"I was wondering how Bush could make his legacy even more toxic in the few weeks left to him. Some thought it impossible in the middle of two failed wars, $10 trillion in debt; $32 trillion in new entitlement liabilties, and a second Great Depression. But we are always misunderestimating him." The Conservative Andrew Sullivan

To our veterans, thank you for your service. You're bravery, service, and sacrifice is something we all admire.

In regards to our brave brave brave veterans of the Iraq War, this quote comes to mind:

"Yet not a hundred people in that battle knew for what they fought, or why; not a hundred of the inconsiderate rejoicers in the victory, why they rejoiced. Not half a hundred people were the better for the gain or loss. Not half-a-dozen men agree to this hour on the cause or merits; and nobody, in short, ever knew anything distinct about it, but the mourners of the slain."-- From The Battle of Life by Charles Dickens

This message is for my friends and family especially, but also for anyone who has the chance to vote for Dino Rossi. DO NOT DO IT. As my friend, family member, neighbor, or blog reader, do not vote for this man. 

I will be in Boston (Boston Commons to be exact) protesting the war and hearing Howard Zinn speak (sooooo excited) as well as other great speakers. Those of you in Idaho and other nearby states can go to Salt Lake City or Seattle for the rally and march. If you are in another part of the country, check out this website for a protest near you.

From United for Peace and Justice:

"This coming Saturday, October 27, people from all walks of life will gather in 11 cities around the country in a national expression of the breadth and depth of antiwar sentiment in this nation. For many people, it will be their first step in transforming their antiwar feelings into antiwar action. Regional actions will enable much larger numbers of people to participate."

Last I heard, Idaho Peace Action was sending a bus from southern Idaho to SLC. Email them for more information or check out the Oct 27th website for transportation options.

Solidarity! Peace!

How many more have to die before we bring them home? The endless and reckless war must end.

The title of this blog entry is something I've thought about before, namely when Cheney was going to give the commencement address at BYU in May and thousands of people expressed their displeasure. I can say with certainty that I have never been more proud to be a Mormon than when I saw the petition and read the comments from people who just couldn't let Cheney visit without a fight.

With Bush's abysmal approval rating, we all know how displeased Americans are with the job he is doing as President. Yet he still has around 30% of the country supporting him, many of whom are Mormon. So you can imagine how reluctant I am, when I go to church, to get into my job situation. I don't need anyone making me feel bad for my current job as someone trying to end the War in Iraq, as a leader in a local ward in Vegas did my first time at church in Vegas in July.

So today, when someone asked me at church (I am in Pocatello for a short vacation), what campaign I was with for the last two months, I was surprised to hear her interest. I briefly explained that a surge had occurred in Iraq and that we need more members of Congress to change their votes so we can bring our troops home. She then stated, and let me paraphrase here, "You know the Dixie Chicks? And how the one said what she said a few years ago? Well, I totally agree with her." This is a girl who is obviously paying a bit more attention than most (as evidenced by some conversation we had that I didn't include in this post) but someone who isn't too involved politically and she is totally ashamed of George W. Bush. I was surprised, elated, and relieved that more and more Americans are realizing the complete disaster this President is.

And it was just another sign that Bush is losing the Mormons and when you've lost the Mormons as a Republican, you've lost almost everything.

of my summer job and of Larry Craig's political career. What is next? No comment. But some of you who think you know may not actually know what my next step will be. And for Larry Craig, hopefully he resigns, as his Republican colleagues in the House AND Senate are calling on him to do.

I spent today entering data in, faxing in receipts and other things, and packing up my office. Now I am home packing up my room and moving my belongings to a common room so I can drive back to Idaho tonight. I am so excited to see my friends and to be in a cooler climate. But I am also excited for a little vacation. I need it. And I also have a lot to think about and decide upon in the next 2 days.

It will be strange to be homeless, as I most certainly will be the next week or so, but it feels the most strange not working to end this reckless War in Iraq. I loved the campaign, the message, the people, and even my bosses. I didn't quite realize how much I would learn about people and myself. I have a lot of growing to do, life lessons to learn, patience to acquire, skills to gain, and much much more, but I know that I am continuing to grow and mature each and every day.

Expect a wrap up of our big event last night, some pictures, and maybe an announcement in the next few days. Until then, wish me safe travels and good luck as one more liberal returns to Idaho to enjoy the destruction of another Republican's career! Congrats, Larry Craig, this is what happens when you live a lie and vote against equal rights.

And I can't sleep! Nerves. Today is a historic day and I will be playing a part in it. As town halls and vigils are held all across this country, including Boise, Idaho, citizens will demand that our leaders stand with the people and end this war. Here in Las Vegas we have been working hard and placing pressure on Congressman Porter to end the war. The culimination of our work in Vegas takes place tonight as we gather together, listen to speakers, and ask Congressman Porter questions about Iraq. Of course he won't be there. He has never held a town hall, and refuses to meet with concerned constituents, including veterans and family members of soldiers in Iraq.

Just last week two military family members, one of which is a vet, were denied entry into a building to visit the Congressman by the building manager. The Congressman has an office that is paid for by taxpayer funds and constituents have every right to visit his office. These aren't trouble makers, these are people who simply want to know why their son, their brother, and sometimes why they themselves had to serve in an endless war.

The time is now, America. We must stand up and tell Congress and the White House that they must either vote to end this war or face political extinction.

Randy Stapilus, of Ridenbaugh Press, has written about my blog again here. For those of you who don't know, Mr. Stapilus provides the best analysis and commentary of politics in the pacific northwest, which includes Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Any mention of my blog by Mr. Stapilus is an honor.

I appreciate being recognized and it always provides motivation to continue the blog. Since I am under contract for work I have to be careful to avoid being dooced. But I still have some freedom with what I can write.

Lately I have been noticing how hard it is to get volunteers. I have been thinking that maybe I am a horrible field organizer and the problem is with me. But after speaking with several other people, including organizers with other campaigns, they say difficulties with organizing here comes with the turf. I think I could drive up to Idaho Falls right now and generate more interest in the campaign I work on then I can here, and Clark County has around 1.2 million people.

This isn't to say people in this area are lazy, apathetic, or close-minded, they just live in an area that caters to tourists and people who live here for short periods of time before leaving again. And I think there are other aspects that are unique to Vegas that make it harder to find volunteers...

Though Las Vegas has many people who aren't native to the area, I still sense some distrust and initial distance that is exhibited with "outsiders." This is especially clear with all of the campaigns going on (all Democratic presidential candidates have a presence here with the exception of Gravel, plus several issue campaigns, such as global warming, kids campaign, AARP campaign, One , health care, and more I am sure). These campaigns bring in a lot of outsiders, including many from the 702 area code (D.C.) and boy do people in Nevada dislike the D.C. folks coming in. Sound familiar, Idahoans?

Of course they can't be too hostile, because what would Vegas be without outsiders (candidates certainly couldn't run campaigns with just Nevadans), but numerous times I have heard about those "Californians," and it makes me smile and remember the Idahoans who would always whine about Californians taking over the state.

Being here has presented a few opportunities to talk about Idaho. I got to talk about Senator Frank Church to one guy, educate a lady about Boise (she described it as some kind of backwards redneck area), talk about Bill Sali, and talk about lovely Bannock County and how the Democrats won 12 out of 13 local races.

It's great to be an Idahoan who lives in Vegas.

Lewiston Morning Tribune letter to editor

Saturday, July 21, 2007
He just doodled

On July 17, I sat in the U.S. Senate gallery, watching as senators stayed up all night and debated whether we should bring our troops home from Iraq.

Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, sat all alone. As other senators debated this life-or-death issue of war, Craig looked down and doodled on a small piece of paper the size of a coffee coaster.
He did this for at least a half hour, probably more, meticulously drawing some four-sided object and switching pens from time to time.

It seems to me that a senator from Idaho should have been engaged by the debate, using every waking minute to think about Lewiston resident Luke Wullenwaber and others among the 27 Idaho residents who have died in Iraq.

But Craig doodled away, oblivious to the realities of this war.
Craig then voted against ending the war. Adding insult to injury, Craig voted earlier against a Democratic plan to give troops one year at home for every year in Iraq.

As Craig comes up for re-election in 2008, I'm curious. Is someone who doodles against the troops the best person to represent Idaho in the U.S. Senate?

Adam Green
Washington, D.C.

"I tried to avoid this war. I took him through the consequences of going into an Arab country and becoming the occupiers."

-- Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, quoted by the Sunday Times of London, saying he spent 2 1/2 hours urging President Bush to not to invade Iraq.


"The White House is in panic mode."

-- A senior Bush administration official, to ABC News, about recent defections by Republican senators on President Bush's Iraq policy.

Found the ward that I am in, a single adult ward. Wow, it is a huge ward. Introduced myself to a member of the bishopric-pretty sure not the bishop since he introduced himself as "Brother" so and so and not "Bishop" so and so.

He was really nice but his niceness disappeared a little when he asked me what my job was in Las Vegas. I KISS (keep it simple stupid) with people, especially at Church, because I really have no desire to engage in debates with people at Church, but he kept pressing for information.

He remarked, "so you want everyone out of Iraq." Uh, yes, don't we all? Even those supportive of the war would prefer that our troops are home instead of in a country engaged in a civil war! Even my so non-political mom said it was a pretty dumbass remark.

Saturday I attended an event for Nevada Veterans who are Democrats. What an awesome group! It was said that while Republicans controlled the White House, House and Senate, $116 billion was cut from the Veteran's Administration, but since Democrats have taken control of the House and Senate, Democrats have restored $81 billion of that! That's my party, the party that supports the troops by funding them and not just through putting some yellow ribbon on their car.

I haven't really gotten into the gambling here. First of all, I only know how to play blackjack and not even well enough to gamble money on it. Second of all, I am broke. I do play the penny and nickel slots, but that is basically throwing money away so I keep it cheap. But last night I did win $6.41 on the penny slots!

It's still hot as hell here and you really have to keep drinking water throughout the day or you are in big trouble. I have taken some pictures which I will post later...

No group as of yet...key word being yet...

"War I hate with all its mocking panoply. It is a grim and living testimony that Satan, the father of lies, the enemy of God, lives. War is Earth's greatest cause of human misery. It is the destroyer of life, the promoter of hate, the waster of treasure. It is man's costliest folly, his most tragic misadventure. Gordon B. Hinckley

Today I heard a story about someone who is working to end the war, an activist. She went to a woman's house in Minnesota to speak to this woman about volunteering to work to end the war.

When she walked in the door, she noticed a young woman there. This young woman was on leave from Iraq and was this woman's daughter or niece (not sure which). When the young woman saw this activist, she ran to her, hugged her and cried. She said that when she was in Iraq, at night, her and her fellow soldiers she was serving with would wonder what the American people were doing to end the war.

She thanked the activist for her work.

Too often we hear the stories of how our soldiers feel that those who don't support the war aren't supporting the troops. I have often thought that these stories aren't commonplace and many soldiers are dismayed by the war they have been commanded to fight.

Let us not forget the soldiers who pray everyday for this horrible war to end. Let us not forget prayers which express gratitude for the work peace activists are doing. Let us pray that these prayers aren't asking God what the American people are doing to end this unjust, reckless, and immoral war.

Are you supporting the troops?

Yes, a severe heat wave. The only good thing about arriving here in the midst of it is that when temperatures hover around the 100 degree mark, I will collapse to my knees and thank God for being merciful! The lowest I saw it yesterday was in the low 90's, at close to 1am.

Officially started work today. When I finally got into my car today at about 3:30pm, my steering wheel was so hot I practically burned the skin off my hands! Up until then I was riding around with my boss.

The campaign is sending me a cell phone to use, which is great news because I feared having to increase my minutes to compensate for the amount of phone calling I will do with this job.

I told my mom about a protest tomorrow and how I was supposed to go for my job. Her text message response, "Did you ever think you would be getting paid to go to those?" My response was basically no, it's a dream come true.

My sister has a blog. It isn't political, but even I can enjoy a non-political blog, can't I? Check it out.

I was offered a political organizer position with the organization, Americans Against the Escalation in Iraq, a coalition of groups (including MoveOn, VoteVets, etc) who have strategically placed people all over this country to pressure members of Congress to vote to end the war. You can see their press release about this summer of action here.

I don't know what I will be doing after this temporary position ends, but I look at this as the start of a dream and I am grateful for this opportunity to try to make a difference. I thank all of you for your support and I fully intend on continuing to blog. I will still maintain ties in Idaho and will keep a close eye on how things develop here over the next two months. Perhaps I can gain a lot of political experience and bring it back to Idaho to help get more Democrats elected!

Is it supposed to feel this scary?

"We are sixteen votes away in the Senate from ending this war. And so we need to keep turning up the pressure on all those Republican Congressmen and Senators who refuse to acknowledge the reality that the American people know so well. We will call them, and knock on their doors, and we will bring our troops home." Obama

I hope to be doing something this summer to help sway some votes...

Scarborough: I agree with Democrats, 'surge has failed'

"Sectarian violence leads to a religious bloodbath," reported Joe Scarborough on MSNBC Thursday, saying that the most recent attack on the Shi'ite Golden Mosque has been met by revenge attacks on three Sunni mosques, and that Democratic leaders in Congress "are now planning new legislative attempts to limit the US mission in Iraq and finally bring our troops home."

"I can tell you the moment that I realized this Iraq thing was going south ... when the Golden Mosque got blown up the first time," said Scarborough to guest Pat Buchanan. "What in the world can the United States government do to stop this? ... I don't think there's much we can do, Joe," answered Buchanan. "The numbers show the surge is not stopping the insurgency. ... I think some Republicans are going to be joining those Democrats in calling for deadlines."

- snip -

Scarborough then asked columnist Mike Barnicle about General Petraeus's claim that he sees "astonishing signs of normalcy" in Iraq, such as soccer stadiums and amusement parks. Barnicle replied that there are always isolated signs of vitality during wars, but "if you talk to returning majors, captains, colonels, returning from Iraq after second and third tours, they will tell you, speaking to the surge, that it will not work. And the rubber is going to hit the road in late summer. ... I think the war has failed, not just the surge."

Scarborough's final comment, addressed to White House correspondent Ryan Lizza, was, "At what point do Democrats in Congress and some moderate Republicans say 'Enough is enough, Mr. President, we're not following you off this cliff any more.'?"

David Edwards and Muriel Kane
Published: Friday June 15, 2007

Last night I was with some friends, most of whom are Republican, and the War in Iraq was mentioned. I knew a few of them, Republicans included, didn't agree that the war, even if justified (justified according to them), was headed in the right direction, so I felt more freedom to make a comment against the war. Whoopsy!

All of the sudden the war is a great thing because the Iraqi's got to vote and little girls can go to school now. I remarked that yes, getting to vote before getting blown up into pieces is wonderful indeed and the little girls can go to school knowing the rest of their family was just murdered...

I got annoyed because while Iraq wasn't this beacon of greatness before the war, invading and occupying didn't make it this beacon of greatness now. That even though a lot of the innocent civilian deaths wasn't at the hands of American troops, America destabilized the region, made it a breeding ground for terrorists and we are now at least partly responsible for all of the deaths, if not completely responsible.

One of the people who disagreed with me instant messaged me later and he asked if I was upset with him. I told him no because I knew that we agreed on at least 75% of the things with the war and the other 25% aren't things we disagree on because he is ignorant and uneducated. I told him that I get upset with conservatives, especially LDS (Mormon) ones who are always far too supportive of war, even if it is justified through self-defense.

Jesus is the "prince of peace." Christ taught that "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." And the Doctrine and Covenants tells us to "renounce war and proclaim peace." And really, I could go on and on with the words of Christ, the words of Mormon leaders who have taught us how to view war, and references from the scriptures, but I then remember the quote from Gandhi, who stated, "non-violence which is a quality of the heart cannot come by an appeal to the brain."

I became a pacifist, and there are many types of pacifists, because in my heart, I couldn't justify many wars and battles that have been waged and fought, not because of a scripture or quote, though they played a part in my conversion, but because my heart couldn't wrap itself around the idea of fighting for peace.

I guess I was annoyed last night because I felt that some of the people defending the war don't invest the time and energy that I do into investigating the war to be truly and accurately informed. This isn't to say that if you read and research you will disagree with the war, but if you want to support something, at least know what you are supporting! Just my two cents.

"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the president to explain to us what the exit strategy is."

--George W. Bush, 4/9/99, criticizing President Clinton for not setting a timetable for exiting Kosovo.


"I think it's also important for the president to lay out a timetable as to how long they will be involved and when they will be withdrawn."

--George W. Bush, 6/5/99