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    marye
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    Here and there in the forums people are expressing their enthusiasm for particular candidates in the upcoming U.S. elections, while others are saying Enough Already, We Don't Want To Hear About It. So, this is the right place to discuss your favorites (or non-favorites) and other matters relevant to the campaign. If you're not into it, skip this topic! And as for all you non-U.S. residents, if you want a similar topic for what's going on in your part of the world, speak up and I'll start it. Thanks!

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  • jerry_garcia71
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    GRTUD
    I'm sorry that I got you in such a tizzy! First I spoke about music and the Family being my passion but you must have misunderstood that. I have been enjoying this website for ten years as jerry_garcia71 but when I speak up to people that I care about how I feel, I am somehow deemed unworthy and under attack. It is terribly sad that you have no hope that nothing will ever change and you have no affect on the world. Let me share a little nugget with you about a Deadhead I met at RFK Stadium one summer at a show: He had hope, he thought that he could help the world. He was optimistic and wasn't ready to surrender. He was elected Vice President of the United States for 8 years and later won the popular vote to be our President. He has recently won the Nobel Peace Prize because he is currently engaging world environmental policy and trying to save the health of our planet. Yes, Al Gore is driving that train that you GRTUD are content to be a passenger on.
  • Steve-O
    Joined:
    John Edwards
    If I had to vote right now, he would be my MAN. I'm not quite ready for a female president, sorry ladies. I don't feel that foreign leaders would respect a female president. I'm done with the whole republican leadership. TIME FOR A CHANGE!!!
  • GRTUD
    Joined:
    ...Political Teen Spirit?
    There is an absolute difference between saying for whom someone would vote, in an election and an endorsement. Needless to say, when one hitches their wagon to a political pony, for whatever reason, that line is no longer blurred. In this instance, jerry_garcia71 seems to be here for the sole purpose of political advertisement. Furthermore, I feel the wording of the two posts I've read, by this person, insinuates by saying, "the Dead community..." that you speak for me, which you do not. Equally grating is the notion that you speak on behalf of Mr. Obama ("our support might earn us a wink and nod in the future!"). Comments such as these, won't earn any endearment from me. If you were to speak about music, ANY MUSIC, I'd at least feel some endearment to you regardless of political affiliation, which I do not. This fact, in no way makes me happy. If you really believe in your candidate as a person that will commit to changing the social stagnation, in this country, brought on by decades of partisan pissing contests and an "all you can take" buffet mentality by the duelopoly system of political sharing when it comes to tax money, why not come here and ask about the things that we care about, instead of grandstanding? I've seen my share of political climates in this country come and go, but what I haven't seen is a politician that will really listen to the working class. Tom Wolfe said he was never interested in covering American politics because no matter who gets elected, "The American political system is like a train - it stays on the same tracks, no matter who's driving." In other words, the real issues are never allowed to be talked about, in an open forum. That notion isn't complicity btw, it's reality and one needn't be an elected official to help start change along those lines, unless they haven't any other "day job". Eventually, no matter who wins an election, any election, reality will replace fantasy and then... "There's just the payment left and broken dreams."
  • Sunshine-daydr…
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    politicians
    They all say what they think you want to hear! Bob - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spanish Jam
  • TigerLilly
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    Oh Badger
    You made me smile at 7:30 this morning, while still groggy (am up because my son has a soccer tournament today). Has been a while since had a chuckle from reading one of your posts. Thanx!!!!!!!! ********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens
  • cosmicbadger
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    smells of socialism
    A few years ago I was sitting with my son in a diner having breakfast somewhere in N California. A dude from another table comes over. He is middle aged, pencil thin, black jeans, white shirt, bootlace tie 'Say you folks ain't from round here, what kind of accent is that?' 'We're from England' Pause 'You got socialists over there doncha?' 'Yep' 'You one of them?' 'I suppose I am' 'Huh. Well you folks take care now' ' Dude walks back to his table and just sits and stares continually and evilly at us. We pay the bill, run for the car and drive for the next 100 miles checking the mirrors regularly!
  • D00Dah
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    ???
    Living right across the Big River from that political hotbed of Iowa, I have already been bombarded with more TV ads and news in the local papers than I can shake a 'hanging chad' at. Wake me when it's over......On the other hand, I'm a regular dude. I work an avg of 65 hrs a week and I kick ass at a job that I enjoy more than I dread. My hard work this year made me more than I needed to make, but I am by NO means a rich guy. I'm not sure which candidate speaks to me. The righties are too preoccupied with religion for me to take seriously most of the time while the lefties want to create a system of wealth redistribution that punishes hard work and smells of socialism. This two party system leaves little room for choice. I'm into personal responsibility, good decision making and enjoying life, I'm not sure which party is for me. The funny thing is, if JFK were running for president in '08, he would probably be a republican. His job is to shed light, not to master...
