Thought this might be some useful information for our California readers, especially those who may work in the downtown SanFran area. Local activist groups have organized a rally in front of DiFi’s SanFran office — to protest her caving on the Southwick nomination, and to showcase the opposition to Southwick from her constituents. InsideBayArea.com has the scoop, including more area actions on this to come, and location information for this particular action:
11 a.m. Tuesday outside 1 Post St. (at Market and Montgomery streets) in San Francisco
Additionally, some folks have put together a fairly comprehensive catalogue of DiFi and Southwick, including YouTubes and other information on contacting the Senator to voice your feelings on her vote. (H/T to Howie for sending me this link.)
This isn’t just useful information on DiFi, though, it’s a great blueprint for putting together local action of your own across the country. Confronting our legislators when they take incorrect steps isn’t just a healthy blowing off steam moment — it is our responsibility as citizens to hold these elected officials to the principles that we elect them to uphold. The bay area site as well as the Southwick pressure site are two good examples of how to do this on the internet — and in person. And are sites I recommend everyone peruse.
Then think about how to apply some of these tactics in your own backyard.
Writing letters to the editor, to your elected officials, calling local talk radio, making phone calls, showing up in person in front of these folks’ various offices, making an appointment to sit down and talk with your elected officials and their staff, showing up at scheduled public events and speaking your mind, videotaping public events and asking questions there and then sending that tape around for others to see…it all adds up.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint — but we have to do the legwork if we’re even going to participate meaningfully in it. Do click through the links above — there is a lot of inspiration to be found in all of them. Now, let’s get to work…
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zed
#2
When folks are in power and not very likely to be voted out in the next 2, 4, 6 or 10 years do people find that they tend to “do what is right” or tend to act with “impunity” on most issues that the people they represent want (throw a few bones, but other than that vote for rich/biz/lobby, etc)?
Since some of you have some good experience now dealing with our “Reps” I was wondering what sort of impressions you had.
In the case where people “change their mind” what was the reason (did not know, people wanted it, etc)?
Thank for any input. Thanks for the site and the news and chances to petition.
tres…
Dianne Feinstein is the Ted Stevens of the Democratic Party.
EPU’d from last thread:
(Here’s what’s going on with one of my Senators. Unfortunately, she won’t be up for re-election until 2012.)
Biodun @ 55
Conservative Activist Judge Southwick would not even have made it to a floor vote were it not for DiFi voting with the Republicans in committee.
How did SFO get such a DINO representative?
Lots of good info on the web on this issue. Hope it helps.
Speaking of California…that missing 9 Billion dollars that went to Iraq and then went missing…the people who were supposed to be the accountants for it, Thomas Howell, of a company called Northstar was operating out of a two-story house in San Diego. Now…who might be all worried about accusations of corruption, works in the government, and is somehow related to San Diego?? Just wondering.
If you’re headed out to DiFi’s office, take the bus, not the underground Muni Metro; delays in the tunnel between Church and Van Ness stations.
LS @ 8
Duncan Hunter and Blackwater were the first things that sprung to mind.
GAH.
I know that we have to be patient and keep working, but it is so discouraging to watch the Feinsteins and Salazars and ever so many others get elected with our votes and then turn their backs on us.
It looks like Hillary has a lock on the nomination and, yet, not one vote has been cast. What is the point of all of this activism if our choices are already made for us?
If she does win the nomination, the DLC triumphs and the progressives get kicked to the curb.
Honestly, I am ready for a third party.
peanutbutter @ 10
Carol Lam. US Attorneys scandal. Keep pulling the thread.
peanutbutter @ 10
I got to thinking about the Wilkes subpoenas, Hunter is one of them…so is Issa. I don’t know if or how it could be related to the Wilkes problems, it is apparently a money laundering deal going through the Bahamas.
Completely OT:
Naomi Klein’s “The Shock Doctrine” will debut tied for 15th place on the NYT hardcover nonfiction bestseller list this Sunday.
