Yeah!!!!

Sorry I didn’t respond earlier to your comment, but I had to get back to work. Need to keep the money flowing, so there is more to help other worthy candidates.

Thanks!

I’m still amazing at her ability to differentiate between the wiretapping program and the man who ran that program. If he has such a high level of integrity and such a love for the Constitution, you’d sort of think he’d be reluctant to massively eavesdrop on his fellow citizens with no justification.

1. Voted for the Schavo bill.

2. Voted for abolition of the Inheritance Tax.

3. Voted for the Bankruptcy Act.

4. Voted against Net Neutrality.

His votes for abolition of the Inheritance Tax and the Bankruptcy Act are especially difficult to reconcile with his primarily Afro-American constituency.

Data shows that Afro-American families own on average 10% of the assets of white families. So which of Congressman Wynn’s constituents gained by the elimination of the Inheirtance tax, a tax that hits less than 1% of the population?

Had Congressman Wynn ever visited his local Bankruptcy Court, he would notice that most of the individuals before the courts are Afro-Americans, many with unfortunate stories to tell. How were Wynn’s constituents served by his support for the tough new Bankruptcy rules?

Wynn raises money from business and lobbyists more effectively than any Congressmen in Maryland. It is not hard to determine why.

I don’t believe that members of the Black Caucus should be exempt from scrutiny. I also don’t see how we can build a progressive Democratic Party that works for all Americans with someone like Wynn representing one of our bluest districts.

I am so glad to hear that Donna Edwards has shown the courage to run against a local icon. I will give her all the help and support I can.

I got the same response from Babs along with…

Yet, my confidence in General Hayden should not be interpreted as confidence in the Bush Administration. I want you to know that I am very troubled to learn that President Bush secretly authorized spying on some Americans. I believe that in the face of unprecedented threats to our country, we must be vigilant and stand sentry against our enemies. But, we are a nation of laws and we must all live by the rule of law. As a democracy, the rule of law is one of our country’s most important characteristics, and that separates us from our enemies.

That’s why I have urged the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, of which I am a member, to hold hearings on this matter. These hearings will be a service to our intelligence professionals, our political leadership, and to all Americans. We need to know the facts, and to review ongoing intelligence programs in a way that does not compromise legitimate intelligence gathering activity. We also need to reassess the FISA process to ensure it is the right tool for dealing with today’s security needs while protecting our Fourth Amendment rights. You can be sure that I will aggressively pursue this matter to ensure that our country is protected against threats while upholding the rule of law.

Although we disagree on this matter, I appreciate hearing your views. Please let me know if I may be of assistance in the future.

Since the NSA headquarters is at Fort Meade, Maryland, Senator Mikulski has had lots of dealings with General Hayden over the years so I guess she’s trusting her gut to some extent.

Oh, speaking of eccentrics, what the heck is up with Mikulski? I emailed her to complain about her support of Hayden. Her office emailed back to say:

“I believe each nominee should be judged on his or her merits. I want you to know that in evaluating a nominee, I use five criteria: competence, integrity, commitment to the core mission of the agency, commitment to the Constitution, and independence. I voted to confirm General Hayden as Director of the CIA based on what I know after working closely with him for more than five years, and based on his testimony. I have no question about his competence or personal integrity, and expect him to remain an independent voice, committed to the Constitution not just with words, but with deeds.”

This is the man who headed up the wiretapping! Commitment to the Constitution? How so?

Scott Darroch @ 68: Represent! (I was too young to do much of anything in ‘68 but you and your like inspired me years later when I read HST’s Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ‘72.) Thanks for answering the call once again.

I’ll proudly say I voted for the guy in half a dozen elections (two for mayor of Baltimore, two for governor and two for Comptroller) but it’s time for him to “hang ‘em up” so to speak. But he still appreciates a pretty girl so he’s not dead yet.

Wine spew! I can’t believe he’s still around.

Somebody has to invent new stuff, might as well take advantage of that troublesome bipolar/ADHD brain.

7:00pm. Polls are now closed in Virginia. Waiting with fingers, arms, legs, and toes crossed. GO WEBB!!!!