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December 29, 2005
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Wednesday's Links
Activism
Keep the Heat on Bush. In what may very well be considered the biggest blunder of Bush's presidency, the fight of Social Security has left him holding the bag. Democrats unified over this topic (well, most of them, anyway) to send the message that private accounts don't work. Many Americans think so also. But Senators and Congressmen are still getting pressure from those in the public who believe Bush's drivel. Go ton the above link and pledge to support the Democratic Party, which will allow us to continue to spread the truth about Bush's Social Security plan, and deny the Republicans another "fast one."
News
Independent Confirmation. There aren't many people left who believe Bush's spin that we went to Iraq for WMDs. Now, we've got even more proof that the intelligence was couched to make the case for war. Back in 2003, the head of MI6, Britain's uber-effective foreign intelligence agency, told Tony Blair that the U.S.'s case for war in Iraq was "fixed." Richard Dearlove told the Prime Minister that "The facts and intelligence" were being "fixed round the policy" by George W. Bush's administration. As more and more facts leak out about this blatant lie to the world, we still can't understand how anyone can support this President's war. If you're not at all outraged by how we went to war, and how this revelation adds to the 1984-esque society we've become, you really must have some low standards for leadership.
Santorum's About-Face. Continuing to show spite for his constituents, Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) voted against an amendment that would give financial assistance to Amtrak, which will have to close down if federal funding isn't provided. A month ago, Santorum promised to fight Bush's plan to eliminate funding for Amtrak. Yet last week he voted against the $1.04 billion allocation. Keep in mind that almost 5 million people in the state of Pennsylvania use Amtrak. The final vote on Amtrak funding was 52-46 against. You can be sure that this will be a key issue for Democrats as Bob Casey Jr. attempts to take Santorum's seat next fall.
And Speaking of Bob Casey Jr...Since being tapped to be the candidate of choice to run against Santorum, Dems have come under fire for Casey's views on abortion. Specifically, he is pro-life. Casey's Democratic record in Pennsylvania isn't an issue - with all other core issues, he is firmly behind the party. Democrats have been accused of "positioning" with candidates like Casey, but the bottom line is that Casey has name recognition over the whole state, is well-liked, and leads Santorum in every poll taken to date. Former head of NARAL Kate Michelman, who opposes Casey's nomination, has said, "Can you imagine recruiting people to run for the Senate with a record of opposition to affirmative action or to Brown v. Board of Education (the 1954 school desegregation decision)?" We think that's a little extreme. Remember, Harry Reid (D-NV) is also against abortion rights, and he has done a more than decent job as Minority Leader of the Senate so far. Although we support NARAL, we also want to win back the Senate. And the House. Oh, and that President thing too, while we're at it. At this point, we need people of conscience, with conviction and leadership, who will fight for American citizens. Casey would be a fantastic step up from Santorum (maybe even a whole staircase), and as long as he generally embraces progressive ideals, he should be supported.
Editorials
Wrong Man for This U.N. Peter Beinart discusses why John Bolton is the wrong man for the U.N., and it's not what you've heard so far. Bolton discusses America's history of putting "mavericks" in the post of U.N. Ambassador, and how it's been appropriate in the past. However, in the past, the U.S.'s role in the U.N. was drastically different than it is now, and Bolton's promotion is the wrong approach to take at this point in time.
Will Republicans Go Nuclear? Harry Reid certainly thinks so, and is prepared to fight back. E.J. Dionne Jr. explains exactly what's going on with the filibuster, and why it's so ludicrous. The issue now is about judges, but don't think that it's going to end there. Also keep in mind that, during Bush's first term, Democrats filibustered a whopping 10 judicial nominees. They merely confirmed 204 others. Those un-American, anti-democratic bastards!
From All Sides. Despite their cowardice, the American media are still free to write what they want. Not so in Iraq, according to Mariah Blake, of the Columbia Journalism Review. Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based satellite network, was the only source of news available from inside Iraq during the 90's, up to 2003. In 2003, with bombs rocking the city, Al Jazeera stayed while all other networks left. Since then, Al Jazeera has been involved in tumultuous war, been shut out of press conferences, had reporters killed by American troops, and had the station threatened by insurgents. The big hit came in June 2004, when the Iraqi interim government created "the Media High Commission. Its reported task was to establish 'red line' rules and punish journalists or news organizations that crossed them." Blake's history is shocking, scary and frustrating. We may detest Tucker Carlson or Robert Novak, but we won't deny their right to speak. If Iraq is to become a real democracy, shouldn't Al Jazeera get the same rights? Or in American's exported versions of democracy, do only those who agree with us get rights?
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December 29, 2005
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Wednesday's Links
Activism
Keep the Heat on Bush. In what may very well be considered the biggest blunder of Bush's presidency, the fight of Social Security has left him holding the bag. Democrats unified over this topic (well, most of them, anyway) to send the message that private accounts don't work. Many Americans think so also. But Senators and Congressmen are still getting pressure from those in the public who believe Bush's drivel. Go ton the above link and pledge to support the Democratic Party, which will allow us to continue to spread the truth about Bush's Social Security plan, and deny the Republicans another "fast one."
News
Independent Confirmation. There aren't many people left who believe Bush's spin that we went to Iraq for WMDs. Now, we've got even more proof that the intelligence was couched to make the case for war. Back in 2003, the head of MI6, Britain's uber-effective foreign intelligence agency, told Tony Blair that the U.S.'s case for war in Iraq was "fixed." Richard Dearlove told the Prime Minister that "The facts and intelligence" were being "fixed round the policy" by George W. Bush's administration. As more and more facts leak out about this blatant lie to the world, we still can't understand how anyone can support this President's war. If you're not at all outraged by how we went to war, and how this revelation adds to the 1984-esque society we've become, you really must have some low standards for leadership.
Santorum's About-Face. Continuing to show spite for his constituents, Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) voted against an amendment that would give financial assistance to Amtrak, which will have to close down if federal funding isn't provided. A month ago, Santorum promised to fight Bush's plan to eliminate funding for Amtrak. Yet last week he voted against the $1.04 billion allocation. Keep in mind that almost 5 million people in the state of Pennsylvania use Amtrak. The final vote on Amtrak funding was 52-46 against. You can be sure that this will be a key issue for Democrats as Bob Casey Jr. attempts to take Santorum's seat next fall.
And Speaking of Bob Casey Jr...Since being tapped to be the candidate of choice to run against Santorum, Dems have come under fire for Casey's views on abortion. Specifically, he is pro-life. Casey's Democratic record in Pennsylvania isn't an issue - with all other core issues, he is firmly behind the party. Democrats have been accused of "positioning" with candidates like Casey, but the bottom line is that Casey has name recognition over the whole state, is well-liked, and leads Santorum in every poll taken to date. Former head of NARAL Kate Michelman, who opposes Casey's nomination, has said, "Can you imagine recruiting people to run for the Senate with a record of opposition to affirmative action or to Brown v. Board of Education (the 1954 school desegregation decision)?" We think that's a little extreme. Remember, Harry Reid (D-NV) is also against abortion rights, and he has done a more than decent job as Minority Leader of the Senate so far. Although we support NARAL, we also want to win back the Senate. And the House. Oh, and that President thing too, while we're at it. At this point, we need people of conscience, with conviction and leadership, who will fight for American citizens. Casey would be a fantastic step up from Santorum (maybe even a whole staircase), and as long as he generally embraces progressive ideals, he should be supported.
Editorials
Wrong Man for This U.N. Peter Beinart discusses why John Bolton is the wrong man for the U.N., and it's not what you've heard so far. Bolton discusses America's history of putting "mavericks" in the post of U.N. Ambassador, and how it's been appropriate in the past. However, in the past, the U.S.'s role in the U.N. was drastically different than it is now, and Bolton's promotion is the wrong approach to take at this point in time.
Will Republicans Go Nuclear? Harry Reid certainly thinks so, and is prepared to fight back. E.J. Dionne Jr. explains exactly what's going on with the filibuster, and why it's so ludicrous. The issue now is about judges, but don't think that it's going to end there. Also keep in mind that, during Bush's first term, Democrats filibustered a whopping 10 judicial nominees. They merely confirmed 204 others. Those un-American, anti-democratic bastards!
From All Sides. Despite their cowardice, the American media are still free to write what they want. Not so in Iraq, according to Mariah Blake, of the Columbia Journalism Review. Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based satellite network, was the only source of news available from inside Iraq during the 90's, up to 2003. In 2003, with bombs rocking the city, Al Jazeera stayed while all other networks left. Since then, Al Jazeera has been involved in tumultuous war, been shut out of press conferences, had reporters killed by American troops, and had the station threatened by insurgents. The big hit came in June 2004, when the Iraqi interim government created "the Media High Commission. Its reported task was to establish 'red line' rules and punish journalists or news organizations that crossed them." Blake's history is shocking, scary and frustrating. We may detest Tucker Carlson or Robert Novak, but we won't deny their right to speak. If Iraq is to become a real democracy, shouldn't Al Jazeera get the same rights? Or in American's exported versions of democracy, do only those who agree with us get rights?
|
December 29, 2005
Keep the Heat on Bush. In what may very well be considered the biggest blunder of Bush's presidency, the fight of Social Security has left him holding the bag. Democrats unified over this topic (well, most of them, anyway) to send the message that private accounts don't work. Many Americans think so also. But Senators and Congressmen are still getting pressure from those in the public who believe Bush's drivel. Go ton the above link and pledge to support the Democratic Party, which will allow us to continue to spread the truth about Bush's Social Security plan, and deny the Republicans another "fast one."
