Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Letter to My Fellow Citizens of Wilson
As a longtime resident and citizen of Wilson County, I feel the need to write this letter to my fellow citizens of Wilson.
In the last month two of my family's Obama signs have been either defaced or eventually stolen. This apparently has been a common thing as I have heard from fellow supporters that they have experienced the same thing.
As I was replacing the last stolen sign, a gentleman and fellow supporter stopped in front of my family's lot and asked me where I got my sign. I told him it was one from the primary and I got one for him. A long conversation followed and I talked to him about the importance of registering voters and volunteering for the Obama/Biden campaign. He got some registration forms from me and registered more than 25 voters.
This past Thursday, October 9, I was walking to my car on Barnes Street to move it to a new spot. I saw what I thought to be a parking ticket on my windshield. It was, rather, a note written on a torn piece of an envelope.
The note read as follows:
After reading your stickers…wish your mother believed in abortion! Don't You[?]
The stickers they referred to were Obama stickers, other Democratic candidate stickers, messages of Peace, my First Presbyterian Church sticker and a "Vote the Environment" sticker.
The person who wrote this note sought to affect me with their words. They did not affect me in the way in which they sought. After seeing this note, I went canvassing for Obama and registered a voter and collected a check from a supporter.
To the fear- and hate-mongers of Wilson County, I have a strong message. If you keep up your antics, you will only further motivate those of us who strive to work for the betterment of this state and this country. You are not cutting us down, you are building us up. We grow stronger and closer together as citizens every day.
Contrary to what you may believe, the people of Wilson County (no matter what their party or affiliation) are good, hard-working people who love their country. We are focused on the true problems of our state and country like the economy, health care, smart energy plans, the country's infrastructure, better benefits for our veterans and more jobs.
If you put as much energy into working for the good of our great nation as you do into spreading your messages of fear and hate, then together we could make this nation strong and prosperous once again.
Asa A. Gregory
1003 Nash Street N
Wilson, NC
asagregory@hotmail.com
In the last month two of my family's Obama signs have been either defaced or eventually stolen. This apparently has been a common thing as I have heard from fellow supporters that they have experienced the same thing.
As I was replacing the last stolen sign, a gentleman and fellow supporter stopped in front of my family's lot and asked me where I got my sign. I told him it was one from the primary and I got one for him. A long conversation followed and I talked to him about the importance of registering voters and volunteering for the Obama/Biden campaign. He got some registration forms from me and registered more than 25 voters.
This past Thursday, October 9, I was walking to my car on Barnes Street to move it to a new spot. I saw what I thought to be a parking ticket on my windshield. It was, rather, a note written on a torn piece of an envelope.
The note read as follows:
After reading your stickers…wish your mother believed in abortion! Don't You[?]
The stickers they referred to were Obama stickers, other Democratic candidate stickers, messages of Peace, my First Presbyterian Church sticker and a "Vote the Environment" sticker.
The person who wrote this note sought to affect me with their words. They did not affect me in the way in which they sought. After seeing this note, I went canvassing for Obama and registered a voter and collected a check from a supporter.
To the fear- and hate-mongers of Wilson County, I have a strong message. If you keep up your antics, you will only further motivate those of us who strive to work for the betterment of this state and this country. You are not cutting us down, you are building us up. We grow stronger and closer together as citizens every day.
Contrary to what you may believe, the people of Wilson County (no matter what their party or affiliation) are good, hard-working people who love their country. We are focused on the true problems of our state and country like the economy, health care, smart energy plans, the country's infrastructure, better benefits for our veterans and more jobs.
If you put as much energy into working for the good of our great nation as you do into spreading your messages of fear and hate, then together we could make this nation strong and prosperous once again.
Asa A. Gregory
1003 Nash Street N
Wilson, NC
asagregory@hotmail.com
Thursday, May 22, 2008
I STAND ON INTEGRITY!
Some of you may peruse my Facebook or MySpace profile and get confused. He's for Kucinich. He's for Obama. He enjoyed Bill Clinton's book "My Life." Is he a "flip-flopper?"
