Note: I refer you to this post.
John Edwards for President,
~~~~~~
Dear John,
My wife and I were proud to support you during the 2008 Democratic primary. We caucused for you in the state of Iowa, in Iowa City. We both moved on to the second level of the process, even though you had dropped out by that time. I was elected to go forward to the state convention but was unable to make it. In January 2007, you visited Iowa City and spoke at the University’s student union. We were honored to hear you speak and meet you after.
The reason I’m writing you today has nothing to do with the money we donated to your campaign. In fact, the pecan pie recipe we purchased was totally worth it and we’ve used it several times. Thank you for that.
No, I’m writing you because on that day in January 2007, my wife, our friend Susie, and I gave you a MoonPie.
Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a MoonPie in Iowa?
We brought it with us from Georgia (where we’re from) and we gave it to you because we adored you and we trusted that you would probably enjoy it, being a fellow Southerner. You said thanks, gave us your autograph (which we still have) and you handed the MoonPie to your handler. We figured it was a security issue and that you would eat it later, when you had the chance.
Do you even like MoonPies? I have no idea now- you seemed so excited at the time, but honestly, I have no clue anymore if you were genuinely excited or just lying to us, as it seems you’ve been doing.
Anyways, I don’t want money back. Heck, I don’t even want an apology. I just want a MoonPie.
It can be single decker and of any flavor, though the original chocolate is preferable. You’re welcome to send us a box, as they’re only about $4, but that’s up to you.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. Whatever you may think, I do wish you well and hope that things turn around for you.
All Best,
Amish
Showing posts with label John Edwards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Edwards. Show all posts
4/28/10
8/12/08
About John Edwards
As many of you know, I adore(d) John Edwards. Jennifer and I were both elected delegates for him in Iowa. Though I couldn't continue on due to scheduling issues, I never lost admiration for Edwards.
And to an extent, I still do like him, though I'm very glad he hasn't won the Democratic party's nomination. While his actions are quite awful and I hope that Elizabeth beat the crap out of him, that does not change the fact that many of his ideas are similar to mine. While I guess I can't really trust him, if he actually does stand for the things he talked about, I can say that my ideals are similar. Minus, of course, adultery.
While John Edwards is very much done in politics now, and deserves to be done, I truly hope he continues down the path that he began after the 2004 elections. The work he did, regardless of his personal life, was good. This includes work in Africa and the Gulf Coast post-Katrina.
Too, I hope that Edwards follows Jack Profumo, the British politician who was disgraced by an affair in the early 1960s. He spent the rest of his life attempting to rectify his mistake and when the Queen and other English folk wanted to Knight him for his efforts, he said no. He was hoping to spare his wife any of the publicity— he knew the old affair would pop up again.
It's a good lesson for the new John Edwards, I think.
And to an extent, I still do like him, though I'm very glad he hasn't won the Democratic party's nomination. While his actions are quite awful and I hope that Elizabeth beat the crap out of him, that does not change the fact that many of his ideas are similar to mine. While I guess I can't really trust him, if he actually does stand for the things he talked about, I can say that my ideals are similar. Minus, of course, adultery.
While John Edwards is very much done in politics now, and deserves to be done, I truly hope he continues down the path that he began after the 2004 elections. The work he did, regardless of his personal life, was good. This includes work in Africa and the Gulf Coast post-Katrina.
Too, I hope that Edwards follows Jack Profumo, the British politician who was disgraced by an affair in the early 1960s. He spent the rest of his life attempting to rectify his mistake and when the Queen and other English folk wanted to Knight him for his efforts, he said no. He was hoping to spare his wife any of the publicity— he knew the old affair would pop up again.
It's a good lesson for the new John Edwards, I think.
1/15/08
Iowa Caucus, pt. II
Our precinct (Iowa City 23) had 541 people, which proportionally means we have 8 representatives, or delegates. Based on how many supporters a candidate has, those eight delegate slots get split up between the candidates based on the % of supporters that person has.
So Obama ended up with ~283 (the ~ means approx., yes?)
Edwards with 159
Hillary with ~87 (!)
