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Will the grassroots shift consciousness and create the tippiing point to solve the climate crisis?
What will it take to look in to the future and act before it's too late?Bono writes:
“Al Gore is the kind of leader these times require. Not as President — God and the Electoral College have given him a different job. As it happens, Al is at work repositioning his country from the inside out as a leader in clean energy; and along the way restoring faith in the U.S. as a moral powerhouse that can lead a great, global spiritual revival as the temperature rises.”
“For Al, 2008 is a rendezvous with destiny and an appointment with the enemy. The foe he sees is our own indifference to the future and a lack of faith in our ability to do anything about it. He stresses that through crisis we can find opportunity. His language is pretty Biblical, but, then, doesn't the Bible say something about floods? He is like an Old Testament prophet amped up with PowerPoint and an army of the world's scientists at his disposal. The right response to the global-warming crisis, he explains, will be a mosaic of solutions that will kick off a whole new economic boom, one that is low-carbon and high-productivity, with truly sustainable development, and an atlas for planet management — using not New Age technology but old age wisdom generating sustainable solutions.”
Will we look at the survival and greater good of the many, than the benefit for the few?
Al Gore: “I have seen firsthand during eight years as Vice President the other prerequisites for the kind of galvanizing response that is needed. I believe this is the rare crisis that requires a fundamental shift in public opinion at the grass-roots level to embolden members of the Legislative Branch to take action.”
Time Magazine: For all the momentum we're seeing, climate change hasn't really emerged as a top issue on the campaign trail.
Al Gore: “I agree, and that tells me that the highest use of whatever experience I've gained along the way is best applied to the task of changing public opinion. If these candidates walk down the street in Manchester, N.H., and every other person they encounter buttonholes them about climate change, you would hear very different stump speeches. I'm doing everything I know to bring about that change. Might there come a time when the opportunity appears to make more headway and bring about more progress as a candidate? I doubt it, but maybe. I'm open to the possibility emerging.”
Mr. Gore, what more can I do for you to see that opening? You have created the conversation and the opportunity. If someone cares about the subject, don't they have to be a willing part in the conversation? If they won't, then the one who cares most about the issue must. And you have now seen a complete groundswell of support. You entering will create the tipping point needed. And if you have not yet seen the many speaking out to you, just take a look at the comments left for you on the petition site at DraftGore.com which is now at incredible "Signatures | Total: 234,285." When I need a boost, I read the very honest and open words and I get the hope I need. They are to you, Mr. Gore, please read them.
Some are born visionaries. And we can learn from these great visionary leaders of what we can actually accomplish.
Al Gore and the Internet
By Robert Kahn and Vinton Cerf ( THE principal inventor of TCP/IP (i.e. the internet protocol) had to say):
“The fact of the matter is that Gore was talking about and promoting the Internet long before most people were listening. We feel it is timely to offer our perspective.
As far back as the 1970s Congressman Gore promoted the idea of high speed telecommunications as an engine for both economic growth and the improvement of our educational system. He was the first elected official to grasp the potential of computer communications to have a broader impact than just improving the conduct of science and scholarship. Though easily forgotten, now, at the time this was an unproven and controversial concept. Our work on the Internet started in 1973 and was based on even earlier work that took place in the mid-late 1960s. But the Internet, as we know it today, was not deployed until 1983. When the Internet was still in the early stages of its deployment, Congressman Gore provided intellectual leadership by helping create the vision of the potential benefits of high speed computing and communication. As an example, he sponsored hearings on how advanced technologies might be put to use in areas like coordinating the response of government agencies tonatural disasters and other crises.
As a Senator in the 1980s Gore urged government agencies to consolidate what at the time were several dozen different and unconnected networks into an “Interagency Network.” Working in a bi-partisan manner with officials in Ronald Reagan and George Bush’s administrations, Gore secured the passage of the High Performance Computing and Communications Act in 1991. This “Gore Act” supported the National Research and Education Network (NREN) initiative that became one of the major vehicles for the spread of the Internet beyond the field of computer science.”
As Vice President Gore promoted building the Internet both up and out, as well as releasing the Internet from the control of the government agencies that spawned it.
The Vice President deserves credit for his early recognition of the value of high speed computing and communication and for his long-term and consistent articulation of the potential value of the Internet to American citizens and industry and, indeed, to the rest of the world.”
“The Vice President deserves credit for his early recognition of the value of high speed computing and communication and for his long-term and consistent articulation of the potential value of the Internet to American citizens and industry and, indeed, to the rest of the world.”
Action. Here is a video of citizens showing support for the Environmental Nobel Peace Prize, Oslo. A parade of support by Electric Cars for Al Gore.
Sadly, drafting Gore will only split the democratic vote and ensure another Republican fascist gets into office.
Wrong about which part, splitting the vote or calling the Republicans "fascists"?
2. and if you're serious, there are a couple of ways of going about it. I assume by you referring to splitting the vote, you're talking about bringing him in as an Independent. If he has to, I'm sure he will get the support from the majority. But maybe if the Democrats are smart, they will select Al Gore to be their champion candidate out of the Convention. Mr. Gore has some of the highest numbers and even Republicans, not just Inde's who realy care about conservation and the environment are fully supportive of an Al Gore for Presient. Of course, that goes without mentioning the ovious liberals and progressives.
