Zed?

Christy!

Good morning Christy! Thanks for today’s list of things to do. Let’s get to work pups!

zed?

Well then I guess it is time to get on the phone! Wonder how many members I can call before the kids get on the schoolbus?

Something else to do. Email this page to people that don’t normally get involved, people who don’t visit the lake, people that care.

Wow. That’s a ton of work putting that list together. Thanks, Christy.

To the phones!

I am sorry for the OT but we are scoring some victories: Malkin quits O’Reilly

Now back to the faxes!

Every day we need to emphasize the good that could be done in our country with the money being wasted in Iraq. Rebuiding the the Big Easy, insuring children, revitalizing the nation’s infrastructure, paying down tuition costs, constructing quality low cost family housing ……………………..

That message is our trump.

Almost zed!

On Topic. a query.

Did anyone catch Howie Kurtz on the Frosts on CNN Sunday morning? I am seeking the name of the right wing mouthpiece Coulter-Malkin wannabee who called the Frosts affluent. It has escaped me. She was I believe an ex-jounalist blogger. I want to use the name to spotlight Christy’s post and to write my dear CNN-please-do-better-letter.

And while Christy is here:

There was talk of the applicability of the MD. Stalking/harrassment statue to Malkin’s posting of the address. Digby thought that the public information aspect gave her a free pass.

I wonder if there is a child endangerment complaint that can be filed against her or Redstate for his public hanging idea.

Any grounds for a slander/libel case?

Privacy expectations?

Spotlight this article

BlueState — No idea — I don’t practice in Maryland, so I really don’t know exactly what their statutes say on that. I think the public aspect of this probably does provide some leeway in terms of arguments on it, but no way to be sure unless I dug into the specific statutory constructs and, frankly, I just don’t have time this week because I have too much else on my plate at the moment.

If there is a MD lawyer in the audience who knows, feel free to chime in…

Can’t wait to see Malkin’s head explode when/if Congress overrides Dear Leader’s veto.

Morning Christy!

Morning all!

btw, if anyone can locate a FAX number for the ones I’m missing, it would be much appreciated. I’ve done several searches on them, and have come up empty. So if someone happens to have one handy — please do share. Thanks!

In addition to letters and letters to the editor, it would be interesting to see national, peaceful protests over the Pres’ veto at every state capital in the USA on Wednesday with signs stating the need to override the veto. Many groups and blogs need to come together on this issue and make it grow bigger at the grassroots before Wednesday.

Fax Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05):

(202) 226 6559

KLynn — If folks are constituents of any of the folks listed above, a call to the governor’s office of your state is also a good idea. Local pressure, calls to local offices, pressure from the governors, faxes to local offices as well as to DC — every contact helps. And it adds up to increasing pressure on these folks.

What I heard in talking with staffers last week is that calling the DC office, sending a fax, and then calling local offices adds up to several contacts. So please, everyone, do all of the above if you can.

Isn’t ironic that the same “patriotic, fiscal conservative” Republicans can vote for unending massive tax cuts for their wealthy adult constituants, but then rationalize their vote against SCHIP because it would benefit the “wealthy?” Their “ironicometer” is clearly on the blink! Can we please hold a telethon to raise money for a Republican “heart-transplant?”

Again: Michele Bachmann (R-MN-06):

Yikes!

[Mod: Refresh, this was fixed ages ago]

egregious @ 7

I am sorry for the OT but we are scoring some victories: Malkin quits O’Reilly

Now back to the faxes!

She had likely been pestering the producers for a more substantial and regular slot on The Br*wnshirt Factor and has grown tired of the rejection letters. She likely received a Dear Jane email from der producers before she sent this one. Sour Grapes.

Thanks so much for the post, another great one – if we can pull this off just think, it benefits kids AND hands the right-wingers their butts on a platter!

When you call, PLEASE send the message that there is NO ROOM for compromise on this bill. It is already a compromise bill. I’m working on a short post to explain that and will link here when it’s done but in the meantime, head off any further compromise now. Thanks :)

For GA people.