Everyone else was not considered viable. Viability is 15% of the total. So if you have 541 total people at the precinct, you have to have 82 people to be viable. After the first count, Obama had ~235, Edwards ~107, and Hillary ~71, which means only Obama and Edwards were viable. There was an audible gasp in the auditorium after we heard HRC's numbers.
This is where the real fun begins: those that aren't viable either have to become viable (like HRC gaining 16 people) or disband (Biden, Dodd, Richardson, Kucinich- there was NO ONE for Gravel). This is where Jennifer and I rocked: we were able to court those fleeing the non-viable candidates and get many of them over to our side. In between the two counts, we went from 107 to 159, simply by convincing others to join us. Obama also grabbed about 50 people and HRC was able to become viable by getting 16.
So they do another count and based on that distribution, the number of supporters you have goes into a formula and you end up with 8 delegates being divided as follows:
Obama- ~285 becomes 4.1
Edwards- 159 becomes 2.3
Hillary- 87 becomes 1.1
The numbers to the right are delegates.
Obviously, you're not going to have .1 of a person. However, because Edwards had .3 of a person, his % of a person is greater than Obama or Clinton's .1 of a person, so the final delegate break down in our precinct is as follows:
Obama 4
Edwards 3
HRC 1
Now, those delegates will end up going to the next level, which is the county. Paul (our precinct captain and other delegate), Jennifer and I will go cast our votes for Edwards while the 4 people for Obama and 1 for HRC will do the same for their candidates. Essentially, I believe, we'll select delegates for the level above that (district), who will go on to the state and select delegates for the national convention.
The delegate system is not unique to Iowa. In other states, when you vote in a primary, you're selecting delegates to represent your choice at a higher level. All those people on the floor at national conventions the few months before November's election are all delegates. So there's the chance that, if we keep getting nominated and selected as delegates for Edwards, we could end up wherever the DNC is holding the convention.
But first we have to get through Johnson County.
So Obama ended up with ~283 (the ~ means approx., yes?)
Edwards with 159
Hillary with ~87 (!)
Everyone else was not considered viable. Viability is 15% of the total. So if you have 541 total people at the precinct, you have to have 82 people to be viable. After the first count, Obama had ~235, Edwards ~107, and Hillary ~71, which means only Obama and Edwards were viable. There was an audible gasp in the auditorium after we heard HRC's numbers.
This is where the real fun begins: those that aren't viable either have to become viable (like HRC gaining 16 people) or disband (Biden, Dodd, Richardson, Kucinich- there was NO ONE for Gravel). This is where Jennifer and I rocked: we were able to court those fleeing the non-viable candidates and get many of them over to our side. In between the two counts, we went from 107 to 159, simply by convincing others to join us. Obama also grabbed about 50 people and HRC was able to become viable by getting 16.
So they do another count and based on that distribution, the number of supporters you have goes into a formula and you end up with 8 delegates being divided as follows:
Obama- ~285 becomes 4.1
Edwards- 159 becomes 2.3
Hillary- 87 becomes 1.1
The numbers to the right are delegates.
Obviously, you're not going to have .1 of a person. However, because Edwards had .3 of a person, his % of a person is greater than Obama or Clinton's .1 of a person, so the final delegate break down in our precinct is as follows:
Obama 4
Edwards 3
HRC 1
Now, those delegates will end up going to the next level, which is the county. Paul (our precinct captain and other delegate), Jennifer and I will go cast our votes for Edwards while the 4 people for Obama and 1 for HRC will do the same for their candidates. Essentially, I believe, we'll select delegates for the level above that (district), who will go on to the state and select delegates for the national convention.
The delegate system is not unique to Iowa. In other states, when you vote in a primary, you're selecting delegates to represent your choice at a higher level. All those people on the floor at national conventions the few months before November's election are all delegates. So there's the chance that, if we keep getting nominated and selected as delegates for Edwards, we could end up wherever the DNC is holding the convention.
But first we have to get through Johnson County.
1/2/08
Iowa Caucus
In case anyone is interested, I'm going to caucus tomorrow night for John Edwards.
I do not feel obligated to vote for a woman simple because she is a woman. I do not feel obligated to vote for an African-American simply due to the color of his skin. Is that really judging anyone by the 'content of their character'? I think not...
