Honoring the Memory of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thank you for this post. As a Black Native American, Dr. King was and always will be my hero. There is none, nor ever will be another man or woman like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. If he had been alive today and had not been murdered by the South, I believe the Black Community would not be in the shape it's in. He would not have allowed it. I believe America as a whole would not be in the shape it's in. (sigh)

That's all.

RUSS FEINGOLD URGES COLLEAGUES TO USE THE POWER OF THE PURSE!

On January 11th, Senator Russell D. Feingold (D-WI.) a member of both the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees wrote an op-ed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel addressing the Chimp-N-Chiefs Surge Policy.

Snip:

Some will claim that cutting off funding for the war would endanger our brave troops on the ground. Not true. The safety of our service men and women in Iraq is paramount, and we can and should end funding for the war without putting our troops in further danger.

Congress will continue to give our troops the resources and support they need, but by, for example, specifying a time after which funding for the war would end, it can give the president the time needed to redeploy troops safely from Iraq.

To enjoy the rest of this “Spine filled “piece, please click on the link

If Only BALLS Were CONTAGIOUS.......

J,

I'm waiting.

:)

I'm here FOS.

Dr. King wanted ALL people to find peace with each other. We are all mixed with other ethnic heritages. I myself am also African-American/Native American. My Native American heritage can be traced back to the Cherokee tribe on one side of my family and Seminole Nation of Florida on the other side. Course ain't none of them asking men to be a full fledge member, especially the Seminoles. (not wantin' to share those casino profits :)

I guess that's why I carry the warrior spirit, but as Dr. King said in a nonviolent manner.

And Dr. King would be appalled at this war in Iraq and even more so as to how the Chritian Right and the Bush administration have shown intolerance at the Muslim religion.

The assault on Brown vs. The Board of Education would have him back in his marching shoes and so would the abuses of all the voting rights.

Taking King's message forward

My favorite always

But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream

Amos 5:24

J,

I just read all of Saturday. I did'nt see any of your posts! I give up.

Anyhoo.Whats up now?

'p

Hangin' in there. So Barbara Boxer was your Senator?

I like her!!! If she ain't careful there she's gonna get a "sistah badge". She has no patience for foolishness and Condi is tops on her list.

Posted by J on January 15, 2007 at 07:23 AM

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

Oh yeah. Boxer don't play. Did you see the look on Condi's face when she said what she said? I busted up laughing.

I posted the following on the open thread and decided to re-post here. We need another leader like MLK. Today I go out for an MLK Challenge to help folks who are struggling.

Folks

The more I listen to our President, the more afraid I become. In the past 6 years we have lost our democracy. Partially through sham elections, mostly by decree of the President.

He is not listening to Congress, trusted advisors, military leaders or the rest of the world. His behavior is that of a Sociopath and a dictator. Is there nothing that the American public or anyone can do to reverse the course of destruction.

I am a long time blogger on this site but mostly lurk these days. We need to create a plan of action to clip this guys wings. He says Congress can't stop him from sending in more troops. Congress wasn't informed about Somalia until after the fact. The lastest rhetoric indicates that Iran is next.

While I realize we have the largest military in the world. How much more can be accomplished with them being spread so thin. I talked to several of the guys who have been in Iraq and now they are likely to go back again. They can't get their lives on track because the promises made are being broken.

It seems like we are headed for both financial and military ruin. Can't we impeach this ego maniac?

Pretty quiet this morning. Most folks sleeping in since they have a holiday.

Pretty quiet this morning. Most folks sleeping in since they have a holiday.

Posted by J on January 15, 2007 at 07:35 AM

This day is to "Certain" People as Christmas is to the Jewish Community.It's unfortunate but so very true.

;p

FOS, your judgments are unwarranted but not rare.

Okay.

I have to go. Pray the Lord that I make it home safe. We are experiencing windy blistery snowy condictions and the roads are jacked up and apparently, our state and local taxes are going somewhere else as the snow plowers are not on the roads doing whatever it is that they do. So, I'm off.

See Ya Later,

I hope.

:O

Peace out!

;p

You know alot folks call Bush The Chimp or the Chimp in Chief, but my alltime favorite is Idiot-in-Chief.

When my son was in the Navy he used to moan about Bush being the Commander-in-Chief. Said he had no clue to anything military oriented.

Take care FOS. BE CAREFUL !!!

I'm checkin' out too

Always keep the faith because His eye is on the sparrow :)

Peace \/

good morning everyone!
I didn't watch 60 minutes last night. my HBO show ROME was on from 8-10 pm. they showed the final episode from last season and the new one. from what I gather so far, I just missed more of the same bullshit with bush. WHY ARE WE ALLOWING A MENTALLY ILL PSYCHO TO RUIN OUR COUNTRY!!???
the only way to stop him not is to CUT THE FUNDING. I know some people don't like that idea but at this point it is the only way. he will not stop until he sees Armegeddon. and it looks like it's just around the corner. Ted Kennedy is working hard to stop the madness as are others.
DRASTIC TIMES CALL FOR DRASTIC MEASURES!!
CUT THE MONEY!!! I saw that Alexandra Pelosi has a new documentary coming out on HBO about the religious right. it showed a clip of Ted Haggert saying that religious fanatics have the best sex. I guess in his case that was true. too bad it was drug induced, paid for and his wife didn't know about it. y'all have a happy day! I don't have to work but of course I have 1,000 things to do. I'll check back later!!!
CUT THE MONEY AND STOP THE WAR!!!
IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE MADNES!
BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!

Posted by Minnesota_Thomas on January 15, 2007 at 08:41 AM

may I suggest that you get over your November loss, quit being a sore loser, and go and get a life ? somehow, blog trolling is so telling of a person's character, don't you think???

What's the family think of your sneaky new hobby?
ooops, you obviously don't have a family !

From Katrina Vanden Heuvel at the Nation:

Remembering Dr. King

Since 1865, when it was founded by abolitionists, The Nation has believed in the liberating power of truth, of conviction, of conscience, and of fighting for causes lost and found. And like our founders, The Nation has an abiding belief that there is no force so potent in politics as a moral issue.

One of the great moral figures of our country, Martin Luther King Jr. was a correspondent for The Nation in the 1960s filing annual dispatches for the magazine on the state of civil rights until his murder in 1968.

In 1967, Dr. King traveled to Los Angeles under the auspices of The Nation and The Nation Institute to give the speech that would align the armies of the Civil Rights Movement with the rapidly expanding national protest against the Vietnam War. It was at this event where Dr. King came out, courageously, eloquently and unequivocally, for the first time, against US military involvement in Southeast Asia.

Wisconsin Road Conditions

Listing for interstates and major highways

I39 Portage to Wausau - SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY
I43 Beloit to Green Bay - SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY
I90/I39 Beloit to Madison - SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY
I90/I94/I39 Madison to Portage - SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY
I90/I94 Portage to Tomah - SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY
I90 Tomah to La Crosse - SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY
I94 Illinois Line to Madison - SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY

...

Wow, looks like the plows haven't been out yet in WI.

Drive carefully, FOS

Wisdom born of experience should tell us that war is obsolete. There may have been a time when war served as a negative good by preventing the spread and growth of an evil force... If we assume that life is worth living, if we assume that mankind has the right to survive, then we must find an alternative to war.

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968), The Christmas Sermon On Peace in on Dec 24, 1967

as i reflect, today, on the legacy of Dr. King's life and work...i have heard much about "faith" but seen very little in action...heard much about the end times and bible quotes but seen little evidence of a people emulating Christ...but if there is one place where hope and endurance resemble love, it is in the peace movement...

Code Pink, United for Peace and Justice, the small neighborhood groups on street corners and freeway overpasses~they still give me hope...

if Dr. King's life could be summed up in one word, and i think it can, that word is love.

i miss Dr. King. it is, however, unnecessary for him to be here in the flesh, if his followers, indeed, are who they claim to be. i will continue to keep my eyes open.

peace

Posted by PamB on January 15, 2007 at 09:35 AM blog trolling is so telling of a person's character, don't you think???

I feel sorry for their kids.

from I Have a Dream

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.

FOS: Your friends are concerned about your safety.

I've always loved Dr. King's use of antithesis:

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.

When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative.

I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.

I submit to you that if a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

agreed, Inigo--he was a true master of rhetorical devices, as well as a weaver of Ghandian with Christian philosophy.

Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father prepare to die. Interesting dichotomy, your screen name and the point you illustrate.

Challenging the whiners on here is rather entertaining

the only whiners I see on here, is the two trolls. the rest of us are ecstatic!

seriously, watching the other troll,( and bad enough he is from the same state as you,) do you like being lumped into same category as he is? i.e. full of hatred, spoil sport, not overly bright?

look, shit happens. You lost the election. finish licking your wounds and move on! accept it----get over it. We have had our turn at that. What did you think of the sore loser dems who came in and snuck under anonymity on your blogs? Well, that's how we think of you.

Oh, and your independent thinking family? If that is true, I assume they are all liberal minded if they have been shown both ends of the spectrum. Here's a good one for you to read to them today: enjoy what we gave you.

http://www.hcdems.com/misc/joe_conservative.html

J~ this one's for you

Let Justice Roll Down

Martin Luther King Jr.

This essay, from the March 15, 1965, issue of The Nation, is a special selection from The Nation Digital Archive. If you want to read everything The Nation has ever published on race relations and civil rights, click here for information on how to acquire individual access to the Archive--an electronic database of every Nation article since 1865.

From 1961 to 1966, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. wrote an annual essay for The Nation on the state of civil rights and race relations in America. This article originally appeared in the March 15, 1965, issue.

Hi {{{Pam}}}

i love that one! so true.

