A History Quiz for our Political Wonks.

A little history lesson. If you don't know the answer make your best guess. Answer all the questions before looking at the answers. Who said it? 1) "We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." A. Karl Marx B. Adolph Hitler C. Joseph Stalin D. None of the above 2) "It's time for a new beginning, for an end to government of the few, by the few, and for the few...... And to replace it with shared responsibility for shared prosperity." A. Lenin B. Mussolini C. Idi Amin D. None of the Above 3) "(We) ...can't just let business as usual go on, and that means something has to be taken away from some people." A. Nikita Khrushev B. Josef Goebbels C. Boris Yeltsin D. None of the above 4) "We have to build a political consensus and that requires people to give up a little bit of their own ... in order to create this common ground." A. Mao Tse Dung B. Hugo Chavez C. Kim Jong Il D. None of the above 5) "I certainly think the free-market has failed." A. Karl Marx B. Lenin C. Molotov D. None of the above 6) "I think it's time to send a clear message to what has become the most profitable sector in (the) entire economy that they are being watched." A. Pinochet B. Milosevic C. Saddam Hussein D. None of the above Scroll down for answers Answers(1) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 6/29/2004(2) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 5/29/2007(3) D. None of th e above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 6/4/2007(4) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 6/4/2007 (5) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 6/4/2007(6) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 9/2/2005Be afraid, Be very afraid!

Dana Walsh speaks to Marin Club Wed., Oct. 24

At today's Marin Club luncheon at 4 Points Sheraton, San Rafael, guest speaker Dana Walsh (R), SF, presented her platform. She is running against Nancy Pelosi (D) for Congress, CD 8.

In a city where Republicans are outnumbered (40,000 Republicans; 200,000 Democrats), Dana is certainly Danoodle's Woman of the Year. Kudos to her for taking time out of her life to get out the Republican message! She is starting early, and is energetically elucidating her platform of Low Taxes, Winning the War on Terrorism, Less Government, and Stopping Illegal Immigration.


Did you know:

-Nancy Pelosi has never held a job other than bureaucrat?

-San Francisco has been so gerrymandered CD 8 that a large swath of Republicans are excluded from voting in that Congressional District? See map at http://www.sen.ca.gov/ftp/sen/cngplan/PDF_CD_ATLAS/CD08_NEW_SF.PDF

-SF is the fifth largest media market in the U.S.?

-Not only is Dana running against Nancy Pelosi, Democrat, but also Cindy Sheehan, Independent?

-Dana has run her own business in SF for 25 years?

-So far, Dana is unopposed for the Republican nomination in SF?

-The Statewide Direct Primary Election is held June 3, 2008?
-The Presidential General Election is held November 4, 2008?

Pls help Dana get out her (and our) Republican message by contributing today to her campaign. Send your check to:

DANA WALSH
Candidate for House of Representatives. CD 8, San Francisco
1592 Union street, #52
San Francisco, Ca. 94123
(FEC #C00436154)

Dana can be reached at:
Tel: 415 -749-1942.
Email: dana@danawalshforcongress.com
http://www.danawalshforcongress.com/

Also, Dana will be accepting contributions via her website beginning next week.

Dana has an experienced Campaign Manager, Mike DeNunzio, SF, who ran against Lynn Woolsey last year. His blog is at http://www.speakingclearly.org/.

I've posted Dana's Press Releases on www.danoodle.com.

Go, Dana!

Marin Club Officers for 2008

The Marin Club (MRWF) announced in their October Newsletter their slate of officers for 2008: President - Faye Bourret 1st VP/Programs -Judith Walker 2nd VP/Membership - Cindy Eisenhower 3rd VP/Events - Kitty Forde Treasurer - Anne Brenneis Secretary - Pat Derenzo They will be voted on at their November meeting.

The Economy's The Thing, Stupid

This week’s Economist has a good article about the Republicans' waning support among the wealthy. The Rich Republican stereotype, which hasn’t always been accurate anyway, is apparently no more:

“A YouGov/Polimetrix poll for The Economist finds that only 44% of those earning more than $150,000 plan to vote Republican."

