Howie Klein is going to be in Paraguay for a month which gives me the opportunity to run with scissors in the Blue America palace he has so carefully constructed. This Saturday at 11:00 am we'll be having our very good friend, blogospheric hero Tim Tagaris in for a chat. Tim is a veteran of the Paul Hackett and Ned Lamont campaigns who is currently covering Karen Carter's race against William Jefferson in Louisiana for MyDD. It'll be a great chance to talk about his experiences working on the internet side of these races, and to hear his perspective on what happened in Ohio and Connecticut. So please stop by and make him welcome, he's done incredible work and no doubt he will have many a good tale to tell.
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Thankszedding
sciszeddors!
I answered everyone’s questions about Karen Carter in the previous thread. I just hope everyone will take my responses seriously, as I feel my perspective has been totally ignored.
TIM!
A serious question: Where do liberals, progressives and left of center types stand on the DLC. What good things, if any, does this group do? What not so good things does the DLC do? Are we better off with them or without them? I really don’t know for sure what the answers to these questions are.
Tim! I miss getting to work with you – Mr Tigaris is a nonstop good guy!
Tim’s work at MyDD has been terrific. “Onward after Lamont” is a wonderful approach; I so admire Tim’s energy and dedication.
Is the lad who hacked RGJoe’s site?
hey we have to wait til Saturday for Tim … but it’s gonna be fun to ask him all about the backroom!
Impeach Bush.
Then Impeach Cheney.
Madam President.
http://www.thefilibuster.com
Oklahoma kiddo @ 5
their necks
not their hearts – corporate dollars long ago sclerosed those.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 5
Both Jefferson and Carter are DLC. According to my friends in New Orleans, they feel they really have no choice. They will probably vote for Carter, but they are not very excited about the prospect. The race against Jefferson has been pretty tame. Unfortunately, ABC7 and the Times-Picayune only covered the top 5 candidates, which has made this race less interesting than usual. It also cost some candidates who should have been competitive. Many also feel the outcome of the race has already been determined. In other words, I do not sense much excitement about the race, because the candidates are frankly not that good. But most people do want to boot Jefferson; they just want to boot him with a better candidate.
But booting Jefferson with another is no longer an option, correct? Can we therefore agree on the short term goal achieving Karen’s election? And Ciro’s?
Siun @
9
I personally wanna know if TRex’s crush on Sirota was truly unrequited.
TeddySanFran @
8
Sorry, I couldn’t leave that there without a “*kidding!*” for posterity. Or for Tim, should he read this before coming to BA Saturday. Really, really, really *kidding*.
Too soon?
TeddySanFran @ 13
I can, but I will maintain that the netroots’ last minute intervention was a terrible mistake. But then again, not everyone can understand Louisiana politics. And yes, I reserve my right to think this last minute intervention is just a mistake. If the netroots truly believes in people powered politics, they would not have chosen a candidate who is a machine candidate.
There were many meetings with groups to gain endorsements. One was with an Orleans Parish Organization for Ethics in Politics, and Karen Carter did not show up. But she received the endorsement anyway. As one candidate said, what is the point if this race is a foregone conclusion, and I thought that candidate was right, as do many of my friends.
There are only 2 Democrats in the Louisiana delegation. The third is very important to me, as we have a hard time booting McCrery, Alexander, Baker, Jindal and Boustany. We need charisma, not machine politicians who have let the state party fall into its present, pathetic state. We had the chance, and the state machine blew it again. And it upsets me that those who espouse people powered politics are now serving as an arm of the Democratic machine in Louisiana. So yes, elect her, but understand that this is not the best option, and understand that I believe the intervention is too little too late. The time to intervene was the open primary, not the runoff.
Oklahoma kiddo @
5
I’m with you man. And I don’t know either. The whole, “Against Bush administration, because anything else is insanity,” gets you just that, against Bush. Does the DLC offer anything better? On the surface, I’d have to say yes, but beneath the surface the influence of corporate lobbyists runs deep and greed knows no party boundaries. Where does it leave people who want to see positive action on the environment, health care, education and social programs?
I don’t know about you, but it leaves me grasping for a third alternative; and that’s just not terribly realistic. I voted for Jesse Ventura and I’m still spitting up crow. I guess a better third party candidate, one who wasn’t a self serving narcissist, might make a show of it some day; but, in the meantime I think the best approach is to continue participating in this virtual forum and attempt to alter the Democratic party into what it should be by rights, the party of Jefferson, the party of the people!
