THE ANTI-OBAMA DELEGATES BLOG

No, I am not renigging on my endorsement of Obama, despite an intuitive sense that the older tough white guy appointment of Biden as VP somehow does not ring well for the campaign overall. It smacks of tentativeness to me, despite the ways in which I see its pragmatism. I have been thinking of the name of this post the “Anti-Obama Delegates Blog” ever since a tumultuous plane ride I took from Boston to La Guardia. It was not turbulent due to airstreams, it was turbulent due to the fact that I had the good fortune (and I mean that completely seriously) to be sharing the ride with a socialist anarchist 21 year old radical from New Mexico that had just attended the Think Outside the Bomb National Conference with me at MIT. The details of what occurred for me at that conference are lost in my activist psyche and or will manifest here and on my personal blog as they sprout from their myriad seedlings. Nevertheless, the conference culminated with this ride in a beautiful clash of radical consciousness, that I hope left both of us highlly perplexed and somewhat more informed.

The basic premise we debated, from our two positions, was the utility of backing a two party electoral system clearly mired in capitalist frames of exploitation and ultimately out of touch with the reality of most Americans. Michael’s position was framed by several crucial tenets 1) Obama and McCain are essentially alike, since each is part of a narrow system of power that he has no allegiance or interest in 2) The only way to reform society is to crush this two party system–preferrably before the next election via massive demonstrations at both the RNC and the DNC–if not then, then certainly before the next inauguration 3) to support any aspect of this system, especially by advocating as a “progressive” for Obama is counter to any actual radical movement of revolution and change 4) the anarchists and other radical elements in this country, that have disavowed the two party system are organized enough and ready to build a better society than what we have now. The final position, unlike the ones above, and acknowledging that I may be missing several in between, is one that I will unequivocally align myself with 5) A crisis much bigger than we can even fathom is coming and in many ways is already upon us. The crisis is at least 3 fold: economic collapse, energy security collapse; climate changes to chaos; sever subsequent societal unrest.

Taking this final point as my place of departure, both because it is a perfect cliff to jump off of and because it is the place of base commonality between Michael and I, we will start backwards and counter 4) While I believe there is an organized movement of peace makers in this country, I am not yet confident that they are organized enough to do a massive reworking of society. I do see the potential for regionalized groups working on building infrastructure together. But I do not believe we are capable of governance. Maybe that is precisely Michael’s point, as an anarchist, creating the space for the inability to govern. 3) I counter, to vote for Obama is a radcal act and to do otherwise stinks to me of a racism much deeper than we can fathom. Are you kidding me? Right at the moment when a black man is about to be elected president you’re going to ditch out and declare revolution? Excuse me? Explain to me how overcoming slavery and winning the civil rights movement do not lead to the fulfilling of the highest office in this country. I know Obama’s ancestors were not slaves. So what? He is a black american man and he is going to be president. VOTE. It may be the last chance you have since we agree on the time-frame of crisis coming within the next 5-10 years at current rates. 2) I see a massive protest coming at the RNC. I see not so much at the DNC. I think that their is a wave of dissent embodied in the democratic party like it or not. Cause to oppose the war we had to go to either side, and when we failed to stop this war WE FAILED TO STOP THIS WAR. In 2004, then we led more to die. This is greater than that, this is more than your narrow vision of your virtues, this is about who we want to lead when the crisis comes. I believe John McCain will not be an equitable governor if elected. Not with his interests nor with his waste, not with the weapons to control every place.

Obama is someone I can believe will attempt to lead when the crisis overwhelms, and whether we are able to organize and survive rests on him. He. She Free and WE.

1) Have I already mentioned my covert racism false consciousness thing? Please. Obama is nothing like McCain. Get real. The guy doesn’t know how many houses he owns. Really, Obama gets the value of a home, a place, the way the economy has warcked havoc on the housing markets leading to huge numbers of foreclosures. Surely, it is clear that distinction. And do not ignore the distinction of race and the implicit strain of that history. Nor ignore the hardened and aggressive posture of John McCain. Ready for battle, ready to fight on . BOmb BOmb, BOmb.

Really, to argue otherwise is to hold the bar far too high. You have no chance to compromise,. This is not a game for idealist eyes. The differences, they may be strong. To struggle we need to bring Obama on.

