Open Thread
Good work today.
Comments (438) «
Out of Iraq -- Into Darfur
And Yahoo and MSNBC had no choice but to cover the New York City March, since 300,000 activists marched against the Bush Regime.
The tide is turning
Josh,
Made some friends today. Talked about politics. Everyone in California is either saying "I told you so" or "Don't blame me, I didn't vote for him".
Haven't found any Republicans who were willing to go on camera saying "stay the course". Its possible they maybe hiding somewhere, I don't know for sure.
California has been a majority Democratic stronghold for a long time and things don't seem to be changing much with regard to that.
I believe the Democratic Party should be proud of what they are doing.
Thank you and have a pleasant evening.
Hi, I'm a volunteer for John Laesch for U.S. Congress. He is running in the Illinois 14th Congressional District against Dennis Hastert. We took part in the 50-State canvass effort today and one of the people who were out canvassing posted a diary about the canvassing on DailyKos at http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/4/29/211142/765.
YAY!
Hey the old Pretzeldent actually looked VERY uncomfortable at the white house dinner with Colbert. If I didn't know all the things he's screwed up in OUR name I might actually feel sorry for him having to go through that!
I wonder who it was that was laughing hysterically in the background. They kept panning to people but none were laughing. Maybe it was Laura?
Evening! I watched the movie Pearl Harbor for the first time too....... it was sad!
Hi Greg,
Nothing like Spring time in New York with thousands of friends. I wish you could have been there, but I was there for all you guys.
How many people in NY ? About 3 million? and you had 300K show up to rally? Wow that's pretty good!! Did you see anyone inparticular Lizzy?
Thank you Lizzy, for being there for us. I wish I could go with you sometime.
Posted by JaredLash on April 29, 2006 at 11:01 PM
Yay!
Hastert MUST GO!!!!
Congrats Everyone!!!
Don't forget to BREATHE!!!!
It's been an exciting day it seems for many! That is good medicine!
Is anyone watching C-Span for the White House Correspondents Dinner? Apparently Stephen Colbert was really good or bad...depending if you are the President.
Philly has the live blogging
Bush of a Thousand Days by FRANK RICH
woohoo he's back from vacation!
guess I'll crash as no one sees fit to answer me
maybe tomorrow I'll try again
gnite DNC! Keep up the great work!
Night Dawn...sweet dreams...I got lost in cyberspace...so many links...so little time:-)
did you ask a question Dawnie? Sorry, I'm watching a movie at the same time. See you later sweetie.
where did the word "liberal" come from, and what does it mean, really?
What does it mean to you? Is it related to being a Democrat? Can Republicans be liberal?
i know of no liberal republicans. republicans are conservative. or the ones we have today are fascist, i.e. corporatist.
To me they are the same thing, democrat and liberal.
Was there ever a time when republicans were liberal?
On a different topic, did anyone hear Neil Young's album yet?
Hey! What happened to all of Yimminy's post? I find Yimminy's posts to be very helpful and rewarding.
I did find something about liberals. Thank you. Do you want to see it?
I thought it was very good. I liked the version of "America The Beautiful" a great deal. You could tell that he was behind the president until he started to realize how he and the rest of America had been lied to. The songs on the album change in tone.
i have to head to bed Scott but I'll see it in the morning. Take care.
The best song was the one about impeaching the president, of course.
Main Entry: self·less
Pronunciation: 'sel-fl&s
Function: adjective
Date: 1825
: having no concern for self : UNSELFISH
- self·less·ly adverb
- self·less·ness noun
Main Entry: un·self·ish
Pronunciation: "&n-'sel-fish
Function: adjective
Date: 1698
: not selfish : GENEROUS
- un·self·ish·ly adverb
- un·self·ish·ness noun
Main Entry: gen·er·ous
Pronunciation: 'jen-r&s, 'je-n&-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French genereus, from Latin generosus, from gener-, genus
Date: 1588
1 archaic : HIGHBORN
2 a : characterized by a noble or forbearing spirit : MAGNANIMOUS, KINDLY b : liberal in giving : OPENHANDED c : marked by abundance or ample proportions : COPIOUS
synonym see LIBERAL
- gen·er·ous·ly adverb
- gen·er·ous·ness noun
Main Entry: lib·er·al
Pronunciation: 'li-b(&-)r&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin liberalis suitable for a freeman, generous, from liber free; perhaps akin to Old English lEodan to grow, Greek eleutheros free
Date: 14th century
1 a : of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts (liberal education) b archaic : of or befitting a man of free birth
2 a : marked by generosity : OPENHANDED (a liberal giver) b : given or provided in a generous and openhanded way (a liberal meal) c : AMPLE, FULL
3 obsolete : lacking moral restraint : LICENTIOUS
4 : not literal or strict : LOOSE (a liberal translation)
5 : BROAD-MINDED; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms
6 a : of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism b capitalized : of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially : of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives
- lib·er·al·ly /-b(&-)r&-lE/ adverb
- lib·er·al·ness noun
synonyms LIBERAL, GENEROUS, BOUNTIFUL, MUNIFICENT mean giving or given freely and unstintingly. LIBERAL suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given (a teacher liberal with her praise). GENEROUS stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift (a generous offer of help). BOUNTIFUL suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing (children spoiled by bountiful presents). MUNIFICENT suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes (a munificent foundation grant).
Posted by ScottPippin on April 30, 2006 at 12:56 AM
Well, those are definitions of "Liberal" as an adjective. It has no relevance to liberal as a political concept or a noun. Let me help you out:
Main Entry: Liberal as a political concept.
1) One who believes in government above all else.
2) One who believes government should make decisions for everyone as individuals are not equiped to make decisions for themselves.
3) One who lives in the United States of America and believes that Cuba and Venezuala have superior forms of Government and leaders.
4) One who believes their nations borders should be open to every uneducated loser the world can offer in the hopes they will vote for liberals.
5) brainless fool.
synonyms LIBERAL AS A POLITICAL CONCEPT Brainless, goofy, simpleton, dufus, cowardly, foolish, stupid, dolt, dungball, wretched, weenie.
The Presidents comedy bit wtih the lookalike was funnier than Colbert's. Colbert bombed big time.
Posted by PamB on April 29, 2006 at 08:18 PM
Well PamB, Don't get your Depends in a bunch.
Damn, I didnt know Bush was Liberal but here it is. Thanks Winkie
1) One who believes in government above all else. Bush thinks he is the govt and can make all the decisions without oversight. I guess he believes govet above all else.
2) One who believes government should make decisions for everyone as individuals are not equiped to make decisions for themselves.
Bush rushed to Washington to sign a bill to allow the govt to interfere in the Shivo case. I guess he didnt think the husband or his many doctors were equipped to make the decision.
3) One who lives in the United States of America and believes that Cuba and Venezuala have superior forms of Government and leaders. King George wants to be a dictator like Castro, I guess he is envious of these other governments.
4) One who believes their nations borders should be open to every uneducated loser the world can offer in the hopes they will vote for liberals. Bush wanted to sell our ports and he is for the "guest workers" He surely must want open borders.
5) brainless fool. NUFF SAID
does anyone where I can watch a repeat of the White House Correspondents Dinner either to tivo or to stream download?
Good morning, Democrats!
Anyone who thinks that government can't do much good shouldn't be allowed to run for public office.
Have a great day.
"Fox News gives you both sides of the story -- the president's side and the vice president's side,"
Great quote from the Dinner.
Since Jacque's no longer posting funnies,
enjoy
(shout out to the fine folks at Dkos)
Texas, Crooks and Liars has it; I believe DailyKos has a link to the Colbert fireworks. I sat mesmerized. It was truly a 'shock and awe' moment. I hope something good comes out of it! What a brave man Colbert is.
Morning, Dems! Sunday morning talk show lineup from Kos:
60 Minutes: A profile of panda killer Steven Colbert (aka Ted Hitler). Ed Bradley investigates the authenticity of "The Da Vinci Cod" (no, really!) It's sweeps weeks. And a look at leaking radioactivity (no not bush), the Hanford nuclear plant.
This Week: Complete Failure, Condo-liar Rice. Chuck Schumer debates gas prices with former Louisiana senator (and current petro-lobbyist) Bennett Johnston. And in a taped interview, George Clooney on the Darfur genocide.
Face the Nation: More Lies, I mean Rice. Then Maria Cantwell debates ANWR with baby Seal hunter, Lisa Murkowski
Meet the Press: Sec of Energy, Samuel Bodman (who??); Petroleum Pres, Red Cavaney, carnival barker, Jim Cramer; Dick Durbin, and Daniel Yergin, of the Pulitzer-winning book, "The Prize"
CNN: Lies, Lies, Lies, Rice...gonna getcha Then the president of the Strom Thurmond Society, Trent Lott vs Righteous Babe, Barbara Boxer.
Air America's Politically Direct: David Bender celebrates his 1st anniversary with clips and outtakes: Feingold, John Edwards, Hillary, Randi Rhodes, Janeane Garofalo, Al Franken, Whoopi Goldberg and Bobby Kennedy, Jr.
What's Facts got to do with it?? The Reich celebrates their 10th year. Brit Hume still insists he's not running a party organ and how can you argue with him? When he's right, he's right! Just look Sunday's guests: Josh Bolton and Tony Snow. See!!
Good Morning Gregg and Cyn,
I wish I was in New York.It's raining and it's cold here in Green Bay.:(
Did anyone see the White House Correspondence Dinner last night with Steven Colbert?
I hope to see a lot of Mexican, Salvadoran, Guatamalan, and other countries' flags flying tomorrow. And of course I can't wait till I hear the Spanish version of our national anthem. Then we have the protest itself to look forward to.
I hope it gets widespread coverage and lots of media attention.
The backlash from people who can "legally" vote should be tremendous.
Morning, Gregg and Freedom. I missed the Dinner. I wonder if I can catch the rerun?
Posted by Cyn_NY on April 30, 2006 at 08:18 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can on CSpan.I don't want to spoil it for you but I will say this.If you're considered the "base" of the Democratic Party,you will have LOVED Stephen Colbert.If not,you might think he was too mean to the Predident and his Right-Wing Minions.I mean, Colbert gave no mercy.Bush got it,Fox News got it,the Republican Party as a whole got it and Bush,if you look closly at him was just as uncomfortable as he was at the Rosa Parks Homegoing.It was awesome.
P.S. You'll come away from it wondering if these people are really so dumb that they may have booked Colbert because they thought he was really a Right Wing Conservative in real life like what he protrays on The Colbert Report.They looked a bit confused because Colbert really gave them all the "what for".Ha Ha Ha.
Good Morning Dors, Cyn, Freedom,
It is a beautiful day. And Cyn - did I ever say how much I appreciate you posting the Sunday Morning Talking Heads.
and this is for Greg:
Oo ah oo ah oo oo, Kitty
Tell us about the boy
From New York City
Oo ah oo ah come on, Kitty
Tell us about the boy
From New York City
He's kinda tall
He's really fine, yeah, yeah,
Someday I hope to make him
mine, all mine yeah, yeah
Freedom and Cyn,
Crooks and Liars also has the video.
And I am sorry Dawn, I was watching C-Span last night and never got back on here. I was tired too. But it was worth watching Stephen Colbert.
Did I miss something? Is Jacq not posting anymore? Why?
Posted by anke on April 30, 2006 at 08:16 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They don't like the Latino American National Anthem.......They better be glad I did'nt record mine.It's in English too.I call it, the Liberal American National Anthem.Here it goes.You might remember it from Last December.
Oh,Say can you see
Where is my liberty
It's been stolen by Bush
Through Illegal Wiretapping
Who's broad lies and false wars
has caused terror and strife
Now the world hates our guts
We're no longer in the right
And I don't think it's fair,
for Blacks Bush doesn't care
Theres proof from the floods
FEMA was'nt there
Oh, Say is there one ounce of Free Speech Left
To where a ($#&*&#) Tee,without fear of arrest.
Maybe I will in July.LOL
Posted by PeppermintLizzy on April 30, 2006 at 08:34 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey Pep
I enjoyed Steven last night.Any opportunity to make sure George Bush understands what 2/3 of the American People really think of him the better it will be for the Democrats.
Thanks, Freedom and Lizzy! No one could ever be too mean to the Pretzeldent. I'm off to watch the video!
Good Morning Freedom,
I like your National Anthem.
For Pam, courtesy of Jane at Firedoglake.
FMI on Colbert's Roast of the President,
The President did not seem amused.He He!
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002425363
Posted by Cyn_NY on April 30, 2006 at 08:48 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have Fun.You'll enjoy it.:D
Please let the November elections be somewhat fair. The backlash will be phenomenal if voters were allowed to vote and enough machines were placed where they belong.
Posted by Chris on April 30, 2006 at 09:06 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They will.We just gotta broaden the gap between the two parties and NOT do something flipping stupid like a third party.As much as I want Russ Feingold to run in 2008 as a Progressive,I'm not stupid and neither is he.It's just too darn close to play aroung like that.
major Boston Globe investigative report: Bush issues SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY (750) signing statements in 5 years. Says he dosn't have to follow laws passed by Congress if he doesn't want to. Guess he wasn't kidding when he said he wanted a monarchy with him as king.
I am King George the Shrub, bow before me
WASHINGTON -- President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution.
Among the laws Bush said he can ignore are military rules and regulations, affirmative-action provisions, requirements that Congress be told about immigration services problems, ''whistle-blower" protections for nuclear regulatory officials, and safeguards against political interference in federally funded research.
Legal scholars say the scope and aggression of Bush's assertions that he can bypass laws represent a concerted effort to expand his power at the expense of Congress, upsetting the balance between the branches of government. The Constitution is clear in assigning to Congress the power to write the laws and to the president a duty ''to take care that the laws be faithfully executed." Bush, however, has repeatedly declared that he does not need to ''execute" a law he believes is unconstitutional.
Former administration officials contend that just because Bush reserves the right to disobey a law does not mean he is not enforcing it: In many cases, he is simply asserting his belief that a certain requirement encroaches on presidential power.
Big business wants to squeeze small businesses on the web!
What are we going to do?
John Kenneth Galbraith passes, sadly. Whoever dubbed economics "the dismal science" never spoke to Ken.
John Kenneth Galbraith, writer, economist, dies
Giant in politics, academia was 97
John Kenneth Galbraith, a towering figure in American intellectual life whose astringent wit and elegant iconoclasm graced the academic and political scene for seven decades, died yesterday at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge. He was 97. His son, Alan Galbraith, told the Associated Press his father died of natural causes.
Ken
Thx BB, he was great.
jkg:
In all life one should comfort the afflicted, but verily, also, one should afflict the comfortable, and especially when they are comfortably, contentedly, even happily wrong.
Posted by jen on April 30, 2006 at 10:43 AM
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Ditto.
Liberalism is, I think, resurgent. One reason is that more and more people are so painfully aware of the alternative.
The conspicuously wealthy turn up urging the character building values of the privation of the poor.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.
John Kenneth Galbraith
Jen, I missed Durbin, darn. What did he say??
I did read what Chuck Schumer said:
"What's good for ExxonMobile is not necessarily good for America."
"This administration belives that what's good for ExxonMobile is good for America."
But I don't think that Schumer has figured out that this administration does NOT believe in bi-partisan politics.
Hey, check out my latest post and let me know if it's appropriate to post in other places, if you guys would. Pretty please, especially you Lizzy and Jen. I would appreciate it.
He was the only one who said the profits of the oil companies should be taxed, lizzy, and that we need to invest in alternative fuel.
Good morning Dems. Question: Has anyone using AOL been able to access Air America Radio over the XM radio feature? Seems that most of the stations are available but NOT AAR. ??? Benefit of the doubt: am I not looking in the right place?
