I can't take it anymore. Seems like the Obama Campaign is resorting to conventional wisdom, moving to the center, compromising, watching the polls, and changing his position to appease the schmucks who make up their minds based on TV adds.
Telling people what they want to hear will fuck you over. You can't change the game of politics, without changing the game of presidential campaigning. Being honest and truthful isn't enough. Registering millions of new voters isn't enough. Fighting the smears isn't enough.
Here's the problem, The largest voting block in America IS THE ONE THAT STAYS FUCKING HOME! It's the young voters and the cynics. How did Obama get the nomination? By inspiring millions of people to volunteer their time. By making people feel like they could be part of the solution. Making us feel like we had the power to take the country back. The new generation of voters is ready to see some serious change in this country, and we're willing to do it our fucking selves. Those are the people you need.
Oh sure, you can register a million new voters, but come election day, they need to be passionate about their candidate, not just scared of the other guy. Or else they won't bother.
I don't know who Obama is talking to but he's getting some bad advice. Remember the Gas Tax holiday? Yea, he called it a sham, and got enough respect to bounce over Clinton. But today we're talking about Offshore Drilling, and suddenly Obama is an appeaser. The Oil Comapnies have leases to 100 million acres of land, 33 million of which are offshore But they aren't drilling because they make more money when supply is tight. Force McCain to address that question, are you with the Oil Companies or with the American people? But instead Obama wimps out, drilling should be part of the energy formula blah blah... If the oil companies still have lands where they can get oil they don't need more, we can talk about that when they've used what they already have. Taking on the oil companies makes you a hero, thanks for blowing that one.
Add the FISA bill to the list of wimp-outs, and the bullish rhetoric toward Iran. And you start to look like the same old same old. That doesn't get my vote, it doesn't get me to volunteer to phonebank from my home, or pick up a friend on the way to the polling booth, or to sit at a table on campus to register voters. And it won't get my father in-law back to Pennsylvania as a campaign volunteer either. Now you start to see why the ambiguous middle doesn't matter.
Me, you think I'll vote for him anyway, I'm a New York Democrat now, so why not take my vote as a given, and start campaigning for the center. Actually no, I'm one of those crazy motherfuckers who will vote for Cynthia McKinney just to prove a point. Wasting my vote? Yea right, she will appreciate it more than the chosen two. And I'll keep voting with my finger in the air until I get my third party.
Dcoffee's Journal
My Podcast Link
08/22/2008 09:26 #45408
Sick of the Swing VotersCategory: politics
08/16/2008 18:26 #45343
new kittensCategory: life
Well, I wanted to upload some pictures from the reception and honeymoon first, but I can't help moving on to our new kitties.
We got them as a wedding present from our neighbor Ed. We had two cats but they both passed away over the past year or so. He used to babysit them when we went on vacation, he's like the uncle who feeds your kids candy and sends them home all wired on sugar.
We got our two kittens from the SPCA after we came home from our honeymoon. They are sisters from the same litter, born as strays in north east buffalo.
This is Ally, she's the fuzzy cuddly one. she likes to purr and dig her little nose into your arm.
This is Moosewood the silly crazy one. She likes to jump on your lap and rub her cheeks on your face.
during the day they spend much of their time trying to get my attention while I'm trying to work.
Here's a few more photos.
Enjoy!
We got them as a wedding present from our neighbor Ed. We had two cats but they both passed away over the past year or so. He used to babysit them when we went on vacation, he's like the uncle who feeds your kids candy and sends them home all wired on sugar.
We got our two kittens from the SPCA after we came home from our honeymoon. They are sisters from the same litter, born as strays in north east buffalo.
This is Ally, she's the fuzzy cuddly one. she likes to purr and dig her little nose into your arm.
This is Moosewood the silly crazy one. She likes to jump on your lap and rub her cheeks on your face.
during the day they spend much of their time trying to get my attention while I'm trying to work.
Here's a few more photos.
Missing Image ;(
Enjoy!
metalpeter - 08/17/08 11:28
Very nice shots cute little kittens. Yes lots of cats do need lots of attention but it shouldn't be to much since they have each other.
Very nice shots cute little kittens. Yes lots of cats do need lots of attention but it shouldn't be to much since they have each other.
tinypliny - 08/17/08 00:35
Pretty Kittens. :)
Pretty Kittens. :)
theecarey - 08/16/08 23:52
awhhh, kitties make my brain turn into a pile of mush. They seem awesome and already at home. Thanks for sharing the cuteness!
awhhh, kitties make my brain turn into a pile of mush. They seem awesome and already at home. Thanks for sharing the cuteness!
libertad - 08/16/08 22:10
How precious!
How precious!
jim - 08/16/08 18:47
KITTIES
KITTIES
06/24/2008 17:34 #44771
Getting MarriedCategory: life
(e:mmtornow) and I are about to tie the knot :) this weekend June 28 we are getting married in the Fingerlakes on her parents property. We've been together for 5 and a half years, living together for 3, and engaged for 2.5. The big weekend is here. We are having a Quaker Ceremony, and everything will be outdoors at her parents house. We have a big tent for dinner and the reception.
After photographing over 100 weddings, it has been interesting planning my own. We've found a way to make it personal, and meaningful. We are pretty laid back and frugal people. But we're attentive about aesthetics and we want our guests to feel comfortable and welcome. I think we've bent the traditional wedding mold quite a bit, and I'm thankful that our families are so accepting. Quaker ceremonies are very meaningful and sentimental, I'm glad to be part of this tradition. The reception will be fun too, we have a good DJ, and I think a bunch of people will be out on the dancefloor.
We have been planning for a long time, and at this point we have most of the arrangements wrapped up. I'll be posting some pictures when we get back from our honeymoon. We will be gone for 2 weeks in the Adirondacks, camping, backpacking, sitting by the lake, enjoying peace and quiet.
Just for reference we got engaged on 11/15/2005 (e:dcoffee,21694)
trisha - 06/26/08 09:20
whoo hoo! congrats and happy marriage!
whoo hoo! congrats and happy marriage!
mrmike - 06/24/08 22:36
Congrats
Congrats
drew - 06/24/08 21:50
Because I know your politics (a little bit), I think you will appreciate the statement "Jesus is Lord," more if you learn more of the context.
It was originally a political protest. Caesar reserved the terms, "Lord," "Savior," and "Son of God" for himself. Proclaiming Jesus as any of these was a rejection of empire.
Of course, in today's American church, it is not often understood that way. But it was crystal clear in the first century.
Because I know your politics (a little bit), I think you will appreciate the statement "Jesus is Lord," more if you learn more of the context.
It was originally a political protest. Caesar reserved the terms, "Lord," "Savior," and "Son of God" for himself. Proclaiming Jesus as any of these was a rejection of empire.