Democratic presidential candidate Kucinich warns, 'If Bush attacks Iran, all bets are off'

Miriam Raftery
Published: Sunday January 14, 2007

While making an unannounced appearance at a media reform conference on Friday, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) - a candidate for president in 2004 and already announced for 2008 - was pressed by bloggers in attendance about impeachment.

Telling the crowd that while he didn't think immediate action was wise, due to fears that Bush might "accelerate the war even more," the congressman warned that "if Bush attacks Iran, all bets are off."

At the Free Press National Conference on Media Reform in Memphis, Tennessee, Kucinich announced that he has been named chair of the newly-formed Domestic Policy Subcommittee of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, drawing cheers from the crowd. The subcommittee will have jurisdiction over all domestic agencies of the federal government, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

"Kucinich, among Capitol Hill's most outspoken critics of President Bush and the war in Iraq, had been ranking member of the National Security Subcommittee in the last legislative session," Jessica Brady reported for CongressDaily. "As the panel's presumed chairman in the Democratic-led 110th Congress, he had a ready platform to advance his antiwar agenda."

But Kucinich told CongressDaily that he "might wield more influence" as chairman of the subcommittee and that House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) "made clear that he's going to use the full committee" to address foreign policy issues. Kucinich added, "Domestic policy could end up having the most influence of any committee [because] it has oversight of all domestic policy in the US."
On media reform and subcommittee plans

At the conference Friday attended by RAW STORY, which included bloggers and alternative media journalists, Kucinich said, "I intend to hold hearings on media reform."

"Those hearings would address concentration of media ownership and other issues," he pledged. "We know the media has become the servant of a very narrow corporate agenda…The entire domestic agenda has been ignored while the focus has been on the acceleration of wealth upwards." Kucinich also pledged to hold hearings on restoring the Fairness Doctrine.

(that's positive news...enjoy the day, y'all bbl)

Dora McDonald, King's secretary and confidante

A key but unheralded member of King's inner circle, McDonald died of complications from cancer at Crawford Long Hospital on Saturday, two days before the national holiday that honors her former boss and friend. She was 81.

"She was more than Martin's secretary," said civil rights leader Joseph Lowery. "She was his confidante, his colleague. She loved him, and he loved her. We all loved Dora."

Saturday night at the Salute to Greatness awards ceremony, held annually in Atlanta in King's honor, attendees observed a moment of silence to mark McDonald's death.

"It was a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week job," she said in a 1989 interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "But there was never a time -- and I can say this in all truthfulness, from the time I went to work for him until his death -- that I regretted what I was doing or where I was at that moment. There was never a time."

What's that sound? Is that the steeltoed boots of democracy marching into Baghdad? No, my mistake, that's the sound of some martyrs being made.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq hanged two of Saddam Hussein's aides early Monday, and one of the men was decapitated in the process.

The official video of the hangings showed Hussein's half-brother lying headless below the gallows, his severed head several yards away, The Associated Press reported.

Iraqi authorities, eager to prove that the decapitation of Barzan Hassan was an accident, showed the video to a group of journalists, according to a government official.

Hassan, the former chief of Hussein's secret police, and Awad Bandar, the chief judge under the former regime, were hanged side by side about 3 a.m. Monday (7 p.m. Sunday ET), said Basam Ridha, the spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's office. (Watch crowds in Sadr City celebrate the hangings )

They were executed for their roles in the killings of 148 men and boys after a 1982 assassination attempt in Dujail, Iraq.

Iraqi Sunnis reacted with anger to the hanging and decapitation, and some Shiites also expressed shock at the way the hanging was done, according to wire reports.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/01/15/iraq.executions/index.html

NEW YORK (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards called on Americans to resist President Bush's planned troop escalation in Iraq, echoing a plea by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 40 years ago to end the Vietnam War.

Edwards addressed about 1,200 parishioners Sunday at Riverside Church, a multiracial, politically active Manhattan congregation where King delivered his famous "Beyond Vietnam" speech on April 4, 1967. King was assassinated exactly one year later.

Edwards spoke from the same wooden pulpit King used and was introduced by King's son, Martin Luther King III. The younger King said his father would have admired Edwards' commitment to fighting poverty.

The former North Carolina senator and 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee touched on poverty issues in his speech, as well as AIDS in Africa, energy independence and a proposed boost in the minimum wage.

But he saved his strongest words for the troop increase in Iraq, invoking King's condemnation of the Vietnam War as a betrayal of American values.

"Silence is betrayal, and I believe it is a betrayal not to speak out against the escalation of the war in Iraq," Edwards said to a sustained standing ovation.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/15/democrats.king.ap/index.html

Posted by Minnesota_Thomas on January 15, 2007 at 11:41 AM Truly, I did hope to engage your members in meaningful dialogue in an attempt to understand your positions.

My position on Wisconsin road conditions is that the roads there look to be snow covered and slippery.

Well fellow dems, it took less than two weeks into the new year for Idaho's Freshman representative to say something stoooopid:

Angered by the passage of a bill to increase the federal minimum wage, Idaho Rep. Bill Sali offered a symbolic proposal to abolish the law of gravity.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/102/story/67514.html

I expect the coming weeks will be filled with like proposals from the man called by his fellow Idaho republican's, an "idiot's idiot". These are my guesses for his next revelations:

1. Proposal to abolish hurricanes.
2. Amendment to the military spending bill to pay for potato launchers.
3. Amendment to the budget to abolish it entirely so that they won't go over budget.
4. Proposal to remove New Mexico as a state to rid the US of all those New Mexicans.
5. Bill to change the name of Washington, DC due to its confusion with the state of the same name.
6. Alternate bill to sell DC back to the Columbians.

Posted by Minnesota_Thomas on January 15, 2007 at 12:18 PM Very observant dorsano. Not too much of a shock considering we just had a snow storm.

Actually, I checked the road conditions report on the net and drilled down to some of the webcam links.

If I were counsel someone on a which vehicle to buy in order to better deal with foul weather, especially in out-state areas, I'd suggest something like a used Ford F150 with a winch and plow mount rather than an SUV.

Dors, that's quite a political discussion you have going.

Do you have any thoughts on abolishing gravity? I'm starting to agree with Idaho's new rep. Not only will my lb number go down, but it might help with my commute.

Posted by Minnesota_Thomas on January 15, 2007 at 12:53 PM And your reasoning for this advice?

I'm hoping to pick one up a good price. I need another vehicle. :)

Amy's win was interesting. She beat Mark Kennedy by 20% in a state wide race in a state that elected a Republican governor.

There's no way she could have done that without picking up votes from a lot of people who normally vote Republican.

And she didn't take on "Republican" positions in order to do it. She spoke with people all over the state regardless of district and in a way that made them feel comfortable about what she would try to do for the state.

Posted by BlueinIdaho on January 15, 2007 at 01:06 PM Do you have any thoughts on abolishing gravity?

My wife has a way of abolishing the newton's first law. I need to get crackin on some things here I guess. cya, Blue :)

Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence
By Rev. Martin Luther King
4 April 1967

http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/45a/058.html

Iran target of US Gulf military moves, Gates says

Mark Tran and agencies
Monday January 15, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

The US defence secretary, Robert Gates, at today's Nato press conference. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/EPA

Increased US military activity in the Gulf is aimed at Iran's "very negative" behaviour, the Bush administration said today.
The defence secretary, Robert Gates, told reporters that the decision to deploy a Patriot missile battalion and a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf in conjunction with a "surge" of troops in Iraq was designed to show Iran that the US was not "overcommitted" in Iraq

The Shrub lied again, who'd a thunk it?

Posted by FreedomofSpeechforBarackObama2008 on January 15, 2007 at 12:53 AM

FreedomofSpeech:

You seem to have a big problem with southerners. You said that Martin Luther King was, "murdered by the south". I thought that James Earl Ray, (the man who supposedy murdered Martin) was from the north. Anyway, I heard that Ray was put up to it by the federal government, (which included people from all of the 5 regions).

I just don't get how you have such a positive attitude about the other 4 regions, but have such a negative one about the southern one. Racism is alive and well on both sides of the Mason/Dixon line. It is alive in all 50 states, and not just the southern ones.

For example, most of the reports about racism that has been in the news lately has been about racism that has occured in states like New York (the young man that was murdered on his wedding day), California (police brutality), and Ohio (neo-nazi activity). And, those are certainly not southern states.

It has been said that of all of the regions, that the south has made the most progress over the last 40 years. Probably because we had to. Of course that is not to say that there are not still problems here, and there may be a little bit more here over-all as compared to the other 4, (because there was so much more here to begin with), but as far as progress, we have made the most, while the other 4 regions have taken race relations more for granted, which might account for the fact that most of the instances of racism that we hear about in the news today, involves states not in the south.

Minnesota_Thomas on January 15, 2007 at 08:41 AM,

You know, it's pretty sad when a person cannot make a general statement about the weather and/or road conditions without being insulted. I think FOS was just asking for any that would to pray for her safe journey home from work. In which I for one pray that she made it home safely.

Sheesh, you do have a short fuse don't you Minnesote_Thomas?

Also, FreedomOfSpeechForBarackObama2008:

You never did respond to my posts over in the 50-State Strategy blog, where we were talking about how I thought that the Democratic Party in the past has been ignoring the south, mid-west, and mountain states. And, where you stated that you don't have a problem with the party going to the mid-west and mountain states, but you do have a problem with the party going south.

I made 3 posts there in response to you that you never responded back to!

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Anything that I may add about this statement would end up showing my ignorance. Martin Luther King Jr. was a great statesman, and should have been a great American diplomat had what happened not happened.

