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Progressives Being Attacked in the Primary
(This post represents my own personal views).
These past few days have witnessed attacks on the top three progressives from the DFA pulse poll. While these are unrelated incidents, they all represent attacks in some form on the progressive movement we are all building. Regardless of which candidate you support, or would like voters to Unite around, we must stand up in each case to build our movement.
Dennis Kucinich
Rep. Kucinich was excluded from yesterday's Democratic debate in Iowa. This because he did not meet the technical need of having an office in Iowa. Check out The Hill for their story about this.
Kucinich, who is running his second consecutive presidential campaign but is doing poorly in national polls, has received strong support in online surveys from liberal groups such as Democracy for America. The Ohio lawmaker’s anti-war campaign resonates with parts of the Democratic base even though that support has not boosted Kucinich from the lower tier of candidates.
While this decision may have followd the letter of the rules, it clearly contravened their intention. Congressman Kucinich has an active national campaign, with staff and support across the country.
Barack Obama
Senator Obama has been running a youth oriented campaign relying on students' passion, energy, and political interest to help put him over the top. He's follow the clear law which states that students who study in Iowa (live there months out of the year, pay taxes, pay tuition) can vote in the caucuses (much like NH students who domicile in NH can vote there). In response, David Yepsen of the register, Sen. Clinton, Sen. Dodd, and others have cast doubt on the results. There's a great summary story about this whole incident over at Politico.
Young Voter PAC, another Democratic youth organization, has also responded aggressively. The political action committee, which works with Democratic candidates to engage young voters, founded the Facebook group “Hey Clinton, Stop Telling Young Voters to Stay Home.”
John Edwards
Senator Edwards is about to have major problems if the FEC follows its draft and rules that contributions via ActBlue are PAC donations. That's an entirely ludicrous claim. Sen. Edwards has helped build the progressive movement by using ActBlue to fundraise for his campaign. The money is clearly contributed by individuals to the campaign, and ActBlue is merely a conduit for the funds like an envelope holding a check.
There's a great diary about this over at DailyKos.
Obviously, while ActBlue is a "political committee" in the strictest sense of the term, in reality it does not act as such. ActBlue is a conduit for individual contributor preferences, to track and aggregate small-dollar contributors. It asserts no control over the recipients of its funds; the site’s only criteria is that the recipient be a Democrat. It fulfills FECA’s anticorruption goals by reporting contributors’ names, addresses, employers, and occupations to campaign, which in turn provide that information to the Commission as is legally required.
Progressives can contact the FEC and let them know you support ActBlue and its contributions to the progressive movement.
This blog's clock and comment count are broken. When you post a comment please place a number at the top of your post along with the time and date of your post.
[see example]
#32
3/30/2007
3:32 EST
Thank you,
The blog for America's blog Threaders.
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YOU HAVE THE POWER!
Please Contribute: http://actblue.com/page/bfarepair
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115.
Susan Rowe
Thu, 12/13/07
4:18 pm
DFA HQ,
This baby is past due. We're packed, the family and the doctor have been called. It's time to get into the auto machine and drive us to the hospital. I hope it's not too far away.
Please repair this blog before Christmas.
From Linda in SF's comment on previous thread:
Oh Linda - I do hope you're better. It happened to me before. My oral surgeon and dentist both told me it had never happened to another patient. It was brutal. I feel for you that's for sure.
DLC's Dream Accounts make claim to save Social Security. How will they help Social Security?
3 maryvb, thank you. Eventually, right? Yeah, I've been told that...so many times. Especially when the bridges they put in apparently wasn't done well and got decay underneath and one broke off, having to hav the teeth pulled and put implants in which wasn't done right and cause the tooth above to not fit well and now have that pulled out.
Today the dentist just said, "allow my to apologize for my fellow dentists who shouldn't have been doing what they did to you"
Linda - It will get better - I just hope you have a generous dental plan. Implants are a good thing but they can be costly.
---------
I just watched Joe Trippi, Mark Penn and David Axelford on Hardball. Mark Penn is a disgrace. What an arrogant SOB. Anybody watching this will be turned off by the Clinton campaign just because he is the spokesperson. Joe Trippi was so disgusted by him. I would characterize her campaign as sleazy just by watching Penn tonight. If she has hired him as her senior campaign guru that speaks volumes about her.
mary, oh no, of course not. And the two that I had to put in, after spending for the bridges cost me about double what I paid for my Yugo. (ok puddle, we won't talk about Yugo's again)
Is this thing working better?
Linda - I hear Vermont has an excellent health care system. ;-) I keep telling my sister and her husband to move there. Her husband lived there for ten years and he loved it. She has health insurance but no dental. Yikes!
"You have the power", is truly a prescription for change.
Here is to the Brothers Dean!
Hip, Hip, Hoorah!, Hip, Hip, Hoorah!, Hip, Hip, Hoorah!
Mary...hubby and I were \/ (this close) to moving there. I still would love it. I enjoy the people and love Burlington. It's like making best of friends just shopping at the Marketplace, outdoors store or even a nice person sharing her pickling at the gas station.
