BlogHer - Congratulations President-elect Obama: Now, BlogHers, what will YOU do to change America? - Comments

Lisa, I was suggesting

Kare Anderson — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:51:16 -0600

Lisa,

I was suggesting that BlogHer is a powerful network that could offer to support Obama early on. As a tight-knit community it could offer to

• survey for hottest concerns, ideas or a top "to do" wish list by and for women

• get the news out about his agenda for women (and our sub-groups) and ask for feedback.

I have suggested something similar in an industry in which I work as a speaker (hospitality/meetings) where 1 in 8 Americans work. This, too, is a tight-knit community of mostly small business owners. As such they are vital to support to get the economy going - and, like BlogHer, in a strong position to get the word out about the practical effects of the economic initiative he takes - and hwo they woud affect the groups they serve in the meetings world

Moving From Me to We

Kare, are you talking about Change.gov?

Lisa Stone — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:10:51 -0600

I've been offline in meetings all day and John Bell just sent me this link:

http://www.change.gov/

What do you all think? Is this what you're recommending?

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.

when so many are asking for help, BlogHer could offer help

Kare Anderson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:37:33 -0600

After working on the campaign for 8 months I've been seeing so many with their hands out for their issue. This powerful network could offer to get the word out on his initiative that touch on the lives of women. Let's be an early part of the movement to provide a powerful platform for these vital early months of his presidency.

Moving From Me to We

How Much Can We Achieve By Writing?

BookLady Alison — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:23:29 -0600

I'm not a political writer and I don't want to be one. However, I can see that we need solutions that can not happen unless we work together in a way that we've not done before most likely. For years I've watched my mileage, tried to manage with less, and followed most of the recommendations for reducing, reusing and recycling. Yet, we are really no better off. I did not know what else to do. I've been reading across the blogosphere the last few months about green issues. My conclusion is that we need not only lifestyle and community change, not only political change, but we need a different kind of economy. I still don't know what that should look like. I don't know how we can get there, but with what I witnessed last night I have hope that we can be engaged in the process. To me it's not about being selfless and sacrificing, but about making a change in the way we think. It reminds me of how people took charge of their own destiny to prevent another plane crash on 9/11. There was a change in how people began to react to threat. It was a defeat of fear in favor of empowerment. If I can't do something, why should anyone else? People are capable of amazing things. We always hear those stories of people rallying together during WWII, yet to date we have not figured out how to do that without war. We have war right now yet people did not really change much with the current wars. I have hope that we can do something to change that now. For me writing is about sharing ideas, about motivating, and about letting people know what we want and how to achieve it. The internet is very powerful and should not just be used to show us all the things we can spend our money on. Mabye we can each tackle a little bit of the process by caring and sharing and together we will tackle a lot :-)

BookLady Alison
HomeshoolersGuidetotheGalaxy

Each One Reach One

Candelaria Silva — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:48:01 -0600

I hope that all the people who were energized by this campaign and were true political activists and agents of change will continue with that energy in small and large ways.

While it is true that Americans do a lot of volunteering - there are millions of Americans who don't. I have friends and colleagues who don't volunteer for anything. And most of them could if they chose to.

I don't think Obama is a messiah but I do think visionary people come along some time that can move a country forward. In elections past when both Bushes and Reagan were elected, I didn't miss a beat. I was disappointed for a minute and kept on doing the things that I felt it was right to do - as did millions of other people.

So, I will continue to be as positive in the world as I can be, I will increase my volunteering (and do a little less on boards and a little more one-on-one around literacy and a couple of other issues that resonate with me), I will continue to share opportunities with others as I learn of them.

The financial, environmental, and war situations are so big that people are going to be forced to work together to resolve them because there is no place to run to safety, to pretend the issues are only going to effect "those people over there."

If the world lives long enough, it will be a wonderful place. For me Obama's election gives me reason to stop noticing signs of the world's demise and to remain optimistic and faithful in the triumph of positive over negative.

blog.candelariasilva.com

Good and plenty!

Working on my plan

Maria Niles — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:53:17 -0600

I don't know yet what I will be doing to join my fellow Americans to create change and work towards solving our problems but it will be something.

It's a bit like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz - we've had the power all along but we just needed someone to believe in us and remind us. I hope this energy and desire to participate sustains. And I'm hopeful it will if we can move past some of the extremism and hyper partisanship of late.

I used to be much more active in politics until I got burned out and disgust for the process pushed me into the ivory tower. But Obama's pragmatism and efforts to compromise make me believe that something might actually get done now. And I'm willing to roll up my sleeves and help.

I've always been informed and active about voicing my opinion to elected representatives but I've been feeling that this is a time to dive back in. I don't know where or how but during this transition time I'll be watching and figuring out my plan for how I can best contribute. And of course I'll be blogging it :)

It is an amazing time to be alive and to be an American.

BlogHer Contributing Editor
PopConsumer
Beyond Help

Thanks Suzanne!

Lisa Stone — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:30:54 -0600

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.

Unicorns and puppies are sometimes what's required

Lisa Stone — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:28:07 -0600

Momentarily, in the wake of a big change. I get that!

I hope, however, that your strength for this discussion eventually returns, after an appropriate period. Because you are such a great listener. Your point here is particularly well taken:

"And, more importantly, by listening to the opinions, ideas and experiences of everyone...

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.

Suzanne - I Looked At the Conservative Citzen Lobbying Kit

Gena Haskett — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:36:59 -0600

There is much in it that I would agree that all citizens should know and how to address grievances.

Now (for a spot of Constitutional humor) we don't want to do too much restoration. I like voting and citizenship.

