Give them hell Jane!!!

Whoot!

One step over the line, sweet Jane
One step over the line

Fabulous! I love it!

You guys rock!

Hey from the press room. Had the pleasure of meeting Sara Robinson, one of our guest posters from Book Salon. Quite the brain :)

The fellow in the red shirt at right actually shoved her,…

That’s. So. Fucked. Up.

The former prosecutors that I know are not the kind of folks that meekly walk away when shoved around by police. Did Christy have her “don’t pull that sh*t with us — I’m a lawyer” hat on?

Actually, Jane did — she was busy reminding the officer that the big dude did not have the legal right to lay a hand on her.

Well it ain’t exactly Chicago- but it’s a start!

(On second thought- we LOST that election after Chicago- maybe we don’t NEED another one).

Would someone here please explain to me why it makes a f–ing difference whether it’s Obama or McSame in the WH? I’m not being glib here, I really need help, because I’ve looked at and heard various versions of the platforms of each and I just don’t see indications for a credible change in the policies I care about: environment, attitude of US toward its role in the world, etc.

Bonus: I wish I could adequately reward someone who could also tell me why ANY intelligent person would want to try to pick up the pieces from the legacy of the outgoing administration.

Thanks

[please don’t discount me–I want to have talking points that I, myself, believe.]

sharon
on the Oregon coast

Maybe Jane needs this guy to accompany her
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLNLXJSdaj0

Heh heh heh,
DFH shit disturbers.
I’m so proud!

I’m pretty surprised at this, myself. (Not at Jane — at the event staffer in the red shirt.) This isn’t exactly like providing security at a heavy metal concert, and I’d think that knowing about the large number of lawyers, judges, and other legal-community-type folks at the convention would put private security guys on their best behavior.

Oh well . . . it’s not like this is the first time I’ve been wrong about something, nor will it be the last.

The life of a shit disturber is always intense.

Private security guards are hired for brawn not necessariy brains

Sharon:

Ask yourself this: Do you want to be playing offense for the next four years, or defense?

Because that’s the difference.

Jane – ‘habitual line-stepper’.

;>)

Definitely not.

There’s even a “Recreate ‘68″ contingent here.

Anyone who’s read Nixonland understands that this is pure blithering idiocy.

Well, let’s see. The last president talked his way into a war in Iraq that McCain would like to continue, if not expand into Georgia and Iran and God knows where else, while Obama would like to bring that mess to a conclusion as far as US troops go. McCain’s “Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran” is not a policy nor a strategy that the world needs right now.

The last president put a couple of far right wing judges on the Supreme Court, just the kind of folks McCain would like to add, while Obama would like to see fewer Scalias and Thomases and more like Stevens and Ginsberg.

That’s just two off the top of my head.

I can do that in 3 words: Supreme Court Justices! That should do for starters!

David Neiwert August 25th, 2008 at 10:38 am
18
In response to rwcole @ 9 (show text)
Definitely not.

There’s even a “Recreate ‘68″ contingent here.

Anyone who’s read Nixonland understands that this is pure blithering idiocy.
_______________________________

think outside the box, Dave, if Karl didn’t create it, you can be sure he’s infiltrated it.

While I have no use for Obama and his Beltway politics as usual, at least he’s not suffering the onset of dementia as McBush.

Go Jane!

If John McCain is President, we have NO chance of changing the direction this country is going in, NOR fixing the mess Bush/Cheney will leave.
With Barak Obama, we do. :)

Way to go Jane and Glenn. Cheering you on from SF…

I gotta wonder if they showed their press credentials? Do the law enforcement officials really want the reputation for pushing around the press? For manhandling the press? For allowing private security to manhandle the press in their presence?

Blue Dogs + AT&T = Things to do in Denver when you’re red.

You know my choice for bodyguard.

Gaw We Luv U Guys!!!

It’s hard not to tease, sometimes. so-o-o-o hard!

How much pink is too much?

Where and how.

Where and why.

How would the charges read?

BTW, my monitor shows that “shover”s shirt as the same shade as the Code Pink banner.

What to do? What to do? Somehow, he strikes me as a light packer.

Whut say, doggies?!

