Hurricane Jane!

God that is sad. Hey, remind me, what was NARAL’s charter purpose again? It seem they forgot.

That’s beyond sad and into lame and depressing.

that is sickening.
next question-are they supporting him
if he runs as independent?

that’s “seems”-jeebus, what a tool I am when typing too fast!

Jane,
I am glad that someone like you, whose voice is increasing in amplification everyday, is “officially angry” about this.

Evil happens when good (wo)men do nothing. Thanks for standing up and shining a light.

“According to Ned Lamont’s campaign manager Tom Swan, Ned was not even asked to take part in the process.”

That’s the part that really sucks.

Actually, the whole thing really sucks.

They called me 2 nights ago. I told them all of the $$ I am giving these days is through the progressive blogs.

She asked why . . . I mentioned the Alito hearings and the fact that they hoarded the $$ they raised to fight it. She said something about only fighting battles they can win.

So sorry, said I. No more $$ for them. She tried, I persisted.

NARAL has been on the wrong side of several elections. They aren’t a Democratic organization. They single-mindedly DON’T look at the big picture. They are a HUGE disappointment.

NARAL and PP are positioning themselves to pick up some cash from all those people who are saying, “Gee, I’d really like to give money to PP and NARAL, but, well, that whole pro-choice thing is kind of a problem for me.”

Ironic. Pink Floyd commercial on KO now. Timing?

It’s not like Lieberschmuck is a rainmaker for anyone. You know his PR will hit the wires toot sweet. Maybe he’ll bungle that one, too…

Forgive my ignorance, but is NOW on board the Nedtrain for a counter offensive?

Will NARAL-CT break ranks with national over this?

btw, GO JANE!

the only thing worse than being a gay man in this country…is being a woman…everyone know’s a womans woo woo belongs to baby jesus…and joe lieberman.

NO MO’ MONEY FOR THEM FROM ME!….PERIOD…..I am so angry right now. I just sent them an email and I hope they call me, although they will be sorry after they hear what I have to say…IDIOTS!

I got a fundraising letter from Cantwell a while back (I am not a resident of her state). I annotated it heavily with words about her folding on the Alito filibuster and made it clear they would never get a cent from me, and sent it back.

Yes! Jane. You are absolutely right about this. And the end, the right won’t stop with abortion access. They also want to control (stop) birth control. If one backs down on one, it will just keep going.

From previous thread:

john in sacramento says: July 11th, 2006 at 5:23 pm

You can find out all kinds of things from people’s feces and urine.

Drugs. Booze.

I suspect Vienna was a little too close to Moscow for comfort.

this is what you expect from a person who has decades of political machinery to draw upon.

it’s no surprise. i would expect some other major endorsements (if any are still in the offing) for lieberman in the coming weeks prior to the election.

unseating incumbents is difficult, for precisely these types of reasons. as likeable as lamont is, he is clearly facing an uphill battle against lieberman’s incumbency.

and believe me, i would love to see lieberman out of office. i can’t stand that nutlicking republican suckup. he killed gore’s 2000 bid and he’s enabled bush the entire time.

but lamont needs to go into high gear from this point forward. don’t count on momentum; make it happen.

“NARAL Endorses Rape Gurneys”

My Glob,
They are doing nothing but covering their own monied asses with a hedge bet. If PP and NARAL ever got a real Left wing Congress, who would they have for an enemy to raise $ against. It’s no longer FOR anything–just like Bush’s America=Continuous War. Pathetic.
Dan

Jane,
I lurk more than comment, but on this I must weigh in. Earlier this year I agreed to a monthly plan to donate to PP. Yesterday I mailed the “coupon” for my donation back to them with a note that said I could not support them if they endorse Lieberman. I feel like throwing up. These organizations (PP and NARAL) are clueless. And, speaking of clueless, has anyone out there been listening to Ed Schultz lately? He is using his “progressive” voice to undermine the blogosphere and our effort to promote Ned Lamont! It is awful. I never really liked Ed, but I listened in order to learn. I cannot listen anymore. Can Soros buy a radio station?

They do have a feedback form on their site. I’m sure they’d be happy to have everyone’s thoughts on their decision. I shared mine; I hope you will too.

Be polite. Polite, but firm.

Maybe Bush’s precious bodily excrements are packaged and sold to the GOoPer kool aid drinkers.

Little shrines all across Bush ‘Murka — $1,000 gets a vial of holy pee, $10,000 gets a make up kit of holy shit.

ck

you’re bad! LOL

It’s crazy to think that in 2006 this is still a concern for women. It seems like a lot of the advocacy groups are playing it safe which is not how you protect rights.

It’s a shame for someone like Ned who is a staunch supporter of woman’s rights. They take his support for granted.

Cut off the money and send a message.

Jane, I have been absent and lurking for quite a while, but you got me fired up about this. This is outrageous, even more outrageous than my real life right now. That is saying something!

As to the article, not at all good for Mr. Lamont. No matter how much Mr. Lamont may wish to campaign on women’s issues, he only draws a tie as Lieberman will surely pound these endorsements over and over and over. All the rape-gurney joe stuff, as far as Lamont is concerned, goes right out the window.

In any battle, a key to victory is the ability to pivot and maneuver. This is the time for Mr. Lamont. He has less than 30 days to go. I suggest that Mr. Lamont simply reference that he fully supports the idea that gov’t should not involve itself in a woman’s medical decisions. And then…leave it alone. He’ll get no further along on this issue as Lieberman will emphasize these endorsements.

Time for Mr. Lamont to hone his campaign down to Iraq, economy, and energy issues. Lieberman is wide open on these areas. Time to run the football right up the middle.

Ghostman

My advice is to say the same thing I say to the William and Mary Alumni Foundation when they call: “NOPE–Not One Penny Ever.” Frankly, I’m surprised we’re even discussing NARAL. They sold out a while ago.

I thought this was all about the war.

I said this on another blog, but I sometimes feel like I just want to throw in the towel. I feel like that last couple of weeks have pushed me back 20 years, and I only have so much fight in me.

kona- Hell the fight hasn’t even started yet. This is just a preliminary bout.

“I’m officially quite angry about this.”

Me three (four? five??)

What are they THINKING??? I mean, what other possible issue could be more important than the Supreme court nominations on this issue. Which is THEIR issue–it’s not as if they are looking at the “whole” candidate, right?

You’re right Jane–it’s looking like incumbency-itis all over again. Are they afraid all their money spent lobbying will go down the drain if we elect someone new or something?? If so then we’re more up the creek than I thought in this country (and that’s BAD)

konagod says
July 11th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
I said this on another blog, but I sometimes feel like I just want to throw in the towel. I feel like that last couple of weeks have pushed me back 20 years, and I only have so much fight in me.
———————————————————-
I hear you. I’m trying to talk my partner into moving out of the country. I’m hoping Australia elects a liberal government some time soon, because I’d really like to go to Sydney.

NARAL is AWOL in the war against women being waged by Republicans and their lackeys like Lieberman.

Assimilated Press
Read “KKK Disbands Claiming GOP Has Co-opted All Of Their Ideas” at:
http://assimilatedpress.blogspot.com/

Good for you neurophius . . . do not feed the bears!!

No $ for Cantwell, no no no. She will have to fight her battles without help from me (and I AM in her state!)

From my Blackberry.

I’m reading Jane’s last two diaries and trying to make sense of things.

If you forget ideology and look at things through institutional dynamics only, maybe the recent course of action makes some sense.

Can you imagine what would happen to NARAL and PP’s fundraising and institutional strength if the current situation eroded further, –to the point where the right to an abortion was being disallowed by several State courts?

Both these groups would soon be rolling in the dough. And their leaders would once again be household names…

Please forgive my cynicism.

My e-mail to NARAL

I was very disappointed to hear that you have endorsed “Rape Gurney Joe” Lieberman in his Connecticut senate race. Frankly, I cannot understand why you would endorse any candidate who enabled the confirmation of Sam Alito to the Supreme Court. Joe’s “no” vote on the confirmation was highly hypocritical after he voted “yes” on the cloture motion that guaranteed Alito’s confirmation. Then there were Joe’s incredibly insensitive remarks about women who are victims of rape, condoning the withholding of emergency birth control because it is ostensibly just a “short ride” to the next hospital.

Since you apparently are not committed to the cause of choice, just what is it that you stand for, anyway? I look forward to your response.

Thank you for the heads up Jane. Thank you for the link DrBB at 23. I just sent a polite note that they should look into whothey support so as to not loose their supporters.

Colleen

I knew you’d fight, Jane. Go get ‘em!

Re the Alito cloture vote, that is voting for Alito before voting against him. Here is what Lieberman said in the Congressional Record:

“On that most divisive and difficult question of abortion, I personally believe that Roe achieved a just balance of rights and reflected a societal consensus that has continued and deepened in our country for more than three decades. I was left with serious concerns that Judge Alito would not uphold the basic tenets of Roe, and that is a very troubling conclusion.
Every time I have voted to confirm a nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, as I have with Justices Souter, Breyer, Ginsburg, and Roberts–two appointed by Republican Presidents and two appointed by a Democratic President–I did so knowing, as we all do, that I was taking a risk because I could never know exactly how the particular Justice would rule on the many cases that would come before him or her in a lifetime on the bench. But I ultimately concluded, based on their records and their testimony, that those four Justices would more likely than not uphold the unique responsibility the Supreme Court has as the most important guardian of freedom, opportunity, and privacy for every single American.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to reach the same conclusion about Judge Alito, and so I will respectfully vote ‘no’ on his nomination.”

(Senate Executive Session - January 26, 2006 S.176)

So Joe really, really meant it, except he didn’t.

Warning to the moderators that be: I’m about to put up a long comment with Joe’s votes in the Senate 109th 2nd session.