It would be Al Gore in a landslide, but to rally for Dem's or Inde's would be the question.
I'd vote for Gore in a heartbeat. Over Thanksgiving every single person who visited us said they'd drop their candidate to support Gore. This is not a scientific poll! ;-)
The following is an excellent post:
119.rich^kolker
Fri, 12/21/07
Reply to this
For all the loss of life of 9-11, it was a single attack by a small group of thugs that could have, and should have, been dealt with through better intelligence and police work, not a "War on Terror" and promoting unending fear among the population, and an unrelated war in Iraq.
Remember. there hadn't been a terrorist attack on US soil since February of 1993, that's a LONGER TIME than 9-11 to today. We found those who did the deed, and arrested and tried them in court, all their rights protected under the Constitution, and that's where they sit today, in prison.
The Bushies came to power and walked away from what the Clinton administration had been doing, and 9-11 happened. It's not to say it wouldn't have happened had Al Gore taken office. You see, it only took a small group of thugs to implement 9-11, and the smaller the group, the harder it is to prevent a crime. But we know that the Clinton Administration had its guard up. Bush didn't.
The Velvet Underground - European Son
(click on the [triangle tilted to the right]
Hey Charles!
Good to see you here. Merry Christmas :)
10:12 Chitown time
Bono you speak the truth, as you have for these past 25 years or so.
May your Guinness be especially tasty this Christmas.
10.
Imn2Paine
Can't speak for Mr. Gore.....ok, sure, why not. As Mr. Gore said in his March hearings, one of the principle reasons he chose Lieberman over 7 years ago, was then he had a very strong record on the environment.
According to other factors back then, Lieberman had one of the highest
ratings too. How far he has falleth. :)
yes, Denise, Bono does. And I too have been a fan of Bono's for...geez, many years. One of the few groups I made sure I repurchased all new cd's of albums from older tapes. The only other one I did that for was Billy Joel. (am I really dating myself here? ) :)
6 mary, same here. The one that people are hoping they can vote for.
Ugh, tough connecting from unfamiliar surroundings (mother's house) so I'm going to log off.
Sweet dreams and stay on the "nice" list - he's making those lists, ya know.
Shout out to mainefem - a few cuss words once in awhile from you is so worth slogging through the everyday negativity from a few constants here.
Sadly, drafting Gore will only split the democratic vote and ensure another Republican fascist gets into office.
Sometimes the GOP boogie men get into office even without a split vote. That's no longer a viable excuse for maintaining the tired old failed 2 party duopoly -- which has in effect become a one party monopoly anyway since so many Democrats govern like Republicans in collaboration with them.
Others may want the same old choices, but I, and I guess millions of other people, are ready for more.
Shout out to mainefem - a few cuss words once in awhile from you is so worth slogging through the everyday negativity from a few constants here.
I've noticed that one person's negativity is another's positivity -- and one person's profanity is another's profundity.
Well, the winter solistice has arrived -- the first day of winter.
as the song goes "Baby it's cold outside"
http://www.newsobserver.com/1565/story/843060.html
U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx is endorsing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in his bid for the White House.
Foxx said Friday that she is supporting the Republican for his "leadership, experience, vision and values." The two-term representative from North Carolina's 5th District cited Romney's work to enforce immigration laws, reform health care and protect values.
By Her Endorsement We Will Know Her
Virginia Foxx's heavily publicized endorsement of Mitt Romney for the presidency opens up new vistas for analysis. Why didn't she go with Mike Huckabee? Especially since recent polling suggests that most of The Madam's Republican constituents support Huckabee by a wide margin, and Romney is hardly registering at all in N.C. polls. Plus isn't Huckabee the new avatar of conservatism? Why wouldn't his social conservatism make The Madam's heart sing like a caged bird, especially since she also claims to be a fellow Baptist?Might it have something to do with buttering one's own toast? Support of Mitt Romney is showing obeisance to Wall Street, and The Madam has been nowhere more astute than in anticipating the deepest interests of the very rich.
Huckabee doesn't heart Wall Street. On the Today show this past Wednesday, Huckabee allowed as how "the Wall Street-to-Washington axis, this corridor of power, is absolutely, frantically against me." He may be a born-again Christian conservative, but he also fervently believes in an economic populism that sees a role for big government -- yes, BIG government -- in reaching out to the needy among us. That makes Huckabee a pretty good Baptist but also a Republican apostate to the likes of Virginia Foxx.
And it exposes the problem for Foxx in putting herself so nakedly out there for the Wall Street candidacy of Mitt Romney. Her Republican Party is pulling apart a little at the seams. She personally stands with the rich wing of her party, which, while making itself quite comfortable, is making life for most of her constituents increasingly difficult to manage. A big-government populist like Mike Huckabee, with his simultaneous anti-evolution, anti-abortion, anti-gay social views, becomes all the more attractive in the NC-5 and incidentally reveals The Madam's own vulnerability. She can talk about having been poor-as-lice once herself, but everything else about her -- most particularly her voting record -- screams a total lack of fellow-feeling for anyone struggling. An economic populist -- say, a Democratic one -- could take The Madam's congressional seat away from her ... in the exact same election that might give Mike Huckabee a wide margin for the presidency.