Thanks, jackie and others who have responded to my plea so far. But, Jackie, I need evidence for your assertion, that with Barak Obama, we do have a chance of changing direction? Can you supply me with the ammunition I need?
Does no one else feel the weight of skepticism that Obama would mean significant change?

my but you can be charitable.

do you give at the office as well?

Look at that big lug’s posture, towering over Jane. I freaking loathe bullies. Fucking neanderthal. I’d like to smack him upside the head.

Glenn:

AT&T thanks Blue Dog Democrats with a lavish party

putting the lavish in slavish lap-dog obedience

um. look where he’s pointing.

mebbe he’s just appreciating the view a tad beyond judicious.

Water to the people. After listening to the 15th person say there wasn’t any water, I went and arranged to get the new jug of water installed with the help of a nice guy who lifted it for me.

Authorize yourself to take care of things.

Glenn Greenwald’s post about this event contains this description:

Armed with full-scale Convention press credentials issued by the DNC, I went — along with Firedoglake’s Jane Hamsher, John Amato, Stoller and others — in order to cover the event, interview the attendees, and videotape the festivities. There was a wall of private security deployed around the building, and after asking where the press entrance was, we were told by the security officials, after they consulted with event organizers, that the press was barred from the event, and that only those with invitations could enter — notwithstanding the fact that what was taking place in side was a meeting between one of the nation’s largest corporations and the numerous members of the most influential elected faction in Congress. As a result, we stood in front of the entrance and began videotaping and trying to interview the parade of Blue Dog Representatives, AT&T executives, assorted lobbyists and delegates who pulled up in rented limousines, chauffeured cars, and SUVs in order to find out who was attending and why AT&T would be throwing such a lavish party for the Blue Dog members of Congress.

68 made great teevee- but not good politics.

It was perhaps the last convention I actually WATCHED!

lionhead, it is good to ask questions. But to whatever extent that you feel unsure about Obama’s intentions, you can be 100% sure about McInSane’s – all war all the time. He is on the record saying that another 100 years in Iraq is fine; and has joked repeatedly about bombing Iran. He is known to have a hair trigger out of control temper. He has made clear that his approach to world problems is one of aggression.

Is this what the world needs now?

Look at the picture – are those Jane’s credentials dangling under the cops arm in the pic.

Change comes from Congress. We are trying to elect more progressive folks to Congress. Bush was enabled by a compliant Rethug Congress. We want a Congress that works for the people, not the ruling class. Obama and Biden are corporatists and will follow policies that benefit the rich rather than the people. A progressive Congress can blunt that effect and even force legislation in the other direction.

i wonder if officer lionheart knows his visage is travelling around the world as we speak.

Brilliant!

You go, eg!

FunnyD
What’s a “Harriet Cam”?

The fellow in the red shirt at right actually shoved her, and the cop there was adamant about having her maintain the magic line.

if that magic line was really bullshit – it would have been great to have someone to step over it. that’s not the kind of thing for the press to do (doubt you would be able to get press credentials again), but some dfh direct action folks would have been very useful.

Not only that, but most of Europe has become as disillusioned by GWB as we have, but they seem very accepting of Obama. It sounds like they’re worried that McSame will be as bad or worse than GWB. Looks like Lionhead has discounted all of that. And also discounted the personal trait: Obama’s more intricate look at situation which leads to more nuance and I think a much deeper and broader understanding of thing. McLame seems to see only in black and white; there are no shades of grey in his world. I think that leads to only a superficial understanding of situations and a much thinner world view. I think that’s dangerous. As hell!

in a word, No. But that’s just me.

cue code pink

what exactly are you calling idiocy?

Authorize yourself to take care of things.

There you go.

Hey look- enough “tall person” comments..This guy is a shit head because of what he did to Jane- not because he’s tall. Hurrumph!

no matter what happens this November we have our marching orders. an Obama win can be helpful, especially with the Supreme Court and with Federal bench appointments. more important is electing getting true, resilient congressfolk who will really fight.
the forces against change are many and varied.

“the owls are not what they seem …….”

Special Agent Dale Cooper

Ask yourself this: Do you want to be playing offense for the next four years, or defense?

Because that’s the differenc

disagree completely – i expect to be playing defense no matter what. am very disappointed to hear that you will not be as well.

