Precipice of Change

Karen posted her article at Kos if you want to read, rec. or comment there too.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPARROW!!

Excellent!

I have taken WORRY CONCERN and FEAR out of my vocabulary and thoughts. If I catch myself going there I watch what I am eating, how much sleep I am getting, and where the thoughts are coming from. & always, the Serenity Prayer. If there are things that I can't do anything about, aren't I wasting time on them and shouldn't I focus on things I CAN do something about? That's frustrating but it's all I've had.

So after the election I am going to try to lose some of the weight I have put on from sitting at the computer typing for six years straight and get back to drawing and try painting.

Politically, I am not going to be one of those having "buyer's regret" because Obama doesn't do everything that I personally think he should do. I just refuse to do that.

Just back from downtown..

http://www.silencedmajority.blogs.com

Happy Birthday SPARROW!!!

Lou Dobbs has made it his mission to do a daily segment distorting ACORN registration issues into voter fraud.

Happy Birthday and more, sparrow. Enjoy every minute of it.

Everybody now, do the lighten up

Hear Me, Barack Obama Supporters! Here's How To Stay Sane Until Election Day

Sorry - I did those wrong so the right hand side is partly missing.

Happy b-day sparrow!

May an Obama victory be the best birthday present the nation can give you!

This thing really enrages me.

McCain may call Obama a supporter of "wealth redistribution" all he wants. But Palin is an even stronger believer in redistributing wealth, in a different way.

Palin supports taking wealth from the non-Christians and spreading it to the Christians. She is a theocrat, plain and simple.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-wilson/palins-movement-urges-god_b_139987.html

I'm preparing to riot in Seoul, in case that McCain comes even close, or gay marriage gets banned again in California. Those doomsday Christian missionaries, who supported the Lee Myung-bak puppet government, and who ILLEGALLY shove their crap in my face at palaces and parks (where such activities are CLEARLY illegal), WILL see my (and America's) wrath.

Seems like a good moment for this, written by my friend Susan Markman (cross-posted a kos, although didn't last very long)

Election Benediction
(a non-secular election prayer)

I admit, I don’t pray very often.
I prayed when my children were born
that they be healthy and whole.
I prayed when my daughter got sick,
when all of the doctors, and all of the treatments
couldn’t make her better.
And I prayed when finally, she was well again
in profound thanksgiving.

When my son sang his heart out in his first high school play
I prayed to be deserving of the joy that filled my heart,
hearing his confident voice, watching his agile body.
I prayed when he went off to college
and I prayed on September 11th
when he called from his New York apartment.
And when his father and sister went to New Orleans to help, I prayed then, too.

I’ve prayed when I’ve been most afraid,
bone tired or thoroughly spent.
I know you’re supposed to pray more than that-
more frequently, more selflessly.
I acknowledge my negligence in the realm of spiritual correctness.
And I’m sure there are others like me
who mostly look to God when out of luck or out of time.
(I bet God understands that about people.)

These days I have a new prayer practice
One born of hope, not of fear.
These days I pray for America
and I pray for Barack Obama.
I pray for his wife who sustains him,
for his children and all of our children,
who compel him to reach for the heights he is seeking.
I pray for him to be safe,
to have wise and compassionate counsel.
And I pray for him to win the election
because even though my religious adherence has been minimal
I know a miracle when I see one.
The man is not the miracle.
Through the confluence of hope and history,
the miracle is the capacity he creates to inspire so many millions of us
to engage again, or for the first time,
in our nation’s political process –
to work together for peace, for prosperity, and for the planet.

I never sang, “God Bless America” unless I had to in school.
It seemed arrogant to me, like asking for divine special treatment.
Bless America instead of India? Not Peru or Mozambique?
“This Land is Your Land,” was my patriotic favorite.
I’m older now. The bifocals I wear make it easier to see shades of gray
and stand, like everyone else, with my hand on my heart
when the band plays loud martial songs.

My prayer is nonsectarian.
“Baruch atah adonai,” it begins, because that’s how I first learned to pray.
And then, tentatively, I say it,
“Please God, bless America.
Help people get to the polls.
Help others to count their votes fairly.
No fraud this time, or intimidation
no Florida hanging chads.
Help us move closer to the dream, closer to the promise of our creed.”

I teach in a wonderful public school with kids of all colors and faiths.
I borrow their words when I need them,
in Arabic, Creole, Chinese.
“Tal ouy ban sac, Barak Obama,” I say in Khmer to end my prayer.
“Vaya con Dios,” the same thought but in Spanish.
God be with you, Barak Obama.
I’m hoping to cover all bases.
Whether the way is a cross or a crescent,
Whether Allah, Loving Kindness, or Christ
Bless audacity.
Bless hope.
Amen.

