Howard is first and he's a great proponent of equality.

It's my sense that going forward, equality should be your primary issue.  There can only be one explantion for failing to grant the residents of the District the same representation as the residents of every other state--2 Senators and at least one Congressperson--an antagonism towards the principle of equality.

It's perhaps difficult for egalitarians to recognize that some people have a great need to perceive themselves as better than someone, ANYONE, else.  But, there it is.  The elite NEED to have a subordinate class that they're better than and when there's not one that obviously fits the bill, they need to make one.  The residents of the District are one group that's being subjugated in order to make the elite feel good about themselves.  Recent immigrants and migrants are another and the people who are suspected of terrorism are another still.

It's actually rather strange that a nation based on the principle that "all men are created equal" should have such a long history of segregation and exclusionary behavior.  Perhaps it's because many immigrants from other lands were actually outcasts who brought with them a sense of inferiority and for whom equality is just a promise, not a reality.  Quite possibly, those who feel inferior may need to assume a superior posture to compensate for their deficit.  Which is fine.  Let them feel superior; but don't let them relegate others to a subordinate status. In any event, they need to be confronted.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news;_ylt=AqOpSXY3EI7gsCtBHcPjSYKkvrYF?slug=ro-chivasusa091707&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

"It is amazing what you can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit."

CARSON, Calif. – The words jump out from the message board in Chivas USA's locker room. They were made famous by President Harry Truman, but it took the reciting of NBA superstar Kevin Garnett for the phrase to catch the eye of Chivas' players.

The quote has helped drive the most impressive underdog story of the Major League Soccer season.

Its relevance to the surprise contenders for the MLS Cup could not be more striking. Chivas' rise up the Western Conference standings is an exceptional example of the magic that can be conjured with team spirit, passion and motivation.

...

wow keshe, thanks for including me in your thread. you are the best.

we will get it next time.

We may not have won... but nothing in the post above makes me think "failure" either.  You all did an incredible job and got this bill closer to passing then has ever been achieved before.  As we keep building this movement together, we will prevail. 

Thanks for all the hard work you do. And since you didn't give any kudos to yourself... Kesh, you need to take a bow for a job well done!!

 -Charles

These Democratic Senators are showing why I too will no longer be a Democrat if Al Gore doesn't become President and save these losers.

That they can find time and willingness to support an opposition political movement to hurt the Democrats and Progressives further is beyond me. Obviously they don't feel they are Democrats, proud to uphold our rights and freedoms.

That these supposed Democratic Senators voted to punish our PATRIOTISM TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT THE BETRAYAL of a military General to play political hack is beyond anyone who believes in Democracy. These Senators only leave us to believe THEY DON'T. They voted to squash our freedom of speech. To quote another Senator, to say "you're a naughty nasty bad boy". AND they can't do one thing to say Bush is a naughty nasty disgusting murderous fascist pig that he is?

SHAME ON THEM.

Levels of betrayal that happened yesterday in the Senate.

Lying about the state of war is a terrible betrayal. Attacking truthtellers is betrayal as well

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1513

And none of the Democratic leaders speaking out on it.

yes floridagal, it looks like we have a name for the group of Senators who did not oppose the MoveOn Bill.

The BETRAY US Senators.

The Cornyn Amendment Grouped By Vote Position YEAs ---72Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hagel (R-NE)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johnson (D-SD)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Kohl (D-WI)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Leahy (D-VT)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Lott (R-MS)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McCaskill (D-MO)
McConnell (R-KY)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Roberts (R-KS)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Tester (D-MT)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)
Webb (D-VA)



Not Voting were Obama, Biden and Cantwell

Funny thing.  I've got a new diary on KOS which fits in with this theme

Please recommend, if you can. 

And, no, the proponents of equality for the District did not fail.  The agents of the American people failed them.  They failed to honor the principle of equality.

The U.S. Senate just told you to sit down and be quiet. They passed a resolution condemning MoveOn.org and it has one purpose: to intimidate all of us who care about responsibly ending this war. They wanted to send a message that anyone who speaks unpleasant truths about this war will pay. To make everyone--especially politicians--think twice before they accuse the administration of lying.

We can't let that happen, so we're letting Congress know that they're not going to intimidate us. Can you sign on to this statement?

A compiled petition with your individual comment will be presented to your Senators and Representative

If you haven't already done so, please sign Move-On's petition:

http://pol.moveon.org/fightback/?r_by=11268-5303352-0whM6k&rc=confemail

bbl

Those who prefer obedience to independence are cowards. 

You see, obedience guarantees correctness.

Independence contains the possibility that one might make a mistake.

Usually, that's a Republican concern. 

Last week I wrote to you about how my decade long efforts to pass the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) were being blocked by a lone senator.