Here is Marshall’s local office no. and fax.

constituent voices count more than BlueState ones in GA:

Jim Marshall (GA-08)
District Offices:
682 Cherry Street, Suite 300
Macon, GA 31201 Voice: 877-464-0255
FAX: 478-464-0277

How beneficial is it to try to contact those who aren’t our own reps?

How beneficial is it to try to contact those who aren’t our own reps?

Christy Hardin Smith @ 14

btw, if anyone can locate a FAX number for the ones I’m missing, it would be much appreciated. I’ve done several searches on them, and have come up empty. So if someone happens to have one handy — please do share. Thanks!

Jim Marshall (GA-08)
District Offices:
682 Cherry Street, Suite 300
Macon, GA 31201 Voice: 877-464-0255
FAX: 478-464-0277

My Rep from TN David Davis says he voted for SChip but doesnt approve of an expansion of it.
He is hopelessly addicted to Bush.

Mod @ 19:

I know. I was just saying Yikes! again…*g*

Christy Hardin Smith @ 11

BlueState — No idea — I don’t practice in Maryland, so I really don’t know exactly what their statutes say on that. I think the public aspect of this probably does provide some leeway in terms of arguments on it, but no way to be sure unless I dug into the specific statutory constructs and, frankly, I just don’t have time this week because I have too much else on my plate at the moment.

If there is a MD lawyer in the audience who knows, feel free to chime in…

snowbird42 @ 27

My Rep from TN David Davis says he voted for SChip but doesnt approve of an expansion of it.
He is hopelessly addicted to Bush.

I’m afraid none of these guys is going to stand up for kids.
They aren’t standing up for the Iraq War vets coming home either, but seem to sincerely believe that keeping their heads in the sand over SCHIP is the smart thing to do – since theoretically, they won’t be attacked for it by their voters later on.
That is the line that the WH is feeding to these guys and they somehow believe it.
I’d love to see these guys just eviscerated in the elections over this.

Here’s the DC contact info for the four Democrats:

Marshall:
202/225-6531
Fax: 202/225-3013

McIntyre:
(202) 225-2731
fax (202) 225-5773

Ethridge:
(202) 225-4531
Fax: (202) 225-5662

Taylor:
202 225-5772
fax: 202 225-7074

Folks — refresh your whole page — all of the contact information for every single one of the people on the list is there now. I just didn’t have all of the list typed up when the post went live — it took me forever to track all of this down.

Refresh your whole page, please.

I’ve got smoke coming out of my ears right now because of having to wrestle with past insurance carriers that didn’t provide that magic piece of paper to us to prove that we did have insurance coverage in order to get the current carrier to pay for Mr. Gnome’s ongoing healthcare.

Can we have universal healthcare NOW!!!????

BlueStateRedHead @ 29

Christy Hardin Smith @ 11

BlueState — No idea — I don’t practice in Maryland, so I really don’t know exactly what their statutes say on that. I think the public aspect of this probably does provide some leeway in terms of arguments on it, but no way to be sure unless I dug into the specific statutory constructs and, frankly, I just don’t have time this week because I have too much else on my plate at the moment.

If there is a MD lawyer in the audience who knows, feel free to chime in…

Thanks Christy.
re previous, sorry hit submit too fast.
here is the MD statue and my source.
the exception is 308 3 (b).

There is a Minuteman suit I posted about last week against a latino group which threatened to stalk the minutemen who were stalking latino groups, even their children. so something seems possible, even at the cost of lending credibility to their complaint.

I’d need to retrieve my post from the archives if anyone thinks the info would be useful.

Maryland stalking/harassment law
http://www.aardvarc.org/stalking/states/mdst.shtml

Md. Criminal Law Code Annotated §3-802 Stalking. Amended 2003. (Effective October 2003)

(a) In this section, “stalking” means a malicious course of conduct that includes approaching or pursuing another where the person intends to place or knows or reasonably should have known the conduct would place another in reasonable fear of:

(1) (I) serious bodily injury;

(II) an assault in any degree;

(III) rape or sexual offense as defined by sections 3-303 through 3-308 of this article or attempted rape or sexual offense in any degree;

(IV) false imprisonment; or

(V) death; or

(2) that a third person likely will suffer any of the acts listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection.