Thank you Carol, I needed to read that prayer again.

Good morning, everyone.

Thanks for the b'day greetings. I had a nice day.

I believe today we have another DCP Birthday.

Happy Birthday, Christy!

Happy birthday Christy! As yes, I remember that Nov. 2 four years ago...

I am off to fry some eggs and pretend the world is normal...

for a bit anyway.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/2/82541/4578/191/649690

Mark from Iowa speaks...

I'm heading off to canvass for Obama.

Two more days.

Happy birthday, Christy!! The same wish comes to you - the best birthday present ever - on Tuesday!

Hitting the phones Monday & Tuesday--
Bankin' for 'BAMA

Have a great birthday, Christy!!!!

Reid Says Stevens Cannot Serve
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) was forced into the middle of Sen. Ted Stevens’ (R-Alaska) re-election bid late Saturday night after a senior Senate Democrat endorsed Stevens and called on voters to disregard his seven-count felony conviction.

In a bluntly worded release from his office, Reid warned that Stevens would not only face an ethics investigation but also expulsion proceedings regardless of his efforts to appeal the convictions.

goosebumps!!!!!!!!!

Waiting for Obama to speak in OH, CNN played a few seconds of Bruce Springsteen singing "This Land is Your Land"

(is there a video out there anywhere???)

Republicans
vs
Democrats

God Bless America
vs
This Land is Your Land

*sigh*

Springsteen just introduced the Obamas
--------

"This Land is Your Land" from middle of Bush's 2nd term:

Obama's talkin' in the rain again...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"This Land is Your Land" from early October

48 hours!!!

When Obama asked how many make less than $250,000, he told Springsteen he'd better not be raising his hand...

Karen
Thanks for the link to Mark from Iowa. It brought back old times. It's important to remember the strong shoulders we stand on today

OOP-- re- November 2, 2008 5:38 PM
video is from mid 80's
;p
Spaced out but enthusiastic..

This version is priceless...
Arlo Guthrie/This Land is Your Land

And of course, Woody Guthrie

My wife made me canvas for Obama; here's what I learned

I've learned that this election is about the heart of America. It's about the young people who are losing hope and the old people who have been forgotten. It's about those who have worked all their lives and never fully realized the promise of America, but see that promise for their grandchildren in Barack Obama. The poor see a chance, when they often have few. I saw hope in the eyes and faces in those doorways.

aimzz,
we're all holding hands, virtually. grab mine...

I remember that at this time last election cycle, the Catholic Church next door put flyers on the parishioner's cars in the parking lot urging them to vote for a certain candidate. I am not sure that how many of those flyers were still on the cars at the end of the mass - we have some strong winds around here.
But I noticed that there were no flyers handed out this time. Maybe just a coincedence - who knows.

Happy Birthday to Sparrow and Christy !

Happy birthday Christy!

Got that hand Karen!

abqjohn!!!! How the hell are you???

CSPAN has video of Obama's incredible Cleveland rally this afternoon...

Includes Sppringsteen's 'YES WE CAN/This Land is Your Land' and another song

Sen. Obama Cleveland Rally
RealPlayer link:
rtsp://video1.c-span.org/archive/c08/c08_110208_obama2.rm

(I used RealPlayer (free version) to record it!!)

We are at the crossroads!

Saw this pic yesterday on Kos. It took a while to realize that it's quite profound.

If we just scoop out the box, the stench will remain...
we gotta change the litter

Another great day downtown

Hi aimzzz

Good to hear from you ! I get a little better each day. How are you ?

Couldn't find the Allman Brothers version of "Crossroads" so Cream will have to do (cf: Aimzzz):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkm9OiYvmPc

Chuck in Houston

PS: I like this thread, but I still have no idea of what happens next, and nobody seems to be taliking about that. This endless (and endlessly expensive) POTUS campaign has, oddly, generated almost no discussion whatsoever about what the course of US domestic and foreign policy might be or should be (and I guess media reform and public financing of campaigns, the point of origin of the DCP if memory serves, is no longer an issue).

Issues that require attention and which received no attention during this election cycle:

--International Trade
--US Immigration
--Iraq, Afganistan, etc....
--Energy Independence (my favorite)
--Role of federal gov't in infrastructure investment
--Campaign finance reform (now dead?)

Chuck in Houston

And if we are at a crossroads, what is the choice? Where do each of these crossing roads lead? Are the perpendicular or is one just the high road and the other the low road to the same place?

Robert Johnson on Crossroads:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd60nI4sa9A&feature=related

Garfield HS Seattle WA on the Star Spangled Banner:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_nO0F4ugss

Chuck
Robert Johnson on Crossroads
both thumbs up!!!

