( Have you seen this video of Rep. Barney Frank ridiculing a woman at a town hall forum?)
This year a group called "Working Blue" made up of labor unions is hosting the picnic. Seems fitting for a Labor Day event.
This event is a great way to meet elected officials and party activists. I am planning on going and doing some interviews. What questions would you like me to ask of the elected officials and candidates that are expected to be there?
Click here for the details.
( Jason Hodge is on the right in this photo from Hannah-Beth Jackson's Simi Valley Campaign office.)
A new group called the Working Blue Democratic Club is holding their first fundraiser this weekend. Their guests will include Ventura County Supervisor John Zaragoza, Ventura County Board of Education Member Ramon Flores, and others.
The Chair of the new club, Jason Hodge, wrote many blog entries for this blog from the inauguration of Barack Obama.
Click on continue reading for details.
I am behind on a few entries so if you haven't seen something you sent in please wait a few days.
A friend of mine Jason Hodge wrote several updates from DC detailing his experience at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. He is back in town and sent in a letter to the editor that was published thanking people. Here is his letter:
I would like to thank The Star and Brian Dennert for allowing me to blog my experience at the 44th inaugural on their Web site. Had Brian not been cracking the whip on me, I would not have myself a personal history of this fantastic experience.
Kudos to The Star as well for having such great coverage of all Venturans who were in attendance.
I would also like to thank U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly for helping me orchestrate my trip and being such a gracious host. Not only did he provide us with two tickets into the inauguration, but also, when I found myself in a two-hour line for the House office building, he personally walked out to get them to me. He and his staff could not have been more accommodating.
-- Jason Hodge, Oxnard
Jason, thank you for reporting the events back to us and for sending in pictures. Some of my readers that don't comment said they really enjoyed your entries.
In other related Rep. Gallegly news do you remember he briefly ran for governor? And while googling his run for governor I found an article detailing his stand against bear baiting. I am firmly against bear baiting, but I admit I thought it had something to do with circus bears. Seems like a logical law.
Both stories are old news and aren't enough to post an entry on alone but they are interesting to me.
Click here for the bear baiting article.
Jason,
Thanks for writing all of these reports. I know between all of the walking, the cold, and traveling you must be tired. We appreciate it. I know you will come back even more motivated to answer the call that Barack Obama has put forth for our generation.
Here is Jason's latest report:
Brian,
This blogging gig is tough. Every time I need to sleep I feel like I need to sit down and write something. I have a new appreciation for you and Marie.
I would love to describe today in some sweeping emotional tones but to be honest Im just too tired. You saw it on television. You believe in change. You don't need me. We are all here together in spirit. Thanks for reading this and know you all have my love. I'll just try to give you the facts to the little bits that your missing (or not missing).
We started early today watching TV to see if traffic was impossible or the metro was our best bet. By about 630 my sister decided that we were stupid enough to try to drive all the way to union station.
Stupid like a fox! Apparently everyone else chickened out from driving because we drove 10 miles in seven minutes and had no problems . Every 3 or so blocks we'd hit a military checkpoint but we'd just say " were going to union station" and our boys in camo would smile and let us through.
The line into the inauguration was long but not too unwieldy. It took us a good hour and a half to get through but it was little to ask to be a part of this important occasion. Once in we had a good spot just 200 yds from the podium. I was happy as a clam but my 5'4 sister wasn't quite in the clear spot that I was in. I would normally feel pity for her but when she was coming back from the facilities she literally bumped into Samuel S Jackson who was waking with Mariah Carey. Almost makes it worth the 8 degree temperature.
The inaugural was amazing. I know most of you saw it so theres no reason to recap. The only thing you may have missed was that every time the announcer said "please be seated" we all cracked up because there was not a piece of dirt left to sit on. My only other non-viewable moment was when the presidential motorcade arrived. The crowd went crazy with excitement and love...... then someone realized the president in the motorcade was W. The crowd then immediately bursted into boos. To be honest I thought the crowd was a little tacky but funny nonetheless.
Later in the evening we headed to the official western ball. It was a fantastic event with people from all over the western states dancing and celebrating the new president. When Obama spoke the crowd was much louder than any other time in the day and the feeling of victory was finally complete. I've been to hundreds of concerts over the years and dozens of political rallies but never have a seen so many people together in a sense of purpose.
The night went well overall. If Jay Kapitz has some story about me forgetting one of the tickets and my sister having to rickshaw 20 blocks to go find it I have to say that Kapitz is a pretty shady character and I wouldn't believe a word he says.
Not bad seats!
In the comments of an earlier entry I asked Jason Hodge a few questions. Here is his response and night before the inauguration report:
A friend of mine recently asked me what the point of life was. I replied
that we give ourselves our own points. We create our own sense of purpose
and we should measure ourselves against that. Some of us will find a
purpose, a fine point to life and sharpen it like a weapon and wield it with
accuracy, power, and precision that leads to success. Others will go through
life with a dull point, a blunt object at best smashing their way through
the world hit and miss. Some people will have no point at all, They live
their lives like moss.
