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Elect Barack Obama President of the United States! | Election 2008
Senator Obama is the best choice for President of the United States. Volunteer, register people to vote, monitor your polling places—pitch in and help take our country back! Thanks to the sobering economic crisis and the changes it will entail, now more than ever we need a President who understands the people on Main Street and well as Wall Street.
Our country deserves the best, so let’s get fired up and ready to go! Change is coming. . . .
Enjoy Fall, the Debates and the Election!
Summer 2008
As we head to the Democratic Convention in Denver, Senator Barack Obama is showing why he is the best choice for President of the United States. Senator John McCain, headed for the Republican convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, is showing why he is not.
Please keep checking the Listener Forum for the latest posts and, please, write your own. More soon. Enjoy Summer where ever you are.
And VOTE!
Spring 2008
Will We Ever?
Are
those words about choice written with such hope a mockery now that the
contest stretches into spring? Post on the Forum and let me know.
I go
back and forth. I do not like to see Sen. Hillary Clinton
slamming Sen. Barack Obama, but let's face it--Sen. John McCain, now
bucking for a third term as a Bushite lite, and the right wing attack
machine will hurl worse attacks.
Do not
let anyone fool you that just because Clinton has won bigger
states that that means Obama won't win in the general
election. That is political nonsense. And do not believe that just
because Obama is
charismatic and aiming for change that he will automatically prevail.
Elections
take work, commitment and determination. Let's watch
our candidates (and ourselves) and hope Clinton and Obama gang
up more on Bush and McCain than try and torpedo each other.
We are
looking for change and who is best to take charge. I still
like Obama and will go to our convention in Washington as a
delegate. I can still be happy with either choice. I want to
hear you from you. What do you think?
And
VOTE! Turnout has been amazing on the Democratic side, don't ever
forget that. Keep HOPE ignited, our country's future depends on
change!
February 2008
Inspired by the surprise Super Bowl win of
the underdog New York Giants
and a couple of near misses on the work front, I have decided to
endorse Barack Obama, Senator of Illinois, this primary season.
I will post a longer endorsement soon and will
continue to post about the elections on the Listener Forum and in
newsletters to subscribers throughout the campaign.
Hillary Clinton is an awesome candidate and I almost went for her.
Having supported John Kerry the last time, though, this time
I am allowing my heart and spirit, and well as my head, to make the
decision.
For the heart and soul reasons why I believe in Obama is the best
choice, check out this video: http://www.dipdive.com/
sent to me by a Hillary supporter who describes herself as the "loyal
opposition" which is exactly how I feel about the Senator from New York
for now.
It is great to be alive in a year when Democrats are making history by
our choices and that, whatever choice we make, the United States of
America wins. VOTE!
January 2008
Make a New Year’s Resolution to urge everyone you know in
caucus, straw poll and primary states to vote! Time to take our country
back. The Democratic Party offers great choices--The Republicans are
less optimistic and less enthusiastic.
It's
an historic year. Change is the common ground--as we look to better
times ahead in the face of uncertainty.
Sound
like a paradox? It is, but we are a hopeful people, so let's be
optimistic and VOTE!
Please
check out the Listener Forum. Change is afoot in 2008 for Pedro and me
as well. I am about to graduate with honors and a certificate in
Communication, Business and Media; and I went to Documentary Film Boot
Camp. I now work for a film producer as well as on air, so much fun.
Pedro is becoming quite the handsome young dog about town.
So
please sign up for the mailing
list and keep in touch!
Happy
2008!
December
2008
Ring in the New Year with Erin Hart as she fills in for Jay Marvin
January 1, 2008 on AM760 Progressive Talk in Denver
http://www.am760.net/main.html.
Pacific time is 5 a to 9 a; Mountain is 6 a to 10 a.
Please
sign up for the mailing list. Lots of news coming in 2008. Regular missives start soon, many
will be posted on the Listener's Forum. Also, please post topics you'd
like to see discussed.
Thanks
to Brian aka 20Indy for his years of dedicated service to the site. And
to Seth, who pitch hits whenever he can.
Happiest
of Holidays to All, be it Chanukah, Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa or
none of the above.
And
a Merry, Merry Election Year.
November 2007
Feast on Talk with Erin Hart as she fills in for Jay Marvin
Thanksgiving and
Friday, Nov. 23rd on AM760 Progressive Talk in Denver (www.am760.net).
Pacific time is 5 a to 9 a; Mountain is 6 a to 10 a.
