And it ain't even started yet....
Sunday began (as I mentioned earlier) with an antiwar demonstration at the Colorado Capitol. More media members were present that protestors. One TV guy lugging a big camera said into his cell: "I'm here at the Capitol Building with a couple-hundred demonstrators. What do you want me to do with them?"
Not sure what the person at the other end of the line said. But I do know what the counter-protesters wanted to do to: shut up. As the sign of the warniks said: "Want peace? Then shut up and let us do our job." If only we knew what that job was.
A FOX News contingent arrived at the demonstration. A trio of three young guys wearing scarves over their faces and dressed in democracynow.org T-shirts, shouted: "FOX News go home!" And then: "Fudge the main stream media." Only they didn't say "fudge." In other words, "shut up."
With so many urging others to shut up, it was refreshing to hear Cindy Sheehan say "they won't shut me up -- don't let them shut you up." "They" were the "corporate entities and corporate political parties" that apparently control both parties, including the Democrats. Disabled Vietnam Vet Ron Kovic spoke out. "Dr. King said that a time comes when silence is betrayal." He urged the crowd to march together peacefully (they did) and not to let "them" shut you up.
"We will not go quietly into this dark American night," Kovic said. "We will not bow, we will not scrape."
He roused the crowd with a shout: "The Whole World Watching!" Not sure if that was a chant at the 1968 Dem convention, or the SDS at Columbia, or maybe the 1972 Repub convention in Miami where Ron was roughed up. It also was featured on a 1970 album by Chicago.
I am having a devil of a time finding wireless spots for my laptop. This morning, I'm at the local public library using a public access computer. Yet another reason to love libraries. Earlier, I tried to connect at a mall Starbucks but after several frustrating tries, the barista told me that I had to buy an AT&T card for two hours of Internet access. In a pinch, I would do that. But free computers are always better -- and more dependable.
Attended a breakfast meeting with the WYO delegation this morning. Everyone received their credentials and many briefings. The gavel goes down at 3 p.m. at the Pepsi Center where I'll be hooked up with an ethernet connection and won't have to search the skies for an AT&T satellite. Besides, we already know that the Pepsi Center has no wireless due to "security concerns."
See you at Monday's convention session...
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Lefty vs. Righty on Denver streets
Denver hosted two competing demonstrations this morning.
On the Capitol steps, Cindy Sheehan, Ron Kovic, Eldridge Cleaver's widow and various others took the U.S. to task for wrongs in Iraq, Palestine, Vietnam, throughout the U.S.A, and Across the Universe.
Two blocks away, an array of opposing demonstrators urged us to support the troops by holding up signs that said things like: "Want peace? Then shut up and let us do our job." The image on the sign was of a GI is full battle dress. Another sign showed a finger-pointing Uncle Sam saying "Osama wants you... to oppose the war on terror."
When it came time for the antiwar crowd to march to the Pepsi Center, a phalanx of cops lined up in front of the war promoters. A few harsh words were exchanged but nothing that could provoke a fight between peaceniks and warniks.
More later, along with some photos.
On the Capitol steps, Cindy Sheehan, Ron Kovic, Eldridge Cleaver's widow and various others took the U.S. to task for wrongs in Iraq, Palestine, Vietnam, throughout the U.S.A, and Across the Universe.
Two blocks away, an array of opposing demonstrators urged us to support the troops by holding up signs that said things like: "Want peace? Then shut up and let us do our job." The image on the sign was of a GI is full battle dress. Another sign showed a finger-pointing Uncle Sam saying "Osama wants you... to oppose the war on terror."
When it came time for the antiwar crowd to march to the Pepsi Center, a phalanx of cops lined up in front of the war promoters. A few harsh words were exchanged but nothing that could provoke a fight between peaceniks and warniks.
More later, along with some photos.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Stayed tuned for convention blogging
Dear Readers:
I'm leaving for the Democratic National Convention in Denver in a few hours. I'm leaving early to make some time to visit with family before the action begins Sunday afternoon. I'll be posting from the Pepsi Center floor, the convention center and from the streets through Aug. 24-28. On Thursday evening, I'll join some 75,000 others to hear Sen. Obama's speech from Mile High Stadium (a.k.a. as Invesco Field).
Happy reading.
Comments welcome.
I'm leaving for the Democratic National Convention in Denver in a few hours. I'm leaving early to make some time to visit with family before the action begins Sunday afternoon. I'll be posting from the Pepsi Center floor, the convention center and from the streets through Aug. 24-28. On Thursday evening, I'll join some 75,000 others to hear Sen. Obama's speech from Mile High Stadium (a.k.a. as Invesco Field).
Happy reading.
Comments welcome.
Meet the DNC delegates: Ann Robinson
Meet Ann Robinson from Casper, delegate to the Democratic National Convention (in her own words):I have been involved in politics off and on since I was 11 years old when my father, Lefty Graham from Thermopolis, first ran for the Wyoming State House. He served 6 terms over a period of 20 years between 1958 and 1978.
I first ran for the House District 58 in 1994 after another candidate ran through the primary election and dropped out. That was the Newt Gingrich year of the Contract on America. Nearly every race went Republican, right down to the dog catcher, and I lost by a 5% margin.
In 1996 I ran successfuly against the majority whip in the House. She came back and ran against me several times, but I managed to prevail. I ran unopposed for my last two terms. I served 10 years, from 1997 through 2006. My greatest claim to fame is authoring and being the primary sponsor for the legislation exempting food from sales tax.
My parents grew up in Wyoming, but were in Washington state during the war. They stuck around there long enough that I can't claim to be a Wyoming native. We moved to Thermopolis when I was 13 months old.
This is my first national convention. I am very excited and honored that I was elected to be a delegate.
My goals for the convention are to have a great time and learn as much there about the process and issues as possible.
I hope to bring the excitement of the convention home to Wyoming to energize friends, family and the people of Wyoming to participate in the November election and to understand why it is so important to all of us to elect a president who will move this country forward and get us out of the hole the current adminstration has dug for us.
EDITOR'S NOTE: You may have caught Sen. John Barrasso's TV ads leading up to the primary. In it, he took credit (as a Republican state legislator) for the bill to remove the sales tax from food. I know, if it was on TV it must be true. But it's not. Ms. Robinson, along with Dem allies in the state legislature and the Gov's office, was the real author and mover-and-shaker behind the bill (bills, I should say, as it took several tries). And don't forget all those citizens (Dems, Repubs and Indies) who stood in front of grocery stores on windy winter days to collect signatures for Robinson's bill(s).
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Lummis takes page from Cubin's playbook
From the Wyoming Democratic Party:
Not missing a beat, Cynthia Lummis yesterday picked up where she left off, with negative attacks that leave no doubt about the clear choice Wyomingites will have this fall. After regularly and repeatedly attacking Mark Gordon in the primary, Lummis lobbed a personal attack against Gary Trauner on the very first day of her general election campaign. [“Lummis Takes Early Jab at Trauner,” Associated Press, 8/20/08]
“It’s clear that Cynthia Lummis intends on continuing Barbara Cubin’s legacy of negative politics and no solutions. Trying to pit American against American, Wyomingite against Wyomingite, is exactly the type of divisive politics that career politicians practice and that takes America on the wrong track,” said Bill Luckett, executive director of the Wyoming Democratic Party.
Lummis defeated rancher Mark Gordon through a negative campaign in which she strongly criticized his contributions rather than his policies.
“Cynthia Lummis didn’t appear to disagree with Mark Gordon’s policies, just his desire to put people before partisan politics. A majority of Republican primary voters didn’t vote for her because the people of Wyoming are growing weary of personal attacks and prefer positive solutions,” Luckett said. “Cynthia Lummis’ campaign tactics appeal to voters’ worst instincts. We are proud to field a candidate in Gary Trauner who is focusing on issues that matter to Wyoming families and who is running a campaign that will make Wyoming’s people proud to call him their congressman.”
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Trying to make sense of low voter turnout
The Casper Star-Tribune reported today that "unofficial primary results showed Nick Carter, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, held a small but sufficient lead over challenger Keith Goodenough, who conceded the race."
The Wyoming Secretary of State's web site shows Carter with 12,310 votes Tuesday to Goodenough's 12,006, a 304 vote lead. This margin is not enough for an automatic recount.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Max Maxfield says that 47 percent of registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday's primary. The count was 104,635 ballots cast out of a total voter pool of 222,600 registered voters.
The Secretary of State's office lists 60,736 registered Dems. Only 24,316 cast votes in the Carter-Goodenough race, which means that 36,420 didn't. So, 60 percent of registered Dems stayed away during one of the most important primaries in one of the most important election years in my lifetime? If only 305 of them showed up and voted for Goodenough, we'd have a different match-up in November against Republican U.S. Sen. John Barrasso. Better? Probably not, since Carter brings a lot of verve and money to the general election. But a bigger turnout would have made the race more exciting and given the winner the momentum going into November.
You'd think that Democrats, charged up during this historic election year, would vote in higher numbers.
The Wyoming Secretary of State's web site shows Carter with 12,310 votes Tuesday to Goodenough's 12,006, a 304 vote lead. This margin is not enough for an automatic recount.
State Election Director Peggy Nighswonger said the difference needs to be less than one percent of the top vote getter in order to create an automatic recount. Goodenough needed to be less than 123 votes behind Carter for the counties to
sort back through the ballots.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Max Maxfield says that 47 percent of registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday's primary. The count was 104,635 ballots cast out of a total voter pool of 222,600 registered voters.
The Secretary of State's office lists 60,736 registered Dems. Only 24,316 cast votes in the Carter-Goodenough race, which means that 36,420 didn't. So, 60 percent of registered Dems stayed away during one of the most important primaries in one of the most important election years in my lifetime? If only 305 of them showed up and voted for Goodenough, we'd have a different match-up in November against Republican U.S. Sen. John Barrasso. Better? Probably not, since Carter brings a lot of verve and money to the general election. But a bigger turnout would have made the race more exciting and given the winner the momentum going into November.
You'd think that Democrats, charged up during this historic election year, would vote in higher numbers.
Meet the DNC delegates: Kathy Karpan
Kathy Karpan grew up in a Democratic neighborhood. In Wyoming.
"I didn't know there was a Republican Party," says Karpan.
That was in Rock Springs, back when most hard-rock miners were Democrats. Follow the railroad and the mines from Pine Bluffs 350 miles west to Evanston. This corridor, the same one I-80 now transverses, was where you found the majority of the state's Democrats.
Karpan's parents and grandparents -- and thousands of other European immigrants -- were met at the boat by party organizers
"They all had a collective memory that when the gangplank hit the earth at Ellis Island, there was only one political party there to greet them and invite them to be Democrats," Karpan says. "They were very loyal because of that."
Karpan moved upward and outward from Rock Springs. She traces her career in thirds. She spent one-third in the private sector as a journalist in Cody and Cheyenne, as a press secretary in Washington, D.C., and as an attorney. She spent one-third of her career in Wyoming state government. The final third was in the employ of the federal government, mostly in D.C. She did three tours in D.C., the most recent as Pres. Clinton's Director of the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement.
"That was a nice match-up," she says. "I come from a coal mining family. My grandfathers were coal miners."
Karpan was out of a job when Bush took over in January 2001 (as she puts it -- "when Bush stole the election from Gore"). But later that year, she was still in D.C. exploring other options when her neighbor came to the door one September morning. "I was packing and the neighbor said that they just hit the Pentagon. I lived in Crystal City, a quarter-mile away."
The military commandeered the hotel next to her building. That night she took a photo of the Pentagon. It showed flames still erupting from the building. Helicopters circled the site, their searchlights stabbing through the smoke. "This is as close as I want to come in my lifetime to the London Blitz," noting that it was sobering to think that a U.S. Government building had been hit "by the enemy."
This will be Kathy Karpan's seventh convention. Actually, it will be the seventh she was elected to but only the sixth she's attended. She was elected chair of the Wyoming delegation in 2000 but broke her leg at home in a freak accident while watching the Cheney-Lieberman V.P. debate. She still wanted to go to the L.A. convention, but the doctor scheduled surgery instead.
Karpan remembers that Ed Herschler was the Wyoming governor at the time of her first convention in 1984. "Dave Freudenthal was a delegate -- it was in San Francisco," she says. "I've seen this whole progression," noting that Freudenthal is now Gov. Dave, attending his second of these national Dem gatherings as leader of a red state.
Maybe one of the delegates to this year's Dem convention will be the state's gov in, say, 2032?
Karpan is the "Clinton whip" of the Wyoming delegation. When we talked, she'd just had back-to-back phone calls with the Clinton camp about the upcoming convention. "Hillary was very clear about this, and my opinion is that we are all going to do our best to unite our party."
As whip, she's charged with bringing the Wyoming Clinton delegates news about any position on votes "if something comes up, but," she adds, "this convention will be highly rehearsed."
When it comes to the general election, "people will see the clear choices between candidates and I'm confident that the Clinton people will rally behind our nominee."
"I didn't know there was a Republican Party," says Karpan.