Conservative writers Ross Douthat and Reihan Salam have a new book coming out about "the failures of the conservative revolution," by which they mean the global-trade-and-Wall-Street neo-conservative "revolution" with which The Madam signed up and for whom she carries water. Foxx's hostility toward Social Security and the rest of the safety net that poor rural people (especially) have come to rely on could yet bite her in the butt (and as early as November 2008).
E.J. Dionne: "The white evangelical electorate is tired of taking orders from politicians who care more about protecting the wealthy than ending abortion, more about deregulation than family values."
Q: Why did Al select Lieberman as his VP ?
The DLC demanded one of theirs and it was believed he could deliver FL.
Looking GOOD for the Democrats
Seventeen Republicans have announced their retirements, and more than half of them have been in seats that Democrats view as competitive.
The Democratic campaign committees ended November with nearly five times as much cash on hand as their Republican counterparts. The DCCC now has $30.7 million cash on hand, exponentially more than the $2.3 million banked by the NRCC.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1207/7509.html
AND the clergy and religious groups gave $367,000 to Democratic presidential and congressional candidates, compared with $288,000 to Republicans. Obama raised $107,000 from clergy, Clinton raised $89,000; Mitt Romney received $39,000 from clergy and Huckabee, the Minister – only received $20,600. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1207/7505.html
There is a new army fighting us in Afghanistan - but who are they?
Afghanistan — Foreign fighters with military uniforms are attacking U.S. and Afghan government forces in Zabul province using conventional infantry tactics, soldiers report. The locals say: ‘The guys who came to the village, I didn’t know who they were and when they spoke, I didn’t understand them. ??
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51161From: Former U.S. Army captains Jason Blindauer, Luis Carlos Montalvan and William “Jamie” Ruehl served in Iraq from 2003 to 2006. (Excerpt)
Unless a republic holds its leaders accountable, it is doomed to be the instrument of negligence, private agendas and corruption..
In the interests of pushing our nation forward and out of Iraq, Congress should move away from legislation that rhetorically attempts to tie war budgets to withdrawal efforts. Rather, our leaders must get serious about accountability. They should insist upon the review of several retired general officers as candidates for censure. A number of active-duty generals should also be court-martialed and ultimately stripped of their stars and forced to retire. Retired Gen. Ricardo Sanchez and active-duty Gen. Walter Wojdakowski top the list for these punitive measures for their failures in 2003 and 2004.
Last but not least, a congressional commission should investigate the improprieties and incompetence of …L. Paul Bremer III and David R. Oliver …Mr. Bremer did next to nothing to ensure proper accountability of billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars toward reconstruction. Similarly, as chief adviser to the Iraqi Ministry of Finance, Mr. Oliver failed. http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/21/5942/
Looking GOOD for the Democrats
Too bad the Democrats are looking like Republicans.
The DCCC now has $30.7 million cash on hand, exponentially more than the $2.3 million banked by the NRCC.
Why is that? Because the corps that used to give their bribe money to Republicans are now giving it to Democrats. K Street always puts their bets on the pig they think will win.
Last but not least, a congressional commission should investigate the improprieties and incompetence of …L. Paul Bremer III and David R. Oliver …
Pity DCDems. They have so much to investigate and set right, and so little stomach for it.
Happy Holidays to you too mainefem.
trimming our tree here today, I refuse to make Christmas a month long buy-a-thon
my wife wove tiny white lights into a willow branch wicker base to which we add pine greens as we trim the tree , and I enjoy the wreath walking to and from the barn as it is in a window by the back door to welcome freinds who enter that way
I think those of us that live in the northland savor this celebration of the return of the sun(son) just a little more than those in the lower latitudes, who don't quite get what the sun higher in the sky each day means
merry solstice
here in the middle of the country I don't appreciate the the tidal effect when the moon gets close to the earth like it is this cycle, about as close as it ever gets, I just enjoy the big night light, since the days are so short
just seeing the name Maine in a post got me thinking how high up on the rocks the waves have really hit, and adding a few meters to the sea level, and throw in one of those, viscious North Atlantic storms, and there are some pretty nice homes at risk in Maine too not just Florida from global warming, when you add in the effect of the greater pressure gradients with the higher winds
Is Al Gore a prophet of doom, or a prophet of hope?
depends on what we do with his message
he has laid out the argument as clearly as one man can
if the globe can unite, I see hope for us
Dear Friends,
Two years ago, California announced plans to combat the dire consequences of global warming by filing a waiver request with the EPA, seeking federal approval to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. The Clean Air Act gives states the right to set stricter vehicle emissions standards as long as they obtain waivers from the EPA -- waivers which have been granted to California 50 times in the past and never denied. Now 16 other states are in the process of adopting similar standards as California, collectively covering nearly 150 million Americans.
Unfortunately, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson put politics over science and, in the dead of the night as lawmakers were leaving town for the holiday recess, announced that he planned to stand in the way of our fight against global warming by denying California's common-sense waiver -- a decision that would affect nearly half of the country as we work to combat global warming.
We can't let Stephen Johnson be the Grinch who steals California's emissions standards and sets back America's fight against global warming!
