One of These Mornings is a portrait of the country on Election Day, 2008. Phone messages left by voters from all around the country guide our journey from dawn til dusk that day, revealing a nation on the brink of transformation and a song whose promise has come.
Documentary in material, but impressionistic and poetic in form, this short film tells that historic moment in the voices and faces of regular Americans who lived it.
One of These Mornings is not about Obama - it is about us. It's about what happened and who we were that day, regardless of what follows.
This film is 16.5 minutes long but can be reworked for a shorter version. I would think there would be strong interest in broadcasting this on or about January 20, 2009, the one year anniversary of the Presidency.One of These Mornings is a portrait of the country on Election Day, 2008. Phone... more
Sarah Palin believed that Sen. John McCain chose her to be his running mate in 2008 because of "God's plan," according to a top political strategist in the Arizona Republican's campaign.
In an interview with the CBS news magazine "60 Minutes," Steve Schmidt described Palin as "very calm - nonplussed" after McCain met with her at his Arizona ranch just before putting her on the Republican ticket. McCain had planned to name Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., as his vice presidential choice until word leaked, sparking what Schmidt called political blowback over picking the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee.
Schmidt said he asked Palin about her serenity in the face of becoming "one of the most famous people in the world." He quoted her as saying, "It's God's plan."
Palin has not ruled out a run for the presidency.Sarah Palin believed that Sen. John McCain chose her to be his running mate in 2008... more
Talking Points Memo is pointing to a Public Policy Polling survey showing that a majority of GOP voters think Obama stole the 2008 election with ACORN's help. 52% of them.
From PPP:
"Belief in the ACORN conspiracy theory is even higher among GOP partisans than the birther one, which only 42% of Republicans expressed agreement with on our national survey in September. Overall 62% of Americans think Obama legitimately won the election to only 26% who think ACORN stole it for him, as few Democrats or independents buy into that line of thinking."
TPM points out that ACORN has gained in popularity as a bogeyman for the right:
"This number goes a long way towards explaining the anger of the Tea Party crowd. They not only think Obama's agenda is against America, but they don't think he was actually the choice of the American people at all! Interestingly, NY-23 Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman is now accusing ACORN of stealing his race, and Fox News personalities have often speculated about ACORN stealing the 2008 Minnesota Senate race for Al Franken."
For the record, Obama's margin of victory was 9.5 million votes.
Newsweek has boiled down the the first decade of this millennium into a seven minute video, highlighting the good, the bad and the unforgettable. From Bush V. Gore, to 9/11, to the iPod, to Borat, to the Iraq war, to Twitter and much, much more. Watch and marvel at this busy decade.
It really makes you remember about all that has changed about that last 10 years around the worldNewsweek has boiled down the the first decade of this millennium into a seven minute... more
So what did Tuesday's election say about the future of the Democratic party, Obama's popularity and the GOP? Some say we shouldn't read too much into it.
Here is YPNation contributor Ewan Watt's take:
"In Virginia, one of the most striking statistics is the number of under 30s (let's call it the Young Professional vote) backing the Democrats plummeted by 50 percent. This may well give the President food for thought. These voters, once his most ardent backers, now represent "the sharpest decline of any age demographic." These voters were meant to help make Virginia--a state that before last year hadn't backed a Democrat since 1964 when Johnson trounced Goldwater--a new bellwether.
Of course, this was an off-year election in a state that tends to back an individual that's not from the governing party in Washington. And, frankly, Creigh Deeds has as much personality as a pair of socks."So what did Tuesday's election say about the future of the Democratic party,... more
A federal judge has ruled that Virginia violated the voting rights of military service members and other Americans overseas when officials failed to mail more than 2,100 absentee ballots in time for last year's presidential election.A federal judge has ruled that Virginia violated the voting rights of military service... more
On Sunday (06-28-09) was the 36th Annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade.
The gay community gathered on a joyful march along Market Street in the spirit of its celebration theme: "In order to form a more perfect union…"
Mayor Gavin Newson e other local authorities participated on this event to show their support and commitment to preserve everyone's civil rights.
This event that usually attracts a joyful crowd this year seemed to have motivated everyone to come out. It felt like the rainbow was attracting everyone to show their support to marriage and family equality.
Prop. 8 gave the gay community a sense of union that is beyond the aspect of civil union. It made us realize that denying lawful recognition to longtime commitment among same gender couples affects the lives of their children as well.
The thought that children of same sex gender grew up by under the social stigma of their illegitimacy status, it's enough reason to recognize that Prop. 8 is extremely unfair!
Meanwhile, gays everywhere shall stand up and keep on shouting out loud: "homophobia got to go!"On Sunday (06-28-09) was the 36th Annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade.
The gay... more
Want Death Cab For Cutie to pay at your college? Then register to vote. Death Cab For Cutie are offering a free gig to any US college that registers the most students before the 2008 presidential elections this November.Want Death Cab For Cutie to pay at your college? Then register to vote. Death Cab For... more
Steven & Glenn are raising three sons in Southern California. They are one of the 18,000 same-sex couples who legally married before the November 2008 passage of Proposition 8.Steven & Glenn are raising three sons in Southern California. They are one of the... more
2News has confirmed through multiple sources that Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. may resign and accept the position of Ambassador to China in the Obama Administration. We hear the official announcement may come as early as Saturday. Governor Huntsman served as Ambassador to Singapore under President George H. W. Bush. Stay tuned to 2News and KUTV.com for more information.
This is huge news in Utah, it's all over the TV, and is a major shock to everyone. Who would have known Obama would look to Utah and a Republican for such an important cabinet position.2News has confirmed through multiple sources that Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. may... more
After the we blogged some episodes of the election out in Cleveland, we made a short film of it. This is the trailer for the final short documentary I VOTED TODAY. Set in Cleveland, Ohio on election day, it's about one guy who volunteered to drive a van and help get people to the polls. For more info go to www.ivotedtodayfilm.comAfter the we blogged some episodes of the election out in Cleveland, we made a short... more
Three judges soundly rejected Norm Coleman's attempt to reverse Al Franken's lead in the U.S. Senate election late Monday, sweeping away the Republican's claims in a blunt ruling Coleman promised to appeal.
After a trial spanning nearly three months, the judicial panel dismissed Coleman's central argument that the election and its aftermath were fraught with systemic errors that made the results invalid.
"The overwhelming weight of the evidence indicates that the Nov. 4, 2008, election was conducted fairly, impartially and accurately," the panel said in its unanimous decision.
The panel concluded that Franken "received the highest number of votes legally cast" in the election. Franken emerged from the trial with a 312-vote lead, the court ruled, and "is therefore entitled to receive the certificate of election."
Speaking to reporters outside his downtown Minneapolis condominium, Franken, flanked by his wife, Franni, said he had "no control" over what Coleman does next but said he would urge his opponent not to appeal, which would delay his certification. "I am honored and humbled by this close victory," he said. "And it's long past time we got to work."
In an interview earlier in the day, Coleman said he believes "thousands" of rejected votes should have been counted.
Coleman legal spokesman Ben Ginsberg said the ruling denies many valid votes by applying a stricter standard to determining eligible ballots than local officials applied during the recount.
"This order ignores the reality of what happened in the counties and cities on Election Day in terms of counting the votes," Ginsberg said, asserting that Coleman must appeal to assure that valid votes are counted. Coleman's lawyers have 10 days to file an appeal with the Minnesota Supreme Court.
But experts who read the panel's 68-page ruling say it effectively attacks some of the very arguments that Coleman would use on appeal.Three judges soundly rejected Norm Coleman's attempt to reverse Al Franken's... more
Three candidates for California Assembly 10th District . One short video of each of us. Alyson Huber, Jack Seiglock and Janice Bonser. I'm Janice. I think I did ok. Each video is about 4 minutes long.Three candidates for California Assembly 10th District . One short video of each of... more
WASHINGTON - On the heels of a decision to allow factory farms to apply for permits to discharge waste into waterways, the Bush administration on Thursday exempted the industry from reporting hazardous air emissions to the federal government, prompting a consumer group to accuse the outgoing president of undoing years of environmental protections and "putting millions of Americans at risk."
