Being an Oklahoma Democrat: Point 6

What it means to be an Oklahoma Democrat: Point 6

The Democratic Party believes that the government ought to ensure the safety and security of its citizens through responsible, long-term strategies. Democrats have a long and strong record of strengthening our security by taking guns off the streets, hiring new police officers, and promoting our national interests.

Here’s another point I agree with.More funding and community support of our local, state and federal police is a must.

Our nations borders need to be tighten up a bit more. Blocking drugs from entering our country, stemming the tide of illegals crossing the borders, preventing terrorist from getting a foothold on our shores. I’m sure this is something we all can agree on.

Drug enforcement in Oklahoma has been quite a task. I think our state’s program to help eliminate Meth is one of the best in the country. I only wish we could eliminate this scourge completely from our state and nation.

[E-MAIL] (D) FW: I’m a terrorist sympathizer ?

Dear Friend,

Dick Cheney is still linking Democrats with terrorist priorities.

During a press interview in Tokyo, the vice president said, “‘I think if we were to do what Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Murtha are suggesting, all we will do is validate the al-Qaida strategy… The al-Qaida strategy is to break the will of the American people … try to persuade us to throw in the towel and come home, and then they win because we quit.”

What is it that Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Murtha are really suggesting? Stopping the escalation. Changing the course. Bringing our brave young men and women home.

That’s not breaking the will of the American people — it’s representing it.

I’ve never been more committed to building a Democratic Party that will put an end to this sort of nonsense once and for all. In all 50 states, we’re building an infrastructure to combat smears just like this. If you’re as fired up as I am, channel it into something constructive.

Donate to the Democratic Party and show Dick Cheney that his insults only make us stronger.

http://www.democrats.org/cheney

Dick Cheney doesn’t speak for the American people. He still believes that the pre-war intelligence justifies the decisions made by a broken administration, even as it desperately attempts to save any credibility after a failed war.

The House has already passed an overwhelming vote of no-confidence in the president’s escalation plan last week. And now Senate Republicans are using every trick they can come up with to make sure that the same thing doesn’t happen in the Senate.

Meanwhile, Cheney and his Republican allies in Congress have decided that name-calling is the best strategy in these troubled times. Cheney himself still stands by his disgraced chief of staff, Scooter Libby. Bush’s sympathizers simply don’t have anything else to offer.

Democrats do.

It’s time to re-double our efforts to build a Party that will restore true debate and democracy to our country. Take a moment to give what you can today:

http://www.democrats.org/cheney

Dick Cheney’s time is almost over. Let’s show him that we’re getting ready to take over. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

From: Tom McMahon
Date: February 15, 2007 2:07pm
Subject: I’m a terrorist sympathizer?

Dear Friends,

According to House Minority Leader John Boehner, I’m a “terrorist sympathizer,” and you probably are too.

Just days ago on the floor of the House of Representatives, the Republican leader claimed that “al Qaeda and terrorist sympathizers around the world are trying to divide us here at home. Over the next few days, we have an opportunity to show our enemies that we will not take the bait.”

This isn’t the first time Republicans have linked Democrats with terrorists at the time of an important vote. In fact, it’s become the norm.

In October 2004, then-Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert claimed that al Qaeda “would like to influence this election” and would be more comfortable if John Kerry were elected.

This past August, Vice President Cheney claimed that anti-war voters in Connecticut were encouraging “al Qaeda types” to “break the will of the American people in terms of our ability to stay the fight and complete the task.”

And just days before our landslide victory in the November midterm elections, President Bush claimed that “the Democrat[ic] approach in Iraq comes down to this: The terrorists win and America loses.”

Put a stop to the slander. Help the Democrats pass the House Iraq resolution, and help wavering Republicans stand up to this rhetoric:

http://www.democrats.org/noescalation

The “bait” that Boehner refers to is the House Democrats’ war resolution that Governor Dean emailed you about on Tuesday — a vote of no-confidence in the president’s plan to escalate the war in Iraq.

You see, with 70% of the public opposing escalation and potentially 60 Republicans crossing party lines, the Republican leadership is resorting to desperate measures to try to fool the American people and stop this damning vote.

Support the Iraq resolution — and tell Boehner that we aren’t buying his publicity stunts:

http://www.democrats.org/noescalation

The Republicans know the mess they’re in. In a desperate letter to their Republican colleagues, Congressmembers John Shadegg and Peter Hoekstra wrote:

“The debate should not be about the surge or its details. This debate should not even be about the Iraq war to date, mistakes that have been made, or whether we can, or cannot, win militarily. If we let Democrats force us into a debate on the surge or the current situation in Iraq, we lose.”

