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News from Dec NDFA Meeting
Linked to groups: Northside DFA
The big news -- Michele Smith is now a Northside DFA endorsed candidate for 43rd Ward Democratic Committeeman! Michele spoke at our November meeting, and was endorsed at our meeting last Thursday. Since we first met Michele her ability to organize and her committment to bringing new people into the political process have been outstanding, and we are proud to count her -- for the second time -- as one of our endorsed candidates. To learn more about Michele and to volunteer or contribute to her campaign go to:
http://www.michelesmith.org/index2.htm
We also had updates on our endorsed and adopted candidates, as well as news on lots of upcoming events -- in particular our NDFA forum this Thursday:
Getting out of IRAQ: What can one person do?
a forum sponsored by Northside Democracy for America
- Thursday, December 13, 7pm
- at the Edgewater Library, 1210 W. Elmdale Ave, Chicago
- Speakers are Christine Cegelis, former congressional candidate and founding member of the Greater Chicago Caucus and Jeff Leys, Co-Coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence.
- RSVP and get details at: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=25758
And we had three guest speakers: Mariyana Spyropoulos who is running for MWRD Commissioner, and Suzanne Elder and Heather Steans who are both running for the 7th District State Senate seat that is currently held by Carol Ronen.
At the end of this email is a summary of the presentations that were given by these three candidates. Candidate Mariyana Spyropoulos spoke first. She was followed by candidates Suzanne Elder and Heather Steans who each gave a 10 minute presentation followed by approx. 10 minutes of questions. We made audio recordings of Elder's and Stean's presentations which can be downloaded from:
Unfortunatly no recording is available for Spyropoulos's presentation due to the fact that we forgot to turn on the recorder during her presentation. One of the "technical difficulties" that sometimes happens!
Normally we wait until the month following a candidate's presenation to vote, but because of the last-minute nature of this race, an expidited endorsement was proposed. Though some members felt that we should still wait a month, the majorty supported doing an endorsement vote that night. However, as has also been our past practice, we agreed to hold the vote open for one week so that voting members who were not present would still have time to make their vote. So, though a vote was held at the meeting, the results of that vote will not be finalized until midnight on Thursday. I will send an email out on Friday with the final results.
If you are a voting member who was not present at the meeting, you have until Thursday midnight to cast your vote. If you are not sure if you are a voting member, please contact membership chair Michi Schulenberg at mschulenberg@gmail.com to check your status. (Jim Schmidt just became our new membership chair, but because this deals with past activities please contact Michi.) To be a voting member of Northside DFA you must have attended at least three meetings in the last year, and done at least three qualifying candidate volunteer activities in the last year.
Thank you to all of our candidates for taking time to come and speak to our group, and to everyone who participated in the meeting. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, January 3rd and we will be inviting all of the Cook County State's Attorney's candidates to speak. For details and to RSVP go to:
Northisde DFA January Meeting
- Thursday, January 3rd
- 6pm dinner (optional), 7pm meeting
- RSVP at: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=23978
Peace,
Sandra Verthein
Northside DFA
--------------------------------------------------
NDFA Meeting
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Wing Hoe Restaurant
At the December 6th meeting, there were presentations by three candidates. Candidate Mariyana Spyropoulos spoke for 10 minutes total, and Candidates Suzanne Elder and Heather Steans each gave a 10 minute presentation followed by approx. 10 minutes of questions. NDFA Recording Secretary Melissa Lindberg prepared the summaries below based on her notes taken at the meeting. Please note that this is only a summary of the presentations. Nothing below should be considered to be a direct quote from the candidate. To hear the full presentations made by Elder and Steans, please download them at:
http://groups.google.com/group/ndfa-downloads/files
No recording is available for Spyropoulos's presentation due to the fact that we forgot to turn on the recorder during her presentation.
Candidates:
Mariyana Spyropoulos is running for commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (and is first on the ballot). She has spoken to Deb Shore, who mentioned us to Mariyana. She got into the race out of a concern for the environment, and feels the need to build a coalition on the MWRD for a discussion about the ways in which the MWRD can strengthen the environment; and also is concerned about the fiscal responsibility of the MWRD. She is an attorney with an MBA from Loyola, has served as a criminal prosecutor, and was a hearing officer for the Secretary of State. She is currently in private practice, doing everything except Family Law. She thinks the MWRD should play a greater role in the conservation of the environment: for instance, there’s the potential to put solar panels in all the buildings of the MWRD. She wants the MWRD to enact policies conducive to water conservation, and increase the education about water management ideas: rain barrels, green roofs, cisterns. She thinks there’s an economic benefit to the community by using green technology, in encouraging new business and increasing the jobs created by green business in supplying products.
There was a question about the numbers of commissioners for the MWRD: there are 9 commissioners, three of whom are up for election in every election cycle. There are 11 people running for 3 slots. Commissioners are not assigned to specific districts within the MWRD, although that concept is currently under discussion.
