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July 30, 2004

Great convention -- successful convention.

John Kerry gave the speech of his life.

Now, on to victory in November, for all Americans.

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July 29, 2004

As I listened to John Edwards at the National Convention, with all his enthusiasm for America’s potential, I thought back to New Hampshire.

On nights so cold, water thrown in the air froze, John Edwards warmed crowds at event after event.

No one thought in January that Edwards, as a first time presidential candidate, would go far. But I saw in New Hampshire why he came in second in Iowa a few days before.

Edwards is an optimist with beliefs that the common woman and man can have a better life, but under the Republicans there is an increasingly “two Americas.”

In Boston Edwards made the case for John Kerry with references to Kerry in combat. Thirty-five years later those men who served with Kerry are here this week to tell one and all that Kerry will defend his country better than Bush Jr. is.

I thought of the scene in Fahrenheit 9/11 with Bush Jr. staring into space for seven minutes after being told of the second plane crashing into the World Trade Center vs. Kerry deciding in seven seconds to turn his boat around in Vietnam while under fire and pull a Green Beret out of the river saving his life. Kerry was awarded a Silver Star for that action.

One man under fire takes seven minutes while another one takes only seven seconds.

As John Edwards said in Boston on Wednesday night, “hope is on the way for the American people.”

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 28, 2004

I was thrilled to meet fellow Californian, Ilana Wexler from Oakland, on the convention floor. She is 12 years old and the founder of the national organization “Kids for Kerry.” Ilana did terrific job addressing the crowd last night. Clearly, this young lady will one day be a statewide office holder, so mark your calendar and remember her name – Ilana Wexler!

Go to the Kids for Kerry web site to learn more about this organization and also see today's San Francisco Chronicle to read more about a future California Democratic leader.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

I never thought I would find myself clapping for a Ronald Reagan speech, and while on the floor of the Democratic Convention no less. But that’s exactly what I did after hearing Ron Reagan’s straightforward yet passionate speech regarding stem cell research. Ron Reagan can't get the Republicans to listen to him, but he knows Democrats will do the right thing.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 27, 2004

Once again democrats at a national convention (4,400 delegates) were electrified by President Clinton in Monday’s major speech of the night.

There is no one in the world who can mesmerize a crowd like President Clinton.

Americans, especially democrats, owe President Clinton much gratitude for his eight years as president, giving us the greatest economy the world has ever seen, including the creation of 23 million new jobs.

Meanwhile Bush Jr. is the only president since Herbert Hoover who has a net loss of jobs.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

It is amazing to be on the floor of the Boston Convention in Fleet Center with the California delegation.

California, with 441 delegates, is one of every ten delegates in the whole convention.

California’s delegation is 52% minority, the most diverse in the country

As you watch the convention on TV, remember that one of every ten delegates is a Californian, and if two Californians are standing together, then one is a minority -- something the Republicans will never achieve.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 26, 2004

All weekend, Democrats were arriving in Boston to nominate the next President of the United States.

Many have spent over a year on the campaign trail helping John Kerry.

Others are here as John Edwards delegates, while others were with other candidates early on.

What they all have in common now is both a love for America and a strong belief that Bush Jr. has let our country down by mishandling the U.C. economy and budget and creating a chaotic mess in Iraq.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

The 9/11 Commission Report is out with a number of good recommendations.

Remember, the Republicans were against having the 9/11 Commission but finally gave in to the demands of the families. Unfortunately, they put language in the law creating the Commission prohibiting the Commission from putting the blame on anyone (i.e. Bush Jr.) for the failures regarding 9/11.

And now these same Republicans are dragging their feet on the recommendations. Republican Speaker Dennis Hastert, under orders from Bush Jr., announced that the Republicans won’t rush to implement the Commission’s recommendations.