No offense. I meant “big lug” metaphorically, not literally.

Does no one else feel the weight of skepticism that Obama would mean significant change?

Actually many of us here know that Obama is no progressive. The main question among us has been whether to support him anyway because McCain is worse, or not because of his position on issues like the FISA Amendments Act (me among others).

Would someone here please explain to me why it makes a f–ing difference whether it’s Obama or McSame in the WH?

for example, i expect there will be some very important differences wrt issues on reproductive choice issues, especially in our foreign policy. not as big a difference as i would like – but for the many people affected it is a big deal.

I’ve been playing defense a lot more than offense the last 8 years and I’m looking forward to a lot of offense in the next 4. I can be pretty offensive, too.

Well all right then- as long as he was only “metaphorically” towering over Jane.

dugg

OK, CarolynU, so a vote for Obama means little more than a vote against McCain? Is this why I should vote instead of stay home an sulk?

Is anyone here willing to point me to EVIDENCE that I can share with others in my proselytizing for Obama?

He has already changed the game of political campaigning.
He has energized the grass roots, mobilized the youth, brought record numbers of new voters into the mix, brought touchy* subjects to the forefront of discussion that people couldn’t/wouldn’t talk about(Race etc) before, has run an amazingly well organized campaign.
America is one step away from having a BLACK* man as President.
Change has already come. The rest is up to US to stay involved and keep pushing for the rest of the changes..:)

You seem to be difficult to convince- you’ve been given many reasons and apparently didn’t like any of them..

“I have answered three questions, and that is enough”
said his father

“Don’t give yourself airs”

“Do you think I can listen all day to such stuff?
Be off or I’ll kick you downstairs”

Lewis Carrol

I agree that we need to Overwhelm Congress with progressives but the people that are selected to run the agencies of the fed govt. is also extremely important.

I would suggest listening to what is said at the convention this week, by all the speakers. Yeah, I know, mostly rhetoric and bs, but there will be some nuggets mixed in so yer gonna have to pay attention to what’s said. Up until today was pre-season. Now it’s for all the marbles. We’ll be here all week hashing this crap out. Don’t be a stranger.

rwcole, I mentioned his physical aspect in relation to Jane only because he got physical with her. If he’d been another shape or size person who had tried to intimidate her in another way, say with a tazer, I’m sure I would’ve come up with another brand of angry comment.

No problem- I’m just “standing up” for tall persons.

There’s no damned time to sulk. NOTHING changes from the top down. Ever. The GOP didn’t get into power from the top down. They went after every elected office from the township and village level to the White House. The Presidency is but one piece of the whole Democracy. Don’t like who runs? Run yourself,or work to get someone elected that shares your values. Start small,work your way up the political food chain.

That makes a lot of sense, jackie. I also have a couple of amazing stories of youth who have done more than they have in their previous decade or two to try to make a difference via Obama. It empowers those youth, which is of great importance to me.

That America is one step away from having a black president is an undeniable coup; however, I do not think this is enough to convince many that the overall course of this country can change, in the wake of the outgoing administration. There are more than a few out there who think of Obama as not entirely “black”. I don’t like these arguments at all…

Nothing we can do about that. We have to rely on the WH and the Senate to do that. I’d like a Native American in charge of Native American issues in Interior but all I can do is keep harping on it to my rep, Senators and the WH. Lot of other appointments I’d like to see as well.

Re this post, I would contact Denver’s Chief of Police and Mayor’s office both to comment and to state what the city’s policies are with regard to peaceful assembly on public property. I would also look for something in writing that could be contestable in court, but then IANAL.

The driving instructors always said “Drive Defensively.”

The sports/football analogy was “The Best Defense Is a Good Offense.”

And I can be as offensive as they come.

Sorry you feel this way, rwcole. I think it is the duty of every citizen to be skeptical, demand evidence, then work toward convincing others with evidence.

Back to bein’ a wage slave.

Namaste

continuing….

at the moment though, i don’t plan of voting for obama (while i understand that many others see this differently) and intend to make a protest vote – probably for mckinney.

i’m trying to think beyond this election – to be a vote that must be won, instead of counted on no matter what – and this the best time i can see for it because we will have a D congress it the worse should happen and obama lose (which i don’t discount the way things are going).

there’s more to it than that – for example, i think democrats in general (both in congress and on the blogs) would be more willing to support wars a D president starts than those an R president starts. if that’s correct, it means that there would be more constraints (yes not yet big ones sadly) on an R imperial presidency than on a D. these are the kinds of things i’m trying to think through… but i don’t think there is any clear answer and we’re each going to just have to try to do our best to figure out what we think is the right thing to do.

What issues are important to you?

Ian is upstairs.

dear sharon

## 16, 19, 38, 40, 45, 51, 55, 54, 60, 61, 62, 66…

*sigh*

There’s even a “Recreate ‘68″ contingent here.

did see Buchanan there earlier this morning, has he set up his “listening post” again ?

you hippies get off my brawn !

I can be pretty offensive, too.

i have yet to see that. *g*

lionhead:

Obama isn’t a savior, he’s just a guy. unless he proves to have really big coattails, which doesn’t seem to be in the cards, he won’t have the opportunity to change much. the possibility of some dramatic event or events beyond his control might provide such an opportunity but that’s always true. just look at what fuckwad did with 9/11. not one of the previous forty-two could have done worse, not even close. so there you go.
most of us firedogs just see Obama as clearly better than McCain. we can only hope that the great unwashed see it that way too.

;->

and a union person in charge of labor, and a concerned doctor in charge of FDA, and some one “green” in charge of EPA

I believe that the sheer numbers of folks who will turn out to vote Dem in this election will be mind-blowing and those few % who are ‘afraid’ of a half black/half white man, will not make a blind bit of difference…
We will see History made come Nov…

Obviously, I’m not Dave but I think he is calling the idea of trying to recreate the riots in the streets of Chicago from ‘68 as idiocy.

Those riots were the image that was imprinted on the minds of most voters in ‘68, even if it was instigated by the police.

That image has fueled forty years of Republican themes of out of control DFH Democrats and started us down the road of Nixon, Reagan, Bush I and Bush II.

So, I would agree with him that it is idiocy.

kermit? enuf with this stuff. how u think we got in this here hole in the foist place!?!

OK, fahrender, I’ll leave this be with your post.
Thanks all.

thanks hon!!! Now. let’s get back to work…

How bout a safety expert in charge of mine safety rather than an industry accountant?

oh, it be. ahhhhh.

do short people make good basketball coaches?

Sure-

Look at Wooden

Next question?

that would be a breath of fresh air, maybe literally.

10 -4

We will surely have NO CHANCE of a direction change with McCain. That is a given.
With Obama, at the very least, there will be no far right wing politically sanctioned Supreme Court justices appointed. That’s a start of change.
We can all hope for more but at least there will be this.

or a Secretary of Labor that *gasp* supported workers.

Take care, (((((Jane and pups))))) in Denver and wherever.

Or a secretary of the interior who has an interior?

We will surely have NO CHANCE of a direction change with McCain.

I am not sure we have much of one with Obama but the downward trajectory will be much steeper under McCain.

How bout someone in charge of EPA who gets to DO something?

well, since it was a police riot, i’m not going to disagree that the police were idiots.

fema.

Chicago ‘68 was more than just another in a series of antiwar protests, and it was more than just a riot—no matter, whose riot. Chicago ‘68 was a focal point of the decade. On the streets and in the parks of Chicago the social conflicts of the Sixties were on display.

Heads were cracked, tear gas billowed, police lines advanced through demonstrators—and television cameras captured some of the graphic scenes. The eyes of the nation focused on Chicago and we decided who we were, what side we were on, and what we would fight for. Chicago changed minds, Chicago changed politics, Chicago changed the Left, Chicago changed the media, Chicago changed those who were here and those who watched from far away, and Chicago changed Chicago.

What happened in Chicago in August of 1968 changed our political and cultural institutions, and so it shaped our current political and cultural life. If we understand Chicago ‘68 we will understand not only a major event in our history but we will also better understand who we are now.

For the Democratic party, Chicago ‘68 doomed the candidacy of Hubert Humphrey and set off shock waves of reform. For the Left, Chicago ‘68 hastened the demise of SDS and intensified the revolutionary fervor that would spawn street violence and bombings. For the media, Chicago ‘68 created a deep suspicion of the state and its minions. For Chicago, Chicago ‘68 weakened support for the last of the big-city bosses and fanned the flames of political reform.

