The Grown-Up In The Room: DPS Candidate Emily Sirota

by: peacemonger

Thu Oct 20, 2011 at 14:25:48 PM MST

Denver may have one of the most heated school board races in the nation. Faction fighters on both sides of the political debate at Denver Public Schools would have you believe their opponents do not care about children in Denver. Battle lines have been drawn pitting friend against friend, former ally against former ally, community leader against community leader. Accusations fly about outside interference in neighborhood matters, the relative power of teachers unions, and the hidden agenda of corporate America to take over our schools (to allegedly create more consumers and "bean counters" than critical thinkers and visionaries, some say).

Above all the din of the warring factions, one rational, knowledgeable voice continues to bring voters back to the reason the school board exists: doing what's best for the children and families of Denver. Emily Sirota, candidate in southeast Denver's District 1, is disinterested in the circus-like politics of the DPS Board.

"I don't belong to one camp or the other; I intend to make decisions based on research about how students learn best. I work collaboratively, bringing together all of the stakeholders. I am not running as a slate. I am an independent thinker", said the red-haired mother of ten month old, Isaac.

more below the fold

Emily Sirota and Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer

by: peacemonger

Mon Oct 10, 2011 at 10:08:36 AM MST

My friends know I have occassionally dissed David Sirota for attacking our President from the left. On the other hand, I salute him for being intelligent, progressive, and passionate. Whether you love David Sirota, or can't stand him, everyone seems to have an opinion about his in-your-face politics. He is great at what he is paid to do -- creating controversy.

Emily Sirota is different. She is calm, sane, thoughtful, a good listener, and reasonable. As a Social Worker, she has a strong commitment to kids from every family and every neighborhood. She knows what urban public school kids are up against, and she is prepared to defend them and make a difference for them.

Please join me in supporting Emily Sirota for Denver Public Schools, and please consider attending this AMAZING fundraiser on Thursday evening! You will have an opportunity to meet Montana's Governor Brian Schweitzer, as well as many other Democratic VIPs.
http://www.sirotaforschools.co...

If you are not sure where she stands on the issues you care about, please attend and ask her. Lord knows, CO bloggers have a wide range of opinions, and she should hear yours!  

On Fighting To Win, Or, A Tale Of Two Kinds Of Democrats

by: fake consultant

Sun Apr 17, 2011 at 14:35:42 PM MST

Over and over and over people like me have written stories wondering why Democrats, starting with this President, don't get out in a very public way and slam Republican policies, over and over and over-especially when most Americans hate the things Republicans seem to love to support.

Turning over Government to the highest bidder?
Not so popular.

Going back to a heathcare system run by, for, and of the insurance industry?
Again, not so much.

Jacking up taxes and healthcare costs for you and me in order to provide another trillion in tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires?
So unpopular pollsters hardly believe it.

But there is another way, and today's story is in two parts: we're going to talk about how hard it is to get Democrats, as a group, to get loud and get aggressive-and then we're going to talk about Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, who is out there showing any reluctant Democrat just exactly how you can "grow the brand".