When John Kerry is sworn in as President on January 20, 2005, Democrats will move on these recommendations quickly to help make America safer.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 23, 2004

The 9/11 Commission reported many of the mistakes and ineptness of the Bush Jr. Administration. But no one will be fired or legally charged for failing to protect Americans.

Even though almost 3,000 people died on 9/11, the Commission was rather timid in their report and remarks.

Bush Jr. was against the creation of the Commission, but the families of the victims demanded it.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

The total number of deaths of American troops has now reached 900, but the press pays little attention anymore.

Bush Jr. made the announcement six weeks ago about the "new" agreements with other countries saying they would be sending troops -- none of them have.

America continues to pay for the Iraq mess -- with their lives and dollars

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

Be sure and check back here for our expanded convention coverage.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 22, 2004

The chairman of the Bush Jr. California campaign, Republican billionaire Gerald Parsky (who commutes to work daily on his private plane), basically threw in the towel on their chances in California.

In a meeting with a Washington D.C. reporter, Parsky said, “I am not here to tell you we are going to win.”

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

Despite all the recent evidence that the closest friends and contributors of Bush Jr. were responsible for criminal behavior in the electricity market causing blackouts and driving up prices in California, Schwarzenegger still has done nothing.

A reminder: In 2001, there was a secret meeting in Los Angeles hosted by Ken Lay (“Kenny Boy" to Bush Jr., and now indicted) with Richard "Stupid Dirty Girl” Riordan and Schwarzenegger himself, where they discussed Enron’s plans for California and the gubernatorial race.

Meanwhile, electricity use hits a new daily record this week.

And where’s Schwarzenegger? On road trips using sexist and homophobic language.

Like Bush Jr., Schwarzenegger can deal with only one item at a time.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 21, 2004

Bush Jr. with reporters on July 19 in the White House defended Iran’s help with the 9/11 hijackers.

Bush Jr. invaded Iraq and he’ll stick with that program.

Isn’t Iran one of Bush Jr.’s “Axis of Evil” countries?

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

After years of being out front for Bush Jr., the Defense Secretary has basically disappeared. Maybe Rumsfeld is in the witness protection program.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

A Wall Street Journal article supports John Edwards’ belief that we have two Americas: one America “that does the work,” another America “that reaps the rewards."

The July 20th WSJ article points out that the gap between America’s wealthiest and the rest of us is widening under Bush Jr.

The article also points out that those with the most are doing even better, while the middle class is being squeezed by higher costs for gasoline and food.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 20, 2004

Just when you think you know all of Bush Jr.’s blunders, now the 9/11 Commission reports it is worse than we thought.

It turns out that 8 to possibly 10 of the 19 hijackers were traveling in Iran (not Iraq) in the months before 9/11.

And a month ago, the 9/11 Commission reported that Iran had worked behind the scenes to get Iraqis to falsely tell the U.S. that Saddam Hussein was working on WMD’s.

So Bush Jr. was set up by Iran with false information about Iraq’s intentions -- so Bush Jr. would invade Iraq -- then Iran “assisted” the people who hijacked and crashed the planes on 9/11.

Does America need a new President or what?

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

The Bushes live well but all the economic data points out the middle class is being squeezed more and more under Bush Jr.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 19, 2004

The Democratic National Convention in Boston starts on Monday July 26th and ends Thursday night July 29th with John Kerry giving his acceptance speech.

Then the real campaign kicks off for a Better America.

We will need everyone in America who knows that the Republicans have let America down in international affairs, on the economic needs of the middle class, on expanding education opportunities, on protecting the environment, etc., etc.

Continue to visit this web site and contribute and sign up to volunteer.

If not you, then who? -- to paraphrase Bobby Kennedy.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

“He’s a proven vote-getter. His talent, intellect, family, and energy will be valuable assets during the campaign, and I know he will be a great vice president.” That was President Reagan’s statement about Dan Quayle (AP 8/17/88).