Louisiana Girl — to be clear, we’re not endorsing Karen Carter, nor are we adding her to the Blue America page. I think all your concerns are valid and you should show up on Saturday and ask Tim about them.
Jane Hamsher @ 18
I have emailed those who endorsed her, and they do not respond to letters. I sometimes feel they are not concerned with the perspective of those who have been engaged in Louisiana politics. I have volunteered for many campaigns here, including Landrieu’s 1996 squeaker, which was the first election in which I could vote. It saddens me, really, but what can I do? I am just a poor Cajun girl without a website. But that is how the chips fall, I guess.
Howie – Paraguay? hmmmmmmmmm?
I saw the video Tim shot earlier this week in the Ninth, and it amazes me the amount of devastation that still exists down there. I know this country has the means to do more than it currently is doing, seeing as how we’re throwing $2 billion/week on that bonfire we started in Iraq.
How many more election cycles will it take before we get enough people in office who will actually DO something about this?
Ahhhh, the smell of rising bread and watching a bit of Miyazake in a quiet house — Howl’s Moving Castle this evening.
And now I, too, am wondering about TRex and the “unrequited” crush on Sirota. Damn you, Jane. *g*
Louisiana Girl @ 19 I am just a poor Cajun girl without a website. But that is how the chips fall, I guess.
Well you’ve obviously got a computer and even more obviously have a brain. Go on over to teh Blogger and start up a diary. You’ve got the chops.
Trex and Sirota …. ahhhh….
two handsome fellas!
Connecticut Bob @ 21
It is not just the ninth ward. South Plaquemines Parish is totally devestated, as is St. Bernard Parish. South Cameron Parish has also been wiped out.
Blanco did all she could, and many of us understand the administration dragged its feet to humiliate her. Lakeview is basically empty, and blue tarpulines still serves as roofs along the I-10 corridor. I cry every time I drive into New Orleans; it is just not right. It has been over a year, and very little has happened. The lower nine is just the beginning. Perhaps you should come and see for yourself.
Although isn’t Sirota married? Or am I misremembering?
Christy Hardin Smith @
26
Yeah I think that finally crushed the poor therapod’s heart.
I’m stoked about BlueAmerica08. I happened to be in the middle of an email exchange with Howie when he’d just finished getting it set up and I got to Christen it with the first $50. Quite the privilege.
I can’t wait to see the process unfold for the BlueAmerica netroots to choose their grassroots candidates and fire them up early.
Nate @ 28
I am sure that when Howie returns from Paraguay he will be re-energied and ready to do just that. We’re assuming I haven’t been playing with matches again and burned the place down by then, tho.
oops… Sorry, was off topic with this so I’m editing it.
I have to get ready and go to my Aunty’s for the night. We will be taking this old FDR Demo warhorse to Lawton in the morning for a two turkey, baked ham and brisket day. Sans politics. I just want to say on behalf of the old girl and myself: Please have a great and SAFE Thanksgiving Day!!!
Jane Hamsher @ 27
Paleontologist have theorized that the terrible lizards had secondary hearts in their tails….!!!???
Louisiana Girl @ 19
Louisiana Girl, how about a blog? Easy to do and would be a good place for you to organize all your info, links, etc so that people could see and judge for themselves. If you want, contact me at my blog (click on my name) and we can talk more via e-mail or phone.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 26
Here in SF, “married” seems less than a valid predictor of proclivities.
Of course, working in public health may skew my perspective a tad ;)
Jane – I’m impressed that Howie left the keys with you!
johnSwifty @ 32
But now we know why they’re nearly extinct.
Jane Hamsher @ 29
Or perhaps lit it up!
I’m pumped… Can’t wait to kick the tires and light the fires on BlueAmerica Part II.
We gotta a good sequel slogan yet? :)
kirk at 34 — LOL — I have the same problem with “alleged” criminals. Occupational hazard, I suspect. ;-)
Nate at 37 — I’ve been thinking “Jackasses need not apply.” What do you think?
Turkey ready to go, check.
Dressing done, check.
Wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving, oops.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all. May the food be good and the company pleasant.