Study the Issues - 100% in agreement.
Know How Congress Works - Yep, I can dig it.
Contacting Representatives - Affirmative, no disagreement.
Call Radio Talk Shows - Eh, I'd have to think on that one. The conservative ones I've been exposed to are profoundly nasty to opposite opinions. This would not be the week for me to tune in and sample opinions. Not sure four week would be long enough.
Using Social and Free Media - Definitely. Now if you could define left wing agenda for me so that I would know how to compare and contrast it with right wing agenda I would appreciate it. Just point me to the master list of left wing agenda or right wing agenda and I'll take it from there.

Now from #12 on down due to some of the images and interesting interpretations of other points of view I'm having a little problem reading without grinding my teeth. I get the intent and except for differences in ideology it is a start.

Gena - Out On The Stoop

Citizen Lobbying Kit

the farmers wife — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:53:30 -0600

Lisa - Here's a citizen lobbying kit.

http://www.conservativeusa.org/lobbykit.htm

Support lobbying reform. Read why it's important here:

http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=2347

Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

Some Form Political Vigilance Is Now Required

Gena Haskett — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:43:54 -0600

There was a visible stake in the outcome. We understood no matter what the party affiliation that we had a mandate to respond. The Secretaries of State knew that they did not want to be the one in the news blamed for shoddy election practices. The voters were watching and documenting everything.

That scares the crap out of establishment politics. Certain businesses don't like it either. However, I am a working person with responsibilities. Some people are up to their necks with parenting, jobs and other commitments.

I think each of us can take a very small piece of political vigilance. If you are a fiscal Republican, Independent or Libertarian then damn sure you need to watch the spending activities of Congress, your school district or actions by your local city council.

Point out the pork. Show where there is waste. You might not believe this but Democrats don't like wasteful spending either. They will be watching as well. Find others who support your view, use social networking tools and then engage the process.

Obama is not Mr. Fix-It. He can't be, not for all the different problems we have to clean up. I understood when I voted. There is no instant miracle cure just by voting for a President. But we could take what we have learned from this process and apply it local.

Gena - Out On The Stoop

I'll Keep Doing What I've Been Doing

Suzanne Reisman — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:34:58 -0600

1. Serve on sex ed committee of NYC Planned Parenthood Activist Council to continue the fight for comprehensive sex ed that prepares kids for life as sexually responsible human beings.

2. Continue to volunteer and contribute toward organizations that support legal abortion and remove access barriers, particularly for rural and low income women.

3. Provide pro bono work to child care centers with facilities issues.

4. Writing about social justice issues that are important to me.

What I hope that I will also be doing is working at a nonprofit organization working to resolve the foreclosure crisis in NYC that is destroying stable neighborhoods.

Suzanne Reisman, Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS) & Other Rants

Taking the high road

alvenable — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:20:49 -0600

Agree, Lisa. Taking the high road is definitely a lesson for politicians of all stripes.

A. L. Venable is a Random Citizen. She primarily writes at Dimple and a Smirk (dot) com and Our PDX Network.

Start locally

alvenable — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:05:52 -0600

While the presidential election years always draw the most attention media-wise, I encourage everyone to start at the local level. Becoming educated about the local issues and how they affect you and those in your community is a great first step.

If you have time, go to the city council (or your area's equivalent) meetings. Or, read the meeting notes and submit comments/questions after the fact.

Volunteer for a local election, even if it's just stuffing envelopes. It's boring, but you meet a lot of great people in your community that you may not have known previously. This is also a great way to get kids involved in the political process before they turn 18. I used to volunteer going door to door handing out flyers, standing on corners holding signs, etc. when I was a teen.

A. L. Venable is a Random Citizen. She primarily writes at Dimple and a Smirk (dot) com and Our PDX Network.

Thanks for the information

Southerngirl — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:45:16 -0600

As far as I know the jounior league does not have a simular program in my area. My old congrgation did a simular program in Baltimore. We partnered with the Jounior league and other churches inorder to run it and would use the other sites to send people to if they did not find what they wanted with us. I am starting my "to do" list for this program today. I hope to develop the same sort of 'network' we had before.

Michelle

I blog at http://www.mommycan.blogspot.com/

Congratulations President-elect Obama: Now, BlogHers, what will YOU do to change America?

Lisa Stone — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:53:06 -0600

"This is your victory. And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me," President-elect Barack Obama told Americans from a flag-draped stage in Chicago last night. "You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century..."

Listen to the man: He's right.

It'll take all of us -- and, showing my bias here, it will in particular take influential women like the bloggers who read and use this site -- to fix this nation's problems. Now that we've activated, we've voted, we've blogged, we've debated, we need to keep it up. Mr. Obama said it himself: Whether you voted for him or not, he's your president. We have a new start. An opportunity.

So, please, share: What will YOU do to help resolve the nation's problems? If Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, both of whom blogged on this site during the election, reached out to this community today and asked for our help, what would you volunteer? Or are you thinking, hey, that's IT, I need some time off to not blog politics and then I'll see?

Me? I'm in for the long haul. On a personal note: After a two-year painful slog of a campaign, I was incredibly moved to see both Mr. Obama and Republican contender John McCain end the race on a gracious, high note. Shushing supporters who booed at the mention of Mr. Obama's name, Sen. McCain committed himself to supporting the nation's 44th president. Mr. Obama also committed himself to collaborating across party lines to resolve the stunning problems facing the United States.

And to that I will say: We do very well at developing an omnipartisan dialogue on BlogHer, but we will continue to work to improve. These last few weeks have been tough, and we have been working overtime to keep the conversation both diverse and civil. I urge the members of this site to continue our commitment to civil disagreement and growing a community where women can talk through the policy issues this nation needs to resolve.

Hey, what could be more American?

Here's what women who do blog politics are saying: