Login HereYesterday the spouse and I went to the Washington County Fair just east of the Twin Cities. It's a nice little county fair of the sort you'd expect from a suburb/exurb of a major metropolitan area. One of the big draws: The tandem horse pull.
Hey, what can I say? I may be a city girl, but I'm only a generation removed from the soil.
Oh, and to repeat what Christy posted below: It’s time to hit the phone lines, boys and girls. The House will be taking up the FISA legislation — and I refuse to allow the Constitution and probable cause to go down without a fight. So let’s hit the phones, shall we? (H/T to katymine for the numbers)
1 (800) 828 - 0498
1 (800) 459 - 1887
1 (800) 614 - 2803
1 (866) 340 - 9281
1 (866) 338 - 1015
1 (877) 851 - 6437
Please take some time today to call your elected representative and tell them that you don’t trust the Bush Administration, and neither should they. And while you are at it, let the leadership know that as well:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, (202) 225-4965
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, (202) 225-4131
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County and state fairs can really be OK. Oklahomans love fairs and bein’ close to the dirt. ;0)
I learnt to plow behind horses and well remember when the first tractor came to our area. Our horses knew what they were doing so did not need a lot of input, especially from a a raw youth.
A more peaceful time from my memories. I enjoy going to our local fair and seeing these giant, gentle, beasts doing their thing and they do not need bloody oil bought by too many deaths to fuel them.
I did some volunteer work at the 4H Fair last week, It was fun.
MN. on a stick:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-5Lr2IhB_o
OT The Fisa fiasco last night was a clear indication that the Democrats either do not have the majority or are not ruthless enough to hold the majority in crucial instances. The idea of bowing to the evil ba**ard in the WH is beyond my understanding. A total caving in to this incredibly dishonest, traitorous group is so out of range of my comprehension I have no idea what to do. Phone calls, emails and land based letters obviously no effect. A revolution is needed to counteract the coup. I am absolutely furious with the lot of them.
My favorite is mule jumping.
It has to be seen to be believed.
My Grandfather farmed with horses until 1945 and I think he was never the same after tractors arrived.(near Comfrey Minnesota)
He had a team so well trained that they would mow 20 acres of hay by themselves. He farmed till he was 75 by which I was 10. The saddest day of my life at that point was the farm sale in 1964. Thanks for the memories PW!
Good morning Phoenix Woman!
nomolos @ 5
Did you call them?
1 (800) 828 - 0498
1 (800) 459 - 1887
1 (800) 614 - 2803
1 (866) 340 - 9281
1 (866) 338 - 1015
1 (877) 851 - 6437
Please take some time today to call your elected representative and tell them that you don’t trust the Bush Administration, and neither should they. And while you are at it, let the leadership know that as well:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, (202) 225-4965
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, (202) 225-4131
Phoenix Woman @ 9
I sure did, or tried anyway, answering machines are not good conversationalists. I also sent email to my Congressperson.
Prospero @ 6
Ah. Here it is.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kO-ULQOzV6s
Is this a great war or what?
Sheiks as ‘Security Contractors’ for U.S.
In Iraq, a Perilous Alliance With Former Enemies
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....id=topnews
nomolos @ 10
Call the third number down, and this ask to talk to Betty McCollum. Betty McCollum’s staffers are around and talking to people — and they’re astonished at what’s happening.
According to McCollum’s staffer, the bill version Bush most wants — the one giving AGAG oversight — is the one least likely to pass.
Prospero @ 11
Oooh! Nice!
any connection between the picture of dumb animals at the top and the plea to call Congresscritters?
edit: no offense meant to lovers of real animals
Well, I have to take off for a bit. Hang out here or with Christy and do ring up a few numbers in between looking at the pretty horsies and OK Kiddo’s Minnesota State Fair video!
jayt @ 15
Heh!
When you call, tell ‘em people are talking “primary challengers”.
PW - you are a powerhouse! I think you’re single-handedly holding down FDL here. (no aspersions against the fine folks who are also on board, but Our Girl From Minnesota is going the extra mile here!)
both machines are of course full. what else can we do?
Well I just read S.1927.ES at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/thomas
It’s a short read and obviously dangerous. Feingold is correct… they are simply trying to suspend the constitution and hand over enormous powers to the DNI and AG.