  • GADEADHEAD
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    My thoughts on Iowa
    I am very pleased with last night’s results. I look forward to a time when I can not only stand to sit through a presidential speech, but I look forward to hearing some intellectually inspiring rhetoric. Now that I have had time to analyze what each candidate has to give, I feel kind of relieved. Hillary - Although I like Hillary overall, I have not been able to get past her abysmal voting record over the last couple of years. I am happy that if the nomination follows suit, the Republican witch hunt will be headed off before it begins. I still feel like her experience as first lady is invaluable. Her experience with healthcare reform was doomed to failure due to the short time line and unsupportive Republican Congress at the time. She has a ton of international diplomatic experience. Besides I get the warm and fuzzys when I think about Bill being back in the White House. Edwards – I like Edwards. He is the only candidate who has focused on the poor. As much as the media painted it the other way, I feel like he did an excellent job in the debates with Cheney in ’04. Obama – I have loved Obama since his speech at the Democratic Convention. He is definitely the face of change. He is black with a very young family. He is not corrupted by decades in politics. I am very curious who he would choose as his running mate should he win. Hillary is from a Blue state (No gain in votes), Edwards would be good but I don’t know if he would go second fiddle this time around, but my choice would be either Richardson or Biden or possibly a third party person like Bloomberg or McCain if he switched over (although he will probably die of old age soon) On a more serious note, a coleague at work wrote: " I was too young to vote for Jack Kennedy, but was for Bobby and was devastated when he was assassinated. When I heard Obama at the Democratic Convention, and have listened to him since then, I knew he was the right candidate at the right time. I’m pleased." This lead me to the following thoughts: "Knock on wood, Obama is inspirational enough to meet the same fate as Bobby, John and MLK. I hope I am wrong about that. Thankfully, I think we are in a different time now, although Bush and his cronies have tried their best to recreate the same tumultuous direction for our society. (I can’t help having an ominous feeling in my gut when I think of all the correlations – Vietnam – Iraq, Bush Crimes – Nixon Crimes, Assaults on our civil liberties, The speaking styles of MLK and Obama, the controlling of dissenting voices at the conventions [Free speech zones vs Miami Riots] The expiration of the assault weapons ban , etc, etc) I truly feel like the main reason there has not been civil disobedience this time around is the technology of today. People are able to express themselves and connect with other equally frustrated people enough through the internet that it is hard to let it bubble over in large gatherings where that is the only way to let your voice be heard. Anyway, I feel like our country has been in a state of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome with the war, 9/11 and the last two presidential elections. That is part of the reason I get so outspoken some times. I want to get it all out there now so I can get beyond it in November." Peace
  • Hal R
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    Keep at it jerry_garcia71
    Keep that spirit of positive change alive, don't let the complacent folks get to you. However I take issue with two things that you wrote. "we allowed the Bush Administration to slide into power" and "Nobody showed up to vote in 2004". Please no absolutes. I did not empower or allow the Bush Administration, I fought it and still do and I voted in 2004 just as I have every other year since I was 18. Peace. The future will be much brighter when these puppets of the the multinational corporations have been shown the back door to exit. If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
  • jerry_garcia71
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    Thanks Marye!
    I appreciate the efforts of Marye at Dead.net to make a little room here for politics. As I was saying earlier, to me the Grateful Dead culture that I have loved being a part of for many years has historically been interested in politics and the environment. The music and the Family is my passion; but being politically active is protection of my freedom of expression. Freedom ain't free. I love to be carefree but folks we have to always keep one eye on The Man! I hear alot of negativity from Heads that choose to be complacent politically because "all politicians are crooked and nothings going to change anyway". But I feel complacency has made the world a worse place because we allowed the Bush Administration to slide into power. As Deadheads we were given a gift to make the world a better place. We spread joy. None of the candidates for president this year are perfect; but we must pick the lesser of two evils. Nobody showed up to vote in 2004 and the world is a much sadder place because of that. Turn on your love light this year and just vote for who you feel is best. Right now I feel Barack Obama is our best choice to make the world a better place. I often think about how I can help make the world a better place. I'm not pretending to know all the answers but I'm just doing my best. Last year I started an internet group "Deadheads for Obama" located at: DeadheadsForObama@groups.barackobama.com I'm trying to show Barack that the Dead Community is interested in peace, logic, and compassion like he is. Who knows, our support might earn us a wink and nod in the future! Thanks again and may you have a safe and happy new year.