Please join Senator Barbara Boxer and me in speaking out. Email EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson now -- and urge him to reverse his decision on California's common-sense waiver request so 150 million Americans can fight global warming:
http://ga6.org/campaign/epa_waiver?rk=jp...
Susan Rowe
looks like caucus night is going to be snow if the models hold up, I'll predict an Edwards win in a snowstorm
and a couple of big old storms due in New Hampshire before then to mess with the campaigns
who knew moving the calendar up would be so effected by the holidays and weather
the candidates have been hampered by fog here for days
the minds that aren't made up by now, will wait til they are in the room, so not much will move thanks to the holidays
the effect of Iowa this time will be to expand the race beyond just Hillary and (?) that the media has been playing for months
long time between now and ground hog day
I'm getting an early start in case the storm holds here and I can make it to my nephew's graduation
may not be posting today
Peace
Good morning boys and girls --
I have nothing political to say but I did read the whole thread, a first in awhile, so I'll try to keep up from now on.
As for TV, there's a Brian Boitano special pretty much all weekend, but this afternoon from 4 to 6 check local listings and they are skating to Barry Manilow :~). Among others, Dorothy Hamill is skating.
Tonight on my PBS radio check local listings there is the Paul Winter Solstice Concert from the Cathedral of St. John Divine -- they always broadcast LAST year's concert so tonight's will be the one I heard in NYC last XMAS -- when the wolves howl, you'll hear me too :~)
If you didn't get enuf of my vacation yet I did a trip report on Frommer's and you can read through it here if you want http://www.frommers.com/cgi-bin/WebX?13@225.bwidcJs2ibp^0@.ef42aff
Everyone have a great day, stay warm and healthy, Santa Claus is coming to town!
5:37
http://tinyurl.com/ywplc2
Maybe a better link to my Frommer's trip report.
6:02
The travelogue was lovely, Annilow - thank you for sharing! copy and paste got me there just fine.
----------------------------
Phil, re: "Is Al Gore a prophet of doom, or a prophet of hope?
depends on what we do with his message
he has laid out the argument as clearly as one man can
if the globe can unite, I see hope for us"
BINGO, Phil, it's up to us; the message is clear. WE must make sure Al Gore becomes the prophet of hope, just as WE made sure Howard Dean's message made him the prophet for political change in America. it's all what we do with the message. (thank you Howard and Al - you're still my #1 picks for Pres and VP!)
There's a really "good" picture of Bush Two and Romney in the Globe this morning. haven't been able to find it.
John Edwards true colors coming through?
49. There is no evidence on the site that Edwards supporters are targeting Obama with this ad about his energy strategy. More likely, it's team Hillary that's behind it. After all, one of the other videos is very Hillary supportive and another one that's apparently supportive of Obama starts out with a spli-second image of the Hillary logo and then touts energy policies that are identical to her own.
It is absolutely team Clinton doing rovian politics with the try to start a fight bewtween Obama and Edwards.
I think it kind of sad for Hillary because I see her as having a kind of tough pragmatic view of things but not the same as the mudslingers that make up the Clinton team that we saw in acction trying to stop Howard from getting the Chair of the DNC.
that they are pulling out all of the negative tricks is evidence of their desperation
did anyone here doubt they would run the dirtiest campaign?
I had hopes that Hillary Clinton would jetison that garbage that collects around a frontrunner from the consulting class.
this will elevate Obama with that message and backfire on her
any negative swirl will elevate Obama with newbies, old hands will slog right through it because they have seen it before
normally campaigns run negative garbage to suppress turnout
Obama has been waiting for Clinton to implode in just this manner, almost like the whole message was built for it.
Retailers around here are screwed what with the fourth weekend storm in a row. driving today is difficult in the middle of the country.
Phil wrote "looks like caucus night is going to be snow if the models hold up, I'll predict an Edwards win in a snowstorm."
Nomination by weather pattern. Who do you predict to win if there isn't a snowstorm?
Obama
Phil wrote "Obama."
Oh well, if it doesn't snow, I found this silver lining to brighten your cloud at First Read:
"Here's a little nugget NBC/NJ's Erin McPike noted while following Obama around in New Hampshire last night. Obama: 'I talk to Al Gore about every three weeks.' Obama made this claim in a remark to the global warming Santa activists. Still, very interesting that they talk every three weeks or so... Wonder how often Gore and Clinton talk?"
Anyway, an Obama first place showing should please one member of your family and he's a 4 point at LSU, so you it may benefit you to absorb some of his wise counsel.
Yes, I enjoy irony. The great thing about opinions is they're freely available to all on an equal basis. Check out Human Events working themselves into a lather:
"Where is the Outrage? He's an Obamanation! Barack Obama Exposed!
"From his radical stance on abortion to his prominence in the corruption scandals that has been virtually ignored by the mainstream media, Barack Obama is not fit to be Senator -- not to mention the next President of the United States.
"Obama has declared his presidential intentions, but it is up to well-informed and energetic conservatives like you to spare our nation from the scourge of a far-left President Barack H. Obama.
"Get your free PDF copy of Human Events' new special report - Barack Obama: Exposed! - when you sign up for our free email newsletters. It's the only way you'll get all the ammunition you need to end Obama's White House dreams once and for all."
