Mornin’ Christy. I’m glad someone watches these shows so I don’t have to.

From downstairs:

Waccamaw December 16th, 2007 at 3:59 am – 133
You might want to check out C-Span2…running something from 9-19-07 including Maxine Waters who just said, “Thank God for the bloggers.”

Hope some others have had a chance to watch this, either this morning or earlier. It’s a Q & A with members of the progressive?out of Iraq caucus and William Polk, author of Violent Politics and apparently lasted two hours. Has anyone read the book or has he appeared on the book club? Definitely going on my to-read list. If you get a chance to see it later on C-Span or maybe on-line, it’s absolutely a must-see.

Another of Julie’s “magic” photos!

Second that. Book reading for me today, since it’s snowing & that limits ourdoor activity.

Everyone still asleep?

Welcome back, Christy!

Missed your posts :)

After yesterday’s Christmas Bird Count, we’re a little zonked around here, so we’re operating on fuzzy brain.

Good Morning Christy!

CSPAN showed a campaign ad for McCain who is going to CUT TAXES, and I saw one last night for Romney with the same message I’M GOING TO CUT TAXES (not yours but…)

So how are they going to pay for the War on Terror? I don’t understand.

love the birdie pic

To the folks in the Northeast. We understand you are being hit with another blast of winter. We understand what you are going thru. May the Saints protect each of you, especially those war vets on the street who have no home.

Yep, snow here. Echo your sentiments on the homeless.

As for me, fuel oil tank & pantry are full, wood is stacked, plenty of books. I love the snow.

Good morning all. Clear and 25 degrees in north Texas.

We’re getting pummeled:

http://www.wunderground.com/ra…..2.48857880

the trees are turning crystal here.

Wish we had your problem Julie! We do have snow, but not enough to do anything other than slip when you walk on the pavement.

South of you. Snow is much lighter here.

We’re getting pummeled

you sure are, but no doubt all the feeders are full!

At least the cats have an easier time watching the birds in the morning now. The snow has drawn even the reluctant ones closer to our house and they just sit for hours watching them!

Ellliott: the feeders aren’t full, but they’re near-full. I expect to be going out this afternoon to fill them again.

So how are they going to pay for the War on Terror?

“Pay” for the war? What a *quaint* idea! [s/]

The only thing the thugs know how to do is “wage” war….and a d*mned poor job of that. :-(

It’s Cold Outside

just shoveled off 6 inches of power, changing to sleet freezing rain now.

I suggest a full scale assault on c-span to represent the views of american since the msm gives no creedance to imortant issues……..

brainwashed minds……… they have problem……..most people are not brainwshed!!!!

Thx for the vid. ;0)

morning!

snowed in here in central ma – freezing rain now, and predicted through the day. just in case, i’m gonna turn the heat up a bit – no fireplace here, so if the power goes so does my oil furnace. a warm house takes longer to freeze than a cool one.

I know its cold……my fingers dont work and I cannot spell!!

it’s the birds i feel bad for. before this storm hit i filled up the four feeders: thistle, peanuts, sunflower/safflower seeds, and pure suet. got a big crowd at my house now, chowing down some calories to fight the cold.

It’s a bit on the cool side here too. Snowed yesterday and it was in the teens last night. But the sun is shining this morn. Wish we could send a bit of sun up north to all you guys.

Even when it’s hot I can’t spell. Wonder why that is. ;0)

and Elliott @ 6

No, no, no, the War on Terra is going to pay them. It’s the unseen hand, and you know where it is….

The Chris Matthews Show has gawdawful time slotting out here on the snowswept tundra…..grumble, grumble, mutter mutter….gotta go get that first cup of fresh coffee.

Wrt the msm, there’s Keith, Moyers and Democracy Now….not nearly enough but good and true voices all.

i wonder what the world would be like if most americans watched democracy now! every day.

Did you see KO on Moyers?
http://rawstory.com/rawreplay/?p=282

I do that! Relentless…….

KO on Moyer’s Journal………on point!!!

i wonder what the world would be like if most americans watched democracy now! every day.

I think the anti-depressant industry would be skyrocketing.

Just sayin’.

Thompson, Romney, Bond, Hoekstra, Norah ‘O, etc. My gawd.

And where are HRC and Obama this crisp morning? Playing in the sandbox?

media control, men in black boxes, know beautiful articulate women!

It is a no brainer for corp executs….just like the marlboro man…
basic instint!!!

Good morning everyone.

Just plain rain here in South Jersey. I was doing some research yesterday for the land preservation group I work with, and found this

S.1694
Pollinator Protection Act of 2007 (Introduced in Senate)
Title: A bill to authorize resources for sustained research and analysis to address colony collapse disorder and the decline of North American pollinators.

I didn’t know about this bill. Evidently it’s stuck in committee.

maybe as a short term response… but i’m still hopeful enough that enough of us would not permit the current state of affairs (with both parties) to continue. one of the many things i like so much about amy goodman is that she has her point of view (inclusive, populist and anti-war), but she’s nonpartisan and doesn’t cut the dems any slack.

