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"NERVIE" (Santa Clarita Valley)

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BLOG: Tuesday, January 13, 2009. Anne Coulter is explosive and with her latest book published by Random House, Guilty: Liberal "Victims" and Their Assault on America , ISBN 13: 9780307353467; ISBN 10: 030735346x. If one has a question as to whether or not provocative sales, this lady proves it. . . Her other best seller books are: High Crimes and Misdemeanors: the Case against Bill Clinton, published in August 1998. Slander: Liberal Lies About the American Right, published June 2002; Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terrorism, published June 2003; How to talk to a Liberal: If you Must, published October 2004. Godless: The Church of Liberalism, published June 2006; and If Democrats Had any Brains: Theyd be Republicans, published October 2007. This time, Some critics say her attacking is over the line. From the various programs that I watched, she is either fanning to be having a nervous breakdown before our very eyes, or either, and youd have to give it to her, she is over the top and just marketing of her tell all 300 page book, and it just may be another New York Times best seller in the works . . What I cant understand is she supposes to be a serious political pundit or is this lady a sit down comic. Here is some of her whimsical (and I am being nice here) comments: Ann Coulter believes that Scott McCullum, Bushs admission of having used cocaine and is disgraceful for writing his book on Bush. She documents in her book the number of Republicans who write against their republican bosses and managers after they go for years taking their paychecks, confidence and wonders why they keep doing this. Coulter says that Daniel Moynihan, a democratic cultural analyst said that single parenthood is hurting the US economically. However, when Republican say the same thing they are attacked by the media. She gives the example of how media went nuts behind the comment made by Dan Quail toward the Murphy Brown Show. Scathing criticism of Ann Coulter has been happening all week and it wasnt any less on Huckabees Show but perhaps more amicable. Coulter comes on the show and immediate tells her host he is too liberal for her. She says that the watch dog media went after Palins family members as soon as we she announced. What was more interesting she says the media didnt even know her. Her son was accused of being a juvenile delinquent until the media found out that he was on his way to the military. They accused her of her last son not being Palins but her daughters other child. Coulter was shown footage when she was called in on the Huckabee Show where she called Huckabee the Republican Jimmy Carter, and referred to him as Stupid and the video added that he would be great as an evangelical, if he weighed 300 pounds. Whether she realized that Huckabee had made a large effort to loose weight before entering the presidential race was not mentioned but must have been quite a slap on Huckabee. Coulter and Huckabee agreed that they want to enlighten the fair tax theory that the Republicans wish to implement because the theory does not raise taxes. The fair tax is very conservative approach and the US government shouldnt raise money off of the American people and the government would have to be more prudent with how they spend tax payers money. Coulter added that they are stealing from us know. You wouldnt have so many people not willing to pay their taxes because they would feel the level of payment due was fair across the board and this would cause people to believe the government is being fair. Right now, one person could be paying one amount and another paying a second amount and both would have the same income. If one person has someone instructing them on various loopholes than they may fair better than the person who doesnt know the loopholes. Huckabee asked her about being stupid. He asked Ann, you called me stupid. Am I stupid? And if you think so look me into my eyes and tell me that I am stupid. A little giggle, hair flipping later and readjusting her posture she said No, but you said. . . and she trailed off, he asked her again. He offered Frank Rich, New York Times, the most liberal drama critic likes Huckabee. If he was stupid he would say so. The audience begins to jeer and hiss her. She offered, you are witty and quick, Ill take that back and say that instead. He asked her what was she basing her opinions on. She said, You were for immigration, thats what it was. . . you wanted anyone that wanted to come over here to have jobs. He countered, I didnt ever say that, I said that the manner in which we treat people, is the way we can show civility in our Nation. And he asked again, what does that have to be with being stupid? He paused, then sighed running his fingers to the next marker in the her book, I was supported by Duncan Hunter, Ann and you know how well respected he is in the Republican party, he waned off, do you think Ann that with his supporting me that Hunter is also stupid because he supported me?. She responded, but you wanted to ban smoking in everyones home, that was going to be one of your policies, before she could finish the sentence he was raising his voice, but not yelling, Ann, Ann, Ann, I never said that, I never said that. I said that the Federal smoking band in employment would cut down on second hand smoke, I never said that individuals couldnt smoke in their own homes, not in peoples home. Shaking his head, Coulter offered that the media doesnt tell all of the stories and were hammering away at Republicans family members. Giving the example that Joe Bidens son was being sued by a business partner but it was never mentioned in the campaign. Bottom line she says it is alarming how some presidential candidates were revealed by the media and others were not. Seemingly ignoring her statement completely, Huckabee offered I am a conservative just like you Ann, and he suggested to her read his book which describes him more fully. He then offered, I am pro life. Here in your book you say I believe in sodomy. Where did you get that from? This is just wrong Ann, Just plain wrong. She responded, I heard you were pro choice. He offered, Ann, I am pro life. I am not pro sodomy. Again he said angrily, If I ever run again I will run as a conservative and he explained that that when she writes about him that she gets it straight. He exclaimed that she should go after the liberals not him. . If you have any questions regarding what I believe in, read it, if you have any questions call me, dont write that I am stupid. She countered with well, you sound like you are going to run for office again, are you? The audience clapped and he responded, I might run in 2012, but you are not helping me when you write such things. The audience continued to clap, it was apparent that Huckabee was more disgusted with her then she realized but the program ended amicable. . . When asked on other shows how she feels regarding Obama, Media, Blago, Bush and Female Victimization this is a sample of her responses: OBAMA: You cant keep voting present, now.(giggle, giggle giggle). MEDIA: The main stream media hates conservatives and says so. We didnt concentrate on the issues. Obama wasnt asked the issues. He should have been made to address the issues of this country and that should have been the medias responsibility. BLAGO: About her opinion of Governor Blagojevichs impeachment. They are all democrats and I dont care. BUSH: We dont know what the President elect is going to do regarding certain situations we just have to wait the next four years and find out. She never answered the question. VICTIMIZATION: The best example of this was viewed on THE VIEW. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-a-palermo/ann-coulter-on-emthe-view_b_157345.html The main stream media and liberals want to destroy America. An example of this is the exhalation for the past 30 years of single womanhood. This has been manufactured as a good thing as a result it is destroying America, increasing prison population and destroying the nuclear family. On The View after dodging many of the questions put before her by bringing up you are attacking me, you are attacking she gave another name for female victimization and the ladies of The View werent buying into her flipping hair, baby do eye routine and dropping her head. It was on . . I guess Whoppi summed it up best, you can dish it, but you cant take it. Where I come from this implies that Coulter is really a big bully but after she attacks, she fails to finish the dozen game she starts and runs off exclaiming she is hurt. Go figure on this one. . . Coulter is a honors graduate of Cornell University School of Arts & Sciences, and received her J.D. from University of Michigan Law School, where she was an editor of The Michigan Law Review. She is a legal correspondent for Human Event Magazine and writes a syndicated column for Universal Press Syndicate. Why did I spend this much space on this gutsy woman?

