Kick-ass ads! Thanks for your role in this Jane.

the telecoms have been very very good to most the politicians in eastern PA, so it’s no surprise he’s very very good to them in return.

clicked on the print ad, love it –
and psyched to read the very last bit, paid for by…

Glen has also written:

Whether it’s the war in Iraq or illegal surveillance or the abolition of habeas corpus and now the systematic use of torture, it’s the Bush administration that conceived of the policies, implemented them and presided over their corrupt application. But it’s Congressional Democrats at the leadership level who were the key allies and enablers, never getting their hands dirty with implementation — and thus feigning theatrical, impotent outrage once each abuse was publicly exposed — but nonetheless working feverishly the entire time to enable all of it every step of the way.

perhaps a party like that isn’t worth supporting, at all?

and psyched to read the very last bit, paid for by

That’s at the end of the video, too. I just checked, and the fund sits at over $66,000 collected so far. That can have a huge impact in a single congressional district at a time like this, so far ahead of the election. Carney will have to work very hard to overcome this if he wants to stick with immunity. Note in the comments on Glenn’s post that Carney tried to get the campaign stopped when he heard about it and was told that stopping it would be easy: all he has to do is come out against immunity and the ads stop.

$20 to the Blue America PAC, sorry it couldn’t be more.

Note in the comments on Glenn’s post that Carney tried to get the campaign stopped when he heard about it and was told that stopping it would be easy: all he has to do is come out against immunity and the ads stop.

jane – would you tell us more about this? glenn says there was a call?

I’m Peterr, and I approve of this message.

A lot.

And here’s a reminder as to why.

Am I right in thinking that Carney has already won the primary? So Blue America is supporting a gooper for this seat? Is the theory that Carney is going to lose anyway cause his district is so red?

I made a contribution. This capitulation/prostitution crap drives me nuts.

Who’s running against him?

when we contact carney’s office I want to put our concerns in perspective they can follow;

“why do you want telecoms to get immunity if they have stolen intellectual property”

“if they stole my manuscript of invention to give 100 miles to the gallon, why do you want them to get away with it?”

“why do you want telecoms to get immunity if they have allowed depraved to follow my wife or kid and committed crimes, possibly sexual against them?”

“why do you want telecoms to get immunity if they have stolen national secrets and sold them to our enemies?”

see that?

THAT’S the way to address this issue, forget that “it violates the constitution and my rights” stuff, that is not nearly as effective

from glenn:

For many reasons, it’s extremely difficult to field credible (i.e., well-funded) primary challengers to incumbents. If you restrict yourself to criticizing Democrats only when they have credible primary challengers, you’ll basically never criticize them.

Put another way, everything will just continue as is — they’ll believe that supporting the Right is what they should do and will continue to do it. Nothing will change. And since things haven’t been doing too well in Congress, that doesn’t seem like a good option.

Nancy Pelosi isn’t going to need Chris Carney’s vote on “procedural matters.” They’re going to have a huge margin with or without him.

The question isn’t whether the Democrats will control Congress after 2008 – they will. The question is what they’ll do with that control.

I will let Mickey Edwards, a former member of the Conservative Republican House leadership, speak for me:

The requirement for a warrant is in the Constitution. It’s not in the FISA Act. And one of the things that has to happen is for the members of Congress to begin to say, Mr. President, you may make a persuasive case. You may, in fact, convince us that something should be done. This, under the Constitution, is all we are permitted to do and to operate within those constraints. So that’s the starting point of what’s wrong with the problem.

The – I’m been very critical of the Republicans who ran the Congress for the first six years of the Bush administration who seem not to understand that they were both a separate and an independent branch of the United States government. But in fairness, let me also then criticize the Democrats who seem not to recognize that they’re an equal branch of government and who are all too willing to be fearful of partisan consequences if they do what their oath of office requires them to do in upholding the Constitution.

I was just trying to figure out what the facts are in this case. So this is NOT a primary challenge but actively supporting a gooper, correct?

1,848 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…

Citizen Hamsher and the Firepup Freedom Fighters:

Thank you for the post and a big “boo-yah” for the Blue America campaign to get Chris Carney to wake the fuck up. Digby has a post up from yesterday called “Main Core” that reinforces the critical importance of stopping the institutionalization of government surveillance of its own citizens.

What I want FDLers to remember this mornin’ is that the United States government has been doin’ stuff like this for well over 50 years and ya ken go back as far as WWI and Wilson’s Attorney. General to see some a the first efforts at nationalizing anti-subversive government activities. The key to a new understandin’ of the history of our country and our fascist political genes lies in the study of the relationship between federal LEGAL efforts to outlaw anti- government politics in the Alien and Sedition Acts and those efforts to protect the property rights of slave holders beginnin’ in the 1820’s.

The subterranean beast of American fascism has surfaced again in the politics of the neo-conservative “movement” and across the entire apparatus of executive administration of government. What makes this appearance most deadly is that it has a long and accepted history and is being implemented through quasi-legal actions of the executive and decisions of the SCOTUS.

