Open Thread – Homework
“Homework on a Saturday?” you think. “What’s the deal with THAT?”
Well, this is the deal. We’ve been waiting for health care, and talking about health care and listening to other people talk about health care, and getting screamed at by teabaggers talking about the evils of health care, and suffering through round after round of endless wrangling in the House, and now…
There is a health care bill coming from the Senate. Or is there? After all this time, and all this effort, the Republicans in the Senate want to vote no on cloture. This means that they don’t even want to talk about it. They want no discussion. But, the other side of the aisle, and most of the American people DO want to talk about it. Very very much. The longer this debate drags on, the more people will die. It’s a simple fact.
And just to add insult to injury, the drum beat of conservative radio talk in Anchorage has been incessant. “Call your Senator and tell them to vote NO!” “Health care bad. Obstructionism good!” “Call now! Tell your friends!” “No no no!”
And this went on ALL. DAY. LONG. And whenever that happens the folks on the other end of the line have to make note of how many calls they have gotten asking them to vote no, versus how many want them to vote yes.
So, what I’m asking is this. Pick up your phone and make a super-quick, painless, friendly call to the offices of Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski and tell them YES! Yes, yes, yes. Vote yes to start talking! Vote yes to move the debate a step ahead! Vote yes to bring us into the home stretch of health care debate! Yes for dialog! Yes for discussion!
And if you can only make one call, that’s OK but make it to Mark Begich’s office. Imagine those poor forlorn phone answerers who have been dealing with the rabid teabaggers all day. They will LOVE to hear from you. You’ll be like a little gift. A smile. A ray of sunshine.
And once you do that, you can do a little add-on and call Lisa Murkowski. She always likes to quote the statistics and say “I’ve gotten this many phone calls and not one of them said yes.” It’s irritating. Because there are more people who want this to proceed than people who don’t. But the people who don’t want it, get their marching orders and call in. Actually the people that don’t want cloture, really DO. They just don’t realize it. So do them a favor too.
The vote will come today, so no procrastinating. Right now pick up your phone and call.
All you have to say is “Hi, I’m calling to urge the senator to vote yes on cloture for the health care bill.” And that’ll do it.
Yes, right now! I’ll wait….
Senator Begich 202-224-3004
Senator Murkowski 202-224-6665
And when you’re done, you get a reward! You get to write a comment or drop me an email and let me know you did it! And if you’re out of state, please call your senator too and let us know.
Homework is always fun when you do it with a group of friends.
UPDATE:
For those of you who have had trouble getting through to Mark Begich’s office, here’s why. An email went out from AmeriPAC today with the subject line “KILL OBAMACARE” and the phones have been flooded. So it’s even more important to hang in there and try to get your call through. I got through without a problem, but for those who couldn’t connect, please keep trying. The vote will be tonight at 8pm Eastern time. Stay tuned. Thanks to all who are getting engaged.
I called em both
I know my senators are voting yes – but Bernie Sanders has suddenly gone wobbly and said he doesn’t know how he’s going to vote on the bill itself because it doesn’t do enough. sigh. So yes, I’ll call
Good luck to my US friends today
Funny … I just woke up this morning thinking ….I really need to call my Senators this morning …. and maybe pop off e-mails to a few others (maybe won’t help, but can’t hurt).
Off to write my script! (I’m a big phone weenie).
I support a strong public option, there I told both my senator, no! Go back, and start over with single payer on the table.
I’ve also noticed that since August, Big Pharma and Insurance stocks have increased 30 to 50 percent. This is like NAFTA, a gift to Wall St.
The Borowitz Report:
Lieberman Exploring New Ways to Be a Dick
Sets Bar High for Assholic-ness
WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) – As the healthcare reform bill makes its way through the U.S. Senate, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) said today that he was “actively exploring” new ways to be as big a dick as humanly possible.
For Sen. Lieberman, whose reputation for assholic behavior is legendary, striving to be an even bigger douche than usual represents a formidable challenge, Senate insiders say.
But if the Connecticut senator found the burden of being the most egregious asshat in the Senate daunting in the least he did not show it in a brief meeting with reporters in the Capitol rotunda.
“I promised the people of Connecticut that I was going to be the biggest shitheel I could be, and as God is my witness, that’s what I’m going to do,” he said.
Elsewhere, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin said that her audiobook would be read by Barney the Dinosaur.
borowitzreport.com
The Borowitz Report:
Lieberman Exploring New Ways to Be a Dick
Sets Bar High for A$$holic-ness
WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) – As the healthcare reform bill makes its way through the U.S. Senate, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) said today that he was “actively exploring” new ways to be as big a dick as humanly possible.
For Sen. Lieberman, whose reputation for assholic behavior is legendary, striving to be an even bigger douche than usual represents a formidable challenge, Senate insiders say.
But if the Connecticut senator found the burden of being the most egregious a$$hat in the Senate daunting in the least he did not show it in a brief meeting with reporters in the Capitol rotunda.
“I promised the people of Connecticut that I was going to be the biggest $hitheel I could be, and as God is my witness, that’s what I’m going to do,” he said.
Elsewhere, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin said that her audiobook would be read by Barney the Dinosaur.
borowitzreport.com
We just called our two senators (midwest state) and their mailboxes are full, so we can’t leave a comment by phone. Nice job about getting input from your constituents there. (Sigh!) We’re military APO so sending email is a hassle, because their servers recognize our IP as not U.S., and we have hoops to jump through. (more sigh!)
The Obama folks sent out an email with the subject line Sarah Palin, looking to raise $500,000 this week for health care reform. Not sure I want them elevating her to this level of importance, but hope she raises the money for them.
https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/dnc08Palin?
Just finished e-mailing Republican Senators through the C’s.