I have to go. Pray the Lord that I make it home safe. We are experiencing windy blistery snowy condictions and the roads are jacked up and apparently, our state and local taxes are going somewhere else as the snow plowers are not on the roads doing whatever it is that they do. So, I'm off.

Posted by FreedomOfSpeechForBarackObama2008 on January 15, 2007 at 07:58 AM

Minnesota_Thomas on January 15, 2007 at 02:00 PM,

I suppose you've never made a general statement of wonderment of where your stste and local taxes go in times of personal concern over a natural safety issue. Lighten up.

are we using this as the open thread?

why is that dumb shit minn_t still here? i thought all the trolls had signed up to be part of the surge?

gregg on January 15, 2007 at 02:21 PM,

That sounds like wishful thinking greg!!:) Don't know about using this as the open thread?

(reposted from open thread)

I wanted to pass this on for those who may not have gotten to see it yesterday.

Video from Martin Luther King Day at Riverside Church

Realizing The Dream - Martin Luther King Day Commemoration
This video was recorded at the Riverside Church in New York on Sunday, January 14, 2007
To view the video:
http://johnedwards.com/media/video/mlk-day-riverside-church/

John Edwards spoke Sunday at the historic Riverside Church in Harlem. He called on members of the House and Senate to take a stand and block funding of Bush's escalation of the war in Iraq, saying:

"If you're in Congress and you know this war is going in the wrong direction, it is no longer enough to study your options and keep your own counsel."
"Silence is betrayal. Speak out, and stop this escalation now. You have the power to prohibit the president from spending any money to escalate the war - use it. "

Nearly 40 years ago, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. announced his opposition to the war in Vietnam from the same pulpit.

To sign petition to stop escalation:
http://johnedwards.com/action/sign-petitions/nofunding/
To contact your senators directly:
http://johnedwards.com/action/senate-contact/

Here's a good quote to think about for today:

Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.

Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

Love to all!!

See ya.

bbl

As you can imagine a conservative like myself (fiscally as well) I get angry when I see our tax dollars spent on foolish social programs that have been proven to be failures year after year but once something gets established in the mainstream of government there is no prying it back out.
Posted by Minnesota_Thomas on January 15, 2007 at 02:38 PM

What do you think of:

No child left behind and faith Based funding?

Dear MN Tom,

When I first started to post here I tried a different approach then what you may perceive I am ding now. Truly, I did hope to engage your members in meaningful dialogue in an attempt to understand your positions.

LOL, do you really think, after over 3 years of this blog being opened, that YOU are the first person to come in here and portray that they wanted nothing more than meaninful discussion, debate, or understanding of our positions? SAVE IT. We understand only too well, that your purpose here is for nothing more than to try and rattle a few cages, because you are still feeling annoyed at the loss.

If democrats wish to join republican blogs and express their opinions, something I am sure they do, I wouldn’t think less of them at all.

Of course you would. You would wonder what type of person goes into an opposing view blog, to express opinions they know are not going to be accepted. You will never understand nor accept our views and feelings, we will never accept your's! We never can understand a person who votes strictly with their wallets, leaving the poor, the elderly, the children, the disabled with a sink or swim attitude. Your throwing around a term like personal responsibility merely is a cover for lack of compassion and greed.

Don't bother responding. I have spent way too much time on someone who should feel sheepish and embarassed about looking like a fool, whether it be under cover of anonymity or not. Save face, and slink off into the night. We will think a lot more of you if you do.

Definition of a true coward: attacking someone after their dead.

Chickenhawks:
Bureaucratic Battalion

http://www.nhgazette.com/news/chickenhawks/bureaucratic_battalion/

Name: Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-IL)
Born: January 2, 1942
Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
Notes: Dennis wasn't able to serve in the Army in Vietnam because his knees weren't up to it. He did OK as a wrestler in college, though.

Name: Richard "Dick" Cheney (R-WY)
Born: 1942
Employer: The U.S. Taxpayer
Conflict Avoided: Vietnam
Notes: Says he had "other priorities." You bet he had other priorities. Imagine how early in life you must begin scheming to get away with what this guy has. He was too busy thinking about Halliburton to go fight Charlie.

FUBAR or whatever your new name is for Frosty:

The only thing you've exposed is yourself. As David Niven once said, "Isn't it fascinating to think that probably the only attention that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings."

"I was not prepared to shoot my eardrum out with a shotgun in order to get a deferment, nor was I willing to go to Canada. So I chose to better myself by learning how to fly airplanes." - President George W. Bush - 1990

Blue,
That link you posted on that speech was awesome! I still get chills thinking about it. When you compare the depth of discourse from that speech to what poses for it today...

Dr. King earned the respect of the world. No amount of foolishness can tarnish it.

Good afternoon fellow Democrats. Happy MLK Day to all!

Posted by fade2bluz on January 15, 2007 at 03:23 PM

I feel the same way. The eerieness of the similarities between Iraq and Vietnam gives me chills. If only we had a leader today that embodied the selflessness of MLK, we could extract ourselves from this madness.

Hello Bob

What did you think of the last two embarassing public displays of insolence from the liar-in-thief?

I mean the speech and the 60 minutes interview...

Blue's link on an awesome speech from Dr. King

Posted by fade2bluz on January 15, 2007 at 03:29 PM

Hello Fade, I hope your weekend went well. The speech on Wednesday, 10JAN07, was the usual fare, short on details, long on rhetoric. This "surge" plan is a joke. I would have minimal objections to one final sweep of the country as an exit strategy to fix the big, honkin' mess the President and his cronies made of Iraq but, 21,500 troops is far too few (at least 100K are needed and we ain't got them) to do it with and a waste of time, money, and most importantly, American lives. Iraq is President's Bush's war and complete failure.

OMG. Bob and I agree on something. ;)

Posted by fade2bluz on January 15, 2007 at 03:29 PM

I missed the 60 Minutes interview. I was hanging out with the "sheeple" watching the NE @ SD game. No doubt the President was his usual arrogant, incompetent, poorly communicative self.

bob, astonishingly--i agree with you, too! ;)

i saw the interview transcripts, of course, because i couldn't watch it. it was a subtle dare to us, to stop him if we can.

i found it interesting that the interviewer used the Democrat form when the Democratic was correct, twice, i think...it's a good way to determine party affiliation.

there was a troll upstream who thought that Democrats would all like to visit reThug sites, and he couldn't be more wrong. i have no desire to learn more about what has been inflicted upon this country for twelve years...i've seen enough

Posted by BobVADemHawk-Gore-Obama2008 on January 15, 2007 at 03:49 PM

Once again, my hometeam knew just how to throw a game when it is needed. That "prevent defense" sure works wonders....

wow that troll went from an super intellectual right wing genius to a spitoon sipping bar fly in no time didn't it? must be sally or a relative...

Posted by gregg on January 15, 2007 at 04:11 PM

Yep, I'm certain he is the pride of his fellow cave-dwellers. Great at Trivial Pursuit/Conservative Knuckledragger Edition, but lousy at world history. His family must be so proud....

gregg,

my first try at homemade pasta was good...next time around, ravioli. same process, just a little more futzing around.

it's probably cheating using the food processor and pasta roller, but it tastes great!

my dad will not be expecting fresh pasta for his birthday. can't wait to surprise him...

i think there is an internal conflict with the troll, who is a sick little degenerate...some type of personality disorder. it may be McCain

Report: Sen. Allard Won't Seek 3rd Term

By STEVEN K. PAULSON Associated Press Writer

January 15,2007 | DENVER -- Colorado Republican Sen. Wayne Allard said Monday he will not run for re-election in 2008 but will honor a pledge he made in 1996 to serve only two terms.

"Today, I'm announcing that I will honor my term limits pledge to the people of Colorado," he said.

The decision sets up a wide-open race. Allard's seat was once considered safe for the GOP, but Colorado voters have shown a penchant lately for replacing Republicans with Democrats.

hmmmm more good news, let's see....sununu-nh, dole-nc, smith-or, coleman-mn, collins-me, domenicic-nm and allard-co....maybe run a iraq war hero against that chickenhawk chambliss down in carolina, could be interesting in 08 on the sentate side. the democrats should end up with at least 55 senate seats if not more....bye, bye conservative court picks for a long, long time.

“What's interesting is one of the issues we talked about last week - that it appeared to be a little hypocritical of the Democratic leadership that ran on openness and accountability to adopt rules without any real debate or amendments - has led to mistakes,” he said. “In the Ethics bill passed last Friday, a provision stated members may not use personal funds, campaign funds or official funds for flight on non-governmental inspected planes.

“If you are aware of how that process works, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) does not inspect commercial airplanes,” Kuhl added. “That means none of the members can fly on commercial airlines without breaking the law.”

So, here's what the Representative of my neck of the woods is saying about the Democratic Congress 100 hour initiative.

your dad will be a happy lad fade.

could be mccain or newt with a bad case of crotch rot....send them a case of desenex and call it a day.

remember kids the libby trial starts tomorrow! from salon:

Politics at Forefront in Libby Trial

By MATT APUZZO Associated Press Writer

January 15,2007 | WASHINGTON -- Potential jurors in the perjury trial of former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby likely will be asked their opinions of the Bush administration, political scandals and the Iraq war Tuesday, foreshadowing the political tenor of a lengthy trial.

Libby is accused of lying to investigators about his conversations with reporters regarding outed CIA officer Valerie Plame. Plame's identity was leaked to reporters in 2003 after her husband criticized the Bush administration's prewar intelligence on Iraq.

The leak touched off a political firestorm and an FBI investigation that Libby is accused of obstructing.

Attorneys for both sides recognize the politics behind the case and have proposed questions for jurors about their views on government, politics and the media.

The answers will be critical for Libby, a Republican who served as an adviser to President Bush and chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney. The jury is being drawn from a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans more than nine to one.