S.1694
Pollinator Protection Act of 2007 (Introduced in Senate)
Title: A bill to authorize resources for sustained research and analysis to address colony collapse disorder and the decline of North American pollinators.

I didn’t know about this bill. Evidently it’s stuck in committee.

since the end of June? wonder what the deal is?
or maybe there is no deal.

The fisa bill and a sucessful fillibuster by Dodd is on the front line in my mind.

I guess the pollinators don’t have a strong K Street influence.

Bees are important also. There is a commonality here, Dodd and Bees, it involves the…………… truth

great commentary on “Wider Spying Fuels Aid Plan for Telecom Industry” by Eric Lichtblau, James Risen and Scott Shane in the nyt – from glenn and marcy.

maybe as a short term response… but i’m still hopeful enough that enough of us would not permit the current state of affairs (with both parties) to continue. one of the many things i like so much about amy goodman is that she has her point of view (inclusive, populist and anti-war), but she’s nonpartisan and doesn’t cut the dems any slack.

I’m not convinced we’d change anything as much as find newer words to describe what we’re doing and slowly creep our way towards fascism.

Honestly: I think we’ve got a higher likelihood of ending up as a fascist state under Clinton than under Rudy because with Rudy, a lot more people will oppose it whereas with Clinton, we’ll be more complacent.

I agree that Amy does a good job of pushing back against this sort of thing, though. I just think we’re too complacent as a whole to expect real change to come without real leaders.

Hillary says she needs to learn how to do ‘one line zingers’. My lady says she should hire me. There are occasions, infrequent as they may be, when lahoma likes to needle me.

Clinton Hits Rough Patch
As Iowa Showdown Nears
Rivals Strike From Left
As She Courts Center;
‘Responsibility Gene’

Some of the skills needed to pull this off haven’t come naturally to Sen. Clinton. Despite her long exposure to the national limelight, she came late in life to a political career of her own, and has worked to develop her own voice. For example, she has never found it easy to give simple answers to questions. As First Lady, she once listened as White House press secretary Joe Lockhart briefly distilled for President Clinton what he, the aide, would tell reporters about some complex foreign-policy news.

She took him aside afterward, he says. “How do you do that?” she asked. “I need to learn how to do that. I was trained as a lawyer — I’ve always made an argument in paragraphs. I need to learn to speak in sound bites.” That was his clue, he recalls, that she was contemplating a Senate run.

http://online.wsj.com/article/…..?mod=blogs

The fisa bill and a sucessful fillibuster by Dodd is on the front line in my mind.

me too. i’m going to try to spend a bit of time today going through references on senate rules – i really should have done it after the iraq war funding overnighter the senate had this july.

Good Morning Christy. And welcome back!

Any word from the Obama/Clinton/Biden camps as to whether they will be (physically) supporting Dodd’s filibuster?

A timely article from your newslinks on the front page:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12…..ref=slogin

Sounds like the Administration has been Hoovering phone data since day one.

Christy! No avatar yet?

We kinda like Dodd in this house.

“At stake is the federal government’s extensive but uneasy partnership with industry to conduct a wide range of secret surveillance operations in fighting terrorism and crime.”

To be used against the american people as corporations and government become one “corpogovernment” in the continual assault and eventual usurpation of the constitution. We are a means to an end. Profit where as in the case of “BIG TOBBACO” millions die premature while a generation is brainwashed by media campaigns to dispell the relationship between smoking butts and cancer! Energy interests and “Executive Oil” are proptecting thier interests well, the product and the “cash cow” US

I wonder what the MSM is planning to pull on Edwards? Something fishy when he gets on 3 shows this close to the Iowa caucus.

selise @ 28 -

BETTER!

eCAHN @ 29 –

Oh, yes! T’was a most excellent segment.

Honestly: I think we’ve got a higher likelihood of ending up as a fascist state under Clinton than under Rudy because with Rudy, a lot more people will oppose it whereas with Clinton, we’ll be more complacent.

well, if the ’90s are the example we’d follow you may be right so far as those of us who call ourselves dems. but certainly, among the craziness of whitewater and blue dresses, the republicans did a better job of fighting back clinton’s moves towards a national surveillance state than the dems have done with bush as president.

one possibility i’ve considered is that with a dem president and an R congress (or at least a large minority, as we have now) we might have the best chance to roll back some of the presidential power grabs – including secrete warrantless spying on americans…. if that fight happens, my greatest fear is that the dem base would rally ’round a dem president (as we did somewhat in the ’90s) even when that dem president was doing some very bad stuff.

Ditto here! And if his presidential bid fails, I think he’d make a fine Senate Majority Leader…

among the craziness of whitewater and blue dresses, the republicans did a better job of fighting back clinton’s moves towards a national surveillance state than the dems have done with bush as president.