'BAMA livestream in Cincinnati NOW

http://www.barackobama.com/live/

You don't need to boo...
what do you need to do?

VOTE!!!

And, as to the precipice (sp?), this Russian song, which I posted before, is about that. It's about a spirited team of horses running by a cliff with a driver that drives them close to the precipice (sp?) but at the same time wants them to slow down and not go over. It's a Russian thing I guess:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWEOaosGDi0

Aimzzz:

Lord I went down to the crossroads,
Lord I fell down on my knees....

I still wish I could find the Allman Brothers doing this. I seem to recall they covered that.

Chuck in Houston GOTV 2008!

Chuck
Song for McCain

Chuck
Song for McCain

If it keeps on rainin'
Levi's going to break...

(I like that song, so maybe Mc gets some other one...)

Aimzzz:

I love Led Zep! Give me a second.... But it's not Levi but Levee (as in Army Corps of Engineers)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww21UfRY7DA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww21UfRY7DA

Levee-- I knew something looked wrong
;P

The song is especially appropriate, as it tips the hat to the Republican response to Katrina...

Aimzzz:

Boy are you right on that. So many years I heard on CNN as a hurricaine came into the Gulf that the New Orleans levees were not built to withstand a Category 3. Then one finally happened. We were forewarned! Same could be said for the toxic mortgage bundles for that matter....

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace
From day to day until the last syllable
Of recorded time...

Hope we get it right some day!

Chuck in Houston
GOTV 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TwEYuues6Y&feature=related

Howling Wolf (AKA Chester Burnett) Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHS-uaLQ32s&feature=related

Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfB_Saky-6E&feature=related

scared to post...

Gallup:
Final Presidential Estimate: Obama 55%, McCain 44%

More Bluegrass (John Hardy):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSnaDIXcsZ8

aimzz:

wow.

Chuck,
I heard Howlin' do Spoonful live in 1969. Buffalo Blues Festival.

Thanks for finding it!

Hey Christy - Happy Birthday! And great days ahead!

Some Soul (Aretha plays piano too):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAa8vwmeewU&feature=related

As always - Great photos slugbug.

Karen:

Howling Wolf and Hubert Sumlin. What a team! Muddy Waters and Little Walter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBywcdZ65Z8&feature=related

And some Texas Albino Blues:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f50BtRnpV8A

IT'S ELECTION EVE!!!! (eastern time)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFJuGGS_AWk (Texas Time)

Karen:

But, going back to the theme of the thread, what is next? I mean, we're having an election that is big on personality issues but weak on policy (reminds me of 2000 in a perverse way by the way). If, as per Aimzzz, we are at a crossroads, then where do these forks lead?

Chuck, in Houston (voting Democrat 100% for this ballot for the last time but quickly slipping into the apathy 0f 1988).

Chuck,
See my concerns on the main thread--home page.

Remarkably, Mr. Obama, the first black major party presidential nominee, trails among whites by less than Democratic nominees normally do.

Level of White Support for Obama a Surprise

Karen:

I will try my best (which isn't that good) to be healthy, etc. It looks like the Democrats will have full control of the government, but we don't have a philosophy of governance. We pushed all of that under the rug in order to win (very Rovian of us). Or am I missing something? That is the essence of my question.

Also, I very much believe that we, as Americans, owe no one any kind of apology at this moment. We Americans have done a lot of great things in this world (we've screwed up too but let's look at the big-picture). We are the only super-power in the world today and we have not used that to destroy other people but rather have used that to under-write global commerce.

People that wish for the downfall (relatively speaking) of America must have very interesting views of places like Russia and China and India. In my personal experience, those places are very corrupt. We should be proud as Americans that we stand up and fight for the rights of any given individual to live their lives as they see fit.

That's not a very PC view I suppose but, as they say, it's my view and I am sticking to it.

Chuck in Houston

Well, it's not Miss Kitty, but it is what we used to do of a Friday night back in Portland, OR around the early 'eighties:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLueAr8I-IY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMqRErUVt4A&feature=channel

And this goes out to Fe some where in the Bay Area:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H4lgRE4UiA

Chuck in Houston

it is very different to watch US elections from overseas than to be within them. In Asia Senator Obama is eyed with fascination, though Senator Clinton was the favorite when the race began.

Senator McCain is viewed suspiciously, as another Bush or worse. Governor Palin is dismissed, if you think her rambling interviews sound bad in English, in Chinese or Korean she comes across far worse. Senator Biden does not have much attention, which is a good thing for Senator Obama.

The rest of the world watches hoping for an edict that American government will change its present course of action, from blind faith towards informed and reasoned progress.

TY guys for the BD wishes.

