Houston Democrats

Well-said, and accurate all the way around. I think everyone appreciated the spirit of healthy skepticism and aggressive questioning. It's making Barbara a stronger candidate, and it's incredibly healthy dialogue. I've posted photos from last night at http://radnofsky2006.blogspot.com. The two links to that blog on the main page of this blog don't work, but I don't have Lyn's e-mail.

I went to college with BR at the University of Houston, and knew her brothers Ken and Stuart.

They are nice people.

Beyond that, i am skeptical about her calling herself a Democrat when she works for V&E.

If you enter Vinson at this link
http://www.fecinfo.com/cgi-win/indexhtml.exe?MBF=EMP you will see that although Republicans get a lot of money from V&E folks, Democrats get quite a bit too. Bush got several times what Kerry did, but Democrats got significantly more money in lower level races. Their PAC gave slightly more to Republicans than to Democrats.

Radnofsky dropped almost $20,000 in 2004 to such notorious right-wingers as Morrison, Obama and Hillary.

I expected I would comment on the Radnofsky meet and greet yesterday, but frankly, folks, I'm getting burned out doing all the stuff I'm doing. I'm tired of going to the various events i.e. meet and greet, rallies, protests, petition signings etc and seeing the same people over and over again! It's time for a whole helluva lot of people to step up to the plate and start helping out. I know many of you on this blog are activists as I am, but some of you merely read this blog and don't do anything else. I ask those of you who aren't participating to please do so because the rest of us can't do it all.

I asked Barbara some direct questions at the meeting the other night at Maria Selma's and it looked to me as though she did her best to answer them. If she didn't know enough about a particular subject to give me an informed opinion on it she would say so i.e. John Negroponte, corporate control of the media. One thing I did admire about Barbara was the fact that she would come over toward me, lean down over the railing and look me dead in the eyes when I asked her a question. I like people who will look directly into my eyes when I'm speaking to them. I'm suspicious of anyone who won't meet my gaze and engage in conversation with me. Barbara spoke with conviction and resolve on many issues. I did not agree with her stance on a few issues, namely the pullout of American troops from Iraq and the confirmation of Kindasleazy Rice to Secretary of State. I don't expect to agree with Barbara on everything, but I am somewhat disappointed that she thinks our troops should remain in Iraq to maintain some semblance of control there. I disagree with that thinking entirely. I disagreed with her assertion that she "probably" would've voted to confirm Rice because Bush might've put someone "worse than Rice" in the position of Secretary of State. Rice was complicit in lying to the American people about WMD in Iraq. She called the Presidential Daily Briefing warning the Chimp about impending attacks on America using planes as an "historical document". This woman who was able to rise up out of poverty, go to college and obtain her education did so because of the strides made on behalf of women and minorities by the Democratic Party. How does she repay the Democratic Party for giving her the right to go to college and better herself? She sells out in the '80's to the Republican Party. How's that for loyalty? I don't care how "informed" Rice has been touted as being regarding the Cold War and foreign policy issues. This woman couldn't pour piss out of a boot with the instructions on the bottom! She is not qualified to serve as Secretary of State!

Due to lack of time, I didn't get to ask Barbara her feelings on global warming and what should be done to acquire energy independence. I do know she does not support drilling in ANWR. I wholeheartedly agree with her on that issue. I didn't get to press her on her feelings about the draft. She may have eluded to the draft during the course of her conversation about Chimp's misadventure in Iraq and his desire to march across the globe "spreading democracy" to the masses, however, no mention in my mind was made of the draft or her opinion on it. That issue is very important to me as I have a 17 year old son who will be 18 in a few months. My daughter is coming along right behind him, too, and it is my understanding that if the draft IS reinstated women will not be exempt from going to war. I am completely against the draft! I don't understand this country's hard-on for war and global hegemony!

I irritated the hell out of one of Barbara's supporters who was a former Republican. This young woman got mighty bent when I asked Barbara if she thought we were under fascist control in this country. Barbara tap danced around that question and said she wouldn't put labels on the administration. I explained that any government that is controlled by big business/corporations i.e. Halliburton, Bechtel, KBR, GE etc. is fascist. The definition of fascism is:

a. A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
b. A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.

2. Oppressive, dictatorial control.

fascism

n : a political theory advocating an authoritarian hierarchical government (as opposed to democracy or liberalism)

Can anyone refute the fact that we, as a nation, are under the control of dictatorial, oppressive, bigoted, corporate fascists?! I think not. Why are people so afraid to call this government what it is?! I think, in the case of Republicans, they know they voted for a moron who is propped up by fascists, but they are loathe to admit it. If they admitted that fact then they would be admitting they are part and parcel of the problems facing this country today.

Anybody can make a mistake. Anybody can be duped by a corporate controlled media. Refusing to admit that you made a mistake, however, and continually either supporting these squatters in the White House or refusing to stand up and call them what they are which is FASCIST, makes you guilty of perpetuating the crimes they are committing here and abroad.