I don’t think they really did, though. They, for example, handed him a line item veto, something that would be law today if not for the Supreme Court. They supported a lot of his more reactionary legislation and their objections to him were largely about morality not about police states.

i’m going to be watching the fisa fight very very carefully… because, if it’s for real (and not one of these fake kabuki fights we’ve been seeing from congress), then i expect to support dodd too.

i’ve been a little disappointed by the lack of transparency from the dodd camp on what he means to do (which i can understand if he has procedural tricks up his sleeves, but not if he doesn’t)… so i guess it’s up to us to watch carefully and come to our own conclusions.

Morning everyone. We got some snow here in Central NY. Not as bad as they predicted but more may be on the way. Or freezing rain.

Ditto here! And if his presidential bid fails, I think he’d make a fine Senate Majority Leader…

yes, altho imo just about anyone would be better than the one we have now.

Dodd’s point is KO’s point is Moyer’s Point, probably Cronkite’s fears…

I’m hoping for a snow day tomorrow so that I, too, can watch cspan. But, tell me if I’m wrong, I think there’s no hope. (Would love to be wrong).

Sorry for the duplicate posting, but I got to CHS’ FISA story late yesterday. I posted the fax numbers for the three candidates. I sent to their campaign offices because I figured no one would be at their Senate offices and because I think the campaign managers should be pushing these three to go to D.C. Monday to support Dodd in his filibuster.

Someone had made the comment the other day that one of the best hopes we have on this is all of them show solidarity and support Dodd. It would be very hard for the MSM to ignore four of the Democratic candidates taking a day or two off of the campaign trail to come to Washington to filibuster.

Clinton
Campaign – D.C. – 703-962-8600
Campaign – Iowa – 515-280-1825
Senate Office – D.C. – (202) 228-0282

Biden
Campaign – National – 302-652-1475
Campaign – Iowa – 515-225-7005
Senate Office – D.C. – 202-224-0139

Obama
Senate Office – D.C. – (202) 228-4260

(If anyone has fax numbers for Obama’s campaign offices, please post them.)

I think we should be hitting these three hard today.

nope. the line item veto wasn’t about a national surveillance state. see this post from jeralyn on what went down in 1996:

The following is an article I wrote in 1996 (originally published in The Champion at 20 Champion 33, available on Lexis.com) titled Partisan Politics vs. the Bill of Rights. It was about a host of privacy-intrusive surveillance measures then being proposed by Clinton and the Democrats in the name of the war on terror. With a few word substitutions, like “9/11″ for “TWA Flight 800″ and Bush for Clinton, there’s not much difference between then and now. Except that then, conservatives in Congress came to the rescue. Unfortunately, they too are now on the wiretapping bandwagon.

nope. the line item veto wasn’t about a national surveillance state. see this post from jeralyn on what went down in 1996:

The following is an article I wrote in 1996 (originally published in The Champion at 20 Champion 33, available on Lexis.com) titled Partisan Politics vs. the Bill of Rights. It was about a host of privacy-intrusive surveillance measures then being proposed by Clinton and the Democrats in the name of the war on terror. With a few word substitutions, like “9/11″ for “TWA Flight 800″ and Bush for Clinton, there’s not much difference between then and now. Except that then, conservatives in Congress came to the rescue. Unfortunately, they too are now on the wiretapping bandwagon.

I got this from a friend
cracked me right up
The Right-Wing Facebook

I forgot to mention this earlier– in addition to bird photography, I also do light drawings. Here’s one of the most recent and here’s a link to my light drawings gallery

Hey, if i took that attitude dear, I’d be dead :)

although it is probably not a good idea to ask them to “support” dodd’s filibuster (even though that’s how we see it).

how about: i don’t plan on supporting any candidate for president who’s not on the senate floor fighting.

Some conservatives “came to the rescue” when Clinton was president, but a lot didn’t. And while the line item veto is not about surveillance, it is about consolidating presidential power.

10-4 gOOD BUDDY!

Who is on the Sunday news shows? Here’s your list for today. Just two weeks out from the Iowa caucuses, it’s a lot of presidential hopefuls, the reporters who are covering them in the field…and not a lot around the edges other than some intel/FISA/torture issues, steroids in baseball and a few other bits and pieces.

What they also won’t be talking is 5 Million Orphans

Dubhaltach

i think it all depends on what the other dem senators want – dodd will succeed or fail (assuming he really is doing a balls to the wall filibuster fight) depending on who supports him (and not just with words or a vote – it’s going to take a physical presence on the senate floor if i’m reading the rules correctly).

We’re going to do our morning workout, so I’ll catch up with everyone later

call and tell the other pres candidates a failure to support Dodd will result in the loss of your vote for them!!! :)

I’m glad someone watches these shows so I don’t have to.

You got that right! I let Driftglass watch this garbage and then eloquently eviscerate it every week in his “Sunday Morning Coming Down Feature”. I cannot recommend his writing highly enough.

http://driftglass.blogspot.com/

What they also won’t be talking is 5 Million Orphans

You’re right, we won’t be hearing about them in the MSM anytime soon.

I’m having some problems with this site. Anyone else?

I did a little earlier but things seem OK here now.

