I couldn’t bring myself to watch Sarah Palin’s speech last night. I have had enough hate in my life, thank you very much. But after reading the blog comments, especially over at Mudflats and FiveThirtyEight, some of her comments left me scratching my head.
Wait, let me rephrase that — some of her comments left smoke coming out of my ears. How dare she target community organisers. My mother’s a teacher. She’s a community organiser. I don’t think someone who won her mayorial post with 890 or so votes has any platform upon which to cast stones.
So, I decided to volunteer seriously for the campaign today. I’ve previously been involved with Democrats Abroad here in Vancouver, but I want to get my hands dirty. So I am going to travel by bus, eat with strangers, stay in strangers houses across the West to campaign for Barack Obama.
I thought it would be hard getting started. I’ve had some experience before volunteering for a campaign when I became involved with Ned Lamont’s failed Connecticut senatorial bid. And to get on that campaign, you practically had to beg borrow and steal. So I wasn’t prepared for when I called the Helena, Montana Obama office and was greeted with the following conversation:
“Hello, I’m calling about volunteer opportuni…”
“Absolutely. We’d love to have you. Come today. Come tomorrow. Come yesterday.”
So, I’m coming. I’m going to use this blog to tell you about my adventures and my experience. So for now, I am in Vancouver, BC as I have some meetings next week. But if all goes well, I will be on my way by next week. There’s no time to waste.
I share your sentiments 100%. I’m in Windsor…come on down…You can kill hate with more hate…we hae had our fill for eith years…time for Hope.
Kindred spirits for Obama…will watch for more postings…well writing.
By: Barb Miller on 5 September 2008
at 12.27 am
I know exactly how you feel. Abusive, derisive speech is more than grating – it’s painful to receive.
But I came away from it pondering the nature of the American character (once again) – especially in its raw political state, “red meat” and that form of hortatory.
It may be that many Americans are comforted by the thought of combative leaders, that the dangers of the world can be shouted down, or failing that, shot down.
It’s probably a good hockey strategy – but as for politics, I find it painful to watch.
But I do.
In my years as a journalist I was witness to a fair bit of violence, verbal and otherwise. It was my job to watch, and from that I also learned that it is important to actually *see* what is going on.
Hopefully the prospect now facing democrats is a bracing one and will bring out a vigorous defense.
By: Mark Schneider on 5 September 2008
at 12.32 am
Good luck Paul – Go for it!!! Hopefully McCain has shot himself in the
foot by making such a ridiculous choice of a running mate. As a woman, Palin embarrasses me. Comparing herself to a pitbull is an insult to pitbulls. At least the McCain camp will have to pipe down on the experience issue. Hmmmmph, she knows about Russian issues because “Alaska is the state closest to Russia” – gimme a break. A hard core right wing, Pentacostal, gun toting, wilderness destroying, anti-abortion VP of the US is just what the world needs now – NOT, NOT, NOT!!
By: Lisa Hawkes on 5 September 2008
at 12.36 am
WOW, great dedication! definitely a great cause.
BTW, smart decision not to watch Palin – it was both frustrating and insulting. I had hoped for a comparison of issues but was instead even more disappointed in the choice as well as in the comments of Giuliani and Huckabee.
Much success and fun along the way!
Toni
By: toni on 5 September 2008
at 12.57 am
This is great – you go! I am so burnt out from all the rhetoric I can’t even articulate how I feel – except that I am an ex-pat, living in exile in Alberta which is almost worse…………..good luck to you, I envy you, I applaud you and wish you the best – in my thoughts, Liz
PS – Anyone who has read Dreams From My Father would completely ignore and dismiss Sarah Palin – doesn’t she have something a little more creative and clever to say? I am so tired.
By: Liz on 5 September 2008
at 1.56 am
Good luck on your adventure. I am in Grangeville Idaho, if You need a place to stay. Unfortunatly I can not offer an event.
By: Owl Day-George on 5 September 2008
at 4.42 am
I lived in Kuna, Idaho for about 26 years. It’s a tough state, what with the most gazillionaires per capita. But the waitresses, and mechanics, the municipal workers, and the teachers and firemen and law enforcement personnel; the seniors, the disabled, the veterans and the chimney sweeps…for all the 98% of non-rich folks – life is hard, and getting harder.
The infrastructure of bridges and roads, the school systems, the joblessness and job-hopeless, the problems multiply.
McSame versus We The People.
Corporate profits over The American Dream.
America First? It’s the exact opposite. The Neo-Republican gameplan.
My eternal gratitude for your decision, and my fervent hope you reach many hearts and minds. I’m reminded of Paul Revere…McSame is coming, McSame is coming…
By: Susie in Oregon on 5 September 2008
at 7.20 am
Good luck to you. I am sitting in frustration in Canterbury, England. For the first time in my adult life I have gotten involved with politics, perhaps because I can see how necessary it is for Obama to win this election, as an expat overseas.
I, too, am scared of Palin, with her views on life, the way she paraded her daughter around, draped in a blanket, the total non contact she had with her children while on show.
