Cynthia Lummis will be sending a cardboard cut-out of herself to the congressional town hall meeting Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 4 p.m. in the University of Wyoming College of Arts and Sciences auditorium.
Actually, she'll be sending a representative from her campaign. Matched up against the stand-in will be the actual Democratic candidate for Wyoming's lone U.S. House seat, Gary Trauner. Also attending will be Libertarian W. David Herbert.
Wonder what's so important to keep Cynthia from this appearance at her alma mater (earned both bachelor's and juris doctor degrees at UW) and the state's only four-year university?
Pokes Vote, the Laramie Chamber of Commerce and the UW Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement host the free public event. According to a press release, "Pokes Vote has helped more than 600 UW students register to vote for the first time or make changes to their registration."
FMI: (307) 399-3350.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Voter turnout high in Laramie County
News on voter turnout from tonight's meeting of Laramie County Democrats:
10,000 people in the county have voted early. 8,000 of those votes were cast in person at the City & County Building Atrium in downtown Cheyenne. 2,000 were mail-in ballots.
Yesterday (Oct. 27) was the highest turnout at the Atrium: 700.
These figures come from the office of the Laramie County Clerk, Debbye Lathrop.
Secretary of State Max Maxfield's office reports there were 37,530 registered voters in Laramie County as of Oct. 1. That number could be a lot higher. On Oct. 6, the final day to register for the 2008 general election, was the highest-ever day for voter registrations in the history of Wyoming. Wowzir! So, we could have 38,000 or even more registered voters in this county.
But we know that at least one-quarter of registered voters have cast ballots in the state's largest county.
Three more days to vote early.
10,000 people in the county have voted early. 8,000 of those votes were cast in person at the City & County Building Atrium in downtown Cheyenne. 2,000 were mail-in ballots.
Yesterday (Oct. 27) was the highest turnout at the Atrium: 700.
These figures come from the office of the Laramie County Clerk, Debbye Lathrop.
Secretary of State Max Maxfield's office reports there were 37,530 registered voters in Laramie County as of Oct. 1. That number could be a lot higher. On Oct. 6, the final day to register for the 2008 general election, was the highest-ever day for voter registrations in the history of Wyoming. Wowzir! So, we could have 38,000 or even more registered voters in this county.
But we know that at least one-quarter of registered voters have cast ballots in the state's largest county.
Three more days to vote early.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Yet another letter to my Arizona son
Dear Kevin:
How's school? You know I have to ask that first. It's the irritating Dad in me.
I also want to irritate you about another matter. I know that you said you're going to vote. But have you? I ask for a couple reasons. Arizona has early voting, and it appears that the Democrats (at least according to tracking polls) are turning out in big numbers. But those numbers have to be really big because McCain still leads Obama 51-46 percent. That may seem like a lot, but last month McCain had a much wider lead of 59-38 percent. Sen. Obama has really closed the gap in the last month and it's getting tighter every day.
So you and your buddies have to get out and vote. Did you know that some national polls show that voters ages 18-30 are voting 2-1 for Obama? Your own Arizona Public Interest Research Group shows that this age group makes up a quarter of the electorate. That's not bad in a state known mainly for its cranky oldsters shriveling up in the Valley of the Sun. You know, people like John McCain, Arizona native.
So it's up to you and your peers. You and the guys (and some girls) who grew up on Dungeons & Dragons and Sonic the Hedgehog. We parents tried to inject some lectures on citizenship amongst all the videos and soccer games and school and driving lessons. Most of all, we tried to demonstrate what it means to be an engaged citizen, someone who really cares what goes on in his community. Some of that stuck, I know, because I've seen what you've accomplished and how you've behaved since you left home. Your Mom and I and sister are proud of you. We'd be proud of you even if you were a Republican. I was an election judge in Cheyenne when you came in to vote for the first time in 2004. I can't be with you this time but I know you'll do the right thing. Pressure!
I'll see you in January, when I'm in Phoenix on business. I'll even be there on Jan. 20, Inauguration Day for Barack Obama. Maybe we can watch it together on TV.
Love, Dad
P.S.: The Arizona Capitol Times reports this:
How's school? You know I have to ask that first. It's the irritating Dad in me.
I also want to irritate you about another matter. I know that you said you're going to vote. But have you? I ask for a couple reasons. Arizona has early voting, and it appears that the Democrats (at least according to tracking polls) are turning out in big numbers. But those numbers have to be really big because McCain still leads Obama 51-46 percent. That may seem like a lot, but last month McCain had a much wider lead of 59-38 percent. Sen. Obama has really closed the gap in the last month and it's getting tighter every day.
So you and your buddies have to get out and vote. Did you know that some national polls show that voters ages 18-30 are voting 2-1 for Obama? Your own Arizona Public Interest Research Group shows that this age group makes up a quarter of the electorate. That's not bad in a state known mainly for its cranky oldsters shriveling up in the Valley of the Sun. You know, people like John McCain, Arizona native.