Oh goodie!
Ho, Ho, Ho!
Happy Happy High Holidays Everybody!
I like seeing all those smiles.
a HOWARDLY to Susan for forcing HQ's to fix the clock
the blog has been saved (for now at least)
There is a petition for fairness in the debates.
You can add a comment. They will be presented to Howard Dean and the chr. of the RNC.
Independentprimary.com
Why Isn’t Gore Running?
The White House is the place to battle global warming.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/77828
Why Isn’t Gore Running?
He's doing some other really important stuff right now. Maybe he'll run later with Bloomberg as VP? Word is Bloomberg's ready drop a cool billion into a campaign.
ANCA-WR Condemns Harman's Discrimination Against Armenian American Media
Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA – WR) Board of Directors issued the following statement in response to Rep. Jane Harman's decision to bar Armenian American media from a November 28th media round table she hosted at her El Segundo, California district office.
The round table, which dealt with "local, national and international issues," disallowed the participation of a journalist from the Armenian American media.
"We are saddened, but not surprised, that Jane Harman has reduced herself to outright discrimination against an Armenian American news outlet, in an apparent bid to contain the growing controversy over her opposition to U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide." more... http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press...
. She has health insurance but no dental. Yikes!
We got rid of our dental insurance a few years ago. It was costing hundreds more per year than we used. We have our teeth cleaned twice a year and have had some dental work done, but we've saved enough since then to pay for anything major. But of course, everybody has different needs and circumstances.
"We are saddened, but not surprised, that Jane Harman has reduced herself to outright discrimination against an Armenian American news outlet, in an apparent bid to contain the growing controversy over her opposition to U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide."
Hopefully her number is up in the 2008 primary.
19.
Sitka
I would be so down with that. Yes, Tucker reported the other day that rumor that Bloomberg and Gore have been "talking".
http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&fg=rss&v...
They are replaying the debate and I am struck by how many of the answers from all of the candidates are really well thought out and on the money. this will make an interesting transcript
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around these here parts...about 10" of powder has fallen today and Vermont will look beautiful tomorrow once the sun comes up. Hope to get some pics while I'm out cleaning up roads to share here.
Still by my lonesome, wife only came home for half a day yesterday, I'm busy with the storms anyway and she's needed elsewhere. Her father has accepted that death is close, which had made the caretaking easier. With that he's also asking to see everyone in the family to have a personal chat with. He's a Democrat from Taunton, Mass. and had to tell me the stories of his involvement in Democratic rallies and the such in his youth (wonder why those stories were for me...lol). What an emotional rollercoaster lately for all...laugh and then cry.
I'm running on catnaps...I'm due for one with the storm winding down...missed the premiere of King Corn tonight which I really wanted to attend...sent a Piss on Earth Bush Xmas card to my neighbor (Republican committee man from our county) but don't think he'll see the humor in it...but I do...ha...ha...ha.
Lights out for now.
Jane Harman is the one who is revealing the complicity with torture by some Democrats so she has been targeted because she spoke against it at the time when it counted. Don't fall for painting her as a bad guy. She is the key to impeachment succeeding. Bushco said no one objected. She did.
Reed
we had them all cleared and now they are drifting and black ice is forming
this winter is off to a running start
get some sleep when you can because another one is one your way
27 Reed, I hope she's beautiful...as no doubt she will be tomorrow.
My best to your family. I will go light a candle for your father in law..........What is his name?
_________________
Phil, didn't watch it. Did any questions get asked about the Climate Crisis?....Or, their health care plans if they would insist that Congress adopt the plan first and then the American people?
28.
Phil Specht
Thu, 12/13/07
This probally has something to do with Richard Gephart's corporate ties to Turkey. He's her old boss. There a lot of oil reserves in their neck of the Black Sea. Turkey has had a BIG problem with the Kurds on Northern Iraqi border for centuries. They too were apart of the Armenian Genocide. So were the Greeks.
Linda...Dominick but everyone calls him Mick. He always used to say in regards to most everything he owned or did..."Good enough for poor people".
We've been watching that Phil...Sun. we could get a classic nor'easter depending on how it tracks. Are you north of all that ice since you mention drifting?
32. Thank you. Mick seems like a good man and has shared much for you all to remember and share good memories.
Thank you Linda...yes, Mick is truly a gentleman with not a selfish bone in his body. 34 years of memories...way back to me crazy days...lol
Can someone explain why the IA dem debate was on during the day when people are working or shopping for Xmas?
So why did Biden and Dodd get the gotcha questions today? I think the moderator was a repug!
The "Register" reflects the people of Iowa and all should be ashamed of themselves.
NO MORE FIRSTS FOR IOWA.
Howard must be very dismayed, knowing how awful the caucus system is.
i think there's something wrong with everything, so what's wrong with this???
Linda, SF, I feel so sad about your dental problems. So I'm going to light a candle for you and for Reed's father-in-law.
Yes, Phil is right about Harman. I saw her on Keithie I think, or somewhere, and she's blowing the whistle on the torture tapes.