No, I'm not a flip-flopper. I discern very early who I find to have the most integrity. I'm also smart, though. I get behind the candidate that has the best chance to be the nominee AND have the most integrity and connection to the common people.
So! In 1992, I like Paul Tsongas, but I was behind Tom Harkin. Bill Clinton ended up being the Democratic Nominee. Go figure. I was 15.
Then came 2004. Representative Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio was the candidate for me, but I didn't make it to vote in the NC Primary. So, I had picked Kerry to be the nominee. I was right. I worked hard...and was disappointed...again!
So, then comes the 2008 cycle. My father and I BOTH were starstruck with the potential presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.
I was linked through my gut with John Edwards for his fight against poverty and Dennis Kucinich for his strong and solid/consistent stance against the War in Iraq.
Then Governor Bill Richardson of the New Mexico entered the race. He stood against the war and he had diplomatic experience in the area in question.
So, what was a Southern Liberal to do???
Well, here's what I did:
I worked one day for Bill Richardson's campaign gathering info. about the health care and retirements of fire fighters and police men and women. Then I got a bad taste in my mouth....it HAPPENS in politics!
Then I ordered my true colors from www.kucinich.us. Dennis Kucinich was my candidate of conscience and personal integrity. I stuck with him until the end...when my heart was broken...seriously!
The logical transition was to the historic and obviously full-of-integrity campaign of Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.
I haven't regretted a moment since. It's good to vote your conscience twice (once in New Mexico for Kucinich and once in NC for Obama) and then the third time this November!!!
I challenge ALL of you to go to www.barackobama.com and www.johnmccain.com and just PAY ATTENTION to what's going on and then tell me if you can honestly and with the full integrity of self vote for Senator John McCain!
I imagine most of you will have that nagging feeling. Barack Obama is the real deal. He's human. He's flawed....but he stands for ALL of us. If you stand on your integrity too, you'll vote for the truest change of your lifetime and vote OBAMA in November!
In Peace Always,
Asa A. Gregory
No, I'm not a flip-flopper. I discern very early who I find to have the most integrity. I'm also smart, though. I get behind the candidate that has the best chance to be the nominee AND have the most integrity and connection to the common people.
So! In 1992, I like Paul Tsongas, but I was behind Tom Harkin. Bill Clinton ended up being the Democratic Nominee. Go figure. I was 15.
Then came 2004. Representative Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio was the candidate for me, but I didn't make it to vote in the NC Primary. So, I had picked Kerry to be the nominee. I was right. I worked hard...and was disappointed...again!
So, then comes the 2008 cycle. My father and I BOTH were starstruck with the potential presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.
I was linked through my gut with John Edwards for his fight against poverty and Dennis Kucinich for his strong and solid/consistent stance against the War in Iraq.
Then Governor Bill Richardson of the New Mexico entered the race. He stood against the war and he had diplomatic experience in the area in question.
So, what was a Southern Liberal to do???
Well, here's what I did:
I worked one day for Bill Richardson's campaign gathering info. about the health care and retirements of fire fighters and police men and women. Then I got a bad taste in my mouth....it HAPPENS in politics!
Then I ordered my true colors from www.kucinich.us. Dennis Kucinich was my candidate of conscience and personal integrity. I stuck with him until the end...when my heart was broken...seriously!
The logical transition was to the historic and obviously full-of-integrity campaign of Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.
I haven't regretted a moment since. It's good to vote your conscience twice (once in New Mexico for Kucinich and once in NC for Obama) and then the third time this November!!!
I challenge ALL of you to go to www.barackobama.com and www.johnmccain.com and just PAY ATTENTION to what's going on and then tell me if you can honestly and with the full integrity of self vote for Senator John McCain!
I imagine most of you will have that nagging feeling. Barack Obama is the real deal. He's human. He's flawed....but he stands for ALL of us. If you stand on your integrity too, you'll vote for the truest change of your lifetime and vote OBAMA in November!
In Peace Always,
Asa A. Gregory
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Time to Grow Up.
