Inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama

I was recently in the ballroom of the Signature Grand in Davie and I was surrounded by people who were just as excited as I was to see the special guest for the evening; First Lady Michelle Obama.  The feeling in the room was like that of a family reunion. It was warm and welcoming and proved that people from all across the state were indeed excited about re-electing President Obama in 2012.

Listening to the First Lady made it evident that Mrs. Obama shares my concerns.  Though Mrs. Obama may be very knowledgeable about the complex issues that her husband tackles every day, when she spoke she didn’t just bring up the President’s many accomplishments.  She addressed what those accomplishments mean to Florida families and to every individual in that room. 

Mrs. Obama knows that this next election won’t just decide our economic and foreign policies.  As she put it so well, it will determine who we are as a nation and the future of younger generations. 

She asked the question that we should ask ourselves each day:  Will we honor that fundamental American belief that I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper and if one of us is hurting, then we’re all hurting?

I volunteer with the campaign’s team here in Broward because I know what this election means to my family and my community.  I know that I want someone at the White House who walks into the Oval Office every morning and asks themselves, what do these issues mean to this country?  How do the actions we take exemplify who we are as a nation?

The First Lady’s visit meant a great deal to me and the others in the room that night.  It was much more than a chance to get a picture or two of Mrs. Obama.  It was an opportunity to stand together and look towards the fight we face to do what is right for this country and future generations.

 -- Kathy Blanton of Southwest Ranches, Florida

Sharon Bialek: Herman Cain ‘Reached For My Genitals

Herman Cain's sexual harassment scandal got worse today as a fourth woman came forward to accuse the Republican Presidential candidate of making inappropriate advances toward her while he was head of the National Restaurant Association in the late 1990's. The woman, Sharon Bialek,  appeared at a press conference accompanied by attorney Gloria Allred at Read More

Too Big To Jail

Can we all agree that a $1 billion swindle represents a lot of money, and the fact that Citigroup agreed last week to pay a $285 million fine to settle SEC charges for 'misleading investors' demonstrates a damning admission of culpability? So why has Robert Rubin, the onetime treasury secretary who went on to become Citigroup chairman during the time of the corporation's financial shenanigans, never been held accountable for this and other deep damage done to the U.S. economy on his watch? Rubin's destructive impact on the economy in enabling these giant corporate banks to run amok was far greater than that of swindler Bernard Madoff, who sits in prison under a 150-year sentence."    Read the Article

Message From Vice President Joe Biden

Good evening,

I want to make sure you heard a piece of news from Capitol Hill today.

This morning, Holly Petraeus, who has been leading an office at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to protect military families, went to Capitol Hill to highlight some of the most abusive practices our service members face in today's financial marketplace.

She explained that military families are the targets of predatory lenders. She talked about how many service members and their families struggle to make ends meet -- especially during deployments. And she said that the CFPB will help combat the lenders who try to take advantage of people with deceptive, unfair, and abusive lending practices.

But here's the thing: The Senate still hasn't confirmed President Obama's nominee to lead the CFPB, a former Attorney General from Ohio named Rich Cordray. The bureau needs a director to fully ensure that the debt collectors, private student loan providers, and payday loan providers are properly supervised and that consumers are not put at risk of falling prey to the same kinds of abusive practices that helped cause the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Rich has spent his career advocating for middle class families, and enjoys broad, bipartisan support from the elected officials, business leaders, and consumer groups who have worked with him.

Take a minute to read what Holly had to say, and share her testimony with those you know.

Holly Petraeus is the daughter of a decorated general, wife of a four-star general, and mother of an Army soldier who served in Afghanistan.  I don't know if there's anyone who better understands what it means to be part of an American military family.

She just gets the stress and challenges that those who serve in uniform, as well as their loved ones, face.

And that's exactly why she joined the CFPB, to safeguard our military personnel and their families.
 
Republicans in Congress could be taking steps to grow the economy by passing the American Jobs Act. There is no reason why John Boehner should send his members home to their districts without passing a single measure President Obama has proposed to help put the country back on track. Nor is there any reason why the Senate should require 60 votes on these proposals. Republicans could be helping to ensure that every American family gets a tax cut. And Republicans should be working to protect consumers by confirming Rich Cordray.

