Positive Vibrations: 2008

[H2O Man]

Rastaman Vibrations/Positive Vibrations
by Bob Marley

Live if you want to live
(Rastaman vibration, yeah! Positive!)
That's what we got to give!
(I'n'I vibration yeah! Positive)
Got to have a good vibe!
(Iyaman Iration, yeah! Irie ites!)
Wo-wo-ooh!
(Positive vibration, yeah! Positive!)

If you get down and you quarrel everyday,
You're saying prayers to the devils, I say. Wo-oh-ooh!
Why not help one another on the way?
Make it much easier. (Just a little bit easier)

Say you just can't live that negative way,
If you know what I mean;
Make way for the positive day,
'Cause it's news (new day) - news and days -
New time (new time), and if it's a new feelin' (new feelin'), yeah! -
Said it's a new sign (new sign):
Oh, what a new day!

Pickin' up?
Are you pickin' up now?
Jah love - Jah love (protect us);
Jah love - Jah love (protect us);
Jah love - Jah love (protect us).



I am feeling positive about the democratic candidates for the presidential nomination in 2008. What I am hoping that we can do is have a thread where we post positive messages about the candidates. It can be one about the candidate you support; about the candidates in general; or something about a candidate who you may not support for president, but who has a positive attribute that you think could add to the democratic administration that will soon be coming to power.

An example of saying something positive about someone I did not want to run for president in 2008: I think John Kerry is going to be in a position to provide real leadership in the US Senate during the next 8 years of a democratic administration. I recognize that the presidency is important, and appreciate that Kerry wanted to be in the Oval Office. But the congress is an extremely important arm of our government, and many of our natrion’s greatest leaders have been in the House and/or Senate. I believe that Kerry will be rising high on that list of leaders.

Now, for the candidates in 2008. I’m going to try to be brief, and I know that there is more – much more – good to be said about each and every one of these candidates.

{1} Bill Richardson: I think he has experience in a wide range of powerful positions. I think he is highly intelligent, and still able to communicate with the average person. I also view him as representative of the rainbow aspect of the party, and as being a capable international spokesperson for the USA.

{2} Barack Obama: He represents the excitement of the future. His book "The Audacity of Hope" showed me that he has a grasp of the problems our culture faces today, and that he offers the United States the common ground needed to deal with those issues that threaten to divide the country further in the next decade.

(3} Hillary Clinton: She is a tough candidate, who understands the art of politics. As the father of two young daughters, I understand the benefits of having strong female role models in America today. I also have met Senator Clinton twice, and found her very likable in person.

{4} John Edwards: I think that he is running for president because he really understands what transformed RFK in 1966-68. It’s not an act for political advantage. I also am convinced that Elizabeth Edwards is one of the most important voices in America today.

{5} Mike Gravel: He speaks the truth about the US war of occupation in Iraq, and the issues that keep some democrats from being equally honest about that topic.

{6} Joe Biden: He had been leading an effort to limit Bush’s authority to initiate the war in Iraq, along with two republicans, although Dick Gephardt derailed the effort in order to position himself for a 2004 run for the presidency. (see pages 127-128 of Corn & Isikoff’s "Hubris" for more details.) I think he has an understanding of international political realities.

{7} Chris Dodd: On page 643 of the House Select Committee’s Final Assassination Report (1979), he noted, "I remain convinced that the preponderance of the evidence supports the finding of the committee that a gunman fired from the grassy knoll." I think the country needs the type of leadership that will at least try to tell the truth about many events that have taken place in the past 50 years.

{8} Dennis Kucinich: He offers the party a voice for the intelligent progressives in the United States. He is a good reason for people who are to the left of the democratic party to become invested in a united effort to change the course that the corporate interests who have hijacked our nation are leading us on.

Also, I have high opinions of two people who have not announced, but who exercise influence upon the party from the sidelines. They are, of course, Wesley Clark and Al Gore. As individuals, they each have far more going for them than the combined talents of the republican candidates.

None of our candidates are without flaws. Yet they are as strong a field as any group in the democratic primaries in my lifetime. As we approach the democratic convention, what we see today may begin to shift, and 2008 may hold many surprises for us. I think that we are in for a heck of a fight with the republican party, both for the White House and for control of the House and Senate. I’m feeling confident that we will win.

Can you add a verse?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. We will come out of this darkness to the light on the other side

There will be a Democrat in the White House in 2009. We must gather our energies to be supportive of what he/she asks, for there will be a need for sacrifice-but not a sacrificing of hope. The new President will instill in us the hope for a better future, for continued life on this planet-and for peace.

[mod mom]

2. I believe Joe Biden will provide a strong rational argument about ending our

involvement in Iraq. He will join Jim Webb in credibility since they both will have sons serving (Biden's son just heard he will be deployed).

Dem Leadership under estimates the value of Dennis Kucinich. It is his candidacy that keep many on the left who have been frustrated with the Dems, from leaving the party. His voice as well as Gravel's should be listened to and respected.

Christoper Dodd is an important member of the Senate. I hope members realize their contribution to policy and direction need not come from the Whitehouse to play an important role.

Barack Obama offers a charisma and optimism rarely seen in politicals. I believe he will have a bright future within our party.

I have had the opportunity to meet both John Edwards and his lovely wife Elizabeth several times through my involvement in Ohio during the '04 campaign. I truly believe they are sincere in their efforts to combat poverty and lead our country in a new direction. I could work whole heartedly for their campaign.

Hillary Clinton is an important role model to many women. She has shown that an ambitious career woman can also successfully raise a child who demonstrates intelligence and compassion for others. She has been a strong advocate for children.

Wesley Clark has served our country honorably in the military. He brings much credibility to the party in his understanding of armed conflicts and his ability to understand the importance of dialogue toward peaceful settlements.

Al Gore. I can not hide the fact that I believe Al Gore demonstrates extraordinary leadership rarely seen. He may not have the charisma of perhaps a Bill Clinton, but what he brings to the table is more important in our difficult time. He has shown a great understanding of our constitutional crisis and his speeches on the subject were inspiring and truly heart felt. He demonstrated a compassion for the less fortunate in taking a lead during Katrina using his own resources. There is no other issue that faces our world than that of climate crisis-and who has done more on the subject? He is seen around the world as a respected leader through his efforts. He understood the nature of going into Iraq when it was not politically expedient and was willing to speak out. I believe he is the leader for the times.

[Annces]

3. Crooked Deals

Poem by Hafiz

There is
A madman inside of you
Who is always running for office --
Why vote him in,
For he never keeps the accounts straight.
He gets all kinds of crooked deals
Happening all over town
That will just give you a big headache
And glue to your kisser
A gigantic
Confused
Frown.


A Kucinich Presidency will care about the worker, the women, the children, the poor. And will care about the animals, the oceans, the future.

[rosesaylavee]

4. What I like about all the DEM candidates

announced and unannounced - they understand that our country's future is in the balance. Each one is a firm defender of the Constitution and for all that it stands.

H2OMan, you are a DU treasure. Sorry... I can't think of anything less gushy this morning. Your sanity-ridden posts have done so much for me the past couple of years. Thank you again!

K & R

[rosesaylavee]

5. Kick for recs