So it's up to you and your peers. You and the guys (and some girls) who grew up on Dungeons & Dragons and Sonic the Hedgehog. We parents tried to inject some lectures on citizenship amongst all the videos and soccer games and school and driving lessons. Most of all, we tried to demonstrate what it means to be an engaged citizen, someone who really cares what goes on in his community. Some of that stuck, I know, because I've seen what you've accomplished and how you've behaved since you left home. Your Mom and I and sister are proud of you. We'd be proud of you even if you were a Republican. I was an election judge in Cheyenne when you came in to vote for the first time in 2004. I can't be with you this time but I know you'll do the right thing. Pressure!
I'll see you in January, when I'm in Phoenix on business. I'll even be there on Jan. 20, Inauguration Day for Barack Obama. Maybe we can watch it together on TV.
Love, Dad
P.S.: The Arizona Capitol Times reports this:
...at least one internal Republican poll conducted toward the end of the week showed McCain clinging to a tiny 3-point lead. McCain is tied in Maricopa County, usually seen as a death knell for any statewide Republican candidate, but he makes up the difference with a strong performance in the northern part of the state.
Tuesdays with the Democrats
The Laramie County Democrats will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m., at the Historic Plains Hotel in downtown Cheyenne. The main topic of conversation will be GOTV -- Getting Out the Vote. Election Day is one week from tomorrow! All are welcome, even lapsed Republicans and Libertarians.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m., tired Democrats and fellow travelers (Socialists! Decembrists! Philatelists!) will gather together at the Plains Hotel to celebrate our victories, both nationally and locally. There will be food and a cash bar. Be prepared to stay up late -- or not. Polls will have been closed in some of the eastern states for two hours by the time we gather. Who knows?
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m., tired Democrats and fellow travelers (Socialists! Decembrists! Philatelists!) will gather together at the Plains Hotel to celebrate our victories, both nationally and locally. There will be food and a cash bar. Be prepared to stay up late -- or not. Polls will have been closed in some of the eastern states for two hours by the time we gather. Who knows?
VOTE EARLY VOTE EARLY VOTE EARLY -- TIME IS RUNNING OUT
Wyoming voters have until Friday at 5 p.m. to cast absentee ballots in person at their designated county voting sites. All mailed absentee ballots must be received in your county clerk's office by 7 p.m. on the day of the Election to be counted. The rest of us will be voting on Nov. 4 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Get out there and do your duty.
June Kronholz reported this today in the Wall Street Journal:
The prof's Colorado numbers on early votes: 697,972.
What's this all mean? Heck if I know. It does reflect a tremendous interest in casting a vote. The majority are Democrats. Unless they're voting for Nader, all this voting is good for Sen. Obama.
June Kronholz reported this today in the Wall Street Journal:
Almost 11 million voters already have cast ballots in the 2008 elections, and Democrats seem to have cast the majority of them, according to incomplete information compiled by George Mason University Professor Michael McDonald.
McDonald’s Web site, which he says he will update continuously between now and Election Day, reports that 2.1 million Florida voters have cast early ballots, with registered Democrats casting 45% of them, Republicans casting 40% and independents casting 15%.
The prof's Colorado numbers on early votes: 697,972.
What's this all mean? Heck if I know. It does reflect a tremendous interest in casting a vote. The majority are Democrats. Unless they're voting for Nader, all this voting is good for Sen. Obama.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
See 3 Dems and 1 Repub on LCCC TV
LarCoDems' member Mary Lou Marcum sends this info:
Please help get the word out. The three Democratic Congressional candidates and Rick Kaysen will be appearing on LCCC Ch. 11 next week, from Oct 27 on. David Marcum, LCCC Political Science instructor will be interviewing them.
The schedule is as follows:
Gary Trauner & Chris Rothfoss: Monday at 9 a.m., Tuesday at 2 p.m., Wednesday at 8 p.m., Thursday at 3 p.m., and Friday/Saturday/Sunday at 10 a.m.
Nick Carter & Rick Kaysen: Monday at 2 p.m., Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 3 p.m., Thursday at 11 a.m., and Friday/Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
These are not debates but Q&A interviews. Should be interesting. Wish we could get the info to non-Democrats as well. The Republican candidates and Democratic condidate for mayor Jayne Mockler didn't respond to the invitation to appear on the shows.
Please help get the word out. The three Democratic Congressional candidates and Rick Kaysen will be appearing on LCCC Ch. 11 next week, from Oct 27 on. David Marcum, LCCC Political Science instructor will be interviewing them.
The schedule is as follows:
Gary Trauner & Chris Rothfoss: Monday at 9 a.m., Tuesday at 2 p.m., Wednesday at 8 p.m., Thursday at 3 p.m., and Friday/Saturday/Sunday at 10 a.m.
