Making a Doifference

Help Send refinish69 to Netroots Nation

refinish69 — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:52:48 EDT

Netroots Nation is coming to Austin next month and the only way I will be able to attend is if I win one of the scholarships being offered by Democracy for America. I am asking all my readers and blogging friends to help me make a dream come true.

They have announced at Democracy for America that one scholarship will be awarded solely on the number of grass roots supporters. I have 33 supporters so far but I know with the help of the people here I can make it to Netroots Nation.

Dear Hillary: This Show is Over. Say Goodbye

refinish69 — Wed, 07 May 2008 08:11:05 EDT

On Tuesday May 6, Barack Obama won the North Carolina Primary 56% to 42%. The Indiana Primary was so close that no one would call it till almost 1 am eastern time and even after all that time, Hillary went from a 15 point lead in the polls to narrowly squeak by 3& over Obama. She only has a lead of 22,412 votes in Indiana. They are still counting absentee ballots in Indiana and that lead will narrow if not disappear.

WORLD AIDS DAY December 1st 2007

refinish69 — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:31:31 EST

December 1st is the day to honor the memory of all the people we have lost to AIDS and say a prayer in our hearts for those living HIV & AIDS. The world has lost so many men, women, and children to this horrific disease.
(This is a repeat of a dairy I posted last year with a link to my WORLD AIDS DAY 12/01/2007 Podcast. I have nothing to add but more tears for those we have lost.)

Happy Thanksgiving from Doing My Part For The Left

refinish69 — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 12:34:53 EST

To enjoy some music and memories listen to the Doing My Part For The Left Happy Thanksgiving Podcast.

It is Thanksgiving Day and in Austin Texas, I have a lot to be thankful for. This past year has been a very trying year for me. Earlier this year I lost my job, my home and the majority of my personal belongings. Luckily for me, some great people from all over the nation pulled together to get me through the difficult times and in all reality saved my life. They opened their hearts and even wallets to assist me in getting through one of the worst periods of my life.

Associated Press Becomes The New Fox Noise

refinish69 — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 23:04:33 EDT

I am stunned and sickened that the Associated Press has become the new Fox Noise. Today They published a story about John Edwards using the National Enquirer as a news source. How sad that a news organization has fallen so low that and has been bought out that they would sink to such depths to destroy the character of the best Presidential candidate to come along in decades. Please call the Associated Press- now known as Fox 2 and let them know how displeased you are with their shoddy work and total lack of ethics. What next.. will they publish a story about the Love Child Hillary and Big Foot Had or will it be Obama Takes a Ride on a Flying Saucer? We all know the Main stream media has become total sell outs but this is the worst piece of crap journalism I have ever seen in my life!!!

The Associated Press

Headquarters
450 W. 33rd St.
New York, NY 10001

Main Number
+1-212-621-1500

info@ap.org

Rick Noriega, Dan Grant and John Edwards 3 Great Democrats To Get Elected

refinish69 — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:50:44 EDT

Rick Noriega, Dan Grant and John Edwards 3 Great Democrats To Get Elected

The Latest Podcast from Doing My Part For The Left

Enjoy! -- refinish69

I am sick and tired of being told I should vote for someone just because they have a D in front of their name. I refuse to vote for Blue Dog Democrats who do not represent me. If I wanted Republican Lite, I would vote Republican. I want Liberal Democrats who believe in the people of this country and are willing to stand up for Equal Rights for all Americans.

Leading Veteran political organization for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans endorses Rick Noriega for Senate

refinish69 — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:21:42 EDT

VoteVets.org makes Texas the battleground on ending the War in Iraq

(Houston, TX) " VoteVets.org, the leading political organization for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, today endorsed the U.S. Senate candidacy of Rick Noriega in his effort to unseat incumbent Republican John Cornyn.

And the DFT endorsement goes to ...Representative Rick Noriega!

refinish69 — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 01:20:12 EDT

You have spoken loud and clear. With overwhelming support from all over the State, Rick Noriega is the stand-out choice of the grassroots to face John Cornyn in the race for the U.S. Senate. The final results are:

Vote in the DFT Senate Endorsement Poll

refinish69 — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:25:44 EDT

I received this email from Democracy For Texas and wanted to share it with my readers.

John Cornyn has been on the wrong side of countless issues that are critical to Texans in general and DFT supporters in particular. Beyond that, well, he's just an embarrassment. But we're not telling you something you didn't already know, right?

Hypocrites, Toe Tapping Senators, and Knee Pad Presidents Podcast

refinish69 — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 13:05:07 EDT

Hypocrites, Toe Tapping Senators, and Knee Pad Presidents

Enjoy! -- refinish69

My Latest Podcast

Republican Senator Resigns Why Hasn't The President of The Texas Stonewall Caucus Done the Same

refinish69 — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 17:29:24 EDT

Sen. Larry Craig announced he would resign his seat in the Senate after pleading guilty in what he now calls a police sting when he was arrested for soliciting sex in a public bathroom at an airport. He is resigning under pressure to keep from embarrassing his party, other elected officials or candidates as we head into the elections cycle. I have to ask why Shannon Bailey president of the Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus has not done the same.

Texas Democratic Icons Endorse Rick Noriega

refinish69 — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 06:38:33 EDT

Join the Noriega Express and Make a donation to help elect a great Texas Leader to the U.S. Senate.