Why are Republicans scared of a debate on America’s top issue? And why can’t they stand up to the Democrats on the current situation in Iraq?

Because it wasn’t the Democratic Party that led us into a war on false pretenses. Democrats didn’t alienate our global allies by ignoring diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution. Democrats didn’t reject the advice of our military leaders, who recommended we change the course. And Democrats didn’t decide to put more of our troops in harm/s way to interfere in a bloody civil war with no end in sight.

The Democrats didn’t start this war, but we’re working to end it — and the House resolution is an important first step to changing the course and bringing our brave men and women home.

Support the Iraq resolution today:

http://www.democrats.org/noescalation

Don’t let John Boehner imply that we are terrorist sympathizers. Don’t let the Republican leadership continue these publicity stunts.

While they try, we’ll be busy fighting back and governing.

Sincerely,

Tom McMahon

[E-MAIL] (D) A Leader in Bioenergy

Oklahoma Update E-mail
From the Desk of Governor Brad Henry

A Leader in Bioenergy

Since statehood, agriculture and the energy industry have defined Oklahoma and formed the bedrock of our economy, and they continue to do so today. But as our nation seeks to lessen its dependence on foreign oil, Oklahoma is poised to continue as a global leader in energy and agriculture with the creation of the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center.

The world-class Oklahoma Bioenergy Center would bring researchers from around Oklahoma, and across the nation, for the research and development of new fuel sources. In addition, the institution would serve to educate farmers, ranchers, and the public about energy crops.

While ethanol has long been made from corn, new promising energy crops include switchgrass and other Oklahoma native grasses. The Bioenergy Center would pool the talents and resources of the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.

Sixty percent of our oil comes from foreign countries, and many of those are hostile to America. Lessening our dependence on these foreign sources and promoting energy independence will make us all safer, and that will be central to the mission of the Bioenergy Center. Because biofuels come from renewable resources and burn cleaner than petroleum products, the work of the center will greatly benefit our environment as well.

I have asked the Legislature to fund this important initiative with $40 million over four years. This is an investment that will spur economic opportunity in Oklahoma, producing jobs in the energy and agriculture sectors and yielding returns for many years to come.

Oklahoma, always a leader in energy, will maintain that standing in the 21st century. We have all the ingredients for success; the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center will pull those elements together and place Oklahoma at the forefront of biofuels research and development. By acting now, Oklahoma can lead our nation to greater energy independence and sustainability.

http://www.gov.ok.gov

Being an Oklahoma Democrat: Point 5

What it means to be an Oklahoma Democrat: Point 5

The Oklahoma Democratic Party believes that every American who wants a job ought to have one, that government policies can grow our economy in a way that benefits everyone, and that the government can effectively fix harmful skews in the market. Democrats have a long and strong record of strengthening our economy in a way that benefits everyone.

I agree its important to help everyone who wants to find a job get one.

Job placement, training, and some financial assistance should be available to everyone who is seeking employment.

Oklahoma is lucky to have a service like Oklahoma JobLink available.

The recent raise in the minimum wage should help a little bit.

Assistance and tax breaks for small business should help a little too.

This topic leads us to a currently sensitive topic of immigration reform, or I should say illegal immigration reform. I have no issues what so ever for anyone to come to our country for a better life and employment. Our country and state are welcome to anyone who wants to live and work here. I just wish they would come in through the front door, where they are welcome, instead of sneaking through the window. This really shouldn’t even be a topic, but it is.

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
- Milton Berle

[E-MAIL] (D) I’m a terrorist sympathizer?

Dear Kevin,

According to House Minority Leader John Boehner, I’m a “terrorist sympathizer,” and you probably are too.

Just days ago on the floor of the House of Representatives, the Republican leader claimed that “al Qaeda and terrorist sympathizers around the world are trying to divide us here at home. Over the next few days, we have an opportunity to show our enemies that we will not take the bait.”

This isn’t the first time Republicans have linked Democrats with terrorists at the time of an important vote. In fact, it’s become the norm.

In October 2004, then-Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert claimed that al Qaeda “would like to influence this election” and would be more comfortable if John Kerry were elected.

This past August, Vice President Cheney claimed that anti-war voters in Connecticut were encouraging “al Qaeda types” to “break the will of the American people in terms of our ability to stay the fight and complete the task.”

And just days before our landslide victory in the November midterm elections, President Bush claimed that “the Democrat[ic] approach in Iraq comes down to this: The terrorists win and America loses.”

