Desert Political Roundup

Desert Political Roundup Newsletter Extract for November 9, 2008

Desert Observer — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:20:21 GMT

Desert Political Roundup
"Sharing news, views and information with the valley progressive community"

November 16, 2008 - Vol 1, Issue 31

Desert Political Roundup News

Blue = 28 - Red = 22

__________________________________________

Party Night at Democratic Headquarters
     Democrats of the Desert president Elle Kurpiewski reports the next potluck party/mixer in the Democratic Headquarters office will be on Tuesday, November 18th, 5:30-7:30 pm . All are invited to attend and to bring new friends. The event's an informal gathering, no speeches, and it's definitely a time to relax, share beverages, chomp on munchies, and enjoy good company.
     The office hosts mixers on a monthly basis and the next one will be on Tuesday, December 2nd. Phone 760-328-9425 or email desertdems@gmail.com for information.

Democratic Women of the Desert Monthly Meeting
     Democratic Women of the Desert will meet at 6 pm on November 18th, in the Cathedral City Community Center at Tierra Del Sol on West Buddy Rogers Avenue. DWD President Sandra Stone expects a lively discussion will ensue during review of the year 2008's many accomplishments. Non-alcoholic beverages and light refreshments will be available. A $5 donation is suggested and attendees are asked to bring items for the troops. RSVP is requested by phone at 760-990-4707 (a new phone number) or email to dwdrsvp@gmail.com.

Monthly Peace Vigil in Palm Springs
     The Veterans for Peace monthly Palm Springs Peace Vigil is set for Wednesday, November 19 at 6 PM in front of the Welwood Library in Palm Springs. The library is at the corner of Tahquitz and Palm Canyon. DWD President/Peace Vigil activist Sandra Stone says "As the months go on, these vigils attract more and more supporters who stand with us. Please join the Veterans for Peace and friends at a vigil - you will be glad that you did."

Weekly Activities Recap
      Nov 18 - Democratic Headquarters potluck party/mixer, 5:30-7:30 pm
      Nov 18 - DWD - "Where do we go from here?" 6 pm mtg, CC Community Ctr
      Nov 19 - Veterans for Peace anti-war rally, 6 pm P.S. Welwood Murray Library
      Nov 21 - Palm Desert Greens Democratic Club mtg, 9:30 am DG Country Club

Opinion: Tyranny of the Majority
     The decision of the California State Supreme Court overturning prohibitions against same sex marriages served to validate the existence and importance of LGBT family units.
     The recent passage of Proposition 8 nullified the court ruling and LGBT family units no longer enjoy full legal equality.
     The ballot box vote result, whether viewed as "Tyranny of the Majority" or the more friendly-sounding "Will of the People", served to deny members of the LGBT minority community a right enjoyed by the majority. The darker side of the campaign is that the Catholic and Mormon church hierarchy conspired to promote Proposition 8. The two religions, along with fellow travelers Knights of Columbus, and others, used their pulpits, communications offices, financial resources and membership bases to mount a deceptive campaign of manufactured lies that served to blind voters to the factual issues.
     The election is over and some may falsely conclude the story has ended. Nothing could be further from the truth! Equality under the law for the minority LGBT community is a basic human rights issue. It's a struggle from which there can be no end until the goal is achieved. Whether in the courts, at the ballot box or in active forms of non-violent protest, the fight for equality must never rest. Active continuous protests are what's required and nothing, short of violence, should be ruled out. Boycotts, marches, speeches, rallies, promises, threats, acts of civil disobedience, and protests of all forms are in order.
     The LGBT cause is just and those who counsel otherwise, cry for patience, or suggest now is not the time, should be ignored. Nothing of value is really free and that's especially true of human, civil and equal rights. The time to fight for full equality is now! To one and all the LGBT community needs to say, "Lead or get out of the way!".

