Almost the end of the quarter

Fundraising kicks into high gear at the end of the quarter, and June 30th is the next deadline. Support my candidates by giving generously before the 30th of June.

I received the following statement upon contributing to Sen. Deeds campaign today, which neatly encapsulates why Creigh Deeds should be the next Governor of Virginia:

"I’ve spent my career as a listener and a consensus builder—fighting for your values and delivering results. But despite all the wonderful things happening in Virginia right now, I believe there is still important work to be done. With the right investments in our colleges and universities, we can create a research-based economy that develops new sources of alternative energy. We need to get back on the road to building a modern transportation system in Virginia that allows our state and our economy to grow. And, it is imperative that we retool our community college system so that we can train our workforce for the jobs of the 21st century. These are just some of the challenges I hope to tackle as your next Governor and I welcome your input and advice on how we can continue to make Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family—the best place for all of us to call home." (emphasis mine).

Also, some of you may have received Tom Perriello's video today either via email or facebook (or both). I applaud Perriello's bold goals- $900,000 for this quarter? I genuinely believe he can win because he has the audacity to fight, fight, fight (that is my favorite line from an Ani DeFranco song Gravel). Its impressive to see someone follow through on their commitment to serve those who feel unrepresented here in the 5th.

Last, but not least, Obama is also seeking our support, and offering a t-shirt in return. From an email: "The financial reporting deadline for June is coming up this Monday at midnight. This will be the first test of our grassroots fundraising program since we declared our independence from the broken campaign financing system. We need to show that a campaign funded by ordinary people giving only what they can afford can go toe-to-toe with John McCain and the Republican National Committee. Make a donation of $30 or more by midnight on June 30th and receive a special edition Obama logo T-shirt: https://donate.barackobama.com/logotshirt"

More "Friends"

As a result of our initial Sorenson program last week, I now have at least 15 more friends on my facebook profile. I am so proud. Still I havent broken one hundred. I think it is ok since I am in my mid-30s.

So many things are interesting about the PLP (political leaders program)(which I still think of as PLI (political leadership institute)- I am now dating myself).
I know why people dont blog too much about their Sorenson experience, its Vegas, so what happens at Sorenson, stays in Sorenson. This helps with the comfort and trust level a lot. But I am allowed to blog about my own impressions and feelings on the happenings.

Yet, I am unwilling to describe it in public, it feels too personal to describe my own impressions/experiences. Weird. People ask and I say "it was great", alum tell me "it will get even better," and I cant imagine how that is possible.

Dont take all of this to mean I am entirely comfortable with everything, in fact the best part may be I am stretching my comfort zone in many ways (socially, politically and otherwise). I feel fortunate to be in the program- and the great, good, bad and discomfort that may follow.

A Facebook Christmas

This guy buys his wife/girlfriend/mistress a Christmas gift on overstock.com and then Facebook reports it to all his friends as news. Not good facebook. Facebook has since stopped that aspect of its newsfeed.

I enjoy Facebook (are you my friend yet?). I do have the sense it is evil. Whenever I add a new application there is a list of things that you 'ok' to let the application go onto your Facebook page, I find the most scary one "gather information and data about you" I think we should all uncheck that one and see what happens.

Also- even if this guy got a good deal, I doubt that his wife/GF/mistress wants everyone to know where he got that gift (the commercials are ridiculous- "the O" pleeze).

I am glad Facebook has taken it down, but I suspect after Christmas Facebook will try to do it again- I have an idea, lets all get multiple email addresses, one for facebook, one for shopping, then they wont be able to find us-right? I know- you can run, but you cant hide...