canvas, phone bank, cajole, beg, joke, illuminate, until we get over the top.

morning all,

Cyn and gregg, thanks to your support of Lamont, I just went in and made a contribution to Gillibrand. I made another one to Hall yesterday.

nice new poll that i like. johnson was thought to be the safest of the connecticut republican congress folk. maybe not:

Connecticut-5 Univ. of Connecticut 10/24 - 10/28 762 LV Johnson (R) 42% , Murphy (D) 46% Murphy +4.0%

and this is the first poll i have seen of the race for delay's old seat, i'd like to see a bigger spread but then again i might be getting greedy:

Texas - 22 Zogby 10/22 - 10/26 504 LV Sekula-Gibbs (R) 28% , Lampson (D) 36% Lampson

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 — A top Democrat predicted today that his party was “on the edge” of capturing control of the Senate, and one new poll pointed in that direction, but it remained unclear whether Democrats have mobilized a sufficient get-out-the-vote effort to overcome a Republican advantage there.

“I do think we’re right on the edge,” said Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, who heads Senate Democrats’ election campaign. He said Democratic candidates appeared to be leading in five critical races, to be even in two and trailing slightly in one. Democrats are given a greater chance of recapturing the House of Representatives.

Mr. Schumer said a key Republican weakness was reflected in the fact that few of the party’s candidates mentioned President Bush in their campaign ads. “They’re running away from him,” he said “Fox News Sunday.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/29/washington/29cnd-vote.html?hp&ex=1162184400&en=1430e6bf1e250505&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Knock on doors, pick up those phones, call the elderly and offer rides, whatever it takes.
If every Democrat brought ONE person to the polls who may not have gone, we have this in the bag!

anybody calling themself guido is down with me. check out that nancy johnson poll. its from u of conn. be nice to wipe the smile off her face.

Reposting this

Republican battle cry, and rhetorical question, for the closing days, mostly in districts that poll favorably on Iraq

DO YOU WANT TO WIN IN IRAQ?

Isn't this just another version of "stay the course"? A new lead in question to the now famous continued failure policy aka "stay the course"?

To quote Chris Matthews "if this is winning I'd hate to see losing." Don't worry Chris in about a week you will "see losing" in a large way as the results come in.

BEIJING -- North Korean President Kim Jong-Il today reportedly told Chinese diplomats that he regrets his government’s recent detonation of a nuclear device, and he revealed that he had been molested as a child.

“President Kim is sorry, and he takes full responsibility for the atomic bomb test,” said an unnamed Chinese source, “but in the spirit of transparency and vulnerability, he wants people to know about the childhood molestation incident.”

The North Korean leader has reportedly checked himself into a rehab center to “heal his inner child and boost his self-esteem,” but a spokesman said he is not ashamed to come out of the closet as a fascist dictator.

“A lot people are going to trot out the old myths that fascist dictators are dangerous to society,” said the spokesman. “But short of a few isolated genocides and unprovoked invasions, there’s little evidence to substantiate that claim. It’s time to move past recriminations over the nuclear test, and let bygones be bygones.”

- iconclast

Johnson Losing Her Hold?
Courant/UConn Poll Paints Picture Of Vulnerable Incumbent, Gives Murphy 4 Percentage Point Lead In 5th District
October 30, 2006
By RINKER BUCK, Courant Staff Writer U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson's vulnerability as an incumbent - a subject of intense speculation all year in her central Connecticut district - appears to be confirmed by the latest Hartford Courant/University of Connecticut poll, which shows her trailing Democratic state Sen. Chris Murphy by 4 percentage points among likely voters.

UConn's pollsters found that among likely voters, Murphy was leading Johnson by 46 percent to 42 percent with 9 percent of voters still undecided. Murphy's lead is just outside the poll's margin of error of 3.6 percentage points. The poll of 762 likely voters in the 5th Congressional District was conducted by UConn's Center for Survey Research and Analysis between Oct. 24 and Oct. 28, just after Johnson and Murphy completed their debates.

drip, drip, drip

"Do you want to win in Iraq?", they ask. Why of course we want to win, but what progress has the current administration made? We were having trouble with Saddam Hussein, but noone else in Iraq because they were obediant to him. Now we're having trouble with their elected officials, the many militia leaders in place, foreign groups like Al-Qaeda, and possibly Iran.

So where is the progress? What here suggests that a Republican led Congress gives us a better chance of winning in Iraq?

isn't that moron sally from minn.? here is a gift to him from the wall street urinal. he should stop hassling us and get to work for his boy who seems to be in jeapordy to.....a teacher!!!!

In Minnesota,
'Everyman' on the Ballot
Political Novice Battles Republican Incumbent,
With Iraq and Immigration at Forefront
By DAVID ROGERS
October 30, 2006; Page A4

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- If there is one House race that captures the struggle between Republican power in Congress and a grass-roots demand for change, it is here in Minnesota's First District.

Twelve-year incumbent Rep. Gil Gutknecht is a political survivor and force for the dairy industry as a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee. But in a district President Bush carried twice, the Republican Party and corporate allies are spending heavily to fend off Democrat Tim Walz, a high-school teacher and political newcomer.

Three possible 2008 presidential contenders -- Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sens. John Kerry and Barack Obama -- are all due here this week. Mr. McCain's appearance, which his camp says is to help re-elect Gov. Tim Pawlenty, not Mr. Gutknecht per se, touches a nerve since Mr. Walz -- a retired National Guard master sergeant -- is a fellow veteran and has been attacked by Mr. Gutknecht for supporting immigration policies akin to the Arizona senator's.

"It's been, 'Holy smokes, the First District can elect a guy who woke up one morning and said let's change this country and let's do this together,' " Mr. Walz laughs.

The heart of his campaign is just that: Everyman running for Congress. With his former National Guard artillery unit deployed in Iraq, Mr. Walz emphasizes the need for change in the war's strategy. But most of all, given the House's low standing in opinion polls and voter anxiety about America losing its way, he sees his candidacy as a wake-up call for Congress and the nation.

democrat walz:high school teacher, football coach, iraq war vet....this one could hurt

Marine,

I thought our troops did win in Iraq...four years ago.

Why do we have to stay and help Halliburton winmore no-bid contracts? Is this what the Republicans are referring to when they talk about winning?

We had a big celebration parade in St. Louis yesterday for the Cardinals. Our troops deserved their's years ago. When is the President going to pony up and give it to them? Congress even advocated the funds for it this session. We are all set and the Iraqis can't wait much longer for it to happen...how many more must die?

