"I’m younger than they are."

Age (old ways of thinking versus new ways of thinking) is going to be a big issue in this primary. O'Malley is looking beyond left and right to problem-solving (pragmatism). I am tempted to go on, but I better not. Well, maybe a little... American Pragmatism (as exemplified in the philosophies of William James, Charles Peirce, and John Dewey) is, to my mind, the best expression of the spirit and method of democracy. It is about community, cooperation, working together for common goals. It is not about money or capitalism. It is about people trying to find common ground together in order to solve real problems.

O'Malley Rally: May 30 at 10:00 AM -- Received This Email

Martin O'Malley - O' PAC

Thanks for RSVPing to Martin O’Malley’s big announcement this Saturday in Baltimore at Federal Hill Park. We’re excited to see you there.

Parking will be available at 1215 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230 and there will be a shuttle to the park. We're expecting a big turnout so make sure to get there early. Doors open at 8 AM and the band will start at 9.

Don’t let your friends and family miss out on this historic announcement. Make sure they RSVP at omalleyannouncement.com and share the event on Facebook and Twitter.

See you there,

Mollie Byron

"Hillary Clinton is Just Plain Wrong on GMOs"

This article from the Organic Consumers Association is very informative about GMO produce:

https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/hillary-clinton-just-plain-wrong-gmos

Monsanto is planning to move their headquarters from Missouri to Switzerland. With the passage of TPP, Monsanto will be able to sue the United States for harming their present or future profits by regulating or requiring food labeling of GMOs.

This is a huge issue, and I will be grateful when Clinton finally weighs in on food labeling and TPP.

War of 1812 Site

Federal Hill Park has historic significance for O'Malley. That location is important for the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. O'Malley is an avid student of the War of 1812. In the History Channel's documentary of the War of 1812, O'Malley appeared in a segment about the British attack on Baltimore in 1814.

Ironically, Warren Avenue is adjacent to the park.

Jeff Sessions Reveals Specifics of TPP

Jeff Sessions has defied threats to prosecute those who disclose specifics of the trade agreement. He has revealed content. Others should read the document and speak up. Would Obama order the DOJ to prosecute senators who disclose contents of this odious bill? That heavy-handedness would only serve to doom passage of the TPP forever. I also believe that constitutional questions about the so-called confidentiality of this document would arise.

See this article in Truthout:

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/30848-senator-sessions-takes-a-bold-step-tells-the-truth-about-the-tpp

Social Justice Christianity

Social justice Christianity is directly opposed to "fundie" fascism. It emphasizes the dignity of each and every unique human being and the importance of the common good. It is closely allied to socialism and democracy, in that it stresses the need to work together to improve the lot of everyone, through growth of community and communication. It stresses tolerance, compassion, and cooperation.

Being a humanist and not affiliated with any one religion, I am nevertheless entirely comfortable with progressive Christian humanism and am surprised but pleased to find it in O'Malley. I believe that this is not a man who will sell out or betray those who support him. He will make mistakes, but he will do his best to make make things better rather than worse for the majority of his fellow Americans.

O'Malley is a complicated, but simple and decent man. He believes in universal human rights, including marriage equality and women's rights. He also believes in getting things done, using common sense and practical organization.

He is a pragmatist guided by universal human moral principles, shared by all religious or non-religious persons who strive to improve the lot of human beings and their children.

I am more impressed by him every day.

Martin O'Malley's Social Justice Religious Background

William Pitt has hit the nail on the head.

I can understand why people are in denial about this. Looking behind the curtain to see what our "masters" are up to can be absolutely horrific. Elizabeth Warren believes she can turn Clinton around and convince her to serve the people rather than the corporations. I am not optimistic. I believe that the intent of the oligarchy is to take the rest of our blood. With Clinton, this will happen more slowly. With Walker, the carnage will be rapid. Walker will do to the nation what he did to Wisconsin. From the standpoint of the oligarchy, Wisconsin is a "success" story. From the standpoint of the rest of us, it is a nightmarish hell on earth. Median income in Wisconsin has dropped $9000 since Walker began his mischief at the bidding of his masters. That is what "they" are planning for us.

Sanders and Warren are prophets in the wilderness. They know what TPP is about. They know what will become of this once beautiful country if TPP is passed. They know what will happen to environmental regulations, unions, drug prices, food inspection and labeling, wages, health care, social security, education and working conditions if TPP is passed. But it is hard to give up old loyalties and comforting beliefs. Denial is a protective measure of the human psyche; is a psychological mechanism for retaining some semblance of comfort and security. The truth is that Obama is not on our side and has never been. Even Affordable Care is a republican invention, designed to provide some relief to people without insurance, but a whole lot of money to the healthcare and insurance industry.

Obama revealed his true face when he talked down to Elizabeth Warren. But he has done that before. Time after time, he has trashed heroic progressive democrats and left republican enemies alone. Even more, he has courted republicans, negotiated with them when he didn't have to, and overlooked the most vile and racist attacks on his person. Why? Because both Obama and republicans serve the same masters. And Obama will be wealthy beyond his wildest dreams when he leaves office, if he can manage to make one last capitulation that hands US sovereignty over to the oligarchs.

We are not in charge anymore, folks. We haven't been in charge for a long time. Sanders and Warren are heroes. However futile it may seem, it is courageous for them to stand up to those who own most of the money and power. When times get very hard, when things seem impossible, when the darkness of greed seems to overtake our country, that is when great and heroic human beings make their appearance and we are reminded of the values we have forgotten and taken for granted. Great suffering becomes fertile soil for great idealism and new hope. Hope for Obama was a false hope. Let's not get fooled again.

Principles for O'Malley

O'Malley attended the Jesuit Gonzaga High School and graduated from The Catholic University of America, before earning his law degree at the University of Maryland School of Law. His Jesuit and Catholic education provided O'Malley with excellent training in ethics and philosophy, courses mandatory at The Catholic University of America. His essentially pragmatic approach to problem-solving is guided by adherence to principles, and he is especially committed to the idea of the dignity of each and every human being. The term "human dignity" has appeared in many of his speeches, as long as I can remember. The term "common good," which lost favor with Reagan conservatism, has also been a consistent theme in O'Malley's speeches. O'Malley's opposition to the death penalty, like his support of marriage equality, is rooted in his belief in the dignity of each and every unique human being. I believe that, for O'Malley, governing a city, state, or nation is like being a lead musician in a band, where each individual and different musician and instrument contributes to the harmony of the whole.

O'Malley Opposes Detention Centers for Families