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Are we winning or existing w/out a win?

By "NERVIE" - Dec 1st, 2009 at 7:12 pm EST

Also listed in: 8 groups

Today, in the preview video by Buck McKeon, http://www.youtube.com/user/BuckMcKeon

McKeon, our local Congressional representative, said he would be watching for the following points in President Obama’s speech:

Hopefully Obama will provide the number of troops requested by General McCrystal.

Having spoken to McCrystal, McKeon said that 400,000 internal security force would be required to secure the country and that there was ½ that number in Afghanistan right now. This would put a lot of people to work.

Time is another consideration: How soon will we be able to get the troops there?

McCrystal said we needed additional troops in the area w/in 1 year. We are 3 months behind in momentum, so catch up is required.

Winning is also a consideration.

Will the President say that we will have troops exiting after “winning” or “exiting (whether we win or not) Afghanistan w/in the 18 months”, which direction are we going. What is the exit strategy?

Meantime, we can only hope that Obama’s speech covers these concerns and Buck McKeon will find Obama’s momentum favorable for all Americans including our fighting troops in Afghanistan.

Looking forward to Obama’s speech, we can only pray that consensus from the right and left is coming.

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McKeon, Obama and Afghanistan

By "NERVIE" - Dec 1st, 2009 at 7:05 pm EST

Also listed in: 6 groups

In the preview video by Buck McKeon, he said he would be watching for the following points in President Obama’s speech:

Hopefully Obama will provide the number of troops requested by General McCrystal.

Having spoken to McCrystal, McKeon said that 400,000 security force would be required to secure the country and that there was ½ that number in Afghanistan right now.

Time is another consideration: How soon will we be able to get the troops there? McCrystal said we needed additional troops in the area w/in 1 year. We are 3 months behind in momentum.

Winning is also a consideration. Will the President say that we will exit troops after winning or exiting (whether we win or not) Afghanistan w/in the 18 months.

Meantime, we can only hope that Obama’s speech covers these concerns and Buck McKeon will find Obama’s momentum favorable for all Americans including our fighting troops in Afghanistan. Looking forward to Obama’s speech.

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Physical Responsibility and Thanksgiving

By "NERVIE" - Nov 25th, 2009 at 10:39 pm EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

Many people want to go to heaven but many people don't want to put forth the effort to practice the physical responsibilities that will get us here and I'll be the first to say that "the right activities" take commitment, persistence and practice. And this is taking into consideration that you believe that heaven does exist! I find that fighting for Democratic principals isn't any more simple.

Obama has a lot of responsibility since he came into office. Freedom doesn't come free, people who are going to Afghanistan is requiring us to share sacrifices to help them get to their victorious goals.

I am not a hawk, quite the contrary, however we need to get our butts out of Afghanistan and Iraq remembering that we owe the people in these countries those promises we made . . . getting out and leaving the people whole isn't an easy task but requires sustainability.

Tea Party members are projecting all that they can to be a force of negative force towards Obama. They are against any progress coming from him. The Republicans are looking for the unpopular war to continue, they are energized by the unemployment numbers falling, they aren't supporting the healthcare insurance reform because their politicial leaders are receiving huge contributions and donations when they run for office. This doesn't excuse those Democrats to too are fighting the insurance options and watering down the initial national healthcare bill. Whistleblower Wendell Potter, the former CIGNA marketing executive has said, "if there isn't a public option included in the insurance reform, then tha insurance companies have won" the healthcare battle. Many of us heard this and we believe since Potter wrote many of the policies that the insurance companies practice, that he should know truth from fiction.

Just another obstacle that OFA will have to overcome! It is profoundly amazing how so many people sat eight years watching our country go into absolute free fall and said nothing. And now that we finally have an opportunity to apply wisdom, commitment and arriving at the truth, the masses want to trash President Obama and those still seeking change.

We have always understood that change is gradual, requires time and persistence through: Voter registration, phone calling, writing letters to our politicians, letters to the editor, petition signing, community education, video presentations, resolutions, rallies, subject events, voting smart and continual strategic action...

