Democrats have “the kwan”
Some dudes might have the ‘coin,’ but they will never have the ‘kwan.’ It means love, respect, community, and the dollars too. The entire package. The kwan. —Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) in “Jerry Maguire”
While surveying the scene at the Greece Memorial Day parade yesterday the film “Jerry Maguire” kept coming to mind. Maybe it was because I feel Democrats represent and advocate for love, respect and community in not only their policies but also in their approach to campaigning. We believe in respect for all people, the true and complete meaning of freedom and a sincere appreciation for policies that promote community well-being, such as universal health care, economic policy that keeps jobs intact and values the workers’ bottomlines instead of a myopic focus on corporate welfare, and education policies that are inclusive of all children. Democrats believe that the decision to enter into war should never be taken lightly nor should it be undertaken without first considering and exhausting all other possible alternatives. We realize that war risks the lives of cherished family members. Democrats focus on people. Democrats have “the kwan.”
Case in point: yesterday, volunteers for Jon Powers arrived in Greece about 15 minutes prior to the parade only to be told by the Republican leadership in Greece that volunteers for Powers (candidate for Congress in NY-26) could not wear “Powers for Congress” t-shirts. As this was announced to us I noticed a volunteer for Christopher Lee wearing a “Lee for Congress” t-shirt. We were then told that if we removed our shirts we could march alongside the candidate. Since we didn’t desire to go topless in the parade we chose to walk along the sidewalks instead. This was approved by a member of the Republican leadership five minutes before the start of the parade.
Volunteers walked among the residents, briefly talking to voters and offering literature, then moving on respectfully. We were welcomed warmly by the majority of residents.
After the parade our group encountered Greece Town Supervisor Auberger in the parking lot. We happily greeted him and then he stopped and said forcefully “There are reports that your group handed out flyers. That sort of thing will not be tolerated.” That sort of thing will not be tolerated? What thing? Free speech will not be tolerated? Free citizens talking to other free citizens on the sidewalk will not be tolerated?
Democrats respect the ideals that this country was founded on. Voters are sensing this, as evidenced by increased Democratic registrations, and they are following their registrations with donations. It’s the entire package.
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This another reason john must go. His concern for free speech applies only to his friends. You need to check with a lawyer to see if this was kosher.The republican don;t get to decide what is right and wrong based on political affiliation. I suspect not, nd you should take action. Basically Auberger is authoritarian.
Sadly, this kind of thing is all too common from the Repug-nicans. It is more obvious in Greece than elsewhere because they have such a total lock on things there. They don’t need to bother with any pretense about tolerating others with different beliefs. Boy, are they ever in for a surprise in November! Jon Powers is going to clean their clock, and I bet the other Dem candidates will do great too! Stay tuned, and keep an eye on Greece, it’s where all the inetresting action will be this year.
This sounds very much like Dubya’s goon squad arresting the couple that had TICKETS for an event to listen to Dubya, but they were brash enough to wear anti-Bush shirts (that protested the war) and they were ARRESTED for TRESPASSING! They had tickets — how could they have been trespassing? But they were told they weren’t allowed to wear anti-Bush clothing.
That pesky constitution just screws everything up, doesn’t it?
/sarcasm
I noticed that at the Memorial Ceremony only republicans were allowed to read the names of fallen Greece soldiers. Boy, was I surprised and insulted that County Legislator Dick Bebe,( a veteran,) was made to stand in the back of the group and passed over and even people that had some minor offices and probably no veteran backrounds were given the honor because they were republican insiders. Let’s not dignify or condone schoolyard ” mean girl” insider clique behavior when we should have been respecting those who have sacrificed their lives and their health for our freedom. I’m sure that freedom is not only for republicans.
Excellent point.
I just think it was such a beautiful thing to see us all working together in love, peace and harmony.
I’m sure that the supervisor was basing his comments on something those volunteers did. The leaders of greece are peaceful, loving, god fearing citizens who only want to protect us from our sins.
I really think that this is being blown out of proportion. Please pray for those who don’t conform.
Bless you all.