Quote, without comment....
      "Republicans proclaim to be about smaller government, and they gave us the biggest deficit in the history of America. Republicans need to start by looking in the mirror and say 'What did we do to bring this upon ourselves?'" -- Jim Brulte, a former Republican State Senate leader

     "Democrats turn out, color county blue. How did longtime hold on Coachella Valley slip from GOP's hands?" - Front page headline on Sunday's edition of The Desert Sun

     "After years of dominating Inland politics, the Republican Party here and elsewhere is disorganized, discouraged and faced with the daunting task of rebuilding following losses at all levels." - Reporter Michelle DeArmond in The Press-Enterprise

     "Barack Obama has been elected president," Ms. Palin said. "Let us, let us - let him - be able to kind of savor this moment, one, and not let the pettiness of maybe internal workings of the campaign erode any of the recognition of this historic moment that we're in. And God bless Barack Obama and his beautiful family." -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, quoted in Jim Rutenberg's Washington Memo in the NY Times.

     "To everyone overseas, I'm glad you all feel that America "is back." If you want Barack Obama to succeed, though, don't just show us the love, show us the money." -- Thomas L. Friedman, NY Times

Riverside County Democratic Central Committee. Dead in the water?
     The elected members of the Riverside County Democratic Party (RCDCC) were seated effective July 1, 2008 and have now served 20 weeks in office. There is no recent discernible activity to report.

Daily News Reports -a summary list
     In addition to this weekly Desert Political Roundup, the following stories were sent to recipients on the Daily News Reports distribution list. Send an email to be added to that list or to receive copies of any of the following.
     Mormons, Inc., a report from TIME magazine
     Obamatrons sing 'Obamalujah' over Barackisms
     Winning Prop. 8 activists to follow similar strategy in other states
     Why Proposition 8 Won In California
     Catholics and Mormons allied to pass Prop. 8
     Obama launches Web site to reach public
     MyDesert.com unfairly penalizes blogger to satisfy demands of conservative mob
     The law and Prop. 8 - California Supreme Court faces two important questions
     Prop. 4 backers likely to try a fourth time
     Gay marriage rights do nothing for the benefit of other communities
     Mormons vs Gays, by Andrew Sullivan
     Election 2008: A New Administration, the LGBT Vote, & Proposition 8
     Dan Walters: Surge for Obama sealed Prop. 8's victory
     LA Times Editorial: Prop. 8's battle lessons
     Catholic Bishop Defends LDS Role In Prop 8 Ballot Initiative
     Activists Planning to Boycott Valley Businesses That Supported Prop 8
     Mormons began plotting against gay marriage for decade, memo shows
     No on 8 campaign was judged an absolute mess
     Californians Against Hate file FPPC complaint against Mormon Church
     A Sampling of Political Cartoons

Recent additions to the Political Events Calendar Listings

     Nov 18 - Democratic Headquarters potluck party/mixer, 5:30-7:30 pm
     Dec   2 - Democratic Headquarters potluck party/mixer, 5:30-7:30 pm

Newsletter Contributor Credits
     Thanks to Sandra Stone for her contributions to this issue of the newsletter.

     Weekly newsletter production needs additional pairs of eyes to spot errors and omissions. Readers willing to join the valued team of Copy Editors, to proof draft copies, are needed and always appreciated.

This extract is but one section of the Desert Political Roundup weekly email newsletter. The regular edition, available only by email, has an index, a calendar section, email address links. website links, and an extensive listing of club, candidate and other website information useful to Democrats and others in the politically progressive Coachella Valley community. For a newsletter subscription, click Desert Observer and send an email request to the website.

Tyranny of the Majority

Desert Observer — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 06:11:43 GMT

The decision of the California State Supreme Court overturning prohibitions against same sex marriages served to validate the existence and importance of LGBT family units.

The recent passage of Proposition 8 nullified the court ruling and LGBT family units no longer enjoy full legal equality.

Desert.Observer

The ballot box result, whether viewed as "Tyranny of the Majority" or the more friendly-sounding "Will of the People", served to deny members of the LGBT minority community a right enjoyed by the majority. The darker side of the campaign is that the Catholic and Mormon church hierarchy conspired to promote Proposition 8. The two religions, along with fellow travelers Knights of Columbus, and others, used their pulpits, communications offices, financial resources and membership bases to mount a deceptive campaign of manufactured lies that served to blind voters to the factual issues.