We can't wait. That's why I want you to hear from Holly Petraeus. I want everyone to understand how much sense it makes for the Senate to put Rich Cordray to work.

So check it out.

Thanks,

Vice President Joe Biden

Who is David Barton?

 David Barton: Despite not having any history or law credentials David Barton passes himself off as an expert in early American history. Most of his claims have been disputed and written off as false by real historians. Barton’s organization is Wallbuilders, which seeks to destroy one the basic foundations of American life: the separation of church and state. Barton’s mission is to revise history in an effort to turn America into a Christian state with Biblical law instituted as the law of the land. He has also created false quotes to justify his claims. Barton is a danger to the history of America, the Constitution, and education.

WallBuilders
PO Box 397
Aledo, TX 76008
Phone: 817-441-6044

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz Highlights Destructive Effort to Pass "Personhood" Amendment in Florida

On conference call, Wasserman Schultz spoke on the damaging effects of “personhood” initiatives in her home state, calling out Romney for supporting the extreme attack on a woman’s right to choose.

Listen to the call 

After the call the DNC released a new web video, Mitt Romney: “Absolutely” Wrong for Women

See Mitt Romney: “Absolutely” Wrong for Women here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZCovd42SRw&feature=player_embedded

Washington – This afternoon on a press conference call with reporters, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz highlighted the damaging movement to put “personhood” amendments on the ballot in several states and Mitt Romney’s endorsement of the policy.  Romney, who as a candidate for office in Massachusetts vowed he would protect a woman’s right to choose, now favors an amendment that would ban abortions even in cases of rape, incest and life of the mother and ban many forms of birth control. 

 On the call, Wasserman Schultz called out Romney for his practice of adopting beliefs in exchange for support even when it comes to the most extreme attack on a woman’s right to choose in a generation. To American women, their reproductive health and choice is an intensely personal and private issue between themselves, their families and their doctors.  To Mitt Romney, it’s just another issue to navigate around to score political points and win an election, she said.

 After the call the DNC released a new web video, Mitt Romney: “Absolutely” Wrong for Women.

 See Mitt Romney: “Absolutely” Wrong for Women here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZCovd42SRw&feature=player_embedded

 Please see below for a quote from DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz:

 “For the vast majority of Americans including people on both sides of the abortion issue, this is an extreme and radical step. And it’s the latest example of just how out of touch the Republican Party has become. What Republicans should be concerned about is working with President Obama and Democrats across the country to help create jobs; not creating more ways to put women’s health at risk. We’re seeing support for this dangerous approach from top leaders in the Republican Party including Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney. The same Mitt Romney who - today the Washington Post reported - in 2002 while seeking pro-choice activist support for governor promised that in Massachusetts he would protect a woman’s right to choose. The same Mitt Romney who told these same women that he had national ambitions and that he would work to moderate the national Republican Party’s hardline anti-choice views. As we’ve seen far too often from Mitt Romney he is using this issue like so many others: to score political points and win an election.  It’s clear that depending on the audience he is talking to and the office he’s running for, Mitt Romney’s been for choice and then against it. And now Romney’s committed to overturning Roe v. Wade, and he supports such amendments that define a life as beginning at the moment of conception.”

A 15-year-old boy being viciously beaten because he’s gay

The cell phone video is grainy, but what it shows is simple enough: A 15-year-old boy being viciously beaten because he’s gay. 

The incident took place last week at Unioto High School in Chillicothe, Ohio. In the video, there’s a skinny 15-year-old boy in a classroom full of students. A much bigger boy says something to him. The smaller boy tries to walk away, but the bigger boy punches him. First once. Then again. Then over and over while the smaller boy curls on the ground, writhing in pain. 

"I covered myself, I shielded my body, and he just kept hitting me," the victim said later. "Nobody did anything [to help me]."

Despite the brutal beating being caught on video, the bully received only three days’ suspension, which means he could be back to school as soon as this week. The Union-Scioto school district has an anti-bullying policy that protects for gender, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and disability -- but not sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Bret Thompson is from Ohio, too, and he was appalled when he read about the school district’s lax handling of such a serious incident. Bret started a petition on Change.org demanding that the Union-Scioto school district enact an anti-bullying policy that will protect LGBT students to prevent future beatings like this one. Click here to watch the cell phone video of the incident and sign Bret’s petition right now.