May God provide Obama the guidance and wisdom to continue making decisions that lead to international alliances and to win the battle in Afghanistan and Iraq. OFA understands that there is no substitute to "victory". . . Obama has a strong hand to play and we hope he can find the money, resources and sustainability to pull our nation through . . .

Happy Thanksgiving . . . Peace out, Minerva and Todd Hoover, Santa Clarita Valley

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Psalms 109:8

By "NERVIE" - Nov 19th, 2009 at 12:17 pm EST

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It may be considered a Bible war going on in the internet but ladies and gentlemen when someone markets teddy bears, t-shirts, with Psalms 109:8 on it in reference to President Barack Obama, it is time to turn up the serious valve and ask is this an American Jihad and where are the religious leaders when you need them to stand up and exhibit contentiousness against such a decree!

And what is the CIA, FBI and Secret Service doing about any of this?

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Castaic, A Community of the Committed

By "NERVIE" - Nov 5th, 2009 at 1:29 pm EST

Also listed in: 8 groups

Last night we were happy to attend a lively celebratory gathering of a few local Castaic residents and their children, who were pleased that the election process was over.

No one ever said phone banking, literature dropping, knocking on doors, sign posting, writing letters to the editor, and attending house parties; community forums; teacher meetings; and eating on the run aren't exhausting. But when you have a candidate you believe in and they hugely win, you begin to see the overall wealth in "participating in the process". . . You have in affect, effected the "change that you believe in". Sound familiar?

Just the day before rising at 4:30PM Tuesday, November 3rd for poll working at 6PM to 9PM seemed to be a calling of the truly willing. The sound of shower water awoke me and slowing I shuffled for my bath robe.

A lady arrived at 7pm the first to cast her votes for the local Castaic School Board and local Newhall Water Board candidates. She was overly cheerful. Don't you love morning people! Overall 3% of the total electorate went out to vote in LA County. Makes you think about CNN news portraying poor nations clamouring and excited to be able to go the polls, standing in line through rain, snow, sleet at daybreak heavily clothed and expelling warmth to frosty air, to have the advantage of selecting their leaders. it is important to them. We are either spoiled, reckless, or presumptious that someone will speak to our concerns when we don't go vote.

Why didn't people realize their local elections are where their true political power begins. Last I heard, we still have the ability to take two hours off of our jobs to go vote, it is a federal mandate.

Have people forgotten that little American caveat.

But in spite of these concerns we wish to say:

CONGRATULATIONS TO ATTORNEY SUSAN CHRISTOPHER, the original OBAMA GIRL for our region

and

LAURA PEARSON, AND VICTOR TORRES, whom we met for the first time!

So we soldier on for the next election, the next campaign and the next nail biting returns . . . being proactive in the change that we believe in . . . Peace out, Minerva & Todd Hoover,

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SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7th, 2009

By "NERVIE" - Nov 4th, 2009 at 8:17 pm EST

Also listed in: 6 groups

We will be presenting the pros and cons of the Death Penalty. Should we have a death penalty, and if so is lethal injection really the best method? Can California afford the exorbitant costs involved with executing someone? A panel of experts will discuss these issues and more.

Our keynote speaker, Gloria Killian, who sat on Death Row three years and was incarcerated 17 years for a crime she didn't commit, will share her experiences.

Radio Personality Mario Solis-Marich will emcee the event. Ferial Masry, Educator and state assembly candidate will present her perspective as a Saudi-born woman. Jonathan Kraut from the SCV InterFaith Council; Carole Lutness, an LA County Psychiatric Social Worker; Bob Handy, Navy officer, retired, Political Democratic Activist, Attorney Joseph Trigilio, Federal Prosecutor; and Sharon Y. Garrett, President of the NAACP SFV Chapter will also be presenting. This event is a collaboration of all three Santa Clarita Valley clubs:

The Democratic Alliance for Action, Michael Kulka, President;

The Democratic Neighbors of the 38th Assembly District, Carole Lutness, President;

The Democratic Club of the Santa Clarita Valley, Bill Bailey, President.

LA QUINTA INNS & SUITES, 25201The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch, CA 91385 4:00PM to 7:00PM. $5/Admission. Videos, Desk top Displays. A 501c3 sponsored event. Refreshments. Free Parking. Email: minwilli@gmail.com (661) 295-9318

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FOX, IS IT NEWS?

By "NERVIE" - Oct 29th, 2009 at 5:19 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Journalist Jeff Greenfield responded to the ongoing battle from the media this week, when reporting, that the FOX NEW’S DEPARTMENT is being accused of being the research and communication’s arm of the Republican Party. He also says that “. . . Fox’s bottom-line has increased 13% since Obama came into office. So perhaps they are crying all the way to the bank”.

Obama accuses Fox News as appearing “to be more like a talk show format and not a news format”.

There is no question that the Rupert Murdoch owned conglomeration’s opinions predominately favor the far Right Republican agenda. So when the White House decides not to give more fuel to Fox’s perceived negativity and refuses to be on their programs, is this an exercise of free speech? On the other hand, is it an exercise in futility? The points of views coming from the White House will be interpreted as the voice of the Obama Administration no matter what the administration representative says when they appear on FOX. Being fair however, MSNBC has been called the most left in their presentation of Obama’s opinions. So to whom do we listen for the “true news story”? Nevertheless, who would that be?

Where do we find a news source that is truly balanced? Personally, I find I have to listen to them all and weigh what seems “logical”, but I was taught in journalism school and at the LA TIMES that politics are highly hinged in “manipulating emotions and the illusion”.

