Celebrate CHANGE

WOO-HOOO! It's a celebration...

Obama is working on building his staff and I feel so excited, it's like watching an All-Star game come together. With every pick, I'm squealing like a nerd, wanting bubblegum cards of each player... Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod! WOO-HOOO!

You know, the reason I wanted Obama in The White House is because I felt certain that he would help streamline our government so that us citizens would be able to better navigate our society and lead the lives we want. Even more, so that for those who volunteer and advocate in our communities, maybe we'd get assistance somehow so we don't have to butt our heads against lack of funds and resources.

And, it's all ready begun with CHANGE.gov. How amazing is it that we can actually stay abreast of issues and participate with our government in such a beautiful manner? The matter of interest to me is The Agenda. Of course, I do not have the ability to follow every one, so I've decided to pick three and go from there: ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT, ETHICS, and URBAN POLICY.

For those who know me well, I am often teased for being a "hippie". For years, I used to keep my ideas mostly to myself and family for fear of of being a "crazy crusader". Seriously, I'd get the oddest looks from folks when I'd say that I'd like my child to not play too much with plastic toys. Yes, I'm a real radical because I'd like my eggs to actually come from a real chicken of a clean, accountable source. Is it disturbing that for years I'd volunteer at Safe Horizon and am now an advocate for The Children's Aid Society?

My voice is now heard clearly, I'm not ashamed of my choices, and much of that comes from the incredible support of my friends. Particularly Jackson Nash, who've I've mentioned many many many times. His SuperForest blog has transformed my attitude into a really positive force. He instilled in me the YES WE CAN spirit long before I ever even bought the button... SO!

There's a party goin' on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times, and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you!

Happy weekend, all!

xo,

christine

Tighten Up!

Yeah, you do the tighten up
Yeah, now
I said, if you can do it now
It sure would be tough
Now look here, come on now
Now make it mellow

Let's tighten it up now
Do the tighten up
Everybody can do it now
So get to it

We're gonna tighten up
Let's do the tighten up
You can do it now
So baby, get to it!

Young Americans

Ah, an oldie but goodie! The availability of this amazing clip of David Bowie and Cher might be the sole reason I love youtube.com. (How many of the songs in the medley can you name?)

And, via the effervescent young North American Cecil Castellucci, I have discovered yet another amazing network of folk who've organized themselves as YA FOR OBAMA.

Maureen Johnson's site is incredible and worth checking out for active participants, info-sharing, breaking news, fan contests, and, if you scroll down a bit on the main page, the fantastic cartoon image FIST BUMP featuring Barack Obama and Abraham Lincoln.

Have a fabulous weekend, everybody!

xoxo.

HOPE, North Carolina!

The lovely and talented Hope Larson, author/illustrator of the amazing Chiggers, was one of many magnificent early voters who got out to the voting booth to cast their ballots in North Carolina yesterday!

Election 2008: Close race fuels massive early voting in North Carolina

The North Carolina State Board of Elections is reporting that over 100,000 voters cast ballots yesterday, the first day of early voting in the state.

In that one day, Democrats had the clear advantage:

State Board of Elections data showed that 64 percent of voters who went to the polls Thursday were registered Democrats, while 21 percent of voters were registered Republicans. Another 15 percent were unaffiliated.

The record turnout, especially among Democrats, is being fueled by the sense that, for the first time in decades, North Carolina is in play. Both presidential campaigns are investing heavily in NC, although Obama is outspending McCain 2-1 in advertising.

Sarah Palin made two campaigns stops in NC this week, and Obama will lead a rally in Fayetteville -- the heart of NC military country -- this weekend.

Another boost for early voting turnout: North Carolina is the only state in the South with same-day voter registration, which boosts the ability of candidates to bring new voters to the polls.

--The Institute for Southern Studies

VOTE for CHANGE, North Carolina!

And after you vote, do a little dance because you are wonderful, and it's DANCE POLITICAL PARTY FRIDAY!

Aretha's 'A Change Is Gonna Come'

Aretha Franklin, 'A Change is Gonna Come'
song/lyrics by Sam Cooke

VOTE FOR CHANGE

New York... Idaho... North Carolina... and Oklahoma, I hope you are registered to vote because today is your last day to do so! If not... maybe you are going out to register on your lunch break today, or perhaps before you go out for the evening? It's a beautiful day to register!

And, for the rest of you who reside in states that still have time, have an amazing and wonderful weekend!

Alabama * California * Connecticut * Delaware * Georgia * Iowa * Kansas * Maryland * Massachusetts * Minnesota * Nebraska * New Hampshire * New Jersey * Oregon * South * * Dakota * Utah * Vermont * West Virgina * Wisconsin * Wyoming

American Girls

MY NAME IS SARAH "There are thousands of "Sarahs" across the nation who reflect America's values and share a vision for the future of our country. They're mothers, workers, educators, providers and they're voting in November for Barack Obama.

By telling these women's stories, the "My Name Is Sarah" project aims to raise awareness among women in key swing states about the compelling reasons women like them are supporting Obama for president. Read their stories, post your own Sarah Stories."

Thanks to the lovely Ilona for emailing this! Normally, I try to keep this blog as positive and forward-thinking as possible, but in the case of Sarah Palin and in light of last night's debate, I'd like to voice how much I am against this woman and her negative and backwards-thinking ways.

The America that Obama/Biden want to build is positive and forward-thinking. The nation that Sarah Palin has sought to fashion in Alaska, and wants to ultimately create in our union, is environmentally destructive and socially fear-based. But, don't just take my word for it... much thanks to a reader who sent a ton of pics of Alaskan women protesting Sarah Palin!









PS. I cannot even describe the depths in which I love Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. If you do too, check out this excellent version of An American Girl from The Old Grey Whistle Test. xoxo.

Get ready, get ready

'COS HERE I COME...

UPDATE: IT'S ON, PEOPLE! Senator McCain decides to participate in the first debate for the 2008 Election for Presidency of The United States!

I know, it's one of the craziest news mornings I've ever seen. I'm trying to digest everything from the financial crisis to foreign military arms purchases and if the presidential debate is taking place tonight in Mississippi. There's still no official word from the McCain campaign if Senator McCain will show and I think the latest report is that if he doesn't, Obama will hold a town hall type meeting. Well, whatever happens, I think we can be ready for it, don't you?

Oxford, Miss., September 24, 2008 - “The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) is moving forward with its plan for the first presidential debate at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss. this Friday, September 26. The plans for this forum have been underway for more than a year and a half. The CPD’s mission is to provide a forum in which the American public has an opportunity to hear the leading candidates for the president of the United States debate the critical issues facing the nation. We believe the public will be well served by having all of the debates go forward as scheduled.”

-- Statement by Commission on Presidential Debates. (http://www.debates.org)

On this Dance Political Party Friday, may I present Senator Obama's views on the politics of hip-hop and what he has on his iPod... The presidential playlist, up for debate?


Happy weekend, Peace and Love!