Oops- got that last from a website labeled Chicago 68.

How bout someone in charge of EPA who gets to DO something?

I don’t know if he is much of a manager but James Hansen perhaps the most well known expert on global warming (other than Al Gore) would be an interesting choice.

GW’s cabinet choices turn out to have been relatively unimportant as only Cheney was actually allowed to do anything.

1. Obama has piggy-backed onto Dean’s 50 State Strategy, and is taking community organizing to a level never before seen in America, or world perhaps in terms of the number of people and money they’ve contributed. He knows he’s checking and balancing himself by doing this, since most of the incredible amount of money he has raised has come from small donors.

2. His plan to open up government and get people actively participating in their government is incredible. Who knows how much of this plan he’ll be able to implement, but in theory it’s a very innovative to plan to increase citizen involvement, which will benefit America for generations.
http://www.barackobama.com/200…..an_tod.php

Some recent votes have been disappointing, but it’s hard to argue with the results of Obama’s campaign calculus so far, and I’m hoping that these votes were made to fit into his internal plans. Whatever the case, based on his long history of getting people to empower themselves through community organizing, I believe he’ll make Americans more engaged in their government and this is key in restoring our Constitution.

We can’t be sure of how he’ll govern while President, just as we can’t with anyone until they’re there, but these two simple facts alone are enough to get me excited about having him in the WH. Plus, most of my efforts are spent on local races anyway, where we can have much more of an impact.

Wow Jane! You go girl!!!!!!

I posted this over at Glenn’s place too:

How to get into the next Party

Glenn, Jane and Amy:

I’ve been on the other side of this “press can’t get into the party” game, or the “it’s private property”. game.

* If you can’t get in do the next best thing, expose the people who are keeping you out. (See tactics below)

* Get a guest list (with photos) or find someone who knows what the guests look like and then call out their names as they go into the party. “Congressman Blank of Texas! Why are you afraid to talk to the press?”

The goal isn’t to get them to talk to you, but to show their face while they are going into the brothel (er I mean event). Show their embarrassment about it and their fear of talking to the media. Did someone ACTUALLY cover their head with a jacket? Wow. That is what people do when they have been accused of a crime and are coming out of a courtroom. Not a good image for their progressive competition to have. Send this photo to the local press and the progressive competitor in their city.

Tactics to get to the “No Press” decider.

When the private security guy says you can’t come in ask,

“Okay. What is your name? How do you spell that? The company you work for is? And the name of your supervisor is? How do you spell that?”

At that point they will call over level one supervisor. When they arrive do the same with names, spelling and company then say,

“Fine, can I speak to the person ABOVE the security who made this decision? I think they actually want me to attend.”

At this point you should get a PR person or a party planner.

Keep pushing the “Who made this decision ABOVE you?” question. Keep getting names and spelling and who they work for who made the decision. If this sounds a little like Roger and Me that is correct, and if you remember that movie you will see just how poorly most companies handle this request for them to explain their policies to deal with the media. Those images make the brand look bad, and they HATE that. As you move up the decision chain you might get someone who figures out that it is not good PR to hide from the press. “I don’t understand why you are embarrassed to let credentialed press in?”

Also, when you get to the party planner or PR person you can ask to get a list of who is attending. They will decline. Ask if you can confirm the attendance of people that you spotted outside. If they are going to treat the event like an illegal activity then you need to treat your investigation like a prosecutor.

“Why won’t you give the list to me? Are you embarrassed? Should congressmen be embarrassed for attending? Is something illegal going on? If you don’t have anything to hide why is everyone coming in afraid to talk to the press?”

And finally, even if you don’t get any further than you did this time, you will have gathered names and footage that can be used in the future by progressives who are running against them.

Love you Spocko, you really rock. THanks!

For the DFHs at the convention – Sweet Jane

Supreme Court nominations. For reference, see Saddleback Civil Forum.

If the election looks to be close, would you seriously cast a protest vote when Supreme Court seats hang in the balance?

Bush squeaked through in 2000, and sorta squeaked through in 2004, and look how much he has changed the landscape.