(B) The provisions of this section do not apply to conduct that is:

(1) Performed to ensure compliance with a court order;

(2) Performed to carry out a specific lawful commercial purpose; or

(3) Is authorized, required, or protected by state or federal law.

(C) A person may not engage in stalking.

(D) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $ 5,000 or both.

(E) A sentence imposed under this section may be separate from and consecutive to or concurrent with a sentence for any other crime based on the acts establishing a violation of this section.

§ 3-805. Misuse of electronic mail. 1957. Amended 2002.

(a) “Electronic mail” defined. — In this section, “electronic mail” means the transmission of information or a communication by the use of a computer or other electronic means that is sent to a person identified by a unique address and that is received by the person.

(b) Prohibited. — A person may not use electronic mail with the intent to harass:

(1) one or more persons; or

(2) by sending lewd, lascivious, or obscene material.

(c) Construction of section. — It is not a violation of this section for any of the following persons to provide information, facilities, or technical assistance to another who is authorized by federal or State law to intercept or provide electronic mail or to conduct surveillance of electronic mail, if a court order directs the person to provide the information, facilities, or technical assistance:

(1) a provider of electronic mail;

(2) an officer, employee, agent, landlord, or custodian of a provider of electronic mail; or

(3) a person specified in a court order directing the provision of information, facilities, or technical assistance to another who is authorized by federal or State law to intercept or provide electronic mail or to conduct surveillance of electronic mail.

(d) Exception. — This section does not apply to a peaceable activity intended to express a political view or provide information to others.

(e) Penalty. — A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $ 500 or both.

Harassment

Md. Criminal Law Code Ann. § 3-803. Harassment. Amended 2002.

(a) Prohibited. — A person may not follow another in or about a public place or maliciously engage in a course of conduct that alarms or seriously annoys the other:

(1) with the intent to harass, alarm, or annoy the other;

(2) after receiving a reasonable warning or request to stop by or on behalf of the other; and

(3) without a legal purpose.

(b) Exception. — This section does not apply to a peaceable activity intended to express a political view or provide information to others.

(c) Penalty. — A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $ 500 or both.

Christy, it might be good to post some talking points/letter content again. Perhaps commenters could weigh in with some great content.

snowbird42 at #27
I got the same response from Rep. Davis. Now if he will just do the right thing and vote to override.

OT: Rendition is about to make it into the popular discussion arena. Apparently there is about to be a major market film released dramatizing it.
Rendition, the movie

realworld at 37 — There’s a fictional motion picture as well as something coming up in documentary format from Frontline soon as well.

Apprently it’s only fiscally responsible when your friends aren’t getting the money.

What about all the money we are are spending on medicare part d for money to go to Big Fat Pharma — I wish I could find the Claire McCaskill quote about this..it was perfect.

btw, please report back when you speak to staffers on positions on SCHIP. Thanks so much for making all the calls or sending FAXes, gang — really appreciate all the effort from everyone.

Amuse yourself in-between calls:

Photo of GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, left, and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at Saturday night’s National Italian American Foundation gala in Washington.

(Scroll to pic.)

CHS “Beyond that, though, these are children. They have no control over their parents’ means. They have no say into which family – rich or poor, or hard-working blue collar job with no insurance plan — they are born.”

Brings tears when I read a post filled with such compassion and empathy. Have talked with so many families who find themselves in the predicament that Christy described. Parents working two jobs, barely able to meet their bills, kids serving in Iraq etc etc.

Will make phone calls again. Thanks CHS

How much more of the Bush administrations “compassionate conservatism” can the American people and Iraq take?

Called Tom Latham in Wash DC,
Got the aide to admit that the Representatives’ position is the subject of a staff meeting and a hot topic. ID’d myself as a Braley consituent just seeking information for my government class and seeking his position. They called me back and asked for my name so I may have a call back coming.

Thanks Christy, everytime you put out an alert to Congress I call and feel I am making a difference. 10% inspiration ala CHS and 90% perspiration(doing it for everyone’s kid)

Jim at 43 — Excellent! Thanks so much and let me know if you hear back anything concrete. Really appreciate it!

Call into Michele Bachmann’s DC office:

ME: “I’m calling the Congresswoman to strongly urge her to vote to override the veto of the SCHIP bill on Thursday.”

