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Tag: california politics

  • Alanis Morissette Records ‘Today’ For Marianne Williamson’s Political Campaign

    Canadian-American singer Alanis Morissette wrote and recorded the theme song for Marianne Williamson, the independent candidate running for a seat in California’s 33rd district.

    The song is entitled “Today,” and Morissette hopes that is will make Williamson’s campaign successful. “I was attempting to capture the passion, mission, activism, deep humanity, and tenderness of Marianne,” the 39-year-old singer said.

    Williamson even came by the studio while Morissette was recording the song. “We all huddled together as the song was recorded. I love this song. I love this woman, and I love a world that would vote for her,” she said.

    The singer decided to pen the song when one of the attendees at Williamson’s seminar encouraged her to to so.

    Marianne Williamson talks about her campaign

    Williamson is known for being a lecturer, author, and spiritual teacher. She has published 10 books, 4 of them included in the New York Times #1 bestsellers. Some of her published works include Healing the Soul of America: Reclaiming Our Voices as Spiritual Citizens, and Imagine What America Could Be in the 21st Century: Visions of a Better Future from Leading American Thinkers.

    Marianne Williamson on Oprah

    The candidate praised Morissette’s song on her website, describing it as something that powerfully describes this moment in history. “With her inimitable musical alchemy, Alanis has provided an anthem for our audacious quest to get America back on track,” Williamson wrote.

    The chorus of the song clearly states the state of the world today. “We’re going down, down, down. We’re going down unless we move to new ground, unless we start a revolution, awaken from this frozen, start the mending of our union today.”

    Candidate Marianne Williamson described in one word

    Although her campaign efforts are deemed non-traditional, it seems to have worked, as she is supported by a list of celebrities and endorsed by some of them including Nicole Richie, Jane Lynch, and Eva Longoria. Others who have shown their support for Williamson’s cause include Katy Perry, and Kim and Kourtney Kardashian.

    Listen to Alanis Morissette’s ‘Today’

    Image via YouTube

  • Leland Yee, California State Senator, Arrested For Bribery And Arms Dealing

    Senator Leland Yee, 65, candidate for California Secretary of State and author of gun control legislation, was apprehended Wednesday during an FBI sweep in the Sacramento and San FranciscoBay area. He was accused of wire fraud and conspiracy to illegally transport firearms, among other crimes.

    The senator represents California’s 8th District, which encompasses San Francisco and a sizeable portion of San Mateo County. He is known for his advocacies of strengthening government transparency and whistleblower protection. Certain bills he previously filed sought a ban on fast reloading of military-style assault weapons and the state study of safe firearm storage.

    Yee was implicated with 25 other individuals including gang leader Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow and Yee’s campaign aide Keith Jackson. The senator is alleged to have abused his office by performing official acts for donations to clear his failed mayoral campaign debt amounting to $70,000. He is also alleged to have accepted campaign contributions in exchange for getting introductions, facilitating contracts, and influencing legislation. His alleged wrongdoing was brought to light by undercover FBI agents.

    The FBI affidavit stated that Yee offered an undercover FBI agent access to weapons worth up to two and a half million, even walking him through the acquisition process from a Muslim separatist group in the Philippines where the senator intended to hide out in November. The undercover agent represented himself as part of Ghee Kung Tong, an association in San Francisco’s Chinese community.

    Yee was released on bail amounting to half a million dollars and is expected to be back in court next week to negotiate the terms of his release. He is the third senator from the Democratic Party to face charges in 2014.  He has been serving in the California Senate since 2006. He was also a member of the California Assembly, and was the first Chinese American to be elected to the California State Senate.

    Yee out on half million dollar bail

    Image via YouTube

  • Sandra Fluke Wants Henry Waxman’s Seat

    First off, who is Sandra Fluke? Fluke is a 33-year-old American attorney at law and women’s rights activist. The Pennsylvania native first caught the public’s eye when Republican congressmen blocked her from testifying to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee back in February of 2012. Fluke was attempting to explain to the committee the importance of requiring insurance plans to cover birth control under the Affordable Care Act. She only got the chance to speak to the House Democrats.

    In her testimony, Fluke talked about her experience at Georgetown Law School, where the Catholic university refused to pay for birth control as part of the student health plan.

    She said the lack of access to contraception caused both her and other female students to suffer “financial, emotional and medical burdens”.

    Some people became aware of Sandra Fluke when Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh called her a “slut” on his show while speculating on her sex life. Limbaugh later apologized.

    Sandra Fluke is now jumping into the California Democratic race for Rep. Henry Waxman’s soon-to-be vacated Congressional seat.

    On Jan. 30, the 74-year-old Waxman announced that he would not seek reelection after serving in the House of Representatives since 1975. His districts encompass Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.

    Other contenders for Waxman’s seat include Wendy Greuel (D), who ran for Los Angeles mayor, and state Sen. Ted Lieu (D).The list of candidates seeking to replace Waxman is very long, even spiritual guru and best-selling author Marianne Williamson is running.

    Though Fluke has yet to officially announced her candidacy, she did file for the state party’s endorsement, which means she is officially in the race.

    On Sunday afternoon, the state party will begin its endorsement process which will wrap up at the state party convention next month.

    http://youtu.be/rHADDMRKfM0

    Image via YouTube