I can't see anything holding up our troops return home but a stubborn President who can't admit he was wrong in not planning an exit strategy...and Cheney wanting to milk the very last nickle out of the war profiteering funds for Haliburton.

Everyone wins when this nightmare is put to bed.

Gotta go. later.

Posted by Guido on October 30, 2006 at 08:43 AM

Guido, Thank you so much! You rock!! (and I am wearing my Lamont Kiss button - gets a lot of laughs in NY)

given diebold, I thought this is interesting:

The federal government is investigating the takeover last year of a leading American manufacturer of electronic voting systems by a small software company that has been linked to the leftist Venezuelan government of President Hugo Chávez.

Mornin' {{Y'all}},

Marine, I've been wondering since the ramp-up to the War on Iraq just what the heck "victory" is supposed to mean. "Victory" is a GREAT big buzzword with the wackogelical right. They see everything in life as some sort of "glorious battle" (in which they don't have to do any actual fighting themselves). Even the Jesus Camp film and stories about it are full of references to "victory" and "this is war for Christ".

Funny, since Jesus advocated peace and compassion. He never once talked about "going into battle for G'd" or for anyone else.

Using the wackogelicals' penchant for warlike speech and their blood-thirst for practicing violence on other human beings (whilst attempt the cover the mortal sin with "moral" rectitude) plays right into Rove's hands, Bush's desire to be known as a war president and his handler's quest for military and economic dominance over that which was not theirs in any sense, just to start with.

As a former military man with a military mind, I see no other or clearer definition that the latter. If the objective (QED) was to establish military bases to wrest control over someone else's petroleum, that alone never would have flown with the American people. The very most evil of sins has been perpetrated under the guise, active planning and supervision of a "party of morality". QED, the Republican party and its leadership are anything except.

The question is, how long will it take before the vast majority of Americans not only realize that the sins of murder, theft, genocide, rape, torture are on their souls as well as on the perpetrators and move to do something about it (and sin no more).

Just an observation and op-ed to start the morning off. Mostly I'm hoping to hear from Jacqueline. Rev worries, 's'all, and I tend to fret out loud.

Lincoln offered the Negroes a chance to move to Africa because he thought they would be happier there. He didn't insist that they go there. He just didn't think they would ever be able to assimilate into society.

History, thus far, has not proven Mr Lincoln wrong by and large.

Posted by FrostyMacCowpie on October 30, 2006 at 04:27 AM

And I'm sure that the Native Americans presume that whites would be happier in Europe so why don't they go back as well.

Lincoln, like most whites of his day was a racist. He wanted them reomved so whites wouldn't be prejudiced against them yet he offered not one dime for all they wealth they created for this nation. (He also proposed Central America as a destination because it would cost too much to send 4 million people to Africa.)

The reason that blacks have not assimilated is because people like frosty insist on talking down to them using words such as Negro in a perjorative way. (If you really want to get white supremacist you can use the lower case n).

But after rutherford b. hayes continued the 19th century repubs abandonment of fusion politics, there's no reason to vote for any one of them until they, like the 20th century Dems, wake up and smell the coffee.

I understand what you are saying, Sandy. A lack of faith in Iraqis is what caused this problem to begin with and it is what holds us there to this day. Americans make just as many plunders and are just as corrupt and yet we can not accept the same in others. We are there for these reasons and I'm sure for a few more.

I never wanted to see us go in the first place. We were handling the situation well, keeping Saddam in line as he kept Iraq in line. Some of us lost patience with his testing of the boundaries established years ago. Had they actual military leadership experience they would have known that such testing of boundaries is universal and is overcome in time, but they didn't, and those military members who supported the decision did so with their careers in mind.

I trust that Iraqi leadership will reestablish itself. I believe that those who have power shall soon feel that what power they have is stabilized and that offensive operations can end as a result. These men must realize that their power can only diminish through continued warfare, because it drives away or kills any future supporters.

Those without stake in Iraq's future may continue their killing sprees. These men don't care about Iraq, just about driving out those they see as infidels. When we go, they will be driven out by those committed to Iraq.

I cannot say what will come of Iraq's relationship with Iran. I believe that it will strengthen when we leave, but I think it would be all the stronger in the end should we remain. If we allow those Iraqis in power to lose yet more power fighting a war who's purpose is to drive us out, then those who live will be all the more likely to join forces with strong Iranians when we go.

WASHINGTON - A U.S. company that makes touch-screen voting machines said it requested a federal investigation to dispel what it called baseless rumors of ties to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Michael Steele, the Republican lieutenant governor, said the situation in Iraq was not President Bush's fault and he faulted the Pentagon for poor planning.

he said what? well I guess he jumped back up in bush's lap

Veneita, Frosty has an agenda. He's here to upset you, to throw you off message and prevent you from advancing along your superior line of reason. Skills he's lacking, but outrage he knows and loves to use against you.

He's a sweetheart really. Bows deeply before his superiors. He's just outside his element here where compasion is understood. He'd rather be physically slapped around, that's his forte, it motivates him.

Michael Steele wouldn't know what the Pentagon had planned for prior to Bush's presidency, because he wasn't trusted with the material. Then there is the fact that Bush, Rumsfeld and the like have gone against nearly every bit of military advice given them, including that which led George H. Bush to hold up at Iraq's border.

THE AWFUL TRUTH

"The people can't vote for peace if it isn't on the ballot."

http://www.antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=9934

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

No fast U.S. shift on Iraq if Democrats win -Dean

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N29286537.htm

Election 2006: The Fix is Already In

Only 17% of rank and file Democrats are for "staying the course," 53% want immediate withdrawal and another 25% are for gradual withdrawal. Among all voters, only 30% want to stay the course, 37% want immediate withdrawal and 26% a "gradual withdrawal (Gallup poll - 9/24/06). According to recent Pew Polls, 52% of voters want a timetable for withdrawal while only 41% oppose setting a timetable.

In contrast to voters' sentiment, 64% of the Democratic candidates in the 45 closely contested House Congressional races oppose a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. Note carefully: not only do these Democrat worthies oppose the Murtha or McGovern bills for rapid withdrawal or defunding the war; they oppose so much as a timetable. (The number of Dem candidates supporting the Murtha or McGovern proposals is vanishingly small.) The position of these Dem candidates is indistinguishable from that of George W. Bush. How did this betrayal of the Democratic rank and file come about? Who chose these Democratic candidates that oppose rank and file Dems on the number one question on voters' minds, the war on Iraq? How could such candidates get elected in the primaries? Two primary campaigns, now largely forgotten, give us the answer. They are near perfect case studies, and they deserve some reflection although the Dem establishment would dearly like us to forget them.

http://www.counterpunch.org/walsh10142006.html

Hillary the Hawk

The Democrats’ Athena only differs from Bush on the details.

http://www.amconmag.com/2006/2006_03_27/cover.html

OOOWWWWWWCCCCHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Britain seeks ‘bold’ climate action, hires Gore
Report by senior economist says it's cheaper to fight than let it happen

MSNBC News Services
Updated: 47 minutes ago
LONDON - Unchecked global warming will devastate the global economy on the scale of the world wars and the Great Depression, according to a major British report released Monday that seeks to quantify the costs and benefits of action as well as inaction.

British Treasury chief Gordon Brown, who commissioned the report and who could very well become Britain's next prime minister when Tony Blair steps down next year, said former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who has dedicated himself to warning about global warming, would advise the British government on climate change.

Introducing the report, Blair said unabated climate change would eventually cost the world between 5 percent and 20 percent of global gross domestic product each year.

maybe gore could be the prime minister?

Scorpio, that's exactly why I'll never cast a vote for Hillary. She's just playing a game with her own best interests in mind.

Remember Lynne Cheney saying her book was not as Webb said, and she guaranteed there was no sex or rape or lesbianism in it?

Well, I decided to read the reviews on her book on Amazon, and the woman is a Blatent liar!

"This story of a Washington wife who leaves her powerful husband to join a womyn's commune is charged with the kind of eroticism you just don't expect from the Second Lady of the United States of America. I was amazed at how graphically Ms. Cheney details the commune's daily "massage classes" and their predictable free-for-all aftermaths, while at the same time delivering a devastating critique of phallocentric discourse in modern culture. I can't wait for the sequel, in which the Sisters declare war against the male-dominated multinational corporation that is threatening to foreclose on their commune. Four Stars!

"This is a stunning tale of a lonely young housewife's struggle with the temptations of unnatural love. Mrs. Cheney has written an engaging distraction from the horrors of a world gone amok. She offers all readers - from the doughy Lex Luthor reading by flashlight in his bunker, to the Hampton subscriber to "Women Loving Women Loving Women's Wear Daily" - a glimpse into a life so blessed that the worst experience the heroine suffers in her God-ordained life is the shame of posing publicly with her husband's boss's wife - the vicodin saturated woman with a five dollar facelift.

"
If you read this Republicans, you will vote for Barney Frank for president. Cheney wants Jerry Falwell in her pocket and writes about women lovers...

Read more........

http://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Lynne-Cheney/dp/0451112040/sr=1-1/qid=1162216740/ref=sr_1_1/102-8074271-0728116?ie=UTF8&s=books

THE AWFUL TRUTH

In Key House Races, Democrats Run to the Right

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/30/us/politics/30dems.html?hp&ex=1162270800&en=d8005513713af053&ei=5094&partner=homepage

THERE IS NO REAL OPPOSITION PARTY IN THIS COUNTRY -- ONLY TWO SIDES OF THE SAME MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX COIN!

Good Morning guys, hope everyone had a nice weekend. I hope we can concentrate this blog thread today on making the Democratic Party stronger and less about whining about republican fuck ups.. they are already a group of fuckups, why waste so much time on reminding ourselves.. Is there anyone here that has direct influence on decision in the DNC?

On to things that matter.

Our "humanitarian" efforts in Iraq have left that county devistated and more than 600,000 Iraqis dead. Virtually no electricity is present. Children obviosly can't get the education, love and attention they need at this stage in life because they and their parents are too busy struggling to survive the day to day battle that rages on their streets. Imagine trying to concentrate on an education when you live with the constant awareness that every moment could be your last.

I just saw a debate on MSNBC. The central focus was the “Ford-Playboy” ad of the GOP. A Republican spokesperson, whose name I do not recall, suggested that Ken Mehlman could not denounce the ad because it was produced by an IE. Mehlman might not have been able to pull the ad; however, he could have denounced it. These are separate issues with two separate consequent actions.

Now, one can ask: why did Mehlman not denounce the ad? His purported thinking the ad "fair" notwithstanding, the actual producers of the ad are probably more important to his inaction. An independent agency crafted the ad, but the RNC financed it. If Mehlman suggests that he or some other leader did not know about or approve the content of the ad, the producers will—or, at lease, can—refute the claim. This is perhaps the reason that Mehlman has not denounced Ford-Playboy ad. Moreover, this is undoubtedly the reason why the Republican spokesperson did not address the question that was asked by the Democratic spokesperson; rather, the Republican kept asserting that the law prevents Mehlman from denouncing the ad. There is no law on the books that prevents Mehlman from speaking on this or any other ad. If there is such a law, then his calling it fair violates the law. Incidentally, does anyone have a transcript or video of the 30 October MSNBC debate? It just aired.

I just saw a debate on MSNBC. The central focus was the “Ford-Playboy” ad of the GOP. A Republican spokesperson, whose name I do not recall, suggested that Ken Mehlman could not denounce the ad because it was produced by an IE. Mehlman might not have been able to pull the ad; however, he could have denounced it. These are separate issues with two separate consequent actions.

Now, one can ask: why did Mehlman not denounce the ad? His purported thinking the ad "fair" notwithstanding, the actual producers of the ad are probably more important to his inaction. An independent agency crafted the ad, but the RNC financed it. If Mehlman suggests that he or some other leader did not know about or approve the content of the ad, the producers will—or, at lease, can—refute the claim. This is perhaps the reason that Mehlman has not denounced Ford-Playboy ad. Moreover, this is undoubtedly the reason why the Republican spokesperson did not address the question that was asked by the Democratic spokesperson; rather, the Republican kept asserting that the law prevents Mehlman from denouncing the ad. There is no law on the books that prevents Mehlman from speaking on this or any other ad. If there is such a law, then his calling it fair violates the law. Incidentally, does anyone have a transcript or video of the 30 October MSNBC debate? It just aired.

To: Mary Matalin
From: Steve Jarding
Re: Until you have run a race in Virginia, you might refrain from acting as an expert here

Mary,

Yesterday, you sent out a statement from the Allen campaign commenting on Jim Webb and Virginia campaigns. A couple points.: First, you said that Jim Webb is running the "most personally negative campaign in Virginia history." You even said that the Webb campaign has run "the worst attempt at character assassination in Virginia history." That is rich Mary, even for you. And besides, how would you know? You have never run a campaign here. Until you have, I suggest you quit playing reporters for idiots. They see what has gone on here. Before you attempt to rewrite the history of this campaign, get your facts right. The truth is that this campaign has been the "most personally negative campaign in Virginia history" and this has been "the worst attempt at character assassination in Virginia history" because George Allen, not Jim Webb is waging it.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/10/29/213241/34

Posted by TruthBeTold on October 30, 2006 at 10:18 AM

I don't think it's so much that we are whining. It's more like wallowing in the fact that they are finally self-destructing. It's a celebration.

My comments regarding Hillary were a little strong. She has in fact done much good. I am upset that she has not yet understood the wisdom shared by a John Murtha. He did spend 38 years serving our country as a Marine and understands the military from both the perspective of Officers and Enlisted personnell.

Good Morning, Democrats!

Beautiful day here in Washington, D.C. Hope you are enjoying some sunshine too.

:)

Election 2006: War is the issue

Last week the president proclaimed, tapping his chest: "The ultimate accountability rests with me. If people are unhappy about it, look right to the president."

In other words, don't look at my Republican enablers in Congress.

It would be nice to have leadership that understood just how much a successful military campaign depends upon the desire of America as a whole. When America is divided as it is to a permanent or long presense in Iraq, the decision must be made to leave. The distraction caused by such division led us to overextend our presense in Vietnam and threatens to have the same effect in Iraq.

Hello ,This is just over the top .Now CORKER has started his lies on ma bells system.YES I am over CORKER LIES ---did not know if the DNC was aware of the fact that CORKER is useing the phone as his latest weapon of lies .

Posted by Marine on October 30, 2006 at 10:34 AM

Don't worry - I get angry with Hillary, too. She is a wonderful senator but I feel that she does make decisions based an 08 Presidential bid and not on the merits.

IF THE DEMOCRATS CONTROL CONGRESS, THEY HAVE THE POWER TO CUT OFF ALL WAR FUNDING --

BUT THEY WON'T!

No fast U.S. shift on Iraq if Democrats win -Dean

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N29286537.htm

"The people can't vote for peace if it isn't on the ballot."

http://www.antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=9934

Those focussed on the situation there, not so much that they can not back up from fights in particular provinces, but who instead take in the full picture, as they have from the start, see an Iraq that has gradually destabilized to its present condition. Following the initial invasion it became clear that Iraqis would not simple give in to outside influence as supporters of the invasion had hoped. Instead, some Iraqis decided to take that opportunity to claim power and claim power they did. All over Iraq, opposing and supporting Iraq's elected officials, powerful Iraqis, leaders of militias and religious groups, continue to build power and preserve it for themselves. These men care nothing for America's interests in the region, so long as they do not support their own.

What we have is an Iraq free of Saddam's collar and willing to fight anyone to remain that way. They will not be collared by Americans nor anyone else, they are too interested in testing their own strength now to allow that. If we back away now, continue to support nurture our relationship with them from afar, then we shall maintain alliances that would otherwise be destroyed through the application of American pressure deep within their terrirtory. We'll need to worry about outside influences other than our own, but we can be certain that we do not need worry that all of Iraq will go to them. We will maintain allies there no matter what.

As a Florida Democrat It's a good thing Bill Nelson has such a big lead in the Senate race. I'm considering either not voting or voting for the independent because of his vote on the Detainee Bill! He may believe it is un-Constitutional but IMO that's a lame excuse. This "Bill" is a shameful attack on civil liberties and due process and needs to be removed.

This thing also changes existing laws passed by republicans and signed into law, it's called The War Crimes Act. It forbids courts from prosecuting or even reviewing cases from the past and into the future. The Administration has already told the courts to dismiss hundreds of "hapeas corpus" cases from prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay. This is just wrong.

{{Cyn}},

A good bit of what we're expression is justified, justifiable anger at being trodden on, lied to, abused, stolen from, and shat-upon. I see nothing wrong with a little righteous anger or even a little less-than righteous bitching. The pugs have certainly got it coming from the totally unmitigated screwup they have allowed their leadership to foist upon us.

I've always said, "There's more room on the outside than on the inside". We storm, then the air clears; we get our wind back and jump back into the fray. The difference between Dem bitching and Pug bitching, no doubt, is that Dem bitching will eventually result in positive, affirming action.

WHY DOES THE PARTY NOT JUMP ON THE FACT THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS LOST THOUSANDS OF WEAPONS IN IRAQ OR THAT THERE ARE BATTLE GROUPS AROUND IRAM!

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE GUN POWDER. I AM A VET AND MANY OF US ARE CONCERNED BY THE NEW DIRECTION OF THIS WAR!

"American people are not against war, THEY ARE AGAINST LOSING!" Scott Ritter, Oct. 29, 2006, C-SPAN.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR, WE MIGHT GET IT!

WHY DOES THE PARTY NOT JUMP ON THE FACT THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS LOST THOUSANDS OF WEAPONS IN IRAQ OR THAT THERE ARE BATTLE GROUPS AROUND IRAN!

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE GUN POWDER. I AM A VET AND MANY OF US ARE CONCERNED BY THE NEW DIRECTION OF THIS WAR!

"American people are not against war, THEY ARE AGAINST LOSING!" Scott Ritter, Oct. 29, 2006, C-SPAN.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR, WE MIGHT GET IT!

My concern is not what the polls say today....but what they will say on November 7th. Oh, you say, we don't have a public exit poll....as all other countries do, especially ones where people are concerned about elections being fixed.Why aren't the Dems screaming for a public exit poll...we know for sure that there are at least 10 states where the machines are faulty. I live in Florida, do I need to say anything else?

Imagine this; it is November 8th, 2006 the morning after the election and who should return as he said he would, but Jesus Himself. Your vote, being the most spiritual thing you’ve done in the last 24 hours is fresh on your mind.

So my child, when I said to you, some say “return an eye for an eye, but I said to you do not resist an evil person, why did you vote like you did yesterday?” Will your reply be, “well, they killed us first, (a falsehood to begin with) so we knew we were justified in doing so?”

Then Jesus says, your leaders say, “love your neighbor and hate your enemy, but I say love your enemies and bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, …spitefully use you, … and persecute you, did your vote support my words, or your leaders?” How will you respond?

Then Jesus asks, remember the golden rule? And again He follows up, I told you, “Whoever loves me, keeps my commandments.” “Don’t you wear a WWJD bracelet”, He continues? You squirm, because you know your vote didn’t honor Jesus but returned evil for evil.

Muslims, Jews and sadly too many Christians, embrace an eye for an eye approach to life. Do you want to be a country that supports what Jesus commanded, or what your Commander in Chief is peddling? If Jesus were to return on the 8th, how will you explain your actions?

I do not expect most in our churches to understand this train of thought or to go to the polls on the 7th and vote accordingly. What I do expect however, is for all Christians to do so. Perhaps by doing so, together with others, we can stop this; “eye for an eye” mentality.

I honestly do not expect people to vote according to Jesus’ own commandments. We really don’t need His advice, do we?

Marine has it right, too bad every voting person of even less than average intelligence can't see the wisdom in his words. Iraq is a quagmire, no easy way out and no opportunity to proclaim victory in our lifetimes. Iraq is a country republican leaders know little about and have less interest in discerning fact from fiction. Bottom line for me is that the vast majority of Iraquis want is out and a majority have professed not to care how many of our brave soldiers are killed on their soil. We can not determine their political will, their policies, their culture, their thirst for power on so many levels. They are killing eachother, for God's sake! This morning 30 day workers were butchered by a bomb, and who do they blaim; US!! In the streets they blaim US for planting the bombs! So who is the enemy we're fighting: terrorists, insurgents, mulahs, warlords, political opportunists, criminals, Iraq army and police infiltraters, etc. Victory can't be too far off, right Mr. Rove, Mr. Rumsfeld, Mr. Cheney, and, ah, ah, oh yeah, Mr. Bush?

Of course republicans have to defend our entry into and commitment to Iraq, it's the politically expedient thing to do in this election. IF THEY WIN? Stay the course in Iraq and continue to widen the gap between the haves and the rest of us. Lower taxes for the wealthy, assault on Medicare and Social Security,
no immigration reform, employers continue to hire undocumented workers, no change in the minimum wage, etc. In other words, republican congressional politics as usual.

Posted by HillWilliam on October 30, 2006 at 11:16 AM

Bill, you always help me see the light! Hugs to you and yours.

October Gift
Seems to me the we are playing into the hands of the RNC with Same Sex Marriage issues in NJ. WE have more civil rights issues at stake here in this election than our sexual preferences. It is such a hot button issue with the undecided rep voters who are critical for them winning. Hold down the retoric on sexual issues until we get people in position to actually do something about it. Now is not the time to fuel the homophobic fires of the repub's who not sure of how to vote.

Boston56, NJ courts ruled their laws were against the state constitution because they seem realize that sexual orientation is not a 'preference'.

Bush traveled all around the country last week and repeatedly claimed he doesn't believe Democrats were unpatriotic just that he doesn't trust their judgement. He insults tens of millions of Americans and no one talks about it on television or much in the papers. The real campaign should be on Bush's "judgements" and all his lies and distortions. Several Federal Laws have been and still are being violated and Congress rubberstamps retroactive approval of these violations.

Republicans debate for months about gay marriage and flag burning knowing they would not be passed but find the time to pass, with limited debate, a Bill the Administration wrote for them. None of these "leaders" had the time to read much less study or debate this un-Constitutional abuse of Executive power. It's why I'm reluctant to vote for Nelson.

Posted by beachbabe on October 30, 2006 at 11:26 AM

Exit polls?!?

Laws are different from state to state concerning the deadline when to file the necessary forms to be one. Who is to say the voters won't tell or just out right lie about who they voted for?

Legislators and/or the SOS have my state elections so messed up, election officials are wondering which directive/law to follow.

Second Idaho Newspaper supports Larry Grant! And this paper is Ultra-conservative!

The 1st District congressional race between Bill Sali and Larry Grant should be easy to endorse.
Sali represents solid Republican views that closely represent his constituency.

In any given election, the Idaho Press-Tribune would likely recommend Sali rather than his more-moderate opponent.

But that’s not possible this year.

Bill Sali does not have the quality of character required to serve Idaho voters.

There are times when politics have to take a back seat to something that’s simply the right thing to do. This is one of those occasions.

http://www.idahopress.com/articles/2006/10/30/opinion/editorials/editorials1.txt

Good Morning guys, hope everyone had a nice weekend. I hope we can concentrate this blog thread today on making the Democratic Party stronger and less about whining about republican fuck ups.. they are already a group of fuckups, why waste so much time on reminding ourselves.. Is there anyone here that has direct influence on decision in the DNC? Posted by TruthBeTold on October 30, 2006 at 10:18 AM

Hey, I got a great idea. Why don't you show us the way by "concentrating this blog thread today on making the Democratic Party stronger and less about whining about republicans" your ownself, instead of "whining" about what everybody else posts?

I cannot say what will come of Iraq's relationship with Iran. I believe that it will strengthen when we leave, but I think it would be all the stronger in the end should we remain.

It isn't a strategy per se, but it's an idea: Figure out what Tehran wants to happen, then guage your actions to make the opposite happen.

by the time I asked lamont campaign if we could get a Referendum on the ballot, Do You Vote to continue this Iraqi Invasion and Occupation, yes or No, it was too late to get it on.

We SHOULD all have pulled the Repugs own trick, of putting an issue on the ballots that would have drawn people in huge numbers to the polls, voting to get rid of Republicans who want this Stay the Course attitude!

World hunger 'intolerable,' with scant progress in decade: UN Global leaders have made little progress on a 10-year-old plan to combat world hunger, with about 820 million people still going hungry, a UN report said Monday.
Read more »

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/10/30/food-report.html

Climate change fight 'can't wait' Tony Blair urges immediate action as a report warns climate change could shrink the global economy by 20%.
Full story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6096084.stm

Many casualties in Baghdad blast. A bomb blast in the Iraqi capital Baghdad kills at least 26 people and wounds more than 60. Full story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6097688.stm

Iraq violence: Facts and figures
Gathering reliable data on the current bloodshed in Iraq is difficult, but the available figures help build up a picture of the complex mixture of insurgent attacks and sectarian killings.
Full story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/5052138.stm

For anyone interested, I found the Defense Authorization Act for 2007. The objectionable passeage is on page 19. It caught the atention of the sober individuals at the CBO as well. They highlight their concerns on page 2.

US tries to mend fences as violence soars. Iraqis hold up the bloodstained clothes of victims of a bomb attack on a market in the Shia Sadr City area of Baghdad.
By Ewen MacAskill

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1935372,00.html

Good afternoon everyone!! You can check out a response that I wrote to a Cal Thomas column opine at: Dave's Place at the DNC Party Builder blog.

Hope all are having a wonderful last eight day stand before the whip comes down!!;)

Boston56,

In a nutshell: this gay man is much more worried about getting back the rights we had guaranteed under the Constitution before Bush and his merry band of rubberstamping Torquemadas took them away than I am about getting a right, while overdue, I do not yet have. I can't speak for other GLBT people (mileage may vary), but I believe that we are in far more jeopardy than same-sex marriage will make or break. I believe that I am far from being unique in this regard.

You'll note that not a great deal of blog-footage has been devoted to the NJ decision and this is the reason why. Not that legal recognition of my 11-year partnership isn't important -- it's just that such recognition would be useless without the first ten (used to be) guaranteed rights. My efforts are on saving American patriotic values and the rights that enshrine those first. That should have anyone busy enough.

The US has officially lost 100 service members this month in Iraq.

Meanwhile, 80 Iraqis died just on Monday in Baghdad.

With the war in Iraq as a central focus in the upcoming elections, a number of veterans of the war are running for Congress. Truthout spent time with three of the candidates: Andrew Duck, Patrick Murphy, and Joseph Sestak. We also caught up with Senator John Kerry, who was campaigning for Murphy and Sestak.
Watch the video:

http://win20ca.audiovideoweb.com/ca20win15004/fightingvets512K.wmv

Posted by HillWilliam on October 30, 2006 at 01:01 PM

Never better said. People don't seem to understand that if you take one brick out of the wall that protects us from that which a government can inflict on its people, you weaken the entire wall.

Hi everyone! Glad thing are getting better for Pretty Bird Esme!

I am really tired of hearing the "Do you want to win" We need to completely reframe that phrase!

I say it is not about a "win or loss" it is about "doing what is right"! "Democrats are about doing what is right"!

Or - How do you win something that President Bush has already Lost?

DNC do not let them continue to phrase it with "Do you want to win"

Send them a new message: "Democrats want to do what is right"

It isn't about winning or losing!!!!!!

Knock on doors, pick up those phones, call the elderly and offer rides, whatever it takes

I am terribly frustrated today. I live in such a red state that even when it went for Kerry last year, there still isn't an established Democratic culture here. I am used to not having a lot of Democratic support and not seeing Democratic bumper stickers and yard signs.

HOWEVER, I just discovered that our Party does not have any information about our members and supporters!

This lack of basic reference information is not just a problem here in Northern Virginia.

I am trying to gin up support for our Democratic candidates. However, NOBODY has any list of voters and supporters. Can you believe this deplorable situation?

I asked the campaign staff for Judy Feder, a dynamic, upcoming candidate here for VA 10 to give me a list of people to call and was told they don't have anything. They are going to hold several "Get Out the Vote" meetings this week or next week at offices here . . .

What will they use to guide the phone bankers?

My wife and I have made over 1,000 calls for MoveOn. What do we need to do to encourage the DNC to develop and make available a database of voters and candidates!!!!

HELP!!!

Sincerely,

see ya later! click log-on!

October 29, 2006, 10:00 pm Building the Party of Joe By Matthew Continetti

Hartford, Conn. — Only a few months ago it seemed that Senator Joe Lieberman had few, if any, friends. When antiwar insurgent candidate Ned Lamont defeated Lieberman in the Democratic primary here on August 8, prominent Democrats from across the country quickly abandoned their support of the three-term incumbent who had been the party’s nominee for vice president only six years ago. Hillary Clinton made it a point to be the first national Democrat to cut a check for Lamont’s political action committee; support came also from Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean, and former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, a probable 2008 Democratic presidential candidate. There were those who suggested that for “the good of the party” Lieberman should exit the race altogether.

He didn’t. On primary night Lieberman announced he would remain in the race as an independent. Much has happened since. Less than two weeks before Election Day, Lieberman has a double-digit lead over Lamont. (The Republican candidate draws only about 6 percent of support in the polls.) Lieberman has taken the lead without the support of the national Democratic Party and without the advantages in fundraising and infrastructure that come from such support. In the space of about three months he has built his own party: the Party of Joe.

Former Democratic Senator Bob Kerrey of Nebraska is a member. On Oct. 25 Kerrey, who these days serves as president of the New School in New York City, visited Hartford to appear alongside Lieberman at an event on homeland security issues held at the University of Connecticut’s School of Business. At a press conference held after the session, Kerry told reporters, “As an American, I look to Joe Lieberman and believe strongly that he is central to solving the problems facing the nation.” Kerrey mentioned he doesn’t agree with Lieberman on every issue. To him, though, any disagreements he and the senator might have are beside the point. At a time of discord and fractured politics characterized by a lack of consensus on the major issues of the day, Kerrey pronounced, “I think it would be a terrible loss to the county to lose Joe Lieberman.”

Kerrey is not alone in thinking so. Later that day, Lieberman was scheduled to appear with former Republican congressman and vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp. Last week, one of Lieberman’s key allies in the Senate, Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, traveled to Connecticut for Lieberman. Next week Lieberman expects to campaign with Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City.

Lieberman also has the support of the Democratic speaker of the State House and the mayor of Waterbury, Conn. When it comes to support from politicians, the Party of Joe cuts across partisan lines.

Lieberman’s ability to draw support from voters of all major partisan affiliations is clear. His communications director, Dan Gerstein, says the polling he’s seen shows the senator drawing support from about 35 percent of Connecticut’s Democrats, 50 percent of its independents, and an amazing 65 to 70 percent of its Republicans. “If we stay at about 30 percent” among Democrats, Gerstein told me, and the other numbers remain the same, “we’re going to win.”

Gerstein says that the Naugatuck Valley, in the central-west part of Connecticut, is where this campaign will be decided. It is filled with a certain type of voter who is central to Lieberman’s victory plan. This voter is lower-middle- or middle-class and probably not as highly educated as your typical Lamont supporter. He is more of a cultural conservative than those who would vote for Lamont. Yet he also thinks business and the rich should do more in the service of the public interest and that government ought to provide aid to the disadvantaged. He is strong on defense and feels as though America is engaged in a war on terrorism. For this voter, who unlike Senator Lieberman may not support the war in Iraq, experience, incumbency and forthrightness matter more than insurgency and strident opposition to President Bush.

Add all this up, and you get neither a Republican nor a Democrat nor even an independent. You get a member of the Party of Joe.

