8:37 AM EST

Rise and shine cause Howard Dean and half of his 50-state strategy's showtime results are nearly 36 hours away.

He is always first.

feminist Katha Pollitt of The Nation says why Obama is her choice:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20080204/cm_thenation/25279745_1

Opinion

Why I'm Supporting Barack Obama

Katha Pollitt

Sun Feb 3, 11:45 PM ET

...

But on foreign policy Obama seems more enlightened, as in less bellicose. Maybe Hillary Clinton's refusal to say her Iraq vote was wrong shows that she has neo-con sympathies; maybe she simply believes that any admission of error would tar her as weak. But we already have a warlike president who refuses to admit making mistakes, and look how that's turned out. The election of Barack Obama would send a signal to the world that the United States is taking a different tack.

When Obama won Iowa, I was surprised that I was glad. Much as I would love to pull the lever for a woman president -- a pro-choice Democratic woman president, that is --I realized at that moment how deeply unthrilled I was by the prospect of a grim vote-by-vote fight for the 50 percent+1 majority in a campaign that would rehearse all the old, (yes, mostly bogus or exaggerated) scandals and maybe turn up some new ones too. I wasn't delighted to think success would mean four more years of Bill Clinton either, or might come at the price of downticket losses, as many red-state Democrats fear.

...

Obama may not be as progressive as we wish over here at The Nation-- and maybe someday we can have a serious conversation about why Edwards' economic populism, promoted for years by important voices at the magazine, was such a bust. But Obama is a candidate in a different mold. He's a natural politician who connects with people as Hillary Clinton, for whatever reason, just doesn't, and appeals to the better angels of their nature. He sparks an enthusiasm in people--independents, the young, the previously disengaged. An Obama victory could have big positive repercussions for progressive politics.

I usually resist words like "hope" and "change." But with Supertuesday barely 36 hours away what I think is, let's go with the charismatic candidate this time. Let's go with the candidate voters feel some passion about. Let's say goodbye to the Clintons and have some new people make history.

Plenty of feminists support Obama, by the way. for example Kate Michelman, former head of NARAL, and Ellen Bravo of Nine to Five. I signed a letter from " New York Feminists for Peace and Barack Obama." Other signers include the historians Linda Gordon, Alice Kessler Harris and Ros Baxandall; the sociologist Judith Stacey; the political scientist Ros Petchesky,and writers Margo Jefferson and Meredith Tax. You can read it and, if you are a New York feminist, sign it, here .

9:07 AM EST    40.
LZ XRAY
Sun, 02/03/08

Reply to this

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/world/...

U.S. Says It Accidentally Killed 9 Iraqi Civilians

By SOLOMON MOORE and QAIS MIZHER
Published: February 4, 2008

BAGHDAD — American forces said Sunday they had accidentally killed nine Iraqi civilians and wounded three in a strike aimed at militants of Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia south of Baghdad, acknowledging what appeared to be one of the deadliest cases of mistaken identity in recent weeks.

-------

...

Iraq is a QUAGMIRE....a disaster.

+++

Thanks LZ XRAY for highlighting what's going on in Iraq and not allowing us to forget about the war (ie. occupation).

Thanks George for bringing us the war and thanks Hillary for helping him "bring it on".

I stated on the last thread that my son's girfriend switched from HRC to Obama due to her statement about garnishing wages.  I got to thinking, I have been trying for months to persuade her to vote Obama.  Didn't work.  It took something HRC said herself to convince her.

Now we are a 100% Obama family.

Obama supporters are living in a fantasy world if they think we can get health care for all in a new plan without some form of mandates, which is why of course Obama mandates children's coverage.

it is Obama supporters who are giving Rove ammunition and twice because he was "against it before he was for it"

bad idea to attack Hillary

stay positive, inclusive, and future oriented

Some questions about last nights Super Bowl...................

1)Although the forecast was rain, it ended up bieng a beautiful desert night in Arizona......why did they put the roof on that dome.........the humidity levels in the stadium were terrible...

2)Why did NE go for the 1st down instead of the field goal towards the end of the 1st half( you are indoors, your kicker is very good, no wind, 50 yeards but still....you are supposed to have a great offense, to hell with giving up field positon to NY..............

3)Refs missed NY Toomer pushing off NE defender in the 1s half on long pass

4)Could the refs have blown the whistle on Manning being "in the grasp" on that last drive?

5)Why did NE only have single coverage on Burress on that TD? Granted he had only one catch in the game was NYs best and tallest receiver..............

6)Manning and Burress could have ended the game on their next to last possession when Manning scrambled and Burress was wide open but was over thrown......this led to NE marching down the field to take the lead.......

7)Manning very LUCKY several passes werent intercepted in the last quarter.............

8)Tyrees catch on the last drive was insane.

9)NE with 39 seconds left could have marched down into field goal range a bit more methodically..they had time outs remaining and great receivers

10) This was the only game ever I have guaranteed a victory.......Joe Namath also predicted the Giants would win

11)This was the only Super Bowl I have ever taken a shower 15 minutes before the kickoff

12)If Jacksonville and SD had blitzed Brady more or at least flooded the passing lanes NE may have been knocked out earlier.............

13)Neutral field helped the Giants..........

14)Why bother with an Air Force fly over when the roof of the stadium is closed?  Couldnt they have just shown a video of a fly over on the indoor big screen?  How much did that cost the tax payer?

15)Last nite I said for NY to quit throwing to Steve Smith.......he ended up catching a pass for an 11 yeard gain and a critical first down on the final drive..............

16)Finally.........where is rd?  There is nothing to be ashamed about being 18-1........NE is still a great team...............unfortunatley they ran into a team that got hot at the right time, nobody gave a chance to win and didnt have the pressure of being undefeated...............

9:41 AM EST

So at 10:30 PM EST today (7:30 PM PST), the surviving members of The Grateful Dead will be putting on a concert that will be simulcast:

Monday, Feb. 04, 2008Swarmcast and iClips.net to Stream Barack Obama Fundraising Concert Featuring Members of The Grateful DeadPhil Lesh, Bob Weir and Mickey Hart Play First Show Together in Four Years; iClips Uses Swarmcast's Autobahn(TM) Live to Bring High Quality Concert Video and Message to Global Audience

SAN FRANCISCO & MINNEAPOLIS — Swarmcast, the leader in high-quality online video delivery, and iClips.net, the leading provider of free online concert streams, are teaming together to provide a live Internet broadcast of tonight's fundraising concert for Democratic presidential candidate, Barack Obama in San Francisco featuring members of the Grateful Dead. Reuniting for the first time since the summer of 2004, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, and Mickey Hart's music, along with Obama's vision and message will be captured live by iClips and broadcast, via Swarmcast's Autobahn Live solution, for free on the iClips network at www.iclips.net.

