Just got back from an Obama rally
 

Hey guys. For those of you that haven't figured out by now, one of the things I love is politics. I got back from my second Obama rally in Harrisonburg, VA. James Madison University hosted it. There was talk of putting it on the college's football field, but do to the bitter coldness and shortly after it started to snow they just went with the original plan and let the first 8,000 go in this convention center type hall; all others [I'm assuming another 12-15,000] were allowed to attend a festival, or remain on the soccer field as audio of Obama's speech was heard. The actually speech wasn't until 5 but I got there at 1:30. There were even people camping out last night and early morning for the wait. But I think it was worth it...I would do it again. For those that couldn't get in, Obama first spoke outside for 15 minutes to people and shook hands. So many people were trying to snap photos and there were so many people that ran towards the gates when they heard and saw hiim walk out. It was incredible. I was about 20 feet away from him.

Of course there were republican voter protestors. I saw this one guy who appeared drunk who said as he held up his poster: "Keep Virginia Red for the Rednecks!" Another one said : "The constitution is not fundamentally flawed!Vote McCain Palin on November 4th." Another group was shouting: "We need no change. Let's stay the same and anti-gay. Keep the liberal left wing politicians away!" Then some people waiting in line started verbally fighting with them, and people starting cutting lines, and such. The security kept it in line for the most part but besides that things weren't that crazy.

Most of his speech was reiterating the specifics on his economic, education, and energy plans as well as re-igniting the vision for Americas future, direction, and promise. Then on foreign issues discussed foreign oil, and the war [stressing out that he is prepared to defend the nations interests but if and only if they were threatened and the specifc groups that caused them; and also indicated that though it is important not to negoitiate out of fear--but we shouldn't also be afraid to negoitiate. Then he addressed the impact of voting--said he knows there are some that still felt their vote is irrelevant but not this time--and don't just assume that because he may be ahead in the polls it's a given --because it isn't. That there's still plenty of time left in the race and especially in "either way" states such as VA, OH, FL, etc.

Sorry for the tangent, and if you're annoyed --I was just excited. I can't wait to watch the election results on November 4th after Polls close. I have my scorecard and everything.

obama fo yo momma!

Definitely had people buying pins that said Obama MAMA, Ridin' with Biden, T-shirts that said Barack the Vote, Barrack House, and one of my favs: Let's all just Barack and Roll."

McCain's done...he just keeps driving his campaign further into the ground.

Fine with me - My country elected the wrong guy, but you folks dont have to :)

Thanks. I appreciate the optimism.

I'm about sick of McCain's "Joe the plumber" references. And Palin's nonsensical approaches to answer the question by restating the question as and answer or going on semi-irrelevant tangents--whether it be soccer moms or the fact that she didn't stop working during her pregnancy. As if there aren't any other moms whom haven't done it. And they probably had too--I believe she didn't intentionally to make herself more appealing.

YES! I want to pay more taxes! Go OBAMA BIN BIDEN!!!

OK, I'll shut up now. GGGgggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Monalisa just got back from a Klan rally

Nope. Don't be stupid (I know it's hard for you). :p

Don't be picking on Elvis:p

I'm not voting,i know its a waste not to vote and i should.I just can't decide and i'm sick of them both.

I thought you were from the US...where are you from?

So true. It's a damn shame.

Canada.

No !!!!!!!!! It matters. Even if you're not voting for the one I or one of your friends likes, exercise your RIGHT to vote. Think about those who can't.

I'm a Canuck, born and raised dude. The land of the beaver, maple syrup, hockey and a curious lack of igloos :p

EDIT - Just realized that I typed that with a big ol' cup of Tim Horton's coffee in my other hand. If that doesn't prove the point...nothing will.

I thought you were 17, maybe I'm remembering that incorretly (wouldn't be the first time). :)

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I think it's encouraging that you have such enthusiasm for voting. I may not agree with your choice, but that's fine. We all have the right to our opinions and choices. It's one of the great freedoms we still have in this country. And this country may have it's problems, but I still think it's the best country in the world.