And now back to our regularly scheduled FDL excellence.
Good lord – the Amazon advert is directly to the right of my post.
Is Jeff Bezos watching me?
This Leslie Southwick!
[Mod Note; Edited by mod.]
susan @ 11
While it may be true (mainly because everyone keeps demanding that it be true) that a 3rd party will NOT take the White House, you CAN get 3rd party candidates into Congress. The more the better. Think about that. It wouldn’t take that many Greens or others placed in the House or (one can dream) in the Senate to FORCE the Dems to kiss up to the 3rd party by taking up at least some of their positions so they can have a coalition. You need to take away an outright majority for the Dems or Rethugs and force them to beg and plead 3rd parties to caucus with them. No caucus, no majority.
I want to start filling the House and senate with 3rd party candidates, one by one if necessary, so that the Dems can be forced against their obvious will to serve the better interests of the People rather than themselves and corporations.
I will be voting straight 3rd party in 2008. THAT is set in stone (unless Gore jumps in, then I will make an exception for him).
egregious @ 12
Funny how they can’t seem to find the resources to investigate Jerry Lewis.
Ish @ 16
That might be literally true. Offices going after Republican criminals found their budgets being slashed. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.
We really need a primary challenger for DiFi. Maybe Ned Lamont can relocate?
From above:
So true. The republicans broke that code after the 1964 loss of Barry Goldwater, and have worked with that mindset in the years since. Our party has relied on “sprinters” to carry our various messages the distance through the political process with collegiality, sanity, and logic. That’s just so 9/10 and 1/19/2001 … I mean really. Beloved Leader & Co changed everything.
We need to start tossing DINO’s like Feinstein under the bus if they don’t start coming around. There is no point in keeping them on the payroll if they aren’t advancing our agenda; I mean who needs a fellow worker or employee who can’t do their fucking job? No one, and we can no longer afford DiFi “just because”.
DiFi caved on Southwick, Hillary voted for Lieberman-Kyl, is there some reason we give them breaks when they don’t/refuse to recognize the damage they are doing to their Party and our Nation?
pinson @ 18
What’s Matt Gonzales doing these days?
Mods:
My 12:41 comment @ 15 has been in moderation because of the N-word, which is in the wiki citation I linked to.
[Mod: Just because it’s in wiki doesn’t make it alright here]
egregious @ 17
Hey, those El Salvadoran dishwashers aren’t going to deport themselves.
Mods:
Thanks!
Ish @ 20
Or TeddySanFran?
Dems all pulling out of the Michigan primary…hmmm….that is good news for Gore.
LS @ 25
Not if he doesn’t run.
JF @ 27
I think he’s probably gonna run.
LS @ 25
What’s the story?
susan at 11 — The only reason you think it looks that way is because the media seems to be reporting it that way in spurts. Howard Dean was reported to have the lock on the Dem nomination in 2004 — and look how that turned out.
You do the work because that is what citizens are supposed to do. As egregious often says, it’s a marathon, not a sprint…
hackworth @ 29
I don’t really know why other than they don’t like the timing of it or something. MSNBC is reporting it.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 30
Christy
Thank you for your comment :)
you know what though?
the democrats have to be prepared for the child in chief to stamp his feet.
and they should laugh and chuckle in his face when he does it too, when he gets on the TEEvee and acts all upset, they need to be ready with their response with things like;
“this administration has abused it’s power and threatened Americans for no reason other then the purpose of stealing their information…they actually think they deserve the right to gather our intectual property withuot anyone to make sure they aren’t stealing”
and then they have to chucke with;
“as if anyone in their right mind would trust this administration with their sensitive information…they would have to be insane”
OH BABY
I would LOVE to see a democrat do something like THAT
Thanks for the post Christy! Difi won’t be able to say none of her constituents object to the Southwick nomination. She is a bonehead to think that he is not a racist, purebred racist.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 30
Yep. As I’ve said before: No one has voted yet. All the stuff that’s descended on Americans since election ‘06 have been coming from (1) (mostly) Beltway MSM; (2) politicians running for president and/or (re)running for Congress; and (3) pollsters (and we know from the years how accurate those can be–just ask Tom Bradley or John Kerry).