I found my job to be quicker with my new Mac. It’s all set up that after I enter my name on a form, it automatically retrieves that last info I have stored for the field of the same name. So, I don’t have to retype address, phone, e-mail, etc.
No sure, really, whether ultimately that is cool or creepy.
But with the job at hand today, I am thankful for it.
Also, remind me Mudpups, which Democratic Senators should I also e-mail?
GreatGranny2C – you mentioned on a different thread that your side bar has gone askew. Yes, mine as well. It looks like the image for the tote bag with the floral graphic needs to be resized. It’s so veddy BIG!! (it’s a lovely bag though!)
Off to see if I have homework to do. I get lazy with mine in NY because I trust them. ( i know…i know! )
Through the M’s now. Just e-mailed Lisa Murkowski!
Done with the e-mails!
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Sent also to Landreu, Lincoln, and, for all the good it will do, Lieberman.
I personalized the one to John McCain saying he fought for our freedom to discuss things.
Now … the dreaded phone calls …
Sorry AKM I will not waste my time anymore on calling ( R ) John Cornyn & ( R ) Kate Hutchington. I could call until my fingers fall off, ears bleed and voice gave out and STILL they will vote no. Hopeless here in Texas. They can KISS my Blue A**
Consider my Homework done….now to some major pre-Thanksgiving ‘home ~ work’. Hope that you all have a pleasant weekend.
One more thing. Now I have to put up with a bunch of commercials with Dick oops I mean (not ) Rick Perry & Kate Hutchington battling it out for the Governor’s seat. Send Help and get me out of here. I can not take this anymore.
Well, like BuffaloGal, I also have two Senators (Schumer and Gillibrand) who are strongly in support of health care reform, BUT I just sent both of them emails anyway, letting them know that I support THEM for supporting reform.
I figured that, with all the wingnuts out there who I’m sure are calling and emailing to accuse them of destroying our country, it can’t hurt to give them an occasional thanks and ‘way to go’ !
@leenie17
My gals- Murray and Cantwell- are solid yes votes, too, and like you, I e-mailed and called them to thank them. My daughter is e-mailing/calling her AZ guys just to make their offices have to tally her “Vote Yes” comments.
I called both numbers. Got a real live person at Lisa’s and left the message. Begich’s number led to an answering machine/service which was full and not accepting new messages. Go figure. Dr J
Yes, the tote bag seems to have grown overnight!
My senator is John Thune, aka John living-in-the-pocket-of-the-insurance-industry Thune.
I’ve been emailing him regularly on the topic of health care reform and he has been ignoring me with equal regularity.
Here’s the one I just sent to him: “Please explain: Why are you unwilling to talk about health care reform? Has the cat got your tongue? Oh wait a minute, it’s the insurance industry.”
Tried Isakson in GA…got HUNG UP ON when I asked for a ‘yes’ vote…
Didn’t bother with Chambliss…
Done…
Although Sens. Durbin and Burris were both easy sells.
Hot off the presses: Joe the Plumber sez “NO” to SP Prez run in 2012…
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004044948
I did it even though the R’s have their phone mysteriously NOT working today. I emailed via the net.
Also sent emails to friends and family, posted on my FB and will tweet later.
Thanks AKM.
I got to Lisa’s office just fine, but I keep getting a recording on Mark’s v-mail that I have reached the central v-mail system. Must be no one is in his office?
I just called and got through directly to his office. Whatever glitch that was must be fixed now. Thanks for calling! AKM
I found Bill O’Reilly’s interview with Palin very interesting. I think he went away from it thinking she is a dingbat. It’s up on Gryphen’s site.
I dread watching any Palin interview, but actually wanted to see this… if Faux was going to pander to her… O’Reilly said some nicety nice stuff, but he also held her feet to the fire.
Off to do my homework.
Just got through to Murkowski office. I’m having the same problem as Suchanut for Begich.
Remember our slogan of “YES WE CAN”? If we put the same amount of effort into health care as we did getting President Obama elected we can again say “YES WE CAN” with pride and joy!
Regarding that Joe-the-Plumber story, he goes on to praise her and says she can do more outside of office–that’s why he doesn’t want her to run.
No big surprise.
What’s funny is that he has been in Utah stumping for somone, and an article in the paper said he drew a crowd of two dozen. Yes, two whole dozen.
Why do they still keep using this dud?
Speaking of “Yes we can.” OFA is raising money to fight back Palin’s allegations in her book.-
The group, the president’s political arm at the Democratic National Committee, set a goal of raising $500,000 over the next week “to help push back against Sarah Palin and her allies.” OFA said the contributions will be used to respond to those attacks via ads, events, and phone banking congressional offices.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/11/20/ofa-fundraising-off-palin-book-tour/#comments
With money I could have spent purchasing her book, I’ll donate to OFA:
https://donate.barackobama.com/SarahPalin
Polly, we were discussing that OR interview on a different thread and I (we) noticed how Palin’s jaw jetted out when he made the comment that “Well, Biden HAS lots of experience”. She wasn’t happy. tee-hee
We also noted that he actually held her feet to the fire more than Oprah and Barbara (which is a huge disapointment in Oprah).
She was probably really PO that he asked those gotcha questions.
Done…Senator Baucus and Senator Tester have duly been contacted.
This is very personal for me, because I have witnessed first hand what can happen when an American is unable to access health insurance and what life is like with full coverage.
A family friend died last year; not because he wasn’t honest, hard working, and a “real American” . He died because he didn’t have the money to pay for insurance or for care without insurance. By the time the pain got too much to deal with and he was rushed to the hospital, his body was riddled with cancer and he lived but a few months more. He should not have died; medical knowledge and practice could have saved him if his easily treatable cancer had been found in its early stages.