Mostly these events have become opportunities for crass political posturing. If this one shows up on cable as it has usually been taped by public access watch how many pols get their face time, or how many bottoms Auberger gets to pat. This kind of puts the lie to the idea these events are non partisan
Greece Town Supervisor Auberger is career politician who cares nothing about veterans. I witnessed the Lee campaign with their t-shirts and cars and $$ parading down the street. I preferred the Powers campaign and think Auberger screwed himself, because the Powers campaign again proved they were “For the people, by the people, and of the people” !!!
It is ironic to me that on the day where we celebrate heroes who have protected our rights and freedoms, people choose to suppress those rights.
A parade is a perfect political opportunity. I don’t care what day it is. Memorial Day, July 4 or any other parade that might take place during these warm weather months.
What I see is the conservative bloggers in Monroe County and the Republicans are trying to make it seem that Jon Powers was the only candidate guilty of this. But what about Chris Lee?
I guess the blinders are already on (or have been on) for the Republicans in Monroe County. And I hope that they realize that hours prior to marching in Greece, Jon Powers marched in his hometown of Clarence.
With his American Legion Post…
There you go again. Thats the difference. In Greece, he was marching with US, not the legion, and should have complied with a simple request.
They didnt have to take off their shirts. All they had to do is either wear respectable clothing, or turn their shirts inside out and walk peacefully.
Actually, the supporters did as the town official requested. The rules were changing minute by minute as the parade was about to begin, and the final dictate was “nobody marches except candidates” and supporters were free to walk the sidelines. In small defense of Supervisor Auberger, he may not’ve been aware of the on-the-spot rule making made by his Asst Supervisor at the other end of the parade.
Well I respectfully remind you that this is Joe Robachs home town, and we take things very seriously. There was no sense of Christian spirit involved in these actions, and that is wrong.
The ceremony that followed was religious, not political. Do you see the difference?
It’s true, the rules were changing every minute. Also, how are females supposed to turn their shirts inside out in public (one minute before parade time) without exposing themselves? Many of them only had on the one t-shirt. That’s the problem: they couldn’t change and the rules were not told to us in time to go somewhere to change.
Better ask the Republicans if they see the difference.
Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.
Psalm 27:3
I don’t recall seeing ONE of you at the opening celebration and prayer at St. Padre Pio Chapel in Gates. Joe WAS there. What does that say for you?
Just a hypothetical question, but what would happen if you found out that Joe didn’t always act in the manner of a good Christian? Would you still support him?
here is something I found on the aclu web site
08.26.03
ACLU To Sue Parma Heights Over First Amendment Violations
Mayor Silenced Opponents with Threats of Arrest at Memorial Day Parade
The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio Foundation will file suit in federal court in Cleveland on Tuesday, 26 August 2003, against the City of Parma Heights, Mayor Martin Zanotti, Safety Director Richard Ron and Police Captain C.J. Darnell.
The suit, brought on behalf of three citizens, is based on violations by the city of the right to free expression during the annual Memorial Day Parade, conducted by city officials.
Two citizens were threatened with arrest when they attempted to distribute leaflets critical of Mayor Zanotti and his plan to close a city recreation center. Throughout the parade, other groups were permitted to distribute flyers, some for commercial purposes.
Another citizen and a city council candidate was told he could not participate in the parade unless he removed a sign from his car supporting his council candidacy, and he and his young daughter removed shirts bearing his name. Mayor Zanotti and incumbent politicians were allowed to participate in the parade with apparel and car signs bearing their names.
Prohibiting the distribution of political literature on public sidewalks, and favoring the message of some politicians over others, are textbook violations of the First Amendment. “They could not have more clearly violated the right to free expression if they had tried,” said Andrea Whitaker, a Cleveland lawyer handling the case for the ACLU Of Ohio as a volunteer. “The favoritism, and the attempt to squelch a political message go right to the heart of what the First Amendment protects.”
This is the second time in three years the ACLU has sued the City of Parma Heights. In October 2000, lawyers for the ACLU sued on behalf of a shift of firefighters who were forced to attend church services in uniform and on city time. That case ultimately settled with a recognition by the city of wrongdoing, and the payment of damages to the firefighters.
It clearly shows that the town violate s free speech rights.
PS I think Joe freaks is playing a goof on you.
Municipals ceremonies are by definition public events and not religious,
The first couple comments by Joe Freaks made me laugh out loud and I figured that it was a good joke. Wasn’t so sure by the end, but if it is a joke - it’s well done!