AND WE GET ANOTHER TRAITOR IN THE SENATE!!! If you are a loyal Democrat, WRITE KERREY OF NEBRASKA AND LANDRIEU OF LOUISIANA.

Paul - every time we went to a new base, we found the neighborhood bar and went ans shot some pool a couple of times a week. Call it drinking liberally. The most liberal people in Wichita Kansas live off the back gate of McConnell AFB and work at Boeing Military Aircraft.

don't you think that if states are going to require identification for voting that they ought to provide same free of charge to all people?

Posted by PamB on October 30, 2006 at 12:44 PM

Hiya, Bold.

Just a quick lunch blogging, then back to the grind.

Referendums...each state has it's own deadlines. And usually takes 150,000+ signatures on a petition. (statewide)

Mostly I'm hoping to hear from Jacqueline. Rev worries, 's'all, and I tend to fret out loud.

Posted by HillWilliam on October 30, 2006 at 09:36 AM

{{{Bill}}}

I'm still here. Bird is doing great. I'm about to go crazy with the ID requirements for vote by mail though.

When we allow opponents to invent and then frame issues, and then debate them on the whole false sceniario we are not being real smart. The Political NON issues are things like gay marriage, abortion, ten cammandments, Terri Schivo, BJ's, creationism, etc, etc.

Social Security, Health Care, Imigration, The disinfranchisment of labor in the distribution of GDP, on going war for profit and control of markets, etc. etc. These are some of the issues that could/should be debated.

Re: Posted by BeingFrank on October 30, 2006 at 11:31 AM

Ignorant post. Jesus Christ did not issue "Commandments."

He said,



I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me



31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left.



34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.'



37 Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' 40 And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'



41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'



44 Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' 45 Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."



--Matthew 25:31-46

And for those who do not like to speak about religion, this was an attempt to help a poor benighted idiot see the truth, not an attempt to convert anyone . . .

Re: Posted by Boston56 on October 30, 2006 at 11:47 AM

Another Republican troll with a familiar talking point.

Go find another site.

Paul,

I posted an article over the weekend, taken from Daily Kos, which said that the DNC has been using their money from Democracy Bonds, to build their Voter registration banks. These are hired people, I am sure.

Three years ago, the CT Dems put out an appeal for volunteers to help them get organized. So I went in for the initial meeting, they gave me books for some towns in CT which I went to those towns Voter Registrar office, and matched up who voted in which elections (i.e. local vs. Federal)

Then when we were all through with that, I then went in an volunteered and sat on their computers and input all this information.

This is a HUGE job, to organize entire statewide vote info. I encourage you to call your State or County office of Dems. Ask how you can help to get records up to date.

PamB

Some boards of elections can and do provide voter registration files with voting history listed. We can produce a cd rom with all info but SS#'s. It is in excel, so easy to manipulate what data you want.

The carpenter has been approved by both daughters, my parents, 2 out of 3 siblings, (he hasn't met them all) and my congressional candidate. (He met Z at a parade & now I have him working it for him!) I say he's a keeper! But, I'll give you the last word. ;p

Re: Posted by PamB on October 30, 2006 at 02:12 PM

Pam,

Thank you for your help. I should have known you would be able to . . .

:)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush's popularity has not been buoyed by a series of public events in recent days, a new CNN poll has found.

Poll: Stumping not boosting Bush popularity
POSTED: 1:52 p.m. EST, October 30, 2006

Bush's approval rating still hovers in the high 30s, where it has been throughout October.

The poll, conducted by Opinion Research Corp., found that 37 percent of Americans approve of how Bush is handling his job as president; 58 percent disapprove.

The president's approval dropped slightly from the poll taken a week earlier, from 39 percent down to 37 percent, but the change was within the poll's sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

A total of 1,014 adult Americans were interviewed for the latest poll between October 27 and 29.

Good afternoon

Well the die has been cast here in FL and it has been determined that we have here all the ingredients for a recipe that will give a repeat of the 2000 election (God forbid!).

Several counties are having difficulties with their machines in early voting, there is an appeal still pending in the Congressional District that where Foley occupied that seat as to whether signs can state that someone else is on the ballot in place of Foley even though Foley's name still occupies the slot and last but not least, many polling precincts have been changed in many counties which has also caused problems in early voting.

These are just the major issues to have come forward. Stay tuned.

Re: Posted by Esmeralda on October 30, 2006 at 02:19 PM

Jacqueline,

Thank you. Unfortunately, Virginia is still in the Middle Ages, I guess.

I called the Virginia State Board of Elections to find out how to get voter registration files, and they told me that Virginia does not make any of this information public. They said that when phone bankers call, they are using private information.

That's how Red we are.

There's a new film out :

Aaron Russo's documentary: "America: Freedom to Fascism"...

"The scariest film you’ll see this year. Makes Fahrenheit 9/11 look like Bambi." - Todd David Schwartz, CBS

"A thought-provoking clarion call for the masses to wake up before it’s too late." - Kam Williams, The Black Star News

"See this cinematic call to arms..." - Jeff Craig, Sixty Seconds Preview
“The information in this film is something everybody has to know”, said Nick Nolte, who was the lead actor in “Teachers,” a film produced by Russo.

He set out to make a film about whether or not there actually existed a law which required American workers to pay income taxes.
...he discovered something much more frightening...
...and dangerous.

About the film:

Determined to find the law that requires American citizens to pay income tax, producer Aaron Russo (Award winning producer "The Rose," "Trading Places") set out on a journey to find the evidence. This film which is neither left, nor right-wing is a startling examination of government. It exposes the systematic erosion of civil liberties in America since 1913 when the Federal Reserve system was fraudulently created. Through interviews with U.S. Congressmen, a former IRS Commissioner, former IRS and FBI agents and tax attorneys and authors, Russo connects the dots between money creation, federal income tax, and the national identity card which becomes law in May 2008. This ID card will use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips which are essentially homing devices used to track people. This film shows in great detail and undeniable facts that America is moving headlong into a fascist police state.
Keith Olbermann says: "The confusion is about whether this secretary of defense, and this administration, are in fact now accomplishing what they claim the terrorists seek: the destruction of our freedoms, the very ones for which the same veterans Mr. Rumsfeld addressed yesterday in Salt Lake City so valiantly fought. And about Mr. Rumsfeld's other main assertion, that this country faces a 'new type of fascism.'

