Waldo County Democratic Committee (has moved to http://waldodems.blogspot.com/ )

The WCDC has a new website. Please check it out

2009-04-27T12:57:00.003-04:00

The new WCDC website is up and running. Please take a look at

http://waldodems.blogspot.com/

and tell us what you think! You can copy and paste the URL above or click on the title of this post to visit it directly.

Please change your Facebook status update!

2009-04-01T07:25:00.000-04:00

Green Jobs, Green Savings - We need both!

Dear Richard,

Today's the day - the public hearing. As a friend on Facebook, we need your help. We would like to get people around the state changing their Facebook status updates to read:

"Please support the Opportunity Maine Green Jobs, Green Savings bill today!"

This is a quick, easy thing you can do right from where you are to help us show there is a Green Jobs movement in the state. Thank you and wish us luck today!

~Rob Brown, Executive Director

P.S. The New Energy Jobs Alliance group crested 1,000 yesterday! We will be spreading the news today; thank you!

Public Hearing Tomorrow - Green Jobs, Green Savings

2009-03-31T15:03:00.000-04:00

Green Jobs, Green Savings - We need both!

Dear Richard,

After much preparation, the time is upon us! The public hearing for the Green Jobs, Green Savings bill, authored by Opportunity Maine and sponsored by Rep. Seth Berry, is tomorrow.

If you can join us in Augusta, please let me know so we can make arrangements.

Meet us for coffee and updates at: Cross Cafe, 1st floor, Cross Office Building, next to the Statehouse

When: 8:30-9:00 AM

Date: Wednesday, April 1st

We'll give a brief overview, answer your questions and then head up to the Utilities & Energy Committee room (2nd floor, Room 211) at 9:00 AM to start the hearing.

During the day, we'll also help you find your legislator so you can let them know about this bold initiative to create thousands of jobs, cut energy bills, reduce our carbon footprint, and build a sustainable economy for this and future generations of Mainers.

If you can only be there in spirit, please send your legislator an email today!

Thanks for all you do.

~Rob Brown, Executive Director

P.S. Don't forget to email your legislator here!

Public Hearing Tomorrow - Green Jobs, Green Savings

2009-03-31T15:02:00.000-04:00

Green Jobs, Green Savings - We need both!

Dear Richard,

After much preparation, the time is upon us! The public hearing for the Green Jobs, Green Savings bill, authored by Opportunity Maine and sponsored by Rep. Seth Berry, is tomorrow.

If you can join us in Augusta, please let me know so we can make arrangements.

Meet us for coffee and updates at: Cross Cafe, 1st floor, Cross Office Building, next to the Statehouse

When: 8:30-9:00 AM

Date: Wednesday, April 1st

We'll give a brief overview, answer your questions and then head up to the Utilities & Energy Committee room (2nd floor, Room 211) at 9:00 AM to start the hearing.

If you can only be there in spirit, please send your legislator an email today!

Thanks for all you do.

~Rob Brown, Executive Director

P.S. Don't forget to email your legislator here!

Green Jobs Public Hearing next week!

2009-03-27T12:54:00.000-04:00

Green Jobs, Green Savings - Public Hearing April 1st

Dear Richard,

If you want to create thousands of good jobs, cut energy bills and build a sustainable and prosperous economy for this and future generations of Mainers, this is your chance.

The Green Jobs, Green Savings bill (LD 1181) is a bold 10-year economic development plan that will create thousands of good jobs, develop a $300 million market for efficiency businesses, cut energy bills for homeowners and businesses, and make us a model for the nation in reducing our carbon footprint.

A few updates...

Next Wednesday, April 1, is the public hearing for the Green Jobs, Green Savings bill (LD 1181). Let us know if you can come and we'll fill you in on the details.

A majority of legislators in both the House and the Senate have signed on as cosponsors to the Green Jobs, Green Savings bill.

The press is taking off! Check out an editorial in the Bangor Daily News, a column in the Portsmouth Herald, another column in the Portland Daily Sun and our article in the Maine Policy Review.

We need to build a strong, sustained momentum leading up to our public hearing next week.

Three things you can do to help:

1. Send a message to the state house: Sign our online petition and send an email to your legislator - Click here for one-stop advocacy!

2. Facebook help: Invite your friends to the New Energy Jobs Alliance Facebook group and help get us over 1,000 people (we're at 800 now) before the hearing! PLEASE change your Facebook status on April 1st to read "Please Support Opportunity Maine's Green Jobs, Green Savings bill today!"

3. Donate today! Inside the statehouse and in communities around the state, we need to keep educating, organizing and mobilizing for Green Jobs and Green Savings! Pitch in here!

With your help, we can pass the boldest, smartest energy policy in the country. We need you now more than ever!

~Rob Brown, Executive Director

P.S. If you can spare a few dollars to support our mobilization work, DONATE HERE!

Green Jobs Public Hearing next week!

2009-03-27T12:53:00.000-04:00

Green Jobs, Green Savings - Public Hearing April 1st

Dear Richard,

If you want to create thousands of good jobs, cut energy bills and build a sustainable and prosperous economy for this and future generations of Mainers, this is your chance.

A few updates...

Next Wednesday, April 1, is the public hearing for the Green Jobs, Green Savings bill (LD 1181). Let us know if you can come and we'll fill you in on the details.

A majority of legislators in both the House and the Senate have signed on as cosponsors to the Green Jobs, Green Savings bill.

The press is taking off! Check out an editorial in the Bangor Daily News, a column in the Portsmouth Herald, another column in the Portland Daily Sun and our article in the Maine Policy Review.

We need to build a strong, sustained momentum leading up to our public hearing next week.

Three things you can do to help:

1. Send a message to the state house: Sign our online petition and send an email to your legislator - Click here for one-stop advocacy!

3. Donate today! Inside the statehouse and in communities around the state, we need to keep educating, organizing and mobilizing for Green Jobs and Green Savings! Pitch in here!

With your help, we can pass the boldest, smartest energy policy in the country. We need you now more than ever!

~Rob Brown, Executive Director

P.S. If you can spare a few dollars to support our mobilization work, DONATE HERE!

What I'm doing about AIG

2009-03-20T11:08:00.001-04:00

Dear Richard,

Hundreds of millions of taxpayers' dollars paying for bonuses at AIG? Using bailout money to line the pockets of the same top executives who mismanaged the company to the point of failure? I just don't think so.

People across the country are outraged by the egregious nature of the AIG bonuses--and rightly so.

This is a perfect example of why we have, and will continue to have a commitment to transparency and oversight in government. When the House of Representatives passed TARP last year, this type of abuse is exactly what the American people were afraid of. We knew there was a chance of waste, fraud or abuse. And now that this has come to light, we have corrected it, and will continue to forge forward together to fix our struggling economy.

Yesterday I managed part of the debate on the bill to take back the AIG bonuses the floor of the House of Representatives, and I wanted to let you know what we're doing in Congress to make sure that our bailout money doesn't end up rewarding AIG executives for their role in damaging our economy. First and foremost, the House has passed legislation to reclaim the bonus money for taxpayers in the form of a 90% tax on the bonuses received by the AIG executives. Here's the details:

The tax applies to any individual who gets a bonus from a company that received more than $5 billion from TARP.
It would also apply to bonuses paid by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
This bill protects taxpayers from future abuses, applying the tax to retention payments or bonuses received after December 31, 2008.
This bill effectively covers companies receiving over three quarters of the financial rescue funds.

It is fundamentally wrong to be rewarding the same people who ran AIG while it was losing billions of dollars. Their risky schemes directly lead to the $170 billion bailout last year.

Small businesses in Maine and around the country are doing whatever it takes to stay in business and keep people in their jobs, including digging into their own pockets to avoid laying off employees.

And others have come to me and other Representatives and Senators with questions about how they could better use the money in the recovery package to stay in business. They are not looking to line their own pockets, they are asking for help to keep people employed.

These are the people who are stung hardest by the AIG bonuses. Families and businesses in Maine and across the country are struggling to make ends meet and stay in their homes - and they are helping each other out of a shared sense of responsibility. Meanwhile, on Wall Street, we see executives who seem to think they live by a different set of rules and who refuse to take responsibility for the damage they have caused.

Thank you for your support.

Chellie

Contribute | ChelliePingree.com

This email was sent to: richard.burk@gmail.com

To unsubscribe, go to: http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/unsubscribe

C H E L L I E P I N G R E E for C O N G R E S S P.O. Box 17613 Portland Maine 04112

PAID FOR BY PINGREE FOR CONGRESS

Watch Heather's V-card to legislators!

2009-03-06T11:11:00.000-05:00

Dear Richard,

As a close friend of ours on Facebook, I couldn't resist giving you a quick heads up about our first video postcard to legislators on energy policy. In it, Heather Burch, a USM student from Stetson, tells her legislators why we need to weatherize homes throughout Maine.

And we want to hear from you, too!

Email me a YouTube video telling the Maine State Legislature your name, what town you're from and why Maine needs a bold, visionary energy policy - like the plan Opportunity Maine is proposing. We'll get it to your legislator and make sure your voice is heard - and your video is watched!

And don't forget to join the New Energy Jobs Alliance Facebook Group; we need your help to build the group so we can show strong statewide support for our proposal.

Thanks for all you do; we wouldn't be where we are without your hard work and dedication!

Regards,

~Rob Brown, Executive Director

P.S. Don't forget to invite your friends to the Facebook Group - and email your video to rob@opportunitymaine.org!

Maine's Energy Future: It's time for a strong vision.

2009-02-25T16:44:00.001-05:00

Jobs + Energy Efficiency = Maine's Future

Dear Richard,

It's amazing how Mainers respond to bold ideas that meet our challenges head on!

People everywhere are talking about our New Energy Jobs Initiative - a comprehensive, long-term plan that will create thousands of good jobs, cut energy bills, address climate change, and build a more prosperous economy for this and future generations of Mainers.

You can read about it in the new special issue of the Maine Policy Review, an incredible resource published by the Margaret Chase Smith Center.

We can't build a 21st century New Energy Economy without building a green-skilled workforce to get the job done. With volatile energy prices, climate change and the worst economy in generations all bearing down on us, now is the time for a comprehensive, long-term vision.

Opportunity Maine has also prepared a memo for Governor Baldacci and Republican and Democratic legislative leaders that explains what the stimulus package has available and makes recommendations for how Maine can best capitalize on it. Read it Here!

Legislators need to know that Mainers from across the state believe now is the time to be bold. Let's turn this crisis into an opportunity to launch a New Energy Economy that will deliver good jobs and sustainable energy for generations to come.

If you're ready to jumpstart a new energy economy in Maine, with comprehensive investments in the education and skills of our workforce and the efficiency of our homes, businesses and factories, then send an email to members of the Special Select Committee on Maine's Energy Future to let them know.

And it's not just in Maine that people are talking about the New Energy Jobs Initiative.

Opportunity Maine President Cliff Ginn is off to New Jersey at the invitation of Governor Corzine and their Public Utilities Commission to do a presentation on our initiative.

I'm off to Washington DC to meet with our federal delegation and with workforce experts from around the country to discuss how we can ensure the stimulus package does what it's supposed to do - create good jobs and lay the groundwork for a prosperous, sustainable economy!

States who put in place bold, comprehensive strategies for creating good jobs through energy efficiency and renewable energy investments will be at the front of the line for federal stimulus funds - and we think Maine should be at the front of that line!

If you want good jobs, lower energy bills, and a brighter future, we need your help! We need you to email your legislator and legislators on the Special Select Committee on Maine's Energy Future and tell them it is time for a long-term plan - a comprehensive vision - to secure our economic and energy future.

Regards,

~Rob Brown, Executive Director

P.S. If we can make college affordable for everyone in this state, don't you think we should be able to do something about energy?

Maine's Energy Future: It's time for a strong vision.

2009-02-25T16:44:00.000-05:00

Jobs + Energy Efficiency = Maine's Future

Dear Richard,

It's amazing how Mainers respond to bold ideas that meet our challenges head on!

You can read about it in the new special issue of the Maine Policy Review, an incredible resource published by the Margaret Chase Smith Center.

And it's not just in Maine that people are talking about the New Energy Jobs Initiative.

Opportunity Maine President Cliff Ginn is off to New Jersey at the invitation of Governor Corzine and their Public Utilities Commission to do a presentation on our initiative.

Regards,

~Rob Brown, Executive Director

P.S. If we can make college affordable for everyone in this state, don't you think we should be able to do something about energy?

WCDC: Feb 6th meeting minutes

2009-02-06T20:50:00.001-05:00

WCDC Meeting: February 6th, 2009

Roll Call 7:05pm

Attendance: 14 total, Members: 10 Guests: 4:
Belfast: James Campbell, Percy Daley, Miles Gray, Amy Keller, Larry Litchfield

Brooks: Carl (Eric) Frerking

Lincolnville: Betty Johnson

Monroe: Paul Jacobi

Stockton Springs: Richard Burk, Joseph Greenier, Michele Greenier

Guests: Mary Elizabeth Greenier, Brianna Twofoot, Katy Jayne, Shenna Bellows (Ex Dir of MCLU)Roland Magnan
Guests: Mary Elizabeth Greenier

Agenda, Approval of
The February agenda was adopted without modification

Motion by Larry Litchfield, Second by Carl Frerking, MOTION PASSES

Minutes, Approval of
MOTION to accept and approve and made by Betty Johnson, second by Miles Gray, MOTION PASSES

Chair's report by Neal Harkness
The Maine State Democratic Party Committee meeting elected the Party

Committee

Betty Johnson, James Campbell, and Neal Harkness were elected to treasury,

administration, and grievance respectively

Neal read a letter from Sarah Sibley

There will be a volunteer celebration in a few weeks (3) that will be showing the Inauguration DVD at a local movie theater

Vice Chair Report by Betty Johnson

None

Treasurer's report by Betty Johnson for Carl Frerking
We received some donations. The fee for the celebration at the cancelled

boathouse event was returned. The paperwork for transitioning to the new

treasurer has been completed

Guest Speaker(s):

Brianna Twofoot from the MCLU made a presentation on Marriage Equality

Discussion ensued

Pass the Hat

Election of officers

Secretary

The chair nominated Amy Keller.

Larry Litchfield moves to close nominations, nominations cease.

Amy Keller is elected by unanimous vote

The Chair recognized Richard Burk for his contributions as Secretary

Unfinished Business

No one steps forward to be nominated for the three open Committee Chair positions and election is tabled to next meeting.

The chair asks for a motion for the committee to approve $200 for email management software and website hosting and associated management. Email management with Constant Contact is estimated at $126/year and Website services are estimated at $60/year. Betty Johnson makes said MOTION and Carl Frerking seconds. MOTION PASSES.

New business
None

Other

Questions and Answers ensued.

Motion To adjourn: by Amy Keller, second by Larry Litchfield, adjourned at 810pm

WCDC: January 9th meeting minutes

2009-02-06T13:28:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Richard Burk <richard.burk@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Jan 9, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Subject: WCDC: January 9th meeting minutes

WCDC Meeting: January 9th, 2009
Roll Call 7:06pm
    Members: [Belfast] Percy Daley, Miles Gray, Neal Harkness, Larry Litchfield [Brooks] Carl Frerking [Liberty] Diane Messer [Lincolnville] Betty Johnson [Stockton Springs] Rob Brown, Richard Burk, Faith Campbell, Joseph Greenier, Michele Greenier, Roland Magnan
    Guests: Mary Elizabeth Greenier
Agenda, Approval of
    The December agenda was adopted as the January agenda with the modification of "Discussion of the Election of Officers" changed to "Election of Officers"
    Motion by Diane Messer, Second by Roland Magnan, MOTION PASSES
Minutes, Approval of
    MOTION to accept and approve and made by Larry Litchfield, second by Betty Johnson, MOTION PASSES
Chair's report by Neal Harkness
    Inaugural party planning at Boat House
Treasurer's report by Betty Johnson
    Annual report by Betty
    2004 references will be changed to 2008
    Motion to accept by Neal Harkness, second by Miles Gray, MOTION PASSED
    Motion by Betty Johnson to transfer $2000 from checking to Mary Falcone Club, second by Faith Campbell, discussion ensued, MOTION PASSES
    Inauguration and Thank you Party, Jan 18th, 7pm at the Boat House
        tickets $10
        sponsor $50 - free ticket
        host $100 - free ticket
        Send checks to 304 Beach Rd, Lincolnville, Maine, 04849
Election of officers
    Chair
        Neal nominated by Betty Johnson, second by Larry Litchfield, nominations closed
        Secretary casts single ballot for Neal Harkness, Neal Harkness is Chair
    Vice Chair
        Larry Litchfield nominates Donna Gilbert, Donna declines in abstentia
        Betty Johnson nominates herself for Vice Chair, second by Richard Burk
        MOTION to Close by Richard
        Secretary casts single vote for Betty Johnson, Betty Johnson is Vice Chair
    Treasurer
        Diane Messer nominates Carl Frerking
        Larry Litchfield makes motion to close nominations, Betty Johnson seconds, MOTION PASSES, Secretary casts one vote for Carl Frerking, Carl Frerking is Treasurer
    Secretary
        tabled, no nominations
    Alternate State Committee Chair
        Joe Greenier nominates himself
        Betty Johnson nominates Rob Brown
        By written vote, Rob Brown is elected

Unfinished business
    none

New business
    Goal: We will upgrade and improve web presence, static website, constant contact. Discussion ensued
    The Ethics committee report is completed by Betty
    Next meeting agenda item: The chairs of the standing committees will be elected
    Next meeting agenda item: We will be brainstorming for fundraising and visibility
    Next State Committee meeting: Jan 25th, Betty is running for state treasurer
    Next meeting: Feb mtg: Feb 6th 7pm at St. Margarets
    Announcement: Rob Brown - Opportunity Maine - A New Energy Initiative for Maine: handout
    Announcement: Diane Messer - Ocean Energy Task Force
    Announcement: Joe Greenier - Handout honoring veterans

Motion To adjourn: by Rob Brown, second by Miles Gray, adjourned at 816pm

Opportunity Maine is going Green - and Creating Jobs, too!