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Oct 28 Wed, Bipartisan Educational Discussion w/Hart School Board candidates

By "NERVIE" - Oct 24th, 2009 at 10:10 pm EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

*Come join our JOINT BIPARTISAN SESSION

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 7:00PM

Please note the correct date for the William S. Hart School Board Forum is Wednesday, October 28, 2009. The Democratic Club of Santa Clarita Valley and the Democratic Alliance for Action and residents of the 37th and 38th Assembly District in the Santa Clarita Valley area will be hosting a joint candidate forum for the Hart School Board Race. We will be meeting at Vincenzo’s Pizza at 24504 ½ Lyons Avenue in Newhall on Lyons Avenue, please arrive early to socialize. Each candidate will be given an opportunity to talk about their campaign and priorities for the Hart School Board.

As of press time: Bob Jensen, Joe Messina, Suzan Solomon, and Linda Valdes confirmed that they will be present.

More importantly, you will have the opportunity to ask some of those burning questions, so you can decide who you want to “vote smart” for on Tuesday, November 3rd Election! We hope to see you there. For questions leave message at (661) 295-9318 or write: minwilli@gmail.com. All Polls open at 7AM and close at 8PM. Absentee ballots can be dropped off at the polls. You can bring your children with you when you vote. Question on where your polling site is call 800-481-8683 or visit: http://www.lavote.net

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FREE FLU SHOTS . . .

By "NERVIE" - Oct 20th, 2009 at 12:07 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Saw this in yesterday's Business section of the L.A. Times, CVS and Walgreens promote free flu shots for the unemployed.

CVS will immunize 10,000 individuals that are jobless and Walgreen will give the shot to the uninsured. For a list of the vaccination locations visit www.cvs.com <http://www.cvs.com/> or call (888) FLU-SHOT. Walgreens will also give out vouchers to eligible people. Go to www.walgreens.com <http://www.walgreens.com/> or call (866) 484-TOUR for further information.

Peace out, Minerva

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Frank Schaeffer: Crazy for God . . . and some

By "NERVIE" - Oct 13th, 2009 at 2:01 pm EDT

Also listed in: 7 groups

Frank Schaeffer will be here on November 17, Hammer Museum, UCLA at 7:00 PM. * He’ll provide his firsthand account about the moral majority and the 20,000 conservative religious right ambusing of the Republican Party and 3.5 million Americans. He and his parents Anita and Frank Schaefferr created the concept in the 1970’s and 1980’s! Scary? “Bush was unqualified to be president”, says Schaeffer, “the behavior of his administration has almost pushed the entire US of America over a cliff, it will probably take a longer period of time to bring us back to the where we were” and he believes President Obama will get us there. Schaeffer like Obama is a Christian, but no longer a fundamentalist. He said he palled with the Bush family in their Switzerland Chalet, discussing pro-life issues. He offered his father would recognize the abortion stance however, “he wouldn’t be pleased with the Christianity movement, gay bashing and creating the war in Iraq”. “In the last eight years of “Focus on the Family”, Dobson, Jerry Farwell, Anne Coulture, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh for example were an absolute period of craziness [to me they still area] And today’s republican leaders are either neo-conservatives or panders to the fundamentalist religious right. Anyone not in these two camps to them are considered their enemy”. “These Americans are never going to stand behind Obama … and would rather see the entire country and Earth scorched before having an African American male president who is liberal and believe in the right to choose life style and life issue choices”. He offered no apology for the “Open Letter to President Barack Obama”. He said he told Obama personally that he is “red meat of hate”… “A village can’t reorganize village life around fundamentalist Christians”. He says that there aren’t any Republicans leaders who have the moral courage or willing to risk their majority position to reclaim the Republican party”.Schaeffer warned Senator John McCain first http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/an-open-letter-to-john-mc_b_133489.html Schaeffer is author of: Crazy for God; Faith for God; Saving Grandma and Portofino* You have to get there an hour early because the tickets are free and first come, first serve with the Museum members getting a priority over any other community members. Parking is usually a mess at UCLA, so wear tennis shoes. See you there . . . Minerva L. Williams

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LGBT three historical bills approved . . .

By "NERVIE" - Oct 13th, 2009 at 1:54 pm EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

Malcolm Blue sent me a message today. I too was surprised to read that, Today, in spite of all of the protestation for the anti-LBGT groups and the Democrats screaming about hundreds of other bills that were placed on the Governator's desk, Governor Schwarzenegger signed:

The Harvey Milk Day bill, authored by Senator Mark Leno, will honor the slain civil rights leader with the nation’s first “day of special significance” for an openly LGBT person in the country;
The Family Protection and Marriage Recognition Act, also authored by Senator Leno, underscores that same-sex couples married out of state are entitled to full recognition in California, and
The LGBT Domestic Violence Programs Expansion Bill, authored by Assemblymember John A. Pérez, will expand funding for LGBT domestic violence programs in California.

So what is next?

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A Discussion on Israel . . .

By "NERVIE" - Oct 5th, 2009 at 11:13 am EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

As we all know, the situation in Israel is still being discussed by The Obama Administration and individuals are anxious that the Iran has a nuclear program. We need to know the facts behind the battling in Israel. This is not my event, however, I encourage those seeking answers to meet this great groups of folks and attend:

Global Exchange

Ventura County Supporters

present

A Recent Visit to Gaza

Wednesday, October 28

7:00 P.M- 8:30 P.M.

Thousand Oaks Library

Laila Al-Marayati, MD, will share her experiences of her recent visit to Gaza and will address some of the major political issues that impact the ongoing situation.

