I will likely do some of the baking myself, which in and of itself is no reason not to come to our house for tea and cookies (and some wine) on July 11th at 3 pm to meet the incomparable Anthony Woods.
Anthony's been all over the media lately, He gave this interview in the Washington Post, which I think nicely sums up his at once progressive and measured personality and positions. He spoke beautifully at the Pride parade, and even Daily Kos has taken up the charge.
The fundraising quarter ends today, and it's critically important that Tony have a good showing. If you needed a reason to donate to him beyond his intelligence, his service in Iraq, his bronze star, his degrees from West Point and Harvard's Kennedy School, his background growing up the child of a single mother,and the fact that he's African American and gay, here's a little tidbit about the political funding game that you might not know. In the lovely state of California, our politicians periodically get termed out of their jobs and have to either get real ones or go searching for another position to run for. Termed out politicians do not start from scratch when they run for new positions. They are allowed to haul with them the war chests they've accumulated in their previous roles. Now is not the time for me to rant and rave about the ludicrousness of a system that allows, for example, Toxic Waste Dumpers R Us to line the coffers of the very representatives who will make the laws that directly effect their business (how we've come to view this as corporate 'speech' and not simply bribery is beyond me, and I'm willing to bet it would have made the founding fathers spin in their graves). However, this crap-ass system is the one we've got, and because of this, Tony's opponents are entering the race with so much more money than he has that it could make you cry. It should make you cry.
But dry your tears. Donate, instead. If each of us donates 10 bucks (TEN BUCKS. That's all.) we'll give Tony a necessary shot in the arm and we'll send some tremors of anxiety through his opponents. If some of us donate $100? Well then everything changes. That's a lot of money. Game changing money. And if some of us donate $1000? Let me know, and I'll be so thrilled by your generosity I'm sure to inundate you with copies of my husband's books (since I'm sure you already own all of mine).
Pony up, people. You'll change the world. Click on this link.
Well, I went to his web site after I heard you on KQED, and looked around for his positions on issues. I couldn't find any. I emailed him from his web site, but have not heard back. I'm sorry to say that I cannot donate to someone whose web site is all flash and no substance. I should not have to follow his links to other web sites to find out where he stands on issues.
I look forward to supporting him if/when he posts his stand on issues (assuming I agree with them).
Comment created on July 1, 2009 at 9:36 AM
Ayelet,
Thank you for opening your home to all of us wishing Tony the best in his drive to make a difference. It'll take a month to eat all the cookies that you sent home with me, and another three months at the gym to work them off.
It was a pleasure to meet you, your husband, and the many people who care about electing positive, responsible, and selfless leaders. A lot has been made about Tony and the decisions that led to his declaring his candidacy but I wanted to point out that service to country is a tenet of the training that we received at the United States Military Academy, West Point.
"To educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country; professional growth throughout a career as an officer in the United States Army; and a lifetime of selfless service to the nation."
I believe that Tony epitomized the ideal during his service as an officer and will continue to provide valuable thought and conduct leadership for our nation as a member of the United States Congress.
Tony Woods for Congress!
Respectfully,
Steven Cody Reynolds
USMA '03
Comment created on July 11, 2009 at 10:32 PM