Author Archives: bfialindathieman

Connie Wilson: Michael Moore’s 2004 Slacker Tour Visits Ames

Posted on October 20, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Michael Moore’s 2004 Slacker Tour Visits Ames

By Connie Wilson

Sunday, October 17, 2004

Michael Moore had some difficulty getting to Iowa State University in Ames on Sunday, October 17, to continue his Slacker Tour 2004. His plane was delayed in Wisconsin; then, the airport in Ames wouldn’t let the plane land (he had to drive in from Des Moines). Once inside Hilton Coliseum, Moore hit the ground running and kicked b-tt…two things that are hard to do simultaneously.


Michael Moore in Ames


Some of the gathered faithful (estimates range from 7,000 to 12,000, depending on your source) left, due to the 90 minute wait. Those of us who had arrived late, anyway, were gratified to arrive in time for the entire event. Doors were to have opened at 4:30 p.m.; the speech was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The speech didn’t get underway until closer to 9:00 p.m.
The faithful stayed and were not disappointed. All floor seats were filled and the entire lower bowl was full. Because of a large video screen, no seating behind the screen (and Moore, onstage) was possible. Upper bowl seats were empty, but, with a capacity of 14,178, I would estimate that 12,000 were present. Republicans said 5,000. (You decide whom you want to trust on these numbers: a Democratic County Treasurer’s daughter…me… or the President of the Young Republicans.)
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Posted in Connie Wilson - Misc., Main Page | 1 Comment

Democrats Win Partial Victory as Sinclair Retreats on Airing Anti-Kerry Film

Posted on October 20, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Democrats Win Partial Victory as Sinclair Retreats on Airing Anti-Kerry Film Seattle Times Under mounting political, legal and financial pressure, Sinclair Broadcast Group yesterday backed away from its plan to carry a film attacking Sen. John Kerry's Vietnam record, saying … Continue reading →

Posted in GOP, Main Page, Media Bias, National News | 1 Comment

Connie Wilson: Al Franken Keynote Speaker at JJ Dinner

Posted on October 19, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Al Franken Keynote Speaker at JJ Dinner

by Connie Wilson

Saturday, October 16, 2004

The annual Jefferson/Jackson Democratic dinner at Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa, was held on Saturday, October 16th, with a large crowd of enthusiastic Democrats in attendance.

Prior to Al Franken’s keynote speech, the Maple Street Missionary Baptist Church Choir and numerous Democratic candidates performed and a number of Democrats for various offices spoke, including a long speech by Governor Tom Vilsack and a longer one by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin (previous Howard Dean supporter).

The Lt. Governor of Iowa, Sally Pederson, noted, in her opening remarks, that in Dubuque, during the filming of “Field of Dreams”, there were more people hired to film that movie than “W” has created jobs for during his four years as pResident.

Leonard Boswell, Iowa’s lone Democratic Congressman (from District 3), made his entrance on a motorcycle. Gerald McEntee of the AFSCME International Union bellowed mightily as “host” of the event, but the acoustics were so bad that it was difficult to understand him.

Sharon Stone no-showed, but Vanessa Kerry (Future First Daughter) was smart, poised and savvy in black stiletto pumps. Her intelligent remarks and articulate presence (no bellowing) made her a crowd favorite, as we all waited for the star of the evening, Al Franken, to take the stage.

What follows are some of Franken’s best lines.

First, Al noted, “If Iowa goes for Kerry, you’re all gonna be nuked,” citing Vice pResident Dick Cheney’s recent speech in Des Moines as the source for this outrageous remark. He also noted that Bush would have us all become hunter/gatherers and that he (Franken) would be “fighting over a root….to the death” with the man in the front row. (Much laughter at this.)

Franken comments on the debate: “Language has never been his (“W’s”) strong suit.” (Much laughter). “The Republicans like to use ‘evil-doers’ a lot. Cheney works evil-doers in because everybody on the Republican side has to.” (This is followed by a parody of Cheney’s head and neck posturing, while saying, “Evil doers.”) Al is good. Read his last book.
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Advertisers, Stockholders Leaving Sinclair

Posted on October 19, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Advertisers, Stockholders Leaving Sinclair by Bill Carter, New York Times As “Media” Company Stubbornly Continues Political Crusade, Advertisers and Stockholders Leave; Media Watchdogs Mobilize Sinclair – the nation's largest owner of television stations, many of them in electoral swing states … Continue reading →

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DNC Chair McAuliffe in Mason City Tuesday; Bush Protest in Mason City Wednesday

Posted on October 19, 2004 by bfialindathieman

DNC Chair McAuliffe in Mason City Tuesday; Anti-Bush Protest in Mason City Wednesday DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe is making a last-minute trip to Mason City today, Tuesday, October 19.  He'll be at the Country Kitchen in Mason City at 2pm. … Continue reading →

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Pundits Brace for Strange Twists in Election

Posted on October 18, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Pundits Brace for Strange Twists in Election by Caren Bohan, Reuters, MaconDaily.com WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Strange twists may lie ahead in an already suspenseful presidential race: a disputed ballot count, an inconclusive vote ultimately resolved by lawmakers or even a … Continue reading →

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Tradition, Culture Mix to Make Iowa Battleground Zero

Posted on October 18, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Tradition, Culture Mix to Make Iowa Battleground Zero by Mike Glover, AP, QCTimes.com DES MOINES — Iowa’s vibrant political culture and economic change are among the forces that have helped divide Iowans and made the state a battleground, according to … Continue reading →

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Connie Wilson: Jefferson/Jackson Democratic Dinner in Des Moines

Posted on October 18, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Jefferson/Jackson Democratic Dinner in Des Moines

By Connie Wilson

Keynote Speaker – Al Franken

AND YOU ARE THERE!

Or

”A Mush Mute, a Big Hat and a Plum”

Just a few comments about the October 16th Jefferson/Jackson annual Democratic dinner at Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines.

1)    The acoustics at Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium suck.

2)    Because the acoustics suck, the large TV screens have captioning. The captioning must be done by a machine. This can lead to much merriment. Especially if you have made it your goal, after at least three hours of waiting, to obtain and consume a minimum of three glasses of white zinfandel prior to Al Franken’s appearance.


Connie and Al Franken, the camara lens no
doubt covered in white wine (see below).


3)    “Ed is the Governor of Pencil.” I think the machine MEANT to say that Ed is or was the Governor of Pennsylvania.

4)    The word “Dear” is listed as “Deer.”

5)    The machine cannot make up its mind whether the choir of Gospel Singers is from the Maple or Elm Street Missionary Baptist Church Choir. At this point, the machine is introducing various tree types. Things are very confused.
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The November Third Movement

Posted on October 17, 2004 by bfialindathieman

The November Third Movement by Margaret Kimberley, CommonDreams.org November 2 is Election Day.  Progressives must begin a new movement on November 3rd even if a Kerry victory becomes a reality. The Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Leadership Conference will … Continue reading →

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DFA Grassroots Book Now Available

Posted on October 17, 2004 by bfialindathieman

DFA Grassroots Book Now Available My name is Scott Goldstein.  I am 19 years old, and was a very active member of the Dean campaign.  I volunteered for the campaign in over 5 states, interned, and worked for Generation Dean … Continue reading →

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