Home » Users » Franco Caliz-Aguilar » Blog » Inspiration
Democracy for America personal blog for Franco Caliz-Aguilar
Inspiration
Linked to groups: Democracy for America Miami-Dade (DFAM)
I'm not the sort to write blogs, but I can't help thinking of our movement's progress today. We've made it so far, we can make Senators change votes, we're considered powerful by the media, and the Right's radio medium finally found an adversary worthy of a fight. In 4 short years we've come from a political wilderness to where we are now. And our movement continues to gain traction, we get more "mainstream" and the the rabid Right begins to sound and be exposed for what it is: a desperate, shrill noise machine that can't match up to us on the real issues.
At the age of 14 I found a passion - politics. The first candidate I ever volunteered with was John Kerry, 3 days prior to the general election. I was an Edwards' supporter in the primary. I can honestly say that the only thing I truly thought about Howard Dean was that he was an utter nut, as were his supporters. The media told me so, I saw his scream and frankly, he was so far out on the left that his campaign didn't seem to be able to react to anything. It was as though Dean and his Deaniacs were in a world all their own, where they couldn't really see the playing field.
Then on a humid, hot Miami day Kerry lost. That moron had won again.
I was introduced to Democracy For America-Miami Dade. I found that this group was amazing, they did incredible work and I wanted to be a part of it. At the time DailyKos was
begining to gain fame and I began to check it non-stop, growing in my political junkie ways.
4 years on, and that Dean person seems now like such an amazing and inspirational role model. He began this people powered movement, the one that I became involved with through DFAM, he saw and laid out what the Democratic Party had to become in order to win. His Dean For America had become Democracy For America, a group that still leads the way on issues such as health care and on identifying great candidates who share our vision. DFA led the charge to make him DNC chair.
The results are in, and they speak for themselves: his 50 state strategy (He did go to New Hampshire,to South Carolina and Oklahoma and Arizona and North Dakota and New Mexico...) has paid off amazing dividends. But it is the movement that he left behind that really is impressive.
Bloggers are now credentialed at events and are a force in Democratic Party. More people have a say in politics than ever before. Campaigns compete to achieve what he was able to, raising millions through hundreds of small contributions. The Democrats took back Congress, and the DINO's fear now, weary that the base is no longer just something to appease, but something that can make you or break you. Ask Joe Lieberman. More local DFA groups meet on a monthly basis, more members have taken over party structures, events like YearlyKos are a must for any serious candidate.
And the movement that I saw in 2004 and called crazy? I'm one of those crazies..only we're now the ones dictating the agenda in the field, we've become the accepted norm for Democratic candidates. Universal Health Care, Anti-war and demanding a fiscal budget, what lunacy!
As I interned at DFA this past summer and now look at what local and state groups accomplish, at what university groups such as Brandeis DFA who were praised by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick in the aftermath of his victory, I become amazed.
This movement is on it's way to be a lasting one. This movement HAS transformed the Democratic Party, it has changed the top to bottom structure in many areas. And as the 2008 elections come we see our views quickly becoming more and more mainstream. Air America, local Progressive stations like AM 940 WINZ would not have been possible 4 years ago. And now their growing in stature.
As Governor Dean said in 2004,
We are what we believe. And the American people know it.
And I believe that over the next two... four... ten years...
Election by election...
State by state...
Precinct by precinct...
Door by door...
Vote by vote...
We're going to lift our Party up...
And we're going to take this country back for the people who built it.
Who does our inspiration Howard support in the primary? Oh, to just read his mind for a minute.
Thanks Franco for that wonderful story. You are one of those who are helping to make our movement even more powerful.
Enlightenment is a powerful thing, especially in politics. You were taken in by the media in 2004 just as millions of others were.
But after Howard lost the primary, he was not to taken down by any of the media hogwash. He began to use them with his still-powerful popularity to get invited to their shows and then talk his own talk. It was snickering-funny to listen to Blitzer being bullied around on his own show by our Howard.
I'm looking at another career change soon, but don't tell anyone ;-).
rich I won't tell ANYONE.
If you're undecided, support Edwards. He just called for paper ballots.
Is election fraud going mainstream?