I've tried to live my life with a sharp point. Since I was a child I've
wanted to make a difference in people's lives -- to make the world a better
place. My degree, my associations, my energy has always been focused on
getting to the place where I can do the most good. But now I feel as though
I have reached a moment in my history that could either be a high water mark
or just the high tide that takes me out of the sheltered harbor and into the
battle for real. I believe the world is on the precipice of a turning and if
we aren't all involved and committed than we may fail to make it better.
I believe that tomorrow we may have a leader who will get us involved again.
It will be a seminal event in America's history -- post hyper commercialism,
post rampant egoism, post partisan. People will be willing to help one
another again. We survive together.
That why I found my candidate in Feb 2007 over a year before the primary. I
had a long talk about the election with a good friend and he ended in "I
think he's the real deal" and at that point I did, too. I've followed,
preached, cajoled (broke a rule to never give personally) and donated. I
believe that he is the man who can lead us to a better age.
As for memorabilia, there was a guy with light-up Obama buttons attached all
around his trench coat. He looked like a weird trash alien. There are some
great shirts here and trinkets. I bought a paper doll Obama kit. It has cut
outs of all the families and the shirtless Obama has a perfect six pack.
Cracked me up. (Note from Brian: They are now called Barack hard abs.)
The short version, because I'm dying for sleep, is we went to a live
recording of the slate gabfest at this historic synagogue. Afterwards we all
got to come down and chat and ask questions. It was a great, casual show and
everyone came out and answered our banal and insightful questions all the
same.
Jason, thanks for keeping these reports coming in. The photos are great too. Tell us about some of the funny memorabilia you have seen. Bought anything really cool or funny? I know you are there for professional, family, and historic reasons but when did you first start to support Barack Obama?
Here is the latest dispatch from Ventura County Firefighter Jason Hodge reporting from DC :
Last night was the first of the balls that I have been able lucky enough to cajole my way into. The California Democratic Bash was held at the Smithsonian National Air and Space museum. If you come to DC this is one of the three places you have to see. Its a surreal experience. Walking in is like walking into a archaeological dig of space exploration. The first thing you see hanging in the main lobby is the Wright brothers plane from Kitty Hawk just feet above your heads. The turnstiles you walk through are inches from John Glenn's actual space orbiter, sputnik hangs right that. To the right is Buzz Aldrin drinking a glass of Champaign. Yeah that's right. Buzz Aldrin. The first man to the moon was having a cocktail in the lobby right next to the lunar orbiter in which he and Neil Armstrong traveled 500,000 miles to the moon and back. Of course I had no choice but to wrangle my way into a conversation with a personal and national Hero. As we approached him we tried to conjure up a good conversation opener. Something profound, poignant, witty. Fitting of a national treasure like him.
"So did you guys really have to drink Tang?" My friend asked before I could get a word out.
"That stuff is horrible. I never could stand it" Aldrin replied. My friend later told me he wanted to ask "So where did you guys film the moon landing?" but he didn't want to get punched in the face. If you know anything about Buzz Aldrin than you know that this is a real possibility. Still, Mr. Aldrin was great we talked for about ten minutes and got a great photo for my scrapbook.
( Jason: Please identify these people from L to R again.)
Later we talked to Lois Capps, Debra Bowen, Barbara Boxer (who all looked smashing!) and a whole mess of Local Pols and activists. The atmosphere was about as perfect as you could imagine for this event. They did a good job of not overselling the event. No crowds or lines at all (except for the dreadful line to get a Cab). It was easy to get a drink and then take the champagne through space lab. Truly a magical event. It was great to talk to all the California Democrats who are really committed to working for a better future.
My date was my lovely sister who is extraordinarily talented at campaigning and managing Non-profits. She is currently working for the Sierra Club so we have lots of enviros that she hangs with and you know who they all know? Our own local state Senator Fran Pavley! When I talk about who we work with and mention Pavley they all light up and say "as in the Pavley Car standards?" See, one of California most accomplished assembly members is from our area.
This morning I went down to the capitol to Elton Gallegly's office to pick up our inaugural tickets. The line in the Rayburn Building was a good hour and a half wait and wrapped all the way around the building. To top it off it started snowing 20 minutes into the wait. I had forgotten my gloves ( Hey I live in Ventura county, I had forgotten I owned gloves) so finally I called up to Gallegly's office to see if I could just pick them up from someone later. They asked which door I was coming in and said to wait a couple minutes. Well, a couple minutes later I hear "Jason, Lets go warm you up in the office" and next to me is Elton Gallegly who had come down to walk me in. I really can't show enough gratitude. Elton and Janice were as nice as ever and the staff was all exited about the festivities. Brian had asked me to ask if the Gallegly's would be in attendance in the morning and Elton said he has made every one since Reagan. They had even brought one of their grand children from Simi Valley to attend. Elton has previously told me that he is fairly impressed with the bulk of Obama's Cabinet picks and looks forward to working with the administration in these Challenging times.