Called worthless Maloney (D-NYC). Person answering phone was clerk, not legislative aide, none of whom were around. So he took my message that she should not vote for any measure giving President Bush power to do warrantless wiretapping. With that, and a subway card, I can get around the city. Off the email the (laughingly-referred-to-as) leaders.
dexx @ 19
email. I usually use the C-SPAN website as my starting point.
Sending snail mail would be more dramatic,but these days I think the DHS holds all congresscritter mail because of all the anthrax scares after 9/11.(and btw,WHY doesn’t anyone pursue that mystery? People did die from that)It’s too bad,because there’s alot of things one could send via the mail for dramatic effect(personally I was thinking fishnet stockings and cheap lipstick).
Well, the Media Player just shuffled “Not Ready to Make Nice” and the theme from the Soprano’s back-to-back, so I guess that’s my sign to get busy.
as advised above, i called Betty McCollum’s office and spoke to a saffer as well. i thanked them for actually working and had a nice conversation where i of course expressed my anger about this fisa situation and had a nice long conversation which i then had to end lest my rage at the “dlc” wing of the democratic party boil over and disgrace me on the phone.
sigh…
anangryoldbroad @ 23
How about post cards w/ pictures of the lipstick and fishnets telling them to quit trying to dress up the pig?
To assume that it is a lack of spine on the part of some Democrats is false, these decisions reflect their beliefs.
How about postcards that call for “primary challengers.”
It’s getting time to stop “making nice.”
dakine01 @ 26
Snail mail to D.C. office does get held up - not to the local offices though. Problem is, (at least with my Sen’s), the local offices don’t seem to give a damn about national issues, just local stuff.
Post cards get straight through to D.C. though.
I called and spoke to an answering machine - which I suspect will have little impact. But I did it anyway to make myself feel better.
We need to stop kidding ourselves about this Democratic Congress. They will do nothing to stop BushCo. Hell, they can’t stop enabling him, let alone stopping him.
How about postcards with Osama on them with the words “I won. You surrendered to George Bush. How noble of you.”
An ACLU person was quoted in the WaPo today describing the Democrats as Pavlovian: Bush says “terrorism” and they roll over and play dead.
It is appalling.
YK2 streaming panel is talking about New Orleans. My heart is breaking again.
Is the Senate now finished, and off to vacation?
There’s nothing on C-Span from the Senate this morning - just the House.
EllenG @ 30
It’s past time to stop electing millionaires into office. Being a Public Servant doesn’t mean the public is your servant. All of our Senators are millionaires,most of the House is. That,IMO is a HUGE part of the problem. It’s about protecting asses and fortunes,none of which are OURS.
oddmommy @ 32
It is. We have ABSOLUTELY NO proof that there is today a terrorism threat … except what these LIARS are telling us.
We only know what LIARS are telling us. And Congress believes these LIARS!
I am so sick of this shit.
And the threats that they do “expose” to us are laughable entrapments of clueless adventurists.
Reid’s D.C. mailbox is full.
Looks like, after going to his web-site, the Senate *is* supposed to be in session later today.
not that we need it but, if you want to get fired up just go watch the video of Howard Dean’s speech to Yearly Kos.
as for farming and draft animals, my grandfather was a share cropper and toll gate keeper in north alabama where he plowed with mules before he moved his family to knoxville, tennessee in a wagon. my mother who was four at the time always had a fear of water as they had to ford a stream that was deep enough to come up into the wagon during the journey.
most every saturday there was a “mule day” in columbia, tennessee where they sold, bargained and traded mules. i don’t know when they stopped having it but imagine it was in the early fifties. i saw a few of those events when i was a kid …….
OT, in yesterday’s WaPo EJ Dionne pointed out that Ykos and by inference the blogs are a tool for motivating. It’s time now for YKos and other progressive blogs to begin to motivate people to get out on the streets to apply pressure directly to Congress. If one reads history, it’s astounding to see how opposition parties in the Reichstag rolled over bit by bit to the demands of Hitler. The opposition thought that the time to resist lay off in the future when the political situation would be more to their advantage. By the time they tried to do anything it was too late. The Reichstag had become irrelavent. This is what is happening in Washington today. If the blogs are going to have any effect then they have to considere adopting the tactic of direct action. Get people off their asses and out into the streets!
I called Chris Murphy’s office, and they said he is still considering the bill and taking calls. So please, anyone of his constituents from CT, call now.
Pelosi’s D.C. mailbox is full.
