happen at the convention this week.
We need to put this behind us and unite for an unabashed victory in November.
Happily, today’s NY Times says we are already starting to. Polls from a week ago suggest that although only 43% of Clinton delegates have decided to vote for Obama at the convention, 80% will support him in the general election, and most of those will do so enthusiastically.
After all, a Democratic victory IS the most important thing. We must start repairing the damage from the Bush years as soon as possible.
I am sure Hillary herself believes that. I don’t think Hillary wants this tension to continue.
The vast majority of Democrats – both Hillary and Obama supporters - are people of principle above all.
I am confident we can heal this wound and go forward to victory.
It has never been more important.
Bob
Where on earth will you vote? See www.votefromabroad.org
Yes, in public I have said for months, “the Hillary people worked hard for their candidate, so naturally they are disappointed”, and “Hillary has made history by being the first serious woman candidate for the Presidency”, and “Hillary Clinton has earned our respect for her tremendous contributions” and so on and so on. And it was all true.
But I didn’t really GET it. Until I saw the glimmerings of tears this week from women I respect. Until I saw intelligent women threaten to vote for …. well, if not actually to vote for McCain, then just not to vote at all.
I had sexist thoughts (I thought us gay guys were exempt) such as: “She lost. Why can’t they get over it?” and “Why are they changing the rules of the game by talking about the popular vote? It’s irrelevant!” I resented that any candidate would feel “entitled” to the nomination.
As a gay man myself, shouldn’t I understand the feeling that we are always dismissed unfairly when the good stuff gets handed out? Nope. I didn't.
But now I do. It’s not enough to say “Obama won fair and square”. It’s not enough to rely on their reluctance to criticize a black man’s victory. Something more has to be done and said. I think that will happen at the convention this week.
We need to put this behind us and unite for an unabashed victory in November.
Happily, today’s NY Times says we are already starting to. Polls from a week ago suggest that although only 43% of Clinton delegates have decided to vote for Obama at the convention, 80% will support him in the general election, and most of those will do so enthusiastically.
After all, a Democratic victory IS the most important thing. We must start repairing the damage from the Bush years as soon as possible.
I am sure Hillary herself believes that. I don’t think Hillary wants this tension to continue.
The vast majority of Democrats – both Hillary and Obama supporters - are people of principle above all.
I am confident we can heal this wound and go forward to victory.
It has never been more important.
Bob
Where on earth will you vote? See www.votefromabroad.org
Stonewall Democrats
Stonewall Democrats, the LGBT group (http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org/ ), is having its convention here, just preceding the Democratic one. I attended their awards dinner last night. Really inspiring! Their values and supporters are progressive and right in line with Democrats Abroad, in my view. We should work with them more closely.
The featured (and only non-LGBT) speaker was Kansas Governor Kathleen Sibelius, a fantastic Democratic governor in a really red state. She is an expert in “cross-over” Republicans, who made her election possible. Even her deputy governor was a former head of the Kansas Republican Party!
Kathleen, a committed progressive, highlights the values we have in common with most Republicans. That's how she wins in a Republican state. We should learn from her. She was named as a possible vice president for Obama, and is clearly is future presidential material.
Other excellent speakers included E. Denise Simmons, the lesbian, black mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts; a gay congressman from a very straight suburban Denver district who poked holes in the notion that people even care if their reps are gay or lesbian,; and finally an amazing man named Keith Boykin – a great thinker, journalist and speaker. The head of the California Teachers Union was there, and the AFL-CIO also sent reps.
The MC was a wonderful transgender woman named Donna Rose, whose humor, grace and intelligence left no one unmoved. She made me realize I have always skipped over the transgender part of LGBT. We shouldn’t do that.
But best of all were the hundreds of members and supporters who attended. These people are fighting in the trenches, in hand-to-hand combat with the religious hate-mongers. Wonderful people, who are doing yeoman’s work to advance human rights. Well done!
Bob
Where in the world will you vote? See www.votefromabroad.org
The featured (and only non-LGBT) speaker was Kansas Governor Kathleen Sibelius, a fantastic Democratic governor in a really red state. She is an expert in “cross-over” Republicans, who made her election possible. Even her deputy governor was a former head of the Kansas Republican Party!