The election is over and some may falsely conclude the story has ended. Nothing could be further from the truth! Equality under the law for the minority LGBT community is a basic human rights issue. It's a struggle from which there can be no end until the goal is achieved. Whether in the courts, at the ballot box or in active forms of non-violent protest, the fight for equality must never rest. Active continuous protests are what's required and nothing, short of violence, should be ruled out. Boycotts, marches, speeches, rallies, promises, threats, acts of civil disobedience, and protests of all forms are in order.

The LGBT cause is just and those who counsel otherwise, cry for patience, or suggest now is not the time, should be ignored. Nothing of value is really free and that's especially true of human, civil and equal rights. The time to fight for full equality is now! To one and all the LGBT community needs to say, "Lead or get out of the way!".

Bond Shands
Palm Springs
November 14, 2008

Desert Political Roundup Newsletter Extract for November 9, 2008

Desert Observer — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 12:06:00 GMT

Desert Political Roundup
"Sharing news, views and information with the valley progressive community"

November 9, 2008 - Vol 1, Issue 30

Desert Political Roundup News

The Barack, Natasha, Malia Ann & Michelle Obama family.

_________________________________________________________________

Turning the Desert from Red to Blue
     Congratulations to Manuel Perez, our newly elected Assemblyman; Greg Pettis, our re-elected Cathedral City Council Member; and Shari Stewart, our re-elected PSUSD Board of Education member. And, of course, special thanks to our Democratic endorsed candidates Julie Bornstein, Arthur Bravo Guerrero, Greg Rodriguez, Sonja Martin, Ray Cunningham, Dave Hunsicker, Carole Schaudt, Don Thompson, and Paul Marchand, for their great campaign efforts on behalf of "Turning the Desert from Red to Blue". Hopefully each will consider the election just past as a warmup for his or her 2010 winning campaign for elective office.

Bingo Monday Fundraiser for N.O.W.
     Join the Palm Springs Area Chapter of the National Organization for Women at Hamburger Mary's in Palm Springs for a Bingo evening of fun, food and great prizes. Join the celebration starting at 7 pm on Tuesday, November 10th. Bingo games are $20 a play and it'll all happen at 415 North Palm Canyon Drive. For information phone 760-320-6355 or email Melinda.

March with Veterans for Peace in Veterans' Day Parade
     The annual November 11th Veterans' Day Parade in Palm Springs will kickoff at 3:30 pm on Palm Canyon Drive. Veterans for Peace will be marching with friends and supporters. All are asked to join them in the march - you need not be a veteran. Meet at the corner of South Palm Canyon Drive and Ramon Road in Palm Springs at 2:45 pm on November 11. Phone Tom Swann at 760-324-5670 or visit the website for information.

Democrats of the Desert monthly meeting
     The regular monthly meeting of Democrats of the Desert is set for Saturday, November 15th, starting at 9:30 am for coffee, followed by the regular session at 10 am. DOD President Elle Kurpiewski reports the main agenda topic will be THE ELECTIONS! And, a special mystery guest has been promised. The club meets in Cathedral City at the Tierra Del Sol Community Center on West Buddy Rodgers Drive. Check out their website to see Webmaster Stuart Lynn's election night party photos from the Agua Caliente Ballroom.

Weekly Activities Recap
      Nov   9 - Cathedral City Rotary Club "Healing Field" observance. 760-328-7478
      Nov 10 - RCDCC monthly meeting - 6:30 pm, Moreno Valley
      Nov 10 - Bingo at Hamburger Mary's fundraiser for N.O.W.
      Nov 11 - Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade, 3:30 pm, Palm Canyon Drive
      Nov 13 - The Great Southern California Shake-Out earthquake drill, 10 am
      Nov 15 - Democrats of the Desert mtg. Cathedral City Community Ct. 9:30 am