And Sparrow.. Happy Birthday!

I came back to tell all of you... Good luck tommorrow.

The new voter ID law got me, even if I did forgive the Powell thing,(which I really have not), I still can't vote anyway. It is a stupid mess.

Soo... good luck, I love you guys.. and YES YOU CAN!

John Kerry diary

Leave It All On the Road

Christy
Good to see you. Was there no way to deal with the ID think? I thought you could bring proofs within a certain amount of time...

Christy
Wouldn't they let you do a "provisional ballot"?

Chuck
My view is that the traditionalists battle the postmodernists. One group believes a higher power must make all of our moral and legal choices, the other that we have free will and can make decisions ourselves, and that all is not black and white.

It's a continuing battle between these forces of absolutism and relativism, regardless of where one lives.

"Change" means exactly that - we must move ahead with the time and technology. I learned the meaning of the word "reactionary" right along with learning that Reagan was running. McCain was telling Henny Youngman jokes with Mitch McConnell in his bus ("take my wife .. please" etc.) while Barack was checking his messages. It's very telling.

I am hopeful, if I had not read that damn Greg Palast article. If all does not go well, I have taken day after tomorrow off and will join the insurgency. If all does go well, we still have a long road ahead of us.

I don't think American has alot superior OR inferior to other nations - I think they all have potential for corruption and those who hold on to power at all costs. I think there are always those who will bust down unions, send jobs out of the country for profit, short change health and schools and go around acting as though they have the moral upper hand.

I would rather see us start to rejoin the world community than to tout any kind of moral or military superiority.

toolmaker

You are absolutely dead-on right about Asian opinions on this election.

Of course, the South Korean elite are rooting for McCain-Palin all the way, but they do NOT speak for their country. And they WILL get their behinds kicked by Obama-Biden, HARD.

Let's talk about policy.

With more Senate and House seats, we could put some muscle behind this. We will, of course, be slowed by the economy but the upside of that is consumption and growth will no longer be the runaway, environment-devouring models they were.

Obama continually emphasizes the middle class, McCain the wealthier business person, the supply-side economy that has failed twice.

Obama invests in early childhood education, which helps keep me working. McCain cuts taxes for the wealthiest, which cuts into schools and emphasizes charter schools and other lop-sided fixes.

Obama stresses alternative fuels and renewable energy and "green" jobs, McCain drilling and whatever the oil lobbyists on his payroll want.

Obama backs transparency of government and would put to use the organizational solutions using technology that have fueled his campaign. McCain calls himself a reformer but has 177 lobbyists on his campaign.

Obama emphasizes smart diplomacy and McCain unilateral action. He will work to end the war in Iraq, focus on the true loci of Al Quaid (such as Afghan/Pak border). McCain will trust all to Petraeus and continue Bush's belligerence toward Iran.

Obama works toward affordable health care for all. McCain taxes health benefits and send people to private companies which will cost more and leaves millions uninsured. I've worked for private health care and found it to be wildly fraudulent and poor quality.

Obama's homeland security emphasizes airport and ports, whereas McCain has opposed both. Unbelievable but true, even with 911iani on the stump for him.

Obama favors saving social security and protecting it. Seniors making under $50,000 would not pay income tax. McCain would privatize it and look what happened recently to the stock market. 37 million seniors would not have tax relief.

Speaking of taxes, Obama would cut tax for the middle class, who would get as much as 3x more tax relief than under McCain. 5% (the uppers) would pay more. McCain would leave 101 million households with no tax relief and give $200 billion to corporations (such as $4 billion to oil companies.)

Obama would provide protection for troops (such as body army) and fund the VA and vets. McCain, a vet, has voted against mental health and brain injury service to vets with combat injuries. I went into my field of study to help these people, so this makes me see red.

Obama favors equal pay, childcare tax credit and paid sick leave for parents and McCain wants to overturn Roe v. Rade and the Violence Against Women Act. Hypocritical to have a woman on his ticket - a reactionary loon.

There are more issues, if you want 'em. I am off to canvas and phone. I was glad to see the piece John Kerry wrote at DailyKos (and sent out).

Ally
It's strange. I read an article about how Palin had a really poor staff and there was a video. It had to do with how the Canadian comics could have got through to her. On the video, the people flanking her I thought to be Korean. I wonder if there is some connection with Reverend Moon and his infiltration of government conservatives? My antennae went up.

Chuck
Thanks for all the videos, especially Garfield High School!!

Republicans trying to steal Florida again.
http://silencedmajority.blogs.com/silenced_majority_portal/2008/11/still-not-too-late-to-read-one-last-a-hrefhttpwwwtruthoutorg110308alta--greg-palast-article-called-how-mccain-coul.html

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