As to life with full insurance, my family is a military family and we have government run healthcare. Let me tell you, its great. Perfect? No…but better than anything out there, in my experienced opinion. When my son needed braces, it was well taken care of. We receive checks every quarter to cover much of the expenses, infact by the time the braces come off we’ll have paid less than 1/2 the cost of the braces. Not bad at all, considering the rarity of dental insurance coverage. And as for check ups, early detection tests and the like, vaccinations…all free! Keep in mind, I don’t live on a military base at this time, in fact I’m residing in a civilian community. I picked my families doctors with no guideline from anyone, including the government. I chose who would best care for my family as a guideline and nothing else.
I’m hopping off my soap box now ~laughs~ and hoping some day soon everyone in the US gets the same peace of mind I have.
Just searched Cafe Press for “Psalm 109″ and lot’s of stuff is still for sale!
What a bunch of hypocrites!!!!!! Do they really think that we are this dumb?
Sending message to Rachel to follow up on the story.
Good luck. I have called representatives and senators even if they aren’t in my district to get support. I even had an aide for Stupak hang up on me when I asked him about his destroyting pro-choice option and he said he wasn’t I said he was then he asked me what district I was from and I told him I wasn’t from his state and he said he had to go answer another phone (that wasn’t ringing). I said just answer one more question and he hung up. I called back and the man transferred me to what I thought would be where I could leave him a message. It turned out it was a threat office. I was so shocked. I asked him why I was transferred there and the guy said he didn’t know. Well needless to say I got mad and all I said this is shit (thats all I said). The man said well I guess he could see why the aide felt threatened. I said I didn’t curse at the man all I wanted to do was ask him one question. I said I am an old woman living in a small town. What kind of a threat am I. I said my husband served this great country for over 20 yrs and now I don’t have a right to speak. I asked him what is wrong in this country. I feel the aide missed the point. Stupak bill effects people all over the country not just his state. All I wanted to know his connection with “The Family on C street”. It is a religious organization that is working behind the american people’s back. They don’t care about republicans or democrats they want to push their religious agenda on america. If you haven’t read the book THE FAMILY you should. It is scary.
A fan from CA Says:
November 21st, 2009 at 8:28 AM
Just searched Cafe Press for “Psalm 109″ and lot’s of stuff is still for sale!
What a bunch of hypocrites!!!!!! Do they really think that we are this dumb?
Sending message to Rachel to follow up on the story.
Look closer at what is being offered. Is what you are seeing 109:8 or 109:3? Interesting what is being offered there.
The mail this morning included my copy of “Going Rouge” and it is just going to be wonderful. Haven’t read much yet, but can’t wait till later today!
Pallin’s latest twit:
…Thot I’d stick w tour news on Twitter but can’t help digress: Call senators! Tell ‘em KILL THE BILL tonite;horrible govt healthcare takeover…..
i just tried the begich number and the phone message asked for a code/extension number. Maybe these numbers only work during the work week?
It should be working now if you want to try again! Thanks! AKM
@29 Trisha- So, it wasn’t just me?
I thought it was interesting that O’Reilly said Palin had called him at home- in secret- from the McCain campaign about getting an interview with him and he was wondering how she got his home phone number. I bet that whole interview un-nerved her. It was much tougher than Gibson and Couric.
I feel better, I just donated $25 to OFA, to fight back stupid Palin lies about healthcare reform. On Rush, she said people would have jail time (?!), if they don’t buy insurance.
23 not that sarah Says:
“I did it even though the R’s have their phone mysteriously NOT working today. I emailed via the net.”
Just called LeMieux (R-FL) and his phone is working.
202-224-3041
The nice lady will ask your zip code, but as this is an American issue, I’m sure they’ll keep the stats on phone opinions and sort them out “here’s what we got, FL and non-FL” – or am I being Pollyanna?
Heart still racing – remember, I’m the phone-ophobe. The fact I even did this is a testament to how important it is. I let the gal know it was the first time ever I have called a senator and that’s how important this is to me, and at the end I literally begged “for the love of all that is right and compassionate” to please vote yes for cloture on the current health reform bill tonight.
Well, I received interesting news this week. The Senate seat that John McCain “owns” is getting more vulnerable by the day. He will be opposed in the primary by Chris Simcox, one of the border “Minutemen”, but now comes word that there may well be another voice heard from. J.D. Haworth, a former Congressman who lost his seat to Democrat Harry Mitchell and became yet another teabagging talk show host in Phoenix, has indicated his desire to run against McCain.
We progressives have stockpiled tons of popcorn for the festivities. This is gonna be fun to watch. We deserve the entertainment because, like Alaskans, we have had to bear the mockery of the entire nation for the absurdities mouthed by those who are supposed to represent us. Quittypants is being encouraged to bring her unique talents to the fray. The question is, on whose side?. This is better than a soap opera. She may have chosen to appear in Tempe for a book signing next month to “test the waters” and allow the “boys” to vie for her endorsement. I wonder which one will receive the “kiss of death”.
http://tinyurl.com/ydnzrpy
A fan from CA,
I sent a lengthy email to CafePress last night. What I noticed is the items that had been listed by pumapac had been removed but the items still listed are by a vendor One Term Please, which I noted in the email.
To Senator Bill Nelson (D. FL)…
“Just a reminder, kind Sir, that this vote on Health Care today is not about you… it’s about the rest of us… Your constituants… regardless of political affilliations. Do the right thing, and encourage all members of the Senate to do the same. The eyes of the entire nation are upon all of you today. Godspeed and best wishes.”
Sent that a minute ago. Feel free to copy and paste to your own Senator!
Mary Landrieu has said she will vote “YES” tonight.
32 Jim, it’s a mixture of stuff but some is straight forward 109:8 which they said they would no longer carry.
http://shop.cafepress.com/psalm-109
see for yourself.
