The Deans, DFA and the DFA Grassroots and Netroots are first!

Susan wrote "The Deans, DFA and the DFA Grassroots and Netroots are first!"

Yes, although it's getting a little crowded on the dais during this holiday season.  

repeat

From a letter to today's NYT:

"No one on the current political landscape has even the vision, much less the courage, to tell the truth, much less fight for it. We’re therefore left only with extrapolitical options to confront the forces that are killing the American dream."

9:32 am

Happy Holidays everyone !

Greetings Seasonings!

BUT HE'S TOO SHORT!

http://www.dennis4president.com/go/homepage-items/%91long-shot%92-kucinich-scores-77%25-in-independent-poll/

Democratic Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich, who has been the runaway winner in polls of the Party’s progressive, grassroots base in recent weeks, scored a landslide win yesterday by capturing almost 77% of the vote in a nationwide poll sponsored by a coalition of Independent voting groups across the country.
Of the more than 80,000 votes cast for Democratic candidates at http://www.independentprimary.com by self-described independent voters, the Ohio Congressman received 61,477 – more than three times the combined total of all the other candidates. Former Senator John Edwards came in second with only 7,614 votes, or 9.5 percent. Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were third and fourth respectively. 

Wonder if the Des Moines Register carried this item.

9:42 am

Stan Goff

http://www.feralscholar.org/blog/index.php/2007/12/24/peace-on-earth/

Keep this hope alive.

They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. — Isaiah 2:4

Ain’t gonna study war no more.

9:46 am

Merry Christmas to friends old and new!

Off to the southwest burbs of Chitown today to be with sister and her adult kids - and their wives/girlfriends - and their parents! We haven't had a group this large in many years.

Thinking of all who have passed away looking down at us from heaven, guests at the Christ Child's birthday celebration.

Peace

John posted from the Kucinich campaign web site that "Democratic Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich, who has been the runaway winner in polls of the Party’s progressive, grassroots base in recent weeks, scored a landslide win yesterday by capturing almost 77% of the vote in a nationwide poll sponsored by a coalition of Independent voting groups across the country."

The campaign's excerpt failed to mention that Ron Paul came in second with a far greater number of votes than any Democratic candidate except Kucinich.  That's the independent spirit: break down the walls that separate religion from the state so that this nation's Christian heritage shines through bravely.  Taxes are for suckers.

BEST sparkling wine to toast the day if you don't like the taste of dry champagne

Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc - any year - scrumptious!!

Tom, this should help slake your thirst for trashing Ron Paul (from P.M Carpenter)

http://pmcarpenter.blogs.com/p_m_carpenters_commentary/2007/12/ron-pauls-curio.html

The most pointedly interesting aspect of Ron Paul is, paradoxically, the broadest. Which is to say, it's the vastness of his occasionally microscopic and always idiosyncratic thinking that astounds. Which is to say, after listening to him for a while, one is left pondering: How can a man who gets so much right, also get so much so profoundly wrong?

Yesterday morning this writer's pondering came to an end, thanks to his, ah, informative appearance on "Meet the Press." Paul's simplicity of presentation, it became clear, merely reflects an astonishing failure to comprehend the complexity of history. If a man doesn't know where he's been, he cannot possibly know where he is, or how he got there. Consequently, understanding where to go next becomes, to put it mildly, problematic.

had a very pleasant Christmas eve surprise - about 1 pm my son called to say they couldn't get together at his house later in the evening as planned so they were dropping by at 3:00 to exchange gifts. at 3 pm who shows up?  both sons with wives and all 3 grandchildren in tow, a bundle of gifts and a complete turkey dinner - with a deep fryer for the turkey, something I'd never done before.  they had planned this for days and it was a complete surprise - I simply can't remember the last time I was surprised!

the food was wonderful and it was the most lovely evening I could have asked for.  I'm very blessed and I do hope that each and every one of you feel that you are, too.

off to the next round...  be well!  (have a drink for me, Mike - I'm driving!)

oh, and I have a 'little' Christmas tree story too, but it will have to wait for later today.  it doesn't matter what the symbol is, it's only the thought behind it that counts.

Anyone who thinks of other people as "suckers" doesn't merit a second thought.

John wrote "Tom, this should help slake your thirst for trashing Ron Paul."

God rest ye, merry gentleman.  That won't be happening.  Any liberal who would hold up this year's model of Pat Buchanan as a political tribune should turn in his or her credentials. 

Monica wrote "Anyone who thinks of other people as 'suckers' doesn't merit a second thought."

The question is how did he come to merit a first thought.  

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local...

The solider who has a newborn son in intensive care gets to stay with him until Friday before returning to Iraq.

Glad they came to their senses, somewhat. Let him stay with his baby for as long as necessary!

Merry Christmas Charles and Staff.......

What is the pulled Ad from the DesMoines Reg. being replaced with? How about placing it in NH?

Printable version

Under Operation Condor, six governments worked together from the 1970s to hunt down and kill left-wing opponents.

Italian authorities have been looking into the plot since the late 1990s.

The investigation followed complaints by relatives of South American citizens of Italian origin who had disappeared.

A judge issued the arrest warrants on Monday, following a request from state prosecutor Giancarlo Capaldo.

In total, 146 arrest warrants were issued, reported Spanish news agency Efe, but the list contains the names of six people who are now dead - including Chile's former leader Augusto Pinochet.

Citizens of Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru are on the list.

Those named face charges ranging from lesser crimes to kidnappings and multiple murders.

Under Operation Condor - thought to have been launched in 1975 and running into the 1980s - the six military governments agreed to co-operate in sending teams into other countries to track, monitor and kill their political opponents.

As a result, many left-wing opponents of military regimes in the region who had fled to neighbouring countries found themselves hunted down in exile.

The still unresolved plot continues to cast a shadow over present-day governments in South America, say correspondents.

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

Will this winding link lead through the School of the America's to the Hague?

Chris Dodd exposed the secrets of Central America's dirty wars. War criminals beware should he be elected. He has found his voice on the Rule of Law.

People have "disappeared" in the War on Terror. Operation Condor II ?

http://www.vimeo.com/427808/

I hope this works.  This link is to a cool, virtually astonishing blog video featuring Joe Trippi, senior advisor for the Edwards campaign,  and Jonathan Prince, a deputy campaign manager. 

The first weird thing to me, having sat around about this time in 2003 wondering if Dean's campaign juggernaut would maintain velocity going into the first caucus, is listening to Trippi say almost immediately in the video that in contrast to this year's Edwards campaign, the Dean campaign was "eroding" six weeks out from the first caucus.  I guess he was just being stoic in 2003.

The second weird thing is that about halfway through the joint interview,Trippi leaves the frame to physically detach himself from Prince for reasons he leaves completely opaque.  The reason this is weird to me is because Prince, an Edwards campaign aide in 2004, left the campaign just weeks before the Iowa caucus that year to form an independent 527 supporting Edwards, the kind of organization whose actions Edwards purportedly can't control.  In view of recent developments, the coincidence is delectable.

 listening to Trippi say almost immediately in the video that in contrast to this year's Edwards campaign, the Dean campaign was "eroding" six weeks out from the first caucus. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~that would have been the peak, but a caucus Jan.3 2004 would have still been a Dean win.

Dean number ones got very tired of being "herded"; and Obama is risking the same right now. Edwards learned the lesson.

since Edwards is taking on the same foes, the "angry" Dean has been replaced by the "shrill" anti-corporate Edwards in the media

Dean more had more of a plateau than real erosion, except for newbies (which are critical to Obama this round)

none of this would matter much if Iowa was looked upon as allocating Iowa's delegates to the nominating convention instead of the ultimate test

Phil wrote "that would have been the peak, but a caucus Jan.3 2004 would have still been a Dean win."

The footage is from December 14, 2007 so that the sentiments regarding erosion in 2004 would have regarded the period only days after Gore's endorsement, when it seems most people here believed like me that Dean was a house on fire, but with one possible pitfall: no one knew if the grassroots excitement would translate into caucus votes in Iowa.  We were right to be worried.