In ‘06, majority of Americans voted for Dems. In ‘08, they will do so even more, barring some Al-Qaeda attack in domestic US–and even if that happens, there is still no guarantee.
Not one vote has been cast yet.
It IS a marathon, not a sprint and we need to be vigilant in doing the big work.
Sure the elections capture our attention, but we need to work consistently at changing some of the basic views of our culture.
That’s what the Republicans did after Goldwater.
I loved yesterday’s post about writing letters to the editor. That’s one great way to chip away at the conventional wisdom that dominates political thought in this country.
And I’ve said this numerous times, but I would love to see progressives find a way to break into the mainstream media.
Air America is a great start, but they don’t actually own any of the stations, they just produce the programming.
We need progressives buying (or starting) local newspapers and radio stations. Ultimately I’d love to see an actual “liberal media.”
Right-wingers have been railing against the fictional “liberal media” for years. Let’s give them what they’ve been asking for!
That DiFi picture is going to haunt my dreams
perris @ 32
You’re right, but Newsweek’s Richard Wolfe on Countdown presented the case that either Bush or Pelosi were lying and it was a 50/50 proposition.
Based on documented evidence and educated guessing you and I know that the odds are not equal that Pelosi or Bush would be lying. Its blatently dishonest of Wolfe to present it thus – but that’s what he did. Who you going to believe? – he said.
SufiLizard @ 36:
And the following have also been helping in that respect: Having (1) Arianna Huffington on frequently on CNN and on the Today Show; (2) Rachel Maddow on MSNBC many nights; (2) Rachel Sklar of Huff Post on CNN and MSNBC; (3) David Shuster on MSNBC anytime; (4)FDL in the NYTimes and Jane on CNN and The Wall Street Journal; and so on. (I’m sure I’m leaving out more examples here.) Oh yes, and KO on Countdown!
LS @ 31
It’s because Florida and Michigan moved their primaries up to challenge Iowa and NH for ‘first primary’. (IMO the whole thing about being the ‘first primary’ is childish.) The Dems are pulling out because the DNC doesn’t want to hurt the feelings of Iowa and NH.
Newsweek’s Richard Wolffe…
Biodun @ 40
thanks :)
P J Evans @ 40
Our Alaska Dem primary is in late August of Next year, with a presidential caucus on February 5.
Ish @ 21
being a narcissist flake.
LS @ 8
This is why we can’t get any traction on this issue; we can’t get the facts right.
It’s only 8.8 billion missing.
If it was really 9 billion, obviously it would be worth looking for.
The dims seem to be caving on everything. September was going to be the month when they really would get started fighting. Going
on vacationback to see the constituents was too important to fight for a couple of days. Perhaps I’m behind the times but I haven’t seen any big dim comments about the repugs attacks on the Frost family. It seems that the family stood up for what the dims said that they believed in and then were eschewed when the nutters attacked.I think that this is one election that I will sit out at the Presidenttial level. We are going to have to choose between the two candidates that are acceptable to big biz. No matter which one we choose, we are eventually going to wind up at the same place. It is just a matter of how fast we get there.
DiFi is a big letdown.
More AND BETTER Dems in 2008.
Biodun @ 39
Don’t forget some great syndicated columnists (David Sirota recently started one too). Also LinkTV and Free Speech TV on satellite television.
Yes, we’ve got a good start, but all of that could end tomorrow if the powers-that-be decide to pull the plug. As of now, we’re pretty much at the mercy of some big corporations.
I’d like to see us strengthen our position.
I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I’d like to see a prolonged, serious discussion. Maybe we could look into some kind of cooperative model for a new media company. Maybe a foundation to help fund potential progressive owners of media. I’d like to see us be in a position of media ownership.
