Your chance to help form the Democratic Party's platform! Virtually!

Written by: Megan Foster on Jul 22, 2008 9:28 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Netroots Activism!, DFA Tampa Bay, Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM), Democracy for Florida, Pinellas Democracy For America

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Obama is coming to Tampa on April 15!

Written by: Megan Foster on Mar 29, 2007 9:26 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Tampa Bay

Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Barack Obama will make his case for the presidency at two fundraisers in Tampa on Sunday, April 15 hosted by the Tampa Bay Area O-Train Host Committee:

Frank Sanchez, Juan R. Capin, Yvonne Yolie Capin, Chip Fletcher, Megan Foster, Anita Henriquez, Caren Lobo, Herman Monroe, Dr. Aaron Smith, Vivian Warren, Marie Weston and Martha Williams

https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/cubanclub

For tickets to the $25 rally:

Call (813) 258-2224

(Limited time offer: $100 reserve section)

If you have a disability or special needs, please let us know ahead of time.

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O, Facebook and the audacity of my kids

Written by: Megan Foster on Feb 11, 2007 2:00 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Florida

Even though my two eldest daughters are politically aware, they usually seek my advice when they vote.  They would call me when they were completing their absentee ballots and we would discuss each race and candidate.  But quite frankly, most of the time, I had to remind them to put a stamp on the ballot and mail it.  I asked myself "What kind of activist am I if I have to work this hard to get my kids to follow through with their vote?"

My kids have attended protests with me but they didn’t necessarily like doing it.   My younger ones would just die if one of their friends saw them protesting or planting signs for candidates.  They "get it" but would prefer that their activism be limited to watching the Daily Show and the Colbert Report.

Even though my two eldest daughters are politically aware, they usually seek my advice when they vote. They would call me when they were completing their absentee ballots and we would discuss each race and candidate. But quite frankly, most of the time, I had to remind them to put a stamp on the ballot and mail it. I asked myself “What kind of activist am I if I have to work this hard to get my kids to follow through with their vote?” My kids have attended protests with me but they didn’t necessarily like doing it. My younger ones would just die if one of their friends saw them protesting or planting signs for candidates. They “get it” but would prefer that their activism be limited to watching the Daily Show and the Colbert Report.

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Emergency Rally: Tampa Bay says NO tomorrow!

Written by: Megan Foster on Jan 10, 2007 8:26 PM EST

Linked to groups: DFA Tampa Bay

The Iraq Occupation is a local issue.  It affects all of us.  My
family members in the military have been betrayed by the Bush
Administration.  They are not permitted to speak out so it is up to
"We the People" to stand up and speak for them.

Do you see the Bush Twins "surging" into Iraq?   I sure don't.  Help
us stand up for all military families!

Please sign up and forward this far and wide!

  http://www.democrac yinaction. org/dia/organiza tionsORG/ truemajority/ event/distribute dEvent.jsp? event_KEY= 20627  

 When: Thursday, January 11, 2007

5:00 PM until 7:00 PM

Where: Patriots' Corner, corner of Bayshore and Bay-to-Bay Blvds.

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Honesty (framing) vs. The Shell Game (grifting)

Written by: Megan Foster on Jan 10, 2007 3:04 PM EST

Linked to groups: I-4 CORPS

http://jeffrey-feldman.typepad.com/frameshop/2007/01/frameshop_grift.html#comment-27506317

 From Jeffrey Feldman's latest blog: 

Frameshop: Grifters (The Luntz Fresh Air Interview)

Well, I just finished listening to Terry Gross' interview of Republican spin man Frank Luntz--a 45 minute segment that aired on NPR's Fresh Air, yesterday (follow this link to hear the broadcast). I suggest that everyone head over to the NPR site and listen to the segment.

Many people ask me the difference between what we do here on Frameshop and what Frank Luntz does--the difference between framing and grifting.

There are many points of divergence, but I want to draw attention to three in particular--three key differences between framing and grifting.