Of course, in today's American church, it is not often understood that way. But it was crystal clear in the first century.
janelle - 06/24/08 21:18
Congratulations! Thanks for the interesting explanation on a Quaker wedding.
Congratulations! Thanks for the interesting explanation on a Quaker wedding.
paul - 06/24/08 20:13
Congratulations, you guys look so cute together.
Congratulations, you guys look so cute together.
dcoffee - 06/24/08 20:13
Thanks Everyone :) If I had a cell phone I just might live blog from the wedding :)
Here's a bit more about Quaker Weddings, for anyone who's interested.
Quakers generally do not forbid or mandate any type of ceremony or ritual, so all that is expected in a quaker wedding is that the couple say their vows, sign a marriage certificate, then someone reads the marriage certificate aloud, and worship continues with a normal one-hour semi-silent meeting for worship. It is common, but not required, to exchange rings. Prior to the wedding the couple meets with a marriage Clearness Committee, and is given consent to be married under the care of their Quaker meeting. Then there is a marriage oversight committee to oversee and help facilitate and plan the meeting for marriage.
What makes a quaker wedding different from other traditions.. The Bride is not given away by her Father. The wedding couple walks in to meeting together. There is no person who marries the couple (ie priest), they marry each other. There is no podium for designated speakers. There are frequent periods of silent reflection, meditation, or prayer, and any guest can speak out of the silence. Everyone attending becomes part of the marriage by signing the wedding certificate.
How we're doing it.. We wrote our own vows and marriage certificate, based on the practices of New York Friends Meeting. We had a calligrapher design a marriage certificate for us, it will hang on our wall after the wedding. We will walk into meeting together, after our families and wedding party are seated. There are many non-Quakers in attendance, so we will have an opening and closing speaker from our oversight committee to help get everyone on the same page. We sit in a spiritual silence until we are ready to say our vows. Then we exchange rings, sign the marriage certificate, and the certificate is read aloud. Meeting continues, and any guest can speak out of the silence and share their reflections on marriage love, or the bride and groom. Often family members share something. After meeting everyone signs the marriage certificate. mmtornow is wearing a wedding gown, and I'm wearing a suit.
Why not do it the normal way? Quakers are a Christian religion, but the focus is on personal growth and spiritual seeking, and personal inspiration, rather than reliance on a book or person for divine leading. I have been to many Catholic/Cristian weddings as a photographer, some are very moving and spiritual. Others, I'd say the majority, are routine exercises, and the emphasis on ritual is distracting. I hear the same readings over and over, and they've lost their impact. I like the one about how "love is not jealous or boastful.. it rejoices in the truth" The one I dislike is the one about how (paraphrasing) "Adam named all the beasts that god created but did not find a suitable companion, so god made him fall asleep and took his rib, encased it in flesh and called it woman, for it was taken from man." I've heard it interpreted in the homily, but I still think it's quaint, strange, and of course, gender biased. I also never understood why god has to be a man, and I never agreed with calling Jesus "Lord". I have read the first 3 books of the bible, and intend to read more. I also find power in group singing, like they do in church.
This is too long... I guess it's because I have been a spiritual person all my life, so I have thought about it. Mmtornow is lucky, she's been a Quaker since birth, after we met I started to learn about Quakers, and the more I learned the more I liked about them.
Thanks Everyone :) If I had a cell phone I just might live blog from the wedding :)
Here's a bit more about Quaker Weddings, for anyone who's interested.
Quakers generally do not forbid or mandate any type of ceremony or ritual, so all that is expected in a quaker wedding is that the couple say their vows, sign a marriage certificate, then someone reads the marriage certificate aloud, and worship continues with a normal one-hour semi-silent meeting for worship. It is common, but not required, to exchange rings. Prior to the wedding the couple meets with a marriage Clearness Committee, and is given consent to be married under the care of their Quaker meeting. Then there is a marriage oversight committee to oversee and help facilitate and plan the meeting for marriage.
What makes a quaker wedding different from other traditions.. The Bride is not given away by her Father. The wedding couple walks in to meeting together. There is no person who marries the couple (ie priest), they marry each other. There is no podium for designated speakers. There are frequent periods of silent reflection, meditation, or prayer, and any guest can speak out of the silence. Everyone attending becomes part of the marriage by signing the wedding certificate.
How we're doing it.. We wrote our own vows and marriage certificate, based on the practices of New York Friends Meeting. We had a calligrapher design a marriage certificate for us, it will hang on our wall after the wedding. We will walk into meeting together, after our families and wedding party are seated. There are many non-Quakers in attendance, so we will have an opening and closing speaker from our oversight committee to help get everyone on the same page. We sit in a spiritual silence until we are ready to say our vows. Then we exchange rings, sign the marriage certificate, and the certificate is read aloud. Meeting continues, and any guest can speak out of the silence and share their reflections on marriage love, or the bride and groom. Often family members share something. After meeting everyone signs the marriage certificate. mmtornow is wearing a wedding gown, and I'm wearing a suit.
Why not do it the normal way? Quakers are a Christian religion, but the focus is on personal growth and spiritual seeking, and personal inspiration, rather than reliance on a book or person for divine leading. I have been to many Catholic/Cristian weddings as a photographer, some are very moving and spiritual. Others, I'd say the majority, are routine exercises, and the emphasis on ritual is distracting. I hear the same readings over and over, and they've lost their impact. I like the one about how "love is not jealous or boastful.. it rejoices in the truth" The one I dislike is the one about how (paraphrasing) "Adam named all the beasts that god created but did not find a suitable companion, so god made him fall asleep and took his rib, encased it in flesh and called it woman, for it was taken from man." I've heard it interpreted in the homily, but I still think it's quaint, strange, and of course, gender biased. I also never understood why god has to be a man, and I never agreed with calling Jesus "Lord". I have read the first 3 books of the bible, and intend to read more. I also find power in group singing, like they do in church.
This is too long... I guess it's because I have been a spiritual person all my life, so I have thought about it. Mmtornow is lucky, she's been a Quaker since birth, after we met I started to learn about Quakers, and the more I learned the more I liked about them.
tinypliny - 06/24/08 19:53
Congratulations!!!!
PS: Is (e:mmtornow) wearing the awesome duct-tape dress? That would be so cool. :)
Congratulations!!!!
PS: Is (e:mmtornow) wearing the awesome duct-tape dress? That would be so cool. :)
metalpeter - 06/24/08 18:54
So I take it by fun you mean you are having "The Real Wedding Crashers" crash the wedding, kidding that would be kinda cool though. Congratulations, and hope the weather is nice.