Texas Democratic icons â�" Governor Dolph Briscoe, Lt. Governor Bill Hobby and State Senator Rodney Ellis â�" endorse

Rick Noriegaâ��s exploratory bid for US Senate

Meet Rick Noriega the Next US Senator From Texas

refinish69 — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 09:48:07 EDT

Rick Noriega has answered the Call to Duty once again He has answered this call several times in the past and has made Texas Proud. He has served in the Texas Army National Guard and has risen to the rank of Lt. Colonel. He has served 5 terms in the Texas Legislature as a Representative from the Houston area. During his time in the Texas legislature, Rick has received a 100% rating from NARAL in his votes for women=s issues. Children at Risk gave Rep. Noriega an A for his efforts in regard to key children=s issues for the 80th legislative session that ended in June. He has distinguished himself in leading bipartisan efforts for teacher pay raises, border security, and opening doors for Texas students to attend college. This is the type of Leader needed in the US Senate not only by Texas but all of America.

Not Fit To Serve

refinish69 — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 12:04:08 EDT

I received this em,ail from the Human Rights Campaign and I agree that we need to speak out!!!

In Mississippi a few years ago, the courts took away a woman's 8-year-old child.

Why? In part because the child's mother was a lesbian.

Two of the judges in the majority went so far as to write and sign an additional opinion, unnecessary to the case's outcome, which stated that the mother must accept the fact that losing her biological child was a possible consequence of her sexual "choice."

Texans deserve better than John Cornyn

refinish69 — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:52:41 EDT

I received this email from the Noreiga Campaign. Rick is a True Texas Hero and Leader and we need to send him to Washington as Texas Next Senator. To Join the Noriega Express, Donate at Netroots Texas.

As Americans, it is our duty to stand up and speak out when politicians have steered our country off the rails. It is in our very fabric, our soul. It is why I am running against Senator John Cornyn. It's time for Texans to stand up and say, "Enough."

Texas Stonewall Caucus Leaders or What?

refinish69 — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 20:35:27 EDT

Today I am ashamed to call myself a Gay Democrat in Texas. I should be ecstatic after the Human Rights Campaign and Logo debate on August 9th but unfortunately that is not the case. Oh, I am thrilled about the debate but disgusted at the lack of leadership in the GLBT Community in Texas!

cross posted at Texas Kaos, Booman Tribune, Doing My Part For The Left, Daily Kos, Burnt Orange Report

GLBT History Was Made Tonight & My Part In That History

refinish69 — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 21:19:35 EDT

Civil Rights Movements each have their moments in History and the GLBT Rights Movement has many. Everyone has heard or can look up the information about the Stonewall Riots but I want to share my personal journey and the moments that stand out in my mind and heart.

cross posted at Texas Kaos, Booman Tribune, Doing My Part For The Left, Daily Kos, Progressive Historians

(I wrote this diary last night after the HRC debate)

Participate in Yearlykos 2007 From Your Home

refinish69 — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:59:42 EDT

This week, there is a national opportunity for all of us to network with the netroots, connect with progressive partners and share in the spirit that is galvanizing the grassroots.

The YearlyKos blogger / netroots / activist conference takes place in Chicago Thursday - Sunday, August 2-5. For those of you coming to Chicago, it's a chance to meet other Liberal Drinkers from around the country.

And for those who can't make it to the Windy City, you can still join the excitement from your home.

Wherever you are, you can take part in Democracy for America's Night School this Thursday, 5:30-6:30 Central Time (6:30 Eastern / 3:30 Pacific) -- a master class conversation on organizing featuring Katrina Baker, one of our National Directors, Chris Bowers of OpenLeft.com, and Arshad Hasan, DL Burlington Leader and DFA Training Director.

Texas GOP Picks Two Time Loser Talmadge Heflin as New Executive Director

refinish69 — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:12:40 EDT

The Texas GOP is just as crazy as we have always known they were.

linkFormer state Rep. Talmadge Heflin, a Houston Republican who served two decades before losing a re-election bid three years ago, was hired Monday as executive director of the Texas GOP.

"Talmadge Heflin has over 25 years of conservative leadership and experience as both a leader in the Texas Legislature and a businessman," Republican Party Chairman Tina Benkiser said.

Heflin succeeds Jeff Fisher, a former Van Zandt County judge who will continue as an adviser to the party, Benkiser said.

Heflin was a state lawmaker from 1983 to 2004, including a stint as the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

In November 2004, he lost by 16 votes to political newcomer Hubert Vo, a Democrat who became the first Vietnamese to serve in the Texas House. An election recount showed Vo's victory margin over Heflin was 33 votes and Heflin challenged the results before the House. While Heflin gained 17 votes in the investigation, he withdrew his challenge in February 2005 to avoid the possibility of a bitter partisan fight.

He then lost once again to Rep. Vo in 2006 but not before applying for a job to head the Texas Lottery even though he had taken lots of money from gambling interest to help pay for his failed 2004 campaign.

August 9 GLBT Presidential Forum - Tune in and speak up!

refinish69 — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 14:15:35 EDT

MTV Logo and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation are about to make history.

On August 9, we'll be co-hosting the first ever televised presidential forum dedicated solely to questions about GLBT issues!" and I'm thrilled to announce that I will join singer Melissa Etheridge and esteemed journalist Jonathan Capehart as panelists!

I'll be there representing you so I need your help.

I received this email and thought it needed to be shared.