Point #1: Honesty (framing) vs. The Shell Game (grifting)
Gross did a commendable job trying to interview Luntz about his work with Republican spin. Her challenge was similar to interviewing Sasha Cohen about his character Borat. Like Cohen, once Luntz climbs inside his character, he absolutely refuses to do or say anything that would give away the artifice of the act. In the case of Luntz, it's not an Central Asian hapless journalist he is playing, but an impartial "professional listener" deeply concerned with helping politicians understand what is really in the hearts and minds of the American "public."

 To Read the rest of Dr. Feldman's article:

http://jeffrey-feldman.typepad.com/frameshop/2007/01/frameshop_grift.html#comment-27506317

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Party loyalty beats values

Written by: Megan Foster on Sep 27, 2006 8:55 AM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Tampa Bay

Dear Member,

Jack Sandler's excellent LTE was published in the St. Pete Times today. Have you written a recent LTE that you would like to share with us?

Here is Jack's LTE:

www.sptimes.com/2006/09/27/Opini...

Re: They compromised away our basic values.

Thank you for your lead editorial clearly describing the ramifications of this "compromise." After all the sound and fury, the final outcome reveals that loyalty to party trumps loyalty to our nation's fundamental values.

The rapid turnaround by the three senators suggests that this entire episode was nothing more than a sham designed to convince the public that there were at least some members of Congress willing to stand for what was correct. Now we have, astonishingly, granted the president the prerogative to ignore not only the international treaties to which we are signatories, but also our own laws banning torture and human rights violations.

We have indeed dispensed with two basic values that define a civilized society, complying with the law of the land and our sense of morality. The result is that we have now placed our own soldiers at risk for similar treatment by their captors.

Jack Sandler, Tampa

Betty Reed says thank you!

Written by: Megan Foster on Sep 15, 2006 6:59 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Tampa Bay

Due to technical glitches, Betty was never able to sign up on DFA Tampa Bay's website. This is her message:

Betty says, "Hello to everyone and thank you so much for all that DFA Tampa Bay has done for my campaign. Without DFA's energized support and enthusiastic volunteers, I would not have been elected as the democratic nominee for Fl House, District 59.

Thank you so much for your time and needed energy boosts that helped me get through this campaign. Let's keep working hard to keep good, progressive people in office.

Call me anytime. I hope to see you at your next meeting."

Betty Reed

From the GREAT STATE OF MAINE...

Written by: Megan Foster on Aug 16, 2006 9:17 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Florida

Today's dailykos post from Bill in Portland Maine's is excellent as usual...

www.dailykos.com/story/2006/8/16...

I can't believe I have to say this:

-

BELTWAY DEMOCRATS: Support your party's nominee in the Connecticut Senate race!

BELTWAY REPUBLICANS: Support your party's nominee in the Connecticut Senate race!

-

Or you get no cookies or nappy time. Sheesh.

Cheers and Jeers starts in There's Moreville... [Swoosh!!] RIGHTNOW! [Gong!!]

www.dailykos.com/story/2006/8/16...

Ask Sen. Nelson to pledge his support for Lamont!

Written by: Megan Foster on Aug 15, 2006 3:44 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Florida

Dear Member,

From dailykos: www.dailykos.com/story/2006/8/15...

CT-Sen: Bob Geiger is maintaining a list of Senators pledging support to Ned Lamont. Check it out, and if your Democratic Senator isn't on that list, give them a call.

Fellow Floridians, I realize that this may come as a shock but Bill Nelson has NOT yet pledged his support for Ned Lamont.

billnelson.senate.gov/contact/em...

Will the real Democrats please stand up?

Ask Sen. Nelson to pledge his support for Lamont!

Written by: Megan Foster on Aug 15, 2006 3:39 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Tampa Bay

From dailykos: www.dailykos.com/story/2006/8/15...

CT-Sen: Bob Geiger is maintaining a list of Senators pledging support to Ned Lamont. Check it out, and if your Democratic Senator isn't on that list, give them a call.

Fellow Floridians, I realize that this may come as a shock but Bill Nelson has NOT yet pledged his support for Ned Lamont.

billnelson.senate.gov/contact/em...

Will the real Democrats please stand up?