I just want to say I love you all

[AllentownJake]

Some on here might be mad at me because of my very strong opposition over the past three days and might feel betrayed because of what I've done in the past on behalf of Barack Obama. I'm willing to wager there are few DUers that have spent as much time as I have organizing since February for this movement. I don't say this out of arrogance I say this as fact. As angry as I am over this Warren thing I still bit my tounge and moderated an event today and I kept on message. I'm proud of the work I've done even though now I feel a little betrayed.

Some people who didn't like me that much before might like me better. To you I say I have not really changed. It was campaign mode and disagreeing with your candidate during an election isn't smart politics, and now that is over yes, I will question the man I wanted elected. I also want to add I was one collosal pain in the ass to paid staff when they were about to make a stupid decision.

I just want to say that despite some bullshit critism that is going around the last three days have represented the best of DU.

At the end of the day this is not about Rick Warren or Barack Obama it's about us. It's about our hopes and dreams for the future of this country. For our desire to move this country in a progressive agenda.

At the end of the day for me it comes down to my community Allentown. I choose to commute an hour each day to live here because I love the people, I love the diversity, and I love the mountains that surround our fair city. I want to make this place the best place it can possibly be and I want the people to live in it to have rewarding well struggled lives. At the end of the day it will always come down to Allentown where I was born in 30 days + 4 days ago. Don't know why but I care about this place and I want the best for it.

When I look across DU I see many of citizen who just wants the best for their own community and neighbors. We may disagree on how to get there or what priority is first however we can all agree we want what is best for the people in our own community. That represents the best in us. So anyone worried about us fighting on how to get there needs to Fuck off. Change doesn't come in some plastic bubble where no one disagrees. Change comes from people arguing and fighting to try to make things right where they live.

And at the end of the day that was what the Barack Obama Campaign was about. Organizing and bettering your own community. I may be mad at Barack right now because he is going about some silly triangulating strategy involving a man who should not be allowed in polite company but at the end of the day it doesn't matter. At the end of the day no matter what Barack does or doesn't do I'm organizing my community to make it better and at the end of the day I have Barack to credit for that and he can't take away that by honoring some bigot the inspiration to do that, that he gave me.

[IndianaJones]

1. you're all right Jake. nt.

[billyoc]

2. Warren and his ilk won't stop the progress of civilization, Jake.

You and I know that. :hi:

[AllentownJake]

6. No and even Barack Obama

can't stop the fire he himself lit in this country.

[avaistheone1]

3. You got it right.

At the end of the day it is not about Barack Obama. It is about us and what kind of a country we want this to be.

[AllentownJake]

4. One voice

One voice can change a room. And if a voice can change a room, it can change a city. And if it can change a city, it can change a state. And if it can change a state, it can change a nation. And if it can change a nation, it can change the world

[avaistheone1]

8. Nice. "Never doubt

that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Meade

I have found that to be really true in over 30 years of activism.

[grantcart]

5. Jake your salt of the earth

Don't be discouraged about Obama.


I am both disappointed in the Warren pick and very encouraged about Obama.


FDR, Kennedy, Lincoln all had very early fuck ups, and even though this is deeply bitter its not a major fuck up.


In the next 30 days we are going to see;

Franken as Senator

Great Speech by Obama outlining dramatic new directions for the government.

An immediate spate of policy reversals. Tonight I visited a friend with Parkinson's and we are all waiting for the earliest sign that the government is going to remove restrictions for stem cell research.


Great things are coming along with a few more fuck ups. The only way not to fuck up is to do nothing.


Continue to organize and lead this thing from the bottom up.

[AllentownJake]

9. I was very angry and discouraged as early as a few hours ago

and than I remembered Barack Obama may have given me the tools but I inspired people to make more calls, knock on more doors, and to fight harder this election.

Barack might have brought them in but I got them to stay.

I've fought too long and way to hard to let some stupid triangulation strategy fuck up what I want for my community.

[Clio the Leo]

7. ((((Jake))))) NT

[tabatha]

10. DU is a place to express, learn, and understand.

It is immediate, meaning sometimes thoughts are not well-formed or on the way to being formed, as I have discovered.

Obama always said he believes in governing from the bottom up.

Everyone's voices are important - and the louder (but cool) the better. Just as long as Obama hears them.

And the organizing and working is what will get it all done.

Great post.

[BeFree]

26. Yeah, it can be

but then and again....