That was in Rock Springs, back when most hard-rock miners were Democrats. Follow the railroad and the mines from Pine Bluffs 350 miles west to Evanston. This corridor, the same one I-80 now transverses, was where you found the majority of the state's Democrats.
Karpan's parents and grandparents -- and thousands of other European immigrants -- were met at the boat by party organizers
"They all had a collective memory that when the gangplank hit the earth at Ellis Island, there was only one political party there to greet them and invite them to be Democrats," Karpan says. "They were very loyal because of that."
Karpan moved upward and outward from Rock Springs. She traces her career in thirds. She spent one-third in the private sector as a journalist in Cody and Cheyenne, as a press secretary in Washington, D.C., and as an attorney. She spent one-third of her career in Wyoming state government. The final third was in the employ of the federal government, mostly in D.C. She did three tours in D.C., the most recent as Pres. Clinton's Director of the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement.
"That was a nice match-up," she says. "I come from a coal mining family. My grandfathers were coal miners."
Karpan was out of a job when Bush took over in January 2001 (as she puts it -- "when Bush stole the election from Gore"). But later that year, she was still in D.C. exploring other options when her neighbor came to the door one September morning. "I was packing and the neighbor said that they just hit the Pentagon. I lived in Crystal City, a quarter-mile away."
The military commandeered the hotel next to her building. That night she took a photo of the Pentagon. It showed flames still erupting from the building. Helicopters circled the site, their searchlights stabbing through the smoke. "This is as close as I want to come in my lifetime to the London Blitz," noting that it was sobering to think that a U.S. Government building had been hit "by the enemy."
This will be Kathy Karpan's seventh convention. Actually, it will be the seventh she was elected to but only the sixth she's attended. She was elected chair of the Wyoming delegation in 2000 but broke her leg at home in a freak accident while watching the Cheney-Lieberman V.P. debate. She still wanted to go to the L.A. convention, but the doctor scheduled surgery instead.
Karpan remembers that Ed Herschler was the Wyoming governor at the time of her first convention in 1984. "Dave Freudenthal was a delegate -- it was in San Francisco," she says. "I've seen this whole progression," noting that Freudenthal is now Gov. Dave, attending his second of these national Dem gatherings as leader of a red state.
Maybe one of the delegates to this year's Dem convention will be the state's gov in, say, 2032?
Karpan is the "Clinton whip" of the Wyoming delegation. When we talked, she'd just had back-to-back phone calls with the Clinton camp about the upcoming convention. "Hillary was very clear about this, and my opinion is that we are all going to do our best to unite our party."
As whip, she's charged with bringing the Wyoming Clinton delegates news about any position on votes "if something comes up, but," she adds, "this convention will be highly rehearsed."
When it comes to the general election, "people will see the clear choices between candidates and I'm confident that the Clinton people will rally behind our nominee."
Rally for Energy photos from Cheyenne
Man, that's one big check Wyoming taxpayers just wrote to BIG OIL. Kate (at left) helpfully displays the check for Cheyenne motorists while Katy urges them to stop the GOP from giving away our money. 
Just so happens that the rally was held in front of the Cheyenne re-election HQ for Republican Senators Enzi and Barrasso (note the red-and-white elephant logo on the Enzi sign). This shows yours truly and (again) Katy.
For more info on Rally for Energy, go to www.moveon.org.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Rally for Clean Energy Aug. 19 in Cheyenne
A Rally for Clean Energy, sponsored by moveon.org, will take place on the corner of 17th St. and Central Ave. in downtown Cheyenne at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19. Meet at 4:45 to get instructions on proper demonstrating etiquette. Helpful hints: Keep your cool, no cat calls or bird flipping. Also, bring your own sign promoting conservation and clean energy over John McCain's plan to make Big Oil richer than ever.
Here's some background info from moveon.org on Rally for Clean Energy:
Get more info from Kate Wright at 307-220-7447.
Here's some background info from moveon.org on Rally for Clean Energy:
On August 19, we're releasing reports around the country with new state-by-state data detailing what billions we give Big Oil in tax breaks could buy in the way of clean energy projects and job creation. We'll tell John McCain and the Republicans: don't use our tax-dollars for Big Oil giveaways -- invest in a clean energy future instead.
Get more info from Kate Wright at 307-220-7447.
Get to the polls on Wyoming Primary Day
Tomorrow is primary day in Wyoming. We're lucky in this state to be able to register at the polls and even change our party registration. So, if Democrats feel like voting for a Republican, they can switch their allegiance, vote, and then switch back. I do know several Dems who say they are doing just that so they can vote for the Republican in their state House seat.