Happy Holidays to all who are celebrating whatever it is they celebrate!

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Politics and the primary are still alive and well here though as they should be even though the general elec. is more than 11 months away -- thanks in part to the Republican majority Florida Legislature in cohesion with the Dems.

I  note that MSNBC has had no live news on their channel since Friday and probably won't have until this coming Wednesday. Funny how "breaking news" only happens when it is convenient for them.

Biden is the latest to have a 527 promoting him here.

23.

Looking back to 2004, it might be that no Iowans had Internet Service. The Dean heat certainly never caught on fire there.

22.

Dean number ones got very tired of being "herded"; and Obama is risking the same right now. Edwards learned the lesson.

Phil,

What?! Edwards has been hanging out in Iowa since right after the general election. I can see that if caucus goers there really want change, they may just also want a change of faces.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I was watching a replay of "faith interviews" done by CNN. I had seen it before but don't remember when it was originally done though I believe it was seveal months ago. The only interviewees were Edwards, Obama and Clinton.

It was apparent then that Clinton and Edwards were soooooooooo pandering to the audience, exclaiming how very religious they were, while Obama was philosophical and educating during the 15 minute interview. Clinton actually talked about how she use to say her prayers as a young child -- ow sweet, though who cares. Religion should not be part of the mix as to who would make a strong president. I lost track as to how many times she and Edwards said the word "I"  but it was mucho!

Happy Holidays to all who are celebrating whatever it is they celebrate!

~~~~~~~~~

a toast to all the blog friends has to be one

Peace

23. And the poll numbers showed that too, Dean was at his highest in the 40's in the polls at that time.

23. And the poll numbers showed that too, Dean was at his highest in the 40's in the polls at that time.

Edwards is much less self centered than he was four years ago. It isn't about him anymore it is about the fight. What we the people can get done with him in the White House.He has his priorities straight now.

Howard Dean did all along.

bbl

sorry, bloggie acting up for me.

this is what I tried to say
"23. And the poll numbers showed that too, Dean was at his highest in the 40's in the polls at that time the week following the Gore endorsement.

You have to trust your number ones to show up and leave them alone.

Howard had a broad national base and could have been competitive deep into the process if Trippi hadn't bet the farm on Iowa and mandated a win there.

34. Yes - I like to blame Trippi too -- and the press treated him like he was a genius and Howard was a loser.

I just brought my Sis's semi-wild cat to my house. I asked the vet how to get her in a cage. The vet said 'do you have a cage?" I said 'yes.' She said put food in the back of the cage and when when she goes in to eat, close the door.' It was way too easy. lol Now all I have to do is aclimatize her to an existing cat and dog (and vice versa).

Jo in Vermont - great Xmas surprise for you!

12:43 PM ET

PS - Jim Dean - Happy Holidays to you and yours as well.

The January issue of Money Magazine showed Obama has the least wealth of EVERY candidate of either party!

Net worth of each are:

Obama $1.3million
Hillary $34.9 million
Edwards $54.7Million

(read Money for the other candidates who are also much higher than Obama)

Remember that Obama could have been a very rich man by now, had he continued on as a Wall Street attorney and to continue to teach constitutional law. But he opted out to return to the trenches of the church basements of South Chicago where the very neediest live.

Remember also that he was the editor of the Harvard Law Review and a highly sought-after attorney after that. The world was his to have. That means a lot to  me in choosing a nominee.

Greetings everyone!

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I know one of the reasons Begala/Carville/DLC folks loathe Howard (and all of us) is/was due to Howard calling these guys out for what they are. The NY Times has an article on the campaign money-makers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/25/us/pol...

Has Shrum ever won a campaign?

Predicted temperatures in Iowa on Jan. 3 -- 16 degrees F. Brrrr. I know Iowans are used to that kind of weather, but . . .   Maybe they will opt to get warm at a caucus:))

Phil,

Of Iowa's less than 3 million people, how many would be allowed to caucus?

How do they determine if one is qualified, do they issue voter cards?

Thanks.

Keep the cows warm.

Howard and Jim, a very Merry Christmas and a much better New Year. Rule the Convention!!!!!!

Oh, yes, thank you Annilow....for reminding.

Jo VT....GREAT surprise. Nice holiday. Thank you for sharing.


_________________________________

To the Deans, blog and DFA.......May you have a wonderful Christmas and a cheerful Happy New Year.


...my heart aches in wishing for PEACE on Earth, and having an Earth to wish for.

Be well.

37.

Mary

Thanks for the NYT article link.

This election Dems would be better off to send at least half of their contributions to the DNC and let Howard and his friends spend it where it will do the most good.

Clinton would never suggest that but whoever said she was smart. I believe the others would if brain is in gear and the big money dealers are expelled from the campaign.

Jo

It was a special day for you. Almost reminds me of a Hallmark special:)) Hope the rest of the holidays are just as special for you.

How long has Jesse Jackson been working in the trenches?

(video)James Taylor sings "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" http://music.aol.com/video/have-yourself...

My Christmas gift to all of you...................enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgvFlsP9UQk

Joe Trippi working for Edwards and talking about "attack ads" is a real turn off.

The way these consultants talk about ad buys, you'd think they were trying to brainwash the voters.

It wouldn't hurt to bring "brainwashed" back into the political discourse.

Have any of you had any luck with that Blog Talk Radio?  I can't get it to play on the MAC.

Jo, how lovely!

And to all: a wonderful blessed return-of-the-light. And may it be so for each of us in the coming year.


♥



3:33 pm

47. Oh, man have I been having this conversation with my mother the past couple of days. Brainwashed/born agains/religion/politics. My sister in Georgia with her emails(email this to everyone you know We should be preaching God, not Jess and Nick)Who preaches about Jess and Nick?....She was just telling me this survey she received and asking about the changed primary date and if she plans on voting now...oh and how does she plan to vote on this new tax proposition to lower property taxes (wink wink). I asked her to read it to me...it's another shakedown, for businesses, under the pseudo of lowering taxes, they want to make this a change to the Florida Consitution. I almost screamed through the phone and said OH NO, don't you dare, you see...." Well, today she went to Church, they were handing out fliers telling everyone to vote for the Tax Amendment, because they will get tax breaks......UN BE LIE VABLE.

Merry Christmas, good bloggie friends.  May all your dreams come true in unexpected ways.

We in Portland woke up to a lovely snowstorm..big fluffy flakes coming down softly.  It'll prolly all be gone by tomorrow LOL

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Phil wrote: "someone needs to re-read the Gospels:

I guess many of you missed the History channel special on "Books Banned from the Bible."  It was spectacular and Jesus, in one of the banned books said that heaven and hell are states of mind, not places.  Also, the truly early Xtians did not believe that Jesus was a savior nor that there was such a thing as original sin.  The early church fathers decided that stuff...to keep the masses controlled and ignorant.  

It worked. 

Monica wrote "Have any of you had any luck with that Blog Talk Radio?  I can't get it to play on the MAC."

I've signed up with it and tune in an amateur hockey radio show (the hockey discussed is professional; it's the broadcast that's amateur).  That's just on a conventional PC with Internet Explorer, though.  

happy holidays to my blog family. feliz navidad.

come on by for some snickerdoodles and some mincemeat cookies.

peacke.

pudddle wrote "[T]o all: a wonderful blessed return-of-the-light. And may it be so for each of us in the coming year."

Merry Christmas, puddleriver in WV.

linda b....I may be late....save some. :)

43.

forever so it seems Monica

We have some Swedish Glugg here linda. It goes especially well with snickerdoodles

Can we have a virtual party?

Linda NM has given us a nice new thread for the holidays.

Happy Holidays to each and everyone of you from St.Louis..I hope we can Take Back the America we all love in this upcoming election and hold each and every elected offical to a higher ground than we have been forced to live on.  I wish you Peace and most of all the Democracy we all deserve in this vast beautiful country that cries end this War and come home and build America for a better world that we can be proud to live in.  I wish you health and wealth,,,PEACE