Firstness be upon the Deans!

admitting to a mistake:

http://www.miamiherald.com/509/story/88617.html

Obama critiques Schiavo ordeal

BY BETH REINHARD

breinhard@MiamiHerald.com

Asked to name a mistake, Sen. Barack Obama cited his position toward one of the most polarizing figures in recent Florida politics: Terri Schiavo.

During the first televised debate with his Democratic rivals for president, Obama said Thursday that he regretted not fighting Republican-led efforts in March 2005 to reconnect the brain-damaged woman's feeding tube.

''A lot of us, including me, left the Senate with a bill that allowed Congress to intrude where it shouldn't have,'' he said on MSNBC.

``I think I should have stayed in the Senate and fought more for making sure that families make those decisions, and not bureaucrats and politicians.''

... 

went on vacation for the congressional Easter recess and did not return to the Capitol, where a mostly empty Senate approved a House measure allowing Schiavo's parents to go back to court.

Most voters opposed government intervention in the case. Obama has publicly expressed misgivings before, but never in such a high-profile setting.

77.

Phil Specht
Fri, 04/27/07
12:51 pm
----
bbl

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18300340

A problem we face, when you have someone without the experience, such as W, you allow the others, your handlers and donors to guide you to your decision and policy making. And you have little experience to form your own policies and then you have policy derived of and catering those special interests. We then WILL have a total breakdown after years and years of Corporation dominance of our government. Wealthy and power at the top, driving down the rest and we will have a collapse and America will be no more. We are on the brink now. When W came in office, the Euro Dollar was worth .80, now it is worth 1.40. If we don't get the correct person to move us forward, SOON, that's it. And for those folks who think that is impossible, did they ever think we would be where we are now? No longer manufacturing. A country of service. Pollution, cost of living, few jobs, less wages, war, major spending increases, less services and our dollar now worth squat. Did they look at history? What about Russia? People are going to have to wake up, grow up and deal with these realities.

One thing I agree with Biden on. This is NOT a game.

On the other thread there is some worry and concern about al qaeda.......this is Ok and dont worry about them.........................heres the answer and our protection!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWyKlXpstzo

Obama said Thursday that he regretted not fighting Republican-led efforts in March 2005 to reconnect the brain-damaged woman's feeding tube.

Yeah...after he saw that the polls were against the GOP.

today is Independence Day in Sierra Leone:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/27/newsid_2502000/2502411.stm

we are so far out on the election and by time it comes around the media will have ground them all into the ground.

that is why I am not watching any of the debates and the shills run their mouths afterward.

South Burlington, Vermont - April 26, 2007

Howard Dean says he's been misquoted-- again. The former Vermont Governor and current Democratic National Chairman was quoted by several news organizations Wednesday, as saying the best way to get the truth from politicians is to ban the press from the room. But Dean told Marselis Parsons on Thursday, that that is not what he meant-- or said.

"As usual, the press didn't get it right there, either," said Dean. "But the issue is that in campaigns, especially national campaigns, the national press corps does this a lot: They take words and write sensational stories about it. It happens very infrequently in Vermont, very infrequently, but nationally, there are folks who will write stories that are not particularly accurate by taking people out of context. And that's why politicians are so very careful about everything they say. I think that's too bad."

The former governor told us what he really said Wednesday, was that if you want a candidate to speak candidly about an issue to a large group, "then it has to be done without the filter of the national press."

Marselis Parsons - WCAX News

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=6...



bbl

Howard Dean has the best batting average in the league for truth telling.

speaking of the media, there's the National Review:

http://www.hoovers.com/national-review/--ID__105846--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml?cm_ven=PAID&cm_cat=INK&cm_pla=CO1&cm_ite=national-review

National Review is a magazine and book publisher focusing on international and political news and opinion from a conservative Republican viewpoint.

...

Well, IMO the conservatives (like the National Review and it's editors and subscribers) are out to take down Obama and Edwards because of their popularity amongst dem primary voters and delegates:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/27/opinion/main2734955.shtml

April 27, 2007

(National Review Online) This column was written by Byron York.