Some people switch just to make mischief. At least one Dem I know says he will switch his registration so he can vote for Mark Gordon in the U.S. House race. He thinks that Democrat Gary Trauner (running opposed in primary) would have a better chance against Gordon. a Johnson County rancher, than against Cynthia Lummis, whose Repub roots go way back. She's been making hay in TV ads that Gordon is not a real Republican because he's given dough to the Sierra Club, John Kerry's 2004 campaign, and the DNC. He contends that that he's intent on conservation of Wyoming lands which is why he gave money to the Sierra Club 10 years ago. Apparently, conservation is O.K. but environmentalism is not. Conservation sounds like "Conservative." Same root word.
I'm not a proponent of election day mischief-making. If I registered as Repub tomorrow, I wouldn't get to vote in the races for Wyoming's two U.S. Senate seats. One pits Al "Big Al" Hamburg against engineer Chris Rothfuss. This is the seat held by Republican Mike Enzi, a likeable guy, a moderate at heart although he votes with the Bushies 90-plus percent of the time. The other U.S. Senate seat is being contended by Gillette's Nick Carter and Casperite Keith Goodenough. The winner of that primary battle will go up against Sen. John Barrasso of Casper, a physician who can't come up with a sensible health plan for all Americans.
Today's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle carried a sample ballot. If you have questions or need more info about polling places, go to http://www.laramiecountyclerk.com/.
See you at the polls.
Some people switch just to make mischief. At least one Dem I know says he will switch his registration so he can vote for Mark Gordon in the U.S. House race. He thinks that Democrat Gary Trauner (running opposed in primary) would have a better chance against Gordon. a Johnson County rancher, than against Cynthia Lummis, whose Repub roots go way back. She's been making hay in TV ads that Gordon is not a real Republican because he's given dough to the Sierra Club, John Kerry's 2004 campaign, and the DNC. He contends that that he's intent on conservation of Wyoming lands which is why he gave money to the Sierra Club 10 years ago. Apparently, conservation is O.K. but environmentalism is not. Conservation sounds like "Conservative." Same root word.
I'm not a proponent of election day mischief-making. If I registered as Repub tomorrow, I wouldn't get to vote in the races for Wyoming's two U.S. Senate seats. One pits Al "Big Al" Hamburg against engineer Chris Rothfuss. This is the seat held by Republican Mike Enzi, a likeable guy, a moderate at heart although he votes with the Bushies 90-plus percent of the time. The other U.S. Senate seat is being contended by Gillette's Nick Carter and Casperite Keith Goodenough. The winner of that primary battle will go up against Sen. John Barrasso of Casper, a physician who can't come up with a sensible health plan for all Americans.
Today's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle carried a sample ballot. If you have questions or need more info about polling places, go to http://www.laramiecountyclerk.com/.
See you at the polls.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Meet the DNC delegates: Jason Bloomberg
Cowboy hats and ballcaps outnumber yarmulkes as the headgear of choice in Cheyenne.
Wyoming's Jewish population probably falls somewhere between the numbers for Alaskan natives and New York Yankees fans. However, Judaism has a long history in Cheyenne, according to the Wyoming State Historical Society.
Dr. Jason Bloomberg wears a yarmulke and also speaks out, another factor that increases his visibility among normally taciturn Wyomingites. The first time I encountered the activist physician was at the Democratic Party caucus in March. He was adamant about the country's crying need for a sensible health care plan. His passionate speech in support of Hillary Clinton's health plan over that of Barack Obama's likely clinched Bloomberg a slot as a Clinton delegate to the Wyoming Democratic convention in Jackson. While there, he was elected as a Clinton delegate to the Dem shindig in Denver.
It's tough to pin down this busy citizen for an interview. But he did talk to reporter Lindsey Erin Kroskob for a story in today's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle. No mention is made of Democratic Party politics or the upcoming convention. It's possible he wasn't asked. It's also possible he was asked and replied and the reporter and/or editor chose not to include that in the story. Who knows?
Dr. Bloomberg runs Access Health Clinic, a one-man operation that caters to low-income and uninsured patients.
He told the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle:
National statistics show that from 17-20 percent of the population is uninsured, according to Bloomberg. If you apply that to Cheyenne with its population of around 55,000, that means up to 11,000 of your friends and neighbors and their kids could be uninsured. Statewide, that number is close to 100,000. Shameful statistics.