2009-02-06T11:39:00.000-05:00

Opportunity Maine is going Green!

Opportunity Maine and all our volunteers were so proud to bring from idea to citizen initiative to law the Opportunity Maine Program - a bold, first-in-the-nation, college affordability and economic development initiative.

We also need to create good jobs for those college graduates and those who go through other education and training programs. That is why we are even more proud to launch our New Energy Jobs Initiative that will create thousands of good, green-skilled jobs, create new business opportunities, cut energy bills, and secure Maine's economic and energy future.

We have partnered with forward-looking legislators such as Representative Seth Berry to submit our New Energy Jobs legislation (LD 1724) that will:

Develop a streamlined, economy-wide strategy to make Maine's homes, businesses and factories 30% more energy efficient and create thousands of good jobs.

Re-channel a portion of the money we already spend on energy into efficiency and workforce investments here in Maine.

Provide grants to:

Homeowners and businesses to invest in efficiency.
Individuals who want to gain the education and training they need for jobs in the new energy sector.
Regional and community partnerships to develop green-skilled career ladders that will lift low-income and laid-off Mainers out of poverty and into family-sustaining jobs.

Leverage hundreds of millions of dollars more in federal and private investment in our homes, businesses and workforce.

To advance this Initiative, we are partnering again with the Maine League of Young Voters in creating the New Energy Jobs Alliance. Our goal is to advance bold, comprehensive workforce and energy policies that create good jobs, lower energy bills, address climate change and build a more prosperous economy for this and future generations of Mainers.

You can bring yourself up to speed at a new section of our web site dedicated to the New Energy Jobs Initiative.

Writing letters to the editors, contacting legislators, talking to your neighbors and coworkers, forwarding this email on to others, joining us at the statehouse - we need to do all these things and more to ensure state leaders know now is the time to be bold in addressing our economic and energy challenges!

Regards,

~Rob Brown, Executive Director

PS, If you can spare a few dollars to support our next big project, DONATE HERE!

Opportunity Maine is going Green - and Creating Jobs, too!

2009-02-06T11:38:00.000-05:00

Opportunity Maine is going Green!

We have partnered with forward-looking legislators such as Representative Seth Berry to submit our New Energy Jobs legislation (LD 1724) that will:

Develop a streamlined, economy-wide strategy to make Maine's homes, businesses and factories 30% more energy efficient and create thousands of good jobs.

Re-channel a portion of the money we already spend on energy into efficiency and workforce investments here in Maine.

Provide grants to:

Homeowners and businesses to invest in efficiency.
Individuals who want to gain the education and training they need for jobs in the new energy sector.
Regional and community partnerships to develop green-skilled career ladders that will lift low-income and laid-off Mainers out of poverty and into family-sustaining jobs.

Leverage hundreds of millions of dollars more in federal and private investment in our homes, businesses and workforce.

You can bring yourself up to speed at a new section of our web site dedicated to the New Energy Jobs Initiative.

Regards,

~Rob Brown, Executive Director

PS, If you can spare a few dollars to support our next big project, DONATE HERE!

Reminder: WCDC monthly mtg: Today (Friday) Feb 6th, 7pm St. Margaret's Parish House Lower Level

2009-02-06T07:17:00.001-05:00

FYI, The room changed from the normal room to the Lower Level as the normal room is to be setup this evening for a function on Saturday.

FYI, This evening is also the election of Chairs for the Standing Committees, for the Alternate DSC position, and election for Secretary as I am NOT running for secretary nor Alternate DSC position as I will be moving sometime around April, give or take a month.

St. Margaret's is located at 95 Court St at the intersection of Court and Elm. When you park please park either in St. Margaret's parking lot or on the side of either Elm or Court that is closest to the Church as the police have been patrolling the area for snow time violators.

If you have any questions dont hesitate to contact me via email with any questions.

Richard Burk

[WCDC] Happy Obama Day! music...

2009-01-21T12:56:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Marina Delune

Hi Neal and Richard,

For Democrats who didn't get the opportunity to see and hear the amazing Inaugural concert, here are some links. Marina

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUHhfFylrRA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnJXBQGY3lc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg0wiOHc9tI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-XJgbhuT50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ1t06Ytp1E&feature=related
�http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwXWlI8J8Sk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot4phdmv-nA&feature=related

�

Happy Obama Day!��

�

____________________________________________________________
Click here to view top income tax and tax preparation franchise opportunities.

� �We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

[WCDC] Party Cancellation

2009-01-18T17:05:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: NealHarkness <nwharkness@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Jan 18, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Subject: Party Cancellation
To: NealHarkness <nwharkness@gmail.com>

Due to the inclement weather, tonight's Inauguration Party has been cancelled.

Neal Harkness

[Announcement] WCDC Inauguration Party

2009-01-13T19:59:00.001-05:00

Directions to the Boat House....

Hi Not dumb a dumb question at all. I dont know where the boat house is located either. So I will google it right now...

Here is a link with all the information...
http://www.cityofbelfast.org/BoatHouse%20Directions%202007.pdf

The address is 34 Commercial Street, Belfast.

Traveling from Augusta, take State Route 3 east to
Belfast, which turns into Main Street once in Belfast
(about 45 miles). Proceed easterly under the U.S. Route
1 bypass on Main Street to High Street (about .8 mile
from bypass). Turn right onto High Street proceeding
southeasterly three blocks to Commercial Street. Turn
left onto Commercial Street proceeding northeasterly to
the Boat House.

Traveling from Rockport, take U.S. Route 1
northerly to Northport Avenue (about 18 miles) Proceed
northerly on Northport Avenue to the intersection of
Church Street and High Street (about .9 mile). Northport
Avenue ends and High Street continues northerly.
Continue onto High Street proceeding northwesterly
three blocks to Commercial Street. Turn right onto
Commercial Street proceeding northeasterly to the Boat
House.

Traveling from Bucksport, take U.S. Route 1/ State
Route 3 southwesterly across the Passagassawakeag
River to the first exit off the bypass (about 17.5 miles
from State Route 15) to High Street. Turn right onto High
Street and proceed southeasterly to Commercial Street
(about 1.0 mile). Turn left onto Commercial Street
proceeding northeasterly to the Boat Hou

On Mon, Jan 12, 2009 at 9:50 PM, Paul Jacobi <prjacobi@gwi.net> wrote:

Thanks for letting me know about this. Depending on the weather, I may attend. I know that this sounds dumb of me to ask, but just where is the Belfast boathouse?

----- Original Message -----

From: Richard Burk

Cc: Neal Harkness, WCDC Chair ; Betty Johnson, WCDC Vice Chair and Lincolnville Town Chair

Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 9:59 PM

Subject: [Announcement] WCDC Inauguration Party

Please publish this announcement in this week's edition paper and online....

The Waldo County Democratic Committee will be throwing a party to celebrate the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, on Sunday January 18, at 7 PM, at the Belfast Boathouse.

The public is enthusiastically invited. The WCDC will provide entertainment and refreshments. We are asking for a $10 per person donation to cover the cost of the hall and food.

Come join us in celebrating this historic occasion.

For more information, please contact Neal Harkness
nwharkness@gmail.com
323-8083

Fwd: Frank Rich -- todays NYT

2009-01-11T08:30:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Greg Rossel <rosselgn@uninets.net>
Date: Sun, Jan 11, 2009 at 6:31 AM
Subject: Frank Rich -- todays NYT
To: Richard Burk <richard.burk@gmail.com>

&ltSCRIPT language='JavaScript1.1' SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/N815.nytimes/B3318745.3;abr=!ie;sz=728x90;ord=2009.01.11.11.25.53?"&gt &lt/SCRIPT&gt &ltNOSCRIPT&gt &ltA HREF="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N815.nytimes/B3318745.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=728x90;ord=2009.01.11.11.25.53?"&gt &ltIMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N815.nytimes/B3318745.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=728x90;ord=2009.01.11.11.25.53?" BORDER=0 WIDTH=728 HEIGHT=90 ALT="Click Here"&gt&lt/A&gt &lt/NOSCRIPT&gt

Op-Ed Columnist

Eight Years of Madoffs

By FRANK RICH

Published: January 10, 2009

THREE days after the world learned that $50 billion may have disappeared in Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, The Times led its front page of Dec. 14 with the revelation of another $50 billion rip-off. This time the vanished loot belonged to American taxpayers. That was our collective contribution to the $117 billion spent (as of mid-2008) on Iraq reconstruction — a sinkhole of corruption, cronyism, incompetence and outright theft that epitomized Bush management at home and abroad.

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Barry Blitt

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Times Topics: Ponzi Schemes

Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

Frank Rich

The source for this news was a near-final draft of an as-yet-unpublished 513-page federal history of this nation-building fiasco. The document was assembled by the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction — led by a Bush appointee, no less. It pinpoints, among other transgressions, a governmental Ponzi scheme concocted to bamboozle Americans into believing they were accruing steady dividends on their investment in a "new" Iraq.

The report quotes no less an authority than Colin Powell on how the scam worked. Back in 2003, Powell said, the Defense Department just "kept inventing numbers of Iraqi security forces — the number would jump 20,000 a week! 'We now have 80,000, we now have 100,000, we now have 120,000.' " Those of us who questioned these astonishing numbers were dismissed as fools, much like those who begged in vain to get the Securities and Exchange Commission to challenge Madoff's math.

What's most remarkable about the Times article, however, is how little stir it caused. When, in 1971, The Times got its hands on the Pentagon Papers, the internal federal history of the Vietnam disaster, the revelations caused a national uproar. But after eight years of battering by Bush, the nation has been rendered half-catatonic. The Iraq Pentagon Papers sank with barely a trace.

After all, next to big-ticket administration horrors like Abu Ghraib, Guantánamo and the politicized hiring and firing at Alberto Gonzales's Justice Department, the wreckage of Iraq reconstruction is what Ralph Kramden of "The Honeymooners" would dismiss as "a mere bag of shells." The $50 billion also pales next to other sums that remain unaccounted for in the Bush era, from the $345 billion in lost tax revenue due to unpoliced offshore corporate tax havens to the far-from-transparent disposition of some $350 billion in Wall Street bailout money. In the old Pat Moynihan phrase, the Bush years have "defined deviancy down" in terms of how low a standard of ethical behavior we now tolerate as the norm from public officials.

Not even a good old-fashioned sex scandal could get our outrage going again. Indeed, a juicy one erupted last year in the Interior Department, where the inspector general found that officials "had used cocaine and marijuana, and had sexual relationships with oil and gas company representatives." Two officials tasked with marketing oil on behalf of American taxpayers got so blotto at a daytime golf event sponsored by Shell that they became too incapacitated to drive and had to be put up by the oil company.

Back in the day, an oil-fueled scandal in that one department alone could mesmerize a nation and earn Warren Harding a permanent ranking among our all-time worst presidents. But while the scandals at Bush's Interior resemble Teapot Dome — and also encompass millions of dollars in lost federal oil and gas royalties — they barely registered beyond the Beltway. Even late-night comics yawned when The Washington Post administered a coup de grâce last week, reporting that Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne spent $235,000 from taxpayers to redo his office bathroom (monogrammed towels included).

It took 110 pages for the Center for Public Integrity, a nonpartisan research organization, to compile the CliffsNotes inventory of the Bush wreckage last month. It found "125 systematic failures across the breadth of the federal government." That accounting is conservative. There are still too many unanswered questions.

Just a short list is staggering. Who put that bogus "uranium from Africa" into the crucial prewar State of the Union address after the C.I.A. removed it from previous Bush speeches? How high up were the authorities who ordered and condoned torture and then let the "rotten apples" at the bottom of the military heap take the fall? Who orchestrated the Pentagon's elaborate P.R. efforts to cover up Pat Tillman's death by "friendly fire" in Afghanistan?

And, for extra credit, whatever did happen to Bush's records from the Texas Air National Guard?

The biggest question hovering over all this history, however, concerns the future more than the past. If we get bogged down in adjudicating every Bush White House wrong, how will we have the energy, time or focus to deal with the all-hands-on-deck crises that this administration's malfeasance and ineptitude have bequeathed us? The president-elect himself struck this note last spring. "If crimes have been committed, they should be investigated," Barack Obama said. "I would not want my first term consumed by what was perceived on the part of Republicans as a partisan witch hunt, because I think we've got too many problems we've got to solve."

Henry Waxman, the California congressman who has been our most tireless inquisitor into Bush scandals, essentially agreed when I spoke to him last week. Though he remains outraged about both the chicanery used to sell the Iraq war and the administration's overall abuse of power, he adds: "I don't see Congress pursuing it. We've got to move on to other issues." He would rather see any prosecutions augmented by an independent investigation that fills in the historical record. "We need to depoliticize it," he says. "If a Democratic Congress or administration pursues it, it will be seen as partisan."

We could certainly do worse than another 9/11 Commission. Among those Americans still enraged about the Bush years, there are also calls for truth and reconciliation commissions, war crimes trials and, in a petition movement on Obama's transition Web site, a special prosecutor in the Patrick Fitzgerald mode. One of the sharpest appointments yet made by the incoming president may support decisive action: Dawn Johnsen, a law professor and former Clinton administration official who last week was chosen to run the Office of Legal Counsel in the Department of Justice.

This is the same office where the Bush apparatchik John Yoo produced his infamous memos justifying torture. Johnsen is a fierce critic of such constitutional abuses. In articles for Slate last year, she wondered "where is the outrage, the public outcry" over a government that has acted lawlessly and that "does not respect the legal and moral bounds of human decency." She asked, "How do we save our country's honor, and our own?"

The last is not a rhetorical question. While our new president indeed must move on and address the urgent crises that cannot wait, Bush administration malfeasance can't be merely forgotten or finessed. A new Justice Department must enforce the law; Congress must press outstanding subpoenas to smoke out potential criminal activity; every legal effort must be made to stop what seems like a wholesale effort by the outgoing White House to withhold, hide and possibly destroy huge chunks of its electronic and paper trail. As Johnsen wrote last March, we must also "resist Bush administration efforts to hide evidence of its wrongdoing through demands for retroactive immunity, assertions of state privilege, and implausible claims that openness will empower terrorists."

As if to anticipate the current debate, she added that "we must avoid any temptation simply to move on," because the national honor cannot be restored "without full disclosure." She was talking about America regaining its international reputation in the aftermath of our government's descent into the dark side of torture and "extraordinary rendition." But I would add that we need full disclosure of the more prosaic governmental corruption of the Bush years, too, for pragmatic domestic reasons. To make the policy decisions ahead of us in the economic meltdown, we must know what went wrong along the way in the executive and legislative branches alike.

As the financial historian Ron Chernow wrote in the Times last week, we could desperately use a Ferdinand Pecora, the investigator who illuminated the history of the 1929 meltdown in Senate hearings on the eve of the New Deal. The terrain to be mined would include not just the usual Wall Street suspects and their Congressional and regulatory enablers but also the Department of Housing and Urban Development, a strangely neglected ground zero in the foreclosure meltdown. The department's secretary, Alphonso Jackson, resigned in March amid still-unresolved investigations over whether he enriched himself and friends with government contracts.

The tentative and amorphous $800 billion stimulus proposed by Obama last week sounds like a lot, but it's a drop in the bucket when set against the damage it must help counteract: more than $10 trillion in new debt and new obligations piled up by the Bush administration in eight years, as calculated by the economists Linda J. Bilmes and Joseph E. Stiglitz in the current Harper's Magazine.