Will
a few hundred thousand in Iowa decide the nominees for the Democrats?
Is Hillary regaining ground? Obama and Edwards are running neck and
neck.
And what does that mean to the rest of us?
The
Republicans are in disarray--Rudy is dealing with Bernie-gate--look for
Judith Regan to drop more bombshells--he may need more than 9-1-1, a
verb
and a noun in a sentence (thanks Joe Biden!) to save him. Mike Huckabee
is
funny, but he doesn't believe in evolution or other principles of
scientific
fact.
Has
the war dropped in your priorities? Are the Dems fighting hard enough
or are Congressional and Constitutional realities making it tough?
Or
with housing drops and health insurance rises, is it again the
"economy,
stupid"? Where and what are your political priorities?
Immigration
is a topic we cannot pass up at a Thanksgiving feast. Pause to
be grateful while we are passing the gravy.
And
one note--in this holiday madness of travel, family and fun; let's
remember to keep track of our pets. A small terrier bolted from a
woman's
care in Seattle and played havoc with traffic and several of us who
aimed to
convince the pooch to come back to the car. (Even Pedro tried to help).
After
several heart-stopping bolts through fast-moving cars, "Leah" was
finally coaxed back to her human with treats. . .a sober reminder to us
all
to be aware of what really matters during the season. Our families, our
friends, our pets. So BE mindful and ENJOY! Happy Thanksgiving!
October 2007
Baseball Fans: WOW! What a Colorado Rockies game! Wish I had seen the
13
inning extravaganza. I know primary politics calls, but heck, it's the
post
season and for the first time since Mom died I am excited about
baseball,
here is a quote from the New York Times Bats Blog (which is fun, check
out
their candidate one, too):
"In a moment that is destined to take a prominent place in the
scrapbook of
Denver sports for drama and controversy," Mark Kiszla writes for Denver
Post
this morning, "(Matt) Holliday scored the winning run with sleight of
hand."
Personally, I believe he got a fingernail IN THERE.
And I am getting whole hands into new projects. Travels with Pedro
Productions now has two projects in development--and we are very
excited.
Pedro shows most of his delight by prancing in the rain. More shortly.
Check out new sound and a new post and enjoy our early chilly fall,
here in
the Pacific Northwest.
September 2007
Hey all,
Check out our new Listener Forum, where I will be posting a new topic
each
week--please add your own. This week's is: "Larry Craig--where to begin
and . . .end". Another recent one is "Are you politically engaged yet?
Or
just flirting?"
The project is in beta mode and goes very well. We are looking for a
quirky
event to cover, a 501-C-3 umbrella, grant writing and more sponsors,
please
write erin@erinhartshow.com
for more information.
For those who need a voice, face or speaker for an event, I have a new
talent agent: James Jones at Premier Talent Northwest. They also have
an
office in Los Angeles. Here is the web address:
http://www.premiertalentnw.com.
Here is my
specific page.
Pedro and I are having late summer adventures. We hope you are, too,
enjoy!
August 7, 2007
Hello--
The project is in beta mode and going very well. I can reveal more as
events progress. Check out our new message board, more stuff coming
soon.
For those who need a voice, face or speaker for a project, I have a new
talent agent: James Jones at Premier Talent Northwest. They also have
an office in Los Angeles. Here is the web address: http://www.premiertalentnw.com.
Hope you are enjoying our cool respite--I LOVE August this way. Pedro
is thriving and is gnawing on a bone at my feet as I write. More soon!
July 23, 2007
Filling In
Join Erin Hart as she fills in for Jay Marvin on AM760 Progressive Talk
in
Denver Tuesday, July 24th and Wednesday, July 25th from 5 a.m to 9 a.m.
PDT
and 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. MDT. Check out AM760 live in person or via www.am760.net,
please.
Special guests on Tuesday include: Mark J. Rozell, a professor of
public
policy at George Mason University who has written extensively on
executive-privilege issues. (Check out Friday's Washington Post article
about Bush's record on executive privilege.) And we check in with Paul
Waldman from Media Matters at 9:05 local 8:05 Seattle. www.mediamatters.org.
We will review the Democratic debate via You Tube and CNN; and talk
about
the administration's latest setback in usurping the rights of the
defendants
in Guantanamo. The Constitution LIVES even though Bush and Cheney are
trying to strangle it to death.
Thanks for coming out to the event on July 10th--the taping went really
well, as did much of location shooting. More about that aspect of the
Erin
Hart show coming up. Thanks to the crew: Daniel, Erick, Tom, Tara,
Cory,
Maggie. And to Victory Studios, the Jewel Box, 911 Media Arts and
others to
be named soon!
