Mike Gravel Conversation in Brattleboro Vermont
Sen. Mike Gravel speaks with Chris Grotke on Brattleboro Community TV on April 3, 2008 Gravel recently left the Democratic Party and is campaigning to be the Libertarian presidential candidate. This conversation covers a wide array of subjects and gives Gravel an opportunity to talk about his interests and feelings about contemporary politics and our history of curtailing and controlling democratic impulses.
[via Google Video, here; posted by Memory Hole Productions (April 3, 2008); length: 45 minutes]
My Ironman Cousin Finishes his 2nd Ironman
*Update*: Read a Metrowest Daily News article re: Iron will carries Marlborough man toward his goal (4/19/2008).
My Ironman cousin Kevin completed his second Ford Ironman Arizona triathlon held in Tempe, AZ on Sunday, April 13th, finishing with an overall time of 15:19:25 (15 hours, 19 minutes and 25 seconds), here.
On Sunday I watched much of the live video feed online, which included recorded video from earlier in the day, all via the Arizona coverage pages of Ironman Website (here).
The live feed made it possible for me to watch Kevin cross the finish line as well as to even watch until the event ended at midnight (Pacific Time), 3AM (Eastern Time). It was great to get to see him cross the finish line and he looked good when he did so too, particularly after such a tough day.
In fact it was grueling, as evidenced by the fact that a lot of other competitors did not make it in before the 17 hour deadline to be official.
In an e-mail yesterday morning (Monday), Kevin informed me that it was a tough day 100 plus in the desert and 20-30 mph winds to deal with. I also had 2 flats on the bike which slowed me by about 30 minutes.
In my opinion, he did really well on his bicycle section, especially considering
the two flats and that it only slowed him down 30 minutes, that is something; it would have taken me much longer than that to recover from just one flat and then try to get going again.
Last year (2007), he came in just over a half hour under the 17 hour cutoff time, with an overall time of 16:27:22, here [click onto the link for his 2007 Ironman Arizona stats and then click onto the yellow bar with the words Watch Me Finish to view the archived video footage during which he finished].
If you have not already done so, check out the video concerning Kevin via the mini-video viewer within the top of the sidebar of this blog or view it on YouTube, here.
What is next you ask? In 6 months, Kevin will compete in his next Ironman as well as five more after that, all within a 12 month period and with which, like he did with the 2008 Ironman Arizona, he is hoping to continue his effort to raise financial donations for two different charities: i.e.,
- Addiction Referral Center (ARC),
located in Marlborough, Massachusetts - Right Turn,
located in Arlington, Massachusetts
Here is what Kevin shared on his Ironman Journey Website about his efforts:
I hope you will feel inspired to help me reach a goal for The ARC & Right Turn of $50,000. They are the best organizations in the world because they help people and their families into RECOVERY, not only for their addictions but also get them back as happy productive people to their families and society. How good is that?What is an Ironman? It’s a 2.4-mile Swim, 112-mile Bike and then a 26.2-mile Marathon. All in succession and held in various places around the world.
Why am I doing this you ask? Its simple. It is time to give back for all the blessings I have in my life. I can think of no better way than to show through my sacrifice for training and completing an Ironman to show people that it is a similar path for those struggling with addiction and when you do the work you see and feel the results. I am trying to live a healthy, recovery inspired life and Ironman is one of the many ways that helps me stay focused on that goal for myself.
Where & When are my next Ironmans? I will be doing Arizona in April of 2008. Then 6 Ironmans within a year starting with Ironman Florida in November 2008, then Ironman Arizona in November 2008, Idaho in June 2009, Lake Placid in July 2009, Louisville in Aug 2009 and ending with Wisconsin in Sept 2009.