Again, this is a long-term goal. Of course this isn’t something that can happen overnight — or even by the 2008 elections.
P J Evans @ 40
Uh, just to set the record straight, the Rs are also threatening to refuse delegates from MI and FL for doing the primary move.
Not that this gets any play in the media.
BearCountry @ 46
I prefer to “get there” more slowly. As the man said: In the long run, we’re all dead.
Praedor Atrebates @ 16
Man o man, I couldn’t agree more.
We are waaaaaay past time for third (or even 4th and 5th) party candidates. Stevie Wonder can see the 2 party system is so broken and corrupt only organized outside pressure will ever be able to move them.
The dem candidates well documented answers to being out of Iraq by 2013 told you all you need to know about the unrelenting power of the military-industrial complex.
A party that vowed to end unnecessary wars, push for universal health care and take global warming seriously would be very formidable and surprisingly popular.
well, perris just had another epiphany;
there is actuall a chance the democrats are caving on executive power because they think they can count on a democrat in office after the next election
if it was likely they would be voted out of office next election, and if it was likely a republican would win the presidency, then the democrats would do whatever it took to deminish the power of the executive
of this I am certain
perris @ 52
We’ll have the ultra-conservative Supremes for longer than two presidential election cyles however. They’ve also stacked the federal benches.
The strike against the unitary executive must be strong, resourceful and, most of all, immediate.
Christy Hardin Smith @ 30
Christy, I think the Dean/Hillary model is flawed. Dean was an insurgent candidate who did not have the support of the party elites or their corporate backers. In fact, as I understand it, it was the (Carville) Democrats who actually began the whispering campaign that Dean wasn’t “electable.” They wanted “Cash and Kerry” and, by god, they got him.
Hillary is not even remotely an insurgent or dark horse candidate; she has the full support of the “Cash and Kerry” crowd, and because of these powerful “king makers”, she is well on her way to the White House.
And, as far as doing the work goes, yes, I will continue to help all that I can. I, too, have little “peanuts” whose futures I deeply care about. But, as I watch Nancy “impeachment is off the table” Pelosi and Harry “spineless” Reid “represent” my interests and values, I get thoroughly depressed.
BTW: I called Salazar and Allard earlier today and urged them not to capitulate to Bush on warrentless eavesdropping, and I contribute to the Blue State candidates. While I don’t have much hope that such efforts will make much of a difference, I couldn’t live with myself if I were to completely give up and do nothing.
Uh, in defense of FL, the primary-move bill was supported by Dems because the mandatory paper-trail bill was attached. FL state gov’t is dominated by R’s in all ways, and it was R’s who attached the paper-trail bill to the primary-move bill. Voting against the primary move meant voting against the paper trail…I hate for my FL Dems to be having this fight with the DNC, but man, getting that paper trail was important…It’d be nice if the DNC could cut us some slack, as they are falling into a trap set by the FL R party, to create a wedge issue between Democrats…doesn’t everyone want a paper trail?
C’mon, Howard. You have your rules, but this is clearly a special case.
We NEEDED that paper trail.
OT, I hope the parents of Fraeme Frost have a good personal injury attorney. These slimebuckets need to pay.
Loo Hoo @ 56
Has somethnig happened today?
STTP in Ohio @ 50
Ending Wars and Univeral Health Care would be popular. Real Global Warming Initiatives require fundamental lifestyle changes that are necessary but would not be popular. The most effective measure would be for Mass Transit to replace the individual automobile as quickly as possible. No politician will touch this issue with a ten foot pole.
RonD @ 55
Ron, as I mentioned above, the RNC is also threatening to not allow the delegates to be seated at THEIR convention because of this move.
Not that nnyone in the media is paying attention to that.
dakine01 @ 59
I don’t think a lot of people are aware of the dynamic that pushed the primary move in FL…the Mighty Wurlitzer makes it sound like ego-”…we’re big, and we deserve to go first!“, even though NO FL Democrat has said anything like that.
