From metricstarr at gmail.com Sun Aug 2 22:01:24 2009 From: metricstarr at gmail.com (Crystal Ainardi) Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2009 19:01:24 -0700 Subject: [Whitmandemsannounce] The DNC Western States meeting it THIS WEEKEND Message-ID: <55196ea10908021901i7b970587s442974fe97878d5e@mail.gmail.com> The DNC Western States meeting it THIS WEEKEND!!. Joan Harris has a cabin very near the conference hotel and has invited anyone to come and stay there while attending the conference. A super opportunity!! This conference will consist of workshops and seminars with the focus on getting Democrats elected in areas of the rural West. Lot's of good stuff that you will not see ANYWHERE ELSE. I have always come back from these meetings very energized, with lots of good ideas, but sadly, nothing comes of it because it's just lil' ol' me! This meeting is close enough for folks to just go up for the day, or even for just a few hours. I'll get a schedule of events for us by tomorrow and we can post it or send to individuals. I believe that all sessions are open to the public and FREE. There will never be another DNC meeting this close to home. The next Western states gatherings are likely to be in Las Vegas, then Hawaii. For more information, folks can call me at 509-334-3742. Eileen -- Crystal Ainardi Chair Whitman County Democrats OFA Community Organizer of EaWA http://www.whitmandemocrats.org/ http://www.recovery.gov/ http://recovery.wa.gov/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From metricstarr at gmail.com Wed Aug 5 14:54:28 2009 From: metricstarr at gmail.com (Crystal Ainardi) Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 11:54:28 -0700 Subject: [Whitmandemsannounce] 5 facts about the anti-reform mobs In-Reply-To: <013501ca15ec$6f934cb0$4eb9e610$@net> References: <013501ca15ec$6f934cb0$4eb9e610$@net> Message-ID: <55196ea10908051154t33583828x9453fe8e1f080799@mail.gmail.com> DNC Launches Web Ad Highlighting GOP Mob Rule * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtTBkxvBq88* There's been a lot of media coverage about organized mobs intimidating lawmakers, disrupting town halls, and silencing real discussion about the need for real health insurance reform. The truth is, it's a sham. These "grassroots protests" are being organized and largely paid for by Washington special interests and insurance companies who are desperate to block reform. They're trying to use lies and fear to break the President and his agenda for change. Health insurance reform is about our lives, our jobs, and our families -- we can't let distortions and intimidation get in the way. We need to expose these outrageous tactics, and we're counting on you to help. Can you read these "5 facts about the anti-reform mobs," then pass them along to your friends and family? 5 facts about the anti-reform mobs 1. These disruptions are being funded and organized by out-of-district special-interest groups and insurance companies who fear that health insurance reform could help Americans, but hurt their bottom line. A group run by the same folks who made the "Swiftboat" ads against John Kerry is compiling a list of congressional events in August to disrupt. An insurance company coalition has stationed employees in 30 states to track where local lawmakers hold town-hall meetings. 2. People are scared because they are being fed frightening lies. These crowds are being riled up by anti-reform lies being spread by industry front groups that invent smears to tarnish the President's plan and scare voters. But as the President has repeatedly said, health insurance reform will create more health care choices for the American people, not reduce them. If you like your insurance or your doctor, you can keep them, and there is no "government takeover" in any part of any plan supported by the President or Congress. 3. Their actions are getting more extreme. Texas protesters brought signs displaying a tombstone for Rep. Lloyd Doggett and using the "SS" symbol to compare President Obama's policies to Nazism. Maryland Rep. Frank Kratovil was hanged in effigy outside his district office. Rep. Tim Bishop of New York had to be escorted to his car by police after an angry few disrupted his town hall meeting -- and more examples like this come in every day. And they have gone beyond just trying to derail the President's health insurance reform plans, they are trying to "break" the President himself and ruin his Presidency. 4. Their goal is to disrupt and shut down legitimate conversation. Protesters have routinely shouted down representatives trying to engage in constructive dialogue with voters, and done everything they can to intimidate and silence regular people who just want more information. One attack group has even published a manual instructing protesters to "stand up and shout" and try to "rattle" lawmakers to prevent them from talking peacefully with their constituents. 5. Republican leadership is irresponsibly cheering on the thuggish crowds. Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner issued a statement applauding and promoting a video of the disruptions and looking forward to "a long, hot August for Democrats in Congress." It's time to expose this charade, before it gets more dangerous. Please send these facts to everyone you know. You can also post them on your website, blog, or Facebook page. Now, more than ever, we need to stand strong together and defend the truth. -- Crystal Ainardi Chair Whitman County Democrats OFA Community Organizer of EaWA http://www.whitmandemocrats.org/ http://www.recovery.gov/ http://recovery.wa.gov/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From metricstarr at gmail.com Thu Aug 6 18:01:19 2009 From: metricstarr at gmail.com (Crystal Ainardi) Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2009 15:01:19 -0700 Subject: [Whitmandemsannounce] Lentil Festival (Volunteers needed!) , and other events Message-ID: <55196ea10908061501j28c057a8w2e3086a141cbf2f0@mail.gmail.com> http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/healthcareorganizingevent/gpfmdx Hello all, its that time again here in Pullman for the Lentil Festival. Whitman County Democrats will have a booth, and we are looking for a few good volunteers. If you'd like to help please let me know or sign up at the link above. Additionally as the health care debate is heating up OFA will be having several events here in Eastern WA, events are attached: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpfm2r this is a "virtual" phone bank to call on our neighbors to ask if they support health care reform, and to ask them to call Congress. There are tools on mybarackobama, called "call neighbor to neighbor" which we will be using. http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpfmd3 This is a rally/ letter writing event at Cathy McMorris Rodgers office in Walla Walla. We will write our health care stories and present them to her office. And last is an event that is very far north put on by the Pend Oreille Democrats http://www.podemocrats.org/ http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/communityservice/gpf5pm I am concerned "tea party" people may go to that, and I don't think we only want their voices heard. Democrats should show up to these events in numbers to show our support. Our Senators need to know we want health care reform passed. -- Crystal Ainardi Chair Whitman County Democrats OFA Community Organizer of EaWA http://www.whitmandemocrats.org/ http://www.recovery.gov/ http://recovery.wa.gov/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From metricstarr at gmail.com Tue Aug 18 17:05:33 2009 From: metricstarr at gmail.com (Crystal Ainardi) Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:05:33 -0700 Subject: [Whitmandemsannounce] August 19th 2009 (tomorrow) Message-ID: <55196ea10908181405i5c4a6628ue56d8a88d0ed5c34@mail.gmail.com> Tomorrow Whitman County Democrats meeting 6:30 Denny's in Pullman. * * * * * * * * *August 19**th** 2009* *Whitman County Democrats* *6:30* Greeting *6:35* Minutes from previous meeting *6:38* Treasurer's Report *6:40* Committee Reports 6:45- Newsletter 6:50- Fundraising 6:55- Events (Lentil Festival) 7:00- Tech 7:05- Candidates *7:10* Old Business *7:15* New Business *7:20* Good of the Order *7:30* Adjournment -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From metricstarr at gmail.com Tue Aug 18 19:29:04 2009 From: metricstarr at gmail.com (Crystal Ainardi) Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:29:04 -0700 Subject: [Whitmandemsannounce] Obama and the Public Option Message-ID: <55196ea10908181629y187cc26ai25799241a6f90714@mail.gmail.com> FROM: Dustin Lambro State OFA Director There has been a lot of back and forth this last weekend about the administration no longer supporting a public option, and I wanted to help dispel that myth. The press went hyper crazy on the public option yesterday, despite the fact that White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius have been saying essentially the same or something similar for some time now. Please feel free to share a couple of quotes from the administration to help counter what the press is saying about the President's position: "Nothing has changed,? said Linda Douglass, communications director for the White House Office of Health Reform. ?The president has always said that what is essential is that health insurance reform must lower costs, ensure that there are affordable options for all Americans and it must increase choice and competition in the health insurance market. He believes the public option is the best way to achieve those goals.? http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/26158.html Jim Messina (White House deputy chief of staff): "Nothing has changed. POTUS [President of the United States] has always said that what is essential is that health insurance reform must lower costs, ensure that there are affordable options for all Americans and increase choice and competition. He believes the public option is the best way to achieve those goals." At a time like this it is even more important than ever to make sure we reach out to our Members of Congress and let them know how much we support a strong public option as part of any health insurance reform package. We need to make sure that we are getting as many people to call into Congress as possible. You can use our Health Care Action Center online at http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/health-care-action-center/?source=feature . From this site, you can make calls into your members of Congress, share your health care story, sign the declarations in support of the President's Health Care principles, make calls or knock on doors of voters, or read our blog. Please let me know how I can be a resource for you. And a big thank you for everything you do for our party! -- Dustin Lambro Washington State Director Organizing for America (253) 882-6126 mobile lambrod at