Monday, February 26, 2007
Bill Richardson is running for president....
jez i can't forget this!!! he is definitely on my short list..... a very smart, intellectually curious, accomplished man. his qualifications for the job would be tough to rival. we had a chance to meet with him in july 06 and he was very spontaneous and engaging. i always look forward to hearing him speak because he is very well informed, articulate and solution oriented . he believes in diplomacy and in people working together to solve problems. he says we make peace with our enemies not our friends. he has negotiated with leaders all over the world. he has served as UN ambassador, Secretary of energy, and is now in his second term as Governor of New Mexico.
Bill Richardson for President
i wrote about him at washington outsiders and you can check out our visit and more here
Bill Richardson for President
i wrote about him at washington outsiders and you can check out our visit and more here
Rick Larsen in Blaine on sunday.........
we had a great meeting with Rick today in Blaine....it was very well attended(standing room only)
Rick did a nice presentations about what has been accomplished in the short time the Democrats have had the majority thereby, chair(and control of agenda) of committees, subpoena power and finally the ability to do oversite. impressive.....
people were very well informed and asked the tough questions....
it was very informative and encouraging....thanks to Rick, Jasper et all and all the great citizens who showed up.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
All Whatcom Democrats Invited
Biannual Strategic Planning
Shuksan Middle School
Saturday March 3, 2007, 9:00 am - noon
The strategic planning will be led by Whatcom Democrats Chair Barry Buchanan, with breakout topic sessions in which we Whatcom Democrats can interact directly with our Democratic elected officials. The event will start with a whole group discussion reviewing 2005 Visioning results and talking about the major party activities in 2007 and 2008. We will then break into 3 groups (local, State, Federal) to discuss priority issues and strategies. The groups will rotate through each jurisdiction. The result of this event will help the Party structure it’s activities and priorities for 2007 and 2008.
Background: As a follow-up and extension of our visioning day in January 2005, the Whatcom Democrats leadership is inviting all Whatcom Democrats to come and discuss the issues and analyze the current political moment in which we are now living. Help us begin to think through and define the strategic approach we will need now and for the coming years, in local, state and national politics.
Which are our key issues/demands? Why? What makes one issue a key issue (need) over many other needs? How do we advance them?
Sound like an exciting but academic discussion?
It won’t be. Why? We don’t have the luxury. This is a work session. Local elections are upon us, and both state and national politics are warming up.
As a frame for this event, we will now quote from remarks given on the floor of the Senate Feb. 14 by Sen. Bernie Sanders, Independent of Vermont, in response to the President’s latest budget attack on healthcare, education, prosperity for all:
Health Care: “The President’s budget would cut Medicare and Medicaid by $280 billion over the next decade, lowering the quality of healthcare for approximately 43 million senior citizens and people with disabilities who depend on Medicare and more than 50 million Americans who rely on Medicaid.”
Education: ”At a time when our childcare and early childhood education system is totally inadequate to meet the needs of working parents, the Bush budget reduces the number of children receiving childcare assistance by 300,000. In addition, the Bush budget provides a $100 million cut for Head Start, at a time when only about one-half of the children eligible for this program actually participate, due to a lack of funding.”
Prosperity for All: ”While hunger in this country is increasing, the President’s budget denies food stamps to 280,000 families and eliminates nutrition assistance to over 400,000 senior citizens, mothers and newborn children.
“This is especially true when the President’s budget provides $739 BILLION ($739,000,000,000) in tax breaks over the next decade to households with incomes exceeding $1 million per year. The average tax break for this group of millionaires will total $162,000 by 2012. Compare the Bush budget cuts to the tax breaks given some of America’s wealthiest people. The granddaddy of all of the winners under the Bush budget is none other than the heirs to the Wal-Mart fortune.
”If the estate tax was repealed, the entire Walton family would receive an estimated tax break of $32.7 BILLION.”
Meanwhile, the President’s budget proposes to cut Medicaid by $28 billion over the next decade, driving up the cost of healthcare for tens of millions of Americans. In other words, one family gets a huge tax break, while tens of millions of healthcare consumers suffer.”
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Whatcom Dems calendar
don't forget to check calendar at Whatcom County Democrats.....42nd legislative district meetings right here in ferndale once a month....meet other dems from our area
Patty Murray speaks out
our senator has been consistent since voting no on authorization for war in october 2002. she called it right then and she calls it right again. thank you Senator Murray!!!