WOMAN STAFFER: “Are you in her district?”

ME: “No. I live in Minneapolis.”

STAFFER: “Okay. Thank you for calling.”

eRobin @ 22

When you call, PLEASE send the message that there is NO ROOM for compromise on this bill. It is already a compromise bill. I’m working on a short post to explain that and will link here when it’s done but in the meantime, head off any further compromise now. Thanks :)

Thanks for this. I am looking for some talking points on this issue, and it tends to command the attention of staffers when you can refer to bills by name, number and other specifics.

On NPR Carl Castle just announced that Condi Rice has said “now is the time for a Palestinian state”

She also warned against continued expansion of the illegal settlements by Israel.

Kathleen @ 47

On NPR Carl Castle just announced that Condi Rice has said “now is the time for a Palestinian state”

Carl Kasell…

Thousands of Gut Check America readers wrote in to tell us what times are like for America’s middle class. They spoke of soaring milk and gasoline prices, prohibitively expensive housing, unobtainable health insurance and declining purchasing power.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19357599/

Christy “The vote to override the SCHIP veto will held on Thursday.” I know you might want to change this.

Biodun @ 48

Kathleen @ 47

On NPR Carl Castle just announced that Condi Rice has said “now is the time for a Palestinian state”

She also warned against continued expansion of the illegal settlements by Israel.

Carl Kasell…

Thanks . Great News! We will see what Condi can do with this very difficult circumstance

why in the hell must we try to get our worthless tic’s to pass a bill that helps only children and not all citizens?
notice how important it is to them? who do these people represent?

they ignore the wishes of the public, so who is their boss?

insurance. insurance is for blackjack. insurance is for idiots that rebuild their homes where it flooded them out last year. insurance is for payments quietly handed to those that can keep the gravy train running, for insurance companies.

Christy – I know this sounds sort of nuts, but do we have any ideas WHERE (in terms of Congressional Districts) the Pups are from? The reason I ask is that frankly, I know we really really (really!) don’t want to lie to these folks – that would be a bad thing for the Lake. But if we had people from the districts we knew we had to work on — then we can help them to be effective. Having Biodun calling up and then having that call be “chucked” because it’s not a constituent is sort of disheartening. Congress people only count constituents. They feel they only vote for their constituents – so if they don’t hear from real constituents who happen to hold the feelings that we do, then the only people they hear from are the trolls.
So, in any case – I’m from Mike Arcuri’s district in NY, though Hinchey’s local guy will accept calls from me also.
Maybe we need a recruiting campaign?

Biodun @ 48

Kathleen @ 47

On NPR Carl Castle just announced that Condi Rice has said “now is the time for a Palestinian state”

Carl Kasell…

But what do the special interests who do much to support Hillary and Joe Lieberman say about this. Most importantly perhaps, is what does HRC have to triangulate (say) about this development?

Now is the right time for a Palestinian state, but not seven years ago? What has made the decider decide this?

I have zero confidence in Condi.

The President does not make sense. He promotes NCLB Act which has tons of language about “closing the gap” for minority and at-risk children in under-performing schools. He promotes the “gap” language as a means of pointing towards promoting self-sufficiency and an individual’s independence.

Now, here’s legislation, which helps families who fall in an economic “gap” for healthcare while in their pursuit of self-sufficiency, that can create a financial bridge for families and their children without having to lose their independence to provide healthcare. SChip closes a “gap”.

The President cannot even understand his own “gap” language when applied to another concern in our society. The Dems need to point to this inconsistency. Force the President and his supporters to explain how widening the “gap” for child healthcare which supports famiilies on the fringe of economic independece, helps our children, country and our economy.

Perhaps relevant – US lags Bosnia (of all places) in matrenal survival tate. I wonder how much poverty factors into that.

“The death rate among U.S. black women was nearly four times the rate found among non-Hispanic white women — 34.7 deaths per 100,000 live births for blacks versus 9.3 per 100,000 live births for whites, the report said.”

http://www.reuters.com/article…..mesticNews

Don’t forget to call your Senators too. Make sure the votes are there to override the veto. I bet a few of the Senators voted for it figuring The Decieder would veto it and that it would die, therefore they could look good. We know that Miss McConnell will be doing the WH’s bidding on this.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 55

Now is the right time for a Palestinian state, but not seven years ago? What has made the decider decide this?