With a dreary lot of milquetoast Republican candidates to choose from, maybe Human Events is fed up with the duopoly that thinking Americans confront at the ballot box each cycle.
JOE WILSON ON OBAMA
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/12/21/joe-wilson-rips-obama-ig_n_77921.html
Wilson argues that Obama's "intuitive grasp" of the world is no match for his lack of travel and "dearth" of international experience.
"Intuition may be a laudable quality among psychics and palm readers," the Ambassador writes, "but for a professional American diplomat like myself, who have spent a career toiling in the vineyards of national security, it has no relevance to serious discussion of foreign policy. In fact, Obama's supposed "intuitive sense" is no different from George W. Bush's 'instincts' and 'gut feeling' describing his own foreign policy decision-making. We have been down this road before."
DEMOCRATS DON'T OPERATE AS A PARTY
http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/linkframe.php?linkid=48008
Let me put this in very stark terms: there is no Democratic Party in Congress. There are, instead, a bare majority of Congressmen and Senators who have banded together in order to gather power, influence, and money. Which is fine, as far as it goes - except that they are not actually using any of the resources that they are gathering to benefit the groups and causes who worked to put them in power.
The Democrats don't know how to operate like a party; the Republicans do. The Democrats lost the energy bill by one vote because they couldn't get Mary Landrieu, the most vulnerable Democrat in the Senate who's going to need every bit of help she can get from the party next year not to lose her seat, to toe the line. Cracking the whip, hanging together and using their leverage to enforce party discipline -- it's just not what they do.
Recognizing that this is how the GOP functions is not that tough, it's been evident to many for years, and if anybody thought they were going to abandon Bush (and the war) in sufficient numbers to end it they were kidding themselves.
A realistic appraisal of how the Republicans operate is probably a good first step toward combating them. Acting like a real party is probably a good second.
60.
ABB (anybody but Bush) didn't work the last time in '04.
But hey, Huron John, feel free to keep up your ABB (anybody but Barack) in '08. All that negativity should help Obama.
JOE WILSON ON CLINTON
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-wilson/the-real-hillary-i-know-_b_77878.html
During my tenure as Senior Director for African Affairs in the Clinton Administration, I had the responsibility for helping to plan and execute President Clinton's historic trip to that continent. It was a trip that forever changed the way American administrations think about Africa. I spent eleven days with President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton traveling to six countries and meeting with leaders from many more. She was a full participant in all of our activities and a key adviser--and for good reason. Hillary had previously traveled to Africa, leading a prominent U.S. delegation to several countries. On her return she was instrumental in persuading the president that he should invest that most precious of presidential assets--time--in his own trip. People who are now senior advisers to Senator Obama were involved in both of those trips. So it is mystifying to me that they have allowed themselves to "forget" the key role Hillary played in such a major shift in approach to that part of the world and have participated in a negative campaign tactic on the part of the Obama campaign to demean her significant contributions to foreign policy of which they are well aware.
. . . .
In the run up to the war and thereafter, I was in frequent discussions with senior Democrats in Washington, including Senator Clinton, and I was keenly aware of her demand for the full exercise of international diplomacy and allowing the weapons inspectors to complete their mission. Many of the most prominent early opponents of the war, including former General Wes Clark and former ambassador to the United National Richard Holbrooke support Senator Clinton for President, as do I. We do so because we know that she has the experience and the judgment that comes from having been in the arena for her entire adult life--and from close personal participation with her in the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. And we have trust in her to end the war in Iraq in the most responsible way, consistent with our national security interests.
We know that she has won and lost but always fought for her beliefs, which are widely shared within the Democratic Party. The battles she had been in have been fierce--and the battles in the future will be no less intense--and she has proven her steadfastness and is still standing. She does not have a cowardly record of voting "present" when confronted with difficult issues. She does not claim "intuition" as the basis of the most dangerous and serious decision-making. What she has is deep and vital experience, more important than ever in restoring our country's place in the world.
62.
Grow up, rd! I don't support Hillary either.
DK wins hands down on the issues, but I could gulp and support Edwards.
the great "debates"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-curry/2008-your-choice-empt_b_77913.html
The debates were like reality TV shows but with less attractive contestants. On 'real' reality shows, if I may draw that distinction, backbiting is straightforward, as opposed to merely transparent.
Nobody on Survivor: China has spokespeople do their dirty work, nor would they quote something you said in kindergarten as proof of overweening ambition. You have to hand it to the Survivor crowd: they keep it real and they keep it current.
If candidates spent as much time on issues as they spend dissecting each other's alleged character flaws, they'd have figured out not just health care and global warming but world peace, cancer and perhaps time travel.
The debates showcased each party's trademark weakness. The Democrats' is emptiness. The Republicans' is extremism. The Republicans will probably nominate the first candidate to personally shoot an illegal immigrant.
After the Republican CNN YouTube debate, GOP strategists whined that CNN conspired against them by over-sampling gun owners, fundamentalists and conspiracy theorists, thus turning the candidates into cartoons.
The risk for Democrats is that their talk of facing up to problems may remind voters to ask for solutions. Democrats regard solutions as so off message. One can easily imagine voters declining an invitation to a future full of big questions and no answers.
You may notice that Congress, that engine of democracy, has lately stalled out. Pick an issue: the national debt, public health. Both parties have plans, or rather bills. If Democrats passed theirs tomorrow, nothing would change. If Republicans passed theirs, things would actually get worse.
The same's true of most issues, as seen in the recent energy bill. Democrats' fuel efficiency standards are great unless you happen to think global warming is real. Republican wins on taxes will actually slow the revolution in renewable energy.
As we run out of money, energy, water and time, candidates argue over who's manly enough to get us into the next war or whose health care plan best mimics real reform. It's just another show until one day, you can no longer change the channel.
the UN in Sierra Leone --
-- a job well done:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071222/ap_on_re_af/un_sierra_leone_1
UN to wrap up Sierra Leone mission
By EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writer
Fri Dec 21, 8:29 PM ET
UNITED NATIONS - The Security Council voted unanimously Friday to wrap up the U.N. peacebuilding mission in Sierra Leone in September 2008, praising this year's democratic elections and efforts to professionalize its armed forces.
A U.N. peacekeeping force helped put the West African nation back on the path to peace and stability after a bloody 11-year civil war, which lasted from 1991 to 2002. But poverty continues to plague the country, which has some of the world's lowest life expectancy and literacy rates.
The peacekeeping force was replaced in January 2006 by a small peacebuilding mission of about 350 people — mainly civilians — along with 14 military observers and 26 international police.
The resolution adopted unanimously by the council extends the mandate of the peacebuilding mission until Sept. 30, well beyond local elections scheduled for June 21.
It calls for a staff reduction of at least 20 percent by March 31, the continuation of the mission at 80 percent of the current strength until June 30, and the termination of its mandate by Sept. 30.
The council said the peacebuilding mission should be replaced by a U.N. political office "to focus on carrying forward the peacebuilding process, mobilizing international donor support," promoting national reconciliation and constitutional reform, and supporting the work of the U.N. Peacebuilding Commission.
World leaders decided at a summit in September 2005 to establish the Peacebuilding Commission to bring together all the key international players involved in ending conflicts and promoting reconstruction and economic development of countries emerging from war. Sierra Leone and Burundi were the first countries it chose to assist.
...
"Here's a little nugget NBC/NJ's Erin McPike noted while following Obama around in New Hampshire last night. Obama: 'I talk to Al Gore about every three weeks.' Obama made this claim in a remark to the global warming Santa activists. Still, very interesting that they talk every three weeks or so... Wonder how often Gore and Clinton talk?"
Yes, it is interesting to wonder if Clinton and Gore speak as he usually never names who is calling him for advice. Unless the obvious wishes to name drop. LOL Now I'm wondering if that is the candidate Mr. Gore referred to as "calling and asking how he can tweak his message" and Mr. Gore responding, "we're past tweaking messages".
Where is the Outrage? He's an Obamanation! Barack Obama Exposed!
From his "dearth" of international experience to his prominence in the corruption scandals that has been virtually ignored by the mainstream media, Barack Obama is not fit to be Senator -- not to mention the next President of the United States.
Obama has declared his presidential intentions, but it is up to well-informed and energetic liberals like you to spare our nation from the scourge of a far-right president Barack H. Obama.
Get your free copy of Joe Wilson's' new special report - The Real Hillary I Know - And the Unreal Obama. It's the only way you'll get all the ammunition you need to end Obama's White House dreams once and for all.
Linda wrote "Yes, it is interesting to wonder if Clinton and Gore speak as he usually never names who is calling him for advice."
Yes, it is, although I'm unconcerned about what Clinton decides is necessary to reveal.
in case anyone seeing this is in the Cleveland area, this 10 am must be CST (not EST) ?:
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news-0/119831613653430.xml&coll=2
Site of Perry Kucinich's funeral changed to St. Stanislaus Saturday, December 22, 2007The site of today's funeral for Perry J. Kucinich, the youngest brother of Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, has been changed.
Services will be at 10 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Forman Avenue and East 65th Street, Cleveland. Perry Kucinich died Wednesday.
Golubski Funeral Home of Cleveland is handling arrangements.
*rd : CST (not EST) ?
REALLY. Isn't that odd. Last I checked, Ohio was EST.
...eternal peace Perry Kucinich.
Linda wrote "oh well that's interesting."
Yes, well, you know, it's interesting things that interest me.
76.
Thanks Linda, I forgot that someone if the Midwest is on same EST time zone. (please don't anyone let me in charge of keeping time on this blog, smile)
typo - I forgot that someone if the Midwest
s/b - I forgot that someone in the Midwest
well, off to enjoy the first day of winter (slip, sliding on ice and snow)
78...well, LOL I'm not awake yet...still working on the coffee, I thought you were questioning CST too ....a funny thing about Ohio is that they are considered Midwest, but yet, they are on EST. So that IS a bit confusing....especially for my sister who was traveling between Indiana and Ohio...and Indiana wasn't changing there clocks....talk about time warp. :)
Morning Blog!
Per the topic:
Reversing climate change won't happen from merely approving some treaty (even though it would help), it will take everyone trying to do their part in changing their consumption patterns. Kudos to Al Gore for helping bring this to the forefront. But researchers have been discussing this very topic for decades. My wife, who was an environmental science/chemistry major in college told me about research that was ongoing in the 80's that pointed to what we are now seeing with the breakup of ice sheets in the polar areas.
