Call for submissions: Art Works poster contest

Sample poster from the Obama campaign

From a press release:

The Obama campaign is seeking poster submissions from artists and designers across the country to convey why we support President Obama's plan to create jobs now, and why we'll re-elect him to continue fighting for jobs for the next four years. You can make your poster about that broad theme, or focus on a specific aspect: why we've got to rebuild and modernize our roads and bridges, help veterans find work once they've returned home from service, support the small businesses that are the engine of our economy, make sure teachers can stay in their classrooms, and so on. The posters should include the words from one of the suggested slogans below or visually interpret the concepts they represent. 

The campaign will choose 12 finalists once the submission period closes on November 4, 2011, and then put the finalists to a vote. 

Finalists will be chosen based on the following criteria: 

· Adherence to stated theme: Why you support President Obama's plan to create jobs now and his re-election campaign to continue fighting for jobs for the next four years.
· Appropriateness of tone: Conveying determination and strength
· Creativity and aesthetics
· Quality of workmanship 

Three winners will get a framed print of their poster signed by President Obama and a limited edition of their poster will be sold in the campaign store with proceeds benefiting the campaign. 

· Deadline: November 4, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Submissions after November 4, 2011 will not be eligible.
· Poster designs should be 16” x 20”.
· Posters may be graphic, typographic, illustrated, collaged, or include photography taken by the designer.
· Posters must include the following URL: www.barackobama.com/jobsplan
· Posters can be produced by litho, digital, or silk-screen print.
· Posters must be viable for reproduction by digital printing.
· You hereby represent and warrant that all equipment, materials, and facilities used to produce your poster are owned by you and were not provided by a corporation, labor union, foreign national, or federal contractor. Any disposable materials purchased specifically to produce the poster will be treated as in-kind contributions to Obama for America.
· Each person may submit no more than five submissions.
· All submissions will become property of Obama for America.
· When you've finished your design, please upload a PDF or JPEG of finished poster for the site on barackobama.com/artworks. (At least 380px x 480px, please.) Upload size cannot exceed 10 MB. Please also include the title of your poster, your name as you'd like it to appear, and a short paragraph about your poster. 

Suggested slogans: 

• Fighting for jobs 

• Get America back to work

• Rebuilding America

• Made in the USA

• More jobs for veterans

• Hire America's veterans

• Support small businesses

• Every child deserves a great school

• More jobs for teachers

• Put teachers back in the classroom where they belong

• Tax cuts for the middle class

• Support the middle class

• Ask millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share

• We believe in the American dream

• Out-build, out-educate, out-innovate

SUBMIT A POSTER HERE

On Oct. 8, we Occupy Denver, site of the Democratic Party's 2008 convention -- was that only three years ago?

The arts, especiaslly the graphic arts, are laying a huge part in the Occupy Wall Street movement.  This event's right down the  road in my hometown of Denver. www.occupywallstreet.com

Today I stand with Pres. Obama

Pres. Obama draws the line against the Republican war on the middle class.

Lest we forget about Big O's victories (and ours)

Al Simpson interview: Obama smarter than those "trying to hammer him"

Denver Post political editor Curtis Hubbard landed a great interview with former Wyoming Sen. Al Simpson. Some highlights are in today DP with the whole interview appearing on Sunday. Go to http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/08/05/simpson-guys-trying-to-hammer-obama-ought-to-give-it-up/35502/

Here's my favorite quote thus far:

This guy (Obama) is a little bit smarter than some of the guys who are trying to hammer him. They ought to give it up.

This one, illustrating the reason that Pres. Obama didn't publicly endorse the Simpson-Bowles commission findings, is pure Big Al:

So along came (Rep. Paul) Ryan (R-Wis.), who’s got guts, too, and Ryan knew, he’d been on the commission, and the biggest extraordinary engine that will eventually just eat up America is Medicare. And it doesn’t matter if you call it Obamacare or Elvis Presleycare or I-don’t-give-a-damn-care. It can’t work. It’s totally on autopilot, so, Ryan said, ‘Well, I know I’m going to get ripped, but I’m going for the jugular, of the mastodon in the kitchen,’ and he got ripped. That’s exactly what would have happened to Obama.