HotFlash @ 33
Okay. What do you have in mind? Louisiana politics in general, or do you want to target someone specifically? Alexander and McCrery can be made vulnerable with enough work. The 2007 races are not yet set, and I am not sure what is happening in District 7. District 1 will be vacant now that Jindal will run for Governor, and Baker has never been challenged, although his votes on the Voting Rights Act could turn out big opposition, as his district is 36% African-American. What are you thinking?
I need a special keyboard cover for the kitchen…)
Love you pups, FDL, Blue America and all we strive for.
Louisiana Girl,
Click on my name and then click on the thing that says “Get Your Own Blog” on top, it’s FREE! It’s also what FDL started with ; )
Christy Hardin Smith @ 38
I’ve wondered if professional education isn’t mostly a fancy way to learn to keep a straight face at work… ;-)
Christy Hardin Smith @ 39
That works!
Can we include spineless wimps and corporate whores in with that exclusion too?
kirk murphy @ 44
Straight face…I get it. Punaise will be miffed!
New head of Marines quoted on AC360 as saying the Marines can’t keep going …
W in Jordan? Dick in Saudi?
it’s too weird tonight
Siun @ 47
Is that legal over there?
Looking forward to it.
Welcome, Tim. I have a tale or two to tell myself.
EDP – good question
Then again, the Saudis seem most congenial with anything related to Carlyle money
Probably just waiting to do a big photo op drop with a turkey in Iraq tomorrow.
Eureka Springs, AR @ 51
Yeah, because that worked so well the first time.
NY Bri! How you doin’?
Haven’t seen you in a while – it would be good to hear the tale.
Eureka Springs, AR @ 51
The Big Guy: “Sure as God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.”
Eureka Springs, AR @ 51
Do we think it could have anything to do with oil?
johnSwifty @ 54
Les Nessman’s finest hour.
EvilDrPuma @ 56
I’m going to have to ammend my list from Christy’s post earlier to include WKRP
Bri!
Siun @
53
Been a bit busy running for something. Good to be back doing some blogging and catching up. Good to see you, Siun.
newtonusr @
58
New!
Louisiana Girl — what Cozumel, HotFlash said. To some extent, your efforts here aren’t going to be as effective as setting up your own blog. Your blog will attract people in LA who’ll be looking for info on the race; here, at FDL, you have to hope that other LA folks will trip in and catch you.
I think you also have the impression that a webpage is different from a blog; they aren’t, except that a blog’s content is posted by date and webpage’s content is generally fairly static. Posting a blog can accomplish the same thing as having a website, with the added bonus of being personal and easy to do on one’s own.
There are numerous free blog host companies, like Xanga; I use Blogger, as does Cozumel. In my experience, Blogger is indexed (more readily searchable by search engines) than some other free blog host sites like Xanga. This is important if you want to be heard.
You can find Blogger here:
http://www.blogger.com/start
You can also look for blog hosting/software providers at Wikipedia (scroll down to bottom of page for a list).
Once you get your blog launched, you need to work on promotion. Register with Meetup and post a message on Louisiana Meetup message boards promoting your site. Check to see if local Democratic Party sites and other progressive organizations have blogrolls of local bloggers. Look for other progressive bloggers in LA, especially those in blog rings; offer to cross-promote their site at yours if they will blogroll you.
And enlist others you already know in LA who don’t have blogs to start blogs of their own; blogroll each other.
Time’s a wasting.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 55
For Dick it would be less the lubricants and more the chance to torture some heretics…
his favorite aphrodisiac.
Rayne @ 61
Hardly, look at the veritable fount of knowledge she just tapped into. You rock!
kirk murphy @ 62
Remember that Seinfield where George discovered food and sex, in combo. Imagine Dick, contemplating waterboarding with petroleum products…ooeww, second thought, don’t!
Do we think it could have anything to do with oil?
johnSwifty @
63
Rayne gives great advice. A year ago to the month I found Crooks & Liars blog. Thanks to C&L I found FireDogLake. 2 months later I had my own blog. 6 months later I was a fully committed member of Team BlueAmerica and moved back to the mainland to join a Congressional campaign.
With your own blog, you can be your own media network. You can target it at wherever you want to focus your attention. You can “get the word out”. You can effect change. You can use it as a force for good.
You can make a difference!