Edwards Media Assasination Coming to a Corporatist News Outlet Near You.
Edwards is going to need some people-power, folks, and money.
http://bradblog.com/
scroll down 1/2 way
franco, great story. just great.
since DFA has almost no prescence here in my part of va, not my fault.
but DNC and Howard have put people on the ground here and it is working. We had a great staff here on the Miller campaign and they were paid by the DNC.
So thanks Howard. WE WONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!
7.
Let me be clear. I support Edwards calling for paper ballots, and challenge the other candidates to get on board or get out of the way.
linda
Did you get the email from DFA where you can request DFA training for your area for next year?
If not, here is the link: good luck:))
linda
See 5. post, which I just posted. Bloggie messed up clock sent it up there. It has info on DFA Training.
I support the grassroots.
Why do my posts always get sent to the head of the class:))
The blog count is off again. 8. s/b 16.
it's still off.
Every one of my current posts were submitted AFTER 4:00 pm EST, but all are marked 3:48.
Joan, thanks, I put in for training,
Here we go again.
Hey puddle, our next central comm meeting is in Waynesboro, Va, not far from Staunton. come on down. Nov 30/Dec 1.
I'll repost the link to my post on Lindorff's piece on the Democrats' failures this year. Fred reacted in anger rather than addressing the issues raised:
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_dave_lin_071119_democrats_face_a_sho.htm
In Brief:
The Democratic Party's do-nothing strategy for the past year, and the year ahead--which assumes voters are brain-dead--could spell disaster in 2008.
i SUPPORT EDWARDS.
I'll vote for anyone but Edwards. In a pack of phoney baloneys, he's the phoniest baloniest.
So, Sitka,
You think calling for paper ballots is just a hail mary pass?
You think calling for paper ballots is just a hail mary pass?
I don't pay much attention to what Edwards calls for since I doubt that he really means anything says.
I'm willing to forgive Edwards' awful record in the Senate if he's sincere about his regrets, and intends to follow through on his current positions on the issues. At least he's not changing positions on a daily basis, a la Hillary.
I'm not as suspicious as Sitka. but it does boil down to a matter of trust.
Only 118 Days, 15 Hours, 15 Minutes & 34 Seconds Away
Take a big, bold step toward eradicating the radical right policies that have failed America in this young century, and usher in the beginnings of a new progressive era. Take Back America 2008 sets the stage by bringing together all of the tribes of the progressive movement — grassroots and netroots activists, elected officials, business owners, policy experts and more.
In 2008 we will bring new power to our movement for change based on a new vision of an America that works for everyone, not just the few. Whatever your passion—an end to the Iraq war, a fair and more equitable economy, a clean energy future, health care for all, or some other issue on the progressive agenda—there is a place for you in the movement to Take Back America.
Watch this space.Bookmark this page and check back regularly. We’ll be adding new details about the agenda, speakers and related events as they happen.
Look who they have up on the site to advertise the TBA conf. next year. It will be early next year , I guess cause of the primaries. Let' s all be there guys.
See ya there. DFA is gonna be there too.
Pelosi is pretending to be a progressive now.
Progressives own the Take Back America theme, born from Dean's Take Our Country Back, not the insiders of the "beltway."
I'll repost the link to my post on Lindorff's piece on the Democrats' failures this year. Fred reacted in anger rather than addressing the issues raised:
===================
SCREW THE ISSUE $HIT HEAD - YOU MUST BE PRETTY RICH TO BE AMVIVALENT ABOUT A REPUBLICAN VICTORY - OR JUST A DIRTY BASTARD WHO DOESN'T BELONG HERE
YOU SUCK
Slime-ball no-facts Bob Novak
lied about a source within the Clinton campaign,
but Republican plant Chris Mathews spins spins spins.
Bad actors in journalism is bad for Democracy.
Novak has done it before...many times.
Scandal mongering.
Mathews make big deal of non-event with microphone.
It's another Dean scream moment for the corporate media.
Nice, Franco.
....but Republican plant Chris Mathews
==============
that's stretching it - Matthews is not a bad person, but he has to appear even-handed
that's stretching it
> Maybe, Fred.
I do not know how to describe what my soul tells me is false about Mathews, and "Republican plant" may not be accurate. That's about ALL i will grant, thank you.
30. Fred--oozing charm, as always
POTTY MOUTH: (Urban Dictionary)
Someone who likes to swear and cuss just for the fun and bravado of it.
Howdy Franco and Miami.
...proud to be a member of that lefty Howard Dean movement!!!
...WINZ, a member of Clear Channel, which now owns pretty much all the stations in South F L A. Found out a ...very o l d friend who worked at Y100 many moons ago, now also CC, still works with Clear Channel in Miami......HOWDY ALAN.
Blame Invertebrate Congressional Dem Leaders For Local Campaign Losses
Thousands of local Democratic candidates for office in local elections nationwide- line candidates, candidates for supervisors, council seats and the like lost in close races because of the spineless or compromised failure of Pelosi and Reid to do what the dem majority in congress was mandated to do-- end the war. The tragedy is that the local candidates and dem leaders did what they were supposed to and should have won.
On November 6, all over America, Dems lost in local races by tiny amounts. The Local Dem leaders spun the losses as improvements-- as losing by less. But many of those losses should have and would have been wins if not for the dems in congress.
Blame the democratic leadership in the house and senate-- Reid and Schumer, Pelosi and Hoyer-- for many of the near misses. The 110th congress should and probably will go down in history as the invertebrate congress. These spineless leaders were given the gift of majority control of the congress because the voters wanted them to end the war and clean up the corruption. They have done neither.
President Bush said Virginians at Berkeley Plantation celebrated Thanksgiving before Massachusetts pilgrims "even left port."
Oh, and Curt Schilling who "came out" in support of Bush just before the 2004 general election has endorsed John McCain in 2008.
I want a backflash!
POTTY MOUTH: (Urban Dictionary)
Someone who likes to swear and cuss just for the fun and bravado of it.
>
That fits appropriately ...sad to say.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_linda_mi_071119_hillary_clinton_s_sm.htm
Unfortunately, much of George W. Bush's disdain for dissension can also be seen in Hillary Clinton. It's becoming increasingly ominous to witness Clinton's Bush-like intolerance toward citizens who voice their displeasure - which might explain the recent revelations of how her handlers manipulate her audience. http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/11/11/5158/In particular, Clinton's "smug mugging" toward questioner Tighe Barry at Saturday's Los Angeles Presidential Forum on Global Warming, helps to forewarn potential voters of her Bush-style contempt for dissent.
Unlike Kucinich and Edwards who want an end to the war on Iraq, Clinton has voted consistently for military funding for the war, and recently voted to support a controversial resolution that could lead to a military strike on Iran. Considering war's harmful effects on the environment, and its diversion of funds from environmentally friendly projects into military coffers, Clinton has significantly less bona fides on the environment than either of her Forum counterparts.
Iraq Security Forces Arrest 43, Including Two Americans
An Iraqi government spokesman said on Monday that Iraqi security forces had arrested 43 people, including two Americans and 31 other foreigners, over a shooting (opened fire on civilians) in which a woman was wounded in central Baghdad. "This is a message to security companies that no one is above the law," government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said. ….those arrested would appear before an investigating judge in Baghdad on Tuesday. "Those involved will be put on trial and the innocent will be released," he said. http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1454806
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/67707/
It’s Treason: Dems Stay Silent on Bush White House Crimes
The mainstream Democrats -- represented, say, by Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Joe Biden, and Christopher Dodd -- have not levied war against the United States. Their treason lies instead in committing the second offense: They adhere to enemies of the country, giving them aid and comfort.
The enemies are President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney. Like no other president and vice president in history, these men attacked their country.
Abjectly, continuously and stubbornly refusing to hold them accountable, however, the mainstream Democrats adhere to this criminal president and vice president: Nothing they have asked for has been denied, no barriers placed in their way. That is giving them aid and comfort, and that is treason. George Bush and Richard Cheney took the country to war illegally, with a deliberate, carefully designed and executed package of fear-mongering propaganda: lies, distortions and deceptions. No informed citizen entertains the slightest doubt about this.
