Zennie's ZeitgeistZennie's ZeitgeistZennie Abraham's Look at Pop Culture, Current Events, and His Life Articles
Governor's Round Table
2008-08-27 02:49:00 On Monday, I had the pleasure of sitting in on a roundtable led by three members of the Democratic Governors' Association:Gov. Joe Manchin, WV, Chair of the DGAGov. Brian Schweitzer, MT, Vice Chair of the DGAGov. Martin O'Malley, MD, Finance Chair of the DGAWhile it's always important to the DGA to capture more Governors' seats, it's especially important in the 2010 elections when we head into redistricting. Right now, Democrats hold a majority of Governorships, at 28, for the first time since 1992. Gov. Manchin seemed quite confident that that number could rise to 29 or maybe even as high as 31 by the end of the election cycle in 2010.While the importance of redistricting seemed to be the overall take away from the round table, my overall take away was how fantastic Gov. Schweitzer is. I love how he uses language, saying that the race between Obama and McCain in his state is, "dead danged tied right now." Talking on the issue of oil as it relates to the energy corridor i... More About: Table , Round , Round Table
Thank you, Denver
2008-08-27 02:41:00 Here's a quick shout out to the fantastic folks at Denver Health who took care of me today after a kidney stone left me unable to do more than put one foot in front of the other. From the security folks to the nurses to the EMT staff to radiology to the doctors, everyone was professional, kind, and caring. They also managed to get me in and out in five hours or so, which seems like some kind of record. Another shout out to the folks at the Hyatt Regency at the CO Convention Center who, though I wasn't a guest there, realized my need and got me into a taxi cab in record time. And, finally, a huge shout to the cab drivers who cared for me today. I have never run into three tax drivers who took such good care of their riders.Thanks, Denver. You guys rock.
Lou Gossett .Jr at The DNC Convention
2008-08-27 02:19:00 An intense Lou Gossett Jr. Talks about a new foundation that he did not want to talk with me about on camera. Weird!! More About: Convention
DNC Convention - Rep. Rahm Emanuel Speaks
2008-08-27 02:11:00 It is 6pm and Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel has just given a great speech with a clear voice especially since he was the lead of an awesome party last night.Now, having taken the large group photo, the crowd chanted Obama! Obama! All this while Hillary Clinton waits . More About: Barack Obama , Convention
DNC Convention - Third Day In Denver; At Specialty Media Center
2008-08-26 20:23:00 As I write this, I'm sitting at something called The Specialty Media Center, sponsored and ran by Microsoft. It's a simple affair, with tables chairs and a computer setup in the back. There are two couch stations with plasma screen televisions tuned to CNN. It's a great place to upload videos or -- as I'm doing -- install this blog report. Right now, it's 12:25. I'm about to upload a video featuring Cornell West and Tavis Smiley -- in fact, I'll do that now -- then will go to a hotel to get a lost credit card and then Walgreens and then Pepsi Center. I'm also worry about one of our group who's basically flown off-course dramatically and hurtfully. It's the drama you didn't expect and don't want. But that aside, this convention is a blast. It's the combination of the Super Bowl and The Olympics at once. Over the past three days, two of them active, I've met more movers and shakers than I can shake a stick at: Ed Gordon, Cornell West, Steve Doocy, Rep Jess... More About: Media Center , Hillary Clinton , Bill Clinton , Denver
If you want to you can get arrested in Denver, but the officers operating n
2008-08-26 20:03:00 One of the striking impressions as one strolls the areas outside the Colorado Convention Center such as Denver 's 16th Street Mall area, is that the law enforcement presence is huge. Officers from numerous agencies are present, sometimes sporting impressive crowd control tools and gear. They are here, prepared, visible, yet generally non-intrusive, and utterly professional in their demeanor.There have been a number of incidents for them to respond to, such as the one an officer described to me as discovering a package that, upon inspection, he called in to the bomb disposal team, because it "definitely wasnt somebody's lunch." There have been minor challenges for them - debris hurled from above, protesters without proper permits and/or identification (which resulted in the arrest documented here in pictures,) and naturally some plain old unruly behavior.Yet, as far as I can determine chatting with the men and women arrayed througout the area for the protection of everybody, they... More About: Arrested , Operating
Upstaging charismatic speakers? Who would YOU want to follow onstage?