Bloomberg doesn't accept insurance to cut down on processing costs demanded by insurers. He does accept Medicare and Medicaid. Office visits are inexpensive, and the doctor offers a 5 percent discount to those patients who keep healthy by eating right, quitting smoking, exercising, and kicking drug or alcohol habits. Here's how he summed up his approach:
Dr. Bloomberg stresses personal responsibility when it comes to health. That sounds like a Wyoming trait to me. I'll bet you can find Republicans who agree with that approach.
But he also knows that health care is a "basic human right" and that insurance companies are a big part of the problem. But Republicans keep insisting that we should put our trust in the same insurance conglomerates that made this mess. Wyoming has a Republican U.S. Senator, John Barrasso, that also is a physician. He's a supporter of Wyo. Sen. Enzi's ten-point health care plan, which touts private health savings plans and other crapola. And, in a recent Wyoming Public Radio forum featuring three of the Republican U.S. House candidates, they all used the term "single-payer health plan" with the same tone Wyomingites reserve for venomous snakes and PETA activists. It's more of the same for these Republicans....
That attitude is reflected on a bumper sticker I saw on a pick-up with Colorado plates driving down a Cheyenne street: "No Thanks, Keep the Change." The "o" is "No" was the distinctive red, white and blue Obama logo.
Wyoming's Jewish population probably falls somewhere between the numbers for Alaskan natives and New York Yankees fans. However, Judaism has a long history in Cheyenne, according to the Wyoming State Historical Society.
German Jewish merchants came to Cheyenne starting in 1867.... The first Permanent Jewish Synagogue in Wyoming was erected in 1915 by Cheyenne’s Mt. Sinai Congregation. Jewish settlement in Wyoming has been called the furthermost reaches of the Jewish Diaspora since it represented settlement far removed from the limitations that had been placed on Judaism in Germany and Russia. Jewish participation in the life of Cheyenne and Wyoming has made the slogan “The Equality State” more meaningful.
Dr. Jason Bloomberg wears a yarmulke and also speaks out, another factor that increases his visibility among normally taciturn Wyomingites. The first time I encountered the activist physician was at the Democratic Party caucus in March. He was adamant about the country's crying need for a sensible health care plan. His passionate speech in support of Hillary Clinton's health plan over that of Barack Obama's likely clinched Bloomberg a slot as a Clinton delegate to the Wyoming Democratic convention in Jackson. While there, he was elected as a Clinton delegate to the Dem shindig in Denver.
It's tough to pin down this busy citizen for an interview. But he did talk to reporter Lindsey Erin Kroskob for a story in today's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle. No mention is made of Democratic Party politics or the upcoming convention. It's possible he wasn't asked. It's also possible he was asked and replied and the reporter and/or editor chose not to include that in the story. Who knows?
Dr. Bloomberg runs Access Health Clinic, a one-man operation that caters to low-income and uninsured patients.
He told the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle:
"I look at health care and access to health care to be as much a basic human right as food, housing, heat in winter and cool in the extremes of summer."
National statistics show that from 17-20 percent of the population is uninsured, according to Bloomberg. If you apply that to Cheyenne with its population of around 55,000, that means up to 11,000 of your friends and neighbors and their kids could be uninsured. Statewide, that number is close to 100,000. Shameful statistics.
Bloomberg doesn't accept insurance to cut down on processing costs demanded by insurers. He does accept Medicare and Medicaid. Office visits are inexpensive, and the doctor offers a 5 percent discount to those patients who keep healthy by eating right, quitting smoking, exercising, and kicking drug or alcohol habits. Here's how he summed up his approach:
"What I'm trying to convey is that their health is worth it for me to receive a smaller amount of fees for the services I provide.... If you are serious about taking care of yourself, I'm serious about helping you."
Dr. Bloomberg stresses personal responsibility when it comes to health. That sounds like a Wyoming trait to me. I'll bet you can find Republicans who agree with that approach.
But he also knows that health care is a "basic human right" and that insurance companies are a big part of the problem. But Republicans keep insisting that we should put our trust in the same insurance conglomerates that made this mess. Wyoming has a Republican U.S. Senator, John Barrasso, that also is a physician. He's a supporter of Wyo. Sen. Enzi's ten-point health care plan, which touts private health savings plans and other crapola. And, in a recent Wyoming Public Radio forum featuring three of the Republican U.S. House candidates, they all used the term "single-payer health plan" with the same tone Wyomingites reserve for venomous snakes and PETA activists. It's more of the same for these Republicans....