John Edwards, at age 51, is 10 years older than Dan Quayle was at the time he was chosen to be Bush Sr.’s running mate. Quayle had been in the U.S. Senate eights years, compared to Edwards’ six years.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 16, 2004

“Tony Blair didn’t run from the report … He understands what leadership is.” That is Senator John Edwards, praising British Prime Minister Tony Blair for taking responsibility for the intelligence failures. Bush Jr., on the other hand, refuses to take responsibility for any of his mistakes.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

Another example of Bush Jr.’s failed leadership:

After telling the American people of all the billions that other countries would send to Iraq, most of it has not arrived, leading to failures on the ground in Iraq. Bush Jr. refuses to take responsibility for this also.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

In another example of Bush Jr.’s arrogant behavior, he has the U.S. at odds with the rest of the world in the efforts against AIDS. Many say Bush Jr.’s plan “undermines a multinational effort to address the epidemic.” (San Francisco Chronicle 7/15/04)

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 15, 2004

On Wednesday, Schwarzenegger held a news conference at a Sacramento sheriff’s substation with a couple of dozen sheriff’s deputies standing nearby.

Schwarzenegger had the audacity to blame Democratic legislators for not passing a state budget and said it would hurt local governments and law enforcement.

The irony of the scene was Schwarzenegger’s own budget proposal will force $9 million in cuts to the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department, leading to sheriff’s deputies being laid off.

Some of the very deputies that Schwarzenegger was praising, standing next to him could face layoffs due to Schwarzenegger’s budget cuts!

Is this a Hollywood script or what?

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

Several months ago as Iraq was in chaos Bush Jr. announced he wanted to pass a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Meanwhile, most of his friends, Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh etc. are either in the third marriage or heading to their 4th.

Bush Jr. thought bashing gays would make Jerry Falwell and many of the other hypocrites in the Republican base happy.

Halliburton’s Dick Cheney – who took a leave of absence to be Vice President, announced his support for the amendment. Another flip flop for Cheney – he was against the proposal in 2000.

But in the last month the Republican Party has been thrown into chaos. Lynne Cheney came out against her husband and Bush Jr. and sided with her lesbian daughter. Then Senate Republicans started disagreeing with each other about the amendment.

It takes 67 votes to pass a Constitutional Amendment in the U.S. Senate. It takes 60 votes to close debate to even take up a vote.

In the end, Bush Jr. got only 48 votes.

Senator John McCain (and five other Republicans) voted no. Once again, McCain went with John Kerry and against Bush Jr.

So it was Bush Jr. who got the ‘Dear John’ letter and not John Kerry.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 14, 2004

Schwarzenegger and the California Republicans are fighting tooth and nail to shelter millionaires from having to pay sales tax on the huge yachts they purchase. All they have to do is drop anchor for 90 days three miles off the coast of California or in Mexico.

Law enforcement depends on sales tax but the Republicans have proposed a budget to lay off law enforcement throughout California. I thought we were fighting terrorism!

Of course the Republicans in the State Capitol have all the security they need.

The New York Times on Tuesday (7/13) broke the story that the yachts that the Republican millionaires are buying are mostly being made in China.

So, Schwarzenegger is not only supporting the outsourcing of jobs from California, but his friends don’t even have to pay sales tax on the million-dollar yachts they buy from China.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

America’s next Vice President, John Edwards, will be in Los Angeles this Friday and in Orange County on Saturday. I went to several of his events in New Hampshire – he’s good!

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

“But all in all, it’s been a fabulous year for Laura and me.” (George W. Bush, December 12, 1001, just three months after 9/11.)

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 13, 2004

Even though the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee is controlled by the Republicans, they basically concluded that Bush Jr. was either a liar or a buffoon.

The report states those opposed to a war were correct in concluding that Iraq posed no immediate threat.

The Committee also concluded that president Clinton’s eight years of economic sanctions and military presence worked in its purpose – to make sure Saddam Hussein could not build a military that could threaten its neighbors.