"Obamacare or Elvis Presleycare or I-don’t-give-a-damn-care." Good one, Big Al.

President Obama declares a "major disaster" in Wyoming due to flooding

File under "That Darn Federal Gubment:"

President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in Wyoming because of spring and summer flooding.

The action means the federal government will help the state pay for costs incurred from damaged roads, highways and other infrastructure.

Seven people have died in Wyoming this spring and summer in waters running high from heavy rain and melting record snowpack.

The state's response included deploying Wyoming National Guard members and low-risk prison inmates to several areas around the state to help fight flooding.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has estimated damage to public infrastructure at $4.2 million. The number is expected to go higher. Agriculture losses are being assessed separately.

Rivers and streams continue to run high throughout most of the state.

Read more: http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/article_9dd67751-8c60-5aaf-9028-c4454b042d93.html#ixzz1Su4f2KDg

Richard Wall urges CFD to return to its morally pure past

As promised, local Radical Right activist Richard Wall blessed us with the second of two columns today in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle.

Some promises really should be broken.

He hammers away at Cheynne Frontier Days for its links with the Susan. G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

He doesn't think that CFD cowboys and cowgirls are "tough enough to wear pink."

In the course of his 750-some words, Wall provides not a shred of evidence that Komen supports abortion services through Planned Parenthood or embryonic stem cell research.

"Some local residents have defended the CFD-Komen link by saying that no money from our rodeo has gone to Planned Parenthood or embryonic stem cell research. 

"But even if true, that fact is irrelevant. Cheyenne's local Komen group still is affiliated with the larger Komen organization."

That's the problem with moral purity as practiced by Wall and others of his ilk. If the facts don't fit, call them irrelevant or just make them up. This, of course, will satisfy his followers who get their world-view from Morally Pure Rupert Murdoch's Fox News and/or Tea Part rallies.

Rumor has it that Mr. Wall plans to run for the state legislature in 2012. If so, he will be answering the call by anti-abortion group WyWatch to purge the RINOs (Republicans in Name Only) from the Wyoming Legislature, those representatives of the people who did what the people asked and voted down bills that would force pregnant women to watch videos of their fetuses before going through with the procedure. Another morally pure bill would have enforced biases against married LGBT citizens. Even my freshman Republican state senator voted against the governmental intrusion authorized by these bills.

One more clue that Mr. Wall is more motivated by Radical Right political purity than factual accuracy: Obamacare. You only have to say it once to prejudice yourself, Mr. Wall. It's called the Affordable Care Act. Maybe you didn't research this part of your presentation. You can do that here.

On the same op-ed page today is long-time Wyoming newspaperman and columnist Bill Sniffin. Mr. Sniffin is a moderate Republican from Lander. He once ran for governor. In the long run, common-sense moderate Republicans such as Sniffin and Sue Wallis and Cale Case and Al Simpson will determine the future of Wyoming. Democrats won't be able to do it in my lifetime -- they are too few and too disorganized. That hasn't stopped us -- and the Dem 14 in the legislature -- from plugging away.

One thing that Democrats can do is speak out loudly and strongly when they see Wyoming principles being sacrificed. We can also ally ourselves with sensible legislators, no matter the political party. And we can write letters to the editors. Lots and lots of letters to the editor. People like me and you still read newspapers.

BTW: Great op-ed page today WTE. Wall, Sniffin, Rodger McDaniel, funny editorial cartoon and a great staff editorial calling on the City Council to grant one of its available liquor licenses to a downtown establishment, notably the Cheyenne Depot Museum. It says that retail liquor license,s the most valuable variety at the city's disposal, "be used as tools for economic development." Since a vibrant downtown is crucial to the city's future, one of these licenses needs to go downtown.

Obama Recognizing Military Suicides w/ Condolence Letters, Reversing a Longstanding Policy

This is the right thing to do.

Over the past 5 years, over 1,000 service members have taken their lives, and in the Army, over 20% of those occurred in combat zones. This new policy will cover those who tragically take their own lives while actively serving in such zones, particularly Iraq and Afghanistan.

