Citizen Challenges Senator Bayd on Gather!

The FIGHT IS ON! Citizen and netroots activist calls out Senator Bayd

The disccussion site www.gather.com sent out an email to their faithful announcing a series of discussions with KEY Washington insiders. First one on the list was/is Senator Evan Bayd to be followed next week by Newt Gingrich. Senator Bayd has walked into a BUZZ SAW, and is being called out. This blogger is DEMANDING REAL ANSWERS, and giving Senator Bayd some real truth from the middle class perspective, unwrapped and hard hitting.

http://gatherdemocrats.blogspot.com/

http://washingtonscandal.blogspot.com/

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976840488

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976839283

Majority Leader Fight Was a Nice Side Bar, Now Let's Get Down To Business

Many of the pundits, especially Republican ones would have us the voting public believe that this weeks race for Majority Leader was/is in some way a defining moment for the Democrats, that Murtha's loss in some fashion has ruined Nancy Pelosi's reign as Speaker of the House before it ever began. Poppycock! It was the typcial infighting and positioning for political clout and power than makes Politics in Washington such a great spectator sport, but in the big picture of the new Democratically controlled Washington, it was a side show, something to keep us amused with while waiting for January when the Democrats take off.


Within a few days, the news media will be onto other stories that are already unfolding, such as George Bush's bold attempt to push through a large list of radical right wing judges in the Lame Duck session of Congress now in process. My suggestion on those judge's....the Democrats in the Senate need to close ranks and stall on them, on Bolton, on the NSA spying on Americans without a warrant debacle until the new 110th Congress. Concentrate on finishing off budget issues so that valuable time is not wasted in Janaury.


Pelosi won...a BIG CONGRATULATIONS is in order. Hoyer won, and again a big congratulations is in order. Murtha lost...I supported him, I'll get over it and move on, the sky has not fallen. The Democrats have bigger fish to fry, and the Republicans know this...they will do anything they can to paint a picture of discord where none exists. Murtha, Pelosi and Hoyer are all adults and will set aside this contest and begin working together as a TEAM to do what is right for America...something the Republicans were incapable of doing for 12 years.

Hoyer Beats Pelosi’s Pick in Race for No. 2 House Post

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 — House Democrats chose Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland as their majority leader today after a bruising fight that cast a cloud over the party’s post-election celebration.

The election of Mr. Hoyer over Representative John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania, by a vote of 149 to 86, was an embarrassing setback for Representative Nancy J. Pelosi of California, who will be Speaker of the House in the new Congress and who had backed Mr. Murtha.

Clamp Down on Illegals Continues

In breaking news, communities in both Texas and Maryland have passed local ordinances cracking down on the Illegal Alien problem. The new ordinances will crack down on landlords and employers that CATER to the illegal population by hiring them, or providing them housing. Further, the new laws make English the official language, and allow police officers to question apprehended suspects about thier LEGAL STATUS. This should be a SERIOUS WARNING to Democrats even considering Amnesty, Earned Citizenship or a Guest Worker program leading to citizenship. WAKE UP WASHINGTON, we want deportations, and criminal prosecutions of all those who hire illegals, provide housing to illegals, or aide and abet them in remaining in America illegally...can we say CATHOLIC CHARITIES?

Unions and Others Demanding Large Piece of Pie

In the now banished Republican Reich, special interest lobbyist and the K-Street gang seemed to be running the nation, doling out dollars to own votes, Congressman and, I am sure, a few Senators not yet named in various ongoing investigations. On November 7th voters spoke up very loud and clear...we are tired of special interest, lobbyist and BIG MONEY owning the electorial process, and we want meaningful change in Washington politics. No more shrinking middleclass, no Amnesty, no foreigners stealing our jobs and lowering our wages. We want an increase in minimum wage, we want our troops home from Iraq, and a way to clear off the federal deficit. So, have they listened to us, are the individual Americans who cast their votes going to have the voice they deserve?

Probably not...if you go visit "The Hill" blog, you'll find that the AFL/CIO is claiming to have WON the election for the Democrats, and in short demanding they be granted a LARGE VOICE in the 110th Congress. Now, I'd be the first to admit that the AFL/CIO helped in delivering the Democratic majority in both the House and the Senate, but was their help any more important than mine, or yours? I can count over 30,000 views of my blogs and video's railing against Sue Kelly here in New York's 19th district...a small number till you realize that John Hall won the election by well under 5,000 votes!

Sure, I'd love to have a voice, want the grassroots to have a seat at the negotiation table in Washington, but do not see this happening...there is already movement afoot to downplay the importance played by grassroots, bloggers and You Tuber folks. It's business as usual, and the big players are pushing and shoving us out of the way, pushing us back into the shadows. Sure, we'll see some sway given to Move On.Org and be told they are our voice, but they are not. Perhaps it is time to change the game, eliminate the majority party by creating a third, and even a fourth party, so there has to be negotiation and compromise to find consensus. Let the Independent Party grow and prosper, maybe give space to the Green's Party as well. Could a four party system, even a five party system be any worse than what we have right now? Would such a scenerio eliminate a lot of the lobbying and special interest money owning Washington? It's a thought worth thinking on as we look to the 2008 Presidential Election.