10:02 am CST
(Ohio in the midwest? From my viewpoint of being west of the Mississippi, I've never thought of Ohio as midwest. It is too far east...... Maybe it is mideast.......)
81. Kevin, yes, as Al Gore has recently said, he's been studying this for over 4 decades and trying to communicate about it for over 3 decades.
A few snowy pictures for ya'll. I'm getting better with the camera
....I had everything pushed off to the distance before.
We didn't get the "possible foot" of snow here. (thank goodness)
63. Well, it would seem that the Bushes recognized themselves in the Wilsons. Joe Wilson is definitely angling for a restart to his career.
I have written up my impression of the Obama Santa ad
9/11 Panel Study Finds That C.I.A. Withheld Tapes
By MARK MAZZETTI
Published: December 22, 2007
WASHINGTON — A review of classified documents by former members of the Sept. 11 commission shows that the panel made repeated and detailed requests to the Central Intelligence Agency in 2003 and 2004 for documents and other information about the interrogation of operatives of Al Qaeda, and were told by a top C.I.A. official that the agency had “produced or made available for review” everything that had been requested.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/22/washin...
Reid and Company Target the True Enemy: ‘Dodd and His Allies’
by Glenn Greenwald
During yesterday’s chat with Washington Post Congressional reporter Paul Kane, this extremely revealing exchange occurred, regarding the view of Harry Reid and other anonymous Democrats of Chris Dodd’s actions this week, whereby Dodd disrupted their collective desire for quick, smooth, trouble-free passage of Bush’s surveillance and immunity bill:
New Hampshire: Hi Paul and thanks for taking my question. I read your article from the 18th about Harry Reid pulling the FISA bill and still am left wondering why “Reid spokesman Jim Manley said the decision had nothing to do with the efforts of Dodd and his allies.”
I watched the entire proceedings and remain incredibly moved and thankful for the efforts of Sen. Dodd and his “allies” to protect and defend our Constitution by objecting to retroactive immunity for the telecoms. Can you fathom why this dismissive and seemingly disingenuous statement was made? Was there more to your interview with Manley that you will share?
washingtonpost.com: Telecom Immunity Issue Derails Spy Law Overhaul (Post, Dec. 18)
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007...
yes, Monica, it's the fake the attack type politics that the Obama camp has been doing. And lets not forget, yes, these are the folks behind the Dean/Osama smear campaign.
Santa Arrested for Demanding Impeachment!
Posted by Jodin Morey, Impeach For Peace
Portland Indy Media –Santa Arrested in PDX for Demanding Impeachment
(and Offering Candy Canes, Constitution to the Cops)
On the picket lines today—for the 21st Thursday— in front of the Portland OR office of Rep. Earl Blumenauer, three of the Impeach Group's pickets were arrested: Santa and two elves. "Santa" was Joe Walsh, a Veterans for Peace member and sparkplug for regulars in red impeachment shirts responding to the Oregon congressman's refusal to co-sponsor Rep. Dennis Kucinich's HRes 799 to impeach Vice President Cheney.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=nod...
Diebold Now Also Under DoJ Investigation as Stock Price Hits FIVE-YEAR Low!
Once-Great, Now-Disgraced American Company Also Facing SEC Probe, Lawsuits, Upcoming 2008 Election Meltdowns
Not to Say We Told Ya So, Diebold Shareholders...
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5468
Linda*in*SFNM
Sat, 12/22/07
Linda, I didn't mean to imply that Gore hadn't known about the problem. What I was trying to say is that the larger world (media) didn't pick up on any of this until much more recently.
I wish that Gore would have pushed a bit harder for some policy changes when he was vice president. He probably wishes he would have also....
Out to work some more on chores before the snow and wind start in. Take care all!
Japan abandons plans to kill humpback whales
Justin McCurry in Tokyo-The Guardian
Japan agreed yesterday to avoid slaughtering humpback whales for up to two years, amid calls from Australia to spare the endangered species during its current research hunt in the Antarctic.
Nobutaka Machimura, Japan's chief government spokesman, said the fleet, on its way to the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary, would avoid killing the protected species. "Japan has decided not to catch humpback whales for one year or two, but there will be no change in our stance on research whaling," he said. "Japan's relations with Australia could improve, but it depends on how it will see our decision."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/japan/story/0,...
91. Kevin, no problem. Well, the only reason there was the success on Kyoto was because of Al Gore. Clinton was refusing to do anything, and being Mr. Gore was his VP, there really wasn't much Al Gore could do in a Clinton presidency. It took Mr. Gore cashing in on everything just for that gesture of him signing the Kyoto when the delegates were fighting the agreement until Mr. Gore personally flew in and told them to compromise and then he symbolically signed the then Kyoto Treaty, but of course, it never got ratified.
From that blogger luncheon Bill Clinton had last year.
Clinton took the time to methodically take me through each law, citing facts, figures and circumstances of the time, telling me his regrets and allowing me to chime in when I had something to add or ask. Because I didn’t think I’d be talking to him, I wasn’t holding pen and paper, and I didn’t have my recorder with me. So I stood there, arms folded, trying futilely to absorb it all. I have to admit, much of it went over my head. I got some of it, but I couldn’t do the answer justice by trying to relay it to you here.