Dr. Al-Marayati is the chairperson of Kids in Need of Development, Education and Relief (KinderUSA), a non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to helping Palestinian children and their families in Gaza, the West Bank and refugee camps in Lebanon. And on behalf of KinderUSA, she traveled to the Gaza Strip in May of this year where she had the opportunity to witness first hand the degree of destruction caused by the Israeli offensive in December of 2008. She visited with numerous Palestinians who continue to suffer under a regime of collective punishment that targets all members of society including those most vulnerable, children. The effects of the ongoing siege of Gaza combined with the trauma caused by the Israeli attack have imposed serious challenges on Palestinians living in Gaza. Yet their resourcefulness and faith help them survive and endure, hoping against all hope for a better future.

Dr. Al-Marayati has served on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom as an appointee of former President Bill Clinton. She is a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist and is the Medical Director of Women's Health at the Eisner Pediatric and Family Medical Center. She serves as the spokesperson of the Muslim Women's League based in Los Angeles which seeks to strengthen the role of Muslim women in society by disseminating accurate information about Islam and women to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

A question and answer period will follow the presentation.

The program is free and open to the public.

GLOBAL EXCHANGE Ventura County Supporters
www.globalexchangeventuracountysupporters.org

For further Information, Contact: 805-498-9401 or GlobalExchangeVCS@yahoo.com

The Global Exchange Ventura County Supporters is a group of people - a community of conscience -
dedicated to providing local monthly public forums, supporting and working with other local organizations committed to social and economic justice, human rights and ecological sustainability
Global Exchange, headquartered in San Francisco, is an international human rights
organization dedicated to promoting environmental, political and social justice.
Since our founding in 1988, we have increased the US public's global awareness while building partnerships worldwide.
Visit: www.globalexchange.org

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Part Five

By "NERVIE" - Oct 5th, 2009 at 10:41 am EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

You had the creepy crawlies when you walked out of the Buck McKeon Saturday 9AM Community Townhall Meeting on Healthcare Reform. Some women left crying and skeptical about the future. You don't see this in any video! You had to hear their comments. I even heard women from Wells Fargo who were hissing mad! "These are selfish nuts and liars", she said. I told her welcome to the club. She asked me if there is "anything that she can do", please call her. I've BCC'd her to this message and will call her later today.

Airing out the healthcare delivery system’s very public and dirty laundry, even FOX was in the house seeking the truth. The event drew some odd fellows. The meeting started late allowing the room to swell with anticipation. Buck often signaled his red shirted ‘referee” and his gray skirted blackberry assistant for background information. He did run the first session 45 minutes longer than scheduled and offered a return meeting for the diehards. Democrats strategically sat throughout the gym instead of in a huge block. Do note if you watch the video most Democrats agreed no insignia wearing, except a few OFA and IBEW members. Unfortunately, Independents, moderate Republicans and Democrats never had command of the mike. Whenever they did they were loudly hissed, cursed, booed, cat-called and even received thunderous stomping on the bleacher. Stomping on the bleachers? Yep, straight out of high school. We knew we were the visiting team. McKeon’s Buckaroos versus the Obama Firedogs. However, they even booed Buck a few times when he asked for civility and “to please be courteous to one another”. I know this ploy, it makes the leader look like he is fully in charge. When he turned beet red, I knew he wasn’t playing. Taking nothing away from Congressional leader Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, he was well coiffed, dressed, pressed and shined. I had never met him in person before. I’d called his office a couple times, sent an email or two. McKeon has a forced grin, amused by some of the outbursts, hid a couple laughs with the microphone, in response to the ridiculous outcries but overall he was pleasant and enjoying himself. Rocking back and forth on his heels, I got the impression he was ready to go after introducing his “lovely wife Pat, mother of six and grandmother of 34”! She was applauded and you heard feminine hoots and “oh my goodness” reverberating across the room. Prior to the opening, she shook hands with some of us in the front rows, she was amicable, polite, an attractive vibrant lady, in great physical condition and looks years younger than Buck. I thought six kids? What is her secret? But one thing everyone agreed on, stop the fraud, exaggerated costs claims, unnecessary medical procedures, pharmaceutical costs, 300% premium increases, clean up the Veteran Hospitals and review tort reform. And these folks don’t want healthcare reform? So I have my job cut out for the rest of the fall . . . I still pray that the 2013 healthcare bill isn't watered down to exclude "public option".

My final analysis: In creating a future of change, I agree it requires talking to neighbors, friends, family and congressional leaders. The future for our American grandchildren will require healthcare reform. If number crunchers have already determined that in another 15 years our healthcare premium costs will be equal to our take home pay, how are we going to live? Not all families have the ability to have two or more breadwinners in one family.

We are in a day and age of automation, why should insurance companies utilize 30% of their costs for administrative needs?

Why should insurance executives make 10 times the average income of the American citizens’ that they are fleecing for corporate jets, penthouses, exorbitant bonus plans, elaborate **** luxury resort motivational seminars, and vacation trysts.

Meantime, your healthcare needs are being minimalized or denied because it will diminish the lifestyles of the stockholders, the insurance executives and their bottomlines.

If the insurance companies were truly honest they would accelerate incentives for illness prevention, better eating habits, exercise programs, promote positive lifestyle choices and encourage physical and mental rest to increase healthy clientele.

Questions we need to ask ourselves is why would someone who has government tax paid Roll Royce insurance belittle you into believing it isn’t important for you to have affordable, adequate, and accessible medical coverage and a decent delivery system. To do otherwise is downright “stupid-headed”. To know this information is not enough! It isn’t political ladies and gentlemen, it is a human need. Don’t just read this. Do something that is an investment in your healthcare future. Fight for healthcare reform.