On Tuesday, Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani accused his Democratic opponents of being weak on terrorism. "The Democrats do not understand the full nature and scope of the terrorist war against us," Giuliani said. On Thursday, at their debate in Orangeburg, South Carolina, two of the three leading Democratic candidates did their best to prove Giuliani right.

...

That was it. Obama’s answer to a question of how, as commander-in-chief, he would change America’s "military stance" in response to an attack by al Qaeda did not involve using the military.

...

Edwards offered nothing on how the United States might strike back.

...

Obama and Edwards each get a higher share of the independent votes than H Clinton does.

So IMO the strategy for conservatives is to ensure that H Clinton wins the dem nomination. Then she'll be essentially be tied to her "no nonsense" approach to intervention in the run-up to the general election and my question then is: "How will that approach differ from the repub candidate's approach like Gulliani's or McCain's ?"

All the best to the Grassroots Retreaters.  Sorry I can't make it this time.

Mission Accomplished? Not hardly. But then, we've got no business sending missions to the cradle of civilization in the first place.

Anyway--new frame

Conservatives = hierarchists

or, if that's too long a word

elitists

The elite are challenged by equality. What you want to be?

elitist or egalitarian?

Elitists would like to argue that equality is against nature because everybody's got different talents and capabilities. That's true, but equality is a concept like weights and measures. A pound of sugar is different from a pound of flour, but it's still a pound.
So, as people, we are all equally human. Don't like it? Turn yourself into a frog and hope somebody comes along to kiss you.

We must also that waiting in the wings is Israel, which has had a "pre-emptive" hawking "war on terror" policy a la Iraq,  since the early eighties with the invasion of Lebanon.

Even if we get liberal progressives against the war in Iraq, if they still support the status quo of the right wing in power in Israel, along with oppression of native Palestininians and former Palestinian refugees, there will be little change in Middle East foreign policy.

FRED from OR
Fri, 04/27/07
2:17 pm
__________________________________________________________________________

Why do you think I basically kicked out the Democratic party?

Obama said Thursday that he regretted not fighting Republican-led efforts in March 2005 to reconnect the brain-damaged woman's feeding tube.

Yeah...after he saw that the polls were against the GOP.

-----------

It is easy to think that way in retrospect, but if that's true, I think Obama  did the smart thing at the time.  The best thing to do on such a sensitive issue was to be silent and give the GOP all the rope they needed to hang themselves.

I think that the Israeli attitude towards Palestinians can only be maintained if one accepts the elitist perspective.
Now, many people derive some secret satisfaction from considering themselves better than someone else. But, I think it's a secret satisfaction and they would deny harboring such ambitions for themselves and, almost certainly, consider them contemptible in others.
The Israeli government has gotten a lot of traction out of poor-mouthing their own population (how they exist in a state of siege and have barely survived the sad memories of the holocaust), but it's about time that they faced reality and admitted to setting themselves up as the lords of the region, the rulers of the promised land, a claim to which they have no right.

"I must be superior because they despise me" hardly seems like a rational position.

I saw howard on blitzer the other day and midway through the interview, where blitz was doing a monologue, he said to howard (simply  out of nowhere) "what did u mean when u said that the press should not be in the room when the candidates speak:" Howard was kinda stunned then came back " that is not what I said and as usual the media got it wrong again"

you think ol biltz put that out by himself? no way. no way.

the media has hired shills to say what they want you to hear.after watching moyer the other nite, no more msm for me.

putzes.

kind of like when someone from virginia tech was being interviewed, wolf was asking the guy about the shootings, he said to the young student "what kind of camera do you use?"

wtf.

19.
I would feel more encouraged if he just took the position that politicians ought not to be playing doctor. It's also a position that would help promote single-payer health care of which some people are suspicious, with reason, because of past government interference. You will recall that under the rubric of "public health" some individuals were provided with services that they didn't want, need or ask for (steriliztion, electro-shock therapy, placebos for venereal infections, etc).

Why do you think I basically kicked out the Democratic party?

------------

Well - it is hard to tell at times, since understandably there is so much ethnic solidarity among Jewish voters since the holocaust, giving the right-wing Zionists  in Israel a "blank check" - not to mention AIPAC money advantage.