Democrats have become as corrupt as Republicans. They both bank on us voting as reflexive partisans and as long as we do there will be no meaningful change. IMHO if this nation is to be rescued it will be a third party that does it.
anangryoldbroad @ 35
The problem is that you have to be rich to afford to run for Congress — if you’re not, you’re forced to suck up to the rich to get campaign money.
The solution? Taking the money out.
I cannot phone in, but I have been emailing like crazy. GRRRR!!!!
Comparison of the 109th (GOP) and 110th (Dem) Congresses
fdl reader @ 36
So if they were able to discern this alleged terrorist threat with the powers they now have, why do they need more powers? Hmmm?
So, what’s on the docket today (literally)? Is the FISA update over to the House?
Anybody have a sense of Rep. Gillebrand (NY) as far as principles, courage, and beholdenness (is that a word?)?
Phoenix Woman @ 44
Amen. Can’t happen fast enough. But we’re going to have to get collectively mad enough to override the power those with money are wielding at present. Bah!
Senator Bayh’s (who also rolled over) mailbox still has room, though I just used up some of it.
Pelosi’s email is sf.nancy@mail.house.gov
To get to Reid, I had to go thru webform. Got autoreplys from both.
Oh, and if you want to vent at Klobuchar, her campaign office number is 1 888 714 2006.
also in the Post today (style section) some drivel about how the poor old congresscritters all can’t wait to go on recess. Seems they’re all tired and bummed out and want their mommies. Boo-fucking-hoo.
Phoenix Woman @ 52
I am surprised by her vote. Any explanation?
Great column from the Star Tribune: LINK
Phoenix Woman @ 52
Just left her a piece of my mind, concluding with: netroots will find better candidates in the future if you’re going to vote the way you did on FISA.
eCAHNomics @ 51
I hate being reduced to sending e-mails only.
Hi guys!
I’m in the front row for Hillary!!! I’ll get pictures up later. TexB is teaching me how. I know a lot of you don’t like Hillary, but I can’t tell you how excited I am! (Don’t tell RevDeb…)
I still haven’t seen TRex, and I have his birthday present.
More of Coleman’s column:
My husband and I both called Mike Arcuri’s office and encouraged him to vote NO on the Senate version of FISA coming down to them and to stand tall against the Administration and support the Constitution. We both got to speak to real staffers in his office (and we both thanked them a lot for being there to answer our calls). I also emailed Pelosi - and told her that the House is our last hope of holding the line on giving the Administration the right to suspend the Constitution of the US. I asked her to rally all the Democrats to hold the line against the lies of the Administration and told her in no uncertain terms that by voting NO, they would not be “soft of terrorism” but would be STRONG on the Constitution.
Nothing like getting all hot and bothered on a Saturday.
And, though I did not grow up on a farm, my husband and I raised sheep and dairy goats at our place here in the Southern Tier for years. We only got out because of people allowing their dogs to run wild. Between the “Death Cat” and the mules, we seem to be having animal day here…;)
Loo Hoo. @ 58
I’ll be counting how many times she gets booed. I believe it’s going to be streamed: http://ustream.tv/channel/year.....ntion-2007
Loo Hoo. @ 58
Hi guys!
I’m in the front row for Hillary!!! I’ll get pictures up later. TexB is teaching me how. I know a lot of you don’t like Hillary, but I can’t tell you how excited I am! (Don’t tell RevDeb…)
I still haven’t seen TRex, and I have his birthday present.
Any word as to whether Harry Reid will show his face?
Loo Hoo. @ 58
well of course it is exciting! Enjoy.
LooHoo –
If you actually get close enough to Hillary to talk to her, please tell her that the Southern Tier of New York State thanks her for her strong “no” vote (her and Chuck Schumer..woohoo) on FISA. I know a lot of folks hate her guts and see her as Bush lite, but she did the right thing here.
Nothing yet, Jayt. The morning panel had to be cancelled.
Ecahn, how did Hillary vote on FISA?
This poor-pitiful-me tale will not make you any happier: “Desperate for a Reprieve from Capitol Punishment.” Lanny Davis is especially full of it. Every American working his/her butt off to pay these phonies’ salaries should read this and run to a voting booth the next time an election comes up and give the fools a reprieve.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....099_2.html
Oh good, Toby!!!
Toby Wollin @ 64
what’t the Southern Tier? I grew up in NYC and I’ve never heard that b4.
Is it Long Island?
Fern @ 47
Ding! Ding! Ding!
My brainstorming today is centering around TWO definite strategies:
1) “primary challengers” now.
