The Total Eclipse of John McCain

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Sep 7, 2008 10:08 AM EDT

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

I'm confused. Is John McCain still running for something? Is he still a candidate?

I'm not sure whether it was predicted or intended, but John McCain forced himself into the shadows by selecting Sarah Palin as his VP. And now if the average citizen/voter wants to point fingers and label someone a celebrity, they would be pointing directly at Sarah Palin. There's a huge difference between the celebrity of Barack Obama and Palin. Obama has much more of a "Beatles" appeal--he makes people feel good because he gives them hope. Sarah Palin's celebrity is much more in the vein of Brittney, Lindsey or any of the other bad girls of Hollywood. Palin's celebrity is born out of internet rumours about her pregnancy, her daughter's pregnancy and more important issues such as library book censorship and the investigation surrounding what she attempted to do to her brother-in-law--all these things are more bad than good.

The thing is she was totally unknown less than 2 weeks ago and now she's on the cover of every "fluff" magazine--while experts claim "she's not ready" for real news media interviews. Poor John McCain--he's gone and forgotten. Even more sad for the rest of us is how the focus is gone from the real issues. I mean are there really that many women who already want "Sarah Palin" rimless glasses? Just like those glasses, Palin is hopefully nothing more than a passing fad.

But even more alarming is the strange intangible feeling that this campaign is now about Obama vs. Palin. Citizens and the media have decided to compare Obama to Palin instead of Biden to Palin. I guess it makes for a better story. And I'm guilty of getting caught up in that sort of thing as well. But it is time to put the focus back where it belongs. It's time to bring poor John McCain out of the darkness. It's time to start asking why John McCain picked such a poor excuse for a VP candidate.

It's time for independent voters along with progressive Democrats to keep this campaign on track by pointing out the stark contrasts between Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin. The questions are simple. The answers are even easier.

Do we want an America where all people are equal? Obama/Biden is the answer.

Do women want to protect their right to choose options regarding their bodies? Obama/Biden is the answer.

Do we want an America that looks to a future of cleaner air and energy independence based on a new economy of alternative, non-fossil fuel, energy sources? Obama/Biden is the answer.

Do we want an America that censors library books? McCain/Palin is the answer.

Do women want the Republicans deciding what they can and cannot do with their bodies? McCain/Palin is the answer.

Do we want an America, like the past 8 years, that continues to deny science and global warming? McCain/Palin is the answer.

I'm not sure how to explain how or why McCain has allowed the extremist ideas of Sarah Palin to take over his campaign. I guess it is just another example of his bad judgement.

John McCain exhibited a total lack of judgement when he selected Sarah Palin as VP. Together, McCain and Palin stand for the wrong direction for this country. McCain isn't about change. McCain will start off as another Bush term and then use Sarah Palin to head into what can only be called an even more extremist conservative direction.

Change for the sake of change and why that is a good thing

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Sep 6, 2008 9:03 AM EDT

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

Yesterday I left the job I've had for 9.5 years.  I left friends and security behind.  As jobs go, it was OK and I really can't complain too much because the company kept me employed longer than any other company I have worked for so far.  So why leave? 

Even I'm not 100% sure why I left.  I was getting restless.  I was getting burned out.  I gave one month's notice that I was leaving and as my last day approached, I still wondered if I was doing the right thing.  Then, at 4:30 PM on Friday, Sept. 5, I walked out of building for the last time and realized I had just done something that I needed to do...something that all people need to do at some point in their lives.  I had just jumped out of my comfort zone without a safety net.  I took a leap of faith. 

While there are an infinite number of reasons to vote for Barack Obama instead of John McCain, I dont' think anyone should overlook the intangible reason of change simply for the sake of change.  Everything in life is a gamble, but change should never be feared.  Change is a shock to the system.  Change is a wake up call.  Change is a chance to start over.  Change spurs creativity.  Change means exciting new directions never considered before.

In the most simple terms, change with Barack Obama could mean nothing more than revising one's view of the glass being half empty to the glass being half full.  This is simply crossing the fine line between the last 8 years into an exciting hope for the future.  Part of the excitement is the uncertainty of just how great the future could be.  Barack Obama is the leader for that kind of change. 

Hope?  YES WE CAN.  Change?  YES WE CAN!

The Anti-Howard Has Risen

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Sep 4, 2008 6:22 PM EDT

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

I currently work (my last day is tomorrow) in an office that is about 98% Republican.  In fact, I can count the Democrats, including myself, on 3 fingers. 

Since 2003, I have been THE political talker in the office.  It got to the point where I was reprimanded on a few occasions and told I had to stop all political talk in the office and confine it to the break room.  I have managed to do that. 