Dubbed "Dead Heads for Obama" the event will feature Mickey Hart, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead as well as Jackie Greene, John Molo, and Steve Molitz, with proceeds from the concert benefiting Barack Obama's campaign. The get out the vote show will take place Monday, February 4, 2008 at 7:30pm at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, CA. To watch the live stream please visit: www.iclips.net

...

5.

Michael -

In the spirit of The Three Dog Night's song "Eli's Coming".

I was working my second job last night so didn't watch the game (got the results latter and, yes the younger of the Manning brothers and his offense surpassed in performance Brady and his offense). 

As you can tell, I haven't much been talking up these last two weeks about the Super Bowl becuase I'm frankly more interested in Super Tuesday.

One aspect that might be beneficial to the voters on Tuesday in MA is that they won't have an excuse not to vote (ie. a victory celebration was possible on Tues for the Pats if they had won). 

I did some GOTVing for Obama this morning on train station stops on the Providence to Boston.

btw - local Boston College students here affectionately remember when the coach of the Giants, Tom Coughlin,  was the coach of the BC Eagles.

I'm off for the day.  Going to canvass neighborhood (in a couple of hours, early here in AK), then phone CA later (even though it scares me).

Remember "we are the ones we have been waiting for".

42.

Annilow
Mon, 02/04/08

Reply to this

 

I would expect nothing different from him.... He is a political hack who is the mirror image of Ann Coulter.  Well educated, smart and totaly non-objective.

 

 

9:55 AM EST

nobody's perfect

typo - got the results latter

s/b - got the results later

So, the inevitable NE Patriots lost their inevitability on the day of Super Bowl XXII.

Will, the inevitable team Billary lose their inevitability on the day of Super Tuesday '08 ? 

http://www.wikileaks.org/wiki/US_Rules_of_Engagement_for_Iraq

 

You can find the pdf on 

http://www.dfalink.com/group.php?id=192

in files. 

Before I go off to write my Coward McCain screed, let me just make the point that some people take great delight in other people's success.  Others can only take delight in their own.  Others take delight in other people's failure and still others can never be satisfied.  Period.

I suspect George and Hillary of the latter.

From where I sit there is no down side to another's success, whereas one's own is bound to be tempered by the fact that it's not likely to be repeated. 

Since Edwards suspended his campaign, I have paid particular attention to how the remaining two candidates have shaped their message to appeal to those who supported his campaign.

I have seen token lip service paid to Edwards' signature issue - fighting and eventually ending poverty. WE deserve more IF we're going to vote positively for one candidate or another.

I've seen an effort to smear one candidate over health care with a Harry and Louise type advertisement which trips off a lot of emotional response.

One thing should be clear to Obama and Clinton. Edwards' supporters are more concerned about issues and the details of their policies than other voters might be. Appeals to emotion or vague generalities won't cut it.

Each needs to make the case on the basis of their policies and their abilities to bring about progressive reform in order to appeal to those of us who support John Edwards.

10:13 AM EST

http://www.iclips.net/deadheadsforobama.php

DEADHEADS FOR OBAMA

featuring
BOB WEIR, MICKEY HART, PHIL LESH , & FRIENDS

The Warfield Theatre
Monday, February 4th, 2008
Doors 6:00 PM/ Show 7:30PM

Grateful Dead Members to Reunite for Barack Obama

Members of the Grateful Dead will host a get out the vote concert in support of Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama on Monday, February 4th at The Warfield Theatre in San Francisco.

Mickey Hart, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir, joined by Jackie Greene, John Molo, and Steve Molitz, will play a show together in support of Barack Obama.

The video website Iclips will be producing a live simulcast streamed via the Internet on www.iclips.net at approximately 7:30 PM PST.

This will mark the first time that the members of the legendary band have performed together since 2004.

... 

SOME MORE GOLDEN OLDIES

FROM JANUARY 2004

Trippi bailed and Oler turned on a dime (and on Howard)

149.
lindab
Sun, 02/01/04

the washington post tomorrow will say our guy is broke and talking to my friends in dc they may be right and that is why trippi is gone. they spent like no tomorrow. so, our money from now on is spent wisely.    183.
Robert Oler
Sun, 02/01/04

You gotta love our guy. Not only did he create jobs in Vermont, he's created jobs just by running! Think of all these great staffers he's given jobs!


Posted by AlexiBlue at February 1, 2004 12:07 AM<<

They are doubtless all great people. Some (many) are in just way over their heads. Robert   369.
Demetrius
Sun, 02/01/04

Rove Cries Kerry
(sing to the tune of Jimi Hendrix's - Wind Cries Mary)

After all the votes are in their boxes - Caucus goers have all gone to bed
You can feel energy pouring from Howard Dean's camp
Orange caps on their heads... But CNN whispers "Kerry"

All of the News is barely keeping up with the sleaze of his campaign life
Following Dean - repeating: "Why did he scream?" and "Where's his wife?"
And MSN cries "Kerry"

I think I'm gonna turn them off tomorrow.
No more headaches when I go to bed.
Watch tiny windows of a videostream - 'Cause the Free Internet's not dead
But Fox - It screams "Kerry!"

Will the cable company remember that I had subscribed in tha past?
When they call with a Special Offer to renew
I'll say "No thanks." ...this will be the last
Cause Rove News lies for Kerry...   420.

Reed in VT
Sun, 02/01/04

I'm from Vermont and can say that Dean is fiscally conservative and socially liberal. We are a three party state with the progressive party having almost as much clought as the others. That is why we are stuck with a Republican now, the vote was split up three ways. The only time during Dean's time as governor that he wasn't reelected easily was when the homophobs rallied against civil unions...he still won though. The previous elections, I know many republicans that voted for Dean because of his fiscal conservatism.

   475.
lindab
Sun, 02/01/04 don't listen to the pandering posts about howards demise. we will go on and win. great job president dean on tim russerts meet the press. we love u    24.
Bill from UW Madison
Sat, 01/31/04

tc at January 31, 2004 02:06 PM

NO NO NO

Dean cannot go on the defensive on electability and that is exactly what you are proposing. HE NEED TO GO ON THE OFFENSIVE. Dean is the BEST candidate to beat Bush and he needs to make a convincing case of why. He can't just say "I am electable." He needs to say, "I don't think John Kerry can beat George Bush, let me tell you why..., now let me tell you why I am the best candidate to beat Bush..."    239.

Joan in Florida
Sat, 01/31/04

Joan in Seattle:

If I was there with you and I had these Why Bush would beat Kerry flyers, I would go for it -- hand them out far and wide!!!  