Jane

You are SO not alone in your anger. I feel absolutlely betrayed by NARAL. I’m so sick of so-called “liberals” or “progressives” selling out to the highest bidder, hedging their bets against any percieved threat. Thanks for the post.

Great idea, Ghostman! Lamont should just give up before the all-powerful single-issue lobbies, because he cannot possibly prevail against them! Voters are incapable of thinking for themselves, no matter what you tell them, eh? You apparently didn’t notice that Lieberman was already pounding his support from NARAL, in the debate and elsewhere, but for some reason, it hasn’t made it go “right out the window,” and I find it doubtful that the transition from “support” to “endorsement” will make much difference to anyone.

“Right up the middle” — great strategy. Are you sure your name isn’t Ghostshrum?

BTW–what’s the latest on Novakula coming out of his Crypt?
I posted awhile back about Fitz needing to drop the silent act and letting the American voters know that monsters lurk in the daylight. Even Bush just loves Fitz’s quality of staying silent–it helped win him the 2004 election!
Now what if Novak is lying about certain things he did or didn’t do? Is Fitz going to correct him? I guess we may never know, huh. I really am not liking this scenario–it’s too close to November to not let the voters in on what is really going on. There is a major difference between Effort and Result. In 2004, the Effort to maintain integrity of the court and contain leaks produced the Result of aiding BushCo returning to office. What would have been the Result of “hearing” that Scooter was on the hot seat, Bush and Rove lied, Cheney lied…oh, my. President Kerry! Sounded good, anyway.
Jane, Christy–if I’m a little too
Left-of-Left for this TeaParty, you can write me at home and give me the Ned Beatty/NETWORK speech.
Dan

jim in LA nails it, joe is going to be cashing in all of his chips for this one i bet. furthermore, this means that he’ll be even more compromised in future terms since he’s undoubtedly sold out his future for this race.

NARAL and Planned Parethood have gone the way of beltway think…who knew the leadership of the organizations would disregard the obvious and shoot themselves in the head so publically? Kos is right..we need to crash the gates of NARAL and Planned Parenthood..what a stupid sell out. I can only hope the women voters of Connecticut will see through the “I’ll scatch your little war hawk back Lieberman, if you’ll scatch ours.” I wonder what sick deal they were promised. Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!

Look! Condy’s a time traveler

Jeebus.

NARAL and Planned Parethood are hitting “below the beltway” so to speak - what a foul one-two punch that was. For shame, for shame.

Well redshift, you seem a bit angry. I’m just trying to identify a workable plan under the reality that Lamont operates in. As to the all powerful single issue lobbies….that’s interesting. I think it refers to Iraq? What I kept running thru my mind is…who “defined” Iraq and Lamont as a single issue? The R team. And what did Lamont’s team do? They seemed to run away in a defensive posture.

All national polling seems to indicate that Iraq is the #1 issue on people’s minds…and that the public views the Bush/Lieberman position as troubling. I’m not aware of any polling that views Naral issues as keen on the voters minds. But Iraq is. And this is where Lieberman is weak. And so this is where I say to attack Lieberman.

Ghostman

Voting Record of Joseph Lieberman on Selected U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 109th Congress - 2nd Session (2006)

+ Progressive
+/- Neither
- Anti-Progressive

Caveat: Not all votes are equal. Status refers to the status of the motion. Also because the enactment of a law or even a confirmation has more than one step, a representative may vote more than one way on it (Lieberman’s votes on Alito, for example). A representative can vote for a measure knowing it will not succeed (pay as you go amendment), or that the bill containing it will not finish and die with the session’s end (very likely immigration), or that the bill will pass but no longer contain the relevant measure (no examples of this that I know of in the following votes).

+ Voted Against: June 27, 2006. S.J.Res.12 as Amended; A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. Status: Rejected. Vote: 66-34. RC 189. FLAG AMENDMENT

- Voted Against: June 22, 2006. Levin Amdt. No. 4320; To state the sense of Congress on United States policy on Iraq. Status: Rejected. Vote: 39-60. RC 182. IRAQ WITHDRAWAL

- Voted Against: June 22, 2006. Kerry Amdt. No. 4442; To require the redeployment of United States Armed Forces from Iraq in order to further a political solution in Iraq, encourage the people of Iraq to provide for their own security, and achieve victory in the war on terror. Status: Rejected. Vote: 13-86. RC 181. IRAQ WITHDRAWAL

+ Voted Against: June 21, 2006. Enzi Amdt. No. 4376; To promote job creation and small business preservation in the adjustment of the Federal minimum wage. Status: Rejected. Vote: 45-53. RC 180. ANTI-MINIMUM WAGE

+ Voted For: June 21, 2006. Kennedy Amdt. No. 4322; To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 52-46. RC 179. PRO-MINIMUM WAGE

+/- Voted For: June 20, 2006. Nelson (FL) Amdt. No. 4265; To express the sense of Congress that the Government of Iraq should not grant amnesty to persons known to have attacked, killed, or wounded members of the Armed Forces of the United States. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 79-19. RC 178. NARROW NO AMNESTY

+ Voted Against: June 20, 2006. McConnell Amdt. No. 4272 As Modified; To affirm the Iraqi Government position of no amnesty for terrorists who have attacked U.S. forces. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 64-34. RC 177. BROAD NO AMNESTY

+ Voted For: June 20, 2006: Dorgan Amdt. No. 4292; To establish a special committee of the Senate to investigate the awarding and carrying out of contracts to conduct activities in Afghanistan and Iraq and to fight the war on terrorism. Status: Rejected. Vote: 44-52. RC 176. PROFITEERING

- Voted For: June 15, 2006. Santorum Amdt. No. 4234; To authorize, with an offset, assistance for prodemocracy programs and activities inside and outside Iran, to make clear that the United States supports the ability of the people of Iran to exercise self-determination over their form of government, and to make enhancements to the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act of 1996. Status: Rejected. Vote: 46-53. RC 172. REGIME CHANGE

+/- Voted For: June 14, 2006. McCain Amdt. No. 4242; To require regular budgeting for ongoing military operations. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 98-0 RC 170. IRAQ COSTS IN REGULAR BUDGET

+/- Voted For: June 13, 2006. Frist Amdt. No. 4208; To express the sense of Congress that the United States Armed Forces, the intelligence community, and other agencies, as well as the coalition partners of the United States and the Iraqi Security Forces should be commended for their actions that resulted in the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of the al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist organization and the most wanted terrorist in Iraq. Staus: Agreed to. Vote: 97-0. RC 168. DEATH OF ZARQAWI

+ Voted Against: June 8, 2006. Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to Consideration of H.R. 8; Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2005. Status: Rejected. Vote: 57-41. RC 164. ESTATE TAX REPEAL

+ Voted Against: June 7, 2006. Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to the Consideration of S. J. Res. 1; Marriage Protection Amendment. Status: Rejected. Vote: 49-48. RC 164. GAY MARRIAGE

- Voted For: May 26, 2006. Confirmation General Michael V. Hayden, U.S. Air Force, to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 78-15. RC 159. HAYDEN CIA

+ Voted Against: May 26, 2006. Confirmation Brett M. Kavanaugh of Maryland to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the D.C. Circuit. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 57-36. RC 158. KAVANAUGH JUDGE DC CIRCUIT

+ Voted For: May 25, 2006. S. 2611 As Amended; Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 62-36. RC 157. IMMIGRATION

+ Voted For: May 24, 2006. Motion to Table McConnell Amdt. No. 4085; To implement the recommendation of the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform to protect and secure the franchise of all United States citizens from ballots being cast illegally by non-United States citizens. Status: Rejected. Vote: 48-49. RC 142. VOTER SUSPRESSION

- Voted For: May, 22, 2006. Ensign Amdt. No. 4076 as Modified; To authorize the use of the National Guard to secure the southern border of the United States. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 83-10. RC 137. NATIONAL GUARD TO BORDER

- Voted For: May 18, 2006. Cornyn Amdt. No. 4038; To require aliens seeking adjustment of status under section 245B of the Immigration and Nationality Act or Deferred Mandatory Departure status under section 245C of such Act to pay a supplemental application fee, which shall be used to provide financial assistance to States for health and educational services for noncitizens. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 64-32. RC 134. FEES FOR ALIENS

- Vote For: May 18, 2006. Salazar Amdt. No. 4073 As Modified; To declare that English is the common and unifying language of the United States, and to preserve and enhance the role of the English language. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 58-39. RC 132. ENGLISH AS NATIONAL LANGUAGE LITE

+ Voted Against: May 18, 2006. Inhofe Amdt. No. 4064; To amend title 4 United States Code, to declare English as the national language of the United States and to promote the patriotic integration of prospective US citizens. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 62-35. RC 131. ENGLISH AS NATIONAL LANGUAGE HARD

+ Voted Against: May 17, 2006. Sessions Amdt. No. 3979; To increase the amount of fencing and improve vehicle barriers installed along the southwest border of the United States. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 83-16. RC 126. BORDER FENCE

+ Voted For: May 3, 2006. Kennedy Amdt. No. 3688, As Modified; To provide funding to compensate individuals harmed by pandemic influenza vaccine. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 53-46. RC 107. BIRD FLU

+/- Voted For: April 26, 2006. Akaka Amdt. No. 3642 as Amended; To provide an additional $430,000,000 for the Department of Veteran Affairs for Medical Services for outpatient care and treatment for veterans. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 84-13. RC 98. AID TO VETERANS

+Voted Against: April 7, 2006. Motion to Invoke Cloture on Peter Cyril Wyche Flory, to be an Assistant Secretary of Defense. Status: Rejected. Vote: 52-41. RC 92. SUPPORT OF LEVIN OVER FEITH AIDE FLORY

+ Voted Against: March 16, 2006. Domenici Amdt No. 3128; To provide funding for implementing the Energy Policy Act of 2005 from ANWR. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 51-49. RC 72. ANWR

+ Voted For: March 16, 2006. Lieberman Amdt No. 3034; To protect the American people from terrorist attacks by providing $8 billion in additional funds for homeland security government-wide, by restoring cuts to vital first responder programs in the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice, by providing an additional $1.2 billion for first responders, $1.7 billion for the Coast Guard and port security, $150 million for chemical security, $1 billion for rail and transit security, $456 million for FEMA, $1 billion for health preparedness programs, and $752 million for aviation security. Status: Rejected. Vote: 43-53. RC 59. DHS FUNDING

+/- Voted For: March 16, 2006. Burr Amdt No. 3114; To provide for the establishment of a reserve fund concerning pandemic influenza preparedness planning. Status: Agreed To. Vote: 99-1. RC 56. BIRD FLU

+ Voted For: March 16, 2006. Conrad Amdt No. 3133; To increase funding to combat avian flu, increase local preparedness, and create a Manhattan Project-like effort to develop a vaccine to inoculate the U.S. Population against a pandemic by $5 billion in FY 2007 paid for by requiring tax withholding on government payments to contractors like Halliburton. Status: Rejected. Vote: 44-55. RC 55. BIRD FLU

+/- Voted Against: March 16, 2006. H.J.Res.47; A joint resolution increasing the statutory limit on the public debt. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 52-48. RC 54. DEBT LIMIT

+ Voted For: March 14, 2006. Kennedy Amdt. No. 3028; To support college access and job training by: (1) restoring program cuts slated for vocational education, TRIO, GEAR UP, Perkins Loans, and other student aid programs; (2) increasing investment in student aid programs, including increasing the maximum Pell Grant to $4,500; and (3) restoring cuts slated for job training programs; paid for by closing $6.3 billion in corporate tax loopholes. Status: Rejected. Vote: 50-50. RC 39. STUDENT AID

+/- Voted For: March 14, 2006. Conrad Amdt. No. 3013; To fully reinstate the pay-as-you-go requirement through 2011. Status: Rejected. Vote: 50-50. RC 38. DEFICIT REDUCTION

- Voted For: March 1, 2006. H.R. 3199 Conference Report; USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 . Vote: 84-15. RC 28. PATRIOT ACT RENEWAL

+ Voted Against: January, 31, 2006. Confirmation Samuel A. Alito, Jr., of New Jersey, to be an Associate Justice. Status: Agreed to. Vote: 58-42. RC 2. ALITO VOTE

- Voted For: January 31, 2006. Motion to Invoke Cloture On The Nomination of Samuel A. Alito, Jr. of New Jersey, To Be An Associate Justice Of The Supreme Court . Status: Agreed to. Vote: RC 1. ALITO CLOTURE

What all these votes show is pretty much what you might expect, that Lieberman is a hawk on war and defense. His votes on social issues are mixed, but on the big votes like Alito he is more than a little hypocritical. All these votes should also show you how easy it is to vote so often with other Democrats and yet be a conservative when it matters.

Neurophius-
Nice letter. Do you think they made it past the “Rape Gurney” part?
I mean…do you really think they read the rest of it?
If so, do you think the “Rape Gurney” part immediately set off their bias radar to take a position 180 degrees from where you were?
Were they able to mollify their troubled conscience by throwing you and your letter back into the fever swamp in their mind?

“Together we stand, divided we fall” - PF

Redshift

Are you one of those angry bloggers I have heard about? Are you one of those venomous rabid lambs?

new thread — old cons

You can throw Emily’s List on the pyre of good-intentions-gone-to-hell-in-a-hanbasket with NARAL. Here in northern Ohio, Emily & Company railroaded other Dems (on behalf of Betty Sutton) out of the primary race for Sherrod Brown’s old seat with half-truth and no-truth advertising designed to mislead and inflame. I have nothing against Sutton and will vote for her, but she wasn’t really the best of the lot (and there were quite a few!)

I’m sorry to say, but it seems the pro-choice movement is coming unglued at the top. And that is a shame, ’cause they are really needed now.

Thanks Jane. I can’t believe this is 2006. I alternate between wanting to fight and wanting to curl up in a fetal position. One thing for sure, I’ll never donate to NARAL. Thank goodness for your posts. I liked your interview yesterday, too. Thanks soooo much. I know there are so many women who feel the same. You’re a real folk heroine to us all!

neurophius — uh-oh, I guess I’d better schedule a rabies test! *g*

Apparently NARAL bought the silly Lieberman meme that “this is all about the war” and forgot to check his recent statements about how easy it is for rape victims to shop around for emergency contraceptives.

emailed this to NARAL…..

nice job…endorsing Rape Gurney Joe against a real pro-choice candidate like Ned Lamont. NARAL’s leadership has turned into just another bunch of K Street whores who care more about their cocktail weenies than the needs of America’s women….

when one of you is raped, and is denied emergency contraception thanks to Rape Gurney Joe and his friends….maybe you will learn something…

Not to get too tinfoil hat, but you gotta wonder who exactly hired these folks, ’cause they’re doing everything the Republican party would want them to.