I can't quite put my finger on it, but something stinks.... oh yeah I know.... shit.WASHINGTON - On the heels of a decision to allow factory farms to apply for permits... more
Light up the Night for Equality was a resounding success around the country as 1 million people were reached according to Amy Balliet founder of Join the Impact, "I’m still sorting through emails and phone calls, but can say with great confidence that tonight’s vigils reached over 1 million people! Our amazing volunteers (all of you!) trudged through crazy snowstorms, rain, and traffic to ensure that their light could shine bright on the sea of change! Over 1 million 5 Rights Holiday Cards were passed out and hundreds of thousands had important conversations, educating the nation about our struggle."
In cities across the country, gays and lesbians and their allies protested in commercial districts where Christmas shoppers crowded streets. Organizers distributed fliers with 5 of the over 1000 rights gays and lesbians are currently denied under federal law. The flier said the following:
In many states I can be fired for being gay or transgendered.
In many states, I cannot be the legal guardian to the child
that my spouse and I parent.
I cannot fight for my country because of who I love.
I cannot sponsor my partner to become a US citizen.
There are over 1,100 rights, responsibilities, and privileges
lost because I cannot legally marry the person I love.
These make up just a handful of the many civil rights and protections
that are not afforded to myself or my family because of who I love.
For more information visit www.jointheimpact.comLight up the Night for Equality was a resounding success around the country as 1... more
Former Iowa governor, Tom Vilsack, was picked as the next agricultural secretary by President-elect Obama. Progressives fearsly opposed Vilsack for ag secretary because of his close ties with Monsanto and other GMO industrial agricultural companies.
I'm finally wondering if the change Obama promised was just a change in the person delivering the bullshit.Former Iowa governor, Tom Vilsack, was picked as the next agricultural secretary by... more
Shoes are now a symbol of Iraqi freedom from US occupation following a press conference during Bush's surprise visit to Iraq this weekend. An Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes in the president's direction, calling it a final goodbye for the "dog" who invaded Iraq in 2003. The reporter was quickly arrested and is pending charges. Civilians broke out in protest of the journalist's arrest on Monday, and demanded his release claiming they wanted the freedoms, including free speech, that Bush promised them with the 2003 invasion.
Demonstrators used their shoes as a symbol, with some beating American flags with shoes and other burning those flags. CNN reports, "Demonstrators chanted: "Listen Bush, we got you out with a pair of shoes," "if we run out of ammunition we will hit them with shoes," and "America out now."Shoes are now a symbol of Iraqi freedom from US occupation following a press... more
John Stewart bats 1000 as he address Mike Huckabee's blatant and misguided homophobia.John Stewart bats 1000 as he address Mike Huckabee's blatant and misguided... more
By refusing to hear a case, the US supreme court handed down a huge victory to gay and lesbian parents throughout the country. A lesbian couple had seperated after having a Vermont civil union. They both parented a child. One woman was seeking visitation rights. The other woman was trying to use Virginia's very strict laws against granting same sex couples any rights whatsoever. The Virginia's supreme court was sympathetic to the woman seeking visitation rights. "The high court Monday declined to hear the case of Lisa Miller, who claimed that the Virginia Supreme Court improperly ignored a state law and constitutional amendment that prohibit same-sex unions and the recognition of such arrangements from other states." By ignoring the case, they endorsed visitation rights for gay and lesbian couples in co-parenting situations despite state law.By refusing to hear a case, the US supreme court handed down a huge victory to gay and... more
The next call to action for gay equal rights is the National call "gay" into work day, this Wednesday, December 10. Join The Impact, the good people who brought you the national protest on November 15, are requesting gays and lesbians stay home from work on Wednesday and refrain from spending any money. The goal is to demonstrate how vital we are to society. Our absence will increase our visibility. For those of you who can't miss work, do not spend any money and spread the word. For those of you who can skip work, you are asked to volunteer your day off for gay and lesbian non profit organizations who need help. To see a list in your area visit www.jointheimpact.comThe next call to action for gay equal rights is the National call "gay" into... more