So I take it by fun you mean you are having "The Real Wedding Crashers" crash the wedding, kidding that would be kinda cool though. Congratulations, and hope the weather is nice.
leetee - 06/24/08 18:27
congratulations. i hope your wedding is everything you both wish it to be, and that your life together continues to be happy. looking forward to the photos.
congratulations. i hope your wedding is everything you both wish it to be, and that your life together continues to be happy. looking forward to the photos.
jenks - 06/24/08 18:19
congratulations! I hope you'll share pictures!
congratulations! I hope you'll share pictures!
drew - 06/24/08 17:54
Congrats!
I thought Quakers just made vows during a regular meeting.
Care to provide some of the detail about what makes a Quaker ceremony special?
Congrats!
I thought Quakers just made vows during a regular meeting.
Care to provide some of the detail about what makes a Quaker ceremony special?
jason - 06/24/08 17:46
That's so great, man, I'm happy for you two. Have a great time. Nice picture of you in the entry as well. You could have smiled!!! (This is when I would say, I *am* smiling).
That's so great, man, I'm happy for you two. Have a great time. Nice picture of you in the entry as well. You could have smiled!!! (This is when I would say, I *am* smiling).
07/23/2008 14:43 #45111
Wedding Story Part 2Category: life
I want to preface this with a little note. I know there are some people on this site who can't legally get "married" to the one they love in NYS. In Buffalo Quaker Meeting there is a 70 year old woman who has spent half her life fighting for GLBT rights. And when NYS decides to turn the corner, I know Buffalo Quaker Meeting will be one of the first to recognize marriage for everyone who is in love, and I would be happy to be invited.
Part 2: The Ceremony.
We wanted to have the ceremony outside under this huge tree in the front yard, but we weren't sure if it would happen. The forecast was calling for 70% chance of rain. You can't control the weather, but I was just hoping for 2 rain-free hours to do the ceremony outside. The reception was going to be under a huge tent, so it didn't matter if it rained later in the day, but the ceremony would be so much nicer outside under the tree in the front of the house.
When we finished taking pictures at the lake it was windy, really cloudy, and it had rained on us a little. We went back to the house for the ceremony and we both expected the chairs to be safely under the tent. We arrived at the house, and the place looked totally different than how we left it. I'll never forget pulling into the driveway and seeing all these people, gathering in the country with their fancy clothes on, walking in a hundred different directions, moving out of the way of our car as we passed. And to our surprise all the chairs were confidently set up under the tree.
Getting Everything Ready
Our un-signed Wedding Certificate
There were people everywhere! We only had about 10-15 minutes before the ceremony started. I kind of led Molly through the jungle of people so we could go upstairs and get ready, "hi... good to see you, we gotta go hide upstairs..." We paused to give grandma a kiss on the cheek but that was it. I forgot to shave that morning, so I did that. Then I stuck my head out the door to check on the microphones. We waited on the steps, for things to start. Edgar gave everyone an overview of Quaker practice and what would happen during the ceremony. Then we walked out.
We sit in calm silence until we feel moved to say our vows. People might pray, or meditate, or just quiet down their minds to bring a spiritual calm into their hearts.
Quakers would call the silence during meeting, becoming centered, listening for the light within, or waiting for god. Quakers usually worship in silence, unless they are inwardly moved to speak. We waited about 10 minutes. This must have seemed like a long time to non-quakers, but I noticed many of them dreamily gazing at me and my bride, I think they understood. When we were both calm and ready, we said our vows. The sun was out.
First Kiss
Our Vows:
"In the presence of the spirit, our friends and our family, I take thee, to be my Wife. I promise with love, to be caring and compassionate, to be supportive and patient, to show understanding and empathy, to keep an open and honest heart, and to always nurture our shared unity as your Husband from this day forward."
We wrote our vows together, and remembered everything. After saying our vows, we exchanged Rings, and signed the Marriage Certificate.
Then we looked at each other and we both wanted a hug.
That's when everyone gets teary eyed. We sit back down again, and the marriage certificate is read aloud.
For the rest of the meeting we just wait silently for people to share messages from their hearts.
The dog was interested, but he was calm too.
Our View
Under the huge canopy of shade provided by the the ancient and sturdy Maple tree.
There is no minister leading the ceremony, anyone can speak if they are moved to do so. People just raise their hand for a microphone, and share what they wish. It's unscripted, and the messages are very personal, and very spiritual. We waited about 15 minutes in silence. The first message was a song called 'Simple Gifts', it was shared by someone from Buffalo Meeting. Below is a picture of all the people who shared.
As you can see, anyone can speak, weather they're 9 years old or 90. Many people shared stories about us, or they talked about love and marriage, how happy they were for us, and how good we are for each other. Something like this ... "listening to the leaves, and the birds, and feeling the warmth of the sun, it seems as if the heavens are celebrating with us." "May your love be as broad as the branches above you, and as deep as the roots below." "We love when they do First Day School, they're so nice and fun to be around." "The bride adopted us as her grandparents when she moved to Fredonia. She would arrive late at night to sleep at our house, we woke her up, fed her, and gave her a ride to Quaker Meeting on Sunday." "the groom and I have known each other since we were born, and we did all those important things together, like climbing trees or playing with legos." .... It was realy nice.
A few More Photos from during the messages.
Bride's Family
My Mom Sharing, she's so cute.
The Scene for our big Country Wedding.
After the Meeting Ends our families and wedding party sign the Marriage certificate. Everyone at the wedding also signs the certificate during the night. The entire ceremony was wonderful, things went so well, and we got to do it outside under the tree. We are very blessed. Afterward we said hi to some of the guests, and did family portraits.
Next time, the reception. Honeymoon stuff later too.
I'm glad I'm writing all this stuff down, it's nice to remember it now, and I want to keep all the details.
Enjoy
Part 2: The Ceremony.
We wanted to have the ceremony outside under this huge tree in the front yard, but we weren't sure if it would happen. The forecast was calling for 70% chance of rain. You can't control the weather, but I was just hoping for 2 rain-free hours to do the ceremony outside. The reception was going to be under a huge tent, so it didn't matter if it rained later in the day, but the ceremony would be so much nicer outside under the tree in the front of the house.
When we finished taking pictures at the lake it was windy, really cloudy, and it had rained on us a little. We went back to the house for the ceremony and we both expected the chairs to be safely under the tent. We arrived at the house, and the place looked totally different than how we left it. I'll never forget pulling into the driveway and seeing all these people, gathering in the country with their fancy clothes on, walking in a hundred different directions, moving out of the way of our car as we passed. And to our surprise all the chairs were confidently set up under the tree.
Getting Everything Ready
Our un-signed Wedding Certificate
There were people everywhere! We only had about 10-15 minutes before the ceremony started. I kind of led Molly through the jungle of people so we could go upstairs and get ready, "hi... good to see you, we gotta go hide upstairs..." We paused to give grandma a kiss on the cheek but that was it. I forgot to shave that morning, so I did that. Then I stuck my head out the door to check on the microphones. We waited on the steps, for things to start. Edgar gave everyone an overview of Quaker practice and what would happen during the ceremony. Then we walked out.