My one year journey into the blogosphere has forever changed my life for the better. Don’t hold yourself back at just commenting if you have so much to say. Get your voice out their with your own published work and good people will find it. And probably a few trolls too! :)
johnSwifty — ain’t no thang. Just been around the block a few times now.
If she gets that far, checks off all those items before TTagaris this weekend, she’ll be ready to ask the BIG questions and get some serious content for her site to boot.
As I said, time’s a wasting. I’ve got setting up a customized blog down to 1 hour flat, but a newbie may need 4 to 8 hours to work out all the bugs and press all the buttons. That doesn’t include the other promotional leg work; if she gets into an established ring or network, she’ll be able to make some serious waves in short shrift. Might not change the outcome of the current race (between the lesser of two evils, as I see it), but she can hold the winner’s feet to the fire for their term.
And perhaps expand her reach in the future. I can count on access to a Governor and a couple of Senators, because of the same kind of leg work; I wouldn’t have this access if I didn’t blog.
p.s. And as Cozumel noted, Jane’s little blog started on Blogger.
She done good. Damned good.
EPUd from the last thread but FWIW here’s a list of Democrats who voted for both the Bankruptcy Bill and the Military Commissions Act.
Robert Andrews (NJ-1st)
Melissa Bean (IL-8th)
Sanford Bishop (GA-2nd))
Dan Boren (OK-2nd)
Leonard Boswell (IA-3rd)
Allen Boyd (FL-2nd)
Ben Chandler (KY-6th)
Bud Cramer (AL-5th)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28th)
Artur Davis (AL-7th)
Lincoln Davis (TN-4th)
Chet Edwards (TX-17th)
Bob Etheridge (NC-2nd)
Harold Ford (TN-9th)
Bart Gordon (TN-6th)
Stephanie Herseth (SD-At-Large)
Brian Higgins (NY-27th)
Tim Holden (PA-17th)
Jim Matheson (UT-2nd)
Mike McIntyre (NC-7th)
Charlie Melancon (LA-3rd)
Mike Michaud (ME-2nd)
Dennis Moore (KS-3rd)
Collin Peterson (MN-7th)
Earl Pomeroy (ND-At-Large)
Mike Ross (AR-4th)
John Salazar (CO-3rd)
David Scott (GA-13th)
John Spratt (SC-5th)
John Tanner (TN-8th)
Gene Taylor (MS-4th)
I’ve said this before but I’d like to see BlueAmerica use some of it’s influence to keep wayward Dems in line. Perhaps listing all Dems coming up for reelection in 2008 and giving them a “Lamont Score” based on a) degree of support for progressive causes, b) avoidance of K Street coziness, and c) avoiding participation in deals and schemes that reflect poorly on the Democratic party. Those with low Lamont scores would be “flagged” for a primary challenge with funding from BlueAmerica.
Of course there may not be a progressive candidate to take the incumbent on but the threat alone might induce some behavior modification.
Rayne,
I stopped even looking at mine around April! LOL It wasn’t really a blog, just MSM news articles mainly. I checked yours the other day and am still LMAO about Fried Green Al Qaedas!
Bwahahahaha!
Rayne @
67
Something tells me you could get your point accross with a couple of soup cans and some twine. I’ll say it again, you rock.
Gotta go. Peace all. Out, here.
The New Democrat Coalition (NDC) is basically a group of DLC Dems. They are pro-business and vote for bills such as NAFTA as well as the bankruptcy bill. Blue Dogs are a group of conservative, mostly Southern Dems who tend to vote the same way. There are quite a few Dems who belong to both groups.
Below is the list from the last thread of Dems who voted for the bankruptcy bill, I have added indicators for membership in these groups.
From Common Dreams:
How Did Your Representative Vote?