I didn’t mean to break into a song. I have to say I just do not agree. I feel a stealthy racist tone. I see a crisis and the need for real leadership. I am afraid, truly of what that crisis would mean with John McCain. I agree with Michael that we would be better off without a two party system. I think soon our political system will be obsolete. So I believe it matters who holds the power over the resources and weapons and the force of a possible police state. I am unwilling to relinquish that ability to Senator McCain. I hope the anarchists and others are organized, I will watch the RNC and DNC for action. For me, when I got home to Boise and went to work after Boston, I was rewarded with the sight of the Obama office just above my work space. It gives me chills everyday as I walk down the stairs to feel so close to this vote here in Idaho. For me, this is a crucial and radical action,–to elect Senator Barack Obama. And on this my anti-delegates blog CONGRATS TO IDAHO DELEGATES I informally nominate Barack Obama as the Presidential Candidate of the Democratic Party and the Progressive Element for Peace in this Nation and this WORLD.

Hard to Forget, Necessary to Remember

So, I ran across this site last night, and it shifted my frame of mind in a permanent way.  Anyone who reads this regularly knows I have a lot of concerns about the whole nuclear development matrix, from power, to prolif.  I am often asked “What is your problem with nuclear technology?”  The implication is that I have some sort of technological blindspot that disallows me from seeing the potential there.  No, I recognize the power in this technology, and that is why I am skeptical of humans using it for power (only).  This is why.

Of course, nuclear power is different than the nuke bombs highlighted here, but it is relatively easy to convert the nuke power process into weapons technology.  The same technology that we will have going on with Areva in E. Idaho (Uranium Enrichment) is what we have threatened to go to war with Iran over.  The waste (which there is admittedly no solution to) is in measure to the severity of the technology itself–illustrated so well in these pictures.

I heard an interview with Obama the other day on nuclear.  He says we should keep it on the table.  But we have to be careful since this technology could “blow up and irradiate us.”  Yep.  Really, a hundred new nuke plants?  What do you think?

PROGRESSIVES, GET A GRIP!

It is becoming too late and so this is a post I have, as I often do, been waiting for the “energy” to write. The importance of the issue is one I need to ensure I do justice to. Nevertheless, I am writing it now.

A week ago, exactly, I had the good fortune to be present for a talk by Naomi Klein–author of Shock Doctrine and No Logo. Her thesis is that in moments of crisis, such as Katrina, the Tsunami, and the war in Iraq (or 9/11 generally) a dangerous machine of anti-progressive political strategy will emerge from what we traditionally call “the right.” This happened in New Orleans, she argues, when just days after Katrina, the Heritage Foundation met with others to discuss the “Free-Market Solution to Hurricane Katrina” The list included the resortization and industrialization of the devastated area, and drilling in ANWAR. You get the point. And from what I understand, that is largely what is happening in New Orleans and Newt Gingrich is leading the charge to ANWAR. Her point is that progressives need to be able to insert socially just agendas in crises much quicker than they do currently. The right takes advantage of the shock, the left should genuinely attempt to heal.

This is the crux, the lesson, my bone to pick with progressives: When I asked my question of Naomi, on nuclear of course, she allowed me about 2 minutes to answer after endorsing my position generally. I mentioned Obama at the end, how I thought he would democratize power. I GOT BOOED. I was in a room of progressives, in a bar known for its leftist politics, in Washington D.C. and I got booed for endorsing Obama. They all were snickering about the FISA vote.

PROGRESSIVES GET A GRIP!

This is not 2000, this is not even 2004. Sure, it is easy to believe that the immediacy of this moment is no different than any others. We may be paying more at the pump, our children (of this world) may be dying everyday in Iraq, food crises are globalized, and global warming is leading to drastic changes in the environments we know how to inhabit, but the attitude seems to be one of arrogant hostility to the urgency of this moment. Progressives do not have room to criticize Obama now. Someone has even mentioned Ralph Nader to me. People, this is a problem. We have our nominee. We must do everything we can to elect him. This is serious. Many of you have seen the New Yorker cover. Already a racist bent is at work which is undercutting Obama’s character. I have recently heard that the new racism is something called “cultural regionalism” that is at play here to. Barack Obama, as Naomi Klein explained when she later addressed her feelings about Obama, is not our savior. He is a man who, I believe, history has brought forth to deal with the present. I believe he will be a great leader. I do not expect him to solve our problems. I do not expect him to agree with me on every issue. I do not even expect that he represents the majority of my ideals. But he demonstrates a commitment to the core ones. He shows me he listens, he offers support to the marginalized, and he inspires hope, vision and action. I trust him in a way I have not felt trust for a President before. That is what matters. O.k. ,Naomi didn’t say that, but she did say that it was up to us to tell Obama what we wanted and hold him accountable. That is something we should all intend to do. After we elect him.