That attitude is reflected on a bumper sticker I saw on a pick-up with Colorado plates driving down a Cheyenne street: "No Thanks, Keep the Change." The "o" is "No" was the distinctive red, white and blue Obama logo.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Meet Wyoming's Dem line-up for Denver
With the Democratic National Convention in Denver only eight days away, I thought it would be a public service to provide a list of those people representing Wyoming Democrats on the national stage. Although it seems like a pretty long list, I assure you that these are not the only Dems in the state. There are a few others staying behind, keeping the homeplace safe for western-style liberalism.
Here's the list, courtesy of the Wyoming Democratic Party web site:
Here's the list, courtesy of the Wyoming Democratic Party web site:
The first 12 people listed here are the 12 PLEDGED delegates to the Democratic National Convention. Those positions were awarded to the candidates based on the presidential preference votes at our March 8 county caucuses and our May 24 state convention. Of those 12, Obama won seven and Clinton won five.
DISTRICT-LEVEL DELEGATES (7 total): Rey Fuentes (Obama), William Neal (Obama), Sara Burlingame (Obama), Jacquelyn Bridgeman (Obama), Kathy Karpan (Clinton), Jason Bloomberg (Clinton), Ann Robinson (Clinton).
AT-LARGE DELEGATES (3 total): Lorraine Saulino-Klein (Obama), Layha Spoonhunter (Obama), Shirley Davis (Clinton).
PLEDGED PARTY LEADER/ELECTED OFFICIAL DELEGATES (2 total): State Sen. Mike Massie (Obama), State Rep. and State Party Secretary Mary Hales (Clinton).
These next six people are the "superdelegates," including Rep. Patrick Goggles, who was elected at the May 24 state convention. The other five were predetermined based on the offices they hold.
UNPLEDGED PARTY LEADER/ELECTED OFFICIAL DELEGATE (1 total): State Rep. Patrick Goggles (Rep. Goggles has announced that he is supporting Obama.)
OTHER “SUPERDELEGATES” (5 total): John Millin, state party chair (announced that he’s supporting Obama), Nancy Drummond, state party vice chair (announced that she’s supporting Obama), Pete Jorgensen, national committeeman (announced that he’s supporting Obama), Cynthia Nunley, national committeewoman (announced that she's supporting Clinton), Dave Freudenthal, Wyoming governor
(announced that he’s supporting Obama).
Those are the 18 voting delegates Wyoming is sending to the Democratic National Convention.In addition, Wyoming is also sending the following alternates and committee members. These people are NOT delegates (although alternates will replace delegates who cannot attend the convention). However, they will attend the convention. They were awarded to the candidates based on the results of presidential preference votes.
DISTRICT-LEVEL ALTERNATES (3 total): Mike Bell (Obama), Jean Jorgensen (Obama), Dave Lerner (Clinton).
AT-LARGE ALTERNATE (1 total): Marcia Kunstel (Obama)
RULES COMMITTEE (1 position, awarded to Obama): State Party Treasurer Chuck Herz.
PLATFORM COMMITTEE (1 position, awarded to Obama): State Rep. Lori Millin.
CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE (1 position, awarded to Clinton): Story Clark Resor
Friday, August 15, 2008
Casper Star-Tribune endorses Nick Carter
This comes from Eric Hevenor, campaign manager for the Nick Carter for Senate campaign: We received an important endorsement today: The Casper Star Tribune officially threw their support behind Nick Carter. Read the Tribune's glowing endorsement of Nick here.
UPDATE: Saturday's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle in Cheyenne added its endorement for Nick Carter over Casper's Keith Goodenough in Tuesday's primary. The paper also featured a side-by-side Q&A with Carter and Goodenough.
In its editorial endorsement, the Casper Star Tribune noted of Nick that "he has a wealth of knowledge about the issues" and that Nick is "the strongest candidate to take on Barrasso in November."
Clearly, when the state's most important and widely distributed publication throws their support behind Nick's campaign, it's because Nick is a viable candidate to fight for solutions for the people of Wyoming. On the issues, the Tribune reports that "Carter is also correct when he criticizes the government's failure to build a high-speed rail system, which would be much more energy efficient than auto and air traffic. He says it's the kind of issue that should be debated in the Senate today, so the planning can start as soon as possible.
"Carter has also taken an interesting approach on health care, promoting federal
catastrophic insurance coverage for everyone. Such a system would likely help the economy by reducing the number of bankruptcies people file due to high medical bills."