Yea 302/Nay 126/Not Voting 7-
The 73 Democrats Who Sold Out Consumers
Robert Andrews (NJ-1st)*
Joe Baca (CA-43rd)Blue Dog
Brian Baird (WA-3rd) NDC
Melissa Bean (IL-8th)*Blue Dog
Marion Berry (AR-1st)Blue Dog
Sanford Bishop (GA-2nd))*Blue Dog
Dan Boren (OK-2nd)*Blue Dog
Leonard Boswell (IA-3rd)*Blue Dog
Rick Boucher (VA-9th)
Allen Boyd (FL-2nd)*Blue Dog
Dennis Cardoza (CA-18th)Blue Dog
Ed Case (HI-2nd)DNC Blue Dog
Ben Chandler (KY-6th)*Blue Dog
Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5th)
Jim Cooper (TN-5th)Blue Dog
Jim Costa (CA-20th)Blue Dog
Bud Cramer (AL-5th)*Blue Dog
Joseph Crowley (NY7th)NDC
Henry Cuellar (TX-28th)*
Artur Davis (AL-7th)*NDC
Jim Davis (FL-11th)NDC
Lincoln Davis (TN-4th)*Blue Dog
Chet Edwards (TX-17th *
Bob Etheridge (NC-2nd *
Harold Ford (TN-9th *NDC Blue Dog
Charlie Gonzalez (TX-20th)
Bart Gordon (TN-6th)*
Al Green (TX-9th)
Jane Harman (CA-36th)NDC Blue Dog
Stephanie Herseth (SD-At-Large)*NDC Blue Dog
Brian Higgins (NY-27th)*NDC
Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15th)
Tim Holden (PA-17th)*Blue Dog
Darlene Hooley (OR-5th)
Steny Hoyer (MD-5th)
Steve Israel (NY-2nd)NDC Blue Dog
William Jefferson (LA-2nd)
Ron Kind (WI-3rd)NDC
Rick Larsen (WA-2nd)NDC
Jim Matheson (UT-2nd)*Blue Dog
Carolyn McCarthy (NY-4th)NDC
Mike McIntyre (NC-7th)*NDC Blue Dog
Kendrick Meek (FL-17th)
Gregory Meeks (NY-6th)NDC
Charlie Melancon (LA-3rd)*
Bob Menendez (NJ-13th)
Mike Michaud (ME-2nd)*Blue Dog
Alan Mollohan (WV-1st)
Dennis Moore (KS-3rd)*NDC Blue Dog
Jim Moran (VA-8th)NDC
John Murtha (PA-12th)
Solomon Ortiz (TX-27th)
Ed Pastor (AZ-4th)
Collin Peterson (MN-7th)*Blue Dog
Earl Pomeroy (ND-At-Large)*Blue Dog
David Price (NC-4th)NDC
Nick Rahall (WV-3rd)
Silvestre Reyes (TX-16th)
Mike Ross (AR-4th)*Blue Dog
Steven Rothman (NJ-9th)
Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-2nd)
John Salazar (CO-3rd)*Blue Dog
Allyson Schwartz (PA-13th)NDC
David Scott (GA-13th)*NDC Blue Dog
Ike Skelton (MO-4th)
John Spratt (SC-5th)*
Ted Strickland (OH-6th)
John Tanner (TN-8th)*Blue Dog
Ellen Tauscher (CA-10th)NDC Blue Dog
Gene Taylor (MS-4th)*Blue Dog
Mike Thompson (CA-1st)Blue Dog
David Wu (OR-1st)NDC
Albert Wynn (MD-4th)
I added asterisks to the ones who (According to this WaPo page) also voted for the Military Commissions Act.
OT: A good sign that the Republicans are worried about 2008 is when they start eating their own via the “liberal” media.
Yeah, that must be it.
Goodnight and happy T-day johnSwifty!
Sleep tight, don’t the DLC bugs bite, and just before you close your eyes remember:
[tick, tick, tick sez the metronome]
“I will not dream about…
johnSwifty @ 64
Sweet [crude] dreams…. :)
I posted an expurgated list of Dems who voted for both the Bankruptcy bill and the Military Commissions Act that included links to their WaPo profiles. But it appears to be stuck in moderation due to all the links.
MayDaze — excellent work there, good stuff. Keep that someplace handy. Gotta’ blog? ;-)
Cozumel — Heh. That Mark Hoback of FGaQ is da’ bomb, isn’t he? One of the most creative folks that ever joined the Salon.com blogs.
Don’t know if anyone notice but while the Kansas Dem. Dennis Moore voted for the Military Commissions Act, the Kansas Repub Jerry Moran voted against it. He’s a conservative member of a Mennonite church (albeit pacificism light, Mennonite Brethren) but still, I was quite impressed to see a Kansan Republican rear up and reject this one. Sort of snuck through in the night and not many seemed to have noticed the principled stance on this issue.
Niters, johnSwifty. Soup cans and string, no.
Blunt objects, yes.