These guys are just liars. In the last flip flop statement they said they would take it down. So why is it still there. I clicked all the way on one of the bumper sticker to the point it asked for a name. So I assume that someone could still buy this stuff. Even found a lot of 100 buttons with the slogan.
These guys are lower than a used car salesman after a flood.
Sarah’s tweet…Thot I’d stick w tour news on Twitter but can’t help digress: Call senators! Tell ‘em KILL THE BILL tonite;horrible govt healthcare takeover…..
She hasn’t read and does not understand in the least the current bill – it is far from ‘horrible’ and far from ‘govt. takeover’, and she doesn’t apparently understand that tonight’s vote is simply to let it be debated.
She’s right about the kill the bill part, unfortunately. A vote of NO tonight is a vote for obstructionism. Any senator who votes NO tonight is not doing the job we elected them for. We voted them in to DISCUSS the issues, not REFUSE to discuss the issues. Any senator voting NO tonight is putting party before country, party before the people, party before their constituents.
RE: Psalm 109 on Cafepress. If you call or e-mail customer service and tell them the product number and that it violates their terms of service to promote assignation, they ought to take it down. They have thousands of different people putting stuff up, and they don’t track it very close. But if someone complains, they can take action. They just might not know that the Psalm is promoting assignation unless we tell them.
The republicans should be reminded that they, when M.D. Frist was senate president, basically overrode the 40 percent rule on one of the Supreme Court nominations. A group of senators prevented the actual “nuke” action that Frist threatened, but he made it clear he was ready to do it. Now they want to be protected by the same rules they were prepared to break when they were majority.
Just saw Levi’s tush! Palingates has link to some photos
I didn’t have any luck with that phone number for Senator Begich, but it’s very easy to email him at:
http://begich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=EmailSenator
43 John, I tried that but it asks me to register. I anyone is still registered can they go to CafePress and report the violations? The link in message #41 will get you started.
I also wonder why their own customer service has not just used “search” and scrubbed the site. I think it just goes to show that they are not very serious about having boundaries and ethical standards.
That statement was just trying to put manure back in the horse after stirring up a hornets nest of outrage.
I already have homework assignments for my college classes to finish (start) this morning, but I’m happy to take a few minutes to call my senators. (Don’t ask why I’m on Mudflats when I should be working on a paper.)
It took a while to get through, but I finally got to speak to aides in Senators Murkowski and Begich’s offices. They must be getting a lot of calls this morning. The aide I spoke to in Begich’s office said that he believes the Senator plans to vote yes on cloture.
For those of you having trouble getting through, just keep trying!
Sarah took a swipe at Joe the Plunger and he’s plungeing back at her.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004044948
AKM, my homework is done – and it is relatively easy when one is represented by Senators Cantwell and Murray
Some of the Eastern WA congress members are less than stellar however
I listen to O’Reilly/Palin and she came off pretty poorly in my estimation – but of course that is what I am hoping for, so I could be projecting. I was fully prepared for a much different interview since I generally dislike O’R intensely, but he actually pushed her. And she didn’t much like it!
Brownback is on C-SPAN right now – gotta leave for a bit (gag).
left my message with nym on both lines, (“..color me cobra-quit’)
had a bit of trouble getting thru to S. Begich, time well spent though,
Yes, some major word salad in that interview. Especially when he asked her if she was intelligent enough to be president.
Ramble, sputter, elitism, ramble, sputter…….jaw sticking out.
It’s easy to spot when she get a question for which she hasn’t rehearsed the answer.
I would like to go throught that part again and write down what she said. It’s a wicked mess, but I just can’t handle listening to her again right now.
We interupt this phone-a-thon to share
Naked Levi here:
http://community.livejournal.com/ontd_political/4668036.html
Enjoy!
BahstinBoyo, loved your message to Nelson; have saved it for later use.
Meanwhile we’ve sent a big thanks to our IL boys (Durbin’s a little busy today whipping the vote), then sent the appropriate direct contact numbers to friends in IA and VA. We’re trying to get a phone-chain going across the country for those not already involved with the OFA call blast.
Levi is cute!
Does anyone know what kind of healthcare plan Palin would have to cover her family?
As former governor, does she still get state coverage? Did she have to buy private insurance? Does she get something from Todd’s native heritage?
Anyone?
I want to know if she is slamming “govt run healthcare” if that’s what she has for her family.
AKM – did as you requested and called my Senators – Brownback and Roberts. As with with the poster, C.Rock, it was an exercise in futility, but, hey, I did it anyway.
Brownback’s office said they would pass along our concerns, but didn’t ask for our names or even which state I was calling from (though perhaps called ID said it all).
Robert’s office could not be reached, as usual. I guess that’s not so bad because his local office in Johnson County hangs up when you mention health care. Quite rude. But then, what can you expect from Roberts because he simply speaks in platitudes and expects you to be grateful that he is talking at you. He never listens, but he likes hearing his own empty noise.
I wish I could ask everyone to call the Texas and Kansas Senators simply to badger them because truly they deserve it. They really do not care about their constituents. I’d be surprised if they even cared how the Republican voters in their states felt about issues because the only voices they seem to listen to are either their own or the ones coming out of the people with large campaign contributions.
There, I finally said it. Feels good.
C. Rock, thanks for sharing your frustration because it makes it just a little less lonely here in Kansas to know other folks are feeling similar frustrations.
Bottom line, though, why is anyone in the Senate making such a huge to-do about debating health care proposals? Is it just the thrill of saying no to everything?
I don’t know why Palin is in a tizzy, those shots don’t show much more skin than the ads put out by Candie’s…..the company that Bristol represents.
Seriously, has Palin ever seen the Candie’s ads?