The victim's mom, Rebecca Collins, says this wasn't the first time her son was bullied for being gay. In fact, just two days before the beating, Rebecca's son posted a picture of himself on Facebook, and the boy who later beat him up commented that the picture was "the definition of a fag."

Perhaps most upsetting of all, the beating took place in a classroom during the few minutes between classes, when teachers are required to roam the halls to make sure kids aren’t getting into trouble.Clearly, the current anti-bullying policy in the Union-Scioto School District isn’t working.

Union-Scioto district officials want this incident handled quickly and quietly, but they need to know that Ohioans take the issue of anti-LGBT attacks extremely seriously. As Bret Thompson says, “If the school administrators won't send a message to their student body that this is unacceptable, we'll just have to send a message to them.”

Please sign Bret’s petition demanding that the Union-Scioto school district enact a policy to protect LGBT students from bullying:

http://www.change.org/petitions/bully-beats-up-gay-student-on-video-tell-ohio-school-district-to-protect-lgbt-students-from-assault

Thanks for being a change-maker,

DNC, DCCC and DNCC Announce Greg Hinton to Be New Chief Diversity Officer

Position Emphasizes Democratic Party’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

 DNC, DCCC and DNCC  announced that Greg Hinton will serve as Chief Diversity Officer of the organizations, effective October 24, 2011. Hinton will serve as the first ever Chief Diversity Officer for the DNC and DCCC and will advise the DNCC (Democratic National Convention Committee) on diversity staffing and minority procurement.  This position grew out of the Democratic Party’s ongoing efforts to make sure that the party – from employment to procurement and contracting - reflects the diversity of our country.

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz said, “We’re thrilled to have Greg Hinton join the DNC as the Chief Diversity Officer. The Democratic Party has long been dedicated to including talented people who reflect the diversity of our great country, and Greg will bring his talents to bear as we make sure we are living up to that commitment. I’m proud we’re taking this critical step forward and look forward to working closely with Greg as we strive to take our values of inclusion and strength through diversity to the next level.”

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel said, “Our whole team at the DCCC is excited to have Greg Hinton join us and continue our strong commitment to diversity. This new position is a reflection of the Democratic Party’s continuing and unyielding belief that diversity is a strength and we look forward to Greg’s work to help us honor that tradition.”

Hinton will be leaving his role as chief diversity officer of US Cellular, a major regional wireless carrier based in the Midwest.  Hinton is a native of Chicago.

Hinton has worked in the corporate sector for several major companies (US Cellular, Abbott Labs, Pepsi General Bottlers) and has also worked in the health care provider and nonprofit sectors. He has developed and implemented diversity/inclusion programs, from both a supplier diversity standpoint and from a hiring/human resources perspective. 

Of his new role, Hinton said, “Diversity in hiring, contracting and procurement has always been of utmost importance to the Democratic Party and I’m proud to serve in this role to help maintain that commitment. Our party is stronger because of our diversity, and in this new role I will be working to make sure we are harnessing our diverse experiences and points of view in the most effective way possible. I am honored to be doing this work on behalf of the President and the Democratic Party and believe this new position is a reflection of the Party’s strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.” 

The hire was made pursuant to a recommendation of the DNC’s Budget and Finance Committee. The DNC embraced the recommendation and, together 

Gloria Cain Stands By Her Man

As allegations of sexual harassment continue to dog Herman Cain—The New York Times reports  that one of his accusers received a severance of $35,000, or a year’s pay—his wife is finally stepping out of the shadows. Gloria Cain will defend her husband in a Fox News interview on Friday. The Daily Beast’s Patricia Murphy on the friendly, traditional Gloria—and why she’s been so reluctant to join the campaign trail until now. Read it at The Daily Beast

Michael Moore: "There's No Turning Back!"

Michael Moore: "There's No Turning Back!" Felipe Messina, Media Roots: "We are stronger than any rubber bullet or bean bag or tear gas canister. There's too many of us. And what are they defending in the first place? A broken system in a country that has benefited the few at the expense of the many. The time for that to end is right now." Watch the Video and Read the Transcript