Hey Jen
DellBerto,
I do not think you should use that post.I understand it's satire,but I know for a fact that certain people in this nation will be too stupid to get the fact that it's fake and will judge accordingly.It mirrors the actual beliefs of MANY Supremist in this nation and I believe that your origional intentions for posting it will be drowed out by the vast number of hateful Supremists who live in this nation.It will have the opposite effect in that it will fuel the hatred already aimed at Minorities and Jews and can be damaging to the Democrats because it came from a Liberal.That's just my opinion.If you still want to share that posts,it's up to you.I just think things like that drive a further wedge between myself and the White Community.It's borderline Bill Bennett.
Posted by FreedomOfSpeechIsAllWeHaveLeft on April 30, 2006 at 11:11 AM
That's a good way for me too look at it. That's part of the reason I came here for; a bit of advice, knowing what I wrote was pretty controversial and would be able to be construed as I am the bigot.
follow,
I have AAr on XM, but, same as you, cannot access the channel from online. I go to airamericaradio.com to recieve the channel online.
DellBerto,
I'm sorry.I see you didn't ask for my opinion.Nevermind.I spoke too soon.Although,I still feel that way.:D
Posted by FreedomOfSpeechIsAllWeHaveLeft on April 30, 2006 at 11:18 AM
No, I appreciate it. You didn't speak to soon. I did ask for everybody's opinion actually, just Lizzy and Jen especially because I also post on blogs they read and contribute too and wanted to know if I should post it elsewhere.
John Kenneth Galbraith, one of the greatest proponents of American liberalism as well as a sharp critic of the abuses of capitalist economics has died.
Galbraith served Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy and Johnson. His book THE AFFLUENT SOCIETY helped to inspire the 1960's War On Poverty during the Kennedy and Johnson years that sought economic justice for 35 million Americans living in poverty at the time, and was only one of many very accessible and fun to read economic works by this great liberal author and economist.
PROGRESSIVE VALUES
Posted by DeLLBerto on April 30, 2006 at 11:21 AM
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Oh,Okay.:D
Morning all. thanks for that article, Lizzy, I had read it in it's entirety the other day. I have found great enthusiasm amongst CT Dems for Lamont, while taking petition signatures. And Lieberman is falling right into it, with his early ads. People here really cannot stand his nasally whinny voice and ugly puss! All he is doing is fueling the fire!
In this morning's Hartford Courant. did you know that Bush approval is LOWEST in CT of all the Nation? Makes me Proud!
Last week, just a few days after even the unashamedly pro-Bush Fox News recorded Bush's national approval rating at 33 percent, the Hartford Courant/University of Connecticut Poll of state voters recorded Bush at the record-low approval rating of 24 percent. That poll, conducted by UConn's Center for Survey Research and Analysis, put Connecticut at the lead of a nationwide loss of confidence in the chief executive.
I'm gonna run over to HuffPo because they're having a huge fight right now about Steven Colbert,Fox News and the Democrats VS The Republicans.It's getting good.See ya'll later.
Peace, mon ami's
CONDOLEEZZA RICE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO CREDIBILITY, ESPECIALLY ON THE SUBJECT OF THE MIDDLE EAST.
I was just looking at this blog. Thought you might want to read what Ice Station has to say about Darfur.
Out of Iraq -- Into Darfur
My husband is watching the clip right now of Stephen Colbert and I just keep hearing these loud outbursts of laughter coming from the library.
WHEN I WANT TO WATCH FOOTBALL OR A REALITY GAME SHOW, I MIGHT TURN THE CHANNEL TO FOX.
IF I WANT TO WATCH ANYTHING RELEVANT, FOX ISN'T ON THE LIST.
one solid hour on energy policy and cheney's super secret policy writing meetings attended by the same industry execs who refused to joion today's MTP panel were not mentioned once? wtf!!!!!!!
Good morning everyone!
This weekend seems to be another weekend of awards, did you all catch who received the Golden Nozzle Award
From the BuzzFlash email:
Last night Stephen Colbert, who plays a priggish right wing commentator as his television persona, lambasted Bush with laceratingly true humor at the Washington D.C. White House Correspondents (Transcribers) Dinner.
Immediately, the right wing started howling that Colbert had been disrespectful to Bush. We heard the same thing when Bush was criticized for starting a foolish, bloody, costly war at the funeral of Coretta Scott King.
Message to the Wingers: Bush is a President, an American, a Citizen. He is not king, although his followers worship him as one.
He is a man that declared "Mission Accomplished" nearly three years ago and this weekend we passed the mournful threshold of 2400 GIs killed in Iraq. Bush taunted, like an adolescent, the insurgents to "Bring 'em on," and it resulted in more deaths and grievous injuries to our fighting men and women and the Iraqis.
Bush can sit through some criticism. The memory of our dead soldiers demands it. They would be alive today if it weren't for this incompetent, arrogant, spoiled brat.
Our hats off to Stephen Colbert. Revealed as complete lapdogs and worthless publics relations funcitionaries were the attendees at the event, the so-called White Horse Press Corps. They are just lackeys for the corporate media.
Colbert, with devasting irony and wit, shamed them by showing what the "reporters" fail to do: make the new American monarchy accountable
Then this article, Colbert, You Are My Hero:
http://www.newshounds.us/2006/04/29/stephen_colbert_you_are_my_hero.php
And this really gets me!(from that link above) The want Respect for the Office, AFTER what they did to Clinton????
They are also dialing right-wing talk shows to call Mr. Colbert every name in the book, threaten him with death and accuse him of besmirching and disrespecting the office of the President of the United States.
hehehe:
WASHINGTON A blistering comedy “tribute” to President Bush by Comedy Central’s faux talk show host Stephen Colbert at the White House Correspondent Dinner Saturday night left George and Laura Bush unsmiling at its close.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002425363
PamB on April 30, 2006 at 11:24 AM
that bodes really well for Ned!
CONDOLEEZA RICE IS SPINSTER.
DONALD RUMSFELD IS A COWARD.
DICK CHENEY IS A GOOBER.
GEORGE BUSH IS A OIL INDUSTRY POSTER BOY.
AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE OIL INDUSTRY SLAVES.
Jen, I am really getting excited that Ned can do this! When I attended the Petition Training the other night, too, all of the supporters of Ned are SO enthusiastic. they make me look placid! This state is eager to get rid of Lieberman and to End this ill-begotten Invasion and Occupation! Ned keeps pointing out what this $30 Million per day spent on Iraq, could be doing for our country! Who the hell cares if this country has Democracy or not? It is obvious they do not care nor want it over there, yet we have to have 20,000+ of our men either dead or injured for it???
I am excited to get a chance to go to the Democratic Convention here in the State. I get to see it all in person!
Immigrants contribute $240 billion to our Gross National Product every year, including contributing $7 billion in Social Security annually. They contribute to the U.S. economy $25 billion more than they receive in healthcare and other social services. The anti-immigrant politicians and hatemongers say, 'immigrants are a drain on society.' It's time to prove them wrong. It's time to make our voices heard, in support of immigrants and in support of immigration.
The nationwide coalition of pro-immigrant groups is calling for a general strike on May 1 -- a boycott to show the economic power of immigrants and their supporters, and to show the political power of our combined voices. The basics of the boycott:
No Work, No School, No Sales, and No Buying.
There will be rallies around symbols of economic trade in your area (stock exchanges, anti-immigrant corporations, and other public places). Wear white as the symbol of unity. And avoid as much spending as you can on Monday, May 1.
Together, a million voices will be heard, and will make a difference. We believe with numbers we have power, the power currently necessary to keep the pressure on the White House to propose provisions that are just and fair for all immigrants.
If the anti-immigrant politicians and hatemongers are right, that 'immigrants are a drain on society,' then during the day on May 1st, the stock market will surge, and the economy will boom. If not, we prove them wrong once and for all. We know what will happen!
******************************
www.NotOneDamnDime.com .
THat is SO awesome, Pamb!! I'm stoked too! Woohoo. Anything I can do from here, make calls, etc. let me know!
GoodMorning America:
www.NotOneDamnDime.com .
Posted by jen on April 30, 2006 at 11:51 AM
So that makes all their figures 100% on the money? No stretching it a bit, and what about all the other areas such as law enforcement?
Hey jen, what did you think of that posting? I changed the title a bit and hope you read the bottom line.
Jen: here's another page check it out
http://www.ice.gov/doclib/pi/investigations/wanted/mostwanted.pdf
But enough laughs, the situation in Darfur is so serious at this point. Today there are rallies all over this country. Bush is up to his old games again stating it is good to get out and rally. Our effing president creates havoc in Iraq all the while thousands and thousands of human beings are dying in Sudan.
I posted about it today.
Posted by pee-wee on April 30, 2006 at 12:04 PM
notice the way I used capital letter and the bold font.
HILLARY ROCKS
Hi Dell, I did read the bottom line and like the new title. I understand FOS's concern. I also think it can promote a discussion. I think people need to see what kind of nonsense is being put out by these unfortunately very popular 'pundits' of the right wing hate brigade.
Dell, Check this out.
Pam, Yesterday there were people marching and they had Ned Lamont buttons on. I wish that I had taken a picture to send to you.
I am committed to making life better for all workers worldwide. Period. My compassion doesn't end at the border. Until we hold those in power (both government and corporate) responsible for the lies and suffering they have caused, I don't want to hear about how we're going to make poor, honest, hard working people the culprits.
Whether you are a citizen of this country or another, if you commit a crime such as murder or other violent crime, you should be brought to justice and do your time.
Female students in Uganda have long endured demands for sex in exchange for grades from university lecturers. Makerere University is drafting a sexual harassment policy which would be among the first of its kind in Africa.
Oh who cares, they're in Uganda. They're not Americans. Not my problem, right nationalists?
Can't wait to see how many jobs low wage illegal aliens have taken from American workers.
When they're deported, the jobs can be filled by Americans, but for a decent wage.
All it takes is one employer to start using illegals and the rest are forced to follow if they want to stay in business.
You can't compete if you're paying your American workers $15.00 and hour and your competitor is paying $7.00 an hour to illegals.
I wonder how many illegals have the right to vote? I'm sure many politicians on both the left and the right would be willing to give it to them.
Too bad.
just a drive by. i was at the gym and they had pumpkin head on. he had about 6 white, balding ( is durbin balding?) men on. they all agreed on most stuff...and they think that by 2025 burning corn and sugar ( food?) in our cars will turn things around nicely energy wise.
if the room they were sitting in was suddenly filled with concrete with them in it they would be just as helpful as they are currently.
Posted by pee-wee on April 30, 2006 at 12:20 PM
can you provide a link that will say what her position on Iraq?
Jen,
Yeah, who cares about Uganda, I mean Bush did not even care about Americans. Thousands of people died in New Orleans, but that was not bush's fault.
Damn this President.
No evidence of pump price profiteering: Bodman 12:19pm ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration sees no direct evidence of profiteering by big U.S. oil companies and is doing all it can to tame near-record prices, U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman said on Sunday.
i am really glad this got cleared up. now can we nationalize the oil industry?
of course not Lizzy. Nothing is Bush's fault. It's all the fault of undocumented workers. Or Clinton.
When they're deported, the jobs can be filled by Americans, but for a decent wage.
You know you are really starting to annoy, you have no clue of what is going on. The effing president is not talking about deporting the immigrates of the United States anymore. He wants a nice, sweet little guest worker program. This way he can have his slavery of immigrants coming into the United States to do these VERY jobs and then he is going to boot them out again.
So what happens next, the bush regime DOES NOT raise the salaries, because they know they will be able to bus in a whole new group of workers.
Guess again Anke, you have been on the kool-aide way too long and you really should just shut up.
Hey I'm back.. I edited the Malkin post yet again. I think I put my point out a little better this time.
Question of the Day: How far will a Rolling Stone roll when he falls out of a coconut tree?
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has been taken to hospital in New Zealand after injuring himself while on holiday in Fiji.
A band spokeswoman said Richards had suffered "mild concussion" and was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Media reports in Australia and New Zealand said Richards had hurt his head when he fell from a coconut tree.
Keif: what were you doing in a coconut tree???????
come down out of the tree Keith, it's time to play
I am committed to making life better for all workers worldwide. Period. My compassion doesn't end at the border. Until we hold those in power (both government and corporate) responsible for the lies and suffering they have caused, I don't want to hear about how we're going to make poor, honest, hard working people the culprits.
We are on the same page here Jen, you are preaching to the choir. Because we differ on illegals to this country doesn't mean I dont care for the suffering around the world and if you think so - you can think again.
When all else fails in your need to let the mexicans and other illegal walk into this country and thumb their nose at you, tell me I dont care. HOW DARE YOU.
You want to bless the few who can be close enough to cross the border, I want them to stay home and help save their country for all of their people not those who cut and run when the going gets hard, I am not proud or them for crossing out border and leaving their people as a whole to remain under the oppressive Mexican govt.
Posted by DeLLBerto on April 30, 2006 at 12:41 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SMAK!
Yes!
Much Better.
I like that a whole lot better.
LOL. :D
If posting links is what you think rocks try this one:
http://www.freedomalliance.org/view_article.php?a_id=642
Posted by FreedomOfSpeechIsAllWeHaveLeft on April 30, 2006 at 12:47 PM
Good to hear. I could totally understand the way the old version could be misinterpreted and seen has hate speech. See, your opinion matters FOS ;)
Greg, we do indeed need to talk turtle.
And C-Span is running the entire White House Corresponent's Dinner in it entirety NOW. It started at 12:30.
TY Jen. Thanks guys/gals for checking it out and telling me what you thought of it. With more people telling me what they thought the better it got. You guys ROCK!
Oh,boy.I hope Warner isn't selling out to get Southern Votes.Ford too.
"Please God.Don't let the Democrats Backslide into their Old Southern Ways"
Posted by DeLLBerto on April 30, 2006 at 12:50 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Thank you.Thank You vurry much";b
When did I tell you you don't care, dk? Did I address you when I posted what you quoted?
Jen:
a few more
http://www.mayorno.com/13stars.html
http://www.americanpatrol.com/REFERENCE/JoseAngelGutierrezQuote.html
dk2 on April 30, 2006 at 12:48 PM
Founded by Ollie North? No thanks.
Posted by jen on April 30, 2006 at 12:16 PM
Jen the above post you didnt address to anyone so, to me it is at any and all of us
Posted by jen on April 30, 2006 at 12:57 PM
So to answer the question on this post I would say yes.
you know what dk? Don't share any more of your nasty links for my sake, I'm not interested in your anti-immigrant sites. I could care less what that ONE MAN has to say about immigration. HE does not represent me or anyone I know.
Jen:
Posted by jen on April 30, 2006 at 12:57PM
That article wasn't written by Oliver North but, O k. Jen so now you give license to pick and choose, not to be informed,
or are you saying that only the people who founded your sites are the 100% correct people on the planet,
(for the record I dont appreciate Oliver North any more than any of the Repubs.)
LOW IRAQI OIL PRODUCTION A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO HIGHER OIL PRICES...
FOR MORE INFO. GO TO THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE..
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/28/AR2006042801082.html
The Biggest Bush Administration Lies And Falsehoods Of The Week
PROGRESSIVE VALUES
not enough people are talking about the connection of the iraq war to higher oil prices.
this is another hidden cost of the war in addition to the horrible cost in terms of loss of life and raw military expenditures -- it's costing roughly 1-2 million barrels of oil per day in lost production -- please spread the word
Posted by jen on April 30, 2006 at 01:02 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I still haven't gotten an answer from people like that as to why we are just now focusing on it.I mean,now we have all these stats talking about how Illegal Immigration is costing us more.I thought they did'nt know how many illegals we had.Also,who's to say that the Hospitals aren't doctoring the books and claiming a patient is an Illegal Immigrant so they can get reimbursed rather than send the bill to collections? We don't know.He he.
Jen, we just see it different, but I havent called anything you posted a name.
I have enjoyed most of your post, and I dont think less of you for any of it.
I do appreciate having a opportunity to discuss it.
Sorry if you feel anything other than that.
I respect your opinion, I just don't agree.
IMMIGRATION IS A RED-HERRING REPUBLICAN ISSUE.
IMMIGRATION IS A RED-HERRING.
and,
IMMIGRATION IS BACKFIRING ON THE REPUBLICANS.