Partially nekkid Levi was hardly pornographic and I thought he was quite attractive. . I’m a gay gal and thought he was 10X mo’better / more so sexy than Palin in her swimsuit, her heels, her hiked skirts or her “running gear”.
Hope this turns in to a good deal for Levi. He’s got that “rough hunter” crossed with “Donny Osmond” thing going on.
I’m rooting for Levi!
I called Senator Begich AND Senator Murkowski…Senator Murkowski’s office does NOT WANT DEBATE…the aid told me that was a slippery vote and the first step toward getting a bad bill rammed through congress…
I had received an e-mail from MoveOn.org this morning urging me to phone my two Alaska Senators, so I’m glad AKM has a broad prompt for all of us to phone our Senators today. I phoned both Senators and got very different responses from the staffers who answered the phones. At Sen. Murkowski’s office, all I got was a brief business-like “Thank you.” From Sen. Begich’s office I was warmly greeted, was asked for my name and hometown, and was asked if I wanted to send any further comments to the Senator.
Anyway, I’m glad I called; I had no idea that I could call on a Saturday.
I did my homework for you
I was scrolling through the Levi photographs, when my 17 yr old son and his friend arrived home. They were observing me from outside the window looking at naked pics of a 19 yr old. That one was hard to explain!!!
10X mo better……….that’s funny. Don’t forget Palin’s shiny pantyhose, color: suntan.
I thought he looks really good too. I didn’t think he was all that good looking before, but they got him in some better clothes (or took off his clothes) and roughed up his hair, and he is looking pretty hot.
I called too, btw. Took about 30 seconds for each call, and I feel better.
Irishgirl, OMG, you made my morning with that comment. I really did laugh out loud.
Trisha= Me too, Irishgirl 61, made me crack up too! And then I thought, what I must have looked like, because without my glasses, I had to have my face up to the computer screen! (Glad no one saw me.)
I don’t get an answer at Mark’s office, but I did get through to Lisa Murkowski’s. I said I realize that she’s a Republican and probably feels constrained to vote the party line, but that I would strongly urge her to at least vote for cloture and get the discussion started. He was very pleasant, took my name and address and said he would pass the message on.
Murkowski’s office just said “We’ll get the message to her” so I sent her an e-mail (used some of the things that previous posters here suggested and added that I am a health care provider and FULLY understand the issues).
Tried to get through to Begich and got Joe Leiberman’s voice mail (gack! what’s up with that?) so sent him an e-mail as well.
Homework done. Now off to my day job.
By the way AKM-glad to see that you quit procrastinating on Scarah’s tome. Thanks so much.
If SP can do for health care what she did for NY, we are all going to be really happy. Maybe we should get her to start railing about a single payor option….sure wish that were still on the table.
I just got through to Mark’s office, too.
Nice pix of Levi, by the way.
I called both Senators and asked them to vote yes. Senator Begich’s office said he would vote Yes for cloture. My husband urged him to work on his democratic colleagues to also vote yes. Jokingly suggested he offer salmon or halibut fishing trips.
On the Psalm 109 stuff, at least one person is putting out a more appropriate message: http://www.cafepress.com/geelove No Real American would pray for the First Lady to be a widow. It does look like the company pulled all the 109 stuff but left up 109.8 which only refers to his days in office being limited. I don’t know if that is far enough over the line to be considered hate speech since maybe it just prays that he not be re-elected.
You can e-mail them without registering if you send an e-mail to cup@cafepress.com
I don’t remember what the initials CUP stand for, but it is the office at cafepress that enforces their own standards.
I didn’t call them, but I have been sending them emails and I did send them each another one this morning telling them both to vote YES. I am sure Begich will, but will be surprised if Murkowski crosses the line. That would certainly be a pleasant surprise if she did!
I made my calls. I got through easily to both offices. The Begich person sounded cheerier, and said they believed he would be voting yes. They just wanted my name and location. The Murkowski phone rang more times. The man who answered was pleasant enough, and asked for my name and address, and said he would pass the message onto the Senator. Pretty painless and only took a few moments.
trisha @30 -
We also noted that he actually held her feet to the fire more than Oprah and Barbara (which is a huge disapointment in Oprah). She was probably really PO that he asked those gotcha questions.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Especially since she can’t exactly accuse O’Reilly of being one of those stinkin’ libruls with those gotcha questions.
Changed my mind and just did call Murkowski’s office.
64 Irishgirl Says:
November 21st, 2009 at 10:19 AM
I was scrolling through the Levi photographs, when my 17 yr old son and his friend arrived home. They were observing me from outside the window looking at naked pics of a 19 yr old. That one was hard to explain!!!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Better than pics of a 91-year-old!
Trisha @ 59–AKM covered this a bit in her last post about Ch 4 of Sarah’s book:
OK, remember the part about Todd being part Alaska Native? Well, guess what comes with that? Free health care. Yup. Socialist government-run health care. And it works really well. Todd gets it, Track gets it, Bristol gets it, Willow gets it, Piper gets it, and Trig gets it. Sarah gets it too, for all her pregnancies.
I’m surprised no one has directly called her out on this, at least in public.
75 John Says:
November 21st, 2009 at 10:50 AM
On the Psalm 109 stuff, at least one person is putting out a more appropriate message: http://www.cafepress.com/geelove No Real American would pray for the First Lady to be a widow. It does look like the company pulled all the 109 stuff but left up 109.8 which only refers to his days in office being limited. I don’t know if that is far enough over the line to be considered hate speech since maybe it just prays that he not be re-elected.
You can e-mail them without registering if you send an e-mail to cup@cafepress.com
I don’t remember what the initials CUP stand for, but it is the office at cafepress that enforces their own standards.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Any of it is intolerable, whether its from the Bible or the Quran.
Got right through to both offices – Begich’s office said he is voting YES – so please continue to call and give him more support.