Bush Jr.’s assertion of the WMD’s were bogus. With Bush Jr. as the man presently in control of the “button,” no wonder half of America wants him out and the majority of the world goes to bed in fear about the recklessness of Bush Jr.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

Bush Jr. is the first President since the 1930’s to refuse to speak at their annual NAACP Convention in a presidential election year.

Well, given his policies, what could he say?

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 12, 2004

As usual, Bush Jr. used the Republican control of government to shift his failures to someone else.

Bush Jr. and Karl Rove made sure the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee blamed the CIA for 9/11 failures.

I guess we’re supposed to forget the CIA gave Bush Jr. a memo on August 6th 2001 – telling him Osama bin Laden was planning attacks in the U.S. The CIA is a government agency that works for Bush Jr. The CIA most likely was ordered by Bush Jr. to “sex up” the data on Iraq and WMD’s.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

In another sign of the mess that Bush Jr. has created in Afghanistan by abandoning the fight against al-Qaeda, the parliamentary elections are being delayed until the spring of 2005.

After our election on Nov. 2nd it will be delayed again.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

Nixon did shred the tapes and their release drove him out of office.

The Pentagon announced over the weekend that someone “accidentally” shredded some of Bush Jr.’s military records (i.e. the ones dealing with the time he was AWOL). What’s the chance that of the 40 million American veterans from the last 40 years, it was Bush Jr.’s records that were “accidentally” destroyed?

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

On July 26, the Democratic National Convention will start. But on Wednesday night July 28, California’s 441 delegates will vote unanimously for the Kerry-Edwards ticket to give America some hope for the future.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 09, 2004

Bush Jr.’s response to a question about John Kerry selecting Edwards as his VP, “Cheney can be President,” Bush Jr. said.

John Kerry a few hours later was asked to comment on Bush Jr.’s remark about Cheney – Kerry answered (Bush) “was right that Dick Cheney was ready to take over on day one, and he did and has been ever since.”

Bush Jr. on the campaign trail is looking more and more like he does in Fahrenheit 9/11, when he stared into space for seven minutes after being told of the second plane crashing into the World Trade Center.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

Bill Clinton’s books “My Life” is the fastest selling non-fiction book in history. It has sold more than 1.2 million copies in two weeks. How are those Republican book sales doing?

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 08, 2004

While John Kerry and John Edwards are crisscrossing America offering hope and optimism, Bush Jr. released a 31-page attack memo on Edwards.

Could the Republicans at least try to produce a one-page list of arguments for Halliburton’s Cheney to be vice president?

Evidently not.

So far three out of four Bush Jr. TV ads are attack ads. The Republicans have weak arguments for themselves.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

After Bush Jr. promised Iraqis that they would get freedom and democracy, the new “coalition” of Bush Jr. and Prime Minister Iyad Allawi have implemented a “Patriot Act” at its worst. There go the alleged civil liberties promised by Bush Jr.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 07, 2004

The U.S. Army has released a very damaging internal report on the invasion of Iraq.

The 542-page report describes a broken supply system that left our troops short of food, water, parts and ammunition from day one.

The Bush Jr./Rumsfeld invasion plan was so poorly designed that medics had to forage for medical supplies and artillery gunners had to cannibalize parts from captured Iraqi guns.

That’s the Bush Jr./Cheney ticket that wants a second term.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

NATO’s top civilian official, Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, blasted Bush Jr. for his abandonment of NATO as an alliance and Bush Jr.’s use of NATO only when it suits his own interests.

Scheffer predicted that Afghanistan and Iraq were doomed to be failed states unless Bush Jr. puts together a working relationship with the international community. (New York Times 7/3/04)

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

With the John Kerry and John Edwards ticket, we’ll save some money on the cost of bumperstickers – “I like John.”