I'll bet this is exactly how Hitler started!!!
What Constitution? You mean that GD piece of paper????
Washington - President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution.
Among the laws Bush said he can ignore are military rules and regulations, affirmative-action provisions, requirements that Congress be told about immigration services problems, "whistle-blower" protections for nuclear regulatory officials, and safeguards against political interference in federally funded research.
Legal scholars say the scope and aggression of Bush's assertions that he can bypass laws represent a concerted effort to expand his power at the expense of Congress, upsetting the balance between the branches of government. The Constitution is clear in assigning to Congress the power to write the laws and to the president a duty "to take care that the laws be faithfully executed." Bush, however, has repeatedly declared that he does not need to "execute" a law he believes is unconstitutional.
dk2, i respect you. i don't care for your opinion on immigrants as you know. my best friend is a rush coulter republican. i am able to be friends with people who disagree. the best way to do this i have found is not to dwell on subjects which we both know we don't agree on.
Yeah, who cares about Uganda, I mean Bush did not even care about Americans. Thousands of people died in New Orleans, but that was not bush's fault.
Damn this President.
Posted by PeppermintLizzy on April 30, 2006 at 12:30 PM
Right, that was the hurricanes fault. And those stupid people, living in an area 12 feet below sea level with a category 5 hurrucane aproaching with a dike rated for a category 3 - they stayed in town, Duh.
PamB,
Bush has repeatedly ignored important constitutional safeguards and important checks and balances. The NSA wiretapping program, European prison system, torture memo, and the use of the "enemy combatant" designation to deny an individual his constitutional right to an opportunity to be heard are a few examples of this... He's also arguably ignored international law in invading iraq... additionally, he's gone out of his way to mislead the country - his presidency is a disaster. But congress has enabled Bush to erode important safeguards. At times, the GOP congress has made power-grabs -- the "nuclear option" is an example of this.
The latest example of bush misleading the country relates to oil prices. A significant contributing factor to higher oil prices is the LOST oil production in Iraq that has occured since the 2003 invasion.
A significant contributing factor to higher oil prices is the LOST oil production in Iraq that has occured since the 2003 invasion.
Posted by Kev on April 30, 2006 at 01:24 PM
Hey Kev.
You notice they don't mention how the Iraqi Oil pipeline gets blown up daily, so that no oil is pumped, by insurgents who just want the US out of there. Gee, someone might think things are going splendidly in Iraq if they did !
A 600-plus-page report to be released publicly Wednesday finds that
leaders from President Bush down disregarded ample warnings of the threat to
New Orleans and did not execute emergency plans or share information that
would have saved lives. The report lays primary fault with the passive
reaction and misjudgments of top Bush aides, singling out Homeland Security
Secretary Michael Chertoff
The report portrays Chertoff, who took the helm of the department six months before the storm, as detached from events. It contends he switched on the government's emergency response systems "late, ineffectively or not at all," delaying the flow of federal troops and materiel by as much as three days.
The White House did not fully engage the president or "substantiate, analyze and act on the information at its disposal," failing to confirm the collapse of New Orleans's levee system on Aug. 29, the day of Katrina's landfall, which led to catastrophic flooding of the city of 500,000 people.
http://www.truthout.org/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi/47/17635
How many laws does an illegal alien have to “break” and continue to “break” by entering the United States illegally, obtaining a job, getting a driver’s license, etc.?
Do illegal aliens evade paying taxes?
Do they help employers evade taxes? Do they work “under they table”?
Do they help employers evade compliance with all sorts of “work” rules?
Do they use phony Social Security numbers?
Do they obtain and use other false and forged documents?
Do they lie and make false statments on all sorts of forms and documents?
Are they not part of a widespread criminal conspiracy to thwart the enforcement of our immigration law?
Do they help lower wages for American workers by increasing the supply of workers available to employers?
Are they usually willing to work for lower wages than an American worker?
Ask yourself if you would appreciate unlimited competition for your job?
How can we have faith in a government that can’t even enforce existing law?
How can we believe that any kind of complicated guest worker, complicated amnesty, or other complicated immigration plan administered by our government can work?
Jen for the most part I agree with it, but for now I've got laundry, and a yard to mow. Catch you all next time.
Got to mow while its sunny!
My blog featured a great piece this week entitled, "How Cheap Oil Disappeared With The Failure Of Bush Foreign Policy", Kev, that detailed how big oil companies had planned for a U.S. military control of Iraq would allow them to search for a suspected 220 billion barrels of undiscovered oil or a 98 year supply to the U.S.
Instead of lowering the prices of oil, the Iraq War instead increased the price of a barel of oil from $28.50 in 2003 to $71.70 today. And a gallon of gas went from $1.56 in 2003 to an average of $2.91 today. And heating oil went from $1.13 in 2003 to an average of $2.59 today.
And the failed Bush policy of promotting democracy in nations not yet ready for it allowed for the election of the terrorist Hamas organization in the Palestinian region, and new acts of terrorism in both Israel and Egpyt have recently taken place. And the government of Jordan was angry to find that Hamas has secretly stockpiled rockets and weapons in a secret location in their nation to attack Israel.
In Iran and in South America, some antiU.S. governments have taken power in reaction to the Bush Administration and are having a huge impact on world oil prices. In Iran, the world could face a serious nuclear war as Iran now is able to enrich uranuim and was recently discovered to have purchased some weapons grade plutonium from some outside source. North Korea just sent a brand new shipment of long range No-Dong missiles to Iran that can hit targets in Europe. And Iran has conducted tests of three new missiles and weapons of their own design.
If the the intent of the Bush Administration was to double oil prices since the 2003 Iraq War, get America booged down in a failed no-win war in Iraq to aid some oil companies searching for cheap "undiscovered" oil, help elect radical governments in the MidEast and South America, create new political frictions that threaten both the U.S. and world oil supply, and push the world to the dangerous brink of a nuclear war with Iran, then it has been a really big success. If that wasn't the intent, then the Bush Administration has had the very worst foreign policy in U.S. history. Tony Snow will have an interesting time defending all of this.
PROGRESSIVE VALUES
Hey Everyone,
Just an OTS FYI.If you ever stay at a Hotel.Just becasue we tell you Check-Out Time is 12:00 noon,doesn't mean you have to wait till exactly 12 Noon.You can leave earier or a few minuets later...........Not all at the same exact time.Make it easy on us.LOL
Sheeeeze!:D
Dang,I have to go.Again.BBL
PamB,
Before we went into Iraq, I thought it was a bad idea. I had no idea, the magnitude of the mistake. In terms of loss of life, national prestige/credibility, money, time, and other forgone opportunities to which those resources could have been devoted, the cost cannot be quantified. It must be difficult for the media, because you have to figure out what to report... It probably didn't even occur to them that while they are informing the nation about the galactically STUPID ideas proposed by the GOP to fix the nation's oil problems, it might do some good to mention that the oil pipelines in iraq have been blown up hundreds of times since the beginning of the war...
I just think it's interesting they mention Iran and Nigeria but not Iraq. In terms of raw lost production, Iraq is the bigger drain. It's lost production at least twice the size of Nigeria's... and Iran has not YET used oil as weapon as to this latest standoff...
I wish I could go back to 2000 and campaign harder for Gore.. I'm relatively young so I did not realize a president could make so many ill-conceived decisions. I'm just amazed. I mean, I would have to intentionally try in order to be a worse president than Bush. Out of 300 million people, there's no way I should be the president, but I could a much better job than the one we have. It's frustrating. I'm also amazed that over 30% of the populous still supports him.
omg hilarious, colbert just used some sicilian gestures toward scalia
I'm saving my anger for Detroit auto and corrupt politicians.
wow, colbert has done the most vicious bit of satire i have ever seen.
Jen
Immigrants contribute $240 billion to our Gross National Product every year, including contributing $7 billion in Social Security annually. They contribute to the U.S. economy $25 billion more than they receive in healthcare and other social services.
Your source doesn't state where the numbers come from.
I would recommend to everyone who is opposed to illegal immigration write down the names of businesses that close Monday and forward them to congressmen and senators who oppose amnesty. Chances are these people who close their businesses support the hiring of illegal aliens.
A little more attention to Rush because I'm not ready for this to be over yet
We're going to let you destroy your life. We're going to make it easy and then all of us who accept the responsibilities of life and don't destroy our lives on drugs, we'll pay for whatever messes you get into."
-- Rush Limbaugh show, Dec. 9, 1993
"I'm appalled at people who simply want to look at all this abhorrent behavior and say people are going to do drugs anyway let's legalize it. It's a dumb idea. It's a rotten idea and those who are for it are purely 100 percent selfish."
-- Rush Limbaugh show, Dec 9, 1993
"If (Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders) wants to legalize drugs, send the people who want to do drugs to London and Zurich, and let's be rid of them.
-- Rush Limbaugh show, Dec 9, 1993
"There's nothing good about drug use. We know it. It destroys individuals. It destroys families. Drug use destroys societies. Drug use, some might say, is destroying this country. And we have laws against selling drugs, pushing drugs, using drugs, importing drugs. And the laws are good because we know what happens to people in societies and neighborhoods which become consumed by them. And so if people are violating the law by doing drugs, they ought to be accused and they ought to be convicted and they ought to be sent up.
"What this says to me is that too many whites are getting away with drug use. Too many whites are getting away with drug sales. Too many whites are getting away with trafficking in this stuff. The answer to this disparity is not to start letting people out of jail because we're not putting others in jail who are breaking the law. The answer is to go out and find the ones who are getting away with it, convict them and send them up the river, too."
-- Rush Limbaugh show, Oct. 5, 1995
(Source: Conspiracy Planet)
here is a nice pro-bush poster from the white house:
fill'er up!
Cobert was lame, he bombed, he got about zero laughs from the audience.
Imus was viscous, Colbert was pathetic.
colbert skewered with the satirical sword so well, people were afraid to laugh. that is the climate we have in d.c.
Posted by jen on April 30, 2006 at 02:06 PM
And the best part is: HE SKATED ON HIS POLITICALY MOTVATED CHARGES! Delay will too.
Thanks to the peaceful uprising of immigrants, American workers have a historic opportunity to stand together for freedom with dignity. From this new world order we demand the same things.
gregg, LOL
Jen, I LOVED Colbert
Winky...
What's the matter? Couldn't get any attention Bashing Steven on Huff Po or the other Blogs so you some here?
12 years ago today patricia schroeder was asked why in Rwanda we are doing nothing. she said people called about the apes and gorillas but no one called about the people. we must call about the people. call your congressmen. call bush.
This immigration debate reminds me of Pre-2004 Presidential Choice for Democrat. The debate here is split, and neither side will ever see the other. We cannot afford to be un-united 6 months prior to Elections which will turn this country around. As Jen mentioned, you must agree to disagree. Actually, writing one's congress people is much more effective anyways, than trying to argue here.
Wanted: One supporter of illegal immigration who willingly gave up his or her job to an illegal immigrant so the immigrant could have a job.
Wanted: One employer, opposed to illegal immigration, who continued to pay his American workers a fair wage while all of his competitors fired their American workers and hired illegals for a lower wage. Tell us how you managed to stay in business.
Wanted: One politician who doesn't take polls and decides issues soley on their merit and doesn't give a damn if he gets reelected.
Wanted: One illegal immigrant who has broken only one Federal, State, County, or City law and who has never lied about his illegal status in the UNited States.
Posted by jen on April 30, 2006 at 02:06 PM
Hi {{{Jen}}}
Just like OJ Simpson, Limbaugh shows what enough money and Lawyers will do to save one's ass! Roy Black should feel embarassed !
Save Darfur
Brian Steidle is amazing.
John Prendergast works for the International Crisis.
Samantha Power writes about how the U.S. Government KNEW about the Geoncide but has done nothing.
Africa has been a failure ever since the Colonial powers left. They need to admit they can't do it on their own and ask the Europeans to take over again.
PaulSHooson,
I'm ashamed to admit I don't know much about foreign policy. I was inadequately informed and so I am now kind of in a state of shock as we're realizing the true cost of the Bush Administration's positions. I knew about the Hamas takeover and I am disturbed. I'm also worried about Iran. I have no idea what we can do about it because we're bogged down in Iraq. Intuitively, before we went into Iraq I thought Iran and North Korea presented a much larger problem. As a president Bush has made unfortunately bad decisions...
{{Lizzy}}}
Posted by PeppermintLizzy on April 30, 2006 at 02:32 PM
somewhere there is ANOTHER village, missing it's Idiot! Why they are drawn here, like flies to doo-doo is beyond me!
Corrupt Utilities Caught Cheating
Monopolies Falsely Collect Taxes and Keep Them
hey Anke, cachate!!!
Pam we got 2 village idiots here.
I wonder what the fundies who call us the secular left think about all the religious speakers at today's save darfur rally?
paul rusesabagina up next!
ike flies to doo-doo is beyond me!
Good analogy doo-doo
Regards
The fly
Posted by jen on April 30, 2006 at 02:25 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
...and we know WHY this Holocaust means nothing to the United States.It's no big secret.They can try to spin it all they want saying their too maxed out to save lives, but we know the real reason.They were ready to go to Iran.So the so called War on Terror seesm to be "selective".Or, maybe they don't want to to fail like they did in Somalia underestimating people who are so damn desparate they'll kill anyone? I don't know.
Wow,
So far,Steven Colbert has 36 pages of praise they can't tally the post fast enough.
i know FOS. Turn on CSPan and for every person you see on the national mall there are hundreds more. We must all use our voices to force ACTION on behalf of the victims in darfur and everywhere.
PamB,
I noticed your comment about party unity and I think it is an important comment. Look at the Republicans. Cheney shoots a Republican man in the FACE and the guy who he shot apologizes to Cheney!!! "I'm sorry I inserted my body into the path of your bullets, please forgive me Cheney." That is loyalty! We Democrats are always allowing the GOP to divide us and get us to attack each other. Republicans never do that.
We should be trying to understand each other with regards to immigration. We should focus on the points on which we can agree. With regards to the points on which we do not agree, we should understand each other, let the cards fall where they may in terms of legislation, and move on. There are so many issues on which we agree:
1) Deficits
2) Political Corruption
3) Altnerative Fuel Sources
4) Social Security
5) Healthcare -- More people than ever w/o coverage
6) FAIR and free trade
7) civil liberties
8) governmental checks and balances
If we can't support each other, the GOP will continue to determine our energy policy. The GOP will continue to erode important checks and balances. The GOP will continue to mortgage this Nation's future through defict spending and faulty trade policies. The GOP will continue to compromise the future of Medicare and Social Security. The GOP will continue to do nothing about the healthcare problems in America. The GOP will continue to get away with corrupt political acts because the public has no means to meaningfully investigate Republican officials. I think party unity is important.
Rhodesia used to be an exporter of wheat, then they became Zimbabwe and threw the British out. Now they can't even feed themselves.
************************************************
Some have tried to justify illegal aliens because their crime of entering the country somehow contributes to the economy.
That's just nonsense. Crime has no value.
It doesn't matter if it's theft, sex, drug or immigration crime. There is no logic to rationalizing crime on the chance that somehow the ensuing cash flow from the crime has contributed to the economy.
If the current immigration laws are not enforced then don't expect to impose rule of law on much else.
***********************************************
Jen,
The US is having 3 rallies back to back. Saturday was the Peace and Justice Rally.
Today is the Darfur Rallies all across the United States.
Tomorrow is the Immigration Rallies and nationwide boycott in hundreds of cities in the United States.
The people are speaking loudly.
Posted by jen on April 30, 2006 at 02:45 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amen!.....and if it takes five more Democratic Senators to get arrested.So be it.This nations lack of desire and heart to stop this Genocide is an abomnation and I swear, they can call themselves Christian all they want to but if this keeps up,....ooooohhhhh! I better not come accross ANYONE in person calling themselves a Republican and I better not hear one single word from anyone when I start calling people what they really are....(RACIST)
Yes they are, Lizzy. Everyone who rallied and everyone who can't must call their congressman.