Isn't it though.

It's too bad the Liberals ran such a weak campaign...the carbon tax really could have benefited the country. Harper's just going to have us more of the same, and keep trying to turn us into USA: Part 2.

I'll admit that Dion probably doesn't have what it takes to lead the country - but at least he had some new ideas, and that's a hell of a lot more than you can say about Harper.

But hey - at least he wont have Bush to chum around with anymore.

I have to admit, Bush has been a disappointment (to say the least). :( One way or another, hopefully things will change for the better.

Not to stir trouble...seriously.
It has to be said

Excercise your right to vote.
Yes, it is a privilege and it is amazing-I am so happy America is the way it is.
Flaws and all, we have the best country because the ability to change our minds, voice our opinion and read what we want (except certain towns in WVA)

We also have the RIGHT to not be political, or religious for that matter.
I live in a very Republican, Fundamental Religious town.
I am a minority in the views I have.
I am made to feel stupid because I do not vote.
I am made to feel I am UN-AMERICAN (whaaaa? I have the right to my voice too right? Oh wait, that's only if I agree with the majority...hm?)
I hate war, but have the utmost respect for what our soliders do for us, but I am made to feel I am spitting on them because I want them to stop fighting a losing battle.

I feel like people should be judged by character
I feel people have the right to their beliefs about God or non belief...shit even in the bible we are said to have FREE WILL..der
I feel people should say their peace but respect another's as well.
I think our enviroment is the most important problem we have today and it's too damn late for anything to help it....10 years ago maybe- but Bush has truly fucked that one in the ass. Although I still recycle and reuse.
I think people spend too much time judging and not seeing their own faults, but you know what, they have that right!

I do not like politics and I will not vote for a broken, irreparable system that has gone so far from what our founding fathers intended .
Our polictical system has the foundations to transform America into fucking Utopia, I have no doubt.
It would have to be torn down to that foundation and re -built by people who are not racist, sexist, or whatever the religious one is...no bias in any way, not bought, not sold, no money for this, that or the other bribe or gift. The people of the new government would have to be honest, decent and intelligent and have a selfless agenda.
It's not going to happen.
I will not add to the chaos with my vote that could be discarded at a politicians whim anyway.
Think that can't happen?
Let me tell you about the early voting here:
You go in, SIGN YOUR NAME and vote
No proof of ID, no proof of voter registration, NOTHING
So, I could go in there and vote and then change my appearence and vote again
If you get caught, it's a federal offense- but um, if I am FAKING my name- how the hell are they going to find me eh??
This little fact makes me sick but it's completely not suprising.



I think if a 100 more of you LEP...could really get in there and tear it up and truly make a difference.
But the thing is, youth is idealistic and has the energy to change things....if you can manage to get into politics and not have those good morals destroyed , then all the power to you honey, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
So, influence your friends, get a gang of people like minded as you are, study the law, get into entry level government jobs and keep on climbing baby.:)

I haven't lost my hope, almost, but not completely.
I still think at the end of the movie, in 2 seconds, something miraculous might happen....

Go Ron Paul!


Oh, wait... This is America, the good candidates always get knocked out.

*gives novakru a standing ovation*

That was beautiful and well said!

***AHEM***

Just remember your countries older brother! :rolleyes:

But still, well said.