It’s that legacy thing. Bush’s legacy is a lost cause, but it isn’t stopping him from trying these too little, too late maneuvers.

Condi tells us:

“I don’t expect out of these meetings that there will be any particular outcome in the sense of breakthroughs on the document,” she told reporters on her plane. She said intends to return at least once to the Mideast before the conference.

Israel is pressing for a vaguely worded document that would give it more room to maneuver. The Palestinians want a detailed preliminary agreement with a timetable for creating a Palestinian state as well was specifics on borders, sovereignty over disputed Jerusalem and a solution for Palestinian refugees — the “final status” issues.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200…..deast_rice

Would it be possible for FDL to establish social threads for people who want to interact with other FDLers while encouraging people to limit their comments on regular threads to the subject at hand? I used to attempt to improve my knowledge regarding important subjects by reading informed comments in the threads. That is now not feasible due to the prevalence of off-topic comments.

Condi has picked up an HRC trick. “Triangulating”.

Toby Wollin @ 53

Christy – I know this sounds sort of nuts, but do we have any ideas WHERE (in terms of Congressional Districts) the Pups are from? The reason I ask is that frankly, I know we really really (really!) don’t want to lie to these folks – that would be a bad thing for the Lake. But if we had people from the districts we knew we had to work on — then we can help them to be effective. Having Biodun calling up and then having that call be “chucked” because it’s not a constituent is sort of disheartening. Congress people only count constituents. They feel they only vote for their constituents – so if they don’t hear from real constituents who happen to hold the feelings that we do, then the only people they hear from are the trolls.
So, in any case – I’m from Mike Arcuri’s district in NY, though Hinchey’s local guy will accept calls from me also.
Maybe we need a recruiting campaign?

I thought Bachmann is in a winnable seat for us, with the right candidate. Point out to the staffer that she wouldn’t want commercials run against her that she hates kids, right?

What matters now is what the Democratic candidates and the Dem leadership have to say about a Palestinian state.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 65

What matters now is what the Democratic candidates and the Dem leadership have to say about a Palestinian state.

Listen to this smug bitch

“We frankly have better things to do than invite people to Annapolis for a photo op,” she said.

Reminder:

I got a snail mail letter from my own critter, Keith Ellison, that I posted at FDL last week, saying that he was disappointed at Chimpy’s veto of the SCHIP bill, and that he plans to override the veto on Thursday.

Keith Ellison is D-MN-05, Minneapolis, easily the bluest in MN. Ellison is also a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

What does the DLC have to say, if anything, about SCHIP? And single payer med. care issue?

Does anyone know what the whip count looks like right now?

Also, can someone fill me in on Bush’s vetos? I know he’s vetoed stem cell research, ending the war, and children’s health, but I’m missing one. Anyone?

Biodun @ 67

Reminder:

I got a snail mail letter from my own critter, Keith Ellison, that I posted at FDL last week, saying that he was disappointed at Chimpy’s veto of the SCHIP bill, and that he plans to override the veto on Thursday.

Keith Ellison is D-MN-05, Minneapolis, easily the bluest in MN. Ellison is also a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Ooo, and a Muslim too! Never mind that his family has been here since what, 1742?

Tired: liberal Wired!: progressive

Tired: grassroots Wired!: netroots

$12,000,000,000 per month for war. How many children would that insure?

raven @ 70

Biodun @ 67

Reminder:

I got a snail mail letter from my own critter, Keith Ellison, that I posted at FDL last week, saying that he was disappointed at Chimpy’s veto of the SCHIP bill, and that he plans to override the veto on Thursday.

Keith Ellison is D-MN-05, Minneapolis, easily the bluest in MN. Ellison is also a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Ooo, and a Muslim too! Never mind that his family has been here since what, 1742?