Watch the film for free-

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4312730277175242198&q=freedom+to+fascism&hl=en

http://www.freedomtofascism.com/ - visit Mr. Russo's site

Also, check out the film "Iraq for Sale" you can watch it for free here -

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6621486727392146155&q=iraq+for+sale&hl=en

http://iraqforsale.org/ - visit Mr. Greenwald's site

Imagine this

October 30, 2006

Honorable Ken Mehlman Chairman Republican National Committee 310 First St., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20003

Dear Mr. Chairman:

As the chairmen of the two major national parties, we have a responsibility to encourage people to participate in the political process and aggressively guard their constitutionally protected right to vote. As you know, the modified consent decree in the case of Democratic National Committee v. Republican Committee, C.A. No. 86-3972, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, entered on July 29, 1987, remains in effect. That decree, as you know, resulted from the RNC engaging in so-called "ballot security" programs targeted at challenging minority voters in African American and Hispanic communities.

That consent decree prohibits the RNC from engaging in, assisting in or participating in any "ballot security program," other than "normal poll watch functions," "unless the program (including the method and timing of any challenges resulting from the program) has been determined by this Court to comply with the provisions of the Consent Order and applicable law." Applications by the RNC "for determination of ballot security programs by the Court shall be made following 20 days notice to the DNC which notice shall include a description of the program to be undertaken, the purpose(s) to be served and the reasons why the program complies with the Consent Order and applicable law."

At this point, it is too late for the RNC to comply with the 20 day deadline for notifying the DNC of any intended application to the Court for approval of any ballot security program. We assume, therefore, that the RNC does not intend to apply to the Court for approval of any such program, and that you intend to respect both the letter and the spirit of the law. For that reason, we also assume that the RNC will refrain from engaging in, assisting in or participating in any "ballot security program" carried out by anyone, including the RNC itself, its state or local parties, Republican candidates or allied organizations such as the Republican National Lawyers Association or National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Please confirm to me as soon as possible that our assumption and understanding in regard to the consent decree are correct, so that all eligible registered voters can be assured of a fair election and of having the opportunity to vote free from harassment, intimidation or other efforts to deny them the right to cast their vote and have it counted.

Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter and I look forward to hearing from you promptly.

Sincerely yours,

Governor Howard Dean, M.D. National Chair

Hi, Dem Folks!

Anyone catch ABC's Good Morning America today? There was a segment about the over abundance of counterfeit goods, including pharmaceuticals, that are getting passed thru US Customs. It’s no longer just sunglasses and handbags. For example. They showed electrical cords that burst into flames yet have the US seal of approval on them. Made in China. A large part of the different products are sold at flea markets and do make their way to discount stores. The pharmaceuticals are making their way to discount stores like WalMart. I thought our illustrious presidunce said that Americans cannot and should not buy pharmaceuticals from foreign sources because they don’t live up to our standards and could be harmful. Once again, the outsourcing of jobs and manufacturing is getting in the way of us purchasing safe products and medication.

Twenty years ago (during the Reagan years), I worked for a handbag and accessories company who was manufacturing in the U.S. They wanted a division that manufactured in Honk Kong and China. I was elected to run that division. Sure you get a cost savings but quality gets compromised when you’re not on them all the time. Example, left to their own devices, they couldn’t understand why I got po’d and rejected their work when they used yellow thread on a red handbag. This was in China. I preferred Honk Kong because they didn’t scrimp and cut corners nearly as much. But, because the labor rate in Honk Kong was 90 cents an hour versus 16 cents an hour in China, my company kept forcing me to manufacture in China. Needless to say, I quit. I felt horrible being forced to participate in what translated to me as slave labor. I still have nightmares about the working conditions over there.

Brings up a funny story. A large buying company that bought for a number of large dept. stores found a beautiful vase in Italy during a buying trip. They shipped it to their sources in China to knock off the vase ordering 12 gross. Unfortunately, the Italian vase cracked during the shipment. The unsupervised Chinese manufacturer reproduced the vase and shipped it to the US. Upon inspection of the shipment, all 12 gross had a crack in it exactly like the one they received from Italy.

I can understand some outsourcing as long as it doesn’t affect the labor force in this country. Pisses me off to no end.

Laura

CYN,

For that reason, we also assume that the RNC will refrain from engaging in, assisting in or participating in any "ballot security program" carried out by anyone, including the RNC itself, its state or local parties, Republican candidates or allied organizations such as the Republican National Lawyers Association or National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Nice letter from Dean however, I hope he knows that this went on in huge amounts in the State of Wisconsin. Mu daughter, who worked for MoveOn said that these Republicans would come into a polling place with their little Blackberries and make calls as people were signing up to vote. Anyone they thought shouldn't vote, they challenged. Unfortuntely, most people they challenged were Black.

Got to remember - those Republicans are a slimy bunch.

In Indiana we have laws to protect us from telemarkerteers. Seems someone from either the RNCC or the State RNC is using an eletronic calling to bash Dr. Tom Hayhurst, Congressional Candidate District 3 in Indiana. They are looking into this to put a stop to it. Republican as far as I'm concerned are the lowest form of humans to walk this earth. They are less then people.

I'd like to send every Republican to Iraq - let them form a Democracy over there since Bush can't!

This is in response to Scorpio69er who keeps relentlessly posting anti-democrat stuff here.

You are angry because you think that Democrats will not work to end the war in Iraq, but you are sorely mistaken in this. Democrats are going to push to end it. No one in congress can order the troops to come home, only the president can do that.

Yes, Democrats can refuse to fund it, but then they will be screwing over the troops not the president. Do you honestly think that Bush wouldn't let the troops suffer over there just to make a political point?

What the Democrats can do, and hasn't been done yet at all, is provide oversight to just exactly is going on over there. They can investigate how contracts are being doled out. Where the money is going, how are the projects going. These are all extremely necessary, and you will not get it with republicans.

So stop trying to come here and convince us not to vote. I want some oversight and I want congress to pressure the president to come up with a new strategy. We can only have these if Democrats win the house.

Go troll somewhere else, I am working too damned hard on this election to let someone like you ruin it!!!

The Nation email today:

If a political attack ad is emotionally manipulative, excessively ominous, twists facts, exploits contentious issues of race, sex and terror, and winds up being condemned by civil rights groups, chances are that ad was created by Republican huckster Scott Howell.

His most recent creation questions the character of Tennessee Democratic senatorial candidate Harold Ford Jr., an African-American, by suggesting he solicits sex with white Playboy playmates.

As Max Blumenthal writes exclusively at The Nation online, Howell's distinctive messaging style has defined the tone of some of the most important political races of the past five years, yet t