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Pack your bags right (I mean left)

Let me explain the meaning, to me, of “confrontation.”  How I mean it is in the productive transformative impetus sense.  It is only with confrontation, most often a respectful clashing of ideas, that we really are able to address the issues at hand.  In this election we are, absolutely, seeing this clash.  Black/White, young/older, democrat/republican, freshman/senior senators, Hope/Fear.  There are more, feel free to share some of those I missed.

Race is a potent component in our culture.  This clash of race will result in the arising of racism, you better believe it.  We will have to wait to see if, and in what form this malignant hate will take shape, but I know it is there, I know it is not healed.  I am serious now, prepare for confrontation.

There is a song I like with a line that says “Love conqueors all, love protects all, love defends all.”  I want to realize the beam of “love supreme, love supreme.”

So lets get out our hope, our love, our compassion, and our vision.  Lets take out of our packs the hatred, lies, and petty self interests that we do not need.  Lets pack some pragmatism, and definately some optimism, and a good dose of realism and lets go about enacting the repairing and healing needed in this country and abroad.  

But we will only get that opportunity if we prepare for and win the confrontation over race.  And that will be easy, if we pack our bags right in the first place.

 

 

Time to Prepare for Confrontation

This is a post I have been meaning to write, but waiting till I was centered, grounded, rested and balanced.  Well, finally, I have realized that none of those things are going to happen anytime soon, so here it goes anyways.

 There is an e-mail circulating through the electronic mail box systems that is exemplary for its display of the kind of opposition we will face in electing Barack Obama as the next president of the United States.  This is similar to the kind of attacks referenced on 43rd State Blues as the Obama Smearmachine   It takes sentences from “Dreams of My Father” and one from “The Audacity of Hope” and deploys them as evidence that Obama is disgracefully unfit to hold the presidency.  It entails one sentence quotes of Obama’s with accompanying commentary to the regard: “Don’t elect this guy he is a racist and a muslim.”

I have thought a bit about whether I would share the direct sentences from this e-mail on my blog.  At first, I thought I would just type them in, but then I realized that I am unwilling to reproduce quotes, out of context, that are being used to attack Obama.  First of all, I don’t have a single problem with any of the assertions (6 of them), even in their out of context form.  But, since they are being used as such and since I am opposed to out of context citation as a general principle, I will not replicate them.  I will offer a summation of each of them, an, In Other Words, and so I will transform them into a more relevant explication of the meaning of the terms and not the implication implied by the e-mail chain letter:

1) Obama expresses early recognition of the way in which calling attention to his mother’s whiteness was really an attempt at validating himself and spiting his blackness. He chose not to continue this self-degragating behavior.

2) A description of the way he had dealt with racism by feeling animosity towards white people.

3) Expressing that a past distrust towards an individual he encountered may have been rooted in their whiteness.

4)A historical telling of the necessitated reality to identify with one side or the “other” in terms of race relations.

5) The locating of his inspiration not in race, and not in one particular historical figure, other than his African born father, from whom he found inspirations intertwined from many historical icons to enact his own “attributes”.

6) I will just quote this one directly, because my summation is likely to misconstrue it even further, “I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.” Now, this is meant to imply two things 1) That Obama is a Muslim not a Christian and so not to be trusted and 2) Play on the notion that his muslimness will lead to his surrender of our country to the ‘”terrorist jihad.” Give me a break, and not that I put myself starkly on the Christian side of the divide, but I think I have already aligned with muslim sentiments in light of our country’s behavior of late.  That is, I think, near what he means.