Union Voters Deliver on Election Day
November 12th, 2006

You know the “thumping” President Bush acknowledged Wednesday? Union voters delivered it.

A close look at exit polling shows the rest of the country split evenly, 49-49 percent, between votes for Democrats and Republicans. But Democrats won the union vote by huge margins–by 30 percentage points among union household voters and by 50 percentage points among AFL-CIO union members.

Our election-night survey by Peter D. Hart Research Associates shows members of AFL-CIO unions supported Democratic candidates by a 74-percent to 26-percent margin in House races and by 73 percent to 27 percent in battleground Senate races.

Unions are not an arm of the Democratic Party, and we base our endorsements not on party affiliation but on individual candidates’ records on working family issues. This year’s election, however, pitted Democratic candidates against a congressional majority that has a record of downright hostility to regular working people, rubber-stamping the anti-worker policies of the Bush administration.

FOX...Drop Republican SLANT, or FAIL

If any one has been following show rankings, one thing is crystal clear. Show's such as The O'Reilly (Unfair and Unbalanced) Factor, and Hannity and Colmes are rapidly losing market share as they continue to rail away at the Democrats, showing thier own special brand of bigoted hatred of the so called Liberal Dems. As their ratings continue to slide into the toilet, with them go lucrative commercial revenues. So, move it (to the center) or lose it.

Nor more can FOX News Channel afford to be the MOUTH PIECE of George Walker Bush and the Republican Third Reich. Gone are the days when Hannity can invite rabid Republican shrews such as Michelle Malkin and Ann Coulter on to their shows to spend five minutes poking sticks at the Democrats. To the victors go the spoils, and it looks like CNN is making major headway in taking FOX's lost base of viewers.

Give Bloggers/You Tubers Their Due

The elections are over, and everyone seems to be fighting over who should get credit for the Democratic Victory at the polls. In short, it's the proverbial POWER GRAB as everyone decides who should have special access to our elected officials inside the beltway. One thing is apparent as this dance unfolds...THE OLD GUARD wants to minimize the effect that Bloggers and You Tubers had on this election, want to deny credit where credit is due. In short, they want to keep us from wielding power within the House and Senate, want to keep us lined up against the wall watching the dance, instead of being a part of it.

Politicians do so at their own peril, and no matter example of this can be found than New York's 19th Congressional District where John Hall scored a STUNNING upset win over incumbent Sue Kelly. The National Democratic Party sat on their hands, threw little money into this race until the closing moments when it became apparent that WE COULD WIN. We were in a position to win to a great degree because of grassroots activist who used the Internet and its resources to relentlessly attack Sue Kelly and her record. The charge was led by the folks over at Take 19 who weighed into this election 18 months ago, and NEVER LET UP. Sue Kelly's flanks were attacked at every turn by people like Porgie Tirebiter who never stopping putting up posts and video's attacking Sue Kelly and the Republican Party.

John Hall's win happened because a whole lot of people worked hard to make it happened. John Hall's friends from the music industry such as Bonnie Raitt and Pete Seager were there when it was most needed. The unions were instrumental as well a army of grassroots volunteers who worked tirelessly clear up to the end for John Hall, and BLOGGERS. We all played a part, we all deserve a chance to be a part of the dance.

In handing out credit for this huge Democratic Win, don't be stingy with handing out slices of the pie. On liners played their part and we deserve credit along with everyone else, and it is time we be given our chance to play, our chance to have access to those within the halls of Congress.

Changing times.

Greetings:

Sure as this and my other blogs blossom, that some of you will come to know me, others will rediscover someone they have read and enjoyed in other renditions as I've searched to find my voice. As this election shows, we live in changing times, and with those variances in the warp and weave of our National fabric, I seem to have moved in a new direction myself. I'll be condensing and recreating my web presence here on Blogger with various, yet targeted blogs that I hope many of you will become vibrant parts of, either as readers, contributors, or behind the scenes by joining in a collaborative effort to brand this new project aimed at effecting change throughout American, and perhaps the world.

Perhaps the first change of significant mention, is the fact that I am looking for, even begging for collaborators, no longer content with striking off on my own. If you are a blogger, photographer, artist, web/Internet genius, layout zen master a website dabbler, or just want to join into something bigger than self, please contact me at my email address of roycepenstinger@aol.com so that we can chat and discuss where you would like to go, what you would like to bring to this new venture in blogging to effect political and social change in A) the United States, B) the World, and perhaps even C) the Universe. I, and my idea also need benefactors, people who don't have the time to take on yet another fledgling idea on the world wide web, but who would be willing to donate to the cause, either in a financial way, or through the donation of equipment and supplies. Yes, I am thinking BIG here, and BIG requires people with deeper pockets who are willing to donate to the cause.