If Bernie Madoff, at least, can still revive what remains of our deadened capacity for outrage, so can those who pulled off Washington's Ponzi schemes. The more we learn about where all the bodies and billions were buried on our path to ruin, the easier it may be for our new president to make the case for a bold, whatever-it-takes New Deal.

[Announcement] WCDC Inauguration Party

2009-01-10T21:59:00.001-05:00

Please publish this announcement in this week's edition paper and online....

The Waldo County Democratic Committee will be throwing a party to celebrate the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, on Sunday January 18, at 7 PM, at the Belfast Boathouse.

The public is enthusiastically invited. The WCDC will provide entertainment and refreshments. We are asking for a $10 per person donation to cover the cost of the hall and food.

Come join us in celebrating this historic occasion.

For more information, please contact Neal Harkness
nwharkness@gmail.com
323-8083

draft of minutes

2009-01-09T20:17:00.000-05:00

roll call 7:06
    Members: [Belfast] Percy Daley, Miles Gray, Neal Harkness, Larry Litchfield [Brooks] Carl Frerking [Liberty] Diane Messer [Lincolnville] Betty Johnson [Stockton Springs] Rob Brown, Richard Burk, Faith Campbell, Joseph Greenier, Michele Greenier, Roland Magnan
    Guests: Mary Elizabeth Greenier
agenda, approval of
    December agenda with modification of removal of "discussion of" from discussion of election officers
    diane messer, roland, pass
minutes, approval of
    larry, betty,pass
chair's report by Neal
    Inaugural party planning at Boat House
treasurer's report
    Annual report by Betty
    2004 references will be changed to 2008
    motion to accept by neal, miles, passed
    motion by betty to transfer 2000 to mary falcone club from checking account
    2nd by faith
    discussion ensued
    passes
    Inauguration and Thank you Party, Jan 18th, 7pm
        sponsor 50, host 100 - free entrance
        tickets 10
        304 Beach Rd, Lincolnville, Maine, 04849
pass the hat
Election of officers
    chair
        neal nominated by betty, 2nd by everyone, closed
        neal accepts, secretary casts single ballot for neal harkness
    vice chair
        larry nominates donna gilbert, donna declines
        betty nominates herself for vice chair, 2nd by richard
        motion to close by richard
        betty is vice chair, secretary casts vote for betty
    treasurer
        diane nominates carl frerking
        larry, betty motion to close
        secretary casts one vote for carl frerking
    secretary
        tabled, no nominations
    alternate state committee chair
        jo nominates himself
        betty nominates rob
        rob is elected

Unfinished business
    none
New business
    goal: upgrade and improve web presence, static website, constant contact
        discussion ensued
    ethics committee report is completed by betty
    next meeting, chairs of standing committees will be elected
    brainstorming for fundraising and visibility
    state committee: jan 25th betty is running for state treasurer
    next meeting
        Feb mtg: Feb 6th 7pm at St. Margarets
    rob brown - Opportunity Maine - A New Energy Initiative for Maine
        handout
    Announcement - Diane Messer - Ocean Energy Task Force
    Announcement - Joe Greenier - Handout honoring veterans
motion to adjourn
    Rob, 2nd Miles adjourned by 816pm

[WCDC] Reminder: Monthly meeting today at 7pm at St. Margarets

2009-01-09T11:54:00.001-05:00

Email me with questions.

Elections for officer positions today. So show up and help make this the best WCDC representation ever!

[WCDC] Inauguration Party

2009-01-09T00:14:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: NealHarkness <nwharkness@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jan 8, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Subject: Inauguration Party
To: Richard Burk <richard.burk@gmail.com>

Please send out this announcement-

The Waldo County Democratic Committee will be throwing a party to celebrate the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, on Sunday January 18, at 7 PM, at the Belfast Boathouse.

The public is enthusiastically invited. The WCDC will provide entertainment and refreshments. We are asking for a $10 per person donation to cover the cost of the hall and food.

Come join us in celebrating this historic occasion.

For more information, please contact Neal Harkness
nwharkness@gmail.com
323-8083

[WCDC] Jan meeting

2009-01-02T15:32:00.000-05:00

The next WCDC meeting is Friday Jan 9th at 7pm tentatively scheduled for St Margaret's Episcopal Church Parish House. The location is subject to verification. The agenda will include election of officers and is likely to have a similar agenda as the snowed out December meeting. Additional information will arrive as it comes to me. There will also be information about the inauguration party in the next few days.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to hit reply and I will get you answer.

--richard

Happy New Year & Opportunity Nation

2008-12-31T18:17:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year friends!

What a year 2008 has been!

The start of 2008 was also the start of the long-awaited Opportunity Maine Program. We have spent much of this year raising awareness around this valuable Program and encouraging students to get enrolled.

Our idea is taking root at the national level, too, under the name Opportunity Nation. If you haven't already, please be sure to vote for this important idea and help move it to Obama's desk when he is inaugurated!

Vote Here!

We are also searching for 100 people who can chip in $10 (tax deductible!) to help us continue our important work of enrolling people in the OppME Program - and we're using Facebook to raise the money!

Can you pitch in today? (You don't even need to be a Facebook member)

Students: think of this as a long-term investment in your education that will pay countless dividends as you get reimbursed for your student loans after graduation.
Parents: consider the opportunities this Program creates for your children as well as other children throughout Maine.
Teachers, Coaches & Guidance Counselors: Make sure every student has an opportunity for a better life!

Donate Here!

We have some great accomplishments under our belt and we have some big prospects for the coming year; stay tuned for details!

Best wishes for a safe and Happy New Year; we wouldn't be here without you!

Regards,

Rob Brown, Executive Director and the entire Opportunity Maine board

P.S. ~ Help us create educational opportunities for every Mainer! Donate Today!

Opportunity Maine: The way Education Should Be

Fwd: Save the Date, "The Co-op Model: Transition to a Democratic Economy" on Feb. 28 in Augusta

2008-12-26T15:29:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Larry Dansinger <rosc@psouth.net>

SAVE THE DATE SAVE THE DATE SAVE THE DATE

Fifteenth Annual Changing Maine Gathering
Sponsored by Cooperative Maine and Resources for Organizing and Social Change

The Co-op Model: Transition to a Democratic Economy

Saturday, February 28, 2009
(Snow date: Sunday, March 1, same time/place)

Pine Tree State Arboretum
153 Hospital St., Augusta

Success stories on how cooperatives (food, housing, producer, credit unions, worker) have been organized and operated successfully

Workshops on how to organize a new cooperative, how to promote them in your community, joys and problems to overcome.

Cost: $0-20/day or whatever you can pay

For a brochure or to register, contact:

Larry Dansinger, Cooperative Maine, (207) 525-7776, rosc@psouth.net

An update & an invitation

2008-12-19T08:01:00.001-05:00

Hello Richard,

I hope this email finds you well and enjoying the holiday season. I want to give you a quick update and extend an invitation to join me in Washington when I take office next month.

November and December have been very busy, as we work to set up Congressional offices in Maine and Washington. Over the last six weeks, I've had the opportunity to meet with individuals and groups here in Maine to hear about their concerns and hopes for the upcoming Congress. I've also attended orientations on Capitol Hill and at the Kennedy School at Harvard where I've met new Members of Congress from around the country and had the opportunity to sit down with Congressional leadership. We have some big challenges ahead of us, but I'm confident we can work together in a bipartisan fashion to tackle these problems.

I would like to extend to you an official invitation to Washington, DC to celebrate the start of the 111th Congress on January 6. I am opening up our office on Capitol Hill so everyone can come together and watch as the new Congress is sworn in. We would love to have you and your family there, to welcome in the new Congress, see our new office and meet the people who will be part of our Congressional staff.

Our open house will be from 10 to 3 on January 6th. The office will be located at 1037 Longworth House Office Building in Washington and we will provide a selection of food and drinks (including lots of good Maine treats.) Please contact Erin at erin@pingreeforcongress.com if you have any questions about how to get there, suggestions on what to serve, or to simply RSVP.

Happy Holidays, and hope to see you soon!

All the best,

Chellie

P.S. We are also in the process of setting up our Maine office at 57 Exchange Street, Suite 302 in Portland. I know not everyone can make the trip to Washington so we'll be planning an open house there early in the New Year--I'll be sure to let you know about it.

Contribute | Volunteer | Endorse | ChelliePingree.com

This email was sent to: richard.burk@gmail.com

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C H E L L I E P I N G R E E for C O N G R E S S P.O. Box 17613 Portland Maine 04112
Telephone: 207.773.0155

PAID FOR BY PINGREE FOR CONGRESS

[WCDC] Reminder: meeting tonight at Belfast HQ at 7pm - agenda below

2008-11-07T10:37:00.002-05:00

Also there is a post election debriefing meeting on Sunday starting around 1pm.
Contact Neal for details: 930-8005 nwharkness@gmail.com

WCDC Meeting Friday, November 7, 2008

Waldo County Democratic Headquarters, Belfast

7::00 to 9:00 p.m.

AGENDA

MEETING TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MINUTES APPROVAL (Oct)

REPORTS — Chair — Neal Harkness

Vice Chair — Donna Gilbert

Treasurer — Betty Johnson

Committee — Chairs

PASS THE HAT

HEADQUARTERS

Need volunteers to help close the headquarters.

If you have items donated for use at the headquarters, please pick them up or make

arrangements

POST CAMPAIGN/ELECTION WRAPUP — DATE Sunday November 9

OTHER REPORTS — Candidates—Brief update

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS —

December meeting

OTHER

ADJOURNMENT

Thank you

2008-11-05T13:07:00.002-05:00

Dear Richard,

Thank you! Today marks an incredible new era in our country -- full of hope and energy. I am thrilled and honored that you have given me the opportunity to be a part of that new direction.

Thank you for all you did in this campaign. I am grateful to all of you who volunteered over the weeks and months, to my team, and everyone in the First District who has honored me with their support.

I know you expect big things. You want to see a return to an economy that works for all of us, you want energy self-sufficiency, affordable quality health care, and an end to the war in Iraq. There are no simple solutions but I know that, working together, we can get our country back on track and accomplish great things.

I do believe that when the voters say they want change, that's the easiest time to make change happen. None of us are feeling complacent -- we want to see significant progress. I can't wait to arrive in Washington and begin working with the Obama Administration and my Congressional colleagues to push through the programs that will get our country back on the right track.

I began this race in March of 2007. For 21 months now, you have been with me -- telling me your stories and sharing your perspective. I'll carry these things with me to Washington.

We did this together, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Stay in touch.

All my best,

Contribute | Volunteer | Endorse | ChelliePingree.com

This email was sent to: richard.burk@gmail.com

To unsubscribe, go to: http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/unsubscribe

C H E L L I E P I N G R E E for C O N G R E S S P.O. Box 17613 Portland Maine 04112
Telephone: 207.773.0155

PAID FOR BY PINGREE FOR CONGRESS

After all our hard work...

2008-11-04T08:53:00.001-05:00

Call 773-0155 or email
heidi@pingreeforcongress.com to find out where you can volunteer today.

Dear Richard,

Election Day is finally here!

After all of our hard work over the past 20 months, more than fifty debates, and countless conversations with voters all across Maine's First District, it's time for us to decide what direction our country will take over the critical years ahead of us. If we really want a change in Washington, DC -- and here in Maine -- we need to vote today for the candidates that are dedicated to making those changes.

If you haven't voted yet, please go to the polls in Stockton Springs and do so right now! There is no greater right as an American than the right to choose our representatives in Washington, DC and in Augusta. Make sure your voice is heard and vote today.

If you've voted already, as so many of us have, please consider donating an hour or two of your time at your local Democratic campaign office. Campaigns aren't all television ads and debates. We have a fantastic group of volunteers helping to get out the vote all across the state, and the hard work of hundreds of people just like you is making a big difference in every race, from Barack Obama's historic campaign to your local state legislative contests.

Whether you talk to a neighbor in person or call a few local voters on the phone, you can help bring about the important change we need by volunteering today.

After the polls have closed, please join me and all the members of our campaign at Empire Dine & Dance, located at 575 Congress St. in Portland. We'll be there after 8pm, watching returns from our local Maine races and the national campaigns as well. I'd love to see you there on a historic night for our state and our country.

I can't possibly express how grateful I am to all of you for your support, your encouragement, and your willingness to share your stories with me over the last two years. On this final day of the campaign, I simply say thank you for everything, and please vote.

Best,

Contribute | Volunteer | Endorse | ChelliePingree.com

This email was sent to: richard.burk@gmail.com

To unsubscribe, go to: http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/unsubscribe

C H E L L I E P I N G R E E for C O N G R E S S P.O. Box 17613 Portland Maine 04112
Telephone: 207.773.0155

PAID FOR BY PINGREE FOR CONGRESS

[Allen v. Collins] Consider the difference

2008-11-04T08:37:00.002-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Scott Ruffner

Friends, Kindly consider some major differences between the Senate candidates. Pls forward too. Thank you! Scott

Collins Allen

Fiscal Responsibility

Voted for all three Bush tax cuts, Opposed all tax cuts, as did Snowe &

removed $1.35 trillion from budget for decade. Michaud/Baldacci

Federal debt doubled by Bush/Collins, $5.7 to 10.5 tril

Dollar devalued 40% during this period.

No Senate action on Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Voted for House bill for oversight of FMNA/FHFA

Foreign Policy

Voted Bush authority to attack Iraq & Voted against resolution. Supports a withdrawal timeline.

Has continued uncritical support. Cost is $600b Supports hearings on contracting abuse and torture;

borrowed & rising. National Intelligence Estimates supports closing Guantanamo prison asap.

say we are less secure than before Iraq war.

Little oversight on military contracting in Iraq, nor

on extraordinary rendition or torture

Energy

Voted for the Cheney energy bill with $14b in subsidies Voted against Cheney energy bill.

for the oil companies.

Health Care

Does not support universal health care; voted for Opposed Medicare Part D bill because of hole in coverage

Drug company bill Medicare Part D Prescription Drug and prohibits government to negotiate prices

Social Issues

Voted to confirm Sam Alito & other reactionary judges Opposed Alito and similar judges.

Trade

Has supported some free trade bills Opposes free trade bills, supports fair trade

Votes on the environment and women and children's health and women's rights as well as good constituent service are similar. The opportunity costs of Collins poor votes above are huge because those funds are not available for education, research and development, infrastructure renovation, etc.

Collins' votes have cost Maine and the country dearly, playing a role in the financial markets collapse and the doubling of our national debt. Maine would be better off if she had missed votes, and best off if she hadn't been voting for us at all. It is past time to turn this "moderate" out of office and elect someone who represents the interests of most Maine people, not just the few. Tom Allen deserves our votes.

Postscript: Re missed votes: According to www.govtrack.us, "Thomas Allen missed 157 of 7695 roll call votes (2%) since Jan 7, 1997," while "Susan Collins missed 0 of 3889 roll call votes (0%) since Jan 22, 1997." So Allen cast 3649 more votes than Collins. One difference is the House records roll call votes whereas the Senate uses many hand votes which are not recorded. So we have no way of knowing if Susan Collins was present for all the hand votes or not.

Below please find an op-ed Geoff Gratwick and I wrote but was not published by the BDN.

Examine the Record for Fiscal Responsibility before Voting for Senate

Susan Collins is a nice person. She does very good constituent service. She would be a great ombudsman for an institution or organization. But it's important to examine her record.

Susan Collins reportedly understands good business practices, yet she has supported imprudent budgetary and fiscal policy. She voted for all the tax cuts in the last eight years, even though the rest of our congressional delegation, including Senator Snowe, did not. She says these tax cuts have put $2000 back into Maine family pocketbooks. But she doesn't mention that those cuts added $9000 to that same family's share of the federal debt. She also doesn't say that they put $48,000 back into the pocketbooks of 1% of Maine's wealthiest people. (Nationally the top1% own 38% of the wealth, while the bottom 40% own less than 1%.) And she doesn't tell us that these cuts have taken $1.35 trillion in revenue for this decade out of the federal budget and contributed to nearly doubling the national debt from $5.7 trillion to $10.5 trillion today. With a record $454 billion deficit for the fiscal year which just ended, the budget deficits increased each Maine family's share of the national debt by $64,000 to a total of $140,000. Former Comptroller General and head of the Government Accountability Office, Republican David Walker, has declared, "I think the greatest threat to our future is our fiscal irresponsibility."