When I watch Sunday Morning shows, or late night news commentary, I sometimes hear what I think is a white supremecist pervasion of the mass culture in response to Obama.  I know, it sounds paranoid, but it does concern me. And, we should brace ourselves for this.  In my “Past Presidential Ponderings” you will find an entry discussing some of the racist claims out there regarding an Obama presidential run.  Many people think this country will rise up against a black president.  We need to insist on the CONFRONTATION OF ALL RACIST ATTITUDES in the face of such a response.  That is what Obama was doing in his book. Ironically, the senders of this e-maiL, I imagine, do not see the racism they are enacting.  Obama has every reason to have experienced a reaction to the many times in his life that he was subject to the realities of Racism and the historical memory of the pervasive and violent racism experienced in this country, just shortly before his time. To argue that he is somehow dangerous because of an open and real response and process of reflection is to disregard his experience and once again engage in a definatively racist exclusion.

We must all be prepared to defend Obama from these attacks by finding our own ways of articulating and contextualizing them through explaining their real meaning.  The force working against this presidency, may be quite great, depending on the amount of racism that has covertly subsisted in spite of an equalization of race in status quo political culture. The movement to defeat this position must be ready to go steps, maybe even miles beyond where we have had to go before to elect desperately needed leadership.  We will, of course, do what needs to be done.  For now, rest up for the confrontation, prepare your response, but do not go to sleep, we still have a long way to go and a big foe to meet.

 

 

Do It Democrat

There are many exciting things happening I could write about: Obama has moved boldly away from corrupted public financing for his general election campaign; I met tonight with an excited and dedicated group of people concerned and ready to help shape energy policy in this state and this nation; The Interim Energy Committee of the Idaho Legislature is meeting again today to discuss state energy policy. 

It is the third point, inspired by similar components to the first two that I will focus on for a moment and then offer a way to act to combine these efforts through just doin’ it Democrat style. By the nature of the current state party power make-up, any move towards environmentally ethical and economically efficient energy policy requires bi-partisan operations and inevitably occurs at a snails pace of change.  We can shift this power matrix in the next election.  We can do everything we can to elect more Democrats.

When I got home last night I had an e-mail in my inbox from Chuck Oxley, with The Idaho Democratic Party.  My understanding is that Chuck is a key element to the DNC’s 50 State Strategy.  He is asking for volunteers to help in the office with all sorts of duties and he could use lots of help.  This is the way to make change, by helping Idaho Democrats navigate through the next election cycle and arrive at a transformed place for Democrats nationwide. Call Carlin at 208.336.1815 with days and times you might be able to volunteer (flexibility is accommodated). Just Do It Democrat!

Committed to Idaho’s Wild Places

No, I have not been kidnapped by nuclear industry fanaticos as a result of my last post (Although that would be exciting and then I could really give them a piece of my mind).

As the Convention has passed, life has accelerated, and I needed a quick inhale before posting more. Really, I just needed to get out into the wild and experience what I love about being an Idahoan–the wild places that remind me I am a sentient being. My passions come from my experiences and my committment to environmentalism is a result of growing up with a deep appreciation for nature honed by wild adventures with my parents, siblings and friends. While spending time this weekend on the Upper-Boise River I was able to reflect on two key points:

1) Thank you Idaho Families for Clean Water, the Idaho Conservation League, and Idaho Rivers United, the Boise City Council and Mayor Bieter for all the work you have done to prevent the cyanide heap-leach mine from being built at our headwaters. The battle is not over, but already these groups have delayed and changed the plans for this mine and the City of Boise passed a resolution of opposition that sent a clear message to the Canadian based “Atlanta Gold” that we are uninterested in their terrible proposal.

2) One of my favorite parts of the Convention was when we struggled over language in our platform to acknowledge the Democrat’s comittment to preserving and protecting Idaho’s wild places. At first we had language in place that referenced “historic access” to public lands. When it was pointed out by roadless activists that this language was being used to enable new access, on old roads, by motorized vehicles, we were able to pro-actively innovate our terms and escape this pitfall that could have damaged these activists work.

While sitting by the River this weekend my serenity was often broken by the hum of four-wheelers actually driving in the river (And watching the fitting punishment of getting stuck–even though we were all punished by it, and the river bank was terribly damaged by the spinning wheels, not to mention the excessive fuel pollution that definately violated a critical Leave No Trace ethic, which is standard on wild rivers). While we all have a right to enjoy the outdoors as we choose, it is essential that how we choose to do so does not harm the integrity of our beautiful waterways, or magnificent trails. Now, more than ever, that commitment in our platform can help shift the frame to prevent this kind of abuse. There is still a lot of work to do to prove our commitment to Idaho’s Wild Places, but we all know it is worth the work.