On this past Tuesday night, April 22, I watched the opponent of my candidate increase her lead in percentage of votes to ten percent in the Pennsylvania Primary returns. One might think that would be enough to get my night out of whack. One would be wrong.
I then had the misfortune to hear about the outstandingly irresponsible commercial that the North Carolina Republicans announced they were going to air. They officially say that it is not a direct attack on Senator Barack Obama because they are questioning Gubernatorial candidates Richard Moore and Bev Perdue for their endorsements of Obama. They question them because of people in Obama's past such as Rev. Wright or Tony Rezko.
Do they think the voting public is stupid? Wait! Of course they do. They have assumed they could trick unsuspecting voters with their false rubbish for years. They associate with the RNC & President Bush and Vice-President Cheney.
How dare they assume we are stupid?! How dare they question "Obama's past" and any other person he might have smiled at on the street?! How dare they be irresponsible and endorse a disastrous war and equally disastrous domestic economic policies which exclude the majority of the population and reward the few rich of our nation and then question OUR(Liberals, Democrats, Patriots as well...) integrity and reliability and commitment to the USA?!
Wake up North Carolina Republicans! No, wait...GROW UP NC Republicans. It's time to assume the responsibility of your horrible mistakes and quit pointing the finger elsewhere like some selfish and naive child.
I then had the misfortune to hear about the outstandingly irresponsible commercial that the North Carolina Republicans announced they were going to air. They officially say that it is not a direct attack on Senator Barack Obama because they are questioning Gubernatorial candidates Richard Moore and Bev Perdue for their endorsements of Obama. They question them because of people in Obama's past such as Rev. Wright or Tony Rezko.
Do they think the voting public is stupid? Wait! Of course they do. They have assumed they could trick unsuspecting voters with their false rubbish for years. They associate with the RNC & President Bush and Vice-President Cheney.
How dare they assume we are stupid?! How dare they question "Obama's past" and any other person he might have smiled at on the street?! How dare they be irresponsible and endorse a disastrous war and equally disastrous domestic economic policies which exclude the majority of the population and reward the few rich of our nation and then question OUR(Liberals, Democrats, Patriots as well...) integrity and reliability and commitment to the USA?!
Wake up North Carolina Republicans! No, wait...GROW UP NC Republicans. It's time to assume the responsibility of your horrible mistakes and quit pointing the finger elsewhere like some selfish and naive child.
Monday, March 03, 2008
WE MUST PREPARE FOR NOVEMBER IN NEW MEXICO NOW!!!
Yesterday I had two new friends, Deb and Doug, join me in making calls to Texas to persuade people to get out and vote twice for Obama in both the primary and the subsequent caucuses. Between Doug and I, we contacted a third of our targeted voters and got word that they are pledging support for Obama. This is great news!!!
I think that in order to prepare for the conservative, right-wing Republican attacks that are just waiting in the wings for when Obama is officially the nominee we need to get organized and unified together here in Albuquerque and New Mexico in general. New Mexico played a small but major part in the last two presidential elections. We are neighbors to the homestate of the obvious Republican nominee, so we can logically expect a hailstorm of Republican efforts here.
I met with someone today who is connecting me to others who are working in the grassroots with organizations like moveon.org to mobilize a strong united force here in New Mexico (which we can safely call a battleground state now). I will be posting more information in the coming week and weeks about opportunities to turn back the horrendous tide of the last 7 years of lies and dirty tricks.
There are enough of us out there that if we all come forth and work and contribute our talents and passion energy, then we can be the change we have been waiting for and we need not worry that first Tuesday in November!
Thanks for reading!
In Peace Always,
Asa A. Gregory
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Ordinary People?
Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, Paul Revere, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcom X and George Washington...
Those are pretty impressive and "untouchable" names in history, right? WRONG!
Most of these people were citizens of the British Empire and then of the newly and courageously formed United States of America. Others were citizens of the Western Hemisphere who saw that great change was needed and answered a call to the greatness within themselves and those around them.
How do they relate to you, to me and to people who join our country every day, every and every year?
They relate very closely, I tell you...