And Brian, the web master extraordinaire is adding a message board for
all
of us. Thanks, 19Indy! More soon, keep the faith. Pedro had a weird
skin
eruption--he is MUCH better now--jumping, rolling and playing just as a
dog
must in our summer time respite of rain!
May 23, 2007
Short and Sweet
Please join me as I fill in for Jay Marvin on AM760 Progressive Talk
(www.am760.net)
on Monday, May 28th, from 5 a.m. till 9 a.m. PT and 6 a.m.
to 10 a.m. MT.
Kick off the Summer with searing discussion.
An immigration bill only Kafka would love, the Democrats pulling of the
deadline, Bush's intransigence on the veto if a deadline for withdrawal
present, and Monica Goodling's testimony about Attorney General Alberto
Gonzalez and the broken Department of (In)Justice.
All that and Memorial Day thoughts about the troops and the nature of
war.
Pedro is sharpening his soccer skills, the project proceeds apace and
summer
brings new joys in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
New Feature: A few years ago, I first saw the work of my friend Claudia
Kunin, a photographer from Los Angeles. I knew she would produce work
for
coffee table books. She does and is now producing amazing fine arts
photography in addition to her photojournalism. Here is a link to Luminous-Lint,
a fine arts site where her work is being exhibited.
Thanks for listening.
May 15, 2007
Sounds of New Times on the Horizon
I can hear the sounds of a stampede away from G.W. Bush's Iraq War
policy--the Republicans are backing away, the Democrats are moving on
and the country is telling both sides: end this debacle and move back
into the business of taking care of our country and our place in the
world.
Will the candidates and politicians listen? I am not sure. But speaking
of our country, I am feeling more optimistic about us than I have since
the 2000 election. Two trends are true, I think: people want an end to
illegal and illicit wars, AND they want an end to bitter partisan
wrangling, to feel proud of our United States again. They want to SOLVE
issues not fight in the depths of acrimony.
I know, I know. The war is ugly and brutal; gasoline prices are going
up--yet--I sense a willingness out there to rise above the nonsense we
often hear, to get on with the healing and rebuilding we need so much.
In the cacophony of insult, I hear a common sense desire to renew--the
environment has become popular as a cause and moved from left to right;
even GW was forced out onto the White House lawn to discuss fuel
economy this week. (What a difference $4 a gallon gasoline makes.) The
need for affordable health care is making all of us believers in
reform. And an aging wave of boomers does not want to spend retirement
on the precipice of bankruptcy. A new wave of those born into the 21st
century do not want to stand chained to old hatreds and predatory
loans.
Practically speaking, we have to get busy. So we have huge challenges
ahead, but I am confident we can meet them. We have a lot of choices to
make. And for the first time in a long time, we have options. What road
do you want to take? How do you believe our country will be taken back?
Are you hopeful? Do you hear the song of common sense under all the
noise?
Please send your thoughts--I’d love to hear them. Welcome to
the new deadline--these missives will now appear on Tuesdays. The
project is going very well. Pedro is cozy after much running and
jumping. We are optimistic. How are YOU? Please write erin@erinhartshow.com
with your thoughts. Onward.
May 4, 2007
Republicans Out Loud, Not So Proud
Here is the take on the first major Republican debate: no hits, no runs
and a few errors. Please add yours by writing to erin@erinhartshow.com.
As in the earlier Democratic debate, all three Republican frontrunners
seemed to hold their ground, in the MSNBC debate at Presidential Ronald
Reagan's Simi Valley center. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and
AZ. Sen. John McCain aimed for the mantle of toughest guy and former
MA. Gov. Mitt Romney seemed to be trying to charm his way past them.
All 10 Republicans fell over themselves to invoke the memory of their
Republican master. Hardly anyone seemed to want to mention George W.
Bush, who is very unpopular.
With one exception, they were muted in criticism of Bush's Iraq
invasion, and saved their loudest saber rattling for Iran. If former
Democratic Senator and Democratic candidate Mike Gravel had been on the
podium with the 10 Republican candidates--he probably would have been
afraid, very afraid.
Curiously, though Romney was the alleged favorite in the spin room, he
rang most insincere, especially when invoking Reagan and trying to
explain away his flip flop on reproductive rights for women.