Keep The Democratic Beat

The Convention is simmering in my daily experience. I remembered last night, after attending my weekly African Dance Class filled with the music of live drumming, that I had still not written of one of my favorite moments of the Convention. At the time that this aspect of the entire event occurred, I tried desperately to blog AS IT HAPPENED I have found this is an often felt impulse of mine now that I blog regularly: I want to have immediate response blogging. This time, I was unable to get an internet connection in the Convention hall. In retrospect, that was a good thing.

I had not known the term “Color Guard” before the official opening of the State Democratic Party Convention on Friday. I do consider myself a lover of this country. I have resisted, most of my life, patriotic public displays of this love. Mostly, that has been a reactive response to “authority” insisting on my patriotism. More recently, that has been a deliberate transgression, not in opposition to the fabric of the nation, the people of the nation, the soldiers of the nation. No, a deliberate resistance to the leadership of this nation, a conscious effort to resist allegiance to a government whose policies are no where near in-line with my idea of what it means to be an American. Those displays must be authentic for me, they should come from the heart.

While yesterday I critiqued our environmental actions at the Convention, today I want to praise the inclusion, the focus, and the recognition of the origins of this country by the Democrats in this state through the ceremonial and moving Color Guard by our Native American Tribes carrying not only the flag of the United States, but also the flags of Idaho’s native peoples. It made me proud to be a Democrat to feel the beat of the drum, hear the sound of a chant, and pay respect to those who know this land through a direct and deep ancestral connection. My body moves with insistance and without hesitation to drumming and I realized during our opening ceremony that through this beat, all of us were connected. Our hearts were allowed to sync in rhythm with each other and the common thump of the drum was more than a metaphor for this connection. The drum enables that connection. We are Democrats and it is o.k. to move our bodies, to not be inhibited by the stiff social norms of proper political etiquette. This feeling was one of the safest feelings I have had in an open public political space, and for the first time my heart was compelled to partake in an authentic patriotic act. The tribute was beautiful and the effect has been lasting. Tears streamed down my face during this ceremony as I realized what it meant that our Democratic Party had achieved the ability to return to the errors of a violent past of conquest and colonialism. We had returned to heal, and in that healing we have prepared ourselves for moving towards the Hope we all feel for a new America with new leadership and new vision. We need now to keep that democratic beat and take that rhythm with us as we move towards November.

Democratic Politics For Dinner

On the night the Convention ended I was spinning in the experience.  The energy and momentum of a Democratic party that had sat “dormant” for so long left all of us in a euphoric state of long awaited excitement.  Please, understand, I do not mean to indicate by using the term dormant that things were not happening.  Clearly, the Idaho Democrats have been maintaining a base of committed and thoughtful leaders.  Gail Bray, Jerry Brady, Jim Hansen, John Foster, Larry LaRocco (just to name a few).  I, myself, have had democratic politics for dinner every day since I was tiny.  I thrive on being a blue girl in a red state.  The dormancy was a reason to keep hoping for the movement.  A body at rest tends to stay at rest.  A body in motion tends to stay in motion.  Well, we have started moving so watch out!

So after the Convention, I went to the Albertsons I have gone to since I was a little girl.  I gathered a few items for my dinner and got in line.  A very cool thing happened.  Noticing my credentials, red white and blue and Obama pin, the man in front of me in line asked if there had been an Obama rally.  I explained that I had come from the State Democratic Convention and that it was awesome.  He started talking about how great Obama is and how finally our country might have a chance.  Then the guy behind me chimed in about what a joke the other party is.  He said he couldn’t believe they could keep a straight face when they asserted Obama was a tax and spend liberal after the way they had handled the economy.  Incredible, I thought, it is like the Convention energy has followed me and now the buzz is affecting even the people in this grocery line.  I encouraged their enthusiasm for a new politics in Idaho, and shared that I had heard the R’s were eating their own in N. Idaho.  ”Yeah, maybe the tide is changing” the guy behind me said.  ”It is” I affirmed.  Then it happened, out of nowhere and without warning I shouted at the top of my lungs: “I’M A DEMOCRAT AND I AM NOT AFRAID ANYMORE!!”  Pause, awkward silence throughout the store.  Then I started laughing, the guy behind me laughed, and the check-out clerk smiled broadly.  ”That felt good!” I said, as I packed up my grocery items–now transformed into truly Democratic politics for dinner.