To echo RevDeb’s comment (#8) (yes, I’m late to the party again), “[NARAL phone-banker] said something about only fighting battles they can win.”

How the hell does NARAL expect to learn how to fight, or get any better at it (and if you don’t think there’s room for improvement, then you haven’t been paying attention) if it only fights battles it knows it can win?

What the hell is wrong with Washington that it rewards people who don’t just lose, but forfeit so many of the games?

And, speaking of clueless, has anyone out there been listening to Ed Schultz lately? He is using his “progressive” voice to undermine the blogosphere

Lawrence O’Donnell was on Franken doing the same kind of concern troll bullshit saying people who are opposing Lieberman are making a “serious mistake.” There’s going to be a big push from the party poohbahs to have everybody “get on the same page” for november. I say bullshit. Midterm elections are about “the base” giving incumbents their “accountability moment,” not another pointless exercise in trying to woo the mushy middle.
I think certain people should stfu and let this thing take its course.

Ghostman — are you being deliberately obtuse? I’m not “angry,” I just thought your analysis was worthy of mockery, so I applied some.

Pretend for a moment that my remarks were actually addressed to what you said.

As to the all powerful single issue lobbies… that’s interesting. I think it refers to Iraq?

No, it refers to:
No matter how much Mr. Lamont may wish to campaign on women’s issues, he only draws a tie as Lieberman will surely pound these endorsements over and over and over. All the rape-gurney joe stuff, as far as Lamont is concerned, goes right out the window.

and:

He’ll get no further along on this issue as Lieberman will emphasize these endorsements.

You seem to be attributing great power to this endorsement, and basing your strategy recommendation on the conclusion that nothing Lamont can do will have any effect in the face of it.

I think that’s just silly, and without any basis in the facts of how the race has gone so far.

Gotta hop.
See ya’ll tomorrow.

konagod- hang in there, you have good company here!
Frank Probst- I’m thinking Jamaica or Costa Rica, myself.

Is NARAL headquartered in DC? I mean I work downtown DC and was going to head over there to give them a piece of my mind but I can’t find their address on their website. Can anyone helpe me out.

And if you all are really pissed (and if they are headquartered in DC) send me a homemade postcard depicting what you really think about the Liebermann endorsement and I’ll dump them at their office all at once.

redshift, here is what I think is the key quote from you:

“You seem to be attributing great power to this endorsement, and basing your strategy recommendation on the conclusion that nothing Lamont can do will have any effect in the face of it.”

And yes, I do. I think in the mind of the average voter these endorsements will ring loudly. There’s nothing Mr. Lamont can do to cause Naral/PPH to UNendorse Lieberman. So, my strategy is for Mr. Lamont to empasize that he (Lamont) is 100% a-ok on women’s issues…but then move on. Show the average voter where he (Lamont) can be greatly distinguished from Lieberman (Iraq, energy, to name a couple). These issues, I think, are winners for Lamont.

Ghostman

Keep up the pressure, Jane. You’re read by many, and those of us who read you care.

Thank you!

I hope we continue to follow-up on this. I would really like those folks to do some explaining about this. What on earth are they thinking?

On another topic, looks like Bob Novak, aka “prince of darkness” found a buddy in Howard Kurtz.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....00903.html

I stopped my contributions to NARAL over a year ago. Their ethics and behaviour is more like the Republicans every day. Makes me wonder who’s funding them.

NARAL has now become as relevant as the “Wooded Wagon Wheel Society”

Giddyup NARAL!!

Memo to NARAL:

Don’t bring a pillow to a gunfight.

Oh, and one other thing: as to everyone who is firing off angry letters to Naral: right on target. Naral is the real villain here. Naral has made a very uninformed decision. Naral should ABSOLUTELY catch a ration of grief over this. Absolutely.

Ghostman

Holy Joe in January 2003: “…we are here to express our gratitude to NARAL on behalf of American women and men for the constitutional and American values you have fought to protect. We have much to honor tonight, but we have very little time to celebrate. For the fact is that the President and so many in Congress are preparing a fresh assault on the right to choose, probably the most concerted, aggressive attacks we’ve seen since Roe was decided. The right to choose is in real danger from Congress…”. You know: Danger.

Holy Joe’s fundraising for the past three cycles: 2002 - $799,130; 2004 - $423,641; 2006 - $5,906,206. You know: Danger.

Disappointing, infuriating stuff, but not a death knell by any means - recall, the GOP loathes NARAL and Planned Parenthood, so Joe’s fantasy of being a Repub-supported indy just took a hit (I know, I know, we’re looking at the primary right now; I’m cheerleading mostly myself). In any case, any word from Carolyn Treiss (NARAL-CT head/rebel) on this?

Wow! I got busy and missed this whole thread!35 minutes between threads.Me thinks this was a hip shot thread and Ms. Jane is working on a doozy.

