Ever since each Democratic candidate announced their intention to run for President, I haven't been moved by any of the "top tier" candidates. Sure, each one had his or her's good qualities as well as some serious flaws.

I immediately took to Dennis Kucinich, who I believe, and still do, was the most progressive candidate running. Of course, he was a long shot candidate, who didn't have the money, nor the appeal or the perceived elect ability factor and name recognition to win a national election. What a shame.

I wasn't initially moved or inspired much by Barack Obama. I was one of the those skeptics who didn't think he stood for much of anything, thought he didn't have enough experience and was dismayed by the McClurkin issue.

I always thought Hillary Clinton had the right credentials and the experience after her years of being a public servant, whether it was during the Watergate investigations, in her tenure as First Lady and as a Senator.

Her book, Living History highlights her successful, and at times, groundbreaking, eight years as First Lady. I didn't like her vote on IWR and I didn't think our country would progress if it fell further into dynastic rule. I also thought that as much good that came out of the Clinton administration, there was a lot that wasn't so good and not in just policy. I didn't want the scandals of the 1990s to divide us even more.

After it became apparent that Kucinich had no shot at the nomination, and the other candidates ended their bids, I, and we, were left with Obama or Clinton.

I really thought I would vote for Clinton in my state primary in CT because I was still mad over the McClurkin mess and I still wasn't moved or inspired by Obama like so many have been.

I went with my heart and voted for Kucinich because a primary is the only chance you can vote your heart.

But after reading up on both Clinton and Obama more-I finished Living History on Monday and I am 170 pages into The Audacity of Hope-I feel that Obama is the future.

For those that still think Obama doesn't stand for anything, read his books or his website.
He does have a clear vision in how to move forward in this country and around the world.

Like it's said so many times, Senators don't win the Presidency often because they have a public record that pundits, critics and the American voter can go back and look at, scrutinize and dissect. Making a decision on a bill, with all the pork and amendments, is a difficult one. I can't really fault Obama, or Clinton, for some of the decisions they made. I do believe that both made every decision in the best interest of this country.

I really do like, and admire, Hillary Clinton but, doing my best junior high impersonation, she is so 1990s.

I still think Obama has many faults and I disagree with some of his policies but I truly believe he is an agent of change. I still have yet to be really moved by him or any of his speeches but I finally "get" what he's been trying to say all along.

I think he's run a great campaign and I now understand his intentions in trying to reach out to all people even if at first I thought he was throwing some of us under the bus or reaching out to some groups, mainly the religious right, just to get a vote.
I think he really is the one that can unite us as a nation and improve our standing in the world.

Whether we are Democrat or Republican, Independent, white, black, latino, gay or straight, we need to all come together, to unite, to pass policy to make this country better than it is or ever was.
Many people use the expression hope and change during a campaign. I think most candidates do want change and hope that is possible or they wouldn't be running.
I feel Obama is the one, and with a Democratic president, and increased majorities in Congress, that, and more, is possible.

I fully intend to support Obama, or Clinton if she gets the nomination, because I want my country back. I am sick of the division and the partisanship. Who knows, Obama, if he's elected, may turn out to be another typical Washington politician but at least he's trying not to be. He's ready to end the division and put the people first again. I like that, and finally, I like Obama.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discu...







Have a beer on me!



Thanks to those who nominated it!

BC-CT--Kennedy-Lightning,0164
Plane carrying Sen. Kennedy struck by lightning
Eds: Note Conn. angle in lede.
BOSTON (AP) — A plane carrying U.S Sen. Edward M. Kennedy from a commencement speech in western Massachusetts to his Cape Cod home on Saturday was struck by lightning and had to be diverted to New Haven, Conn., a Kennedy spokeswoman said.
The plane lost all electrical power and the pilot had to fly the plane manually, according to Melissa Wagoner, Kennedy’s press secretary. No one was hurt.
The Massachusetts Democrat had just delivered the commencement address at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams and was on his way to Hyannis to spend Mother’s Day with family when the plane was struck at about 2:45 p.m., she said.
Kennedy planned to stay in Connecticut overnight because he is scheduled to deliver another commencement address at Springfield College on Sunday, she said.
The incident was reported to the Federal Aviation Administration, Wagoner said.
The FAA did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press on Saturday night.
AP-ES-05-13-06 2158EDT


Some how it just came over our wire at work now. But it says incident happened at 2:45 p.m.
Don't know if this is a dupe. This is the first I heard of it.

More specifically, post a picture of an animal or scenery, you captured on camera.


Even if you didn't take it yourself, show me some nature shots!


I want to see some pretty things!

I don't know how the hell that happened. I didn't even think that was possible.

I was looking through "My DU" function and just clicked on Ignore list for fun. I know I never put anyone on ignore purposely.

But come to think of it, there are some people who are on my buddy list that I don't know how they got there either. I guess I just hit the wrong button sometimes.


Sorry, Skinner. Didn't mean to ignore you!

I think it's a very cool donating gimmick that the brains of DU have arraigned every time you donate to DU before the Valentine's deadline is over.

But we should not forget the real meaning behind the giving.

While it makes me smile every time I see the hearts that someone has given me and it's entertaining to look at all the hearts that have been given to other members (not to mention the chatter among the heart whores around here ), it's very important not to forget why we are donating in the first place.

Above all, every donation helps to keep this place going. In my opinion, this is the best progressive political website on the net. We should all be grateful we have a place like this to come to and discuss politics, news, social issues, our love life, what we had for breakfast, etc, etc, etc.....

Thanks to Skinner, EarlG, Elad and all the mods who make this place great!

DU truly has it all!

Keep on giving. I made a small donation (I do have a new car payment and insurance policy to pay for after my deer killing accident this weekend) but every penny counts. Thanks to those you have donated.

I'm so sick of playing chess.
It's time to play football. Hardcore, knock them out, drag-out fight football.

It's fourth and long, folks.
Which is why I support a filibuster.

I'm sick and tired of politics being a chess game. Having our senators and representatives voting on issues based purely on what they benefit from it. Pushing bills through or nominees through so they can have it on their record and maybe look "good" when they run in '06, or '08 or '12.

I respect and applaud Sen. Kerry and Sen. Kennedy for being our Vince Lombardi and Bear Bryant. I respect and applaud those DEM senators who will oppose Alito.

I respect and applaud everyone who is at least trying to fight for our rights. It doesn't hurt to sign these on-line petitions and it doesn't hurt to call our senators to express our views. For many of us, that's all we can do.

You can "watch" a feed on CNN that's titled "a political risk for Kerry"
To that I call bullshit.
It's an American risk not to fight against a nominee who will likely turn back the clock of progress.

We may not win the championship this time but at least I know there's some of us out there willing to leave our heart and conscience on the field.

It's fourth and long, folks. We don't have the time to punt.

She's a great woman!
She's my mom's mom!
She was an English War Bride that met my mom's father during WWII and came over to the States via the Queen Mary II.

She is from Liverpool but now considers herself a full fledged Italian!
She's a great cook!
She is an amazing story teller!

She was a widow at 38.
With five kids ranging from 2-19.
She didn't have a driver's license nor a job.

She busted her ass to provide for her family.
They lived in the projects but she made the home
feel like a castle so I'm told.

She's not one of those crusty, old timers who
hate the world and think they deserve hand outs
for living so long.

She knows who 50 Cent is
She knows who Brittany Spears is
She watched American Idol.

She hates Shrub
She hates the Dick
She was the Democratic Registar of Voters
in her small town for years.

Thanks for letting me share.
I had an amazing visit with her last night.
She made me grilled cheese and french fries.

I love you Nonni!

Hi my name is Will.

I've been posting on DU for almost 1-year and I have close to 10,000 posts.
I have chatted and PMed with some of you, some more than others, but there are thousands of DUers that I do not know. Yes, I see and read your threads and posts but that's the extent of what I know about you.

I didn't know Khephra all that well, I did read his posts, but I don't recall ever having a conversation with nim nor did I ever PM him.

I know many of you out there are saddened by his passing. I am too especially after reading the thousands of nice things everyone said about him.

Losing someone you care about is a horrible thing as we all know but I feel we need to learn something when someone dies.

So, I don't want to lose another DUer without getting a chance to know them better, like me in Kef's case.

So, my name is Will, it's nice to meet you.
Feel free to aske me any questions you would like in this thread and I will go ahead and ask away to you.

My list:


BEST
We went with Kerry
The 4 Seasons
Proximity to NYC and Boston
The nightlife in New Haven, Hartford (clubs, bars)
The restaurants (especially in New Haven)
Culture (Arts, Exhibits)
The shoreline (beaches, state parks)
It's where my family and friends live

WORST
The republicans who run the state
How one county (Fairfield) makes everyone think that everyone who lives in CT is rich (I am not one of those lucky people)
Small state-Not many electoral votes
It gets cold, snowy



What do you guys think?

Just want to see what part of the state ya all in. I'm in New Haven County.

Some questions to get a look at our state.

1. Who you vote for in the primary? Me, Dean.
2. Who you vote for (for) governor last year? Me, not Rowland, can't remember who the DEM candidate was, how sad.
3. Are you employed? Me,yes and full time.
4. Who do you prefer-Yankees, Mets or Red Sox? Don't care is also an option! ME, Yankees.
5. Do you own a car? Me, yes.

Hope all is well in your part of CT!
Peace
-Will

your sense of innocence? I'm not talking anything sexual here but at what age did you realize that the world was not so innocent?