Another Colombian labor leader has been gunned down, a chilling reminder of the realities of organized labor in that country. The killing comes just weeks before the US Congress will vote on a trade agreement with Colombia.

There are multiple indications in the large cache of US State Embassy cables WikiLeaks has been releasing (extended summary here) that the US State Department is willing to do just about anything to ensure the multinational agricultural biotech corporation, Monsanto, has its interests protected in countries around the world.

Cables show the State Department has been very active in defending Monsanto in France during the past decade.

The recently appointed Connecticut state health care exchange board contains three former high ranking private insurance executives.

This is just the latest example of how many of the new state based insurance exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act are becoming dominated by individuals with close ties to the private insurance and hospital industries.

The Administration is floating a massive scheme for mortgage refinancing, something that would have been an excellent idea in January 2009, but better late than never.

Cue the FDL Membership association – a brilliant idea conceived like many others at FDL: in our comments section. It allows us to continue to build our organization on donations from our supporters while putting us on steadier footing for our future. Since its inception, the membership association has revolutionized our work at FDL – we’ve become much more organized internally, and are churning out projects and ideas left and right.

David Dayen’s evening Roundup of news from August 24, 2011.

• First Willard, then Trump, then Bachmann, now…
• So not surprising at all.
• The end of an era.
• Irene looms.
• In the GOP, bigotry’s not a bug – but a feature.

As you may have noticed Firedoglake is having a membership drive.

I mention this because earlier this month I received an email from Michelle Obama mentioning it was her husband’s birthday (50th) on August 4th.

Today I received an email from Cindy McCain stating that Monday, August 29th is her husband’s birthday (MMXIVth).

Iron Butterfly — In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968).

You get all of this value from FDL seven days a week, every day of the year. If this community is something you value, something that you really build into your life, please consider becoming a member.

For $5 or $10 a month, the cost of a bucket of chicken, you can not only be sure that the voices and community you value are maintained and strengthened, but you also become a card carrying member of the Professional Left!