Morning pups,
Great to have you back Christy.
My wingnut neighbor put an inflatable barn owl in a small tree in his backyard to counter my bird feeders. The birds think it’s a hoot.

Some conservatives “came to the rescue” when Clinton was president, but a lot didn’t. And while the line item veto is not about surveillance, it is about consolidating presidential power.

my bold.

are you sure about that? which ones are you referring to? because it sure doesn’t sound like that from jeralyn’s post.

p.s. my comment was concerned soley with the consolidation of presidential power in the implementation of a national sureillance state. i make no claims about other dimensions of presidential power.

“although it is probably not a good idea to ask them to “support” dodd’s filibuster…”

I’m open to be enlightened(?) at the risk of sounding stupid !!!

i’d tell them!!

I sent this letter to my Senators (Clinton and Schumer):

Dear Senator:

I am writing to insist that you vote no on the cloture vote on the FISA bill on Monday and that you support Senator Dodd in his filibuster if necessary to prevent passing a FISA bill that provides retroactive immunity to the telecom industry for their violations of US law.

Furthermore, it is nauseating that Senator Reid (1) is proceeding with the Intelligence Cmte bill (which provides for retroactive immunity) rather than the Judiciary Cmte bill (which does not) and (2) is refusing to honor Senator Dodd’s hold on the legislation, while routinely honoring the holds of Republican Senators. Whose Party is Reid supposed to be a member of, anyway?

Given Reid’s failure to represent the wishes of the base supporters of the Democratic party, he should be removed as Majority Leader and replaced by someone who does not continually give cover to the Republican Party.

Best regards,
PhysioProf

I just got an e-mail from Conyers titled FISA Call to Action. He’s directing people to Dodd’s Web site.

Ron Paul still has the national stage while Dennis Kucinich is tucked away and shoved into a box. Who said the media is liberal? Huh!

i had no idea is was that high (and probably higher)… but i should have, because it fits with what we know about the number of deaths we’ve caused. thank you, dubhaltach, for the link. it is something that should be on my mind more.

listening to C-span WJ OBAMA!! HRC fell on the dagger…. “cocaine”

great post my I plagerize!!!

Russert asking what the hell does “freedom requires religion” mean?

i just recommend something like “support the filibuster” or “lead the filibuster” – don’t think they’re going to be swayed to help if they think it’s just a bunch of people already committed to dodd who are calling. better to sound undecided (if you are) and not mention anyone’s name but the person’s campaign you are calling.

my 2 cents. your mileage may vary.

Well, I know I should have been Prairie, girl reporter, dutifully reporting on Mittens with Timmeh, but since he always reminds me of the unctuous undertaker who tried to upgrade my late beloved mother-in-law’s wishes to the super cadillac edition coffin, I just couldn’t do it.

Instead, inspired by all the changes going on in blog nation these days, I went out in the snow with my trenchcoat over jammies and digital camera and tried something new for my site. You’re welcome to stop by anytime at Prairie Sun Rising now with picture [and hopefully more to come!].

Pauls supporters are strong in conviction…..

Julie — thanks so much for your beautiful bird photography! There’s many of us here who’ve been enjoyin’ em for quite some time.

I see a lot of yard signs, bumper stickers etc for Ron Paul and nothing really significant for other candidates. His supporters are raising his profile.

solai and Elliott -

I have a question for all the powers that be involved with the big switch-over:

With emptywheel and the Lake now consolidated, were any contingency plans made for when the server(s?) go totally FUBAR, as they surely will? There used to be “windcatpond” but I don’t know if that’s operational at all now in time of need. Some of us have no involvement in “facebook” (especially after their little *problems*) so that option’s out. The only contact I had during the weekend everything was in turmoil was ew’s…..so where do we go in time of need?

that conviction is to the constitution, like Dodd like Kucinich, it is a commonality that thinking american understand………..

the resrictions placed on government………..

Good morning Christy!

In the midst of another week of horrors of bush and vichy dem Reid some good news: New Jersey legislature outlawed the death penalty this past week – Corzine is set to sign the law on Monday – The Colleseum in Rome is lighting up gold for 24 hours on Tuesday in honor of New Jerseyans moving away from babrbaism.

New Jersey: the home of Krugman and Rush Holt is outta-sight!
.

They are, but Kucinich has his loyal followers as well. If the ROM (republican owned media) would bring Kucinich to the stage to be heard nationally, it would be a good thing. *sigh* Of course, that will never happen. Stinks.

Of course!

I own a housecleaning business and I can’t count how many times I’ve heard a prerecorded phone message from Ron Paul on my customer’s answering machines! Wow. They are diligent that’s for sure.

Ack, the ubiquitous Johnny Cash title — must go make small edit in my blog heading methinks. See ya later

oh, and Edwards is also the Newsweek coverboy this week. MSM wants to say, see, we weren’t really ignoring Edwards…no not much….

yeah for new jersey!!

p.s. you may have noticed – i’ve become a BIG rush holt fan this year!

That’s an interesting point (not mentioning Dodd by name when writing to Senators who are also presidential candidates). I hadn’t thought of that when I wrote to Clinton and Schumer.