"What is your political party preference? Democrat, Republican, Independent or other?" defense attorneys wrote on their list of proposed jury questions.

"Please describe any feelings you have about Vice President Cheney," they also asked.

...it is reported that airline barf bags were passed all around by the court officers before that question was posed...

Posted by davidual on January 15, 2007 at 04:25 PM

Doesn't the bill use the word "licensed"? Either way, what a goof. Except yours has nothing on Idaho's new freshman. He floated an amendment to abolish gravity to decrease the rate of obesity.

No, sadly, I'm not kidding.

BlueinIdaho,

I believe thisis what my Rep was referent.

SEC. 204. REQUIREMENT OF FULL PAYMENT AND DISCLOSURE OF CHARTER FLIGHTS.

(a) House of Representatives-

(1) IN GENERAL- Clause 5(a)(3)(A) of rule XXV of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended--

(A) by inserting `(i)' after `(A)'; and

(B) by adding at the end the following:

`(ii) For purposes of this subdivision, in the case of a flight on an airplane that is not licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate for compensation or hire, `market value' shall be the fair market value of a charter flight. The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall make public information received under this subdivision as soon as possible after it is received.'.

(2) DISCLOSURE- Clause 5 of rule XXV of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

`(g) A Member, officer, or employee who takes a flight described in paragraph (a)(3)(A)(ii) shall, with respect to the flight, file a report with the Clerk of the House of Representatives for public disclosure within 10 days after the flight which provides--

`(1) the date of the flight;

`(2) the destination of the flight;

`(3) the identification of the other individuals who were on the flight, other than those operating the plane; and

`(4) the purpose of the trip.'.

Posted by BlueinIdaho on January 15, 2007 at 04:04 PM

Unnecessary mistakes and turnovers killed the Chargers. The fumbled interception by Mcree, the muffed punt return by Parker, the umpteen drops Parker had, and the Schottenheimer jinx. LT was his usual spectacular self, though.

Posted by davidual on January 15, 2007 at 05:01 PM

Yeah, that's what I thought. Sure the FAA doesn't "inspect" the planes (FAA certified mechanics do) but, the FAA "licenses" the planes. Therefore, his point is, well...pointless.

BlueinIdaho on January 15, 2007 at 05:06 PM,

This provision is specifically about flights from lobbyists, and it is solely for the purpose of transparency, and it doesn't make the flight illegal it just demands notification of the flight.

So, that's my Representation. Now than can tax me, right?

Is stupidity justification for revolution based upon the principled, "No taxation without representation"?

Just wondering aloud...;/

Posted by davidual on January 15, 2007 at 05:30 PM

Good point. May make a thoughtful, yet lighthearted LTE....

I guess I get my answer from the quote from Voltaire:

To succeed in the world it is not enough to be stupid, you must also be well-mannered.

Hey, I guess this helps to explain our trolls!

Gonna step back for a while.

bbl

Hey hello,

Far out. Cannon balls:

FARR INTRODUCES BILL TO FORCE WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ
Written by Rep. Sam Farr News Release
Monday, 15 January 2007

Following the president’s speech announcing his intention to escalate our involvement in Iraq, Congressman Sam Farr (CA-17) today introduced legislation to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107–243) and to require the withdrawal of our armed forces from Iraq.
“The president’s call last night to escalate the Iraq war flies in the face of the voters who clearly called for a change in our Iraq policy last November. I have long opposed the Administration’s war in Iraq and today I am introducing a bill to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq and force the president withdraw our troops from Iraq. Too many troops have died, too many have been wounded, and Iraq has descended into a violent civil war. Our men and women in uniform have served valiantly, but the solution to the crisis in Iraq is political and will not be reached by keeping our troops in harm’s way,” said Farr.

Farr’s legislation simply reads:

SECTION 1. REPEAL OF PUBLIC LAW 107–243.
The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107–243; 50 U.S.C.1541 note) is hereby repealed.

SEC. 2. WITHDRAWAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM IRAQ.
The President of the United States shall provide for the withdrawal of units and members of the United States Armed Forces deployed in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in a safe and orderly manner.

“The longer this war drags on, the clearer it becomes that it is the wrong war at the wrong time for the wrong reasons. Trying to make up for the fact that the Administration insisted on going into Iraq with too few troops more than three years ago by escalating our involvement now is not a ‘new strategy.’ There is a way forward, but that way is through withdrawing, not sending more troops,” added Farr.

democracyrising.us/content/view/727/165/

Good night fellow Democrats.

Here are some poll numbers:

Harris Poll - Republican Congress Approval Rate

Excellent/pretty good = 24%
Fair/poor = 72%

CBS news Poll Jan 1-3 2007
do you approve or disapprove of the way GWB is handling his jobs as president?

Who Approve Disapprove Unsure
All Adults 30 63 7
Republicans 68 25 7
Democrats 7 87 6
Independent 24 68 8

Only the pug reich congress scored lower!

Selling America on the Cheap - Republicans and Bush Administration

"China's foreign currency reserves top $1 trillion
Beijing seen stockpiling U.S. bonds as export revenues surge - Associated Press Updated 11:44 am PT Jan. 15, 2007

BEIJING - China's foreign exchange reserves, already the world's largest, have passed US$1 trillion, the government announced Monday, amid debate over how the country should use its newfound wealth.

The central bank said its reserves stood at US$1.0663 trillion at the end of December, up more than 30 percent from one year earlier, making this the first country officially to top the US$1 trillion mark. ..."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16635143/

At 5% interest that's $50,000,000,000.00 ($50 Billion) per year USA tax payers have to fork over to China, just in interest payment. That's not including the money we owe to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Etc... for buying our United Savings Bonds to fund the Iraq War!!!

That's like giving away everything Bill Gates own in one year just for interest payment every year. How many times can we do such stupid economics before we are dead broke?

YO, Tom The TROLL

Ain't this the RESPECT THE LEGACY OF the REVEREND DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR thread, and not the "Dems won, so I (Tom the sore LOSER) will whine until I stop "getting off" " thread.

from pamb,

the only whiners I see on here, is the two trolls. the rest of us are ecstatic!
****

Good evenin Dems. I know exactly what you mean pamb.

Watching Dr. King's "I Have a Dream Speech" again is truly uplifting. He was one of the giants of modern times.

Happy MLK Day.

Senate Republicans are weeping today.

Sen. Wayne Allard said today he will honor his term-limits pledge and leave at the end of 2008, creating a replacement fight that should turn Colorado into one of the country’s biggest electoral battlegrounds.

"I just didn't think I could back away from the (term limits) commitment. It is a matter of integrity and keeping your commitments. I have never wavered on that," Allard told the Rocky Mountain News.

****

Hmmm, this is a shot for us to pick up another seat in 2008.

A Time to Break the Silence: Martin Luther King, Jr.
by mcjoan
Mon Jan 15, 2007 at 11:37:53 AM PST

I come to this magnificent house of worship tonight because my conscience leaves me no other choice. I join you in this meeting because I am in deepest agreement with the aims and work of the organization which has brought us together: Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam. The recent statements of your executive committee are the sentiments of my own heart, and I found myself in full accord when I read its opening lines: "A time comes when silence is betrayal." And that time has come for us in relation to Vietnam.

The truth of these words is beyond doubt, but the mission to which they call us is a most difficult one. Even when pressed by the demands of inner truth, men do not easily assume the task of opposing their government's policy, especially in time of war. Nor does the human spirit move without great difficulty against all the apathy of conformist thought within one's own bosom and in the surrounding world. Moreover, when the issues at hand seem as perplexed as they often do in the case of this dreadful conflict, we are always on the verge of being mesmerized by uncertainty; but we must move on.

And some of us who have already begun to break the silence of the night have found that the calling to speak is often a vocation of agony, but we must speak. We must speak with all the humility that is appropriate to our limited vision, but we must speak. And we must rejoice as well, for surely this is the first time in our nation's history that a significant number of its religious leaders have chosen to move beyond the prophesying of smooth patriotism to the high grounds of a firm dissent based upon the mandates of conscience and the reading of history. Perhaps a new spirit is rising among us. If it is, let us trace its movements and pray that our own inner being may be sensitive to its guidance, for we are deeply in need of a new way beyond the darkness that seems so close around us....

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/1/15/143645/586

Good evening

Just to lighten the mood: What's with that Miss USA Pagent. Can't seem to get it right with those girls. The winner was threatened with having her crown snatched because of some wilding with sex and drugs; Miss Nevada USA resigned her title because of some real freaky photos? and now Miss New Jersey USA is resigning her title because she found a package under a cabbage leaf (baby).

Pagents aren't checking out these girls are they?

Ain't this the RESPECT THE LEGACY OF the REVEREND DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR thread, and not the "Dems won, so I (Tom the sore LOSER) will whine until I stop "getting off" " thread.
****

hi dpd. A troll's goal is to disrupt a thread. They don't respect anything nor do they use rational arguments. Just examine the words that the trolls use - they are calcuolated for emotional effects. I remain convinced that these people are paid to break up this blog. No normal person would spend days on a blog where they had nothing in common with the bloggers. Of course, they may ab abnormal people as well.

MLK:

Then came the buildup in Vietnam, and I watched this program broken and eviscerated, as if it were some idle political plaything of a society gone mad on war, and I knew that America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation of its poor so long as adventures like Vietnam continued to draw men and skills and money like some demonic destructive suction tube. So, I was increasingly compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor and to attack it as such.

****

Sound familar folks?

As I posted earlier this morning, my favorite amongst quotes, sayings and phrases of Dr. King's is the one is inscribed onto his tomb and at the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, AL.