Susan Collins and her colleagues have been asleep at the regulatory switch. They failed in their oversight of the financial institutions which figure prominently in the current financial and credit meltdown. They were repeatedly warned of these looming problems. The present bailout is $700 billion, not including the bailout earlier this year of Bear Sterns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and AIG. And we are already hearing that that sum is insufficient. In 2005 and 2007 the House passed a bill to better regulate Fannie and Freddie, yet Collins would not join a bipartisan effort to get it through the Senate.

Further contributing to our fiscal insecurity, Collins has voted for other costly projects. The price of the Iraq war is $600 billion and rising. As Chair of the Homeland Security committee she was ineffective at eliminating waste and fraud in military contracting. Collins voted for the Bush/Cheney energy bill which contained $14 billion in oil company subsidies. She has supported free trade deals which have cost us manufacturing jobs, leading to trade deficits over $700 billion dollars. She boasts of her support for passage of the Medicare prescription drug bill, but, besides the hole in coverage, this bill prohibits the government from negotiating prices with drug manufacturers, costing us billions more. Adding to this unhealthy trend she advocates the repeal of the estate tax. In Maine only 0.34% (0.27% nationwide) of the people are subject to this tax, yet it would remove $72 billion from annual revenues, and reduce incentives for charitable giving. Even Bill Gates, Sr., campaigned around the country against repeal!

This year, right now, we can change from this dismal course. We have an excellent opportunity to elect a new Senator, Rep. Tom Allen, who has shown the foresight and understanding to protect Maine and the nation from these disastrous policies. He realized how irresponsible the current budget and tax proposals were, and voted against tax cuts, against the Iraq war, against the free trade deals, and against the Bush/Cheney energy bill. He voted for regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and has advocated for regulation and oversight of our financial markets.

Just imagine how much better off we would be today if Representative Allen's votes had been in the majority these past eight years, and not Susan Collins'. Tom Allen understands fiscal responsibility. He understands the huge opportunity costs of such bad policy because the funds are lost for education, research and development, sustainable energy initiatives, scientific research, healthcare access, rural development and infrastructure renovation. It is crucial that voters see through the marketing of a so-called "moderate" Senator, whose votes have helped bring financial and economic calamity. If you are in the wealthy top 5%, then Susan Collins has voted to help you and you might understandably vote for her. But if you are in the other 95% and wish to improve your future, a vote for Tom Allen is a wise choice, indeed the only responsible choice.

Geoff Gratwick, M.D., is in private practice in Bangor, and Scott Ruffner is a Bangor real estate broker.

Unexpected things

2008-11-03T07:24:00.002-05:00

Dear Richard,

I know you've heard a lot from my campaign in these final days and that you've done so much to help bring me this far. Thank you. After all your hard work and support, please don't leave anything to chance on Election Day.

Unexpected things happen every Election Day -- from bad weather to missed rides -- so please give as much time as you can spare to help get out our vote. It's critical that we get our supporters to the polls.

If you can't help us in person, please help with a final contribution to fund our get out the vote program. You'll be feeding volunteers, buying paper and last minute supplies, and helping me pay the phone bill.

You've done so much for our campaign already -- and I appreciate it more than I can possibly tell you.

But before I can go to Congress and work for the change we need, we've got to win on Tuesday. Please help out in these final hours in whatever way you can.

Can you volunteer two hours on Tuesday? Call 773-0155 or email heidi@pingreeforcongress.com to become a part of the team, or you can fill out this form and we'll contact you right away: http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/s/GOTV.

Can you chip in $25? https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915.

Thank you so much. I hope to see you Tuesday night at Empire Dine and Dance at 575 Congress Street in Portland. We'll be watching returns there once the polls close, and I'd really like you to join us.

My best,

Contribute | Volunteer | Endorse | ChelliePingree.com

This email was sent to: richard.burk@gmail.com

To unsubscribe, go to: http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/unsubscribe

C H E L L I E P I N G R E E for C O N G R E S S P.O. Box 17613 Portland Maine 04112
Telephone: 207.773.0155

PAID FOR BY PINGREE FOR CONGRESS

[WCDC] meeting agenda

2008-11-01T23:39:00.002-04:00

Correction, the meeting is Friday, Nov 7th. I have corrected the email below. Thanks to everyone that pointed out the mistake.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Betty Johnson <betjohnson@tidewater.net>

WCDC Meeting Friday, November 7, 2008

Waldo County Democratic Headquarters, Belfast

7::00 to 9:00 p.m.

AGENDA

MEETING TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MINUTES APPROVAL (Oct)

REPORTS — Chair — Neal Harkness

Vice Chair — Donna Gilbert

Treasurer — Betty Johnson

Committee — Chairs

PASS THE HAT

HEADQUARTERS

Need volunteers to help close the headquarters.

If you have items donated for use at the headquarters, please pick them up or make

arrangements

POST CAMPAIGN/ELECTION WRAPUP — DATE Sunday November 9

OTHER REPORTS — Candidates—Brief update

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS —

December meeting

OTHER

ADJOURNMENT

[WCDC] meeting agenda

2008-11-01T09:42:00.002-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Betty Johnson <betjohnson@tidewater.net>

WCDC Meeting Friday, November 3, 2008

Waldo County Democratic Headquarters, Belfast

7::00 to 9:00 p.m.

AGENDA

MEETING TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

MINUTES APPROVAL (Oct)

REPORTS — Chair — Neal Harkness

Vice Chair — Donna Gilbert

Treasurer — Betty Johnson

Committee — Chairs

PASS THE HAT

HEADQUARTERS

Need volunteers to help close the headquarters.

If you have items donated for use at the headquarters, please pick them up or make

arrangements

POST CAMPAIGN/ELECTION WRAPUP — DATE Sunday November 9

OTHER REPORTS — Candidates—Brief update

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS —

December meeting

OTHER

ADJOURNMENT

Can you believe this...

2008-10-31T15:05:00.001-04:00

Dear Richard,

My mom and her opponent had a debate several days ago at USM. She did really well. But, in the midst of what was a serious discussion about the economy, her opponent said this:

[Click above or go to http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/-/01%20Summers%20Economic%20Lesson%20Rev%201.mp3 to listen to Charlie Summers say, "Chellie, I'll give you a little economics lesson..."]

This kind of attitude strikes me as strange and condescending -- especially in Maine where even the most heated political exchanges usually remain respectful.

It's not the first time, either. In the Portland Press Herald Editorial Board meeting, he used the same kind of condescending language -- saying, twice, "Chellie, I know you don't understand this..."

An economics lesson? You don't understand this? Honest disagreements are fine, but condescending put-downs are counterproductive. I will put my mom's record of building the economy and fighting for working men and women against her opponent's record any day.

I watched as my mom took on the powerful pharmaceutical industry and passed a first in the nation bill to lower drug prices for the people in Maine -- with the support from both sides of the aisle. As a state senator, she fought for good paying jobs and affordable health care for Maine people throughout her political career.

At the same time, her opponent not only embraces the failed economic policies of the last eight years, he wants to go even further than George Bush or John McCain.

Can you chip in $25 or more to help my mom push back against her opponent and stand up for a better kind of politics?
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

We've already learned our lesson: trickle down economics doesn't work. It's time for a new economic direction for our country -- one that focuses on investment in developing clean energy technology and high quality jobs right here, and reining in the anything-goes attitudes that have pervaded in our financial markets.

I guess his attitude shouldn't come as a surprise. It's the same attitude John McCain showed against Barack Obama, when he said, "You just don't understand."

Maybe it comes from living in a small Maine town and working side-by-side with her neighbors -- of all political persuasions -- but I've never heard my mother patronize another person in the way that her opponent patronizes her. She is respectful and straightforward -- and that is how she gets things done.

We'll all need to pull together -- not tear each other down -- and move forward in a new economic direction.

Please chip in $25 or more to help my mom push back against her opponent and stand up for a better kind of politics.
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

Let's stand up against the dismissive politics and failed economic policies of the past and help send my mom, Chellie Pingree, to Washington to fight for our future.

Best,

Hannah

P.S. At this point in the campaign -- with five days left -- every contribution really helps. Please pitch in what you can: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

Contribute | Volunteer | Endorse | ChelliePingree.com

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C H E L L I E P I N G R E E for C O N G R E S S P.O. Box 17613 Portland Maine 04112
Telephone: 207.773.0155

PAID FOR BY PINGREE FOR CONGRESS

[WCDC] Action call to Waldo Dems

2008-10-31T09:17:00.002-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: NealHarkness <nwharkness@gmail.com>

Please send out asap

Special call to action for Waldo County Democrats

On behalf of Robert Walker, state representative for house district 44 (Lincolnville, Islesboro, Liberty, Morrill, Searsmost, Appleton and Hope) the Republican Party of Maine is engaging in an ugly smear campaign against Andy O'Brien. They have send out a mass mailing, in which they baselessly accuse Andy of engaging in "dirty tricks". At the October 30 Republican Journal candidate forum, Walker was asked about these hit job tactics. He admitted that the charge was without merit, but insisted that the accusation was fair nonetheless. He stated that he believed that smearing Andy with false attacks was "a joke" and that we all ought to "have a sense of humor" about it.

No body is laughing at these Republican "jokes". Urge your friends and neighbors to reject Robert Walker and his phony charges. We don't need this kind of campaign in midcoast Maine.

The truth about Chellie Pingree

2008-10-30T14:19:00.001-04:00

Watch Chellie's new ad, "Vision." Can you chip in $25 to keep it on the air?

https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

Dear Richard,

Earlier this week, Chellie and I asked you and others to help us raise the funds to broadcast Chellie's positive message of change and counter the negative advertising of her opponent -- and you did it! You raised $11,043, coming within $900 of our goal and definitely close enough for us to move ahead!

This quick response has enabled us to create a new ad, called "Vision." And I want you to be among the first to see it. Click on the photo in the box or here: http://blip.tv/file/1413521.

Can you chip in $25 to help us keep this ad on the air.
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

"Vision" focuses on the endorsements of Chellie from the 5 major newspapers in the district, highlighting her vision and experience to get the economy back on track and finally reform our broken health care system. In describing Chellie, they wrote:

"A forceful voice."
"Optimistic."
"Thoughtful, grounded..."

Those words couldn't ring more true for those of us who know Chellie -- but we need to get this information to people who aren't so familiar with her experience, her values, and her commitment. We can't let her opponent's false and misleading attacks go unanswered -- people need to know the truth about Chellie Pingree.

Can you chip in $25 to keep Chellie's new ad on the air?
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

With only five days left in the campaign, undecided voters can sway the outcome one way or the other. And with her opponent's misleading negative ads getting airtime, it's even more important that Chellie be able to get her message out on all the local TV stations.

Your support during this campaign has been extraordinary -- I'm hoping that you can come through yet again. By working together, we'll get this country back on track!

Thanks for all your help,

Lisa
Campaign Manager

P.S. Believe it or not, a contribution of $25 makes a real difference. https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

Contribute | Volunteer | Endorse | ChelliePingree.com

This email was sent to: richard.burk@gmail.com

To unsubscribe, go to: http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/unsubscribe

C H E L L I E P I N G R E E for C O N G R E S S P.O. Box 17613 Portland Maine 04112
Telephone: 207.773.0155

PAID FOR BY PINGREE FOR CONGRESS

Fwd: I had hoped for better...

2008-10-29T15:36:00.001-04:00

Hi --

Many of you have already responded to Chellie's email below -- your contributions total almost $5,000! Thank you so much if you're one of those who've made a contribution.

We still must raise an additional $7,113 to buy enough television time -- we've got to push back against the negative ads that Chellie's opponent has launched.

Can you chip in $25 or more to keep Chellie's positive message on the air?
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

There's not a moment to waste! Thank you for all that you're doing to send Chellie to Congress.

Lisa Prosienski, Campaign Manager

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Chellie Pingree
Date: Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Subject: I had hoped for better...
To: Lisa Prosienski

Dear Lisa,

Unfortunately, it's that time of year when politicians do the things they claimed they would not.

Today, in this last week of the campaign, my opponent has launched a false and negative attack on me.

Our country is facing some serious challenges right now and, instead of promoting solutions, Charlie has decided to attack me, despite saying himself that "every person that I talk to is sick and tired of politics and the fighting that goes on."

I think my opponent knows that negative campaigning has no place in Maine, but he can't help himself from taking this tactic from the national Republican playbook.

Please help me fight back today with a contribution of $25.
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

Like John McCain, Charlie has resorted to false, negative attacks as a way to revive his ailing campaign.

Please stand by me at this critical time -- together we can say "no" to politics as usual and "no" to a continuation of George W. Bush's failed economic policies. Together we will say "yes" to a sane path out of this mess we find our country in today and "yes" to a brand of politics that does not rely on last-minute attack ads.

Your $25 will help prove that voters are looking for positive messages.
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

Throughout the campaign, Charlie Summers has claimed that he is opposed to partisan bickering and politics as usual, yet he has resorted to false end-of-campaign attacks. This is what Charlie has said about negative advertising:

"People want to know what you're going to do instead of tearing others down...Every person that I talk to is sick and tired of politics and the fighting that goes on."¹

"They want people to, I think, do what is right for the country and not get bogged down into partisan camps and he said she said type politics."²

"People are extremely tired of the bickering that normally goes on but now even more so." ³

''People want members of Congress to do what's right for the country and set this bickering aside, and this does not help the process at all."⁴

Please pitch in $25 today to help me fight this hypocrisy and win on November 4th.
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

Thank you for all you're doing to turn this country around.

Best,

P.S. Let's show voters that negative attack ads are a failed tactic of the past. Please contribute $25 to help push us to victory. https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

--------------------------------------------------------

¹ The Hill, 10/21/08 http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/snowe-summers-join-collins-in-criticizing-mccain-robo-call-2008-10-21.html

² Portland Press Herald Editorial Board Meeting 10/7/08

³ Ibid.

⁴Portland Press Herald, 10/21/08 http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=217136&ac=

Contribute | Volunteer | Endorse | ChelliePingree.com

This email was sent to: richard.burk@gmail.com

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C H E L L I E P I N G R E E for C O N G R E S S P.O. Box 17613 Portland Maine 04112
Telephone: 207.773.0155

PAID FOR BY PINGREE FOR CONGRESS

Election Update -- Calling all Lawyers

2008-10-29T09:34:00.002-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Beth Lurie <bethamy@fairpoint.net>

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Alison Greene, Esq." <alisonegreene@mac.com>

Date: October 28, 2008 11:35:54 PM EDT

To: Alison Greene <alisonegreene@mac.com>

Subject: Election Update

Hello Friends and Family:

Just checking in pre-November 4^th to give you all an update of what I am up to. As you know, I have been very passionate about this Presidential election - from my very first trip to New Hampshire over a year ago. Hillary could have been speaking for me when she said, "this election is too important to sit on the sidelines of history. I haven't spent 35 years in the trenches fighting for universal health care, for children, for families, for women, for middle class people to see another Republican in the White House squander the promise of our nation and the hopes of our people."

I had originally planned to work here in NY with the NY Democratic Lawyers Council on election protection work wherever it was needed – but then got the siren call yesterday from the Florida Democratic Lawyers Council asking for attorneys to travel to Florida to work on election protection for the early voting polls and on election day. My wonderful cousin Bethann lives there and offered me a room in her home before I asked! Sarasota – here I come! As many of you also know, I took a month off work four years ago and moved to Broward County, Florida to volunteer for American Coming Together (A.C.T.) and Election Protection. I worked as a Mobile Field Attorney on Election Day and was witness to the multitude of terrible problems people had voting – in an election that the locals thought went well!

So – (with frequent flier miles provided by Oren) I am flying down to Sarasota on Friday because, again, I agree with Hillary when she stated, "this is an all-hands-on-deck moment for America. We've got to work hard and we've got to work together. This is a fight for the future and it is a fight we must win."

I know that many of you have gone to Pennsylvania/Ohio and have been making calls, raising money for the Obama-Biden team, helping Congressional candidates, emailing family and friends all over the country and are planning to do what you can to elect Democrats on November 4^th. If any of you reading this are lawyers, the campaign is still seeking attorneys for Election Protection work in Florida so please contact me if you or anyone you know is interested in making the trip – even if it is just for election eve and election day – I can give you the contact and training information.

Take nothing for granted – bask in the polls but don't believe them until the last poll closes on Election night. Keep up the good work!

Let's hope we can celebrate together soon!

Alison

PS I will have my Blackberry (of course) with the email and cell phone below, so I am always reachable

Alison Greene, Esq.
alisonegreene@mac.com
212.247.1941 cell

Saturday calls for Candidate Veronica Magnan

2008-10-29T09:29:00.002-04:00

This email is for folks located in the following towns: Frankfort, Orland, Prospect, Searsport, Stockton Springs, Verona Island.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Veronica Magnan <vgwriter@fairpoint.net>

I would like to [have] some folks make some cell phone calls for me on Saturday afternoon, late. I will provide food and snacks. If we can phone folks for an hour or more, I could reach the last people I wanted to get in touch with. This could be fun and the more the merrier.