One can ask, do the candidates have no choice but to engage in such unconditional pro-Israel rhetoric in order to win?  Or do they really feel that right wingish?

Do liberal/progressive  Democrats and American Jews really feel as if human rights and Democratic principles regarding freedom of religion and association, do not apply to Zionist Israel?

We make lots of exception for China for business, why not makes exceptions for Israel to keep all Jewish voters on our side?

I will, btw, concede that there are also Democratic elitists. But, Republicans' use of the term should not prevent us from accurately identifying that as their major hang-up.

Racism, sexism and even nationalism (presently rearing its head as anti-immigrant) are all grounded in the notion that some people are better than others. Not that they DO better or worse, but that they ARE better by virtue of some attribute over which they have no control.

When the question last night was, "Who thinks we're not in a war on terror," only  DC raised his hand.  Or was it the other way around?  The point is that as long as the dems continue to spout this belief, putz remains a war prez with all its ugly permutations, and the next prez will also be a unitary war prez.  Dangerous stuff, becuz the war on terror,which doesn't exist, will never end and we appear doomed to have one war prez after another.  The dems should stand up and loudly proclaim that this is NOT a war or terror and putz is not a war prez.   Methinks they like the idea of a dem. war prez.

If putz is NOT a war prez, he has no right to escalate on top of invade.

I've heard details about Edwards health plan.  It's excellent and then some and paid for by resinding the tax cuts for the wealthy.

He ended up paying on of his pocket for the haircut.  We can't trust the CMW with this stuff.  That said,

Gore/Dean/ 

of/on  resinding/rescinding

Racism, sexism and even nationalism (presently rearing its head as anti-immigrant) are all grounded in the notion that some people are better than others. Not that they DO better or worse, but that they ARE better by virtue of some attribute over which they have no control

------------

Probably seeded in the ancient notion that God rewards us with riches and power, including military power, because we are better in God's ( or the gods') eyes.

Looking at the current list of Democratic candidates (and the Green party candidate for all I know)...............THIS guy would seem the best.....................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akerklDwF7k

seashell
Fri, 04/27/07
2:46 pm

------------

There can be no "war on terror" because "war is terror" as "war is hell"

Fred wrote: One can ask, do the candidates have no choice but to engage in such unconditional pro-Israel rhetoric in order to win?  Or do they really feel that right wingish?

*****************************

Fred, a lot of their money comes from AIPAC, not from the Jewish voting population, which bears no ressemblance to the AIPAC ideology.  They could decline AIPAC contributions and still win the Jewish vote.  Perhaps they don't know this; perhaps they don't want to know this, since AIPAC is certainly shoveling the money into right-wing campaigns that support the insane policies of Olmert and Co.  

It' important to remember that money wins elections, not necessarily people..these days.  It would be interesting to know exactly where AIPAC gets its money.  I hope its not partially from the taxpayers...maybe some from small donors...but I suspect it comes mainly from corporations, especially those engaged in anything military.  IMO  It's in Israel's best interest to keep the American public unaware of the truth of ME politics.

Who was it that said last night that he believed in an even-handed I/P approach?  Richardson?

For the most part, the stage was filled with flat cardboard cutouts (not to insult Flat Howard) empty suits, dems playing it safe.  The CMWs like that.  I don't believe for a second that the CMW will trash all of them.  They've been directed to annoint someone..prolly Clinton.

Fix is in....from cynical me. 

FRED from OR
Fri, 04/27/07
2:40 pm
__________________________________________________________________________

Well, maybe...........but they have suckered themsleves(the democrats) into this perpetual war idealogy...................crikey, more americans die of cancer, killed in car crashes, homicides, domestic killings, smoking, nosocomial infections(hospitals) etc etc..than from al qaeda..........

The cycle of backwards foreign policy must be broken................

Well, maybe...........but they have suckered themsleves(the democrats) into this perpetual war idealogy...................crikey, more americans die of cancer, killed in car crashes, homicides, domestic killings, smoking, nosocomial infections(hospitals) etc etc..than from al qaeda..........