  362.
jjem
Sat, 01/31/04 geoff,
I got a script and #'s from the Arizona for Dean website, but I can't remember the http. I think I may have stumbled across it when I was writing letters to the editors. Look downblog where HQ gave us the links for letters to the editors.   33.
Monica Smith
Sat, 01/31/04

Reply to thisOne more thing: I think it would be better to drop the "Dr. Dean." There are a lot of people who don't know the difference between a PhD, a Doctor of Divinity and a Medical Doctor. So, to be absolutely clear, our man should always be referred to as "Governor Howard Dean, M.D." or "Howard Dean, M.D." That means the media ought not to be allowed to get away with calling him Mr. Dean.
In some parts of the country and in some age groups, titles are not only important, they are mandatory. There are some people who get just as annoyed at being addressed "improperly"--i.e. by their first names--as at being cut off in trafffic. If a person doesn't know enough to insist on respect, then he's not going to get it. More respect is always better than less. Sometimes it has to be demanded, even if such "propriety" is a conservative notion

 .   54.
volneysimmons
Sat, 01/31/04"Anybody who thought they were buying influence with John Kerry can look at his votes and know they're not getting their money's worth," Ms. Cutter said.

Anybody represented by John Kerry can look at his votes -- and his missed votes -- and know they're not getting their money's worth, either.

ROFL!    192.
JudyforDean
Sat, 01/31/04

After viewing the voting record of the current frontrunner (thanks for the link upthread), which is especially egregious when one compares that performance to Ted Kennedy's, it occurs to me that, just as some believe that Bush was AWOL from his military service, Mr. K was also AWOV from his Senatorial duties.

AWOL vs AWOV in 2004!

If this is the choice, then good-bye America!   224.

Phil from Iowa
Wed, 01/28/04

Speed and volume tonight gives me hope for tommorrow.

This week is a test. We have the candidate the message the resources. They have the power.
No way does Rove want to face us. We will be fighting them all week.

I watched in Iowa as Kerry made a similar change;and an unleashed Kerry was the better candidate. I watched the good Doctor early
when he was himself; turn him loose in front of cameras. WE NEED GOOD ADS NOW!

DEAN 44! WE CAN....AND WE WILL!!!  

   23.
Mainefem1
Tue, 01/27/04

NH teachers and medical professionals have hardly gotten out of work (esp. in the southern urban and suburban NH>Mass*ole commuter corridor).

Yes, we poke fun at Mas*hole drivers (deal with it).

This is my polite "tone."

Chill, people. 185.
Annilow
Tue, 01/27/04

Sen. Durbin from Illinois on CSPAN2 spoke on CBS's censorship of the MOVEON ad. Said we could protest by calling or writing and gave the address and phone. If calling ask for exec who made decision to censor ad (they put me through to a recorder). CBS 51 W52nd NYC 10019, 212.975.4321. I personally am boycotting CBS as of now but know this would be drastic for football fans :~)     159.
rich kolker
Sun, 01/25/04

First, I can confirm that Robert Oler and Bobby O are not the same person.

Second, Robert, I disagree with you this time. Just as being in Iowa was more important than visiting Jimmy Carter last week, talking to the people of New Hampshire one on one (or one on many) was more important than doing MTP this week, where he would be controlled by Russert's agenda (probably lots of talk about the "scream") rather than ours. The people of New Hampshire want to believe you care about them more than the pundits. That's what he showed.

It was the right decision. Once we recover in New Hampshire (and a "closing" second will be a recovery, although I'm hoping for a narrow win), MTP will be available to us when we need it for the more "wholesale" poilitics of Feb 3rd and beyond.   183.

Jo in Vermont
Sun, 01/25/04

Bob Graham on CNN right now - I gotta say, I really love that man! hope he has a place in politics for a long time to come - we need his voice!  

   269.
Charles in Montana
Sun, 01/25/04

We have the base.
We have the momentum again.
We have the money.
We have each other.
Looks damn positive to me.    365.

SuzieQ
Sun, 01/25/04

Well well...Wolf says its 89-11 that the media hyped the speech...and thats it..cut to voice over. No discussion, no analysis...what a maroon!

    4.

jc
Sat, 01/24/04

Other Meetup Numbers:

Dean in 2004 (>182,900 members)
Clark in 2004 (>63,500)
Kerry in 2004 (>27,400)
Kucinich in 2004 (>23,000)
Edwards in 2004 (>5,800)
Bush in 2004 (>2,900)
Lieberman in 2004 (>500)
Sharpton in 2004 (>100)  

   103.
BobbyO
Fri, 01/23/04

Dear Members of the non-tv society,

You just don't get it, do you?    128.
Dean Nut In Sandy Eigo
Fri, 01/23/04

CNN Headline News just, and I mean *just*, aired a blip-clip of the interview with Howard and Judy Dean. It was so nice. In the clip Howard is admitting he "has warts", but "leads from the heart", and was not a bit apologetic about his performance Monday night, saying it was obvious that he was "having fun". The best part was how warm, relaxed, and cordial he looked in the clip. 

One more thing, then I'm really going.  Caroline's words from the rally "step out of your lives and into this moment in history.”

Viva Obama

Yes We Can

Demoted from 16 to 11.

I should add that in 2004, the blog clock was accurate, and posts appeared in the order in which they were submitted.

4.

Phil Specht
Mon, 02/04/08

Without mandates, it is clear there will be two types of people who won't sign up. Those who are "risk-takers" and who bet on not getting sick or needing much health care, and those who are well (probably young) who figure they don't really need it.

The problem is this will eliminate the risk-spreading benefits of insurance because you lose a large number of low risk folks to help offset costs to those who are higher risk.

The second problem is when a certain number of those who get sick will result in shifting the cost to those enrolled in insurance programs. Both will cause costs of insurance and health care to escalate, driving even more out of the system.

As far as I can tell, Obama just avoids this obvious problem. Why?

10:21 am

Linda wrote "I actually find it worse when someone, Obama, campaigned for his US Senate seat on the 'dumb war', and the 'injustices of the Patriot Act' , after they already took place, but spent his 2 years in the Senate since,  before running for president, voting for each War Bill to continue it, and besides not writing or co sponsoring one Bill to end the war, . . ."

There is no war and no bills to continue any war.  Obama introduced a bill to end the conflict more than one year ago, as you know.  These broadsides of yours have become increasingly Republican in character.  I hope you'll copy the DNC Chairman on them for a response.

Bush is a commander in chief who has shown his willingness to use American troops in theater as political pawns, such that voting to authorize an invasion of Iraq was the true legislative travesty you should be publicizing. The funding bills you allude to are necessary to supply soldiers in a battle zone.  Once the commander in chief is replaced by someone other than a Republican Party successor, the military funding can be safely ended.  The sooner you grasp this, the more lucid your posts will become.