Finally, let’s see the monster of American fascism in it’s entirety, let’s recognize that the end result of unregulated corporate capitalism in a democracy is fascism…and it’s here and it’s been here for a long time.

KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION, THIS BATTLE IS NOT GUNNA BE DECIDED IN THE COURTS!!

if i understand correctly – it is to pressure carney to change his position… knowing that it may mean carney is underminded in his race against an R challenger if he does not. (there is no primary challenger). hopefully jane will correct me if i have it wrong.

The question isn’t whether the Democrats will control Congress after 2008 – they will. The question is what they’ll do with that control.

and the answer to this question relies on if they allow them to corrupt themselves with all this power just as the republicans did with their power

we really have to get private financing of campaigns made illegal

The answer is “yes”!!

Good points!

Yup.

Isn’t the primary OVER in Pennsylvania?

That’s how I see it.

Public pressure — otherwise known as “constituent input” — is a remarkably strong way to get the attention of a member of Congress.

Chris Hackett is apparently the gooper who will win if Carney craters..He advertises himself as a pro lifer and long term conservative…How do their positions compare on the issues that matter to us? (war, Roe, health care, the environment, etc.) Does anyone know?

Do we know what happened with Jerry Lewis’ threat to attach teleco immunity to the Iraq supplemental?

do you mean that even if we win the election and have a large majority, we still have to hold their feet to the fire? when do we get a vacation?

1,848 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…

Citizen rwcole:

“…it is to pressure carney to change his position…”

And that means withholding money and/or progressive votes in the general election unless the bastard repents, recants and begs for absolution from those who got ‘im elected in ‘06.

It’s a shot in the ass to the Blue Dogs…those north of the Mason Dixon Line…a message that they better get rid of their fascist fleas or get another day job.

KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION, THE SOLUTION TO FASCISM IS NOT THAT COMPLICATED!!

Epu’ed so I will put it here.

I was just going through the calculations for the June window for an attack on Iran. The whole window extends from May 30 to June 12. During this period, the sun sets over Iran around 8:30 PM and rises around 6:30 AM. The sun contributes to the least amount of light in the sky at this time between about 1 AM and 4:30 AM. The new moon occurs on June 3, a Tuesday. The best dates for an Israeli attack taking a northern route happen during the first half of the window, May 30 (a Friday) to June 4. Because US forces are closer and do not need to fly over third countries, they have pretty much the whole window available whereas the second half of the window is very problematic for the Israelis. Other factors to keep in mind are how many US carriers remain in the region, where Petraeus is and what his job title is, and the ongoing withdrawal of US ground forces in Iraq due to the exhaustion of the “surge”.

Map of PA-10

Scranton Newspapers:

Letters@TimesShamrock.com

this page has a PA blogroll

ps – Carney supported HRC, so much for the Obama coattails – mentioned because now the last thing he needs are us dfh’s saying ‘mean things’ about him :D

As the saying goes, There is no rest for the weary, or is it the wicked? /s
And, as a friend of mine say’s, I’ll sleep when I’m dead.

only one carrier with the fifth fleet now (i think) since the truman has left (a bit early)

where Petraeus is and what his job title is

there is this:

Thursday, May. 22, 2008

9:30 am – Senate Armed Services
To hold hearings to examine the nominations of General David H. Petraeus, USA, for reappointment to the grade of general and to be Commander, United States Central Command, and Lieutenant General Raymond T. Odierno, USA, for appointment to the grade of general and to be Commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq.

Witnesses:
General David H. Petraeus, USA
Lieutenant General Raymond T. Odierno, USA

Yeah- Well I don’t live in Pennsylvania so I can’t withold my vote, and I have never given the guy a penny so I can’t withold money…I am trying to figure out if I want to support this ad campaign–I will make my decision based on a careful review of the FACTS.

A little confused by this as well. Considering the time and talent to produce these ads, then the buying the ad space, wouldn’t those same resources have more impact and results for someone like Alan Grayson?

I understand holding people’s feet to the fire, but at this point in the race I’m wondering if our very limited resources would have more effect if they were used to support BA candidates that really need the help.

Y’all probably talked about all this, but just offering some “customer” feedback. I “miss” things often, so would welcome the reasoning.

1,848 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…

Citizen rwcole:

Sigh…the point is that it is easier to hold a politician accountable to his/her constituents if the politics of that candidate are consistent with one party. That means that if the voters in one Pennsylvania district don’t like fascist surveillance of their mail and the killin’ of their kids in Iraq, then they have a choice. And if it means that the non-Democratic party candidates runs on Democratic politics and policies, then we have bi-partisan government.

It’s easier to fight fascism and fascist policies if their elected supporters and administrators are from one party.