dnc.org -- Crystal Ainardi -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From metricstarr at gmail.com Tue Aug 18 22:43:32 2009 From: metricstarr at gmail.com (Crystal Ainardi) Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:43:32 -0700 Subject: [Whitmandemsannounce] Thursday: Strategy meeting with the President In-Reply-To: References: <22a6c29b0d6af102a20b23fa3e7b6d38@localhost.localdomain> Message-ID: <55196ea10908181943r6a19793bxa75e59a57c129d1e@mail.gmail.com> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Dustin Lambro Party Leaders, I am sure most of you have received this email about the online Town Hall the President will be doing with our supporters, but wanted to give you all as the leaders of our party in the state some inside information on this call: (1) the President will be speaking for about 10 minutes, and then will open up for questions, which can be submitted online in advance of the call. (2) The President will definitely be addressing the issue of the Public Option, and will be reiterating that his position that he believes it to be the best means for ensuring competition in the marketplace has not changed (3) At the end of the call, he will be asking participants on the call to go to barackobama.com after the call, and sign up for our future events. For example, I am sure you all know about our huge statewide door-to-door canvasses on Saturday, but in case you do not, we will be doing them in 14 cities, all from 10AM-2PM, and will be talking with identified Independents in Votebuilder about the need for insurance reform with a strong public option. We will be asking on the door for these people to call their Member of Congress in support of reform. To find the location nearest you, visit http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_simple?source=mybobar. Please let me know if you have any questions. Just wanted to make sure you all got the inside scoop on this! Dustin ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Plouffe, BarackObama.com Date: Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 3:35 PM Subject: Thursday: Strategy meeting with the President To: Dustin Lambro [image: Organizing for America] Dustin -- *President Obama is holding a live strategy meeting on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time for all Organizing for America supporters.* I hope you can join us, online or by phone. The President will update us on the fight to pass real health insurance reform -- what's happening in D.C. and what's happening around the country. He'll lay out our strategy and message going forward and answer questions from supporters like you. And we'll unveil the next actions we'll organize together. This is a critical time in this President's administration, and in the history of our country. I hope you can join us. *Here are the details:* *What:* Organizing for America National Health Care Forum *When:* Thursday, August 20th, 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time *RSVP and submit a question for the President. * The President wrote to us a few weeks ago to ask us to go the extra mile this month in the fight for health insurance reform. And so far, you've stepped up in a big way: *Last week, an astounding 60,000 Organizing for America volunteers stopped by representatives' and senators' local offices.*You told your health care stories to staffers and members of Congress -- of losing insurance after getting laid off, of being denied coverage upon finding out about a serious illness. And you thanked those supporting real health insurance reform for all the work they've done so far. *But these local office visits were only part of the story.* The D.C. media has been trumpeting coverage of town halls disrupted by angry opposition to reform. But the reality on the ground is very different. Organizing for America supporters are showing up in huge numbers at these meetings all across the country -- outnumbering opponents of reform, often by overwhelming margins. *You've organized 11,906 local events in all 50 states* -- from press conferences to community discussions -- since we launched our big campaign for reform in June. And you've made hundreds of thousands of calls to Congress. Your work so far has been incredible. But the special interests and partisan attack groups who oppose reform will not let up, and they will tell whatever lies they can to spread fear. There's a lot more work for all of us to do. This Thursday's meeting is our chance to huddle as a team, get the latest information and talk about how we're going to achieve this victory. You don't want to miss it. *Click here to RSVP and submit a question for President Obama: http://my.barackobama.com/forum * Hope you can make it, David Plouffe [image: Donate] Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to: dustin.lambro at gmail.com To unsubscribe, go to: http://my.barackobama.com/unsubscribe -- Dustin Lambro Washington State Director Organizing for America (253) 882-6126 mobile lambrod at dnc.org -- Crystal Ainardi -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From metricstarr at gmail.com Mon Aug 24 15:45:23 2009 From: metricstarr at gmail.com (Crystal Ainardi) Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:45:23 -0700 Subject: [Whitmandemsannounce] Minutes of the Whitman County Democrats General Meeting Message-ID: <55196ea10908241245j182e64fcp492a919308c2b8ea@mail.gmail.com> *Minutes of the Whitman County Democrats General