2008-08-26 16:54:00 As you might imagine, there was a great deal of anticipation regarding Michelle Obama's opening night speech among the people at the Pepsi Center on the night of August 25th. Senator Kennedy had already used Caroline's introduction as a springboard to launch a monumental reiteration of his endorsement - not just of Obama, but of his entire vision and leadership style, likening it to the best memories of JFK, exhorting all to dare to believe in a "New Season Of Hope." Still, the wife of the soon-to-be Democratic nominee was arguably the most anticipated appearance of the evening.Many of the delegates, and no few of the others in attendance, are at their first national convention. The Obamas have inspired undeniable fascination and loyalty. As you talk to people who have come to Denver for the event, it's clear that part of what they're hoping for is the sort of budding inspiration Mrs. Obama represents for young women, and that will clearly blossom if Michelle and Barack becom... More About: Speakers
Janet Napolitano - Arizona Governor Interview at DNC Convention
2008-08-26 16:26:00 At the DNC Convention , Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano gave a small press conference where she talked about the ability of the Western States to bring votes for the Democratic Party as well as issues related to Native Indian Tribal Sovereignty, the selection of Senator Joe Biden as Vice President, energy, and future Super Bowls in Arizona. More About: Interview
Rep. Jim Clyburn On The Clinton Legacy & Black America
2008-08-26 09:55:00 At the Yahoo! Politico morning breakfast, I could think of no better person to talk to about the matter of the Clinton Legacy and Black America , than Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina. Clyburn said that the speeches by both Clintons and Senator Obama would define their legacies. More About: Hillary Clinton , Bill Clinton
Kennedy & Kennedy: bringing down the house
2008-08-26 03:42:00 Caroline Kennedy took the stage at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado on the evening of 25 August 2008 to remind those assembled for the Democratic Nominating Convention that the same values that define the Kennedy family resonate in Barack Obama's family, too: Justice, fairness, service and sacrifice, faith, and family. She stressed that we are all in this together, that we all have something to give.She repeated what some have heard her say before in the context of the campaign, "I've never had someone inspire me the way people tell me my father inspired them. But," she went on in a clear recognition of the pending nomination, "I do now!"Ms. Kennedy was understated as she tugged at the heart-strings of the crowd, alluding to Ted Kenndedy's "early, courageous stand against the war in Iraq." Her uncle values family, she told them, and, "never missed a first communion, a graduation, or a chance to walk a niece down the aisle." She mentioned, briefly, how his response to the ... More About: House , The House
Mental Health of concern to Denver Convention attendees
2008-08-26 02:04:00 Chatting with convention goers outside the Colorado Convention Center on Sunday August 25 I met Hope Turlington of Raleigh, North Carolina, who has abundant concerns over federal funding for mental health, both in terms of military veterans, and non-military citizens of the USA. She is distrubed by the prospects for returning Iraq vets dealing with mental stress and trauma as a result of service to this country. Hope is deeply concerned about the effects of the scheduled "transition/closing" of the Dorothea Dix Mental Hospital. She pointed out that the great North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms has said that "our sick deserve a view from Dix Hill as much as anybody," yet developers are bidding to take that land away - to turn it into a money maker for a private entity at the expense of people suffering from various forms of acute and/or chronic mental illness. De-institutionalization is not a viable treatment protocol for many of the people who have been diagnosed and committed, ye... More About: Health , Mental Health , Denver
News happens all over Denver during the DNC
2008-08-25 21:56:00 While waiting for a cab to get to the action from one of the media hotels this morning, I met Wallace Williams, a long time Democratic Organizer who has campaigned with former President Bill Clinton in Mississippi, among his other extensive achievements.Wallace cites President Clinton's speech as one of the key points of the entire convention. President Clinton has a nearly unmatched ability to connect with certain constituencies that are considered key to assembling a winning coalition of voters in November. He's looking for the former president to "hit it out of the park" during his time on the podium. Clinton and Obama have often been compared in terms of presence, charisma, and the talent that allows them to correct with a crowd in a way that makes many people in a crowd each feel that they are the personal target of the speech.Williams sees Biden as an excellent choice for the Vice President. Asked if perhaps the choice of a candidate thought to be stronger in areas that ... More About: News , Denver
2 perspectives from Denver: Veterans, and youth