Well, they’re not stupid, so if the calculus for Clinton involves considerations of whether supporting Dodd will make him look better electorally, then she will engage in that calculus regardless of whether people use Dodd’s name when they write to her.

Pluege, Krugman is now readable because the NYT’s dropped the firewall. He has a very clear and concise explanation of the financial crisis going on in the US.

I urge you all to read it.

Also, if it hasn’t been noted(I haven’t read upthread), Turkey has launched aerial raids with fixed wing fighter craft inside Iraq for the first time since they threatened war with PKK rebels.

More Bush-caused instability.

-G

Romney’s father marched with Martin Luther King? So he says.

I just got an e-mail from Conyers titled FISA Call to Action. He’s directing people to Dodd’s Web site.

that’s awesome! it means conyers has gone from procedural support for the PAA and the fucked up version of the RESTORE ACT (which holt and the progressive caucus forced him and reyes to improve this go-around) while blocking the better holt bill…. to supporting dodd’s filibuster??!!??

wow.

Howard Annis Kurtz Trophy husband of a gooper whore continues is craptastic coverage of the Clinton campaign by lying about Obama’s admitted drug use and trying to pretend Obama never used cocaine.

Thanks for the interpretation selise. I just forwarded the e-mail so you see what he says.

thanks! going to check now… (email on another computer)

Rich takedown of Mittens in the NYT this morning. Nothing I heard from MTP Mittens hour would refute.

Good morning from L.A. Finally got the fireplace lit- wet kindling can be cranky, but use enough crumpled newsprint & you’re in business…

Will watch CNN for John Edwards- can anyone ask him an incisive question and wait for more than 10 seconds before interrupting to interview themselves? Five will get you ten Blitzer’s out of the running on both counts…

Probably will stick around to watch Kit Bond, primarily to see him dig an even deeper hole for himself re: his “waterboarding is like swimming” pitch on Lehrer the other night. Poor Kit must be a really lousy swimmer.

Good morning, everyone. I must say I’ve been enjoying these posts on the “Huckabee Panic”. Most of you have probably seen this one from TBogg;

http://tbogg.firedoglake.com/2…..atin-huck/

There’s also this one from Carpetbagger, with a hilarious link to John Cole;

http://www.thecarpetbaggerrepo…..13938.html

I do so enjoy watching these @sses tie themselves in knots, such fun!

“Probably will stick around to watch Kit Bond, primarily to see him dig an even deeper hole” to china……..

My grandfather fought against the Kaiser. So f*cking what?

Also, if you haven’t seen the latest escalation in rhetoric between the US and Russia.

Russia says that a US interceptor missile launched from Poland could trigger the automatic attack response from Russias’ nuclear system.

Yep, George W. Bush has brought the cold war back.

Russia also says that they could put missiles in Belarus as a buffer.

Great work Chimpy.

-G

Tim Russert has just skewered Mitt Romney’s flip-flop on the subject of a woman’s right. Russert replayed videos of Romney in the Massachusetts governor’s race praising his mother’s 1970 courageous stand on the subject in Utah and emphasizing that he [Romney] would be “unwavering” in his defense of a woman’s rights for her own body. Now Romney says that he has always “personally opposed abortion”. I have news for Romney. When a man says that he “personally” opposes abortion, that only means he would never have an abortion himself.

My mate’s dad was RAF ground crew during the Battle of Britain. Vote for me!

a complete pandererererererererr…………

Mitt sez: Some of my fathers’ best friends were black.

-G

I saw “Apocalypse Now”. VOTE FOR ME!

We reckon – on a very conservative estimate – that it’s at least ½ million more and more likely to be a bit more than a million.

Just to give an example from the people who write on our site:

* Khalil (who posted that) is one together with his 2 sisters and 3 brothers.

* Mohammed Ibn Laith who also writes on our site is another together with his younger brother and his sister.

* Omar Khdhayyir and his family have taken in 8 children none of them older than 5 all of them cousins of theirs all of them orphaned.

* Nur Hussein Ghazali has taken in 12 children, 8 of them orphans and related, together with her widowed sister and her 4 children.

* Maryam runs several refugee camps for some just for children – the last time I looked which admittedly was a month ago about 90% them were orphans the remaining 10% the family was headed by their widowed mother.

* Um Thalit is a widow with children last year she took in her widowed sister and her three children.

I could go on but you get the idea…..

Dubhaltach

Lawrence O’Donnell has a piece @ HuffPo w/some interesting observations on the Romney pere/MLK march:

“The pundits had no idea how deliberately misleading Romney’s speech was. They loved the bit about Romney’s father marching with Martin Luther King. None of them knew that if at the end of the march with George Romney, Martin Luther King was so taken with Mormonism that he wanted to convert and become a Mormon priest, George Romney would have had to tell him that they don’t allow black priests. George Romney might also have had to explain to the Reverend King that Mormons believe black people have black skin because they turned away from God…”

Romney & Me

Good lord, Willard is weaseling, self-contradicting, spinning, and generally making a fool of himself on MTP.

news flash: Timmeh is missing all the obvious follow-up questions. Surprise!!

will incorporate your suggestions…. !

