Bjorn Tipling

Time to ask for a refund?

Obama abstained from voting against cloture, not supporting a filibuster to strip telecom immunity from the FISA bill. Our last and best chance to stop infringement of our civil rights. The Politico gives a good account of how people like me are more than just disappointed. The feeling is best described as betrayal. I’m thinking of sending an email asking for a refund for the money I donated. No I am not wishing Clinton had won, she also abstained and I am thinking Obama and her are basically the same thing. Two people without the moral courage to do the right thing.

Update:

I sent this message using the Obama website’s contact form:

I have been a steadfast supporter of Barack Obama throughout the primary. I had a bumper sticker on my car with Obama’s name on it since the spring of 2007. I have donated hundreds of dollars and just recently I bought a couple of big signs to hang up. However, given the senators betrayal of our civil rights by not supporting the filibuster against telecom immunity I would like a refund of my donations. Is this possible?

I doubt I’ll get an answer. Given that Barack Obama is forgoing public financing, maybe if his base of small donors starts cutting off the purse strings, he’ll realize what’s really important.

Why don’t you ask for your money back too.

Update #2:
A commentator was helpful enough to provide the following email address to send this request to: ddozier@barackobama.com. Thank you Katherine! I am sending my email right now.

Isn’t there some kind of saying about how cynics are doomed to be right? I can not remember it at this moment. After this week I feel pretty stupid about my primary election naivety. Obama’s cave-in on FISA, and the double speak used to defend it grate on me so badly.

Given the grave threats that we face, our national security agencies must have the capability to gather intelligence and track down terrorists before they strike, while respecting the rule of law and the privacy and civil liberties of the American people. . . .
After months of negotiation, the House today passed a compromise that, while far from perfect, is a marked improvement over last year’s Protect America Act. . . It does, however, grant retroactive immunity, and I will work in the Senate to remove this provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses.
It is not all that I would want. But given the legitimate threats we face, providing effective intelligence collection tools with appropriate safeguards is too important to delay. So I support the compromise, but do so with a firm pledge that as President, I will carefully monitor the program, review the report by the Inspectors General, and work with the Congress to take any additional steps I deem necessary to protect the lives -– and the liberty –- of the American people.

And then the the campaign finance choice didn’t bother me, but the spin on it, oh what insincere tripe. The 527’s are troublesome, but to take the high road on it when it is such an obvious political choice. Well I don’t plan on sending any money any more. I think I will probably never send money to a presidential candidate again. I feel like such an idiot. I think I am just done with politics. I think I will once and for all join the ranks of people who do not assume good faith in politicians, no matter what they say or how they say it. These people would sell our children if it kept them in power.

This is an about face for me, but I think the way forward, politically, is more power to states. Let’s carve up our country in conservative and liberal pieces, and we all move to the place that represents our views and then we live our lives in peace. I plan on getting more involved in local politics, and caring less about the national kind.

It’s funny:

Update:

Here’s another great video (thanks Geoff):

Senator Clinton’s speech today, where she ended her bid and pledged to support Barack Obama, was poignant. I have been critical of her campaign, and even of her, but today during her speech the full weight of her candidacy really hit me.

A part of me is happy now, that she stuck it out until the end, and a part of me is sad to see her lose. I am still 100% for Obama, and he is making history also. However many of my objections about Hillary Clinton, such as me being adverse to a Clinton Dynasty, her air of the inevitable with which she ran her campaign, and other grievances seem like shallow annoyances when compared with the significance of her, a woman, running for the highest office in the country.

Prior to today I never felt Hillary Clinton wore that position well, that another woman was out there more deserving and appropriate than her. But after watching her entire speech, I have changed my mind. If she had carried herself through out the campaign as she was today when she made that comment about the 18 million cracks in that highest of glass ceilings, I might never have been so annoyed with her. I still think she ran a terrible campaign and had a problem with honesty. However, I believe that Senator Clinton is a great woman, who has done a lot for other women in this country, and that the devotion many have shown her has been well placed.

I have to thank Hillary Clinton for what she has done for my daughter. Julia’s life will be better because of Hillary Clinton. if she were to be on the ticket with Obama I would welcome that, if she were to run for president again I may support her next time.

Thank you Hillary Clinton.