To a certain extent I concur with you. The system is indeed broken. We deserve an America where people can take care of each other and everybody pulls their weight but will take on some of their smaller brother's burden if he needs help. We deserve an America in line with the French enlightenment ideals that helped create it. We deserve an America where community means community and there's no way one politician playing this game differently can change it, right? Not so. We have had fundamental freedoms stripped from us and most our are crawling on our bellies through an economic desert seeking food and shelter. But it could be worse. We could play on the assumption that a rich man has a bigger house, a bigger brain and a bigger heart and when given a chance to retain more of his wealth will send it on down. It didn't work in the 80s when Reagan proposed it and it won't work again. The rich in case everybody hasn't noticed, are still rich and the poor are not getting richer. How can tax cuts for them help us out? Obama's middle class tax cuts do in fact help out the middle class. It's concrete and not as nebulous as tax cuts for the rich leading to wealth for the poor. The freedom to not help out one's fellow man is an absurd freedom. We can't grant this freedom without taking away the freedom of many others. I don't believe in presidents, I believe in the law only as ethical understandings and I believe in communities as tribes and I can see that the tribe doesn't benefit from the rich keeping rich. The best thing I can do is live outside of politics following my heart and conscience and my heart and conscience say the best way to grant everybody the freedom of wellbeing is by voting and hoping that the vote isn't hijacked again. If it is, it will be easier to tell as Mc Cain is doing pretty damn poorly and the math will not work out, which ought to be enough for the tribe to finally start defending itself from the interloper. Anarchists, socialists, communists and libertarians can all agree upon existential freedoms. One such freedom is the freedom not to starve and die or see the smaller and weaker among us starve and die.

fuck Obama....


sorry i just wanted to say that....







No matter who wins...we are still FUCKED

We are. But we could be super fucked instead.

if it was a good fuck i wouldnt mind it lmao



but this is ass rape with no lube lmao

The thing people don't seem to get is that deductions don't always mean money in the hand. Less taxable income isn't too helpful to people who barely have any taxable income at all. A lot of people who barely eke out a living by doing things like freelance video editing or having two waitressing jobs don't get too much of a break from having less taxable income.

Obama should win unless the GOP cheats again. In ohio they are trying to turn people away if there house has been foreclosed on since they don't have an address. Praise Jesus. assholes

I think Obama will be our worst president yet. I didnt vote because its a waste of time hes a shoe-in and it upsets me :(

i have to agree with you.

Vote for Ron Paul...


seriously, this election is a joke, I've seen MULTIPLE newscasts on their fucking wardrobe. We're getting closer and closer to big government, pretty soon they'll be telling us what movies we can't watch or games we can't play (sorry Australia) and they'll all be protecting us from ourselves. Obama will most likely get elected and then given praise for everything good that happens even IF it's the result of plans already in place. I don't really like McCain but I REALLY don't like his socialist, rhetoric spewing opponent. I used to be so into politics... I hate them now, probably because voting has less to do with politics then ever before.

Somebody still doesn't understand how our voting process works I see...

Ron Paul got screwed. :mad:

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LOFL thats hilarious! :D

People who lose their homes can register a new address with voter registration...They can use the address of a friend, family member, or even a homeless shelter, as long as the address is inhabited and valid...It's every voter's responsibility to make sure that their registration is accurate, complete, and current at the time that they vote...If people do what they are supposed to do, they will have no problems...If invalid addresses were accepted, people could jump from county to county and vote as many times as they want, we can't have that...This is not a NEW law, it has always been this way in states that require proof of residence, personally I believe it should be this way in EVERY state to reduce the potential for voter fraud...If you are TRULY concerned about voter fraud, you should look into ACORN, they have already been indicted for it, Obama was one of the lawyers defending them at that time.

Also, are you implying that the GOP can use this to their advantage because you believe that ONLY Democrats were foolish enough to accept loans for mortgages that they knew they couldn't possibly pay?...That makes your assertion a bit insulting to the liberals, doesn't it?...Or have you not really thought about it, and you're just repeating a talking point that you've heard in the media?

Just saying that the GOP would assume that poor people that lost their homes would vote democrat. Like in 2000 they assumed that if they didn't let blacks vote they could win in florida. You know if you had the same name of a felon you are now a felon and can't vote. Remember one of them was a black woman that also was an attorney and she couldn't vote.

I know you need an address. This morning NPR said that ohio is letting homeless vote as long as they have an address for that day like a shelter. That sounds a bit fishy.

All i am saying is I would hate for Obama to loose because of something like what happened to Gore in 2000. Wouldn't you agree?