2) dismantling this terror shit ~ these are LIES being told to us by LIARS and it’s driving what is happening today in Congress! It was unbelievable but now it’s even being picked up in the MSM!
Just a drive by.
Glenn Greenwald has a column up today on the FISA debacle and places responsibility for it squarely with the Democrats.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/g.....index.html
I have to say I agree. This whole FISA mess is ill considered and poorly thought through. Pelosi and Reid could have and should have handled it so many other ways. Democrats were elected in November 2006 to oppose Bush. Instead they have chosen to enable his worst excesses, first on Iraq, now on FISA. This is a self-inflicted wound. I would ask when will Democrats ever learn but the answer is they like Republicans never do. Thanks, Reid and Pelosi for nothing.
Toby Wollin @ 64
Q for those who are in the know. Does Reid manage which Ds have to vote for FISA & which get to vote no? I.E., did Hillary get to vote no because she’s running for prez & needs to suck up to the base, but Klobuchar had to vote yes because her vote was needed to pass the legislation & she’s not up for reelction for another 5-plus years?
Gonzo needs to go if Bush wants this law so bad whats more important the nation’s security or Gonzo’s job.
I can’t believe the Democrats caved in 70% support for ending the war they can do whatever they want! Just how much reassurance do the Senate Democrats need to build up their confidence? I used to think Republicans were insecure but compared to Senate Democrats after last nights performance…well a mountain of v**gr* couldn’t help them.
Where are Hilary and Obama on this I want my future Presidents who are in the Senate to denounce this craven caving in to this false Either you vote for my bill. Or if we get attacked its your fault choice.
How about some pushback Democrats how about you know its funny Mr President how when ever your in trouble or want Congress to take away the freedoms of the Consitituion we always seem to have a terror alert. Are YOU coordinating your political stategy with Al Quieda? Or are you ussing terror threats to bully your way into getting what you want!
“We have nothing to fear but Fear itself” FDR remember that Senate Democrats or Hilary and Obama can forget about being president!
eCAHNomics @ 71
holy sh*t. If that’s how it works I am REALLY gonna be sick.
Oldmommy - that’s Southern Tier, not the South Shore (grin).
If you look at a map of the State of New York, the Southern Tier basically is the long straight border that runs along the northern border of PA. This is where the cities of Binghamton, Elmira, Corning and Jamestown can be found.
Loo Hoo. @ 65
Nothing yet, Jayt. The morning panel had to be cancelled.
Have fun today!
Does the FISA thing still have to go through the house? Is it a temporary measure just for August?
Called my Rep. Jerry Nadler (Upper Westside, don’tcha know). He will, I am sure, do the right thing, and I got to speak to an actual real person. Pelosi’s and Stoyer’s offices are closed. Their mail boxes are full and you can’t leave a message. Good Work Folks!
Toby Wollin @ 74
Ah. Actually my daughter is just today coming home from sleep away camp up around there. I drove her up two weeks ago……it is beautiful country.
A new study from a Yale scholar tries to explain why the image of a tough Hillary Clinton may not resonate with voters. But the findings, which suggest angry men are rewarded in American leadership roles while angry women are penalized, may do more to explain the unlikely rise of George W. Bush.
For the details, see:
“The Secret to Bush’s Success? The Angry Man Theory.”
AZ Matt @ 59
everybody should read Coleman’s piece. he nails it, and the Republicans are screaming up there over his last piece. wait til they read this one!
behindthefall @ 48
S. 1927 was referred to the House last night.
Hillary is tough enough to handle a few “boos”. I saw her speak in Seattle years ago when she was the face of universal health care at the beginning of Bill’s first term.
The RW haters were out in force and the “opposition” to her health care policy looked professional and organized and VERY hostile. The signs didn’t look home made, you know what I mean?
I just happened to be in the area, wasn’t as politically aware, but came away impressed with her ability to talk to an angry crowd….and this was back in the day (ashamed to say) that I didn’t agree with universal coverage.
Quite a bit different than Bush and Cheney, huh?
Hoyer’s mailbox is full, and there doesn’t appear to be any way to e-mail him, unless your zip code is one of his constituency.
Loo Hoo. @ 65
she voted no. better question would be, why did all those other women Senators vote yes?
Hillary is not going to be booed in here. We had to choose which break out session we wanted to attend and have the right color wristband. People here are Hillary supporters.