It's Pelosi! And now we know why impeachment is off the table since she and a few others are complicit. Our first Speaker and she's corrupt and and sell-out. :-(
Warm wishes to you and your family, Reed. Anytime you're about to lose a loved one is so hard but especially during the holidays.
I used to date someone from Taunton, MA a very long time ago...
I would be so down with that. Yes, Tucker reported the other day that rumor that Bloomberg and Gore have been "talking".
Bloomberg is also in Bali talking green and slamming Bush with Gore.
Jane Harman is the one who is revealing the complicity with torture by some Democrats so she has been targeted because she spoke against it at the time when it counted. Don't fall for painting her as a bad guy.
Harmon has a long list against her. She was almost overthrown by a RealDem in her primary last year and will hopefully be next year.
She is the key to impeachment succeeding. Bushco said no one objected. She did.
Now you've gone from DLC/Bludog apologist to pulp fiction writer.
It appears DFA has a new Communications Director
http://www.democracyforamerica.com/about...
About Daniel I. Medress: http://www.caclean.org/aboutus/staff.php...
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/121307R.shtml
The Washington Post's Steven Mufson reports, "By a narrow margin, the Senate today failed again to block a Republican-led filibuster on an energy bill as GOP leaders made a stand against a $21.8 billion, 10-year tax package that would have extended incentives for wind and solar energy and reduced some tax breaks for oil companies."
It's very clear that the repugs are blocking good legislation out of revenge and anger.
Most of these critters are not suited for public service. What does this say about the voters?
Is this gonna be all talk and no real action again?
Lawmakers Vote to Hold Bolten and Rove in Contempt
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/121307A.shtml
Thomas Ferraro, from Reuters, reports, "The Senate Judiciary Committee voted on Thursday to hold two top aides to President George W. Bush in contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate in its probe of fired federal prosecutors."
And while we're at it, I think we should raise teachers' salaries to those of corrupt sports figures and put the lying cheating sports figures on teachers' salaries.
Sports and Hollywood and the dumbing down goes on. The dental hygienist today didn't even know what water-boarding is and when the dentist and I explained it, she wanted to know what country does such a terrible thing. After her shock, I suggested she vote democratic. Of course, with Hillary and Pelosi and such running the country, the program might be expanded.
For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME.
Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest wars—creating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire.
- Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to
Thanks for the info Susan. Glad we have that filled.
How have you been Susan? Shoot me that # again so we can catch up like we were supposed to.
We're hard at work here in NC-5 putting the principles of DFA's strategy into action. Things are on the up and up in what was once a strictly conservative district. We won back the state sentae seat in 2006, and now our sights our on the U.S. House. Our opponent, Rep. Virginia Foxx, is a sycophant who spends her days shopping for shoes with lobbyists. I'm now working on the campaign staff of Roy Carter, her challenger. We're going to win. And we're going to go after her on a platform rooted in values and principles DFA members will appreciate. We'll be a part of the DFA Grassroots All-Star race, and I encourage every one of you to check out what Roy believes in.
Here's what he had to say about a recent Foxx vote:
Carter Tells Foxx to Get Her Energy Policy Priorities in Order
Earlier this month, Virginia Foxx voted against an energy bill that would provide the first increase in federal automobile fuel-efficiency requirements in 30 years. The bill emphasizes renewable energy sources, alternative fuels, and conservation.
According to Rep. Henry Waxman. D-Calif., the bill would "give Americans the fuel-efficient automobiles they want, saving families $700 to $1,000 a year," and also give the economy "more power from clean, affordable, renewable energy sources, using wind, solar and biomass. We can produce energy here and at home and fight global warming."
Roy Carter issued the following statement in response to his opponent’s vote:
"Once again, my opponent has voted to support the Big Oil donors who line her campaign pockets instead of voting with the people of the fifth district. Families in our district are struggling to afford over $3.00 a gallon gasoline just to get to work each day or take their kids to school.
The bill my opponent voted against (HR 6) will help to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and make a real commitment to alternative fuels and renewable energy. The bill would also roll back $13.5 billion in tax breaks Republicans have given to the five largest U.S. oil companies and then use that money to provide tax incentives for developing renewable energy sources, energy-efficiency programs, and conservation.
I am not at all surprised that my opponent would vote to protect her Big Oil donors at the expense of the hard working people of our district.
In Congress, my only obligation will be to represent the best interests of the people who elected me to serve. I will be a strong voice for responsible energy policy and I will work to strengthen our Nation’s security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Unlike my opponent, I will always place the needs of the people above politics."
"Roy Carter for Congress. Roy Carter for progress"
What does this say about the voters?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
sea,
Do you REALLY want me to answer that one?
OK, nuff for now or I depress myself and prolly you all too.
"Boston Legal" was superb this week. The stats on education were horrifying. Coming up..."Ugly Betty" for a treat and a smile.
Some Nonprofits Shortchange Troops, Watchdog Group Says
By Philip Rucker
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 13, 2007; Page A01
Americans gave millions of dollars in the past year to veterans charities designed to help troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, but several of the groups spent relatively little money on the wounded, according to a leading watchdog organization and federal tax filings.