Turn their shirts inside out? “Wear respectable clothing?” This is America for God’s sake. This isn’t Burma. This isn’t China, Cuba or North Korea. This isn’t a rogue nation in the Middle East. This is the United States of America. Unless those shirts had something derogatory or vulgar on them they had every right to wear them. The First Amendment provides for it.
Don’t like it? Move to Burma. I’ll pay for the plane ticket. Then maybe you’ll appreciate the freedoms you are clearly helping to suppress.
JesusFreak, are you for real or are you being sarcastic and POSING as a Christian? It’s hard to tell because your comments are so ludacris.
Joe Robach is no Jesus freak. He has a tainted not so distant history. Make no mistake. Joe Robach does what he thinks he has to do to get re-elected. Always look at his words through that lens. He has no issue attending functions with polar opposite views. For all the Christian morality functions he’s been to, I would bet he’s been to as many “immoral” liberal events.
You know what’s funny?
Robach was once a Democrat.
Based on what I see here, I wonder what you would think of Robach if he was still a Democrat.
God does not discriminate. His love is equal. And yes, God loves Democrats too…
Your statements are warrantless. Let he who is WITHOUT sin cast the first stone (John 8:7)
Your defense of the services that promote immoral behavior stand amongst you for you are part of them. This is what separates Joe Robach from the rest of the crowd. He DOES represent true Christian values and beliefs, and yet he is also a man, capable of making mistakes and asking for forgiveness. Have you sought to ask for forgiveness yourselves? Of course not! Because in your minds you do not make mistakes, you do not sin. This is a grave mistake on your parts. Only through acceptance and redemption can you truly find peace.
There is no “posing” as a Christian. It is your life. You can “pose” among those who are not true Christians, to bring hope to their lives, and to hopefully get them to accept and confess their sins. There is no greater love than doing the work of our Lord.
I make mistakes! Being a liberal isn’t one of them though
Jesus was a liberal afterall.
Jesus was not a politician. The people who crucified him were.
Jesus was beyond our modern definition of liberal and conservative. I know very devoted Christians who firmly sit on both sides of the political fence. Personally, I think that ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative’ have taken on the nature of proper nouns (like Bill and George) and lost any real descriptive value they ever possessed.
ok, this is a good post…I agree with you here and I’m glad that you recognize that Christianity has nothing to do with politics. It makes me wonder why you imposed it in all of the political posts above though!
I was discussing “labels” and predisposed character definitions. It’s by ones own actions that we can truly value the contributions and worth of a man. And I value and appreciate the actions which some men of truth show over those who only choose to serve themselves.
I’m glad you can see my point. I hope you will support those men over the heathens who cloak our society in dim moral values and non-christian behavior.
Bless you Andrea!
LOL - ok, now I know you’re joking and you’ve been very funny! Thanks!
This is not a laughing matter. The men we choose to lead will give us the strength we need to perservere in the trying times ahead. Certainly you must know in your soul that I am right. May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you safe.
And also to you.
I’m trusting Powers to lead us and give us strength in the trying times ahead. I agree - it’s an important decision and I’m glad I’m thinking clearly about it.
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
Isaiah 53:7
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
“Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’
“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ.[b] The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 23: 1-12
Sounds political to me.
Where will we next see those much talked about ” Jon Powers” tee shirts?
I do plan to ask the wearers some questions other than fashion
advice…I’d like to know how to get Albany to “walk the walk” in matters of preserving our natural resources and not just “business as usual”. It seems that the Clean Campagne movement might reduce a little bit of thrown away paper from ads financed by those nervous special interest groups trying to keep themseves rich….
Many of the young women I know are partial to green …I even noticed a few girls picking up discarded bottles and papers by the parking lot …living green ….I earned five cents myself picking up a soda bottle….
JFFR-you are a doorbell!
How is a candidate t-shirt “disrespectful”?
Presumably because it brings politics into a Memorial Parade, as if somehow the placards on cars does not (???).
What a bunch of morons. Like they thought no one would get a picture of them in their gear? Freak on this Robach lover - here’s a pic from the Greece parade/memorial service that shows your precious Jesus lovin’ Joe and one of his trubadors wearing none other than a “Joe Joe Robach” t-shirt.
Good for the goose, good for the gander. Or as the bible says…an eye for an eye - aye?
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