Kathleen, a committed progressive, highlights the values we have in common with most Republicans. That's how she wins in a Republican state. We should learn from her. She was named as a possible vice president for Obama, and is clearly is future presidential material.
Other excellent speakers included E. Denise Simmons, the lesbian, black mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts; a gay congressman from a very straight suburban Denver district who poked holes in the notion that people even care if their reps are gay or lesbian,; and finally an amazing man named Keith Boykin – a great thinker, journalist and speaker. The head of the California Teachers Union was there, and the AFL-CIO also sent reps.
The MC was a wonderful transgender woman named Donna Rose, whose humor, grace and intelligence left no one unmoved. She made me realize I have always skipped over the transgender part of LGBT. We shouldn’t do that.
But best of all were the hundreds of members and supporters who attended. These people are fighting in the trenches, in hand-to-hand combat with the religious hate-mongers. Wonderful people, who are doing yeoman’s work to advance human rights. Well done!
Bob
Where in the world will you vote? See www.votefromabroad.org
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Underfunded Trains
Arrived in Denver yesterday, by train from San Francisco. The train ride was fantastic – The California Zephyr , 36 hours across the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevadas, through vast empty prairies, across California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Incredible scenery! A must.
The underfunding of our train was painfully evident. The train itself is 30 years old, but still pressing on. Amtrak no longer has its own tracks for this route, but pays private freight train companies to use their – bumpy – tracks. We seldom exceeded 40 miles (about 65 km) per hour, which is fine for freight, and nice to see the sights but slow if you want to get somewhere. We waited hours while (unexpected) freight trains took precedence. We arrived 3 hours late. We were told this train is almost always off schedule, sometimes by as much as 10 hours. A real pity. The marvellous train staff did their best to make us comfortable.
Congress demands that Amtrak show a profit, but heavily subsidizes the roads. Why a double standard? Why must US transport policy force the population into the hands of the automobile, tire and oil industries? Are there no alternatives?
Best,
Bob
Where in the world will you vote? See www.votefromabroad.org
The underfunding of our train was painfully evident. The train itself is 30 years old, but still pressing on. Amtrak no longer has its own tracks for this route, but pays private freight train companies to use their – bumpy – tracks. We seldom exceeded 40 miles (about 65 km) per hour, which is fine for freight, and nice to see the sights but slow if you want to get somewhere. We waited hours while (unexpected) freight trains took precedence. We arrived 3 hours late. We were told this train is almost always off schedule, sometimes by as much as 10 hours. A real pity. The marvellous train staff did their best to make us comfortable.
Congress demands that Amtrak show a profit, but heavily subsidizes the roads. Why a double standard? Why must US transport policy force the population into the hands of the automobile, tire and oil industries? Are there no alternatives?
Best,
Bob
Where in the world will you vote? See www.votefromabroad.org
Friday, August 22, 2008
Joe Biden!
Barack Obama is naming Senator Joe Biden of Delaware as his running mate. Frankly, I am delighted.
If you take a look at Joe’s web-page on issues, http://www.joebiden.com/issues/, both the substance and the order in which he lists them make him my kind of guy. He starts with the Bush Administration’s misuse of 9/11 and its destructive politics of fear and division. He understands America’s loss of respect in the world, and sees why we need to get it back. Even when he talks of crime, he doesn’t forget the white-collar crimes of Enron and its progeny.
Born to a working class family in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden will connect with some working people in ways that elude Obama.
He also brings vast experience to the team. He was one of the youngest Senators ever, elected at the age of 29 in 1972. He is now Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, former Chair of the Judiciary Committee. He has fought for the right causes for more than 30 years.
Religion? Catholic, of Irish descent. But he doesn’t wear it on his sleeve.
Family values: He commutes 1 ½ hours every day on the train from Wilmington to Washington, D.C., so he can be with his family in Delaware every day.
Age: At 65, he will add that touch of grey hair that reassures some people.