We sit in calm silence until we feel moved to say our vows. People might pray, or meditate, or just quiet down their minds to bring a spiritual calm into their hearts.
Quakers would call the silence during meeting, becoming centered, listening for the light within, or waiting for god. Quakers usually worship in silence, unless they are inwardly moved to speak. We waited about 10 minutes. This must have seemed like a long time to non-quakers, but I noticed many of them dreamily gazing at me and my bride, I think they understood. When we were both calm and ready, we said our vows. The sun was out.
First Kiss
Our Vows:
"In the presence of the spirit, our friends and our family, I take thee, to be my Wife. I promise with love, to be caring and compassionate, to be supportive and patient, to show understanding and empathy, to keep an open and honest heart, and to always nurture our shared unity as your Husband from this day forward."
We wrote our vows together, and remembered everything. After saying our vows, we exchanged Rings, and signed the Marriage Certificate.
Then we looked at each other and we both wanted a hug.
That's when everyone gets teary eyed. We sit back down again, and the marriage certificate is read aloud.
For the rest of the meeting we just wait silently for people to share messages from their hearts.
The dog was interested, but he was calm too.
Our View
Under the huge canopy of shade provided by the the ancient and sturdy Maple tree.
There is no minister leading the ceremony, anyone can speak if they are moved to do so. People just raise their hand for a microphone, and share what they wish. It's unscripted, and the messages are very personal, and very spiritual. We waited about 15 minutes in silence. The first message was a song called 'Simple Gifts', it was shared by someone from Buffalo Meeting. Below is a picture of all the people who shared.
As you can see, anyone can speak, weather they're 9 years old or 90. Many people shared stories about us, or they talked about love and marriage, how happy they were for us, and how good we are for each other. Something like this ... "listening to the leaves, and the birds, and feeling the warmth of the sun, it seems as if the heavens are celebrating with us." "May your love be as broad as the branches above you, and as deep as the roots below." "We love when they do First Day School, they're so nice and fun to be around." "The bride adopted us as her grandparents when she moved to Fredonia. She would arrive late at night to sleep at our house, we woke her up, fed her, and gave her a ride to Quaker Meeting on Sunday." "the groom and I have known each other since we were born, and we did all those important things together, like climbing trees or playing with legos." .... It was realy nice.
A few More Photos from during the messages.
Bride's Family
My Mom Sharing, she's so cute.
The Scene for our big Country Wedding.
After the Meeting Ends our families and wedding party sign the Marriage certificate. Everyone at the wedding also signs the certificate during the night. The entire ceremony was wonderful, things went so well, and we got to do it outside under the tree. We are very blessed. Afterward we said hi to some of the guests, and did family portraits.
Next time, the reception. Honeymoon stuff later too.
I'm glad I'm writing all this stuff down, it's nice to remember it now, and I want to keep all the details.
Enjoy
dcoffee - 07/24/08 20:21
I'm glad you guys can enjoy this too.
to answer paul's question, I'm not a quaker by birth, but my wife is. There aren't many Quakers around, Buffalo Meeting has like 150 members but about 20-30 attend each week. Orchard park has about 15-20 that attend. There are a lot more in Pennsylvania. And Quakers do play a pretty bad-ass role in history, with abolition and civil rights. And they're not like Amish people with buggies and whatnot. They're just a compassionate group of people, trying to live peacefully and coexist with life. They don't have have any promises or ritual, or dogma. Meeting is like a moment of silence, one that gets comfortable, and lasts for a while. Growing up I was one of those Christmas and Easter type Catholics, we went to the OLV Basilica, I enjoyed some things about church, my mom goes there every week now. I was always a spiritual kind of person. In college I just happened to meet my wife who was a Quaker, I found they fit very well for me. You don't have to be a Quaker to marry one, but I did become a member in the spring.
Quaker weddings are so flexible, you kind of have to make up some things as you go along, but that just makes it more personal. And the open microphone is great, i want to write down more of it cause I don't have any recordings.
Heidi, it's so weird working in the wedding business and then doing it for yourself.
Tiny, One thing I knew for sure, as a photographer, the bride should not wear a strapless dress :) They squeeze the brides body, and things hang out, even on skinny girls, trust me, I have to edit their photos. Unfortunately 90% of the dresses for sale are strapless, (e:mmtornow) had 3 choices, she tried it on in the store and ordered the same one on ebay anyway :) I'm also glad you can identify with the ceremony, it's hard to describe, but people are connected somehow, and the silence is very moving. The wedding certificate is longer, it had room for 175 names, it's a pretty big thing to have framed. Not sure about the flowers on top we didn't choose the type of flower, just the color. I'm pretty sure they are a real flower in nature.
Josh, it was great to hear people speak during the ceremony, I forgot to mention this, the first non-quaker to speak was the boy in the red shirt, my 17 year old cousin, he said something like, "i know marriage doesen't work out some times, for whatever reason, but I hope the two of you stay married and love eachother for a long time." Meeting actually went over about 20 minutes, people enjoyed the occasion.
I'm glad you guys can enjoy this too.
to answer paul's question, I'm not a quaker by birth, but my wife is. There aren't many Quakers around, Buffalo Meeting has like 150 members but about 20-30 attend each week. Orchard park has about 15-20 that attend. There are a lot more in Pennsylvania. And Quakers do play a pretty bad-ass role in history, with abolition and civil rights. And they're not like Amish people with buggies and whatnot. They're just a compassionate group of people, trying to live peacefully and coexist with life. They don't have have any promises or ritual, or dogma. Meeting is like a moment of silence, one that gets comfortable, and lasts for a while. Growing up I was one of those Christmas and Easter type Catholics, we went to the OLV Basilica, I enjoyed some things about church, my mom goes there every week now. I was always a spiritual kind of person. In college I just happened to meet my wife who was a Quaker, I found they fit very well for me. You don't have to be a Quaker to marry one, but I did become a member in the spring.
Quaker weddings are so flexible, you kind of have to make up some things as you go along, but that just makes it more personal. And the open microphone is great, i want to write down more of it cause I don't have any recordings.
Heidi, it's so weird working in the wedding business and then doing it for yourself.
Tiny, One thing I knew for sure, as a photographer, the bride should not wear a strapless dress :) They squeeze the brides body, and things hang out, even on skinny girls, trust me, I have to edit their photos. Unfortunately 90% of the dresses for sale are strapless, (e:mmtornow) had 3 choices, she tried it on in the store and ordered the same one on ebay anyway :) I'm also glad you can identify with the ceremony, it's hard to describe, but people are connected somehow, and the silence is very moving. The wedding certificate is longer, it had room for 175 names, it's a pretty big thing to have framed. Not sure about the flowers on top we didn't choose the type of flower, just the color. I'm pretty sure they are a real flower in nature.
