good job doctor dean, rahm emanuel and senator schumer. can't wait until the new congress gets empowered and we can start taking back our country piece by piece.

my blue montana...yipee ki eh. from salon:

Montana Politician Changes Parties

- - - - - - - - - - - -

By JENNIFER BYRD Associated Press Writer

November 18,2006 | HELENA, Mont. -- A Montana state senator has officially changed his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat, breaking a tie to give his new party a 26-24 advantage.

State Sen. Sam Kitzenberg filed the paperwork at the secretary of state's office on Friday.

He said he had been thinking about switching parties for about 12 years and made the decision at the suggestion of Democratic state Sen. Mike Cooney, who contacted him after the Nov. 7 election put both parties on an even footing.

"He called and said 'Guess what? It's tied. I know you've mentioned changing parties in the past, and now is the time,'" Kitzenberg said.

Democrats have a 50-49 edge in the Montana House. One Democrat, Sheila Hogan, lost by just 24 votes and party officials said this past week that she will ask for a recount; if she were to win, the Democrats' lead would change to 51-48.

Kitzenberg dismissed Republican critics who suggested the change was "political payoff" for a state Revenue Department job he got from the administration of Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

"The job I have now had nothing to do with this decision," Kitzenberg said. "I sat down and tried to figure out what was really important to me. It just came down to me realizing who my real friends were and where my heart was."

Good Morning Again, Democrats!

:)

morning paul.

Happy Weekend and Happy Thanksgiving, GregG!

Good morning Dems.

Esse, I ran into Zack's folks yesterday. His Mom is, of course, elated. Said they would be going to DC for an event soon. It's exciting to think we may be on our way to a little transparancy and honesty in Gov't.

Larry

Darn Tracy,

I have been up to my ears in resumes and calendar events and transition. I wish I knew of this sooner. Please keep us informed of what you learn there.

I am continually more and more amazed at this country's politics.

I don't know whether to turn off the TV and start reading . . .

paul, definetly turn off the television set.

can't wait until the new congress gets empowered and we can start taking back our country piece by piece.
****

gregg,

I sure that's what happens. But I am alarmed at this bipartisian talk. I am convinced it emanates from Rove and is an attempt to derail our efforts. Nothing, absolutely nothing should be taken off the table including cutting off money for Iraq and impeaching Bush/Cheney.

rjsnj, look at what bush has done in just the 11 or so days since the elections...renominated bolton to the un, appointed the lunatic keroack to family planning, sent six pychotic judicial appointments back to the senate....it should be pretty easy to figure out that there is no interest in bipartisianship on the part of the republicans and therefore no pay off for us.

rjsnj, look at what bush has done in just the 11 or so days
****

Exactly gregg! The Congress has been no different. Look at who they appointed to their leadership:

Mitch McConnell - one of the most virulent Bushites. He is as anti-labor as it gets.
McConnell wasted no time threatening Dems on
blocking nominating right wing judges.

John Boehner is back!

Watch out for their new NRCC chief Cole. He is rumored to be another Lee Atwater prodigy. That means even more Rovian crap.

****

This is what I thinl. Blast Bush with legislation - make him sign or veto it. Keep blasting away at him. Proof to the country that the Republicans are obstructionists. Take it to the polls on 2008.

I don't expect to get much done the next two years. I sure as hell don't want Dems kissing Bush's behind just to get something done.

this is a story of terrible injustice. it tells of the damage done to native americans by the uranium industry. it is a good example of why the general rule about regulation of industry is that there is rarely enough and if this makes milton friedman's recently dead body turn in its grave tough shit. i post this as a person whose parents were told to have my thymus gland shrunk by x-rays at two months of age in 1947. a treatment that even at the time was of dubois efficacy and that today is of course recognized as useless and damaging.

your fiend, the atom

I am continually more and more amazed at this country's politics.

I don't know whether to turn off the TV and start reading . . .

Posted by Paul on November 18, 2006 at 12:14 PM

it's too bad we don't have a bobby kennedy today to straighten it all out

it's too bad we don't have a bobby kennedy today to straighten it all out
****

I turned my TV off a long time ago. The only cable news show I will listen to is Keith Olberman at 8PM EST on MSNBC. Everyone else is useless. Even Lou Dobbs has become repetitive and is not at all fair to Democrats.

The worst of the worst is shows such as Glenn Beck and of course everything on teh Faux News station which should go out of business.

C&L: Leahy vs Laura Ingraham (Station Finder added)
by kestrel9000
Fri Nov 17, 2006 at 12:03:01 PM PST

UPDATE: Here is a link to a station finder map to locate the affiliate in your area, to assist you in any action you may care to take, such as monitoring and pressuring local sponsors.

UPDATE: I gotta give a hat tip to proudprogressiveca, who tipped me off to the C&L posting as a possible diary subject. He couldn't do it himself; he'd already used his diary for the day. "...without whom none of this etc."
Thanks, bud.

As we are all aware, among the Republican voter intimidation/suppression efforts put forth by the Republicans in the 2006 election was right-wing radio spewer Laura Ingraham encouraging her listeners to jam the Democratic voter assistance hotline.
Looks like she pissed off the wrong person.
Laura, were you so confident that we would lose, you were willing to stick your neck out that far?
You just may be about to get Anne Boleyn'd for your trouble.

****

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/11/17/1532/6273

Laura Ingraham should be booted off of the air for this stunt.

