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December 29, 2005
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Thursday's Links
Activism
Filibuster Frist! This is the true story of several hundred college students who have chosen to drive to DC and have their lives blogged, and find out what happens when people stop being polite and start filibustering. The Real World! Got some time? Go help 'em out!
News
The Saga of John Bolton. We don't always agree with Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), but if he's not blowing smoke, we do today. Well, except for the not voting against Bolton part. Voinovich agreed to let the John Bolton vote go to the full Senate, even though he is personally against Bolton. He delivered a scathing attack on Bolton, but declared that it wasn't his right to deny a full vote. "I am not so arrogant to think that I should impose my judgment and perspective of the U.S. position in the world community on the rest of my colleagues." Voinovich reflects the views of many Democrats, including all eight on the Senate Foreign Relations committee. Between Democrats not being allowed to see documents relating to Bolton and Condi Rice's reasoning on why Dems shouldn't be allowed to see them (knowledge is power, after all), Bolton's nomination has been full of controversy. Here's hoping the Senate puts aside partisan politics and denies Bolton's nomination, as he's clearly unfit to be a diplomat.
Democrats Play Hookey, Leaves GOP Alone in the Candystore. 7 House Democrats skipped town before the Budget Resolution vote last week, which passed 214-211. Had those Democrats been in town, Republicans would have found it much harder to pressure those GOP members who wanted to vote against the budget. Instead, the budget passed, no one was put on the hot seat, and Democrats look absurd for leaving town. The Democrats who skipped town are:
Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.)
Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas)
Bob Filner (D-Calif.)
Harold Ford (D-Tenn.)
William Jefferson (D-La.)
Steven Rothman (D-N.J.)
Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.)
If you live in any of these states (particularily Texas and Louisiana), we encourage you to call your House Reps and demand a reason why they couldn't make this vote. If you're wondering just how important it was to have those seven Democrats there, just read David Broder's most recent article. Elected officials are here to serve the people, not themselves.
They're Back! We talk a lot in this blog about the issues that are important to everyday Americans. Things like retirement finds, the economy, health care, job security - things that impact Americans directly. Well, thanks to Bush's complete ineptitude in domestic affairs, women (who voted more Republican in 2004 than they had in years) are returning to the Democratic party. Given how the 2004 election was likely stolen, we need as many like-minded people in the party as possible. Now, if the party could only have a clear, concise message, we might be able to attract dissatisfied Republicans. Ah, whimsy.
Editorials
A GOP Plan to 'Fix' the Democrats. It is interesting to see how the problems that Democrats are having with Republicans seem to hold a mirror up to history. Republicans in the Senate, under Bill Clinton, were notorious for stopping the nomination of many of Clinton's judges. Republicans refused to deal with Clinton and his health care policy; Democrats are doing the same with Social Security. And what about DeLay, who stood on a moral high ground 10 miles in the air, decrying Clinton, and pushing his peers to vote for impeachment. DeLay, who is now embroiled in a huge ethics scandal (and has greater name recognition for it). Remember, Democrats aren't doing anything (like not giving an inch of ground) that Republicans didn't do under Clinton. Only now, Democrats are "bad Americans" for doing so. If only every citizen had a mirror, or paid just a little more attention...
Persecution. We love this editorial, mostly because it speaks five words to religious right extremists in America who feel that their values are under attack: You are not being persecuted! Think Christians in China when you want to think about Christians persecuted. Think about Christians being thrown to the lions when you want to think about Christians being persecuted. No one is being killed in America for their religious beliefs. Christians have their own cable channels, for pete's sake! Radical Christians might want to consider their complete lack of tolerance for anything not Christian before continuing this farce. For example, if a Christian woman does not believe in abortion, then she doesn't need to have one. But she has no justification for getting on a high horse to speak of "moral values and human dignity" when she has no tolerance for the views of others (i.e. homosexuality). When will we wake up and learn that we all have to share this planet?
Laura Bush's Mission Accomplished. Frank Rich isn't alone in wondering when the media turned into a bunch of pathetic sycophants. Sure, Laura Bush was funny during the annual White House Correspondents Association dinner, but her choreographed interruption of her husband just shows how deft the administration has become in dealing with the media. The Bush administration does create their own reality (just ask the USDA).