[For more information, contact Veronica at 567-6097 (Press 1) or by email at vgwriter@fairpoint.net.]

I had hoped for better...

2008-10-28T18:13:00.001-04:00

Dear Richard,

Unfortunately, it's that time of year when politicians do the things they claimed they would not.

Today, in this last week of the campaign, my opponent has launched a false and negative attack on me.

"People want to know what you're going to do instead of tearing others down...Every person that I talk to is sick and tired of politics and the fighting that goes on."¹

"They want people to, I think, do what is right for the country and not get bogged down into partisan camps and he said she said type politics."²

"People are extremely tired of the bickering that normally goes on but now even more so." ³

''People want members of Congress to do what's right for the country and set this bickering aside, and this does not help the process at all."⁴

Best,

P.S. Let's show voters that negative attack ads are a failed tactic of the past. Please contribute $25 to help push us to victory. https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

--------------------------------------------------------

¹ The Hill, 10/21/08 http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/snowe-summers-join-collins-in-criticizing-mccain-robo-call-2008-10-21.html

² Portland Press Herald Editorial Board Meeting 10/7/08

³ Ibid.

⁴Portland Press Herald, 10/21/08 http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=217136&ac=

Contribute | Volunteer | Endorse | ChelliePingree.com

This email was sent to: richard.burk@gmail.com

To unsubscribe, go to: http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/unsubscribe

C H E L L I E P I N G R E E for C O N G R E S S P.O. Box 17613 Portland Maine 04112
Telephone: 207.773.0155

PAID FOR BY PINGREE FOR CONGRESS

[WCDC/Obama] GOTV and Breakfast with Senator George Mitchell

2008-10-27T08:51:00.002-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Sarah Sibley <sSibley@maineforchange.org>

Obama Supporters-

We have a lot of work left to do in the closing days of this election. We are fighting for more than electing Barack Obama – we are fighting to fix our economy, end the War in Iraq, expand healthcare coverage, and change Washington to put the middle class first again. Change like this doesn't come easily- we need your help.

SHIFT TIMES ARE BELOW – PLEASE REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL WITH YOUR AVAILABILITY. We're asking every supporter to sign up for at least 2 shifts between November 1 and Election Day! There are also two GOTV trainings in the next week where we will discuss the various volunteer roles and the way they contribute to success on Election Day- I hope that you can attend one of them.

We are also incredibly honored to be hosting a Breakfast with Senator George Mitchell next Tuesday morning. He will be joining us at 9am for a breakfast discussion and then walk to the polls for Early Voting. You can RSVP at Early Vote for Change Breakfast with Senator George Mitchell or by calling 450.3381.

(This list was put together to help communities connect and work for change. Please use this list as a tool to plan events, talk about the campaign, or connect with your neighbors.)

Fired Up!

Ready to Go!

-Sarah

______________________________________________________________________

GOTV (Get Out the Vote) Training

10am, Saturday, October 25^th

6pm, Monday, October 27^th

Waldo County Democratic Headquarters, 134 Church St, Belfast ME

Join us for a training at the Waldo Dem HQ on Election Day and GOTV. We will discuss the roles of poll watchers, canvassers, runners, and other volunteer roles as we turn out the vote to win on Election Day. Bring a friend.

Early Vote for Change Rally with Senator George Mitchell

9am, Tuesday, October 28^th

Waldo County Democratic Headquarters, 134 Church St, Belfast ME

Don't wait for November 4th! Join the Campaign for Change, Belfast residents, and special guest Senator George Mitchell for an Early Vote Breakfast and march to the polls at the Waldo County Democratic Headquarters.

GET-OUT-THE-VOTE

The last couple days before Election Day are crucial, and we need your help to make sure every single Obama supporter makes it to the polls. We will be calling our supporters and knocking on their doors to make sure they know their polling locations and to make sure they cast their ballots. This is the easiest volunteer work – and the most important.

Saturday, November 1^st, 2008

Phone Shifts:

9am-12pm

12pm-3pm

3pm-6pm

6pm-9pm

Canvass Shifts:

9am-12pm

12pm-3pm

3pm-6pm

Sunday, November 2^nd, 2008

Phone Shifts:

12pm-3pm

3pm-6pm

6pm-9pm

Canvass Shifts:

12pm-3pm

3pm-6pm

Monday, November 3^rd, 2008

Phone Shifts:

9am-12pm

12pm-3pm

3pm-6pm

6pm-9pm

Canvass Shifts:

9am-12pm

12pm-3pm

3pm-6pm

ELECTION DAY – Tuesday, November 4^th, 2008

Phone Shifts:

8am-11am

11am-2pm

2pm-5pm

5pm-8pm

Canvass Shifts:

8am-11am

11am-2pm

2pm-5pm

5pm-8pm

Sarah Sibley

Field Organizer

Campaign For Change - A Project of the Maine Democratic Party

134 Church St, Belfast ME 04915

ssibley@maineforchange.org

207.450.3381

Maine.BarackObama.com

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Fwd: Alaskan article on Palin

2008-10-24T10:04:00.005-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Beth Lurie <bethamy@fairpoint.net>
Date: Thu, Oct 23, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Subject: Alaskan article on Palin
To: Richard Burk <richard.burk@gmail.com>

This attachment is also posted below. It came from a friend of a friend. . .

-- Beth

Hi everyone-

Firstly, I apologize for the group email but I feel compelled to write and

give you a view of our Governor Sarah Palin that many of you don't see. I

think this is the most well written and descriptive accounts of what she is

really like. It is written by a well known Alaska writer whom I admire- Nick

Jans. We all have a lot to worry about if this woman becomes a heartbeat

away from the Presidency.

Karen

Sarah Palin: The view from Alaska

Amid "Troopergate" and other government scandals, including killing

wolf pups, an Alaskan writer explains why the Palin phenomenon rings

hollow in his home state.

By Nick Jans

Editor's note: For Salon's complete coverage of Sarah Palin, click

here.

Oct. 11, 2008 |

I sat on the bank of the Kobuk River in northwest arctic Alaska on a

mid-September morning. Upstream somewhere, wolves were howling --

their chorus filling the silence, close enough that I could hear the

aspiration at the end of each wavering call. Behind me, the slate-

gray heave of the Brooks Range spilled off toward the north, the

shapes of some peaks so familiar I've seen them in my sleep. The

nearest highway lay 250 miles away. This is the Alaska where I spent

half my life, and the only place that's ever felt like home -- the

land of Eskimo villages, waves of migrating caribou and seemingly

limitless space.

Though I was beyond the reach of the Internet and cellphones, and

life was filled with rutting bull moose, incandescent autumn light

and fresh grizzly tracks, I knew that thousands of miles to the

south, the rest of the country was getting a crash course on our

governor, Sarah Palin -- someone who believes that climate change

isn't our fault; is dead set against a woman's right to choose; has

supported creationism in the schools; and was prayed over by a

visiting minister at her church to shield her against witchcraft.

How was I to explain to all my lower 48 friends and writing

colleagues how such a person could have been elected to lead our

state -- let alone been chosen to possibly become vice-president?

Truth be told, I was as startled as anyone when I heard the news. At

first I thought the McCain campaign's announcement was some sort of

bad joke.

In the broadest sense, Palin is a poseur. Alaska is too large and

culturally diverse (it's only a bit smaller than the entire lower 48

east of the Mississippi, and once was divided into four time zones)

to be summed up by some abstract, romanticized notion. And even if

it could be, it sure wouldn't be symbolized by Palin. "The typical

Alaskan? She couldn't be farther from it," says Alaska House

Minority Leader Beth Kertulla.

Still, Palin is a genuine Alaskan -- of a kind. The kind that flowed

north in the wake of the '70s oil boom, Bible Belt politics and

attitudes under arm, and transformed this state from a free-

thinking, independent bastion of genuine libertarianism and

individuality into a reactionary fundamentalist enclave with dollar

signs in its eyes and an all-for-me mentality.

Palin's Alaska is embodied in Wasilla, a blue-collar, sharp-elbowed

town of burgeoning big box stores, suburban subdivisions,

evangelical pocket churches and car dealerships morphing across the

landscape, outward from Anchorage, the state's urban epicenter. She

has lived in Wasilla practically all her life, and even now resides

there, the first Alaska executive to eschew the white-pillared

mansion in Juneau, down on the Southeast Panhandle.

Folks in the Mat-Su Valley, as the area is known, overwhelmingly

support their favorite daughter's policies -- including a state-

sanctioned program where private pilots chase down and kill wolves

from small aircraft, and another that favors oil drilling offshore

in the arctic sea ice and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

These same voters forage at McDonald's and Safeway in their hunter

camouflage, and make regular wilderness forays up and down the

state's limited highway grid with ATVs, snowmobiles and airboats in

tow behind their oversize trucks. Sometimes I imagine I can hear the

roar echoing across the state, all the way to the upper Kobuk, where

easements for the highways of tomorrow are already staked out across

the tundra.

Like many Alaskans, I resent Palin's claims that she speaks for all

of us, and cringe when she tosses off her stump speech line, "Well,

up in Alaska, we...." Not only did I not vote for her, she represents

the antithesis of the Alaska I love. As mayor, she helped shape

Wasilla into the chaotic, poorly planned strip mall that it is; as

governor, she's promoted that same headlong drive toward development

and despoilment on a grand scale, while paying lip service to her

love of the place.

As for that frontierswoman shtick, take another look at that

hairpiece-augmented beehive and those stiletto heels. Coming from a

college-educated family, living in a half-million-dollar view home,

basking in a net worth of $1.25 million, and having owned 40-some

registered motorized vehicles in the past two decades (including 17

snowmobiles and a plane) hardly qualifies Palin and her clan as the

quintessential Joe Six-Pack family unit -- though the adulation from

that quarter shows the Palins must be fulfilling some sort of role-

model fantasy.

Palin can claim to know Alaska; the fact is, she's seen only a

minuscule fraction of it -- and that doesn't include Little Diomede

Island, the one place in Alaska where you actually can see Russia.

So she can ride an ATV and shoot guns. Set her down in the bush on

her own and I bet we'd discover she's about as adept at butchering a

moose and building a fire at 40 below zero as she is at discussing

Supreme Court decisions. And that mountain-woman act is only the tip

of a hollow iceberg.

Palin, and by extension, the McCain campaign, has hijacked our state

for political purposes, much to the chagrin of the tens of thousands

of Alaskans who loathe what she stands for. Her much-touted

popularity among residents has eroded over the past six weeks to

somewhere in the mid-60s -- not exactly what you'd expect in support

of a home girl making a White House run.

There are no doubt a variety of reasons for this decline, but many

Alaskans are embarrassed -- not just by her, but for our state and

for ourselves. What's with the smug posturing, recently adopted fake

Minnesota accent, and that gosh-darn-it hockey mom pitch? Maybe it

plays well in Peoria (and presumably Duluth), but it's all an act.

"She's definitely put on a new persona since she's been a vice-

presidential candidate," says Kertulla, who has worked closely with

Palin for the past 18 months. "I don't even recognize her."

Affectations aside, there's plenty about Palin we Alaskans do

recognize, and all too well. She's already proven to us that her

promises of transparent government, attendant to the will of the

people, are bear pucky. We know about her private e-mail accounts

and her systematic obstruction of the Alaska Legislature's

investigation of the so-called Troopergate scandal. But let's turn

to her environmental record, where a similar pattern of obfuscation

continues.

First, Palin pushed hard, along with sport hunting and guiding

interests, to help defeat a ballot initiative that would have

stopped the state's current aerial wolf control program, which had

been criticized by the National Academy of Sciences and the National

Research Council for flawed science. Now her administration has

pointedly refused to respond to repeated public information requests

(I'm one of the petitioners, and a potential litigant), regarding

the apparently illegal killing of 14 wolf pups at their dens on the

Alaska Peninsula this spring by state personnel, including two high-

level Department of Fish and Game administrators. A biologist at the

scene admitted to an independent wolf scientist that the 6-week-old

pups were held down and shot in the head, one by one. This inhumane

practice, known as "denning," has been illegal for 40 years. But a

simple request for information on the details of this operation,

including to what extent the governor was involved in the decision,

has resulted in a typical Palinesque roadblock and a string of

untruths.

Our I-love-Alaska governor was also instrumental in defeating a

ballot initiative to stop development of a gargantuan open-pit mine

incongruously known as Pebble near the headwaters of the most

productive salmon watershed in the state, Bristol Bay. The current

mine design calls for building the world's largest earthen dam to

hold back an enormous lake of toxic waste -- this in a known

earthquake zone. Crazy stuff, yet Palin openly opposed the

initiative, in lock step with international mining corporations that

invested millions of dollars in a misinformation campaign.

But Palin's certified anti-environmental whopper is her lawsuit

against the Bush administration (of all outfits) for listing polar

bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. She claimed

Alaska's own experts had completed a review of the federal data and

concluded that the listing was uncalled for. The truth was, state

biologists had come to the opposite conclusion. But that report was

never released, and her researchers had a gag clamped on them. Palin

simply didn't want anything to get in the way of offshore oil

drilling in moving pack ice -- where there is no way to contain, let

alone clean up, catastrophic spills.

Whenever science or rules get in Palin's way, she blows them off.

Says homesteader Mark Richards, co-founder of the Alaska Chapter of

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (a moderate conservation group),

"Palin, like Governor Murkowski before her, is part and parcel of

the good-ol-boy network that says, 'Alaska is open for business.'"

Want to talk to Sarah? As governor, she has been accessible only on

her carefully chosen terms, a trend we're now witnessing on the

national stage. And how about those Katie Couric moments when she

drifts just a skosh off a well-rehearsed script? Are those a recent

phenomenon, brought on by all this new information, pressure and the

liberal-gotcha media? Nah. She's been spouting "political

gibberish" (to quote gubernatorial opponent Andrew Halcro) since she

arrived on the Alaska scene. Yet somehow she continues to get away

with it.

In the end, Palin's attempt to cash in on the Eau d'Alaska mystique

as she supports its destruction sickens those of us who do love this

land, not for what it will be some day, after the roads and mines

and pipelines and cities and malls are all in, but for what it is

now. What we see before us is the soul of an ambitious, ruthless,

Parks Highway hillbilly -- a woman who represents the Alaska you

probably never want to meet, and the one we wish never existed. That

said, we're all too willing to take her back. The alternative is

just too damn frightening.

Fwd: Metaphor for Undecideds

2008-10-24T10:04:00.004-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Beth Lurie <bethamy@fairpoint.net>
Date: Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 8:31 AM
Subject: Metaphor for Undecideds
To: Richard Burk <richard.burk@gmail.com>

David Sedaris on Undecided Voters:

"I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle..."Can I interest you in the chicken?" she asks. "Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?" To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked."

Looking for great Maine women to run for office

2008-10-20T18:06:00.001-04:00

Dear Richard,

Last year I sent out an email inviting women to consider running for office in Maine, and suggested that they take a look at the innovative Emerge Maine program, which recruits, inspires, and trains Democratic Maine women to run for office. I'm thrilled to say that my email helped motivate at least one of the women now running for the Maine House.

Visit the Emerge Maine web site to learn more: http://www.emergemaine.org.

In that email, I said that "Our communities, our state, and our nation desperately need committed, caring people to take on the job of making laws and setting policy."

This year, with all the challenges facing our state (and our country), great candidates are more important than ever. We face big challenges but also great opportunities -- and it's critical that we have the right people in place to surmount the challenges and take advantage of those opportunities.

Emerge Maine will hold their first ever informational house party this coming Wednesday, October 22, from 5:30 - 7:30 PM, at the home of Pam Fenrich, 3 Fox Hall Road, Falmouth.

More information, including the 2009 program application, can be found online at http://www.emergemaine.org. Please contact Kaylene Waindle to RSVP at kaylene@emergemaine.org or at 207-615-4187.

I'm proud to serve on the Advisory Board for Emerge Maine's parent organization, Emerge America. Since its beginning six years ago, Emerge America has built an amazing record: more than half of Emerge America alumnae hold public office, and almost half of the alumnae are women of color. Emerge has made a difference in the political landscape, here in Maine and across the country.

Please forward this email to all the great women you know who would be interested in the Emerge Maine program.