If you are interested in more information on what to have at a helathcare forum please email us: minwilli@gmail.com; or visit our website: www.scvyoungdems.org. It isn't too late to have your voice hear. I know many are tiring to the subject, but I believe this is what the opposing side wants, to wear us down and they they'll have their way with us, business as usual.

Peace out, Minerva

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Part Three

By "NERVIE" - Oct 5th, 2009 at 10:00 am EDT

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PART THREE: Each person in line was given the McKeon survey. You could respond Yes, Lean Yes, Lean NO, No, and Not sure on the following questions . . . Whether or not the constituents support the Obama plan and the Congressional Democrats? How we rated the quality of healthcare in this country? Do you believe the federal government has a responsibility to ensure healthcare coverage for all Americans? Do you support government run public insurance option to compete with private insurance? Do you support tax incentives for individuals and families to purchase health insurance independently of their employers? Do you support reining in medical liability abuse by cutting down on frivolous lawsuits? Do you support a federal mandate on individuals to require the purchase of health insurance? Do you support a federal mandate on individuals to require the purchase of health insurance? Do you believe that Members of Congress that support the President's healthcare reform plan should be required to sign up for it? Not sure where he was going here, don't congressional members have policies already? and Do you support citizenship verification to ensure illegal immigrants are not eligible under the Democrat healthcare plan? I thought immigrants aren't eligible for "public option". This was news to me. I’ll have to send out a SOS to the healthcare experts and find out what is the story behind this.

I understand from a phone call the following Monday afternoon, they really do want to know how people feel and a woman directed me to the online site. Funny the online site only has two questions. How did she know I didn't turn my long form in?

As I said, I had worked with a crew the night before to get signs made. Before I got there many sign carriers were told that they had to leave their signs outside. Hence, I became the keeper of the Democratic signs.

Based on some of the nasty comments as people passed there was definitely heckling, anger, and snarling ahead. Comments ranged from they don't want to be mandated to purchase or even consider government healthcare to “they better not play with my Medicare and VA Benefits”. But this isn’t socialized medicine they claim. I only gave a ½ hearted smile at them, shaking my head.

After one of the sheriff’s assured me that no one would bother with the signs, I eventually went inside. I knew we were filming so what ever I missed I’d see on video eventually. However, I was glad that I did go inside, I heard firsthand expressions on concerns about “frivolous lawsuits should be eliminated”, however, as one woman said, “if ever you had a relative who is harmed by a well-known or powerful physician, you will need aggressive attorneys to mitigate on your behalf. How are you going to be able to afford the healthcare to remedy a family member that has been medically harmed or killed? How do you compensate family members with horrendous and poor medical diagnosis”.

Another argued “if an illegal alien walked into the gym with swine flu, which could infest all of us, you’d want him to be hospitalized too”. This was received with huge boos, hissing and verbal heckling.

I only wish they had read the response I received from Wendell Potter, former CIGNA VP of communications, who assured me and has told Congress in two testimonials that insurance companies know how to provide public option while keeping it competitive. Illegal aliens are already factored into our current healthcare costs. We just don't realize it and the republicans have been told this, to say otherwise is a lie. Unfortunately, he wasn't there to refute many of the claims that McKeon was professing although I had sent the video to McKeon the day before. . . I reviewed the Organization Chart of the House Democrats' Health Plan with an IBEW member who came to hear McKeon's answers.

"This is nice and confusing, I wonder if he is going to review this madness", we both shared a laugh at the 8 1/2 X11 sheet with numerous arrows and charting. "No wonder it takes them forever to do anything", he continued.
"I've seen that chart in color", I replied, "doesn't make it any less confusing, but I know as a graphic artist, someone took a lot of time making the graphing, choosing the type and arranging the layout". We took turns questioning what HIPDB stood for; it had an X through it.

Overall, the response to questions by the audience was pretty partisan.

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McKeon, Part two

By "NERVIE" - Oct 5th, 2009 at 9:49 am EDT

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September 26th Part Two. As I realized that the unspoken message was “we don’t care about the physically challenged, elderly, mothers with infants, and those that might need assistance in negotiating a steep set of stairs with the nimbleness of an athlete weren’t factored in.

There was two ASL signers, each taking turns for the entire room but they weren't on camera or on a projection screen to if you weren’t able to get to the front of the room you could still see what was going on. They fluctuated from sitting down to standing up. The first middle section was reserved for handicapped, however, I didn’t see any hearing impaired in those seats based on body language and eventually I saw an event planner encourage people to move up in those seats. So I wasn't sure whom they were signing to.

SherryAn was there with her Organizing Healthcare Obama flyers and passing them out to people in line. Carole Lutness was taking names and phone numbers for those interested in the current local elections’ GOTV. Local elections are scheduled for November throughout the state.

The next Freedom of Speech was dwarted by huge white signs that said No Sign Posters allowed”. I guess McKeon had been tipped off that Democrats were coming to protest this meeting however, we had been forewarned the night before that it was quite likely we couldn’t take the posters inside, even if we didn’t have them on stakes. Depending on whom you approached at the event, the range of reasons were: 1.) Fire regulations; 2.) Diminishes the range of view; 3.) Electioneering; 4.) Buck doesn't want to see them; 5.) the other side didn't bring any, it isn’t fair, or 6.) those say public option and single payer, that’s not what Buck wants to see.