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December 29, 2005
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Thursday's Links
Activism
Filibuster Frist! This is the true story of several hundred college students who have chosen to drive to DC and have their lives blogged, and find out what happens when people stop being polite and start filibustering. The Real World! Got some time? Go help 'em out!
News
The Saga of John Bolton. We don't always agree with Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), but if he's not blowing smoke, we do today. Well, except for the not voting against Bolton part. Voinovich agreed to let the John Bolton vote go to the full Senate, even though he is personally against Bolton. He delivered a scathing attack on Bolton, but declared that it wasn't his right to deny a full vote. "I am not so arrogant to think that I should impose my judgment and perspective of the U.S. position in the world community on the rest of my colleagues." Voinovich reflects the views of many Democrats, including all eight on the Senate Foreign Relations committee. Between Democrats not being allowed to see documents relating to Bolton and Condi Rice's reasoning on why Dems shouldn't be allowed to see them (knowledge is power, after all), Bolton's nomination has been full of controversy. Here's hoping the Senate puts aside partisan politics and denies Bolton's nomination, as he's clearly unfit to be a diplomat.
Democrats Play Hookey, Leaves GOP Alone in the Candystore. 7 House Democrats skipped town before the Budget Resolution vote last week, which passed 214-211. Had those Democrats been in town, Republicans would have found it much harder to pressure those GOP members who wanted to vote against the budget. Instead, the budget passed, no one was put on the hot seat, and Democrats look absurd for leaving town. The Democrats who skipped town are:
Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.)
Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas)
Bob Filner (D-Calif.)
Harold Ford (D-Tenn.)
William Jefferson (D-La.)
Steven Rothman (D-N.J.)
Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.)
If you live in any of these states (particularily Texas and Louisiana), we encourage you to call your House Reps and demand a reason why they couldn't make this vote. If you're wondering just how important it was to have those seven Democrats there, just read David Broder's most recent article. Elected officials are here to serve the people, not themselves.
They're Back! We talk a lot in this blog about the issues that are important to everyday Americans. Things like retirement finds, the economy, health care, job security - things that impact Americans directly. Well, thanks to Bush's complete ineptitude in domestic affairs, women (who voted more Republican in 2004 than they had in years) are returning to the Democratic party. Given how the 2004 election was likely stolen, we need as many like-minded people in the party as possible. Now, if the party could only have a clear, concise message, we might be able to attract dissatisfied Republicans. Ah, whimsy.
Editorials
A GOP Plan to 'Fix' the Democrats. It is interesting to see how the problems that Democrats are having with Republicans seem to hold a mirror up to history. Republicans in the Senate, under Bill Clinton, were notorious for stopping the nomination of many of Clinton's judges. Republicans refused to deal with Clinton and his health care policy; Democrats are doing the same with Social Security. And what about DeLay, who stood on a moral high ground 10 miles in the air, decrying Clinton, and pushing his peers to vote for impeachment. DeLay, who is now embroiled in a huge ethics scandal (and has greater name recognition for it). Remember, Democrats aren't doing anything (like not giving an inch of ground) that Republicans didn't do under Clinton. Only now, Democrats are "bad Americans" for doing so. If only every citizen had a mirror, or paid just a little more attention...
Persecution. We love this editorial, mostly because it speaks five words to religious right extremists in America who feel that their values are under attack: You are not being persecuted! Think Christians in China when you want to think about Christians persecuted. Think about Christians being thrown to the lions when you want to think about Christians being persecuted. No one is being killed in America for their religious beliefs. Christians have their own cable channels, for pete's sake! Radical Christians might want to consider their complete lack of tolerance for anything not Christian before continuing this farce. For example, if a Christian woman does not believe in abortion, then she doesn't need to have one. But she has no justification for getting on a high horse to speak of "moral values and human dignity" when she has no tolerance for the views of others (i.e. homosexuality). When will we wake up and learn that we all have to share this planet?
Laura Bush's Mission Accomplished. Frank Rich isn't alone in wondering when the media turned into a bunch of pathetic sycophants. Sure, Laura Bush was funny during the annual White House Correspondents Association dinner, but her choreographed interruption of her husband just shows how deft the administration has become in dealing with the media. The Bush administration does create their own reality (just ask the USDA).
|
December 29, 2005
Filibuster Frist! This is the true story of several hundred college students who have chosen to drive to DC and have their lives blogged, and find out what happens when people stop being polite and start filibustering. The Real World! Got some time? Go help 'em out!
