The time is approaching

I am excited beyond words about going to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. I hope to learn as much as possible at the convention, but I also want to soak up every moment that I get to have while I'm there. I hope to get things I can pass on to my kids at school, my precinct in Midland, my friends in the area, and all of the members of Senate District 31. 

I cannot thank you all enough. With out your help this would not be possible, but without my wife and kids none of this would be possible. Thanks to all.

This Campaign

As I have been calling Democrats in Midland I have had contact with some who are not going to support Senator Obama anymore for one reason or another. I got so frustrated and it really tested my resolve to continue organizing, because I felt that I was just spinning my wheels.

After some soul searching I got back on the phones and made some headway. I felt better but I really got fired up about this campaign and I came to some realizations. 

1) This Campaign - is about community (bickering will occur, but is it not bigger than this campaign)

2) This Campaign - is about never giving up (even when the odds are stacked against you you move forward and work)

3) This Campaign - has character (because it has tapped into a sense of values that project optimism) 

I understand more clearly why the message of this campaign can be summed up with one word. HOPE! To all that are working hard keep on working. To those who are feeling like they are spinning their wheels make three more calls, go to three more houses, never give up, and don't let anyone tell you that what you are doing doesn't make a difference. Get inspired and help this campaign make history!

 

Give Me Your Eyes

Today my wife introduced me to a song entitled: Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath. It is a truly inspiring song and it really reminds me of what our community building effort is all about. Here are the Lyrics ENJOY:

Looked down from a broken sky

Traced out by the city lights

My world from a mile high

Best seat in the house tonight

Touched down on the cold black tile

Hold on for the sudden stop

Breath in the familiar shock

Of confusion and chaos

Are those people going somewhere?

Why have I never cared

Chorus:Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so I can see

Everything that I keep missing

Give me your love for humanity

Give me your arms for the broken hearted 

Wasnt it far beyond my reach?

Give me your heart for the once forgotten

Give me your eyes so I can see

again

again

yeah

yeah

Step out on a busy street

See a girl and our eyes meet

Does her best to smile at me

To hide whats underneath

Theres a man just to her right

Black suit and a bright red tie

To ashamed to tell his wife

Hes out of work

Hes buying time

Are those people going somewhere?

Why have I never cared?

Chorus

Ive Been there a million times

A couple of million eyes

Just moving past me by

I swear I never thought that I was wrong

Well I want a second glance

So give me a second chance

To see the way you see the people all aloneChorus (x2)

Moving Midland Forward

Throughout this very interesting campaign season we have worked hard to change our idea of politics here in Midland and around the great State of Texas. It is difficult at times to stay focused on the campaign since all of the media attention seems to keep saying that Texas is a "Red" state and that "its a lock for John McCain." Plus our everyday lives are more complex because we want to provide the best for our family and friends during hard times, and often don't have spare time for a presidential campaign. Others say "it is too early to be working on the November campaign in July," and others say "your gonna burn people out on all this Obama Change stuff." 

While I can see the point in the logic of my friends and opponents, I respectfully disagree with them. Now, as I have said before, is the time for us to start working just as hard as we were during the primary campaign. So much is at stake in this election and it is our responsibility to get active and get involved. 

Over the next few weeks there will be a series of meeting held by the Midland Supporters of Barack Obama. It is the mission of these meeting to find new and meaningful ways to get more people enthused and involved with this historic presidential campaign. There is much to be done and we must organize and mobilize our friends, families, and neighbors so that when the votes are counted in Midland County everyone can see that we are not only ready for change, but that we mean business.

Time To Stand Up For What You Believe In

It is time for all of us to stand up for what we believe in. If we are ready for a change in the way politics in Washington are played we must stand up. It will be difficult and other still attack us for feeling and thinking differently than they do. The truth is we know it is time for change and the candidate that embodies that ideal is Senator Barack Obama. Keep working hard: making calls, canvassing neighborhoods, talking to neighbors, putting up signs, and slapping on bumper stickers. Our opposition can rip off our stickers, tear up our signs, and verbally harass us, but they can't stop the movement that has begun with this campaign. STAND UP! 

My Response

Hopefully this will end up in the Midland Reporter Telegram on Sunday:

In response to the letter by Joan S. Nobles

            There has been much talk about the experience of Senator Barack Obama and his ability to lead this country. Many criticize him by scaring those who have small businesses, farms, or even ranches by saying that he will raise the tax burden on them. This is simply propaganda. Senator Obama wants to provide more middle class tax relief to small business owners, farmers, and ranchers. He understands that right now in our current economic situation that the aforementioned business owners are being squeezed, and it is hard for them to get a fair price for their products. The help promised by Senator Obama will provide breaks for independent farmers and ranchers and not the large corporate agribusiness.            

            In last weeks editorials the question of experience was raised. It is hard to comprehend why so many buy this. Senator Obama’s life embodies hard work. He was raised by a single mother, attended school, graduated from college, and received a scholarship to one of our finest institutions of higher education. He then uses that education to help the people of Illinois by representing them in the State and the National Legislatures. How is all of that not good experience?

            Lastly, many have attacked and questioned Senator Obama’s faith, racial attitudes, and patriotism. Hopefully, we as a community understand that religion should never be used as a wedge to divide people. If we truly believe that we are a racially, culturally, and religiously tolerant people, then our politics should not fan the flames of ideas that would divide us. To suggest that Senator Obama should have only learned lessons of life through Bill Cosby and Colin Powell suggests a divide still present in our own community that should be addressed. Overall, there has been a pathetic attempt by the far right to tarnish the patriotism of this truly great American. But this type of tactic is to be expected when you are running against a man that says he is for “straight talk” when he is really speaking out of both sides of his mouth.     

The problem!

Today while reading the Midland Reporter Telegram I read a letter to the editor entitled "Obama lacks experience in dealing with problems." This was written by Joan S. Nobles and is a very short sighted and misguided representation of Senator Obama's campaign. The article reads as follows:

Be careful for what you pray for, or for those who don't  pray may God help them. We asked for a democratic Congress, and received the worst in our nation's history. As i have written before, my working years were under the thumb of Democrats high taxes and bills that soon run small businesses, the rancher, and farmer out of business.

In good Texas lingo, Sen. Obama is a good talker, but can he honestly walk through the coming years with the world in such a tragic state? He's young, highly educated and seemingly a good lawyer, but folks, do we need a leader with so little "working" experience in how to deal with this highly volatile planet? And how do we pay  for all of these "wonderful things" he is promising/ Listen to what he's really saying and you will come away shake your head.

Sen. McCain has the working experience not only with Congress, but is a patriot who led, then served and suffered in our Navy. He has met time and time again with our generals and the brave men and women in the military, and world leaders. Where has Obama been? Who has he ever really talked to? And lastly, why did he surround himself with people who taught, and are now teaching hate, when he should have been learning from such greats as Colin Powell and Bill Cosby.

Lastly, we must keep Good in America for without his leadership, we will be lost.

Joan S. Nobles _Sunday June 15, 2008 Midland Reporter Telegram (Opinion Section)  

I feel that this representation needs to be addressed so I will write the best retort that I can to help clear up this mess of a letter. This kind of crap cannot stand!