Brian Phillip Bilbray (born January 28, 1951) is a U.S. Republican politician, who is a member of the United States House of Representatives, first serving from 1995 to 2001, representing California’s 49th congressional district. After that, he was a registered lobbyist. On June 6, 2006, Bilbray won a special election as representative for California’s 50th congressional district to serve out the remaining seven months of the term of former Representative Randy “Duke” Cunningham. Bilbray won re-election in the November 2006 general election.

He was a lobbyist for Metabolife, a firm that produced a toxic nutrient supplement that killed dozens of people. When Bilbray was a Congressman he pushed through legislation easing FDA regulation of pseudephedrine, a precursor to methamphetamine. The owner of Metabolife, a former convicted drug-dealer was found guilty of coercively forcing his employees to support Bilbray’s earlier campaigns for Congress.

This guy has blood on his hands…even more so now when we think of the Meth epidemic his mindless legislation allowed to occur.

Let me tell you what is about to happen. An irreperable schism between moderates and centrists such as most of the people active in the netroots, and the true left, the real DFH’s, is effective immediately. Like myself, most true lefty’s started voting Dem because the excesses of Boosh and Co. scared the bejeebus out of us. We had hoped to stem the blood dimmed tide. That has not occurred. In fact, it has been enabled at every turn.

There is nothing the netroots can do to rope us back in. The “purists” who are so reviled on these pages and others around the “left” blogosphere will now resolutely refuse to be morally implicated along with the blood soaked, filthy collaborators of the Democratic Party.

The real, bottom line difference between us real lefty’s and you in the blogosphere? We are willing to put our bodies on the line, always have, always will. You will never get anything done sitting at your computers. You say you are “fighting” and not giving up. But none of you have ever gotten out of your corners, much less put on the gloves. You say you are not willing to give up after “one battle”, and those not willing to keep on fighting should just get out of the way. NO! Now you all are going to have to get out of the way and let the real fighters get on with what must be done. This “one battle” is the straw that broke the camels back, and if you cannot see that, you soon will.

Do you know the tale of the Austrian Socialist Party in 1936?
Same stuff you are “implying” here.

Lotta good that the schism did for either side.

And why can’t people be involved in “communicating” and also take part in protests? How doi you know that people here haven’t demonstrated? Or are you talking about real “fighting”?

That really succeeded, now, didn’t it.

Without broadening your base to beyond a few in the “super-secret handshake” Black Ski-Mask rock-through Starbuck’s club I don’t see any viable chance you’ll succeed.

“progressives, the anti Bush people, the anti war folks are the majority…not the fringe”

Anti Bush people are certainly the majority…don’t know about “progressives”- they’re not well enough defined- my guess is that if you asked 1,000 americans if they are progressives they’d say “HUH?”

…

Senator Hillary Clinton said she was a “modern Progressive”. Ask her what it means. The answer ought to be interesting.

Progressives were against the war before most of the public. Most Progressives were for Howard Dean in the 2004 presidential race. Progressives have been for health care reform a long time (though Ted Kennedy can probably claim he’s been for it even longer).

Maybe the public is for Progressive Democrats, they just don’t realize it yet.

Polls typically show the public favor the Democratic Party positions on almost all issues. But, some just get caught up in the Republican rhetoric and often single-issues (like abortion, gay marriage or gun control) catch their attention, so they vote against their true interests.

Hi Firepups!

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I am undecided on who I support among the Dems, but I have to say Obama sounds pretty good. Especially when he can say he was against the war from the beginning. The man gives a great speech.

Ted Kennedy and Jesse Jackson and Mario Cuomo do too, but they aren’t going to be president.

It’s just not enough.

He says he is an agent of change (just as Hillary Clinton does). Ask him, aside from changing direction on the war in Iraq, what change he brings except to “talk differently” about the issues.

He is too much of a DLC follower and when it comes to details he isn’t there. He speaks in great abstract rhetoric to avoid the details which would reveal more precisely what he’s actually FOR.

Hillary is doing much the same except she doesn’t even give the great speeches.

Blub

To some extent I’m a pro business democrat. I have worked in executive positions for two corporations. I believe in a climate that encourages commerce and business activity- it’s good for the economy and can lift all boats. I also believe in the need for strong govt. regulation of business- we are quite capable of great excesses without someone lookin over our shoulders.

So maybe I’m DLC- I don’t know. I also hate Clusterfuck and his war. If I get “purged” I guess I’ll have to figure out where to go.

If you “don’t know”, then you’re definitely NOT a DLCer.

Pro-business is great. Just also be pro-family and pro-individuals and pro-Constitution!

I don’t see it written, but I like to think of the Progressive ‘wing’ of the Democratic Party as somehow more wholistic in it’s thinking.

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How am I supposed to face this guy alone and get him to even listen to me? (Tom Price R,GA-06)

Congratulate him on his win on the FISA bill. Remind him it’s a big win for the Republicans to get that through the Dem controlled House.

Ask him to explain the bill and if they convinced the Dems to vote for it, and how?

Ask him why he’s not concerned about the power being all in Executive Branch hands (AG & DNI)?

Ease into it with lots of neutral complimentary stuff. Don’t be accusatory.

One evening a few months ago, I was at a table next to Schumer’s in a restaurant in NYC. When I got up after my meal, I approached him and mentioned that I was a constituent and supporter. He enthusiastically engaged in a several minute conversation, and even continued the discussion after I offered an opportunity for him to disengage by stating that I didn’t want to interrupt his meal. He could have easily and smoothly thanked me for my support and ended the discussion, but he willingly kept talking with me and my father.

It was clear that he enjoys interacting with his constituents. I guess if you don’t, politics is not a good career choice. I think most politicians–at least the ones who aren’t just jonesing for power–are really just attention hounds.

If we give them attention and make it clear what behavior is going to garner them more positive attention in the future, we can really influence their behavior.

Pelosi sent a letter to Chairmen Conyers and Reyes to work on legislation to amend the FISA bill as soon as the recess is over with. Any idea what’s up with that?