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Here and there in the forums people are expressing their enthusiasm for particular candidates in the upcoming U.S. elections, while others are saying Enough Already, We Don't Want To Hear About It. So, this is the right place to discuss your favorites (or non-favorites) and other matters relevant to the campaign. If you're not into it, skip this topic! And as for all you non-U.S. residents, if you want a similar topic for what's going on in your part of the world, speak up and I'll start it. Thanks!
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16 years 8 months
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Yo TC in AZ: Flying Dog used to have a joint in Denver, but moved out and are in Maryland. Have you ever tried the KiltLifter in Phoenix? A coworker here in KC really likes the brew there. If you ever run into Oskar Blues Beer, check out Dale's Pale or Gordon's. Gr8ful TC in KC
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16 years 3 months
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Just went and voted. Walked right up to my polling station and no waiting. About half of my district had already shown up, which is usually more than they get for the whole day. This is going to be a record turnout. And about friggin' time, too. I consider voting a social responsibility, and I have yet to miss any election in which I'm eligible to vote in. So if you still haven't gotten out there yet, please do. We're all counting on you! Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.
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16 years 3 months
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gonna try one more time......can't stand too long, mebbe no line now....gotta do it either way....i don't remember the lines EVER being this long...chargin' my phone now!!! and of course now the wind is kickin' up.........
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16 years 7 months
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listening to CNN-problems again @ voting places in Pa......no problem here in our district of SF.......hope it's the same in the others...TODAY IS YOUR VOTING DAY!!!!! NO OTHER....!!!!! ADAMENT ABOUT YOUR REGISTRATION-I'm quoting CNN...... xoxox Gypsy Cowgirl gotta run
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16 years 9 months
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Like swimming in a clear cold topaz blue mountain lake high in the sierra's.That feeling when you walk home from voting. Totally blissed out and smiling. We can change the world, one vote at a time. peace,pk
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16 years 3 months
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in line at 1245........finished at 1510....2 hrs 15 min in line.......once i received my ballot was another 10 min 'til i was done.......i will now drink all of the beer, stand aside!
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16 years 9 months
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I'll remain cynical and skeptical till all of the votes are in, but Barack seems to be aHEAD. peace.
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16 years 3 months
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'spose i should let him know that he might be the new state auditor AND public lands commissioner for washington
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16 years 1 month
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Well I voted in 5 minutes here in Fl., no waiting. Speaking with my friends wife earlier, she said maybe Obama's grandmother could help him more from the other side. I told her I had goosebumps just hearing that. Peace
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16 years 9 months
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Pennsylvania goes to Obama! Thank you Bobby, Phil, Billy, and Mickey. For your grate efforts to bring us the change we need. peace,pk
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16 years 3 months
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Republicans, because the party's over. Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.
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16 years 9 months
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Obama 49%McCain 49% actually Obama is ahead by 132 votes at this point. This is unbelievable. Nebraska hasn't split our electoral votes since 1964! Hey Hal, we got out the vote!!! The Truth is realized in an instant, the act is practiced step by step.
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16 years 10 months
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AP is just announcing that Obama won Virginia. Whoa! Polls are still open for ten minutes in California. Maybe longer if people are still lined up!
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16 years 9 months
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This is a magical time. Wow. He will win california,oregon, and washington and thats the start of a new era.
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15 years 5 months
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The right man won.now the all the hard work starts.He has one hell of job ahead of him
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16 years 9 months
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OK, I've been politically ambiguous to this point, because well, I'm like that. I guess I've hinted at my stance as I tirelessly monitored the Change Rocks concert info as well as the DH for Obama concert info, so I would like to now simply say, "YES!!!!!" I'd also like to say, "Oroboros - much love! I still listen to those discs at least 2-3 times a week and I'm still stuck on 6-9-77. It just never gets old for me. Love!"
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16 years 8 months
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Wonderful new historic day. World over here seems to be exhaling in relief.********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens
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16 years 9 months
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I think you made the right choice..someone who can start to undo the enormous harm done by GWB and cronies. Please keep him safe and give him time!