Perhaps because he seemed so honest, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Iraq war
opponent, avowed libertarian and former Presidential candidate, leads
the poll the morning after the debate in most categories, which may
indicate that MSNBC viewers are pretty solid in opposition to the war
in Iraq.
Though McCain won "most
rehearsed answer", the other top contenders were also
"winners" in that category. As you know, I don't support a particular
Democrat in this race, and I cannot imagine supporting anyone on this
stage.
Most of the candidates oppose a woman's right to make a very personal
and private choice regarding her body. While Democrats can support big
tent pro-lifers who allow for a woman's choice, such as Sen. Robert
Casey of PA. and Gov. Bill Ritter, D-CO, it is doubtful hard core
Republican supporters will back Giuliani who gave his weakest answers
on choice. McCain made his toughest statement about Osama Bin Laden,
but dismantled it with an ill-timed grin after his comment.
As Newsweek
notes:
| |
Romney
tried to reclaim ground he lost in recent comments on Osama bin Laden,
when he insisted that it wasn’t worth moving 'heaven and
earth' to search for just one man." (McCain last week blasted the
remark as naive.)
"He’s going to pay, and he will die," Romney declared in the
debate. McCain tried to top that, in perhaps the night’s
stranger moments. "We’ll capture [bin Laden]. We will bring
him to justice," McCain vowed, gesticulating forcefully and growing
more intense by the second. "I will follow him to the gates of hell."
Evidently proud of his answer, he then undercut the power of the moment
with a staged and awkward grin. |
Other than Paul, most of the other lower tier candidates failed to
carve their way out of the pack.
Only one of them, former WI Gov. Tommy Thompson, stood out for what I
thought was the worst answer of the night. When asked about casualties
in Iraq, he missed the number of U.S. Dead by close to 350 and the
number of wounded by tens of thousands.
For the record: the number of U.S. Dead in Iraq as of May 4, 2007, is
3358 and the wounded is listed as 24,314 (www.icasualties.org/oif/).
Shame on Thompson for not knowing the cost to our own, or others. For
Iraqi casualty estimates, check www.iraqbodycount.net/database/.
The also-rans in the debate were CO. Rep. Tom Tancredo, KS. Sen. Sam
Brownback, CA. Rep. Duncan Hunter, AR former Gov. Mike Huckabee and VA.
Gov. Jim Gilmore.
Points to the person who spotted or finds the other two who raised
their
hands about not believing in evolution. I saw Tom Tancredo's hand go up
but
could not discern the other two.
Lurking in the wings but not in the race officially, actor and former
TN. Sen. Fred Thompson and former GA. Rep. Newt Gingrich.
Tip of the Week: Watch for stories
about Karl Rove's involvement in influencing Congressional testimony
about the Justice Dept. Attorney firings (see Michael Isikoff's web
exclusive in Newsweek).
Pedro, the wonder dog, is taking his morning nap after chasing tennis
balls around the house. Our project is coming along. And kudos to
anchor Steffan Tubbs of Colorado’s Morning News at 850 KOA in
Denver. He will return baseball to the Rockies shortstop who made an
unassisted triple play -- the 13th in history -- Troy Tulowitzki.
Play ball! And enjoy your week.
April 27, 2007
Hooray for Dems and Democracy; Tenet Blasts
Cheney
The Senate sent the bill to begin the end of the war in Iraq to George
Bush--who still vows to veto it--as the press labels this a useless
exercise.
NO. It isn't. The back and forth is very much needed.
What is happening is DEMOCRACY, a rarity in these last six years. The
Congress has the right to rein in the President and to remedy a failed
policy and illicit war. They are listening more closely to the PEOPLE
they represent.
This was pounded home over and over again on the MSNBC broadcast of the
90-minute debate between the eight Democrats in the race for President
2008. What a joy to hear substance, despite some sappy questions via
Brian Williams. The people who wrote the local South Carolina anchor
were good overall. The debate was held at South Carolina State College
in Orangeburg.
Let me make clear, I am not supporting anyone formally at this
point--here is a review of the proceeding. The top three did very well.
The front runners, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, did very
well. Clinton was very much supportive of the Iraq vote and Obama was
impressive on NATO and geo-politics. Both held their ground, though
Obama needs work on delivery in a 60-second format and Clinton is still
haunted by her support of the war effort. She seemed the most poised
and on point.
Fellow top tier candidate, former Sen. John Edwards got the most inane
question of the night (who CARES where he cuts his hair); he was
serious and good in the format, as an experienced Presidential
campaigner.