Josh, it was great to hear people speak during the ceremony, I forgot to mention this, the first non-quaker to speak was the boy in the red shirt, my 17 year old cousin, he said something like, "i know marriage doesen't work out some times, for whatever reason, but I hope the two of you stay married and love eachother for a long time." Meeting actually went over about 20 minutes, people enjoyed the occasion.
joshua - 07/24/08 09:50
D - thanks for taking the time to share this occasion with us. This is is a way of doing it that seems so personal and beautiful - if my family and friends stood up individually to say things like that about me and my new wife, I don't know if I could hold back tears. Talk about meaningful!
D - thanks for taking the time to share this occasion with us. This is is a way of doing it that seems so personal and beautiful - if my family and friends stood up individually to say things like that about me and my new wife, I don't know if I could hold back tears. Talk about meaningful!
paul - 07/24/08 00:11
Seriously, your ceremony sounds awesome and looks picture perfect. As for the Quaker thing, did you grow up quaker - I never met a quaker before - I kind of thought it was a historical movement.
Seriously, your ceremony sounds awesome and looks picture perfect. As for the Quaker thing, did you grow up quaker - I never met a quaker before - I kind of thought it was a historical movement.
heidi - 07/23/08 23:03
Once upon a time, I worked for a catering company that did oodles of wedding receptions. You can tell so much about people from their weddings & receptions... yours seems to have been a wonderful, joyous, loving occasion that reflects the grace and joy of your lives. It reminded me of my best friend's wedding two years ago, also very non-traditional, outside, by a lake. I teared all through hers and again while reading about yours. Thank you for sharing!
Once upon a time, I worked for a catering company that did oodles of wedding receptions. You can tell so much about people from their weddings & receptions... yours seems to have been a wonderful, joyous, loving occasion that reflects the grace and joy of your lives. It reminded me of my best friend's wedding two years ago, also very non-traditional, outside, by a lake. I teared all through hers and again while reading about yours. Thank you for sharing!
tinypliny - 07/23/08 21:54
Thanks so much for sharing with (e:strip)! Loved every minute of it!
Are those forget-me-nots on the top of the wedding certificate? They are pretty! Just curious though, did your certificate run into several pages? Such a cool concept. Imagine if someone who would become an extremely famous celebrity in the future, came to your wedding and signed it! :)
I am in love with (e:mmtornow)'s gown. When you are walking out, it has quietly assumed a life of its own and gives an ethereal dimension to the walk with a little twirl and flow. :) I also like the part about sitting in calm and getting acquainted mentally with your audience, your witnesses and yourself before you say what your heart knows. There is something so peaceful in connecting with people whom you are going to speak to. I know this is probably a somewhat unrelated experience but somehow I find it easier to express myself and speak clearly if I have made a kind of mental contact with my audience/patients/students/professors after a moment of silent communication. When I don't take this minute, invariably I sound flustered, indifferent, bored, impatient, snobbish or outright rude. The silent communion is a brilliant idea. :)
As I look at your wedding, I think back to a zillion of my cousins' and friends' weddings back home. Some were nightmares, some downright hilarious, some drunken revelries, dance manias, suffocating rituals, some all-night eating binges, some pompous shows of wealth, some five-minute court-signings (followed by one of the above) and a few were outright weird. I think I like your wedding the best. I need to cc the link to your journal entry to my whole crazy clan and broadcast across the pond and some mountains, now. ;-) I would have loved to be that woman sitting in the grass with her shoes off and enjoying it all in the best way possible. `
Totally flippant comment, but your sideburns rock! I have been trying to get my brother to grow them out. :)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your story! If you see a spike in your views over the next couple months, it's probably me reloading the pictures to look at them all over again. Thank you! :^D
Thanks so much for sharing with (e:strip)! Loved every minute of it!
Are those forget-me-nots on the top of the wedding certificate? They are pretty! Just curious though, did your certificate run into several pages? Such a cool concept. Imagine if someone who would become an extremely famous celebrity in the future, came to your wedding and signed it! :)
I am in love with (e:mmtornow)'s gown. When you are walking out, it has quietly assumed a life of its own and gives an ethereal dimension to the walk with a little twirl and flow. :) I also like the part about sitting in calm and getting acquainted mentally with your audience, your witnesses and yourself before you say what your heart knows. There is something so peaceful in connecting with people whom you are going to speak to. I know this is probably a somewhat unrelated experience but somehow I find it easier to express myself and speak clearly if I have made a kind of mental contact with my audience/patients/students/professors after a moment of silent communication. When I don't take this minute, invariably I sound flustered, indifferent, bored, impatient, snobbish or outright rude. The silent communion is a brilliant idea. :)
As I look at your wedding, I think back to a zillion of my cousins' and friends' weddings back home. Some were nightmares, some downright hilarious, some drunken revelries, dance manias, suffocating rituals, some all-night eating binges, some pompous shows of wealth, some five-minute court-signings (followed by one of the above) and a few were outright weird. I think I like your wedding the best. I need to cc the link to your journal entry to my whole crazy clan and broadcast across the pond and some mountains, now. ;-) I would have loved to be that woman sitting in the grass with her shoes off and enjoying it all in the best way possible. `
Totally flippant comment, but your sideburns rock! I have been trying to get my brother to grow them out. :)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your story! If you see a spike in your views over the next couple months, it's probably me reloading the pictures to look at them all over again. Thank you! :^D
boxerboi - 07/23/08 16:38
congratulations! your ceremony looked amazing
congratulations! your ceremony looked amazing
dcoffee - 07/23/08 16:15
I should correct that, traditional weddings of many faiths can be impersonal, not just Christian.
I should correct that, traditional weddings of many faiths can be impersonal, not just Christian.
dcoffee - 07/23/08 15:58
hehe, Drew, I hear your weddings are wonderful, I'd love to photograph one! I know you would want the ceremony to be personal for the bride and groom, and that's what's missing from the majority of cristian weddings I've been to.
I've photographed over 100 weddings, Jewish, Catholic, Indian, justice of the peace, etc. Planning my own, I had to keep asking myself "can I see myself there, and does it feel natural?" I had to slowly pry my head out of the traditional, cause it didn't work for me. I love working at the Statler Towers, and photographing in beautiful cathedrals, but I couldn't see myself in it. It's worth it to spend time making it your own.
hehe, Drew, I hear your weddings are wonderful, I'd love to photograph one! I know you would want the ceremony to be personal for the bride and groom, and that's what's missing from the majority of cristian weddings I've been to.