News
The Saga of John Bolton. We don't always agree with Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), but if he's not blowing smoke, we do today. Well, except for the not voting against Bolton part. Voinovich agreed to let the John Bolton vote go to the full Senate, even though he is personally against Bolton. He delivered a scathing attack on Bolton, but declared that it wasn't his right to deny a full vote. "I am not so arrogant to think that I should impose my judgment and perspective of the U.S. position in the world community on the rest of my colleagues." Voinovich reflects the views of many Democrats, including all eight on the Senate Foreign Relations committee. Between Democrats not being allowed to see documents relating to Bolton and Condi Rice's reasoning on why Dems shouldn't be allowed to see them (knowledge is power, after all), Bolton's nomination has been full of controversy. Here's hoping the Senate puts aside partisan politics and denies Bolton's nomination, as he's clearly unfit to be a diplomat.
Democrats Play Hookey, Leaves GOP Alone in the Candystore. 7 House Democrats skipped town before the Budget Resolution vote last week, which passed 214-211. Had those Democrats been in town, Republicans would have found it much harder to pressure those GOP members who wanted to vote against the budget. Instead, the budget passed, no one was put on the hot seat, and Democrats look absurd for leaving town. The Democrats who skipped town are:
Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.)
Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas)
Bob Filner (D-Calif.)
Harold Ford (D-Tenn.)
William Jefferson (D-La.)
Steven Rothman (D-N.J.)
Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.)
If you live in any of these states (particularily Texas and Louisiana), we encourage you to call your House Reps and demand a reason why they couldn't make this vote. If you're wondering just how important it was to have those seven Democrats there, just read David Broder's most recent article. Elected officials are here to serve the people, not themselves.
They're Back! We talk a lot in this blog about the issues that are important to everyday Americans. Things like retirement finds, the economy, health care, job security - things that impact Americans directly. Well, thanks to Bush's complete ineptitude in domestic affairs, women (who voted more Republican in 2004 than they had in years) are returning to the Democratic party. Given how the 2004 election was likely stolen, we need as many like-minded people in the party as possible. Now, if the party could only have a clear, concise message, we might be able to attract dissatisfied Republicans. Ah, whimsy.
Editorials
A GOP Plan to 'Fix' the Democrats. It is interesting to see how the problems that Democrats are having with Republicans seem to hold a mirror up to history. Republicans in the Senate, under Bill Clinton, were notorious for stopping the nomination of many of Clinton's judges. Republicans refused to deal with Clinton and his health care policy; Democrats are doing the same with Social Security. And what about DeLay, who stood on a moral high ground 10 miles in the air, decrying Clinton, and pushing his peers to vote for impeachment. DeLay, who is now embroiled in a huge ethics scandal (and has greater name recognition for it). Remember, Democrats aren't doing anything (like not giving an inch of ground) that Republicans didn't do under Clinton. Only now, Democrats are "bad Americans" for doing so. If only every citizen had a mirror, or paid just a little more attention...
Persecution. We love this editorial, mostly because it speaks five words to religious right extremists in America who feel that their values are under attack: You are not being persecuted! Think Christians in China when you want to think about Christians persecuted. Think about Christians being thrown to the lions when you want to think about Christians being persecuted. No one is being killed in America for their religious beliefs. Christians have their own cable channels, for pete's sake! Radical Christians might want to consider their complete lack of tolerance for anything not Christian before continuing this farce. For example, if a Christian woman does not believe in abortion, then she doesn't need to have one. But she has no justification for getting on a high horse to speak of "moral values and human dignity" when she has no tolerance for the views of others (i.e. homosexuality). When will we wake up and learn that we all have to share this planet?
Laura Bush's Mission Accomplished. Frank Rich isn't alone in wondering when the media turned into a bunch of pathetic sycophants. Sure, Laura Bush was funny during the annual White House Correspondents Association dinner, but her choreographed interruption of her husband just shows how deft the administration has become in dealing with the media. The Bush administration does create their own reality (just ask the USDA).