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 06, 2004

While Bush Jr. claims “success,” Afghanistan is a military and economic mess that has put our troops in harm’s way for not being allowed to do the whole job there two years ago. Terrorists are being trained there and heroin by the shiploads is being sent to the U.S.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

Only 112,000 jobs created in the whole country in June and Bush Jr. had to admit his April and May job numbers were inflated.

Bush Jr. is the first President since Herbert Hoover (a Republican with the Great Depression) who has a net loss of jobs in his four years. Again, Bush Jr. cites success. Like his dad, everyone he knows is either rich or working.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 04, 2004

July 4 is an important day to reflect on Thomas Jefferson and others who certainly created a new beginning for a country, independent of Britain.

Did Jefferson, who is also the “father” of the Democratic Party, and the other “founders” have their faults? Yes, and that’s why there have been numerous amendments to the U.S. Constitution to attempt to give civil rights to all.

But Jefferson will be remembered for his greatness.

President Kennedy once said at a dinner party in the White House for Nobel Prize winners, “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.” President Kennedy then continued on to say that, “Someone once said that Thomas Jefferson was a gentleman of 32 who could calculate an eclipse, survey an estate, tie an artery, plan an edifice, try a cause, break a horse, dance the minuet, and play the violin.”

Ironically, Jefferson died on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. America lost a treasure on July 4, 1826.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 02, 2004

Besides death and physical wounds, almost one out of five American combat troops serving in Iraq is leaving with mental health problems according to a new study. Defined in 1980 as post-traumatic stress disorder (or PTSD), it was a common problem among troops who had served in the Vietnam War, but only acknowledged years afterwards.

Based on past experience, for many troops, it will be a lifetime problem.

But since Bush Jr. doesn’t read newspapers or intelligence memos, and Karl Rove and Halliburton’s Dick Cheney keep most bad news from Bush Jr., he’ll most likely never be aware of it.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

A day to celebrate independence from Great Britain, but sadly, thanks to Bush Jr., in the eyes of the world, the U.S. is not now seen as the Beacon of Hope. That will change when John Kerry is sworn in.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

Speaking of Cheney’s Halliburton, former employees of the firm have become whistleblowers about corruption and theft in Iraq by Cheney’s company – all paid for by the U.S. taxpayers.

One guy was paid $82,000 a year to be a labor supervisor but he had no one to supervise and no work. Another person talked about Halliburton charging $45 for a case of coke.

Speaking of Cheney’s Halliburton, former employees of the firm have become whistleblowers about corruption and theft in Iraq by Cheney’s company – all paid for by the U.S. taxpayers.

One guy was paid $82,000 a year to be a labor supervisor but he had no one to supervise and no work. Another person talked about Halliburton charging $45 for a case of coke.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

July 01, 2004

Republican U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska in Los Angeles this week sharply criticized Bush Jr.’s Iraq record.

Hagel, like so many prominent Vietnam veterans (Kerry, McCain, Powell, Cleland, etc.), said he believes the occupation of Iraq by the American military was poorly planned by Bush Jr. and has spread terrorist cells more rapidly around the world.

Most of the people who put the ill-fated Iraq plan together have never served in the military. The one person who did serve, Colin Powell, was against the invasion, even warning Bush Jr. of the consequences.

With Bush Jr., the warning from Powell went in one ear and out the other.

« June 2004 | Archives | August 2004 »

The first bill President Clinton signed was Family Leave, which gave legal protection (not to be fired) to most American workers in the event they needed to take several weeks off (without pay) for a family emergency.

Governor Gray Davis signed a Democratic bill, making California the first state to have Paid Family Leave, starting July 1, 2004. It is funded by employee deductions similar to the unemployment and disability programs.

Typically, it is a female, responding to a health care emergency in the family, who needs to rely on this program. All the Republicans, then and now, including Schwarzenegger last year in the campaign, spoke out against this legislation.

And why wouldn’t Republicans oppose Family Leave? Most Republicans, like Schwarzenegger, have maids and nannies and would never need this sort of program.