Opinion: Community Mormon Watch Program Needed
     The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also referred to as the Mormons, appears as the principal instigator behind the Proposition 8 measure that now prohibits same-sex marriage. The Mormon organization, through its members, has bankrolled a number of anti-gay ballot measures in recent years. It's now becoming fair to ask whether Mormons and the LGBT community will ever be able to peacefully coexist - anywhere! If the Mormons are determined to prevent LGBT citizens from enjoying equality and full constitutional protections, then a state of hostility surely exists between the two communities. Has the time arrived when it's appropriate for the LGBT community to establish permanent Mormon Watch Programs to foster public scrutiny of the Mormon organization and encourage boycotts of Mormon member businesses? Perhaps the time for adoption of such an action plan, including organizing and fundraising, has indeed arrived.
     An interesting profile of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is available at the Watchman Fellowship website (click here).

Quote, without comment....
      "By the way the air does smell sweeter." -- Wednesday morning comment from a local radio station host.

     "This is a major issue," Obama deadpanned at his first press conference as president-elect. "We have two criteria that have to be reconciled. One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic. There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic. On the other hand, our preference would be to get a shelter dog. But obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts, like me. So whether we're going to be able to balance those two things, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household." -- President-elect Barack Obama

     "I think most of us would feel differently if we lost this in a fair fight, but we lost this with lies." -- Ginny Foat, Palm Springs Mayor Pro-tem, in remarks about Proposition 8.

Riverside County Democratic Central Committee activity report
     The elected members of the Riverside County Democratic Party (RCDCC) were seated effective July 1, 2008 and have now served 19 weeks in office. There is no recent discernible activity to report.

Daily News Reports -a summary list
     In addition to this weekly Desert Political Roundup, the following stories were sent to recipients on the Daily News Reports distribution list. Send an email to be added to that list or to receive copies of any of the following.
     Tribe invites GOP, Dems
     Steve Bolerjack fails to deliver the truth, a blog by JDBlackaby
     Prop 8 election party at Wang's in the Desert
     Survey says: New polling on Props. 4, 8, 11 and Obama-McCain
     Another "Pink for October" month has passed!
     Independent expenditures top $10 million
     Same-sex marriage out the window. Yes on Prop 8 passes.
     Democrat Manuel Perez wins 80th Assembly District race
     Coachella Valley election vote totals
     Backers focused Prop. 8 battle beyond marriage
     Proposition 8 Aftermath Community Rally & Candlelight Ceremony
     A Profile of "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"

Recent additions to the Political Events Calendar Listings

     Nov 10 - Bingo at Hamburger Mary's fundraiser for N.O.W.
     Nov 18 - DWD - "Where do we go from here?" 6 pm mtg, CC Community Ctr

Newsletter Contributor Credits
     Thanks to Sandra Stone and George Zander for their contributions to this issue of the newsletter.

     Weekly newsletter production needs additional pairs of eyes to spot errors and omissions. Readers willing to join the valued team of Copy Editors, to proof draft copies, are needed and always appreciated.

     An extract from the newsletter is available online at the Desert Observer website.

A Thank You message from Julie Bornstein

Desert Observer — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:57:23 GMT

Thank you!

While there are about 100,000 ballots left to be counted in our race, it appears now that Mary Bono Mack has won re-election in California’s 45^th Congressional District. I congratulate her.

I am sure you will join me in wishing her well, and in the hope that she will return to Washington to work in a truly bipartisan and constructive way with the Democratic majority and President Obama’s administration.

This was a hard-fought campaign, and I am very proud of the effort we made together. I want to thank my tireless staff, our hundreds of volunteers and the nearly 600 of you who contributed to our campaign for change: you are the essence of any campaign and I appreciate your efforts and support more than I can say. I am also truly grateful to my husband, Steve Gordon, my sons Loren and Brian Gordon, and my extended family for their love and support.

And I thank all of you for your efforts before and on Election Day. Your kind words and encouragement sustained me throughout this campaign, and continue to do so now.

I hope all of you will look at this election as I do: Not so much a loss as a point in a process. Democrats made enormous progress this cycle in our district and all over Riverside County. We closed the registration gap by more than half, mounted the first-ever comprehensive ground effort and made great gains at the ballot box.

Let’s not stop now! Let’s work together with our County Chair Betty McMillion and her team, as well as newly elected Assemblyman Manuel Perez, to keep building our party and making Riverside County a better place. As President-elect Obama said Tuesday night: “This is not the change we seek, it is the opportunity to make that change.”

Thank you all again for everything.

All my best,

Julie

Paid for by Julie Bornstein for Congress.

P.O. Box 2585
Palm Desert, CA 92261

Letter to the Red States from the Blue States

Desert Observer — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:41:49 GMT

Dear Red States,

We've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, comprised of all the Blue States. In case you aren't aware, that includes Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, New York, and all of the Northeastern states. After this election, we'll be adding Colorado and New Mexico. (AND HOPEFULLY VA, PA, and FLA)!! We believe this split will be beneficial to the nation, especially to the people of our new country - Nuevo California.

To sum up briefly: You get Texas, Oklahoma and all the slave states; we get stem cell research, the best beaches, and the best ski resorts. We get the Statue of Liberty; you get Dollywood. We get Intel and Microsoft; you get WorldCom.

We get Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Cal Tech, MIT and Columbia; you get Ole' Miss. We get 85 percent of America's venture capital and entrepreneurs; you get Alabama. We get two-thirds of the tax revenue; you get to make the red states pay their fair share.

Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22 percent lower than that of the Christian Coalition, we get a bunch of happy families and you get a bunch of under-educated single moms.

Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice and anti- war, and we'll need all of our citizens back from Iraq at once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They apparently have kids they're willing to send to their deaths for no purpose, and they don't mind if you don't televise their kid's caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq and hope that those Weapons of Mass Destruction turn up for you, but we're not willing to spend any more of our money in Bush's Quagmire.

With the Blue States, we will control 80 percent of the country's fresh water, 90 percent of pineapple and lettuce, 92 percent of the nation's fresh fruit, 97 percent of America's quality wines (you can serve French wines at your state dinners), 90 percent of all cheese, 90 percent of the high tech industry, most of the U.S. low-sulfur coal, all living redwoods, sequoias and condors, and all the Ivy League and Seven Sister schools. We also get New England, the Great Lakes and Yosemite, thank you very much.

In the Red States, you will have to cope with 88 percent of all obese Americans and their projected health care costs, 92 percent of all U.S. mosquitoes, 95 percent of tornadoes, 94 percent of hurricanes, 99 percent of Southern Baptists, virtually 100 percent of all televangelists, you get Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bob Jones University, and Clemson.

Additionally, in the Red States, you'll get to enjoy stimulating conversations with the 38 percent of people who actually believe Jonah was swallowed by a whale, the 62 percent who believe life is sacred unless it involves the death penalty or gun ownership, the 44 percent claim that evolution is only a theory, the 53 percent insist that Saddam Hussein was involved in 9/11, and the 61 percent who believe you have higher moral standards than those of us in the Blue states.

By the way, we're taking all the good pot, too. You get that dirt weed from Mexico and Kansas ditches.

Peace out,

The Blue States

Realtime Electoral Vote Predictor

Desert Observer — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:04:54 GMT

Another "Pink for October" month has passed!

Desert Observer — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:15:06 GMT

Here's a reminder of the importance in keeping our perspective and remembering the list of necessary accomplishments and goals yet to be achieved is long; and it continues in need of our perpetual attention and support.