Her website is www.mariyana4cleanwater.com
Illinois Senate: 7th District Since State Senator Carol Ronen recently decided to retire from her senate seat, two candidates have jumped into the race to serve out the remainder of her term. The 7th District includes all of the 48th Ward, as well as some of the 46th, the 40th, 47th and the 49th. There were no signature challenges, so both candidates will be on the ballot on February 5th. NDFA asked both candidates to speak to the group.
Suzanne Elder:
Suzanne is a small business owner, and has a master’s of public policy from the University of Chicago’s Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy. She’s spent 2 years as a legislative advocate. Her daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and when her school could not handle the care needed, Suzanne had to quit her job to make sure her daughter’s blood sugar was monitored appropriately during the school day. In doing so, she realized that other families in the state were going through the same kinds of trials, and started lobbying the state to change the way schools handle such issues. On May 3, 2007, the legislation passed the House (coincidentally, her daughter’s birthday) but now it sits in the graveyard of the Senate due to a failure of leadership. She called her state senator many times about these issues, but never got a response.
She is passionate about ending play-to-pay politics: this is a tax on us as efficiencies are drowned out of the system (for instance, by no-bid contracts awarded to campaign contributors). There are no campaign contribution limits in Illinois and that is the first thing that needs to happen. There’s a real mess down in Springfield. She recently had a conversation with the Lt. Governor about the problems.
She spent 6 years as a consultant to the Regional Transportation Authority, so she has a good feel for the issues surrounding public transportation. She feels its key to the state’s economy, a no-brainer, particularly as we all become more carbon conscious.
Her third priority would be to reform Tax Increment Financing: she’s seen her own taxes go up astronomically because of the misuse of TIFs, and she noted that Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley has put out a paper outlining the issues with TIFs and steps to reform them. One thing is an accurate accounting must show up on each homeowner’s tax bill. TIFs must be audited, have transparency.
Why does she want the job? There’s an obligation of representation, of transparency and fairness – and she has not seen that obligation felt by our current representatives. The process must be inclusive and fair. She believes in the power of individuals to make a difference. She felt a profound responsibility to engage in the process and to represent the people of the 7th District.
Question about the transit crisis: Suzanne stressed the need to build a consensus on transit in Springfield, perhaps by a $ for $ match equation – money for auto transportation vs. public transit.
Question about ways to increase state revenue: Suzanne supports a 1% increase in state income tax – this is a proposal that has been floated and supported by a number of groups. The state constitution mandates a flat income tax; we need a graduated tax to make it fair. We need the increase to take us back to the national norm.
Question about campaign finance reform: Suzanne is a fervent supporter of limits on donations.
Followup: what’s the largest contribution to your campaign: $1,000 (yesterday)
And what’s the largest amount you’ve donated to someone's campaign: $200
Question about Election Reform: Suzanne admitted she didn’t know enough about the subject to speak knowledgably, but indicated a willingness to learn.
Question about her connections in Springfield: Suzanne felt that her experience as an advocate in Springfield would allow her to hit the ground running; she talked about building productive and smart relationships. Emil Jones, on the other hand, is holding up legislation emboldened by his campaign contributors – he knows there are no consequences to his actions.
Question if she’d be a delegate to a Constitutional Conventions: she didn’t know the answer to that one – how delegates are selected has not been decided yet.
Question: is making Illinois a true pro-choice state doable now? Suzanne noted she was a long-time supporter of Planned Parenthood, but said that at the moment the votes aren’t there. At the moment, the only choice agenda items are those of parental notification, etc.
Question: does she have a plan to win? She is a deep grassroots person, goes to CAPS and other meetings to meet and talk to people, knocks on doors etc. Since her campaign has been put together so quickly, she needs all the grassroots people-to-people help she can get.
Her website is www.SuzanneElder.org
Heather Steans:
Heather and her husband Leo Smith were supporters of Dean, went to Iowa, were early members of DFA (national). She first attended a 48th Ward Democrats meeting for the Committeeman selection process.
She wants to improve the district for residents, feels she can be an agent for facilitating change. She has had a lot of blessings in her life, and feels that to those much has been given, there is much responsibility. She works to provide access of opportunity for others. For instance, 10 years ago she set up a small grants program on the West Side – a neighborhood Martin Luther King Jr had liven in during his stay in Chicago, which had been devastated by riots after his death. The grants program was designed to have the community solve its problems. A resident board made the decisions about what projects should get grants. There have been community gardens set up, a greening committee, an ex-offender who now runs a community newsletter and is getting help making it into a newspaper for the community.
She noted that our state policies are broken, that the egos of our leaders are getting in the way of accomplishing the work that they’re sent to Springfield to do for the people. Their constituents are losing. She wants to get people to the table talking and listening to each other, making a commitment to change.
Her priorities are:
1) Mass transit: the Red Line is obsolete and needs to be expanded; we need a viable functioning mass transit system to reduce our carbon emissions.
2) The structural budget deficit. We’re only spending 34% of state money that the Constitution mandates be spend on education: the rest is made up from local property taxes, which leads to a large disparity of funding district to district. We need a modest income tax increase, perhaps with expanding the earned income tax credit – find a way to work around the Constitutions mandate for a flat tax.
3) Political Reform: she would sign on to HB1 (ending pay to play). Heather stressed the need to level the playing field: spending limits must be set. She noted the need for true independent voices, not beholden to anyone. She stressed that no one can buy her, she is accountable only to the voters.
4) Human rights
She felt compelled to run because our politics are broken, and we need to do something to fix them. So she is willing to take a risk to become a candidate to be part of the solution.
Question: Could you clear up the confusion of the timing of Carol’s resignation, when you knew about it, etc.? Heather noted that there had been rumors of Carol’s retirement for years, and when Carol had asked her whether she would be willing to run, she had always said no, because she had small children. Now her children are a bit older, so she’s willing to run. Carol meant to resign at the end of the session, but this session has been never-ending. Heather did not want her candidacy to be a backroom deal. Carol finally decided to resign, and with two weeks notice gave candidates just enough time to get on the ballot and campaign for the Feb. 5th election.
Question: What can be done about corporate tax subsidies? Heather said she didn’t know where the money comes from to give the subsidies, but we need to spread the tax burden equally, and that includes corporations. She is in favor of a progressive income tax.
Question: What is your top priority issues for Chicago? An appropriate education for a global economy for all our children; Healthcare – 2 million are not covered in Illinois: we need to move toward universal healthcare; Environmental issues are also incredibly important.
Question: How do you feel about using casino money for transit? Heather was uncomfortable with the rise in pathological gambling since the state has added more casinos: she feels it’s a short term solution, not a long term one. She thinks we need changes in the gaming board and stronger regulation of casinos.
Question about campaign financing: We must have reasonable limits, and move toward public financing of campaigns.
Followup: what’s the largest contribution to your campaign? She is the largest donor to her campaign.
And what’s the largest amount you’ve donated to someone else's campaign: Heather and Leo together -- $25,000.
She and Leo have given campaign donations based on their three strong issues: early childhood issues, pro-choice, and the environment.
Question: she mentioned the egos of leaders holding up things in Springfield – which egos? Madison, Blageovitch, Jones – the three tops ….
Followup: do you regret any contributions you’ve made? We gave a lot more to the Governor in his first campaign than to his second. He’s been very good on early childhood issues, not so good on other issues.
Question: of the 38 seats up for election in the last election, the average spent per seat was $600,000. Would you agree to limit spending for this election? Not with such a late start, we’re too far into it and too close to election day for that to be reasonable, but yes, in the future would consider it.
Heather Stean’s website is: www.heathersteans.com
Published Saturday, 12/08/07 @ 03:50 pm. Linked to PA for Democracy.
From remarks delivered December 7, 2007 by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse:
We will shortly consider making right the things that are wrong with the so-called Protect America Act, a second-rate piece of legislation passed in a stampede in August at the behest of the Bush Administration. It is worth for a moment considering why making this right is so important.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The link for 2
As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I was given access to those opinions, and spent hours poring over them. Sitting in that secure room, as a lawyer, as a former U.S. Attorney, legal counsel to Rhode Island’s Governor, and State Attorney General, I was increasingly dismayed and amazed as I read on. To give you an example of what I read, I have gotten three legal propositions from these OLC opinions declassified. Here they are, as accurately as my note taking could reproduce them from the classified documents. Listen for yourself. I will read all three, and then discuss each one.
An executive order cannot limit a President. There is no constitutional requirement for a President to issue a new executive order whenever he wishes to depart from the terms of a previous executive order. Rather than violate an executive order, the President has instead modified or waived it.
The President, exercising his constitutional authority under Article II, can determine whether an action is a lawful exercise of the President’s authority under Article II.
The Department of Justice is bound by the President’s legal determinations. Let’s start with number one. Bear in mind that the so-called Protect America Act that was stampeded through this great body in August provides no—zero—statutory protections for Americans traveling abroad from government wiretapping. None if you’re a businesswoman traveling on business overseas, none if you’re a father taking the kids to the Caribbean, none if you’re visiting uncles or aunts in Italy or Ireland, none even if you’re a soldier in the uniform of the United States posted overseas. The Bush Administration provided in that hastily-passed law no statutory restrictions on their ability to wiretap you at will, to tap your cell phone, your e-mail, whatever.
http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/civil-liberties/index.html
http://www.johnedwards.com/iowa/video/iowa-tour-constitution/index.html
http://www.johnedwards.com/news/headlines/20070626-scotus-shift/index.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
complimentary links to the Whitehouse post
Thanks, Phil.