Joe Biden, Senator of Delaware was the funniest--when asked about his
"verbosity" and whether he could curb it as President, he responded
"yes" and left it at that as laughter prevailed.
Former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel was pithy, but alas, somewhat
overshadowed the better known anti-war activist, Congressman Dennis
Kucinich. Sen. Christopher Dodd did not impress much; Gov. Bill
Richardson bumbled some answers (about Alberto Gonzales and Castro) and
looked uncomfortable.
Overall, we are lucky to have so many choices. And it is thrilling to
know one of them (or Al Gore, if he decides to run) will likely be the
next President of the United States.
Watch former CIA chief George J. Tenet on 60 Minutes--he has a new book
out in which he blasts Vice President Dick Cheney and other Bushites
for leading us into Iraq without "serious debate". See Friday's New
York Times for more about "At the Center of the Storm".
A storm that roils the nation still. Stay tuned, stay involved. Check
out the changes to the site. More about developments soon. Please write
erin@erinhartshow.com
with your thoughts about the debate, the war and what issues matter
most to you. Tell me how you celebrate democracy.
And thanks for being there. Pedro is napping in a ball on the couch,
cozy on a chilly Seattle morning. Enjoy your week!
April 20, 2007:
Virginia Tech. Oklahoma City. Columbine. A week of reminders of why we
need better mental health care in the United States and less violence
EVERYWHERE. Let's not forget Iraq had a tragic week as well.
We must work together to figure out how to "make war no more". On
ourselves. On other people. Let's share thoughts on how to make each
other, and the world, safe, healthy and free of terror.
Notes of hope in this week? U.S. Senators rediscovered the ability to
investigate, asking searing questions of Attorney General Alberto
Gonzalez
who made a mockery of his post and his record by invoking 45 versions
of "I
don't recall" before lunch.
And spring emerges to remind us visibly that life renews itself and so
can
we. You will notice changes on the website this week, thanks to Brian (who
built this website when he was 13 in
the chat room and who
continues to give his time and efforts at 19).
I am very grateful for him and for you. You enrich and enliven the
debates
of our times. Please write to addresses below about the hearings about
stem
cell research, last week's topic. Please write erin@erinhartshow.com
with
comments and suggestions for the new show, now in development.
April 12, 2007:
Hello to you, my friend,
This week marks a very important date in the stem cell research debate.
Let's help override the almost certain Presidential veto. Bravo to
Diana
DeGette and the other sponsors of the original House Bill.
Here are the links with the Senate and House votes, email addresses and
the
web site of Diana DeGette, Congresswoman of Colorado's 1st District.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00127
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
http://www.house.gov/degette/
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll020.xml
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
In recent times, the stem cell debate became very personal in our
family. A
second close relative was diagnosed with M.S.
Very recently, my treasure of a nephew, Hayden, whom many of you may
know
from the show, was diagnosed with Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes. My sister
sent me this note this morning, I can't think of a better way to
celebrate
life than fighting for it:
Dear friends,
Four weeks ago our
beloved son was diagnosed with an incurable disease, Diabetes Type 1
(Juvenile Diabetes). He will have to manage this with shots of insulin
all the rest of his life. He is fifteen. My husband and I and his older
brother would gladly give him pancreas parts if that would help, but it
wouldn't.
Every doctor, every
nurse, every health person we have spoken to about the hopes for a cure
for this disease has told us of the great promise of stem cell research
as a path to a complete cure.
Every poll that we
have seen has shown the vast majority of the American people support
broader federal funding and coordination of research efforts for stem
cell research. Many brave states, including California and Connecticut
have begun their own research programs. A minority of politicians and
our president are holding up expanded federal funding and research. My
understanding is that their reason has to do with using embryonic stem
cells from fetuses that are destined for discarding anyway.
The majority of the
American people, and the majority of the people elected to represent
them support stem cell research.
How many of you know
someone, some family, some person like our son, Hayden, that may
benefit from this excellent scientific research? Not only Diabetes
sufferers, but spinal cord patients, some cancer patients, people
afflicted with incurable diseases like Parkinson's, could see a cure,
and much sooner than later.
This is not a Red or
Blue issue. It is a science issue that can help millions of people.
Please take a minute
to send an email, or this one, to anyone you know who might ask their
Congress person or Senator to fend off the promised veto of the
president. Send it to your local council person, ask for your local
state representative to send a message via any means possible to our
elected officials in Washington to override the veto. We can win this
one. We must. Please help. Take two minutes. Make some noise. We can do
this. Please.
Christina |
On-Air and Online
