Wow--what an event. I'd like to see how the 101st Fighting Keyboarders and Yellow Elephants react to this. Ought to be fun.

There are fifty-six Democratic veterans in total running for U.S. Congress in 2006.

Tim,

I would find this more uplifting if I knew how many republican veterans there are running for U.S. Congress. Do you have a number on that?

Hey. I think the number is either 5 or 6 ... compared to 56.

Tim

5 vs. 56 a very good talking point don't you think?

5 or 6? That seems like 3 or 4 too many.

This is powerful stuff. Each of these guys should have their dog tags visible for every speech as Bill Winter did and the comments from Eric Massa on taking the flag out of Karl Rove's hand was exceptional. Maybe, just maybe we can change things enough in November to prevent World War III.

Thank You God, for the beautiful in spirit and caring in character, "Our Democrats!" You are on the road to victory. Everyone seems ready to do the right things to insure our success. I wish I could hug each one.

Kerry & Clark Coming to Band of Brothers Event Tonight

Click here for more details about tonight's event.

Thanks for posting this! Jeff Latas, candidate in Arizona's CD 8, is on the far left in the picture of the group crossing the street, and third from the right, front row, in the picture on the podium.

The current administration is also using the Armed Services as a means to do data mining on US citizens..

Another question needs to be asked ... NSA vs Defense Dept Data Mining (spying)
There has been several quotes from political/NSA sources that says they are not involved w/ the Data mining that is going on concerning US citizens. Well, duh. It is the defense dept that is most likely doing this. YET, no one seems to want to say the obvious. Talk about corruption.

johnc

Tonight's event was powerful - wall to wall veterans and supporters full of ideas and ideals. Some old classmates were reunited and servicemates from various conflicts swapped stories and laid out campaign agendas. Kudos to Dick Klass and his crew who pulled this together - it was great to see so many old and new friends. 2006 is going to tbe the year of the veteran! Christine Pelosi (DNC California; co-founder DNC Veterans and Military Families Council)

Hmmmm....so the DNC goes Daily...

I was at the event yesterday, as a supporter for Andrew Duck from the Maryland 6th district. I've been working on his campaign for a few months now, and I can speak to the integrity of the man, as well as to the organization Band of Brothers. Anyone who wants to accuse Democrats of being soft on National Security should take a hard look at these men and women, because they all know what it means to literally "pick up a gun and stand a post," something a lot of the chickenhawk Republicans in Congress never got to experience while they were evading the draft in the National Guard. If you live in a district where one of these candidates is running, help them, support them, and vote for them.

I, too, had the opportunity to attend the Band of Brothers press conference in Washington, DC yesterday. It was a truly inspiring event and I was impressed with the amount of media present. Standing in front of the US Captiol I was struck with a sense of urgency. Right now it seems so many on the Hill are more interested in how they can gain personal advantage from their positions than in treating their service to the People as a privilege. The veterans up on that stage yesterday represent our opportunity to change the culture of corruption. I urge all of you to get active and support these candidates whether they are in your district or not. And lastly, let me say GOOD LUCK to Andrew Duck and all of the other candidates at yesterday's event!

Hats of and thanks to Max Cleland and all other vets. who have put their money where their mouth is, in marked contrast to the current administration and its toadies. The Fighting Dems -- brilliant - that could be a winner, guys.

And let's not forget to keep pointing out the hypocritical and opportunistic nature of Uglicon's position on military service -- remember during the Bush/Clinton campaign HW (and Rush and rest of the halleluia chorus) couldn't mention Bill's name without the the adjective "draft-dodger" preceding it?

All the soundtracks were choppy and distorted -- and that's over cable!

Nothing I heard from Cleland or any of the candidates was new or inspiring, though I'm sure they're all very fine folks and worthy of our support. (At this point, ANYONE who could beat the NeoCons and the Bush oligarchy would be a worthy candidate!)

However, what do they have that would motivate anyone to vote for them? Especially, can they energize non-Democrats to vote for them?

I want to see some message here; some noise; some motivation and inspiration. They need to get the message out and get it across. Be quick, firm, tough and energized. Above all, they need to be united. If all they have is a 30 second slot, don't waste time on introductions.

Who they are and what they stand for doesn't matter in this particular message. We already know they're against the ruling cabal and are probably ok. We just want to be "wowed" in the brief moment they have to introduce themselves.

All the soundtracks were choppy and distorted -- and that's over cable!

Nothing I heard from Cleland or any of the candidates was new or inspiring, though I'm sure they're all very fine folks and worthy of our support. (At this point, ANYONE who could beat the NeoCons and the Bush oligarchy would be a worthy candidate!)

However, what do they have that would motivate anyone to vote for them? Especially, can they energize non-Democrats to vote for them?

I want to see some message here; some noise; some motivation and inspiration. They need to get the message out and get it across. Be quick, firm, tough and energized. Above all, they need to be united. If all they have is a 30 second slot, don't waste time on introductions.

Who they are and what they stand for doesn't matter in this particular message. We already know they're against the ruling cabal and are probably ok. We just want to be "wowed" in the brief moment they have to introduce themselves.

All the soundtracks were choppy and distorted -- and that's over cable!

Nothing I heard from Cleland or any of the candidates was new or inspiring, though I'm sure they're all very fine folks and worthy of our support. (At this point, ANYONE who could beat the NeoCons and the Bush oligarchy would be a worthy candidate!)