2008-08-25 15:49:00 I've spoken with several veterans of U.S. military service in Denver , and unsurprisingly they mostly express strong support for the Democratic candidate. One outspoken Viet Nam vet was basing his support on his assessment of the lack of support for vets he percieved in Senator McCain's voting record.Generally, however, I was hearing more "Pro-Obama" sentiment expressed than I was "anti-McCain" on Sunday, as the visitors to the city took on a distinctly Democratic leaning on the eve of the opening day's events. Oliver Lawrence, for instance, is an Air Force veteran of both Korea and Viet Nam, a fifth generation descendant of slaves who has lived in Georgia all his life. Taking in the pre-convention activities, he describes feeling a very different sort of energy among the delegates when compared to previous election cycles.Oliver also spent the late 50s on duty in Wyoming, when duty sometimes meant babysitting ICBMs, as it did in his case. I chatted with him as we walked along... More About: Youth , Veterans , Perspectives
Winning the West: News from the Democratic National Convention
2008-08-25 09:47:00 The West erm Majority Project made Governor Janet Napolitano available to the media on Sunday, 24 August 2008, prior to the start of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. Governor Napolitano did a number of brief one-on-one interviews with mainstream media, and then conducted a short, somewhat informal press conference with bloggers who were on hand, too. So a number of us got the chance to ask her questions, snap photos, etc. Zennie should have video up soon, but we had a long, busy day meeting people in and around the Convention Center, and I don't see that he's gotten to that segment yet.When asked about the addition of Senator Biden as Obama's running mate, she was enthusiastic, saying Biden was a "great addition" to the ticket who would compliment Obama's skills and experience. She noted Biden is not a yes-man, and cited this because, "Obama thrives on hearing different voices."She thinks the Native American voters will play a significant role in the 20... More About: News
Ken Salazar - Colorado Senator Interview at DNC Convention
2008-08-25 08:59:00 Colorado Senator Ken Salazar was kind enough to give us a good deal of his time at the DNC Convention. This "mini-press-talk" consisted mostly of a discussion of Senator Biden, Colorado Water Rights, the energy problem and the economy. More About: Colorado , Barack Obama , Interview , Joe Biden
Hillary Supporter Not A Democrat - DNC Convention Sunday
2008-08-25 06:52:00 This video is of an interview conversation I had with a Hillary Clinton supporter who as it turned out was not a Democrat but an "independent" who was rather not rational. She was addressed by a real Hillary Clinton supporter who is a Clinton delegate, Mitch Mallett of Florida. More About: Barack Obama , Sunday , Convention
DNC Convention - Zennie62's Trip - Arrival In Denver
2008-08-24 19:07:00 This is our first video during our DNC Convention coverage. More About: Trip , Denver
Sunday Preview
2008-08-24 15:07:00 I know that Zennie has yet to post a lot of our Saturday recap (and there's some great stuff for y'all to see), but I thought I'd go ahead and give you a preview of what we'll be covering for you today. Here's a snapshot of what our day should look like:9:00 AM Press credential distribution begins Young Democrats National Committee Meeting10:00 AM Convention Kick-off Press Briefing with Nancy Pelosi, Kathleen Sebelius, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, and TX State Senator Leticia Van de Putte11:30 AM Credentials Committee Meeting to discuss, among other things, the seating of delegates12:30 PM Western Round-up (press avail) with Janet Napolitano, Ken Salazar, etc.2:00 PM Interfaith Gathering9:00 PM Young Democrats Kick-off PartyToday looks like our lightest day, which will hopefully give us all a chance to catch up on some much needed rest before the Convention kicks off in earnest tomorrow. More About: Preview , Sunday
DNC Convention - More To Come From A Full Day
2008-08-24 09:10:00 Right now, I'm doing some late night blogging after a full day which saw me get about three hours of sleep and then drive to San Francisco for my flight, only to learn that I was supposed to be in Oakland. So with my visiting Mom as passenger, I got over to Oakland in good time and made the flight. The flight itself was weird. It started with the need to change tires on the plane. Then it ended with the flight being diverted off course a bit making us about 20 minutes later than we should have been. Finally i got here -- needing sleep. The town was abuzz with the Obama / Biden news and the responses were mostly positive. After some rest, we headed over to an awesome media party at an amusement park next to Pepsi Center. There, it featured a awesome fireworks show. While there, I met Steve Doocy of Fox And Friends Morning Show. A very nice person who actually is shorter than I thought he would be, which is not to imply that he's short, just shorter than I thought he woul... More About: Full , Convention
DNC Convention - Sushi Sasa
2008-08-24 07:42:00 After the DNCC Media Party we went over to Sushi Sasa on 2401 15th St which is really good for late night dining. More About: Convention
DNC Convention - Arrival
2008-08-24 07:32:00 Arrived after a long flight and met these two Obama supporters at the airport. There were scores of people serving in this capacity. More About: Convention
DNC Marketplace
2008-08-23 22:30:00 If you're in Denver for the Convention and need gear, check out the DNC Marketplace tomorrow at the Civic Center Park. While you're there, be sure to see the ladies with Trion Promotion and Design. They have banners, pins, pens (with a cool pull out info banner about the convention), and temporary tattoos. The best part is that all proceeds from the sales of their merchandise benefit three charities: Pandas International, The Book Arts League, and Aurora Public Schools. If you can't make it to the Marketplace, they'll be buzzing around here and there, including at the media party tonight (Saturday). For more info on their company, visit www.trionpromo.com.
DNC Convention - United To Denver
2008-08-23 19:11:00 I am standing at Oakland Airport gate seven and there is a delay because they have to change the tire on the plane!Yikes!Just last night my Mom flew out on United 158 out of San Francisco to Chicago and only eight minutes in the air the engine blew out.I am lucky to have her here; what is up with United? More About: Denver , Convention
Arrived in Denver
2008-08-23 18:37:00 I've arrived in Denver ! I'm surprised that the airport is not more crowded. I understand from the wait staff at the Red Rocks Bar & BBQ that they really haven't been extraordinarily busy, either in the restaurant or in the airport. Though they are busier than they normally are at this time of year, they haven't been swamped. I imagine that will change as this day and weekend wear on, but so far, so good. The Denver Airport has folks, mostly retired looking, fanned out everywhere with "Questions? Ask Me!" blue signs. Arrival and baggage claim were very smooth, even on United. It seems that they're adequately prepared for the onslaught, at least so far. I'm waiting for Zennie to arrive later this afternoon, so I'll keep you posted if things get crazy!
Pepsi Center Open House
2008-08-22 22:06:00 I just got back from the Pepsi Center and will add pictures as soon as possible. The transformation since I last saw inside of the arena is amazing. More About: House , Open , Open House
debunking anti-Obama smears and propoganda
2008-08-22 20:28:00 Here's a list of responses to e-smears (loosely indexed) mainly from snopes, the mostrespected name in bunk control. Courtesy of Michael Martinson.Partial Index:Religion, Patriotism, Patriotic symbols (eg flag) - 1, 6, 7, 8 12, 14, 16, 19;Citizenship - 2, 33;Family background: 3,13, 16;Plane 14;Military 8;Writings racist? 4Foreign funding & campaign donations, 10, 20, 35;Massive liar? 16;Taxes 26, 34Stand up for a new kind of Politics:1. snopes.com: Who Is Barack Obama ? E-mail describes Illinois senator Barack Obama as a 'radical Muslim' who 'will not recite the Pledge of Allegiance.'http://www.snopes.com/politic s/obama/muslim.asp2. snopes.com: Is Barack Obama a natural-born citizen of the U.S.?Is Barack Obama a natural-born citizen of the U.S.?http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama /citizen.asp3. snopes.com: Barack Obama and Kenya Connection E-mail from missionary describes Barack Obama's connection to political events in Kenya.http://www.snopes.com/politics/obam a/kenya.a... More About: Anti
Dave Stewart's American Prayer: You know they're yearning to breathe free
2008-08-22 19:40:00 Give me your tired, your poor and huddled masses? "If you get to the top of the mountain, will you tell me what you see?If you get to the top of the mountain, remember me." From Minneapolis in the upper midwest to New Orleans where the mighty Mississippi empties into the gulf, from Portland in the north west to Greenville, South Carolina, Hope is alive and well in America, and Obama's candidacy has tapped into it. Now Dave Stewart's chronicled our hope.read more | digg story More About: Free , Prayer , American , Breathe
Stanley Kurtz, If Obama's With "Weather Underground", I Am Too
2008-08-22 11:44:00 National Review Contributing Editor Stanley Kurtz either has little to do, or has taken something which caused his intelligence quotient to fly South for the Summer. He's trying to link Senator Barack Obama to the alledged terrorist group of 1960s Chicago called "The Weather Underground " through the fact that in 2002, Obama and William Ayers, one of its members, were on the same board of directors of a Chicago non-profit.There's one problem. Barack Obama was a kid in the 60s and not even living in Chicago. But I was in Chicago in the 60s and was born there -- proudly. So to look at Kurtz logic, I'm as much if not more a real Weatherman than Obama. In fact, why not count every Black male and kid in Chicago at the time!See how silly Kurtz' argument is? More proof that conservatives are fishing for anything that they think will stick to Senator Obama on his way toward the presidency, even if it's just totally stupid.
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones Passes
More articles from this author:2008-08-21 16:58:00 This is purely shocking to happen to someone I saw on television so much I felt like I knew her. And this just days from the Democratic National Convention. She was a tireless supporter of Hillary Clinton for President, and even as I'd wished she was behind Senator Obama at the time, I always respected her drive and example for young women. EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) _ Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones , the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress, had a brain hemorrhage and was in critical condition with limited brain function, a doctor said Wednesday. Tubbs Jones, 58, suffered the hemorrhage while driving her car in Cleveland Heights on Tuesday, said Dr. Gus Kious, president of Huron Hospital in East Cleveland. The congresswoman had been driving erratically and her vehicle crossed lanes of traffic before coming to a stop, police said. Tubbs Jones "collapsed when she suffered a very serious brain hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm that burst in an inaccessib... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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