3 Democrats, 0 Republicans attend forum

Associated Press - October 10, 2008 10:25 AM ET

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) - It was Democrats three, Republicans zero at the League of Women Voters Forum in Laramie.

All three Democratic candidates running for Congress attended Thursday night's forum at the Albany Public Library. But all three Republican candidates sent other people to speak in their place.

Democratic House candidate Gary Trauner drove from Teton County to attend. Republican Cynthia Lummis sent her daughter to talk for her.

Democratic Senate candidate Chris Rothfuss lives in Laramie, so he didn't have far to travel. His opponent, Republican Sen. Mike Enzi, sent a campaign representative in his place.

Republican Sen. John Barrasso also sent a campaign staffer, while Democratic challenger Nick Carter showed up in person.

I'm glad our Democratic candidates are making the rounds across the state to meet people face to face. If you are going to be for the people, you should get to know the people. I am looking forward to hearing from them in Wheatland on Sunday, and hope to see them also on Tuesday. In reading their stances on the issues (see links for websites on sidebar), I feel confident in giving each of our three candidates my vote on election day.

Source: Laramie Daily Boomerang, http://www.laramieboomerang.com/

Somebody fire McCain's DJ

Well, it has happened again. It seems the Foo Fighters aren't too keen on the McCain campaign using their song "My Hero" at their pep rallies.

"It's frustrating and infuriating that someone who claims to speak for the American people would repeatedly show such little respect for creativity and intellectual property," the band said in a statement. "The saddest thing about this is that 'My Hero' was written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential. To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song."

McCain has already been slammed a few times during the campaign for using music by Jackson Browne, Heart, and John Mellencamp. McCain's camp says they have acquired the necessary license to play the Foo Fighters tune, but would you really want to when the artist outspokenly dislikes you?

I thought John McCain stated earlier this year that he liked ABBA and Linda Ronstadt. What's the matter Senator, are Dancing Queen and Blue Bayou not on your playlist anymore?

Source: Reuters

Nice to be noticed

Just a note to mention of couple of shout outs I received this past week.

First, Michael Shay, an author and blogger from Cheyenne, mentioned this site on his blog, www.hummingbirdminds.blogspot.com. I have been reading his posts for awhile now, and enjoy his points of view. He blogged during the DNC convention in Denver, and he is a very active member of his local Democratic Party. The state needs more folks like him. Thanks Mr. Shay!

Next, our heroes of regional news flattered me with a link and commentary. Of course I'm speaking of www.wheaterville.com. I consider the website to be Platte County's online coffee house, where the conversations are local and lively. May they continue to grow and prosper. Thanks Ace & Co.!

Freudenthal, Obama and the NRA

Don't bother knocking on Governor Freudenthal's door today; he's not home. He is, in fact, on a road trip to Pennsylvania stumping for Barack Obama and clarifying our candidate's position on gun control. Barack got off on the wrong foot with the good people of PA earlier this year with his "clinging to religion and guns" comment. Enter Governor Dave; a gun rights advocate and NRA endorsee. He is making stops around the state promoting the fact that Barack has a good stance on gun ownership. "He's in the right place with it," Freudenthal said of Obama's position on gun ownership. "He understands it as a right. Remember, rights are not unlimited. They come with certain responsibilities." Obama's website outlines his positions for both the urban setting and for sportsmen. The NRA has given their stamp of approval to McCain, but Governor Freudenthal feels they are mistaken in their perception of Obama.

Taking the time to promote Obama was quite a grand thing for Governor Freudenthal to do. Pennsylvania is an important swing state. To see that an NRA endorsed, wild west, gun-toting Governor from Wyoming is A-O.K. with Obama has to be impressive for at least a few Pennsylvanians. When every vote counts, taking the leave-no-stone-unturned approach is prudent.

Source: pittsburghlive.com.

Veteran Report Card - Who supports our troops?