Any new tax bill is just a golden carrot for votes, favors, sex appeal....
Doc is right on the money with that one.
Also, there are other deviousness that goes on with our 'tax cuts'
And I do see some of our rights being trampled on and pushed especially the church and state one, jeeeeez, no more on that though, to tired to think about it.

Just something that popped into my head reading some of the responses here:
I have a friend that is originally from Cameroon, Africa
She is a lawyer (exclusively a momma at the moment) the husband is a doctor.
They both are fed up with the American poor and think a serious lack of common sense is the only thing preventing them from being ,not so much well off, but having the things they need without debt.
She says the people in her country that are poor, stay poor, there is not much opportunity to become anything else.I think she said the lower schools (our grade schools) are not free, but I am not positive I heard that right (she has the thickest french accent, I have to ask her to repeat things all the time )
The rich stay rich and are much more comfortable than America's rich- why?
They do not incur debt, they have no credit cards- they pay for everything up front-that means cars, houses, land-everything they own-they OWN outright.
There is no middle class and there most likely wouldn't be here if there was no such thing as credit.
Credit was an astonishing and absurd thing to them when they moved here.

American's, in their opinion, HAVE options. You can be born poor and get an education and get ahead in the world- we have vast opportunties to go to school and really, no one can be denied going to college, there are enough grants, loans, etc to get thru.
The husband gets very frustrated at the poor choices some of the low income men and women make.(He one of few GP's that take public insurance in this town) He doesn't understand why, except for superficial reasons, that anybody living in this country can't be anything they choose to be.

It made an interesting conversation that day and alot for me to think about.












AND FERRET
Your country is small, nuff said :)

@Nova, I agree with your friend 100%, I have always felt this way...I believe that welfare and other programs designed to 'help' people, actually hurt them by discouraging them from bettering themselves (except for the elderly and handicapped, they NEED assistance, and it's through no fault of their own).

One of the GREATEST things about America is the opportunity to do, be and have whatever you want, as long as you're willing to work for it, and as simple as that seems to us (who have always had those opportunities), it's astonishing to people who live in other places who have never had those types of opportunities...There's a reason why we have so many immigrants and people literally DYING to try to make a life in our country.

A lot of poor people are tricked into bad mortgages, browbeaten by banks, discriminated against by local employers. refused business loans, unable to pay back student loans on time, struggling artists, writers and musicians, disabled, living in poor areas but unable to afford relocating without work, laid off from higher paying jobs and forced to take unskilled work to provide for children. My mother is an ex-marine with culinary arts training who cannot find work as a chef. My stepfather has a commercial arts degree and does contracting, but because of a deceitful realtor and lawyer and discussions with local contractors was led to believe there was a glut of work in the town in Pennsylvania they moved to. It wasn't true. They both work at a supermarket to support my three siblings because work in commercial arts and culinary arts is scarce in the town and they need to be able to be with the children whenever possible. My girlfriend's father has a doctorate in physics but couldn't find work in the university system or high schools and has had to go back to Mexico. Poverty is not just about stupidity. That's a very Republican and ignorant thing to say. "If you're so smart why aren't you poor?" is more like it nowadays. An education doesn't always mean more money unless you go to law school or become a doctor. Is everybody supposed to be a doctor? What about the people who go to school for the arts? Are they all just stupid? Is every writer forced to wait tables dumber than the blueblooded corporate daddy's boys who inherit companies? I know at least twenty people with BA's from a school whose faculty was rated third best in dealing with material by the Princeton review who aren't making ends meet. Grad students are unemployed. People with BAs are unemployed. There are just as many poor geniuses are poor idiots and it's not just because the poor are beerswilling Nascar watching inbreds.

Well said, Doc. It isn't always quite so easy to get an opportunity in America.

Soooooooo other people can voice their displeasure with Obama and it's fine. I do it and get labled a Klan member. Well that's typical. :mad: Fuck you.

I am surprised and actually quite pleased that anyone even knows who Ron Paul is. That's who would have gotten my vote and still might.