I've photographed over 100 weddings, Jewish, Catholic, Indian, justice of the peace, etc. Planning my own, I had to keep asking myself "can I see myself there, and does it feel natural?" I had to slowly pry my head out of the traditional, cause it didn't work for me. I love working at the Statler Towers, and photographing in beautiful cathedrals, but I couldn't see myself in it. It's worth it to spend time making it your own.
drew - 07/23/08 15:01
You need to stop spreading the word about how great Quaker weddings are. I won't have as much work!
Just kidding, of course.
You need to stop spreading the word about how great Quaker weddings are. I won't have as much work!
Just kidding, of course.
mrmike - 07/23/08 14:51
Very cool, seems more genuine than some by the book ceremonies, more yours than from some etiquette book
Very cool, seems more genuine than some by the book ceremonies, more yours than from some etiquette book
jason - 07/23/08 14:50
I really enjoyed this post. Thanks for sharing with us. I think about getting married and the big party and the big ceremony and I think I would be miserable!!! This seems so much more natural.
I really enjoyed this post. Thanks for sharing with us. I think about getting married and the big party and the big ceremony and I think I would be miserable!!! This seems so much more natural.
07/18/2008 10:52 #45063
Wedding StoryCategory: life
Part One:
We got Married in the Fingerlakes at (e:mmtornow)'s parents house on June 28 2008, and had a 2 week Honeymoon in the Adirondacks afterward. My former co-workers did the photography, and they just gave me all the raw photos afterward, I've spent the past week editing them all. We have about 1000 photos from the wedding, and 1000 from the honeymoon. so this is part one.
We did a lot of work ourselves cause this was a backyard wedding, and we didn't have all that stuff banquet halls have. So we reserved the tent, tables, chairs, linens, and bought plates, napkins, decorations, booze etc. We went out to the Fingerlakes on Wednesday before the wedding to get things ready. We were pretty well prepared.
It was supposed to rain all week, but you can't control the weather, and the tent was big enough to hold everyone, so we didn't worry too much about it. I was just hoping to have the ceremony outside. Here's me and my new Bro-in-law on Thursday morning as the tent is being delivered. He's tall.
as you can see it was raining a bit then, and the forecast for Saturday went from 50% chance of rain to 70% through the week.
Friday Rehersal Dinner.
Glad we did this, because a lot of our 'people' had last minute concerns about everything. After answering about 135 questions apiece, I had a Headache, and (e:mmtornow) was wishing we had just done it at city hall, she was overwhelmed and in tears at the end. So we resolved to enjoy our wedding day no matter what. I told her if anyone asked us any questions on the Wedding day just say "that's your area of expertise, I trust your judgment" and move on. After almost a year of preparation, the wedding day we just had to let it fly. We weren't going to worry about it.
Saturday Morning:
Despite our decision to take it easy, there was a small list of things that needed to be done the day of the wedding. Picking up the beer, and making table numbers were the big ones. But I wasn't going to let (e:mmtornow) worry about it. The hair stylist came at about 9:00 and my plan was to let (e:mmtornow) hide in an air conditioned room while I delegated responsibility. Things went smoothly, I talked to all the 'people' mostly friends who happened to have the skills we needed. then I dropped everything and got dressed about Noon.
That's right, breaking with tradition we got ready together. We're not down with that superstitious tradition stuff. I feel like most of it comes from nervous medieval pre-contraception parents, and arranged marriages. We slept in the same bed, got ready together, and took portraits together before the ceremony. For me, as a wedding photographer, I see all kinds of brides getting ready, putting on their dress and hanging with the girls, it's one of those things, I couldn't miss part of my own wedding story. Actually I even took some pictures on my small camera before the photographers arrived. It made me feel relaxed :).
Bride, sans-wedding dress
Marvin wants to come
That's me checking the list in my head, and rushing to get my tie on for photos.
on the move
Portraits:
We headed to Seneca lake park with the Wedding Party before the ceremony. I'd definitely recommend taking portraits before the ceremony. You have a choice to sit in a room nervously awaiting 3 o'clock, or hang out with your closest friends in a park making each other smile. Pictures definitely kept us relaxed, even without champagne. The weather? It sprinkled a bit, not a problem, and the overcast skies were great for pictures. The photographers are Mike from New Visions Photography my former boss, and Angela my former co-worker. Real easy to work with and friends. They gave me all the Raw files, and did the wedding kind of as a favor.
Next Entry I'll do the Ceremony. We also got new kitties as a wedding present and I want to post stuff, but I'm doing the wedding first. Enjoy!
We got Married in the Fingerlakes at (e:mmtornow)'s parents house on June 28 2008, and had a 2 week Honeymoon in the Adirondacks afterward. My former co-workers did the photography, and they just gave me all the raw photos afterward, I've spent the past week editing them all. We have about 1000 photos from the wedding, and 1000 from the honeymoon. so this is part one.
We did a lot of work ourselves cause this was a backyard wedding, and we didn't have all that stuff banquet halls have. So we reserved the tent, tables, chairs, linens, and bought plates, napkins, decorations, booze etc. We went out to the Fingerlakes on Wednesday before the wedding to get things ready. We were pretty well prepared.
It was supposed to rain all week, but you can't control the weather, and the tent was big enough to hold everyone, so we didn't worry too much about it. I was just hoping to have the ceremony outside. Here's me and my new Bro-in-law on Thursday morning as the tent is being delivered. He's tall.
as you can see it was raining a bit then, and the forecast for Saturday went from 50% chance of rain to 70% through the week.
Friday Rehersal Dinner.
Glad we did this, because a lot of our 'people' had last minute concerns about everything. After answering about 135 questions apiece, I had a Headache, and (e:mmtornow) was wishing we had just done it at city hall, she was overwhelmed and in tears at the end. So we resolved to enjoy our wedding day no matter what. I told her if anyone asked us any questions on the Wedding day just say "that's your area of expertise, I trust your judgment" and move on. After almost a year of preparation, the wedding day we just had to let it fly. We weren't going to worry about it.
Saturday Morning:
Despite our decision to take it easy, there was a small list of things that needed to be done the day of the wedding. Picking up the beer, and making table numbers were the big ones. But I wasn't going to let (e:mmtornow) worry about it. The hair stylist came at about 9:00 and my plan was to let (e:mmtornow) hide in an air conditioned room while I delegated responsibility. Things went smoothly, I talked to all the 'people' mostly friends who happened to have the skills we needed. then I dropped everything and got dressed about Noon.
That's right, breaking with tradition we got ready together. We're not down with that superstitious tradition stuff. I feel like most of it comes from nervous medieval pre-contraception parents, and arranged marriages. We slept in the same bed, got ready together, and took portraits together before the ceremony. For me, as a wedding photographer, I see all kinds of brides getting ready, putting on their dress and hanging with the girls, it's one of those things, I couldn't miss part of my own wedding story. Actually I even took some pictures on my small camera before the photographers arrived. It made me feel relaxed :).