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16 years 8 months
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The election of Obama as the US President is historic. And like many historical figures, he may just find himself on a stamp someday. Food stamps that is. Americans have collectively voted that they want more government programs and are not willing to take full accountability and responsibility for themselves. Furthermore, American ingenuity will dampened with all the tax increases. It appears that there is a fundamental change taking place toward more socialist programs and activities across America and the globe. I am totally against redistribution of wealth. While I don't have much, I want to keep all I have and get. All were fed up with That (the Bush Administration) that they elected This (Obama), when This is not that great either. But it is what it is and we move forward.
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16 years 4 months
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So happy ....... It's like seeing a very good old lost friend back with a large smile on his face ....... BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO ............... Sad black and wite time 's over let's get into the mixing colors years .... Grateful Marek from France.
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16 years 8 months
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The post-election party in Grant Park looked like a real good time! Good luck, Mr. President-elect, in building an effective Cabinet. Congress has a few more Democrats to grease the wheels of progress.
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16 years 10 months
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not falling into their time-honored pattern of succumbing to hubris and adopting all the vile behavior that got their opponents thrown out--cronyism, corruption, pork, coziness with lobbyists instead of the citizenry, etc. I for one am not forgetting for a second that the evils of the last eight years are the result of Bill Clinton's pathological inability to keep his pants zipped or tell the truth, and I do not want to see this movie and its aftermath again. When you have a pack of slavering Newties determined to use any pretext to bring you down and the well-being of the country depends on their not succeeding, cavorting with interns and lying about it is arrogant, borderline criminal stupidity from which it is perfectly clear that Rhodes Scholars are not immune.
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16 years 9 months
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I don't care what anybody does with their own time, just don't do on the Democratic Party's time. What didn't Clinton get? That guy changed the course of history with his stupidity. Dan White of San Francisco could't face the city he grew up in after what he did. Clinton's walking around like nothing happened. Republicans can get away with that, but not a Democrat. What didn't he get? I will never figure that one out.
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marye, but please what is a Newtie? (blush)********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens
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16 years 9 months
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oh, yeah, marye, that is so right on. I have always thought it quite shameful that in our land of opportunity, we only have a two party system. makes me want to 'Ralph' (throw up) yuk yuk yuk... ( -; yeah, yeah yeah, I know all about them libertarians, and the greens, and the indies et al; but they don't have any real chance of winning... but from this 'Nadir' I dont see them winning nationally. but quite honestly, I never thought I'd live to see the day that a man of colour would get in the 'White' house; so I hope I'm wrong about not thinking the other 'parties', the lesser known, lesser funded candidates may someday get in there, too. here's hoping about that for the long term future. meanwhile, I hope Barrack will get this country back on track, have to keep raising the 'Barr' on him; I hope he rises to the challenge... and I especially hope and pray some ignoramus bigot racist asshole doesn't kill him.
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Newt Gingrich type, newtie I also hope someday there will be a tie-dye room in the White House!! maybe replace that 'yellow room' did I ever tell you folks the story about how I puked all over a set of beautiful marble stairs INSIDE the White House? c. 1977/78 Carter years. too many peanuts early in the am, I reckon. peace.
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Well , now that the dems are in full control, they can't blame the rascally republicans any more. They control the executive branch plus the legislative branch. I don't want to hear any more whining from Tom Dashle. If they screw this up, then we can throw the bums out in in 2010 and 2012. "I do believe in spooks, I do believe in spooks, I do, I do, I do, I do, I do"--Lion Wizard of Oz
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16 years 9 months
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Remember, it will take some time to repair all the damage from the last 8 years. I hope he's up to the task. I voted for Obama, and proud to say so! Peace everyone
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16 years 9 months
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I guess one of the best things about this Obama win, is many of us will get our redistribution checks from the man. He said he will be increasing taxes on the rich, so I'd expect him to be whacking Bobby, Phil, Mickey, and the other members with higher taxes. Then turning around and handing the money over to us. We might see it as getting a discount, or bonus coupon back, for all the money we give them during the year. Hey, go Obama! Greg SC
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maybe just maybe... if Weir, Lesh, Kreutzman, and Hart gotta pay higher taxes they will hit the road for a new The Dead tour. I'd also love a combo Phil and Friends / Rat Dog tour. AND, I want Hunter to be the opening act. ( -; peace.