From Daily Kos: Obama Recognizing Military Suicides w/ Condolence Letters, Reversing a Longstanding Policy

"Laramie's "Freedom Has a Birthday" includes fireworks, food, fun and a chance to get your pic taken with the Prez

This Laramie County security detail accompanied Pres. Obama at last weekend's SuperDay! event in Cheyenne.  Albany County Dems will take over security on July 4 in Laramie. Come out, sign a commitment card for 2012, and get your pic taken with the Prez. 

From the Albany County Democratic Party in Laramie: Do you like firecrackers, good community spirit, and serving as a Secret Service agent to the President? Well, do we have a volunteer opportunity for you. Please call Bryon Lee (307) 752-5972 for details about the wonderful booth the Albany Co. Dems are setting up for Freedom Has A Birthday on July 4 in Washington Park. 

Another great photo from Laramie County Dems' revel at Cheyenne SuperDay!

Wyoming Organizing for Obama Director Bryon Lee (left) and  Out in Wyoming blogger Jeran Artery (right) flank Pres. Obama at SuperDay! in Cheyenne. A great time was had by all.

UPDATE: Wyoming Progressives -- you may be alone!

My previous post was all about the Wide, Wide World of Online Progressives. I wanted to reassure my fellow Wyoming Liberals/Democrats/Progressives that there is an ever-widening online world at our disposal and that we all should make haste to use it.

Global Internet resources are one thing. But what about Wyoming online resources? What about resources on the ground for our far-flung folks in Crook and Big Horn counties?

I talked yesterday about some fine prog resources that focus on Wyoming issues and dilemmas. You can see many of them on the blog feed on the right sidebar. I invite other progressive bloggers who post regularly to drop me a line and I will happily add you.

We are all painfully aware how few resources are available on the ground. Last night at an Organizing for America planning session at the IBEW Union Hall in Cheyenne, OFA's Bryon Lee outlined a 2012 election strategy that focused on seven crucial counties. I didn't ask him for the list but I know that Laramie County is on the list and neighboring Platte and Converse counties are not. Platte County has a particularly active group of Democrats. Their web site is worth checking out. Wheaterville does a great job of keeping track of wacky activities in Wheatland and Glendo and Guernsey. Natrona County Democrats are organizing to oust the most Tea Party-prone of their legislators which, unfortunately, is all of them.

But Bryon Lee is it as far as the OFA structure. His intern Hannah was assisting as last night's meeting in Cheyenne. The state party is directed by Bill Luckett and just added Dana Walton (sp?) as field director. Congratulations to Dana.

So those of us who have active county parties are in the minority. On the plus side, that leaves many opportunities to get involved. The Wyoming Democratic Party features a list of county party meetings and contact info. Once you volunteer, you may still be alone but you will be too busy to notice, what with canvassing and phone banks and leafletting at the county fair. You can always head down the road to Cheyenne and attend Super Day this Saturday and seek out the Laramie County Democrats' booth -- I'll be there signing up people for Obama in 2012. You can also attend the monthly meeting of Laramie County Democrats on Monday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. I will give a short talk on my experiences at Netroots Nation 11.

And you always know where I am on the web...

Wyoming Organizing for America meeting June 22 at IBEW Hall

From Bryon Lee, Wyoming Organizing for America:

Cheyenne meeting for Organizing for America, Wednesday, June 22, 6 p.m., IBEW Union Hall, 810 Fremont St.

I would like to invite you to a Grassroots Planning Session being hosted by Organizing for America. The purpose of this meeting is to:

1. Discuss the President's accomplishments

2. Highlight volunteer work and hear their successes (at Juneteenth, phone banks, on Facebook, etc.)

3. Create constituency outreach goals for Laramie County (nearly 12,000 Democrats and nearly 800 Obama supporting individuals that want to help)

4. Define and then construct neighborhood teams (work within our precincts)

5. Develop and implement our next steps in making the Laramie Co. Democrats a strong political force that wins elections

If you have any thoughts, questions, or ideas, please feel free to email me or call me at (307) 752-5972.

