9 Days Left and Counting

This is it, the countdown to one of the most historic presidential races in the history of the United States. Will it be Obama, the first black man; or McCain, with the first female Vice- President? It would be even better if a third party person won it, that would make even more historic for this day and age.

Either way it's your choice. You may not think that your vote counts, but it does. And you definitely can't complain if you don't vote at all. Your voice counts especially in the battleground states. Those states in the Central Eastern Region of PUC are Virginia, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. This is your chance to make your voice heard!

If you haven't voted yet, I encourage you to do so when the time comes. It's your constitutional right.

Information on House, Senate and Gubernatorial Races:
http://www.2008racetracker.com/

Presidential Candidates
Barack Obama (Democrat)
http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

John McCain (Republican)
http://www.johnmccain.com/

Bob Barr (Libertarian)
http://www.bobbarr2008.com/splash/?s0618

Ralph Nader (Independent)
http://www.votenader.org/

Cynthia McKinney (Green)
http://www.runcynthiarun.org/

Other Third Party and Write In Candidates
http://www.politics1.com/p2008.htm

So Vote It Be!

---
Many Blessings,

Rev. Adam L. Labonoski
Pagan Unity Campaign

Central Eastern Regional Director

http://puc-cer.blogspot.com

T Minus 10

Have you been to the polls yet? If not, it's about that time!

In 10 days, the presidential election will officially be upon us. I would like to encourage all of you to head to the polls and vote if you have not already done so! Below are links that may come in handy as you make your final decisions.

Information on House, Senate and Gubernatorial Races:
http://www.2008racetracker.com/

Presidential Candidates
Barack Obama (Democrat)
http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

John McCain (Republican)
http://www.johnmccain.com/

Bob Barr (Libertarian)
http://www.bobbarr2008.com/splash/?s0618

Ralph Nader (Independent)
http://www.votenader.org/

Cynthia McKinney (Green)
http://www.runcynthiarun.org/

Other Third Party and Write In Candidates
http://www.politics1.com/p2008.htm

So Vote It Be!

---
Many Blessings,

Rev. Adam L. Labonoski
Central Eastern Regional Director

The Importance of Voting

From: Pagan Unity Campaign
Subject: Importance of Voting
Date: September 1, 2008
Contact: Adam L. Labonoski (spiritseekr2004@yahoo.com)

Pagans, like all Americans, are watching coverage of the Democratic
and Republican conventions this week. Barack Obama has announced that
Delaware Senator Joe Biden will be his choice for Vice President. John
McCain has chosen Alaska governor, Sarah Palin as his choice for Vice
President.

Both candidates have platforms that they believe, if implemented, will
make America a stronger nation. And, like all Americans, Pagans are
divided on both the issues and the candidates they support. One thing
however, that we as Americans and as Pagans must not be divided on, is
the importance of voting this November.

The Pagan Unity Campaign would like to encourage Pagans across the
nation to educate themselves on both the candidates and the issues and
then put that information to work and VOTE on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.

So Vote It Be!

"I Am" Campaign Reminder

From: Pagan Unity Campaign
Subject: "I am a Pagan" Post card campaign--last minute reminder
Date: June 19, 2008
Contact: Adam L. Labonoski (spiritseekr2004@yahoo.com)

PUC would like to encourage all Pagans on Summer Solstice to send postcards to their

elected officials in Washington DC with the simple but powerful message;

“I am a Pagan…fill in the blank….(i.e. parent, citizen, soldier, voter)”

Contact information for elected officials below:

https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml (House of Representatives)

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm (Senate)

Barack Obama
Post Office Box 8102
Chicago, IL 60680

John McCain
2211 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

###

I Am... Are you?

From Pagan Unity Campaign
Subject: I Am... Are you?
Date: June 12, 2008
Contact: Adam L. Labonoski (spiritseekr2004@yahoo.com)

Do you have your postcards and pens at the ready? I Am is just around the corner and it's time to start filling out those postcards. Why not make it a social event? Make it a craft project with the kids? Personalize your cards?

There are so many ways to approach I Am that makes the campaign both fun and important. Here are a few ideas you might want to try this I Am to make your postcard sending painless and enjoyable.

*Print off the postcards designed by PUC staffers or create your own to add that Pagan touch. There are a few printable postcards that PUC staffers have designed located in the files section or by contacting your state chair or regional director.

*Why not make your own postcards from scratch? Using posterboard or blank index cards as a base, you can design them any way you like! This is an especially good idea for the youngsters.. who doesn't love a fun craft project? Get out the crayons, makers, glitter and stamps and make a craft of it!

*Sometimes you can find postcards on Ebay.. or you can have your own printed at Vistaprint.com (if you google free postcards, you should get a link where you can order 100 postcards for free, you just pay shipping.. to get them to you in time, you'd have to pick the quicker shipping however).