Clearly, the editorial board of the Tribune realizes that there are many problems facing Wyoming and that Nick Carter is the man to deliver real solutions. The verdict is in: The state's largest newspaper threw their support behind Nick Carter because they realized that Nick Carter is the right candidate to create solutions for Wyoming.
UPDATE: Saturday's Wyoming Tribune-Eagle in Cheyenne added its endorement for Nick Carter over Casper's Keith Goodenough in Tuesday's primary. The paper also featured a side-by-side Q&A with Carter and Goodenough.
RAM performs free concert in Denver
Rage Against the Machine at a concert in The Netherlands earlier this yearRage Against the Machine has agreed to perform as part of the "Tent State Music Festival to End the War" on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at the Denver Coliseum during the Democratic National Convention. They will be joined by Denver's Flobots, along with The Coup, State Radio and Wayne Kramer.
Doors open at 9:30 a.m., show begins at 11 a.m.
Tickets are free and available by lottery. Sign up for the lottery, with a valid photo ID (person must be present) at Tent State University at Cuernavaca Park between 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. from Sunday, Aug. 24, through Tuesday, Aug. 26 (look for the Tent State Music Festival booth near the Iraq Veterans Against the War Tower).
Winners will be notified by email Tuesday evening, Aug. 26. Winners can claim their tickets at the Denver Coliseum beginning 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
The event is sponsored by the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and Tent State University.
The Denver Coliseum is located at I-70 (Brighton Blvd. exit #275B) just east of the junction of I-25 with I-70.
"UnConventional" Marilyn Miller exhibits work during Democratic Convention
Rabble-rousing Cheyenne artist Marilyn Miller tells me that she will have two of her works at a Denver exhibition called "UnConventional: Artists Make Action" at The Other Side Arts, 1644 Platte St. The exhibit runs though the Democratic National Convention, which is Aug. 24-28. The gallery is located near the Pepsi Center, where most of the official convention action will be happening.
Marilyn showed me a cellphone photo of one of her pieces. It showed a painting of cemetery crosses on a dark field with red pooling at the bottom of the painting. Next to it hang photocopied lists of American war dead next to even larger lists of Iraqi civilian dead.
Her son, writer David Cronk, says that "I can't even tell you how many galleries she's been thrown out of around here." Yes, Marilyn's ticked off and she lets it all hang out in her work.
Here's a description of the Denver "UnConventional" exhibit:
This exhibit is just one of the many arts-oriented events taking place during the Dem Convention in Denver. Five Wyoming artists, along with peers from the Rocky Mountain region, have photos of their work hanging at DIA. If you're flying in to the convention, stop and take a look before you go all political.
FMI: TOSA at 720-276-2335.
Marilyn showed me a cellphone photo of one of her pieces. It showed a painting of cemetery crosses on a dark field with red pooling at the bottom of the painting. Next to it hang photocopied lists of American war dead next to even larger lists of Iraqi civilian dead.
Her son, writer David Cronk, says that "I can't even tell you how many galleries she's been thrown out of around here." Yes, Marilyn's ticked off and she lets it all hang out in her work.
Here's a description of the Denver "UnConventional" exhibit:
The Other Side Arts hosts an open community exhibition in reaction to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. TOSA's gallery is located in the growing river front neighborhood, a stone's throw from the convention. Our goal is to spark dialogue between diverse communities around our political climate and how it affects the future of our country.
This exhibit is just one of the many arts-oriented events taking place during the Dem Convention in Denver. Five Wyoming artists, along with peers from the Rocky Mountain region, have photos of their work hanging at DIA. If you're flying in to the convention, stop and take a look before you go all political.
FMI: TOSA at 720-276-2335.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Sept. 13 in Casper
The Wyoming Democratic Party's 2008 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13, 7-9 p.m., at the Casper Hilton Garden Inn, 1150 N. Poplar St. Among the featured speakers this year will be candidates for congressional offices, Gov. Dave Freudenthal, and more.
Tickets are $75 per person for the dinner. Guests are also invited to attend a VIP cocktail party prior to the dinner, and tickets for that event are $100 a piece.
For more details, or to buy your tickets, click here. You can also make reservations by calling state party headquarters at 800-729-3367.
Tickets are $75 per person for the dinner. Guests are also invited to attend a VIP cocktail party prior to the dinner, and tickets for that event are $100 a piece.
For more details, or to buy your tickets, click here. You can also make reservations by calling state party headquarters at 800-729-3367.
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