Best,

Contribute | Volunteer | Endorse | ChelliePingree.com

This email was sent to: richard.burk@gmail.com

To unsubscribe, go to: http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/unsubscribe

C H E L L I E P I N G R E E for C O N G R E S S P.O. Box 17613 Portland Maine 04112
Telephone: 207.773.0155

PAID FOR BY PINGREE FOR CONGRESS

RE: FW: Mike Michaud at FAM General membership meeting

2008-10-18T12:25:00.002-04:00

Eastern Maine Labor Council, 20 Ivers St, Brewer. It’s behind St. Theresa’s church on South Main St.

Rob Brown, Executive Director

Opportunity Maine

(207) 699-5880 office

(207) 233-2987 cell

(207) 699-5885 fax

www.opportunitymaine.org

From: Richard Burk [mailto:richard.burk@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2008 12:09 PM
To: Rob Brown
Cc: Betty Johnson, WCDC Treasurer and Lincolnville Town Chair
Subject: Re: FW: Mike Michaud at FAM General membership meeting

Hi Rob. Betty is asking where the dinner will be? --rich

On Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 6:29 PM, Rob Brown <rob@opportunitymaine.org> wrote:

Hi, Waldo County Democrats may want to know about this gathering with Congressman Michaud.

Rob Brown, Executive Director

Opportunity Maine

(207) 699-5880 office

(207) 233-2987 cell

(207) 699-5885 fax

www.opportunitymaine.org

From: Jack McKay [mailto:jack@foodandmedicine.org]
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 7:27 AM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: Mike Michaud at FAM General membership meeting

Save the date

6:00 - 8 pm Wednesday, October 22nd

U.S. Congressman Mike Michaud to talk about the $800 billion (and counting) bailout for corporate America, the November elections, the Trade Act and more.

Please RSVP. Dinner will be served.

************************************
Jack McKay, Director
Food AND Medicine
20 Ivers Street
Brewer, ME 04412
www.foodandmedicine.org
207-989-4141
Food AND Medicine is a Jobs with Justice Affiliate

[WCDC] Mike Michaud at FAM General membership meeting

2008-10-17T18:34:00.002-04:00

See below...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rob Brown

Hi, Waldo County Democrats may want to know about this gathering with Congressman Michaud.

www.opportunitymaine.org

From: Jack McKay [mailto:jack@foodandmedicine.org]
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 7:27 AM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: Mike Michaud at FAM General membership meeting

Save the date

6:00 - 8 pm Wednesday, October 22nd

U.S. Congressman Mike Michaud to talk about the $800 billion (and counting) bailout for corporate America, the November elections, the Trade Act and more.

Please RSVP. Dinner will be served.

************************************
Jack McKay, Director
Food AND Medicine
20 Ivers Street
Brewer, ME 04412
www.foodandmedicine.org
207-989-4141
Food AND Medicine is a Jobs with Justice Affiliate

FW: Mike Michaud at FAM General membership meeting

2008-10-17T18:29:00.002-04:00

Hi, Waldo County Democrats may want to know about this gathering with Congressman Michaud.

Rob Brown, Executive Director

Opportunity Maine

(207) 699-5880 office

(207) 233-2987 cell

(207) 699-5885 fax

www.opportunitymaine.org

From: Jack McKay [mailto:jack@foodandmedicine.org]
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 7:27 AM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Subject: Mike Michaud at FAM General membership meeting

Save the date

6:00 - 8 pm Wednesday, October 22nd

U.S. Congressman Mike Michaud to talk about the $800 billion (and counting) bailout for corporate America, the November elections, the Trade Act and more.

Please RSVP. Dinner will be served.

************************************
Jack McKay, Director
Food AND Medicine
20 Ivers Street
Brewer, ME 04412
www.foodandmedicine.org
207-989-4141
Food AND Medicine is a Jobs with Justice Affiliate

[WCDC] Slacker Uprising-updated!

2008-10-17T17:49:00.002-04:00

See below and forward far and wide. The more people that attend, the more money we can raise! --rich

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: NealHarkness

The Colonial Theater will be hosting a showing of Michael Moore's new film, Slacker Uprising, on Monday October 20, at 7 PM. Tickets are just five dollars, and all proceeds will go to supporting the Democratic campaign right here in Waldo County.

In addition to the movie, there will also be a live performance by Belfast's favorite local "indie" band, Full Contact Kitty.

For more information, call 338-2208.

Republican talking points

2008-10-15T12:22:00.002-04:00

Help Chellie keep her message on TV -- we can't let her opponent's ads go unanswered. Please contribute today.

Dear Richard,

With 20 days to go, our campaign is down to the wire.

Chellie's opponent is now up on TV, but we all know the truth -- years of George Bush and the Republicans running this country have brought us to the brink of economic disaster, an ever-shrinking middle class, a seemingly endless war, and still no improvement in our broken healthcare system.

You and I know we can't afford more of the same in Washington, and this means we have to make sure Chellie is there come January. We're very optimistic about Barack Obama's election, but even he will need a strong, progressive Congress to achieve his goals for this country. We can't take Chellie's victory for granted in these crucial final weeks.

I need your help to make sure Chellie's message of real change and proven leadership gets to every undecided voter. We need only $10,500 more by Monday to boost our next TV buy over that of our opponent.

Can you chip in $25?
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

Chellie will bring bold ideas and proven leadership in Washington and be a strong Maine voice to get our country back on track.

As Chellie says, we must rebuild and strengthen our economy, starting with making Maine a leader in renewable energy and creating good jobs here, but also with sound, modern oversight of our financial system, creating universal access to quality affordable health care, and ending the war in Iraq and bringing home the $400 million we spend there every day.

Chellie has a proven track record of taking on the special interests and winning big victories, victories that help regular people like us. In Washington, she will be a badly needed fighter for working Maine families. But first, we have to win this election.

Please help make sure the people of Maine hear Chellie's message. Please give $25, $50, or $100 today. https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

With only 20 days to go, we have to finish strong. We'll have a lot to celebrate on November 4th if we do all that we can now!

Best,

Lisa

P.S. It's important that we not let Chellie's opponent go unanswered. Please contribute $25, $50, $100 or more today.

Contribute | Volunteer | Endorse | ChelliePingree.com

This email was sent to: richard.burk@gmail.com

To unsubscribe, go to: http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/unsubscribe

C H E L L I E P I N G R E E for C O N G R E S S P.O. Box 17613 Portland Maine 04112
Telephone: 207.773.0155

PAID FOR BY PINGREE FOR CONGRESS

WCDC Fundraiser-Michael Moore's Slacker Uprising

2008-10-13T17:37:00.002-04:00

See below from the Chair, Neal Harkness.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: NealHarkness <nwharkness@gmail.com>

The Colonial Theater will be hosting a showing of Michael Moore's new film, Slacker Uprising, on Monday October 20, at 7 PM. Tickets are just five dollars, and all proceeds will go to supporting the Democratic campaign right here in Waldo County.

For more information, call 338-2208.

Meeting minutes from October 3 meeting....

2008-10-10T00:24:00.002-04:00

Betty, attached are the meeting minutes and below is same as copy and paste.

--rich

Waldo County Democratic Committee Meeting Minutes for October 3rd, 2008

Start at 7:05pm

Roll Call - Attendees 23, 20 members, 3 guests [4 Belfast] Hal Halliday, Neal Harkness, Larry Litchfield, Marina De Lune [2 Brooks] Carl Frerking, Beth Lurie [2 Liberty] Pam Chase, Diane Messer [1 Lincolnville] Betty Johnson [1 Monroe] Paul Jacobi [1 Prospect] Sherry Crossno [6 Stockton Springs] Richard Burk, Michele Greenier, Jo Greenier, Veronica Magnan, Roland Magnan, Faith Campbell [1 Troy] Norma Rossel [2 Winterport] Donna Gilbert, Jim Gilbert [3 Guests] Shane Hunt (Palermo), Mary Elizabeth Greenier (Stockton Springs), Amy Keller (Belfast)

Agenda, Approval of - Motion by Diane, 2nd by Larry, PASSED

Minutes, Approval of - Motion by Larry, 2nd by Diane, PASSED

Chairs Report - by Neal Harkness

- Neal reports that MOFGA was a big success providing signs, buttons, bumper stickers, and raising about $2500 in donations

- McCain has pulled out of Michigan and is sending his resources to CD 2 here in Maine in the event that there is a 269-269 electoral tie. McCain has made a major negative ad buy here in CD 2 and will be pushing GOTV here and hard.

Treasurers Report - by Betty Johnson

- No formal report. We have about $3200 in the bank with outstanding bills. Money continues to pour in, but we need more contributions.

- The coordinated campaign is looking for donations.

- MOTION by Betty to donate $500 to the Coordinated Campaign, by unknown fundraising method. 2^nd by Shane. Discussion ensued. Pam called the question. MOTION PASSES unanimously.

Fundraising Committee Report - by Neal Harkness

- Plans are in the works for a fundraising event on Monday October 20^th at the Colonial Threatre; the move would be a Michael Moore film, Slacker Uprising.

Pass the hat

Candidate Reports

- Diane and Veronica spoke for a few minutes about their respective campaigns and about a political rally in Searsport from 2-4pm on Sunday October 12^th. We need a big turnout.

- Hal spoke for a few minutes about his campaign status

- Betty spoke on behalf of Andy O'brien for a few minutes

- Donna spoke on behalf of Seth Yentes for a few minutes

Field Director Report & Obama Report – by Sarah Sibley

- Sarah spoke for a few minutes recognizing several volunteers for stepping up and filling Katy's shoes.

- Sarah also addressed questions about the Obama campaign and provided status

Elections: Vice Chair – by Neal

Larry nominates Donna. 2^nd by Faith. Pam moves that nominations cease. 2^nd by Diane. MOTION to close nominations: PASSED. Nomination speech by Donna. Larry and Faith both spoke in support of Donna. The Chair moves that one vote be cast by the Chair to elect Donna as Vice Chair. MOTION passes unanimously. Donna is elected Vice Chair.

New Business

- Announcement by Faith: Stockton Springs town democrats will have a meeting at 7pm in the town hall.

- Next Meeting – Nov 7 at 7pm at HQ

- We will have a separate post debriefing meeting after the election likely on Sunday Nov 9^th in the afternoon. Details will follow.

- November newsletter. Get in your articles quickly. We want to get the newsletter out well ahead of the election.

Motion to Adjourn by Sherry, 2nd by Diane, Adjourned at 8:03pm

Special Event -- Women for Chellie

2008-10-08T17:13:00.002-04:00

JOIN US FOR THIS TERRIFIC EVENT!

Angela Adams - Joan Amory - Karin Anderson - Rosemary Baldacci - Bonnie Blythe
Connie Brennan - Elizabeth Burns - Barbara Burt - Carol Carothers - Ann Casady - Kathy Case
Janice Cooper - Deb Curtis - Donna Damon - Joanne D'Arcangelo - Linda Darling
Rep. Cynthia Dill - Margaret Downing - Jill Duson - Sen. Beth Edmonds - Elizabeth Ehrenfeld
Linda Fenton - Jane Fisher - Lucy Flight - Laura Fortman
Hon. Karen Geraghty & Carol Kelly - Eleanor Goldberg - Patti Hagge - Karen Harris - Leslie Harroun
Rep. Anne Haskell - Annie Houle - Patty Howells - Betsy Hunt - Bree LaCasse
Diana Lee - Melissa Libby - Cassie Mann - Betsy Mahoney - Libby Margolis-Pineo
Elizabeth Pope - Karen Massey - Mary Jane McCalmon - Margot Milliken
Sen. Libby Mitchell - J. Elizabeth Mitchell - Eliza Cope Nolan - Rep. Peggy Pendleton - Cecily Pingree
Rep. Hannah Pingree - Bonnie Porta - Joan Porta - Jackie Potter - Rep. Anne Rand - Sonia Robertson
Karin Roland - Sharon Rosen - Diane Russell - Nan Sawyer - Alison Smith - Alice Spencer
Betsy Sweet - Annee Tara - Hilda Taylor - Janmarie Toker - Romaine Turyn
Lucinda White - Carol Wishcamper - Donna Yellen
Partial Listing

Suggested contribution -- $25

RSVP at http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/event/detail/houseparty/wx9

or by calling Cassie at 773-0155

PLEASE FORWARD THIS INVITATION TO YOUR FRIENDS!

Contribute | Volunteer | Endorse | ChelliePingree.com

This email was sent to: richard.burk@gmail.com

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[Candidates] Rally this Sunday from 2-4 in Searsport Town Hall

2008-10-06T14:05:00.001-04:00

See attached pdf document....

Here is copy and paste of text from rally poster....

It's an Old Fashion-
Political Rally!!

And Informal Town Hall Meeting

Sunday October 12,
2008 at 2:00p.m

Searsport : Union Hall
(Above the town offices)

There will be live music, refreshments,
speeches (brief) and anecdotes
from the campaign trail followed by a
Mix and mingle
with neighbors and friends
while the candidates and other guest speakers talk about
Education, Energy, the Economy

And other topics of concern to all of us

Sponsored by the campaigns of
Veronica Magnan and Diane Messer
Candidate District 41 for Senate

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Veronica Magnan

HI Rich,

Could you send out the poster for Sunday to the Waldo Co. Dems.? That would be great.

Peace, Veronica

[WERU] Elections SoapBox Call-In's, start Monday, 10/6, 6-7pm on WERU!!

2008-10-06T08:17:00.002-04:00

From: Greg Rossel

----- Original Message ----- From: "Amy Browne,WERU-FM" <amy@weru.org>

Starting October 6th, and running up until Election Day, WERU-FM will be
hosting SoapBox call-in shows each Monday evening from 6-7p.m., right after
Democracy Now! The SoapBox is "the Open Mic of call in shows". Usually we
don't have a specific topic---but these special SoapBox programs will focus
on the upcoming elections.

Candidates, campaign workers, organizers and all other community members are
invited to call in and share information and opinions on any topic related
to the elections. The local number is 469-0500 and the toll-free number is
1-866-625-9378. Each caller will have about 3-5 minutes (more if no one is
on hold waiting a turn).

Please pass this along to anyone who may be interested. And tell your
Bangor friends that we plan to have a stronger signal in that area very
soon. Meanwhile anyone who can't get our signal can catch us streaming at:
www.weru.org

Hope to hear from YOU!

~Amy

Amy Browne
News and Public Affairs Manager
Youth Radio Coordinator
WERU-FM 89.9 Blue Hill, 102.9 Bangor, Maine
1186 Acadia Hwy, E. Orland, ME 04431
207-469-6600
www.weru.org
news@weru.org

WCDC: mark your calendar!

2008-10-03T20:39:00.001-04:00

The next Waldo County Democratic Committee Meeting is scheduled for November 7th, at 7pm at WCDC HQ.

The election debriefing meeting is Sunday November 9th at tentatively at 1pm.

Movie fundraiser about 2 weeks before the election, details to come.

--

WCDC: Mtg Reminder, Agenda, and Minutes....

2008-09-30T19:37:00.002-04:00

Next meeting is Friday Oct 3rd, 2008 at 7pm at the Waldo County Democratic Committee Headquarters located at 134 Church St, Belfast, Maine. Below you will find the AGENDA and the Minute Minutes from last month's meeting. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

We also have yard signs and bumper stickers available at HQ. Come and get them while they last.

MEETING TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MINUTES APPROVAL
REPORTS
Chair-Neal Harkness
Treasurer-Betty Johnson
Committee Chairs
US Congressional Representative Report
Candidates
Campaign Staff
ELECTION
Vice Chair-interim
NEW BUSINESS
November meeting
Pass The Hat
OTHER
ADJOURNMENT

Waldo County Democratic Committee Meeting Minutes for September 12, 2008

Start at 7:08pm

Roll Call - Attendees 26, 20 members, 6 guests

[Belfast 6] Percy Daley, Miles Gray, Neal Harkness, Charlotte Herbold, Larry Litchfield, Marina De Lune [Brooks 1] Beth Lurie [Liberty 2] Pamela Chase, Diane Messer [Lincolnville 1] Betty Johnson [Monroe 1] Barbara Moran [Stockton Springs 6] Rob Brown, Richard Burk, Joe Greenier, Michele Greenier, Roland Magnan, Veronica Magnan [Troy 1] Norma Rossel [Winterport 2] Donna Gilbert, Jim Gilbert [Guests 6] Sarah Sibley, Terry St Peter (Belfast), Linda St Peter (Belfast), Alex Lurie (Brooks), Steve Allen (Belfast), Amy Keller (Belfast)

Agenda, Approval of - Motion by Miles, 2nd by Rob, PASSED

Minutes, Approval of - Motion by Jim, 2nd by Diane, PASSED

Chairs Report - by Neal Harkness

- Neal read a letter from Katy Jane saying that she is leaving us

- Katy has built up a great organization that will survive her.