In a nutshell, he expressed regret over precisely what I didn’t like about those laws. He regrets the “social” impacts of NAFTA. The agreement, he told me, was a fait accompli, but he said he was certain Al Gore would beat George W. Bush and that Gore would fix it.
http://roxanne.typepad.com/rantrave/2006...
23 June 2006
Kevin
work on some ice if you have any, it has stayed over freezing long enough to lose it's grip underneath
too foggy to drive to Iowa City so I'm making use of the free time getting ready for the next round and was pleasantly surprised when I broke through the ice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
any of you that read Linda's link to the Salon article at commondreams have to agree that Edwards has it right calling the impending fight against the powers that be, an epic battle
Since it is a felony to threaten the President the idiot calling for assassination or impeachment in the commondreams comments shouldn't consider it a police state if he gets a knock on his door.
Linda wrote "And lets not forget, yes, these are the folks behind the Dean/Osama smear campaign."
I mentioned this before, but I'll do so again since the error gets repeated. Club of Growth is not a group as far as I'm aware, but I believe the reference is accurately to the Club for Growth, founded by Stephen Moore, its former president, now a member of the WSJ editorial board.
CfG made the risible ad with the doddering geriatrics calling Dean and his supporters a "tax-hiking, government-expanding, latte-drinking, sushi-eating, Volvo-driving, New York Times-reading, body-piercing, Hollywood-loving, left-wing freak show."
The morphing ad was made by Americans for Jobs, Healthcare and Progressive Values, a group founded by Gephardt fundraiser David Jones. Another donor was Robert Gibbs, former Kerry spokesman who is Obama's communications director.
Phil, apparently my heat didn't melt the outside my sliding door, my screen door was frozen shut this morning. And me, miss (as my hubby calls me) Pitt bull, now hubby has to put it back on the tracks. LOL
my seventh grade science project in 1961 was geraniums growing under bell jars with various added concentrations of C02 to see if the pollution from the industrial revolution (which was known to my teacher to cause higher carbon levels) would be of benefit to farmers because of the CO2
the effect on temperature and the resulting damage wasn't known yet but the trend was already noticed by some scientists and taught by my teacher in a discussion of the atmosphere
I switched to grassland agriculture in 1974 to sequester carbon but I didn't achieve a positive carbon balance til I gave up tillage for good in 1983
I first got a plank on carbon sequestration into a 1992 platform.
I worked my tail off to elect Al Gore in 2000
are we ahead or behind to inject partisan politics into this battle? I've combined the two for decades, but Dodd can't even defend the Constitution for crissakes without being accused of playing politics.
It is not a game to the enemies of the earth, it is how and why they wield their power.
Linda, you beat me to the Harry Reid attack.
I'm not sure I agree that it's the Obama camp that's doing the fake attack. What's being highlighted in the "apparently" pro-Obama videos is not actually positive for him.
The strategy is really pretty simple--knock out the opposition so the last man standing wins.
In 2004 it was Bush. This time it seems to be Romney and Huckabee
is a distraction.
Dodd is ta real deal Democrat without being threatening to the Financial Industry. That is a pretty good feat.Though his carbon tax has the anti-tax crowd lathered up.Edwards gets the same reaction as Howard did when he made his direct attacks on the way business is done in Washington.Edwards/Dodd match up together as a pretty good ticket and at least you know they are Democrats
I think what the CfG people learned was that their ads could generate a lot of back-lash. So, this time around, they're "targeting" the people they actually have been paid to support.
Stephen Moore may have founded the CfG,
but the funding came from Stephens, the people
who bankrolled the Bushes and the Clintons.
Phil wrote "Dodd is the real deal Democrat without being threatening to the Financial Industry."
No, far from threatening. He's about as threatening as his fellow Connecticut senator and Imus stable mate, Joe Lieberman.
new thread
Mr. Rooney is back spamming this blog for Paul again. Check out who he thinks is first.
What about Dodd's campaign in particular attracted the IAFF to endorse his candidacy? Did he present that much of a contrast to the positions of the other candidates that they would consider him the candidate who would best represent their interests? I don't know about the contrast of positions, but as far as representing their interests, there was no contest:
"October 08, 2003
"LIEBERMAN, DODD ANNOUNCE GRANTS FOR CONNECTICUT FIRE FIGHTERS
"WASHINGTON - Seven Connecticut fire departments will recieve a total of $318,438 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman announced today. Thompson, Groton, Mansfield, Rogers, Naugatuck, Brookfield, and Harwinton fire departments wil get funds for new equipment and safety and training programs.
"'Connecticut firefighters ofen are the first on the scene of acatastrophe. They shouldn't be last when it comes to getting critically important resources,' said Dodd. 'Thankfully this assistance - while only a start - can begin to address those tremendous shortcomings and provide our firefighters with the help they need and deserve.'
" . . . .
"The awards were made possible by the FIRE Act of 2000, a law authored by Dodd and co-sponsored by Lieberman that gives local fire departments the ability to purchase new equipment, hire new personnel, and initiate education and training programs. Since the FIRE Act was enacted, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), now a part of DHS, has distributed more than 11,000 grants for a total of more than $729 million to help fire departments across the country strengthen their response capabilities."
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