I do, however, feel obligated to support the person I feel is best for my country. And for our world. And for my family and friends. No, I don't agree with Mr. Edwards on everything, but I respect his positions and respect his desire to be honest about those positions, regardless of how wrong I feel he is :)
Sure, all politicians are crooks. Everybody up there is a politician, I know. But there's little good to be done by bitching about it saying every one's the same. Either stick your hands in the mud and get them dirty, or quit bitching about how gross it all is! You can either clean it, or complain.
Edwards doesn't take money from lobbies and he wants to cut tax breaks for big oil, etc. What more can one ask of a candidate?
No one's perfect. This is what it is.
Many have asked what one does during a caucus. I will find out tomorrow evening and report back about my experience. As far as I know, I will only be in Iowa for one of these, so I hope it's memorable. I'm glad it's a possibly important event.
I do not feel obligated to vote for a woman simple because she is a woman. I do not feel obligated to vote for an African-American simply due to the color of his skin. Is that really judging anyone by the 'content of their character'? I think not...
I do, however, feel obligated to support the person I feel is best for my country. And for our world. And for my family and friends. No, I don't agree with Mr. Edwards on everything, but I respect his positions and respect his desire to be honest about those positions, regardless of how wrong I feel he is :)
Sure, all politicians are crooks. Everybody up there is a politician, I know. But there's little good to be done by bitching about it saying every one's the same. Either stick your hands in the mud and get them dirty, or quit bitching about how gross it all is! You can either clean it, or complain.
Edwards doesn't take money from lobbies and he wants to cut tax breaks for big oil, etc. What more can one ask of a candidate?
No one's perfect. This is what it is.
Many have asked what one does during a caucus. I will find out tomorrow evening and report back about my experience. As far as I know, I will only be in Iowa for one of these, so I hope it's memorable. I'm glad it's a possibly important event.
12/17/07
Baseball and Politics
If you know me, you know that two of my favorite things are baseball and politics. I can't really combine both for this post, but I do have a few opinions I want to put out there.
1. Baseball
For the Braves, the aquisition of Tom Glavine will prove useful, but not in the same way they're hoping. Sure, he might be able to provide 200 innings in 2008, but that won't come with the wins they really want. Glavine himself says that what he can provide will be some stability. Out of a five man rotation, last year you had two rocks in Hudson and Smoltz and three slots that went to marginal pitchers. Now, I do think Chuck James and Buddy Carlyle are coming along, but with Glavine filling that third spot, you have a 60% of the rotation filled with solid veterans. I believe what Glavine really brings back to the Braves is a bit of wisdom and help that Smoltz and Hudson could not provide on their own. Instead of just trying to stay afloat, this pitching staff can now focus on training younger guys, including Jo-Jo Reyes. I believe James and Carlyle will benefit from this the most and hope that they are successful in becoming the 4th and 5th starters on the Braves rotation in 2008.
As per the outfield, Jeff Francouer (a fellow Parkview High School alum) is the only guaranteed starter out there, but I believe that Matt Diaz deserves his spot out in left field. The big question is who will fill Andruw Jones shoes in center field. I had some hope that Francouer might get moved over and one of our prospects could be in right field, but I suppose there's something they want in a center fielder that Jeff doesn't have.
By the way, another PHS fellow, this time someone I know pretty well, Clint Sammons is on the 40 man roster for the Braves for 2008, it seems. Would be exciting to see my old classmate and neighbor from my freshman year be Brian McCann's backup, eh?
2. Politics
I've made no bones about my support for John Edwards in the Presidential campaign. Agreed that he is more conservative in some ways compared to Clinton and Obama, but I believe this makes him a stronger candidate for 2008 than the other two. I believe that if Edwards finishes 2nd in either Iowa or New Hampshire, he'll pick up momentum when hitting the South and West for their primaries. I believe also that Obama will be out after the initial primaries. I think his youthfulness and inexperience (he's not even through his first term in the senate!) will prove to much for primary voters to deal with. Ultimately, I believe they'll go for a more experienced candidate and I think that the kind of experience Clinton has will turn off voters.