___________________________________________________________________

October
"Breast Cancer Awareness Month"

January February March April May June July August September November December
"The other Breast Cancer Awareness Months"

Desert Political Roundup Newsletter Extract for November 2, 2008

Desert Observer — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 10:17:20 GMT

Desert Political Roundup
"Sharing news, views and information with the valley progressive community"

November 2, 2008 - Vol 1, Issue 29

Desert Political Roundup News

OPERATION TAKE BACK AMERICA
TURNING THE DESERT FROM RED TO BLUE
Barack Obama & Joe Biden
Julie Bornstein Arthur Bravo Guerrero Manuel Perez
45th Congressional District 37th State Senate District 80th Assembly District
________________________________________________________________

"Democrat" name removed from Election Party Advertising
The first announcements for the November 4th Democratic Victory Party trumpeted the event as sponsored by the "Riverside County Democratic Party and Desert's Democratic Clubs". It's being hosted and costs underwritten by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians at their Rancho Mirage Casino-Resort-Spa. Since the tribe is known for its close Republican Party ties, their generous offer to host the event came as a welcome surprise. However, it now appears the Tribe is more interested in hosting a non-partisan Election Night Party that evening. Recent newspaper advertising for the event carried no mention of the original sponsors and the words Democrat or Democratic had been completely removed from the announcement. The event is being advertised as an "All Are Welcome" invitation to "Watch the Returns with Us!" and there's no mention of a Democratic Party sponsorship role. Democrats wishing to party with others in an election night partisan victory celebration may need to look elsewhere. Fortunately, there are alternatives, such as the "No on 8" Victory Party in Palm Springs, and several local restaurants plan evening poll watching events, as well. (Click here to view larger image of the Election Night Party announcement).

Election Night "No on 8" Victory Party in Palm Springs
The "No on Proposition 8" campaign Victory Party in Palm Springs has been set for Wang's In The Desert, 424 South Indian Canyon Drive. Festivities start at 8 pm on Tuesday, November 4th, and all are invited. The invitation also suggests that party goers "drop by earlier, after you vote!" It's certain to be one of the more festive of the evening's political parties. The evening's festivities are jointly sponsored by Joel and Alford of Wang's In the Desert, Vote No on Prop 8, Equality California, and the Human Rights Campaign.

Other Weekly Activities of Note
     Nov 2 - 8th Annual Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival fair in the Sunrise Park Stadium. Democrats will have a booth open from 10 am to 6 pm. Drop by and volunteer or just to say hello.
     Nov 2 - 8th Annual LGBT Palm Springs Pride Parade on Palm Canyon Drive from Alejo to Ramon Road. There will be a Democratic marching contingent consisting of candidates, supporters, volunteers, etc. Meet in the vicinity of the Alejo and Palm Canyon intersection starting point at 10 am.
     Nov 4 - GET OUT THE VOTE precinct walking, poll watching, drivers and callers. Phone 760-898-6944 to volunteer.
     Nov 4 - Election Night Party starting at 8 pm, Agua Caliente & Resort in Rancho Mirage. All Democratic campaign volunteers, candidates and supporters, along with the general public, are invited to attend.
     Nov 5 - Peace Vigil in La Quinta, Highway 111 & Washington, Front of AAA Club.
     Nov 7 - Palm Desert Greens Democratic Club bimonthly membership meeting, 9:30 am in the Desert Greens Country Club.
     Nov 8 - Desert Stonewall Democrats monthly membership meeting, 10-12 noon, Palm Springs Desert Pride Center.
     Nov 9 - Cathedral City Rotary Club "Healing Field" observance. Participant volunteers will read names of solders killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The "Healing Field" program continues daily through November 14th. Contact Cynthia Davis at 760-328-7478 for information.

Opinion: Coachella Valley Democratic Clubs' Hidden Agenda
     There's a dozen or so active Democratic organizations in the Coachella Valley and most operate as clubs chartered by the elected Riverside County Democratic Party. These groups have a loose confederation relationship and there is no overall leadership structure. Should there be a formal leadership arrangement for coordination of club activities and to foster a common agenda? Would it be appropriate for the clubs, working together under single leadership, to develop an agenda of goals, both immediate and long range, that would benefit from coordinated planning and support? A valley-wide agenda comprised of issues similar to: An ongoing media watch program; The existing print media adversarial relationship; Democratic Clubs in the High Schools; Riverside County 4th District Supervisor March 2010 race; Registrar of Voters problems; club membership recruitment and non-partisan local elections, are examples worth consideration. Valley Democrats have already proved themselves when it comes to working together, for the phenomenally successful voter registration drive, early voting promotions, Precinct Captain structure, new Democratic Headquarters office and Get Out The Vote activities are prime examples of Democrats getting things done. Should a special effort be made to build on this momentum by creating an Agenda and a leadership structure to manage its implementation?

