Freethought & Rationalism Archive

marylandnaturegirl · 04-13-2003, 12:34 AM

The more I read and see Howard Dean the more I like him.

Did anyone see is interview with Tim Russert last month?
Excellent! A man who really has a brain and cuts through all
the nonsense to get at the truth and to what is right.

He is a medical doctor as well as the former 5 term Governor of Vermont. Its obvious when you read his issues and hear him speak. He is logical and doesn't let people get away with trying
to spread hogwash and superstition and his is not apologetic
about pointing out the illogical ways of the fundamental religious right.

In a recent interview in the Advocate he was asked:

Quote:

Bush has put a number of religious conservatives on his council on HIV/AIDS, one of whom had to withdraw his nomination to the council when his antigay past was revealed. Do they have a stranglehold over the Administration�s AIDS policy?
Dean "I think so. This is the most conservative and ideological president I�ve seen in my lifetime. Both in domestic and foreign policy, he�s substituted ideology for thoughtful policy. This is a reckless president. People who believe that homosexuality is something that must be punished by God have no business in HIV/AIDS. Only people who understand GLBT issues with a deep commitment to humane values should play a role in AIDS prevention. "

Many of you are aware that the Repubs and Bush back the silly
"Abstinence Only" sex education which means that schools only get federal funding for their sex education programs if they 'preach' abstience only. This means they cannot discuss "safe sex" with the students and if they do they lose the funding. They are only allowed to promote absitenence as a way to prevent diseases and teenage pregnancy. This program has been totally ineffective and in fact had a negative impact.
I saw one of the "Abstinence Only" kits that are handed out to students through this program. It has a little cheat sheet sized piece of paper that lists something to the effect of "Fun alternatives to sex' and has a list of things like, having a milkshake at the ice cream shop, walk in the park, and other such ideas of things to do instead of sex. I don't know if many of you remember high school but if these were passed out in my Jr. High or high school we would have all just snickered at these alternatives.

Here is another quote from the April Advocate:

Quote:

In his State of the Union address, the president outlined a global AIDS initiative that would include $15 billion in new funds over a five-year period. As both a medical doctor and a presidential candidate, what do you think of the proposal?
Dean-I thought it was a disgrace. Not three weeks before what he said in the State of the Union, the U.S. delegation to the population control delegation in Bangkok tried to get condoms taken out of international family planning. This is a president with no commitment to HIV or AIDS. If you can�t discuss condoms and you take them off the Web site of the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], you are part of the problem. The speech was hypocritical, cynical, and despicable.

He unabashedly takes on the hard issues, yets and comes out the hero for it time and time again. He doesn't dance around the issues like a typical politician. He says what he believes on it, controversial or not, and then explains his position in a way that makes it very easy to respect him even if one were to disagree with the principle.

I've quoted him before on this here but I repeat one of his quotes

Quote:

The government ought not interject itself into medical decisions to advance the religious or moral agenda of a politically-vocal minority.

Link to quote

There's always the issue about the Dems and if they can win the South. I love his positive and yet humorous attitude about that. People do need to stop stereotyping and putting a whole region in a box as if they are all thinking with one brain.

At the California Democratic Convention he said

Quote:

Senator Kerry was reported to have said that he could win without the South. I don't want to win without the South. I want to go to the South, and I'm going to say to white guys that drive pick-up trucks with Confederate flag decals on the back of their car, "We want your vote too, because your kids don't have health insurance either."

And then his fiery ending that to a shot at the religious crusade the current administration seems to be on and it got the crowd cheering in contrast the the booing of Edwards.

Quote:

I want my country back! We want our country back! I am tired of being divided! I don't want to listen to the fundamentalist preachers anymore. I want America to look like America, where we are all included, hand in hand. We have dream. We can only reach the dream if we are all together - black and white, gay and straight, man and woman. America! The Democratic Party! We are going to win in 2004! Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Stand up for America, Stand up for America, Stand up for America.

Speech to California Democratic Convention

Ya gotta love that and if you want to watch that on video (plays better than it reads : go to the video link listed near the end of this post

Some of you have heard some of these quotes before but for those that haven't they are worth repeating.

We've got 1.5 years to get up and away from the computer from time to time to get out there and do something to get this man elected! We need to stop just complaining about the opressive religious right and start doing something to end it.

I for one have been for a long time promoting the grassroots tool
www.meetup.com (and no I do NOT work for them).
If you'd like to join me and others in the massive grassroots effort to get Dean elected to the Presidency the time is now go to
http://www.dean2004.meetup.com

for more information on Dean go to
http://www.deanforamerica.com

to take action go to
http://www.deanaction.net

I so strongly back Howard Dean that I am joining with others in my area as a volunteer to have a House Party/Fundraiser in support of Howard Dean.

If you'd like to check it out or support Dean via our fundraiser go to:
House Party in Central New York State (Ithaca) for Howard Dean
(We'd love to have you attend but even if you can't attend you are welcome to Donate to Howard Dean through our party. All the money goes directly to Dean for America. I am going to make a point of letting him know that some of this funding and effort is coming from secular folks like YOU and me!

They are aiming for 100 house parties for Dean around the nation on that day!

If you have any friends in Ithaca, Syracuse, Binghamton, Cortland, Utica, Skaneateles or the Finger Lakes tell them to come on buy because we are going to have one HECK of a party! The house we are having it in can likely fit 400 or 500 people so it should be a fun time and it features a scheduled conference call with Howard Dean!

Its time to Stand UP for civil rights my fellow Americans and stand up for the right to be secular and logical and non-superstitous!
Lets STAND UP with Howard Dean and help him take our country back from the Religious Right minority that have a strangle hold on our country!

*** Contributions to Dean for America are not deductible for federal income tax purposes***

By the way, did I mention that Howard Dean has the #1 topic on http://www.meetup.com out of over 1,000 topics! His topic only started in February! On top of that he has more supporters signed up for his meetups than ALL the other presidential candidates combined, inlcuding Bush!

Go Howard Dean! Vote Howard Dean! He's all the rage!

If you want to view that inspiring speech in video go to
Howard Dean's Speech is at 24:20mark but its interesting to watch whole thing including booing of other candidates!

marylandnaturegirl · 04-13-2003, 01:08 AM

His recently release 7 point plan on rebuilding multilateralism is excellent and currently on the "front page" of his website.

7 pt Plan on Multilateral Reconstruction

Hope everyone is doing well!

A shout out to all my friends out there around the world!

lpetrich · 04-13-2003, 02:12 AM

He's talked the talk very well, but it remains to be seen whether he is willing to walk the walk.

I remember how promising Bill Clinton had been during his 1992 campaign, and what a disappointment he had been. What a weenie.

marylandnaturegirl · 04-13-2003, 02:35 AM

His stance on supporting/signing the Civil Unions Bill (a civil rights milestone) proves that he is willing to walk the walk even in the face of vehement right wing republicans name calling him over it.

He stuck up for minority civil rights when other politicians would have taken a more neutral or politically safe stance.

It was controversial but he managed to get re-elected any how and I think he's a person that does what he says he will do.

One always has to be able to compromise on certain things.

However, he is the best hope we have got and I am giving it may all! The alternative of another 5.5 years of Bush and Ashcroft is simply UNACCEPTABLE.

The amount of Pork in the latest bills through congress is disgusting!

Lets put a man with a brain and logic in the White House for a change and one that doesn't simply pander to the popular opinion on every issue and one that doesn't talk out of both sides of his mouth. I don't hear much mudslinging about Howard Dean no dark past like Clinton had right from the get go. They called him "Slick Willie" when he was governor and running in the primaries. That didn't bode well and the Gennifer Flowers thing was during the campaign, we should have seen the writing on the wall about that.

Clinton did a heck of a lot better than G.H.W. Bush would have done for us. We need to focus not only on the White House but on the congress too. We need to take back all 3 branches of Govt. to be honest!

I will continue to think postive and work myself to the bone as that is what it takes!

Lets take back America!

dcwolf · 04-13-2003, 11:28 AM

Here's an article about the candidates' favorite books.

Quote:

But the prize for the most interesting favorite book has to go to former Vermont governor Howard Dean. His choice of Ken Kesey's novel Sometimes a Great Notion is surely the bravest. After all, in this poll-tested, consultant-driven age, how many other candidates would confess--much less volunteer--to reading the work of an acid-dropping '60s counterculture hero? Here's hoping that the choice boosts Dean's emerging image as the straight-talking honest candidate, and that this diminutive liberal Northeastern governor doesn't wind up like the last one.

Dominus Paradoxum · 04-13-2003, 01:14 PM

If he wins the primary, I'll definately be voting for him in 2004.

Gurdur · 04-13-2003, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by marylandnaturegirl
....
I will continue to think postive and work myself to the bone as that is what it takes!
....

Since I'm not an American, I don't have much to say here; but I would like to say that you, marylandnaturegirl, are much to be respected for your consequential integrity and energy.

Thanks !
We need people like you.

Mecha_Dude · 04-13-2003, 04:04 PM

Well, my chronic pessimism is seeping into this, here's my highly irrational take:

He most likely has some deep dark secret that is undesirable for a president. If he doesn't then he can't "Walk the Walk" and if he truly is the perfect candidate then he won't get elected.

Expect the worst and you will not be dissapointed

Well, I'm hoping that I'm wrong on this and he does get elected and turn out to be a great president...

Nostalgic Pushhead · 04-13-2003, 04:27 PM

I'm defiently voting for him in 2004, if he's nominated.
Just so I can say "I went camping with the president."
(Uncle used to be his bodyguard when he was governor. Went camping on Lake Champlain with him a couple times).

Come on, that would be awesome to say.
But really, the civil union thing was great... I don't know much about his politics otherwise, but I'm sure he's better than Bush.

Grumpy · 04-13-2003, 06:32 PM

Are people still talking about "Howard" Dean?

I would have thought by now his name would be "Mud."

You know, on account of his opposition to the war in Iraq. Which is now seen as foolish. Which is a shame.

As you can see, I don't think Dean has a shot in hell of winning, even if he's nominated. But I'll probably vote for him, and I won't have to hold my nose like last time. In fact, I'd be proud to see Dean lose. (Except that losing would discredit everything he stands for, and everything he supports would become taboo for future candidates. Or extra taboo, if you will.)

04-13-2003, 01:08 AM	#2
marylandnaturegirl Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Washington DC Metro Area Posts: 151	Dean's 7 point plan on Multilateral Reconstruction (US Foreigh Policy) His recently release 7 point plan on rebuilding multilateralism is excellent and currently on the "front page" of his website. 7 pt Plan on Multilateral Reconstruction Hope everyone is doing well! A shout out to all my friends out there around the world!

04-13-2003, 02:35 AM	#4
marylandnaturegirl Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Washington DC Metro Area Posts: 151	He has proven he can walk the walk His stance on supporting/signing the Civil Unions Bill (a civil rights milestone) proves that he is willing to walk the walk even in the face of vehement right wing republicans name calling him over it. He stuck up for minority civil rights when other politicians would have taken a more neutral or politically safe stance. It was controversial but he managed to get re-elected any how and I think he's a person that does what he says he will do. One always has to be able to compromise on certain things. However, he is the best hope we have got and I am giving it may all! The alternative of another 5.5 years of Bush and Ashcroft is simply UNACCEPTABLE. The amount of Pork in the latest bills through congress is disgusting! Lets put a man with a brain and logic in the White House for a change and one that doesn't simply pander to the popular opinion on every issue and one that doesn't talk out of both sides of his mouth. I don't hear much mudslinging about Howard Dean no dark past like Clinton had right from the get go. They called him "Slick Willie" when he was governor and running in the primaries. That didn't bode well and the Gennifer Flowers thing was during the campaign, we should have seen the writing on the wall about that. Clinton did a heck of a lot better than G.H.W. Bush would have done for us. We need to focus not only on the White House but on the congress too. We need to take back all 3 branches of Govt. to be honest! I will continue to think postive and work myself to the bone as that is what it takes! Lets take back America!

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04-13-2003, 02:12 AM	#3
lpetrich Contributor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lebanon, OR, USA Posts: 16,829	He's talked the talk very well, but it remains to be seen whether he is willing to walk the walk. I remember how promising Bill Clinton had been during his 1992 campaign, and what a disappointment he had been. What a weenie.

04-13-2003, 01:14 PM	#6
Dominus Paradoxum Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,000	If he wins the primary, I'll definately be voting for him in 2004.

04-13-2003, 04:04 PM	#8
Mecha_Dude Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Everywhere... I'm Watching you... Posts: 1,019	Well, my chronic pessimism is seeping into this, here's my highly irrational take: He most likely has some deep dark secret that is undesirable for a president. If he doesn't then he can't "Walk the Walk" and if he truly is the perfect candidate then he won't get elected. Expect the worst and you will not be dissapointed Well, I'm hoping that I'm wrong on this and he does get elected and turn out to be a great president...

04-13-2003, 04:27 PM	#9
Nostalgic Pushhead Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So. Burlington, Vermont Posts: 4,315	I'm defiently voting for him in 2004, if he's nominated. Just so I can say "I went camping with the president." (Uncle used to be his bodyguard when he was governor. Went camping on Lake Champlain with him a couple times). Come on, that would be awesome to say. But really, the civil union thing was great... I don't know much about his politics otherwise, but I'm sure he's better than Bush.

04-13-2003, 06:32 PM	#10
Grumpy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Alaska, USA Posts: 1,535	Are people still talking about "Howard" Dean? I would have thought by now his name would be "Mud." You know, on account of his opposition to the war in Iraq. Which is now seen as foolish. Which is a shame. As you can see, I don't think Dean has a shot in hell of winning, even if he's nominated. But I'll probably vote for him, and I won't have to hold my nose like last time. In fact, I'd be proud to see Dean lose. (Except that losing would discredit everything he stands for, and everything he supports would become taboo for future candidates. Or extra taboo, if you will.)

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