Nick Carter & Rick Kaysen: Monday at 2 p.m., Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 3 p.m., Thursday at 11 a.m., and Friday/Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
These are not debates but Q&A interviews. Should be interesting. Wish we could get the info to non-Democrats as well. The Republican candidates and Democratic condidate for mayor Jayne Mockler didn't respond to the invitation to appear on the shows.
Obama paddles toward victory
Manuel Olveda in Powell decided to take some yard sale items and made a sign for Barack Obama. Pretty creative, I'd say. This photo was on the Powell Tribune blog. On a separate post, the PowellTribBlogger wondered why there are so many more Obama signs that ones for McCain in a county that has five times more registered Republicans than Democrats. A trend?More than 100,000 rally in Denver
Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. Denver Post photo. Go to Square State for a lot more.
Down in Denver and Ft. Collins, Obama rallies the Dem faithful
Postcard from our Republican overlords
This mailer came to households around Casper, even to those who have deserted the sinking Repub ship. And why is this man smiling?
The other side of the card...
Waiting for Obama in Fort Collins
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Walking door-to-door for Jim Byrd (HD 44)
On a windy day in Cheyenne, Democratic candidates for the Wyoming House and Senate gathered at IBEW HQ to distribute materials for a door-to-door walkathon. The photo above shows Jim Byrd, Democratic candidate for House District 44. I walked the North Capitol neighborhood for Jim this morning. As leaves and twigs and Republican yard signs swirled around me, I must have looked like Pooh on that legendary blustery day in the 100-Acre Wood. You have to be creative on days like this. You can slip the door hangers between the screen door and the doorjamb. Or wedge it between the screen and the iron bars some people have. You just want people to see your material. By the way, I must have been following a crew from Republican Cynthia Lummis's U.S. House campaign. Thise doorknobs were getting pretty crowded. Also, I had to pick up a half-dozen dislodged Lummis door hangers and put them back in their place. You don't have to thank me, Cynthia. Any former Boy Scout would have done the same.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Campaign getting interesting in Wyo. HD 8
A new postcard from Rep. Lori Millin came in the mail today. It shows her working in surgery. The text reads:
Lori represents me in the Wyoming State Legislature, House District 8. She did a great job during her first two years (2006-2008) and she'll do even better when she returns. I also prefer nurses to lawyers, especially Republican lawyers such as her opponent, Bob Nicholas. Lori beat Republican incumbent Dr. Larry Meuli in 2006 by nine votes. The closeness of the race required an automatic recount. Meuli's been a little ticked off ever since, it seems. The local paper had a letter from him this morning. It supported Republican Cynthia Lummis over Gary Trauner in the U.S. House race. He wrote: "I think substance should win out over presumptions and relative political neophytes every time."
In that case, shouldn't he be voting for Lori Millin over the presumptuous neophyte Bob Nicholas?
Just asking...
"Worried about health care? YOUR representative works in surgical scrubs! Re-elect Lori Millin. With her you can feel safe."
Lori represents me in the Wyoming State Legislature, House District 8. She did a great job during her first two years (2006-2008) and she'll do even better when she returns. I also prefer nurses to lawyers, especially Republican lawyers such as her opponent, Bob Nicholas. Lori beat Republican incumbent Dr. Larry Meuli in 2006 by nine votes. The closeness of the race required an automatic recount. Meuli's been a little ticked off ever since, it seems. The local paper had a letter from him this morning. It supported Republican Cynthia Lummis over Gary Trauner in the U.S. House race. He wrote: "I think substance should win out over presumptions and relative political neophytes every time."
In that case, shouldn't he be voting for Lori Millin over the presumptuous neophyte Bob Nicholas?
Just asking...
Newsweek: Obama leads McCain 53-40
This just in from Newsweek:
With less than two weeks left in the presidential contest, Barack Obama continues to hold a commanding double-digit lead over John McCain according to the latest NEWSWEEK Poll. Among registered voters nationwide, Obama now leads McCain by 13 points, 53 percent to 40 percent. Among likely voters, Obama's lead is similarly strong, 53 percent to 41 percent.
Don't these people know they're on camera?
And where does all this hatred come from?
This filmed at John McCain's rally this morning at the Stock Show Arena in Denver.
MTV concert brings attention to returning veterans' issues
You've probably seen Paul Rieckhoff on CNN and MSNBC interviews (notably Keith Olberman) talking about our overseas wars. Rieckhoff, head of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), announced on Huffington Post a petition initiative to bring attention to the plight of returning veterans: The Bill of Rights for American Veterans (BRAVE). You can check out the petition here.