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16 years 9 months
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Here we go again, like deja vu all over again.Best to stand up and help your neighbor, than sit and criticize. We can all have a hand in making this country great again, together, as one, against all odds. Like this band I heard, they were, and are, really cool. They came up against the norm, started with a small following, leaving people saying, wow, these guys are really different. They seem unrehearsed and very improvasional. They don't use que cards, seems to come from the heart. Hey, thats the same song...oh thats a different arrangment..it seems they keep thinking and trying to make it better. Trying to make it Just Exactly Perfect. They crossed the aisles..thats Branford Marsalis playing with them, isn't he a jazz musician, hey thats Hamza El Din, isnt he egyptian... and they recreated a song and it was as if it had always been played that way. They have a wonderful and varied following. They are all individuals and they are very different, with a common goal, a goal they are still tyring to perfect and define, and it is like life itself. It never ends. Always trying to make it just exactly perfect. Always evovlving, always thinking. New ideas, always thinking, not afraid to climb out of the box. Not afraid of different ideas. It seems like what Barack is doing is much the same in it's essence. And he needs all of us to help with ideas, effort, and support to make this world around us just exactly perfect. "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" John F. Kennedy peace,hope and a new era. pk
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16 years 10 months
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I just learned that John Leopold, an old pal who's sometimes seen around these parts, won the runoff election for Santa Cruz County supervisor in his district. Having known John since he and twin Dave were 18-year-old Heads back in the day, and having actually been his wedding photographer, I've gotta say, WOO HOO!
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16 years 9 months
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That is really grate news. About time, the world is coming around. WOO HOO TOO!!! ps I love santa cruz, a favorite spot.
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16 years 9 months
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Man, I've been waiting for Obama to win so I can quit my job, and get taken care of. I think I might just take the moment to thank the Lord, and then write a personal letter to Obama, saying how I need his help. This is going to be a great four years. Thank you Obama, you have promised alot, but don't take off that Santa Clause suit, as I'll be needing health care, car insurance, gas subsidies, food stamps, etc. Man, my excitement has yet to stop. Greg SC
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16 years 9 months
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Geez, I hope everyone is thinking like you Greg, then nothing will get done and we can all starve.
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16 years 9 months
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gonna change your name to richard, greg?no one has a magic wand, it don't get fixed if everyone doesn't help!
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16 years 9 months
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It's all in the attitude. And with attitudes like that.....it's ok, I believe lots of grate people will help and thats ok if you don't. Just sit back, criticize,be cynical, it's ok. We will all make sure you have a better world to be miserable in, no worries.
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16 years 3 months
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but i believe he's saying that government is far too involved and this could easily become what alot of people view as a "nanny state" where the powers that be take care of everything and there is little or no personal responsibility.many of our larger cities have generations of people who have lived on welfare, without attempting to better their lives themselves. now i am not saying he's right, and maybe his view is extreme, but we are all entitled to our opinions and he might be closer to the truth then we realize.
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16 years 9 months
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1st have a cookie, now i agree with what you say about the "inner cities" and welfare and those ticks... but just possibly some will see that they do have a chance now, change can only come about if the majority roll with it. if everyone plants their feet and refuses to budge then nothing happens! it is a group effort!!! like pk said, it's attitude, positive is good, negative is bad!now have another cookie : )
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16 years 9 months
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I think anyone who looks at Barack Obama and believes he is just going to hand out checks to folks for the sake of hand outs is not paying attention to his past, or present ideaologies. He has worked as a community organizer, to help give people a hand up to contribute to society. He states he wants to help kids get into higher learning if... they give back a substaintial effort to the country. He is way past "the welfare state" , he is looking to get everyone working and contributing to our country. I believe if you worked for Barack Obama you would have to work hard and you would be rewarded. this is his whole lifes goal. As opposed to a few getting "rich" , both in money and resourses and leaving the many,many others out there with no money or resourses, and what do you do with that, especially the latter. What you do is stagnat, Watch, but remember, you must put out the effort to make it work before you can sit and judge that it is a failure. Time to get to work.
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16 years 3 months
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just an opinion and i'm reserving my own.....a wait and see kind of thing, but i'm hoping my taxes don't go up.....i can't afford them now, i always seem to owe every year. i aint got a job just the $800 a month i get from the navy, and they want to garnish that. i've never cheated on my income tax and i don't know how many people can say that. i can't take much more.
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16 years 9 months
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some folks have just never had the joy of getting a miracle ticket. worse than that, some folks have just never had the extreme pleasure of GIVING a miracle ticket. all a matter of point of view. THIS scene is about caring and sharing. peace.
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16 years 3 months
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bought a ticket without at least two extra for someone.......my first show was a gift........i'll jus' hafta wait 'n see.........................................sure would like a cookie, though
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16 years 9 months
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fair trade: cookies for tix! or tix for cookies! to give what s/he has, to get what s/he needs. peace.