Meeting* *Wednesday, August 19, 2009, 6:30 p.m., Denney?s* *Present: * Crystal Ainardi, Ken & Barb Caylor, Dave Gibney, Tyana Kelley, Richard Law, Lucy and Stan Linden, Eileen Macoll, Pat O?Neill, Pat & Don Orlich, Peggy Ray and Michael Yount Crystal Ainardi called the meeting to order at 6:30 p. m. Peggy Ray read the minutes from the last meeting (July 15, 2009). Volunteers will not be needed for Saturday, August 22, as we will have a booth at the Lentil Festival only Friday evening. The minutes were approved as corrected. There was no treasurer?s report. We discussed the absence of the treasurer over the last eight months. Peggy Ray suggested that an Executive Committee member take responsibility for getting a treasurer?s report from Michael Lowery prior to each meeting, possibly by e-mail, so that we can have updated treasurer?s reports without requiring that Mike be at the meetings. Richard Law agreed to talk with Mike Lowery to verify that he has filed the required PDC reports and to set up a system to make treasurer?s reports available at each monthly meeting. Richard Law passed out copies of the letter from Dwight Pelz requesting each county pledge to ?Write or Raise? $1,000 for the State Party. Dick felt it was important that we continue to support the Democratic party with the same fervor we had during the election campaign. There was discussion of the variety of ways in which we are supporting the Democratic party (Organizing For American, Democratic National Committee, Democratic Senate Congressional Committee, Democratic House Congressional Committee, and individual candidates). There was also discussion of the lack of state party participation in eastside activities, including the regional conference in Wurley, Idaho. The group decided to leave the question of donations to the state party to each individual. The Website is up, but there are no pictures on the website (* www.whitmandemocrats.org* ) There will not be a forum tomorrow evening on stormwater drainage issues. It became clear that no arrangements had been made for a September 10thforum. All of the participants have not been contacted, no room as been obtained and no publicity developed. Therefore, the forum will need to be postponed. Dave Gibney and Bill Paul have indicated they would participate. However no one has contacted the other two candidates, Jeff Williams or Jeff Habecker. Crystal agreed to take the lead in contacting the candidates and finding a date when all four candidates can participate. It will undoubtedly be later than September 10th, although hopefully still in September. Richard passed out copies of * Health Care Fact Check* and *A Primer on the Details of Health Care Reform.* He would like to make these documents available at our booth at the Lentil Festival. The group suggested 100 copies be made. If they are not all used at the Lentil Festival, there will be subsequent events. Crystal announced the Health Care Canvassing event in Spokane, WA on Saturday, August 22nd, 10 a.m. ? 2 p.m. Participants will meet at Todd Hall, 1427 W. Deane, Spokane. Eileen Macoll reported on the regional conference in Wurley, Idaho. There was lots of enthusiasm, democrats are revitalizing in Montana, Colorado and Idaho. In some areas they are getting a lot of help from the state party. In other areas they are going their own way. The key is to find candidates who can provide leadership, authenticity and are viable. We need to find them and persuade them to run. Dwight Pelz, Chair of the State Party was conspicuously absent. Dave Gibney reported on his campaign for the Pullman City Council. The campaign is going really well. The treasury has some money. Dave passed out copies of the flier for Lentil Festival and the door hangers. Signs are out and about around Pullman. They?ve come up with an idea for putting three signs on a framed board to make a larger sign. ugustDave showed the group the map of District 3 which includes much of Pioneer Hill and the meadow, and WSU. In the 9th Legislative District race, Susan Fagan has a substantial lead. Pat Hailey is currently running second, with a lead of 123 votes over Glen Stockwell. There was general discussion of how we can increase the Democrat presence and effectiveness in the 9th Legislative District. Could we obtain support from the Progressive Majority? The Progressive Majority is currently focused on Spokane Valley and Yakima Sunnyside area races. The Ballot Initiatives Strategy Center might be able to provide support, if we could come up with an idea we could hang our hat on in rural areas. We need a ?game changer?--new, different ideas. Pete, Lewiston Chair, could help us. We should also try to work more with Asotin County and Latah County. Ken Caylor suggested that after seeing what Tyana and he went through, he thinks he has some ideas for how we can conduct a campaign *at a different pace*. He reported that Paul Berendt had told him that he ?always thought the Dems could come back in the 9th? if they adopted a strategy of going after the universities (Eastern, WSU) rather than focusing on the farmers. We need to find a regional issue we can stand for that we believe in. Tyana commented that one of the problems was that Eastern didn?t start school until the end of September, so if you wanted good support from Eastern it had to be organized in the Spring. Another problem is that we?ve been unable to get PCO?s for the areas in Spokane that are part of the 9thlegislative district. Ken Caylor expressed concern about Jim McDermott?s comments about breaching dams. That?s an issue that can kill us on this side of the state. Pat O?Neill expressed concern about Maria Cantwell?s efforts to take ?navigable? out of legislation on the federal control of waterways. He believes the removal of this word would mean that the federal government would control all waterways, even ditches. Pat was also concerned that the legislation removing the sales tax on farm equipment was made permanent. The loss of this sales tax revenue is serious for Whitman County. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. -- Crystal Ainardi -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From metricstarr at gmail.com Wed Aug 26 11:47:15 2009 From: metricstarr at gmail.com (Crystal Ainardi) Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:47:15 -0700 Subject: [Whitmandemsannounce] Remembering a Legend In-Reply-To: <9dc83166664dd1e386c0148e9ac75a2a@localhost.localdomain> References: <9dc83166664dd1e386c0148e9ac75a2a@localhost.localdomain> Message-ID: <55196ea10908260847x6de11f3cobcd52097696c70db@mail.gmail.com> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Rep. Chris Van Hollen, DCCC Chairman [image: DCCC] Dear Crystal, With the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy, a family lost its patriarch, the U.S. Senate lost its most gifted legislator, and America lost an unparalleled leader. Senator Ted Kennedy was elected in Massachusetts, but to millions of Americans he was our Senator. A tenacious fighter for working men and women who share the belief that America is the greatest country in the world. His passion and purpose were dedicated to righting wrongs and ensuring that our better days are ahead. Senator Kennedy said that 'health care is the fight of his life.' Today, we pick up the torch and recommit ourselves to health insurance reform. Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Kennedy's wife, children - including our friend and colleague Patrick, his family, his friends, and his constituents. Sincerely, [image: Chris Van Hollen] Rep. Chris Van Hollen DCCC Chairman ------------------------------ This message was emailed to: metricstarr at gmail.com To unsubscribe from this email list, please use the link below: http://www.dccc.org/page/unsubscribe/ To make sure you always get our emails add dccc at dccc.org to your address book. Find out more about adding us to your address book here. Paid for by Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. 430 South Capitol Street, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20003 (202) 863-1500 - www.dccc.org Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Contributions or gifts to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee are not tax deductible. -- Crystal Ainardi -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From metricstarr at gmail.com Thu Aug 27 17:56:50 2009 From: metricstarr at gmail.com (Crystal Ainardi) Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:56:50 -0700 Subject: [Whitmandemsannounce] A tribute Message-ID: <55196ea10908271456t192a35bbrec2000acdf06adff@mail.gmail.com> A tribute from our artists. [image: 5 AM Funny] [image: Kennedy 2] [image: kennedy 3] [image: kennedy 4] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From metricstarr at gmail.com Fri Aug 28 15:24:59 2009 From: metricstarr at gmail.com (Crystal Ainardi) Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:24:59 -0700 Subject: [Whitmandemsannounce] Call Senators by September 1st In-Reply-To: <831F6C2A21BB4F0F98AA65A5BFB594E7@margaret459357> References: <831F6C2A21BB4F0F98AA65A5BFB594E7@margaret459357> Message-ID: <55196ea10908281224u6e9d9eeha663039aac928e96@mail.gmail.com> *Call your senators before September 1st.* Anyone can call their members of Congress. You don?t have to be an expert, just a concerned citizen. You can express your support for reform any way that you?d like, but here?s a sample script you can use if you want to help guide your conversation: *Senator Patty Murray 206-553-5545* * * *Senator Maria Cantwell 206-220-6400* * * *Sample Script* Hi. My name is [your name]. I?m a constituent living in [Town/City]. I?m calling to let you know that when [Senator] goes back to Washington, I want them to work hard for real health insurance reform.* *Like many constituents here, I agree with President Obama that we need insurance reform that reduces costs, guarantees everyone their choice of doctor and plan?*including the* *choice of a public insurance option*?and ensures quality, affordable care for all. * * *It?s time to make affordable, guaranteed health insurance *available to every American. It?s time to stand up to insurance companies and partisan attacks. Universal coverage without a public option is a bonanza for the insurance companies. Don?t give them any more excess profits. Don?t give them more than 20% for overhead and profits. Don?t give them any subsidies. It?s time to get it done! Don?t let deficit scare tactics derail this legislation. We?re already paying for the uninsured. President Obama?s health insurance reform must save money, not raise the deficit. I hope I can count on [Senator] to represent me and the many other voters in our area who strongly support passing health care reform in 2009. *Fifty-one votes is all it took for Bush?s tax breaks. * *Fifty-one votes is all we need for health insurance reform.* Thank you. -- Crystal Ainardi -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: