Blog for Patlak : Patlak for Congress

Election Day is looming large

2004-10-08T15:49:00.000-04:00

With Election Day seemingly just around the corner, I've come to be more certain of a little idiosynchracy of mine. I want desperately to vote for something, not against something.

What do I mean by this? When Dave was in the running for Congress, I was all about Dave. Today, weeks after the primary, I'm not sure I can tell you who his opponent was, and I'd be hardprest to remember the incumbent's name. None of that really mattered: I was for Dave. I wasn't against anyone. I was for someone.

Now, we're thick in the heat of the battle for the Presidency, and I desperately want to be for someone, not against someone. It's too easy to be against Mr. Bush. I want to be for Mr. Kerry. And, as the days go on, I see more and more to be for: I'm enthused. He's more and more on message; more and more is he providing answers, answers America needs.

Be for something: be for an America we can all be proud of. Vote Kerry/Edwards in November.

Social Justice, Tolerance, and Diversity

2004-09-02T19:51:00.000-04:00

Well, here we are some 2 days after the primary. I am still reeling; I can only imagine how Dave and those who worked so diligently on his campaign feel.

I am firm in this belief, however: the issues which were important to Dave remain important to me and those of us who supported Dave. Perhaps they are important to Sam and his supporters, too; I don't know; I certainly hope so.

Three linked issues which remain in the forefront of my mind are social justice, tolerance, and diversity. I have written often here, and sometimes frequently on my musings blog, about calls to action. The other day, my brother told me that the neo-Nazis and the Klan were gathering in Valley Forge later this month. I'm all in favor of free speech, but I don't need to agree to what other people say, nor do I need to stand idly by. Sometimes action is strongly called for.

Now, you might be suggesting that Valley Forge, all the way up in southeastern Pennsylvania, is so far from southern Florida, and, sure, it is geographically far. But I have news for you: just like what happens in Miami Beach and Key West impacts the rest of the country, what happens in Valley Forge is going to impact Miami and points south.

I've started a new blog where I'll be posting about social justice, tolerance, diversity, and the need for action. Please mark Rally for Social Justice in your favorites and join us often.

I eat my words

2004-09-01T20:08:00.000-04:00

Well, I was wrong. Dave did not take the primary yesterday. I went to bed assured that Dave had taken the primary & woke up today spending the entire day talking with clients. Traveling from one place to another, I called Dave to congratulate him; I got his voice mail and left a message.

This evening, I checked my email and found the following:

Peter, At this point you must have seen the results and know that we lost the primary yesterday. We won in Miami Dade but lost in Monroe County. We are all perplexed and are looking into the results, but unless there was a software error, the election will stand as it is.

I just want to thank you so much for you amazing dedication to Dave and for such an amazing blog. It truly has been wonderful to read. Of course we will keep you posted on things. It is a bit surreal here.

Thank you again. You have been a great inspiration.

Damn. And a whole slew of other four letter words.

So, I surf the news sites and find this. The article says

Sam Sheldon, a political neophyte who staged his congressional campaign from a bedroom in his parents' Pinecrest home and who preferred to spread his campaign message via the Internet, defeated Coast Guard veteran David Patlak on Tuesday for the Democratic nomination in U.S. House District 18.

And then it goes on to say

Sheldon called his campaign and primary victory ''encouraging'' signs for young candidates who can now use the Internet to effectively campaign for office.

So, I'm thinking, just who is this young Sam Sheldon? He's got a nice website, but at first blush it looks like he spends all his words comparing himself to great Americans by institutional association.

And then, I ask myself, what's this blog and Dave's site if not using the Internet?

The results show that Sam won over Dave by 303 votes. That's right: 303 votes, or about 1.2% of the votes cast. At this point, all I can say is that Florida once again shows that every vote counts.

For those of you who surf here on a regular basis, I have a few more posts. Before coming back, however, I need to compose myself.

Peace.

Patlak takes the primary!

2004-08-31T22:10:00.000-04:00

According to the Miami-Dade election folks, with 95% of the votes counted, Dave has over 53% of the votes cast!

We're one step closer to sending Dave to Washington to serve the citizens of the 18th Congressional District, the State of Florida, and this great country of ours.

Get out and vote!

2004-08-31T08:25:00.000-04:00

Yes, today is the first opportunity you have to cast your votes for Dave Patlak.

Wondering where to vote? For residents of Miami-Dade, go here.

For up-to-date vote counts, go here.

For election news from today's Miami Herald, go here.

Dave is a member of Dean's Dozen!

2004-08-30T12:53:00.000-04:00

Dave's been endorsed by Democracy in America and named a member of Dean's (final) Dozen!

This is only one small step in our journey to send Dave Patlak to The Hill and bring Ileana Ros-Lehtinen home. Let's send Dave away and bring Ileana home!

On the web!

2004-08-27T00:01:00.000-04:00

I found Dave on the web at Daily Kos... Pretty cool, I thought.

And, then, here he is mentioned at Grass Roots Miami... Very cool, I though.

Further along my travels, I found him on Wes Clark's site... Beyond cool. (General Clark was my candidate in the earlier Presidential primary cycle; I still think General Clark is the ideal servant leader. He'll do great things in the next Cabinet.)

And a little further along, I find that Dave was in USA Today (the McPaper of newspapers) a while back... Well, I'm just tickled pink.

And back in blog land, I find that Frank Lynch has blogged about Dave in Really Not Worth Archiving. I'm thinking, "Check it out. Dave not only has a whole blog dedicated to him and his campaign, but other bloggers are blogging about him." Hot.

So there we are: Dave's on the web. All over!

Now, it's incumbent on you to spread the word about Dave's candidacy for the House of Representatives. Get on the move!

The time for action draws near

2004-08-26T20:56:00.000-04:00

Greetings fellow Citizens. The time for action draws near. What are you doing about it?

Okay, a bit formal, but the message is clear: time draws nigh. The Primaries are only a couple of days away; while Dave is doing well, this is not a time to slack off. He (and, I would suggest, our country) needs you to act. What are you doing to help Dave's candidacy? Have you talked to your neighbors? Have you spread the word? Have you donated funds?

We all need to do something. And, if your situation is anything like mine, we all can be doing more.

These are trying times, all across the Country. While the political stew continues to simmer -- and will likely reach a boiling point in late October -- we need to remember a couple of things.

First, free speech is a fundamental right. For others. And for me. And for you. Exercise it.

Second, one of the things that makes this country great is the fact that we can disagree (even strongly disagree) and still roll up our sleeves and work together, side by side, when we need to.

Many years ago at my boyhood church, we installed a stained glass window over the altar. The stained glass was made by an artist who had done work throughout Africa. The work he did in Africa was as service instead of serving in the military in Vietnam. He didn't dodge the draft; he didn't serve as a National Guardsman; he didn't move to Canada. Instead, he took alternative service and worked in Africa, not only doing stained glass, but helping build communities. A physical labor for more than seven year. Anyway, he did the stained glass for our church. And, when he came to install the glass, he needed assistance. And the man who stood on the ladder on the other side of the wall helping with the installation was a retired Army colonel, who had served in Vietnam. The two of them worked for a nearly a week installing the glass. Two men with different notions of policy, but both with a shared vision of what the world was supposed to be. And both men acting on that vision.

We must make America a better place, for all citizens. Part of that action is electing leaders who share our values, share our vision, and share our desire for right action.

Dave Patlak is, in my book, a leader who we need to send to Washington. His values, his vision, and his desire demonstrate responsibility to all Americans.

Join me helping sent Dave Patlak to Congress. Get out and act; get out and do; get out.

All politics is local (Part 1)

2004-08-23T15:02:00.000-04:00

They say all politics is local, even national politics. Take a gander at this site, a focus on the national perspective.

Congress needs to take a stand

2004-08-23T13:55:00.000-04:00

The Washington Post reported yesterday that a "memo issued last summer by a U.S. Army military intelligence officer appealed for suggestions on how to extract information from prisoners in Iraq and called for tougher means of getting intelligence." What we might be seeing is the start of a wealth of information which shows the Abu Graib interrogations were not some abnormal behavior which were created out of context by a couple of junior enlisted military personnel.

Why do I mention this? Well, part of the responsibility of the Congress is to bring issues to light, to investigate, to hold hearings, to bring the American government into the age of transparency. And, at the moment, most of our elected representatives are more concerned about their own jobs than transparency in government.

I seek out elected representatives who will bring transparency to the Hill and other power spots in Washington. I seek out representation which strives to find the truth.

I seek out representatives like Dave Patlak. I hope you do too. Support Dave Patlak.

A need for federal funding for accurate weather forecasting

2004-08-18T16:51:00.000-04:00

Receieved the following from the "Home Office." They requested I post here on our Blog for Dave.

To all interested parties,

As a local charter boat captain I have a necessary familiarity with the remote sensing instrumentation employed by NASA and NOAH, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. These agencies provide some of the most valuable tools professionals such as myself rely on to make a living. My academic background is in meteorological science, which comes in quite handy and I apply that basic knowledge on a daily basis with help from NOAH to create working forecasts of weather conditions at sea. I depend on my experience at sea and on the derived meteorological products from key satellite systems to keep my clients and myself safe.

However, you don't have to be a sea going captain to understand the importance of accurate weather forecasting services. It is of grave concern to me that the public is now exposed to a clear and present danger posed by the shut down of the TRMM satellite program. TRMM is an orbiting surveillance platform, which observes and reports important information needed to make sound weather forecasts. TRMM provides sea surface temperature and sea height data, which is factored into the statistical forecasting models, which estimate hurricane growth potential and direction of travel.

The TRMM satellite program has been used for over a decade in successful forecasts of intensity and tracking for tropical systems like Hurricane Charley. To the dismay of working professionals, coastal residents and the world science community, funding for this vital program has been terminated by the Bush administration, even as these scientists argue that we are now handicapping our ability to deliver concise warnings of impending hurricane landfalls. The premature closure of this very valuable weather forecasting mission is certainly not laudable given our present circumstances.

The problem with TRMM is not technical; it is all about reassigned budget priorities to accommodate the president's vision of manned space exploration. In the absence of the political will to continue the program a decision was made to implement the controlled de-orbiting of this perfectly good life saving satellite. All because the mere $28 million to $36 million needed to operate the system for another two years could not be found in the new working budget shared between NASA and the Japanese space agency with whom we are in partnership.

Let's do some math and examine the false economy realized in this shortfall. Accurate forecasting reduces the scope and scale of evacuations. The costs of evacuating 1 mile of coastline has been estimated to be about $1 million dollars and there are hundreds if not sometimes thousands of miles evacuated during even a mild Hurricane season. The cost of a human life lost to a storm is a calculation that I would not care to endure and yet sadly manyhave done just that.

I would like to ask Mr. Bush to justify why he deemed it appropriate for his administration to impair our forecasting system and thus blind our eyes to the next storm which arrives to take from us the very things government can not replace. I think that it is incumbent for him to assign thenecessary funding to ensure that NASA and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration can continue their mission of protecting the nation from the consequences of violent weather. Any reluctance to do so would be worthy of some very close attention by the residents of Florida. The president's recent visit to the disaster sites at Punta Gorda and Arcadia certainly takes on new meaning when we consider these implications.

/s/ Captain Wayne R. Genthner
629 Payne Parkway
Sarasota, Fl

Supporting data:

Fundraising reception to be held this Saturday!

2004-08-18T16:45:00.000-04:00

Another message from the home office.

You are cordially invited to a fundraising reception for Dave Patlak with a viewing of the documentary "OUTFOXED" afterwards. "OUTFOXED" exposes the media basis behind the Fox News network with personal interviews, white house distributed talking points, and other revelations.

Help us reach our "Double our Money" fundraising goal, so we can fund David's slingshot against Ileana's Goliath money machine.

Contribute on-line right now and put "OUTFOXED Event" in the comments section. Then print out your receipt and use it as your ticket in or just contribute at the door. Here is the on-line link: http://www.patlak.org/id8.html.

WHEN: Saturday August 21, 2004 Starts at 5:30 pm
LOCATION: The Kenilworth 10205 Collins Ave, Bal Harbour.
Tell the Concierge you are going to Apt. 107 (Last Name: Lieberman)

If you wish to RSVP or get better directions the phone #s are: 305 861-9355 or 305 865-3206

Minimum Suggested contribution: $100
Maximum contribution: $4,000 ($2000 each election cycle)
Checks payable to: Patlak for Congress
Contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Corporate contributions are not permitted by law.

Weekly "Patlak for Congress" Volunteer E-letter

2004-08-18T16:35:00.000-04:00

A message from the "Home Office."

Hello PATLAKers,

NOTE: There is an excellent chance that Saturday morning's precinct walk will be covered by Miami Herald reporter, Nicole White. It would be great to have a HUGE TURNOUT on Saturday to show our support for Dave.

Here's what's goin' on this weekend:

Saturday and Sunday Morning, August 20th & 21st:
Precinct Walk in South Dade

Join us for flyering this Saturday and Sunday morning, from 9 to noon. We'll be leaving Patlak literature at the homes of every Democrat in South Dade. We'll be covering one of the most heavily Democratic areas in all of Dade County, so your participation is vital to our efforts to reach everyone in just two days. We'll all be meeting both Saturday and Sunday morning at the Burger King on SW 112th Ave at SW 211th St, at 9am. We'll all go out in teams at about 9:10, and then get back together at noon for lunch. I'll be there at 8:30 to greet early arrivals.

Saturday Afternoon, August 20th:
Honk and Waves

Saturday evening, from 6 to 8pm, join us for a honk and wave. Come out to wave signs Patlak and Kerry signs at one of the following locations: (Don't forget to wear those snazzy Patlak for Congress t-shirts.)

US 1 and Sunset

US 1 and SW 136 ST

US 1 and Eureka Dr. (SW 184 St.)

US 1 and SW 312th ST

US 1 and Palm Drive (Homestead)

Saturday Night Insanity

Following the Honk and Wave, join us for a round of miniature golf at TROPICAL MINI GOLF, at 27201 US 1, in Homestead. We'll meet at about 9:30pm and she or he who shoots the lowest round will receive a brand new anti-Bush t-shirt.

Sunday Night, August 21st:
Phone Banking

Come help us Phone bank for Dave: Put your free cell phone minutes to good use from 6 to 9pm, at my apartment. The address is 8370 SW 65th Ave, Apt. 9, in South Miami. FREE PIZZA and DRINK, for all who attend!

Please give me (David Jordon) a call at 305 666-2519 to RSVP for this weekend's events or to get directions to my house for Sunday events.

The (past) WEEKEND IN REVIEW:

Thanks again to everyone for yet another terrific weekend of flyering, honking, waving, and phone banking. Thirty volunteers came out this weekend to help and they took no prisoners (literally and figuratively).

In the Gables Saturday and Sunday morning, fourteen PATLAKers pounded the pavement (a lot of alliteration) leaving literature at Democratic doorsteps. Thank you all for your hard work.

We also had at least 25 volunteers out in the evening at Honk and Waves along US 1. For two hours, Patlak and Kerry supporters waved signs and handed out bumper stickers and pins. Thank you all for coming and for wearing those Patlak t-shirts - golly they're sharp.

We wrapped up the weekend with a Sunday evening phone bank. From 6 to 9pm, we reached out to Democrats in Miami Beach and South Miami, and much to our delight; we were graced once again this week by the presence of the candidate himself. Dave joined us for phone calls and pizza (or in Dave's case, pizza toppings - it's a South Beach Diet thing).

Thanks you everyone for coming out. You light up our weekends.

David Jordan
Volunteer Coordinator
305 666-2519

From the "Home Office"

2004-08-17T17:16:00.000-04:00

Greetings everyone,

Another successful weekend for volunteers has come to a close. Thank you for your hard work.

GREAT NEWS!!! We are in the Miami Herald AGAIN both yesterday and today. The first is an article from the Sunday Metro section page 3 untitled “Democrats aim at tough incumbent Ros-Lehtinen.” The second is an excellent letter to the editor from today’s paper titled “Cuban Politics” written by Elaine Cruz (The text for both are included at the end of this posting). That is Dave Patlak in the press 5 times in the last week and half. Help us keep the press coming by writing a letter in response to the Sunday article. The contact info on where to send your letter is printed right before the articles at the bottom of this post.

TAKE ACTION RIGHT NOW!!!

There are three quick actions you could do right now that would significantly help our campaign.

Click on this link and sign the internet petition to make Dave one of the last Dean Dozen. It will take you 1 minute to do, yet if we are successful it could mean thousands of dollars for our campaign.

Send this e-mail to friends on your list and ask them to sign the petition as well. It doesn’t matter where in the country people live. Congress is a national office and Dave’s race will make the difference for John Kerry in South Florida.

Contribute right now. We have begun a 10 day fundraising blitz to double our money. HELP US REACH OUR GOAL by contributing what you can now. We have an incredible campaign plan for the general election.

We are David fighting Goliath when it comes to fundraising, but never forget that DAVID WON. We don’t need 2 million to go head to head. We need $200,000 and her game is over. At our last filing with the FEC, we had raised $30,000. That’s it and look what we have done. All of us. Together. Help us double our money and reach $80,000 by August 31st. Contribute now.

Here is the address to write a letter to the Herald:

e-mail HeraldEd@herald.com or

Fax to: 305 376-8950 or

snail mail it to: The Readers’ Forum, The Herald, One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132-1693

REMEMBER: All letters to the Herald MUST INCLUDE your name, address, and a daytime phone number. They almost never call, but they won’t print your letter without it.

Thanks again EVERYONE!!!!!! Enjoy the reading below!

Sincerely,
Charles Chamberlain
Charles@PATLAK.org

MIAMI HERALD ARTICLE from Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004

“Democrats aim at tough incumbent Ros-Lehtinen”

The Democrats who will square off in an Aug. 31 primary in U.S. House District 18 are taking shots at incumbent Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and her support for President Bush.

BY NICOLE WHITE

The effort to unseat Republican congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen essentially comes down to this: a battle cry to defeat the woman who opponents say has ignored the needs of U.S House District 18 to campaign tirelessly for President Bush.

Democratic candidates Dave Patlak of Miami Beach and Samuel Sheldon of Pinecrest both say that belief was at the core of their respective decisions to seek to represent the district that stretches from Miami Beach to Key West.

Patlak and Sheldon are competing in the Democratic primary on Aug. 31 for the nomination to run against Ros-Lehtinen, an eight-term incumbent heavily favored to keep her seat.

NOT BEING SERVED

''I just had enough,'' said Patlak, 49, a retired U.S Coast Guard officer, who touts his 25-year experience in the agency and his knowledge of the nation's waterways.

''It sickens me to hear Ileana get on the radio to urge voters to stay the course for four more years when the people of her district aren't being served,'' he said.

Sheldon, 28, a University of Virginia Law School graduate and a political neophyte who admits to having ''underestimated the amount of work this campaign would take,'' said he is offended by the congresswoman's routine defense of the Bush administration.

''I see Bush as a problem on many levels and Ileana as an enabler who has to go,'' Sheldon said.

Whoever wins the primary will have to do more than deliver firecracker rhetoric to topple the popular incumbent.

Ros-Lehtinen has retained her congressional seat in seven elections with only token opposition, and she is a veritable ''institution in Miami-Dade politics,'' said Miami-based pollster Sergio Bendixen.

Ros-Lehtinen's 1989 victory in a special election to replace beloved congressman Claude Pepper after his death represented the ''the beginning of a chapter in Cuban-American politics,'' Bendixen said. ``It was one of the great victories of Cuban Americans. She'll be very difficult to defeat.''

In addition to shaking that legacy, whoever wins the primary must also overcome Ros-Lehtinen's near $2 million campaign war chest. Patlak and Sheldon have so far raised a combined $30,800.

As the incumbent, Ros-Lehtinen, whom The Herald could not reach for comment for this report, also enjoys the ability to remind her constituents of her accomplishments. She does this via newsletters and mailers that emphasize her role in securing funding to help clean the Miami River and her role in helping to introduce the Early Treatment for HIV Act ``to allow states to expand their medicaid programs to cover HIV positive individuals before they become disabled.''

The two Democrats are taking different approaches. Sheldon has sent no direct mail and will not campaign door-to-door. He'll embark instead on an Internet campaign blitz.

Patlak, on the other hand, has been more old-school, going door-to-door, even hurricane warnings Thursday night in Marathon.

He has seized on the chance to woo Cuban-American voters who aren't happy with Ros-Lehtinen's support for President Bush's tough new Cuba travel policy.

The new policy cuts remittances to $100 a month and travel to the island by Cuban Americans from once a year to once in three years.

Patlak's campaign postcards, signed by 150 Cuban Americans, declared the new policy ``Un-American, unjust and inhumane.''

He has also responded to Ros-Lehtinen's claims that the foundation run by Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's wife may have indirectly helped the Cuban government link to the Internet more than a decade ago. Democrats dismissed the accusation against Teresa Heinz Kerry as an absurd smear.

Patlak called it ``the worst kind of negative campaigning I've seen in years.''

THE REAL CHALLENGE

While Patlak's strategy -- admittedly designed to woo Hispanic voters who make up 56 percent of the district's more than 285,000 registered voters -- could very well earn him the Democratic nomination, he would face an uphill battle against Ros-Lehtinen, Bendixen said.

''Patlak seems like an earnest person, but he's going to have to work hard, and he's going to have to do much, much more to win this race,'' he said.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR in Monday, August 16, 2004 Miami Herald

Cuba politics

Re the Aug, 12 article Cuba policy is used against GOP:

It is not candidate Dave Patlak who is using President Bush's latest travel restrictions for political gains. Patlak is simply standing up for a basic human right to visit family. President Bush is the one who implemented cruel restrictions aiming to secure the votes of right-wing Cubans.

I'm a Cuban American who applauds Patlak for standing up against measures that only serve to divide the Cuban family.

/s/ ELAINE CRUZ, Miami

Your help is needed now

2004-08-16T20:49:00.000-04:00

Your help is needed now.

Here are three easy ways to help Dave Patlak's campaign for Congress:

1. Help get Dave on the Dean's Dozen list sponsored by the Democracy for America folks. Click here to sign the petition. Come on! It's quick, painless, and doesn't cost a thing!

2. Blog here: drop me an email and I'll add you so you can blog here on our Patlak for Congress blog. Okay, this one will cost you creativity and a few words spent blogging. So be it. It's worth it!

3. Donate money to Dave's campaign. In today's world, it takes money to run a successful campaign, even one run on a shoe string. These are not the days of yore where public appearances by the candidate and volunteers knocking on doors did the trick. Nope, not any more. Today, cash is needed. That's the reality of the matter. The good news is that every bit counts. This doesn't cost you any creativity, energy, or words, just a few bucks. Give up dinner out one night this week and help send Dave to Washington.

There you go; three easy things to do... Now get to work...

Material Wealth... who's got it? who doesn't?

2004-08-09T13:26:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, the President sat stone-faced through a sermon imploring the congregation to "jettison their material possessions." I'll not make any judgments on the President's wealth, or on the wealth of Senator Kerry, but I will utter a word or two about Mr. Patlak:

Dave is no born with a silver spoon in his mouth guy. No, David Patlak is a retired military officer, drawing a simple retirement pay for his years of service in uniform. And, Dave is no academy graduate, but rather worked his early years in uniform as an enlisted member. He's a regular Joe. And, as such, he understands where most Americans, and most people living in the 18th District in Florida, are coming from. His vision is one for all Americans, and one where those at what we sometimes consider the "bottom of the food chain" can succeed. Our youth. Our recently arrived to this country. Our veterans, disabled and able-bodied alike. Our minimum age earners. All those who form the bulk of our great country.

No silver spoon here; David wants to work with you and for you... not the other way around.

This can only happen, however, if each of us contribute our time and talent and treasure to his candidacy. We, each, must do what we can to support Dave Patlak and to ensure his run for Congress is successful.

The Miami Herald has spoken

2004-08-06T13:16:00.000-04:00

And spoken they have. In yesterday's paper, the Herald staff endorsed Dave Patlak in the upcoming primary. Said the Herald about Dave's experience:

Such expertise equips him to advocate in Congress for better security at our
ports and along this district's shoreline, which stretches from Miami Beach to
Key West.

Get on board and help send Dave to Washington. We want Ms. Ileana Ros Lehtinen to come home!

Volunteer. Support. Dave Patlak for Congress!

Get out & volunteer... Later this month, get out & vote...

2004-08-05T15:48:00.000-04:00

It's been one of those weeks where I'm not sure if I'm coming or going, both personally and professionally. Politically, well, I know both where I'm coming from and where I'm going, but more on that in a minute.

As you may know, this was a very important week: 214 years ago on the 4th of August, the United States Coast Guard started as the Revenue Cutter Service. I mention this because, as you know, Dave is a Coast Guard veteran. The values of the Coast Guard -- honor, respect, devotion to duty -- are ingrained in his being. These are values which will guide him as the Representative from the 18th District.

However, he can't get there without your help. We're coming from years in the wilderness where the average American doesn't count inside the Beltway. With your help, we're headed to a time when you and me, plain-old-ordinary-Americans, count. Your help is needed to put Dave, and those who agree with his values, in Washington.

How can you help? Well, today I received the following. Take note:

Greetings Everyone,

Thank you all for making this weekend our most successful yet, as twenty-five Patlak volunteers came out to help at our Saturday and Sunday events. In case you missed it, the weekend in review is right after the info on what’s up this week.

Here’s what we got going on this week:

Saturday Morning, August 7th: Canvass Pinecrest
Join us on Saturday, from 9 to Noon, as we canvass the registered Democrats of Pinecrest. We’ll all go out in teams to knock on doors and talk with our base about Dave Patlak. We’ll all be meeting at the Starbuck’s located in the strip mall on U.S. 1 and SW 112th St at 9:00am. We’ll all take off at about 9:10. I’ll be there at 8:30 for early arrivals.

Sunday Afternoon, August 8th: Grand Opening of the new DCCF Office in Homestead
Come join us from 3 to 6pm for the Grand Opening of the DCCF Office, located in the Pioneer Mall at 224 Washington Avenue, in Homestead. Dave Patlak will appear in the flesh (and a suit), as well as Air America Radio AM 940 and Haitian Radio AM 1610, who will be broadcasting the event live and on location. Come show your support, and don’t forget to wear those stylish Dave Patlak for Congress t-shirts.

Sunday Evening: Phone Bank
Then, after the grand opening, join us as we break in the new office. Come help us phone bank from 6 to 9pm – help us reach out and touch Democratic voters in Homestead and beyond. We have less than a month to go before the primary, and with your help we can make sure that people know the name Dave Patlak on August 31st.

Food and drink for all who attend.

Monday and Tuesday Evening: Phone Bank
On every Monday and Tuesday evening, from now until the primary on Aug. 31st, there will be phone banking at the home of the volunteer coordinator (me) from 7 to 9pm. Everyone who attends will have ample and delicious food, and more importantly, the pleasure of my company. These phone banking sessions will be held at Dave Jordan’s house, at 8370 SW 65th Ave, apt. 9, located in Jade Gardens Apartments in South Miami. PLEASE CALL 305 666-2519 TO RSVP, and for directions to this venue.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW:

On Saturday morning, fifteen of us attended the Cuban American protest against the new and insidious travel restrictions outside of Ileana’s office, located outside the district (go figure). Patlak volunteers handed out signs and flyers to an enthusiastic crowd of four hundred protesters. More than two hundred protesters signed our postcard petition against these extreme and inhumane measures. Also on hand was Dave “Elvis” Patlak, who was mobbed for an hour by protesters and press for quotes, handshakes and autographs. We made the networks with a long spot on ABC at 6:30. Thank you to everyone for attending and helping create such a successful event.

Then in the afternoon, we dodged the raindrops in Westchester to flyer the doors of all registered Democrats. Great job by all - Thanks!

On Sunday afternoon, a dozen volunteers converged on the home of the volunteer coordinator to stuff envelopes and construct lawn signs. We stuffed and sealed more than a thousand fundraising letters in less than an hour and a half – shattering last weeks pace of two hours and fifty minutes. Athens, here we come! Thank you to everyone for your dedication and manual dexterity.

We finished off the weekend with a Sunday evening phone bank for Dave. Seven of us, including the candidate himself called and identified hundreds of District 18 voters for the August primary. And Dave treated us all to fresh mangos from his backyard’s trees and pizza from Pizza Hut. Thanks Dave! And thanks to everyone for doing such a great job this weekend.

A general announcement: Erika Brigham’s dog – the loveable and hungry dachshund, Henry, is now our official campaign mascot (just don’t tell that to Dave’s bunny, Pluto).

See y’all this weekend, and beyond,

Dave Jordan
Volunteer Coordinator
305 666-2519

P.S. I would be neglecting my duties if I didn’t mention you can contribute on-line at http://www.patlak.org . Your support makes it possible for all these great event to take place. If you can’t volunteer this weekend, please consider a contribution instead. Thanks!!

To help out with the campaign, write patlakvolunteer@hotmail.com.

Defenders of Democracy

2004-07-30T14:18:00.000-04:00

Received the following via email... posting here as requested:

Hi Peter,

I love the blog you have set up for Dave and would love it if you could post the following as an entry. I posted it as a comment but think it needs more presence.

Hello Patlak Supporters and Defenders of Democracy

We hope you are all energized after the amazing speeches from the Democratic National Convention. Please tap into that energy and help us on Saturday.

If you live in the Miami area we need your help tomorrow to stand up to the Bush Administration and defend families and freedom.

We are gathering outside of Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's office to protest the new Cuba policy. Dave has gone on record saying it is an un-American, unjust and inhumane policy. The travel restrictions and remittance limitations don’t hurt Castro. They hurt American families here and their families still in Cuba. It redefines what family means. Aunts, uncles and cousins don't count. It puts a price tag on families and limits how much money a Cuban- American can send back to family still struggling on the island. And it forbids Americans from visiting their family every year. Instead, Americans can only visit family every three years. Imagine if you had a family member ailing or dying and you couldn’t rush to their side because you had already been back once in the past three years. Is this the land of the free?

Do you cripple a foreign dictatorship by punishing Americans? No.

Do you topple a regime by redefining families? No.

Not one special license has been issued permitting travel back to Cuba since the policy went into effect. What has happened is that now Cuban-Americans are forced to defy the law, travel to a third country and fly on a Cuban carrier back to the island. Castro winds up making money where he didn’t before. The same applies to remittances and care packages including family photos.

Cuban-Americans who were born in this country or arrived after 1980 are registering Democrat, and this policy affects them directly. As Democrats we must all stand together. As Americans we need to fight social injustice.

So we are protesting outside of the office of one of the most strident backers of the new policy. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Please join us and stand up for families, freedom and fairness.

The protest begins at 11am. We will meet at 10:30am and distribute post cards to protestors that we will collect and deliver in person to the publisher of the Miami Herald. The office is located at 9210 SW 72nd Street, Suite 100 Miami, Florida 33173

Please look for David Jordan or anyone wearing a Patlak for Congress T shirt.

Thanks,

Jody Finver
http://www.patlak.org/
Stand Up For Democracy. Volunteer. Contribute. Vote.

What is the best way to bury a scandal?

2004-07-27T10:43:00.000-04:00

According to a recent op-ed piece, the best way to bury a scandal is to "bring out the bad news when attention is focused elsewhere." Sounds like a pretty good ploy. While the collective eyes of the country were on the 9/11 report, the Army released it's report in a hastily called session of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Transparency in government is not all that apparent.

It is interesting to read

The finding is contradicted by the international Red Cross, which warned U.S. authorities of systemic prisoner abuses in May 2003, a year before the scandal first broke in public view with the release of photos of prisoners who were beaten, on leashes and in humiliating sexual positions.

And, it's interesting to read

And the Army's attempt to pin the blame for prisoner mistreatment on officers no higher than mid-level in rank ignores the role military and civilian superiors played in encouraging such behavior.

What we need is accountability. And if we're not going to find it in the Executive Branch, then I guess we'd better elect some folks to the Legislative Branch who can help bring it about.

Dave Patlak is such an individual, I believe. I urge you, gentle reader, to think about the issues, determine what policies you believe in and stand for, and then get out and support candidates who are aligned with your thinking. If you think America should stand alone, if you think America should alienate entire cultures, if you think military might always makes right, well, I know which candidates you support. If you don't agree that America should stand alone, but should be a partner with other nations; if you believe that other cultures and religions have value and should be celebrated; if you believe military might should only be used with other elements of national power including diplomacy, information, and economics... then Dave Patlak is your man.

Support Dave!

What does it mean to be?

2004-07-18T20:36:00.000-04:00

The last couple of weeks have had me wondering: What does it mean to be a Republican or to be a Democrat? For years, I've been a staunch Independent (I think, among other things, that means you will not find a mainstream, nation-wide website which accurately pegs me); I've been an Independent for as long as I could vote, casting my first votes in a Presidential election for John Anderson. That Independent streak ran to other things in my youth, also: I didn't join a fraternity or Greek organization in college, preferring the "independent" label. I still wear it proudly.

But, I've also come to realize that for the most part, the United States political system, for better or worse, is a two party system. And that's not likely to change in the very near future.

So, I look around and I ask myself: What am I like? What's important to me? What are my values? Sure, I guess I'm in favor of capitalism, but I'm also in favor of taking care of my neighbors and good health care for all and excellent education for our children (education which isn't measured by biased tests).

And then, I wonder, which party is in my corner. Click through to the national party websites, and tell me what you think. The Democratic site is fairly positive with upbeat postings about the possibility for the future, and a platform which is one which all of us who believe in the America can get behind. The Republican website is, well, damn negative; it's mostly about what they are against, not what they are for.

Now, why do I raise this? Well, several weeks ago, I heard the Chief of Naval Operations talk. As I noted in my personal blog, Tidewater Musings, one of his points was this:

Everyone, especially leaders, must come to grips with this question: What is it you believe? We must not be against but for something. What are you for and how do you translate that into something you can deliver?

I think this is important in the race in Florida's 18th District for this reason: Dave Patlak is for things, not standing against things. He is a postive force, a force which will represent the 18th District with grace and wit and determination and honesty and integrity.

And what is clear is that his campaign exceeds partisanship; he has Democrats and Republicans and Independents and Greens and whomever else in his corner. People understand that Dave has a focus which puts his consituents and America first. And, they understand that no matter which party they belong to, Dave is the best and right choice.

Please do more than read this blog. Please get out and help Dave, and America, in any way you can. Contribute. Volunteer. Join this blog and post your thoughts. Let's send Dave Patlak to the United States House of Representatives, representing the great citizens of the 18th Congressional District in Florida.

The summer rolls on

2004-07-16T12:32:00.000-04:00

Accorging to the AP, "America's children are less likely to commit a violent crime or become a victim of one, but more of them are living in poverty, according to the government's broadest measure of children's well-being." Now there's a good news, bad news kind'a thing.

I've been on vacation for the last two weeks (thus my silence here on the Patlak blog) deep in the woods of Pennsylvania in a cabin with no phone and no computer and no television. While I've been reading books -- including The Pentagon's New Map and Power, Terror, Peace, and War -- Dave has been out meeting the people of the 18th District and has been gearing up to do the work as the elected voice of the people. Dave's key issues speak directly the points raised in the AP article. We cannot have a society where our children live, and die, in poverty. The American Dream must be more than a dream, it must be a reality, a truth, for all people -- and particularly our children.

We need Representatives who understand we, as a society, must do something to alleviate the ills which negatively impact our children. Dave Patlak is such an individual.

The movie that might just change your mind

2004-06-30T16:30:00.000-04:00

And then, again, perhaps you're already there.

Of course, I'm talking about Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. I saw the movie last night, and while I consider myself to be a progressive, and perhaps even liberal, I'm probably not as liberal as Michael Moore. So, maybe I think he's a bit heavy handed, but so what? He's got a point, and he's out to convince us all. And, you know what, he's right.

If nothing else, the movie certainly provides food for thought and conversation. If you haven't seen the movie yet, I suggest -- hell, I implore you -- go see it.

Some random thoughts stemming from the movie.

I always figured the George W. Bush, being an old oil man, was interested in oil and wealth. I just didn't know how much. Moore does a great job showing the link between the Bush family and Saudi Arabi and, yes, even Osama Bin Laden's family.

I was struck that Moore understands the need for a military and, actually, supports our troops. What he doesn't support is using troops to support policies which are inapppropriate.

Do I really want our elected leaders to be in bed with foreign countries? Do I really want our elected leaders to put their own wealth above the wealth and and importance of all of us?

I know Dave Patlak isn't in bed with Saudi Arabia, or the oil industry, or big business, or Osama bin Laden. No, David is a retired military officer who has dedicated his life in service to America and individual Americans. And, I know that David will do the same when he's on the Hill.

So, get out and see the movie. Start volunteering for Dave. Donate a couple of bucks to Dave's campaign.

The Constitution demands action

2004-06-29T15:05:00.000-04:00

It's time for the Congress to act... Even members of the Supreme Court think so:

Justice Antonin Scalia complained in his dissent in the Hamdi case that neither the president nor Congress seemed willing to do their duty as the Constitution demands.

And what are our Representatives doing about this today? Not much. Let's vote somebody to the Hill who will.

Arrogance from inside the Beltway

2004-06-28T12:46:00.000-04:00

The following was sent to me by Scott, a blog reader...

Did anyone see this statement by Rep, Ros-Lehtinen about the 9/11 commissions finding that there is "no credible evidence" showing Iraq and al Qaeda worked together to attack the United States?

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), the chairwoman of the International Affairs Middle East Subcommittee, said: "Whether or not there is a direct link to the World Trade Center does not mean that Iraq is not meritorious of shedding blood. The common link is that they hate America."

Check out http://www.thehill.com/news/061704/finding.aspx

While I certainly wouldn't want to speak on behalf of Dave Patlak, I'm pretty darn sure he wouldn't support a way based on the assertion that war against those who "hate America" is justified.

Recently, I heard a military leader say you can't just be against something, to be a strong leader you need to be for something. If I'm reading this right, Representative Ros-Lehtinen is for bloodshed. Dave Patlak, candidate for the U.S. Congress, is for peace.

Who, and what, are you for?

Michael Moore takes it to the big screen

2004-06-25T13:15:00.000-04:00

Well, here it is, opening weekend of Michael Moore's new flick. By all reports, he's bigger and better than ever. George W. Bush once told Moore to "get a real job." I'm thinking Moore is likely a better film maker than G.W. is President. You be the judge.

Your task is simple: See the movie. Talk to your friends and neighbors. Register to vote. Work on Dave Patlak's campaign. Donate to Dave Patlak's campaign. Work at the grass roots to bring change inside the Beltway.

Get to work. Time's a wasting...

How to regain credibility throughout the world

2004-06-24T10:12:00.000-04:00

As proposed by the Washington Post in an editorial yesterday: If Mr. Bush's pledge is to have credibility around the world, more detailed and restrictive guidelines on torture should be adopted and made public -- or legislated by Congress.

We need a Representative who is willing to act on such legislation. I can think of no one better to cast such a vote than a person who has served in the military, than a person who as served in a life saving capacity, than a person who has (in all likelihood) served excecuting American policy with regard to illegal immigrants and has been in a position of power over detainees.

I suspect our candidate, Dave Patlak, would agree.

What can the House do?

2004-06-23T11:57:00.000-04:00

As new information comes to light about how the United States is treating detainees, a question looming large on my mind is what can our elected Representatives do in this arena? Do we want officials of our country stripping detainees, forcibly shaving them, threatening them with dogs, and physically intimidating them? One might suggest that this is okay, particularly since we are dealing with people who might be terrorists. Might be terrorists.

If we start here with this, where will it end up?

We must be strong on the security of our country, but strong on civil and human rights, also. There is no compromise.

Thank You

2004-06-22T12:47:00.000-04:00

This blog is a great idea and a wonderful forum for getting the word out on our race. We will link to it from our site and I will check in and comment regularly.

Thank you for your active support,
Dave Patlak

This is a race of real importance

2004-06-22T11:54:00.000-04:00

"Sure," you're thinking, "everybody says their race is important." Well, most people are wrong; this time, however, we're right. This is an important race in a key place in America. This is a race that all of America will look to.

Dave is the ideal candidate. He's strong on national security and homeland defense. He's strong on environmental issues, on education, and on health care. These are issues of paramount importance to the people of South Florida, and America as a whole.

Here's the bad news, however: Dave can't put forth a viable candidacy without support from individual Americans. And that support, sadly, has to be in the form of financial donations. Our system has come down to this.

Last week, I was in Newport, Rhode Island, attending the Naval War College's Current Strategies Forum. While there, I met a slew of folks, many of them connected to the political process. I met Democrats, and I met Republicans. I told each and every one about Dave's run for the House of Representatives, and, to a one, each person made comments about fundraising. It takes money for a successful run in today's political climate. The bad news is it takes money even for an unsuccessful run in today's political climate.

Dave estimates that if 20,000 people each gave $100, he'd be in the ball game. That's about 8% of registered voters in the 18th Congressional District: a drop in the bucket.

But, I suggest this race is so important to America, that we can't rely on the funding just from the good people of the 18th District. No, all of us in America who believe in health care for all, quality education for our children, and a safe America ought to be compelled to financially support Dave's candidacy.

Help take back America: support Dave Patlak for Congress.

A voice for all of us who believe in America

2004-06-21T18:24:00.000-04:00

This blog is a voice for those of who believe it's time to put true "representatives" in the House of Representatives. Our Founding Fathers created the House of Representatives to be composed of regular folk, representatives of the people, not career politicans. This is our start. This is our start to sending Dave Patlak to Washington.