Police Trample Non-Violent Striking Janitors With Horses!
by Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse
Sat Nov 18, 2006 at 09:43:27 AM PST

Another incredible story of police abuse is caught in pictures and video as Houston Police attack union members of striking janitors who were participating in a non-violent protest. To control this nonviolent protest, the police trampled the strikers with horses! Video and photos shot by people in the crowd show the inhumanity:

"The horses came all of a sudden. They started jumping on top of people. I heard the women screaming. A horse stomped on top of me. I fell to the ground and hurt my arm. The horses just kept coming at us. I was terrified. I never thought the police would do something so aggressive, so violent."
****

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/11/18/124327/59

This reminds me of turn of the 19th century America where workers were routinely beaten by corporate goons - whether it was the police or hired thugs. What progress have we made in this country? Seems to me that we are moving backwards as a people.

All of this just because:

The janitors are in their 4th week of a strike to protest their poor working conditions of $20 a day with no health insurance. The janitors were "challenging Houston's real estate industry to settle the strike and provide 5,300 janitors in Houston with higher wages and affordable health insurance."

****

That is disgusting! These people have made millions in the hot real estate market and they can't provide health care insurance to janitors.

This is what we are fighting for. Let's not allow the Democrats just elected to forget it!

Anyway, who summoned you back? Posted by Esmeralda on November 18, 2006 at 07:19 AM

He was trying to pretend to be some pro-WalMart collage student, using the same lines and phrases he's been using non-stop for the past three years, and when he got called on it, he comes back on as himself and declares, "Oh, I 'just happened to be passing by' and I had to respond to the charges against me". I guess that's going to be his new M.O. every time he gets caught pretending to somebody else.

Good afternoon, all.

Challenged by veteran interviewer Sir David Frost that the Western invasion of Iraq has "so far been pretty much of a disaster", Mr. Blair said: "It has."

Dear Prime Minister Blair,

Welcome to a reality based-world. Have you also become aware of the mess in Afghanistan, Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, Pakistan, North Korea, and Dufar.....?

Did it ever occur to you that George Bush might not be the cowboy hero his publicity machine made him out to be? His ranch is a fake and so is he.

With England's past experience in nation building, shouldn't there have been an alarm bell ringing loudly. As I recall, your free press certainly heard it; and you dismissed them out of hand.

It's not a pretty package that you will be leaving to your replacement early next year. But at least your troops are coming home.

Make sure their veterans benefits are not cut short like those of their American counterparts in this disaster. Our Republican-led Congress made sure of it. Don't let the Tories make the mistake on top of the rest of your others blunders.

Good luck in your retirement. Maybe President Carter can find you a job in his organization, so you can finally start working for real peace and democracy in the world again...with someone who has credibility and brains for a change.

Sincerely,

John Q. Public America

dors needs to get a dog. i would keep him away from those bad influences. Posted by gregg on November 18, 2006 at 07:18 AM

Yep, "dors" sure has been getting "chummy" with the Republican trolls lately, hasn't he? It almost seems like he fancies himself to be the troll welcoming committee or something. Here I am trying to "run 'em out", and dors wants to go out of his way to make them "feel right at home".

Hi, Will.

Are you speaking of Jared? I find his various fictional stories and biographies to be most enteraining. But he does chose some of the worst causes to champion. Gives us a break; nobody enjoys shopping at Walmart.

Instead of contributing to the DNC, DLC, DDSSC or whatever, I think we need to set up a Let's Send Esmeralda to Cancun fund. I never saw anyone work so hard in two election arenas at once. This woman deserves a party...and the carpenter probably does, too. There's nothing like vegging out on a beach with a Margarita.

later.

Yep, "Jared". The part about the "old sixties hippies trying to get it up" was the dead Sally give away.

Here's the winner of this week's STFU award - Ann Coulter:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/11/18/122056/49

Ms. Coulter's column for this week is entitled "Desperate Congresswomen of Hysteria Lane". No I am not kidding. She is actually down to doing parodies of television shows to get people to pay attention to her columns. Believe me when I say I only read them so I can dispute her facts. Which by the way is hard to do when using one hand to hold my nose! But back to the business at hand. Her column is all about the ascension of Nancy Pelosi as the next Speaker of the House and how Ms. Coulter thought we had moved passed these multicultural milestones.

****

It's time for Satan's Barbie Doll to STFU.

I don't want Walmart abolished, I just want them to pay their workers fairly. Companies like Walmart who mooch off the government by making the government pick up the slack of supporting their workers living needs are getting an unfair government subsidy which they can then turn around and use to put companies that don't mooch off the government out of business. That shouldn't be allowed.

rjsnj, I liked this part the best.

So the whole column boils down to this cockeyed viewpoint:

We are not suppose to make a big deal out of Nancy Pelosi becoming the first woman speaker of the House and we are to feel very, very bad about how we didn't make a big deal when Ms. Rice became the second woman and the second African-American to become secretary of state.

it's too bad we don't have a bobby kennedy today to straighten it all out

Ahh, but we do have a Senator who realizes where he is needed most. Although saddened that he will not run, I have a lot of respect for his decision

Why does Ann (Andy?) Coulter hate women and not want them to vote?

Conservative commentator Ann Coulter, who wrote in a syndicated column ... "I think [women] should be armed but should not [be allowed to] vote.

Google

Posted by Domingo on November 18, 2006 at 01:49 PM Yep, "Jared". The part about the "old sixties hippies trying to get it up" was the dead Sally give away.

The headquarters for General Mills is in Minneapolis (Golden Valley). It's a high profile company in the state of MN not MI.

The more I read of what Mille posted, the more glad I am that I treated the poster with respect.

The more I read of what Mille posted, the more glad I am that I treated the poster with respect. Posted by dorsano on November 18, 2006 at 02:17 PM

Yeah, I got ya Sport. It seems like the more disrespectful these people get with the Democrats in here, the more you "respect" them.

Posted by Domingo on November 18, 2006 at 02:23 PM Yeah, I got ya Sport. It seems like the more disrespectful these people get with the Democrats in here, the more you "respect" them.