To publicize this effort, IAVA has teamed up with MTV to air a concert, "A Night for Vets: An MTV Concert for the BRAVE." It will be on tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT and (probably) 6 p.m. MT. The concert will feature Beyonce, Kanye West, Kid Rock, 50 Cent, Ludacris, Fall Out Boy and Nelly.
Over the weekend, CNN will air its special, "Back from the Battle," featuring interviews with Reickhoff and IAVA veteran spokeswoman Carolyn Schapper. "Back from the Battle" will air Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th at 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. MT) on CNN.
As Reickhoff says:
Tune in and learn something.
To publicize this effort, IAVA has teamed up with MTV to air a concert, "A Night for Vets: An MTV Concert for the BRAVE." It will be on tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT and (probably) 6 p.m. MT. The concert will feature Beyonce, Kanye West, Kid Rock, 50 Cent, Ludacris, Fall Out Boy and Nelly.
Over the weekend, CNN will air its special, "Back from the Battle," featuring interviews with Reickhoff and IAVA veteran spokeswoman Carolyn Schapper. "Back from the Battle" will air Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th at 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. MT) on CNN.
As Reickhoff says:
We worked closely with MTV on BRAVE, because there is a tremendous amount
at stake for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in this election.
BRAVE includes the following calls to action:
• Properly treat veterans' mental health issues.
• Prevent homelessness among veterans.
• Give disabled veterans the benefits they have earned in a timely manner.
• Fully fund veterans' hospitals across the country.
• Compensate troops who are made to serve longer via Stop Loss.
IAVA will be encouraging its thousands of members nationwide to sign the BRAVE petition - and you can sign on as well. Just text BRAVE to 66333 or log on to Choose or Lose. And you can also watch the show, scheduled to air on MTV on Friday, October 24, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Tune in and learn something.
Obama in Denver and Ft. Collins on Sunday
As reported here a few days ago, Barack Obama is coming to Denver and Fort Collins on Sunday, Oct. 26. Fort Collins, as you may know, is located across the border in Colorado and is considered by some to be a Cheyenne suburb.
Here are the details, courtesy of Square State blog in Denver:
EARLY VOTE FOR CHANGE RALLY WITH BARACK OBAMA at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver (located between the Colorado Capitol and the Civic Center), Sunday, October 26, gates open at 10 a.m. Program begins at 11:30 a.m. RSVP Here
EARLY VOTE FOR CHANGE RALLY WITH BARACK OBAMA in The Oval on the Colorado State University Campus in Fort Collins (my alma mater). Use the public entrance at University Ave. and West Drive. On Sunday, October 26. Gates open at 1:30 p.m. and program begins at 3:30 p.m. RSVP Here
Both events are free and open to the public. Tickets are NOT required, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Here are the details, courtesy of Square State blog in Denver:
EARLY VOTE FOR CHANGE RALLY WITH BARACK OBAMA at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver (located between the Colorado Capitol and the Civic Center), Sunday, October 26, gates open at 10 a.m. Program begins at 11:30 a.m. RSVP Here
EARLY VOTE FOR CHANGE RALLY WITH BARACK OBAMA in The Oval on the Colorado State University Campus in Fort Collins (my alma mater). Use the public entrance at University Ave. and West Drive. On Sunday, October 26. Gates open at 1:30 p.m. and program begins at 3:30 p.m. RSVP Here
Both events are free and open to the public. Tickets are NOT required, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Dem lit drop set for this Saturday
Nicole Novotny, communications director for the Laramie County Democratic Party, sent this:
Please sign up to help hand out information for our Laramie County candidates during this weekend's literature drop!
When: Saturday, October 25, 2008
Times: Two Hour Shifts - 9-11 AM, 11-1 PM, 1-3 PM
Where: Meet at 810 Fremont Street (IBEW Bldg.)
Questions: Contact Betty Jo at 635-7901 or Mike at 634-9001
Please sign up to help hand out information for our Laramie County candidates during this weekend's literature drop!
When: Saturday, October 25, 2008
Times: Two Hour Shifts - 9-11 AM, 11-1 PM, 1-3 PM
Where: Meet at 810 Fremont Street (IBEW Bldg.)
Questions: Contact Betty Jo at 635-7901 or Mike at 634-9001
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Gov Dave endorses Gary Trauner
Wyoming's Democratic Governor, Dave Freudenthal, endorsed Gary Trauner today for Wyoming's lone U.S. House seat. As he noted in his remarks at a noon press conference, he doesn't do many endorsements. In fact, some of us Dems have been a bit upset that his endorsement didn't come earlier. But, better late than never. In Sunday's Casper Star-Tribune poll, Trauner led Republican Cynthia Lummis 44-43 in this squaker of a race. Gov Dave's endorsement may help. The Gov is wildly popular, his approval rating in this Republican-heavy state hovering around the 81 percent mark. During the summer, he was the second-most popular Western governor, ranked just behind Sarah Palin of Alaska. But her numbers have taken a hit since emerging into the national spotlight.