However, what do they have that would motivate anyone to vote for them? Especially, can they energize non-Democrats to vote for them?

I want to see some message here; some noise; some motivation and inspiration. They need to get the message out and get it across. Be quick, firm, tough and energized. Above all, they need to be united. If all they have is a 30 second slot, don't waste time on introductions.

Who they are and what they stand for doesn't matter in this particular message. We already know they're against the ruling cabal and are probably ok. We just want to be "wowed" in the brief moment they have to introduce themselves.

Any ideas on how to get folks in the New Orleans area motivated to vote Democratic? Seems like now would be the perfect time to drive a few Katrina nails in the Republican coffin in this ravaged city.

Seems like eveyone I've talked to here recently are Democrats -- even KNOWN Republicans! Ha!

Congratulations to the Band of Brothers...I wish them much success in their campaigns to oust the corrupt, lying leaders of our country...why has not this group been more openly advertised? Lately I have been convinced that with this wireless surveillance now being investigated, that much of my emails to various organizations, the media, talk shows, are not being delivered...just this morning, in order to post my opinion on the Michael Brown investigation, the return was 'page not available', as opposed to 'undeliverable' and 'area is not available'...what is going on, are we really being monitored by the government, and why do we not see the shame heaped on Cindy Sheehan, or the lack of action in the wake of Katrina, and what about this new group 'Fallen Heroes Fund', to be build in San Antonio, TX...is not the federal govt responsible for caring for the wounded veterans...anything that takes place in Texas is very suspect, like Tom DeLay and his goons...and where are the Democrats, why the silence from our leadership...true when one of people appear in public, the GOP swarm like vultures on each and every word...or the more reason to come back hard and slam the GOP leadership with their mishandling of the war, WMD, Katrina, disabled veterans, tax cuts for the poor, elderly, disabled, kid;s education and tax breaks for the rich and corporate welfare, and corruption in government...these points have to be hammered to the public...much the way the GOP hammer us with nonsense like 'plantation' and 'chocolate city' word and Hillary being angry...but we have facts to back up these points...where is Democratic exposure on the TV talk shows, on C-Span, CNN, MSNBC...odd that more Democrats are asked to appear on Fox News than the other channels, and it is against my religion to watch Fox on a regular basis...so get out their and match the GOP, 'tit for tat', and we have a great shot at taking back our government from the corrupting liars...

Tim,
Thanks for a job well done. I'm a part of the Duck Team and I approve this message! It was nice meeting you and perhaps our paths will meet again. Next Jan. when Andrew takes the oath for Congress!
Russss

Tim,
Thanks for a job well done. I'm a part of the Duck Team and I approve this message! It was nice meeting you and perhaps our paths will meet again. Next Jan. when Andrew takes the oath for Congress!
Russss

I'm a Republican, and a veteran, so do you guys hate me as well? Why is it than when Corrine says that 5 or 6 Republican vets running is 3 or 4 too many, that's OK, but when a Republican says a vet who is a Democrat is poor candiate, that is insulting. Double standard anyone.

As a vet, allow me to enlighten you. Just because you are a vet does not give you immunity from saying foolish things or introducing foolish ideas. You should get the respect due to you for your service, but shouldn't then exepect to be seen as untouchable on defense.

I personally think it is AWESOME that vets are running for office, and I don't care what service they are from. Keep up the party vs party crap, and you'll never fix DC. Big V (for veteran, little R or D for party).

Thank You, Our Darling Fithting Boys, You are wise beyond your years. The reason Soldiers make
such good candidates are because they learned so much about defense. They can defend our rights as well as our freedoms. I believe God gives the men and women, brave enough to fight a war, special insight on Liberty and Justice. Most men or woman don't have this power unless they have had to struggle some way or another in their life. Look at all the people in Government, local and Nationally, the ones that have had to struggle at some time in their life have the ability to put themselves in the place of another especially those that are underprivileged?
People that have very little if any sympathy for others usually are those that have always had it good. The reason the Kennedys have such a big heart is because their Grandad had a lot to overcome because he was an Irish Catholic. There are many others with this ability like the Clinton's! Get to know those that will support your freedoms and equal rights and know the ones that you should vote for as well as those that will take our Nation a different way.
Most Republicans don't have this even if they have struggled because they became callous. You can spot them a mile off because they talk of sink or swim, pull yourself up by your boot straps, etc.! They don't realize some people have been abused for so many years, they have lost their confidence, there are many others, for instance the slaves, that have been put down for so many generations haven't the confidence to pick themselves up. The best way to handle this kind of person is to build up their confidence for generations by telling them they can. Education took many off welfare under Clinton. But look at the Republicans they had a perfect example in the Clintons and only one or two learned anything from their example. They shouldn't be hated for their lack of understanding but know them and avoid them like God's Word sayes. I hope our Republicans and some Democrats loose their Callous attitudes and vote for those by reason of exercise have become wise about Liferty and Justice. Let Republicans and some Democrats began to have deep thoughts and meditate on those that can help all the people of our Nation and not just help the wealthy.

I'm so very happy to have the opportunity to comment on the 2/8/06 gathering of the Veterans for a Secure America. You were, every one of you, inspiring and give me hope. Your sincerity and passion about what you are saying brought tears to my eyes. There are so many of us out here who wait for those who bear that message.

I do not fear the terrorists, I fear our current administration who, though obviously corrupt, continue to have mainstream media helping them to 'catapult the propaganda' which they are preaching. I believe that we should be most fearful of those who would trample the rights that every veteran has nobley defended. I support you and, even though none of you live within a district where I can cast my vote for you, I will send a financial contribution within the next month.

Thank you, not only for what you have already done, but for what you are willing to do. Yes, I am willing and eager for you to serve our country in Washington. God speed!

Schroeder

My father and grandfather server this country in honor for the pass 50 years in both of their lifes. And it is really wonderful to see a group of people called the Band of Brothers to stand up for my Dad and grandfather rights. I hope we can win house back from the republicans and fixed most of the problems causes by republicans.

Do you left wingers "ever" remember that we actually got nailed by the religion of peace?? (WTC Attacks!)

That little stunt was declaring war on America! Not like fascists would care or anything.

http://www.hilldabeast.com/

It's about time they banded together rather than allow the pugs to pick them off one at a time.

While I'm certain that those in the G.O.P. will do their best to discredit these men like the did John Kerry, this show of fighting Dem's supporting bill's that would help our troops in the field will make it so much harder for them to paint our party as being soft on defence.

NewDem

Big V (for veteran, little R or D for party).

Posted by EricSmith on February 10, 2006 at 11:49 PM

Big V? Don't the big v's have a website. This is a Big D, that's a Capital D, Democratic website.

Honestly, i wonder if people with conventional morality are the best choice, given our "lets get our war on" attitude in the current misadministration. Why is it that the big V with no related job skills are more qualified than the non? Or that party affiliation is taking a back seat?

Good for the fighting Dems, with the capital D...and look at the budget with a capital D for DEFENSE (read aggression) spending. Not feeling safer, thanx very much. Build schools, not bombs.

brian,

you're lost. go to freerepublic.com...say hi to convicted-felon ollie north for me, wouldja?

More Bang for the Buck in our budget at DoD would be a great start.

It's about time the veterans on the Hill stood up together. They should have done it long ago. It is disgusting that these draft dogers have been allowed to trash veterans for so long without some kind of backlash.
Why do the Republican apologists always say that people who point out Bush's flaws hate Bush? I don't hate Bush any more than I hate slime mold. It's just something disgusting that we need to get rid of. Besides, many "Bush-haters" have really good reasons for hating the little slime ball.

It does not matter how many Democrats choose to run for Congress, if they are looking to continue the war and “correct” the mistakes of the current war machine.

The only correction necessary is to stop the war now!

This current war is immoral. And a strike on Iran will only bring more death and destruction to innocent citizens.

We need honest, open and careful diplomacy.

I am a Democrat, I hold office and I will not support or work for any Democrat running for elected office that thinks we need to continue this war in Iraq and on Arabs in the world.

Further, until the war budget to gutted and resources are rightly directed to social programs in the United States we will see the continued economic slide of the United States as we become a third world nation. It is a disgrace that people in the Gulf Coast have no hospitals, no electricity and no jobs. What about a concerted effort to create a civilian conservation corp to rebuild the Gulf area?

Why aren’t Democrats fighting to reverse the tax cuts for the top 10%?

When does the weight of knowledge about corruption, cronyism and the assault and shredding of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights get Democrats to act in unison? We need more voices like Al Gore, Scott Ritter, Joe Wilson and others who are not afraid to speak truth to the corruption, which lives in the White House.

If Bill Clinton could be impeached for a lie and a blue dress, what charges could be put at the feet of the Bush gang?

I am interested in getting in touch with Richard Sexton to help him in Ocean County. I met him last fall at a Democratic fundraiser in Barnegat.

Can someone in the DNC establishment please explain the following: How does the recent news that Chuck Schumer, Harry Reid and the "party regulars" agressively put the kibosh on Paul Hackett's Senate campaign in Ohio square with this celebration of vets running for office? Hackett is a marine who, though done with his service, volunteered to go to Iraq. He came back repulsed by the reality of what he saw and experienced, and a short time later he very nearly beat the pants off that odious Jean Schmidt. Whether or not one believes he was the best choice for the Senate race against DeWine (and I actually think Sherrod Brown is stronger) Hackett deserved his chance to prove himself in the primary. He did NOT deserve the dirty backhanded tactics of the hawkish, and utterly ineffectual, power brokers like Schumer, Reid and that jerk-off Joe Leiberman. If the Democrats want to be taken seriously on the vets for Congress strategy, we'd better figure out that behaving like Karl Rove and his minions is not going to work with a party that consists of many differnt voices and constituencies.

As I said, I personally think Brown may be the better choice, but I am disgusted with the methods the middle-of-the-roaders are using. By letting these creeps run the show, we will see the same disastrous results in '06 that we saw in '04. Let the people decide their candidates, and get the hell out of our way. Those tactics will destroy the Democratic party. The people know better than the tired, old establishment.

Flagstaff Mean to Homeless?

From Feb. 9, 2006 edition, Flagstaff Live:

Flagstaff: not as mean as previously reported

The rural, mountain city of Flagstaff, loves its homeless neighbors. So says a report released by a national homeless rights organization called City Limits.
The report—"Flagstaff: Gateway to the Grand Canyon and Coconino County"—document ways in which local residents and leaders "bend over backwards" to meet the needs of the homeless. City Limits also condemned a recent list released by the National Coalition for the Homeless. The Washington, D.C.-based group branded Flagstaff as being one of the top 10 mean cities in its treatment of homeless people.
"Flagstaff mean to the homeless?" the report said. "Please, give us a break. If anything, we laud the kind souls who live in the northern Arizona community. We laud them because they know the difference between being mean and practicing tough love."
The authors of the City Limits document went on to explain that some actions by Flagstaff leaders could be viewed as being mean, but that put in context, they were understandable.
"We know the City Council toughened its anti-camping ordinance this fall, effectively making it illegal to sleep inside city limits," the report said. "But there are perfectly understandable reasons for the action. For instance, street drunks, a subset of the homeless population, are partially responsible for the spike in the property crime rate in Flagstaff.
"And," the report continued, "recent front-page articles in the Daily Sun indicate meth freaks—our term, not the newspaper’s—add significantly to the rise of property crime in Flagstaff.
"Based on this reality, it’s unfortunate, but understandable that the community rised up to put addicted people in their place—which is either in jail or outside of the city limits."
City Limits bolstered its point by listing actions taken to mitigate the criminalization of sleeping in public. Homeless people now face the threat of fines and/or jail if they violate the anti-camping ordinance. The list follows:
1. Flagstaff churches have followed the lead of their police department, which gives homeless people free rides to the city limit at night so they can camp legally in adjacent Coconino County. Some of the churches are thinking about meeting homeless campers in the morning to give them a ride back into town.
2. Local Democratic Party activists wait on the other side of the city/county line to hand out voter registration forms. A Democrat explained the mission this way: "We need to register more people so we can remove the mean, right-wing national Republican administration in Washington. Doing this would put caring Democrats in control and help send more money back home so we can invest in needed social programs to address the needs of the poor and homeless, who will always be with us to some extent."
3. Flagstaff Councilwoman Karen Cooper voted to toughen the anti-camping ordinance in part because she doesn’t want any more homeless people to freeze to death. So she now travels out to the county at night to hand out hot coffee and soup and old cell phones so homeless campers can call 911 if they feel their body parts are freezing.
4. Randy Wilson, editor of the Daily Sun, has restrained his impulse to constantly brand homeless alcoholics street drunks. He has done this even though he correctly argues people who complain about the term are guilty of political correctness.
Wilson has devised a compromise solution by putting the controversial term deeper into articles and editorials, thus reducing the concerns of the overly sensitive but still leaving a bit of a deserved sting for the deviant street drunks to feel, if they are coherent enough to read the newspaper.
5. Progressive local forces are banding together to raise money, and possibly increase taxes, to start a rehab program in the county jail.
This is a good start, according to City Limits, although more needs to be done:
"We trust the good people of Flagstaff and the surrounding county will fund a variety of programs to confront the complex social problem of homelessness. To do otherwise would indicate that Flagstaff is only interested in spending money when it’s connected to punishment.
"We know this won’t happen because Flagstaff is not a mean city. We are confident taxpayers will find a way to create more shelter space and affordable housing. They will also generate sustained funding for a detox center and create job-training programs and a day center where homeless people can gather safely."
Steve Schneider
Flagstaff

I was shocked to hear today that Paul Hackett had been forced from his Senate race in Ohio by the Party establishment in Washington. The "Fighting Dems" now certainly rings hollow to me and, I expect, many other progressives who want to take back our country and start to repair the damage done by the GOP and Bush/Cheney/Rice/et.al.

RE: Hackett's campaign
If you feel that Hackett has a chance, then his supporters need to continue his campaign for the primaries.
I see two possible scenarios here, from reading the blogs.
A. Hackett would have been a better candidate for Representative and is running against the right candidate for senate.
B. The Ohio state committee is made up of Republi-lites who are threatened by an outsider, and who also could feel threatened by the involvement of more progressive people.
I don't know which one is the case, possibly a bit of both, but getting Hackett into the primary should be the determining factor, not some comittee decision.

The republicans have been doing a horrible job running our country. They've demonstrated incompetence when it comes to the "war on terror", hurricane Katrina, and fiscal policies; they are under investigation for, using a general term, corruption at many state and federal levels; they are increasing the power of the federal government by stipping its citizens of their civil rights. That's just to highlight a few.

Democratic Leaders, isn't this enough ammunition to publicly attack the republicans w/ factual, not personal statements? Where and what are the alternatives to this down-grading of our predominantly middle-class society?

We middle-class are being stripped of our financial security due to rising health care costs and faltering pensions. We can't afford to wait much longer for answers.

I think what the Democratic Party did to Paul Hackett is just another reason why I no longer donate to the Democratic Party. You took the most known Fighting Dem and cut his finances and forced him to quit the race. I don't know Rep. Brown, I'm sure he is a good man. But not wanting to have a Primary so the people could pick their candidate is wrong. That was very bad judgement by the DNC. There were many dissapointed callers on Air-America today. I am very dissapointed. I will keep donating directly to Democrat candidates that I support. But feel the DNC lost a lot of contributers today.

It's too bad that the ODP saw fit to walk away from Ohio's most important war vet, Paul Hackett. As the Democratic Party walks away from these people who embody the beliefs and principles of progressives like myself so will we walk away from the democratic party. For me this was the final nail in the coffin, good luck getting elected republicrats. You officially no longer represent me nor appear to care about me. At least the republicans have the balls to come out and say they don't care about me to my face. F-U Dean and company - kiss Ohio goodbye, again...

It is obvious we need a change in leadership representing the party in the Senate and the House. These backroom tactics against Hackett, combined with ineffective responses to the Bush/Rove spin machine gives me great doubt that the progressive Democratic voice will be heard and be effective in 2006 - and beyond. The only one we now have to speak the truth is Howard Dean - but he, too, often is undermined by what seems to be mindless - and spineless - responses from the elected leadership in Congress.

I am amazed that this is chosen as the lead article the same day that Paul Hacket has been pushed to drop his candidacy for the Senate by people within the party. He has a lot of good things to say and fresh new ideas. Why is he being pushed out?

The "Fighting Dems" should also be a reference to those of us fighting the Democratic Party leadership establishment that has lost the White House, the Senate - and thus the Supreme Court - and House. This latest move against Hackett is another example of inertia that no doubt will lead to continued GOP control and more disasters for our country.

It seems to me that the Democratic leadership has a death wish. Forcing Paul Hackett out of the running has got to be one of the more stupid actions the party has recently taken.

I would take his honesty and his lack of political experience over all of the professionals we have that are currently miss-managing the party.

This is why I won’t contribute to the party. It does very little to advance the ideals that are important to it supporters.

The Republicans are going to have a field day with this maneuver. And the Democratic leadership deserves what is going to happen.
Unfortunately, we don’t. and we have to live with the consequences of the party’s lack of intelligent leaders.

I posted a comment on this blog before I read it. Now that I have I would like to continue my comments, partially because I see that I am not alone in my disgust over the treatment of Paul Hackett but also because of my concern for an open and honest dialog today. I agree that not letting the people of Ohio decide their candidate in a primary is the wrong thing to do for the Democratic Party.
In responce to something I saw on the part of another blogger: One of the basic principles of being an American citizen, which I put first over being a Democrat, a veteran or anything else is that I have not only the right, but the responsibility to ask questions about my country. That includes the government, the president and my party.
One of the things that disgusts me about the right today is the shouting down of dissent. If I make the mistake of disagreeing with what they have to say, instead of providing a counter argument they answer with insults and name calling. That constant harrasment from the right just usually reinforces my determination to defend my right to disagree, it has never solved an argument or changed anyones mind.
Eralier in this blog Brian asked: "As a moderate Democrat in Ohio, can anyone answer the following questions?

What is the plan for Iraq?
How will we defeat terror?

I have a hard time defending our party when the only argument I hear from the left is I hate Bush and we need change.

Anybody have an idea?"
Another poster Fade2bluz answered with: "brian,

you're lost. go to freerepublic.com...say hi to convicted-felon ollie north for me, wouldja?"

That's not an answer, it is the same stupid tactics the right has been using the last 10 years. We are better than that.

These are legitimate questions. We need to respond to them with strong and repeated statements that hell yes we have ideas! Another poster: We have a plan to get us out of the quagmire of Iraq and it is this: We will put the planning back in the hands of the military. We won't just pull out immediatly, but we will draw our forces down as safely and as immediatly as possible based on performance. In the meatime we will seek a real coalition and support from the world to help the Iragi people. We will fight the war on terrorism by hunting down the terrorists and putting a stake through their hearts. But unlike this administration we will support the constitution and the principles of freedom and law while we do it. They are not inconsistant. I have never understood how you can promote the principles of freedom by denying them. These are just a couple of quick thoughts off the top of my head I don't pretend to represent the Party, only myself. Heck yes I am against what is happening right now but until we promote a strong alternative we will always be seen as also rans. We need solutions. We need to promote what we stand for to give people an alternative. The 2004 elections weren't won by the Repugs, they were lost by the Dems. Most Americans voted againts candidates rather than for. That won't change until we have a clear message promoting Progressive ideas and values.
The Repugs accuse us of not having any ideas. They are right in the sense that we aren't vocal enough in proposing and supporting the good ideas that we have, and then driving the message home over and over like they do.

I am furious that Sens Reid and Schumer caused Paul Hackett to withdraw from his senate race. You are getting to be just like the republicans.

Since this was written on the 8th, as
as of today,2/14, you'd better
change the number of veterans from
40 to 39. I am absolutely out-
raged by the news of Paul Hackett
being "uninvited" to run. I didn't r
realize that the Dems were just as
bad to their own as the Reps. and
at last, I have no illusions. I
particularly thought Sen. Schumer
was better than that. Aside from
the moral outrage, that good old
Democratic drive to lose is still
present. Hackett was a great can-
didate and was doing very well in
the polls. Please don't ask me to
waste my money any more.

The loss of Paul Hackett as a candidate in Ohio for the Senate is a tragedy that exemplifies the problems of our party. I am a veteran who believes that we need new blood in the Senate and in the House. When our own party starts eating their young as has occured in Ohio just to promote someone "whose turn has come" it becomes easy to understand why we will lose to the repugs in November. I believe in the message of Howard Dean, and truly support the idea of the Fighting Dems, but am temporarily incredibly upset by this turn of events.

re: hildabeast: how do you figure 9/11 happened because of peace policies? Bush was in office for 18 mos. previous to it, not Clinton. Clinton prevented an attack on U.S. soil in 2000 when it was planned to his LAX and Disneyland. You repugs need to get your story straight and you need to remind yourself, it happened on W's watch, even though he had ample warning. So much for your national security claims!

It's time to take bac America. How long can the people listen to the crap that comes from Bush and his gang? Where is the guts this nation was first founded on?
We've lost our back bone for standing up to these lies we hear each and every day.

We can make this a better world if we start treating people as well as we want to be treated ourselfs.

Old school perhaps but worth a try once again.

I just heard that in spite of our proclaiming that a "Band of Brothers" is retaking the hill, we are forcing Mr. Hackett, an Iraqi veteran who almost won a congressional seat in Cincinatti, to withdraw form the Senate race in Ohio. That sounds pretty stupid and hypocritical. Why are we taking that action?

I can't believe this is your lead story today. This would be like republicans.org leading off yesterday with a story about Bush attending an NRA teach-in on gun safety. Band of Brothers? Band of Backstabbers is more like it.

Schumer, Waxman, Emmanuel, Brown and any others involved in this idiotic debacle need to come clean on their involvement. It would also be nice to know why. Surely they don't care about who is more progressive, which is a bizarre argument anyway as Hackett is far more progressive than anyone the DLC promotes, especially clique favorite (and netroots anathema) Hillary.

Joke seen on Kos: What the difference between Dick Cheney and Rahm Emmanuel? Dick Cheney shoots you in the face; Emmanuel waits until your back is turned.

Could you add this to your war plan? The one that is to go into our Platform? Please ask how can Israel's God, which is the same God of Ishmael,
tell Israel to be good to his neighbor and treat them like he would like to be treated, and to tell his neighbor know the Lord, know the Lord's Statutes for thy good? And tell Ishmael to kill everyone that dosen't agree with his beliefs? God named Ishmael and said his name means God will hear thee. Why did God stop hearing Ishmael & his decendents and why did God stop protecting Israel? Why, when Israel took the promised land, not one single Child of Israel was killed? Why is all of Gods purpose is for all mankind to hear Gods Word, mix it with faith, and obeying his will, according to his purpose. I believe Israel, Ishmael, and Jesus followers should wonder why God is no longer with us like he was when we believed God and obeyed his will? Let us all know the Lord? If we all read the same Word of God,maybe we could? We have an Old Testament and a New Testament and one agrees with the other. God said the Law of Moses was added that we might know how exceedingly sinful sin is. When that Covenant was
broken by Israel their Generations stopped thereby, God brought us the Perfect Law of Liberty through Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior. Maybe at the time the Prophet Mohammed set up the Islam religion it was for that time?
Since the Covenant of Israel was broken, could it be the Prophet Mohammed's agreement could also be broken? God said he sent his only begotten Son to bring Peace on earth and Goodwill to All Men. God also said this Doctrine,
The New Perfect Law of Liberty was for every Nation to live in Peace and have their sins forgiven through the Blood of Jesus Christ by hearing God's Word, believing it with all your heart, soul and mind, and obeying God's Will, will set you free from sin and insure you a place in God's Heaven. Let us all come together and agrre to live in peace for God's Purpose.

Band of Brothers? What the hell is that, another way of saying good ol' boys club? America has had quite enough of fraternal orders running the show. While it is honorable for veterans to be recognized for their sacrifices, those who agree to fight illegal wars are just as culpable as the politicians that start the wars in the first place. Courage is shown in those who have the strength to say No, I will not fight your bloody wars of domination, Intelligence is shown in those who will not accept the propaganda that tricks our young men and women into fighting illegal wars.

let's not talk about our troops in Iraq not having the armor they need, let's talk about the corrupt policies that put them there in the first place, the agenda of conservative republicans and Democrats that authorized an illegal invasion of a sovereign nation aginst the rule of law, against the Geneva conventions - if you want to support our troops - then don't get all rightous when you all let this administration pull the hood over your eyes and coerce you into sending our children to their deaths in the name of full spectrum dominance.

I'm sorry for every one of these men who fought hard to protect what they believe in, after all they sacrifice their liberty to presumably protect ours, these men are led to believe that, I know, I'm a former marine, and any pride I had in that has been soiled by the aggressive agendas of politicians and NGO's.

Let us instead focus on the policies that create terrorism, or perhaps let us take a good look at what terrorism is and ask ourselves if we too might be guilty of those attrocities - torture, rendition, depleted uranium, illegal wiretaps, the School of the Americas, peddling weapons around the world.

Our soldiers are supposed to be protecting our freedom - but our freedoms are being threatened right here at home by this administration - who is protecting us from them?

Brian111 and SPM and many others overtaken with the evil works of darkness. Repent quickly and do the first works of light. We must get rid of the so call religious right. They are the first axil of evil, organized crime, prono and sexual slavery, dope peddlers, war mongers, and all manner of unspeakable evil must step aside and allow the Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward mankind thrive and prosper in all Nations. Go Democrats and ignore the Bad and Ugly and embrace the Good.

I'm glad to see that this conversation, begun a week ago, is still going. It's a conversation Democrats need to be having, and hopefully we can get the establishmentarians to take the wax out of their ears and start listening.