KEEP THE FAITH, THIS AIN’T ALL THAT COMPLICATED!!

hoping we just need a small hibachi grill for the feet and not a bonfire.;-)

Of course we’re not supporting the GOP candidate. The idea that we can’t push back against bad legislation, and that the Blue Dogs should be able to put up the “for sale” sign without consequence, is just not one we subscribe you.

That argument is kind of like “if you don’t support the war you’re supporting the terrorists.” It isn’t an either/or proposition.

Overall the members on the defense committees in both Houses tend to be dorks and hawks. But it would be great if they got a clue and told Petraeus he would be much better employed writing his memoirs somewhere in retirement.

rwcole:

You certainly don’t hafta pay yer money in support of a candidate you don’t like. However you CAN think about supportin’ efforts to pressure a candidate you don’t like into changin’ his positions on fundamental principals of democracy…or not.

are you sayin that Carney is a fascist? Are you saying that he’s pro war? Are you sure you are right?

That’s exactly what I AM thinking about Norske- as I said above.. I like to see the facts before I make a decision….

gates and mullen on cspan3 now:

11 am – Senate Appropriations
Defense Subcommittee To hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2009 for the Department of Defense.

Witnesses:
The Honorable Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense
Admiral Michael G. Mullen, USN, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

note – cspan3 has an audio feed only for folks on dial up.

HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT

WATCH: McCain Confronted With New Iran Gaffe, Gets Facts Wrong Again
Hillary Clinton Opens Fire On ‘Sexist Media’
Obama’s Congressional Backers Opposed To A ‘Dream Ticket’
Round Three: McCain Shifts Foreign Policy Fight To Cuba
Google Tells Lieberman: Thanks For The Input But You’re Wrong
Senior Israeli Official: Bush Intends To Attack Iran
Obama Starts Off Day With Iowa Superdelegate
Tennessee GOP Senator Agrees With Obama
Seth Colter Walls>> Obama Or McCain: Who’s Really Underestimating Iran?
Sam Stein>> Obama’s Oregon Lead Undermines Idea Of “White Working Class” Problem
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BREAKING NEWS: McCain Resigns From His Campaign
Posted May 19, 2008 | 04:42 AM (EST)

——————————————————————————–

Read More: Bush, Mccain, Politics News

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Believing that he has become too much of a drag on his campaign, John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate, and one of the key components of his campaign and id, has stepped down, the latest casualty of a presidential campaign eager to cauterize damage caused by its ties to lobbyists, age and President Bush.

McCain, who has appeared in most of his commercials and fundraisers, is the highest profile departure from McCain’s inner circle since a summer 2007 shake-up cost McCain his campaign manager and chief strategist.

“My support for President Bush’s comparison of Senator Obama to Adolf Hitler, because Barack was willing to speak to Iran’s leaders, was the last straw,” said McCain. “Especially when I had already suggested that it was a good idea.”

“It not only showed his attachment to the President’s policies and indiscreet rhetoric,” said McCain spokesman, Tucker Bounds, “but it also underscored his short term memory issues and his desire to keep defense contractors and lobbyists on the public dole.”

Campaign officials have yet to name a replacement, but the betting money is on McCain confidante and wife, Cindy McCain. “She’s younger and already has enough money,” said Bounds. “And having the same last name saves a helluva lot of stationery and campaign poster reprinting.”

In a White House press release, President Bush said he was “sad about McCain’s decision” and “would give up something to be in solidarity with the grief McCain’s mother must feel.”

Thanks

man,

mccain is reclaiming his manhood

dorks and hawks

yeah. just throwing the date, may 22, into your calculations.

To me, the ultimate fact is that the problem is not one of national security at all. It is, in fact, a problem of separation of powers and checks and balances. The problem is the balance of power within our own government. The President has no inherent right to make demands of the Congress and the Congress has no innate requirement to comply with Presidential demands. Here again from Mickey Edwards in a panel on FISA: Safeguarding Both Security and Freedom which aired on C-Span August 29, 2007:

And it’s not a problem of the Democrats or Republicans. It’s a problem of members of Congress taking an oath of office and determining that there are certain things they are required and bound to do.

Snip

when the Congress determines that this is the path that should be followed, there needs to be a willingness in the Congress to enforce those decisions.

Snip

The Congress is good at rhetoric. Arlen Specter said all of the right things repeatedly and did nothing when members of the executive branch were called to testify and then they walked out without answering questions because they had other things to do. You know, this has been a constant thing with members of Congress not understanding the strength they have, the power of the purse, the power of subpoena, the willingness to say to the president that, you know, that you may be Mr. President, the head of state. We understand that. You go overseas, you represent the United States, you get the 21-gun salute, but you’re not the head of government. You’re only the head of state.

Glenn has a fine collection of the facts about Chris Carney and his role in supporting BushCo’s warrantless wiretapping. It’s in the Glenzilla link Jane posted above, and in the other links embedded in Glenn’s post.

Thanks- I’ll read it- I am interested in Carney’s OTHER positions vs his gooper opponent. If I am going to support a gooper- I at least want to know that his positions are no worse than the guy we’re gonna dump. If so- I’m in.

I think there’s a “/snark” missing there somewhere.

;)

hmm, listening to the “Financial Speculation in Commodity Markets: Are Institutional Investors and Hedge Funds Contributing to Food and Energy Price Inflation?”

will catch the Gates one on re-run

add my voice of appreciation for leading the effort to keep the pressure up on these folks …

Awe come on Cole, Carney won election by lipsynchin’ some progressive and anti- fascist positions. His actions after election were opposite his statements in the campaign. If he doesn’t publicly recant, SOME folks are callin’ on people in his district who voted for ‘im because of his progressive positions last time to withhold support THIS time. If that allows a Republican that supports those fascist policies to be elected, so be it…that folks will be easy ta target and folks in his district will NOT be able ta say “there is not a dimes worth of difference” between the parties.

It ain’t difficult, it’s an effort to isolate fascist politics in one party.

I don’t see this as supporting a gooper. Out Dems either support the people of this country or they don’t and Carney is especially irritating since he came here to ask for support and money. Feet to fire is good by me.

is the room audio feed working for you – or some other link? i couldn’t get anything when i tried at 10:30am.

What about retroactive immunity for the telecoms don’t you understand?

“Our Dems” Edit back, please

me too, so I went to their website
try this one
http://hsgac.senate.gov/public…..rings.Live

Carney, work’n the congressional carnival.

Great Blue America Ad!

Yes, I see this as an exercise in holding Carney accountable to his party. The best possible outcome is for him to come out against amnesty. As I understand it, if he does that quickly, some of the fund could then be used to thank him for seeing the light.

Good idea!

I’m truly fed up with the Blue Dogs. After we get even more of a majority in November they can strut around talking about being in power and very important and will still vote with the Repubs. I say we go after all of them head on.

wasn’t working for me earlier, but is now thanks. i’m going to listen to gates though, lieberman makes me feel ill. pls let us know if anything interesting and/or amusing is said.

I gave $50.

What’s wrong with supporting a Puke? It would send a strong message.

I think we should do that against Harry Reid. We don’t need to take out all the traitors, just one at a time. We’ll still have a majority in the Senate.

I would rather see a Puke than a traitor Rat who is a disgrace to the party and the country.

I think Reid is running again in 2012. Let’s take the worthless bastard out.

Is a wolf in sheep’s clothing any the less a wolf?

RRRRAAAAWWWWWW!!!!!1`111

amen. the house leadership has been useless, especially with regards to fisa.

I agree, but by-and-large it’s too late for the 2008 cycle. The target now is 2010, and we’ll have to put forward progressive challengers in the primaries.

One of the places where it’s not (quite) too late now is New Mexico. Our state newspaper of record (The Albuquerque Urinal) endorsed Harry Teague in the House District 2 Dem primary. His opponent is Bill McCamley, a reasonably progressive younger candidate. So of course the Journal endorses a conservative from the Eastern o’l patch.

BC

McCain live on CNN: in Miami saying, “I will not passively await the day when Cuba will be free.”

What, he’s plannin’ an invasion already?
.
.
More and better Democrats!

Prairie Today: Prairie Predictions

Yes.

If we don’t do it, we’re not supporting all the good Dems who turned down the Telecom’s money.

We’re not the ones lobbying for retroactive immunity. This isn’t a fight that anyone who believes in the Constitution and the rule of law liberals/progressives can walk away from.

Without blue dogs, would dems hold a majority in either house?

lol! almost spew’d on that one

We need to actively recruit good progressives to run against them and make sure that the people in their districts are told exactly what they are doing. There are times when you take a chance and simply do what’s right and damn the consequences.

McCain live on CNN: in Miami saying, “I will not passively await the day when Cuba will be free.”

Not to worry. I think he means that he will actively await the day. /s

Specter just referred to Gates as Ambassador Gates. I think he is losing it.

Twain, I wish your considered advice might fall upon the ears of Congress, be heard and acted upon …

Sometimes, the only honorable thing to do is what is right. Wouldn’t be a bad idea the rest of the time …

oh that Glenn, he must be ok now. But what about when he says in regards to the (D) congresscritters, who so bravely investigated steroid use in pro baseball:

Unfortunately, their interest in investigating and uncovering lawbreaking at the highest levels of our government is far, far less — nonexistent, actually. And worse than a mere failure to investigate, Congressional Democrats are institutionalizing the principle that the President and his highest aides are perfectly free to ignore any compulsory investigative instruments and thereby ensure that they have no real checks on what they do.

Is there any remaining aspect of our government which Congressional Democrats haven’t damaged severely through their toxic, weirdly consistent mix of passivity and complicity — all in one short year of ostensible “control”?

Well I would say that the odds of progressives winning in blue dog congressional districts are somewhere between slim and none- there’s another way—that’s to build a larger majority in both houses and then go after a few blue dogs in blue districts where the voters are likely to support a more progressive candidate- but that’s a slower more deliberate process than “nuke em all”.

current breakdown

btw – ask Al Wynn about that whole ’slim and none’ thingy :D

can you (please) tell me what we accomplished by having a majority in the house this past year?

better democrats please.

Either you’re missing my point, or I’m missing yours, although I have a feeling we’re on the same side. My point is just because someone fools us into believing he’s a Democrat because he calls himself one and spouts Democratic principles he doesn’t really believe in, once we find out who he really is because he undermines us, do we still owe him aid and comfort? I don’t think so, do you? I don’t think so because he is also undermining all those “good Dems who turned down the telecom’s money” as you state.

We really haven’t gain much this year by being timid. I don’t propose that we nuke them all – I just suggest that we put some handwriting on the wall and see what happens – our way or we will work against you.
Since all they care about is being re-elected, it couldn’t hurt.

Well, I hate to say this but, we got to set the agenda and we got to claim the chairmanship of many of the congressional committees.

can you (please) tell me what we accomplished by having a majority in the house this past year?

Well Harry Reid wrote a book and Nancy Pelosi discovered the difference between leadership and advocacy.

Of course “better democrats” is the goal- the issue is the best way to accomplish that.

I don’t think that the dem majority accomplished much of anything legislatively- I didn’t expect them to with a thin majority- and a member of the opposite party in the White House- what was valuable is what DIDN’T happen- more Bush policies turned into law- and that WOULD have happened if goopers had retained control

Every time I think about her calling us advocates I get totally furious. She might as well have said I’m the queen and you’re not. Who the heck does she think she is talking to the people like that !

I’ve perfected this look.

better n better!

OK–I thought from your previous comments that you WERE advocating nuking them all.

at least specter was advocating talking with iran instead of bombing them.

YES…if you allow for the Blue Dogs who were in office before ‘06…and that’s the point, ain’t it? To get the bastards elected and then DIS-elected if they don’t do the right thing. But the question should really be “were there Blue dogs before 2006″…and the answer of course is “yes”. Carney was elected with progressive support, acted as a Blue Dog and now must pay the consequences if he doesn’t recant. It’s the way we purge the bastards from the party. It ain’t complicated,Cole but I am confused about your discomfort if ya think you might be supportin’ a fascist by givin money to pressure another fascist in your own fuckin’ party. The Dems don’t lose the majority if they lose a few Blue Dogs now…

This is what it’s gunna take ta get DLC-corporatist politics and politicians outta the Democratic Party. Of course, gettin’ Obama on top a the ticket and kickin’ “she who should forever remain nameless” back ta New York is a good start.

what was valuable is what DIDN’T happen- more Bush policies turned into law- and that WOULD have happened if goopers had retained control

Yes, but Democrats continued to fund the war and the only reason the Republicans got away with so much when they were in the majority is because the Democrats failed miserably to mount any opposition.

now, back to McBluster in Miami . . .

I’m serious firedogs, who in the hell are his consultants . . .LeadBalloon Partners ?!?!?, ’cause I’d like to get in on that windfall . . . the once very reliable anti-Castro boots on the ground/gotv juggernaut has dissipated in the last 3 years – due in large part to the Republics allowing Tancredo/Sensenbrenner to run unleashed and bash the brown people . . .there are also generational differences coming in to play as well

PBS NOW – Florida Hispanics Have Their Say

OT…fukyougeorgebooooooosh

CNN

SANTA BARBARA, California (CNN) — Barbara Harvey climbs into the back of her small Honda sport utility vehicle and snuggles with her two golden retrievers, her head nestled on a pillow propped against the driver’s seat.

Californian Barbara Harvey says she is forced to sleep in her car with her dogs after losing her job earlier this year.

1 of 3 A former loan processor, the 67-year-old mother of three grown children said she never thought she’d spend her golden years sleeping in her car in a parking lot.

“This is my bed, my dogs,” she said. “This is my life in this car right now.”

Harvey was forced into homelessness earlier this year after being laid off. She said that three-quarters of her income went to paying rent in Santa Barbara, where the median house in the scenic, oceanfront city costs more than $1 million. She lost her condo two months ago and had little savings as backup.

“It went to hell in a handbasket,” she said. “I didn’t think this would happen to me. It’s just something that I don’t think that people think is going to happen to them is what it amounts to. It happens very quickly, too.”

Harvey now works part time for $8 an hour, and she draws Social Security to help make ends meet. But she still cannot afford an apartment, and so every night she pulls into a gated parking lot to sleep in her car, along with other women who find themselves in a similar predicament.

It’s a great strategy to go after BushDogs when there is a primary challenger we can rally behind. That’s not the case here with this Carney ad campaign.

I still wonder if Blue America time, talent, and money would have more impact if they were going to people like Alan Grayson, Jim Himes, etc. to make sure we get as many of these people in Congress as possible.