- Phone banking, data entry, canvassing, house parties, voter registration will continue

- We will all step up to fill in the holes

- Neal nominated Larry Litchfield to be honored at the Jefferson Jackson Dinner and cited several examples for the nomination

Vice Chair Report - by Barbara Moran

- Barbara is stepping down from Vice Chair as she is moving to Knox County

- Neal thanked Barbara for her service

Treasurers Report - by Betty Johnson

- no formal report, however Betty provided the financial status of the committee thus far

- The fundraising letter has raised $525 so far. We need money so that we can continue to order signs and bumper stickers.

Convention Report - by Betty Johnson

- Betty provided many details about the convention. Pictures and video will be forthcoming.

Fundraising Committee Report - by Roland Magnan

- Please respond to the fundraising letters

- The ice cream social should be the end of September or early October. It will be in Belfast. Work with Betty on coordination and planning and implementation.

Pass the hat

Candidate Reports

- Marina De Lune is running unopposed for Belfast City Council

- Miles Gray is running for the school board

- Diane Messer spoke for a few minutes about her campaign and status

- Veronica spoke for a few minutes about her campaign and status

- Seth Yentes - by Donna - spoke for a few minutes about Seth's campaign

- Andy O'brien - by Betty - spoke for a few minutes about Andy's campaign

Field Director Report - by Heather

- We will miss Katy. I will be present 2-3 days per week here at the HQ

Obama Report - by Sarah

- Continuing to do outreach and persuation and phone banking

- Send people to us for a bumper sticker and we will sign them up as volunteers

- Shifts available at MOFGA

- Sep 28th noon - Stockton Springs event - community night and phone banking

- Early/Absentee voting begins Sep 20th

- Debate watch at HQ on Sep 26th

Old Business - none

New Business

- Next Meeting - Oct 3rd 7pm at HQ

- we will have nominations and election for vice chair

- Vice Chair will be interim until January

Motion to Adjourn by Betty, 2nd by Jim, Adjourned at 8:11pm

Filing deadline is midnight tonight

2008-09-30T08:44:00.002-04:00

Let's send a fighter to clean up Washington.

Please contribute today.

Dear Richard,

Today is a very important day for the campaign. Not only are we 35 days away from the election, but it is also the last quarterly filing deadline of the entire campaign.

As you know, the press, pundits, and outside organizations will look at Chellie's fundraising as one of the barometers to gauge the strength of her campaign.

We can win this race, but we can't take it for granted. Our opponent says he's in it to win and, just last month, he was highlighted at the Republican Convention and was chosen as one of only five Congressional candidates to speak to the convention.

If the Republicans and their allies see an opening, they will come at us full force. We can't let that happen!

Please contribute $25, $50, $100 or more today.
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

Republicans know that Chellie will fight for economic fairness and will vote to eliminate President Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy. They know Chellie strongly supports a woman's right to choose. They know that Chellie will work to get funding for new energy sources, both to make us independent of foreign oil and to stop global warming. They know that Chellie's totally committed to making quality, affordable health care available to all Americans, and has already proven herself able to stand up to the special interests and their lobbyists.

The last person those lobbyists want to see in Washington is Chellie Pingree because she is an independent leader who will speak the truth, even when it's the hard thing to do, and she'll bring people together to take on the special interests -- just as she has done here in Maine. Chellie represents a fundamental change from politics as usual.

Your $25, $50, whatever you can afford, will make a big difference.
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

Thanks for all you've done. Together, we are going to send Chellie to Congress.

Lisa

P.S. Remember, the filing deadline is midnight tonight. Please contribute $25, $50, $100 or more today.

Contribute | Volunteer | Endorse | ChelliePingree.com

This email was sent to: richard.burk@gmail.com

To unsubscribe, go to: http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/unsubscribe

PAID FOR BY PINGREE FOR CONGRESS

[WCDC] Next mtg & Get your official Obama-Biden yard sign

2008-09-29T23:27:00.002-04:00

Next mtg is this Friday Oct 3rd at 7pm at the WCDC Belfast HQ.

Also see below for your Obama-Biden yard sign.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Beth Lurie <bethamy@fairpoint.net>
Date: Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Subject: Get your official Obama-Biden yard sign
To: richard.burk@gmail.com

Hey,

I just made a contribution to the Obama-Biden campaign.

By making a donation before the financial reporting deadline on Tuesday, Sept. 30th, you'll receive an official Obama-Biden yard sign.

Join me in supporting the campaign at this crucial time:

https://donate.barackobama.com/edaysign

Thanks!

---------
A user has sent this message from BarackObama.com. The sender's name, email address, subject and message have not been verified.

[WCDC]: October Agenda

2008-09-28T20:16:00.002-04:00

See below...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: NealHarkness

Richard-

Please send this agenda out to the committee list, since the newsletter is a bit late this month. Thank you.

Neal

MEETING TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
MINUTES APPROVAL
REPORTS
Chair-Neal Harkness
Treasurer-Betty Johnson
Committee Chairs
US Congressional Representative Report
Candidates
Campaign Staff
ELECTION
Vice Chair-interim
NEW BUSINESS
November meeting
Pass The Hat
OTHER
ADJOURNMENT

More about Smith

2008-09-28T07:31:00.002-04:00

This is the most important election of our lifetime. Please contribute today.

On Thursday, my mother emailed you about her concerns for her grandson Smith and his future. As Chellie's son and Smith's dad, I wanted to tell you why it's important that we send leaders like my mom to Congress.

I've watched my mom take on tough battles, bring people together, and make change where others thought it wasn't possible, whether it was as chair of the school board in our small town, as a senate majority leader in Augusta, or as president of Common Cause.

When I look at the mess in Washington right now and think about Smith's future, I know that we need to send Chellie Pingree to Congress to fight for all of us.

There are 38 days left until Election Day, and she needs our help. Please contribute $25, $50, $100 or more today.
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

Smith isn't old enough to understand how today's mess could affect him and his future. But I hope when he's older I can tell him we made the right choices and right decisions at this critical moment.

If we send leaders like my mother to Congress, we really will change the course of our country.

To get there, she needs your help. Please contribute $25, $50, $100 or more today.
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

Like every other parent, I'm doing everything I can to ensure a secure future for my son. Sending my mom to Congress, with her determination and experience, is part of this.

Thanks for all you're doing,

Asa Pingree

P.S. September 30th is an important filing deadline for the campaign. Please contribute $25, $50, $100 or more today.

Contribute | Volunteer | Endorse | ChelliePingree.com

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PAID FOR BY PINGREE FOR CONGRESS

Cleaning up the mess

2008-09-25T10:57:00.001-04:00

Here's a photo of me with my grandson, Smith.

This election will affect the future of all of our loved ones. Please contribute today.

Dear Richard,

In the comments section of the poll I sent out last week, one person wrote, "We need you in Washington to stand up for ordinary people!"

That means a lot to me.

Almost every day, we hear about yet another example of Washington incompetence. The Bush Administration and its policies have led to unending war and an economy in shambles.

When the new president and Congress are sworn in next January, there will be a terrible mess to clean up. I want to be elected to make sure that ordinary people -- like you and me -- are not forgotten.

But first, I have to win on November 4th. In order to do that, I need to make sure we have the resources to reach all the voters in the first district.

Please contribute $25, $50, $100 or more today.
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

As I watch our government consider another massive bailout of a reckless and unregulated Wall Street, I can't help but think of my grandson Smith -- and how we can't leave this mess for his generation to clean up.

We are 40 days away from Election Day. I need your help if we are going to change the way Washington works.

Please contribute $25, $50, $100 or more today.
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

We're facing some tough challenges, but together we can turn them into opportunities.

Best,

P.S. September 30th is an important filing deadline for the campaign. Please contribute $25, $50, $100 or more today.

Contribute | Volunteer | Endorse | ChelliePingree.com

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WCDC: Painting party this Friday/Saturday/Sunday - Please rsvp

2008-09-23T12:29:00.002-04:00

Hello. This message is from Richard Burk with prior permission from our chair, Neal Harkness. This is essentially the same message, just a different weekend. Please pass this on to your lists as your help is greatly needed!

My wife Sara and I, are painting our house. It is taking longer than we estimated. We have 5 rooms mostly done with about 5 to go. We'd like to finish it up this weekend if at all possible. We are willing to donate $25 per 2 hour block of time per person helping us to paint. We will be capping total donations at $1500 assuming that we get a huge response. The donation can goto any of the following: The Waldo County Democratic Committee, The Barack Obama Campaign, or to you. We will provide food and refreshments. We can accommodate your time constraints. We'd like for your help either this Friday Sep 26th, Sat Sep 27th or Sun Sep 28th. If none of those days work for you, but you are still interested, it may well be likely that if we dont finish up by Sunday that we will do this again the following weekend. When you come, bring family and friends. It will go faster and be much fun.

The more that show up, the faster the house will be painted and the more fun it will be all the while raising money for democrats or some extra cash for yourselves. Please RSVP by email or call so that we have an idea ahead of time when people will be showing up and how much food to provide.

My address is 1156 US RT 1, Stockton Springs, Maine, 04981. My phone number is 567-3928. My email address is: richard.burk@gmail.com

We are located about 1 and a quarter miles south of the new Penobscot Narrows bridge.

Directions from Belfast...Take US RT 1 North towards Bucksport. You will pass through Searsport continuing on US RT 1. You will pass Just Barb's on the right in Stockton Springs. Continue on US RT 1. Stay to the right at the 1A split. You will pass Perry's Citgo. About two miles later you will pass under some train tracks at the bottom of a big hill. You will pass Musk Rat Farm Road on the left shortly after the train tracks. You will pass Sandy Point Rd on the right, Ferry Lane on the left, then Windjammer on the right, then Hart Lane on the right, then Tugboat on the right, then Bracken Lane on the right, then Meadow Rd on the left, then a cemetary on the right. After the cemetary you will see a mail box on the right, so begin to slow down. You will then see our house at 1156 US RT 1 on the left. We have a driveway immediately before our house and Mt Tuck Farm Rd immediately after. You can turn in either spot as our driveway is shaped like the letter U. Pull in and come on inside and announce yourself and we will get your name, and donation preference and put you to work.

If you are coming from Bucksport, travel south on US RT 1 through Verona Island, across the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, stay on US RT 1 as you exit the bridge (keep to the left) and travel about 1.25 miles to our house. On the way, you will pass a speed limit 45 sign, then Switzer Springs Rd, then the speed limit 55 sign, then on the left Morningside Plaza and begin to slow down as Mt Tuck Farm Rd is approaching on your right. Turn right onto Mt Tuck Farm Rd and make an immediate left behind our house and then park. If you miss Mt Tuck Farm Rd, dont worry, our driveway comes out on the other side of our house too. So just turn right on the south side of our house and park. Pull in and come on inside and announce yourself and we will get your name, and donation preference and put you to work.
--

Re: wcdc transcript

2008-09-23T10:39:00.002-04:00

Betty, I have attached the meeting minutes in a word document. The minutes also appear below for quick review.

--rich

Waldo County Democratic Committee Meeting Minutes for September 12, 2008

Start at 7:08pm

Roll Call - Attendees 26, 20 members, 6 guests

Agenda, Approval of - Motion by Miles, 2nd by Rob, PASSED

Minutes, Approval of - Motion by Jim, 2nd by Diane, PASSED

Chairs Report - by Neal Harkness

- Neal read a letter from Katy Jane saying that she is leaving us

- Katy has built up a great organization that will survive her.

- Phone banking, data entry, canvassing, house parties, voter registration will continue

- We will all step up to fill in the holes

- Neal nominated Larry Litchfield to be honored at the Jefferson Jackson Dinner and cited several examples for the nomination

Vice Chair Report - by Barbara Moran

- Barbara is stepping down from Vice Chair as she is moving to Knox County

- Neal thanked Barbara for her service

Treasurers Report - by Betty Johnson

- no formal report, however Betty provided the financial status of the committee thus far

- The fundraising letter has raised $525 so far. We need money so that we can continue to order signs and bumper stickers.

Convention Report - by Betty Johnson

- Betty provided many details about the convention. Pictures and video will be forthcoming.

Fundraising Committee Report - by Roland Magnan

- Please respond to the fundraising letters

- The ice cream social should be the end of September or early October. It will be in Belfast. Work with Betty on coordination and planning and implementation.

Pass the hat

Candidate Reports

- Marina De Lune is running unopposed for Belfast City Council

- Miles Gray is running for the school board

- Diane Messer spoke for a few minutes about her campaign and status

- Veronica spoke for a few minutes about her campaign and status

- Seth Yentes - by Donna - spoke for a few minutes about Seth's campaign

- Andy O'brien - by Betty - spoke for a few minutes about Andy's campaign

Field Director Report - by Heather

- We will miss Katy. I will be present 2-3 days per week here at the HQ

Obama Report - by Sarah

- Continuing to do outreach and persuation and phone banking

- Send people to us for a bumper sticker and we will sign them up as volunteers

- Shifts available at MOFGA

- Sep 28th noon - Stockton Springs event - community night and phone banking

- Early/Absentee voting begins Sep 20th

- Debate watch at HQ on Sep 26th

Old Business - none

New Business

- Next Meeting - Oct 3rd 7pm at HQ

- we will have nominations and election for vice chair

- Vice Chair will be interim until January

Motion to Adjourn by Betty, 2nd by Jim, Adjourned at 8:11pm

[PBS Poll] They're stealing a PBS poll!

2008-09-21T18:45:00.001-04:00

Help make sure that PBS knows that Palin is not qualified. The conservatives caught wind of the poll first and subsequently say she is qualified. I just voted and the results were 56% qualified, 44 UNqualified to be VP. Lets help make folks realize that Palin is UNqualified.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Beth Lurie

Subject: They're stealing a PBS poll!

I just checked the poll results, and evidently the following is viral, as Yes votes are now in the lead.
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 1:33 PM

Subject: Fwd: let's turn this around
click the link below and vote YES
Let's turn this around!!!

Friends,

PBS has a short video on Sarah Palin on their website. Also included is a poll that asks: Is Sarah Palin qualified to be VP?

I logged on a few minutes ago and 37% percent had voted YES, 62% NO. It was 33 to 66.

Let's turn this around..... You don't have to give your name or email address in order to vote. It's very simple.

PBS hates conservatives-------------

Here's the link:

http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html

[WCDC] Dem HQ Cleaning Crew

2008-09-21T18:42:00.002-04:00

FYI, we need volunteers to help keep the HQ looking clean. See below....

Contact Miles directly, or I can forward your response to Miles.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: milesg

Richard,

Please send out a call for volunteers for cleaning detail of our Democrat Headquarters. It entails vacuuming a hall & 3 rooms and cleaning a bath – I'm informed by frequent users of the Hq's it requires less than an hour's effort and needs to be done twice a week; more people are using the Hq as we get closer to the election. <snip>

It is imperative that this issue be addressed immediately.

<snip>

Miles Gray

Manager, WCDC HQ Ofc

By midnight tomorrow -- tell me, how are the fundamentals of YOUR economy?

2008-09-18T13:12:00.002-04:00

The U.S. economy appears to be crumbling before our very eyes. How is the downturn affecting you?

Take my poll to let me know.

Dear Richard,

John McCain said Monday -- the day some analysts said was the worst day on Wall Street since the Great Depression¹ -- that the fundamentals of our economy are good. But here's what's really going on:

A healthcare system that burns 16% of our GDP ²
Gasoline prices that have tripled since 2000 ³
Job losses at 605,000 for the year ⁴
Foreclosures at 9,800 a day ⁵

Last Friday I asked you what was most painful for you about the U.S. economy's slide into recession. Many of you took my poll, and your responses have been enlightening.

If you didn't have a chance to take the poll yet, there's still time -- the poll closes tomorrow, Friday, at midnight.
http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/s/EconomicEffect

I really appreciate your thoughts on these critical issues. Here's what some of you told me about how the economy affects you:

I feel as though our nation's financial "house of cards" is about ready to collapse. --M.M., Owls Head

I have received "cost of living" pay increases each year but my pay buys significantly less now than it did eight years ago. --D. M., Washington

We've moved into my mother's trailer (with one short bedroom for the number of people) to save money and try to afford our huge (because of escrow and fees) mortgage payment, and hopefully not lose my house this winter. In addition, I have two college age children who are very bright and must have college educations. --B.M., Poland

It is scary seeing retirement funds shrinking monthly. Retirement was supposed to be the time to enjoy life, travel, spend more time visiting with grandchildren who live away, and maybe eat out once in a while. There are added anxieties about whether Medicare will cease to exist and the rising cost of health care... --D.S., Rockport

I should be able to be retired at my age. But to have enough resources to be able to have any kind of life I still have to work. --J.D., Augusta

I have been working for the same company for 10 years. I haven't received a raise in at least 3 years, because there is no way to ask for more money if we are not making more money. In the meantime, my pay has actually gone down because of health insurance premiums going up. There seems to be something wrong in a world where you can work hard, enjoy your job, know that you are giving back something to the community and still feel like you are barely making ends meet. --Y.S., Rockland

If you already took the poll, please forward this email to your friends and ask them to take it, too.
http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/s/EconomicEffect

Since my email last Friday, it has become even more obvious that our economy is in deep trouble. Solving its problems will take a lot of work, and we have to start immediately. We must stop spending $400 billion a month in Iraq, we need to enact significant healthcare reform that addresses both access and the high costs, we must free ourselves from dependence on foreign oil, and we need to enact regulatory safeguards to protect us from the greed and excess of the financial sector. We need all this and more, but most of all, we need elected officials who will stand up to special interests.