IRAQ: Senator Murray Speaks Out Against the Surge and Urges Republicans to Stop Blocking Debate on the Iraq War
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 6, 2007 Listen to \Murray's Speech
(Washington, D.C.) -Today in a passionate speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash) called on Republicans to stop blocking debate on the President's misguided plan to escalate the War in Iraq. Murray said she will vote for a bipartisan resolution expressing opposition to the President's surge as the first step in changing direction in Iraq. Recalling her 2002 speech against authorizing the war in Iraq, Murray spoke of the tremendous sacrifices Washington state families have made during the war.
Senator Murray's remarks follow: here
Saturday, February 03, 2007
letters to editor
here is my recent letter to bellingham herald in response to wally's letter before.......
this was a recent bellingham herald letter by wally
Backs president’s stance for nation
Contrary to most recent headlines, many people such as me are still pleased and confident with President Bush. The defense of our nation should be one of the federal government's primary concerns. Bush has identified threats to our nation and is dealing with them rather than rolling over in submission, as so many in our nation think we should. Islamic and socialist nations and rulers have little to offer other than suffering, oppression an hopelessness. Still, many in our nation place the on pedestals and call th media to admire an report their "progressiveness." It makes me nauseous.
We fought in support of our great nation and ou way of life in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War and others. Why quit on our nation now? There are also a lot of people around the world counting on us for defense because they can't and other won't. Let's not quit on them either.
I support this president and I pray his successor will be even more vigorous in defense of our nation and freedom around the world.
Wally Wallace
Ferndale http://www.wallywonderswhy.com/
my letter to the editor in response
published january 20th
A recent letter to the editor praised Bush for defending our nation from threats after “identifying” them. He went on to bash “Islamic and socialist nations” and their rulers. He never mentions Iraq. At the time we attacked Iraq, the leader was a brutal secular dictator we propped up during the 1980’s. Remember the famous photo of then G.D. Searle & Co. head, Donald Rumsfeld, shaking his hand during a visit to Iraq in 1983.
At the time we attacked, invaded, and occupied Iraq they had not threatened us, our allies or any of their neighbors. Almost 4 years later, thousands of humans have lost their lives. Most are Iraqis. And the alleged “identified” threat, those pesky WMD’s, have not materialized. Iraq is in shambles, with “depleted” uranium spread throughout their lands forever. Our troops are in the middle of a civil war, bulls’ eyes on their backs and Bush wants to send more.
How can one American be pleased and have any confidence with Bush?
If our president really cared about our safety, he would be working day and night with the rest of the world figuring out how we will face climate change, worldwide resource depletion and hunger.
peggy borgens,
ferndale http://washouts.blogspot.com/
this was a recent bellingham herald letter by wally
Backs president’s stance for nation
Contrary to most recent headlines, many people such as me are still pleased and confident with President Bush. The defense of our nation should be one of the federal government's primary concerns. Bush has identified threats to our nation and is dealing with them rather than rolling over in submission, as so many in our nation think we should. Islamic and socialist nations and rulers have little to offer other than suffering, oppression an hopelessness. Still, many in our nation place the on pedestals and call th media to admire an report their "progressiveness." It makes me nauseous.
We fought in support of our great nation and ou way of life in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War and others. Why quit on our nation now? There are also a lot of people around the world counting on us for defense because they can't and other won't. Let's not quit on them either.
I support this president and I pray his successor will be even more vigorous in defense of our nation and freedom around the world.
Wally Wallace
Ferndale http://www.wallywonderswhy.com/
my letter to the editor in response
published january 20th
A recent letter to the editor praised Bush for defending our nation from threats after “identifying” them. He went on to bash “Islamic and socialist nations” and their rulers. He never mentions Iraq. At the time we attacked Iraq, the leader was a brutal secular dictator we propped up during the 1980’s. Remember the famous photo of then G.D. Searle & Co. head, Donald Rumsfeld, shaking his hand during a visit to Iraq in 1983.
At the time we attacked, invaded, and occupied Iraq they had not threatened us, our allies or any of their neighbors. Almost 4 years later, thousands of humans have lost their lives. Most are Iraqis. And the alleged “identified” threat, those pesky WMD’s, have not materialized. Iraq is in shambles, with “depleted” uranium spread throughout their lands forever. Our troops are in the middle of a civil war, bulls’ eyes on their backs and Bush wants to send more.