But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Amos 5:24

This Bible verse so richly describes Rev. King and his work. Amos was a prophet in the Old Testament and cried out for social justice in Israel. The wealthy had gained their riches by oppressing the poor. There were dishonest business pracitces in the courts and government. What truly upset Amos was the hypocrisy that was put forth in doing the so called "right" religious things. Amos condems those who exploit others for their own expense especially when they claim to be so Godly.

Any of this sound familiar?

gregg, trolls don't sign up to do anything. They don't believe in anything except busting up a blog. They are totally useless.

Check this out:

KEY EXCERPTS FROM CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:

On the floor of the House of Representatives, January 11, 2007

Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, the American people have not received very much information about a major issue in and around the Iraq war, and the oil industry would like to keep it just that way. Fortunately, investigative journalism is still being practiced, and I want to share information uncovered by a reporter for AlterNet, in the United States, and a major Sunday story this week in The Independent, a newspaper in the United Kingdom.

***
These investigative reports paint a disturbing picture and raise troubling questions about big oil's attempting to steal the oil wealth and resources of the Iraqi people. From the beginning of the Iraq invasion, more moderate voices, especially overseas, questioned whether the ulterior motive behind toppling Saddam Hussein was a grab for Iraqi oil. In this scenario, democracy is a by-product of oil production , not the real reason for military action in Iraq .

Gaining access to the oil wealth of Iraq has had oil industries salivating for years. Gaining control of that oil wealth would be a prize beyond compare for the oil industry. Iraq has the third largest oil reserves in the world, and there are many oil geologists who believe that vast additional oil reserves are just waiting to be discovered in Iraq's western desert. They call it the Holy Grail, and some believe the untapped riches could propel Iraq from third to first place in the world's oil reserves.

***

The news account continues: ``Their introduction would be a first for a major Middle Eastern oil producer. Saudi Arabia and Iran, the world's number one and twoexporters, both tightly control their industries through state-owned companies with no appreciable foreign collaboration, as do most members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC.''

The PSA's would give big oil in Iraq deals that would last for 30 to 40 years. These deals, the news reports point out, would force Iraq to share its oil wealth with Western outsiders, not their own people. Up to 70 percent of the profits would go to outside producers in the first years, and the news media points out that these deals could be enforced ahead of any social and economic reforms in Iraq and ahead of any social programs. One person quoted called it ``colonialism lite.''

***

How long will we be there if western oil companies are given free rein to put a vice grip on Iraq's oil?

If western oil companies get a 30-year agreement , we may call Iraq the 30-year war.

Amos was a prophet in the Old Testament and cried out for social justice in Israel. The wealthy had gained their riches by oppressing the poor. There were dishonest business pracitces in the courts and government.
****

J, that's amazing. It just never ends. Check out the article about Jim McDermott floor speech on the oil companies plans to take 70% of the Iraq oil profits for themselves. Even Bush was caught in his own lies and effectively admitted Iraq is all about controlling oil resources.

These people are lying to us. They have been from the start. they have been since they murdered King and Jack and Bobby Kennedy. It's the big business interests - oil and military-industrial complex that is fueling all of this violence and hatred in the world.

Martin was about more than a "dream"!

Amos was a prophet in the Old Testament and cried out for social justice in Israel. The wealthy had gained their riches by oppressing the poor. There were dishonest business pracitces in the courts and government.
****

J, that's amazing. It just never ends. Check out the article about Jim McDermott floor speech on the oil companies plans to take 70% of the Iraq oil profits for themselves. Even Bush was caught in his own lies and effectively admitted Iraq is all about controlling oil resources.

Far out. Cannon balls:

FARR INTRODUCES BILL TO FORCE WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ
Written by Rep. Sam Farr News Release
Monday, 15 January 2007
****

tom, I read that yesterday. Feingold introduced a bill to cut off all funds except to redeploy the troops ... very similar to Murtha's plan.

Did Tweety Put The Smackdown On "Democrat" Party Meme?
by paddykraska
Mon Jan 15, 2007 at 03:17:16 PM PST

It was brief, but it looks like Chris Matthews may have put the hammer down on the "Democrat" meme.

At the end of the show, Ron Christie was talking and he said
"..... the Democrat .... (pause, nod and finger wag at Chris) The DEMOCRATIC party......"

Thank you Jesus.
paddykraska's diary :: ::

Many interesting reasons as to Democrat vs. Democratic here...

Why Shorten Democratic?

"Democrat Party" was a 2004 election linguistics trick cooked up by the Republican Party which was supposedly focus-grouped to sound more negative. If you go back through President Bush's speeches on the campaign trail and his surrogates, you will find "Democrat Party" used when trying to slur the party.

This goes back long before 2004, especially in Republican convention speeches. This discusssion has a variety of theories going back to the 60s. One point made is the "democrat party" sounds like "bureaucrat party", so a negative association is created. It's interesting because "Democratic Senator" or "Democrats endorse XYZ" really don't have that same negative ring.
****

Bush has used that form of language in recent speeches. There's no doubt it's intentional.

The Libertarian's Utopia

All roads are toll roads.

Civil rights are whatever your employer say they are.

To use 911, you need a credit card.

Your wait in an ER is determined by your credit score.

Your child's school is determined by your annual income. Don't get laid off otherwise Johnny and
Jane will be illiterate brutes.

The only government agencies are the Post Office and the military only because they are in the original constitution.

Federal assistance is defined by getting your mail on time.

The minimum wage is the lowest amount an employer can get away with.

Rich people who don't pay taxes are heralded as champions of democracy. Poor people who don't pay taxes are indentured servants.

Taxes are for poor people.

He who pollutes the most is obviously making the most money.

The Secretary of Commerce becomes the first cabinet officer in the line of sucession instead of the Secretary of State.

Product manufacturer's are exempt from lawsuits if their products injure, kill, or maim less than half of their product users.

The only thing worse than a George Bush Republican is a Libertarian. Please feel free to add to this list at your leisure.

Libertarian = Unbridled greed

KSFO drumbeat goes on: New York Times
by Mike Stark
Sun Jan 14, 2007 at 08:08:48 PM PST

Noam Cohen wrote a great story re: Spocko/KSFO. This story just got legs for another week.

But we need to refocus. Disney/ABC did an outstanding jujitsu dance that caused us to redirect our fire to KSFO and their insignificant radio show hosts. I mean, c'mon... If it isn't clear to you by now that Morgan, Rodgers, Sussman and Vic are paper tigers - disembodied idiot voices of the right that exist solely to further their corporate master's agenda... well, then I think you need to think a little more about what is going on...
Mike Stark's diary :: ::

WinSmith wrote a magnificent diary yesterday that got right to the point. these folks are cartoons... all of them are... Hannity, Limbaugh, O'Reilly... There isn't a serious person amongst them - they provide cheap entertainment to the easily persuadable that have outgrown their life's dreams and need to blame somebody (liberals) for their failure to achieve their own ideal of what life should be...

remember... the red states have the highest divorce rates. the highest teen pregnancy rates... the highest rates of poverty... the lowest rates of high school completion... the worst public university systems...

So you've got a middle-aged handyman, Joe, riding around in his truck when he sees his pregnant teen daughter skipping school with her drop-out boyfriend... he's still wondering why his wife left him and how he's gonna pay for lunch (let alone his next tank of gas)... at least there's Hannity, every day, to tell him it's Nancy Pelosi and her San Francisco friends that caused all his woe...

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/1/14/215925/221

tee, hee, hee ... I bet it drives that idiot Hannity crazy that the "California Girl" (he called Nancy Pelosi that when she became the minority leader) is now the majority leader.

WOOLSEY, LEE AND WATERS TAKE UP PRESIDENT BUSH'S CHALLENGE ON ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS FOR IRAQ
Submitted by davidswanson on Mon, 2007-01-15 19:26. Congress

NEWS from CONGRESSWOMAN LYNN WOOLSEY
6th District, California
Contact: Chris Shields 202-225-5187

-Members to lay out new Iraq legislation that brings troops home within 6-months during Wednesday's press conference -

Washington, DC - US Reps. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Chair and Co-Founder of the Out of Iraq Caucus, will hold a press conference on Wednesday at 2:00pm in the Radio/TV Gallery to introduce The Bring the Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Restoration Act, new legislation, which would force President Bush to withdraw all US forces, currently in Iraq, within 6-months. The legislation, which is designed as a comprehensive alternative to the Administration's "New Way Forward", would repeal the authorization for the use of force, fully fund a 6-month withdrawal of US forces and military contractors from Iraq (from the date of enactment of the legislation), prohibit permanent military bases in Iraq, provide economic and political aid to the Iraqi government and fully fund the VA Health Care system for all military veterans.

WHO: Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA)
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA)

WHEN: Wednesday, January 17th, 2:00pm

WHERE: House Radio/TV Gallery

The Corporate-U.S. Takeover of the Iraq Economy
Written by Kevin Zeese
Monday, 08 May 2006
How the Iraq occupation embedded US corporations into the Iraq economy, satisfying a multi-decade design on Iraq's oil wealth
democracyrising.us/content/view/483/151/

rjs, check out this article of the sequence.

The only thing worse than a George Bush Republican is a Libertarian. Please feel free to add to this list at your leisure.
****

Bob, is there much difference between a George Bush Republican and a Libertarian? Bush pushes government programs when they make the corporations rich - like Medicare Part D in it's current form. Either way a Libertarian or Bush Republican is a miserable greedy person who should simply buy their own island and leave the nation they hate so much.

rj

It just never ends.

Getting kind of off subject, but kinda on. The First Lady nor the Bush twins have in the 7 years they have been in the White House taken on a project of interest to promote. Being in the postions that they are in they could do so much for some interest. And the twins they don't work, volunteer, nothing! but romp from one good time to another.