Eight veterans charities, including some of the nation's largest, gave less than a third of the money raised to the causes they champion, far below the recommended standard, the American Institute of Philanthropy says in a report. One group passed along 1 cent for every dollar raised, the report says. Another paid its founder and his wife a combined $540,000 in compensation and benefits last year, a Washington Post analysis of tax filings showed.
Buy This Photo
"We need to make sure that the generous contributions of Americans to veterans will help veterans," Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said. (By Michael Lutzky -- The Washington Post)
ost.com readers have posted 159 comments about this item.
There are no laws regulating the amount of money charities spend on overhead, fundraising or giving. But the institute's report suggests that 20 of the 29 military charities studied were managing their resources poorly, paying high overhead costs and direct-mail fundraising fees and, in some cases, providing their leaders with six-figure salaries.
The 12 charities rated as failing by the institute -- including the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, the AMVETS National Service Foundation and the Freedom Alliance -- collected at least $266 million in the past fiscal year.
Sitka, didn't know about that, but pretty interesting that mr. Bloomberg went to Bali for the talks.
I'm off, pain setting in and head getting foggy.
Be well.
10:59
real time
What a freaking afternoon/evening of driving in southeastern new England.
Hear a little bit of the Dem debate and was favorably impressed - what an excellent group of candidates.
Hi Mike! done.
WOOT
no timestamp! (as if that solves the problem)
It just proves that the BFA blog is timeless.~
w00t !
Senate Republicans Block Energy Bill
Actually, as the only "Democrat" to vote against cloture, It was Bloody Mary Landrieu who blocked it .
Why you ask?
She's from Louisiana, a state owned by oil comapnies.
She's one of several DCDems who it will literally make no difference if she's replaced by a Reep.No Timestamp.
Does that mean they took the timestamp to the repair shop?
posting time: 11:26 pm eastern time
It's very clear that the repugs are blocking good legislation out of revenge and anger.
Actually, along with about half the Senate Dems and a fourth of the House ones, it's what the corporations pay them to do.
The posts are in sequence. I've got my own clock. I was happy before, but I'm happier now.
I can't help but seriously wonder if Bloomberg is in Bali with Gore in order to unite their stand as the ClimateCrisis/Peace ticket.
You know (and this does not dis' anyone in non-inclution, 'cause you are all well received), I am glad for the following post I bring forward, but can anyone tell me WTF to find it?
NO! So, fix the clock! Don't just delete it !
Thank you, Rich.
49.
rich^kolker
Thu, 12/13/07
Charles (see note from HQ added to the top),
When you wanted us to stop putting pictures next to our names, that took you less than an hour to "fix".
It (the clock) wasn't broken before. Why would it be broken now?
But let's take it a step further, okay, from the technical to the functional...
What is the function of blog for america in DFA's future? It had a clear function during the Doc's campaign, but since then has seemed to exist mainly because it wasn't worth the effort (and bad press) to remove it.
As someone who's been here a long, long time, I'd be happy to participate in a discussion, in person or by telecon, whose goal would be to revitalize BFA by giving it a real functional role connected to DFA's strategic goals. This could be leadership in the progressive movement, or as a resource for candidates and staffs running for office, or fill in the blank.
Making the clock work really doesn't do anything. But the clock should be fixed.
The posts are in sequence. I've got my own clock. I was happy before, but I'm happier now.
<
Well, Sitka, that is OK; but, it is a balancing act here - no one holds sway, but for the exception of a Dean.
I am glad for the following post I bring forward, but can anyone tell me WTF to find it?
Sure. Make a mental note of the name, post number, and date. Go to the blog front. There aren't more than a few threads per date, so click on one and then scroll down to the name and number you've memorized. If it isn't the one you want, go back to the front and try again.
But then, if you already have the name, number, and date, you're probaly looking right at it to begin with and don't need to find it.
Well, Sitka, that is OK; but, it is a balancing act here - no one holds sway, but for the exception of a Dean.
I've long suspected that it was really all about the complaining.
I like this thread's report. Thanks Ilya. I've thought the same for several months.
Look in the mirror, pal.
I really don't think you consider me your pal. And I've never complained about the clock.
Phil Specht,
Thank you but I think we all had a HOWARDLY HAND with the repairs. A little love and attention is all that was needed. A healing touch works wonders.
John and Elizabeth Edwards are wonderful people. I like the idea of you using the Wellstone story to introduce John Edwards at the event. I think he will like it too. Please let us know how it turns out.
Jane Harman is blowing the whistle. She objected. Pelosi didn't. and so Impeachment is off the table. I'd be suspect of any effort to discredit Harman right now.
Kudos should go to Monica as well for telling Jim Dean about the clock.
Susan
you shamed them into it with your front page, and the contributions were money well spent
I'd be suspect of any effort to discredit Harman right now.
If you read the links I posted above at 44, you can't help but realize that it takes no effort to discredit Harmon since she's already done it herself.