As I stated in my previous post, my disenchantment with the Hackett situation is not due to unabshed support for him over Brown. I think Brown is an excellent candidate, has shown himself to be a liberal (progressive, if you prefer) and is a strong supporter of union rights and securing the safety net for those in need. He has paid his dues without becoming a compromised "party regular".

But that's not the issue here. The issue is whether Democrats truly believe in the open, democratic process - and that means open primaries! Is there any hard evidence to show that Brown was afraid of a primary challenge from Hackett? I don't know how involved Brown was in the trampling of Hackett's fundraising, but I tend to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I will not, however, excuse the party's self-appointed kingmakers like Schumer(who recently went on O'Reilly's show and said "don't lump me in with other Dems. I'm a hawk") and Reid (who seems to have misplaced his boxing gloves when Repubs are in the building). Being from Seattle, I don't pretend to know everything about Ohio State politics. But I sure as hell can recognize when the fix is in. Hackett was treated with dishonesty by the kingmakers. They begged him to run against mean Jean last year, and scuttled him in the latest race. DLC'ers AND DNC'ers are always trying to pull a fast one.And now they're using Karl Rove tactics to eat their own. Not pretty. And definitely not smart. It only serves to disgust people like myself - forty-somethings long active in politics - and discourage teens and twenty-somethings who are just getting started on the road to activism. WE NEED THEM. They are the future policy makers, and what do we show them? A website that purports to back veterans for office, while back-stabbing those who don't toe the line. My Senator, Maria Cantwell, greatly disappointed us with her vote for cloture on Alito. I, along with many others, are finding out more about our resident vet for Congress, Mark Wilson, an anti-war Marine who's challenging her in the primary. And God help the people who try and put the kibosh on his candidacy. We will fight back.

The DLC and DNC created a full-court press in destroying Dean's presidential aspirations. Now that Dean heads the DNC, all I can do is ask:
Doctor Dean - where are you? Are you really running the show or are they still trying to control you too? We need leaders in this party. Please take the lead.

As a Marine during the Viet Nam War I am proud to see veterans standing up to an administration that is out of control. I would encourage the entire Democratic Party to take on the Administration, the Republicans in Congress and Karl Rove with courage and conviction. The Democrats are loosing ground because they have appeared to have no agenda, are weak, and are unwilling to run the risk of looking bad on Fox News. To me, bad press on Fox News is a victory for freedom.

Another Plan surfaced this morning on C-Span and it too is falling on deaf ears of the Republicans.
Unfair Trade Practices needs to put the plan in of Dorgan,Levin, Stabenow, etc.?

The Republicans don't even have an oversight. When Korea sold 275,000. auto's in America, but only accepted 4,000 auto. from America, that is called unfair trade practice and the Republicans don't even have an oversight Committee to correct it? When will the Democrats have the majority to correct these unfair practices? Someone is getting kick backs off this deal.

I guess the problem is that Harry Reid thought the motto was Semper I, while Mr Hackett knew it was Semper Fi.

I don't agree with Hackett at all, but is is pretty slimy of the Dems to put the lead story on the web site as "band of brothers" and then stick it to Hackett.

Maybe Hackett and Reid will go bird hunting......

The dems are as nutty as ever, and the mid terms will show it. Maybe 61 in the senate will fix some things.

Where is Paul Hackett?

Now the Democrats forced an investigation of the
WhistleBlowers that are having their Careers put on hold, Prison, or ruined reputations! This is an idea of Rep. Waxman and many other Democrats with Security clearance to hear what they told and what they had suffered because of telling about the abuse of Prisoners.
This is the most evil deed I have ever heard of in my 70+ years. Nothing comes up to this evil to ruin careers of troops and Security Personel because you gave orders for Prisoners to be tortured? Orders were followed and now the innocent pays with ruined careers or prison!

The Ohio Democratic Party appears to have "Swiftboated" Hackett, the biggest player in the "Band of Brothers", at least that is what is being reported in the Ohio newspapers. The handling of this, leaves me serious doubt as to if the DNC supports veterans as anything other than surfs.
The DNC has not backed Murtha,and now they have backstabbed Hackett... I fail to see how trying to push this image, then doing something that is specifically labled here as wrong, to a member of our own party, helps us in any of this.
Are ever going to stop shooting ourselves in the foot...EVER?

BLOG SHOUL READ...FIGHTING DEMS TAKE THE HILL, ONLY TO GET SHOT IN THE BACK BY THEIR OWN PARTY!