Chelsea Clinton works. bill and Hillary may have their faults and differences, but Chelsea's introduction to service and social/politcal behavior was ingrained. Look at John Kerry's two daughters, they both work and their mother is heir to the Heitz fortune and look at their behavior. Even the Kennedy clan which has had it's ups and downs were always reared to understand that there were trust funds for them, but they were expected to give service back to this country because of their financial status.

Laura Bush has an MLS in Library Science. Can you imagine what she could have done with her position and influence to promote libraries and reading? Did the twins finish college? If so they've done nothing else, but travel some.

These people I guess feel that government is just for them to use as a framework to steal and plunder while enjoying themselves.

Breaking Ranks: Troops Call for Iraq Withdrawal
Submitted by danielifearn on Mon, 2007-01-15 15:44. Nonviolent Resistance

By Charles E. Anderson
t r u t h o u t | Guest Contributor
Sunday 14 January 2007

Norfolk, Virginia - On Wednesday, January 10, President George W. Bush announced that he would be sending 21,500 more troops to Iraq as early as Monday. "The escalation of this war is very disappointing," said Mass Communications Specialist Third Class, Jonathan Hutto, 29, a sailor stationed aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt. Ironically, as the additional troops begin arriving in Iraq Monday morning, Hutto and other active duty troops will hold a press conference at a church in Norfolk. On Tuesday morning, the group will travel to Washington to present the Appeal for Redress of Grievances from the US Congress to US Representative Dennis Kucinich.

The Appeal for Redress of Grievances, which relies on whistleblower protection laws, calls for "the prompt withdrawal of all American military forces and bases from Iraq" and represents the first organized active-duty military movement to oppose the war and occupation of Iraq since Vietnam. To date, over 1,000 active-duty members of the US military have signed it. While signers of the appeal span the ranks from private to rear admiral, the average signatory is a corporal or sergeant and has completed at least one tour of duty in Iraq. "These [service members] are your basic typical young Americans," says Hutto. In fact, the signatories of the appeal are as varied as the backgrounds of all men and women in the military. "Some of them have college experience; some of them don't. Some of them came straight out of high school. Some of them worked some common jobs," Hutto observes. But he goes on to say, "That's what a mass movement is. A mass movement is people that all come from different walks of life, different thinking and whatnot. But the central theme is that what is taking place in Iraq is not working, and we have got to find a different solution."

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/17300

Posted by Minnesota_Thomas on January 15, 2007 at 07:49 PM

Dr. King would be astonished that in 21st century America there are still people like you who think every criminal, every illegal drug user, and every poor person is African-American. Try your "bus ride" in the Dakotas, Utah, Montana, Nebraska, or Idaho then get back with us.

Posted by rjsnj on January 15, 2007 at 07:48 PM

California is fired up. The dem reps are hearing from the people. Boxer and Feinstein better get rolling too.

Getting kind of off subject, but kinda on. The First Lady nor the Bush twins have in the 7 years they have been in the White House taken on a project of interest to promote. Being in the postions that they are in they could do so much for some interest. And the twins they don't work, volunteer, nothing! but romp from one good time to another.
****

J, they are fine examples of rich spoiled rotten people. Consider their role model, Bloody King Georg ... he was spoiled rotten kid as well. Failed at everything he did in the private world, a drunk up to the age of 40, had to be bailed out by daddy. No wonder his kids are miserable brats.

So, here a president who talks about sacrifice and neither of his adult children do anything productive for society.

I agree that Laura is basically useless. Whatever happened to her "war on gang warfare". Maybe it was one war too many for the Bushies ...

Posted by rjsnj on January 15, 2007 at 07:53 PM

There is one major difference between a Libertarian and Bush Republican. President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act. A Libertarian would've signed the Every Child Left Behind making less than $250K/year Act.

Boxer and Feinstein better get rolling too.
****

Count on Boxer - she is fired up. I am not sure about Feinstein ... if you live there work on her.

From NJ perspective:

Corzine now says it's a mistake to send more NJ national guard ... he got an earful from us activists.

Menendez and Lautenberg are as against the iraq
debacle as ever. I think Menendez is itching for a good fight with the WH.

There is one major difference between a Libertarian and Bush Republican. President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act. A Libertarian would've signed the Every Child Left Behind making less than $250K/year Act.
****

LOL ... yeah Bob, no doubt right you are right. Libertarian's are useless. They rarely get more than a couple a percent of the vote. So even most right wing nuts don't identify with their craziness,

Check this out:

Kucinich announces new House committee on media reform
Submitted by cactuspat on Mon, 2007-01-15 01:33. Congress | Media

Kucinich announces new House committee on media reform
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D- Ohio) paid a surprise visit to the National Conference for Media Reform and announced to hundreds of cheering activists that the U.S. House will create a committee on media reform and that Kucinich will be its chair. He promised reform in media and said it would drive national reform and world reform....

Actor Danny Glover introduced Kucinich, accompanied by his wife Elizabeth, to the surprised crowd around 9:30 Friday evening, after performances by Rev. Al Green's Full Tabenacle Choir and the Lady Diamonds and following speeches by FCC commissioners Jonathan Adelstein
and Michael Copps.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/17290

TURNING BAGHDAD INTO VIETNAM
Submitted by davidswanson on Sun, 2007-01-14 14:08. Activism

STOP THE WAR COALITION
NEWSLETTER No. 2007/01
13 January 2007
Email office@stopwar.org.uk
Telephone 020 7278 6694
Web: www.stopwar.org.uk

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
1) JANUARY 24: ALL EYES ON PARLIAMENT
2) NO TO TRIDENT / YES TO TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ
3) TURNING BAGHDAD INTO VIETNAM
4) NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION: 24 FEBRUARY
5) MORE WAR CRIMES IN SOMALIA
6) TONY BLAIR ON TRIAL
7) ISLAMOPHOBIA - THE NEW RACISM

****************************************
1) JANUARY 24: ALL EYES ON PARLIAMENT
Predictably, Tony Blair is virtually alone among world leaders in supporting George Bush's "new strategy" for Iraq. Blair says the plan "makes sense". Is this the same Tony Blair who barely one month ago welcomed the Iraq Study Group's report, saying, "It is practical, it's clear, and it offers also the way of bringing people together"? The ISG report called for a phased withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and dialogue with Iran and Syria -- in other words, the opposite of Bush's "new strategy."

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/17284

****

From our friends across the pond in the antiwar movement.

I remind my fellow Democrats as well as the trolls here that The Sun newspaper in Britain is owned by Rupert Murdoch. The same Rupert Murdoch who owns Fox News and we all know how reliable Fox News is, don't we?

Fox News - Fair and Balanced
(That is if you're a right wing nut job looking for justification in screwing the whole planet up with your centuries old mentality)

Peace and love and tolerance are the legacy of MLK.
This is something of which this president and republicans are afraid and ashamed. War-mongering and hatred and injustice meet the peaceful and compassionate voice that still resounds in this nation. Stand up for peace, but violence begets violence.

7) ISLAMOPHOBIA - THE NEW RACISM

****

I think MLK would agree. The Bushies have been feeding racism, hatred and fear sonce 9/11. They have a bunch of right wing nuts who thrive on that sort of stuff.

Posted by rjsnj on January 15, 2007 at 08:12 PM

One last post then I've gotta run. I want to know what George Bush has on Tony Blair. There is no logical reason for a man as intelligent and liberal as Tony Blair to be duped like this.

JANUARY 24: ALL EYES ON PARLIAMENT Predictably, Tony Blair is virtually alone among world leaders in supporting George Bush's "new strategy" for Iraq. Blair says the plan "makes sense". Is this the same Tony Blair who barely one month ago welcomed the Iraq Study Group's report, saying, "It is practical, it's clear, and it offers also the way of bringing people together"? The ISG report called for a phased withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and dialogue with Iran and Syria -- in other words, the opposite of Bush's "new strategy."

So I ask it again, what has George Bush got on Tony Blair to make him act this way?

War-mongering and hatred and injustice meet the peaceful and compassionate voice that still resounds in this nation. Stand up for peace, but violence begets violence.
****

Tom, I agree. January 27th ... Washington, DC and other locations across the world!

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3468

So I ask it again, what has George Bush got on Tony Blair to make him act this way?
****

Bob, it is a mystery. There must be something that we are not being told. Maybe if Parliament presses Blair, the truth will leak out ...

Military Is Expanding Its Intelligence Role in US
Submitted by danielifearn on Mon, 2007-01-15 04:32. Spying

By Eric Lichtblau and Mark Mazzetti
The New York Times
Sunday 14 January 2007

Washington - The Pentagon has been using a little-known power to obtain banking and credit records of hundreds of Americans and others suspected of terrorism or espionage inside the United States, part of an aggressive expansion by the military into domestic intelligence gathering.

The C.I.A. has also been issuing what are known as national security letters to gain access to financial records from American companies, though it has done so only rarely, intelligence officials say.

Banks, credit card companies and other financial institutions receiving the letters usually have turned over documents voluntarily, allowing investigators to examine the financial assets and transactions of American military personnel and civilians, officials say.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/17298

****

Nice stuff ...

Towns urged to support Bush impeachment
Submitted by davidswanson on Mon, 2007-01-15 04:01. Impeachment

By Associated Press

NEWFANE, Vt. --Dan DeWalt is hoping what he started in his small town a year ago will spread around Vermont this Town Meeting Day and eventually to the halls of Congress.

DeWalt a member of his town Select Board, got his meeting to vote last year to support a call for Congress to impeach President Bush. He said this year, people in 50 Vermont towns are circulating petitions to get the question before voters at Town Meeting, the first Tuesday in March.