No one is a career politician here, but I think it's quite clear that both Obama and Clinton ran for their current jobs with the intention of running for President. Maybe Edwards is no better, but I would like to note that Edwards gave up his senate seat by running for President while neither Obama nor Clinton will have to take that chance. To me, what John Edwards has done in his time off is better than what he did while in office. I think taking time and traveling has really made him a stronger candidate.
My only worry is that he'll drop out too soon...
1. Baseball
For the Braves, the aquisition of Tom Glavine will prove useful, but not in the same way they're hoping. Sure, he might be able to provide 200 innings in 2008, but that won't come with the wins they really want. Glavine himself says that what he can provide will be some stability. Out of a five man rotation, last year you had two rocks in Hudson and Smoltz and three slots that went to marginal pitchers. Now, I do think Chuck James and Buddy Carlyle are coming along, but with Glavine filling that third spot, you have a 60% of the rotation filled with solid veterans. I believe what Glavine really brings back to the Braves is a bit of wisdom and help that Smoltz and Hudson could not provide on their own. Instead of just trying to stay afloat, this pitching staff can now focus on training younger guys, including Jo-Jo Reyes. I believe James and Carlyle will benefit from this the most and hope that they are successful in becoming the 4th and 5th starters on the Braves rotation in 2008.
As per the outfield, Jeff Francouer (a fellow Parkview High School alum) is the only guaranteed starter out there, but I believe that Matt Diaz deserves his spot out in left field. The big question is who will fill Andruw Jones shoes in center field. I had some hope that Francouer might get moved over and one of our prospects could be in right field, but I suppose there's something they want in a center fielder that Jeff doesn't have.
By the way, another PHS fellow, this time someone I know pretty well, Clint Sammons is on the 40 man roster for the Braves for 2008, it seems. Would be exciting to see my old classmate and neighbor from my freshman year be Brian McCann's backup, eh?
2. Politics
I've made no bones about my support for John Edwards in the Presidential campaign. Agreed that he is more conservative in some ways compared to Clinton and Obama, but I believe this makes him a stronger candidate for 2008 than the other two. I believe that if Edwards finishes 2nd in either Iowa or New Hampshire, he'll pick up momentum when hitting the South and West for their primaries. I believe also that Obama will be out after the initial primaries. I think his youthfulness and inexperience (he's not even through his first term in the senate!) will prove to much for primary voters to deal with. Ultimately, I believe they'll go for a more experienced candidate and I think that the kind of experience Clinton has will turn off voters.
No one is a career politician here, but I think it's quite clear that both Obama and Clinton ran for their current jobs with the intention of running for President. Maybe Edwards is no better, but I would like to note that Edwards gave up his senate seat by running for President while neither Obama nor Clinton will have to take that chance. To me, what John Edwards has done in his time off is better than what he did while in office. I think taking time and traveling has really made him a stronger candidate.
My only worry is that he'll drop out too soon...
1/20/07
I Just Saw Myself on Television
I was on the local news because today. John Edwards came to Iowa City.
He spoke for a few minutes and then took questions, including one from Jennifer on prescription drugs and pharmaceutical lobbies and their power in Washington. It was an obvious jab at Hillary Clinton and the fact that, not only has she taken tons of money from lobbyists, one of her big supporters are pharmaceutical companies. So much for the "Health care for everybody" days for her husband's administration.
He didn't really answer the question, but he did say, "I have never taken any money from the lobbyists." Now, I don't know if it's true or not, but it seems like a bad thing to lie about.
What I liked about Edwards was his honesty and his candor. No, I don't agree with Edwards on the issue of gay marriage, but I appreciate that it's causing what he called a "conflict within" himself and that he spoke about it.
Afterwards, just after he signed Jennifer's notebook, I shook his hand, then grabbed his arm and told him that while I didn't agree with everything that he said, I appreciated that he took the time to say it. Susie, the friend with us, agree that he looked at me very intensely, happy that his concept had worked on at least one person.