One way to take it out of the media would be for Howard to refuse to play. Seat the FL delegation. Push for a paper trail everywhere.
The media focusing on Democrats while Repubs do the same thing? You don’t have to convince me.
The only way to win is to refuse to play.
New Pach thread upstairs!
Note to DiFi: Sellouts are bad for your facelifts. Not even Botox can help.
hackworth@58
Ending Wars and Univeral Health Care would be popular. Real Global Warming Initiatives require fundamental lifestyle changes that are necessary but would not be popular. The most effective measure would be for Mass Transit to replace the individual automobile as quickly as possible. No politician will touch this issue with a ten foot pole.
I agree that the global warming stuff is the most difficult, but if we had a more concerted effort on the “low hanging fruit” i.e. new light bulbs, natural gas taxis and buses, more use of solar and wind power, etc. we would then be focused on items politicians can be associated with.
RonD @ 60
RonD-
Thanks for clearing this up for me. I hadn’t heard about the ‘tack-on’ of the paper trail provision. Much needed indeed!
Dean should be assuring FL that the R wedge attempt isn’t going to work. Maybe there’s some D strategy against the R strategy that we’re not seeing. I hope this is not another fatal error.
Biodun @ 22
I gonna fb email you now. check in a few. plz.:)
STTP in Ohio @ 63
Peace, Universal Healthcare (single-payer), and new energy are three big winners that both major parties are afraid of. Dems at least talk a big game, but when the time comes to put their votes where their mouths are, they fold like a cheap lawn chair.
And I don’t agree that fighting Climate Change is a tough sell. I think most Americans are at least philosophically on board with it.
Sure getting Americans to sacrifice is tough, but there are a lot of measures that can be easily embraced by lazy Americans.
Increasing and improving public transportation, I think would be popular across the board. Solar and Wind power is also popular — anything that de-centralizes energy production would be popular with the same “rugged individualist” type people that currently are manipulated by the Reich-wingers.
Govt. subsidies to make solar and wind more affordable and also an intensive government-run R&D project into further reducing costs would be an enormous boon to the economy, the environment and not require sacrifice from the American People.
Compact Fluorescent light bulbs and soon LED bulbs can help everyone conserve energy without sacrificing.
Ultimately we need to radically alter our way-of-life, but I think it can be done without seeming like much of a sacrifice.
Hell, if the neo-cons can use the boiled frog method to slide us ever closer to fascism, we should be able to use a similar approach for an actual noble cause.
Christy — Just wanted to let you know that the rally against Feinstein’s vote on Southwick came off as planned. Representatives of Equal Justice Society, Public Advocates, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Working Assets and Alliance for Justice all spoke. A lesbian mom also spoke about the importance of federal judges in ensuring the safety of her family. Though this was planned as both a rally and press event, there was virtually no press in attendance. However, there was a spirited crowd there of more than 30 people camped on the sidewalks outside her office, holding signs that said “No on Southwick.” The speakers were able to engage a Feinstein staffer by the name of John Murray and explain to him why Senator Feinstein should vote against confirming Southwick to a lifetime seat on the 5th Circuit. Also, go to the website for more information about this nomination and Southwick’s record. Thanks for all your help in getting information on this nomination out into the blogosphere. We’ll keep you posted about any other developments on this – and others – nomination.
Doug Lakey
Director, West Coast Office of Alliance for Justice
I”m still wondering when there will be an investigation of the Feinstein family war profiteering?
RonD @ 55
In their law which is the official ballot: DRE or paper-trail?
In an election audit/challenge which will be ignored in favor of the other?
If a paper-trail is going to be ignored, then why bother having it?
The ‘ballot’ has to be better.
Difi is rapidly evolving into a female Lieberman giving new meaning to the term “vertebrae of a jelly fish.”