Thanks, and I hope to see you all tomorrow.

Bryon Lee

Organizing for America - Wyoming

State Director

(307) 752-5972

http://www.facebook.com/ofa.wy

Let's Move! program gets kids up and moving and creating and eating healthy food

Having fun at the Manhattan Children's Museum

This new program sounds fun and educational -- with emphasis on the fun. Kids who take part in activities that promote healthy local foods and artistic movement and creativity (and creating) will be better prepared for the challenges they will inherit from their elders. And less likely to believe that the local food movement is a Commie plot. They also may get the strange idea that public-funded entities (That Darn Gubment!) such as museums and libraries are essential to their community’s well-being. We can hope. And support innovative projects such as Let’s Move!

This blog post comes from Susan Hildreth, director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services:

The space shuttle wasn’t the only launch in Houston last week! At a meeting with thousands of museum professionals I had the great honor of joining First Lady Michelle Obama as we launched Let’s Move! Museums and Gardens. 

 Speaking via video message to attendees of the Association of Children’s Museums and American Association of Museums Annual Meetings, Mrs. Obama said, “Everyday, in museums, public gardens, zoos, and so many other places, you expose our children to new ideas and inspire them to stretch their imaginations. You teach them new skills and new ways of thinking.  And you instill a love of learning that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. 

Every day, you all make such a difference in the lives of our children. And that’s why I’m so excited to work with you on an issue that is so critical to their health and well-being.”  

The national initiative, coordinated by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, will provide opportunities for millions of museum and garden visitors to learn about healthy food choices and physical activity through interactive exhibits and programs. 

Museums and gardens are eager to do their part in making a difference. Many of them have core missions that focus on creating healthy environments for children and their families.

Let’s Move! Museums & Gardens will focus on interactive exhibits, afterschool, summer programming and food service that help young people to make healthy food choices and be physically active.

Come hear the facts about the Affordable Health Care Act May 23 in Cheyenne

Tired of the health care misinformation and disinformation being spewed out by Wyoming Republicans?

Come hear the facts.

The next meeting of the Laramie County Democratic Party is Monday, May 23, at 7 p.m at the IBEW Hall, 810 Fremont Street in Cheyenne.

Click here for directions.

Guest panel: Members of Consumer Advocates Project Healthcare presenting The Affordable Care Act and its ongoing implementation in Wyoming: What's in it for you?

For more information, please contact Linda Stowers at 307-634-0768.

Casper Journal op-ed: Stimulus money a success

Kimberly Holloway, member of the Casper City Council, chastises Dr. Sen. John Barrasso about his recent disparaging remarks regarding Pres. Obama's stimulus spending in Wyoming. Barrasso is from Casper. Read Halloway's remarks here

Laramie County Dems meet May 23 to talk about the Affordable Care Act in Wyoming

The monthly meeting of the Laramie County Democrats will be held on Monday, May 23, 7 p.m., at the IBEW Union Hall, 810 Fremont Avenue, Cheyenne.

Guest Panel by Consumer Advocates Project Healthcare (CAPH). The topic will be: “The Affordable Care Act and its ongoing implementation in Wyoming: What's in it for you?”

Anyone who brings a guest will receive a free bumper sticker. I received a bumper sticker last time for volunteering to be a precinct committeeman.

Rumor has it that a “very special guest” will also make an appearance. And no, it’s not Donald Trump, despite rumors that he has switched parties and moved to Wyoming.

Mission accomplished... for reals!

From Daily Kos

Mission actually accomplished. Obama bags Osama

In reference to my previous blog about the non-accomplishment of an earlier mission...

Daily Kos: Mission actually accomplished. Obama bags Osama

Thomas Friedman: Obama won't lead, and the Republicans "have just gone nuts"

Not necessarily a fan of NYT's Thomas L. Friedman, but this column is a good one. It's full of quotable lines.

So far, the G.O.P. is calling for cuts in the things we need to invest more in — like education and infrastructure — while leaving largely untouched things we need to reduce, like entitlements and defense spending. A country that invests more in its elderly than its youth, more in nursing homes than schools, will neither invent the future nor own it.