Bride, sans-wedding dress
Marvin wants to come
That's me checking the list in my head, and rushing to get my tie on for photos.
on the move
Portraits:
We headed to Seneca lake park with the Wedding Party before the ceremony. I'd definitely recommend taking portraits before the ceremony. You have a choice to sit in a room nervously awaiting 3 o'clock, or hang out with your closest friends in a park making each other smile. Pictures definitely kept us relaxed, even without champagne. The weather? It sprinkled a bit, not a problem, and the overcast skies were great for pictures. The photographers are Mike from New Visions Photography my former boss, and Angela my former co-worker. Real easy to work with and friends. They gave me all the Raw files, and did the wedding kind of as a favor.
Next Entry I'll do the Ceremony. We also got new kitties as a wedding present and I want to post stuff, but I'm doing the wedding first. Enjoy!
libertad - 07/19/08 18:31
Sorry, I meant to say nice photos and congrats! You both look very happy.
Sorry, I meant to say nice photos and congrats! You both look very happy.
libertad - 07/19/08 18:29
imk2 - 07/19/08 14:26
wow your photos are simply beautiful! congratulations!
wow your photos are simply beautiful! congratulations!
dcoffee - 07/18/08 23:02
Tiny, thanks so much. It was an amazing time, and I wanted everyone to be there, that's why I wrote it like this. I waited a few days to write about it and I think that was a good idea, I had time to remember the details and give everyone some context. I feel like I'm prolonging the magic by writing about it, and capturing it all so I can look back.
That reminds me, something funny as I go through the photos, I see a whole bunch of stuff that you missed. Like the wedding cake, I never actually looked at it, they set it up, we cut it, and then it was gone, but didn't really see the decoration until I looked at the photos :)
Thanks to everyone for reading and for your support, don't worry mmtornow reads the comments too, I know she appreciates it :)
Tiny, thanks so much. It was an amazing time, and I wanted everyone to be there, that's why I wrote it like this. I waited a few days to write about it and I think that was a good idea, I had time to remember the details and give everyone some context. I feel like I'm prolonging the magic by writing about it, and capturing it all so I can look back.
That reminds me, something funny as I go through the photos, I see a whole bunch of stuff that you missed. Like the wedding cake, I never actually looked at it, they set it up, we cut it, and then it was gone, but didn't really see the decoration until I looked at the photos :)
Thanks to everyone for reading and for your support, don't worry mmtornow reads the comments too, I know she appreciates it :)
tinypliny - 07/18/08 20:59
I think its so sweet of you to spare (e:mmtornow) some of the coordination headache! Weddings are major synchronization and planning routines! Also, hurray for getting rid of ridiculous superstition. I think it adds an extra layer of totally unnecessary anxiety and has absolutely no basis at all.
PS: I think I have already looked at the pictures and read the story around 10 times. The wedding story is delightful! :)
I think its so sweet of you to spare (e:mmtornow) some of the coordination headache! Weddings are major synchronization and planning routines! Also, hurray for getting rid of ridiculous superstition. I think it adds an extra layer of totally unnecessary anxiety and has absolutely no basis at all.
PS: I think I have already looked at the pictures and read the story around 10 times. The wedding story is delightful! :)
tinypliny - 07/18/08 20:41
Wow!! I feel like I was at the wedding! Thanks SO MUCH for sharing these absolutely GORGEOUS photographs and the wonderfully detailed story-telling. I followed along with the story and I feel so happy! I am having a very hard time picking favourites because you two look beautiful together in every single picture. I think I like the one where you and (e:mmtornow) are walking through the wild grass on the road. Very detailed and romantic! :) Again, thanks very much for sharing. Looking forward to Part-II!!
Wow!! I feel like I was at the wedding! Thanks SO MUCH for sharing these absolutely GORGEOUS photographs and the wonderfully detailed story-telling. I followed along with the story and I feel so happy! I am having a very hard time picking favourites because you two look beautiful together in every single picture. I think I like the one where you and (e:mmtornow) are walking through the wild grass on the road. Very detailed and romantic! :) Again, thanks very much for sharing. Looking forward to Part-II!!
james - 07/18/08 16:43
Congrats. The photos came out really well.
Congrats. The photos came out really well.
carolinian - 07/18/08 11:55
Congratulations! I hope you have many happy years together!
Congratulations! I hope you have many happy years together!
mrmike - 07/18/08 11:51
Terrific photos, you guys look great. Hope it was an amazing time. Congrats.
Terrific photos, you guys look great. Hope it was an amazing time. Congrats.
paul - 07/18/08 11:17
Those photos are great. You guys look great. Looks like you had an amazing wedding, congrats!
Those photos are great. You guys look great. Looks like you had an amazing wedding, congrats!
jason - 07/18/08 11:11
You clean up nice! Great photos. Looks like everyone had a good time. Again, congrats!
You clean up nice! Great photos. Looks like everyone had a good time. Again, congrats!
Josh The studies that I cited are compiled by Liberal outlets, but the data and the surveys is as objective as possible. This is public information, we used the same stuff in my political science classes, it's not like any of those "Fox news polls", I've seen some of those questions, very leading.
You are right that elections are much more accurate than polls at showing American preferences. But what about the people who don't vote, I have many friends who I cannot convince to go out and vote, they are straight up cynical about the whole system. I want the democrats, or somebody, to connect with that group. What are their issues?
I would suggest that national elections bear out the mood of the electorate over the years in the best fashion. Democrats have always been more effective locally than they have been nationally, and the opposite is the case for Republicans. You can imagine what I think about The Nation and Media Matters, David. Do you want me to start quoting polls from The Weekly Standard? =P
I don't think progressives can blame Republicans for their lack of effectiveness. Liberals have been bad at the political game for a long time - in 2004 I heard Lewis Black rip a 10-minute comedy piece on the subject for crying out loud. There is a kernal of truth to what you are saying, but what I'd suggest is that progressives have to do a better job of defining their positions. Just don't blame the electorate when they don't agree with you! Obama is watering it down now, which you've talked about. You are asking why - I am telling you that it is because he knows the aggressive progressive agenda you are talking about is not palatable to the American middle class that he needs to win. McCain is crushing him in the middle right now. The people aren't stupid - they know what Barack Obama stands for. Liberals for a long time have never given voters credit for thinking for themselves because, well, they lose all the time.
(e:drew) - there was nothing unconstitutional about that bill. In fact the federal version (The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002) was identical and passed with no complaint from the likes of NARAL, Ted Kennedy and other staunch pro-choice advocates. At the time Obama complained about the lack of a "neutrality clause" - when it was added he voted down the bill anyway. Incidentally it was the neutrality clause (it guaranteed that the new act wouldn't affect erosion of the right to an abortion) that guaranteed broad support. This is why it is so shocking - every pro-abortion Senator in Congress voted for a bill identical to that which Obama voted down.