The number of signs accumulated as the line increased. Eventually to keep from having to walk back to the parking lot and losing our places in line, the signs began to accumulate in the bushes surrounding the entryway to the gym.

I decided to help spread them out around the bushes as you enter the gym instead of them being stacked up. Some people in lines found the signs funny to pretty interesting. Some got out of line to take pictures and read them more closely. The night before we had asked the sign makers to use large print so they could be seen from the street. There had been discussing to stand on the side of the road as people drove up, but I found too many democrats were interested in hearing and being inside, this never materialized. The bright green florescent poster that deemed the most attention was “Buck received over $340K in healthcare company donations”, information attained from “Open Secrets” and “Newmeat”, sights that I would recommend future event planners check out for factual resources.

I don't know if any other Republican signs had been taken back to the cars before my arrival at 8:15AM but I did spread out four within the pile and put their largest one near the door, equal opportunity for all, although we had outnumbered their signs 6:1. Then I took some of the professional OFA signs and spread them between the handmade signs. Two people asked if they could have them, one lady offered to wrap hers across her leg and take it inside. She gave me the Sarah Palin wink and I handed it to her anyway. Not sure whose signs they were, I went back to the car and took several out of my own stash that I hadn’t thought to bring originally. At least my conscious would be clear.

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The Long Version of Buck McKeon

By "NERVIE" - Oct 5th, 2009 at 9:32 am EDT

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http://www.youtube.com/crazycatherder

http://www.youtube.com/BuckMcKeon#play/uploads/1/PAg_Gx_0VZs

Well Saturday's September 26th event turned out to the largest LA COUNTY Townhall meeting to date since the Congressman Adam Schiff’s event in San Gabriel Valley. McKeon and his staff were busy pleasing themselves over the 800 RSVP’s. I watched them giving one another high fives.

Someone had left a visible unlabeled box under the stairwell and the sheriff department responded cautiously to its contents. After one bold sheriff realized that it wasn't ticking, he opened it. And all disgustingly shook their heads to find La Rouche magazines with Obama w/a Hitler mustache on the cover . . . They reclosed the box and shoved it back but out of view, I agreed with their disgust, but this is a country of Free Speech, exhibit #1.

There were close to 1,500 people there. Of course, the repubs say that it was 2,000. The initial anxious and alert crowd snaked around the building well before 8:15AM. One event planner was giving the others high fives in relaying “we have up to 2,000 RSVP's”. They had done their job. NOT. For it to be a healthcare meeting, the elevator didn't work for the physically impaired. Although, later in the morning, I heard the janitor exclaim to the sheriffs “it was working on Tuesday, I checked it myself”. Funny, there was little signage to let the public know that the elevator was even there.

I heard the janitor explain to the sheriff officers that the spring wasn't leveling as it should, hence it wasn’t usable. One officer offered that it was a safety violation and should be fixed quickly. I watched the janitor huffing up the stairs. I thought to myself, he’s in relatively good shape, not lean, but if he is huffing up the stairs and stopping at the first landing, what did he expect from moms with a child in a stroller? Some wheelchair bound and motor cart attendees looked dejected when they saw the final set of stairs. There was no signage telling them to keep going up the 20 degree hill to the side entrance of the gym. Some turned around expressing angry others called up asking for assistance.

I saw one young woman run down the stairs and offer to walk the man around the building. The person concerned, but not sure responded, “if you will take me all the way”. The guest obliged him.

She asked me if I knew where the side door would be, I told her it was my first time there also, “I don’t know”. I thought if democrats were in charge, we would have known to facilitate the handicapped and physically challenged. It is a requirement to holding a democratic event.

Eventually a guy in a white Boys and Girl’s Club polo called on a phone and a man came up with a golf cart. The cart man wheeled around to help the gentleman on the canes. I watched Good Samaritans grabbed the front of baby strollers to assist several mothers and a father. I saw audience members descend the stairs to aid physically exhausted elderly men and women, who were measuring their steps to ascend the stairs. One lady I ran down to help pulled her arm away. “I can help myself thank you, ” she was feisty but physically unstable. I retreated. Another man who had seen her too, came down behind me and she allowed him to help her up the last landing. “Thank you sweetie”, I heard her smile and say to him, as she turned around and sneared at me. He and I bodily shrugged at the same time and simultaneously shook our heads . Another form of Free Speech, I thought.

If the planners were concerned about healthcare wouldn’t they have had a plan for this situation I thought. But maybe that was the ultimate message “everybody for themselves”, because they have pulled themselves up by their boot straps why worry about anyone else? No one ever considers that someone made those boots. We can’t get there by ourselves, it takes all of us to make a village and I was taught this years before Hillary Clinton ever wrote the book! (to be continued)

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YouTube.com Videos of Buck McKeon

By "NERVIE" - Sep 30th, 2009 at 8:30 pm EDT

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Here are the various YouTube.com videos of the Buck McKeon September 26th, 9AM Healthcare Townhall Meeting.

9/26/08. TOWNHALL MEETING ON O’REILLY:

http://www.youtube.com/BuckMcKeon#play/uploads

Buck McKeon gallery: http://www.scvyoungdems.org/albums/BuckHealthCare/photo.htm

Crazycatherder videos: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=crazycatherder&view=videos

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The short version of Buck McKeon Townhall Healthcare Meeting

By "NERVIE" - Sep 30th, 2009 at 8:28 pm EDT

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The Buck McKeon Townhall Healthcare Meeting Saturday made footage on Fox News. You can snippets at: http://www.scvyoungdems.org click on “Events", then open the Buck McKeon picture!