Carney is already the Dem candidate, and it doesn’t seem like we have much sway with him or his constituents. When he’s up again, yes, I’m all for running against him, just as we did with Al Wynn, but at this point of the process, it seems like our resources would be better spent elsewhere.

I can just imagine McCan’t waking up every morning: “Is Cuba free? Put aside that toast, man! IS CUBA FREE?!?!”

That’s exactly the kind of thinkin’ that has got us passive leadership and corporatist Democrats in the first damned place.

omg

http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/LI…..ng.cnn.jpg

LOL!

There must be at least a few Blue Dogs who are beginning to wonder about their future if it could happen to Wynn. We need to push that fear as far as we can.

personally, i’m not interested in supporting candidates (like carney) unless there is a way to hold them accountable. so, for me, it’s a win/win – because it makes the support for dems that we think are progressive more effective if they know what may happen to them if they lie to us (as carney has done).

OT via Raw Story:

“At a campaign stop in Prestonburg, Kentucky, Sen. Hillary Clinton said that an election analysis by a firm led by Karl Rove supports the argument that she is a stronger Democratic candidate than Sen. Barack Obama.

Said Clinton, “There’ve been a lot of analysis [sic] about which of us is stronger to win against Sen. McCain, and I believe I am the stronger candidate. And just today I found some curious support for that position when one of the TV networks released an analysis done by — of all people — Karl Rove saying that I was the stronger candidate. Somebody got a hold of his analysis and there it is.”

AARRGGHH! Why does she do that?! (shaking head in disbelief) Hillary, Hillary, Hillary…

How is filling Congress with a bunch of Alan Graysons and Donna Edwards passive?

I talking about how best to use our extremely limited resources. Making a statement might not be the best use of this money. All I’m saying, dude.

I like your big tent approach, but they could have defunded the Iraq occupation as soon as they took over in 2007.

They had a second bite of that apple chance to defund the war as soon as Bear Stearns collapsed. That would have done a lot to help the credit markets.

I’m so pissed at their failure to catch the subprime crisis before it detonated, I could spit.

Repeat after me:

“And I’m going to trust Karl Rove because…?”

all this talk of ‘better Democrats’ is like talking about making better frogs, frogs with feathers, and wings, that could fly, and sing! and built their nests out of twigs, and mated for life, to members of their own sex if they wanted to – why what wonderful frogs those would be!

these are birds, actually, and if you want to support birds you’ve got to stop trying to turn frogs into birds.

Even trying to turn a toad like Chris Carney back into a frog, at least momentarily, is a dubious, though more feasible, effort.

…..I can believe 6 impossible things before breakfast.

Is Carney’s district conservative or low information?

My apologies.

I completely agreed with your wonderfully apt metaphor.

The right is split on network neutrality: the corporate wing opposes it, but the social conservative wing is for it, thinking (much as we do) that the idea is to make the net a much worse place for organizing and a much better place for buying crap.

Can you say ‘disinformation’?

I knew you could : )

BC

1,848 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND….

Citizen tw3k:

“Is Carney’s districk conservative or low information?”

What’s the difference?

KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION AND REMEMBER YA CAN’T COMPROMISE WITH FASCISTS!!

See, I knew we were really on the same side! Thanks!

What drives me crazy is that we all know that Rove would prefer HRC as the Dem candidate because that would keep the general closer (and thus easier to steal). Obama is a much more fomidable candidate imo and makes Rove’s job that much more difficult. So when HRC relies on a Rove quote, in any context, she gives Rove another check mark in the “Win” column. Bad, bad strategy.

1,848 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…

Citizen purvida:

“Why does she do that…Hillary, Hillary, Hillary…”

Does she hafta hitcha over the head with her copy a “Mein Kampf” before ya get the message she’s sendin’ and before ya realize who is keepin’ her in the race to the bottom here?

KEEP THE FAITH AND OPEN YER EYES, IT AIN’T NUCLEAR PHYSIXX FER GOD’S SAKE!!

No me gustan los Telcos con Carney, ass, oughta…

fyi – later today:

2 pm – House Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight
Oversight Hearing: City on the Hill or Prison on the Bay? The Mistakes of Guantanamo and the Decline of America’s Image, Part II

lol

Here’s my problem. I understand that with a majority of Dems in Congress, we get to select the Speaker, who then can set our agenda, and we get to appoint the Chairman of the all-important Congressional committees. However, according to wiki, as of 2004, the Democratic party consisted of 45.6% liberal/progressives with apx. 33.2% conservatives and 21.2% disadvantaged. What happens when Blue Dogs are the majority of the Democratic party?

looks like both

at best ‘moderate democrats’ in a R leaning district

Cook says “R+8″

The NYMEX crude oil future is currently trading at $129.06/bbl. As I keep saying and will continue to say, at least $55 of this derives from pure speculation by hedge funds/investment banks. I will add again that the tens and even hundreds of billions of dollars that central banks have made available to markets is precisely the money that is being used not to bail out homeowners but to fuel this speculation. So what we are seeing here is that we are lending the money to the speculators who are doing such a spectacular job at screwing us over. Also with the housing bubble not even finished we are seeing the rapid growth in a commodities bubble.

