Catherine receives "Rising Star" award

Jul 12, 11:04 AM CST

The Douglas County Democrats held the Eleanor Roosevelt Luncheon yesterday, not only honoring the substantial legacy of the former First Lady, but also recognizing those women in the Democratic Party that have contributed so much to its success.

Catherine Leo, our own Field Organizer in the 2nd District, received the “Rising Star” award. It was certainly well-deserved; over the past few years, through her involvement in the UNO Democrats and Young Democrats, the Jim Esch campaign, and countless other political activities, she has earned her reputation as one of the finest people in the Nebraska Democratic Party today.

Anne Boyle was presented the Eleanor Roosevelt Lifetime Achievement Award and Kathleen Fahey received the Eleanor Roosevelt Mentoring Award. Kim Robak gave the keynote address.

Thanks go to Esther Scarpello and the rest of the Douglas County Party team for holding a great event.

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  1. Congratulations Catherine.

    Sorry to butt in on your party, but the dearth of “open threads” on this blog neccessitates inserting new topics wherever possible.

    =====

    Our Senator Nelson has demonstrated his Republican leanings again, this time voting as a confirmed DINO in the matter of funding for the VP’s office:

    Our DINO Ben

    It looks like he’s forgetting that he is supposed to be a Democrat again on yet another vote, he’s likely to vote no on the Reed-Levin Amendment for withdrawal.

    Ben sides with Republicans

    Will someone please explain to me why I am supposed to be happy about
    this?

    Brian T. Osborn
    Chair Phelps County – SCC Delegate LD38
    — Brian T. Osborn    Jul 12, 08:26 PM CST #
  2. Rational people can disagree with Congress playing games with White House funding. Similarly, Nelson’s discomfort with drawing an arbitrary deadline is not only understandable but is also shared by many of his fellow Democrats.

    We can’t claim to value independence and free thinking, then expect a Democrat to just fall in line with whatever we deem appropriate of a true Democrat.

    I disagree with Ben Nelson on a lot of things, but these are big, important issues that deserve better than partisan theatrics. You don[‘t have to be happy with everything Nelson says or does, but it’s cheap and destructive to denounce him as a Republican or a DINO rather than showing him some respect for being who and what he is. Ben Nelson has not made false promises to Nebraska Democrats or the people of Nebraska. We elected him to be who he is and to do what he does as our representative.

    Write him a letter. Give his office a phone call. But, party leaders shouldn’t dumb down the debate and demean Nelson just for making choices with which they personally disagree.
    – - – -

    By the way, HOORAY CATHERINE. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor. We’re damn lucky to have you.
    — Kyle Michaelis    Jul 13, 12:51 AM CST #
  3. Thank you Kyle for your invitation to get into lockstep with YOUR party line. I am a Liberal Democrat and as such have expectations that differ with yours and your mentors.

    I don’t believe that it is my duty as a party leader to be led around by the nose. I have written letters to Sen. Nelson, I have called his office, I have spoken to him face-to-face. Time and again I have been disappointed with his performance.

    It is my right and my duty to speak exactly what is on my mind and I don’t need you, or anyone else, to insinuate that just because my opinions differ from yours that it is “dumbing down the debate.” The freedom to express ourselves is part of the ideals that we Democrats espouse.

    Many of Ben Nelson’s fellow Democrats, quite a few of them Nebraskans, do not share his views on this war and other Bush administration’s policies. Your inference that that makes us irrational or somehow “undemocratic” is just plain wrong.
    — Brian T. Osborn    Jul 13, 10:32 AM CST #
  4. Brian, who’s to say that you don’t have your own personal agenda? I believe Kyle has his intentions clear, he even makes them public (maybe even a little too much). We’re Democrats here, of course we have an axe to grind against our neighbors. It’s just the way it is with this party.

    While I believe dissent among like minded people is healthy. I too am sadden by our respected Senator’s action. I’m not at all a fan of Mr. Cheney and this was a way to trump his all exclusive power in the White House. Unfortunately, Sen. Nelson didn’t see eye to eye with the people calling for Cheney’s impeachment or trail for crimes against humanity.

    Just a quick question, how many days do we have to endure until the currrent Administration is gone? I can’t wait to cast a vote for someone who swears to be accountable for their actions!
    — Luke Peterson    Jul 13, 11:12 AM CST #
  5. Brian – The only thing I take issue with is your using trivial and insulting labels (i.e. “DINO”). I welcome your challenging Nelson on substantive issues – I do so myself quite frequently. But, we we should be able to disagree – openly and honestly – without demeaning one another.
    — Kyle Michaelis    Jul 13, 12:01 PM CST #
  6. Luke-

    I believe that it’s a little over 556 days until we get a new President.

    But it’s only 211 days until you get to cast your “vote” in the Nebraska Caucus!
    — Eric Van Horn    Jul 13, 12:31 PM CST #
  7. If you want to be openly honest without demeaning others Kyle, then you need to quit bringing the intelligence of people who disagree with you into question – using such terms as “rational” for those who agree with you and “dumb” for those that don’t shows your bias and is just as bad as my using terms such as “DINO” and “Republican” for the actions of Sen. Nelson.

    Luke, you bet I have my own personal agenda, as do we all. Why else would we even expend the energy of communicating in this forum if we weren’t trying to sway others to agree with us? My views are just as valid and appropriate as anyone else’s and I certainly defend my right to express them. I wish more of us did.

    This blog was originally meant to provide a forum for each of us to express whatever thoughts and opinions we hold. Certainly there were times when it got pretty contentious, but that is the nature of free expression. I believe that when this blog allowed unfettered discourse to take place a lot more was accomplished. The delay, waiting for “approval” of comments, certainly has removed a large part of this blog’s effectiveness.
    — Brian T. Osborn    Jul 13, 12:41 PM CST #
  8. Congratulations, Catherine!
    — Dave Sund    Jul 13, 01:44 PM CST #
  9. Oh, yes, the good old days….when so much was accomplished by anonymous complaints that the whole world could read within seconds…..

    Please read my original response again, Brian. I never suggested you were irrational. I suggested that Ben Nelson has the right and was elected to think for himself. I’m sorry if you find that notion so offensive.

    Remind me again what was “accomplished” before this blog was moderated. Clearly, our collective ability to whine, complain, and get on each other’s nerves is still very much intact, so – honestly – I don’t see a difference . . . except for the Podcast, which has been a fantastic addition.

    By the way, has anyone mentioned lately how much Catherine rocks??!!
    — Kyle Michaelis    Jul 13, 02:12 PM CST #
  10. The “good old days.” Ah yes, I remember them well . . . Wasnt’ that back when anyone could say whatever was on their minds without fear of repercussions?

    Kyle and I, and a few others, don’t let that bother us, but I have to admit even some of the most cantankerous of those bloggers who never appear here anymore did often make very valid points.

    Personally, I miss them.
    — Brian T. Osborn    Jul 13, 05:31 PM CST #
  11. Congrats Catherine!!

    I’m glad that a couple of your fellow UNO Dems could be with you for that special moment. Kyle is right, you rock!
    — Karlee Coleman    Jul 15, 02:20 PM CST #

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