Feedback, suggestions, ideas appreciated in the comment section below. I need help!
Many of us who are committed to taking back our party, and our government remain highy frustrated by the lack of organization at the state and local level. At least that is the case in my county - Adair County, in Northeast Missouri, population 24,666. (God, I sure hope that "666" part of that figure is a coincidence!!?!!?!???!)
Apparently some news reporters noticed the fact that he filed with the FEC on Thursday. I have only found one news story, partially because Duane has written to all state newspapers asking them to hold off with coverage until his formal announcement. However, the Kansas City Star had a brief article in today's paper: http://tinyurl.com/...
I had seen a job listing for a campaign staffer on www.DemocraticGain.com, so I knew it was coming. He and the state party will be working together to plan a formal announcement, probably in early December. I just wanted Missouri Kossacks to know this is coming soon!
Like this person, I am still looking for that person who "completes me." After a really bad marriage to an abusive guy (he turned out to be a Republican - he was from Texas, I should have known!) I now realize that it isn't all about physical lust, although that can be terrific, but rather about shared values. Values, yes, there is that word again. Most of us on this site share pretty much the same sense of concern for all of our fellow humans, which is a pretty terrific start toward a rewarding friendship, if nothing else.
Well, it is happening. Wal-Mart is not only trying to sell their cheap goods to those in poverty across the nation, now they are trying to make everyone feel good about shopping there. With their own political operatives.
With the recent negative press coverage of their shady business practices, the mega corporation has set up its own "War Room," minus the political "genius" of James Carville. (snark)
Howard Dean's speech to the DNC convention back in early 2003 was a life changer for me. I think it was one of the greatest political speeches I have heard. (By the way--go back and listen to it again, here is a link:
http://tinyurl.com/7lg7r
(click on the bottom video link "Democratic National Committee Winter Meeting General Session - Day 1" and go to 1:57 for Dean speach by scrolling forward)
If we had a candidate for 2008 who could sort of riff off of that speech, and relate it to the current political climate/scene, I think that could be the way to come up with a coherent means to crystallize our "new" party platform.
Last April I was elected to our local school board. We have a rather small community. Our little town has a population of about 17,000. Our school district has a total of approximately 2,400 students. I have two boys: one is in 4th grade, the other in 6th grade at our Middle School.
Yesterday I received a shocking phone call. Over the holiday weekend:
*An eigth grade male student forcibly raped an eigth grade female student.
*A student was confronted by a parent regarding "sexual games" he had been playing using his sister. Later than day, he attempted to hang himself. As far as we know, he is in critical condition, prognosis is not good.
*A male student shot another male student in the face with a pellet gun.
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing I would rather be doing for a "real career" right now than to be a real, respected, and qualified political consultant. Many of my fellow Kossacks feel the same way. But --isn't all of this "electability" nonsense what caused most of the our problem in the last election?
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my words. My local "acceptance" is nothing compared to the insurgent candidacy of Dean for DNC chair, or the Colorado state party chair race, but I do feel as though I have won a small personal victory. During the past 2-3 years, I have ranted occasionally about the party "elite" and their unwillingness to include a single/divorced mom, who spent most of the last two years unemployed, and is still underemployed. And yea', tho' I walk through the valley of ..... near financial ruin, were it not for my beloved mother, I would be on the street as we speak!
Just last night, a member of the nominating committee called and asked me to serve as secretary of our county Democratic club. Not a spectacular job, but perhaps a step up, and definitely some recognition for hanging in there and volunteering lots of hours last fall at campaign HQ, even though most of them secretly cannot stand my "radical liberal views." (As opposed to their mostly DLC type positions.)
Ok, I just had to vent. Perhaps it is because the only TV I watch is at my mom's house, and we have been there quite a bit lately, watching the World Series - but....
Tonight was my first exposure to that insane Laura bitch when they put her on Larry King to talk about the OBL video. She should be made to wear one of those dog shock collars, so that someone can jolt her every time she cuts in, makes a smart ass comment, or rolls he eyes! I don't know where she gets off writing "Shut Up & Sing: How the Elites in Hollywood, Politics...and the UN are Subverting America!" when she is the most supercilious creature to which I have ever been exposed! She obviously thinks her fecal material smells like roses.
If you want to get some perspective on Missouri politics, you can listen to the debate going on right now between Claire McCaskill and Matt Blunt. It is available as streaming audio at http://www.kbia.org.
If Claire is elected, and the race is too close to call as of right now, she would be the first woman governor in the history of Missouri.
This woman has huge balls! She challenged Bob Holden, our incumbent Democratic Governor, and won. I admire her willingness to do the unthinkable: step away from the crowd of Missouri Democratics who just follow along with the crowd.
Her honesty reminds me a tiny bit of Gov. Dean. (On a different level of course!) I would be interested in your comments. Please be gentle, this is my very first diary!
P.S. This is an experienced politician, Claire McCaskill our current state treasurer, versus Matt Blunt. Blunt looks like a kid, he is only 33 years old, father is Roy Blunt. Your typical ultra right winger......
NOTE: There is another debate scheduled for this Friday night, October 22nd, so perhaps we will have to wait untill next week-end for endorsements?