"We will be barnstorming the state on this," DeWalt said. "In towns where we do not get it on the warning" -- the official agenda for the meeting -- "we will try to have it taken up under other business."

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/17296

****

The efforts to impeach Bush continue from the ground up.

War costs are hitting historic proportions
Submitted by davidswanson on Sun, 2007-01-14 13:56. Media

The price tag for the Iraq conflict and overall effort against terrorism is expected to surpass Vietnam's next year.
By Joel Havemann, Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON — By the time the Vietnam war ended in 1975, it had become America's longest war, shadowed the legacies of four presidents, killed 58,000 Americans along with many thousands more Vietnamese, and cost the U.S. more than $660 billion in today's dollars.

By the time the bill for World War II passed the $600-billion mark, in mid-1943, the United States had driven German forces out of North Africa, devastated the Japanese fleet in the Battle of Midway, and launched the vast offensives that would liberate Europe and the South Pacific.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/17281

Tony Snow soesn't want to "hug the 'tar-baby'".

Tony Snow to WH Reporter: “Play that funky music, white girl”

Tony Snow had the WH press corps rolling at Tuesday's briefing after ABC News correspondent Martha Raddatz's cell phone started ringing.

SNOW: Does Martha have a hip-hop ring tone? (Laughter) Play that funky music, white girl.

Crooks and Liars

Iraq Vets Call on Congress to End War
By Stacy Bannerman
t r u t h o u t | Report

Monday 15 January 2007
As a patriotic American proud to serve the nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to support the prompt withdrawal of all American military forces and bases from Iraq. Staying in Iraq will not work and is not worth the price. It is time for US troops to come home.
- Appeal for Redress

An anti-war organization launched by a 22-year-old Marine and a 29-year-old sailor has accumulated 1,028 signatures from active-duty and Reserve troops calling for an end to the war in Iraq, which has lasted nearly four years. The signatures will be delivered to lawmakers on January 16th.

"There is a distinct difference between the people who make policies and the people who carry them out," says Seaman Jonathan Hutto, co-founder of the Appeal for Redress. If Hutto has his way, that line will begin to blur over the next twenty-four hours. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, more than 50 active-duty members of the Armed Forces will hold a press conference at the Unitarian Church in Norfolk, Virginia, to discuss why they are among the more than 1,000 military personnel - mostly active-duty, and veterans of at least one tour in Iraq - who have signed the Appeal. The troops will be joined by representatives from Iraq Vets Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, Veterans for Peace, GI Rights Hotline and the Military Project.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/011507C.shtml

Tony Snow to WH Reporter: “Play that funky music, white girl”
****

domingo, duly noted, I actually caught that one by Tony Snow Job. These puggies are all bigots ... it's in their blood.

Krugman nails King Doofus:

The Texas Strategy
By Paul Krugman
The New York Times

Monday 15 January 2007

Hundreds of news articles and opinion pieces have described President Bush's decision to escalate the Iraq war as a "Hail Mary pass."

But that's the wrong metaphor.

Mr. Bush isn't Roger Staubach, trying to pull out a win for the Dallas Cowboys. He's Charles Keating, using other people's money to keep Lincoln Savings going long after it should have been shut down - and squandering the life savings of thousands of investors, not to mention billions in taxpayer dollars, along the way.

The parallel is actually quite exact. During the savings and loan scandal of the 1980s, people like Mr. Keating kept failed banks going by faking financial success. Mr. Bush has kept a failed war going by faking military success.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/011507F.shtml

Frsnk Rich puts the icing on Bush's bogus "way forward":

He's in the Bunker Now
By Frank Rich
The New York Times

Sunday 14 January 2007

President Bush always had one asset he could fall back on: the self-confidence of a born salesman. Like Harold Hill in "The Music Man," he knew how to roll out a new product, however deceptive or useless, with conviction and stagecraft. What the world saw on Wednesday night was a defeated Willy Loman who looked as broken as his war. His flop sweat was palpable even if you turned down the sound to deflect despair-inducing phrases like "Prime Minister Maliki has pledged ..." and "Secretary Rice will leave for the region. ..."

Mr. Bush seemed to know his product was snake oil, and his White House handlers did too. In the past, they made a fetish of situating their star in telegenic settings, from aircraft carriers to Ellis Island. Or they placed him against Orwellian backdrops shrieking "Plan for Victory." But this time even the audio stuttered, as if in solidarity with Baghdad's continuing electricity blackout, and the Oval Office was ditched, lest it summon up memories of all those past presidential sightings of light at the end of the Iraqi tunnel. Mr. Bush was banished to the White House library, where the backdrop was acres of books, to signify the studiousness of his rethinking of the "way forward."

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/011407D.shtml

Minnesota_Thomas on January 15, 2007 at 08:30 PM,

So, then, why did our idiot-in-chief go after Saddam and forget about bin Laden? When you figure that out you will be on the same page as the rest of us.

Minni, buzz-off.

I'm Tom the Troll round here.

I have compassion for you that you don't know how to live because you're so afraid of dying.

Sweet dreams, in your long sleep.

bbl

Frank Rich:

Mr. Bush's own support from the American people is not coming back. His "new" Iraq policy is also in defiance of Iraqi public opinion, the Joint Chiefs, the Baker-Hamilton grandees, and Mr. Maliki, who six weeks ago asked for a lower American profile in Iraq. Which leaves you wondering exactly who is still in the bunker with the president besides the first lady and Barney.

***

Tee, Hee, Hee ... I don;t know but I think Barney is about to bolt for freedom!

ARE YOU BLIND????? ARE YOU DEAF????? ARE YOU JUST PLAIN DUMB?????
THESE PEOPLE MEAN TO DESTROY US. YOU, ME, YOUR CHILDREN… THAY DON’T CARE ABOUT WHAT POLITICAL BELIEFS YOU HAVE!!! THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT MARTIN LUTHER KING!!!!
THEY WANT US ALL DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Minnesota_Thomas

Don't pee all over yourself in fear, cowardly 'conservative'. Hey, Bush doesn't care about him or give him much thought, so why should you?

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Do we still have a dream?
by SoCalLiberal
Mon Jan 15, 2007 at 05:42:32 PM PST

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It has been nearly 43 years since his speech at the March on Washington and the Civil Rights Act and the Great Society. It has been 42 years since the Voting Rights Act not to mention nearly 38 years since the Stonewall Riots and yet there is still much inequality in society. All these movements suffered setbacks from the Long Hot Summers Riots, Vietnam, and the AIDS epidemic. The assasinations of Dr. King and both JFK and RFK discouraged many. Today the problems of inequality are even greater. There is still no legislation passed at a federal level that protects GLBT people. There is still segregation among income and race. There are still African Americans and minorities trapped in cycles of violence and poverty. Further multiplying the negative effects of inequality is the AIDS epidemic. AIDS has continued to afflict communities of the most discriminated people in society and yet there is little done to address these critical issues. With continued poverty, homelessness, AIDS, defacto segregation, and discrimination, many are negative. MLK Jr. Day is a nice day off and little else. To many, Dr. King's dream is dead.
SoCalLiberal's diary :: ::

Today there is great injustice and inequality not just in the world but right here in the United States and little is done to address it. It seems to me that there is this negative, tired attitude prevalent among many older liberals and moderates even that we tried and we failed. The idea is the Civil Rights Movement and Great Society were idealistic movements and legislation that ultimately failed, we tried, we failed, why bother to care now? There is also the conservative idea, very prominent among the young conservatives that inequality and injustice are good things and that those who try to fight it are wackos and are treasonous. Look no further than downright awful people like Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham, and Ann Coulter who promote attacks against feminists, minority activists, liberals, and GLBT people. Essentially if you're not some rich straight Christian white boy, you're nothing. And don't you dare complain about it either. Lest you be labeled a wacko or a nut job or even worse, a liberal. Gasp!

In spite of all of this, I feel hopeful for the future. Several recently elected political leaders are making me realize that one day we may live to see full equality. Nancy Pelosi became the first woman Speaker of the House in a historic moment on January 4th of this year. To me, she is a breath of fresh air. I can't say enough about what a fan I am of hers. Pelosi represents everything that conservatives hate.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/1/15/162929/204

***

I agree there is more than enough reason to be hopeful. The right wing has lost it's grip on power. Reality is seeping in that they have steered the country the wrong way. The breaking point was the disasterous Katrina recovery.

Malloy is on! Talking about Chucklenutz and the Vampire Cheney ... BBL

hi rj...

malloy is definitely on! cya later...

here is a comment on the Inconvenient Truth/Homeschoolers-R-Us controversy:

Posted by pablo2u2 at 1/14/07 4:39 p.m.

I think it is best to save yourselves. Prophecy will be fulfilled and the earth will spin on it's axis until God comes back to destroy those that destroy the earth.Rev 11:18 And the nations were wroth, and thy wrath came, and the time of the dead to be judged, and the time to give their reward to thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear thy name, the small and the great; and to destroy them that destroy the earth.

i hate this crap!

Oh My Gosh ... chucklenutz said on 60 minutes that he is an open minded person ... wee!!!!