News
Independent Confirmation. There aren't many people left who believe Bush's spin that we went to Iraq for WMDs. Now, we've got even more proof that the intelligence was couched to make the case for war. Back in 2003, the head of MI6, Britain's uber-effective foreign intelligence agency, told Tony Blair that the U.S.'s case for war in Iraq was "fixed." Richard Dearlove told the Prime Minister that "The facts and intelligence" were being "fixed round the policy" by George W. Bush's administration. As more and more facts leak out about this blatant lie to the world, we still can't understand how anyone can support this President's war. If you're not at all outraged by how we went to war, and how this revelation adds to the 1984-esque society we've become, you really must have some low standards for leadership.
Santorum's About-Face. Continuing to show spite for his constituents, Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) voted against an amendment that would give financial assistance to Amtrak, which will have to close down if federal funding isn't provided. A month ago, Santorum promised to fight Bush's plan to eliminate funding for Amtrak. Yet last week he voted against the $1.04 billion allocation. Keep in mind that almost 5 million people in the state of Pennsylvania use Amtrak. The final vote on Amtrak funding was 52-46 against. You can be sure that this will be a key issue for Democrats as Bob Casey Jr. attempts to take Santorum's seat next fall.
And Speaking of Bob Casey Jr...Since being tapped to be the candidate of choice to run against Santorum, Dems have come under fire for Casey's views on abortion. Specifically, he is pro-life. Casey's Democratic record in Pennsylvania isn't an issue - with all other core issues, he is firmly behind the party. Democrats have been accused of "positioning" with candidates like Casey, but the bottom line is that Casey has name recognition over the whole state, is well-liked, and leads Santorum in every poll taken to date. Former head of NARAL Kate Michelman, who opposes Casey's nomination, has said, "Can you imagine recruiting people to run for the Senate with a record of opposition to affirmative action or to Brown v. Board of Education (the 1954 school desegregation decision)?" We think that's a little extreme. Remember, Harry Reid (D-NV) is also against abortion rights, and he has done a more than decent job as Minority Leader of the Senate so far. Although we support NARAL, we also want to win back the Senate. And the House. Oh, and that President thing too, while we're at it. At this point, we need people of conscience, with conviction and leadership, who will fight for American citizens. Casey would be a fantastic step up from Santorum (maybe even a whole staircase), and as long as he generally embraces progressive ideals, he should be supported.
Editorials
Wrong Man for This U.N. Peter Beinart discusses why John Bolton is the wrong man for the U.N., and it's not what you've heard so far. Bolton discusses America's history of putting "mavericks" in the post of U.N. Ambassador, and how it's been appropriate in the past. However, in the past, the U.S.'s role in the U.N. was drastically different than it is now, and Bolton's promotion is the wrong approach to take at this point in time.
Will Republicans Go Nuclear? Harry Reid certainly thinks so, and is prepared to fight back. E.J. Dionne Jr. explains exactly what's going on with the filibuster, and why it's so ludicrous. The issue now is about judges, but don't think that it's going to end there. Also keep in mind that, during Bush's first term, Democrats filibustered a whopping 10 judicial nominees. They merely confirmed 204 others. Those un-American, anti-democratic bastards!
From All Sides. Despite their cowardice, the American media are still free to write what they want. Not so in Iraq, according to Mariah Blake, of the Columbia Journalism Review. Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based satellite network, was the only source of news available from inside Iraq during the 90's, up to 2003. In 2003, with bombs rocking the city, Al Jazeera stayed while all other networks left. Since then, Al Jazeera has been involved in tumultuous war, been shut out of press conferences, had reporters killed by American troops, and had the station threatened by insurgents. The big hit came in June 2004, when the Iraqi interim government created "the Media High Commission. Its reported task was to establish 'red line' rules and punish journalists or news organizations that crossed them." Blake's history is shocking, scary and frustrating. We may detest Tucker Carlson or Robert Novak, but we won't deny their right to speak. If Iraq is to become a real democracy, shouldn't Al Jazeera get the same rights? Or in American's exported versions of democracy, do only those who agree with us get rights?