If elected to represent Maine's 1st District, I look forward to tackling these problems and helping the people of Maine achieve economic prosperity. The information you provide will help me focus on potential solutions to the current crisis.

On Monday, I'll post a blog entry with the results of the poll on my Campaign Blog. That's why I need to hear from you by midnight tomorrow. Thank you for responding. We face great challenges, but within those challenges are great opportunities. I look forward to working with you as we put our country back on the right track.

All the best,

P.S. In order to get a real sense of people's priorities, I need as many responses as possible. Please take a minute and forward this email to your friends and neighbors.

----------------------------------------
¹ "Stocks get pummeled" by Alexandra Twin. http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/15/markets/markets_newyork2/index.htm?cnn=yes

² "Expensive and divisive: how America is losing patience with a failing system" by Suzanne Goldenberg. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/sep/13/usa.health

³ Energy Information Administration: Official energy statistics from the U.S. Government. http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/gdu/gaspump.html

⁴ "U.S. Payrolls Fell 84,000; Jobless Rate Jumps to 6.1% (Update2)" by Shobhana Chandra. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aqO7vRxRSJ_4&refer=home

⁵ "Obama ad hits McCain on economy" by Jim Kuhnhenn. http://www.cfnews13.com/Politics/PoliticsHeadlines/2008/9/16/obama_ad_hits_mccain_on_economy.html

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[Fwd: Fwd: Something to feel good about]

2008-09-18T08:04:00.002-04:00

See below...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Beth Lurie

This is worth passing on!

-- Beth

Subject:Fwd: Pics of Biggest Rally in Alaska history... anti-Palin

A bunch of pictures of the anti-Palin rally in Alaska. Scroll to the end to read the description from the woman who cooked up the idea. Pass it on!

Psssst...pass it on!

[The] Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was to be held outside on the lawn in front of the Loussac Library in midtown Anchorage. Home made signs were encouraged, and the idea was to make a statement that Sarah Palin does not speak for all Alaska women, or men. I had no idea what to expect.

The rally was organized by a small group of women, talking over coffee. It made me wonder what other things have started with small groups of women talking over coffee. It's probably an impressive list. These women hatched the plan, printed up flyers, posted them around town, and sent notices to local media outlets. One of those media outlets was KBYR radio, home of Eddie Burke, a long-time uber-conservative Anchorage talk show host. Turns out that Eddie Burke not only announced the rally, but called the people who planned to attend the rally "a bunch of socialist baby-killing maggots," and read the home phone numbers of the organizers aloud over the air, urging listeners to call and tell them what they thought. The women, of course, received some nasty, harassing and threatening messages.

I felt a bit apprehensive. I'd been disappointed before by the turnout at other rallies. Basically, in Anchorage, if you can get 25 people to show up at an event, it's a success. So, I thought to myself, if we can actually get 100 people there that aren't sent by Eddie Burke, we'll be doing good. A real statement will have been made. I confess, I still had a mental image of 15 demonstrators surrounded by hundreds of menacing "socialist baby-killing maggot" haters.

It's a good thing I wasn't tailgating when I saw the crowd in front of the library or I would have ended up in somebody's trunk. When I got there, about 20 minutes early, the line of sign wavers stretched the full length of the library grounds, along the edge of the road, 6 or 7 people deep! I could hardly find a place to park. I nabbed one of the last spots in the library lot, and as I got out of the car and started walking, people seemed to join in from every direction, carrying signs.

Never, have I seen anything like it in my 17 and a half years living in Anchorage. The organizers had someone walk the rally with a counter, and they clicked off well over 1400 people (not including the 90 counter-demonstrators). This was the biggest political rally ever, in the history of the state. I was absolutely stunned. The second most amazing thing is how many people honked and gave the thumbs up as they drove by. And even those that didn't honk looked wide-eyed and awe-struck at the huge crowd that was growing by the minute. This just doesn't happen here.

Then, the infamous Eddie Burke showed up. He tried to talk to the media, and was instantly surrounded by a group of 20 people who started shouting O-BA-MA so loud he couldn't be heard. Then passing cars started honking in a rhythmic pattern of 3, like the Obama chant, while the crowd cheered, hooted and waved their signs high.

So, if you've been doing the math Yes. The Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was significantly bigger than Palin's rally that got all the national media coverage! So take heart, sit back, and enjoy the photo gallery. Feel free to spread the pictures around to anyone who needs to know that Sarah Palin most definitely does not speak for all Alaskans. The citizens of Alaska, who know her best, have things to say.

[Candidate] E-mail version of invitation

2008-09-16T22:16:00.002-04:00

Tea and Empathy

Meet candidate

Diane Messer

Waldo County Democrat for the State Senate

for tea on

Sunday, September 21, 4 to 6 p.m.

at the Democratic Headquarters

Church Street, across from City Hall

Diane listens.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Charlotte Herbold <Charlotte_Herbold@umit.maine.edu>
Date: Tue, Sep 16, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Subject: Fwd: E-mail version of invitation
To: richard.burk@gmail.com

Please send this invitation to all Waldo County Democrats. Thanks, Charlotte Herbold-

Tea and Empathy

Meet candidate
Diane Messer

Waldo County Democrat for the State Senate

for tea on
Sunday, September 21, 4 to 6 p.m.

at the Democratic Headquarters
Church Street, across from City Hall

Diane listens.

is the meeting tonight at 7pm?

2008-09-12T12:24:00.002-04:00

Rob Brown, Executive Director

Opportunity Maine

(207) 699-5880 Portland office

(207) 233-2987 cell

(207) 699-5885 fax

www.opportunitymaine.org

The economy's great, right? Take my quick poll.

2008-09-11T13:59:00.002-04:00

The combined rate of inflation and unemployment -- the so-called "Misery Index" -- now stands at 11.7%, the highest it's been since there was another President Bush in office 17 years ago.

How is the economy affecting you? Take my poll to let me know.

Dear Richard,

It's officially a recession.

The Labor Department reported last week that the unemployment rate in August hit a five-year high, at more than six percent. This is the eighth month in a row of large job losses -- 84,000 in August alone. The combined rate of inflation and unemployment -- the so-called "Misery Index" -- now stands at 11.7%, the highest it's been since there was another President Bush in office, 17 years ago.¹

In recent volunteer phone calls, voters overwhelmingly said "jobs and the economy" was their number one concern. I'm sure this is the case for just about all of us right now, but I want to know about more what this means exactly to you and your family.

Please take my quick poll and let me know what concerns you most about the state of the economy.
http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/s/EconomicEffect

Solving our economic problems is going to take a lot of work. It won't happen overnight, but we can't waste any more time. The next Congress and Administration will need to get to work immediately to bring relief to Americans struggling with high gas and oil prices and begin smart and dependable long-term changes to allow us to rebuild our economy.

We need a responsible withdrawal of troops from Iraq, we need to enact significant healthcare reform that addresses both access and the high costs, and we need to create jobs here in Maine by investing in renewable and clearn sources of energy like wind, tidal and solar power. We need all this and more, but most of all, we need elected officials who will stand up to special interests.

We all agree the economy is in bad shape and it will take time to fix it. The general outline of the problem is clear. What I'm asking you to do is fill in the details about what worries you most -- then we can work together to turn our country in a new direction.

What part of the economic situation has a direct impact on you?
http://action.chelliepingree.com/page/s/EconomicEffect

If elected to represent Maine's 1st District, I look forward to tackling these problems and helping the people of Maine achieve economic prosperity. The information you provide will help me focus on potential solutions to the current crisis.

Thank you for responding. We face great challenges, but within those challenges are great opportunities. I look forward to working with you as we put our country back on the right track.

All the best,

P.S. In order to get a real sense of people's priorities, I need as many responses as possible. Please take a minute and forward this email to your friends and neighbors.

----------------------------------------
¹ The U.S. Misery Index, January 1948 to July 2008 http://www.miseryindex.us/indexbymonth.asp

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Republicans are serious about this race

2008-09-05T16:20:00.001-04:00

Dear Richard,

After the uplifting emotion of the Democratic convention -- with its stirring speeches by Senator Kennedy, President Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and so many more, the dramatic call for unity by Hillary Clinton, the heartfelt nomination acceptance by Joe Biden and the culmination of it all with Barack Obama's amazing speech -- the Republican convention seemed like an event from a different century.

Instead of talking about their vision for our country's future, the Republicans used high profile speakers to mock Barack Obama's work as a community organizer, lie to the public, and stretch the truth about their record and our plans over and over again.

Did you notice that, tucked in amongst all the Republican hooplah last night, my opponent spoke to the convention? He was one of only five congressional candidates given a speaking role. The national Republican Party, he said, is "interested in my race." It's clear that the Republicans are considering putting a big effort in this race, and we can't afford to be complacent.

Help me be prepared for anything they throw at me. https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

With the Republicans going all out in this race -- with their deep pockets of Big Business and Big Oil -- I need to be prepared for anything they come at me with. I need to be able to reach out to undecided voters, and that takes money. It's essential that we elect, as my friend Congresswoman Donna Edwards would say, "more and better Democrats" all across the U.S. (To see a video of Donna campaigning with me last month, check out my Campaign Blog.)

Your contribution will help me be ready for whatever tricks they try.
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

Republicans know that I will fight for economic fairness and will vote to eliminate President Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy. They know I strongly support a woman's right to choose. They know that I will work to get funding for alternative energy sources, both to make us independent of foreign oil and to stop global warming. They know that I'm totally committed to passing universal healthcare, and have already proven myself able to defeat the industry's corporate lobbyists.

In some ways, you might say that I'm the Republicans' worst nightmare when it comes to the economy and workers' rights, the environment, health care, good government, and civil liberties.

Your $25, $50, whatever you can afford, will make a big difference.
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/17915

Let's show the Republicans that we're even more serious about this race than they are.

Thanks so much for your support.

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[Tom Allen] Attack Ad Lies

2008-08-18T09:29:00.002-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Katy Jayne <kjayne@mainedems.org>

Here is some information about the attacks ads agains Tom Allen. Feel free to distribute.

Thank you

Katy

August 17, 2008

Dear Phil,

I'm writing to ask you to help us set the record straight about the nasty attack ads that third-party Republican groups are running in Maine to smear Tom Allen and Maine's workers.

The ads are completely 100% false! We need your help in getting the truth out to your friends, neighbors and relatives about the facts of the Employee Free Choice Act, and where Tom Allen and Susan Collins stand on the issues of hard-working Mainers.

The ads claim that Tom Allen would take away workers' rights to a secret ballot. That is a flat-out lie.

The Employee Free Choice Act that Tom supported gives workers an additional way to sign-up for a union, but it does not take away their right to a secret ballot. The bill actually makes it easier to organize, because current law allows time for employers to intimidate and threaten their employees to make sure they are never able to form a union at all. Those employers, like Wal-Mart, are the big corporations behind these ad s.

They know Susan Collins stands with them, and that's why they're running these ads in Maine and other states with tight Senate races. It's that simple.

They know that Tom Allen's record has been one of consistent support for workers. In fact, that's why so many of them have endorsed him in this important Senate election. That's why he fought for them to have a back-up plan for continued work at Bath Iron Works, while Susan Collins insulted the very workers who backed him.

The No. 1 message we need you to help spread is this: Tom Allen supports the rights of workers to organize through a secret ballot or majority sign up. These ads are a blatant lie on behalf of wealthy corporations who don't want it to become easier for workers to unionize. Period.

Click here to see a detailed breakdown of these ridiculous, insulting ads.

Click here to read a great editorial on these ads. You can read this editorial and other information on a new page on Tom Allen's web site, www.tomallen.org/ballots.

Know someone who needs the facts? Click here to forward this information to a friend.

Click here to send a letter to the editor or here to call in to talk radio.

Click here to join the Allen campaign's truth squad.

With your help, we can make sure Mainers know the t ruth about Tom Allen's consistent record of strengthening workers' rights-and that these lies are being put forth on Susan Collins' behalf.

You all have been vital to this campaign from the beginning, and now I call on again to help us get the truth out there.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Peter Chandler

Campaign Director, Victory 2008

Paid for by the Maine Democratic Party. PO BOX 5258, Augusta, ME 04332. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Chris Rheault, Treasurer

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It's time to go back to school! Get the latest trends and gadgets that make the grade on AOL Shopping.

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Waldo County Democratic Committee (has moved to http://waldodems.blogspot.com/ )

The WCDC has a new website. Please check it out

http://waldodems.blogspot.com/

Please change your Facebook status update!

Green Jobs, Green Savings - We need both!

Public Hearing Tomorrow - Green Jobs, Green Savings

Green Jobs, Green Savings - We need both!

Public Hearing Tomorrow - Green Jobs, Green Savings

Green Jobs, Green Savings - We need both!

Green Jobs Public Hearing next week!

Green Jobs, Green Savings - Public Hearing April 1st

Green Jobs Public Hearing next week!

Green Jobs, Green Savings - Public Hearing April 1st

What I'm doing about AIG

Watch Heather's V-card to legislators!

Maine's Energy Future: It's time for a strong vision.

Jobs + Energy Efficiency = Maine's Future

Maine's Energy Future: It's time for a strong vision.

Jobs + Energy Efficiency = Maine's Future

WCDC: Feb 6th meeting minutes

WCDC: January 9th meeting minutes

Opportunity Maine is going Green - and Creating Jobs, too!

Opportunity Maine is going Green!

Opportunity Maine is going Green - and Creating Jobs, too!

Opportunity Maine is going Green!

Reminder: WCDC monthly mtg: Today (Friday) Feb 6th, 7pm St. Margaret's Parish House Lower Level

[WCDC] Happy Obama Day! music...

[WCDC] Party Cancellation

[Announcement] WCDC Inauguration Party

Fwd: Frank Rich -- todays NYT

Eight Years of Madoffs

Related

Times Topics: Ponzi Schemes

[Announcement] WCDC Inauguration Party

draft of minutes

[WCDC] Reminder: Monthly meeting today at 7pm at St. Margarets

[WCDC] Inauguration Party

[WCDC] Jan meeting

Happy New Year & Opportunity Nation

Happy New Year friends!

Fwd: Save the Date, "The Co-op Model: Transition to a Democratic Economy" on Feb. 28 in Augusta

An update & an invitation

[WCDC] Reminder: meeting tonight at Belfast HQ at 7pm - agenda below

Thank you

After all our hard work...

[Allen v. Collins] Consider the difference

Unexpected things

[WCDC] meeting agenda

[WCDC] meeting agenda

Can you believe this...

[WCDC] Action call to Waldo Dems

The truth about Chellie Pingree

Fwd: I had hoped for better...

Election Update -- Calling all Lawyers

Saturday calls for Candidate Veronica Magnan

I had hoped for better...

[WCDC/Obama] GOTV and Breakfast with Senator George Mitchell

Fwd: Alaskan article on Palin

Fwd: Metaphor for Undecideds

Looking for great Maine women to run for office

RE: FW: Mike Michaud at FAM General membership meeting

[WCDC] Mike Michaud at FAM General membership meeting

FW: Mike Michaud at FAM General membership meeting

[WCDC] Slacker Uprising-updated!

Republican talking points

WCDC Fundraiser-Michael Moore's Slacker Uprising

Meeting minutes from October 3 meeting....

Special Event -- Women for Chellie

[Candidates] Rally this Sunday from 2-4 in Searsport Town Hall

[WERU] Elections SoapBox Call-In's, start Monday, 10/6, 6-7pm on WERU!!

WCDC: mark your calendar!

WCDC: Mtg Reminder, Agenda, and Minutes....

Filing deadline is midnight tonight

[WCDC] Next mtg & Get your official Obama-Biden yard sign

[WCDC]: October Agenda

More about Smith

Cleaning up the mess

WCDC: Painting party this Friday/Saturday/Sunday - Please rsvp

Re: wcdc transcript

[PBS Poll] They're stealing a PBS poll!