Anti-War Up - Communicate with Obama this Saturday
redvet
families, friends and loved ones.
I hate to intrude upon the holiday festivities, but President Barack
Obama, his family and some top advisors are vacationing Hawaii this
week and will be leaving in a few days. We have a unique opportunity
to share your opinion with Obama in a way more direct than trying to
send a letter to some staff person at the White House or signing some
online petition.
This Saturday morning, you are invited--and URGED-- to join some of us
in holding signs near Obama's vacation home in Kailua. The vast
majority of those receiving this email voted for Obama in November
2008 with the hope he would help bring about needed changes for the
benefit of most Americans. Indeed, for most of the people of the
world. "Yes, we can!" "Change we can believe in!"
Some of us were enthusiastic Obama supporters. Some of us had
initially supported other candidates, like Kucinich, Edwards or
Clinton, but shifted to Obama for the caucuses and the General
Election.
And there is no question in my mind, Obama's election was greeted as a
relief by most people around the world. After eight years of the
Bush-Cheney administration, Obama's election was a breath of fresh
air, and lessening of tensions, a scaling back of the rhetoric of
military confrontation and a HOPE for changes in our domestic order
that would shift power, and wealth, away from the extreme inequality
of the Bush years.
As Obama is nearing the end of his first year in office, many of us
are disappointed in how little has been accomplished. On each of the
major issues he has dealt with: the financial crisis, the War in Iraq,
the need for healthcare reform, the escalation in Afghanistan,
healthcare "reform," his policies have fallen way short of "Change We
Can Believe In".
Some of us think Obama is trying the best he can against powerful
special interests. Some of us think he has been unwilling to confront
those special interests because he shares their fundamental outlook or
is dependent upon them to finance his next campaign. Whether you want
to ENCOURAGE him to push for real reform, or whether you want to
PRESSURE him to support real reform, please come to this event and
share your thoughts. It will be a RARE chance to express your thoughts
directly to him.
Please note: this signholding is not a "protest" or "demonstration"
AGAINST Obama. Many of us continue to "support" him, but want to prod
him into rediscovering the "audacity" and the energy which motivated
his campaign and had originally generated so much hope. In my personal
view, he has the POTENTIAL to be a great president. The problems
facing him, and us, are great. But it undoubtedly requires a strong
social movement to enable (or force) him to promote great solutions to
those problems.
This event is not officially sponsored by Progressive Democrats of
Hawaii, but there is a consensus among steering committee members to
encourage our members and friends to participate. Because feelings
within the organization and among our allies vary and we have not had
time to have a formal discussion over our feelings towards the Obama
administration, we felt it was better to not formally endorse this
event.
We were all united and had a clear message when Bush was president. He
was so easy to oppose on so many issues. Obama is undoubtedly more
charming, more intelligent and shares some of our values, our
vocabulary. But it is time for progressives to rediscover our voice
and articulate what we need from our leaders. Polls are showing
Democratic voters across the country are feeling demoralized by recent
events and uninspired to vote in the 2010 elections. Obama is capable
of re-inspiring those who elected him, but he needs to be convinced to
lay out a vision which speaks to the needs and hearts of a majority of
Americans.
Let's prod him, encourage him, to do that.
DETAILS:
WHAT: Signholding near Obama's vacation rental
WHEN: Saturday, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am (Drop by whenever you can)
WHERE: 860 N. Kalaheo & Kailuana Place (This is the entrance to
Kainalu Park, the neighborhood
where Obama is renting a home. Kailuana is blocked off at this
entrance, so there is no entry or parking for us beyond that point.
BRING: Sunscreen, water, hats, signs (if you have), bathing suits
(there is a public beach access very nearby.)
PARKING: There is parking on the streets nearby mauka of Kalaheo.
Kainui Ave. is OK. Others might want to park at the Aikahi Shopping
Center, buy an iced coffee from Muddy Waters cafe in the parking lot
and walk the couple of blocks along Kalaheo Ave in the Lanikai
direction.
NOTE: I will be picking up large felt pens (the HUGE ones) and
cardboard for making signs. Either bring your own pre-made, or come
prepared to make one onsite using the supplies there. Bring your own
ideas!
For more information, feel free to call me at 542-9084.
This IS a UNIQUE opportunity. Please find your voice, and some time in
your schedule, to participate.
UPDATE: We already got some press coverage on Derrick DePledge's
Advertiser blog:
http://thenotebook.honadvblogs.com/2009/12/31/ok-but/
Aloha,
Bart
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