Put a stop to the slander. Help the Democrats pass the House Iraq resolution, and help wavering Republicans stand up to this rhetoric:

http://www.democrats.org/noescalation

The “bait” that Boehner refers to is the House Democrats’ war resolution that Governor Dean emailed you about on Tuesday — a vote of no-confidence in the president’s plan to escalate the war in Iraq.

You see, with 70% of the public opposing escalation and potentially 60 Republicans crossing party lines, the Republican leadership is resorting to desperate measures to try to fool the American people and stop this damning vote.

Support the Iraq resolution — and tell Boehner that we aren’t buying his publicity stunts:

http://www.democrats.org/noescalation

The Republicans know the mess they’re in. In a desperate letter to their Republican colleagues, Congressmembers John Shadegg and Peter Hoekstra wrote:

“The debate should not be about the surge or its details. This debate should not even be about the Iraq war to date, mistakes that have been made, or whether we can, or cannot, win militarily. If we let Democrats force us into a debate on the surge or the current situation in Iraq, we lose.”

Why are Republicans scared of a debate on America’s top issue? And why can’t they stand up to the Democrats on the current situation in Iraq?

Because it wasn’t the Democratic Party that led us into a war on false pretenses. Democrats didn’t alienate our global allies by ignoring diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution. Democrats didn’t reject the advice of our military leaders, who recommended we change the course. And Democrats didn’t decide to put more of our troops in harm/s way to interfere in a bloody civil war with no end in sight.

The Democrats didn’t start this war, but we’re working to end it — and the House resolution is an important first step to changing the course and bringing our brave men and women home.

Support the Iraq resolution today:

http://www.democrats.org/noescalation

Don’t let John Boehner imply that we are terrorist sympathizers. Don’t let the Republican leadership continue these publicity stunts.

While they try, we’ll be busy fighting back and governing.

Sincerely,

Tom McMahon

[E-MAIL] (R) The Pelosi-Murtha “Slow-Bleed” Strategy

Dear K,

The Democrat strategy on Iraq is finally clear.

We’ve known all along that they want to cut and run before the job is done. But they’ve been afraid to confront President Bush directly. Today, Democrat Rep. John Murtha let slip what he and Nancy Pelosi really intend to do, and it is genuinely frightening.

They call it their ’slow-bleed’ plan. Instead of supporting the troops in Iraq, or simply bringing them home, the Democrats intend to gradually make it harder and harder for them to do their jobs. They will introduce riders onto bills to prevent certain units from deploying. They will try to limit the President’s constitutional power to determine the length and number of deployments. They will attempt to keep the Pentagon from replacing troops who rotate out of Iraq. They may even try to limit how our troops operate by, for example, prohibiting our armed forces from creating and operating bases in Iraq.

‘Slow-bleed’ is exactly the right name for this incredibly irresponsible and dangerous strategy. Cutting and running is bad enough. But the Murtha-Pelosi ’slow-bleed’ plan is far worse. It is a cynical and dangerous erosion of our ability to fight the terrorists while we still have men and women on the ground in Iraq. It will put their lives in far greater danger, as resources slowly dry up. How can our troops operate without bases? How can they fight without backup?

‘Slow-bleed’ cannot become law. Luckily, we have an opportunity to stop it. The Murtha plan depended on stealth. Now, however, the press has broken the story. And now we can act.

Click Here to read the full story on the Democrats’ secret plan.

Write a letter to your editor today. Spread the word that we cannot abandon our men and women in Iraq. Because that is exactly what would happen if the ’slow-bleed’ plan becomes a reality.

Our armed forces are the best in the world. They are serving with tremendous honor and bravery in Iraq. We cannot gradually abandon them. We cannot allow the Murtha-Pelosi ’slow-bleed’ plan to happen. So please, take action today.

Sincerely,

Chairman Mike Duncan
Mike Duncan
Chairman, Republican National Committee

 

[E-MAIL] (D) Helping Republicans

Dear Kevin,

Today, House Democrats introduced a resolution that, in simple language, represents a vote of no confidence in the Bush Administration’s policy in Iraq. This is the first opportunity House Republicans have had to join us and oppose the president’s failed policy, and that’s sending shockwaves through the White House.

Just like the overwhelming majority of Americans, many Republicans know escalation of the war in Iraq is wrong, and they’re willing to break party lines to stop it. As one GOP Congressman from Maryland put it, “my internal soul goes a lot beyond my minuscule political career.”

But the Republican leadership is doing everything it can to protect the President’s escalation plan by working to get wavering Republicans to tow the party line. That’s why we all need to speak up and remind House Republicans where the American people stand — it’s the job of Congress to represent us, and a bipartisan rejection of the White House’s plan to escalate our involvement in Iraq will demonstrate just how far this president and the rest of the GOP leadership have drifted from mainstream America.