As someone much closer in age to elderly than youth, closer to nursing homes than schools, I agree. In 2008, we were all about the future. In 2011, it's all about the past. And it's not all about the regressiveness of the new Republican majority.

But then the president won’t lead. When pressed on energy, he will say that he just doesn’t have the Republican votes for a serious clean energy policy. But the president has never gotten in the G.O.P.’s face on this issue. He has not put his own energy plan on the table and then gone out to the country and tried to sell it.

I'm an Obama supporter and this is exactly what I find frustrating about him.

Obama won't lead. Meanwhile, as Friedman says, the Republicans "have just gone nuts" and are busily hacking away at the progressive legislation passed during Obama's first two years. And they want their damn Edison light bulbs back! They have gone nuts.

Cheyenne marks the 25th anniversary of King holiday

Today we celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Many speeches will be delivered, many of the man's quotes will be requoted. The holiday this year comes on the heels of the violence in Tucson. Violence, of course, is "as American as apple pie," said sixties Black Power activist H. Rap Brown. His original quote mentioned cherry pie. Apparently, that didn't seem American enough. But you get the picture. The U.S. has a history of violence that can't be denied, no matter how many whitewashed texts are written by ultra-conservative revisionists (Lynne Cheney, Glenn Beck, Texas, etc.).

But Americans haven't yet cornered the market on violence. Protesters in Tunisia were gunned down this week. Coalition soldiers continue to be blown up with IEDs planted by Afghanis angry that their relatives were blown up in a U.S. drone attack. Knifings and shootings and beatings and torture are a fact of life worldwide.

Martin Luther King, Jr., was a proponent of nonviolence. He died by the gun, but he didn't promote the gun. Just the opposite. Some black activists did take up guns, although their numbers were wildly exaggerated at the time. But not MLK.

Dr. King gave thousands of speeches that promoted peace and nonviolence. Her actively campaigned against the war against black people in the South. He also opposed the Vietnam War and the Cold War. As he said often, notably in "Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community:"

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.

Chaos or community? Have to wonder if those are the only choices we have. We're not exactly at the chaos point, but closing in on it. Community was much in evidence in Tucson last week, as we all came together for a brief time to honor the dead.

Author and Rice University professor Douglas Brinkley makes a great point in AP story about Dr. King. If we don't create a nation that's serious about nonviolence, Dr. King's legacy may fade away. In 50 years, all that we may be left with is a day off to go buy more trinkets at Wal-Mart.

"The holiday brought the freedom struggle into the main narrative," Brinkley said. "The day is meant to be a moment of reflection against racism, poverty and war. It's not just an African-American holiday. The idea of that day is to try to understand the experience of people who had to overcome racism but in the end are part and parcel of the American quilt."

Two years ago this week, I walked in Tucson's King march. I walked with my son Kevin from the University of Arizona campus to a city park. Nice January Arizona day. The marchers were white and black and Hispanic and Asian, a representative mix of Tucson's population. Many, such as my son, were younger than King was when he was gunned down in 1968. They are aware of his struggle but might not know the full weight of his commitment to nonviolence.

Two years later, some of these same people will march again. They also were out last week at vigils and memorials and funerals for Arizona's dead. Yesterday, hundreds of Tucsonans staged a march from McCormick Park to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords office. Today, many will be volunteering during a "Day of Service" for the King holiday.

Returning from my 2009 trip to Tucson, I watched most of Pres. Obama's inauguration from the Phoenix airport. I thought to myself: "A new America begins today." I jumped the gun a bit was a bit premature with my forecast. Change has begun, but so has a violent reaction to it. We can make progress as long as we don't succumb to fear and hate. We'd do well to keep Dr. King's words of nonviolence in our minds and in our hearts.

Today's Cheyenne march for Dr. King begins at noon at the Depot Plaza downtown. It concludes at the Capitol Building. Following the event, Love & Charity Inc. will serve chicken noodle soup at Allen Chapel, 917 W. 21st. Weather forecast: This morning's weird torrential rains have given way to sunshine. Wind still blowing, but what else is new?