It might be time here to provide some background...I'm an angry American, and I have been angry for quite some time for various reasons. It's not news to me, that our political system is out of sync with America's citizens. Yet, let's not blame this all on politics, nor on the politicians themselves. Too often I've fought the good fight on various social issues of importance, and seen most of the affected citizens stay home. I've watched elections (2000 and 2004 as examples) where most of us did not vote, though no one seemed quiet in their complaining about the statusquo that gripped our nation's capital. In short, America for too long seems to have suffered from/is suffering from a National Apathy, the majority base of our citizens on both sides of the aisle doing nothing because they have bought into the belief that they were but ONE PERSON who's voice did not matter.

One person believed he COULD make a difference, and decided to take a chance. A few of his friends believed he could make a difference, and backed him in his dream. That dream was to run for the position of United States Congressman here in New York's 19th District. There were others who heard his message, were convinced of his sincerity and his message, and they joined this small group, and a cause was born against all odds. Being angry, and unhappy with who represented us, I myself was looking for change, was willing to back ANY ONE but the person currently in office, but wise enough to know I did not want more of the same. I made phone calls, sent out emails (angry ones) and researched a field of FIVE Democratic candidates who were vying for the Democratic nod to take on the incumbent.

One morning I called the office of John Hall, and perhaps the cosmos intervened in the process, as it was the man himself who picked up the phone. We ended up speaking for around two hours on the issues, and on my concerns...HE LISTENED! We argued, we disagreed, we found common ground, and I joined his team. Last night, November 7th, 2006 against all odds he defeated a six term incumbent to become our Congressman. It was a true GRASSROOTS victory, many joining together in a common cause to effect change an send and outsider to Washington, DC. Albeit a small one, I played a part, did my own little thing to contribute to the whole, and with literally thousands of us each doing our thing, contributing our small part to the bigger whole, we WERE SUCCESSFUL, and in that is the beauty of our democracy.

The journey to last night has changed me. I for the past six-eight months have been a small part of something far bigger than I could ever hope to be as one person. I've seen that little people working together as a team can and perhaps should effect change. We may not all agree on every issue, but we can find common ground on which to build a new future for ourselves, our children and their children, and the United States of America. A dream is born.

Creating a vehicle for change...a group of blogs, and bloggers all tied together for a common cause under a unified theme/brand. Enter Blogger, where numerous blogs can all be created under one name, each blog capable of having numerous writers contributing to the whole. So, just a few days before the election was over, I created Gather Democrats, the blog. Realizing that change requires reaching across the aisle, I also created Gather Republicans here on Blogger under the same unifying umbrella account. (looking for someone to manage and grow that blog.) Today, John Hall elected, I decided we need accountability, the proverbial trust but verify blog that would chart and blueprint this new Congressman's career in Washington. I created the Congressman John Hall Blog. This latest blog you are reading, "Porgie's News and Views" represents my own need to share and speak on the news of the day, life and whatever else catches the attention of those that choose to be a part of this area.

During the election, I put up numerous videos on YouTube, and want to grow a group of dedicated and committed videographers, so that we can use that media to spread the word, and get the truth out. Again, see these video's being branded under our larger umbrella of Gather Democrats and Republicans working together for change as we move towards the 2008 election and beyond. In short, I see this collaborative effort the beginnings of returning our nation, and our democracy to the people, and hope as days turn into weeks, and weeks into months and years that our community of concerned bloggers grows as our message spreads across the world wide web.

A long post, and hope a few of you have read it all the way through, and that I find emails from new friends (and old) gracing my email box as this dream evolves into a new reality.

Porgie Tirebiter
roycepenstinger@aol.com

CURRENT WISH LIST

1. Video and Digital camera(s) as well as edit ting and creation software programs.

2. Creative souls of every kind.

3. Lap tops so that we can create an army of MOBILE REPORTERS stretching across America, and perhaps the world...can you imagine an embedded BLOGGER over in Iraq, or perhaps having the ability to send and independent blogger over to report back unabridged on the conditions found on the ground there? Imagine interviewing some of our troops UNEDITED!

4. Links...success on the Internet is all about getting others to believe in your cause enough to toss you a link, help in creating traffic to your message. So, if you are reading this, or some of our other blogs, please LINK TO US.

5. MONEY...I know, I hate this, but bringing dreams into reality takes not only vision, but cash. I've never been good at asking for money, there is no nice way to request a hand out, especially when you are not promising anything in return, but lets be honest...in today's society, building anything requires an investment, and too often those with dreams do not have the necessary financial capital to see them become reality...I am no different. So, like what you are reading, think it is the beginning of something worthwhile? Then skip your morning Starbucks, go without that third Friday night glass of wine at your favorite little bistro and send us a small token gift. You can email me for where to send it, and with luck, will have a Pay Pal account operational shortly.