In the event you haven’t heard the news. Gov. Huckabee is proposing an environmentally sound change in the Whitehouse if he gets elected. No more fuel guzzling jets for this president-pastor.

It will run on Jesus juice and Huckabee hot-air.

Introducing:

Prayer Force One!

-G

That’s great. I love Frank Rich.

I saw Greaser’s Palace (bet not many of you can say that). Vote for me.

I haven’t been real concerned with mentioning Dodd by name. All three (Obama, Clinton, Biden) have gone on record at least twice saying that they don’t want this bill. Awhile back, when they did actually say they would support the filibuster and earlier this week when they and 11 other senators sent the letter to Reid expressing their preference for the Judiciary version over the Intelligence version.

If I could talk to any of these candidates’ campaign managers today, I would tell them that I think this is a golden opportunity to get some free publicity for their candidate, showcasing how they put the Constitution and Rule of Law above primary politics. Showing solidarity.

Sometimes it takes something way out of the ordinary to get the MSM to take notice (notice how the Sunday Talking Heads have chosen to ignore it today, just based on their guest list). Four Senators putting their primary electioneering on hold to go filibuster a bill that takes away the rights of American citizens to file a civil lawsuit against the Telco companies who GAVE data to the Feds WITHOUT WARRANT is harder to ignore.

Hearing Edwards on Snuffy right now — re Des Moines Register endorsing Clinton… his “too-harsh” attitude toward corporations. Excuse me? Too harsh?

I’d be interested if anybody knows any backstory on the Des Moines Register in recent years. I know their editorial board is all female for the first time.

Edwards: we need a tough, Teddy Roosevelt kind of president who’s capable of galvanizing the people to take on the challenges we face.

Edwards for the greater good of American people, taking on the well financed well entrenched interests that want to prevent change…working with politicians, but working for the greater good…like Teddy Roosevelt [trustbuster], like Harry Truman.

The last time Edwards was on ‘This Week’, Snuffy was downright antagonistic towards Edwards. Nearly snarling. How is he this time?

Just finished watching the Olbermann piece on Moyers. I especially liked the swipe he took at Dana Perino:

“When you cover a sport like baseball or football or whatever, that you’re just– you’re here for this part of the story. You’re– you’ve joined it 75 years in progress or 100 years in progress. It should be the same way when you’re covering the news and particularly in politics. And yet, as we’ve seen, you know, people in the political world now don’t know what the Cuban Missile Crisis was.”

I have read comments on blogs (I forget if here) to the effect that Obama is a protege of Lieberman, and a closet neocon. Is there any verifiable evidence germane to this?

Love how ABC proved Edward’s point that corporations aren’t going to go without a fight. They put up Greenspan immediately after Edwards to say Edwards plan wouldn’t work.

Warm and fuzzy Snuffy asks about the buzz that Edwards will reveal a major Iowa endorsement tomorrow from the current governor or his wife.

Stay tuned, folks, this race ain’t over yet.

Demand better…be better

Edwards ‘08.

Yeah, I certainly have a lot of faith in anything Greenspin has to say. /s

it epitomizes “ignorance.” Does she know about the BOBulge, “Gulf of Tonkin” America’s North African Campaign WWII….. WTF

Greenspan–who didn’t see the subprime mortgage mess coming. Who parties hearty with Chee-knee? That Greenspan?

Ooooooooooooh, love the Greenspin.

Wordsmithery Wowzah

Blush

Wow! I got up early enough to post a comment on one of Reddhed’s early morning posts.

This one did not ask for our thoughts for the day. But I’ll give mine anyway: too much emphasis on the presidential race. Only thing that can start really fixing the mess the corporate media-GOP industrial complex has gotten us into is a nice new aggressive Congress. One willing to assert itself and take back some of unconstitutional powers several recent presidents have grabbed, and one that Bush-Cheney has elevated and pushed and exploited to what I think is a true constituional crisis. I will be watching, and contributing to the congressional races far more than presidential. Anyway, all the Democratic nominees would be a vast improvement over any of the GOP nominees.

I don’t like too much negativity in political comments, but what can you say positive about current Democrativ congressional leadership? Help me out here, I can’t think of anything.

Edwards now up on Face. My job is not to look out for the interests of Big Pharma…my job is to look out for the American people….

Subtext: Because Big Pharma and special interests can take care of themselves. ’bout damned time somebody stood up for the people who can’t. That will be Edwards.

Government should be protecting the power-less from the power-full, not the other way around.

Go, Johnny, go!!!!

he did mention how copyright laws have changed at the behest of corporate interests effectively snuffing technology that could put America back in the front seat leading the world in a new energy efficient economy. I recall debate on c-span as the laws were changed saying this is not good.

The rule of law to stiffle EVOLUTION?

thank you… i appreciate having names and stories to go with the devastating numbers – helps to bring the reality home a bit.