U.S. Troops Asked If They Would Shoot American Citizens

Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet
Monday, February 4th, 2008

U.S. troops are being trained to conduct round-ups, confiscate guns and shoot American citizens, including their own friends and family members, as part of a long-standing program to prepare for the declaration of martial law, according to a soldier who recently returned from Iraq.

We received an e mail from "Scott", a member of a pipefitters union that runs an apprenticeship program called Helmets To Hard Hats, which according to its website, "Is a national program that connects National Guard, Reserve and transitioning active-duty military members with quality career training and employment opportunities within the construction industry."

Scott writes that his company hired a soldier who had recently returned from Iraq, who told him that U.S. troops were being quizzed on whether or not they would be prepared to shoot their own friends and family members during a national state of emergency in America.

"I have become very close to this young man and have gained his respect and trust," writes Scott. "I want you to know that he informed me about one particular training exercise his superiors made them perform. It was concerning the rounding up of American citizens that disobey any type of martial law or in other words any type of infringement on our freedoms."






"He was asked if he could shoot his friends or family members if ordered to do so. At the time he said he could," writes Scott.

Scott says that the soldier later "had time to clear his head" and realize the truth, recanting his vow to kill his own countrymen if ordered to do so.

The issue of whether U.S. troops would be prepared to round-up, disarm and if necessary shoot Americans who disobeyed orders during a state of martial law is a question that military chiefs have been attempting to answer for at least 15 years.

Its known origins can be traced back to an October 1994 Marine questionnaire out of the Twentynine Palms Marine Base in California. Recruits were asked 46 questions, including whether they would kill U.S. citizens who refused to surrender their firearms.

Documentary film maker Alex Jones brought to light similar training programs that were taking place across the country in the late 90’s which revolved around U.S. Marines being trained to arrest American citizens and take them to internment camps.

During one such program in Oakland California, dubbed "Operation Urban Warrior," Marines refused to answer if they would target American citizens for gun confiscation if ordered to do so.

During hurricane Katrina, National Guard units were ordered to confiscate guns belonging to New Orleans residents.






As we first exposed in May 2006, Clergy Response Teams are being trained by the federal government and FEMA to "quell dissent" and pacify citizens to obey the government in the event of a declaration of martial law.

Pastors and other religious representatives are being taught to become secret police enforcers who teach their congregations to "obey the government" in preparation for the implementation of martial law, property and firearm seizures, mass vaccination programs and forced relocation.

Many scoffed at our original story, which was based on the testimony of a whistleblower who was asked to participate in the program. Claims that the story was a conspiracy theory soon evaporated when a mainstream KSLA news report confirmed the existence of the program.

The experiences of U.S. troops in the worst areas of Iraq, where soldiers are ordered to go door to door and arrest all men of military age as well as confiscate their weapons, is a mere portend of what is being planned for America if these training programs ever come to fruition.

The experiences of U.S. troops in the worst areas of Iraq, where soldiers are ordered to go door to door and arrest all men of military age as well as confiscate their weapons, is a mere portend of what is being planned for America if these training programs ever come to fruition

10:24 AM EST

18.
rae hart
Mon, 02/04/08

Reply to this

I'm off for the day. 

...

+++

rae -

Ditto for me.  Good luck with all your efforts in AK and CA. Doing my bit for MA.

ciao

Super Bowl of Tyranny

Kurt Nimmo
Truth News
February 3, 2008

It seems the Ministry of Homeland Security will use whatever excuse to blur the lines between local police and the military, thus finally laying to rest the idea put forth in the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878.

“While the Department of Homeland Security says there are no specific terror threats regarding Super Bowl XLII, security is being taken seriously at the game, where the New England Patriots will face-off with the New York Giants,” writes George Hulme for Information Week. “The game has been designated a level one security event by the Department of Homeland Security. That authorizes the use of federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Secret Service to help local and state law enforcement keep the event safe.”

As Los Angeles Business notes, there will be “800 officers from numerous agencies” on hand, just in case Osama makes an appearance.

In addition to feds and soldiers crawling over the event in Arizona, there is “a no fly zone, a secure perimeter, and spectators should expect to be vetted before getting through. And there’s a list of prohibited items ranging from beach balls to weapons. Fans can also expect scads of security cameras and aircraft flying above surveying the area, while trained dogs will be on the lookout for explosives.” In other words, the game will provide a perfect excuse to remind the commoners they live in a police state.

But if you’re not going to the game, and you happen to notice a strange metallic object roaming around the stadium or parking lot while you’re watching from home, don’t worry, it’s just probably an HD-1.

According to Northrop Grumman Corp., the company will be providing support for robots produced by its subsidiary, Remotec, Inc. “We’re here to support the event and hopefully go unnoticed by fans. Our job isn’t to be a disruption but to keep danger at a distance,” said Mack Barber, president of Remotec, an operating unit of Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems sector, said in a release.

Northrop Grumman manufactures a variety of hazardous duty robots, all dubbed with Sci-Fi sounding names: The HD-1, F6A, Mark V-A1, Mini-Andros II, and the Wolverine. They’re designed to deal with an array of nasty materials and explosives.

They’ll be roaming a two-square mile zone around the stadium.

Of course, only blind fans will not notice this hunk of metal and circuit boards, and certainly folks within the “two-square mile zone around the stadium” will notice. Chertoff and the Ministry want us to notice and take note: in order to stop al-Qaeda, we need this sort of technology roaming the streets, along with soldiers no doubt in full battle gear and FBI and BATF agents in their distinctive windbreakers, armed to the teeth. It’s all for your safety, never mind there is no such thing as al-Qaeda, or rather there only is when a draconian bill or two needs to pass the hurdle in Congress, admittedly a rather short hurdle.

As the cops in Mexico and Canada will merge soon enough, that is if our rulers have their way with the NAU, it makes sense “Vancouver 2010 security police are at the Super Bowl in Phoenix,” as The Province explains, “embedded” with the above melange, studying “surveillance and security” and likely comparing notes.

In all of this, it seems football comes in second, as the point is to send a message: you live in a police state now. It is high time you get accustomed to cops decked out like combat soldiers, killer robots in the street, surveillance cameras on every corner, blimps, F-16s, spot searches, frisking — and a jolt or two from a taser if you misbehave and are slow to obey barked commands — and all manner of high-tech “security” against ill-defined if not cartoonish enemies and invisible threats that will never materialize.

But then, of course, you are the enemy, not Osama and his dour band of Muslim cave dwellers. In a police state, the people are always the enemy. In a dictatorship, you will follow orders or will be made to pay the price.

Got that?

Thanks to rd and rae hart for keeping us up to date on the Dem campaigns, particularly Obama's.

Did nobody notice that the Michelle Obama, Oprah, Caroline Kennedy, and surprise visitor/endorser Maria Shriver Live rally on C-span yesterday from Los Angeles, also included another surprise visitor -- Stevie Wonder who gave his endorsement?

Endorsements are pouring into the Obama camp faster than the drops in a hurricane.

Yes, we can!

podemos sí

Ron Paul: Secretive Elite Control America

Press TV
February 2, 2008

Presidential candidate Ron Paul says he traces America’s problems to the flawed monetary policy of the wealthy and secretive elite.

During a speech at the University of Washington on Thursday, Paul said the Congress and the Federal Reserve will not be able to stem the recession spurred by the home mortgage meltdown.

“The most important thing you can do is nothing,” said the Texas congressman, who voted against the recent $146 billion economic stimulus package passed by the US House of Representatives.

The 10-term Texas congressman maintained that a series of wrong economic decisions by the Bush administration has led to a recession.

The government should allow the market to correct itself, Paul added.

Although the mainstream media attempts to keep a low profile on the 72-year-old presidential hopeful, he has managed to find a staunch group of supporters who say he has captured their hearts with his ‘message of freedom’ and constitutionalism.

“The Constitution was written for one specific purpose and that was to restrain the government, not to restrain the people,” Paul has said.

Funny how most of the Obama fans are really talking to themselves, with references to celebrity endorsements and embracing slogans. That is the mistake always made by true believers. They think that what they have embraced is enough to convince others.

Just saying, try to convince those who aren't convinced of your candidate by appealing to what their concerns are (and you have to LISTEN to them first). That is the way to help your candidate.

From past thread:

" this is a love fest compared to what I heard at the feed store or when I stopped at the tavern for lunch and had to stop myself from starting a fight

"you ain't seen nothing yet""

Indeed.  It appears so easy to express hostility toward Hillary Clinton.
She is on the receiving end of condemnation from the Right, the Left, and points in between. 

Obama, we are told, appeals even to some disaffected Republicans.
If that's true, then it must only be the waning moderate GOP types, those,
mostly in the NE, that dumped their "moderate" repugs in 2006 due to the
incumbent record of rubber stamping the Bush, Cheney, et al agenda.

Your experience at the feed store and lunch tavern suggests an undercurrent
of unpreparedness for an Obama Presidency.  Unlike the HRC bashers,
the not for Obamas may not be comfortable expressing their opposition in public
forums, therefore they let it out close to home or just keep it discreetly.

Surely I must be over-analyzing this.  The undercurrent against Obama would not be
enough to lose some of the closely won Gore - Kerry states in November
- would it?  I don't think the stay the course Iraq tact from McCain is going to
acheive any popularity between now and November which would jeopardize the
Democratic nominee's prospects of holding the Blue states.

Whatever the electoral outcome, this will still be a divided nation this November
and next January. 
Many great reasons for supporting Obama, fine to do so.

I expect HC to be better prepared for the Office and more resilient against the reactionary push backs.
Should she lose the nomination, okay - another Clinton administration isn't essential.
I will then climb on the Barack Obama bandwagon and support all the promise his election
will carry.

 

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U.S. Troops Asked If They Would Shoot American Citizens
“Anti- Terror” Patrols Under New York City
Three Internet Cables Slashed in a Week: Has Iran lost all Internet Connectivity?
Coulter: Hillary is “Our Girl”
Super Bowl of Tyranny





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Three Internet Cables Slashed in a Week: Has Iran lost all Internet Connectivity?

Mike Whitney
Global Research
February 3, 2008

CNN reports that: “An undersea cable carrying Internet traffic was cut off the Persian Gulf emirate of Dubai, officials said Friday, THE THIRD LOSS of a line carrying Internet and telephone traffic in three days.

The first two cables “account for as much as three-quarters of the international communications between Europe and the Middle East”, so it is expected that the loss of the third cable will plunge large parts of the Middle East into darkness.

According to Mathaba Net, the latest incident took place “two days after the cable cut which "cut off Iran" and affected the rest of the Middle East and West Asia. Internet Traffic Report web site reports that Iran has lost all Internet connectivity. (http://www.internettrafficreport.com/asi...)

Israel and Iraq’s Internet connections are still “intact”. (Mathaba.net http://mathaba.net/news/?x=580589)

“Omar Sultan, chief executive of Dubai’s Internet Service Provider "DU", said that the incident was "very unusual” and that the cause of the incident "had not yet been identified."

From Mathaba News:

“The only 2 countries that were unaffected were Israel and Iraq, the only two close Anglo-American allies in the region, both remaining completely unaffected by the cable cuts, leading to theories for the causes of the cuts, which have so far been given as having been caused by ships dragging their anchors across the cables. The fact that two rare incidents have happened in the same week, and both with cables owned by the same company, on either sides of Israel and the importance of the Internet to telecommunications and business, lends suspicion to the events.” (Mathaba.net http://mathaba.net/news/?x=580589)

Recently, a document entitled Information Operation Roadmap was declassified by the Pentagon because of a Freedom of Information Act request by the National Security Archive at George Washington University.

The importance of information warfare is clearly laid out in this document. Here is an extended excerpt from an article by Brent Jessop, “Full Spectrum Information Warfare” published by Global Research:

“Information, always important in warfare, is now critical to military success and will only become more so in the foreseeable future….. Information operations should be centralized under the Office of the Secretary of Defence and made a core military competency.

"Objective: IO [information operations] becomes a core competency. The importance of dominating the information spectrum explains the objective of transforming IO into a core military competency on a par with air, ground, maritime and special operations. The charge to the IO Roadmap oversight panel was to develop as concrete a set of action recommendations as possible to make IO a core competency, which in turn required identifying the essential prerequisites to become a core military competency."

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Tom wrote: The funding bills you allude to are necessary to supply soldiers in a battle zone.  Once the commander in chief is replaced by someone other than a Republican Party successor, the military funding can be safely ended. 

I suggest just a hint of contradiction in these two statement. Voting for funding in 06 was tantatmount to supporting the Iraq war/occupation. Saying there isn't a war when people are dying in large numbers is sophistry.

24.

Why no mandate?

Because everyone will be eligible to join, those who can't afford it will have help to do so. There is no reason to mandate anything. It is the Democratic way -- choice.

Children are mandated because their parents may not choose to enroll themselves or their children. But children don't have a voice of their own. They must be protected from parents who would rather not spend the money on them.

IMO, Obama's plan is the perfect plan, nobody is left out.

Garnish wages? Why didn't Clinton just choose to put it all under Payroll Taxes, which would spread out the costs, and under Medicare itself. She is just playing games with badly choosen words, words that would be heavily exploited by Rethugs.

Three Internet Cables Slashed in a Week: Has Iran lost all Internet Connectivity?

Mike Whitney
Global Research
February 3, 2008

CNN reports that: “An undersea cable carrying Internet traffic was cut off the Persian Gulf emirate of Dubai, officials said Friday, THE THIRD LOSS of a line carrying Internet and telephone traffic in three days.

The first two cables “account for as much as three-quarters of the international communications between Europe and the Middle East”, so it is expected that the loss of the third cable will plunge large parts of the Middle East into darkness.

According to Mathaba Net, the latest incident took place “two days after the cable cut which "cut off Iran" and affected the rest of the Middle East and West Asia. Internet Traffic Report web site reports that Iran has lost all Internet connectivity. (http://www.internettrafficreport.com/asi...)

Israel and Iraq’s Internet connections are still “intact”. (Mathaba.net http://mathaba.net/news/?x=580589)

“Omar Sultan, chief executive of Dubai’s Internet Service Provider "DU", said that the incident was "very unusual” and that the cause of the incident "had not yet been identified."

From Mathaba News:

“The only 2 countries that were unaffected were Israel and Iraq, the only two close Anglo-American allies in the region, both remaining completely unaffected by the cable cuts, leading to theories for the causes of the cuts, which have so far been given as having been caused by ships dragging their anchors across the cables. The fact that two rare incidents have happened in the same week, and both with cables owned by the same company, on either sides of Israel and the importance of the Internet to telecommunications and business, lends suspicion to the events.” (Mathaba.net http://mathaba.net/news/?x=580589)

Recently, a document entitled Information Operation Roadmap was declassified by the Pentagon because of a Freedom of Information Act request by the National Security Archive at George Washington University.

The importance of information warfare is clearly laid out in this document. Here is an extended excerpt from an article by Brent Jessop, “Full Spectrum Information Warfare” published by Global Research:

“Information, always important in warfare, is now critical to military success and will only become more so in the foreseeable future….. Information operations should be centralized under the Office of the Secretary of Defence and made a core military competency.

"Objective: IO [information operations] becomes a core competency. The importance of dominating the information spectrum explains the objective of transforming IO into a core military competency on a par with air, ground, maritime and special operations. The charge to the IO Roadmap oversight panel was to develop as concrete a set of action recommendations as possible to make IO a core competency, which in turn required identifying the essential prerequisites to become a core military competency."

31.

Joan* In*Florida
Mon, 02/04/08

So are you against mandates for auto insurance?

Why is choice so good when it means those who choose insurance will have to pay for those who don't? If my choices don't cause you costs, I'm all for choice. But when my choices affect others, then choice isn't a virture.

You didn't answer either of my two concerns: escalating costs and shifting costs from the uninsured to the insured. How does Obama deal with this obvious consequence of his plan?

Joan wrote: IMO, Obama's plan is the perfect plan, nobody is left out.

Can this be guaranteed? What about the family who doesn't receive the subsidy but can't "afford" the insurance? Aren't they, in effect, rationed out of the insurance program?

Can Obama's plan guarantee that everyone will have the CHOICE of affordable care? It seems to me a mandated plan will be FORCED to deal with this affordability...while Obama's won't because he can always say, "well, it's your choice if you don't want to pay".

Those who don't get insurance will force the rest of us to pay. That is what's wrong with the system now. People can't afford or can't get insurance unless their employer provides it for them. How does that change under Obama's plan?

next week there will be a love fest with h/c cause obama will be gone, all will be forgotten after all she better than mcain? like sheep we march in lock step, you can still have obama as vice,you all wanted anyone but h/c same as last election wanted dean, got kerry how soon we all forget! hole your nose and vote. its all stage people even ray Charles see it.

Just so you know, the use of the National Guard and the military to stave off civil disturbances is nothing new.  If you check out "Sir. No,Sir" the documentary about the soldiers' resistance to the Viet Nam war, you'll see that the black troops unwillingness to commit to curbing civil unrest was what kept them off the streets during the '68 convention in Chicago.  

Indeed, it was the reluctance of the troops to follow orders as given which eventually led to the end of the draft, in hopes that paid volunteers would be more amenable to following orders.  Clearly they are.  They are killing civilians in Iraq right and left.  The problem is that once they get out of the war zone where they are in fear for their own lives on a daily basis, reflecting on what they've done leads to mental collapse.  It isn't normal for most humans to kill other humans other than in self-defense and when self-defense turns out to have been a manufactured delusion, the brain revolts.  

We are creating a huge number of mentally ill people in an age group that should be self-sustaining and contributing to the economy.  In a sense we are doing the same thing to undermine our society that the Soviets did in setting up a society that could only be negotiated successfully drunk.  The F-15s breaking up in mid-air should serve as a warning.  

You'll be pleased that McCain tanked in Maine's Rethug (non-binding) staw poll "caucus" this past weekend, Monica.

...so much for Snowe & Collins "pulling weight" w/activists as his "Co-Chairs."

We're all getting quite a kick out of it....

They don't even allow absentee voting--it's basically a total farce (might as well stand on a street corner, & raise your hand).

A total waste of anyone's time...the Portland caucus went on for nearly 6 hrs. Ouch. They have per county caucus, which makes it a bitch for people who have to travel, arrange childcare, shift work, transportation issues, etc.

Of course, the MRP Chair is "spinning" it as a huge turnout.



The Paul supporters who managed to turn out (not many, despite the media hype) were treated like bastard children--didn't play well w/the party's control freaks (primarily fundy Baptist nugjobs; and Romney's LDS wackos turned out).

They perceived McCain as "too librul" & "soft on immigration."

Xenophobia lives on in redneck rural Maine.

What a hoot.

Indy wrote "Voting for funding in 06 was tantatmount to supporting the Iraq war/occupation. Saying there isn't a war when people are dying in large numbers is sophistry."

Tantamount, meaning the equivalent?  In your opinion, then, every person who voted to fund troops in theater in 2006 supports the Iraq occupation. 

People dying is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for war to exist.  In your view, how does the U.S. become at war?

In response to a number of complaints that there are not enough Black and Hispanic people appearing on TV, the Network has
decided that in the future - 'America's Most Wanted' will be shown 'TWICE' weekly.lol

From Maria Shriver at UCLA yesterday:

"He's not about himself," she told a cheering crowd at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion. "He's about the power of us and what we can do if we come together. . . . He is about empowering women, African Americans, Latinos, older people, young people. He's about empowering all of us.
-------
She gets it.

Indy wrote "They think that what they have embraced is enough to convince others."

Go look at some tracking polls, then come back with your thoughts.

33.

Phil

I don't want to engage in an argument between apples and oranges. The only part of my auto insurance that is mandated is that part which will pay for my emergency room care whether the other guy has insurance or not. No part of it is mandated for damages to a vehicle.

Homeowners insurance isn't mandated by the government for your home either.

Choice.

Garnish wages? Please!

11:05 AM EST

I'm just popping in here on my lunch break -- BO and MO events for today:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hqblog

Senator Obama will appear at the following events today...

East Rutherford, NJ

STAND FOR CHANGE RALLY
IZOD Center at the Meadowlands
50 State Route 120
East Rutherford, NJ
Doors Open: 10:00 AM 

Hartford, CT
STAND FOR CHANGE RALLY WITH BARACK OBAMA
XL Center (formerly known as Hartford Civic Center)
One Civic Center Plaza
Hartford, CT

Doors Open: 3:30 PM

Boston, MA

STAND FOR CHANGE RALLY WITH BARACK OBAMA
Seaport World Trade Center
Commonwealth Hall
200 Seaport Blvd.
Boston, MA

Doors Open: 8:00 PM 

Michelle Obama will also appear at an event in Tucson, Arizona...

RALLY WITH MICHELLE OBAMA
Fox Theater
30 North Church St.
Tucson, AZ

Event Begins: 4:00PM

11:07 AM EST

Si se puede

ciao

40.

Mainefem,

Thanks for that eloquent update:))

41.

Steve

Why don't you just go on BarackObama.com, click on issues, then healthcare. You can find all the answers to your questions you ever wanted to know, and then some.

Indy Steve, please, just because people use Obama slogans, does not mean they don't know about the issues.  Lighten up. Also who said they were trying to convince anyone.

I'm on my way out the door to see Michelle.

hives Listen to Alex Jones Contact TruthNews
Coulter: Hillary is “Our Girl”
Kurt Nimmo
Truth News
February 2, 2008


Case closed. You don’t need any more evidence there is little substantive difference between “conservatives” (neocons) and “liberals” (neolibs) than the pronouncements of the Queen of Hateful Shrill, Ann Coulter, the “author” who registers to vote in multiple jurisdictions and gets away with it.

Hillary is “more conservative” than John McCain, the Manchurian candidate who hates “gooks,” mostly because the Bilderberg Queen and selectee of preference by the Rothschilds and the elite is more on track with the neocon and neoliberal plan to kill recalcitrant Muslims, break their countries into manageable pieces along tribal and ethnic lines, and impose IMF and World Bank schemes on them and thus steal their natural resources and reduce them to slave labor gulag inmates à la “communist” China. what more do you all need to know its stage ann coulter will support hillary wake up !!!!!!!!!

37.

I expect HC to be better prepared for the Office and more resilient against the reactionary push backs. Should she lose the nomination, okay - another Clinton administration isn't essential.

I will then climb on the Barack Obama bandwagon and support all the promise his election
will carry.

 

Ronald

In all fairness, will you also "support all the promise her election would carry?"

sp=straw.

Robin Morgan came out strongly for Billary--my guess is that Obama's waffling on GLBTQ folks might factor into it.

It's the intellectual historian feminists who are moreso ABH, vs. pro-Obama.

There's a time to be pragmatic; and I admire them for doing so.

Esp. the uber-historians, such as Dr. Alice Kessler-Harris, & Dr. Linda Gordon.

They're outrageously intelligent; and have had to claw and scrape their way to the top of the academic "heap," if you will.

I unsubbed from NOW the day that Kim gandy came on in gangbuster mode--nor am I impressed w/Ellen Malcolm.

Emily's List is always a contradiction...they dissed someone totally feminist & progressive, like Jean Hay Bright; and at least have the sense to support Chellie Pingree's U.S. House primary.

They came out early for DLC Billary.

It isn't even logical (from a feminist perspective).

Shame on Steinem.

Yes, Billary has taken a misogynistic trampling from Tweety, etc.--all female candidates are criticised for dumb shit like wardrobe, hair, makeup, "voice," and wrinkles.

Men never endure it (although, they'll pounce on McCain in an ageist manner--RayGun wasn't exactly a spring chicken).

However, it's her DLC triangulation that hurts her w/intellectual feminists...those who are aware of the intersections of race, sex, and class in America (more specifically, with welfare deform--which is nothing short of systemic misogyny and racism).

'Ya can't validate "motherhood" w/the Soccer Moms; while simultaneously demonizing low income divorced women (who don't have millions at their disposal, when leaving a slimebag like Big Dog).

Those women don't have the "luxury" of being "misty-eyed," and of spewing this socially constructed Victorian Cult of True Womanhood notion of "mothering."

Obama is a few degrees better, but not by much.

Actually, Michelle is a stronger advocate--articulates very well in the public sphere. Nothing wishy-washy about her!

It's a matter of factoring out the known negative variables; and going w/what slim margins 'ya got goin' for 'ya.

A.B.H.

NONE of the Dem. candidates are palatable (as bonafide "progressives"--it's a given).

Time for pragmatism.

Billary ain't no feminist, that's for sure.

Fanny Lou Hamer is prolly doing somersaults in her grave.

rd,

They missed Michelle in Salt Lake at the Salt Palace Convention Center at 11AM.  Hope it hasn't been cancelled.

Talk about 50 state strategy.  First time I can remember that a National Democrat has campaigned in Utah one day before a major vote.

47.

Joan* In*Florida
Mon, 02/04/08

Joan,

If that's the kind of answer you give to people who have questions, then you will not convince them. Do  you even know the answers to my questions? Or are you just trying to put me off. I don't find the answers there which is why I asked.

How does Obama lower costs when the healthiest and the risk-takers will opt out?

It's a simple question that begs an answer. Slogans and emotion just doesn't cut it.

Hilary is crying again:  will it work again?

 

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/02/clinton_crys_in_connecticut.html

Denise wrote: “Hillary is not progressive at all and she does NOT support his 50 state strategy. Anyone who supports her does not support his idears.”

I don’t entirely agree or disagree. I think Clinton is a progressive, though not much of one. My point, however, was not to make her out to be one. I was simply agreeing with Colleen Wieber that 1) people shouldn’t be judged as not progressive solely on the basis of their support for Clinton, and 2) it wasn’t requisite to support Obama just to post here.

As to whether Clinton supports Dean’s 50 state strategy, I could not agree with you more. The main source of my antipathy towards her is her direct opposition to Dean’s influence in the party.

Joan wrote: I don't want to engage in an argument between apples and oranges. The only part of my auto insurance that is mandated is that part which will pay for my emergency room care whether the other guy has insurance or not. No part of it is mandated for damages to a vehicle.

I don't think that's true. The mandate on auto is for liability IF you cause damage or costs to someone else through your actions. So if you cause an accident, your insurance covers their losses (both property and medical/pain). That is the point of mandates. Everyone shares the cost they impose on others. Insurance is all about spreading the risks, costs and benefits.

It is not apples and oranges. If your choice doesn't affect others, fine. But when it does, you will agree that you should be responsible for those costs, right? One way or another, either through mandates or lawsuits, you will be held responsible. Why not through insurance?

Indy wrote to Joan "If that's the kind of answer you give to people who have questions, then you will not convince them. Do  you even know the answers to my questions? Or are you just trying to put me off."

I noticed you don't answer questions at all.

Operating a dangerous, potentially lethal, machine on a public thoroughfare is in no way comparable to suffering an injury because of the laws of gravity and motion or being infected by a disease-causing organism.

Conditioning the former on making adequate financial provision in the event of causing an injury while operating a vehicle is a response to someone choosing to do something dangerous.  There are other options.  Don't drive a vehicle on a public thoroughfare.

Somebody not doing something does not force someone else to do something.  I think it's really important to pay close attention to who's actually doing what to whom.

Insurance aims to protect against damage that's not likely to happen, but might.  For example, I've owned and operated automotive vehicles for fifty years.  I've never had a crash or suffered damage more serious than a dented bumper and never filed a claim under the insurance I've been purchasing in all that time.

Owning and operating a dangerous machine creates risks which the community as a whole should not assume.  Survival is a risky proposition because of dangers large and small.  That's what we organize ourselves into political entities to mitigate.

Now, you can argue that if people get sick or their bodies don't work right it's their own fault, but you'd be wrong. 

My point about mandates is that those who are currently uninsured AND who are not healthy (thus much higher cost) will sign up for obama's coverage. That will raise premiums significantly. While those who are healthy (or bet they will stay that way) will not.

I have not seen a significant refutation of this point. Krugman makes the same point. It's worth a read because Obama supporters need to respond with substance, not slogans.

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/health-care-thoughts/

So Hillary is crying again in public in a tied state? Can you even imagine if Obama started crying? Give me a break.

11:35 AM EST 

Hillary voted against a ban on cluster bombs

Obama voted for the ban:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-rees/clinton-obama-and-clust_b_84811.html

Clinton, Obama, and Cluster Bombs

Posted February 4, 2008 | 10:51 AM (EST)

If you're a friend of mine, or a fan of "Get Your War On," you probably know how important the issue of cluster bombs and landmines is to me.

It was America's use of cluster bombs during Operation: Enduring Freedom that led me to start GYWO seven(!) years ago this fall

...

Over 150 nations have signed the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. It pains me that our great nation has not. But in the autumn of 2006, there was a chance to take a step in the right direction: Senate Amendment No. 4882, an amendment to a Pentagon appropriations bill that would have banned the use of cluster bombs in civilian areas.

Senator Obama of Illinois voted IN FAVOR of the ban.

Senator Clinton of New York voted AGAINST the ban.

Analysts say Clinton did want to risk appearing "soft on terror," as it would have harmed her electibility.

I'm not a single-issue voter. But as Obama and Clinton share many policy positions, this vote was revelatory for me. After all, Amendment No. 4882 was an easy one to vote against: Who'd want to risk accusation of "tying the hands of the Pentagon" during a never-ending, global War on Terror? As is so often the case, there was no political cost to doing the wrong thing. And there was no political reward for doing the right thing.

But Senator Obama did the right thing.

Is Senator Obama perfect? Of course not. Nobody who voted for 2005's wack-ass energy bill is perfect. Nobody who voted to reauthorize the Patriot Act is perfect.

But of the two remaining Democratic candidates, one decided her vote on Amendment No. 4882 according to a political calculation. The other used a moral calculation.

I'm 35 years old, and over the years, I've had two experiences in the voting booth: I've voted for politicians I really respected, who I knew could never win. And I've voted for politicians I didn't really respect, because I knew they could win.

Tomorrow, I'm going to vote for a politician I really respect, who I know can win.

4.

Phil Specht
Mon, 02/04/08

Reply to this


Obama supporters are living in a fantasy world if they think we can get health care for all in a new plan without some form of mandates, which is why of course Obama mandates children's coverage.

___________________-

Phil, surely you have noticed that the Obama supporter don't want to discuss the facts. That is the point. You bring up facts, they thow out personal attacks.

Intentionally ignoring his record and the reality for empty words.

Bush 2.0

Indy wrote "Obama supporters need to respond with substance, not slogans."

What did you think of Howard Dean's plans for health care coverage? 

Mandates are for the agents of government.  They're expected to do what they are told. 

Individuals' behavior is addressed with prohibitions--don't kill, don't rape, don't steal, don't drive drunk,etc.

Simple, really.  

The problem is that our agents of government don't find their duties particularly attractive.  They'd really rather be in the giving orders business and, even more, they'd like to do what little they do do in secret.  That's why they've gone into these public/private partnerships--in hopes that their machinations can be conducted behind the closed doors of the board room.

The quest for immunity from accountability is really essential.  If private corporations performing public functions can be held accountable for malfeasance, then that's a major set-back for the do things in secret crowd.  Where will they hide?  The establishments of religion aren't working out too well and the private charitable foundation is entirely dependent on "voluntary" contributions.  (You see, what makes government attractive to entrepreneurs is the apparent easy access to a guaranteed stream of revenue from taxes.  That's why Clinton's buddies, the Stephens Group, are now in the state and municipal bond business.  I think what they're aiming at is to hock all existing improvements for current expenses and then get future tax revenues pledged to pay the bonds off). 

NEW THREAD

 In your opinion, then, every person who voted to fund troops in theater in 2006 supports the Iraq occupation

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

duh

"Ronald

In all fairness, will you also "support all the promise her election would carry?"

Joan,

I'm wondering if this might be a trick question.

I have made a pragmatic decision to vote for HC in the primary
because I forsee, as best I can, that she will be better prepared to meet
the challenges of the Presidency in the coming years.
And, that better preparation will bring better results.

She is tough enough to withstand and prevail over interest group and
media pressure that will be deployed against any substantial changes
in business as usual.

I expect to be disappointed with many business as usual practices that she
will probably not challenge. 
So, I will answer that I don't see a lot of symbolic "promise" in her campaign.
I would congratulate her for being the first woman to serve as President of the US.

Obama hasn't showed enough substantive policy difference with HC to win my vote in the primary.  I don't see much, specifically, in the way of challenging business as usual
that differs from my expectations from HC.

He is running more on "promise."  And I think it is working for him.

  

From Obama's website;

1. Affordable premiums, co-pays and deductibles.
2. Subsidies. Individuals and families who do not qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP but still need financial assistance will receive an income-related federal subsidy to buy into the new public plan or purchase a private health care plan.

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

The devil is in the details, and there are precious few. What is considered "affordable". It's a buzzword without meaning unless defined with details. What is the level of income-related subsidy?

When paired with no mandates, I see the premium costs going higher and the subsidies lower (because of deficits and reluctance on the part of Obama to say he will raise taxes). These same questions can be applied to Clinton's plan but at least the mandates will enlarge the risk pool which is what will keep premiums in check.