A thinker: Like Obama, he is a teacher of Constitutional Law. He understands the roots of our civil liberties in America.
Yes, this is good!
Well done, Barack!!
Bob
If you take a look at Joe’s web-page on issues, http://www.joebiden.com/issues/, both the substance and the order in which he lists them make him my kind of guy. He starts with the Bush Administration’s misuse of 9/11 and its destructive politics of fear and division. He understands America’s loss of respect in the world, and sees why we need to get it back. Even when he talks of crime, he doesn’t forget the white-collar crimes of Enron and its progeny.
Born to a working class family in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden will connect with some working people in ways that elude Obama.
He also brings vast experience to the team. He was one of the youngest Senators ever, elected at the age of 29 in 1972. He is now Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, former Chair of the Judiciary Committee. He has fought for the right causes for more than 30 years.
Religion? Catholic, of Irish descent. But he doesn’t wear it on his sleeve.
Family values: He commutes 1 ½ hours every day on the train from Wilmington to Washington, D.C., so he can be with his family in Delaware every day.
Age: At 65, he will add that touch of grey hair that reassures some people.
A thinker: Like Obama, he is a teacher of Constitutional Law. He understands the roots of our civil liberties in America.
Yes, this is good!
Well done, Barack!!
Bob
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Vote From Abroad!
We arrived in America yesterday. It’s great to be here – seeing friends, having fun, talking fast. The best.
But it’s disturbing, as well. Unlike in Europe, where it seems inevitable that Obama will win, here in the US that’s not true at all. It’s a very close race. A Reuters poll today gave McCain a big advantage. In the crucial swing states, it’s neck-on-neck.
If even a small part of what we see here on TV is true, then America is distracted by the issue-of-the-moment (offshore drilling, fears about Russian expansion) and lightening evaluations of Obama’s and McCain’s responses. Should Obama have taken a vacation last week? That was the burning blip. No attention to the things we see from abroad: America’s loss of respect, the decline of the dollar, burgeoning debt, uncontrollable and expensive war, and so forth. The Bush damage that we must repair. And no sense that McCain is Bush redux.
This makes our get-out-the-vote work URGENTLY important. With some 6 million Americans abroad, who vote in every state, we really can make an important difference. Our perspective is valuable.
If you are an American who lives outside the US and have not yet arranged to vote, please do it NOW. Time is running short. If you don’t know how, go to www.votefromabroad.org
This is important.
Thanks,
Bob
But it’s disturbing, as well. Unlike in Europe, where it seems inevitable that Obama will win, here in the US that’s not true at all. It’s a very close race. A Reuters poll today gave McCain a big advantage. In the crucial swing states, it’s neck-on-neck.
If even a small part of what we see here on TV is true, then America is distracted by the issue-of-the-moment (offshore drilling, fears about Russian expansion) and lightening evaluations of Obama’s and McCain’s responses. Should Obama have taken a vacation last week? That was the burning blip. No attention to the things we see from abroad: America’s loss of respect, the decline of the dollar, burgeoning debt, uncontrollable and expensive war, and so forth. The Bush damage that we must repair. And no sense that McCain is Bush redux.
This makes our get-out-the-vote work URGENTLY important. With some 6 million Americans abroad, who vote in every state, we really can make an important difference. Our perspective is valuable.
If you are an American who lives outside the US and have not yet arranged to vote, please do it NOW. Time is running short. If you don’t know how, go to www.votefromabroad.org
This is important.
Thanks,
Bob
Monday, August 18, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
My promise
August 2008 will be my first Democratic National Convention. I really don't know what to expect. Whatever happens, I will share it with you. This blog will tell you what I've seen and done, to try to bring you as close to the experience of being there as I can. I'll try not to inject too many of my opinions, if possible. But I will be giving particular attention to gay and lesbian issues, especially those for us "love exiles" that live abroad to be with our non-US partners.
I hope you enjoy it!
Bob Bragar,
Delegate for Obama from Democrats Abroad
Amsterdam, NL
I hope you enjoy it!
Bob Bragar,
Delegate for Obama from Democrats Abroad
Amsterdam, NL
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