In a nutshell, these three Bush Administration legal propositions boil down to this:
-
“I don’t have to follow my own rules, and I don’t have to tell you when I’m breaking them.”
-
“I get to determine what my own powers are.”
-
“The Department of Justice doesn’t tell me what the law is, I tell the Department of Justice what the law is.”
****************************** - Let's put is more succinctly. Bush is dictator by his own okey dokey.
So do you think there's any hope now of pursuing the CIA missing tapes?
Does the Constitution allow for a dictator?
IMPEACH, dammit.
Blog order seems to be working, even tho clock is a bit off.
Wow! A new thread. Howdy!
FRESNO BEE front page lead story
You really did see a flying saucer
Two men build a nonoperative craft, on display at Christmas Tree Lane.
By Sanford Nax / The Fresno Bee
Shawn Caglia didn't believe two friends who told him they planned to build a flying saucer.
"I thought they were joking," the Fresno electrician said.
Roger Story and Steve Poole weren't joking, and in fact enlisted Caglia seven months ago in building the bronze "saucer" on display at this year's Christmas Tree Lane in Fresno.
Obviously, this prototype won't carry travelers from another galaxy and hardly will be an unidentified flying object. Absent a propulsion system, it won't get off the ground. But the designers hope to start that part of the project after the holidays.
"We sound like wackos," Poole said. "But that's the way it is."
Organizations far better funded have yet to perfect such a flying craft, and while some have created prototypes, these two still have yet to figure out how it will fly.
Eric Mehiel, assistant professor of Aerospace Engineering at California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, offered a dose of skepticism. He said in an e-mail that while the technology exists, the real problem is getting the Federal Aviation Administration to approve its widespread use. ...photos and full story: http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/25497...
Who wrote those *legal* propositions and when? Anybody know?
I have to go and dance off my dismay.
Mukasey joins the ranks of the critters who do nothing to save the country.
I think the Clintons are backing Huck. If he's the repug nominee, even I may have to vote for her. But I still doubt it.
"Vote republican, buy a burka."
"Vote for Hillary, He's Experienced." (no typo)
OK, I'm thinking that Howard is planning something if he's leaving the DNC. Surely he's not gonna let Hill or Huck take it. Gore needs to get very serious very soon since he could come in before super Tues and still take it. I think he's waiting for IA and NH to screw things up for the dem party before he makes a move. And they are well on their way. IMO
Sitka - I left a message for you on the last thread... : )
Uninspired Republicans and HAPPY Democrats. : )New York Times/CBS News Poll. December 10, 2007
Three weeks before the Iowa caucuses, Republicans voters across the country appear uninspired by their field of presidential candidates, with a vast majority saying they have not made a final decision about who to support. None of the Republican candidates is viewed favorably by even half of the Republican electorate, the poll found.
By contrast, Democrats are happier with their field and more settled in their decisions. Senator Clinton ….remains strong nationally, Democratic voters judge her to be more ready for the presidency than those who believed Mr. Obama is prepared .... but more Democrats said Mrs. Clinton could bring the country together Forty-four percent of Democrats said Bill Clinton’s involvement would make them more likely to support Mrs. Clinton. The poll found just 1 percent said they might be swayed by the involvement of Oprah Winfrey. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/10/us/politics/11cnd-poll.html?ei=5065&en=eb1d46cd20e61f5b&ex=1197954000&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=printPutzclown loves roadmaps that don't go anywhere.
US Rejects Stiff 2020 Greenhouse Goals in Bali
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/121007EA.shtml
Emma Graham-Harrison of Reuters reports: "Washington rejected stiff 2020 targets for greenhouse gas cuts by rich nations at UN talks in Bali on Monday as part of a 'roadmap' to work out a new global pact to fight climate change by 2009."
Senator Clinton ….remains strong nationally, Democratic voters judge her to be more ready for the presidency than those who believed Mr. Obama is prepared .... but more Democrats said Mrs. Clinton could bring the country together Forty-four percent of Democrats said Bill Clinton’s involvement would make them more likely to support Mrs. Clinton."
*************************
I wonder if those dems who support *more war* Clinton can even read. She's the most polarizing dem and the voters think she can pull us together. And Bill *chums with the Bushies* is an asset?
I guess the TV show "Dynasty" has negatively impacted the voters into thinking dynasties are a good thing.
We need to have a front page on correcting the timestamp.
Mercenaries on the streets of America. Has a lilting fascist ring to it.
Jeremy Scahill | Blackwater's Power Play
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/121007J.shtml
Jeremy Scahill reports for The Nation: "With a new scandal breaking practically every day, one would think Blackwater security would be on the ropes, facing a corporate meltdown or even a total wipeout. But it seems that business for the company has never been better, as it continues to pull in major federal contracts. And its public demeanor grows bolder and cockier by the day."