We, Democrats, for the sake of our country and liberties, must take back the House and the Senate, and hopefully in 2008, the White House as well...as an elderly citizen, a political junkie as well, may I voice my opinion on some of the actions take by our Party that I do not agree with...the act of asking Paul Hackett to remove himself from the Ohio Senate race was troubling, especially since he refused to enter the Congressional race against Jean Schmidt...his reason for refusing this campaign is admirable...he promised he would not affect a primary...many people were very impressed with Mr. Hackett and felt he had an excellent chance to win the Senate seat...I was very disappointed by this move from our Party...if representatives of our Party are sent out to the various TV talk shows, at least send someone who is able to speak well, and has complete knowledge of our agenda...this morning, Sunday, Feb. 19, on C-Span's Washington Journal, 2 pretty, very young women, with long, straight hair, were discussing the policies of the DNC and RNC...the GOP representative was well versed in their perennial spin, and almost word for word, repeated their mantra, which I have heard over and over again, from Mehlman, Blankely, the 2 Buchanans, etc. other right wing hacks, while the Dem representative offered nothing of value, no rebuttal, no list of screwups committed by the GOP, and this week there were plenty...when the host, I think it was Pedro, said to the Dem rep she had the last word, she thanked him for having her on the show...where is our agenda, where is our reprimand towards this Administration's handling of Katrina, the Iraq war, the Medicare RX program, the bulging deficeit, the tax cuts for the wealthy...our leadership knows that what is said by them will be picked up by the GOP and twisted and mangled to the point where we must defend ourselves...no way will this win us back our government...we twisted in the wind in 2004 because we wanted to run a civilized campaign, you can only do that when dealing with civilized people...this corrupt, lying and power grabbing Administration must be stopped...you can not send out an inexperienced and unknowledgeable person to present our policies to the electorate...it was embarrasing to watch the Journal today, the GOP girl just ran over the Dem like a steamroller...and she made her point, too...Ethel Golinsky, Manchester, NJ

I heard this morning on C-Span that Democrats are soft on National Defense?
Who was President during WW1, WW2,Korea, Vietnam,Bosnia?
I would say the Republicans are the weakest Link in our Nation. The only way they know is to lead into war with a lie and false pretense, make the rich richer, the poor poorer, and borrow money from the Communist Countries, or give arms to the Contras, cut & run before taking
out a Dictator, and organize the biggest Government in our history. Which forces the children to pay off the parents debt. There is a lot more but the Republicans are so overwhelming with their greed, cronyism,corruption,and antiAmerican, fraudulent contracts.

Democrats are soft on defense. Who but a bunch of wimps would want to treat military personnel and veterans like human beings who deserve decent treatment?
Every good Republican knows that it's Halliburton and the other war-profiteering corporate entites, who are the real entities who deserve all the handouts. ;-p

Ethel (Etty): I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you.

While the "band of brothers" monicker is charming and catchy and of course, there should be little problem enforcing discipline and unity amongst this bunch, we ought to be very careful about electing a military junta.

When I heard the vietnam vet talk about having to make "hard decisions" and "live with it" without any sense of emotion, my blood ran cold.

Some of us are aware of a little of the heinous and secret stuff that went on over there. Still, even today, little is being talked about with respect to Gulf War Syndrome.

Government secrecy is the problem, not the solution.

Claudius; What do the veterans in the Congress have to do with one Viet Vet's emotions?
Do you mean you prefer that these vets get trashed separately by the Bushies rather than get together and stand up against an anti-Constitutionalist administration of draft dodgers that does not hesitate to trash vets who are standing up for these kids who are being destroyed for self-serving lies? Most veterans deeply believed it when they swore to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and DOMESTIC. Right now we are in a fight to save the Constitution and the Bill of Rights from the Bush administration. Get real.

Brian111, I have always been God's fool for doing the right thing for others as I would like them to do for me! I am God's fool for believing in reality. I know what is going on and I am so sad about our Nation being destroyed by the radical right looking for personal gain at the expense of all others. You are either rich or a fool yourself? As I foolishly reach the portals of Heaven. I will hear well done thy good and faithful servant. Enter into the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the earth. In hearing, hear? In seeing, see? And in believing, believe and save yourself from the evil? Can't you see and hear and believe what is happening?

I spent two years in the Army. Do you know how many dopes there are in the military? Just because you learned how to "kill a commie for mommie," doesn't mean that you would make a good representative.

- I BELIEVE This President is INSANE -he's RENTING (HE SAID ON TV-- SOLD)OUR
WATER WAYS -THE IDEA OF ARABS IN GUN BOATS
PROTECTING OUR COUNTRY --IS UNBELIEVABLE AND HIS FANTASY-YOU NEED TO IMPEACH THAT NUT NOW BEFORE HE GIVES AWAY OR SELLS THE REST OF AMERICA AND US
AND WHATS HE DOING WITH ALL THE MONEY.ANYBODY BEEN TO CHECK FORT KNOX LATELY...............

Leehaha;
Do you know how many dopes there are in the civilian world? Just because someone dodged the draft, or refused to sign up doesn't mean they are intelligent or have a sense of social responsibility. Look at the bunch of idiots who are currently in charge of our government.
Only the Rambo types fall for "kill a commie for mommie" attitude, but that type doesn't usually last very long. They either grow up or get out. The rest of us learned to look out for each other regardless of race or ethnicity, and to assess and analyze the situation before we charged in.
Most of the military people I've known and worked with have a great more "give a shit" than a lot of the civilians who chose civilian life because "the money was better", and who are only beginning to understand the negative impact Bush has had on out country, mainly because their jobs were outsourced.
I think you have a lot to learn.

I was just reading through all the posts of the people disappointed with the Democratic Party's handling of Paul Hackett. Everyone who wants to start rebuilding the Democratic party needs to immediately go to the website for DFA (Democracy for America), sign up, and get a local DFA chapter started. This is the grass-roots Democratic Party, and if enough of us leave the corporate social club that the current party has become, we can start fresh, and maybe begin to take the country back again. Stop whining, everyone, and get your asses INVOLVED NOW!! This is the only way we'll get rid of Washington insiders like Schumer, Reid, Biden, Kerry, Clinton and Lieber-scum.

Here's the link: www.democracyforamerica.com

Easy enough, right?