AND call to encourage LISA TO VOTE YES, I hear she is planning a NO vote – call call call!!!
81 AK_Mama-That’s probably why Sarah married Todd. She had dollars in her eyes. “Wow. Free medical!”
@81 thanks for the clarification on Palin’s healthcare. Guess I missed that part. Sorry, my head was swirling by that point. AKM, gotta hand it to you.
I couldn’t do it.
I doubt many of her fans will make it through the muck either.
Jeanne, Thank you and your whole network for working so tirelessly for all of us longing for a return to some modicum of sanity in the political process. Most entertaining. Would be hard to start the day without you. Did call both Senators about the health care vote tonight. Begich gave me a definite “yes”, Murkowski gave me a “Weeeell, I’ll tell her.” Please keep up the great work!
I didn’t bother calling Begich; I figure he’s a Democrat and will be voting to start the discussion. But I did call Murkowski’s office, gave my name & location, and asked that she PLEASE vote for at least discussing the health care bill. Goodness knows if that’ll make a difference…
Placed my calls just now. Hard to get Sen. Murkowski’s office to answer, must be real busy, but did get through.
I did furnish my last name, zip and email address so both offices realized I was from AK.
Sen Begich’s office offered he plans to vote to bring it to debate.
Sen Murkowski’s office just said they would pass it on.
I doubt it made any change in how her vote will go but MAYBE she realizes she is not representing a state that thinks only one way.
I try and send Senator Begich kudo emails whenever it’s appropriate. In that lion’s den he is in, figure he needs “emotional” support to keep standing tall.
ks sunflower Says:
C.Rock, it was an exercise in futility, but, hey, I did it anyway.
C. Rock, thanks for sharing your frustration because it makes it just a little less lonely here in Kansas to know other folks are feeling similar frustrations.
Now I feel guilty and will call my (gag) TX useless (R )Senators just to bug them. Even those they could careless about my opinion. I’m happy to know I am not alone. Kind of if you know what I mean. But sad your Senators are just as bad as mine. I think we live in the wrong states. LOL
This is funny, she admits she’s “lost”, lol……..true, true, true Scarah.
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=VIDEONETWORK&videoid=1337401626
Thanks AKM. Called Begich and Murkowski. BTW as a fifty year Alaska resident I find Sen. Murkowski’s “position” on this issue deplorable.
I called Senator Begich and got through….the gentleman on the phone indicated Senator Begich will vote ‘yes’ tonight for cloture. Good! I could not get through to Senator Murkowski however and tried numerous times…no busy signal…no recorded answering system….no answer at all…just circled around and asked me to place the long distance phone call AGAIN. Weird!
Begich has been on the fence in the health care debate. He continues to need encouragement and thanks when he votes right. His wife is far more liberal than he is. I’ve always supported Begich, but he does have his more conservative moments.
I’ve contacted both Senators. They need to know that a majority of Alaskans want health care reform.
I just called. Begich’s office answered immediately, was polite and asked for my name (spelling included) and where I was calling from in Alaska. Murkowski’s office took almost 10 rings to answer, I almost hung up. Then the aid was incurious, saying, “O.k, I’ll let the Senator know.” Did not ask my name, where I was from or anything else.
BigSlick Says:
75 John Says:
November 21st, 2009 at 10:50 AM
On the Psalm 109 stuff, at least one person is putting out a more appropriate message: http://www.cafepress.com/geelove No Real American would pray for the First Lady to be a widow. It does look like the company pulled all the 109 stuff but left up 109.8 which only refers to his days in office being limited. I don’t know if that is far enough over the line to be considered hate speech since maybe it just prays that he not be re-elected.
You can e-mail them without registering if you send an e-mail to cup@cafepress.com
I don’t remember what the initials CUP stand for, but it is the office at cafepress that enforces their own standards.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Any of it is intolerable, whether its from the Bible or the Quran
***************************
If you read the whole Psalm 109 its very interesting, For instance its starts off with Psalm 109:1 ” O God whom I praise. do not remain silent. ” Psalm 109:2 “for the wicked and deceitful men have opened their mouths against me. they have spoken against me with lying tongues.” Psalm 109:3 “Words of hatred they surround me. they attack me without cause. ” Psalm 109: 4 ” In return for my friendship they accuse me. but I am a man of prayer.” Psalm 109:5 “They repay me evil for good. and hatred for my friendship. ”
The rest of Psalm is interesting . Maybe whom ever started this Psalms thing should have the table’s turned .They really are crazy. And YES I agree BigStick with your reply. Totally
I got through to Senator Begich’s office just fine and talked to a person. Senator Murkowski’s number rings a handful of times and then hangs up on me the couple of times I’ve tried to call.
Got through to Sen. Begich’s office and was told that he IS voting “Yes” tonight. Murkowski’s phone rang and rang and rang, and finally went to a recorded msg:
“Your party is not answering. Please try again later.”
I just followed up my phone calls with emails to both Alaskan senators. A “thank you!” to Begich and a “please reconsider” to Murkowski.
Got thru to Begich and Murkowski’s office. Begich is voting yes. Murkowski no
Keep calling especially Murkowski
Thanks Mudflats for the homework assignment
I tried again to Lisa’s office and got through. I urged a yes vote and the responder took my name and address. At the end, I asked him to please urge Sen Murkowski to vote yes because there is nothing to be lost by continuing to talk.
Because she’s a master at making people afraid of her. She LIKES it that way, the more people who don’t care for her hate her, the better for her. It’s her line of defense, her sick upper hand psych play, if you can get them afraid you can psych them out.
Most won’t dare question her, because if they do, they’ll look like they’re picking on her. She’s set up the “fake” meme.
