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December 29, 2005
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Saturday's Links
Activism
Wes Clark's has a new website for his PAC, called "Securing America". It's just starting to gear up, and he can use your help. His latest project asks you to send a letter to the FCC urging them to ignore groups like the Parents Television Council, who want to more closely regulate programming. For example, last Veteran's Day, ABC aired Saving Private Ryan for the third time. But thanks to the complaints of "right-wing zealots," 66 local affiliates chose not to air it. Go here to send the letter to new FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.
News
Judi Woodruff and John Kerry sat down last Tuesday to discuss everything from health care to 2008. Kerry came across as composed, articulate, defiant, and very much in line with the party. He talked about what needs to be done, why Bush's tax cuts are wrong, and what's going on in the Middle East. This was a Kerry that, had America seen him like this last year at this time, might have caused us not to need to create this blog. Woodruff pushed him about 2008, but he didn't bite, saying that the party needs to focus on 2006. A strong Democratic leader presentic a strong unified message - who'd have thunk it?
Budget Burdens. Bush's budget was hacked by the Senate last week, and many of his proposed cuts were restored (as expected), including those to Medicaid and education. The budget passed 51-49, and now the Senate, House and White House need to iron out many details. What makes us mad about this story, though, is Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg's (R-N.H.) comments to his colleagues. "The essence of this budget is . . . whether or not our generation, the baby-boom generation, is going to be willing to stand up and admit we put too much on the books for our children to bear." Our generation? Excuse us, Mr. Chairman, but we didn't ask you to approve billions of dollars for a war in Iraq that you had no plan for, and we were lied to about. We didn't ask you to reduce the surplus we had when Bush came into office. We expect you to find a way to reduce the deficit that you created without cutting spending to vital domestic programs. Start by eliminating the giveaways to the richest Americans.
From the Man Who Thinks Tears and Sweat Can Transmit AIDS...We bring you the next questionable medical call from Senator Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) A brief synopsis if you've not been following the case of Terri Schiavo, first. Terri Schiavo, a Florida resident, suffered severe brain damage in 1990 following a heart attack. The brain damage left her unable to care for herself so for the last 13 years she’s had a feeding tube in her for nutrients and fluids. She received a settlement for malpractice, but nearly all of that money has been spent on unsuccessful treatments to heal her. Her husband wants her off the feeding tube, so that she may "die naturally." In June 2003, Florida's courts ruled that her husband Michael could take out the feeding tube. But in October, the Florida State Legislature passed bill 35E, which empowered Governor Jeb Bush to issue executive order 03-201, which he did the following day. His executive order required that doctors replace the feeding tube and continue to provide medical attention as needed. Schiavo's doctors consider her in a "persistent vegitative state," or PVS, and have little hope of restoring any more of her brain functionality. Although she appears to have minimal reactions, experts say that these are more random motor reflexes than any sort of conscious thought. So, why does this involve Frist? Frist watched a videotape of Schiavo for "an hour or so," and disputes doctor's statements that Schiavo is in a PVS. For Frist to make such a diagnosis off of a videotape is ludicrous, and Democrats see him as pandering to right-wing groups. We couldn't agree more. Furthermore, our favorite (unconvicted...yet) criminal, Tom DeLay, interjected himself into the saga, quite obviously for no other reason than political gain, given that this is the first time he's even mentioned Terri Schiavo. This is not an easy moral question, which is precisely the problem. Politically, Democrats should sit back and let Republicans try to push their morals on anyone who will listen, and watch the backlash amass. In the meantime, we hope Schiavo and her family somehow manage to find some peace amid all this craziness.
Editorials
The Ugly American Bank. Paul Krugman discusses Paul Wolfowitz's promotion to head the World Bank, and shows how his economic ideology is pretty biased. Krugman argues that tapping Wolfowitz for this position has made many non-American leaders think that Bush wants to change the World Bank into the U.S. Bank. It's not only Wolfowitz that's the problem - he's really just the icing on our unilateralist, free-market proselytization cake.
Follow the Leaders. William Rubenstein reminds us that California's decision last week (that the ban on homosexual marriage is unconstitutional) is hardly the first of its kind, as other states have already done the same thing. He doesn't belittle Judge Kramer or his ruling, and reminds us that we shouldn't consider him an activist judge for doing the right thing. It's a shame that people would consider judges who uphold the constitution "activist", when they're doing their jobs properly.
Last month, Gary Leupp wrote a piece for Counterpunch, where he discusses year four of the "five-year plan," as explained by Wesley Clark. Year four: Iran. We've heard the Bush talking points of how "We won't invade Iran. Having said that, all options are on the table." Apparently they are, Mr. President. Fool us once, shame on you. But you're not fooling us any more, and we won't be a part of another needless war in your personal attempt to glorify yourself. Sure, we don't have the manpower, the equipment, or the plans to invade Iraq, so, logically, we shouldn't be worried. But when has that stopped you before?