We were going to go to WalMart today and buy a bunch of stuff but decided to wait until tomorrow. That way we can do our part to minimize the effects of the wetback's boycott. Everyone should do the same!
Dear *******,
They are not going to get away with it. I am not going to take the lies that Republicans are telling about me and other Democrats in Congress sitting down. And neither should you.
What our opponents are trying to do to me is just a taste of what they have in store for us in the months ahead. Karl Rove’s Republican Party will stoop to any level to smear our candidates, and it certainly won’t let the facts get in the way.
But we won’t get mad. We’re going to get even.
May 7 marks exactly six months before Election Day. Traditionally, this marks the point of the cycle when voters and the media start to pay close attention. You can be certain our opponents are sharpening their knives in anticipation.
The DSCC has set a goal to raise $150,000 before May 7 so that our Democratic Senate candidates are prepared for this onslaught and are ready to fight back. The only way we’ll reach our goal is to rely on your generous support. Please make a contribution today.
Our opponents will spend the next six months doing everything in their power to tear our candidates apart. We’ve already seen Sen. Conrad Burns on the air in Montana leveling attacks against a Democratic candidate who hasn’t even been nominated yet.
Our opponents will use every dollar of their fundraising advantage to try to fool the voters into supporting their failed agenda.
We have to be ready for it.
No attack ad can go unanswered. No whisper campaign can go unexposed. The Republican incumbents we are trying to defeat sometimes have two or even three times as much campaign cash as our Democratic challengers. We’re going to need your help to make sure our voices are heard.
There are six months to go before Election Day, and we can’t afford to wait another day to fight back.
In state after state, the latest polls show that we can win a majority in November. Everywhere I go supporting our candidates across the country, I meet voters ready to change the balance of power in Washington and put our country back on track.
Our opponents’ fundraising advantage is real and it’s dangerous. You and I both know they’ll use that advantage to twist the facts and cloud the debate, putting our candidates at risk.
It’s the DSCC’s job to level the playing field and to elect Democratic senators. We just need your help to succeed.
Sincerely,
Harry Reid
Darfur is the United Nations problem - why don't you protest in front of those useless bastards?
The GOP are brilliant political strategists. They suggest immigration is the most pressing issue facing this country, and we just go right along with it. I can just hear Karl Rove "Forget the Nation's energy policies. Forget Bush's stupid, ill-considered decision to invade Iraq. Forget the perpetual budget and trade deficits. Forget GOP corruption. Forget the fact Bush ignored Iran and North Korea for 6 years and now we have to figure out what can be done. Forget the Medicare/Medicaid prescription drug program crisis Bush created that we must fix otherwise the programs will go bankrupt by 2020. Forget about improving our goverment's ability to respond to natural disasters in teh wake of Katrina. Let's get the Democrats to focus on immigration." Brilliant. We just take the bait and accept the suggestion that immigration is the most important issue and we should address that issue before anything else. We just allow that issue to dominate the news. We don't even question why it is the GOP decided to change the subject. Immigration is an important issue, but as far as I'm concerned, the above mentioned issues contained within the quotation marks that precede immigration are as important if not more important.
We were going to go to WalMart today and buy a bunch of stuff but decided to wait until tomorrow.
Better watch your back too.
Better watch your back too.
Posted by PeppermintLizzy on April 30, 2006 at 03:05
????
There are so many issues on which we agree:
1) Deficits
2) Political Corruption
3) Altnerative Fuel Sources
4) Social Security
5) Healthcare -- More people than ever w/o coverage
6) FAIR and free trade
7) civil liberties
8) governmental checks and balances
These are issues where I think we stand united.
As for the village idiots. We need Benji to remind them to get back in the kitchen and peel those potatoes.
http://www.briloon.org/ed/eagle/
Watch some bald eagles in Maine feed their babies - live.
Wow, I can't believe some of the racist comments I've read here... if people want to boycott let em boycott -- I'm going to focus the debate on improving the economy/national security through debating our Nation's energy policies. I'm going to focus debate on improving our Nation's economy through debating the soundness of perpetual deficit spending. I'm going to focus on improving our Nation's economy through focusing debate as to how to improve our Nation's ability to respond to national disasters. I'm going to focus debate on improving the economy through trade that is both FAIR AND FREE! (including allowing the market to revalue certain currencies!!!!) I'm going to focus the debate as to how to reduce political corruption in Washington. I'm going to focus debate on the importance of an independent judiciary and 3 co-equal branches of government. I'm going to focus debate on the importance of healthcare in this country and examine why it is so many people in this country don't have healthcare. I'm going to focus debate on saving medicare/medicaid in the wake of Bush's disastrous prescription drug policy. I'm going to focus debate as to improve/secure social security because people who work 40 hours a week for 40 years deserve to retire. I'm not going to allow Karl Rove and Bush to distract me. I know what the important issues are. I'm not going to allow them to distract me by telling me I ought to focus on immigration instead of all these other things. Once we address these other issues, we can talk about immigration. Before we lose focus, let's focus on the issues on which we can agree.
Well gotta go look at gas guzzlers now - the price of SUVs is way down now.
but Winkie, your president's administration doesn't care about the environment and it's policies unfettered would bring about the extinction of bald eagles.
Rabbi Saperstein said it so well when he proclaimed that genocide and ethnic cleansing must stop.
Wow, I can't believe some of the racist comments I've read here...
kev, welcome to my world
Well gotta go look at gas guzzlers now
You are just lining the pockets of the oil companies and losing your own money.
But that is not my problem...
did you see this one Lizzy?
VIDEO | The War Affects Us All
Tens of Thousands in New York March Against the War in Iraq
By Desmond Butler
The Associated Press
Posted by PeppermintLizzy on April 30, 2006 at 03:31 PM
You don't think he can afford anything more than the bike he rides, do you, LizzyBeth? I would bet the old guy has not even got a license anymore!
I'm actually curious as to how anyone can defend Bush at this point. The only thing he's good at is sucking. Each day, he continues to amaze me at his limitless ability to suck. 'Cut taxes and we'll increase governmental revenue!!!' -- 5 years later - -record deficits. Blow up Iraq and we'll lower oil prices and improve global stability. 3 years later -- skyrocketing oil prices, North Korea and Iran growing more bold in their threats to the west, Hamas takeover, and instability in Iraq. In 2000, Bush, "I'm going to bring honesty and integrity to the White House." 6 years later, we have the plame scandal and constant revelations that he misled the country leading up to the war in Iraq (Aluminum Pipes, a certain infamous memo, Uranium/Niger Story, various conflicting intelligence). His presidency has been nothing short of an unmitigated disaster. Bush: "I'm going to improve our national preparedness to respond to terrorist threats and disasters." 3 years later: Katrina.
The main point I was trying to make with my 3:19 post is that there are a lot of issues on which we can agree and it'd be good for us to focus on those before we move on to the more contentious issues. This is because there's more opportunity to accomplish something with regards to the issues on which we can agree. Within each broad category, there will be sub-components on which there is not 100% agreement, but, nevertheless, we can still accomplish something on those broad issues. Ultimately, we're going ot have to convince voters that we're united enough to accomplish something. To do that, we should focus on the issues on which we can agree.
I can't think of any issue that I agree with Sloppy Joe Liebermannnn on.
I can't think of any issue that I agree with Ben Nelson on.
gee, the media thought it was SOOOO funny, when Bush was looking under the table for WMDS, as our troops were getting killed for his lie!!!
"The AP's first stab at it - and pieces from Reuters and the Chicago Tribune - tell us everything we need to know: Colbert's performance is sidestepped and marginalized while Bush is treated as light-hearted, humble, and funny. Expect nothing less from the cowardly American media. The story could just as well have been Bush and Laura's discomfort and the crowd's semi-hostile reaction to Colbert's razor-sharp barbs. In fact, I would guess that from the perspective of newsworthiness and public interest, Bush-the-playful-president is far less compelling than a comedy sketch gone awry, a pissed-off prez, and a shell-shocked audience.
This is the power of the media to choose the news, to decide when and how to shield Bush from negative publicity. Sins of omission can be just as bad as sins of commission. . . .
A final thought: Bush's clownish banter with reporters - which is on constant display during press conferences - stands in such stark contrast to his administration's destructive policies and to the gravity of the bloodbath in Iraq that it is deeply unsettling to watch. This may be impolitic, but wouldn't refraining from frat-style horseplay be appropriate for this man? Or at the least, can't reporters suppress their raucous laughter every time he blurts out another jibe... the way they did when Colbert put them in their place?
Genocide and ethnic cleansing is the murder of individuals. Stopping and managing illegal immigration is not ethnic cleansing.
Genocide and ethnic cleansing is the murder of individuals. Stopping and managing illegal immigration is not ethnic cleansing.
Who said it was??? and it is the murder of INNOCENT individuals.
Bush is not cerebral enough to comprehend the gravity of what is happening. That is the only way he can be flip and nonchalant when confronted.
The immigration debate amongst Dems, is best summed up in this: Remember what the ULTIMATE goal has to be.
"Among their targets are the "single-issue groups," as they term them: the activist organizations that push one cause above all else, and hence lose sight of the larger goal of Democratic victory. It's an interesting argument, and it has some merit inasmuch as it doesn't make sense -- to appropriate one of their examples -- for NARAL to endorse a pro-abortion Republican when the totality of Republican control will act against their cause. But the authors give short shrift to the causes as such: they have no time for the principled in a party they describe as "stand[ing] for nothing."
What CTG and T&H are talking about is a Democratic Party that is committed to its core values and also is a Big Tent -- the type of party required to be a majority party in the United States. They are arguing for a party that has defined its values while at the same time NOT requiring lockstep agreement on all the issues across the country. It will be a party where Ben Nelson will stress his fight for working Americans and contrast that with the Republican Party's neglect of the common man, but also a party where a Ned Lamont will battle with Joe Lieberman over the Iraq War and where Ted Kennedy will fight for civil rights. Much may divide Ben Nelson, Ned Lamont and Ted Kennedy, but their core values, values of the Democratic Party, pull them together. And each should stress those values in ways that make sense for each of them in their respective political situations. And in this way a national Democratic brand can be created that appeals in all sections of the country.
http://www.myleftwing.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=BA4A4BEFB18D21B7EFCD0CAFD1CD9A6C?diaryId=8058
And for those who missed the video, here it is again. Colbert at the Correspondent Dinner.
http://video.freevideoblog.com/video/AAC7FA18-2DDC-4D3E-B1BB-9D6CBD83E27F.htm
This is where Joe Biden will be tomorrow along with me. What would you like me to tell Joe?
Tell him his vote on the bankruptcy bill cost him the presidency.
Pee-wee:
Trade that is both free and fair is possible; it all depends on what we mean when we use those terms. If "free" means absolutely no government involvement than I agree with you. But I must note that if that's what "free" means, than the most efficient markets in the world today are not free, because they use governmentally backed currency. When I use the term "free" I'm assuming the government is playing a role. I'm afraid there may be little to be gained from this discussion. What I meant by "free and fair" was that the involved governments would work together so as to ensure no systemic advantages accrue to any single side to the detriment of the other. I believe such trade is possible and I believe a majority of Americans support such trade.
Back to my main point. It is unfortunate that you can't think of an issue on which you can agree with lieberman, hillary or nelson. This is part of the reason our party is in the minority. We can't afford to alienate any of our members. We should welcome them into the party and work with them to accomplish things we care about, accepting the fact that we're going to have give-and-take relationships with these members. No faction in our party will get everything it wants, but at the same time, we'll all be MUCH better off working together than we are divided. I would much rather have either Bill Nelson, Hillary Clinton, or Joe Lieberman as president than George W. Bush. I'm not ecstatic about any of those candidates, but I think it's pretty clear we'd be better off with one of them than we are with bush...
thanks, Kev. Howard Dean's book, You Have the Power says much the same thing. Not all Democrats agree or are going to agree on ALL issues. We have to accept that, but understand our Core values are all the same.
We cannot allow one issue to un-unite us!
Kev
That first definition you gave for free is what regressives mean when they use the term. Democrats should stop using the term free trade all together. All Democrats should agree on the concept of regulated trade. But this is the problem: The so-called free traders in the party refuse to regulate.
PamB
It will be a party where Ben Nelson will stress his fight for working Americans
Let me show you why I’m concerned about illegal immigration. And it is an issue for working Americans.
According the US Census in 1980 this Hispanic population in Dallas totaled 12%. By 1990 the growth reached 21%. In 2000 the growth reached 36%. The 2004 estimate is now 42%.
The overwhelming majority of this growth is from illegal immigration. That is why the white population (30%) and the black population (23%) still control city government.
50% of this labor is bought buy homeowners cutting out licensed contractors and reducing thir costs by 50% or more through exploitation.
Greatings all,
I know I am noone special, but it's good to see the small amount I donate to the Party being put to good use. I am in the military and stationed in South Korea currently so I was unable to donate my time as well. And after much thought I have decided to use the military's education assitance fund to take distance learning class through University of Idaho in Electronics Engineering. And hopefully after 6 more years get out and open my own buissness in South Carolina. Well, I wish you all good luck and continued success.
Samuel
Hi Sam, your service to your country is appreciated. Where in S Korea are you? I was there many years ago.
pee-wee,
use whatever term you like. I think we mean the same thing. I think you and I have more in common than either one of us has in common with the president. My main point was not about trade. My main point was the same point PamB articulated (I concede, she did a better job than I did).
Sometimes, ya just gotta sing.
50 Ways To Dump The Dubya
Goper's Lament (Hard To Be A Republican)
I can't believe we're letting this happen -- how embarassing. We could put a stop to this.
"Campaign of murder, rape
About 180,000 people have been killed and 3 million driven from their homes by fighting in the western Sudanese region since February 2003, when rebels from black farming villages took up arms against what they consider discrimination and oppression by the Arab-dominated government."
“For those of you who are going out to march for justice, you represent the best of our country,” Bush said. Why doesn't Bush 'represent the best of our country' and help solve this problem.
these quotes came from MSNBC's website
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12531663/
bush, the most disgusting example of a hypocritical Christian I have ever heard of. His comment makes me sick and I hope to hell that it is replayed daily during the '06 election cycle. How a God fearing Christian could be proud of that as_hole is embarrassing. The best of our country! Indeed, my dog's crap is a better representation of 'our country' when compared to bush! Wait was that too mean...to my dog?
NAFTA is not "fair" trade.
As to your main point:
Dick Gebhardt is a Democrat.
Sloppy Joe Liebermannnn is a Republican
Both are war hawks. I agree with neither on war.
Robert Byrd is a Democrat.
Ben Nelson is a Republican.
Byrd is a racist, but he fights for workers rights.
The difference between these men are the totality of the policies that they advocate. Republican voters care about the same issues we care about, but they have a different way of getting to that destination.
As a party we have to come to a consensus on how we get there- not just where we are going. The other guys have already done this.
Tom,
You are missing the point of that article. The point is, to YOU, illegal immigration is a very large problem (being in TX, I understand!) Probably to you, the largest problem.
Carville/Begala's book,(plus the object of this post) tells ME, I have to compromise on Women's Right to Choose, and that Gays have to compromise on Marriage! Now THAT really, really pisses me off! But Am I going to hammer here, over and over how I am going to either leave this party, if they do not do exactly what I believe in and want, or try and make you and every other Dem come to my side of the issue???? FIRST we have to win this election! That is why you people who are hammering home your view of illegal immigration must back off. Period ! Enough Said!
where did the word "liberal" come from, and what does it mean, really? Posted by ScottPippin on April 30, 2006 at 12:01 AM
It comes from the English Parliament around three hundred years ago, and it it means people who believe in progress and change, while Conservatives wanted to keep things the way they were and not allow anything to change.
What does it mean to you? Is it related to being a Democrat? Can Republicans be liberal? Posted by ScottPippin on April 30, 2006 at 12:19 AM
30 to 40 years ago there used to be “liberal” Republicans, but after Watergate they perged all the liberal Republicans (all the ones who didn’t stick up for Nixon) from their party.
We are going down to defeat again just when the brass ring appears to be in reach and despite record high gas prices, the war in Iraq, and the incompetence of the White House.
Why?
Because once again Kennedy and Reid and Pelosi and other Democratic leaders can't understand that Americans value law and order.
Americans understand that illegal aliens break many laws to live and work in this country. And tomorrow they will be reminded in print, on the radio, and on television just who it is that's creating these confrontations and contributing to a divisiveness that most Americans find disturbing.
Illegal aliens, illegal immigrants, lawbreakers, and now troublemakers.
So I say to the organizers of the illegal immigrants' protest...bring it on. Help us Democrats shoot ourselves in both feet this time.
Teach us how not to win friends and influence enemies.
I can't think of any issue that I agree with Sloppy Joe Liebermannnn on. Posted by pee-wee on April 30, 2006 at 03:50 PM
Joe Lieberbum is like an anal cyst on the ass of the Democratic Party.
I say we need to do the door hanger door to door activity two or three more times this election year. We will only get better at it the more we do it and the effect can not be underestimated. If we want to win I hope the Democratic Party puts their money into this person to person contact rather than the old combative TV commercials which cost so much and that most people just tune out after awhile.
Let's keep doing this and printing more materials with more crucial information. Like when to vote, where to vote, and how to get registered to vote. Democrats can rise again.
www.yourvotematters.org
Powell Forces Rice to Defend Iraq Planning
WASHINGTON - Just back from Baghdad and eager to discuss promising developments, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice found herself knocked off message Sunday, forced to defend prewar planning and troop levels against an unlikely critic — Colin Powell, her predecessor at the State Department.
For the Bush administration, it was a rare instance of in-house dissenter going public.
On Rice's mind was the political breakthrough that had brought her and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to Iraq last week and cleared the way for formation of a national unity government.
Yet Powell sideswiped her by revisiting the question of whether the U.S. had a large enough force to oust Saddam Hussein and then secure the peace.
He said he advised Bush before the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003 to send more troops to Iraq, but that the administration did not follow his recommendation.
Rice, Bush's national security adviser during the run-up to the war, neither confirmed nor denied Powell's assertion. But she spent a good part of her appearances on three Sunday talk shows reaching into the past to defend the White House, which is trying to highlight the positive to a public increasingly skeptical in this election year of the president's conduct of the war and concerned about the large U.S. military presence.
more at...http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060430/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq
\"That is why you people who are hammering home your view of illegal immigration must back off. Period ! Enough Said!\"
- PamB
Don\'t you idiots know that once Pam has spoken, it\'s over! Back off now before she leaves the blog and maybe the democrat party. Ned Lamont and the rest of the democrats don\'t stand a chance without Pam out in front leading the way.
Domingo
I am glad you understand where I am coming from. It is not about party it is about policy.
Birds of a Feather: Tony Snow, Linda Tripp, Lucianne Goldberg
Tony Snow, by accepting the position of White House press secretary, is entering the pages of history. But he has been there before — at least in the footnotes — thanks to the company he keeps.
Here’s an excerpt from an FBI investigative report from L’Affaire Lewinsky (remember that?):
[Lucianne] GOLDBERG advised that in the Summer of 1996, she was introduced to LINDA TRIPP. GOLDBERG and TRIPP share TONY SNOW as a mutual friend. SNOW contacted GOLDBERG and said he had a friend interested in doing a book. TRIPP talked with GOLDBERG and explained she was interested in writing a book on her experiences working in the BUSH and CLINTON White Houses. GOLDBERG and TRIPP arranged a meeting sometime later in the Summer of 1996.
Wonkette
CNN is reporting that FOX News talking head, Tony Snow, will be the next White House press secretary. When you talk about Tony Snow, talk leads quickly to Lucianne Goldberg. After all, Tony Snow was the person that advised Goldberg to contact Linda Tripp. Snow didn't know a thing about Monica Lewinsky, but he did know that Tripp was one of the last people to see Vince Foster alive.
Goldberg first began representing Tripp on a proposed book about Vincent Foster, the White House deputy counsel who committed suicide in 1993. Goldberg had been looking for information about Foster for another client, and conservative columnist Tony Snow suggested that she meet Tripp. Tripp, who worked in the White House counsel's office, was one of the last people to see Foster alive.
It was Goldberg who convinced Tripp to tape conversations with Lewinsky. When the scandal broke, here is what Goldberg said:
What I'm glad about is he's getting caught," she said of Clinton yesterday. "At something. If it took this to get him, fine." She said she had been "furious" at newspaper coverage of Clinton for the last five years because journalists did not do enough about Whitewater, "Hillary's phony stock deal" and other allegations of corruption.
If the president's lawyer had attacked her credibility the way he had Tripp's, Goldberg said, "I'd be on the lawn of the White House with a deer rifle." She added: "I'm a hero if this thing comes out the way my, quote, agenda would like to see it come out."
Of course, there was never anything of substance behind the Whitewater allegations or Hillary's stock deal.
Did you think the Clinton scandal was about the fate of the presidency, the fury of the press, the shape of democracy? Actually it's about Jonah Goldberg's career plans.
Jonah, agent fatale Lucianne Goldberg's 29-year-old son, entered the national stage when he listened to the Linda Tripp tapes with his mom. His 6,000-word opus on the subsequent media siege of his mother's New York apartment was cut to an amusing -- but trim -- 900-word item that ran in the New Yorker's Talk of the Town section.
A lesser man's 15 minutes of fame might have ended there, but Jonah Goldberg was just revving up.
He took to the air: "Nightline," "Larry King Live," "Today" to start; soon thereafter "Hardball," "Crossfire," "Politically Incorrect," "Equal Time," "Good Morning America" and "The NBC Nightly News." A debate in Slate and a contributing editorship at the conservative National Review followed. This month Goldberg began work on a full-length book about the Clinton affair and his personal involvement with it. The project, Goldberg says, may be a little "'Bonfire of the Vanities' type thing about stories peripheral to the scandal." Movie deals may follow the final book deal, he says.
Most people might find such activity would provide a sufficient outlet for the thoughts, insights and feelings of a bit player in the constitutional crisis that now faces the country. But not Goldberg, who recently quit his job to devote himself full-time to his Lewinsky-related activities.
Goldberg, who is vice-president of his mother's company, the Goldberg Literary Agency, makes no attempt to conceal his peripheral role in the scandal. "The fun part is my irrelevance," he says. He characterizes his ascent in purely capitalist terms. "I had information to barter," he explains, referring to the fact that he actually heard the Tripp tapes. "And when you have information to barter you become a clearinghouse for other information. People want to trade.
more at...Salon
Welcome to the Banana Republic.
Censure? Impeachment? Well, if it's l'etat c'est mois, how about coup d'etat, and lets look around the neighborhood for a new Sun King. Apparently, the New Amurkan Century doan require no steeenkeeng bodges. Compassionate Conservative always sounded like Benevolent Dictator to me, backed up by Jack-Boot Thugs.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: the bastards have flouted, subborned and abrogated the Constitution. Heads should roll.
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation...
whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
It's really no wonder at all that exporting democracy is an abject failure. Delay, Diebold and DeRepublicans have murdered it in the USA, and the corpse doesn't travel well.
What Tony Snow "really" thinks of Bush Junior.
Tony Snow On President Bush: ‘An Embarrassment,’ ‘Impotent,’ ‘Doesn’t Seem To Mean What He Says’
– Bush has “lost control of the federal budget and cannot resist the temptation to stop raiding the public fisc.” [3/17/06]
– “George W. Bush and his colleagues have become not merely the custodians of the largest government in the history of humankind, but also exponents of its vigorous expansion.” [3/17/06]
– “President Bush distilled the essence of his presidency in this year’s State of the Union Address: brilliant foreign policy and listless domestic policy.” [2/3/06]
– “George Bush has become something of an embarrassment.” [11/11/05]
– Bush “has a habit of singing from the Political Correctness hymnal.” [10/7/05]
– “No president has looked this impotent this long when it comes to defending presidential powers and prerogatives.” [9/30/05]
– Bush “has given the impression that [he] is more eager to please than lead, and that political opponents can get their way if they simply dig in their heels and behave like petulant trust-fund brats, demanding money and favor — now!” [9/30/05]
– “When it comes to federal spending, George W. Bush is the boy who can’t say no. In each of his three years at the helm, the president has warned Congress to restrain its spending appetites, but so far nobody has pushed away from the table mainly because the president doesn’t seem to mean what he says.” [The Detroit News, 12/28/03]
– “The president doesn’t seem to give a rip about spending restraint.” [The Detroit News, 12/28/03]
– “Bush, for all his personal appeal, ultimately bolstered his detractors’ claims that he didn’t have the drive and work ethic to succeed.” [11/16/00]
– “Little in the character of demeanor of Al Gore or George Bush makes us say to ourselves: Now, this man is truly special! Little in our present peace and prosperity impels us to say: Give us a great man!” [8/25/00]
– “George W. Bush, meanwhile, talks of a pillowy America, full of niceness and goodwill. Bush has inherited his mother’s attractive feistiness, but he also got his father’s syntax. At one point last week, he stunned a friendly audience by barking out absurd and inappropriate words, like a soul tortured with Tourette’s.” [8/25/00]
more at...Think Progress
What did Bush Junior tell us the other day we should about the gas crisis? Take shorter vacations? This coming from the "vacation" Resident? It's kinda like a guy who never showed any "Personal Responsibility" in his life telling us how much "Personal Responsibility" all the rest of us need to have.
Maggot Brain
You doesn't see this in any of the news stories but GW Bush went to a science-centered junior high school and once again embarrassed us all [transcript]. If you can find the audio, he plainly addressed it as "Parkland Maggot Middle School for Aerospace Technology" in front of the likely bewildered students.
we need to focus on policies on which we can agree, if we don't, our policies will be moot.
Pee-Wee
If we focus on policies that divide our party, we will likely remain the minority party in perpetuity. Indirectly, such a strategy will support a GOP majority and GOP policies. If we can't even work with each other, there is no way we will win over and retain independent voters. To be sure, there will be brief periods when the general populous becomes so fed up with republicans they vote us in for a term, but once they do, if we allow infighting with regards to certain issues to sabotage our entire agenda, we will not retain power.
The Judas Strategy: Buying Americans for 30 Gallons of Gas.
George W. Bush_ (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/george-w-bush)
San Francisco, CA -- ABC television news wanted to know what I thought about the latest Congressional proposal: to drill the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and give every American a _$100 tax rebate as a bribe_ (http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/releases/pr2006-04-27a.asp) in exchange. So I told them, "At today's prices, a $100 tax rebate will buy about 30 gallons of gasoline. (http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/huffingtonpost/blog/environment;n
ickname=carl-pope;2006=1;george-w-bush=1;tile=3;sz=300x250;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;abr=!ie6;ord=
123456789?)
Judas Iscariot was bribed with 30 pieces of silver. This Congress apparently believes that the American people, like Judas, can be bought, and will sell out their wildlife heritage. I don't think that's going to fly."
This is truly beyond desperate. The Sierra Club -- along with ten states (three with Republican governors), two cities and other environmental groups--_is suing the Bush administration_
(http://www.eenews.net/features/documents/2006/04/27/document_gw_01.pdf) for its failure to take action to curb carbon dioxide pollution_
(http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/releases/pr2006-04-27.asp) from oil, coal and other fossil fuels. As New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer said, "EPA's newly adopted rule represents an abdication of leadership and foresight in favor of the unacceptable status quo."
Yesterday, Bush finally said that maybe, just maybe, the $2 billion in new subsidies he and Congress gave the oil industry last summer weren't needed. Democrats promptly responded by pointing to another $10 billion in subsidies and foregone lease revenues the oil industry owes the federal government, which Bush has not proposed to touch. The L.A. Times headline read, "_Bush's Proposals Viewed as a Drop in the Oil Bucket_ (http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-na-gas26apr26,1,5954749.story?ctrack=1&cset=true)," with the sub-head, "Even officials in the White House say his actions will have little effect on pump prices."
Meanwhile, _Exxon Mobil yet again reported record profits_(http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/042706J.shtml) from the soaring price of oil, and the press began suggesting that the Republican leadership in Congress may take the fall for voter anger_
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/26/AR2006042602141.html?sub=AR).
It's going to be a different kind of long, hot summer, it appears. Not a fun time for our reactionary leadership -- although, sadly, a profitable one for their petroleum paymasters.
What I've been trying to say is that there are no policies which we agree.
Subject: JOB OPPORTUNITY
The Afriat Consulting Group, Inc. is looking for an individual with experience in the workings of Los Angeles City Government.
Knowledge of other cities, LA County, MTA, LAUSD or political campaign/fundraising
experience a plus.
Salary commensurate with experience, plus benefits. Resumes should be sent to _steve@afriat.com_
Unlike the GOP, we do not march in lock-step. I don't think we ever have marched in lock-step... the factions that make up our party are more diverse than those that make up the GOP. This means that it is much harder to for the democratic party to form consensus as to every single issue. I disagree that both the democratic party and the republican party have the same goals. There is disagreement as to the means and ends on some issues. See, for example, gay rights. On others, you're right we only disagree as to the means.
hey, tali, how have you been? how's about that Keith climbing coconut trees in Fiji! damn shame about JK Galbraith. whoever labeled economics the "dismal science" never met Ken, that's for sure.
PamB
That is why you people who are hammering home your view of illegal immigration must back off. Period ! Enough Said!
There is no way we will back off until the issue is put to rest.
Sometimes you come off as if you’re bipolar. If a poster agress with your position you are all loveable and polite. If they disagree you sound like a vicious Republican attack dog. Will the real PamB please stand up?
BTW – I believe I saw a post that said you were a social worker. That is indeed a very nobal calling. If true, do what you you can but don’t try to carry the burden of saving the world on your sholders. It will burn you up and the people who need you will lose.
As for same-sex marriage and legalized abortion, two issues which I side with you, the decision has been rendered until such a time the Supreme Court has a new make-up. That looks to be at least 20 years diwn the road for gay marriage. Abortion will fall to the states unless conservatives are successful in passing a right-to-life declaring life starts at conception is inacted.
I tend to thank Ralph Nader for this. His and our work with him has been undone by his ego.
The party is useless if there is no consensus on a few policies. It seems to me that the Democratic party is just a social issues party right now. The only issues where there is some sort of consensus is reproductive freedom, environmental justice, and social freedom.
Union workers be damned.
Republicans on the Run
If the midterm elections were held today, top strategists of both parties say privately, the Republicans would probably lose the 15 seats they need to keep control of the House of Representatives.
Considering that Vice President Dick Cheney had come a long way to help Florida Congressman Ric Keller raise $250,000 last week, the reception he got in the Sunshine State could have been a bit warmer. After extolling Cheney as " one of the most effective Vice Presidents in the history of the U.S.," Keller launched into all the times he had recently opposed the Bush Administration, including the deal to allow a Dubai company to manage operations at several U.S. ports. And then Keller went right for the punch line: " 'Don't be too hasty,'" he claimed the Vice President had pleaded with him."
As the campaign season kicks into gear, Republican incumbents are having a hard time figuring out how close they want to be to the White House. Voters have plenty to take out on Republican candidates this year—ethics scandals, the g.o.p.'s failure to curb spending, the government's inept response to Hurricane Katrina, a confusing new prescription-drug program for seniors and, more than anything else, an unpopular President who is fighting an unpopular war. Iraq could make a vulnerability of the Republicans' greatest asset, the security issue.
The midterm contests in a President's second term are almost always treacherous, but this time around, Republicans thought it would be different. The 2006 elections, coming on top of their gains in 2002 and 2004, would make history and perhaps even cement a g.o.p. majority in Congress for a generation. George W. Bush's credibility on national security and the states' aggressive gerrymandering, they believed, had turned the vast majority of districts into fortresses for incumbents. But that's not turning out to be the case. In recent weeks, a startling realization has begun to take hold: if the elections were held today, top strategists of both parties say privately, the Republicans would probably lose the 15 seats they need to keep control of the House of Representatives and could come within a seat or two of losing the Senate as well. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who masterminded the 1994 elections that brought Republicans to power on promises of revolutionizing the way Washington is run, told Time that his party has so bungled the job of governing that the best campaign slogan for Democrats today could be boiled down to just two words: "Had enough?"