I won't quote all of the governor's remarks about Trauner. You can get a transcript and an audio at http://www.traunerforcongress.com.
Here are a few choice paragraphs:
I won't quote all of the governor's remarks about Trauner. You can get a transcript and an audio at http://www.traunerforcongress.com.
Here are a few choice paragraphs:
It's the same thing in another of the ads that his opponent [Lummis] runs that talks about during her tenure, she developed $5 billion in state money. Well, the truth is, anyone can take credit for that. I can take credit for that, the Legislature can take credit for that. The real reason that that money exists is the way that this economy has been over the last five or six years. I make a persuasive argument that it all happened because I was elected Governor. Because about the time I was elected, if you remember, that's about the time that prices went up.
I think we need to be realistic about what it is that we say to the public in terms of these races. The fact of the matter is that as politicians, we shouldn't believe our own press releases. The reason that this state is prosperous, and the reason that we have the money that's available, is not by virtue of somebody who was in office, whether they were Governor or Treasurer, but by virtue of the fortuitous circumstances of the nature of this state's economy.
Denver Post sez Obama in town Sunday
Now it's not such hot rumor. Sen. Obama is set to be in Denver on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 26. Obama's been to Denver a three times since the big convention the Dems had there in August. I was hoping he'd make his way up to Ft. Collins, which is a suburb of Cheyenne. We'll see....
Sen. Hillary Clinton will make a stop in Aurora this Friday. John McCain is also making a stop in Colorado on Friday. Maybe they can arm wrestle (Hillary would win).
FMI: http://www.denverpost.com/politicswestnews/ci_10785972
Sen. Hillary Clinton will make a stop in Aurora this Friday. John McCain is also making a stop in Colorado on Friday. Maybe they can arm wrestle (Hillary would win).
FMI: http://www.denverpost.com/politicswestnews/ci_10785972
Collegians (and at least one 66-year-old bald guy) pack Biden rally in Greeley
My buddy Bob from Fort Collins drove over to the rally for Sen. Joe Biden today at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Bob's semi-retired, a lifelong Republican, but he's voting for Obama/Biden this time. On Monday, Bob drove down I-25 to catch the Sarah Palin rally at the Budweiser Events Center near Loveland. He said that the crowd at the Palin rally was bigger than Biden's, but Palin said the same old blah-blah-blah we've been hearing for months. As Bob said, Obama and Biden are in a much different league than McCain/Palin. Yeah, the Dems are in the Bigs and the Repubs are cellar-dwellers in the minors.
Bob wasn't interviewed by the press at the UNC rally. But here's the beginning of the story that's up now at the Greeley Tribune site:
Bob wasn't interviewed by the press at the UNC rally. But here's the beginning of the story that's up now at the Greeley Tribune site:
Saying he speaks to their generation, environmental concerns and modern-day issues, college students gave Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden raves at the University of Northern Colorado on Tuesday. A crowd of about 3,500 packed the floor of Butler-Hancock gymnasium for the hour-long rally, most of them college students.
“It’s a historic year. It’s one of those historic elections you want to be a part of,” said Mike Donovan, a Colorado State University student who drove to Greeley for the rally.
Donovan, a senior, wore a white cap emblazoned with “Clean Coal.”
“I feel like this year’s Democratic ticket is the step into the 21st century,” he said. “… Environmentalism isn’t a dirty word anymore, and that’s something I like.”
This lapsed Catholic chooses Obama
Lively discussions erupting around the blogosphere about Catholics voting for Sen. Obama -- or not. As always, the right wingers who have hijacked Catholicism are telling Democrats they are going to hell because they support abortion rights. I am a proud "Cafeteria Catholic," which means I pick and choose what I want off of the Catholic menu and leave the rest. However, I no longer attend Catholic mass in Cheyenne. I've outlined some reasons in the letter (below) that I recently wrote to my sister. I attend mass when I'm out of town on a Sunday, just to see what Catholics do in other parts of the country. The basics of the service are the same all over the world. I grew up experiencing it in another language -- Latin -- so I have no trouble with the mass en Espanol.
Not only am I a Cafeteria Catholic, but I'm also "lapsed" or "fallen away." Maybe I'm just taking a break until the church comes to its senses and realizes it's made a major mistake forging alliances with Christian fundamentalists because of the abortion issue. If you know your U.S. history, you know that fundamentalists have a long tradition of hating Catholics. Catholics were immigrants from Ireland and Poland and Italy. They spoke in strange tongues (especially the Irish) and took their marching orders from the pope in Rome. It's Un-American, that's what that is. At least that's what Americans once thought, even in 1960 when JFK ran for president. Some thought that JFK would not only have a red phone but also a direct line to the pope.