Please stress that the world is hoping for Obama to win, as well. Many Americans are unaware of our standing in the world. It will hlep to hear it from you!
One chance for us to make change in two places-USA and the world.
Good luck.
By: jackie anne on 5 September 2008
at 9.27 am
Friday, September 5th, 2008
Dear Paul,
Thanks for sharing. I’ll be interested in following.
I’m now far away from America, – I’m from Boston, Mass., – to my continual amazement, since I’m of Scotch-Irish descent, I’ve ended up here in Poznan, Poland for the past 16 years, becoming a publisher in a language very much not my own. Parenting, solid psychology, recovery from addiction, and good reading for children and young adults. Dr. Seuss, C.S.Lewis’ Narnia, and best known for Harry Potter in Polish. http://www.MediaRodzina.com.pl.
AND we’ve published Obama’s “Dreams from My Father” in Polish.
Obviously he and Biden SHOULD win, – but will they? I’m not at all sure.
TALKING POINT, which I’m surprised no one has been pointing out:
There’s lots of propaganda, especially reading what Giuliani said, that Obama hasn’t had EXECUTIVE experience.
BUT neither has McCain!!!
In the Navy, no command. When he got a plum assignment as aide to an Admiral, good tracking for someone seeking command, as quick as he could, he got back to piloting, – over Viet Nam. Once back in America, I don’t think there was any EXECUTIVE experience, he has only served as a legislator. (And we need to admit, he’s done some good work there.) He’s had longer experience than Obama, but still, all legislative.
To judge them as EXECUTIVES, we should look at how they’ve run their campaigns. I think it’s pretty obvious that Obama has done better than McCain!
(I sense that Cindy is the executive in the family. I bet SHE knows how many houses they own.)
(And I think that McCain won the Republican nomination, not because of how he ran his campaign, but because of the weaknesses of his opponents. Obama, on the other hand, had to preside over a campaign with a very formidable opponent, and won because of the excellent organizing of the team he managed.)
I’ll be fascinated, to read what you run into. If you run into some Poles, I can send a copy of Polish “Dreams”. (I wanted to publish “Audacity”, but Bertelsman bid us up higher than was reasonable. But it will be in Polish as well.)
Robert Gamble
By: Robert Gamble on 5 September 2008
at 12.26 pm
Canada for Obama wishes you luck and supports your efforts! Good luck and keep us posted through the group email.
By: Rick O'Banion on 5 September 2008
at 2.26 pm
I to am like Jackie anne, I am an american living on the Isle of Wight, U.K. I have done all I can from here by getting involved by sending postcards back to the U.S. letting people know why I feel Barack is what America needs. To be honest, I am tired of the Anti Amercain feeling that has grown over the last 8 years here in England.
As far a Palin, I can speak about one thing as I have lived through this: I am a mother of 2 disabled children one natural one adopted. I was a very qualifide nurse and was make a good salary in my profession. But That all came to an end as disabled children need you 100%. It is not only a physical but a mental drain as well as finding the right schools and hospitals and fighting for every bit of care they need. I am 46 and now disabled myself, but I would do it all again if asked. But I know you can not work and care for a disabled child properly…so she can not preach family values, when she is leaving her son and forcing her daughter to have a kid and a shot gun marriage. She is not a woman to be proud of, but she can stay right where she is until NOv the 4th and then she can get her butt back home to those children where she belongs. I do thank her for handing the election to Obama.
Anyway rant over, I have looked at your idea and I truly belive you will help to open peoples minds. I wish you well and will keep checking back to see how your getting on.
Have a wonderful Jorney! We are all proud of you!
By: tamara on 5 September 2008
at 4.58 pm
Let me know when you come through Tacoma, WA — I want to have you speak to our group!
By: Cheryl, Tacoma, WA on 6 September 2008
at 5.41 am
Good luck..there is an expatsfor obamagroups..people in Greece, and Germany are working for change..I would not rather lose the election than get into name calling..and mudslinging.because after the dirt clears..we face either change or more of the same. Politics is a dirty game. It is what it is and we must win..taking the high road and losing…translates into suffering for 4 more years..at least.no thanks..I need to be able to breathe..the GOP’s lies are reverberating all over the net..we don’t have to lie, but we have to fight!! Bod Bless.
By: nystar1881 on 6 September 2008
at 2.38 pm
In answer to a disabled child in the home. Now someone has said what I know is true. I don’t have a disabled child but my godmothe does, and she had no support during 1965-1980..none..yet she managed with 5 other children..todays my god-sister is 43-years-old ..it is very difficult ..and you need good insurance.
Mrs. Palin lives in the lap of luxury and access, her life is very different than the common man.
By: nystar1881 on 6 September 2008
at 2.41 pm
Obama all the way..
I am from Africa, Ghana.. I pray God will guide and protect our Brave Father and Brother.. Barrack Obama. All The Way………..
By: Basit on 21 October 2008
at 11.10 pm