Ghostman - thanks for sharing, but since your body doesn’t contain a female reproductive system, I’ll just stick to doing what I know works: calling bullshit wherever I see it. For you to dictate to the rest of us that Ned should not promote himself as the REAL pro-choice candidate is lame. The CT Senate race is all about truth and legitimacy - on every issue. Reproductive rights are, clearly, not of interest to you. But don’t even pretend you know what matters to CT’s women.

And Jane - the email I just sent to NARAL was, shall we say, rather pointed. Planned Parenthood of Seattle will get a phone call from me tomorrow morning. I want their opinion on this stupid action taken by their national office. And I want it on the record.

The server apparently ate my post, and I am now deeply EPU’d, but FWIW, both NARAL and Planned Parenthood endorsed Chafee, too. I’d bet that Sheldon Whitehouse’s campaign wasn’t asked to praticipate in the process, either, even though he called Chafee out on the Alito cloture vote. Apparently the philosophy is to suppport a “ggod enough” — whatever that means — incumbent even if there’s a much better challenger.

That endorsement should be very valuable. After all, NARAL and PP have been so effective at preserving and expanding reproductive rights. NOT.

Am I crazy, or does supporting people like Joe keep NARAL in business? If we have a pro-choice court — for a while — then their reason for being dries up. Endorsing these “on the face” pro-choice people that they know will keep stirring the pot keeps them alive.

One other thing, in case anyone’s around: Yes, Cantwell voted wrong on cloture. But she is in serious danger of losing her seat to a Republican. This isn’t about Cantwell vs. a progressive, folks. Think “Ben Nelson” and support her. We cannot afford to lose that seat.

LisaDawn:

NARAL Pro-Choice America
1156 15th Street, NW Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005

Main Number: 202.973.3000
Main Fax: 202.973.3096

BarbaraB,
Ahh Yes, Can’t well.We have been aware of her predicament.McGavick has made inroads. Maria has not represented us in the Evergreen state as much as we would like.She (rightfully) took a beating for her Alito vote. She has potential, but I see the career politcian syndrome in her.

RBG - thx for the NARAL ph #s.

BTW, I just found out that we have a mutual person in common. I serve with her on the LWV Board and she works on Seattle event stuff.

And she adores you!

Thanks for the heads up Jane.

I contacted NARAL asking for their justification for endorsing Lieberman given his vocal anti-woman stances. I told them how horrified and repulsed I was to find out they endorsed a candiate such as Lieberman over Lamont.

It pisses me off to have to fight not only the neanderthals openly against women but neanderthals claiming to support women.

And maybe shoephone would like to chime in on Maria some.

Hey Shoephone,

Saw her today and she mentioned you as well. Said you did some good work together on that corporate subsidy story.

Still up for dinner with EdwardT some time the week of 7/24?

And yer all thought the Dread Kos was nuts when he went after ’single-issue’ groups in Crashing the Gates….

The only thing these predatory scum care about is the size of their bank balances.

Oh Bustednuckles, if I start in on Maria right now I’ll never get to my 7:30 meeting! But, geez, could she be any more transparent? She BOUGHT OFF Mark Wilson. I was never really supporting him, but I do know that he is solidly more pro-choice than she is. And he totally took her to task for her Alito cloture vote! That is, before he dropped out of the race and took the big bucks (secret amount, so far) to join her campaign. Too many scoundrels to keep up with. I think I feel sick to my stomach.

RBG - yes, I’m still up for dinner with ET. Just email me and let me know the details…

Hope you don’t mind, but I emailed KB the photo Annie took of us. She said it was kind of wierd to see her worlds colliding this way, but she liked it. I’m so glad to be working with her for the next two years.

She mentioned that as well. I think her quote was “I have a photo of you with a woman who isn’t your wife.”

LOL!!

Well, it is all subjective. LIEberman sees “pro-choice” as allowing the rape victim to have the ‘choice’ to go to a neighboring state for medical attention. Apparently, that is OK with NARAL.

If these people are too lazy to check the facts before they endorse, I’m just gonna have to be too lazy to get out my checkbook. There’s just no excuse for that kind of sloppiness, and it just kills their credibiity.

What NARAL and PP are also apparently too stupid to realize is that (1) Lieberman will throw them under the bus as soon as it’s safe to do so and (2) the voters who like Lieberman are probably not likely to pony up any donations, and (3) the ones who would normally be a rich source of cash to fight the good fight are probably never going to give them another dime.

Chalk it up to a spreading case of “Leiberitis,” which is characterized by repeatedly shooting yourself in the same foot you have wedged in your mouth; it’s just unconscionable that NARAL and PP have sold out the cause so casually.

Thanks for the info and for the link to NARAL. Here is what I wrote them:

I just heard that you have endorsed Joe Lieberman against Ned Lamont for the Dem primary Senate race. Can this be true? Joe, who said that women could “take a short taxi ride” to go to another hospital when the one that is treating them is refusing to give them an abortifacient? Are you nuts? I have always been a staunch NARAL $upporter. Have done clinic support, have donated, have been on committees. What is going on with you people? Ned Lamont is strongly pro-choice, and yet you go with Lieberman. Unconscionable! Do not hit me up for any more contributions until you reverse this position.