After Setback, Chávez Makes the Clocks Fall Behind
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/10/world/americas/10venezuela.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin
CARACAS, Venezuela, Dec. 9 — Venezuelans turned their clocks back half an hour on Sunday, putting them in the company of people in other nations that offset time in half-hour increments from Greenwich Mean Time, like Afghanistan, India, Iran and Myanmar
[...]
_________________
Nice company to which HQ aspires.
But Rep. Poe, whose office contacted the State Department to rescue Jones from the container, says neither the departments of State nor Justice will give him answers on the status of the Jones investigation. Frustrated, Poe told ABC News, "I think it is the responsibility of our government, the Justice Department and the State Department, when crimes occur against American citizens overseas in Iraq, contractors that are paid by the American public, that we pursue the criminal cases as best as we possibly can and that people are prosecuted."
(AP Photo)
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/popup?id=3948132&contentIndex=1&page=7
A Huckabee Win (extremist) + Clinton Win (high negatives) =
A New Party (Bloomberg / Hagel Ticket) =
A Win for America!
12/10/2007 7:00:00 AM
Former Vice Pres. Al Gore and Rajendra Pachauri Awarded with
Nobel Peace Prize
Former Vice President Al Gore and Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change are jointly awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize. The two recipients, recognized for their efforts on climate change, speak at the
Nobel ceremony in Oslo City Hall. 01:08
VIDEO
Congratulations Al Gore on your Nobel Peace Prize
http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/23237...
per the last thread, sitka has gone the way of robert. just go. you will find your level. somewhere down low.
just go.
Linda*in*SFNM
Mon, 12/10/07
10:47 pm
Okay, I agree bad choice.
Bloomberg / Kerrey (former Nebraska Senator)
just go.
ho ho ho.
If you are not with me just go.
Some like it lonely
Isn't this supposed to be Democracy For America?
A democracy where there is no room for roberts, sitkas, freds and other misfits?
Doing somethings voluntarily doesn't entitle one to have privileges.
Like complaining that DFA is not doing anything to help me here in NC.
IMO
~peace
Oh I missed sunlight - hey run up to Burlington and give them lessons :)
I was proud of the way Howard Dean stood with a clergyman to ask that the GOP tone down the hate rhetoric on Immigrants. No one else is doing it, and it needed to be done.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1682
I was also proud when he spoke up to a Muslim conference.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1505
"Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean told American Muslims gathered in Rosemont to think beyond voter registration drives.
"You need to run for political office," Dean said Saturday. "The only way you can achieve your goals is to stand up and say who you are and be proud of it."
Those in the packed house rose to their feet and applauded."
I'm not locked out? am I on the eastern NSA server or the one that sticks me to the bottom?
Did you see my post on the last thread where Western Digit is clocking file sharing on its servers?
might be the problem here
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 'Digital locks' future questioned By Darren Waters Technology editor, BBC News website
One of the world's largest hard disk manufacturers has blocked its customers from sharing online their media files that are stored on networked drives.
E-mail this to a friend Printable version CIA man defends 'water-boarding' A retired CIA agent has said a top al-Qaeda suspect was interrogated using a simulated drowning technique but that he believes it was justified.
~~~~~~~~~
a question the Hague will answer someday
is a President above the law?
Sitka - I left a message for you on the last thread... : )
I never ceased to be amazed when I encounter an adult who still believes in Santa Claus AND the tooth fairy.
that was a great speech by al gore at the nobel ceremony in oslo! and his comment in the interview about the presidency being the only office he was interested in occupying still leaves room to hope.
california primary update........the clinton people sent a mailing just after thanksgiving. the other campaigns had better start cranking, b/c california is the biggie.
tabloid rudy knows this and has been working to corrupt the electoral vote assignment, giving the rethugs the equivalent of ohio's vote count. our sec of state has begun investigating the possibility of a fraud in signature gathering by 'california counts,' [with ties to the guiliani campaign] which has used the come-on of helping children with cancer to load their petitions with signatures from altruistic and unsuspecting californians.
*****************
to add to the holiday list..........
*senator diane feinstein: to wear to those controversial votes, an 800-pound gorilla suit with pearls
*neocons: an E-ticket ride on an ever-spinning dreidel
*cia: 16 tons of coal
per the last thread, sitka has gone the way of robert. just go. you will find your level. somewhere down low.
I'm afraid linda is going the way of FRED in thinking that she dictates who can blog here and what they can say -- and that only she can criticize Democrats and DFA when the mood strikes her. It isn't too late to pull back from such an awful brink, linda.
I've always liked and respected you until today, and hope that I will again when you come to your senses and get off your holier than thou pedestal. At any rate, I won't tell you what to say or to leave this blog. That's as low as it gets.