Occasionally sharp ones, too.
Louisiana Girl @ 41
I’m saying you should set up a blog for this Ciro race, and to talk about Karen Allen, too. You know a ton of tuff about it, obviously. Many of us posters have blogs, little ones (not like FDL), where we put up stuff tht is important to us in a way that’s more permanent than a post on a thread. It’s free, like a hotmail account. If you haven’t done it before, I can help. Go here (my blog) and leave your e-mail in a comment (I’ll scrub it as soon asI’ve read it) and I’ll get back to you right now.
Rayne,Nate,others:
I read your comments to Louisiana Girl about setting up a blog, and they are very timely for me. I am interested in setting up my own blog and would welcome whatever additional advice I can get. Do you have ways on your sites for me to get in touch with you (e-mail address or comments)?
Look at #71 and think what publicly-financed elections would mean…
Brownandserve-waiting for your update!
Nice work.
NZ Expat:
Do you have a Kansas connection?
Meanwhile, it is approaching the dinner hour of an ordinary spring Thursday here and no, I didn’t find a turkey…didn’t look hard, though. I’ll see what I can find for the weekend, but it may be a big fat chicken. The sun is up early, the spring birds are saturating the air with morning song, the roses are rich and fragrant, honeysuckle (the flower, not turkey) blooms. Saw 51 black swans on the lake this morning on my morning walk.
So no turkey and very, very thankful. Love the tradition, love the holiday, and grateful that gratitude is my antidote against loneliness, dislocation, and despair. Practicing it regularly (especially with regard to scent, sound and taste)helps me be alive in the present moment and preserve calm and hope.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you wise and funny people.
newtonusr @ 80
YES! (to both – thanks brownandserve. Hope you watch out for microwaves and keep that spf protection handy.)
neurophius – I was just about to write you….yes, taught at KU since 89….been down here in NZ since Jan of 06. Will be sending my son to finish h.s back in Lawrence shortly. I’ll probaby have to follow him back there in spring to supervise his last year (school in rural NZ not a good match) and then hope to return here to watch the black swans and cygnets….
Are you in Lawrence?
BTW, speaking of BlueAmerica-
Hastert adrift?
Go again, John Leasch!
Rayne @ 75
No, Rayne, I’m way too lazy to try to write everyday – or even every week. I just comment here when the mood strikes. I am amazed, though, you can set one up in an hour?!
(I guess I better repost this without the links.)
EPUd from the last thread but FWIW here’s a list of Democrats who voted for both the Bankruptcy Bill and the Military Commissions Act.
Robert Andrews (NJ-1st)
Melissa Bean (IL-8th)
Sanford Bishop (GA-2nd))
Dan Boren (OK-2nd)
Leonard Boswell (IA-3rd)
Allen Boyd (FL-2nd)
Ben Chandler (KY-6th)
Bud Cramer (AL-5th)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28th)
Artur Davis (AL-7th)
Lincoln Davis (TN-4th)
Chet Edwards (TX-17th)
Bob Etheridge (NC-2nd)
Harold Ford (TN-9th)
Bart Gordon (TN-6th)
Stephanie Herseth (SD-At-Large)
Brian Higgins (NY-27th)
Tim Holden (PA-17th)
Jim Matheson (UT-2nd)
Mike McIntyre (NC-7th)
Charlie Melancon (LA-3rd)
Mike Michaud (ME-2nd)
Dennis Moore (KS-3rd)
Collin Peterson (MN-7th)
Earl Pomeroy (ND-At-Large)
Mike Ross (AR-4th)
John Salazar (CO-3rd)
David Scott (GA-13th)
John Spratt (SC-5th)
John Tanner (TN-8th)
Gene Taylor (MS-4th)
I’ve said this before but I’d like to see BlueAmerica use some of it’s influence to keep wayward Dems in line. Perhaps listing all Dems coming up for reelection in 2008 and giving them a “Lamont Score” based on a) degree of support for progressive causes, b) avoidance of K Street coziness, and c) avoiding participation in deals and schemes that reflect poorly on the Democratic party. Those with low Lamont scores would be “flagged” for a primary challenge with funding from BlueAmerica.
Of course there may not be a progressive candidate to take the incumbent on but the threat alone might induce some behavior modification.
NZ Expat @ 82
I just got back from the butcher with my pre-ordered turkey for tonight; more ex-pat Americans there doing the same than I’ve run into in a year.