*Please use postcard stamps instead of regular first class stamps. They are cheaper and are all that is needed to send a post card along! You can get them at your local post office or you can order them at the Post Office website.

*Encourage your friends and family to get involved, even if they aren't Pagan, by sending in postcards that say something like "I am the sister of a Pagan American" "I am the Christian husband of a Pagan American."

*You can also set up a community get together to fill out postcards... just pick a date, a time, and a place, tell everyone to bring their postcards and markers and have some fun with the campaign!

*Remember, the I Am campaign is a simple, non intrusive way to remind officials that they represent Pagan Americans as well. We aren't out to change the world with this one; simply to remind elected officials that we're everywhere and we do vote. Sure, the postcards may get thrown away, but when the mailroom has received 20 or 30 with the same message during the same week... they get the message. In past years, the campaign has created quite a buzz in some mailrooms and quite a few of those that include their return address have received replies back.

Happy Sending!

Joan of Arc Press Release

Exactly 577 years ago on May 30th, 1431 Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake as a heretic and Witch. As Pagans, we should hold this martyr in our minds and spirits as a constant reminder of what can happen when individuals in power decide to use OUR faith to justify their questionable actions. While St. Joan did not self-identify as a Witch or a Pagan, preferring instead to believe that her "supernatural" visions and powers of premonitions were divine gifts from Christ, it is important that we as modern practitioners recognize what atrocities can be committed by those who don't understand nor appreciate our chosen path. Today however, that is not the world we live in.

As Americans the first amendment to our governmental constitution gives us the right to freedom of religion (for full reference please refer to the following web address: http://caselaw. lp.findlaw. com/data/ constitution/ amendment01/ ).

This can be translated to mean that the unjust processes committed on behalf of the Medieval Church will no longer occur.

For those of us at your friendly neighborhood Pagan Unity Campaign this anniversary is a great opportunity to join in our annual "IAm" campaign. This event is driven by a desire to inform our legislative representatives at all levels of government that we, as Pagans, are members of their community and their constituency and as such our interests should be taken into consideration! !

So please take a moment to honor the memory of St. Joan of Arc and numerous other women who were falsely murdered for their beliefs and raise your voice today. Let your leaders know that our voices and opinions matter. Send them a postcard today!!

(for more information contact your state chair or check out our website: http://www.paganuni tycampaign. org )

"I Am" Campaign Press Release- 2008

For Immediate Release

From: Pagan Unity Campaign
Subject: I Am Campaign
Date: May 19, 2008
Contact: Adam L. Labonoski (spiritseekr2004@yahoo.com)
http://www.paganunitycampaign.org

Seven years ago the Pagan Unity Campaign began what has, for many, become an annual tradition. We gathered our post cards and set to work reminding elected officials that the United States is home to some of the most diverse groups of people around; and Pagan Americans are one of those groups. With one simple line, 'I Am a Pagan _____,' we reminded elected officials in all 50 states that this is truly a nation of religious diversity and that we expect them to work to preserve that diversity and the importance religious beliefs of every stripe hold to the American people.

As Pagans, our religious beliefs hold a special place in our lives, but our religious beliefs are not the only thing by which we may be defined. We are teachers, we are parents, we are students, we are lawyers... and we are everything between. And just as importantly, we vote.

It is once again time to take up the charge and remind elected officials that we are American, we are here and that we not only pay attention, but that we are proactive in addressing issues of religious tolerance.

The Pagan Unity Campaign would like to encourage the Pagan community to get involved during this important election year and send in post-cards to current elected officials at the local, state and federal level in addition to those who are running for office. Your post cards should say "I am a Pagan ______" (as always, that blank can be anything you wish it to be) and should be mailed during the week of the Summer Solstice. The rest of the details are up to you.

Contact information for elected officials can be found below!

https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml (House of Representatives)
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm (Senate)

Hillary Clinton
15 Old House Lane
Chappaqua, NY 10514

Barack Obama
Post Office Box 8102
Chicago, IL 60680

John McCain
2211 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016

Ralph Nader
Post Office Box 19312
Washington, DC 20036

###

From: Pagan Unity Campaign
re: Primary Election Reminder
Date: February 2, 2008
contact: www.paganunitycampaign.org
Well everyone, it's that time again. "What time," you ask? Time to take our voices to the polls and vote! This is another friendly reminder from the folks at Pagan Unity Campaign reminding you to get out there and let your voices be heard! Voting is a great way for us to show our leaders that we, as Pagans, have a voice and we're not shy about using it!
If you have any questions about the details of primary voting in your state, please feel free to contact us! We are more than happy to help. Remember, we're not telling you how to vote, we're just encouraging you to get out there and DO IT!!
So Vote It Be!!
Pagan Unity Campaign
www.paganunitycampaign.org