"driven in their gut " were Edwards' words
and that is a good form of the " fire in the belly " a politician is said to need to push forward the agenda of justice, that is essential to the long race of an election cycle
just for the heck of it I watched the debate for a third time now on Wisconsin public and was struck again by the good answer after good answer by candidate after candidate, and this time noted that the audience gave Dodd one of the very few ovations for the low blow question, but there were gotcha questions for the others too, and the candidates had the higher ground on the moderator
This is a very strong field. any of them are better than the gang that debated the day before on that stage
the " fire in the belly " a politician is said to need to push forward the agenda of justice, that is essential to the long race of an election cycle
I wonder what gets corporate shills through their election cycles -- "grease in the palm" ?
Bob Graham had the inside info and voted against the war authorization. They will probably try to discredit him next.
This is a very strong field. any of them are better than the gang that debated the day before on that stage
Yeah. We all know the, "better than Republicans," selling point. It doesn't go over well with voters in many elections though.
They will probably try to discredit him next.
He says he wasn't told -- at least in terms that were understandable.
What key Committee did Cindy McKinney sit on?
Committees in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)
- House Committee on Armed Services
- Subcommittee on Personnel
- Subcommittee on Terrorism Unconventional Threats and Capabilities
- House Committee on Budget
its endless elf-promotion time again! i just got back from a rehearsal for this show on saturday:
Saturday, December 15 2007 8:00 PM
The Fishtank
3405 Piedmont Avenue
Oakland
Moe! Staiano's 4th annual ROCK LOTTO.
Benefit for 21 Grand!
Show description:
Musicians get together and form "new rock bands" for one night. Musical results from past Rock Lotto shows are thought out, entertaining and rockin'! Musicians include members from Mute Socialite, the Molecules, Slydini, Nanos Operetta, the Mermen, etc. Playing will be Steve Dekrone, Dave Bartels, Tim Walters, Mark Stickman, Salane Schultz, Chris Broderick, Micaela Petersen, Tom Duff, Bob Marsh, Matt Davignon, Ron Lettuce, Thomas Scandura, Bill Wolter, Jeremy Kearney, JoJo Razor, Moe! Staiano, Alicia Byer, Aaron Wagner, Craig Demel, Wilson King, Allen Whittman, James Goode, Steve Weems, Mark Briggs, Sebastian Krawczuk, Dominique Leone, and Parisa Muller . There will be six "bands" that are made up for this special Saturday night to witness.
Cost : $6-15; All ages
This show is a benefit for 21 Grand who are facing some legal stuff that needs your support. Please bring a friend and rock out!
score one for the little guy!!!
potrero--a tiny, very conservative rural community east of san diego--recalled all five of their elected officials who gave the go-ahead to blackwater to develop a training facility, air strip, shooting range, etc on their land. the recall vote was a stunning 2:1, just the inverse of their vote for bush's re-election. protection of land and water rights--that's how dems will get conservative western republicans to turn. remember justice o'connor's outrage at her colleagues' vote on that eminent domain case?
help the cause at www.BlockBlackwater.com.
**********
another holiday wish.........
*billy-bong shaheen: for recreational use--a bong, some nutmeg, and the sweetest vermont milk
protection of land and water rights--that's how dems will get conservative western republicans to turn. remember justice o'connor's outrage at her colleagues' vote on that eminent domain case?
Considering that the "Democrats" on the Supreme Court voted a couple of years ago to let developers steal people's land, there probably isn't much interest among DCDems about protecting people's rights -- which hasn't been a priority for them in any regard lately.
gone, gone, gone
no one left to listen
to my list of complaints
the space between
keeps growing larger
shout, shout, shout
no one there to listen
to the calls for
something new
anything new
crawl, crawl, crawl
forward, backward
its all the same
faces change
actions remain the same
isn't there any recourse
to the endless sales endeavor
isn't there any way
to escape this life's course
...coming through the door
the music entices me
buy, buy, buy
the herald angle sings
one aisle after another
and i can't seem to choose
whether to be
or to be bought for free
neutral, careless, free
i think i see
the powers that be
want me
in my complicity
to aide them
in their conquest of
all that is truly free.
what is free?
what isn't?
A little D&G. Putzco will take advantage of any disaster or even create them in order to fulfill the PNAC.
Maureen Dowd. Every time I read about the AIE or AIPAC, I lose all interest in voting for Obama or Edwards. I like the idea of a
GORE/Bloomberg ticket; altho I would guess that Bloomberg is a strong AIPAC supporter. I'll research that.
********************
Published: December 12, 2007
WASHINGTON
Skip to next paragraph
Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times Maureen Dowd
Go to Columnist Page » Blogrunner: Reactions From Around the WebThe man crowned by Tommy Franks as “the dumbest [expletive] guy on the planet” just made the dumbest [expletive] speech on the planet.
Doug Feith, the former Rummy gofer who drove the neocon plan to get us into Iraq, and then dawdled without a plan as Iraq crashed into chaos, was the headliner at a reunion meeting of the wooly-headed hawks Monday night at the American Enterprise Institute.
The room was packed as the former No. 3 at the Pentagon, previewing his upcoming book, “War and Decision,” conceded that the case could be made that “mistakes were made.” His former boss, Paul Wolfowitz, and the former Pentagon adviser Richard Perle sat supportively in the front row.
But he wasn’t self-flagellating. He was simply trying to put an egghead gloss on his Humpty Dumpty mishegoss.
“At the end of the day, here we are, and as of now there’s a reasonable chance that the country is going to remain united,” he said. Not quite the original boast of democracy cascading through the Middle East.
Feith also inanely noted that his personal view was that his de-Baathification policy — which created a huge, angry pool of unemployed men that fueled the insurgency — “was not basically a big error. It’s been criticized very severely. I think there actually was a lot of good thought that went into the de-Baathification policy.” It just spiralled out of hand, he said. Mistakes were made.
He thinks everything would have been fine if America had not lingered so long in Iraq. If only Paul Bremer and the generals had just turned Iraq over to the slippery con man Feith wanted to put in charge, Ahmad Chalabi.
Asked about getting tough with Iran and Syria, Feith offered this incandescent insight: “As we all know, the president said he’s The Decider. That actually is quite a profound point. The president is The Decider and the main thing he decides about is risk.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/12/opinion/12dowd.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Before anybody gets too excited about a Gore/Bloomberg ticket, you might want to watch this video of Bloom speaking at AIPAC and saying that he can't tell the difference between the US and Israel. He also voted for Putz in 04.
Al, please don't run and choose him as VP.
Not many people willing to stand up to the lobby. :-(
Bloomberg admits to voting for George W. Bush in 2004! He admited this in a speech to AIPAC that you can listen to here [nyc.gov].
In the same speech, he indicates that he does not see any separation between Bush's foreign policy in the Middle East and Israeli foreign policy and regards this lack of separation as a "good" thing!
Because we know that AIPAC was behind the flawed intelligence that Bush used to justify invading Iraq, and that AIPAC is in favor of invading Iran, Bloomberg's "lack of separation" from AIPAC positions makes him an extremely dangerous presidential candidate that America simply can't afford!
Also, this "story" about Bloomberg being a Republican "only" to avoid a Democratic primary in NYC appears to be false, as he admits in the AIPAC video that he supports Bush!
Guten morgen borgie!!
Interesting in Dresden anyway the blog does not give a time of day on the entries -- since Seashell said sweet dreams I'll figure it time stamps in the middle of your night. I had a great train trip from Prague to Dresden yesterday with friendly but pricey porters and friendly but reasonable cabbies and downright unfriendly waitresses who served excellent dinner. I'm guessing they feel about Yanks here about how we feel about men in prayer shawls and long beards and you certainly can't blame them. The main reason I stopped off here was to see the Frauenkirche which they have rebuilt in very recent years from a pile of rubble created by the Allies circa 1945. It remained rubble through the communist years and the gorgeous church, a profusion of yellow and sunlight, I believe will stand as a great inspiration to Dresdeners after all they've been through in the past 60 years. While a lot of this area is a major construction zone, there are the old churches and a Xmas market with brass bands and Russian groups singing Xmas songs in close and perfect harmony in Santa suits that are blue not red. I'm a one star girl staying at a 4 star Hilton for the one night but it is walking distance to the sights which I confess to not seeing much of -- tiredness creeping in -- just enjoying all the Hilton comforts including this pricey internet session. Had 'free' bottled water and hot cocoa in my room last night and 'free' coffee in the room this morning. The Xmas markets have beautiful things which I have so far resisted. Some intricate items I noted to say 'made FOR Germany' which to me means they are brought to us by those who brought us the tainted pet food, no offense. One thing - free speech is alive and well in Dresden. Yesterday there was a mammoth march and demonstration by students protesting university fees (I think that's what it was). They want free university. It was a spirited but peaceful march and I took lots of pictures.
I did see the debate last night and found it very softball and loved Obama's comeback to Hillary saying he looked forward to having her as an advisor lol. Unfortunate about Kucinich to say the least. Well, I guess I'll get off of here and go sightsee. This IS Rene Pape's hometown and no I didn't expect to run into him but I did see his Cross Church where he sang and studied from age 10. Also, in USA reporters find him gruff and having now been here I think he was just being East German -- the world is small but we still all have our idiosyncracies in our corners of it. Also - English is not widespread so I now forgive him for not speaking it like a Yank. I hope this post doesn't end up sounding racist - I am acknowledging and celebrating cultural differences I hope. Hope to post tomorrow from my final stop before returning to the States. Aufweidershen (sorry Monica -- can't spell in German).
not over the airwaves
in the bud dud
music is property
don't dare give it away
the jingle isn't bells dude
ka-ching
but love is different
give that
slip in the love music
music of love
music made of love of music
part of the circle
a gift
Good morning, everybody
Spent most of yesterday waiting for an idea to develop into an essay and it just wouldn't come. I think it will work today.