Iraq is driving nearly all the big indicators the wrong way for Republicans. In a Time poll conducted last week, Bush's job approval rating was mired at 39%; 3 in 5 Americans said the country is headed in the wrong direction, and when those surveyed were given the choice between a generic Republican and a generic Democrat for Congress, the nameless Democrat won, 50% to 41%. The signs suggest an anti-Republican wave is building, says nonpartisan electoral handicapper Stuart Rothenberg, whose Rothenberg Political Report is closely followed in Washington. "The only question is how high, how big, how much force it will have. I think it will be considerable." The danger signs for Republicans show up across the electoral map but nowhere more clearly than in the swing state of Pennsylvania, where the hottest Senate race in the country is being fought and where Republican strategists say as many as five g.o.p. congressional seats are in play, out of a total 19. The President is still beloved by the state's Republican faithful, as evidenced by the fact that 500 of them showed up to see him at a $1,000-a-plate private fund raiser for Senator Rick Santorum last week in Sewickley Heights, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Santorum posed for photos with the President at the airport and leaned into a smiling handshake with political guru Karl Rove. But it was telling that Santorum, who is trailing state treasurer Bob Casey by 10 points in the latest polls, scheduled no public appearances with Bush. When Cheney flew to Newark, N.J., earlier in the week to raise nearly $400,000 that state senator Tom Kean Jr. badly needs in his bid for the U.S. Senate, the candidate didn't show up until 15 minutes after the Vice President's motorcade had left. Kean blamed the state's notorious traffic for his tardiness. Local papers confirmed that there hadn't been much congestion at the time.
On the fund-raising front, Democrats have been surprisingly competitive with the Republicans. In a rare feat for the party, the Democratic senatorial campaign committee has outraised its Republican counterpart. Last year "our bottom-line goal was not to lose any seats," says Charles Schumer, the New York Senator who heads the committee. "Now, if things fall in line, we might even pick up the Senate." Republicans could even lose the Tennessee seat of retiring majority leader Bill Frist to Representative Harold Ford, a Democrat. Few strategists in either party think a Democratic takeover of the Senate is likely, but many agree that the party's playing offense rather than defense is a remarkable turnaround, given that Democrats have more incumbents (18) fighting to keep their seats than Republicans do (15). But the g.o.p. failed to recruit strong challengers for the North Dakota, Nebraska and Florida seats that had been considered their best opportunities. "There was a chance for us to get damn close to [a filibuster-proof] 60 votes," says g.o.p. activist Grover Norquist. "We gave away three sure things."
If there's any good news for Republicans, it's that the elections are still seven months off. There is time in which any number of possible events—the capture of Osama bin Laden, for instance, or positive developments out of Iraq—could sweeten the nation's mood. Gingrich says Republicans badly need accomplishments to tell voters about. "The country actually expects the majority to implement," he says. "They hire you to govern, not just to tell them why you are right." Representative Tom Reynolds of New York, chairman of the g.o.p. House campaign committee, said the picture is more promising race by race than it is nationally. He told Time only 36 to 40 races will be in play, meaning Democrats would have to keep all their competitive seats and knock off three-quarters of the Republicans. "We have more money, and their only message is slash and burn," Reynolds said.
Republicans can take some comfort in the fact that one general rule about politics remains true, even in this difficult year: as mad as voters are at Washington in general, they are still pretty happy with the individual people who represent them. In the Time poll, 63% of respondents said they approved of the job their local lawmaker was doing. That's one reason Republican strategists say they plan to battle the national tide by localizing individual races. Localizing suggests drawing voters' attention to the issues that most affect them at home. But in practice, to political operatives it means putting an opponent through the shredder. Republicans plan to go after Democratic challengers with every bit of ammunition they can find, from old tax liens to long-ago votes to raise local taxes.
Democrats say, Bring it on. "If they want to have a negative campaign not about the issues, they will be met on the campaign field," says Illinois Representative Rahm Emanuel, the former Clinton White House aide who heads the Democrats' campaign committee for House races. Theirs has been a shifting line of attack. January's mantra about the g.o.p.'s "culture of corruption" became February's lament about the "rubber-stamp Congress." The latest slogan they are hurling against the Republicans is "dangerously incompetent." (That, however, can be a tricky visual, as Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow discovered when she stood next to a placard with those two words and gave a speech two weeks ago on the Senate floor.)
The most appealing argument the Democrats are offering may be their candidates, who were recruited more for how they fit the districts in which they are running than for how they match the party's national ideology. In Pennsylvania, which has an active bloc of Catholic voters, Casey is an opponent of abortion rights. That same position cost his father, then the Governor, a speaking spot at the 1992 Democratic Convention. For what could be two close races against female Republican incumbents—Heather Wilson in New Mexico and Deborah Pryce in Ohio—Emanuel found women challengers. Former NFL quarterback Heath Schuler has added star power to the race in a North Carolina district. Incumbent Charles Taylor is on the defense there with claims that an electronic glitch prevented him from casting his vote against the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which Bush had sought but is unpopular among Taylor's constituents, who believe it will cost the state jobs. The most obvious line of defense for Republican candidates is to point out their differences with the President, as the party-wide revolt over the ports deal amply demonstrated. In the face of the Democrats' "rubber stamp" charges, g.o.p. lawmakers are distancing themselves on other issues as well. In Kentucky, Representative Anne Northup, generally a staunch Bush backer, notes that she strongly supports reimporting cheaper drugs from Canada. In Missouri, Senator Jim Talent emphasizes his successful push for an amendment to last year's energy bill that requires 7.5 billion gallons of renewable energy to be in the nation's fuel pipeline by 2012. Boasts Talent adviser Lloyd Smith: "He took on the Bush Administration and the oil companies."
But party leaders are warning privately against taking that strategy too far. "If Diet Coke criticizes Coke, people buy Pepsi, not Diet Coke," said Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee. In an internal Republican Party memo provided to Time, Jan van Lohuizen, a longtime Bush pollster, warns candidates tempted to distance themselves that "President Bush drives our image and will do so until we have real national front-runners for the '08 nomination. If he drops, we all drop." Another Republican strategist describes the problem for g.o.p. candidates this way: "Adding weight to the anchor doesn't help them."
Meanwhile, although there is no doubt that Americans are unhappy with the Republicans who run the country
http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,1176959,00.html
Pee-wee and Domingo:
Through our party we implement policy. There are some issues on which there will never be consensus. In an election year, it's not good to allow focus to be directed toward issues on which we do not agree, such as immigration. If we tell conservative democrats to go to hell, it makes it a lot tougher to win during an election year. I agree we need to build consensus, but I think the best way to do that is to focus on issues on which we can agree. We should be tolerant of disagreement and sympathetic toward each other on those 'hot botton' issues. I don't much care for Senator lieberman either, but if we're going to gain and retain a majority, we're going to need people like him in the party. This is especially true if we want to win in the south.
We have a renegade junta in the White House
Did You Know that Signing the Wrong Law and Violating the Constitution is Just a Technicality?
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Field Representative (2 positions)
Congresswoman Jane Harman- District Office
The Office of Congresswoman Jane Harman is seeking two strategic, proactive, and community-oriented individuals for the position of Field Representative. One position will be based in the El Segundo district office, and the other in the Wilmington district office. Each will serve as liaisons to government agencies, businesses, and local community groups.
Essential Duties:
· Attend meetings of local government and community groups, speak on behalf of the Congresswoman, and report back with recommendations for action on issues of importance to the district.
· Responsible for tracking district priorities as identified by the Congresswoman, recommending strategies for achieving those priorities, and executing a district plan.
· Identify, plan, and coordinate events for the Congresswoman’s district trips, including advancing the event site and writing event memorandums, talking points, and preparing background information.
· Maintain an awareness and involvement in district affairs and issues, reporting to the Congresswoman as appropriate.
· Contribute to a strategic weekly report, with updates on the progress of priority district issues.
· Other related work as assigned.
Knowledge of/ Ability to:
· Familiarity with communities within the 36th Congressional District, including the South Bay and Beach Cities, Los Angeles Harbor Area, and Venice, Mar Vista, and West L.A. preferred.
· Establish and maintain cooperative relationships/ verbally communicate effectively with constituent groups, elected officials, government agencies, and business leaders.
· Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred for the Wilmington position.
· Strong written communication skills; ability to research and draft memorandums, reports, and talking points.
· Access, input, and retrieve information from a computer. Experience with Microsoft Word and standard Internet browsers strongly preferred.
· Some event planning experience desirable.
· Work night and/or weekend hours as necessary to attend meetings, staff the Congresswoman, or perform other essential duties.
· Work independently in the absence of supervision.
· Understand and carry out directions, and take the initiative.
Send, fax, or e-mail cover letter, resume, and writing sample by April 7, 2006 to:
Chad Molnar
Deputy District Director
2321 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 3270
El Segundo, CA 90245
chad.molnar@mail.house.gov
310-643-6445 Fax
Pee-Wee:
I understand where you're coming from, it's frustrating. It'd be nice if we were a more homogenious party. We are not. Historically we have not been. I agree with your position on a lot of these issues. I wish we could win the presidency and congress and jam a left of center agenda through washington. that won't happen right now because the country is far too divided and our party is far too divided. If we focus on the issues on which we can agree, we can accomplish part of our agenda. That's better than nothing. Once we accomplish a few things, then we can take on the more controversial issues. I agree with you that workers are getting screwed. All you need to do is look at real wages. In the long run, we must do something about this. We also must do something about education, healthcare, immigration... but we can't get too far ahead of ourselves. First we have to win a majority. To do that, I think we have to focus on the issues that unite us and not those that divide us...
Domingo,
That's awesome that Fitzgerald is going to seek new white house indictments.
This is how you win in the south Kev.
Pro-life, pro-civil rights, pro-worker's rights, pro-small business, pro-bilateral trade, pro-environment, pro-consumers
kev
it's not good to allow focus to be directed toward issues on which we do not agree, such as immigration.
When legislation of the magnitude being "Demanded by Illegal Immigrants" is being thrust down our throats there is no way not to address it for political expediency.
what a weekend for Colbert. He was just given a warn treatment by 60 Minutes' Morley Safir.
30 to 40 years ago there used to be “liberal” Republicans, but after Watergate they perged all the liberal Republicans (all the ones who didn’t stick up for Nixon) from their party.
Posted by Domingo on April 30, 2006 at 06:12 PM
Oh B.S., We still have Lincoln Chafee, Olympia Snow, Arlen Specter and others
Tom,
I believe it is the Republican Congress trying to push for extreme legislation.
The illegal immigrants aren't demanding anything, there are only protesting as a matter of survival.
Illegal immigration is nothing more than a Republican smoke-screen.
Hey look everybody,
It's Dinky,
Did you get those potatoes peeled, Ms. Goldberg?
Joe Lieberbum is like an anal cyst on the ass of the Democratic Party.
Posted by Domingo on April 30, 2006 at 06:26 PM
And that is a very big ass!
Where are all your multiple identity friends...
rinky dinky doo?
Posted by Domingo on April 30, 2006 at 06:35 PM Linda Tripp's Birthday should be a national holiday. I wonder when it is.
PamB
I just notice noble was incorrectly spelled. Since it was a compliment I should have paid closer attention. Sorry.- Posted by Tom_Terrific on April 30, 2006 at 07:33 PM
hi bb- probably just a drive by as i have pork roast in the oven, but have been wanting to say that i thoroughly enjoyed canvassing yesterday- we had about 80 names in an older neighborhood- a neighborhood that gets its share of bad press, but i have to admit, most of the streets we were on were just amazing- love the old homes (circa '20's?- arts and crafts stuff), old trees- many did not seem to be home, but we talked to some great people- would do it again in a heartbeat
It's really no wonder at all that exporting democracy is an abject failure.
Caliban,
750
The number of laws “President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey…since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution.
If we focus on policies that divide our party, we will likely remain the minority party in perpetuity.
Posted by Kev on April 30, 2006 at 07:21 PM
You don't have to focus on issues that divide your party. The Republicans will do that for you.
Benji
Benji, if you can get Navito Lopez, President of the Mexican American Political Association to say that then I will believe it.
Their demands are clearly stated.
1. Complete legalization for everyone here.
2. The right to bring their families here as legal immigrants. (jumping in line for citizenship)
3. Free Education inluding college.
4. Free Healthcare.
Tom,
Sorry, you were saying that...
if I get Navito Lopez (who?) the President of the Mexican American Political Association (what?) to say that (what?) then I will believe it (what?).
I will try to keep that in mind. Thanks.
Posted by Winkie on April 30, 2006 at 08:13 PM
Will "they" really do that...
shrinky dinky wiggily piggily?
did anyone else watch the corresondents' dinner? read on line tonight that the decider was less than pleased with colbert- what is even more pathetic was the way the lapdogs ate up the snl-like skit that the decider did with his doppelganger and sat there stonefaced while colbert made fun of them and the decider
Benji
The illegal immigrants aren't demanding anything, there are only protesting as a matter of survival.
Illegal immigration is nothing more than a Republican smoke-screen.
Posted by Benji on April 30, 2006 at 07:59 PM
You get Navito Lopez to say something similar and I won't say another world.
Meanwhile, get those boys back to the kitchen.
My typing is fading, I leave for now. I'm sure I'll be missed.
Take it easy TT,
see you on the flip side.
P.S. Don't hold your breath about good ole' Navito.
followthemoney,
I serve at Osan AB. Near Songtan. I will be leaving soon, hopefully.
Samuel
I cannot help but say that it is extremely disheartening that there is no thread for "Save Darfur"
Am I to conclude that this another one of those Rally's that the DNC does not consider sanctioned?
"Save Darfur"
PeppermintLizzy, the Arab-dominated Sudanese is killing thousands of its non-Arab citizens and driving many, many more from their homes. It's not too much unlike what the Sunni-dominated government of Saddamm Hussein was doing to some of its citizens.
I'd like to hear your plans for just what we should do.
No fair suggesting strategies you disapprove of in Iraq.
uh-oh. Looks like someone didn't get the memo that PamB (thinks she) is the smartest person in the room.
Evening all, Just got back from Lion King at the Theater. It was spectacular. See it if you get the chance.
Tom T, You just don't get the point of that article, so I give up with you. Rail and Rant all you want. When you finally realize you have not accomplished One Single thing on the immigration debate, then join us in our fight on other issues, will you? (and no, I am not a social worker. You read wrong)
And to the other idiots,(doc and newbie) if you do not like my being on this blog , well, may I suggest you move on to one of the many other ones? Or have perhaps you been laughed out of those, too??? I have been here much longer than either of you two jerks, and plan on being here long after you get tired of your silly posting (which no one pays attention to in case you didn't notice)!
sorry this is not brought to you by Truthout, but a really good idea anyways!
"The United Methodist Church should be bringing disciplinary action against President George Bush for war crimes. Evidence continues to mount that Bush, a United Methodist, deliberately used his religious faith to deceive the American people in the run-up to his administration's pre-meditated war against non-threatening, sanctions-weakened, defenseless Iraq. He then continued using his faith in "the ways of Providence" to justify the invasion and occupation of Iraq. He has violated a long-cherished United Methodist Book of Discipline social principle: that "war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ . . . [and] we insist that the first moral duty of all nations is to resolve by peaceful means every dispute between or among them." (pages 123, 124, 2004
my only problem with you PamB is that you think your opinion is the only one that matters. You aren't the voice of the DNC there are many voices.
If you have some proof to back up your allegation, newbie, then let me see where I allege MY opinion is the only one that matters!