I don't recall Mille being dis-repectful. Just asking that we not trash Christianity.

There are a lot of people who find it convenient to say that Democrats are a bunch of "old sixties hippies trying to get it up". It stems from an old grudge and an old pair of wars, cultural and military, that some people haven't gotten over yet.

Conservative commentator Ann Coulter, who wrote in a syndicated column ... "I think [women] should be armed but should not [be allowed to] vote.
****

Ann Coulter is an incredible nut case.

I don't recall Mille being dis-repectful.

Oh you don't do you? Sounds like some kind of selective memory loss to me. Maybe that's what your problem is. I remember all kinds of "un-Christian" disrepectfulness from that "Mille" you respect so much. And while Sally was stating that all the top Democrats "are sucking Joe's dick", I noticed how "respectful" you were about that too.

Is this TREASON coming from the Democrats??

Bringing "these matters" (crimes) to the attention to the American public does NOT satisfy the requirements of our justice system or our Constitition!!!

Tale of Two Conyers

PART I

Congressman John Conyers, "The Constitution in Crisis", December 2005:
"In brief, we have found that there is substantial evidence the President, the Vice President and other high ranking members of the Bush Administration misled Congress and the American people regarding the decision to go to war with Iraq; misstated and manipulated intelligence information regarding the justification for such war; countenanced torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and other legal violations in Iraq; and permitted inappropriate retaliation against critics of their Administration.

"There is a prima facie case that these actions by the President, Vice-President and other members of the Bush Administration violated a number of federal laws, including (1) Committing a Fraud against the United States; (2) Making False Statements to Congress; (3) The War Powers Resolution; (4) Misuse of Government Funds; (5) federal laws and international treaties prohibiting torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment; (6) federal laws concerning retaliating against witnesses and other individuals; and (7) federal laws and regulations concerning leaking and other misuse of intelligence.

"While these charges clearly rise to the level of impeachable misconduct, because the Bush Administration and the Republican-controlled Congress have blocked the ability of Members to obtain information directly from the Administration concerning these matters, more investigatory authority is needed before recommendations can be made regarding specific Articles of Impeachment. As a result, we recommend that Congress establish a select committee with subpoena authority to investigate the misconduct of the Bush Administration with regard to the Iraq war detailed in this Report and report to the Committee on the Judiciary on possible impeachable offenses."
-- Congressman John Conyers, "The Constitution in Crisis", December 2005

PART II

Congressman John Conyers, November 2006:
"As many of you also know, I have agreed with Speaker-to-be Pelosi that impeachment is off the table. Instead, we agree that oversight, accountability and checks and balances which have been sorely lacking for the last six years must occur. I have nothing but respect for those who might disagree, but that is where I come out.

"Having devoted a considerable amount of time and attention to detailing the many abuses of the Bush Administration, I firmly believe that we have brought these matters to the attention of the American people and the mainstream media, and that their verdict was reflected in the elections on November 7. I consider the now famous basement hearings and the issuance of my Constitution in Crisis Report to be among the watershed achievements of my more than forty years in Congress."
-- Congressman John Conyers, November 2006

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The incoming chairman of the Senate Finance Committee said Thursday he wants to hold hearings on looming insolvencies in the Medicare and Social Security programs but said President Bush's plan to partially privatize Social Security is dead.

"Don't waste our time," said Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana. "It's off the table."
****

Okay Max Baucus - that's what I want to hear. Kick the freaking Puggies butt and if Holy Joe wants to be a Puggy let him be. They still won't get any of the Bush agenda through.

Bush - quack, quack, quack sucker.

Posted by Domingo on November 18, 2006 at 02:37 PM

You've outed me, Domingo. I'm a troll in disguise but you saw right through it.

Poll the bloggers and ask that they shun me. I'll submit to their verdict.

"A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within.
An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and he carries his banners openly. But the traitor moves among those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the galleys, heard in the very hall of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor. He speaks in the accents familiar to his victims, and wears their face and their garment, and he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation. He works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of a city. He infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to be feared." --Cicero, 42 B.C.E.

Chairman-to-be vows to kill Bush's Social Security plan
POSTED: 10:20 a.m. EST, November 17, 2006

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/17/finance.agenda.ap/index.html

Here's the full article.

Posted by Domingo on November 18, 2006 at 02:37 PM I remember all kinds of "un-Christian" disrepectfulness from that "Mille" you respect so much.

Great, you can link to them and cite them as evidence in my prosecution.

Bringing "these matters" (crimes) to the attention to the American public does NOT satisfy the requirements of our justice system or our Constitition!!!
****

I agree - patience, it will come. Conyers won't sell anyone out.

I think I'm going to take a nap while my trial is conducted. I'll come back tomorrow maybe and find out what the verdict is.

"Shut Up and Sings" opens in Minneapolis tonight and my wife and I are going dinner and the opening with friends.

Since I feel right now sort of like the Dixie Chicks might feel if Saddam had come to their defense and called TK un American,

I suppose it's a fitting movie for the evening. :)

Now the troll and the troll lover can get together and "respect" each other while the troll bashes the Democrat Party, the Democrat Party politicians, and the Democrat Party voters who post on this blog.

I think I'm going to take a nap

Uh-huh, I can dig it. You need to get good and rested up for your all night session of "rspectfullness" with your Democrat bashing Republican troll friends.

Posted by Domingo on November 18, 2006 at 03:07 PM

Like I said Domingo, call the question of the bloggers any time you like.

I'll stand by their verdict.

"I think you have to look at the Republican effort on immigration as a catastrophic mistake in a year when they made many mistakes," said Simon Rosenberg, president of NDN, formerly the New Democrat Network. "They now know that the Republican Party is hostile to Hispanics, which is something they didn't know two years ago. That's a big burden for them to overcome."