Remind them by adding your name right now:

http://www.democrats.org/noescalation

This war is no longer what George Bush sold the American people. There are no WMD’s in Iraq. Saddam Hussein is dead. Our troops are mired in a deadly, full-blown civil war. And the president couldn’t be more out of touch; he wants to escalate our involvement with 21,500 more brave men and women.

The vast majority — 70% — of Americans disagree. They demanded a new direction on Iraq in the 2006 elections, and they’re demanding that Congress stops this escalation and start ending this war.

The Republican leadership in Congress has put protecting an escalation of the war at the top of their agenda. Senate Republicans refuse to even have a debate about it. For them, it’s not about what the American people want — only what the president thinks he needs. There’s one powerful interest silencing Republicans in Congress right now, and it’s headquartered at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Add your name now:

http://www.democrats.org/noescalation

For over a decade, the Republican leadership in Congress refused to allow serious debate on important issues, even keeping a muzzle on its members — and the American people. Here’s just a sample of what was ignored, day in and day out:

We have lost enough young people in this war, and we are not winning it with force. The money that we are pouring into Iraq could be educating our young people. They will be the ones that pay for this war.
– Martha W., CA

President Bush created the mess in Iraq, and al Qaeda was NOT there before we invaded. We keep sending our young men there to be killed but things keep getting worse… We have to find a way for ALL the American people to wake up, see what is happening, and let their voices be heard.
– Donna M., FL

Those are just a couple of the comments we’ve received from thousands of Americans. What do you have to add?

http://www.democrats.org/noescalation

It’s time for Americans everywhere — no matter the party — to stand with the Democrats in Congress and oppose escalation in Iraq.

Thank you,

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

[EMAIL] (D) Time to Make History

Oklahoma Update E-mail
From the Desk of Governor Brad Henry

Time to Make History

Last week, the state Legislature opened a historic session — the session of Oklahoma’s centennial — and in the State of the State address I outlined an agenda that I believe will lay a solid foundation for Oklahoma’s next 100 years.

It will ultimately fall to our children to lead Oklahoma to even greater heights in future decades, and so we must give them the tools to do so. Expanding Oklahoma’s nationally lauded voluntary early childhood education program will ensure that children are better prepared for kindergarten, and finding a permanent funding source for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, or Oklahoma’s Promise, will help produce more college graduates.

With higher teacher pay to keep our best and brightest teachers here and a bold new initiative to dramatically cut the number of high school dropouts, we can see to it that Oklahoma’s children will be prepared for the jobs of the future.

The creation of an Oklahoma Bioenergy Center, increased funding for the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology and further deposits the EDGE endowment will spur innovation and help make sure that high-paying jobs are waiting for students upon graduation.

We can also take steps toward a healthier Oklahoma. By raising the income eligibility of the Insure Oklahoma program, we can help more small businesses provide health coverage to their employees. Expanding Medicaid eligibility for children will help bring much-needed medical care to our youngest citizens.

By promoting drug courts, mental health courts, and related treatment programs in our prisons, we can make our streets safer, address the root cause of many crimes and finally stop the revolving doors of prison.

Now is the time for Oklahoma’s leaders to set aside petty partisan differences and work together for the betterment of our state. There is no doubt that this is a historic time; our vision for the Oklahoma’and the work we undertake to get there’must be equally historic.

http://www.gov.ok.gov

The Obama Socail Network

Barack Obama’s campain has launched a socail network.

This from Download Squad:

After receiving a huge amount of support on Facebook before his campaign even started, presidential candidate Barak Obama has decided to capitalize on the popularity of social networking sites and launch a social network of his own. My.BarackObama allows you to create a profile, connect with friends, schedule events, send and receive messages, join groups and even write a blog essentially creating a Facebook or Myspace like atmosphere right on the campaign website.

Read the rest of this article at Download Squad.

my.barackobama.com

Being an Oklahoma Democrat: Point 4

What it means to be an Oklahoma Democrat: Point 4

The Oklahoma Democratic Party believes that every American ought to be able to breathe clean air, eat safe food, and drink healthy water. Democrats have a long and strong record of protecting our environment and making ourselves accountable for our actions.

Who doesn’t want clean air and water?

Like I’m going to go to the Glenn Beck web site and buy myself a “No Clean Air and Water” T-shirt. (actually I just might. Ha!)

To me protecting the environment starts at home. We try to keep our yard free of litter, we plant a garden, we care for our trees, we provide a safe haven for birds and squirrels, and we’re even using compact florescent lights instead of incandescents.

Growing an Oklahoma Redbud