How many would call her out on this and point it out? EVERYBODY should be! She has no credibility on this issue, she is not like one of them. But no, even her adoring fans who know this won’t even question it. She is not like them in every way, but they are too stupid to realize it. She’s also NOT middle class. But she can speak stupid, I guess they have that much in common. Or like she says, they wouldn’t be there would they. Gah, Scarah, you are such a sick fraud.
Do they not think her mean girl personal thoughts in her book as strange? odd? Immature? Drama’ish? All onesided? She writes what she was thinking as events were occurring, does that “thinking” not set off warning sirens? Because if that’s what all those folks who line up for hours, in cold and rain, wasting their time, actually relate to, then man, we have a sick group of unreal Americans.
And BTW, the Michigan BS story, how she promised them she’d be back. That was a direct slap across the face to John McCain without having to actually say anything bad about him. She’s saving that ammo. Hell, he’s afraid of Scarah too.
If you look at photos from that day, you can see tension between the two of them. You can see Scarah opposes his decision and is angry over it. And you can see in McCains that he’s dreaded picking her and he hopes to God she doesn’t make things worse.
From day one, Scarah was an albatross around the campaigns neck, that got heavier and heavier. All because she lied to them, misrepresented herself and wanted to lie to the American people. They had no clue how unqualified she was and the trouble she bring. It must have been a campaign from hell. I would have quit before I’d help foist Scarah on our country.
The drawn out Troopergate investigation scandal was a huge drain on the ticket and a messy distraction. The unwed pregnant daughter didn’t help either. Those two scandal items came from her, not the opposition researchers. And she wants to blame the Bush administration for the failed win, rich and classy as always Scarah.
AKM said: “OK, remember the part about Todd being part Alaska Native? Well, guess what comes with that? Free health care. Yup. Socialist government-run health care. And it works really well. Todd gets it, Track gets it, Bristol gets it, Willow gets it, Piper gets it, and Trig gets it. Sarah gets it too, for all her pregnancies.”
Check out Sully’s latest post about $arah’s knowledge of history:
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/11/sarahs-folly.html
I sent e-mails to McCain and Kyl. Phone calls? Not so much. Both Senators have made it abundantly clear for years that they are totally disinterested in any opinion but their own. I am gathering information to verify that fact for McCain’s re-election campaign in 2010 and for Kyl’s in 2012. With effort and luck, We in Arizona will have responsive Democratic representation within three years.
Irishgirl Says:
I was scrolling through the Levi photographs, when my 17 yr old son and his friend arrived home. They were observing me from outside the window looking at naked pics of a 19 yr old. That one was hard to explain!!!
****************************************************
What a Hoot ! Laughed so hard I was crying. Thanks I needed that . Made my day.
Called both Lisa and Mark asking them to vote YES on cloture for the health care bill.
Thanks for the nudge– I emailed both senators and got my husband to do so too.
I did call Mr. Durbin’s office to thank him. I did not call Mr. Burris, because I am so mad at that man I could spit. I emailed him.
http://tinyurl.com/y9mruxj
WASHINGTON – In a show of unity, Senate Democrats sealed a 60-vote majority needed to advance health care legislation Saturday ahead of an evening showdown with Republicans eager to doom the bill and inflict a punishing defeat on President Barack Obama.
Done… early.
Irish girl, blame it all on me -the bar… (subconstious typo?) -I meant BAD influence. That’s what all my other friends do!! Cheers.
;-0
how did murkowski get the # 666 in her phone # I would had that changed . called right through to mark they were happy to talk to me .
NEW TAKE ON SARAH AND 2012
Okay, I wandered over to this Jeffrey Goldberg post via Sully, that quoted Sarah Palin saying to Barbara Walters that “more and more Jewish people will be flocking to Israel in the days and weeks and months ahead” So our little Sarah thinks the Rapture is immanent, and so she really isn’t worried about 2012. Days, and Weeks? Evidently it’s about to happen really soon.
http://jeffreygoldberg.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/11/sarah_palin_and_the_rapture.php
Ummm …. looks like “Yes It Did Happen!”
Wow! I just know it was my e-mails that made aaalllllll the difference in the vote
Now the real work begins.
Brain churning …. big obstacle – people afraid of change, afraid of what’s in the bill, made afraid primarily by what they see on TV or hear on the radio.
How to get them un-afraid …. tricky.
Sarah Palin’s FB page and Tweets are poised to disseminate much of that fear…. how to counteract it?
As Kathy Lee Gifford sings, “Everyone has a Story”. Those stories need to get to our lawmakers. But how? I know in my heart of hearts that the majority of people in America want health care reform, sooner than later. I know the current bill has a lot of good stuff in it.
What is the key thing that could make the “Kill the Bill”ers change their tune?
I know there has to be something, I just have a feeling. And I know if any group can run a ‘good campaign’ and make a difference, it is the Mudflatters!
Well, all this musing for later. For now, this is a little something to be celebrated.
Look, there’s a glass of wine …. a virtual toast everyone, to America’s future …
(you fill in the rest of the toast)
I did it.
Here is a compendium of $P’s pants-on-fire moments:
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/11/michelle-goldberg-gets-it.html
I didn’t call the CA female Senators, but did sign a petition from Barbara Boxer. For those of you who are so inclined, here is a petition that I signed regarding the health care reform bill in honor of $P’s wite-out on the dr bill:
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/send_a_coathanger/?rc=chaser&r=5023&id=6701-2213678-ra52GBx.
She’s still a twit with her twitter, so you may want to send a reminder by clicking on the link above.
I eventually got through to Senator Begich’s line. A very nice young man answered the phone.
I was poking around on Andrew Sullivan’s page and found that he had transcribed Palin’s jibber-jabber from the OR interview. Read it and weep…or laugh….or cry. I’m just glad he did it, so I didn’t have to listen to her again.
His question, Are you qualified, are you intelligent enough to be President….