If you can stand it:

Bush: The Educator-In-Chief
by BarbinMD
Mon Jan 15, 2007 at 02:51:04 AM PST

Following George Bush's appearance last night on 60 Minutes, CBS put up the transcript of the entire interview by Scott Pelley, kindly cleaning up the worst of Bush's mangling of the English language. What follows are a few excerpts from that interview, transcribed without the kindness, starting with the understatement of the century:

Pelley: You mention mistakes having been made in your speech

Bush: (nods and smiles) What mistakes are you talking about? Abu Ghraib was a mistake. Using bad language like, ya know, "bring 'em on," was a mistake. I think history is going to look back and see a lot of, uh, ways we could've done things better. No question about it.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/14/60minutes/main2359119.shtml

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/1/15/51716/7671

Don't pee all over yourself in fear, cowardly 'conservative'. Hey, Bush doesn't care about him or give him much thought, so why should you?
****

domingo, the paranoia of the right wing nutz is clearly on display. Paranoia leads to racism and hatred. That's why they want to wall the country, revoke all civil liberties and in general kill anyone and everyone that they think "looks" like a "terrorist" (meaning kill all A-rabs as the righties such as Savage like to say),
Completely nutz. I suppose when they ae through killing all the A-Rabs they will want to kill all Muslims and then they will move on to all people of color, liberals and anyone else that threatens their paranoic vision of the world. Sound familar ... it's called fascism.

IMPEACHMENT IS RUMBLING IN THE MOUNTAINS OF MONTANA
Submitted by danielifearn on Sun, 2007-01-14 17:53. Impeachment

Montana Partners for Impeachment: http://www.mssrbooks.com/NEWSlett.HTM

Montana Veterans for Peace: http://www.vetsforpeace-mt.org/

From: Montana Veterans for Peace
To: Citizens

Subject: Impeachment Resolution in Montana Legislature

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/17286

The Educator In Chief ... that miserable SOB Bush had the nerve to go on TV and say that ...

oh my gosh ... impeach the maniac for his own good.

yeah, can you believe that...educator in chief...i posted the transcript last night with that chunk...but i missed the other eerie part.

bush is is a sociopath and psychotic...mike is correct, we'll never make two more years

bush is is a sociopath and psychotic...mike is correct, we'll never make two more years
****

fade, I think we'll make it. The question is how much damage will occur before bloody george is done. How many more troops is he going to killed and/or seriously injured? How many more Iraqi people will die?

Of course, we would be way better off impeaching bloody george now.

OMG:

BUSH: The vice-president's been a great vice-president. And Don Rumsfeld did a really fine job as Secretary of Defense. Quite the contrary, I feel like this country is blessed to have those kind of people serving.

PELLEY: Vice-president involved in these war plans?

BUSH: Absolutely.

PELLEY: As much as he ever has been?

BUSH: Oh, yeah, sure. I mean, I rely upon my National Security Council, and I expect everybody to make contributions, and I expect to hear everybody's opinions. And when I make up my mind, I expect them to salute and say, "Yes, sir, Mr. President."

PELLEY: Final question. How can you escalate the war when so many people in this country seem to be against it?

BUSH: I'm gonna have to keep explaining. That's why I'm doing this interview with you. And I gotta keep explaining, one, the consequences of failure, that failure in Iraq will affect the security of the people here in the United States. And secondly, that we can succeed. And the best way to succeed at this point in time is to increase troops in Baghdad to stop the sectarian violence so that a political process, an economic process . . . so that the will of the 12 million people that voted in Iraq can be realized. Scott, sometimes you're the commander-in-chief, sometimes you're the educator-in-chief, and a lot of times you're both when it comes to war. And I've just gotta continue to take my message to the people and to explain to them this is a well-thought-out decision that is in the interests of the today's generation of Americans and tomorrow's generation of Americans. What happens in the Middle East matters to the security of this country. We learned that lesson on September the 11th. The stakes are very high, and we have got not only to stay engaged diplomatically, but we've gotta succeed in chasing down terrorists as well as helping young democracies survive. What's interesting is that you got a young democracy in Lebanon being challenged. I believe there ought to be a Palestinian democracy. It is being challenged by militants. A young democracy in Afghanistan and a young democracy in Iraq, all being challenged by radicals and extremists. And they may seem like disparate elements, but they share the same vision and same philosophy, and they have the same desire to inflict damage, particularly on the United States of America. I think it's interesting that in the midst of all the troubles, that there are people who are actively fighting a form of government which is beneficial to people, and that's democracy. We are in an ideological struggle, and it's a really classic ideological struggle, and Iraq is part of it. And it's very important for me to not only continue to explain why I believe we can be successful in Iraq but explain to people that what happens in the Middle East will affect the future of this country.

The devil should feel offended for being compared by Chavez to President George W. Bush~Rafael Correa

trouble on the south side:

QUITO, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Leftist Rafael Correa became Ecuador's eighth president in a decade on Monday in a ceremony that drew presidents from a growing anti-U.S. alliance, but the bold reforms he promptly set in motion could imperil his hopes of serving a full term.

Some of Washington's fieriest critics such as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez came to the world's second-highest capital to show solidarity with the U.S.-educated economist.

After his swearing-in, Correa signed a document calling for a popular vote on March 18 to set up an assembly to change the constitution and accelerate his "citizens' revolution".

"This is the first battle in a long war to retake our country," he told a crowd.

So, the righties brag about the stock market being up and 401k being back. First off, that doesn't help people who were slammed in the 2000 market crash. Many people bailed out of the market for good so it's become irrelevant to them. Now, people have less money to invest anyway with falling wages. But, with all that said, the real question is at what cost to our society?

1) Outsourced jobs.
2) Regulations have been gutted on water, air, etc... Safety regulations are not being enforced.
3) Mergers have reduced choice for consumers.
4) Benefits have been taken away.
5) Wages have stagnanted or even fallen.
6) Workers are under constant threat of losing their jobs.

Is this really worth it for the average person?
I don't think so. The heck with the stock market; reward work instead.

BUSH: I'm gonna have to keep explaining.
****

fade, he's going to have to catapult the propaganda.

BBL

DNC slams McCain for 'pandering to far right' on MLK day; Wesley Clark also attended Alabama governor's inauguration

Excerpts from DNC press release:

McCain's push to cozy up to far right extremists is not surprising, given his contradictions in the past. In the 2000 presidential campaign, McCain reversed himself on the confederate flag first calling it "a symbol of racism and slavery" but then pandering the very next day by calling it a "symbol of heritage."

In past efforts to pander to a far right base that doesn't trust him, McCain campaigned in Alabama for George Wallace Jr., a popular speaker at a white supremacist hate group, continues to employ a strategist who denounced the creation of a Federal holiday honoring Dr. King as "vicious" and "profane," and even hired the man responsible for the racist ads against Harold Ford in the Senate race in Tennessee in 2006.

[New York Times, 4/20/00, San Diego Union Tribune, 1/18/00; Associated Press, 11/17/05, Southern Poverty Law Center, Intelligence Report, Summer 2005; AP, 6/6/05; New York Times, 10/27/06; New York Times, 10/26/06; Union Leader, 12/8/06]

"John McCain's record speaks for itself," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Luis Miranda, "his opposition to the Martin Luther King holiday, his willingness to look the other way for Bob Riley, and his eagerness to employ advisors who use tactics of the southern strategy are evidence that he will do anything to win. McCain's pandering to the far right doesn't bode well for his ability to represent or unite all Americans, and embodies the politics of division that the American people have already rejected."

1983: McCain Voted Against Creating Martin Luther King Holiday. McCain voted against the Hall (D-IN) motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill to designate the third Monday of every January as a federal holiday in honor of the late civil rights leader the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [Vote 289, HR 3706, Motion agreed to 89-77, D 249-13, 8/2/83; CQ 1983]

McCain Flip Flopped On The Confederate Flag, First Calling It Offensive And Then Calling It A Symbol Of Heritage. In 2000, during the debate over the Confederate flag in South Carolina, McCain in January called the flag "a symbol of racism and slavery", and the next day said that the flag was a "symbol of heritage." McCain "initially called the flag 'offensive,' but then quickly added that he understood the sentiments of 'both sides' in the debate. 'Some view it as a symbol of slavery ... others view it as a symbol of heritage. Personally, I see the battle flag as a symbol of heritage,'" McCain said. [New York Times, 4/20/00, San Diego Union Tribune, 1/18/00]

McCain Endorsed George Wallace Jr., Called Him A "Committed Conservative Reformer," Despite Speeches to Hate Group. In November 2005, McCain visited three Alabama cities to endorse George Wallace Jr. for lieutenant governor. McCain said, "I'm proud to offer my support to this committed conservative reformer. George will bring great leadership and integrity to the lieutenant governor's office." [Associated Press, 11/17/05] Wallace had spoken on numerous occasions to the Council of Conservative Citizens, a white supremacist hate group. The Council of Conservative Citizens says it opposes interracial marriage, massive immigration of non-European and non-Western peoples, hate crime legislation, and multicultural and "Afrocentric" curricula in schools.

This country began fighting wars through a democratic process in 1775. No one individual made all decisions concerning warfare back then and no one individual made the correct decisions every time. The ability to accept and dish out critcism was, as it remains, an important part of the military planning process.

George Bush and his supporters don't understand this history of the United States. They instead accept another version, a fabricated verson, in which a commander-in-chief was given total control of the decision making process. Though George Washington was our first commander-in-chief, he never had nor requested the sort of power that this George now demands.

In all the wars fought by the United States not one has seen so much power given to one person as is now given to a man with far less relative experience than any man ever to claim the title commander-in-chief. This man may demand all that he wants, but it is up to us to educate him. This man must learn to accept that he too is a part of this great democracy, and not above it.

Together, is the only way that we will move forward.

Hi Marine,

he's describing himself as an "educator" now, too.

how are you doing this fine MLK Day?

I'm doing pretty good. How are you?

Very well, thanks. I'm hoping to see some good work coming out of the House tomorrow...

they go back to work, and so do i...

It was nice to see you Marine.

Goodnight.

today I took some time to read that landmark speech in August 1963. I believe that Dr. King spoke not only about the struggle of the Negro in America, but he also was speaking to the world about the potential of the human spirit. I believe that his words still echo today.

"We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from