Fat Cat Albert Wynn (D, Md-04) lost the Democratic Primary to Lean, but not Mean, progressive, Donna Edwards.

Change happens easiest in the Primaries.

It’s never too late to field a progressive opposition candidate to a Democrat who has joined the Fat Cat Club.

we are seeing the rapid growth in a commodities bubble

I do not doubt you Hugh. so is there an easy way for you to explain to someone like me the ramifications when that bubble bursts ??

If it quacks. . .

You are waging humor most excellently well … may your onslaughts continue, Doctor, that our funny-bone might affectorate our head-bones.

Perhaps the most telling ‘weapon’ possessed by the thoughtful, is humor …

Loose it upon the world! Give it free rein …

You is great!

Between the efforts you and the equally great punaise make for the sake of uproarious laughter, what may lesser mortals such as myself do but laugh ourselves into good humor and thoughtful hope?

As to your targets, let ‘em squirm and writhe, let ‘em twist, squawk and squeal …

Mayhap laughter, resolve, and heartfelt hope shall help bring us all a new deal …

;~D

i don’t remember if i already commented on this, so forgive me if i’m repeating… a couple of weeks ago i spoke with the folks at my heating oil company (multigenerational family owned business) a few times about current prices and they said (without prompting) that their estimate was crude oil ought to be not much more than $80/barrel if there was no speculation… not sure what benchmark they use but basically the same as your estimate.

Totally with ya there. I’ve been specifically talking about this one, singular ad campaign.

It seems wise to me, that in order to prevent a Congress filled with BushDogs, we need to be able to support more campaigns like Donna Edwards. That’s where we can really have an impact – in a Dem primary. Changing the minds of an already elected BushDog, or his conservative electorate might not be that effective to me at first glance. If we use up resources for PR campaigns, we will have less to give to actual BA candidates running in tight races RIGHT NOW.

I’m thinking the number one goal for us is to elect as many BA candidates as possible to Congress. We’ve proven we can have huge impact in these races, and that also emphasizes the “Better” part of More and Better.

We are already seeing the effects of the upside of the bubble. Hedge funds are making out like bandits but the US economy weakened by the subprime bubble is being further undercut by this activity. We can also see how Americans are changing behaviors and how that will ripple through the economy in terms of retail sales, restaurants, entertainment, travel destinations, air travel, etc. Unless this speculation is squeezed out of the markets, it will go on until our and other economies will be essentially strangled, and then prices along with the economy will collapse.

I got the zed on GRITtv Battle for Haditha

I’m thinking the number one goal for us is to elect as many BA candidates as possible to Congress.

carney WAS a BA candidate. i don’t want any more like him.

thank you !

There seems to be big differences of opinion on that issue…Krugman did a recent column exploring the issue and claimed that he cannot find the fingerprints of speculation induced price run ups in the market.

I know, but that was at very early on, and Howie has a much more refined vetting process now. I have a lot of confidence that won’t happen again.

In the hearing chaired by Lieberman on commodity speculation. Some of the members including Levin just skewered Jeff Harris chief economist for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. He kept saying that there was no discernible effect that speculation was having on markets. One of the Senators said well the guy right next to you just said that refiners and oil men were saying they figured oil should be about $65-70 without all the speculation, and you’re saying you can’t even find it. And you are the guy who is supposed to be on top of all this and controling it. One of the oher witnesses said if speculation wasn’t moving the markets, what was, magic?

well if howie thought he could do that, why would he be helping to lead the campaign against carney?

There seems to be big differences of opinion on that issue…Krugman did a recent column exploring the issue and claimed that he cannot find the fingerprints of speculation induced price run ups in the market.

Krugman often says things that I agree with but if he can’t see the speculation going on in oil then he needs a seeing eye dog.

This ad campaign is great news, Jane: kudos to all who helped create it.

I’m so glad to see progressives finally using the same simple tool the wingnuts successfully used for forty years: fear.

The wingers used basic behaviorism to force the Rethug party out of one mode (moderate) into another: extreme reactionary.

Forcing a Blue Dog to turn progressive – or get turned out of office – is the object lesson require to frighten other cynical ambitious Blue Dogs – to quit obstructing progressive goals.

The question about diversion of resources is a false one: progressives have enough resources to support real progressives AND fight rethugs and the Blue Dog example du campaign.

Great work – and I couldn’t think of a better target (although Sestak and McNerney are on my “runner up” short list).

magic?

damn pagans.