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December 29, 2005
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Saturday's Links
Activism
Wes Clark's has a new website for his PAC, called "Securing America". It's just starting to gear up, and he can use your help. His latest project asks you to send a letter to the FCC urging them to ignore groups like the Parents Television Council, who want to more closely regulate programming. For example, last Veteran's Day, ABC aired Saving Private Ryan for the third time. But thanks to the complaints of "right-wing zealots," 66 local affiliates chose not to air it. Go here to send the letter to new FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.
News
Judi Woodruff and John Kerry sat down last Tuesday to discuss everything from health care to 2008. Kerry came across as composed, articulate, defiant, and very much in line with the party. He talked about what needs to be done, why Bush's tax cuts are wrong, and what's going on in the Middle East. This was a Kerry that, had America seen him like this last year at this time, might have caused us not to need to create this blog. Woodruff pushed him about 2008, but he didn't bite, saying that the party needs to focus on 2006. A strong Democratic leader presentic a strong unified message - who'd have thunk it?
Budget Burdens. Bush's budget was hacked by the Senate last week, and many of his proposed cuts were restored (as expected), including those to Medicaid and education. The budget passed 51-49, and now the Senate, House and White House need to iron out many details. What makes us mad about this story, though, is Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg's (R-N.H.) comments to his colleagues. "The essence of this budget is . . . whether or not our generation, the baby-boom generation, is going to be willing to stand up and admit we put too much on the books for our children to bear." Our generation? Excuse us, Mr. Chairman, but we didn't ask you to approve billions of dollars for a war in Iraq that you had no plan for, and we were lied to about. We didn't ask you to reduce the surplus we had when Bush came into office. We expect you to find a way to reduce the deficit that you created without cutting spending to vital domestic programs. Start by eliminating the giveaways to the richest Americans.
From the Man Who Thinks Tears and Sweat Can Transmit AIDS...We bring you the next questionable medical call from Senator Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) A brief synopsis if you've not been following the case of Terri Schiavo, first. Terri Schiavo, a Florida resident, suffered severe brain damage in 1990 following a heart attack. The brain damage left her unable to care for herself so for the last 13 years she’s had a feeding tube in her for nutrients and fluids. She received a settlement for malpractice, but nearly all of that money has been spent on unsuccessful treatments to heal her. Her husband wants her off the feeding tube, so that she may "die naturally." In June 2003, Florida's courts ruled that her husband Michael could take out the feeding tube. But in October, the Florida State Legislature passed bill 35E, which empowered Governor Jeb Bush to issue executive order 03-201, which he did the following day. His executive order required that doctors replace the feeding tube and continue to provide medical attention as needed. Schiavo's doctors consider her in a "persistent vegitative state," or PVS, and have little hope of restoring any more of her brain functionality. Although she appears to have minimal reactions, experts say that these are more random motor reflexes than any sort of conscious thought. So, why does this involve Frist? Frist watched a videotape of Schiavo for "an hour or so," and disputes doctor's statements that Schiavo is in a PVS. For Frist to make such a diagnosis off of a videotape is ludicrous, and Democrats see him as pandering to right-wing groups. We couldn't agree more. Furthermore, our favorite (unconvicted...yet) criminal, Tom DeLay, interjected himself into the saga, quite obviously for no other reason than political gain, given that this is the first time he's even mentioned Terri Schiavo. This is not an easy moral question, which is precisely the problem. Politically, Democrats should sit back and let Republicans try to push their morals on anyone who will listen, and watch the backlash amass. In the meantime, we hope Schiavo and her family somehow manage to find some peace amid all this craziness.
Editorials
The Ugly American Bank. Paul Krugman discusses Paul Wolfowitz's promotion to head the World Bank, and shows how his economic ideology is pretty biased. Krugman argues that tapping Wolfowitz for this position has made many non-American leaders think that Bush wants to change the World Bank into the U.S. Bank. It's not only Wolfowitz that's the problem - he's really just the icing on our unilateralist, free-market proselytization cake.
Follow the Leaders. William Rubenstein reminds us that California's decision last week (that the ban on homosexual marriage is unconstitutional) is hardly the first of its kind, as other states have already done the same thing. He doesn't belittle Judge Kramer or his ruling, and reminds us that we shouldn't consider him an activist judge for doing the right thing. It's a shame that people would consider judges who uphold the constitution "activist", when they're doing their jobs properly.
Last month, Gary Leupp wrote a piece for Counterpunch, where he discusses year four of the "five-year plan," as explained by Wesley Clark. Year four: Iran. We've heard the Bush talking points of how "We won't invade Iran. Having said that, all options are on the table." Apparently they are, Mr. President. Fool us once, shame on you. But you're not fooling us any more, and we won't be a part of another needless war in your personal attempt to glorify yourself. Sure, we don't have the manpower, the equipment, or the plans to invade Iraq, so, logically, we shouldn't be worried. But when has that stopped you before?
