Kennebunkport peace rally and musing on music...

I spent this past Saturday at the anti-war protest in Kennebunkport. Ever since this war began (in fact, before it began), I have attended a wide variety of protests -- in Maine, NYC, and in DC. There are times when you wonder how much of an impact it actually makes to join others in the streets -- are the people who really need to make a decision paying any attention? Then I think back to my first anti-war protests, when many of us were trying to stop the war in Viet Nam. While it often seemed like you were just one body in a sea of walkers -- if there were enough bodies, you felt like you could end a war. Fortunately, the voices today are clearly making a difference.

Saturday brought an enthusiastic crowd on a sweaty-hot day, and it seemed like at least a third were from NH, MA and CT - lots of people willing to travel to let people know that they are angry about the war. I was so glad to see so many very engaged people, and I always run into wonderful old friends at any gathering in Maine. Many people came with homemade signs -- here is my favorite.

These girls are from North Yarmouth. The oldest, Nikki, will be voting by the time the 2008 election arrives (her birthday is the same as my daughter Hannah, October 18th). It was great to see that Nikki is already making her voice heard -- and learning more about the issues before she votes. I asked Nikki's sister and her friend, Lena and Nicole, who are in 8th grade, whether they just came because of their older sister's interest. They made it very clear that they were in Kennebunk to listen to the speakers and let their opinions be known. This photo of the back of the signs they made is one of my favorite displays.

I asked one of the girls whether she put "Imagine" on her sign to refer to the John Lennon song from 1971, which was such a critical part of the background music that helped to end the Vietnam War and she said yes. I couldn't help but think back to 2003 -- during the build up to the war when this song was banned from certain radio stations. I spoke about that in a speech I made soon after the banning about the dangers of media consolidation.

"You heard earlier about the Tell Us The Truth tour in which Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein was featured along with other artists such as Lester Chambers and Billy Bragg. Mike Mills of R.E.M. said on that tour that Clear Channel right after September 11th banned 100 songs considered 'insensitive,' ranging from Imagine by John Lennon to every song by Rage Against the Machine."

It is only a few years later, and now we are trying to sort out how to end this war -- something even Republicans like Sen. Warner are calling for -- you can't help but wonder what would have happened if we had been able to read the truth about the war before we made such an important decision. And, if all the music had been there when we needed it.

[To read an excerpt of my speech, click on Read More...]
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Sarah Rheault hosts a gathering in Cushing

Guests at a house party in Cushing hosted by Sarah Rheault enjoyed a beautiful sunset as Chellie spoke about her reasons for running for Congress in Maine 1st District.

Union House Party

Heather Deese and Brendan Riordan opened up their home to friends and neighbors for a house party for Chellie on August 24. In this photo, Chellie is talking with Heather.

 

Visiting the Monmouth Fair and "Farms for the Future"

Farms are always one of my favorite stops. Nancy and Ivan Smith are firmly rooted on a piece of the original Smith family farm. I was treated to a tour and a chance to talk about their farm business.

Recently, Nancy and Ivan joined together with four other farms to acquire a mobile poultry processing plant so that they could process and sell their chickens right off the farm. They are part of the growing movement of farmers who are able to cater to the many Maine people who want to buy their food directly from the people who grow it.

The Monmouth fair, while not the largest, is certainly one of the oldest. Since the Smith family is large and has a long history in Monmouth, Nancy, who is also a state legislator, was able to introduce me to a range of brothers and cousins as well as a variety of other friends. She was the "MC" of the annual pig scramble -- a challenging contest between five small piglets and ten children between the ages of 5 - 9. There is a lot of cheering and screaming from the fans and families. Often it seems as if the kids have a pig within their grasp and, then, just as they're getting a firm hold, a look of panic comes over their faces and the piglet is off and running again.

You know that you are in true farming country when you are at the Monmouth Fair because the winners of the five pigs take them home -- and presumably raise them for future family meals. Nancy told me that her daughter was one of the winners three years ago, and that got the family started in the pig raising business. Now they sell pork, chicken, turkeys, and organic milk.

Ivan and Nancy have benefited from the Farms for the Future program, which has helped them "add value" to their farm products and more easily sell those products to the public. The program began in 2001 as a pilot program that I helped develop as a state senator. In 2003, Maine's voters continued to fund the program with a $2 million bond. Since its beginning, some 75 farms have developed business plans and received a grant to help with its implementation. In addition, more than 18,000 acres have been saved from development through temporary agreements.

Knox County Dems party in Owls Head

Following on the heels of the Lincoln County Democrats' lobsterbake, the Knox County Dems caucused over lobster in Owls Head. Chellie was there -- it was her third lobster in a three-lobster weekend. She had a great time meeting with supporters and former constituents, friends, and neighbors. Summer in Maine!

Chellie joins Lincoln County Democrats at their annual lobsterbake

The Lincoln County Democrats enjoyed a perfect day for their annual lobsterbake. The turnout was great and the site was ideal -- the Brunners' waterfront location in Walpole. Chellie reminded the crowd that it was the same site on which a very somber group gathered a few days after 9/11. Originally planned as a fundraiser, that event turned into a gathering of people who wanted to explore the reasons for the terrorists' actions and what the appropriate response by our country should be. Chellie led a discussion that got to the heart of the matter, and many felt comforted by the knowledge that someone of her caliber and thoughtfulness was seeking to represent them in the senate. In this photo, Chellie is standing with Lincoln County Democratic Committee chair Tim Nason.

EMILY's List endorses Chellie

EMILY's List endorsed Chellie's candidacy on Wednesday, August 15, 2007.

Here's her response: "With a membership of more than 100,000 men and women across the country, EMILY's List is among the largest grassroots political organizations in the nation. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY'S List has helped elect hundreds of pro-choice Democratic women to office. Their support is important to me as I work to become the next Congressperson from Maine.

"This early endorsement of my candidacy by EMILY's List highlights how critical this campaign is. The 2008 election will be our chance to begin the hard work of bringing our country back from the brink of disaster, and it will take leaders who believe wholeheartedly in the power of democracy.

"I'm running for Congress because I believe there couldn't be a more important time to serve the interests of Maine and our country. I am grateful to EMILY's List for their confidence in me, and I know our campaign will be stronger because of it."

Ned Lamont attends Harpswell gathering

Ned Lamont accompanied Chellie to a house party in Harpswell on this hot, sunny Sunday afternoon at Amy and Spike Haible's house in Harpswell. He spoke about his campaign to unseat Joe Lieberman as senator from Connecticut, and commended Chellie for her early stand against the war.
In this first photo, Pat Hendrickson, Chellie, and host Amy Haible discuss the campaign.
 
In the second photo, Wallace Pinfold and Ned Lamont talk with Alex Cornell DuHoux, an Iraq War vet and Bowdoin student.