---------------

But Mike those are acts of GOD, which includes the GOD OF DEREGULATION for most Neocons.

at the take back america conf. they are honoring a local progressive. if u know of anyone, go for it.

Progressive Hero   Inbox

Nominate a Progressive Hero for the Maria Leavey Tribute Award

Maria Leavey was the quintessential unsung progressive hero. A talented advocate who worked tirelessly to make America better with no concern for fame or fanfare . Please take a moment to learn more about Maria's life and selfless service and nominate someone you know for the Maria Leavey Tribute Award. GO»

Dear linda,

You know someone amazing like progressive champion Maria Leavey -- who you probably didn't know.

Someone with strong ideas that move people to action. An organizer who makes things happen without taking credit. A friend who connects with people and brings them together. An activist committed to building the progressive movement, and championing those who most need a voice.

A progressive hero who is making America better with no concern for fame or fanfare.

To honor progressive stars like Maria, we invite you today to nominate an unsung progressive hero for our first annual Maria Leavey Tribute Award, to be presented at Take Back America 2007 this June.

Who was Maria Leavey? Maria was an organizer with extraordinary skills and heart. A behind-the-scenes force who connected rising young talent with Washington leaders. A selfless advocate who often worked without credit, or even compensation.

hey phil let's nominate one of our own grassroots candidates.

Who was it that said last night that he believed in an even-handed I/P approach?  Richardson?

-------------

That's called anti-Israel rhetoric by some.

If AIPAC money is corporate in origin, it may be that they are lobbied into believing AIPAC represents the interest of all Jewish voters, and that Israel is defending itself against a replay of the holocaust.  A hard argument to counter if you are not Jewish.

FRED from OR
Fri, 04/27/07
3:08 pm
__________________________________________________________________________

if God does those things to innocent people............then I am going to re-register under the Atheistic party then.............

cheers

In the same way the Republicans all decided to call it the "Democrat" party, no Democrats should use the phrase "War on Terror."  It is no more a war that the War on Drugs or the War on Poverty. 

Using the term War leads us to using the tools of War -- planes, tanks, ships, soldiers with M-16's.

Instead we should be talking about "Protecting Americans from Terrorism."  The tools of protection?  Intelligence, police work, guarding (physically, electronically and legally) the entrances to the US: the ports, the roads, the airports.  Working with other like minded nations where our goals coincide.  Preparing for major catastrope, which includes terrorist attack but also weather, geological and other disasters.

We need to allocate major money and major manpower to protecting Americans from terrorism.  Local police and other first responders need to be supported, although they cannot do all the work, nor are they equipped to do so.  We ought to consider Gary Hart's proposal to redirect and expand the National Guard to serve in this capacity within the United States.

But it all starts with walking away from "War on Terror", and we need to take the single step today.

It is no more a war that the War on Drugs or the War on Poverty.

 that should be than.

Yes, the question was "Who believes we are in a War on Terror".

Richardson,
Biden,
Obama,
Clinton

raised their hands. (ssshhhhhh, I know, what a shocker)

:)

PLEASE AL, we need you.

Time
for a
Cool
Change
Al Gore
2008

The Assault on Reason By Al Gore: A Manifesto for Democracy

...3 weeks to it's release!!!

bbl

In the same way the Republicans all decided to call it the "Democrat" party, no Democrats should use the phrase "War on Terror."  It is no more a war that the War on Drugs or the War on Poverty.

--------------

When I first heard the term it did not bother me, because I saw it  a proverbial "war" like that on drugs, etc.  but, in retrospect, to Rove and the Neocons it was part of a diabolical plan to prepare us for a hellish literal war.

btw, haven't heard...has W vetoed that Bill yet?

if God does those things to innocent people............then I am going to re-register under the Atheistic party then.............

cheers

-----------

Surely I jest.  I don't believe God wills these deaths of Americans any more than God wanted the Zionists to ethnically cleanse Israel and oppress the Palestinians remaining in her territories.

But there is widespread belief that if God wants people to die of cancer, poverty, etc. it is none of the government's business.

gotta go for a while

37.

rich^kolker
Fri, 04/27/07
3:17 pm

It is no more a war that the War on Drugs or the War on Poverty.