Lying to the people and the Congress was the most despicable violation of the rule of law by Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney, but many more followed: torturing prisoners, denying habeas corpus, spying on U.S. citizens, nullifying new laws with "signing statements" and so on and on. The litany of impeachable offenses is long and painful, but the so-called "War on Terror," these men insist, makes all of it acceptable, even necessary. Nearly six years have elapsed since the Bush administration first defeated the rule of law. For most of these years, a Republican Congress saw fit not to intervene, or even to question this behavior, so effective was the administration's propaganda campaign and so firm were the bonds of partisanship. But now the mainstream Democrats control the Congress.
Democrats were in the room.
Why should a Dodd bother to put a hold on illegal FISA injury issues when he gets lumped in with the others?
and Edwards isn't in government, but I have heard both he and Richardson challenge the legal authority of bushco as well as Dodd
If they are all the same as Clinton might as well elect the first woman,right?
there are distinctions, the primary must be over the real differences if a party fight is to mean anything
I think it does matter what you say when campaigning because that is the benchmark of accountability.
Obama has an ad on in Iowa today calling for a $1000 tax cut for families.
How is he going to balance the budget? Edwards says he will end the Congress Health Plan if they don't pass Universal Health Care by July 2009, doesn't he know they will over-ride that veto?
Richardson says he will get economic growth with "tax incentives for business" How does that differ from the status quo?
and any that don't speak out firmly against the Unitary Executive must want those powers. Chalk one up for Dodd and Kucinich.
there are differences between the candidates and it sheds more light to point them out rather than lump them together(that still doesn't excuse Fred's language)
Terrible news.............Mr. Wipple (Charmin) is dead.........................
Obama Finds Help in Iowa
With a Focus on New Ideas
A growing focus on fresh ideas coupled with lingering doubts about Hillary Clinton’s honesty and forthrightness are keeping the Democratic presidential contest close in Iowa, with Barack Obama in particular mounting a strong race against the national front-runner.
Most Democratic likely voters in Iowa, 55 percent, say they’re more interested in a “new direction and new ideas” than in strength and experience, compared with 49 percent in July – a help to Obama, who holds a substantial lead among “new direction” voters.
While Clinton still leads on more personal attributes, just half of Iowa Democrats in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll believe she’s willing to say what she really thinks – far fewer than say so of either Obama or John Edwards. Obama beats her by 2-1 as the most honest and trustworthy candidate.
Her advantage on experience, while substantial, has softened since summer. Clinton has notably less support in Iowa than nationally in trust to handle a variety of specific issues; on Iraq, Obama now runs evenly with her. And she’s third in Iowa among men.
Overall, in current preferences, 30 percent in Iowa support Obama, 26 percent Clinton and 22 percent Edwards, with 11 percent for Bill Richardson. That’s little changed since July (Edwards -4, Obama +3, both within sampling tolerances, and Clinton unchanged).
Among those who say they’re “absolutely certain” to attend a caucus, Obama has 28 percent support, Clinton still with 26 percent – again very close, and a contrast to Clinton’s nearly 2-1 lead over Obama nationally.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
26. As you may know, periods of economic growth are followed by periods of recession. Do you think a recession over the next year is very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely or very unlikely?
------- Likely ------ ----- Unlikely ------ No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
11/18/07 83 36 48 15 10 4 2
Americans have proven susceptible to manipulations of the truth
George Soros
...
Indeed, techniques of deception have undergone enormous improvements since Orwell's time. Many of these techniques were developed in connection with the advertising and marketing of commercial products and services, and then adapted to politics. Their distinguishing feature is that they can be bought for money. More recently, cognitive science has helped to make the techniques of deception even more effective, giving rise to political professionals who concentrate only on "getting results."
...
One influential technique - which Republican pollster Frank Luntz says that he learned from "1984" - simply reverses meanings and turns reality on its head. Thus, Fox News calls itself "fair and balanced," and Karl Rove and his acolytes turn their opponents' strongest traits into their Achilles' heels, using insinuations and lies to portray the opponents' achievements as phony. That is how insinuations of cowardice and foul play helped defeat two highly decorated Vietnam War veterans, Senator Max Cleland in 2002, and John Kerry in 2004, while Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney - both of whom avoided military service - were portrayed as true patriots.