I asked for your help and thousands responded by standing up against Senator Coburn and genetic discrimination.

It meant so much to me that so many of you were willing to join me in such an important fight. GINA is just one of the many battles I am fighting alongside your Democratic Congress against the White House and Republicans in Congress.

Now I Need Your Help to Keep Fighting.  Please Consider Making A Donation to My Campaign.

You may have read that in the coming weeks President Bush is going to veto children’s health care for million of young Americans, snatching away vital medical coverage from those who need it most.

Or how the President plans to ask for another $200 billion dollars to continue to fund his war in Iraq that has no end in sight.

From GINA, to children’s health care, to Iraq, these issues are dear to me, these fights are important to me. And as long as George W. Bush is President there will be no shortage of them to be found.

In the coming weeks George W. Bush and his Republican Party will attempt to enact policies that hurt our children, our soldiers, and all Americans. No one will be left untouched if the President has his way.

In Solidarity,

Rep. Louise M. Slaughter

Thank you Joan for posting that again.

MoveOn has grown tremendously over the last several years and none of that growth would have been possible without your energy and support. From the war in Iraq to President Bush's plan to privatize Social Security, we have worked together to make sure that our voices are heard on the issues that matter most.

We've always focused on working on the issues that MoveOn members care about.  That's why our primary goal is to make sure you support the issues that we work on now and those we might work on in the future.

Can you take a moment to help us plan our future campaigns?

This brief survey is meant to gauge how interested you are or would be in working on certain campaigns. Your answers will help us plan what we get involved in going forward.  And since we watch these responses carefully, we're counting on you to give us the unvarnished truth.

Please let us know what you think at:

http://www.moveon.org/tellus/

We're ready to take on more campaigns and have a bigger impact—but we want to know where you stand first.

Thanks for all you do

Camp Wellstone is a weekend-long training for building grassroots organizing skills for people interested in making change on issues, electing progressive candidates, or running for office themselves.

The 2.5 day training is highly interactive, combining exercises, lectures, and simulations.  Camp runs Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.  You'll be busy the whole time and make some great networks!

Camp Wellstone is divided into three tracks:

• Candidate track--people who have made the decision to run for office, or are seriously considering it.
• Campaign track--focuses on how to be an effective staff or volunteer member of a winning progressive campaign.
• Citizen activist track--for people interested in learning how to win on issues and build power.

Don't miss out, register today!

~~~~~~~~

almost as good as DFA training

Linda

I share your concern about Richardson's pro business bent, but he and Dodd are the two the speak explicitly about returning the powers which Bush stole back to Congress and the people, as soon as they take office, and I believe both of them.

Everyone is focusing on the Cornyn amendment, but it's the Boxer amendment which is even more offensive since it condemned us too and was supported by every Democrat -- except Russ Feingold. 

Boxer Amdt. No. 2947; To reaffirm strong support for all the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and to strongly condemn attacks on the honor, integrity, and patriotism of any individual who is serving or has served honorably in the United States Armed Forces, by any person or organization.

That means every Senate Democrat voted to condemn me since I have attacked the integrity of Gen. Betrayus. It isn't good politics to condemn the people from whom you hope to get support and votes. 

And speaking of Russ Feingold, in all the mispalced hoopla about the Cornyn amdt, Feingold Amdt. No. 2924; To safely redeploy United States troops from Iraq got voted down when 18 Democrats collaborated with Bush and the GOP.

Nays 

1. <><>Baucus (D-MT)
2. <><>Bayh (D-IN)
   
3. Casey (D-PA)
4. Conrad (D-ND)
5. Dorgan (D-ND)
6. Johnson (D-SD) (welcome back, a-hole)
7. Landrieu (D-LA)
8. Levin (D-MI<>
9. <>Lincoln (D-AR)
10. McCaskill (D-MO)
11. Mikulski (D-MD)
12. Nelson (D-FL)
13. Nelson (D-NE)
    
14. Pryor (D-AR)
    
15. Reed (D-RI)
16. Salazar (D-CO)
17. Tester (D-MT)
18. Webb (D-VA)

Not voting:

1. Biden (D-DE
2. Cantwell (D-WA

Phil, but he doesn't practice what he easily preaches, so his speak means nothing and actually shows how easy it is for some to say anything. I have no reason to believe Richardson, because he doesn't do it within his state.

Do you know he has folks sign resignation letters when he appoints them so if they cross him he will announce he has accepted their resignation? ....without them even knowing. That he will cancel a contract if he contribution wasn't the expected amount?

I believe both of them

You tend to believe everybody with a "D" after the name -- a loyal company man.

You even believed Condi Rice a short while back. 

You maybe shouldn't go as far as me and some others, but more skepticism more often would do you good.

18.

Sitka

How truly disappointing. I did NOT know that. I missed things with the house closing - I guess, obviously. :(

thanks jim webb. gonna have a little word with you at the next event.

I guess it was good politics for Reid to put the Feingold and Boxer votes on the same day since people can only follow so many balls of betrayel at once.

10. LZ XRAY - from last thread

Do you think Iraq's neighbors would go for breaking up Iraq...especially Turkey in the north? That raises the certainty of another disastrous loss of life.

Then, you have an Iranian protectorate in the south of Iraq. A lot of oil there and in the north.

You know, Iran might secretly support our presence there because it provides some sort of insurance againt an invasion of its territory. Certainly, there would be a reaction from the Iranian-backed central government that would inflict a tremendous toll on our project.

Where are the WMD?
What a foreign policy disaster
=============================

The Federalization Plan is not a "breakup" just because its critics want to spin it as such. It is nothing more than establishing and strengthening local State control, of States formed roughly along ethnic lines. We have 50 States like that here and nobody calls it the "breakup" of USA. It is in the Iraqi Constitution.

The greater fear than yours above is that the Status quo will lead to a break up of tribal areas and complete disintegration of any national government and/or one held together by dictatorship, like Saddam. The Federalization Plan is compatible with the current ethnic trend. What Bush "imposed" is a strong central government, no different than what we had with Saddam, only now it is "democratic" which mean "Shiite," the perrenial majority.

You stand condemned by every Senate Democrat -- except Russ Feingold --  for posting that ad. 

Keith Olbermann's comment last night made MoveOn's ad look tame by comparison. Will the Senate condemn him next?

I'll bet he hopes so. 

19.

Phil Specht
Fri, 09/21/07
11:15 am



I share your concern about Richardson's pro business bent, but he and Dodd are the two the speak explicitly about returning the powers which Bush stole back to Congress and the people, as soon as they take office, and I believe both of them.
--------

Do you mean you believe about "returning the powers...back" to "Congress" where it always BELONGED BEFORE and continue to BELONG NOW?

Or do you mean you believe about "returning the powers...back...to the people"? How something can be "returned" to someone WHO NEVER HAD IT BEFORE?

I don't think American people should allow themselves lapses in in simple logic..., because their own "prof. leaders" had it enough for them. Americans have no more room for those lapses any longer..., TOO COSTLY!

here it is again. I love being condemed.

But you know what? this has given the ad more air time, FREE airtime and the american people still want our kids home.

View the ad (PDF)

(Click here for the thinking behind the ad)

General Petraeus is a military man constantly at war with the facts. In 2004, just before the election, he said there was “tangible progress“ in Iraq and that “Iraqi leaders are stepping forward.”
Washington Post, “Battling for Iraq,” by David H. Petraeus.  9/26/04 (see below)

And last week Petraeus, the architect of the escalation of troops in Iraq , said ”We say we have achieved progress, and we are obviously going to do everything we can to build on that progress.”
The Australian, “Surge Working: Top US General,” by Dennis Shanahan.  8/31/07

Every independent report on the ground situation in Iraq shows that the surge strategy has failed.
Independent AP investigation, 9/1/07
Independent L.A. Times investigation, 9/1/07
GAO report, 9/4/07
NIE report, 8/23/07
Jones report, CSIS, 9/6/07

I will be back later and will keep posting the ad.

be tray us is a four star general who sold his country out for a star.

and not on the walk of fame.

in august he spent less than ten days in iraq. the rest of the time was on talk shows. howdy doody goes to washington.

Betrayal is everywhere in the news. We learned from the Washington Post that Alan Greenspan said, in his new book, "I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil." Not keeping our country safe, as the troops were told. Not democracy. Not Weapons of Mass Destruction. Not al Qaeda. Oil! All those lives and maimings about oil! Are you shocked, shocked? It is Betrayal of Trust of the highest order: "Politically inconvenient ... everyone knows..." Oil was not discussed at the Petraeus hearings. The silence in Washington has been polite.

MoveOn's "General Betray Us?" ad has raised vital questions that need a thorough and open discussion. The ad worked brilliantly to reveal, via its framing, an essential but previously hidden truth: the Bush Administration and its active supporters have betrayed the trust of the troops and the American people.

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/1307

I love being condemed.

Me too. But not by the party which thinks it's entitled to my vote. 

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/1307

I find use of the the term "active supporters" curious. Is it intended to differentiate between Republicans who actively support Bush and Democrats who passively support him (such as the 18 who voted against the Feingold Amndt yesterday -- or the 50 who voted with Bush to codemn many us here along with MoveOn)?

I find the latter to be just as guilty of betrayel. 

Question: On the Amendment (Levin Amdt. No. 2898 )

Vote Number: 346 Vote Date: September 21, 2007, 09:57 AM
Required For Majority: 3/5 Vote Result: Amendment Rejected

Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 2898 to S.Amdt. 2011 to H.R. 1585 (National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008)

Statement of Purpose: To provide for a reduction and transition of United States forces in Iraq.

NAYs ---47

Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dole (R-NC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Sununu (R-NH)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)

--------

Once again, the Republican minority is obstructing the will of the American people to demand a change of direction from the pathetic stay the course strategy of the Bush administration....a strategy that has poor and middle-class troops policing a Civil War. Rather than supporting da troops, they seem more interested in supporting a failed strategy with no hope for success.

Where are the WMD?

What a foreign policy disaster.....

18.

Sitka


22.

Linda*in*SFNM


I think this is why Boxer offered the amendment.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swift_Boat_...

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?...:SN00038:@@@P

Levin Amdt. No. 2898 --  To provide for a reduction and transition of United States forces in Iraq.

That's what Bush claims he's doing with his withdrawl of 30, 000 by next summer. But "reduction" isn't what Americans  want. Americans want out of Iraq.

<>However, it's failure shows the utter futility of even trying to collaborate with Republicans unless it means giving them all they demand.

<> 

I think this is why Boxer offered the amendment.

It doesn't make me feel better to have been swiftboated by every Democrat except Feingold.

Sanders' vote for it has to be the biggest disappointment. 

Not sure if this has been posted before, but...

People just don't seem to care about hypocrisy. Just at all the support for Democrats who have voted with Bush by people who loathe him.

I just called Jim Webb's office in DC and talked to a lady there.

I started to get emotional. I asked why he would vote with those right wing republicans. she said he did not think the moveon format was the place to critisize the military.

I told her I worked for the Webb campaign in NN and was very disapointed in his vote. I told her that this was still a free country and we can critisize anyone we want. I got too emotional and hung up.

Dissapointed in you Webb. Really am.

SAVE THE DATE for
TAKE BACK AMERICA 2008
MARCH 17th-19th 2008 - WASHINGTON, DC
AND MAKE A CONTRIBUTION NOW. 

mark that down. I'm going, how bout u?

she said he did not think the moveon format was the place to critisize the military.

According to the Boxer amendt. ANY criticism of anyone the military is condemned -- there is no format for it anywhere.

TAKE BACK AMERICA 2008

I'm starting to wonder, "take back" from whom? Just taking it back from Republicans isn't good enough anymore. It first needs to be taken back from Democrats who no longer know whom they serve.

TAKE BACK THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY 2008

39.
Sitka

Personally I found the ad offensive but I will be the first one to stand up for their right to print it.

As for the the ads framing. Their message missed the target. The Betrayer is Bush.

I support our troops.

I support our troops.

Are you implying MoveOn and others don't?

And do you even support a "troop" even when he is used as a political shill such as Betrayus was?

Blind faith serves no one well. 

46. look at the current ad now up at move on upthread. it's on 3.

and the ad is not offensive, it is correct.

I find this war offensive.

priorities.

sitka,

true

<>Betrayus' commander, Admiral Fallon, repotedly called him an, "ass-kissing chickenshit," for serving as
Bush's tool.

<>Does Admiral Fallon not "support the troops"? 

The BEST part of the moveon.org ad is --- it would probably have been passed over quickly with not much effect, but the Republican Slime Machine brought it front and center.  EVERYone now knows what it said.  Probably 75% of the American people are asking the same question about Petreaus - after Rumsfeld, Franks, Myers, Abizaid...etc.   It  reminds all of us to question authority, especially when we keep losing this war and our brave soldiers.   And the 'Terry Shivo' move in Congress - questioning our 'freedom of speech'. ????  A lot of Americans now much more suspicious....even of some of our own Democrats.  Makes me a little angry, bet it makes a LOT of people angry and - more determined.

Hey Blackwater...THERE IS A LAW!   But -- who will enforce it?

I support our troops and their families, period.


The message of betrayal missed the target.

it hit the target big time kiddo.

45.

Sitka
Fri, 09/21/07
12:31 pm

...It first needs to be taken back from Democrats who no longer know whom they serve.

----------

"Democrats...no longer know"?
...lol, they ALWAYS KNEW whom they serve!

It is American people NOW ONLY beginning to understand: IT'S NOT THEM whom Demos serve.

46. Susan Rowe

<>Betrayus' commander, Admiral Fallon, repotedly called him an, "ass-kissing chickenshit," for serving as
Bush's tool.

<>Does Admiral Fallon not "support the troops"? 

see the "new" moveon ad upthread.