Why does Right Turn & The ARC need your help? Its simple. Funding from the Federal and State levels has been so drastically reduced it has forced these places to rely more on people like me to get funding to keep the doors open for the next addict. It is our mission to find a way to continue to help that next person that needs the help to stay alive and become a giver in our society. To become a positive member of our society, to become a father again, a mother again, a husband, a wife, a brother, a sister, a son, a daughter, a friend again and walk with their head high and not counting tiles on the floor. I have seen many, many miracles happen and want that to continue.
What is my goal? $50,000!
I believe that many hands make light work so I am asking you today RIGHT NOW to reach inside of your heart and your wallet and make a donation today on one of the links to the left for The ARC and Right Turn.
They need our help more than ever and I hope you will do what you can God bless you!
[...]
Last year he raised well over $13,000[$17,000] in donations for the ARC with his first Ironman.
In addition, it was Kevin who gave me the Univega bicycle when I was visiting last Summer (here).
Thanks again Kevin and congrats on finishing your second Ironman. Well done!
*Note*: last updated on Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 11:42 PM [EDT].
Gravel/Nader<=>Nader/Gravel 2008 Online Petition
*Updated*
A link to the following online petition was in my e-mail inbox this morning:
To: Mike Gravel and Ralph NaderSince the 2006 mid-term elections, the Democrats have shown themselves to be equally complicit with the Republicans in our illegal war in Iraq. The Democrats no longer even challenge the Republicans on the military budget, which is to exceed $1 Trillion this year. The Military-Industrial-Complex continually tightens its grip on our society and culture, and no one speaks out.
Mike Gravel has railed against our bloated military budget and destructive foreign policies ever since Vietnam. He single-handedly led a 5-month filibuster to force an end to the military draft, and released The Pentagon Papers into the public record. In his campaign for the Democratic nomination, he has openly criticized fellow Democrats for voting for the war and their complicity in a system of American Imperialism. He has also advocated direct democracy in the United States through the National Initiative, which would empower the American people to make laws on national level. Nader has expressed his support of this concept.
Ralph Nader has tirelessly worked for consumer rights, environmental justice, and public advocacy of nearly every type throughout his career. His presidential campaigns has been founded upon honesty, courage, and integrity unparalleled by those in our two-party system. His efforts have brought the subjects of excessive corporate power and abuses into the public sphere.
The causes of these two men are one and the same. The Military-Industrial-Complex is an amalgam of corporations the pervasively control our economy, society and culture. These industries harm and contaminate all segment of society, from the environment to agriculture, infrastructure to transportation, and our very health as a people.
Nader has recently launched a Presidential Exploratory Committee, and Gravel has stated he is committed to remaining in the presidential race until November. Were these two men to form an alliance, it would create an independent, progressive ticket of incredible might. Neither would be secondary to the other in significance, and both could campaign effectively. If there is to be a significant challenge to our two-party monopolistic corporatocracy, something unconventional such as this is necessary. Both men fearlessly go against the grain, which is crucial now more than ever, as major party politics are dominated by personality and pitch, rather than real issues.
Please sign this petition if you would like Mike Gravel and Ralph Nader to work together and form a truly forceful campaign for the American people in 2008.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
For those so inclined: visit, read and sign onto the above online petition, here.
*Update*: If you have not already done so, read: More Like Cicero Than Quixote: The People’s Crusade of Mike Gravel; By Ralph Nader [via CounterPunch; May 8, 2007].
*Note*: last updated on Monday, February 11, 2008 at 8:19 AM [EST].
Open Letter to Ralph Nader
Below is an Open to Ralph Nader I wrote concerning his 2008 Presidential exploratory campaign [with *minor corrections/edits* for the purpose of clarification and readability]:
Dear Ralph,As you meet so many people during your campaigns and efforts, I doubt you remember, but during public comment and Q&A time after your speech in Burlington, Vermont in 2004 I rose and spoke briefly as well as asking you a question; mentioning how others as well as myself were living homeless and needed help with obtaining real housing, etc.
By way of a brief introduction, if I recall correctly you and your staff wanted me to contact your campaign later, but that is not the type of help I was getting at, as I was not just trying to get help for my own situation or for a few others in these regards.
The reason for my writing however is to state that in both 2000 and 2004 I supported you and your running mate(s) in your race for President/Vice President and voted for your ticket as well and, while *
in no way* I could not support or vote for those candidates in the Democratic and Republican parties who look like they will carry their respective tickets, there is a declared candidate already now in the race whom I have decided to support and vote for.The candidate is Mike Gravel and, although it is true he is being ignored by both his party and the corporate media, it is his stated intention to continue in the race up to the general election in November 2008, which he has already given certain hints or clues he could run as an Independent candidate once the Democrats anoint their nominee.
Please know that if Mike Gravel was not already in the race, I would of course have chosen to support and vote for you once again in 2008 were you to run.
However, it is my fervent hope that instead of deciding to run as an Independent in 2008 that you will decide to back, support and join Mike Gravel in his bid.
In talking with — as well as reading the comments posted in various places online of — others who are, like me, both Nader and Gravel supporters, their are many who believe that a Gravel/Nader ticket would be the best of all worlds.
With the combined skills, resources and supporters *[the]* both *[of]* you would bring to such an Independent campaign, it could bring about a real revolution and provide a very clear and dynamic choice for a President and Vice President for the future, one full of hope and resolve to make a real and meaningful difference for all citizens of our nation.
I believe a Gravel/Nader ticket would draw new people to register to vote and more people to actually vote.
Truth to be told as well, I do not want to be forced to have to chose between your campaign and Mike Gravel’s for whom to vote for, especially given I have already chosen to support and vote for him after carefully researching the matter and thoughtfully coming to the decision with considerable deliberation and effort made to reach it.
Please know that I am a fervent supporter of yours and what you are continuing to fight for on behalf of all Americans.
Yet, I do believe Mike Gravel would make a great President and has the experience to do so and that with you as Vice President, you both could bring about the changes both of you as well as those who support each of you are seriously and passionately seeking.
In fact the both of you on such a ticket together would make a true “Dream Team” like never there was!
Sincerely,
Morgan W. Brown
Montpelier, Vermont
fyi:
Ralph Nader starting Presidential Exploratory Committee
February 04, 2008 CNN Wolf Blitzer
[via YouTube, here; posted by CSPANJUNKIEdotORG (February 04, 2008); length: 9:21 minutes/seconds]
Hillary’s Inner Tracy Flick
[cross-posted from Green Mountain Daily, here]
[...]I loved Election when it came out. It’s portrayal of a high-school election contest between an obsessive-compulsive, tense girl and a laid back jock was pitch perfect. When the folks at Slate V realized there were some parallels with the Democratic candidates, this video was born.
[...]
Came across the above via techPresident, posted by Joshua Levy, here; 1/18/2008; embedded vid via BrightCove, here.
Several other vids were posted within the same post, so make sure to follow the above link, yet for my part I thought this particular vid was both the best as well as funniest among those and, thus, received my full attention when I saw it.
All Things Gravel
Must-watch video, here.
Inside the U.S. Presidential Campaign Trail
Senator Mike Gravel’s Vision for America, by Mindi Iden, here [via Canadian National Newspaper blog]
Mindi Iden is the California State Director of the Mike Gravel Campaign.
Exclusion: Round One
Mike Gravel, former Alaskan Senator and current presidential candidate, was excluded from the October 30th 2007 Democratic debate. Instead of being silenced, Gravel held an Alternative Debate just blocks from the presidential debate in Philadelphia. At his event, Gravel displayed the televised presidential debate, using it to answer the questions and comment on the other candidates’ answers. The result was a candid combination of new technology and perseverance.Produced and Directed by:
Jon Silver, Daniel C. Metz, and Andy Kahn.[...]
[via YouTube, official Mike Gravel for President 2008 channel, here; posted by Gravel2008 (January 5, 2008); length: 6:36 minutes/seconds]
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