Over the years, my coworkers have heard me talk about Howard Dean and various other progressive Democrats.  Over the years, I've felt that almost everything I have ever said fell on deaf ears.  Then there were signs of hope.  When Bush was about to sell the management rights of US ports to Dubai, several people finally uttered negative words about GW.  There have been other signs that the fanatical Republicans were weakening and most recently, with the rise of Obama, there have been very quiet whispers out of Republican mouths that they just might think about voting for Obama. 

And then last night happened.  I never would have predicted it.  But it happened.  This morning I arrived at work and during my stop in the breakroom for my first cup of coffee, I began to hear the stories.  The first woman who spoke to me said, "Tom, last night changed my life.  I am going to run for office."  My coworker went on to tell me she was up most of the night talking to her husband about the new direction her life is headed.  So compelled to run for public office, she was already trying to decide which office.  Other comments throughout the day were less emphatic, but still troubling.  "Doesn't she just have an awesome family."  "Boy, isn't she something!"

So, this is what Palin's speech did last night.  Somehow she instantly became the Anti-Howard.  She has encouraged a new group of conservative Republicans to run for office.   Palin energized even the Republicans who may have had second thoughts about Bush or were simply worn down by all the years of his stupidity.  This scares me more than I could ever communicate.

We cannot let ourselves believe that Obama has this election sewn up.  We cannot believe for one minute that things are looking pretty good for him.  We have to see view Obama as the perpetual Democratic underdog and do everything we can possibly do to get him elected. 

Watch out Ohio and Pennsylvania, here comes dfaROCHESTER!

Labor Day Parade

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Sep 1, 2008 4:17 PM EDT

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

I remember the immense excitement of my first political parade--Gay Pride in Rochester for Howard.  We had about 30 people with signs and a convertible blasting Dean's What I Want To Know speech set to music. 

But today's Labor Day parade with the Obama group was far beyond anything I would have expected.  All we had to shout was YES WE CAN and the crowd would shout along with us.  When the skeptical old white guy was shouting the word NEVER, our response was YES WE CAN. 

And how exciting is it to see 2 and 3 year olds along the parade route saying OBAMA. 

This feels like the real thing.  It feels like we can actually win in November.  But we can't let the excitement now cause us to slack off between now and the election.

Before the parade started we got to hear a couple of delegates talking about their Denver experiences.

Words Matter

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Aug 27, 2008 7:18 PM EDT

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

Hillary delivered an amazing speech at the convention last night.  I would declare the speech last evening as Hillary's best ever.  There was something very different about Hillary last night.  She was filled with passion and sincerity.  Her words to her supporters were clear and forceful.  Her words were exciting and motivating.  Her words were even inspiring. 

I was not a Hillary supporter throughout the primaries.  I'm not even sure I liked Hillary during the campaign.  However, I liked the Hillary I saw last night.  Why?  Because her words were impressive. 

During the campaign Obama was at times criticized because his greatest asset seemed to be his words.  Many said words alone weren't worth much. 

I hope Hillary noticed what happened last evening at the convention.  I hope everyone in the world took notice as well.  Last night Hillary proved just how much words alone do matter.  Words have the power to initiate change.  Words have the power to offer hope. 

President Obama is going to set a new tone for America and maybe even the entire world.  There will be a new "yes we can" spirit.  There will, once again, be hope.  There will be change.

dfaROCHESTER's connection with Ted Kennedy

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Aug 25, 2008 9:00 PM EDT

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

The news of Ted Kennedy's appearance at the Democratic Convention made me think back to a rather "dark" time, that was brightened by Ted Kennedy. 

Think back to February 28, 2004.  It was just days before the NY Presidential primary and our local county Democratic Committee had originally planned a "candidate's forum".  Candidates or local representatives were to speak.  At the last moment, several changes were made.  There as a change in venue and the event's title had changed from "candidates forum" to something along the lines of "Kerry Rally".  But some of these changes didn't circulate very well because some took place the morning of the event.

I arrived early, as I usually do, and saw many Rochester for Dean activists go into the event.  Remember, this was a strange time because Dean was no longer a viable candidate, and some of our members were already supporting other candidates.  But there was still a core of the faithful.    I was waiting in the parking lot as others arrived.  When we attempted to go inside, we were asked to open our coats.  No, it wasn't a search for weapons.  It was a search for Dean sweatshirts.  And that is exactly what they found. 

 

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In the heat of canvassing

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Aug 23, 2008 6:59 PM EDT

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

I'm going to rant about canvassing.  No, the heat didn't bother me too much.  But we were walking in an area that is somewhat thin when it comes to finding Democrats, so there is quite some distance between houses on the walk lists. 

Yes, it was an extremely hot Saturday here in Rochester.  And I suppose it seems rather strange for people who are at home enjoying their Saturday to encounter people going door to door.  I mean, do you want your doorbell to ring while you're enjoying time with your family only to open the door to find a sweaty person who wants to talk about politics? 