Now, there are those American Catholics who insist that all of us must follow the dictates of the pope when it comes to abortion. When you object, they say that you must obey, that "the church is not a democracy." Funny, but these same people didn't call for unquestioning obedience when Pope John Paul II called for opposition to the war in Iraq. Talk about your Cafeteria Catholics.
Lots to report on this subject. Memphis Bishop J. Terry Steib said this in an Oct. 21 story in the National Catholic Reporter:
Father Michael Carr in the October issue of the Wyoming Catholic Register wrote this:
Father Carr does talk about abortion as an "intrinsic evil," yet he equates it with another intrinsic evil: "promotion of racism." He takes an even-handed approach to the issue. But he's that type of person. He's one of the first priests I met when we moved to Cheyenne in the early 1990s. We served together on the first board of directors for Laramie County Habitat for Humanity.
Finally, here's a letter I e-mailed to my sister (one of my eight siblings, all in various states of lapsedness) after she had received some hateful e-mail missives from holier-than-thou Republican Catholics:
Dear Molly:
Don't know if you saw the video last week from the Daytona Beach News-Journal that showed the demolition of Father Lopez. It made me sad. I know that Father Lopez has built a shiny new school, but I spent four good years at the old Lopez. Made some good friends, learned a lot about being a Catholic and I learned a lot about myself.
Watching the old school come down, I thought about my life as a Catholic. I don't go to Catholic Church any more. Occasionally I go to to the First United Methodist Church which has an open-door policy and a very spiritual Sunday service. No priests or deacons are up at the altar railing against gays or Democrats or abortion or birth control or stem cell research. I've had it with that nonsense. I used to find a lot of comfort going to mass. But no more.
It's an interesting and passionate thread you have going on here. As you know, I'm voting for Barack Obama and his Catholic running mate, Joe Biden. Their platform is pro-life in the truest sense. Universal health care, a living wage, an improved education system (including more aid for college students), a plan to wean us off foreign oil in ten years, and an end to the ridiculous war in Iraq. John McCain wants to continue us down the same destructive path we've been on for eight years. McCain and Palin have been spewing their hateful message across America during their campaign, while Barack Obama brings a message of hope.
You probably remember the three theological virtures we learned in the catechism. The Bible in First Corinthians puts it this way: "And now abideth faith, hope, and love, even these three: but the chiefest of these is love". Sometimes "love" is translated as "charity." It's a selflessness that lets us to care for another human being, whether that's our mate, our kids, even our enemies. It's sometimes a challenge to do the latter.
Faith comes first on the list. Love -- the most important --comes last. I'll take that (and hope) over faith any time.
Sometimes faith can be blind. We're seeing that in some of these pious "Defenders of the Faith" in this e-mail thread.
Me, I'll keep working for Obama and a truly pro-life America.
Love, Mike
Not only am I a Cafeteria Catholic, but I'm also "lapsed" or "fallen away." Maybe I'm just taking a break until the church comes to its senses and realizes it's made a major mistake forging alliances with Christian fundamentalists because of the abortion issue. If you know your U.S. history, you know that fundamentalists have a long tradition of hating Catholics. Catholics were immigrants from Ireland and Poland and Italy. They spoke in strange tongues (especially the Irish) and took their marching orders from the pope in Rome. It's Un-American, that's what that is. At least that's what Americans once thought, even in 1960 when JFK ran for president. Some thought that JFK would not only have a red phone but also a direct line to the pope.
Now, there are those American Catholics who insist that all of us must follow the dictates of the pope when it comes to abortion. When you object, they say that you must obey, that "the church is not a democracy." Funny, but these same people didn't call for unquestioning obedience when Pope John Paul II called for opposition to the war in Iraq. Talk about your Cafeteria Catholics.
Lots to report on this subject. Memphis Bishop J. Terry Steib said this in an Oct. 21 story in the National Catholic Reporter:
“We must recognize,” he wrote, “that God through the church, is calling us to be prophetic in our own day. If our conscience is well formed, then we will make the right choices about candidates who may not support
the church's position in every case.”
Citing words from a statement, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” a voting guide issued last November by the bishops of the United States, Steib wrote that "there may be times when a Catholic who rejects a candidate's unacceptable position may decide to vote for that candidate for other morally grave reasons. Voting in this way would be permissible only for truly grave moral reasons, not to advance narrow interests or partisan preferences or to ignore a fundamental moral evil."
Father Michael Carr in the October issue of the Wyoming Catholic Register wrote this:
"In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. As Catholics, we should be guided more by our moral convictions than by our attachment to a political party or interest group. As Catholics, we are not single-issue voters."
Father Carr does talk about abortion as an "intrinsic evil," yet he equates it with another intrinsic evil: "promotion of racism." He takes an even-handed approach to the issue. But he's that type of person. He's one of the first priests I met when we moved to Cheyenne in the early 1990s. We served together on the first board of directors for Laramie County Habitat for Humanity.