[lutherj]

11. Thank you for your hard work getting Obama elected. Politics is always about

comprimise. If you waited to vote until the perfect candidate arrived who stood for everything you believe in, it's unlikely you would ever vote at all. The difference between Bush or McCain and Obama is vast, and will mean the difference between tens of thousands of lives lost, and the well-being of tens of millions of families and individuals in America and around the world. I don't like Obama's pick of Warren any more than anyone else, and I think the criticism in the progressive community and especially those in the GLBT community is well-founded. But let's remember where we've been and where we're going. Barack Obama is the best we could do under the circumstances, and he may well turn out to be our best hope. He has the intelligence and the flexibility and the moral grounding to be another FDR, in my opinion. He may piss us off occasionally, but I suspect he will end up pissing off Rick Warren's constituency a hell of lot more.

Again, thanks for your hard work in helping to elect the best presidential candidate in a generation. And here's to all our brothers and sisters in the GLBT community.

:toast:

[last1standing]

12. This cynical move has shaken my faith in Obama to the core.

But even as my trust in his has been shattered I still believe he will be better for the majority of this country than he seems to want to be for us in the GLBT community. You're doing the right thing, Jake, and I'm glad you're continuing.

As someone else posted, I won't spoil the party on inauguration day because people like you deserve the celebration. Just please remember those of us who were left out and how we helped make it happen.

[AllentownJake]

13. I want you to know

as my contact with gay leaders locally is limited to the people in the Obama campaign, I have emailed my story of almost being attakced when my ex-girfriend 12 years ago (had her hair in a way that from the back made her look like a guy) and I were kissing in the dark in public place to everyone I know.

I don't know what it is to be gay but for a brief scary time I knew the threats and I've told the local college gay leaders I know I will speak of it with corrobarion (as my ex and I are still very good friends) to any straight community I know.

I just got back from a meat raffle (which is a drinking thing) at the Legion so if you need a copy of the story I'll PM you it.

[last1standing]

15. I remember reading it a couple of days ago.

And yes, that is what its like. I never go to or leave a club without a friend I can trust because of the thugs you described. Imagine your five minutes lasting a lifetime and you've got it. Sure that adrenaline fades and the quick stabbing pain dulls into a muted ache, but its still there.

And that's the life Warren wants for us - a life of fear and self loathing. That is why it hurts so much when the president we helped elect turns to him to begin the next four years of his administration.

Thanks for your story and for your support. Enjoy the inauguration and remember us because I don't know how many others will.

[AllentownJake]

17. I PMed my story anyway

From history I hope you understand and this is not arrogance your community will do the majority of the heavy lifting but until you allow the straights to take some of the beatings for you, you will not get equal rights.

I don't know what it is like to be gay in America however, everyone knows some discrimination and not to the degree you do. Let us fight along side you and please trust some of us.

[last1standing]

19. I trust everyone until they prove themselves untrustworthy.

And I'm very happy to let you guys take some of the beating. :)

Seriously, as you can see from the post below, while we have many, many supporters in the straight community, there are those who only care about themselves and the GLBT community can go fuck itself if it gets in the way.

But thanks for your support and thanks for the PM. It means much more than the hatred of people like that.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Yes We Did]

14. K&R n/t

[UrbScotty]

18. I wholeheartedly agree.

Thank you for sharing this.

[boppers]

20. You were born 34 days ago?

Did I miss something?

[AllentownJake]

21. Meat raffle time at the Legion

I'd be lying if I'd say I didn't have a few shots before I wrote this.

My birthday was 12/17. I'm 30.

[boppers]

22. Ok, I gotcha now

30 years and 4 days ago. :)

Do I even want to know what a "meat raffle" is? Is it something Rick Warren would not approve of?

[AllentownJake]

23. Meat Raffle is exactly what it sounds like

Bunch of people get together at a club in this case a Veterans, and sons/daughters of Veterans club and raffle meat.

I won 1 1/2 a pound of haddock, clams Casino, 2 pounds of beef cubes, and a good rack of ribs and yes I am that redneck.

I campaigned at the gay pride event and no gay guy hit on me. I was actually slightly sad that I was not attractive till my gay friend (don't know if he was humoring me) said Jake you scream out straight more than any guy I've ever met.

[No Elephants]

32. Happy birthday and have a great year.

[IsItJustMe]

24. Since you love me I will have to recommend your post. That is the least I can do.

[AtomicKitten]

25. Calmer heads are appreciated around this place.

Cheers.

:fistbump:

[hardeeboy]

27. subject

good 4 u

[HCE SuiGeneris]

28. Idiot posts

not long 4 u

[tkmorris]

29. All 4 of his posts read that way

Anyone get the feeling he is building to an OP that'll be a real doozy? Oh yeah, watch for it.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

30. yeppers...

seen this M O before ;)

[karynnj]

31. This seems to be what he does when not suggesting that politicians

should be required to submit all the paperwork for security clearances to do the work the Constitution assigns them - oversight. Now, why is he asking that now - when we are getting control of the executive and legislative branches?