Tonight its off to a live recording of slate magazine and then Dinner with Jay Kapitz (Happy Birthday Jay). I have to be honest though. I've been to three of the events that Jay is Blogging about and I've yet to see him. That and his "story" that he forgot his camera. I have a suspicion that Jay is in his warm house in Agoura and blogging all this in his Pajamas. Well see tonight.
( Jason Hodge is the really tall firefighter with the Hannah-Beth Jackson staff members. I took the photo at HBJ headquarters the day of the election.)
Here is the latest dispatch from Ventura County Firefighter and political activist Jason Hodge:
Brian,
Early to rise. Im not a morning person and im a poor traveler. If you know me you've known me to be late. Unfortunately airlines aren't as forgiving as friends. This morning however I was up at 6 and out the door with three hours to go. When I turned on the radio the first thing I heard was the Sam Cooke civil rights anthem "change is going to come". The sound of those words, and the hopeful voice which sang them sent a chill down my spine. I paused there in the driveway and couldn't help but smile. Change has come. Not the change that Obama promises, but the change that he represents. On Tuesday, the day after Martin Luther King day, an African-American will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States and for millions of minority Americans change has irrevocably come.
The flight was pretty much the greatest flight of my life. I got an entire exit row to myself. Had a bag of beef jerky and time to contemplate. When we arrived in DC the airport was surprisingly smooth and empty. Traffic was mild and the streets were just a little busier than your typical night when congress is in session.
Right now Its about 7pm and we are getting ready to go to the California Democratic Bash. I'm a little sun burnt and tired from a busy day of standing and hiking 5 miles around the Mall but I have no complaints. I'm more in that mood of weary contentment sporting a Cheshire grin that should keep smiling all week.
This afternoon we made our way to the Lincoln memorial to watch the concert on the mall. The subway was a little packed but not bad. Everybody was polite and in a good mood and foot traffic flowed smoothly. At the mall we decided that we would find a place in the middle with a good view of the jumbotron. Less of a desire to watch the concert than wish to be a part of something thats is happening. Just stand and envelope ourselves in the history of the moment.
That said. WOW! What a show. Great performances. Friendly people. Nothing but love. When it was over I half expected Bono to say "my work is done is here" and float back to his alien mothership. I'm not sure what the attendance was but it was just a sea of people guesses ranged from 500000 to 750000. I've never been in a crowd nearly as large as this and the crazy thing was I heard no complaints. Not one person complaining about the crowd or the 38-degree weather. After the show we walked all the way back to the east of capitol in a mass of people and again it was a crowded amalgam of Americans with nothing but respect and courtesy for one another. If anyone ever doubts that we are great nation with great people than I can give you evidence to the contrary.
Jason
Photo of the crowd and the Boss!
Jason Hodge is a leader in the union representing Ventura County Firefighters and he is a self-described political junkie. His union is very popular with voters and they support candidates from both political parties. But this week Jason Hodge is celebrating the inauguration of Barack Obama and he will be updating us by email.
Here is his first post:
Brian,
You have inspired me! I'm trying to take lots of photos and do two posts daily.
Wow, I cant believe its actually here. I've been a volunteer, activist, and political junky for my entire life. I have had the good fortune to travel and feed those addictions pretty frequently but nothing compares with this upcoming week. I can not overstate the excitement I have for this historic inauguration. I feel like a Dallas Cowboys fan who gets 50 yardline tickets to the superbowl and then finds out he is sitting between Tom Landry's wife and Emmit Smith. It's just that cool.
So for those keeping score here is my schedule. Ill be updating frequently and trying to send back photos as they become available. I've used what little charm, karma, and favors that I have to get here so I hope I can share you along this historic journey with me.
Sun: Concert at the Lincoln Memorial
California Democratic Ball at the Smithsonian air and Space museum
Mon: Pick up Inaugural tickets at Congressional Offices. Live Slate Gabfest at historic Synagogue. Dinner with Ventura and Santa Barbara activists
Tues : Inauguration!!!
Western Inaugural Ball
I do need start by thanking some friends who have help made all this happen. The Honorable Elton Gallegly, Ventura county professional firefighters, VCPFA president Chris Mahone, California professional Firefighters and their awesome staff, Marilynn and Leo Valenzuela of the California Labor Federation, the California Democratic Party, Jay Kapitz, Brian Dennert and all my friends who put up my dragging them to parades, rallies phone banks, dinners and street corners for activities.
Jason
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