As I see it, the hours I am on, I MAINLY post links to articles. Any opinions I express, I am entitled to, the same as any of the many other opinions of all the other bloggers. Now if you do not agree with my opinions, nor like my opinions, that is entirely different, and you may merely skip over any with my name at the bottom! That said, leave me the f**k alone, and I will do the same for you!!!!!!
newbie,
if you have something to say, say it.
if PamB doesn't agree with you,
stop your crying and live with it.
no one can take you seriously if PamB is the only problem you have to complain about on this blog.
This may have been posted before, it is free 10 cuts of Neil Young Songs:
pam- liked the post from the methodist- how many states are entertaining impeachment at this point? i'm not very familiar with the procedures, but apparently there are procedures for state legislatures to push the feds into impeachment mode- i'm all for it
do the methodists have an excommunication process? maybe they should discuss initiating them for the decider- of course, since he rarely goes to church, i don't suppose it would mean much to him
Hi Jethro,
I think we are up to 3 States that have actually started the procedure. (IL, CA, VT?) I am hoping that the States take over the job of impeachment, therefore leaving the Republicans without their tool they are flaunting , i.e. that the Democrats will bring impeachment procedure once they are in office, so it will bring out all of their base.
I need to go get a snack, and I think I will wash it down with a beer or two ! Need them tonight. may bbl.
Why would I care if anyone here takes me seriously? You are so out of touch with what reasonable Americans really want.
Gotta go plan my shopping day tomorrow. You see, most Americans do not support the protests schedule for tomorrow.
Newbie, you're right...there are many voices in the Democrat Blog...PamB's is one of the most important...we like her...we belive her...we agree with her. Your faux argument about that is same as your other arguments: wrong based on ignorance and stupidity...and we don't like you...we don't belive you...we don't agree with you. Take a poll. So don't tell us how we feel or who speaks for us.
doctor(?)D,
The first reason for the rally today was to capture the world's attention and urge our leaders to help end genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. I would hope that people tuned into C-Span and listened to speakers.
Secondly, we have the village idiot by the name of winkie asking "What makes that war good when Iraq was bad?"
We went into Iraq purely for oil and for no other reason. The Bush Administration cared nothing about the Iraqi people. They bombed the crap out of the country attempting to erase the culture and history.
So you ask what should be done:
The United States could help stop the genocide by providing committed leadership, modest financial support to a diverse U.N force and exert diplomatic pressure on the government of Sudan. The US must employ its military power only on behalf of - and, more important, in concert with - international organisations such as the UN.
There should not be any of the airstrikes which went by the name of "Shock and Awe". Enforcing a no-fly zone would protect civilians from aerial bombardment.
gordon and trainor in cobra2- iraq war= hubris and cultural ignorance- this sums up everything that this admin has attempted to do- from katrina to medicare to education to iraq to cheney shooting his buddy- the question has to be put to the public over and over- why would anyone vote for someone to run the government who openly admits that they do not believe in government- many of those who are earning money hand over fist from this admin don't really believe in running a business either, for that matter (that is a business that they might be proud to still be a part of five years from now)
Posted by PamB on April 30, 2006 at 10:17 PM
Perfect example. When I post something I get four letter words in response. When others agree with me dear old Pam just agrees to disagree with them. And, no, I have better things to do than go back to other posts and prove it.
To all the newcomers,
This is a political party blog.
This is not for the faint of heart or for the easily persuaded.
If you do not have the inner strength to make a statement and stand by it, you are waisting your time here.
If you think other bloggers are going to welcome you and agree with everything you say, you have been mislead.
Civil discourse is for the mentally strong and intellectually agile. You must be prepared to argue your points with the acumen of a seasoned politician.
And no apologies are necessary.
Apathetic Newbie,
You are one of the most arrogant people I have ever met. Knock it off. Pam posts many, many important articles and you post crap. You go do your shopping list. Better you are gone from here. Your posts are indicative that you care for nothing but yourself.
man, let us just post some comments and reply or comment back- i'm playing my little fiddle here for ya- in the words of jack nicholson (rp mcmurphy) in one flew over the cuckoo's nest- ooh....oohhhh
You are included newbie,
you are just mad because no one agrees with whatever it is you are trying to point out about PamB.
meant to post this with comment above- andrew greeley in chicago suntimes- talks about fact that if military personnel are aware of gross neglect and illegal actions, then they have a duty to come forward to the public and report it- i would add that this extends to the many whistleblowers in several agencies of our government, journalists who are under attack and the rest of us- those who have come forward know that this is a battle against those who would break the law with impunity and then attempt to silence anyone who dare speak out against their actions
I am confident that those in power now will pay a high price for their crimes- maybe naive, maybe wishful thinking, but i have to believe that they won't get away with what they have done
To all newcomers,
If you want to state an opinion about a topic relevant to the DNC, state it.
If you want to provide a link to a reference, provide it.
If you only want to attack an individual blogger, whom you do not like, than don't be surprised if other bloggers view you with suspicion.
To all newcomers,
Everyone here has taken their fair share of criticism by other bloggers.
If you really want to have your voice heard, than speak up.
If someone disagrees with you don't be surprised.
If you want to go the Republican Blog, go right ahead.
When you realize how lame the Republican Blog is and you want to come back, no one is stopping you from coming back.
The only requirement at the DNC Blog is that you keep the discussion civil.
Now that I have stated my opinion, does anyone disagree with me?
If you don't disagree with me, Fine.
If you do disagree with me, I don't care.
I have made my statement and I stand by it, with no apologies necessary.
hadn't seen this, although i have been out of the news most of the weekend (very nice place to be)- looks like the turks have launced military operations inside iraq
PamB
That's it give it right back to them.
Bush is no christian. Anyone who believes in Christ does not screw the poor like this administration has done.
Posted by Winkie on April 30, 2006 at 11:10 PM
This is why no one respects Winkie (who will be changing her/his name within a few days). Winkie seems to think that PamB is an important topic to discuss, even though, PamB is not even talking to her/him.
PamB
Tom T, You just don't get the point of that article, so I give up with you. Rail and Rant all you want. When you finally realize you have not accomplished One Single thing on the immigration debate, then join us in our fight on other issues, will you? (and no, I am not a social worker...And to the other idiots
Should I summize by your quote that you think I'm an idiot?
As soon as our party, and their comrades (Bush & Frist) stop this insanity so will I.
My preference would be to seal the border, deal with children born here and their parents in a humane way (legalization), penalize employers (homeowners included), shut down day labor centers,and work to provide access to those whose services are needed in a manner that prohibits exploitation.
PamB,
You are a passionate voice on the DNC blog. I know that I am only a guest here because I register Independent. You are an extremely insightful person with a lot to contribute. I hope you know that many bloggers appreciate the many bits of information and links that you have so unselfishly provided. You have a great character and you continually display a high integrity within your posts.
Thank you and have a pleasant evening.
Hi, everyone.
I missed Condi's performance on the talk shows this morning, but from most reports it sounds like Colin Powell make her dance over the coals.
What's with her assertion that we "and our allies" are going to take action against Iran outside the U.N.? The President doesn't have authority from Congress to go after Iran....nor does he even acknowledge that Congress exists unless he needs money?
Which allies was Condi referring to when she says "we" are prepared to take action? Didn't Italy change management and Blair won't be seen on the same continent with Bush any longer? I suppose there is always Poland...don't forget Poland.
Rice: U.S. may press Iran not only via UN on nuclear issue
By The Associated Press
WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned on Sunday the United States might take steps outside the UN Security Council to pressure Iran to stop its nuclear program.
Rice, who appeared on several Sunday television talk shows, said Washington still had a number of diplomatic steps it could take through the UN Security Council against Iran. However, if the Council did not act quickly enough, Washington and its allies would not wait.
I absolutely believe that we have a lot of diplomatic arrows in our quiver at the Security Council and also like-minded states that would be able and willing to look at additional measures if the Security Council does not move quickly enough," Rice said on the CBS show Face the Nation.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/711267.html
Arrows in the quiver? Cheney can't shoot straight with a gun. And there she goes again with "like-minded" countries. There is no country these days as feable-minded as this one when it comes to shooting itself in the foot at every turn.
Winkie,
I'm beginning to think that you have a thing for PamB.
Maybe you are secretly in love with her and that is why you are always trying to get her attention.
Winkie,
If you want a woman to take notice, you should try flowers and candy.
Winkie,
You should try MySpace.com if your looking for a date.
The DNC blog is not ideal for a member of the Sargeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, if you know what I mean.
Sorry about this Benji.....Jefro you don't know a lot about the military do you? First off most enlisted didn't give up a Harvard scholarship to be there. They're generally there for a shot at a better life. A lot are married with kids. Whistleblowing can get you time making big ones into little ones in the hot Kansas sun. You do take an oath to support and defend the Constitution and follow orders. (Not any Conventions and/or treaties we've signed) There are illegal orders, but it's a huge gray area. There are even gray areas within military. Special Forces aren't usually covered under Geneva. They frequently don't dress in uniforms, and try to be indistinguishable from native populations. Their Corpsman carry weapons that make their non combatant status null under Geneva convention. Whistleblowers are needed in the military? I strongly disagree. I would say the lazy civilians should step up to the plate, turn off Sex and the City, pull their heads out of their A$$ES and demand an open government instead of being "shocked and awed" when the scandal is so tasty the friggin media decides to pick up on it. Abu Grahib is a perfect example. I've been to SERE school in the military. That was a textboox example of what SERE trained you to expect from the enemy as a POW. If you think some hillbillies from a WV NG MP unit I think it was came up with that crap on their own, I got a big old bridge in San Fran to sell you, you'll make millions if you just charge a toll. MP's don't go to SERE, and especially not NG MP's. Same with the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo. Jefro I'm not trying to attack you personally, just our country in general. We're a lazy reactionary country in general. $3.00 a gallon gas? Why are we so reliant on foreign oil, and why does my Suburban get 12 mpg city. Something must be done....NOW. When it was $1.10 noone cared.
So the Mexican American War still rages on here at this blog and in the media?
Nothing is going to be done about this cheap labor issue until after the election. Even if Congress did pass a law, Bush would just ignore it and grant amnesty to all illegals on his birthday... just like all kings do.
It's a stupid issue any way. They have passed law after law in the last 30 years and the border still leaks like a sieve. There is no money for enforcement and the employers hiring these illegals are two steps ahead of the politicans at every turn.
IMO, this Republican Congress will not address alternative fuels or immigration. They don't know how to do anything but take bribes...and that's hard to do when you're on trial or entertaining prostitues at a frat party for middle-age morons.
After that rant... Hey everyone long time no here. Him Jen, Pepper, Domingo. Still in the Union at the railroad, just never have any time to come here.
Hey, it's almost midnight. Don't we have a new moderator who is suppose to wave a wand and start a new open thread? This pumpkin is getting way to large.
I'm tired. Everyone have a good night. Sweet dreams and wheels. (My oldest used to say that every night when I tucked him in to bed. He loved playing with toy cars. He should have said sweet dreams and alternative fuels...and we would have had them by now -- he's going to be 21 soon.)
OOPS HI not Him. Before you ask Jen yes wife is great, and still working at home spending my paychecks.
Winkie,
So you are secretly in love with PamB.
You dirty dog, you.
And all this time I thought you were gay.
Posted by Benji on May 1, 2006 at 12:01 AM
Not that there is anything wrong with being gay,right?
good evening. good to see you cb.
turns out the $100 pay off is offending everyone, right,left, up and down. looks like frist and his puppet master boltin aren't quite in synch yet:
Sharp Reaction to G.O.P. Plan on Gas Rebate
E-MailPrint Reprints Save
By CARL HULSE and DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK
Published: May 1, 2006
WASHINGTON, April 30 — The Senate Republican plan to mail $100 checks to voters to ease the burden of high gasoline prices is eliciting more scorn than gratitude from the very people it was intended to help.
Aides for several Republican senators reported a surge of calls and e-mail messages from constituents ridiculing the rebate as a paltry and transparent effort to pander to voters before the midterm elections in November...
the only question is can bush crack 30% going downtown?
Posted by newbie on May 1, 2006 at 12:02 AM
I meant gay as in happy.
Winkie is not happy because no one likes him or respects him, especially PamB.
Winkie has been mean to people on this blog in the past and many other bloggers do not like him.
Why do you ask if there is anything wrong about being happy?
Is this the official Democrat Party blog? I have been reading the posts for the last 7 days(the week previous I was in the U.P. where there was no internet, no TV -well, if you can call one channel, NBC, TV-, no NPR with news and no long distance service) and I am getting increasingly discouraged.
I'm a 54-year old, female, lifelong Democrat who is about to throw in the towel. It seems I have two non-inclusive parties to choose from.
Posted by hoipolloi on May 1, 2006 at 12:21 AM
You are included.
Do you have a complaint about America that you would like to discuss.
Posted by hoipolloi on May 1, 2006 at 12:21 AM
Don't throw in the towel. There is hope.
Benji
You might change your mind when I tell you that I agree with what anke, dk2, et al, say about illegal immigration. The blue collar workers that I talk to are also on that page.
Posted by Tom_Terrific on April 30, 2006 at 11:28 PM
bandaid - won't do shit
Posted by hoipolloi on May 1, 2006 at 12:38 AM
anke, dk2, et al will be thrilled that you are here.
I have already stated my opinion on the subject.
Regardless, you are included.
Good night.
doesano
bandaid - won't do shit
I guess that means something to you but not to me.
Benji
You must have gotten the rascals back to the kitchen. It's up to you for the rest of the night.
Happy Trails
Winkie,
Will you be buying flowers and candy for your secret love (you know who I'm talking about) HeHeHe.
and the frist among you will later be last.
internet weekly report
gee george was so funny at the correspondents dinner that he forgot to laugh at colbert. but scalia roared like the asshole in a lifetime job he is.
colbert needs to get some sort of award for making bush look like such an asshole. god bless his soul.
Finally, someone I recognize.......
Hey gregg,
How are you?
I'm so excited for today.
Well,I'm going to leave.I have to finish some things up before I go.
This is really funny! West Wingers Wiretapping video. "Ann Coulter" is hysterical.
Cyn! Thanks, that was great. Excellent impersonations!
Happy May everyone - may the blossoms of freedom and liberty keep budding all over America! Let's continue raining on Bush's reign, though!
Once upon a time there was a "law", that African Americans were not allowed to sit in the front of the bus.
One day a lady, named Rosa, broke the "law", illegally, and sat at the front of the bus.
The law changed and the lady named Rosa was no longer a lawbreaker or illegal bus rider.
The End.
Good morning, all.
Bush Leverage With Russia, Iran, China Falls as Oil Prices Rise
May 1 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush, already weakened at home by the soaring cost of oil, is finding that it's also eroding his ability to achieve his foreign-policy goals.
``It's a geopolitical nightmare,'' says William Cohen, a former Republican senator from Maine and defense secretary under President Bill Clinton who is now chairman of the Cohen Group, a Washington-based consulting firm. Such nations as Iran, Russia and China ``don't see us as the colossus that can cause them any harm, either by our economy or by our prestige.''
//www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087
&sid=ar4D7HVGikXo&refer=top_world_news
I wrote a letter to the editor similar to this article just this last week.
It's not just the oil prices, its the Bush Doctrine, Abu Graib, our trade deficit, national debit and Katrina...all the incompetence. We have forfeited our honor and prestige. Other powers (once faltering superpowers) are making moves in places South America and we are too weak to counter them.
It really goes back to the Bush/Republican Congress free trade agenda and culture of corruption. The civilized world sees them for what they are and doesn't want any part of it.
What sort of irrational nation alienates its long-standing allies and cedes power to its rivals without even thinking about it first? Blind with power and ambition, they have misplayed every hand they have been dealt.
They can joke and laugh all they want in the Beltway. Our nation has been wounded. It's going to take a massive effort to get it back on its feet once we get rid of these incompetents.
Sandy, Amen.
Also, I heard on the news that the price of gas in Saudi is 65 cents per gallon.....
Reality Check: Too much spin & bogus rhetoric re: illegal immigrants!