Here in Michigan we’re having a beautiful snowstorm. It’s too nice a morning to ruin by listening to the talking asses.

That conviction is to the constitution, like Dodd like Kucinich, it is a commonality that thinking american understand………..

the resrictions placed on government………..

With the exception of women’s bodies (Paul wants to give Constitutional rights to just conceived blastulas)

With the exception of the children of undocumented immigrants born within the United States

With the exception of the 14th Amendment giving all within the United States or under the control of Federal authorities the right to Constitutional Protections

maybe it’s just me, but I think Willard has today, on MTP, insured that he is now utterly incapable of winning his party’s nomination.

I hope I’m wrong, ’cause *any* Deocrat could mop the floor with him in the general election.

kiddo @ 44:

Clinton Hits Rough Patch
As Iowa Showdown Nears
Rivals Strike From Left
As She Courts Center;
‘Responsibility Gene’

Wow, this sounds like haiku!! [I know technically the number of syllables is wrong, but . . . ]

I’m SO happy to see Edwards on a number of the shows!!! I’m watching him now on Face The Nation.

[M]aybe it’s just me, but I think Willard has today, on MTP, insured that he is now utterly incapable of winning his party’s nomination.

What’d he do?

Edwards now up on Face. My job is not to look out for the interests of Big Pharma…my job is to look out for the American people….

That was his mantra for his Senate campaign; no Pac money, etc. After he was elected he voted big business. Maybe he has changed. Hillary takes a lot of Big Pharma money but voted against the big pharma welfare law, twice. Go figure. BTW, I hope Edwards gets a big win in Iowa.

got it (and one from conyers too).

he’s focusing on the immunity aspect, while ignoring the other problems with the scci version… which, i guess, makes sense given his position on the RESTORE ACT.

i hope this is a sign of real effort on the part of dems in congress to do the right thing. but i no longer try to give them the benefit of the doubt, actions are what matters now. we shall see (especially if there is a bill, we will be able to tell a lot about who the house leadership puts on the conference committee).

I’m SO happy to see Edwards on a number of the shows!!! I’m watching him now on Face The Nation.

Agree. I still hope he pulls off an upset. I’m not sure I can hold my nose hard enough to vote for either Clinton or Obama.

All three (Obama, Clinton, Biden) have gone on record at least twice saying that they don’t want this bill. Awhile back, when they did actually say they would support the filibuster and earlier this week when they and 11 other senators sent the letter to Reid expressing their preference for the Judiciary version over the Intelligence version.

yes, but in this case the letter and a vote against cloture is not enough. if they care about supporting the filibuster, their presence is required on the senate floor. that will be the acid test.

I realize the issue however, one candidat might neutralize the other……
compromise……..

real core issues in politics makes for strange political bedfellows………………

catch you all later….

enjoy…..

Odd. Anyone note that with the exception of Bayh and Bond that there are hardly any Senators on the shows this Sunday? Lot’s of FORMER Senators, though. Could that mean that something interesting is about to happen in Washington tomorrow?

Agreed. They need to actively participate.

That was [Edward’s] mantra for his Senate campaign; no Pac money, etc. After he was elected he voted big business. Maybe he has changed. Hillary takes a lot of Big Pharma money but voted against the big pharma welfare law, twice. Go figure. BTW, I hope Edwards gets a big win in Iowa.

Yes, eCahn mentioned this problem yesterday too. I like most of what Edwards is saying on the stump these days, but there’s still that lingering doubt. Even worst case though, he may be the best of a bad bunch. I lost it for Kucinich when he floated the idea of Ron Paul has his veep. Talk about the Vicar of Bray.

What’d he do?

Spin, lie, weasel, fail to explain his numerous flip-flops, asserted milquetoast alternatives to his previously documented positions, said Huckster should apologize to the prez for Huck’s “arrogant, bunker mentality” re Iraq while in the same breath saying that Iraq “is a mess”, etc and ad nauseum.

Generally came across as a guy you wouldn’t even consider buying a used car from, let anywhere near your checkbook, or trust that what he said last week will have any bearing whatsoever on what he’d do if actually elected.

Boston Globe 3/31/2006. But you can google “Lieberman mentors Obama” and find all sorts of examples.

That’s a great piece. I would also recommend Jon Krakauer’s “Under the Banner of Heaven”.

http://www.amazon.com/Under-Ba…..038;sr=1-2

Shorter jayt @ 160:

What’d he do?

“The usual.”

I lost it for Kucinich when he floated the idea of Ron Paul has his veep. Talk about the Vicar of Bray.

That, and the interesting factoid that during the ‘06 election cycle, he gave $145K to the DCCC and no money to progressive candidates. All hat and no cattle???

Generally came across as a guy you wouldn’t even consider buying a used car from, let anywhere near your checkbook, or trust that what he said last week will have any bearing whatsoever on what he’d do if actually elected.
reply

Sounds like he has what it takes to be a Republican president.