These were ordinary people who made something of themselves against all odds of the time. They sought something greater...within themselves, within their community and within their country and, ultimately, their world.
They got educations and military honors or just simply spoke out and took a bold stance in the face of something more powerful and daunting than themselves. They faced treason and certain death and they did not take "NO" or apathy itself as an answer on how to live and survive.
That is how you and I and new residents and citizens of the United States of America and the world relate to these seemingly out of reach and out of touch echoes of history.
We are the makers of our own world. We are the champions of what we KNOW to be right.
You are no ordinary citizen of this world, unless you doom yourself to be so.
Elections of our U.S. government officials are seemingly only elected through channels of money and corporations, but the people are always more powerful than the money that claims to have a hold on the future of our country and the world. We as a collective, but certainly as strong and inspired individuals, have the grip on the lever that determines our future.
The power to vote is a power that has long been forgotten and ignored through oppression and apathy, but it is ALWAYS your power to exercise. Not just your vote, but your voice, your actions and your will to survive and change will make the world as we understand it should be.
So, don't feel that your mind, your voice or your importance is being crushed by the evils and the powerful money influences of the world.
You and I and Us and We are the only ones who can set us free...SPEAK OUT and ACT!
Those are pretty impressive and "untouchable" names in history, right? WRONG!
Most of these people were citizens of the British Empire and then of the newly and courageously formed United States of America. Others were citizens of the Western Hemisphere who saw that great change was needed and answered a call to the greatness within themselves and those around them.
How do they relate to you, to me and to people who join our country every day, every and every year?
They relate very closely, I tell you...
These were ordinary people who made something of themselves against all odds of the time. They sought something greater...within themselves, within their community and within their country and, ultimately, their world.
They got educations and military honors or just simply spoke out and took a bold stance in the face of something more powerful and daunting than themselves. They faced treason and certain death and they did not take "NO" or apathy itself as an answer on how to live and survive.
That is how you and I and new residents and citizens of the United States of America and the world relate to these seemingly out of reach and out of touch echoes of history.
We are the makers of our own world. We are the champions of what we KNOW to be right.
You are no ordinary citizen of this world, unless you doom yourself to be so.
Elections of our U.S. government officials are seemingly only elected through channels of money and corporations, but the people are always more powerful than the money that claims to have a hold on the future of our country and the world. We as a collective, but certainly as strong and inspired individuals, have the grip on the lever that determines our future.
The power to vote is a power that has long been forgotten and ignored through oppression and apathy, but it is ALWAYS your power to exercise. Not just your vote, but your voice, your actions and your will to survive and change will make the world as we understand it should be.
So, don't feel that your mind, your voice or your importance is being crushed by the evils and the powerful money influences of the world.
You and I and Us and We are the only ones who can set us free...SPEAK OUT and ACT!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Demos, HEAR YOUR VOICE!
Last week I went to sleep with the prayer in my mind that I may be more diligent in pursuing my passions and my goals and my talents.
I woke up with probably the best letter to the editor in my mind that I've ever written. I felt revolutionary. I felt like my letter could change the minds of voters on the fence in Democratic primaries all over this nation.
Below is the letter I woke up with resonating in my head:
I was floored, however, when my mother told me two days later that Dennis Kucinich (the man on whose behalf I had written the letter) had withdrawn from the race. I honestly don't think I'm over it yet, though I FULLY understand why he transitioned back to his Congressional Re-Election campaign.
The message of that letter was that our democracy was in a terrible state and Dennis, I believed, was the voice of the people to lead us back to the greatness that the founding fathers foresaw through the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Dennis Kucinich is still the voice of the people...most specifically the people of the 10th Congressional District of Ohio. Those people need to re-elect that voice, so that we all will have a true voice of conscience on the war, health care, the environment and so many other issues.
Do what you can to help Dennis keep his seat. Then think about who speaks for you in your home district and help them get elected or re-elected! If WE THE PEOPLE don't speak out with our vote, then THEY, THE "REPRESENTATIVES" in Washington don't speak for us.
So, stand up, speak out and go volunteer, contribute and VOTE!!!