For people living in wealthy and very Democrat San Francisco, this won’t be particularly surprising. And the Republican’s poor fiscal management in the past 8 years is enough to turn any businessperson off. But it’s hard to imagine them turning to the Democrats if money is their top priority – for 2008, Democrats are banking on a protectionist, anti-globalization ideology. Obama has promised to fight the trade-pact with South Korea (in defense of the American worker), and Hillary wants to review all free-trade agreements every five years. There has been a revival of animosity toward globalization recently. One of their top pundits (and #11 on the list of world’s top public intellectuals (which I would argue is slightly contradictory – what does “popular” have to do with “intellectual”, and aren't they inherently antithetical?)), Naomi Klein, has a new book about the devious nature of global capitalism. Sure to be a rallying cry for G8 and World Bank protestor types, this polemic is a follow-up to her seminal text No Logo, and seems to exist not to convince, but to preach to the converted. The Shock Doctrine is basically the book equivalent of a Michael Moore film – stretching facts to suit pseudo-conspiracies (this time in the form of Milton Friedman’s students). The FT has a good review. There is not enough space here to explain why globalization is good, but I would refer you to a Forbes article on the subject. Globalization has improved the quality of life of many people across the world, and not just because you can get a Frappachino in the Forbidden City (actually, apparently you can’t anymore. But you could this summer.) But the anti-globalization rhetoric we are starting to see on the campaign trail is one of the worst forms of populism to infiltrate US politics in some time. Never mind that we are currently in our 50th consecutive month of job growth, and that since August 2003 the US has created 8.1 million new jobs. Obama and Hillary talk about the evils of outsourcing and free trade. And what are the Republicans doing about it? While our candidates couldn’t be bothered to attend CA’s Republican convention in Palm Springs last month (we’re only the world’s 7th largest economy…), they all found time to pay homage to the Family-Values crowd at this weekend’s Value Voter Summit. Why Giuliani bothered to show up at all is a surprise. In a straw poll, he only got 107 votes out of 5,776. As the only pro-choice candidate on the roster, this was not his audience, and perhaps he missed an opportunity to snub the minority that for too long has hijacked the Republican agenda away from its tried-and-true business roots. The Economist cogently writes:

“The shrill voices of religious conservatives have driven away many pragmatic Republicans who feel that banning abortion and gay marriage are not the most pressing issues confronting America… Rather than building a pragmatic centre-right alternative to Hillary Clinton, the conservative movement is stuck with God, gays and guns… As long as the business of the Republican Party seems not to be business, it can hardly complain if businesspeople look elsewhere.”

MRP Chairwoman's Edict. My Reply.

Email from MRP Chairman Morgan Kelley Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 2:51 PM Subject: Blog Barbara, A while ago you asked me for a list of people who had volunteered by way of the Web Site and I went laboriously through all my records and gave you that list for the purpose of contacting Republicans for the Round Table. We have had complaints that you are sending them your blog and they did not give out their email address for that purpose. I would kindly ask you to cease using the list that I gave you and destroy any copies that you might have. The other complaint is that there is no obvious way to opt out of your blog, which I understand is required by law. You did ask us to quit using your logo (although I was not aware that it had been copywritten ) which we did. I would very much appreciate your cooperation in this matter so that I can assure those people that they will not be getting your blog anymore unless they personally request it. Sincerely Morgan Kelley Chairman Marin Republican Party My Reply sent 10/18/07:

Morgan, You only sent me 5 Volunteer names in the past, none of whom are on my E-List.

In case you have forgotten, I have organized people in Marin since 1996, starting with my United Conservatives group, on through the Russ Weiner campaign, and later, so I have quite an extensive E-List of my own.

You obviously don't know that much about blogs. There is an RSS feed that people can subscribe to if they wish. They can also unsubscribe if they wish. I do not automatically subscribe anyone to the feed. Each person must do that on their own.

I send out a reminder to my E-List when Danoodle or the Danoodle blog is updated appreciably. Anyone on my E-List who doesn't wish to get that email can email me directly at howeybarb@danoodle.com to be removed. So far, I've gotten 2 requests to be removed from my e-list. If you encounter complainers, refer them to me, and I will happily remove them.

As far as the logo is concerned, my daughter made the Bridge Logo for me as a gift. As MRP Webmaster, I used it on the MRP site. Since I am no longer webmaster, there is no need for the MRP to use that particular Logo. And yes, it is copyrighted, and no, you and the MRP do not have my permission to use it. I appreciate your taking it down in a timely manner.

Barbara Howey

MRP Central Committee Member, District 1

Novato Club Officers, 2008

The Novato Club (NRWF) announced their slate of officers for 2008 at their luncheon this past Tuesday: Mary Raub, President (2nd term) Rosemary Garvey, 1st VP, (2nd term) (with assistance from Sue Campbell) Nina Tychin and Donna Mani, 2nd VP's Charlotte Urban, Treasurer (Woman of the Year for 2007) Marty Wickenhauser, Secretary Elise Vitale, Membership

California Dream ... up in smoke.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California has a reputation as a land of opportunity but residents face such steep costs that even a modest lifestyle is far out of reach for many, a report released on Wednesday said. "For many Californians, just making ends meet is a struggle," the California Budget Project, a liberal advocacy center, said in its report. "Many families live paycheck to paycheck, juggling rent or a mortgage payment with child care, food, and emergencies such as unexpected car repairs." Because of the Golden State's extraordinarily high living costs, even middle-class families must pinch pennies and cut corners to get by, according to the report. Raising a family and maintaining a modest living standard requires incomes much higher than the state's $7.50 an hour minimum wage provides -- and in many cases much more than even a median wage, the report said. In addition to some of the highest home prices in the nation, Californians face high costs from property and income taxes, insurance, home repairs, child care, transportation, food and health care -- each contributing to making the state one of priciest places to live in the United States. The center's report said its gauge for household budgeting included basic expenses and provided for more than a bare-bones existence but allowed little to no money left over for college savings, vacations or emergencies. The center estimated that to support a modest living standard in California, a single adult must earn $28,336 per year and a single-parent family must have an annual income of $59,732. A family with two working parents would need to earn $72,343 annually. Famed cities in the state such as San Francisco and Los Angeles are especially expensive. A minimum wage worker in California earns $15,600 annually.

Congrats to Minutemen at GG Bridge

From Joe Reich, Interim President of the North Bay Minutemen: "We didn't do too badly. We had an escort of 5 HP Officers. So people in the cars were looking at the Officers and, of course, couldn't help but see us with our decorative signs. 55 people participated in the march. We had a great get together at Rodeo Beach afterwards. It was our first real action as North Bay Minutemen since we first started meeting in July." See 10/13/07 photos at www.northbayminutemen.com.

Steroids & Genetically Modified Foods

Hmmm...perhaps we should look at steroid use among our atheletes as stoking their bodies in order to compete at a higher level...improving the body's mechanism...sort of like genetically modified foods. Through science, we are improving foods to resist pests and other maladies to which unmodified foods succumb. Therefore, the GM foods become superior. Do the atheletes bodies become like GM foods - superior - through science??

A Road Trip

by Mary Anne Gilles, Novato Club (NRWF)

At 6am, Thursday, September 27th, I got in my silver fox and headed to Palm Springs to attend the National Convention for the GOP Women. I arrived at the Wyndham Hotel at 4pm to find the registration had been re-scheduled for Friday at 11am. So, off I went to the California Suite to drop off the case of wine I was donating, but was unable to do that. I finally got to my condo in Palm Springs, and off to the famous Thursday Night Market on Palm Canyon Drive.

Friday morning, my goal was to register and check out the vendors, and find out what was on the agenda and who the speakers would be. It turned out that the speakers were not very good at best. I strongly felt that the overall management of the Convention was rather lame, so I did not attend the workshops; I scoped out the convention center, and went to lunch.

After a nice few hours by the pool in the lovely Palm Springs sunshine, I got dressed in my silver and black and went to the Gala. The Gala was probably the best event of the entire convention - Follow the Stars to Palm Springs, a fashion show was presented by David Hayes, a wonderful review of Hollywood Revisted was given with a tribute to Costume Design from old Hollywood. Rhonda Fleming gave a brief address, and I did meet her after the show, a lovely GOP Lady.

I spent all day on Saturday at the general session, sitting in the alternate voting section for our State, heard Rudy Giuliani give a thirty minute speech, heard a wonderful speaker, Connie Podesta, regarding women power. The vote to raise the national dues passed for $3.00 per member. The new slate of officers was voted on and several officers found a vote was needed for the decision of who would serve. The lunch speaker was Mary Bono, the local Congresswoman, who supports Rudy Giuliani.

I worked as a volunteer for a workshop on Saturday afternoon, and spent the evening at the Ohio and California Suites. I did find someone to give my case of wine to, and they were so thankful that I truly felt good about giving the California wine to the California Suite. I had a nice visit with fellow Californians including a fellow retired military spouse, the Chair for the Convention, Diane McGlinchey.

The Sunday general session was called to order by President Beverly Davis, Utah. By the end of the day, the new President, Shirley Sadler, Ohio, closed the meeting. The speaker at the closing luncheon was Gregg Jackson, who spoke about conservative comebacks to liberal lies. The food at this lunch was very good; the food at the gala was not good at all.

Sunday afternoon found me at the Palm Springs Museum where I did my field work for my Master's in Cultural Anthropology. I love that museum for all the wonderful Native American artifacts.

Sunday evening was spent with Novato members at an outdoor restaurant.

Monday morning was a quick tour of the Stars Homes of the Valley, and then on to Solvang for an overnight stop to get my fix of Danish food and check out the shops. Got home around 7pm after a very long, tiring drive. Why don't I fly? Next Time! Speaking of next time, I loved the Nashville Convention in 2005, not too pleased with this one in 2007, therefore time will tell if I will "fly" to the 2009 Convention in Orlando, FL.

I do plan to go back to Palm Springs this winter and just enjoy!