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December 29, 2005
Wes Clark's has a new website for his PAC, called "Securing America". It's just starting to gear up, and he can use your help. His latest project asks you to send a letter to the FCC urging them to ignore groups like the Parents Television Council, who want to more closely regulate programming. For example, last Veteran's Day, ABC aired Saving Private Ryan for the third time. But thanks to the complaints of "right-wing zealots," 66 local affiliates chose not to air it. Go here to send the letter to new FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.
News
Judi Woodruff and John Kerry sat down last Tuesday to discuss everything from health care to 2008. Kerry came across as composed, articulate, defiant, and very much in line with the party. He talked about what needs to be done, why Bush's tax cuts are wrong, and what's going on in the Middle East. This was a Kerry that, had America seen him like this last year at this time, might have caused us not to need to create this blog. Woodruff pushed him about 2008, but he didn't bite, saying that the party needs to focus on 2006. A strong Democratic leader presentic a strong unified message - who'd have thunk it?
Budget Burdens. Bush's budget was hacked by the Senate last week, and many of his proposed cuts were restored (as expected), including those to Medicaid and education. The budget passed 51-49, and now the Senate, House and White House need to iron out many details. What makes us mad about this story, though, is Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg's (R-N.H.) comments to his colleagues. "The essence of this budget is . . . whether or not our generation, the baby-boom generation, is going to be willing to stand up and admit we put too much on the books for our children to bear." Our generation? Excuse us, Mr. Chairman, but we didn't ask you to approve billions of dollars for a war in Iraq that you had no plan for, and we were lied to about. We didn't ask you to reduce the surplus we had when Bush came into office. We expect you to find a way to reduce the deficit that you created without cutting spending to vital domestic programs. Start by eliminating the giveaways to the richest Americans.
From the Man Who Thinks Tears and Sweat Can Transmit AIDS...We bring you the next questionable medical call from Senator Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) A brief synopsis if you've not been following the case of Terri Schiavo, first. Terri Schiavo, a Florida resident, suffered severe brain damage in 1990 following a heart attack. The brain damage left her unable to care for herself so for the last 13 years she’s had a feeding tube in her for nutrients and fluids. She received a settlement for malpractice, but nearly all of that money has been spent on unsuccessful treatments to heal her. Her husband wants her off the feeding tube, so that she may "die naturally." In June 2003, Florida's courts ruled that her husband Michael could take out the feeding tube. But in October, the Florida State Legislature passed bill 35E, which empowered Governor Jeb Bush to issue executive order 03-201, which he did the following day. His executive order required that doctors replace the feeding tube and continue to provide medical attention as needed. Schiavo's doctors consider her in a "persistent vegitative state," or PVS, and have little hope of restoring any more of her brain functionality. Although she appears to have minimal reactions, experts say that these are more random motor reflexes than any sort of conscious thought. So, why does this involve Frist? Frist watched a videotape of Schiavo for "an hour or so," and disputes doctor's statements that Schiavo is in a PVS. For Frist to make such a diagnosis off of a videotape is ludicrous, and Democrats see him as pandering to right-wing groups. We couldn't agree more. Furthermore, our favorite (unconvicted...yet) criminal, Tom DeLay, interjected himself into the saga, quite obviously for no other reason than political gain, given that this is the first time he's even mentioned Terri Schiavo. This is not an easy moral question, which is precisely the problem. Politically, Democrats should sit back and let Republicans try to push their morals on anyone who will listen, and watch the backlash amass. In the meantime, we hope Schiavo and her family somehow manage to find some peace amid all this craziness.
Editorials
The Ugly American Bank. Paul Krugman discusses Paul Wolfowitz's promotion to head the World Bank, and shows how his economic ideology is pretty biased. Krugman argues that tapping Wolfowitz for this position has made many non-American leaders think that Bush wants to change the World Bank into the U.S. Bank. It's not only Wolfowitz that's the problem - he's really just the icing on our unilateralist, free-market proselytization cake.
Follow the Leaders. William Rubenstein reminds us that California's decision last week (that the ban on homosexual marriage is unconstitutional) is hardly the first of its kind, as other states have already done the same thing. He doesn't belittle Judge Kramer or his ruling, and reminds us that we shouldn't consider him an activist judge for doing the right thing. It's a shame that people would consider judges who uphold the constitution "activist", when they're doing their jobs properly.
Last month, Gary Leupp wrote a piece for Counterpunch, where he discusses year four of the "five-year plan," as explained by Wesley Clark. Year four: Iran. We've heard the Bush talking points of how "We won't invade Iran. Having said that, all options are on the table." Apparently they are, Mr. President. Fool us once, shame on you. But you're not fooling us any more, and we won't be a part of another needless war in your personal attempt to glorify yourself. Sure, we don't have the manpower, the equipment, or the plans to invade Iraq, so, logically, we shouldn't be worried. But when has that stopped you before?