And don’t forget … he gives Glenn Beck cooties!!!

tedb @ 62

Would it be possible for FDL to establish social threads for people who want to interact with other FDLers while encouraging people to limit their comments on regular threads to the subject at hand? I used to attempt to improve my knowledge regarding important subjects by reading informed comments in the threads. That is now not feasible due to the prevalence of off-topic comments.

WTF Ted?

Oklahoma kiddo @ 68

What does the DLC have to say, if anything, about SCHIP? And single payer med. care issue?

I bet the DLC supports S-Chip. They don’t want to be labeled baby/kid haters. They are a little more savy than Commander Codpiece on that issue. As far as single payer, I really don’t know. The best guess is looking at Hillary’s proposal.

kdh22 @ 74

tedb @ 62

Would it be possible for FDL to establish social threads for people who want to interact with other FDLers while encouraging people to limit their comments on regular threads to the subject at hand? I used to attempt to improve my knowledge regarding important subjects by reading informed comments in the threads. That is now not feasible due to the prevalence of off-topic comments.

WTF Ted?

jeeze, lightnen up. They can’t even get people to shut the fuck up when they are live blogging fro federal court!

Frank Probst @ 69

Also, can someone fill me in on Bush’s vetos? I know he’s vetoed stem cell research, ending the war, and children’s health, but I’m missing one. Anyone?

I think there might be two more. Watch my critter, Keith Ellison, discuss some of them here on YouTube.

Republicans do care about children…

Brown County GOP Chairman Donald Fleischman has resigned his post, says a spokesperson, after being accused of enticement and fondling of an underage boy, reports the Green Bay Press-Gazette Saturday.

RAW

George W. Bush

[edit] 107th Congress and 108th Congress

No vetoes.

[edit] 109th Congress

1. July 19, 2006: Vetoed H.R. 810, Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005, a bill to ease restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Override attempt failed in House, 235-193 (286 needed).

[edit] 110th Congress

2. May 1, 2007: Vetoed H.R. 1591, U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007. Override attempt failed in House, 222-203 (284 needed). A later version of the bill that excluded certain aspects of the initial legislation that the President disapproved of, H.R. 2206, was enacted as Pub.L. 110-28 with the President’s approval.

3. June 20, 2007: Vetoed S. 5, Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007.

4. October 3, 2007: Vetoed H.R. 976, Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007.

[edit] See also

JKC said:

I thought Bachmann is in a winnable seat for us, with the right candidate. Point out to the staffer that she wouldn’t want commercials run against her that she hates kids, right?

Ha – they (some Catholic organization) are showing ads on Minneapolis TV stations chastising her for her vote, and saying she better change her vote.

AAFSCME (I think it’s AAFSCME) has a great ad out on TV in Michigan against Knollenberg and his vote against SCHIP. I hope it does some good. Apparently my phone calls to him have not. Also I received a robo-call FOR SCHIP (it was very nicely done by a mom whose child would be affected) early last week or the week before. Late last week I received a robo-call from the “U.S. Chamber of Commerce” (which I believe is a business lobbying group)claiming this would help people who make $80,000 per year, all sorts of unsubstantiated negativity on SCHIP.

Dee at 81 — You are gonna LUV the next post. (And I say that in as snarky a tone as I possibly can…)

Oklahoma kiddo @ 55

Now is the right time for a Palestinian state, but not seven years ago? What has made the decider decide this?

There is a great deal of rumbling going on about the I/P conflict. Still wondering if the espionage trial or the involvement of Israeli based telecommunication systems being involved with “alleged” illegal wire tapping and data mining of US citizens (possibly Colin Powell) are being used in any way to force negotiations?

I like reading the uninformed comments, too.

Re Condi, she is all hat and no cattle. She talks about talking about discussing Israel-Palestine but nothing ever actually happens. Until something does, it’s all pointless verbiage

Called Peterson (PA-05) and gave my quickie speech on voting to override. Then asked if the Congressman was planning to support SCHIP and the hard-working Pennsylvanians who are unable to afford health ins*rance for their children.

Instead of answering, the staffer asked if I was a constituent. Upon hearing I was from the next district over, gave me a “the Congressman appreciates hearing from you” brush-off, and hung up.

tedb @ 62

Would it be possible for FDL to establish social threads for people who want to interact with other FDLers while encouraging people to limit their comments on regular threads to the subject at hand? I used to attempt to improve my knowledge regarding important subjects by reading informed comments in the threads. That is now not feasible due to the prevalence of off-topic comments.