I believe that I am [qualified to be president] because I have common sense, and I have, I believe, the values that are reflective of so many other American values. And I believe that what Americans are seeking is not the elitism, the kind of a spinelessness that perhaps is made up for that with some kind of elite Ivy League education and a fact resume that’s based on anything but hard work and private sector, free enterprise principles.
_____
Outside of the snark and mess of an answer, did she miss the part where the American’s were “seeking” an Ivy League educated President and voted him into office????? Did she miss that big party where millions of “real” American’s showed up to usher in said Ivy Leage educated President? She speaks as if Obama hasn’t won the election and we are back in October 2008–and she is the candidate going against Obama. What is wrong with her?
Irishgirl – just too funny! It brought to mind that old song “A Good Man is Hard to Find” which we used to sing as “A H**d Man is Good to Find” – seemed to always make sense after a few glasses of wine… hmmm, could still be applicable
Sorry, is it too early for salacious language? Levi does look very nice – cute tush.
Burrrrrrrrrisssss… man with no portfolio ought to do one decent thing in his sad Blagojavich-leaching life.
29 trisha Says: November 21st, 2009 at 8:17 AM
What’s funny is that he (Joe the unplumber) has been in Utah stumping for someone, and an article in the paper said he drew a crowd of two dozen. Yes, two whole dozen.
Why do they still keep using this dud?
————-
Now, there’s a spud who remains a couple dozen short of a small fry.
sauerkraut Says:
November 21st, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Burrrrrrrrrisssss… man with no portfolio ought to do one decent thing in his sad Blagojavich-leaching life.
And a honking huge AMEN from me! Sheesh.
I called both. Thanks for the numbers to make it easier. I knew Murkowski would be a no, but I made sure the young man who answered took my name and email and recorded that there are plenty of Alaskans who support HCR.
Andrew has her list of lies, but I know there is stuff that came out this week that isn’t on his list. For example, the Exxon claims and the lawyer who spoke out a few days ago.
He asks for corrections or ommisions, but I don’t see how to contact him. Does anyone know?
I know there are others, I just can’t keep up. Plus, I think there are more from her earlier days in Alaska, but only Alaskans would recognize those lies. Do we need to make a list and make sure he gets it?
Didn’t she also lie about how she found out about Trig and his D.S.? She has, at least, told several versions. In WI a few weeks ago, it was a different story again about how the tech told her. Also, how she found out she was pregnant and how she told the kids? Didn’t she lie about that too?
Great little tid bit about Sarahs book numbers.
dickysdoodles.blogspot.com
http://www.dickysdoodles.blogspot.com
Just read one of the Rochester newspaper articles that says her reps have changed it from 1000 to 500. Yet just watched a news story 2 minutes ago and they are still saying 1000. Supposedly there were 150 lined up overnight. This is not a Mall store. It’s a strip type plaza so it was cold.
She could easily set herself up for another disaster today in that you cannot announce a change of rules when you have people already in line who have driven for hours to line up when the bands were to be distributed at 9 am. for her appearance at 6 pm.
Palin – Rochester: Here’s link to a vid and story by Democrat and Chronicle.com
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20091121/NEWS01/91121001
Second page of story says there were 1000 lined up!!
#113 trisha – Wow! She can’t blame the librul medial for that incoherent response. I’d love to see an SNL skit with Tina Fey using that answer verbatim. Then, I dare Sarah to give some examples of her common sense.
Bad news:
http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/705346250/Glenn-Beck-stakes-out-a-more-activist-role-in-politics.html
From Sarah’s Twitter:
In Rochester NY now;Piper & my Dad join us here, so more FUN arrives!Folks @ these events quote those 2 from the book more than me! Luv it!
about 4 hours ago from TwitterBerry
You know, I am just not all that sure I believe that.
Sarah gave the everyday crazies (Beck) aspirations to be like her.
New post is up!! Latest installment!!
I placed my phone calls and had my husband get on the line for the benefit of Murkowski’s office, he let them know he’s a registered Republican in the state of AK who is for health reform, specifically a public option!
My senators are both strong supporters of the health care reform and the public option and I have sent them a thank you. Lieberman I sent him and McCain messages that they should be ashamed of themselves for not following the will of the people and just being obstructionist,Especially Lieberman as it is said that 68% of the people in his state want this reform and a public option. Of course no answers back cause i am not from their state.. I thought the pictures of Levi were tastefully done especially after hearing about the Prejean videos or pictures.Think he needs to lose a little weight though. especially for a 19 year old.
Well I’m shocked, Senator Voinovich didn’t vote. It’s not a yes but not a no, either.
I can’t help but hope a little bit that he will vote for the final bill. He is retiring in 2010 and has made some suggestions about his displeasure with the direction of his party.
Admittedly, I would enjoy a final one finger salute to the party of NO from him.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/22/business/media/22beck.html
glenn beck wants to be like Acorn??? hmmm
this what i hope for Levi; i hope that spirit and the love of wise women and men guide this young man’s life. i pray that those spiritually inclined mudpups and those mudpups who just love to see the little ones win every once in while, will join together and wish mercy and wisdom on every young father in the world. Levi is well fed and warm and, like his mother-in law, photogenic and folksy in a really comfortable kind of way. the difference is; i believe Levi is entirely human. he is sweet and he has a brain and he is willing to be schooled. he is willing to love and be love. there so many millions out there just like him.
I just read on CNN that SP has made a statement asking her supporters to make calls to senators to stop health care reform. She is spouting more lies about the cost to scare people into believing that the sky is about to fall.
Off topic. Did anyone see the SP spoof on SNL tonight where she runs/or is elected president. They have Brian Williams making the announcement and show apocalyptic video clips surrounding the news. It’s the best thing I have seen in days!