This comes from the Oct. 21 Chicago Tribune:
"I feel that every Catholic can vote for Obama in good conscience," said Patrick Whelan, president of Catholic Democrats. "I think Barack Obama is the first Democratic presidential candidate who has come out and said he plans constructive measures to reduce the number of abortions in the United States."
www.catholicsforobama.org/ argues that voting on the basis of only one issue runs afoul of the faith. Obama's broader social policies would do more to reduce the number of abortions than anything proposed by Se. John McCain, who is an open opponent of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. the group says. The crux of the argument is that criminalizing the procedure is less effective in reducing abortions than addressing the social circumstances that lead women to seek them.
Finally, here's a letter I e-mailed to my sister (one of my eight siblings, all in various states of lapsedness) after she had received some hateful e-mail missives from holier-than-thou Republican Catholics:
Dear Molly:
Don't know if you saw the video last week from the Daytona Beach News-Journal that showed the demolition of Father Lopez. It made me sad. I know that Father Lopez has built a shiny new school, but I spent four good years at the old Lopez. Made some good friends, learned a lot about being a Catholic and I learned a lot about myself.
Watching the old school come down, I thought about my life as a Catholic. I don't go to Catholic Church any more. Occasionally I go to to the First United Methodist Church which has an open-door policy and a very spiritual Sunday service. No priests or deacons are up at the altar railing against gays or Democrats or abortion or birth control or stem cell research. I've had it with that nonsense. I used to find a lot of comfort going to mass. But no more.
It's an interesting and passionate thread you have going on here. As you know, I'm voting for Barack Obama and his Catholic running mate, Joe Biden. Their platform is pro-life in the truest sense. Universal health care, a living wage, an improved education system (including more aid for college students), a plan to wean us off foreign oil in ten years, and an end to the ridiculous war in Iraq. John McCain wants to continue us down the same destructive path we've been on for eight years. McCain and Palin have been spewing their hateful message across America during their campaign, while Barack Obama brings a message of hope.
You probably remember the three theological virtures we learned in the catechism. The Bible in First Corinthians puts it this way: "And now abideth faith, hope, and love, even these three: but the chiefest of these is love". Sometimes "love" is translated as "charity." It's a selflessness that lets us to care for another human being, whether that's our mate, our kids, even our enemies. It's sometimes a challenge to do the latter.
Faith comes first on the list. Love -- the most important --comes last. I'll take that (and hope) over faith any time.
Sometimes faith can be blind. We're seeing that in some of these pious "Defenders of the Faith" in this e-mail thread.
Me, I'll keep working for Obama and a truly pro-life America.
Love, Mike
Monday, October 20, 2008
Write a letter to the editor for Wyoming Democrat Chris Rothfuss
Laramie's Chris Rothfuss, Democratic challenger to Wyoming Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, sent this e-mail to his supporters:
Friends,
The "Letter to the Editor" deadline for the Casper Star Tribune is fast approaching. Letters will only be printed if they are submitted by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21 [TOMORROW!]. If you have time between now and then, and would be willing to send a letter endorsing my candidacy for U.S. Senate, I would very much appreciate it.
These letters do make a difference as long as they are honest, constructive, thoughtful and personal. Negative letters filled with Republican-bashing won't win any votes and are not helpful to me or anyone in the long run. But a candid look at where we are now, and where we need to go, may change a few minds. Whether you're concerned about education, healthcare, energy, the war, individual rights and freedoms -- the list goes on and on. You're probably not very happy with the performance of Congress over the last decade. The failure has been bipartisan and
complete. I would truly love to see 100 new Senators in Washington, D.C., but regrettably I can only hope to replace one. It's time for new ideas, new people, and a new direction.
The quickest and easiest way to submit a letter is by using the online form:
http://www.trib.com/tools/letterSubmit.php
If you would like to submit your letter to another local paper, most of them have an email address available on their website.
Thank you all very much for your support!
Cheers,
Chris
Dr. Chris Rothfuss, Wyoming Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate, http://www.rothfussforsenate.com/
Oct. 21 press conference: Firefighters endorse Democrat Gary Trauner
Molly Simmons at Trauner for Congress sent this announcement:
Gary Trauner, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, will join Wyoming fire fighters at a press conference tomorrow, October 21 at 11:30 a.m. at the Headquarters Station of the Cheyenne Fire Department. After both Trauner and local firefighter Jon Narva speak, they will be available for questions. Remote call in number is 712-451-6100, pass code 721718#.
O.K. you Cynthia Lummis staffers. I list this call-in number and pass code with the hope that you will not use it for nefarious deeds. Do I have your promise on this? Cross your heart and hope to spit?