It is oh so telling when people object to OT. You can go through thread after thread here at FDL and very seldom find people who object when people go OT for whole threads about baseball, other sports, their personal lives etc. But bring up the I/P issue and folks/trolls and others jump out of the woodwork.

someone could do a research paper on this.

[Mod: Let’s be careful about referring to fellow commenters as trolls, please]

PA_Lady @ 86

Called Peterson (PA-05) and gave my quickie speech on voting to override. Then asked if the Congressman was planning to support SCHIP and the hard-working Pennsylvanians who are unable to afford health ins*rance for their children.

Instead of answering, the staffer asked if I was a constituent. Upon hearing I was from the next district over, gave me a “the Congressman appreciates hearing from you” brush-off, and hung up.

Seems to me that it would be appropriate when asked if we are a constituent to ask the staffer if the Congressperson accepts campaign donations from people who aren’t constituents . . .

Kathleen @ 87

tedb @ 62

Would it be possible for FDL to establish social threads for people who want to interact with other FDLers while encouraging people to limit their comments on regular threads to the subject at hand? I used to attempt to improve my knowledge regarding important subjects by reading informed comments in the threads. That is now not feasible due to the prevalence of off-topic comments.

It is oh so telling when people object to OT. You can go through thread after thread here at FDL and very seldom find people who object when people go OT for whole threads about baseball, other sports, their personal lives etc. But bring up the I/P issue and folks/trolls and others jump out of the woodwork.

someone could do a research paper on this.

[Mod: Let’s be careful about referring to fellow commenters as trolls, please]

I did not call a commenter a troll. I said “but bring up the I/P issue and folks/trolls and others come out of the woodwork”

While I understand that you want things to stay civil here at FDL. I can’t help notice and find it when the moderators decide to come out and tell someone to be “careful”.

I have witnessed people be called outrageous names here at FDL by fellow commenters and the moderator pass those attacks right through and not warn or make a side comment to that person.

I am not interested in arguing but there are examples of “selective moderating” here at FDL.

Crude Oil prices hit $85 per barrel…Our oily govt. at work again.

So people don’t like my suggestion of social threads to improve the chance that people will stay on topic. I note that someone thinks I’m a troll and another thinks I should lighten up. Kathleen thinks I have an aversion to “IP,” but I don’t even know what that means in the context of this thread since my comment was just appended here because of my frustration with another thread. I started coming to FDL about two years ago because it was the best resource on the web concerning the Plame outing. I used to read every entry and as much of the comments as time permitted. Now, I see, some in the FDL community lack respect for this perspective. I fear that FDL may become like Eschaton, which I visit daily but of which the comment thread is worthless to me. Oh, well.

tedb @ 91

So people don’t like my suggestion of social threads to improve the chance that people will stay on topic. I note that someone thinks I’m a troll and another thinks I should lighten up. Kathleen thinks I have an aversion to “IP,” but I don’t even know what that means in the context of this thread since my comment was just appended here because of my frustration with another thread. I started coming to FDL about two years ago because it was the best resource on the web concerning the Plame outing. I used to read every entry and as much of the comments as time permitted. Now, I see, some in the FDL community lack respect for this perspective. I fear that FDL may become like Eschaton, which I visit daily but of which the comment thread is worthless to me. Oh, well.

I read Christy’s [Mod: Let’s be careful about referring to fellow commenters as trolls, please]” as asking you to stay.

Pups correct me if I am wrong, but can this commenter’s desire for social threads be satisfied by FDL facebook?

tedb @ 91

So people don’t like my suggestion of social threads to improve the chance that people will stay on topic. I note that someone thinks I’m a troll and another thinks I should lighten up. Kathleen thinks I have an aversion to “IP,” but I don’t even know what that means in the context of this thread since my comment was just appended here because of my frustration with another thread. I started coming to FDL about two years ago because it was the best resource on the web concerning the Plame outing. I used to read every entry and as much of the comments as time permitted. Now, I see, some in the FDL community lack respect for this perspective. I fear that FDL may become like Eschaton, which I visit daily but of which the comment thread is worthless to me. Oh, well.

i hope you’ll hang in there… some threads are single topic, some threads not.