Another KBR employee comes forward:

“If you wanted to get a promotion you didn’t necessarily have to have the qualifications,” remembered Lindsey, a former KBR contractor. “You just needed to be sleeping with the person who was doing the hiring.” […]

In a sworn affidavit for the Jones case, Lindsey said: “I saw rampant sexual harassment and discrimination.” […]

Her affidavit also said: “When anyone would report an incident of abuse or harassment, they would be threatened with a transfer to a more dangerous location.”

And speaking of Religion (as we are invariably forced to whether we like it or not), here’s my Latest FaBlog: Queer Eye For The Pope Guy.

Morning Christy!

Any coffee left? I was lazy this a.m., then got distracted by Kirk’s fine post downstairs & had to leave a rant on his doorstep.

I watched Timmeh last nite. My honey wondered “WHY!?!” His guest was that flying nit Cramer of M$nBC. I swear Tim got goosebumps of excitement talking to that nut. I couldn’t seem to look away. Those people are truly in their own little cocoon. Where does one begin, or is it even worth trying to wake them up to reality?

Hey Sunshine at #142! May I join your parade? Huzzah! I do. I truly do think Edwards means what he says.

As nekkidemperator once said, “This is hard work!” No kidding bubble boy!
He can’t step aside fast enuf to suit me. Then there’s that poopiteer fella. Who shaves ‘im in the mornin’? There’s the hardest job on the planet.

*retreats to hug pillow while the grownups talk*

Glenn Greenwald has a new FISA-related post this morning:

The Lawless Surveillance State

For some reason, the link doesn’t seem to have worked. Here’s the actual URL:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/g…..index.html

Alan Greenspan was in favor of Dubya’s looting of the treasury before he was against it.

Thanks so much for your letter. I modified it a bit, sent it off to my Senators (Cardin, who’s on Judiciary, and Mikulski, who’s a jerk), and forwarded it with a pleading e-mail to my friends in MD & VA to do likewise.

Hope this will generate some traffic to the Senate offices.

Thanks again for doing the initial footwork on this.

Thanks so much for your letter. I modified it a bit, sent it off to my Senators (Cardin, who’s on Judiciary, and Mikulski, who’s a jerk), and forwarded it with a pleading e-mail to my friends in MD & VA to do likewise.

Cardin has maintained right along that he is opposed to Telco immunity. Guess we’ll see what happens when push comes to shove. I agree totally with your assessment of Mikulski. She needs a primary challenger in the worst way.

Selise– I’m sure about what I remember and I’m also sure that Jeralyn’s post actually agrees with what I said:

The fight is far from over. President Clinton and Hill leaders from both parties have promised to revive their push for expanding government wiretapping authority as soon as Congress resumes after Labor Day. August 2, Reps. Hyde (R-IL), Conyers (D-MI), Schumer (D-NY) and McCollum (R-FL), among others, introduced H.R. 3960, the “Anti-Terrorism Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 1996.” Simply put, this bill consists of the wiretap provisions excluded from the just-passed H.R. 3953! It expands multi-point wiretapping, provides increased emergency wiretap authority, and relaxes requirements for obtaining pen register and trap and trace orders in foreign counter surveillance investigations. It reduces the number of the progress reports the government is required to submit to the judge during a wiretap, from the typical number of one every ten days (or at any other interval, in the discretion of the judge overseeing the case at hand), to a single report after fifteen days. And it adds yet more offenses to the list of RICO predicates.

CSPAN showed a campaign ad for McCain who is going to CUT TAXES, and I saw one last night for Romney with the same message I’M GOING TO CUT TAXES (not yours but…)

So how are they going to pay for the War on Terror? I don’t understand.

Apparently they plan to sell us all into permanent bondage to the Asians who loan us all that money.

It’s hard to be free when you’re bought and sold in the marketplace every day.

I didn’t know about this bill. Evidently it’s stuck in committee.

It might be nice for Congress to have a website with all proposed (and pending) legislation, so the public will know what’s up and how to petition their reps.

if his [Dodd’s] presidential bid fails, I think he’d make a fine Senate Majority Leader…

Well, if he’s going to be majority leader, then Edwards will have to look around for someone else to be Veep. :-)

Who would firepups prefer, if not Dodd?

Pauls supporters are strong in conviction…..

True Believers fall harder when their candidate doesn’t succeed. [been there, done that]

The question is, if he doesn’t succeed, then who will they support. Will they just walk away or will they still find a general election candidate appealing? Maybe they’ll decide to vote against the Republican nominee.

I don’t know how many Paul supporters there are, but would there be enough to help a Dem candidate win Texas, Utah, Wyoming?

Love how ABC proved Edward’s point that corporations aren’t going to go without a fight. They put up Greenspan immediately after Edwards to say Edwards plan wouldn’t work.

Yep. They tried to shoot him down. But, I think it might have backfired.

As I listened I was struck that some of the things Greenspan suggested were what Edwards also suggests.

I somehow suspect there are economists and financial interests who understand the sensibility of what Edwards is proposing. I don’t imagine they dismiss his plans outright. It’s time for a shift back to some common sense and governance for ALL of America, not just a few Bush family cronies.