But first, I have to object that the designation of just three progressives is arbitrary since the positions of all candidates weren't fully explored, either here or in the media at large. None of the candidates has a more substantial or longer record as a progressive than Chris Dodd. No-one else has authored and shepherded progressive legislation through Congress to adoption as he has.
(Senator Clinton was reduced to "bregging" in yesterday's debate that she'd authored and gotten passed in the Congress a bill that establishes a requirement for the head of FEMA that he/she have experience in the emergency management area and then Bush Two undermined it with a signing statement)
For the record, progressive is to work towards the recognition that all men are equal, not just when they are being judged for their actions, but when the benefits of society are being distributed.
81.
Phil Specht
Fri, 12/14/07
To shame was not the intent. I just wanted everybody in the bfa community to be able to share a merry holiday season together. After all the message of the season is "Peace on earth, goodwill to all".
---
I got the most wonderful holiday card from Speaker Pelosi last year. It was her message of Peace. It had a picture on it of she and husband surrounded by all their grandchildren. They were all standing in front of the opened balcony doors in the Office of the Speaker of the House.
Did anybody watch the Speaker's press conference yesterday on C-Span? It was a very good press conference. She spoke directly to us [the grassroots] about our disappointment with Congress and of her disappointment with the President and the Republican Leadership. This Speaker carries a banner Peace and Justice and she means it.
What is that saying? "When you know better you do better."
---
Pelosi: Republicans 'Like' the War in Iraq
December 13, 2007 3:06 PM
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is drawing heat for suggesting her political opponents are fond of the war in Iraq.
"The grassroots are justifiably disappointed and I am too that we could not do something to end this war," Pelosi said at a press conference today. "The assumption that I made that the Republicans would soon see the light and listen to their constituents was not an accurate one."
She continued: "They like this war. They want this war to continue. We thought that they shared the view of so many people in our country that we need a new direction in Iraq. To affect that we need redeployment of our troops with a goal of a year to do that. But the Republicans have made it very clear that this is just not George Bush's war, this is the war of the Republicans in Congress." ... more: http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/...
Pelosi: Republicans 'like' Iraq war
12/13/2007, 6:47 p.m. EST
By CHARLES BABINGTON
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lashed out at Republicans on Thursday, saying they want the Iraq war to drag on and are ignoring the public's priorities.
"They like this war. They want this war to continue," Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters. She expressed frustration over Republicans' ability to force majority Democrats to yield ground on taxes, spending, energy, war spending and other matters.
"We thought that they shared the view of so many people in our country that we needed a new direction in Iraq," Pelosi said at her weekly news conference in the Capitol. "But the Republicans have made it very clear that this is not just George Bush's war. This is the war of the Republicans in Congress."
Asked to clarify her remarks, Pelosi backed off a bit.
"I shouldn't say they like the war," she said. "They support the war, the course of action that the president is on."
"And that was a revelation to me," she said, "because I thought the American people's voices were so — and still are — so strong in this regard."
Pelosi, who opposed the U.S.-led invasion from the start, said the war was "a catastrophic mistake."
Despite being forced to make concessions on multiple fronts, Pelosi said Democrats have been fiscally responsible and attuned to the public's concerns. As a result, she said, voters will reward Democrats in next year's presidential and congressional elections.
Democrats "set a high water mark" on many bills, she said. "Where we have to come to is a different place," thanks to the "political reality of not having a president of the United States. And nothing speaks more clearly to Democratic victories in the next election than when you see this is what is possible."
In response, .... http://www.syracuse.com/newsflash/index....
Also, "attack" is hardly the right word for the FEC considering ACtBlue a PAC. I suppose they could organize themselves as an escrow agent, but then perhaps they'd have to service campaigns other than democrats'.
102. Well, I wouldn't say Republicans like the war, since there is no war to speak of. What they like is to occupy a foreign territory and dominate the region. Those are two basic conservative values: Occupation and Domination
Finally, before I go off to compose my opus of the day, it should be noted that Republicans define "representation" in the old "in loco parentis" fashion, rather than, as Justice Kennedy defines it, agency--acting at the direction of instead of on behalf of.
Parents act on behalf of their children; they are not merely agents.
The blog is still jumping since things are not where they were. Phil wasn't up when I came on and now there's a poem.
Sitka and pinsocial--when we think of land and water rights, we need to consider whether we support the rights of all people to have clean water and access to the land, or the rights of individual owners (that includes corporations) to declare water and land private and do with it what they like. It used to be rather strongly argued that individuals who have an ownership interest in land and water and the resources they contain will exercise prudent stewardship that will be a benefit to all. We now know that's not necessarily the case. Ownership does not equal responsible use. Indeed, ownership is often characterized by abuse or neglect.
OK, one more thought before I really go. Our nation has become pettified. That is, people are treated like pets. The pettified nation.
Monica Smith
Fri, 12/14/07
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Maybe, but my Anglo/Saxon parents and G-Parents often felt that mst Americans are jealous of nt having a "king"..........all the rituals, pomp and proud national traditions that go along with that..and I agree, many here while spouting off how proud they wre that their ancestors threw off British rule have gone right back to what they were originally fighting against..................
Look at how people worshipped Reagan, Bush, Bush the latest idiot President and Dan Quayle even................I mean, in sane normal envirnment none of these jokers should have gotten anywhere near the WH......................
Interesting comment on the BBC yesterday, how maybe it was not such a good idea that most of these independent nations today that are in such a mess(including us) perhaps should not have tossed off British rule.....................
no I slipped in that quick respose to improv before you posted Monica but if that is true that it jumps and switches without a time stamp there might be trouble
I know you meant well Susan, I was talking about the response.
I caught things I didn't see the second time on my third watching of the debate, (scary I would do that)
every single one of those candidates had a good debate and got their points across
Biden has a plan for Iraq, Dodd is running because a public servant can improve the lives of millions, Edwards the passion to fight the good fight.Obama to fundamentally change the dynamic of politics,Hillary to return to the good old days of the nineties, and Bill Richardson because he actually thinks he has the experience to run the country and turn it in a Democratic values direction. They all passed the debate test.
so we need to look at record and policy
this is how democratic selections for a Party Nominee are supposed to look and Party rules are such that each and every one of you has exactly the same say as an Iowan if you exercise those rights within the Party
That is, people are treated like pets.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That is the Republican model if you understand canine psychology and leader as Alpha. Only one dog in the pack does the thinking for the rest.(the Decider)
Democrats being human have to verbalize our differences, so our debates are much more interesting.
The Republicans should just circle each other sniffing butts and snarl occasionally.
111 - The Republicans should just circle each other sniffing butts and snarl occasionally.
roflmao! good one, Phil! from what I can tell that is exactly what they do, often with a 'kiss' to go with the sniff.
it's nice that bloggie doesn't jump around with the time stamp gone, but now it's impossible to tell if someone is still 'here' or has been recently. maybe the blog can add a sidebar showing all users that are currently logged in? (not holding my breath)
I program computers for a living (okay, these days I mostly supervise, but you get the idea).
When a program is broken, there are two things you can do: fix it, or provide a "workaround." Workarounds are usually faster and easier, but don't address the actual problem, so there may be unforeseen side-effects.
To me, deleting the time on the blog posts looks like a workaround, not a fix. Nothing wrong with that - it does address the problem of incorrect order for now - but they should still take the time now to understand what was causing the problem and implement a fix.
Still - to HQ - thanks for the workaround.
They must still be working on it because I was locked out for a time, this morning. We kept this puppy going in the interim with our participation it would be a real shame to lose it's use just as the election season is heating up.
From Kos on the latest dKos reader poll:
"I voted 'Obama' this time, not necessarily because I support him, but because the alternatives are no good. Hillary? Yeah right. Edwards? If he hadn't taken public financing, I'd probably go for him (and who doesn't have a crush on Elizabeth?). But I refuse to vote for a guy who will be broke for about seven months in 2008 while the other side beats the crap out of him. I know his partisans have convinced themselves that this doesn't just not matter, but that it's a good thing! Good for them, I guess.
"That doesn't mean I think Obama walks on water. Far from it. The guy is going around idiotically attacking Paul Krugman, dancing with homophobic preachers, and while his rhetoric is beautiful upon first listening, an hour later you're left wondering if he said anything of substance at all (and the answer is usually 'no').
"But this became 'process of elimination' for me. I don't 'support' Obama, I just plan on voting for him.
"And at the end, I'll just be excited to bid adieu to the primary wars and get enthusiastically behind whoever wins, wether it's Obama, Edwards, or Clinton."
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/12/12...
rich to me "collating" the various servers might have been a network protocol problem since the scrambling differed by region of country and Western Digital blocked file sharing right at the time the glitch appeared, and the fix around bypassing the clock could have been only the part HQ's could fix. This space has lots of bells and whistles file sharing wise.
"And at the end, I'll just be excited to bid adieu to the primary wars and get enthusiastically behind whoever wins, wether it's Obama, Edwards, or Clinton."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm the opposite. We have a very good discussion going on nationally right now about important issues and the candidates are ahead of Congressional Leadership. The DNC puts on the Convention and it will be a blast if the delegates actually get to chose the nominee.
Good morning
New thread
I am really getting annoyed with Kucinich. He's trying to milk his banning from the debate endlessly and hasn't made any effort to organize his delegates to the convention. Next you'll hear that he hasn't got the delegates he "deserves."
always worth a trip to Hannah just to see the Howardly
Merry Christmas Renee and Demetrius and thaks D for that collaboration
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the current occupants of the White House have made a virtual fetish of secrecy and most of their interactions with the public are deceptive, the consequences of the combination of secrecy and guilt are perhaps most apparent in the inability of Congressional leaders to act in defense of the Constitution and the nation. For, having been sworn to keep illegal and criminal actions (taking captives in foreign nations and torturing them to extract information) secret in the supposed interest of national security, these representatives of the people, finding themselves participants in an assault on the Constitution, have little choice but to resort to the rationalization that criminal behavior
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
more truth telling from Monica
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