Quote, without comment....
     "We support McCain because his leadership is proven and he best reflects the values of this part of California." -- The Desert Sun editorial endorsement of John McCain for president.

     "Rest assured that, should he win, Mr Obama is bound to disappoint. How could he not? He is expected to heal the country's racial divisions, reverse the trend of rising inequality, improve middle-class living standards, cut almost everybody's taxes, transform the image of the United States abroad, end the losses in Iraq, deal with the mess in Afghanistan and much more besides."
     "Succeeding in those endeavours would require more than uplifting oratory and presidential deportment even if the economy were growing rapidly, which it will not be."
     "The challenges facing the next president will be extraordinary. We hesitate to wish it on anyone, but we hope that Mr Obama gets the job." -- Financial Times

     "Because he knows that his economic theories don't work, he's' been spending these last few days calling me every name in the book" -- Barack Obama, referring to the John McCain's dabbling with the word socialist.

     "I don't' know what's next. By the end of the week, he'll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in Kindergarten. I shared my Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich" -- Barack Obama referring to John McCain

     "The reason the Republicans found Joe the Plumber was to find someone hanging around a toilet other than Larry Craig." - Democratic strategist James Carville

An extract from the newsletter is available online at the Desert Observer website.

"Democrat" name removed from Election Party Advertising

Desert Observer — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:14:54 GMT

The first announcements for the Coachella Valley November 4th Democratic Victory Party trumpeted the event as sponsored by the "Riverside County Democratic Party and Desert's Democratic Clubs". It's being hosted and costs underwritten by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians at their Rancho Mirage Casino-Resort-Spa. Since the tribe is known for its close Republican Party ties, their generous offer to host the event came as a welcome surprise. However, it now appears the Tribe is more interested in hosting a non-partisan Election Night Party that evening. Recent newspaper advertising for the event carried no mention of the original sponsors and the words Democrat or Democratic had been completely removed from the announcement. The event is being advertised as an "All Are Welcome" invitation to "Watch the Returns with Us!" and there's no mention of a Democratic Party sponsorship role. Democrats wishing to party with others in an election night partisan victory celebration may need to look elsewhere.

See below for copies of the differing party night announcements.

Copy of advertisement appearing October 31, 2008 in The Desert Sun

Copy of email announcement distributed October 28, 2008 by Democratic Clubs, et. al.

The Desert Sun endorsements reflect community values?????

Desert Observer — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:32:04 GMT

Desert Observer's Page

Palm Springs, California. Today The Desert Sun newspaper printed its entirely predictable endorsement in support of Senator John McCain for President. The Editorial Board ended their litany of pro-McCain platitudes with the following statement.

"We support McCain because his leadership is proven and he best reflects the values of this part of California".

What arrogance! That statement is an absolute disgrace and the newspaper staff owes the entire pro-Obama/anti-McCain communities an apology. The editors have really gone overboard this time with the manner in which they're expressed their low regard for the moderate and progressive communities. According to The Desert Sun staff, the "values of this part of California" are those of John McCain supporters. It must then be their opinion that all with different views, including those who support Senator Obama, have values not appropriate for this community.

It's clear The Desert Sun newspaper and its management are the ones out of touch with the valley community. In the time I've lived here it's been my experience there are many different resident interests and no single group or ideal qualifies as a representative "values" segment. What is becoming certain is that either the newspaper Editorial Board members wear blinders or else their daily routine consists of home, office and little else. The Coachella Valley is a diverse community that's definitely not tied to the narrow set of values held by those in The Desert Sun newspaper building.

For the record, neither John McCain nor The Desert Sun newspaper "best reflect the values of this part of California"!

Bond Shands
Palm Springs, California - October 26, 2008