OT: SurveyUSA out today with Obama up 8% against McKeating in PA (48-40). We gotta stop these “big states” and “white working class” votes talking points whenever we see them.
http://www.surveyusa.com/clien…..6e658e86c5

(An Obama/Edwards ticket beats McKeating/Applebees ticket by 10%)

There’s a whole bunch of polls and election results saying this won’t be much of a problem in Nov.

Jane, it’s great to see the FDL domain at the bottom of a full page print ad. Congratulations – you must be extremely proud.

wait a minute….the pagans I know all favor biodiesel…

so I guess they’re speculating in food, not oil :(

He’s obviously part of the decision-making within BA (perhaps the main decision maker?), and they decided to go this route. I’ve contributed to BA, so have simply been offering feedback.

BA wanting to mount a PR offensive has nothing to do with Howie’s ability to vet truly Liberal candidates.

joking. i love the pagans too – especially pagan cluster folks! they are the best.

oh gosh selise – I was just joking too

(well, except about the biodiesel bit….)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05…..ref=slogin

Link to Krugman column..He agrees that there is speculation in the oil markets- but says that if that were the primary cause of the increase, we would see big increases in supply in the longer run that would cause the prices to decline..

He feels that the major factor is shortage of supply- from what I have read about the peaking of saudi oil- that sounds plausible and also accounts for the Saudi’s response to Bush.

They aren’t increasing supply because they CAN’T- they’re at full capacity.

did everyone see Jane has added updates from Unca Howie and J-Ro to the post ?

What is more likely to change the voting behavior of a Bush Dog – another Donna Edwards-type win over BushDog Wynn, or this Carney ad campaign?

I do not think Liberals have “enough resources” to do all these things, and that’s why every single dollar spent needs to be as effective, and deliver as many positive results as possible.

Bush crashed the value of the dollar. Oil’s not going to be cheap in dollars until the dollar regains value. That won’t happen while Republics have any power.

Totally OT, but…
I would like some good thoughts assistance from my friends at the Lake.
Some of you know I’m always looking for a job. I do tempp work, and mostly they are all Dog Jobs.
I just applied for a clerical job at a Progressive Women’s magazine. They need someone with internet experience.
Any good vibes from my internet friends would be greatly appreciated.

Link to Krugman column..He agrees that there is speculation in the oil markets- but says that if that were the primary cause of the increase, we would see big increases in supply in the longer run that would cause the prices to decline..

He feels that the major factor is shortage of supply- from what I have read about the peaking of saudi oil- that sounds plausible and also accounts for the Saudi’s response to Bush.

They aren’t increasing supply because they CAN’T- they’re at full capacity.

Yes, what is wrong with this is that if supply and demand were driving the markets, then you would expect changes in supply to have an effect on prices but in fact they don’t. What affects the price of oil the most at the moment is changes in the value of the dollar. This is because speculators are making their play between the two. If the dollar goes down, they move out of it and into oil. If the dollar goes up, they do the reverse play. I have said this before that I would think that peak il would at some point begin to have an effect upon markets but so far it really hasn’t.

Breaking -
Boston – his doctors have diagnosed Senator Kennedy with a Brain Tumor – MSNBC

nothing yet on prognosis

bad news :(

((((((Demi!))))))
Good luck, hon. Chin up, you’ve got a lot to offer in that type of organization.

FunnyDiva

Participatory democracy is a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year exercise. We may elect people to represent us but history shows that we continually have to remind them who they work for. Power and wealth are great agents of corruption. It’s one of those activities where one can either lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way.

{{{{{{{Ted Kennedy}}}}}}}

I’m praying for the best.

a benign tumor.

Oh no, a malignant glioma acc to his doc.

Good luck demi!

MSNBC: tumor malignant.

Or something. Made absolutely no sense to me.

Very sad news! So sorry to hear this! I keep thinking about Arlen Spector when he said he was diagnosed with a brain tumor too. Maybe Arlen can go see him in the hospital since they now have a lot in common. Oddly enough, Arlen’s book sounds like something I think would be good for our book Salon, because the way he explained it on the several interviews I saw was it is about his battles with his health. It is not supposed to be so much a political tell all, although he does have a picture of him shaking hands with a reluctant President; his view is that the Prez’s body language says “I’m afraid I’ll catch your cancer!”

They already said it is a malignant tumor.

Oh, my stars. That is just awful news.

yes, I know– first they said they didn’t know, then the doctor’s statement came out about 5 minutes later.

Malignant usually means metastasis, i.e. that the cancer has spread to other sites but it could also mean i this case a poorly formed tumor. Both are bad in terms of prognosis.

I just called Carney’s office. They claim that a poll in their district supports illegal spying/retroactive immunity by “about 70 to 30%”. Does anyone know if this is true? I couldn’t get any more details on the poll.

I did, however, direct the guy on the line to read Radar Online’s new article on the illegal spying program. I also told him that if Carney supports Bush/Cheney, I looked forward to helping remove him from office.

This article shows one on the projects/investigations that RFKjr. is working on:
http://www.gregpalast.com/robe…..#more-2005