A democracy where there is no room for roberts, sitkas, freds and other misfits?
We need our sunlights and lindas too.
I am suggesting it might be beyond DFA's control
Which is why the line of griping about it should be drawn at personal insults for the BFA crew.
Desert....Huckabee...Hagel MANY NEGATIVES!
It must be remembered that negatives to us are positives to cons.
It must also be remembered in light of the Nixon, Reagan, and Bush presidencies, that negatives mean nothing and Americans will let any scum into the WH.
Hi Kids -- Driving by again and will post briefly from Prague. Rich K thanks for the history lesson. Yesterday I did some window shopping (many many garnets-so far I haven't succumbed) and did a lot of just taking in the view -- this place has world class views that rival SF. Last night I happened on a string quartet in a beautiful old church (St. Salvator) at the foot of the Charles Bridge - they had a one hour concert of familiar tunes (Vivaldi, Bach) all familiar stuff) for one hour in the cold with heated pews. It was great. Then I strolled back to hotel (I'm told it's safe at night?) and stopped for goulash with dumplings, followed by a pancake with fruit and icecream and a ton of whipped cream which I devoured. I tried to watch CNN in the room but kept crashing - finally slept about 9 hours and am ready to face the big castle and all it offers today. I'll post again tonight or in the morning. Everyone have a good day. Judy if you're in Prague and you see a purple corduroy coat it's me!
Annilow
Please post more when you can. First person reporting is what makes this blog special.
Monica
Thank You for your work posting Chris Dodd's defense of the Constitution. It worked just the way I described to he and Jackie how we could collaborate here without ever having met because we have mutual trust for each other. Sorry I dumped all the work on you. Dodd would make a very good counter-point to the present occupant.
I will try to return the favor for the blog with my reporting of my Edwards event. His strength is understanding how the current way of doing business in Washington has stacked the deck against ordinary working people, and the tax burden dumped on them by the radical policies of Bush. I'll work on a youtube of that with his staff so the blog gets an understanding straight from his mouth.
Dodd has to want the current three way tie to end up with Hillary in third so the race goes deep into the calendar and his quiet competence can be seen rather than the rock star hoopla of the current scene. Even a supporter like you might prefer an Edwards win in Iowa.
Democrats get to choose from over half a dozen who would all do a great job and be a vast improvement over Bush.
Huckabee is the best they have. lol. you have to love it; the fix they are in
I have a hunch I'm lucky to get on and some others are now blocked like I was. sleet here, so Chicago and Detroit will get ice too. a candidate that has been to 83 counties here is going to want to skip the other 16
38.
floridagal .
Tue, 12/11/07
12:59 am
Me too. Very proud.
44.
Phil Specht
Tue, 12/11/07
1:47 am
Why would a manufacturer do that?
45.
Phil Specht
Tue, 12/11/07
1:57 am
Nobody is above the law.
Good morning, everybody
I woke up with a post in mind and wrote it up on DFNH.
Will post to Hannah and Bluehampshire shortly.
Funny, Phil, you thinking about Huckabee. :)
http://cbs5.com/local/Barbara.Lee.Barack.2.607875.html
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-California)
lee.house.gov
Dec 10, 2007 1:38 pm US/PacificE. Bay Congresswoman Barbara Lee Endorses Obama OAKLAND (AP) ― One of Congress' staunchest opponents of the Iraq war has endorsed Senator Barack Obama for president.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee was the sole dissenter in Congress' 2001 vote giving President Bush broad authority to use U.S. forces to fight terrorism.
The Oakland Democrat says she thinks Obama is most committed to ending the war in Iraq.
...
My post ended up ahead of Annilow. Weird.
By JOHN DISTASO
Senior Political Reporter
Monday, Dec. 10, 2007
U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter has decided to endorse Barack Obama for President, UnionLeader.com has learned.
The freshman 1st District congresswoman had been considering staying neutral in the primary, but has now decided to get involved.
Obama, who has been gaining on Hillary Clinton in recent New Hampshire polls, won the endorsement of the state's other member of Congress, 2nd District Rep. Paul Hodes, in July.
Shea-Porter defeated former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley in the November 2006 general election after upsetting Democratic former state Rep. James Craig in the September party primary.
Word of the pending Shea-Porter endorsement comes a day after Obama appeared with television star Oprah Winfrey at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
...
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_7690337?source=rss
Lee breaks with close local politicos, endorses Obama Barbara Lee endorses ObamaCongresswomans district most registered Democrats in CaliforniaBy Josh Richman, STAFF WRITERArticle Last Updated: 12/11/2007 02:35:12 AM PSTRep. Barbara Lee announced her endorsement of Barack Obama for president Monday, breaking with some of her closest local political allies.The junior Senator from Illinois is a real agent of change, hes a bridge to the future and he can lead our nation in a new and positive direction, Lee, D-Oakland, told reporters on a conference call.
She said she holds all the Democratic contenders in high esteem, but in the end it really was a matter of conscience.
In a written statement, Lee said shes confident Obama would find a prompt and effective way to end the occupation of Iraq and that he would strengthen US diplomacy and international development as an instrument of national policy to prevent crises that lead to war and conflagration.
...
Mitchell Schwartz, Obamas California campaign director, noted Monday that Lee represents more registered Democrats than any other Congressional district in the state: more than 200,000 in her district.
Lees staunch antiwar stance — including her lone vote against authorizing military force days after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks — has proved popular in her district and other Democratic strongholds, but has proved controversial in some other places.
Yet Lee said she and fellow congresswomen and antiwar leaders Maxine Waters and Lynn Woolsey have been warmly received in Iowa, a crucial early-caucus state where Obama is in a dead heat with Clinton. And she said her work to combat poverty — she chairs the Out of Poverty Caucus — and increase access to quality education and health care reflects where the American people are and should resonate with early-primary voters nationwide.
...
46.
Sitka
Tue, 12/11/07
2:27 am
Have you ever been to a Sci-Fi convention? They're very interesting. Life is truly stranger than fiction.
The imagination is a powerful tool of the mind. If a person stimulates enough of their human senses with a fantasy it will eventually manifest into a physical reality of one form or another. Their fantasies become their new beliefs. The TV, film and the internet has a way of capturing a person's focus. Marketing experts are the present day's charming masters of attention. They're the fairies in disguise.
Meet the Life Hackers http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/16/magazi...
Phil Specht
Tue, 12/11/07
7:30 am
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ahh, Phil.........the cold weather must be affecting your sense of reason. Do I get a scent of confidense, cockiness or complacency perhaps?
What it seems all you political types are forgetting here is.......the American voting electorate. The electoral college, the vast number of evanglicals, fundamentalists, loyal republicans and just plain ignorant fools will NOT vote for your democratic nominee.............they have said so and I believe the vast majority of them..........
Remember........the key here is NOT the candidates.....its the American voter. The very people responsible for Reagan, Nixon, Bush 1&2............THATS a very scary thought.
I never ceased to be amazed when I encounter an adult who still believes in Santa Claus AND the tooth fairy.
___________________________________________________________________________
sitka,
Well, SOMEBODY has to eat the cookies and milk..........and WHO takes the $ from under the pillow?
63. For the record, Shea-Porter did not "defeat" Jeb Bradley and she didn't upset Jim Craig. More people voted for Carol than voted for Jeb and more people voted for Carol in the primary than voted for the other three candidates. Elections are about the voters.
67.
Acknowledged.
Yep, here in MA, more people voted for Deval Patrick than voted for Kerry Healey and more people voted for Deval in the primary than voted for the other three candidates. Elections are about the people.
Like you, like me, etc.
Excellent Richard Cohen article:
Still, there is no doubt that the zeitgeist whispers the name Obama, that he electrified the crowd here with a strong, passionate speech and that it was impossible, if not historically irresponsible, to look at that platform -- three African Americans -- and at the immense and mostly white crowd and not feel that something big was happening. Obama's banner captured that: "Change we can believe in."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/10/AR2007121001561.html
H
OBAMA
P
E
T
H
E
OBAMA
N
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"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not."
~ Thomas Jefferson
(This is why Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton want gun control so badly! )
FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE
1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.
3. Colt: The original point and click interface.
4. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
5. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?
6. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
7. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.
8. If you don't know your rights, you don't have any.
9. Those who trade liberty for security have neither.
10. The United States Constitution (c)1791. All Rights Reserved.
11. What part of "shall not be infringed" do you not understand?
12. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.
13. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.
14. Guns only have two enemies; rust and politicians.
15. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.
16. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.
17. 911: Government sponsored Dial-a-Prayer.
18. Assault is a behavior, not a device.
19. Criminals love gun control; it makes their jobs safer.
20. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.
21. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.
22. You have only the rights you are willing to fight for.
23. Enforce the gun control laws we ALREADY have; don't make more.
24. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.
25. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.
IF YOU AGREE, PASS THIS "REFRESHER" ON TO TEN FREE CITIZENS.
OBAMA has given me the audacity to hope ~~~~just like Howard did.
OM goodness, what one posted, lets not go go there, please.
Sitka, was glad to see person wrongly stating you were gone. A much needed an enjoyed, knowledgable voice here and hardly comparable to "the one".
We don't have to agree with everyone all the time (as we clearly do not) but a valuable voice Sitka surely is. Thanks for being here.
65. continued
46.