Using the term War leads us to using the tools of War -- planes, tanks, ships, soldiers with M-16's.

Instead we should be talking about "Protecting Americans from Terrorism." The tools of protection? Intelligence, police work,...

---------
It is war, war in which Bush&Co. "protecting" itself skilfully hiding behind back of the American people by confusing, lying and deceiving them.

Linda in NM, you mean he is going to veto it.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Haven't heard that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

General Petraeus says:

The war in Iraq may well get harder before it gets easier and American casualties are likely to continue to climb.

One HECK of a great plan, General.. the Surge is working and it includes more U.S. and Iraqi casualties! 

How to FIX the numbers:

U>S. Excludes Car Bombs!..in TOUTING Drop in Iraq Violence.

What happens when are troops are stressed to breaking?

Army Officer Accuses Generals of 'Intellectual and Moral Failures'

antiwar.com

Headlines: Drudgreport.com

U.S. GROWTH WEAKEST IN 4 YEARS...
Euro Hits All-Time High Against Dollar...
FORD says April auto industry sales 'terrible'...

Things are going great!  See Dick and George play?  See Dick and George laugh?  ...at us.

Good grief, I'm tired of hearing about debates and polls that don't matter much yet. Howard said on CNN yesterday, that polls have absolutely no value this early on. Even CNN had to admit that the "real" pollsters do not appear until very close to primary and general elections.

It's also disgusting to hear MSNBC talking on and on and on about candidates. I truly believe they plan on "deciding" who we will vote for by constant drumming of their chosen candidates and al the propaganda that goes with it.

Wake me up next December or when Al Gore throws his hat in the ring, whichever comes first.

48.

It's true linda:)) My mailperson told me so.

37. and 43.

Agreed completely, Rich and Fred

Yes, the question was "Who believes we are in a War on Terror".

Richardson,
Biden,
Obama,
Clinton

-------------

That's a hard thing to deny without clarification of your answer.  Unfortunately the nature of politics is much more attuned to bumper-sticker sound-bite responses, where the clarification cannot be deliberately left out. 

Executive dean Louise Richardson is the senior administrative officer of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study and is responsible for the coordination ...
www.radcliffe.edu/about/leadership/richardson.php  

  What Terrorists Want by Louise Richardson This is at the top of my list for best books on terrorism.”–Jessica Stern, author of Terror in the Name of God: Why Religious Militants Kill 

Not because it's nice, but because I think you should know, read this---

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/27/...

only at the very fringe of what in a different context was called a "twilight struggle" are there the need for armed confrontations with "terrorists", because a War on Terror brings in connotations of a military struggle, and as soon as you take that route, because it is counter-productive, the terrorists have won the first battle, which is to make them and their cause a big deal that can get into the mass consciousness,

I'm with you, rich, Gary Hart is a person to be listened to on this subject and so is Louise Richardson.(and you too)

In Iraq Bush has embarked on a different tactic to fight a counter insurgency, which then by the very definition is a war of occupation that has nothing to do with terrorism, other than the fog of war allows the terrorists increased freedom of movement. Contradictory logic never stopped him in the past so it is up to the Democratic Leadership to just go do it. the 08 wannabes can deal themselves in if they want.

FWIW, I've felt for some time that we are lucky that the followers of Islam ascribe misfortune, as well as fortune, to God's will. So, the pestilence that has descended on Iraq is somehow God's will and their reward for bearing up under it is to be united with Him.
While some Americans fear revenge for what they've done to the people of Iraq, revenge seems to be a very event-specific response. In other words, if the perpetrator of an insult is known, there's likely to be revenge on him and/or his family. Which probably accounts for what's being characterized as sectarian violence. Traitors and their families are being removed, but the revenge is not indiscriminate and there's no basis for the notion that "they're going to follow us home."

Good letter in today's NYT:

Re “Giuliani Says a Democratic President Would Make the U.S. Less Safe” (news article, April 26):

Rudy Giuliani, would you please stop with the “vote for us or die” rhetoric?

You recently said that if a Democrat gets elected, we will be going back to our pre-9/11 mentality on defense.

Can you explain exactly how this works, because as I recall, the Republicans were in charge on 9/11, and a lot of people died that day, including my brother-in-law, Sean Canavan, who was in the south tower on the 98th floor.

Please stop insulting our intelligence with your fear-mongering. It’s pitiful.

Republicans are good at sitting useless in a classroom for several minutes while being told that America is under attack. These same Republicans used 9/11 to sell us four years of war in the wrong country. Is that what you call being on the offense? Maybe you meant to say Republicans are offensive.

During last night's debate, Hillary Clinton once again tried to fudge her position on Iraq, saying of the president: "He threatens to veto the legislation we have passed, which has been something that all of us have been advocating for a number of years." This was a deliberate attempt to mislead voters. The legislation sets a date certain deadline for withdrawal of troops from Iraq. But in June 2006 Clinton made it clear she was against setting a deadline, saying she did not "think it is smart strategy to set a date certain. I do not agree that that is in the best interest of our troops or our country." Memo to Hillary: "I do not agree..." is NOT part of "advocating," it is part of "opposing."

Both Edwards and Obama are trying to pad their lists with the Iraq bill. Obama obviously likes that line that one signature will end the war.
Oh, we have come a long way since Carol was a lone voice on the hustings. LOL

Hillary was against the deadline before she was for it.

Do Democrats REALLY want to go there again? 

Good letter in today's NYT:

Re “Giuliani Says a Democratic President Would Make the U.S. Less Safe” (news article, April 26):

Rudy Giuliani, would you please stop with the “vote for us or die” rhetoric?

---------------

 Giuliani is the most popular candidate in Israel, since his rejection of the $5 million from the Saudi Prince (for making a comment about Palestinian injustice during the same meeting) was apparently spun by the Israeli press as rejecting a bribe to go against Israel.

Mike Gravel got a banner segment on CNN. They dissed him, of course. Good. That will make him appealing to many more people of conscience.

The 1st Debate: Meet Former Sen. Mike Gravel

Senator Clinton is in a really tough spot. She's got to be willing to stop standing by her man, if she wants to be President. What makes this particularly tough is that she's also got to throw over the connection to the Bushes, which Bill seems particularly attached to. Bill's spent his whole life looking for a Daddy who loves him. He probably thinks the Bushes will grant him the succession. I doubt it. Hillary's going to have to get it on her own, or forget it.

Intelligence Project - www.splcenter.org/intel/intpro.jsp

linda b........I thought I heard something about that. Um, like nonstop threats, temper tantrums and interviews. :)

Or is he going to say he never said that either?

Senator Gravel is speaking tonight at 6:30 pm (Pacific Time) at the Chairman's reception to kick off the California Democratic Convention in San Diego. It should be carried live on The California Democratic Party's site: www.cadem.org

Rove nationalized the 2006 election and made it into a choice between "stay the course" and "cut and run".

He got the biggest shellacking of any election in history even with that framing.

what don't our critters get about those results

Richardson is rising fastest in Iowa because he is clear where he stands on the single biggest issue facing the country, and he gave it last night (even if his "performance" was off).

"Out" and sooner rather than later

Just a quick drive-by as I have stuff to do  (errands and fishing in the rain). Gravel being on the debate tripled overnight the views of my clips on youtube. My poll says that more people are looking him up and all very positive comments. How's this for a plan, be seen as the angry grandfather...people tune in to see what grampa does next...plant seeds to germinate along the way...final result is the info gets out there in the CM, head to internet to find the truth.

The format of the debate, IMO it couldn't have been more obvious that it enabled the moderator to  include or shut out comments. With no opening statements, no closing statements and different questions asked to different candidates...CM thought it planned this debate well, Gravel changed that. Someone's stirring the pot and we don't know the brew...stay tuned.

Wife just came over to tell me CNN just had a nice piece about about Mike Gravel. A few guest apperances with his charming side and Gravel is only going up IMO. I will try and do the rest of the interview and upload to youtube this weekend. Still have the forum to do also but that isn't even off the tape yet.