I think this is the true Rove legacy. His hate machine hit the wrong demographics at the wrong time. Immigration was going to be their big wedge issue and instead it backfired and exposed the dirty racist underbelly of the party.

The Republicans tried so hard to for the last 30 years to deceive everyone and now it's all back out in the open. Hispanics are just the latest to get the GOP treatment. Appointing a Cuban American as their new party head only underlines that deception and how they pander to those they are trying to trick.

I’m not too sure immigrants from Mexico and other Middle/South American nations even relate to the Cuban American experience in this country. This could very well backfire on the GOP, too. You can’t lump people together like they are all the same just because of their language. Our Irish and English immigrants come from vastly different cultures and still expect others to recognize and respect their heritage. Blacks come from different countries and experiences, also.

You don't have to look any further than Limbaugh to see how little respect the party elite have for anyone who is looking for an opportunity to advance themselves into or within the middle class. They only protect their own interests.

How fitting that Trent Lott became the Minority Leader this week...after all the rancor that drove him out two years ago. He's back and so is the bigoted Republican Party in full force.

They don't like women, minorities, or white redneck laborers demanding an opportunity for advancement. They only want cheap workers that know their place... which is serving the ruling class.

In many ways the GOP’s outsourcing and free trade policy also pushed middle class, white office workers back into the minority category as well. The majority of American workers are now in the same boat…with the Republicans throwing us overboard. And they know it and it hurts big time.

IMO, if the Republicans stonewall Congressional Democratic measures to change the course, the GOP is in for a true bloodletting in 2008. I’m banking on them staying true to their bigoted philosophy and lying nature about it.

They don’t think anything has changed...it was only the war that brought them down. But it has.
A populist movement is only beginning.

Posted by dorsano on November 18, 2006 at 03:16 PM

But before you call the question, you might want to review two races in MN,

1). Hatch (D) vs Pawlenty (R)
2). Ellision (D) vs Fine (R), Lee (I)

In both races the Democrats were smeared and "bashed" with outrageous attacks from their opponents and surrogates.

The attacks against Ellision were the most cruel but he never once lost his cool.

Not so with Hatch who blew up in a very public way two days before the election.

Ellison won, Hatch lost.

Could someone just start a special thread for the troll and troll baiters so they don't tie up the entire open threads?

And I'm off to snooze ....

Gregg, puppies are awesome!! ;)

Talking about respect, respect goes both ways, and I don't care if people "engage" trolls, as long as the posts are not disrespectful from "our" side, as long as our arguements are sound. I don't quite understand why some people have a problem with talking to bloggers/trolls/whatever you want to call them, from the "other side" as long as the discussion is kept it civil and doesn't turn into name calling and insults.

And I've seen new people come here with honest questions and they were trashed before they even had a chance to get to make their point and opinions heard. I thought we were the big tent party....

Just saying..

later folks

I thought we were the big tent party Posted by GiG

There's that "big tent party" line of B.S. being tossed in our face again. "Big tent party" means we take people of all colors and religions. It does not mean we "respect" Democrat bashing points of view. All the Republicans try to use that twisted meaning of "big tent party" on us. I can't believe you "fell for it too".

Talking about respect, respect goes both ways, and I don't care if people "engage" trolls, as long as the posts are not disrespectful from "our" side, as long as our arguements are sound. Posted by GiG

So in other words, what you're saying is, no matter how disrespectful their side gets with our side, our side better not get disrespectful with them? You know, it's funny how many "Democrats" around here don't mind seeing Democrats get bashed and disrespected non-stop all day long, but they sure get pissed in a heartbeat as soon as they see a Republican get disrespected. What's up with that?

Domingo on November 18, 2006 at 03:37 PM

I didn't fall for anything.

But jumping down another blogger's throat for discussing issues with somebody that is considered a troll is sad. It does not make the blogger a bad person, nor does it make him a "troll lover". It makes him a human being discussing issues with somebody he generally does not agree with. The same goes with new people on this blog. A lot of "oldtimers" have become so paranoid that the newbies don't even have a chance half the time and they leave and never return. That's a loss for this blog if you ask me. A lot of us have been here for a long time, I personally find it refreshing to read "new" people on here, whether I agree with them or not.

You keep posting what you feel you have to, I was just stating my opinion.

Have a nice rest of the day.

Trolls don't bother me as long as they don't quote Limbaugh, Hannity, or Coulter. Or when they go balistic and start cursing up a storm.

I think I've ran off a few new people in the past, because they started talking from the GOP viewpoint. I didn't realize they questioned it until they were already insulted. It's hard to tell when you can't see the faces while they "talk". I now try to hold my comments until I see where they are going.

The argumentive variety can be worth a good debate if not a few laughs, but they tend to dominate the conversation. I guess it's up to the moderator or lack there of to decide what needs to be done. I assume we still have rules; but since we've all been so busy lately, nothing has been enforced.

Domingo on November 18, 2006 at 03:44 PM

I was referring to last night's posts and I didn't see any disrespect in the conversation Sally and dors had.

And personally, yes, what I'm saying is that I will not stoop to their level. If the posts get nasty, I just scroll by. For you to take such personal offense, I think you are wasting a lot of energy that can be used in a much more positive way.

But jumping down another blogger's throat for discussing issues with somebody that is considered a troll is sad. Posted by GiG

Oh Really? Did you think it was "sad" when dors "jumped down my throat" and basicly tried to tell me to shut up "for discussing issues with somebody that I considered a troll"?

I think you are wasting a lot of energy that can be used in a much more positive way. Posted by GiG

I think you are wasting a lot of energy defending the right of Republican trolls to come on here to bash the Party and bash the Posters, just because you "find it refreshing to read 'new' people on here". If you want to read what Republicans have to say, go over to freepers.

Domingo on November 18, 2006 at 03:59 PM

I can't speak for Dors but I think he was suggesting to read the person you considered a troll before judging that person.

If you refer to the Mille (sp) thread, I think that person was desperatley trying to express an opinion and her words kept getting twisted. And she did have some good points she was trying to get across.

Ok, enough "troll" talk, I'm sorry Rob-in-Indiana... I'm really out of here.

. If you want to read what Republicans have to say, go over to freepers.

Posted by Domingo on November 18, 2006 at 04:04 PM

I don't have to. I live in Georgia and work with them every day.

SandyH, it's plain and simple. Some on here like the trolls and want to be friends with them, and some don't. The ones who like them get very upset when anyone gets "disrespectful" with their buddies. Funny how they alway overlook their "buddies" getting "disrespectful" with everyone else. They keep saying, "I don't see it! I don't see it!"

Hey Tracy welcome to NYC,i hope you enjoy your stay here.

How fitting that Trent Lott became the Minority Leader this week...after all the rancor that drove him out two years ago. He's back and so is the bigoted Republican Party in full force.
****

Mint Julip Trent is back. Has his new house been built yet? Bush is dying to sip some mint julips with him on his porch.

Proves that the Republicans really are the party the rascist party.

Bush in Vietnam:

We tend to want there to be instant success in the world, and the task in Iraq is going to take awhile . . .We'll succeed unless we quit.
****

Geez what an appropriate place to utter such idiotic nonsense. I vote for a free trade agreement with Vietnam. We'll give them Bush and they can ... ummmm, keep him for free!

Rep. Dennis Kucinich: Cut Off Iraq War Funding

Digg Email Print
Posted on Nov 16, 2006
AP / Lee Marriner

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio)

By Joshua Scheer

In an interview with Truthdig contributor Joshua Scheer,* Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) reacts to Rep. John Murtha’s failed bid for House majority leader, and explains why cutting off funding for the Iraq war is the only way to truly protect American troops.

http://www.truthdig.com/interview/item/20061116_kucinich_cut_off_funding

****

Damn right.

Re: Posted by rjsnj on November 18, 2006 at 12:58 PM

Really an abhorrent abuse of police power. I had forgotten how racist and abusive some Texans are. (Being born in Texas -- unlike our illegal and failed President -- I feel qualified to make this observation.

As the times are changing, I hope we can reveal and publicize this kind of crime.

Posted by SandyH on November 18, 2006 at 01:40 PM

No thanks. If I want something, I work for it myself. That's what cleaning houses on the side is for. Anybody that has the extra cash to splash to the DNC, DCCC & DSCC can donate all they want. I don't make it, so I can't give it. I donate what I can to my local club and candidates direct campaigns. The calls I receive from the above listed entities say they are being recorded for quality purposes...when I tell them my economic situation, due mostly to the state of the nation the past 6 years, they don't want to hear that.

Anyways, all I really want for my contributing to the dnc daily actions is a dancing in her jammies icon. ;)

Here's a couple of neat sites I found for internet shopping for holiday gifts. Maybe you will find something of interest.

Goodness Gracie

Formaggio Kitchen

Murray's Cheese

Really an abhorrent abuse of police power.
***

Really does wreak of early 20th century union busting tactics! Some things never change and generally the Republicans are at the root of the regressive/obstructionist movement in this country.

My judgement on dors.

(keeping in mind that the same shall be used to judge my actions)

I find you guilty of having the heart to believe you are actually making a great case for the democratic party and commend you for having a civilized, non combative conversation with those who oppose your views. May you receive a jewel in your crown.

Enjoy your night out with family & friends.

Posted by PeppermintLizzy on November 18, 2006 at 12:11 PM

I do hope you will share with us here what your position on Congressman Hall's staff will be/already is. Are you going to DC or staying in NY? ;)

Esmeralda on November 18, 2006 at 04:49 PM

((Esme))

That's really all I was trying to say too, thank you !!!

And you do deserve a "dancing in jammies" icon, where do we start a petition?

Here's a little more on the strike busting story - also posted in mydd:

http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/11/17/224946/56

Houston police trampled on striking janitors with horses last night. The janitors make on average $20 a day with no health insurance. The companies responsible? Chevron. And Hines Interest, the city's largest hometown building owner.

These people make on average $5.35 an hour. With no health insurance. That is frakking ridiculous. It is wrong. And when these workers protested peacefully, the Houston police department rode into a crowd with horses to intimidate and injure the workers. It worked, as they arrested 44 workers and hurt 4 of them, including an 83 year old janitor.

I don't care if you don't like unions. This is insane. And if you are a politician reading this site, or a 2008 candidate, now's your chance to stand up and issue a strong statement condemning these actions and demanding that Chevron and Hines Interest pay these people responsibly.

And an op-ed on immigration in the not so great state of Georgia

In bullying illegals, county picks easy fight

In midterm elections earlier this month, American voters showed their profound common sense on the issue of immigration: They refused to reward politicians who had demonized illegal workers, making them the scapegoats for terrorism, crime or the decline of the middle class. Those candidates whose campaigns had been fueled by invective and demagoguery about foreigners went down in defeat.

But not all politicians got the message. Just last week, a Cherokee County commissioner introduced a dubious ordinance to punish landlords who rent housing to undocumented workers. This commissioner still seems to believe her constituents want a highly symbolic stand against "those people" — the overwhelmingly Latino men and women who tend children, mow lawns, build houses and pluck chickens in poultry factories......

I forgot to add to my statement to SandyH. Another reason I don't donate financially on a national level...I don't like to bail "businesses" out of debt. I think they should operate in the black. Being as frugal as I must be, I don't understand their waste of resources/time/manpower. Who can argue that there was not waste? We would be in a surplus otherwise...or at least broke even. Who is the treasurer of the fund? Here is a suggestion: Make wise investments! Quit expecting it off the backs of the lower/middle class!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(please file this under lessons learned. I happen to be in the minority concerning how "effective" our party was in managing their resources to win elections. I guess the end does justify the means. sigh)

{{{GiG}}}

Actually, I deserve nothing. I'm already blessed in many ways.

I gotta go. Have a great afternoon.

Esmeralda on November 18, 2006 at 05:07 PM

You've been a great example to a lot of us (yes, calling people slackers is a great way to motivate ;) )

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Posted by salutetheDems on November 18, 2006 at 12:07 PM

Larry,

Sandy has every right to be. Congratulate her for me. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to see her at a few events.

Yes, we are our way.

Now, I'm really out of here.

geez, i was joking about dors and the troll. dors is one of my favorite folks here. if he wants to stay up late trying to tie a can to the troll's tail i don't care. it would be nice if we all ignored the troll as that is the only way to get rid of it but each of us weakens from time to time. and now that the troll's predictions and team have gone down the toilet it almost seems a bit quaint. it's great hope is that leiberman will flip and join the republicans. no chance of that happening either...so i guess we will have the troll to kick around some more. i wouldn't mind having nixon show up as well.

i like the sound of this:

Summary: House Dems Discuss Energy Goals

- - - - - - - - - - - -

By The Associated Press

November 18,2006 | -- AGENDA: House Democrats want to repeal oil company tax breaks worth an estimated $6.4 billion over ten years.

SCOPE: But many of the tax benefits Democrats are targeting were already at risk of being repealed.

MORE GOALS: Democrats also plan to push for legislation to promote energy efficiency, prevent price gouging, require power companies to use some renewable energy sources and encourage the use of alternative fuels.

Posted by gregg on November 18, 2006 at 05:20 PM

I'd still say we get him a puppy for Christmas, it couldn't hurt ;)

OUR OPINION: 'Victory' no longer achievable in Iraq

Focus on damage control, containing the violence

THE PRINCIPLES

There is no "solution" to the debacle in Iraq, and it would be wishful thinking to expect anyone, including the Baker-Hamilton Commission, to produce one. The best we can manage is triage —- reassessing our goals, strategies and tactics to minimize the damage caused by a failed policy so incompetently pursued.

The first and most important step is to establish goals that are realistically attainable given the resources available. If you don't get that basic thing right, the effort is futile. It is the difference between strategy and tragedy.

Case in point? Believing that we could re-engineer a brutal Arab dictatorship into a pro-Western democracy in a matter of months, using a fraction of the troops that military experts advised would be necessary. The naivete that got us into this folly must be replaced by a commitment to look truth in the face, no matter how ugly it might be, and act accordingly.....

gig, yes dors needs a puppy. maybe a big nasty puppy.

like this one:

dors new pup

Dorsano is a highly regarded, much esteemed and greatly valued friend of mine.

He knows that he will always have my respect, my admiration, and my support...

gregg on November 18, 2006 at 05:20 PM

And since Dors picked me as his second, that "Boston creme pies and super soakers at 20 paces" is still on. ;-)

Posted by gregg on November 18, 2006 at 05:54 PM

Too funny :)

I was thinking more along the lines of little mischievous pups that will keep him busy :)

Dors's challenge

{{Barbi}}

And I remember reading about how back when the nazis were running around shooting everyone in sight, some people said "our side" shouldn't shoot back because "that would be disrespectful".

{{GiG}}

The new head of the federal government's reproductive health services is a man whose purpose up to this point has been to lie to and fuck over as many low income women as possible through his "crisis pregnancy center." (You know, the people who coerce and harass teenage girls, and who claim that terminating a pregnancy leads to mental illness.) Again, that's no shocker: although GWB may claim he supports access to contraception for people who he considers "responsible adults," we all know that his definition of "responsible adults" doesn't include dirty sluts and welfare queens. Keroack's new position of denying contraception access to low-income women will fit right in with the rhetoric: they aren't "responsible," because if they were, they wouldn't be low-income. Shame on those immoral women for daring to be in need in the Bush economy!

The new head of the federal government's reproductive health services is a man who claims that "pre-marital sex is really modern germ warfare," which I guess makes sense if you deny access to any methods of reducing the spread of sexually-transmitted infections other than "keep your legs crossed," and if you view sex as an act of violence, hurting, and war. But it's not as though Keroack's cohorts have ever been good at that whole consent thing.

Dailykos

Domingo on November 18, 2006 at 06:18 PM

That's a low blow and you know it.

When I first came to this blog I shared quite a bit about my family.. and a lot of stories about East and West Germany. I shared them because of the lessons I learnt back then.

And Americans coming to our rescue back in WWII has nothing to do with the way politics, and Democrats and Republicans are today.

I am forever grateful for what Americans have done for the country that I grew up in.

Domingo, have a good life, and I mean it.

And now the self-appointed blog boss, who snarks and insults other Dems for using their freedom of speech, has gone and insulted another one of my friends.

{{GiG}}

Gonzales assails court rulings on wiretapping

AG says some judge’s definition of freedom poses a ‘grave threat’ to U.S.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales contended Saturday that some critics of the Bush administration’s warrantless surveillance program were defining freedom in a way that poses a “grave threat” to U.S. security.

Gonzales was the second administration official in two days to attack a federal judge’s ruling last August that the program was unconstitutional. Vice President Dick Cheney on Friday called the ruling “an indefensible act of judicial overreaching.”

Gonzales told about 400 cadets from the Air Force Academy’s political science and law classes that some see the program as on the verge of stifling freedom rather that protecting the country.

“But this view is shortsighted,” he said. “Its definition of freedom — one utterly divorced from civic responsibility — is superficial and is itself a grave threat to the liberty and security of the American people.”

Judges under fire

Gonzales and Cheney’s attacks on the court order came as the administration was urging the lame-duck Congress to approve legislation authorizing the warrantless surveillance.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15786515/

And now the self-appointed blog boss, who snarks and insults other Dems for using their freedom of speech, has gone and insulted another one of my friends. {GiG}}Posted by Barbi

No, actually I'm kinda glad to see everyone sticking up so strongly for dor's "freedom of speech" right to be friendly with banned trolls. From now on, I don't want to hear diddly squat said about it when I use my "right of freedom of speech" on the trolls. These self-apointed blog bosses who try to make the rules saying trolls can be talked to nice, but just can't be disagreeded with are the ones I consider out of line.

Just amazing how this troll keeps coming in here and succeeds at getting regulars pissed off at each other.

You all should realize by now that is exactly what this troll wants. This person is both nuts and clever at getting people at each others throats.

I suggest we ignore Frosty the whatever the hell it is troll! It's gotten to the point where regulars no longer come in here.

I am going to register another complaint with the blogmaster. If we can't get this under control then no one will come in here. It's time to troll rate the Frosty off of this blog.

Greetings, Sports Fans!

Just doing a quick fly by, and I noticed {{Barbi}} is here today, so to Barbi and {{Butters}}...

As a Spitoon, I noticed the dreaded Wolverines (UGH) so far are LOSING to the dreaded Buckeyes (double UGH), and since I take great pleasure in both of their misfortunes, I say: GO!!!!! (AWAY)

It's kinda like if Hastert slipped on the ice, and before his giant butt made contact with the pavement, the only thing breaking the fall was Cheney's head.

It's a "win-win" situation. (P.S. As I gather, the Spitoons lost today too).

These self-apointed blog bosses who try to make the rules saying trolls can be talked to nice, but just can't be disagreeded with are the ones I consider out of line.
****

Actually, I pretty much had with this Frosty troll. He's already driven several people from the blog. The DNC needs to exercise some control over people such as this.

What I see us truly said, everyone is at everyone throats. That's what trolls do. This one has succeeded at diosgusting just about everyone.

Personally, I think Frosty is an RNC plant put here to crap up this blog. It;s time for Frosty to go.

Nominations are now open for "Blog Poopy Head".

I nominate Domingo.
****

You have a strangle hold on that title Frosty. You are the biggest poopy head I ever seen on a blog. The DNC should have booted you for good a long time ago.

It is possible to disagree and still be civil, a quality you so often lack (as you displayed here, today). I've already mentioned I've read every comment on every open thread for two and a half years. Your "Holier than thou" act just doesn't cut it for me.

wow, bad call on my part...still going?

troll: that is why we are supposed to ignore.

focus: what we lose by paying attention to the troll

didn't we win an election here?

no news?

cya later

Really? Do you have a link?
****

Really do you a brain? Why don't you back to you right wing Freepers blog?

Afghan instability jeopardizing region: Karzai
Instability and violence in Afghanistan threatens the prosperity of the entire South and Central Asian region, Afghan President Hamid Karzai says.
Full Story . . .

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/11/18/afghan-nato.html

It's time to troll rate the Frosty off of this blog. Posted by rjsnj

What you don't understand rjsnj, is half the people on here want it here and it knows it. Like one poster said on here one time a few months back, "The trouble with this blog is not the Republican tolls, the trouble is the Democratic regulars" to which a couple of others wholeheartedly agreed. Not everything is as it appears.

wow, bad call on my part...still going?

troll: that is why we are supposed to ignore.

focus: what we lose by paying attention to the troll

didn't we win an election here?

no news?

cya later
****

fade, it's truly ridiculous. What bugs me is not the idiot troll ... idiots can be ignored. But, this particular idiot has a talent for getting people to fight each other. So, maybe this person is not an idiot at all and is a plant. I wouldn't put it pass these right wingers to be directly targeting this blog.

Well see ya too. I urged Tracy to ban Frosty for good. I find it impossible to believe that it can't be done.

rjsnj on November 18, 2006 at 07:06 PM

Sally is really not the problem, most here know him and how to take his posts

Domingo on November 18, 2006 at 06:58 PM
These self-apointed blog bosses who try to make the rules saying trolls can be talked to nice, but just can't be disagreeded with are the ones I consider out of line.

If you were to actually read some of the posts engaging "trolls" you would realize how ignorant your statement just was.

New RNC Chair: Return to Core Beliefs

- - - - - - - - - - - -

By STEPHEN MAJORS Associated Press Writer

November 18,2006 | ORLANDO, Fla. -- The newly tapped Republican National Committee general chairman said Saturday that the GOP must return to core beliefs of smaller government, less spending, and fewer taxes and even smaller brains to regain national leadership.

Iraq Is a "Disaster" Admits Tony Blair
Tony Blair has publicly agreed with the opinion that the violence in Iraq since the 2003 invasion has been a disaster. Downing Street said Mr Blair's views have been misrepresented.
Full story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6160466.stm

Iraqi Insurgents Shoot It Out With Troops
Search Continues For American Hostages; Britain Announces $190M For Reconstruction.
Violence in Baquoba, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad, has skyrocketed in recent weeks, particularly after a major battle between Sunnis and Shiites in the nearby city of Balad last month. Full story:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/18/iraq/main2199138.shtml

Good evening, all.

Bush compares U.S. wars in Vietnam, Iraq. "We'll succeed," Bush added, "unless we quit."

He quit during the Vietnam war by not showing up for duty, so why can't he quit now? I like that Vietnam comparison. We should press him on it.

Like one poster said on here one time a few months back, "The trouble with this blog is not the Republican tolls, the trouble is the Democratic regulars" Posted by Domingo

Sally is really not the problem, most here know him and how to take his posts Posted by GiG on November 18, 2006 at 07:19 PM

I rest my case.

One "trouble" with this blog is those who get down on other people for doing the same thing they themselves have done and still do.

Another "trouble" is the blog moderators don't give a rap about this blog. (They're too busy attending "DNC functions" ya know.) The DNC doesn't care either. Back when the blog format switched (in June of 05) lots of changes were promised by the techs that were never delivered.

---

Yeah DPD, three lousy points. :(

So GiG, you wanna fight for the rights of trolls all fricking day, do ya? I never knew you were like that.

good evening, Democrats. Forgive me for jumping in, but I just read an op/ed about Cheney stepping down "for health reasons" so that a potential Presidential candidate can get his feet wet. Anyone hear more about this/think this is possible?

You don't have an "case" to rest. Until the DNC purges trolls from this blog, they're going to keep coming in. I didn't read ANYONE who said they wanted invasions by stupid trolls.

Audio & Photos: Baghdad's Survivors
Farah Nosh photographed and interviewed Iraqis wounded in the war. Click on link below to listen and view. . .

http://www.nytimes.com/packages/khtml/2006/07/23/weekinreview/20060709_IRAQ_FEATURE.html

So GiG, you wanna fight for the rights of trolls all fricking day, do ya? I never knew you were like that.

Posted by Domingo on November 18, 2006 at 07:30 PM

I believe you've missed my point.

And if you know anything about me, you know where I stand.

Good evening

Well I see that Frosty troll has pissed everyone off for the afternoon. I guess this must be his day off from his "real" job.

I know it's hard, but I just ignore Mr. Ignorant and continue to talk or post to whomever. He/she eveidently has no life or mind for that matter the way it comes in and baits/heckles everyone.

Anyone hear more about this Posted by MIKaren

I haven't heard anything but rumors. You should have put the link.

Barbi, HI!! yeah, bummer about the Michigan/Ohio State game. :(

right on about the DNC site people. I think we're kind of an embarrassment for them - you know, emotionally involved in the cause, refusing to listen to "talking points" on either side, muckrakers and rebel rousers that they forgot they used to me. you know, the friggin' base of this party! ugh

Anyway, many a fun night was had on this site baiting and trapping trolls, so I can see both sides of that one. Seems to me that they're simply inevitable. I do wish they still had that "pound a troll" button that seemed to arouse the moderators quicker back "in the old days" of the previous site.

You know how it is with Frosty. The real reason he comes to post here is because deep down inside he really knows that Democrats are the better party but he is still in a state of denial, afraid to admit it. :-)

The troll folks knows the regulars now and therefore knows what buttons to push to get a reaction. Before you know it he/she has all of us at odds with other, the blog and the DNC while it sits back laughing it's little silly head off.

Most people don't rummage around in trash and garbage and that's how one should treat the troll.

Cheney is toast, so new veep in works?

Sorry, Domingo, but I'm on a laptop and can't stand this stupid dot mouse thingy, so posting the link is painstaking, but there it is.

An Iraqi child's death shatters his family
By Louise Roug, Times Staff Writer

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-oneyear18nov18,1,2388367.story?coll=la-headlines-world&ctrack=1&cset=true

And if you know anything about me, you know where I stand. Posted by GiG

After today, I haven't got a clue where you stand. All day long you've been sounding to me just like another one of those "blame the Democrat first"ers. Why you taking the side of a piece of scum that comes in here calling people "n*ggers, wetbacks, beaners, and fags"?

let's review:

"The Republicans will hold a 4 seat advantage in both the House and the Senate.
That prediction may change again but one thing is certain - it will not be a blowout year for either side.
Posted by FrostyPumpkins on November 2, 2006 at 03:21 AM"

hahahaha

Don't forget the prediction that the entire House will have to vote on Pelosi, and Hastert will remain as Speaker. Italian Sausages are browning, see y'all.

Domingo on November 18, 2006 at 07:43 PM

You should, and mind you, I have done no such thing. I was talking about a blogger having a discussion with a "troll". That's really what it boils down to. And the same blogger pointed out that you ought to listen to somebody new on the blog.

We could keep harping about the issue all night long, but really, there is no point.

{{MIKaren!!}}, Yeah, sweetie, like as in WE the People? LOL!! We, who can't, like cats, be herded, did some fine work on the blogospheres and on the ground. WE helped win these elections. Oh yes, and I do remember those times. PFP, too!

MIKaren, it said "Cheney is toast" for a run in 2008. Whether he'll step down before then is still a question mark. I think Bush Jr needs to keep him around to be "the real President". In other words, Junior wouldn't know what to do without him. Of course on the other hand, now that daddy's taking over Junior's mess, daddy could make Junior get rid of him. Just some of my thoughts on the subject.

hi karen.

PFP forever! ;)

Ok, time for the Heffalump movie with my own little Poo and Piglet.

Domingo, it'll just be interesting to see. Now that the world knows the emperor has no clothes, the party's transparency, hard fought by us, is glistening in its clarity!

TTFN (ta-ta-for-now)

GREGG! don't fall asleep on that couch before I get back!!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Oh, and before the Italian Combos are put out on the feeding trough, I have spent an entire night debunking the resident troll on his "Monday Morning QB'ing" of the November 7th BLOWOUT, thinking he/she actually Googl