I, for one, don't mince words. If more people would stand up and quit trying to sugar coat what is going on in this country and globally then maybe we just might be able to run these bastards out of town on a rail.

Barbara seems to think she MUST run as a moderate candidate on the Democratic ticket in order to garner the respect and get the "ear" of mainstream Democrats and "moderate" Republicans. I don't agree with that thinking. I really didn't get a chance to ask Barbara HOW she thought the Democratic Party should frame their message in terms that are pallatable to the populace. I believe she thinks by dressing conservatively, delivering a moderate and conciliatory message and doing her dead level best not to piss anybody off that she can win an election. I don't know why Democratic candidates are so afraid of appearing PROGRESSIVE. I don't know why Democratic candidates are so afraid of running as a POPULIST. Saying you are a progressive and saying you represent ALL the people doesn't make it so. You can't present yourself as a moderate Democrat and truly be a progressive Democrat at heart. That is pussing out, in my opinion. Of course, that opinion and a nickel won't get you a cup of coffee, but it is my opinion to have.

Barbara is an intelligent woman. She speaks effectively. She commands your attention as opposed to demanding it. Her manner and mode of dress are not offensive. Obviously, her experience as a litigator enables her to communicate her stance on issues effectively and without getting diarrhea of the mouth ala John Kerry. She looks you dead in the eyes when she's addressing you. I seem to recall she has a firm handshake, and that's important to me via lessons learned long ago from my father. Of course, none of the things listed above amount to a hill of beans if said candidate doesn't truly speak for the poor and downtrodden among us as opposed to the rich, stock market playing, Hummer driving, let's go to the Galleria and spend all kinds of money sociopathic nimrods in this state.

I've got mucho trust issues, people, with regard to candidates who have a ton of money and purport to be a Democrat. PDiddie asked me the other night if I knew of any wealthy liberals running for office or holding office presently, and I said no. I really don't. The only true liberal I can think of is Dennis Kucinich, and I don't think he's what you'd call wealthy. Frankly, I don't have access to his bank statements or his stock portfolio (if he has one), so I have no way of knowing how much money he makes. The young lady I mentioned earlier who got mad at me about the fascism statement asked my husband if he would support Barbara if she had lived in poverty and was a public defender. He said he'd be more inclined to support her if she had that background. I feel that way, too, only because I KNOW what it's like to struggle to pay the bills and eat, too. I know what it's like to be a single parent trying to work and live off $11,000 a year and raise two kids at the same time. I know what it's like to negotiate with the utility companies to keep them from from turning off the gas, water and lights. I know what it's like to take a calculator to the grocery store and have to put some items back because you don't have enough money in your checking account to buy all the groceries you need. I know what it's like to owe pediatricians out the wazoo because your kids stay sick all the time and are in the doctor's office from daylight to dark every other weekend. I know what it's like to have your house or in my case, mobile home, falling down around your ears. I've been there, done that, got the real ugly tee shirt! I'd be more inclined to support a Democrat who knows what it's like to feel hopeless and despondent about life in general. So, am I suspicious of Democrats who have a lot of money and say they understand the needs of the poor and middle class? You're damned right I am!

The jury is out on whether or not I trust Barbara and whether or not she will garner my support and ultimately, my vote. I need to meet with her again and talk with her at length on some of the issues we didn't get to cover. I also want to press her more in depth about some of the issues we did cover. Her staff has agreed to meet with the PPC and talk with us about issues of great importance to progressives. I am encouraged by Barbara's willingness to do this.

In summation, Barbara did not try to bullshit her way through issues she knew nothing about. She tried to address my questions succinctly and honestly. She seemed to genuinely be trying to garner the support of me and the other people at my table especially. She called our table the table of activists. I really wish there had been several tables of "activists" asking some really hard questions. The time to hold someone's feet to the fire is when he/she is running for public office. One doesn't wait until that person is in office and then bitch about the fact that said person isn't speaking for the majority of people in the state. If a candidate wishes to represent the people of Texas then that candidate must be questioned mercilessly about his/her stand on important issues. Now is not the time to lob softball questions at candidates for public office and play nicey nice. I believe I asked my questions of Barbara forcefully but respectfully. It was not my intention to attack her but rather to make her forcefully answer my questions and not dance around any issue. I believe she tried to do that, however, I want to talk with her again.

I would encourage everyone reading this post to come to the next meeting with Barbara and ask your own questions. I told Barbara at the end of our meeting that "Money talks, bullshit walks. I'm watching you." I will be watching her to see how she responds to questions from prospective supporters and then, I will determine whether or not to support her based upon her answers to those questions and whether or not in my gut, I feel I can trust her to represent me in Congress.

Thank you for bringing the broken links to our attention Seth. I fixed them Friday morning.

If you or anyone finds broken links in the future, just click on either mine or Lyn's name at the bottom of a post to send us an e-mail, and we will respond as quickly as possible.