Well damn! I don’t have much money to contribute but I do send out some green love when I do. I’m running out of charities and advocacy orgs here Jane!

I quit giving to the Red Cross after I found out my Katrina aid went to DC instead.

I quit giving to the Democratic Party after I realized they were willing to throw me under the train a la DOMA, et al.

I quit giving to HRC and NGLTF when they started worrying more about the cocktail weenie circuit than about actual advocay for gay/lesbian/transgender folk.

I now have to quit giving to LifeBeat beacause they are promoting an AIDS fundraising concert featuring 2 reggae artists who advocate executing gay men and lesbians.

I quit giving to the United Way when my local chapter started holding BushCo cheerleading sessions in the run up to the Iraq quagmire and started flagrantly supporting extreme rightwing causes in my area.

I now must quit giving to NARAL and Planned Parenthood without a doubt. This, like all the other instances cited above, is unforgivable.

I’m a laid-back kind of person and I don’t generally hold grudges but I do work damn hard for my money and I will not part with a penny of it prop up these formerly-progressive dinosaurs anymore.

I gave money to Integrity to fund their presence in Columbus, OH last month at the Episcopal General Convention so that at least some progressive, pro-gay, pro-woman, pro-poor working people would be heard.

Maybe I’d be better off just keeping my damn money for myself. Thank gawd for the internets! At least I can have a small, plaintive voice here, thanks to Jane & Christy, since none of the groups I’ve participated in for years seem capable of speaking for me in Washington anymore. What the hell happened? Where is the outrage? Where are the actions? Where is ACT-UP and Queer Nation when you need them? Sigh….

Oh, and another thing.

PP called a couple of weeks ago for $. I had a long chat with the very nice woman, who actually worked for the org and was not just a fund raiser. I told her point blank - I have always piled money on PP, but when you folks didn’t support the filibuster of Alito, you have lost me for now. She tried with the, “but we supported the vote against….” BS, I said, unless you supported the filibuster you were basicially rolling over. Screw that! I will still give money to organizations to save choice and birth-control, but right now PP and NARAL are “dead to me.” OK, so I’m a little dramatic.

After 18 years of laying out the pork is this all Mr. Lieberman has got?

And will Sean Hannity now pimp for NARAL?

But, more to the point, here is a reminder of how ‘Moderate Dem’s’ did things before Roe v Wade.

“And so much for all that. I have to go upstairs and call the hospital. Sandy is in there again with another miscarriage - a real nightmare version, this time, since it puts me head on with the abortion laws. She’s only two months pregnant, but the pain is so bad she can’t stand up….and the pigs say they can’t do a therapeutic abortion. All they do is keep her drugged up on codein and wait for God to work His Will. The D&C operation is as simple as pulling a tooth, but they won’t do it…..and this is Colorado, which recently passed a “liberalized” abortion law. Man, I’m coming to really hate that word ‘liberal’”
Hunter S. Thompson
Letter to Oscar Z. Acosta , March 1970
Reprinted in: The Gonzo Letters Vol II, Simon and Schuster, 2000, pp 286-7.

_____
For an expanded view of this important bit of the ‘almost forgotten’ together with something really dear to the Canucistani heart that is also in danger of disappearing, see this.

Seems like the smart thing to do. If they support Lamont and Lieberman wins, he’s likely to turn against them. If they support Lieberman and Lamont wins, he’ll still support them.

I quit giving to national planned parenthood, and got off their mailing list. I still give to local planned parenthood, in fact, I give them what I used to give national on top of my usual, because they are actually helping people here in town.

…just letting you know that us long time lurkers have fired off e-mails to NARAL as well. For me the real puzzling question is… Why did NARAL or PP have to endorse either candidate until after the primary? It seems a clear indication that they have been bought and/or are being held hostage. FUMING

Bill8–

Your suggestion would be a good one, except….hasn’t Mr. L. already turned against them?

So, if he’s made some sort of behind the scenes deal now, why should they believe he will keep his word six months from now?

.

himom — …just letting you know that us long time lurkers have fired off e-mails to NARAL as well. For me the real puzzling question is… Why did NARAL or PP have to endorse either candidate until after the primary? It seems a clear indication that they have been bought and/or are being held hostage. FUMING

exactly

NARAL

National
A taxi
Ride
Away
League

NARAL

RossK,

Good point. But maybe they’ll still at least have his ear if they support him and he wins — Even if he stabs them in the backs when it’s politically convenient. I can’t see Ned turning on them out of petty vindictiveness, but Joe? pssh.

Bill8

Gotcha….but as Ms Hamsher says…options, why not keep’em open, especially because what they’ve done here will likely stifle debate.

Thus, this clearly does not pass the smell test.

Might be time for some folks to actually buttonhole PP and NARAL folks and ask them, specifically, why they’ve taken this route now.

Jane,
Just remember, Washington (and its lobbyists) is just like Hollywood, except they don’t produce anything entertaini