Happy Thanksgiving to all, whatever time zone you’re in.
My husband has been down in Christchurch, so I knew he wouldn’t be back in time for tonight. I’m sort of holding off on the weekend….we’ve had so many rainy weekends that if it is sunny, I didn’t want to spend it cooking. There’s a little alpine lake that needs me if the sun is shining. Sixteen year old son (I can hear him chewing his way through the kitchen right now) can’t see the logic of that.
NZ Expat – Black swans? Sounds majestic indeed. So does your gratatude.
NZ Expat @ 84
NZ– I am in Topeka, but used to live in Lawrence and spent a lot of time there in grad school the last few years. Active in politics both places.
petedownunder @ 88
Happy Thanksgiving petedownunder and NZ Expat. Hope the live and cooked birds bring you both joy!
ExPat, my Aussie friend (I know, I know)had two Scottish grandmothers. They would try to outdo one other at traditional British Christmas. He had not one but two goose dinners to eat at the height of summer. Silly!
Sounds like you have a lovely place in the world.
I’m headed to the US in a week or so to testify in a trial. Quite strange to think of re-entering the US. I’m not looking forward to the hype, well about everything, but particularly Christmas. I’ll be back here for a beach Christmas.
Funny how the iconography of the colonists colors Christmas still. Cards with pictures of snowmen, etc. I think Santa in sandals captures the reality here a bit better.
My best prep for Christmas was a five day quiet trip on the Alaska Ferry, from Haines (I think)on Dec. 20 to Seattle, docking in Seattle on Christmas morning. It was dark, quiet trip down the Inside Passage. The first signs of Christmas were some holiday lights in Campbell River, British Columbia as we were silently gliding by. Oh, the wonder and peace of it.
Thanks for the turkey! (I like your site…now I have another place to visit.) (Got to get away from the computer, got to….)
NZ Pat – have a good day! and thanks for the note about the Mennonite Repub … important to see some faith based push back to torture.
Thanks Kirk – same to you and yours.
NZ Expat, I’m back to the States next week too, but more used to re-entry as I do it every six weeks. The Christmas hype is hard to take. Received an X-Mas card last year of Santa in swimmers on surf board at Sufer’s Paradise, that’s the way to go.
petedownunder – where do you go? I’m headed to Seattle. I’ll be testifying about something that happened on Oct. 3, 1979. In the deposition, they asked what I was wearing that day? What? I’ve shed and multiplied my body several times since then. Am I even the same person?
Seattle in December can be dark and wet. I expect it to be a bit of a shock.
There is a bonus, however. I never thought I would see my mother again, and I will stop in Ca and see her once more (if she lives another two weeks that is). She won’t know it is me, but she will know that I am someone that she loves and that, my friends, is Christmas and Thanksgiving and more.
(I think the US is tucked in bed). Or is there another thread?
NZ Expat @ 98
NZ Expat, I so hope and pray your mother is there for your visit.
NZ Expat @ 98
I go to San Francisco, I have a home in Marin County, my mum lives in Sacramento so I’ll see her as well.
I think the US has gone to bed dreaming of sugar plums or turkeys or something.
I’m a lawyer myself (both US and OZ ) so good luck with your testimony. Be sure to read that deposition twice before you testify.
Take care.
Late Night is upstairs. See ya there
I’ll take all the legal advice I get. I expect I’ll have some time to read it during the flight. I’m just a wee tiny cog in the whole thing; I purposely didn’t try to find out much about this. I’m going to say what I remember and what I read in the original police report, and let the lawyers decide what they are going to do with it. I’ve been out of the Pacific Northwest since 1985; I was shocked that they even found me (no phone number under my name, etc.). The detective said, “Maam, I’m a detective. I find people.” in the best sort of laconic manner. I was duly impressed, but unconvinced that I needed to come. But the prosecutor wants me and I shall go.
Kirk Murphy…thanks for the kind thoughts. We are on bonus time here, and for that, I’m grateful.
Oops, looks like I returned too late, will check upstairs for you folks.
Louisiana Girl @
25
If I ever get to visit my friend who lives near Hammond, I’ll get a chance to see for myself.
EvilDrPuma @
56
OK, now I know what I want for Christmas! I dearly loved that show. Thanks, EDP.