OT but a good thing! if mentioned earlier I did not see it– last night Debra Bowen Sec’y of State, CA, made huge changes in our voting system. At the last minute possible she brought back paper ballots, mimimized electronic voting, and each precinct will have only one computerized voting machine for people with special needs. This is a huge step towards eliminating election fraud in this state, she has a spine of steel and what is more she ran on cleaning up the elections fraud mess and is actually doing what she said she would do! This is huge! for more info–
bradblog.com.
Toby Wollin @ 64
I don’t hate Hillary but I don’t think she did enough. We needed it to be defeated. And if the Senators with clout can’t convince the freshman to vote their way then they’re not strong enough leaders. Or, they used their vote as cover knowing that it would pass anyway. Was there no arm-bending by the leaders? Doesn’t appear so, thus I”m angry with all of them.
oldmommy @ 73
I don’t know if that’s how it works; just askin’. These days you can’t be too cynical.
An OT example: I emailed my army major efriend, outraged that Kensinger has skipped out on his subpoena, & got back a joke about how army rangers are trained to evade & escape. I told him that if he thought it was a joking matter, & was typical of the army, that it had reached a new moral low, even by the standards of a cynical person like myself.
eCAHNomics @ 71
The simple truth is that Reid doesn’t make any effort to manage his caucus. If you don’t believe me, I have two words for you: Joseph Lieberman.
Another truth is that Senate Democrats have few tools to coerce fellow Democrats. What is worse is that Reid exercises no leadership to try to persuade or guide the members of his caucus. Reid may have been a boxer but it is clear he never was a fighter.
I think it is time to start considering how to switch from opposition to resistance.
How did Solidarnosc survive occupied Poland? How do you network when the internet is blacked out? How do you communicate and distribute information under a fascist state? People should be saving information now before it is erased under Martial Law.
Others have done this before, so can we. But do not insult us by telling us we should call our representative. How long did it take for Amy Klobuchar to be co-opted? Not long at all. They are the problem and belong to the ruling class. If you don’t get that by now you have no memory at all. Elections are equally useless and have been gamed for decades. It makes no difference if you vote, even if everyone you want gets in it makes not a whit of difference. It is the system that is corrupt to the core.
At 1:00 is the presidential candidate panel. Not sure how we’re all going to make it there in time…Maybe Hillary will only speak for a half hour or so.
jayt @ 82
Look at the adddress of his local office & type in that zipcode.
eCAHNomics @ 71
Most of these votes are tactical with the intention of accomplishing a task, which may or may not mesh with party philosophy, with a strategy of staying electable. The outrage generally subsides within a few weeks, the electorate quickly parks their brain and re-elects them out of loyalty, electablity, etc.. Rinse, repeat
Greetings from Wash Co., MN, and belated welcome, PW. Did you get the willies hanging out Michele Bachmann’s district, like I do?!
Just left a message at Sen. Klobuchar’s local office — 612.727.5220 — to the effect of disappointment that a former prosecutor couldn’t show greater respect for the rule of law.
Won’t bother calling Bachman again. Seems like a big waste of breath.
Loo Hoo. @ 76
yup. has to be passed by the House. it has a sunset provision (180 days) but that looks like a sham, too. it really lasts up to 18 months.
eCAHNomics @ 87
Has Kensinger showed up yet? Is it too soon to be concerned about his safety? Or just his courage?
EXCELLENT! PAPER BALLOTS IN CALIFORNIA! My state.
Reid may have been a boxer but it is clear he never was a fighter.
Why didn’t I come up with that line?
Very good.
Hugh @ 88
ugh. I know we are all upset but let’s not resort to foul obscenities.
: )
And I totally agree, you can’t be too cynical. There is nothing I would put past these people……nothing.
Hugh @ 88
Thanks for the info. So we may assume that Klobuchar really voted her heart? Ditto Hillary (who still may have done it to suck up to the base, since in most matters she favors the imperial presidency, hoping to be empress soon).
Not good news on Reid for anything Ds want to accomplish, but I am not surprised. Certainly consistent with the “results” to date.
Toby Wollin @ 64
i just sent John Edwards a benjamin. i’ve decided that he’s my man. it really pisses me off the way the MSM is trying to cut him down.
that said, i will listen to Hillary, and as OK Kiddo says, “I will support the Democratic candidate.”
we had all better resolve to do that. the circular firing squad is not our friend. it’s quite possible that we will not get the candidate who is the most progressive in ‘08.
when it comes to the crunch, rampant idealism and an unwillingness to come together is a losing strategy.