Sitka
Tue, 12/11/07
2:27 am
I have often wondered what it is within the consciousness of the human being that allowed the innocent children who were housed in the Nazi concentration [focus] camps of Europe their sweet future dreams. If a person is denied the grace of their freedom of expression it always seems to manifest in one way or another. Where there is a will there is always a way. The soul never forgets. It's mandate is to garner wisdom. People have been terrorized, tortured and drugged into submission by their masters for eons but somehow it never taken a permanent hold on their psyche until most recently. What has happened in this time that is so different that it has captured their will. Have they become the trained obedient willing participants in their own enslavements? Pain and pleasure go hand in hand in the worshipping of ones masters. Why is that the opinions of Sport and Hollywood Celebrity out weighs Scientific and Academic achievement in the court of public opinion? I know a lot of Scholars and Scientists who drink beer. After all they were all college students at one time.
71.
Monica Smith
Tue, 12/11/07
8:39 am
Thank you Monica.
70.
DANIEL ROONEY
Tue, 12/11/07
8:28 am
wrote:
(This is why Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton want gun control so badly! )
----
This is why.
Madera County man held in domestic abuse case
The Fresno Bee 12/10/07
MADERA — A 41-year-old man was arrested early Monday after threatening his wife and children and firing a gun inside a residence on Road 31, east of Madera, the Madera County Sheriff's Department reported.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Erica Stuart said the suspect, whose name was not immediately released, tried to flee when officers arrived but was quickly caught. Inside the home, deputies reported finding a handgun and a spent bullet allegedly fired just before a 1 a.m. 911 call.
The suspect was booked in Madera County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, intent to terrorize, weapons charges, violating a court order to prevent domestic violence, shooting at an inhabited dwelling and interfering with a peace officer, Stuart said. ...check for updates at: shttp://www.fresnobee.com/updates/story/2...
fyi - new Front thread
(it already has 23 comments on it -- Hello ? motto "Leave No Blogger Behind")
*rdorgan, the thread was an open thread mprov started lastnight. They promoted it this morning at 8:00AM...a bit strange, definitely.
Mr. Rooney,
If threats of violence don't work the Republicans and ultra right-wingers use this way. It doesn't work either.
This jury had 11 women on it. Interestly enough some local attorneys thought that wasn't a plus. I wonder why?
----
Trial shocker: $19mJury says CSUF discriminated against Stacy Johnson-Klein.
By George Hostetter and Bryant-Jon Anteola
The Fresno Bee 12/06/07
A jury Thursday awarded $19.1 million to former Fresno State women's basketball coach Stacy Johnson-Klein in a verdict that was stunning as much for its speed as its size.
After eight weeks of testimony in Johnson-Klein's sexual discrimination trial, the jury of 11 women and one man needed less than four hours of deliberations to unanimously decide the university had discriminated and retaliated against her.
The jurors embraced her lawyers' explanation for her firing nearly three years ago: She's a woman, she was an unrelenting champion of women's equality and Fresno State couldn't tolerate such an employee.
"Vindicated," Johnson-Klein said of her reaction to the jury's verdict while standing in a hall at Fresno County Superior Court. "... For women in general, I think it's a victory to see that there's a justice system in America. You can use it. It's long. It's hard. It's not for the weak of heart. But it works."
Fresno State President John Welty said in a statement: "This fundamentally has always been an employment case. The university will always act when the health and welfare of its students is endangered.
"I disagree with the decision. We will appeal. But we are determined not to be distracted by it and will continue with the essential work of the university. I am personally committed, and this university is committed, to the well-being of all our students."
In his Fulton Mall office an hour after the verdict, Fresno State lawyer Mick Marderosian said he was upset with the verdict.
"I'm embarrassed for my community and for my hometown," Marderosian said.
Thursday's verdict was the third time in five months that the central San Joaquin Valley's largest institution of higher learning suffered an expensive and high-profile blow to its reputation for gender equity.
In July, former volleyball coach Lindy Vivas' sexual discrimination ...photos and full article: http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/25143...
Related Content
Award revives questions about John Welty's future
Damages breakdown
How the jury in the Stacy Johnson-Klein trial against Fresno State reached its award:
Past economic losses:
$634,254
Future economic losses:
$4,440,419
Past noneconomic suffering:
$3 million
Future noneconomic suffering:
$11 million
Total:
$19,074,673
Interestly s/b interestingly
Which thread are we using?
85.
Meet the Life Hackers: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/16/magazi...
Front open thread.
http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/23241...
Thanks for the kind words, Linda. Hoprfully the whole sordid thing is over. I'd rather talk politics than personals.
Tim Russert is talking about the possibility of Edwards and Hillary forming an unholy alliance in IA to stop Obama. She would actually instruct her followers to support him and let him win.
Sounds like something she would do; and it's something he has done. But do they really have enough lackeys without a conscience to pull it off?
Disclaimer: Russert is a notorius GOP gossip monger and troublemaker like Novak.
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