It's kind of blurry now, but right around this time, we handed out fellow Southerner a Southern delicacy:
That's Susie with the Moon Pie we'd held onto for her that I convinced (read: forced) her to give to Edwards. He laughed, saying he loved Moon Pies, and I told him we thought it perfect to give to a fellow Southerner, and he laughed again. He then handed it to an aide of his.
Susie and I played out what we believed the conversation would be later:
Edwards: So can I have that Moon Pie?
Aide: You wanted it?
Edwards: Ugh, yeah. Do you still have it?
Aide: Um, no I threw it away.
Edwards (lowering eyes): You bastard.
At this point, Edwards either fires or maims the Aide.
We also met and shook hands with his wife. They both signed Jennifer's notebook:
Great moment from the beginning: Mrs. Edwards was fielding a question (something on what she would be doing while First Lady, as opposed to Tipsy Bush's current job) and her husband stood quietly by. A moment later, I could see him eyeing her leg, and then the crowd, and then her leg again. I noticed too: her pant leg was up above her sock.
So he did what any husband would do and fixed it! She then kissed her husband and thanked him.She laughed, saying she could feel it, but that there was nothing she could do about it. It wasn't a fake Tipper/Al Gore thing, or even a Michael Jackson/Lisa Marie thing. It seemed real, like to *real* people that are married.
My friend Bobby, now living in D.C. with hopes of a job in politics on the horizon, stated he likes Obama now more than Edwards. I must admit I do like Obama, but Edwards to me seems like he's used his time off wisely: He's travelled and done some good and interesting things. I think he's ready for the top of a ticket now.
So if one of Edward's folks is reading this, you've got my vote.
He spoke for a few minutes and then took questions, including one from Jennifer on prescription drugs and pharmaceutical lobbies and their power in Washington. It was an obvious jab at Hillary Clinton and the fact that, not only has she taken tons of money from lobbyists, one of her big supporters are pharmaceutical companies. So much for the "Health care for everybody" days for her husband's administration.
He didn't really answer the question, but he did say, "I have never taken any money from the lobbyists." Now, I don't know if it's true or not, but it seems like a bad thing to lie about.
What I liked about Edwards was his honesty and his candor. No, I don't agree with Edwards on the issue of gay marriage, but I appreciate that it's causing what he called a "conflict within" himself and that he spoke about it.
Afterwards, just after he signed Jennifer's notebook, I shook his hand, then grabbed his arm and told him that while I didn't agree with everything that he said, I appreciated that he took the time to say it. Susie, the friend with us, agree that he looked at me very intensely, happy that his concept had worked on at least one person.It's kind of blurry now, but right around this time, we handed out fellow Southerner a Southern delicacy:
That's Susie with the Moon Pie we'd held onto for her that I convinced (read: forced) her to give to Edwards. He laughed, saying he loved Moon Pies, and I told him we thought it perfect to give to a fellow Southerner, and he laughed again. He then handed it to an aide of his. Susie and I played out what we believed the conversation would be later:
Edwards: So can I have that Moon Pie?
Aide: You wanted it?
Edwards: Ugh, yeah. Do you still have it?
Aide: Um, no I threw it away.
Edwards (lowering eyes): You bastard.
At this point, Edwards either fires or maims the Aide.
We also met and shook hands with his wife. They both signed Jennifer's notebook:
Great moment from the beginning: Mrs. Edwards was fielding a question (something on what she would be doing while First Lady, as opposed to Tipsy Bush's current job) and her husband stood quietly by. A moment later, I could see him eyeing her leg, and then the crowd, and then her leg again. I noticed too: her pant leg was up above her sock.
So he did what any husband would do and fixed it! She then kissed her husband and thanked him.She laughed, saying she could feel it, but that there was nothing she could do about it. It wasn't a fake Tipper/Al Gore thing, or even a Michael Jackson/Lisa Marie thing. It seemed real, like to *real* people that are married.
My friend Bobby, now living in D.C. with hopes of a job in politics on the horizon, stated he likes Obama now more than Edwards. I must admit I do like Obama, but Edwards to me seems like he's used his time off wisely: He's travelled and done some good and interesting things. I think he's ready for the top of a ticket now.
So if one of Edward's folks is reading this, you've got my vote.
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