While we were knocking only on the doors of prime Dems, those who answered their doors didn't seem to welcome the sight of a fellow Democrat at their door.  Screen doors were rarely opened.  Conversations were extremely short.  Sadly, I ended my canvassing after nearly 5 hours in the extreme heat with no clear sense that I had swayed any voters. 

And this is definitely not a poor, poor pitiful me post.  If anything, I am angry at every person who answered the door today and acted like they did not care.  I'm angry at the family enjoying themselves by their swimming pool as I am being ignored at their front door.  If the voters could just prove to candidates they are alive and alert and aware, the canvassing would not have to be done to the degree it is. 

Between houses, I kept wondering why all citizens couldn't be more like DFAers.  No one has ever had to visit my front door to tell me what's going on because I already know what is going on.  No one has to remind me to vote. 

There are so many reasons and so many ways to get into the political process.  Whether it is an issue or a candidate, people need to follow their hearts and minds to where ever it leads them.  In the wake of 9-11 and the mess GW created, I was already seeking out the best candidate for president in 2004.  I started my search in October 2002.  I found Howard Dean.  I had never heard of Howard Dean before.  I did my research and I was blown away...but I was worried.  Dean seemed wonderful on paper, but would that hold up with deeper research? Luckily, with Dean, the more I researched, the more I loved Howard.

I proactively went after information about candidates because come 2004, I needed to be ready support someone who would take Bush out of office and fix things. 

And now here we are today.  Will we ever be able to rest on a summer weekend because we're sure our neighbors are all doing their own research and thinking about candidates?  Is there a way to entice people to pay attention and research candidates on their own without any prodding?  What would that take?

 

Commuting by bicycle?

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Aug 20, 2008 9:29 PM EDT

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

I have a confession to make.  The day before I got my driver's license was the last day I was on a bicycle--and that was many years ago.  But even when I was able to drive, much of the time I decided to walk.  I had always been a avid walker.  I walked to college and I walked to work. 

After moving to Rochester, I stopped walking.  While I have always lived within walking distant from my job here in Rochester, I rarely walk.  I live in a pedestrian unfriendly town.  There are no sidewalks between my apartment and work.  Most intersection I need to cross don't have crosswalks or crosswalk signalling. 

Now, with the ever increasing visible evidence of global warming and the rising cost of gasoline, I am hoping that our elected officials are taking a long hard look at the future of transportation. 

Since this website owes its existence to Howard Dean, I'm hoping to promote "people-powered" transportation.  By this I mean walking, biking and rollerblading as a way to commute to work or accomplish any of their daily activities.  However, much needs to be done, in my opinion, to make people-powered transportation truly safe and enjoyable. 

Before millions of dollars are spent on light rail or anything as grand as that, can we have a dedicate network of bike paths?  If Bogata, Columbia can do it, why can't we?  The answer is we can, but our elected officials aren't thinking about that yet. 

In a place with snow, such as Rochester, we might need to be a little more creative.  Are underground tunnels feasible?  Could part of the existing subway tunnel be use?  We've already got the awesome canal path as a starting point for a network of paths.  Let's develop it!

Energized. Refocused. Emphoward.

Written by: Thomas Janowski on May 26, 2008 6:29 PM EDT

It's been an intense year so far.  And the truly intense part of the campaign season hasn't even begun.

2008 began with planning for the DFA Training Academy.  The planning was much more difficult than I had ever imagined it could be.  While I've planned similar events in the past, I had to remember that those events were in Elmira, NY.  In Elmira, venues are easier to come by.  Places such as museums that are under utilized by the public are just begging for events to come to them.  Here in Rochester it was a different story.

I'll admit there were a couple of times when I was ready to give up.  But then, just like a college term paper written the night before it was due, everything came together quickly.  The training was a success and I'm sure attendees will be talking about it for quite some time. 

It seems that the month of May was the focus of so much energy.  The training academy was the first weekend of May and it was an energizing and inspiring event, even for those who have already attended many times.  A visit by Jim Dean during the training was an added bonus. 

Just a couple of weeks after the training academy, Howard Dean finally visited Rochester.  It was a very grounding experience.  Initially inspired by Howard to become very politically active in 2003, I have to admit that sometimes it's been tough.  Working on campaigns in which you leave part of your heart and soul only to have the candidate lose is heartbreaking.

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Attend DFAROCHESTER's Eric Massa Phone Bank on October 18!

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Oct 12, 2006 7:04 PM EDT

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

Dear Member,

Please attend DFAROCHESTER's Eric Massa Phone Bank on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at 5:30 PM. You can RSVP at:

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=145...

What: DFAROCHESTER's Eric Massa Phone Bank
When: Wednesday, October 18, 2006, 5:30 PM
Where: CSEA
332 Jefferson Road Brighton
Rochester NY 14623