In Peace Always,
Asa A. Gregory
I woke up with probably the best letter to the editor in my mind that I've ever written. I felt revolutionary. I felt like my letter could change the minds of voters on the fence in Democratic primaries all over this nation.
Below is the letter I woke up with resonating in my head:
Man of Integrity
The following is a letter I wrote to the "editor" which I forwarded to several newspapers around the country to raise awareness about the man who I believe should be President, despite the naysayers and the chronic annoying doubters...
***********************
Deciding to run for president is by no means a light decision for
anyone brave enough to join the race. It even sometimes comes with
death threats. Ask Abraham Lincoln, Jesse Jackson or Bobby Kennedy.
For years we have listened to the major candidates on either side of
the aisle, while Third Party Candidates such as Ross Perot or Ralph
Nader have never had a true chance.
We now live in an age where corporations and the national media truly
decide what voices we hear when making our choice for "the leader of
the free world." The state of our democracy is decidedly worse than at
any other point in history.
A national media network owned by a major corporation (whose stocks I
sadly own) locked out a particular candidate in a recent debate, after
extending him an invitation and letter of congratulations.The candidate
of whom I speak is Representative Dennis J. Kucinich of
Ohio.
Dennis has my vote because he stands on the shoulders (and pages) of
history with integrity, courage, passion and especially because he
truly defends the U.S. Constitution.
I urge the voters of this country to vote their conscience or at least
find out who truly represents their conscience and values, instead of
voting for the corporate appointed poster boy or girl of their party.
We MUST see a person of integrity leading the people of this country
in the White House. Vote your conscience. Vote Dennis Kucinich. I am
sure James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington would
applaud you.
-Asa A. Gregory
Albuquerque, New Mexico
asagregory@hotmail.com
**************************
***********************
Deciding to run for president is by no means a light decision for
anyone brave enough to join the race. It even sometimes comes with
death threats. Ask Abraham Lincoln, Jesse Jackson or Bobby Kennedy.
For years we have listened to the major candidates on either side of
the aisle, while Third Party Candidates such as Ross Perot or Ralph
Nader have never had a true chance.
We now live in an age where corporations and the national media truly
decide what voices we hear when making our choice for "the leader of
the free world." The state of our democracy is decidedly worse than at
any other point in history.
A national media network owned by a major corporation (whose stocks I
sadly own) locked out a particular candidate in a recent debate, after
extending him an invitation and letter of congratulations.The candidate
of whom I speak is Representative Dennis J. Kucinich of
Ohio.
Dennis has my vote because he stands on the shoulders (and pages) of
history with integrity, courage, passion and especially because he
truly defends the U.S. Constitution.
I urge the voters of this country to vote their conscience or at least
find out who truly represents their conscience and values, instead of
voting for the corporate appointed poster boy or girl of their party.
We MUST see a person of integrity leading the people of this country
in the White House. Vote your conscience. Vote Dennis Kucinich. I am
sure James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington would
applaud you.
-Asa A. Gregory
Albuquerque, New Mexico
asagregory@hotmail.com
**************************
I was floored, however, when my mother told me two days later that Dennis Kucinich (the man on whose behalf I had written the letter) had withdrawn from the race. I honestly don't think I'm over it yet, though I FULLY understand why he transitioned back to his Congressional Re-Election campaign.
The message of that letter was that our democracy was in a terrible state and Dennis, I believed, was the voice of the people to lead us back to the greatness that the founding fathers foresaw through the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Dennis Kucinich is still the voice of the people...most specifically the people of the 10th Congressional District of Ohio. Those people need to re-elect that voice, so that we all will have a true voice of conscience on the war, health care, the environment and so many other issues.
Do what you can to help Dennis keep his seat. Then think about who speaks for you in your home district and help them get elected or re-elected! If WE THE PEOPLE don't speak out with our vote, then THEY, THE "REPRESENTATIVES" in Washington don't speak for us.
So, stand up, speak out and go volunteer, contribute and VOTE!!!
In Peace Always,
Asa A. Gregory
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