There were easy 1,500 attendees at this event! People stood against the walls, in the hall way and moving back and forth through the gym. Republicans claimed 2,000. It was possible, the gym sat 1,000 in the bleachers on each side and 1000 chairs. A serious fire Marshall and sheriffs were present to assure public safety. McKeon said 800 people RSVP'd. We believe 30% of the crowd was us and we had 11 days to mobilize. The event brought out Dems I hadn't seen since he Obama election! Democrats and moderate Republicans leaders still say they'd rather wait and see . . . not believing as they once did, that President Obama can really pull healthcare reform off. Everyone’s watching Abu Grab and Guantanamo militarial terrorism, Iraq and Afghanistan wars and getting the receivers of the first financial bailout. That damn Bush!

The Republican rhetoric is confusing the hell out of folks. Even Wendell Potter (former VP of Communications for Cigna) told me personally, “Minerva, if they don't have the "public option", then the insurance industry will have won this battle, you might as well pack it in lady!” I’m however still fired up and ready to go . . . my friend from Seoul says, “Clutching on invisible hope!”

Bottomline, the Democrats are going to have to agree to agree and explain what the hell is in the damn bill! We can't defend what isn’t understood. I read the first 500 pages and wanted to pull my hair out! Healthcare is a human people problem. Maybe next time they’ll plan better for strollers, the handicapped, seniors and other physically challenged individuals and not expect them to walk huge flight of stairs at the next townhall meeting.

Will someone tell me more about the "illegal alien, abortion and tort amendment" that Buck mentioned? McKeon like the Democrats are crediting the Blue Dogs for holding up the 2013 Bill. Yesterday I hear they voted against “public option”. I know I have my advocacy job cut out for the rest of the fall . . . I still pray that the healthcare bill isn't watered down to nothing. Based on the outbursts, exchanges, heated comments and disgust portrayed . . . Healthcare reform is Damn Important. What’s more important than your health? A roof over your head, food in your tummy, a job and someone to love?

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Wear Tennis Shoes & BRING YOUR VOICE THIS SATURDAY!

By "NERVIE" - Sep 25th, 2009 at 5:12 pm EDT

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Dear Editor,

DISCLAIMER: I had to add that I work for the Insurance Industry, I was a new representative for AFLAC, and have completely stopped all my marketing and selling because I became concerned about the claims coming from the right and left over the viability and marketing practices of the companies. Whether or not I return will be predicated on how long it will take to get HR 3200 approved by the House and the Senate. Depending on whom you talk to they alleged that if the Blue Dog Democrats are reigned in by Reid, that this is a strong possibility it will pass before the close of the year. However the politics are that the Republicans are seeing how the approval of this bill first hinted by Richard Nixon in 1974 could be a boon for the party if they can keep it off the table until 2012 when they believe they will return to power because they will slash at everything that Obama does to diminish his effectiveness.

Now referring back to the testimonial, if you know me, I defer often when I speak, several times Potter expressed that the healthcare reform bill will be nothing more than an insurance industry profit protection and insurance act if the bill doesn’t include the public option.

He refutes the heavily prophesized claim that adding the public option will no longer make the private options competitive. Instead he adds that the public option will lower health care cost and cause the industry to reevaluate the way that they do business. The practice of the industry has directly affected 25 million families to become under and not insured and giving rise to over priced cartel led premiums. Potter added that public option will require the Health Services to eliminate high co-pays and deductible which mean less out of pocket costs, increases in lifetime limits, eliminate “fake marketing” plans and increasing annual caps that are more reasonable. Market reforms will not only cause companies to compete, contrary by the industry and allies claims, but also stop the misinformation tactics being used to “frighten us” into believing reform can’t be done. Again, those little fear tactics are being used to induce complacency. Dumping unprofitable and sick consumers to make profit expectations, in a nut shell will cause investors needs to become secondary and can no longer be put over the health of insurance industry consumers.

Consumers must understand that limited benefits fits and underwriting is designed for profit.

Many new bare bones insurance policies on the other hand would make insurance employees shift financial burden to their consumers. Industry employees are also falling victim to marketing misconceptions just to make bonuses. Potter exclaimed that all of this calamities need to cease. You can see his full assessment at www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBFKkXDSKWw

Potter and I hope that this is the year that will enact legislation, I hope he is right. Meantime I’d encourage the entire community to go out to the 25th Congressional representative Buck McKeon’s Townhall meeting Saturday September 26 at 9AM and get there early. Parking lots #5, #6, #7,and #8 will assist your morning stroll to the Gymnasium, wear tennis shoes and let’s here what our local legislative representative has to say. Oh and by the way, I did email him the above link . . . I did call Potter, he told me to tell McKeon that “death panels” is another made up marketing phrase.

Peace Out, Minerva L. Williams, Castaic, CA

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www.youtube.com/watch Wendell Potter

By "NERVIE" - Sep 25th, 2009 at 5:03 pm EDT

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Dear Editor,

September 15, 2009, I had the opportunity to watch C-SPAN 3 and hear another testimonial from the “whistleblower” and former head of communications from the Cigna Insurance company Vice President Wendell Potter. He referenced his previous testimonial on June 24, 2009. He expressed a need for comprehensive reform to shape reform to Congress to benefit all Americans. Several times he expressed that the healthcare reform bill will be nothing more than an insurance industry profit protection and insurance act if the bill doesn’t include the public option.

Consumers must understand that limited benefits fits and underwriting is designed for profit.

Peace Out, Minerva L. Williams, Castaic, CA

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