I heard on NPR today while grading roads (yep, has a radio) that Peter Shumlin (Pro-Tem D/Windham, VT) said and I'm paraphrasing, that the reason impeachment should be brought  forward is it would put these individuals under oath and a true investigation could be done. I do think orange should be the color for this administration.

bbl 

I do think orange should be the color for this administration.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

yyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not quite out the door yet, had a few emails to do.

Phil, did you go fishing? Some nice pan fried brookies maybe...mmmmm 

Richardson is rising fastest in Iowa because he is clear where he stands on the single biggest issue facing the country, and he gave it last night

I've looked high and low for Richardson's stance on Iraq before the invasion and this is all I can find...... 

“I think there is such intensive pressure on both sides that only one more deadline, only one more chance for Saddam Hussein is going to be allowable. So I think the administration is wise in pursuing this course that says OK, total disarmament in two weeks and that’s it.” 

Sounds to me like he's another Democrat who was for it before he was against it.

That last sentence was from me Phil...but I have talked to Peter many times and have a good idea how he feels : )

Ok, now out the door.

there were many shades of the DLC in that debate last night and it was by design
in my opinion . Richardson has been 'assigned' the role he stated last night-get out and get out soon. This cuts into Dennis' and Mike's piece of the Dem electorate pie.

Ive seen roadkill that was more progressive than Richardson.

April 25, 2007, 11:17PM
Bill blocking cancer vaccine order sent to Perry

By LIZ AUSTIN PETERSON
Associated Press

AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers officially rejected Gov. Rick Perry's anti-cancer vaccine order today, sending him a bill that blocks state officials from requiring the shots for at least four years.

Perry has said he is disappointed with the Legislature's actions but has not indicated whether he will veto the bill. He has 10 days to sign or veto it, or the proposal will become law without his signature.

Lawmakers can override a veto with a two-thirds vote of both chambers. The legislation passed by well over that margin in both chambers.....

....The Legislature was outraged that Perry acted without consulting them. Just days after the governor issued the order, prominent legislators promised to do whatever it took to overturn the order, saying the vaccine is too new to force on Texas families.....

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/4748013.html

Army Officer Accuses Generals of "Intellectual and Moral Failures"
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/042707A.shtml
An active-duty Army officer has published a blistering attack on US generals, saying that they have botched the war in Iraq and misled Congress about the situation there. Yingling's comments are especially striking because his unit's performance in securing the northwestern Iraqi city of Tall Afar was cited by President Bush in a March 2006 speech and provided the model for the new security plan underway in Baghdad.

****************************

How do we best hold the CMW's feet to the fire?  Without an honest media, how can we accomplish anything?  I heard some *heads* talking about Gravel and they completely ignored the substance of his words about nuke proliferation and laughingly attacked his style.  How did these people ever pass 5th grade? 

Biden made a cogent rejection of "pre-emptive wars" on Iowa Press tonight.

He's a pretty bright guy.

He also said he would pay for his health care proposals by scrapping Star Wars missles.

And he would rescind the tax cuts.

He moves into my positive column on platform.

I do think a Presidential candidate needs to be able to be an expert near the top of the field on at least one important subject.

And to be able to identify advisors that are, on other subjects not quite so familiar, and to be humble enough to listen.

That last point is hardest to come by for many who be leader of the free world.

new thread

Texas lawmakers officially rejected Gov. Rick Perry's anti-cancer vaccine order today, sending him a bill that blocks state officials from requiring the shots for at least four years.

Another win for cancer. 

Maybe we could do something with this:

…….or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office. http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am25.html  and then, we impeach Cheney. : )

NOTE:  The Manhattan-Institute.org --- Is the MAIN training center for Republicans.  Condi, Guiliani, Gonzales and –and on and on all went there for some time.  They teach them how to ‘debate without facts’..how to ‘spin’ a story, how to ‘talk over the top” of other persons;  how to ‘just fake a statistic” when put on the spot on air (like Bill O’Reilly, Hannity, Coulter, Limbaugh)  When and if the real statistic comes out, it's too late.   And  what phrases pushes the buttons of  normal Americans, i.e. unpatriotic, cut and run, defeatists,  communist, conspiracy theory, Natzi, crazy....

But then we have a DEAN Institute, don't we.