From thinkprogress.org:
During the first presidential debate, Sen. John McCain repeatedly emphasized his love of veterans — and their fondness for him in return. “I’ll take care of them. And they know I’ll take care of them,” he said. McCain frequently exaggerates his level of support for and from veterans groups, claiming to have “received the highest award from literally every veteran’s organization in America” and to have “a perfect voting record” on veterans’ issues.

Today, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America released its congressional scorecard for the 110th Congress, and awarded McCain a grade of “D” for his votes against veterans’ priorities. The grade makes McCain one of only four Senators to fall on IAVA’s “D List” — and marks a repeat performance for him, after receiving a “D” for his 109th congressional voting record as well.

These grades are based on a number of veteran based issues, which are explained in the report. So how did our Democratic candidates and Wyoming elected officials do on this little list? See for yourself:

Barack Obama = B
Joseph Biden = B
John McCain = D
Michael Enzi = D
John Barrasso = INC (not enough time in office for complete analysis)
Barbara Cubin = C

Looks like the Democrats ARE the ones who support our veterans more. View the .pdf file to see all the categories graded and scores for all legislators.

Obama vs McCain II: The Town Hall Debate

Some thoughts on tonight's debate. I need to start by saying John McCain is my friend. He told me I was his friend 16 times tonight.

Oh, and the bill formerly known as the "Bailout Plan" will now be referred to by both parties as the "Rescue Package". Ummm, O.K. then.

What we got tonight was quite a bit of the same material we waded through in round one. I'm glad Obama brought up the fact that we were running a surplus when Clinton left office. I thought that needed to be mentioned. We Democrats CAN have a balanced budget while spending responsibly.

On healthcare, McCain said it's a responsibility, Obama said it's a right. I've expressed my opinion before, our current system doesn't work, and McCain is out of touch if he thinks every person he gives a $5000 rebate to is going to go out and buy health insurance. It just won't happen. Fact is, some people aren't responsible, but that doesn't mean their children should be penalized for it.

What should we sacrifice? I enjoyed Barack's response to McCain's spending freeze. The scalpel versus hatchet was a good analogy. Cut out the programs that don't work. Keep the ones that do.

I'd like to take the time to think through the "Drill, baby drill!" mantra. To take this to it's logical conclusion, it should be "Drill, baby drill. Burn, baby burn. Pollute, baby polute." We have so many options available to us for energy. I thought Obama was brilliant in stating that no one knew how we were going to get to the moon in ten years when JFK declared it, but the nation was determined. We can get off our need for oil if we put our minds to it.

McCain referred to Barack as "That one." I didn't like it. Not one bit.

The real loser of round two was Tom Brokaw. Absolutely no control over the debate. But the format stunk. These two need to be able to respond to each other and butt heads. We never get to see a conversation continue to conclusion. My guess is that Obama would keep his cool, and we would watch the spectacle of McCain really losing his temper. Perhaps round three should be a cage match.

Matthew Shepard, in Remembrance

Ten years ago, on October 7th, 1998, Matthew Shepard was beaten, tied to a fence and left to die near Snowy Mountain View Road in Laramie. On October 12th, 2008 he passed away at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO.

This incident could have happened in any state, in any town in America. But it happened here, in Wyoming, the Equality State. When people from around the U.S. think of Wyoming, they often think of this incident. It is a violent, ugly blemish in our state history.

Here in Wheatland the Autumn temperatures are dropping into the 30's when the sun goes down. I couldn't help today but to think of Matthew Shepard and the suffering he went through ten years ago, just an hour away from here. It saddens me deeply.

The word we need to be using today is acceptance. Tolerance, in my view, is just not good enough.

Wyoming's proposed constitutional amendments

There are two state constitutional amendments up for consideration on the ballot in November. It is nice to know the reasons behind the proposed amendments, or at least have some inkling of what is being changed before stepping into the voting booth. Informed decisions, what a concept. Here are the two amendments and the gist of what is to be changed if they are voted upon favorably.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment A
The adoption of this amendment would clarify and modernize the oath of office taken by all elected and appointed officials of whom the oath is required. the new oath will be "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the constitution of the United states, and the constitution of the State of wyoming, that I have not knowingly violated any law related to my election or appointment, or caused it to be done by others, and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity."

The oath in it's current state is more specific in what it constitutes as "violating the law", stating "I have not paid or contributed, or promised to pay or contribute, directly or indirectly, any money or valuable thing, to procure my nomination or election, except for necessesary and proper expenses allowed by law." In other words, I didn't lie, cheat or steal to win my postition. I dunno, it seems using the phrase "knowingly violated any law" leaves a wide open gap for someone to say "Gee, I didn't know I was breaking the law when I gave a considerable donation to such-and-such a group for their support". Sounds like the setup for a loophole to me.
Here is the full text in .pdf form.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment B
The passage of this amendment would change the requirement for petition signatures for an initiative or referendum. Currently a petition must be signed by at least fifteen percent (15%) of the quilified voters in at least two-thirds of the counties, as determined by those who voted in the last general election. This amendment would change the requirement to at least fifteen percent (15%) of the qualified voters in at least two-thirds of the senate districts, as determined by those who voted in the last general election.

O.K., pop quiz. How many citizen-activated initiatives have made it to a Wyoming ballot since 1996? The answer? None. Wyoming already has one of the most stringent requirements to put an initiative or referendum (I&R) on the ballot in the first place. With this amendment, instead of needing 15% of the signatures of registered voters in 16 of our 23 counties, the amendment would require 15% of registered voter signatures in 20 out of our 30 senate districts. This difficultly level in getting placed on a ballot is a two-headed beast. We don't need to see frivolous I&R's on the ballot, true. But it shouldn't be near impossible to get to vote on initiatives that address the concerns of Wyoming citizens. Statistically, getting any type of I&R on the ballot under this new proposal would be harder.
Here is the full text of Amendment B in .pdf form.

To amend, or not to amend, that is the question. It's our choice, folks.

Trauner, Lummis and Herbert at Casper College

Dateline: October 5th. Gary Trauner, Cynthia Lummis and W. David Herbert (Libertarian Party) answered questions at Casper College on Sunday, taking turns speaking almost exclusively about domestic policy.

I seriously came close to blowing iced tea out of my nose in response to this statement from Lummis: I believe my party stands for limited government, low taxes, for keeping spending under control, and for balancing budgets. Sure, these are the usual pillars the GOP tout as their platform, but c'mon. She seriously wants to speak of balanced budgets and keeping spending under control? Considering the past eight years, that's a verbal pill I find a bit hard to swallow.

Lummis also made a slip of the tongue, referring to Barack Obama as "Osama". Nice one, Cynthia. She apologized after the forum. Perhaps the gaffe provides us with some insight into her psyche.

Gary Trauner made a comment regarding healthcare that tells it like it is. He said "The United States already has a nationalized health care system because 20 cents to 30 cents of every health care dollar goes toward paying for those who are not covered by insurance. Health insurance coverage for everyone is morally the right thing to do and the economically right thing to do." Well said, Mr. Trauner.

Platte County citizens will have a couple of opportunities to meet Gary Trauner and other candidates over the next week. The Platte County Meet the Candidates forum is scheduled for Sunday, Oct 12 from 2-4 p.m. at the First State Bank Conference Center (Wheatland). Then on Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. locals can meet candidates from both sides of the aisle at the 4-H Building at the Platte Co. Fairgrounds in Wheatland.

I believe I've stated this before, but it is worth repeating. Gary Trauner missed defeating Barbara Cubin in Platte County by only 125 votes in 2006. Isn't Gary Trauner the better choice for Wyoming in 2008? I ask you to talk to your friends and neighbors to discuss the congressional race. This gets down to the local level, and we can truly make a difference in our county.