FMI: Molly Simmons, 307-315-1006, Molly@TraunerforCongress.com
To donate to Gary Trauner, go to www.TraunerforCongress.com
Gary Trauner, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, will join Wyoming fire fighters at a press conference tomorrow, October 21 at 11:30 a.m. at the Headquarters Station of the Cheyenne Fire Department. After both Trauner and local firefighter Jon Narva speak, they will be available for questions. Remote call in number is 712-451-6100, pass code 721718#.
O.K. you Cynthia Lummis staffers. I list this call-in number and pass code with the hope that you will not use it for nefarious deeds. Do I have your promise on this? Cross your heart and hope to spit?
FMI: Molly Simmons, 307-315-1006, Molly@TraunerforCongress.com
To donate to Gary Trauner, go to www.TraunerforCongress.com
"Daddy Grandpa, what's a "Socialist"
Gather 'round kids, and let me tell you a story about the old days of the Cold War, a war so cold that it almost froze us with fear.
We were afraid of a country called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or U.S.S.R. Never heard of it, not even in History class? Well, the core of the U.S.S.R was Russia. The U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. butted heads on nearly everything. Our philosophies were as different as night and day. Back in the 1950s when I was a kid, America believed in freedom and equality, except for Negroes (African-Americans were known by this term), immigrants, homosexuals and women. The Soviets believed in the enslavement of all people, including Negroes, immigrants, homosexuals and women.
The Soviets wanted to spread their philosophy to all corners of the world, including Wyoming, and we fought them every step on the way. That's why we have so many nuclear missiles burrowed into the prairie outside Cheyenne. If the Russkis came to Wyoming and tried to change our way of life, we were going to shoot their eyes out with nukes. In the process, we would all be blind too, but nevermind that.
Because Americans were so afraid, they labeled anyone who didn't agree with them as "communists." Being a communist is kind of like being a socialist, although much scarier. So, if you were suspicious of your neighbor, if you thought he was some kind of community organizer or peacenik or civil rights activist, you labeled him a communist. Every Saturday at noon, people would gather in town squares all across American and curse the communists, who had been gathered there for convenience sake. We would call them "commie" or "commie symp" (sympathizer) or "Red" or "pinko" even "Socialist." If an insolent pinko spoke up, we would stone him or her to death. This made us feel so much better. The next day, we all went to church.
So you see, kids, Americans have a long tradition of name-calling. You can see the same tradition in action every day at a John McCain or Sarah Palin rally. "Socialist!" they shout, as if they actually knew what that meant. "Community organizer!" Ouch, that hurts. "Believer in redistribution of wealth!" Uh oh, someone's been reading "The Communist Manifesto." If anyone shouts "terrorist," you know that person watches Fox News.
I wouldn't be too concerned that all of this name calling will lead to the actual stoning to death of your neighbor. But you never know...
We were afraid of a country called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or U.S.S.R. Never heard of it, not even in History class? Well, the core of the U.S.S.R was Russia. The U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. butted heads on nearly everything. Our philosophies were as different as night and day. Back in the 1950s when I was a kid, America believed in freedom and equality, except for Negroes (African-Americans were known by this term), immigrants, homosexuals and women. The Soviets believed in the enslavement of all people, including Negroes, immigrants, homosexuals and women.
The Soviets wanted to spread their philosophy to all corners of the world, including Wyoming, and we fought them every step on the way. That's why we have so many nuclear missiles burrowed into the prairie outside Cheyenne. If the Russkis came to Wyoming and tried to change our way of life, we were going to shoot their eyes out with nukes. In the process, we would all be blind too, but nevermind that.
Because Americans were so afraid, they labeled anyone who didn't agree with them as "communists." Being a communist is kind of like being a socialist, although much scarier. So, if you were suspicious of your neighbor, if you thought he was some kind of community organizer or peacenik or civil rights activist, you labeled him a communist. Every Saturday at noon, people would gather in town squares all across American and curse the communists, who had been gathered there for convenience sake. We would call them "commie" or "commie symp" (sympathizer) or "Red" or "pinko" even "Socialist." If an insolent pinko spoke up, we would stone him or her to death. This made us feel so much better. The next day, we all went to church.
So you see, kids, Americans have a long tradition of name-calling. You can see the same tradition in action every day at a John McCain or Sarah Palin rally. "Socialist!" they shout, as if they actually knew what that meant. "Community organizer!" Ouch, that hurts. "Believer in redistribution of wealth!" Uh oh, someone's been reading "The Communist Manifesto." If anyone shouts "terrorist," you know that person watches Fox News.
I wouldn't be too concerned that all of this name calling will lead to the actual stoning to death of your neighbor. But you never know...
Sunday, October 19, 2008
100,000 gather for Obama in St. Louis
Meet me in Saint Louie, Louie, meet me under the arch with 99,999 other Obama supporters...
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