Kathleen @ 89

kathleen – there isn’t just one moderator who does it all. what you may have experienced (not saying this is so, just that it may be) is that different moderators draw the line in slightly different places… and the same moderator may draw the line in slightly different places under different situations (live blogging vs. late night for example).

I said I’d post a post I just put up about compromise on the SCHIP bill so I’m doing that now. There is no room for it and we have to make that clear when we call.

Link to a post – duh.

tedb @ 62

Would it be possible for FDL to establish social threads for people who want to interact with other FDLers while encouraging people to limit their comments on regular threads to the subject at hand? I used to attempt to improve my knowledge regarding important subjects by reading informed comments in the threads. That is now not feasible due to the prevalence of off-topic comments.

That’s off-topic, isn’t it? ;-)

But maybe you could explain how this would work? Does one put into moderation all topics construed to be OT? Wouldn’t that actually prevent “important topics” from being passed to other readers….like some article about an Iraq contractor (non-Blackwater) being investigated for embezzlement when the topic is actually Blackwater’s killing civilians. One might have to wait awhile before that specific topic is raised in a post by a contributor…and that might be posted at a time when the respondant is actually at work. And by that point the information might be stale.

FDL (and the blogosphere) has a great advantage in getting information out to its “subscribers” quickly…and often that information comes from a link provided by a “user” rather than a formal “contributor”. That allows those who obtain that information to discuss it (OT) and for others to respond if they wish.

I’d hate to lose that intimate free-form “cafe-like” capability.

But I will offer one bit of advice if you find that annoying, Ted. Use your computers “Find” function and type in several key words that relate to the Original Topic. For example, in this post you could use key words like “insurance”, “SCHIP”, “health”, etc.

Then you simply read the responses that emerge with highlighted words you were seeking…and hit “Next” to scroll through all the irrelevant topics that lack any of those “key words”.

After you call your Congresscritter, you can join folks at an SCHIP vigil Tuesday night.

http://pol.moveon.org/event/ev…..ion_id=101

MoveOn is sponsoring these events along with AFL-CIO, AFSCME, SEIU, Americans United for Change, USAction, TrueMajority, and MomsRising.

Mike McIntyre will vote to override according to his website: http://www.house.gov/mcintyre/….._15_07.htm

randron @ 18

Isn’t ironic that the same “patriotic, fiscal conservative” Republicans can vote for unending massive tax cuts for their wealthy adult constituants, but then rationalize their vote against SCHIP because it would benefit the “wealthy?” Their “ironicometer” is clearly on the blink! Can we please hold a telethon to raise money for a Republican “heart-transplant?”

Whatever their rationalization it’s just a cover for pure politics. They don’t want Dems to achieve any coups which would benefit them politically. They want to dominate the political scene completely and to that end they will nearly bankrupt America (shrink it to where it could be drown in a tub of water).

But, there’s a big backlash against Bush and if we’re lucky someone like Edwards will come in and proceed to pave the place with great government for the people.

It will be good and the people will be happy. We will all smile again.

realworld @ 37

OT: Rendition is about to make it into the popular discussion arena. Apparently there is about to be a major market film released dramatizing it.
Rendition, the movie

Somebody should ask Hillary if rendition flights were her idea and why Bill authorized them!

Oklahoma kiddo @ 63

Condi has picked up an HRC trick. “Triangulating”.

It ought to be fun to watch. I hesitate to predict anything.

I hope they talk about making Jerusalem an international city run by the U.N. or some other triunal religious group composed of Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Hugh @ 85

Re Condi, she is all hat and no cattle. She talks about talking about discussing Israel-Palestine but nothing ever actually happens. Until something does, it’s all pointless verbiage

The website for the Rendition movie is pretty cool.

I’m willing to give Condi the benefit of the doubt. Besides, she hasn’t got much else to do with her time. She might as well take a shot at it. Who knows, maybe they’re ready to deal and she can just walk in and sign the papers.

Stranger things have happened.