How can one American be pleased and have any confidence with Bush?
If our president really cared about our safety, he would be working day and night with the rest of the world figuring out how we will face climate change, worldwide resource depletion and hunger.
peggy borgens,
ferndale http://washouts.blogspot.com/
we are the parade..........
Whatcom County Democrats Launch Campaign to Stop Escalation of Iraq War and Bring Troops Home
In response to the President's recent speeches, we, the Whatcom County Democratic Party, are today launching an on-going campaign to stop the President's plan to not only continue the occupation of Iraq but to escalate the war as well. President Bush isn't listening. The election last year was a clear mandate from the people of America to end the occupation of Iraq as quickly as possible. The American people want our troops withdrawn from Iraq, but President Bush wants to send tens of thousands more of our people into harm's way and to keep them there fighting for years to come. If this conflict is ever to end, we must exercise our responsibilities as members of a democratic society. Since the nation has placed Democrats in control of both houses of Congress, this is an exciting time to support our representatives, Senators Cantwell and Murray and Rep. Larsen as they oppose the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. We are asking for voters in Whatcom County to contact their Congressional delegation to let them know we are behind them in their vigorous opposition to path the President is pursuing. Here in Whatcom County we are organizing a phone and email campaign to let Senators Cantwell and Murray and Rep. Larsen know that we are proud to have our Democrats in Congress taking action against continuing the administration's failed policy. In the coming days we will be announcing other activities that will be part of the Whatcom County Democrats on-going campaign to end the war and bring the troops home now.
In response to the President's recent speeches, we, the Whatcom County Democratic Party, are today launching an on-going campaign to stop the President's plan to not only continue the occupation of Iraq but to escalate the war as well. President Bush isn't listening. The election last year was a clear mandate from the people of America to end the occupation of Iraq as quickly as possible. The American people want our troops withdrawn from Iraq, but President Bush wants to send tens of thousands more of our people into harm's way and to keep them there fighting for years to come. If this conflict is ever to end, we must exercise our responsibilities as members of a democratic society. Since the nation has placed Democrats in control of both houses of Congress, this is an exciting time to support our representatives, Senators Cantwell and Murray and Rep. Larsen as they oppose the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. We are asking for voters in Whatcom County to contact their Congressional delegation to let them know we are behind them in their vigorous opposition to path the President is pursuing. Here in Whatcom County we are organizing a phone and email campaign to let Senators Cantwell and Murray and Rep. Larsen know that we are proud to have our Democrats in Congress taking action against continuing the administration's failed policy. In the coming days we will be announcing other activities that will be part of the Whatcom County Democrats on-going campaign to end the war and bring the troops home now.
here it is february.......
much is going on and i sure don't see that changing.....we have reorganized in the 42nd and whatcom democrats......i have taken on treasurer position for both.....i am learning alot!!!! thankfully there are great people who are still working hard in new ways who are mentoring those of us who are new and on steep learning curves.....i am very excited about our new elected officers in both places......i think there is a very nice mix of experience/history and new blood. there are new people arriving all the time and we are hoping to be more and more active in the north and northeast county. i am very optimistic. i just got to know Alyce from Lynden and Bob from Blaine a bit more....i am looking forward to our future.......
although the 08 elections are way out there i guess it has started .....there are many Dems who have already thrown their hats in......i hope we have alot of discussion between now and then....and i would love to meet and greet as much as possible.....as a Washington state blogger i had the opportunity to meet with Bill Richardson and it was a great 38 minutes...
listen from here
see washington outsider posts on Richardson here.....
so now he has thrown his hat in .....i certainly think he has excellent qualifications.....course the bar is pretty damn low right now......
there are many good qualified people running.....let the discussion begin........
although the 08 elections are way out there i guess it has started .....there are many Dems who have already thrown their hats in......i hope we have alot of discussion between now and then....and i would love to meet and greet as much as possible.....as a Washington state blogger i had the opportunity to meet with Bill Richardson and it was a great 38 minutes...
listen from here
see washington outsider posts on Richardson here.....
so now he has thrown his hat in .....i certainly think he has excellent qualifications.....course the bar is pretty damn low right now......
there are many good qualified people running.....let the discussion begin........