1. Spin= "Illegal immigrants perform jobs Americans refuse to do" REALITY: Some American citizen performed that job before an illegal did.
2. SPIN= "Most illegal immigrants are law-abiding individuals who pay their taxes" REALITY: A. How can you be considered "law-abiding" if you snuck into the United States with total disregard for our existing laws. B. They broke one law, but feel really bad about that so they pay taxes. How exactly do they do that without a SSN#? Do they just mail cash or a money order to the Federal or local government?
3. SPIN= "They are living in the shadows" REALITY: Turn on your TV today, not many in the shadows!
4. SPIN: "Illegals just want a chance to live the American dream" REALITY: A key component of that "American Dream" is it's laws, the nationally excepted language, and it's history. Not a protest rally waving the Mexican flag and signing the United States national anthem in Spanish. Hmm, doesn't sound like they want to be Americans, more like they want us to assimilate to their culture, i.e, the Latinization of America!
Fluffy slippers
Coffee klatch
Sure do hope your clothes all match
LOL and BRB
Have you seen my new TV
Golly guys you make me cry
So nice of you for dropping by
Some day why don't we do lunch
We're such a pithy profound bunch
She's a mom and I'm a dad
Ritalin makes the children glad
Have a pleasant sunny day
And hope the DNC comes out to play
was it really three years ago? where have all the flowers gone? wonder if the flight suit still fits? so many questions today....
Bush's May 1, 2003, victory speech aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was a carefully managed piece of political theater, from his flight suit-clad arrival aboard an S-3 Viking antisubmarine jet to the "Mission Accomplished" banner that hung from the carrier's bridge.
"My fellow Americans, major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed, and now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country," Bush said.
Bush had argued the invasion was necessary because Iraq had been concealing chemical and biological weapons, long-range missiles and a nuclear weapons program from U.N. inspectors and could have provided those weapons to terrorists.
"The liberation of Iraq is a crucial advance in the campaign against terror. We have removed an ally of al Qaeda and cut off a source of terrorist funding," Bush said. "And this much is certain: No terrorist network will gain weapons of mass destruction from the Iraqi regime, because the regime is no more."
george's finest moment
Posted by Cyn_NY on May 1, 2006 at 07:37 AM
big sigh. Jez Cyn the sick thing about that is they could actually try to do something like that, if they haven't already right?
Hilarious Alan Colmes. He needs to grow some balz for sure. The Moron. LOL Leave it to Rupert to hire the most disgusting, inept and ooooogly democrat he could find to stand (down) against the demon hannity.
I wonder if anyone is trying to get some dirt on that creep. Hannity needs to be next after LUSH. I'm sure he's got pictures of himself somewhere kissing Ruperts Murdocks BUTT!! (somewhere)
Rupert not Ruperts (lol) my fingers tingle when I type that name. Like it's loaded with evil.
Posted by DD on May 1, 2006 at 09:05 AM
you sound so afraid
so racist
so wrong
I have little pity left for people like you
5. SPIN: "Illegal immigrants contribute to the national economy" REALITY: They drive down wages and hurt union bargaining power!
U.S. Population: 295,734,134
it's so sad so many are so afraid of such a small number of people trying to better themselves.
Man makes the laws. I don't cower under them.
Dawnie
Nice try. You'll have to do better than that! I love everyone and harbor no ill will against anyone, however I believe that we are a country of laws and you can't have it both ways. We as Democrats can't scream and holler about the Bush Admin. breaking the law and then look the other way when immigrants do it. I am a union member and a lifelong Democrat! That works. If I were a union member, a Democrat, and for open borders and amnesty for illegals, then I would be a walking contradiction!
don't lay it all on us Dawnie. Nancy and Babs and Laura had their hands firmly around the making of some laws. Hills didn't use her hands. She had other powers of persuausion.
Posted by DD on May 1, 2006 at 09:31 AM
just because you SAY it doesn't make it true.
I do not believe you. You are a racist, or better yet a bigot. Afraid of your own shadow. No one is harming you. If you don't want them here go volunteer to be a border guard. Or better yet volunteer to be a soldier! SERVE your country!!!
Posted by bb on May 1, 2006 at 09:33 AM
hehe I stand corrected!
Dawnie
That's a really beautiful sentiment and I'm sure you're a sweet and caring person and I commend that! I am too! I'm all for people bettering themselves and trying to improve their situation, but at what cost? Are you saying there is no negative backlash to American citizens? What about the people still left in these impoverished latin countries? It's all sunshine and roses in your eyes?
This is running in my local paper this morning and had to read it twice to realize that yes in fact the paper did run it with this line in it.
From Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew, right on through to Lee Atwater, Newt Gingrich, Karl Rove and the Bush crime family, one of the outstanding characteristics of the modern Republican Party is its commitment to winning at all costs.
GOP can't govern effectively
I am saying exactly what I said. Period.
Who is harming YOU personally! Besides GWBUSH?
If you have a problem with an immigrant in your back yard, do something about it. They pay taxes everytime they purchase one of our goods btw.
FEDERAL taxes are something else and not worth discussing here because I have my OWN opinions on that.
I think you and people like LOU DOBBS have a broken record going around and around in your head and are not seeing anything else. Pick a REAL topic, a topic that is worthy of some WORRY or AGGRESSION like wire tapping, WAR, GENOCIDE, PRISONER ABUSE........ work on fixing the reallly scary things first.
Let people who WANT to work do their jobs. Let them work to get their citizenship if that is what they want. Although I'm having a hard time understanding why ANYONE wants to come to this country right now with the SICKOS we have working the front office!!!!
bigots, frauds, liars and theives!
So the Mexican American War still rages on here at this blog and in the media?
Nothing is going to be done about this cheap labor issue until after the election. Even if Congress did pass a law, Bush would just ignore it and grant amnesty to all illegals on his birthday... just like all kings do.
It's a stupid issue any way. They have passed law after law in the last 30 years and the border still leaks like a sieve. There is no money for enforcement and the employers hiring these illegals are two steps ahead of the politicans at every turn.
{{Sandy}}
THANK YOU for this one. This is how I feel. All this talk from Bush, and you still see the videos daily, of them coming over in Droves. How many terrorists have swarmed over with them? They HAVE to quit talking and increase that border security.
TOMTERRIFIC
No, I am not calling you an idiot! You refuse to see what I am saying. You are perfectly free to voice your opinion on immigration, but when you go on and on with an issue that has no solution here on the blog, I think there are lots of other things we can work on.
BENJI
Thank you for your sense of humor and defense of me last night. You may not be registered Democratic, but your heart sure is. Did you ever see a Republican with a sense of humor? Not hardly. There are too busy clutching onto their wallet to experience humor.
Dawnie
Don't make blanket statements about bloggers - you sound ignorant and I'm sure you're not. Believe it or not:
A. I served my country for 6 years in the US Navy! My first 4 years in Wash, DC then on a ship in CA.
B. My family emmigrated here legally through Ellis Island and had a very tough time assimilating and learning English, but they persevered!
C. I am not only an Democrat, but I worked on the John Edwards campaign in New Hampshire! I am a union member and a teacher!
Who are you? What gives you the right to insult me and call me a liar?
DD, my only issue with your argument is the vilification of the immigrants coming into the states when the real problem is the Republican government pushing for companies to ship jobs out of them.
Ok, so this is probably not my only argument but I'm committed to avoiding the subject as much as possible as this is one of those issues that people believe strongly on either side and generally aren't looking for a reason to change their opinions.
Dawnie
It must be nice to live in your world. You decide what is and isn't an important issue, although I concede everything you mentioned is crucial right now. However, that doesn't negate the illegal immigration problem confronting Americans and American workers. Why are you so afraid of me and individuals like Lou Dobbs, who just want our laws enforced and immigrants to follow a legal and document path to citizenship. What is so wrong about that?
It's my opinion of your list of BS. People here know me. I've been coming here for years. You on the other hand probably have 5 fake names, if not than I only know you are barking up the wrong tree.
It's NOT as important as you say it is. Fix the borders fine. But I'm tired of all immigrants being lumped into one illegal pot! Shades of something much more dark and sinister.
Time for my breakfast. I'm done talking to the blind about this. And my opinion is my own. I make no apoligies for it.
BBL GOOD Democrats. (I have no patience for DINOS)
Dawnie
Isn't it the strong convictions we have about right and wrong that make us Democrats and good Americans? We're not going to always agree with each other, even in and amongst our own party. You want to have a Bush bashing session and all of us stroke each other's egos on how much we hate this administration and all their screw ups. Frankly, I'm tired and frustrated bitching about what we cannot change right now. So I focus on what I can.
Dawnie
People use "fake names" because of people like yourself, who seem so self-righteous and dismissive! I'm glad you "have been coming here for years and people know you." I'm sure you have some pround and thought-provoking opinions. You should be kinder to all bloggers because sometimes they have important things to say too. You lose credibility when you become so hostile! I've been blogging for years now and I see it time and time and time again. A word of advice, stay calm, lucid and focused. You'll come across better!
dd, my problem is the basic discomfort i feel with anyone who wants to point to some group of "those people" as the problem. this dynamic often leads to one group beating up on the other. you want the laws on the books enforced...tell your elected officials...that's fine...but the folks sneaking in and being welcomed by employers are just like you and i only much more desperate to provide for their families.
legislation going thru the republican congress to weaken worker's bargaining rights, safety, etc. are much more destructive to the union movement than people picking vegetables and such...in fact the pickers have made quite alot of contribution to the labor movement in this country.
Gregg
I agree to some extent, however it isn't just a few thousand vegtable pickers. It's the millions of undocumented workers filling jobs in factories, hotels, restaurants, small local businesses across the country. This is a huge problem for unions. For instance, my husband works for the Long Island Railroad, one of the unioin jobs in jeopardy is station cleaners. These guys make a fair wage and are currently protected by a union. If the US governement decides to continue on a policy of avoidence and amnesty, what's to stop the LIRR from eliminating those station cleaner jobs and hiring an outside contractor to do the job and that contractor uses undocumented workers who get paid a lot less. Now you have displaced Americans and underpaid illegal immigrants. That's not a serious problem? Do you honestly believe this isn't happening? This is no longer a minor issue. What about the overcrowing of emergency rooms? What about the lack of government pressure on the Mexican governement to initiate public works programs that would provide jobs in Mexico and improve the economy there?
Now that I'm going to post, we'll probably get a new thread. That seems to happen to me a lot. hehehe
Dawn-don't sweat it, hon! You have as much a right to your opinion and rants as the nuts I read in my morning paper's opinion section today talking about the immigrants. I've never heard such hateful language and use of fear since...well, since these same people have talked about women or gays or whatever group d'jour of the week they are hating on.
The exact same hate they are speaking on the immigrants is the same language I've heard spoken of me. It's all the same.
I have to admit though, I got a few chuckles driving to work this morning seeing the beer belly white guys running around trying to do the work they shlep off to the Hispanics that were mysteriously not at work today!!! :)
Exile
Define "hateful language." It's your lack of understanding that is the problem. You and others here, view issuea as so black and white. You can't concede that Americans are frustrated and there maay be other opinions, contrary to your own. How sad. It must be nice to assume people who are against illegal immigration are also anti- women and anti-gay! That's so ignorant!
DD
I agree with everything you've said this morning! Good for you!
Here's one quote from my local paper:
So the illegals are going to boycott work and purchases today to show us how much we need them.
I say, why just one day — why not a week, or a month? That would really show us something. It will show me that this is an invasion of foreigners who want to take over our country.
Embassy Suites' general manager David Latture's statement that this is a "good cause" and "no different than MLK" is an insult to Dr. Martin Luther King who was an American endeavoring to correct injustices against fellow Americans, not an illegal immigrant who wanted to change the law to make himself above the law.
Here's another (this after saying European immigrants made this country great):
Let's face it, the only interest the Latino community has in America is to make money to send home, get free medical treatment, evade paying taxes and get their children educated at our expense.
And how about these comments from the Jeremiah Project about gays (sounds pretty hateful to me):
They have even sucessfully changed the terms used to describe them from "faggot," "girlie-boy," and "queer" to more positive terms like "gay," and "alternative lifestyle."
...
What is clear is that sodomites have infiltrated every level of government and society and are now demanding legitimization of their sinful lifestyle. Devoid of moral grounding and lacking moral fortitude, Americans are compromising away everything that made this country great and are willing to embrace the lies spewing from the pit of hell...
The Christian position is clear: Homosexuality is an abomination, and we do not teach "tolerance" of a perverse criminal behavior, any more than we would teach "tolerance" of child abuse, pedophilia, rape, murder, cocaine dealing or embezzlement. While Christians may hate the sin... they continue to love the sinner and offer a message of hope for a healthier lifestyle.
Wow, I just feel the love of Christ oozing from the page. Don't you?
Oh, how one wishes one can embrace the logic of republicans? How easy the world would be? All over the pug networks they are calling on people in USA not to bite the hand that feeds them!!!
The simple logic that requests the Mexicans getting substandard wages, unequal protection of the law, lack of medical care in USA (when most other visitors from Europe would get better treatment) to not bite the hand that feed them!!
With this simple logic, one can justify slavery! Slaves should not bite the hands that feed them!
With this simple logic, one can justify indentured servitude! Daughters would like to sell you, don’t complaint to the hand that is willing to feed you.
With this simple logic, one can justify polygamy! Multiple wives that were purchased into marriage at the age of 12 should not bite the hand that feeds.
With this simple logic, one can justify harassment at the work place! How groups of managers should be allowed to spit into the food of Niger’s because they should not complain about the hand that feeds them.
With this simple logic, one can justify discrimination at the work place! Managers, this year we will skip all the chinks for promotion because they should not bite the hand that feeds them.
With this logic, one can justify unwanted sexual phone calls to the women working within ones company.
Oh, how simple the logic of telling everyone entering USA that the republicans stands for slavery, indentured service, polygamy, harassment in the work place, discrimination in the work place, and unwanted sexual advances. It’s wonderful to have a mind of a republican, so don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
May Day Solidarity For Workers And Immigrants
PROGRESSIVE VALUES
One of the great challenges to Public Policy is knowing when and how to change a successful policy, grown obsolete. Very few policies are immortal. Time is a kaleidoscope presenting policy makers with an ever-changing pattern. Yet the clichés from one era often linger in our minds and public dialogue as if they were written in stone. Too often we confuse temporary success with universal wisdom. In my experience almost inevitably today's solutions become tomorrow's problems. Take immigration as an example:
Of course, "we are a nation of immigrants," but immigrants originally settled every nation in the world; this cliché confuses facts with wisdom. It tells nothing about what we want America to become. Of course, immigration "has been good for America," but we are no longer an empty continent - we are a crowded country of 290 million people, with problems of sprawl, pollution, and disappearing open space. When the Statue of Liberty was erected in 1886, there were less than 65 million Americans. What other public policy applicable to the 1880s is still applicable today?
It is said that immigration is important because there are "jobs that Americans won't do." This probably never was true, but this cliché has now become a job-destroying and wage-lowering philosophy where employers use both unskilled and (increasingly) skilled immigrants to hold down wages and obtain cheap labor at the expense of American workers.
One particular below-the-belt cliché suggests that all discussion of immigration is "racist." Yet every immigrant-receiving country in the world (and there are not many that take any immigrants) has not only the right but also the duty to discuss and decide how many immigrants, which immigrants, and by what rules such decisions are to be made and enforced. It would be public policy malpractice not to debate and discuss such an important topic.
Clichés are the enemy of thought. Immigration and demography are subjects too important to be left to shallow thinking and trite sayings. The great physicist Niels Bohr once said "The opposite of a true statement is a false statement, the opposite of a great truth is often another great truth." Of course immigration has been good for America, but mass immigration during the Twenty-first Century brings America far more liabilities than assets.
Richard D. Lamm, LLB, CPA
Former Governor of Colorado
Executive Director, Public Policy Institute
University of Denver
http://www.commonsenseonmassimmigration.us/articles/contents.html
upon further analysis it has been determined that 2 (two) illegals = 1(one)american employee!
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