Another technique is transference: accusing opponents of having motives or using methods that characterize the accuser himself. For example, David Horowitz, who accuses me of being "the Lenin of the anti-American conspiracy," is a former Trotskyite for whom opponents are never adversaries to be debated, but rather enemies to be crushed.
The American public has proven remarkably susceptible to the manipulation of truth, which increasingly dominates the country's political discourse. Indeed, a whole network of publications, some of which manage to parade as mainstream media, is devoted to the task. Yet I believe that it is possible to inoculate the public against false arguments by arousing resentment against Orwellian Newspeak. What is needed is a concerted effort to identify the techniques of manipulation - and to name and shame those who use them.
Now is an ideal time to begin that effort. Americans are now awakening, as if from a bad dream. What we have learned from recent years' experience - what we should have known all along - is that the supremacy of critical thought in political discourse cannot be taken for granted. It can be ensured only by an electorate that respects reality and punishes politicians who lie or engage in other forms of deception.
full article
http://www.alarabiya.net/views/2007/11/1...
e. has campaigned the hardest in Iowa
11/18/07 7/31/07
Hillary Clinton 34 30
John Edwards 25 29
Barack Obama 26 22
Bill Richardson 2 3
Joe Biden 1 0
Chris Dodd * 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ABC NEWS/WASHINGTON POST POLL: IOWA DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AFTER 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, 2007
~~~~~~~~
also the numbers above in my last post
Mike he was 91. A good life. And died of natural causes. Still sorrow for loved ones and fans that will miss him.
Forever peace he his. And a little squeeze from me to send you on your soft way Mr. Wipple.
ciao!
Can an electorate critically think while being dumbed down?
Even ethics and morals are being turned upside down. ie Rove writing for Newsweek and Delay on CNN. And we *re-elect* people who are known liars and criminals; ie bush/cheney.
Turning around one state is one thing, but a whole country, filled with people who don't even finish high school or who can't afford college, is another.
We are too darn big. How about 3 regions and 3 presidents?
http://abcnews.go.com/images/PollingUnit/1051a1IowaDems.pdf
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/11/19/172320/16
Clinton Obama Edwards Richardson
All likely voters 26% 30 22 11
Certain to attend 26 28 23 12
Attended previous caucus 21 27 26 11
First time 34 35 14 11
Men 19 28 25 15
Women 31 32 19 8
Democrats 28 28 22 10
Independents 18 35 24 10
So are we all agreed that Dodd and Kucinich are the best for us?
How sad for us since Iowa won't even look at them. MSNBC is saying the Iowans don't want the dems to criticize each other. Again, there's that distinction between policy differences and mud slinging. Also reporting that the Iowans really don't start paying attention to who's who until the last 2 weeks.
And the candidates are saying what they think we want to hear.
New poll has Obama leading in IA. Hey, guys, what about that tax cut Obama is talking about? Don't fall for it.
GORE dammit!
"And that's the audience you're speaking to"
That to the scandalmonger Chris Mathews
also said to the scandalmonger, "Democrats don't like it"
DOW ends down again falling below 13,000. So much for a great economy the media is trying to sell.
I just found a map to nowhere!
I've been to the same place before, but I could never get there...anywhere.
But, "I just found a map to nowhere"
...and I'm glad I diddud.
So are we all agreed that Dodd and Kucinich are the best for us?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
no
I see the economy as a much bigger issue, and Edwards the one who understands how we got into this mess better than the rest since he spoke the same way in 2003. He may have gotten the war wrong but he has what ails the tax code figured out.
why should I support someone who has done no campaigning here like Kucinich
let him show us something where he has showed up
half of success at anything is showing up
I will be seeing Dodd this week and will thank him for his efforts lately. any questions I should pass along?
-
By seashell on Nov 19, 2007 2:22 PM ESTDean is the firstest and mostest and bestest. He should get the man of the new century award.
We have to NOT nominate Clinton. It would be a good start.
Iowa, are you paying attention? Is there some way we can contact and inform the caucus voters? That ad was just hideous and it's obvious Clinton does not think the voters are very bright. She has a point.........................
What are the Iowa newspapers talking about? Do we need a massive write in campaign to them to try to wake up the voters?
busy busy bbl