When Obama ran for Senate he claimed that he voted it down because it lacked the neutrality clause. It was a lie - anyone can see in the record that the language was included in 2001 and he voted it down in three straight sessions going into 2003. You can see why it is a point of comedy for me when the Obammunists think this is a smear.
Anyway, since linking to partisan sources is now credible (only teasing, D) here is an article on the subject - :::link:::
Sorry to ramble so much, but let me get back to this, since I don't feel like like we can define how conservative or liberal America is anyway.
When you drift toward the center you end up with a confused platform, and you don't inspire people to work hard for your campaign. Your supporters start to wonder if you really support their issue or not. Democratic campaigns have failed time and again because of their focus on the center. The republican base is inspired to support their candidate, and they bring friends to the pols. The Democratic base is sitting at home thinking that no matter how they vote nothing will change. That is the biggest problem for democrats, supporters stay home, or if you're like me, you stick to your ideals and vote Green. Democrats need people like me, and my Father-in-law if they expect to win, ever.
right on, d
The vote was against an unnecessary, unconstitutional bill. Obama would have been wise to simply not vote, but you can hardly use this to say he was in favor of infanticide. He's against bad legislation.
I'd say the problem is that progressive values have been defined by the republicans running against them. They have been very good at creating stereotypes, coming up with catch phrases like "socialized medicine" and otherwise demonizing progressive issues. Progressives haven't had a clear platform for many years. It's not that Americans don't agree with progressives, they just don't know what we stand for. But Americans in general are progressive, I know I have to qualify that statement so.. Research/numbers :::link::: :::link::: of course it's in the liberal press but you can still read the poll questions and see numbers.
"No I don't want to give Bush my tax money, he will blow it on Halliburton." D that is ridiculous!
You are correct that Republicans have never had to bow to the center to win. That is because they don't have to - Democrats could never copy the strategy and expect to win. The reason is because conservative politics have been tried and tested, and win national elections regularly. Progressive politics do not. It could be argued that middle America relates to traditionalist values far more than they relate to "San Francisco" values. Actually, I'll go ahead and say that I'd wager that is true.
(e:drew) - do you really believe that the infanticide vote should be disregarded? They are talking about killing babies that survive abortion. He voted against a bill that would have stopped such a practice in Illinois.
:::link:::
Really. What about all of this is so misleading - did me make the vote or not? If anything is a red herring it is the neutrality clause! All of this looks fairly devastating.
That "infanticide" vote is a pure red herring.
Oh, I forgot one, "Tax = bad" "small government = good" The dominant logic is that the government is the problem. People forget that a competent and transparent government can actually solve problems, and spend our collective resources wisely. The New Deal programs are the only thing keeping Americans comfortable enough so we don't start rioting in the streets.
No I don't want to give Bush my tax money, he will blow it on Halliburton. But I think Americans would have gladly accepted a tax increase to pay for the war. Americans will give money to support worthy causes.
Republicans don't win elections by appeasing the center. Let's take 2004 Bush and Kerry. Did Bush wiggle at all on Gay Marriage, the War, Tax Cuts for big Business, Abortion, Healthcare? He didn't wiggle, he stuck to the issues of his supporters, and they worked hard for him. Josh you're exactly right on this, Obama does need to "convince middle America". But the term is "Convince them", not appease them, cause then you look like you either don't have faith in your own ideas, or you just don't know what the hell you're doing. Remember, Kerry was the flip-flopper.
You can convince middle America that you have the best answer, but you don't do it by suddenly watering down your idea and meeting your opponent halfway. Sure you have to do that in the Senate, but in a campaign you need to defend your own agenda, and make your opponent justify why they oppose your good ideas.
I'd say, the Republicans have gotten this far by motivating their core supporters based on hot button wedge issues. Not by drifting to the center. That's why the pundit declared "center" has moved so far toward republican dogma.
"tax cuts for big business creates jobs" "military muscle is the only way to defend ourselves" "the market will naturally take care of global warming" "Free market healthcare is the best in the world"
Sounds like the Right has done a better job of telling the center what to believe. In 2004 Democrats didn't even have a platform outside of abortion and gay marriage, Democrats need do get their populism back.
It is an interesting strategy but in my view it is a loser in a general election. In primaries progressives can win all day long doing that, particularly because of the financial clout that liberal organizations and the blogosphere now wield. I truly believe that the bigwigs fear DailyKos, which is why they work so hard to keep them happy. There is some shame in that, though - if you look at the comments left by many of the readers of the site some of these people are subhuman.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - Obama will not win without winning the center, particularly this year and particularly because he is so far behind McCain in centrist core issues. Independents are going to choose the President this time around, but I don't think progressives should worry too much about what Obama is saying. Take a look at his voting record (allow me to snicker for a second - take a look at that infanticide legislation in ILL!) and you'll see that progressives have nothing to worry about. National Journal rated him the most liberal senator. He is not a centrist, but he has to convince independent voters that he's trustworthy. He's losing that battle at the moment.
oops. I guess I am with DCoffee, not ajay.
I'm with ajay in that a politician doesn't necessarily have to move to the center if he/she can register/get out the many people who don't vote.
This is a difficult and unconventional strategy, but it is the one that won Obama the primary. I wish he had chosen to stick with it in the general election.
I totally agree with you.
(e:dcoffee) , from what I've heard, there's a hardcore block of (who else but) Republican congressmen who are pro-drilling. They will not accept any clean-energy initiative unless there's more drilling.
So the choices are: throw them a bone and get them to go along, or do nothing.
Obama is willing to throw them a bone if they'll agree to some massive investment in clean energy.
Of course, the real blame lies with the fucking retards who continue to vote these assholes into office based on the "ooohh... the terrrurists are gonna git us!" argument.
Vote on policies and ideas, people. Not on the label "Republican" or "Democrat".
D -
Obama is moving to the center because he has to. He needs to convince middle America, not you! Swing voters will decide the election and I think the left, once again, has generally overestimated the popularity of progressive politics. I'd hang in there and not worry if I were you. We all know if he gets elected he'll throw middle America under the bus and pursue all the liberal policies that attracted you to him in the first place.
The zingers have been always been the case of late. None of what we've heard so far in the four years of campaigning (or so it seems) is going to figure into the election which is sad. You want more than sound bites.You want to believe in some hope, that there is some reason it won't be the same old, same old. Make you want to volunteer where the election will matter.
I have to say, i am disappointed with his post-primary performance. It is such a different game though. There is almost no discussion of policy and it seems like a contest of who can spin the best zinger. booo.