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December 29, 2005
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Tuesday's Links
Activism
Protect Online Political Speech. If you listen to enough stodgy "pundits", you'll hear them say that the internet is problematic because it's "unregulated" and you can't hold anyone accountable. Well, really, the only problem with the internet is that those in power don't understand it. The internet played a crucial role in the last election, and hopefully that's going to continue for the foreseeable future. But for it to remain a powerful and democratic tool, we have to continue to fight for it, and make sure it's not compromised by those who are threatened by democracy. Go here to see what's at stake, and then take the poll above to help educate the Federal Election Commission about how normal people use the internet and why its independence must be protected.
News
Today in Iraq. We'll probably add this link to our list on the left of the page, but for now, hop over to "Today in Iraq" for the daily war news. Normally we don't just link to a blog, and instead point you to a specific article, but it's really staggering how every single day there are tens of stories about death and destruction and failure in Iraq. Scroll through their pages if you doubt it. Just yesterday we had "Thirty four bodies found in Baghdad, Ramadi and Latifya, two drivers taken hostage in Baghdad, two Iraqi journalists and their driver killed in ambush in Mahmudiya, two civilians killed in bomb attack on Iraqi convoy in Baghdad, four Iraqi troops killed by mortar attack in Khan Bani Saad, three civilians injured in mortar attack in Baqubah, an Iraqi policeman and his wife gunned down in Aalgaya, and four gunmen killed in failed assassination attempt on Iraqi army general in Baghdad." And that's just the reported news! In a single day! Bring 'em on, indeed...
Religion Is the Answer! At least, we think that's the motto of our president. How else do you explain his recent budget decisions to cut funding to traditional organizations that work to wipe out poverty and enhance the budget of faith-based and religious organizations? Bush's cuts would wipe out programs that have existed for decades, programs that have been proven to work. And if that was the extent of it, we'd just call it "cutting domestic funding." But with the increase to faith-based and religious organizations, specifically for the purpose of curtailing poverty, Bush is saying that religion is a better answer to those in need. Is it? We're no experts, but if the money is provided for these programs to help others, do they really need to feel like they are entering a contract with a religious group just to get the help? We're not suggesting that faith-based groups can't be a part of this - far from it. But it makes no sense to simply cast aside programs that have worked for 50 years. Instead, we get religious groups like Project ARISE, who tell despaired clients, "God loves you, God made you special." For a Christian, that's fine. But what about others?
Polls. With everything that's going on, we like to look at how America is responding. Turns out that the public is pretty well informed. Although the majority of Americans aren't following the filibuster saga, the majority oppose the rule changes. Interestingly, more independents think that Bush is responsible for this mess, instead of Senate Democrats. Americans see far more bickering in Congress than "usual." Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of the Congressional job approval of Republican leaders, and are almost split on Democrats. Bush's approval rating has slipped to 43%, down 6% from March, and the most pressing issue to Americans is the cost of gas (58%). It appears that now would be the best time for Democrats to woo independent voters. But they can't do that without a clear message, which is something we've been asking for since last November. Any suggestions?
Editorials
Centrist Courage on Abortion. In EJ Dionne, Jr.'s latest editorial, Thomas Suozzi sums up our feelings on abortion perfectly. Instead of worrying about whether abortion is legal or not, shouldn't we, instead, be focused on reducing the number of abortions? There's no doubt that, were abortion illegal, many women would still seek and find a way to have one, only in far less sterile environments. Abortions should be available and legal, so that the 14 year old who is raped doesn't have her life irrevocably changed. But the centrist idea of shifting the argument away from legality and over to education (shared by folks like Hillary Clinton) is where Democrats need to focus their energy. We're never going to win the argument of "is it legal" or "when does life start?," because conservatives will never be able to see anything other than "no" and "at conception."
McClellan Says No Need to Notify Bush in D.C. Scare. It's been 1,334 days since September 11, 2001. Homeland Security and the Secret Service have, we assume, implemented and augmented plans in the even that, say, the White House was to be attacked. Yet last week, when a Cessna plane flew dangerously close to the White House, and didn't respond to the F-16s alongside demanding that it change course, the White House and Capitol were ordered to evacuate. During all of this, Bush was in Maryland enjoying a bike ride. What's interesting to note is that Bush wasn't notified of the then-crisis (and yes, until the Cessna was brought down and landed, this was a legitimate crisis) until several hours later. When reporters finally pulled their heads out of the sand and question White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan on why he wasn't notified, McClellan continually referred to "protocols" that didn't require the president to be notified. Never mind that his wife and most of the cabinet were a part of the evacuees. Never mind that, if the plane had to be shot down, Bush would be the one to make that decision. Whatever protocols have been put in place, they surely need to be looked at again.
Just How Gay Is the Right? Frank Rich looks at how the right has treated homosexuals. You don't need him (or us) to tell you that the answer isn't good. Look at the judicial arguments swirling around our country now - if the right had their way, we'd have lifetime appointments for judges like Roy S. Moore (infamous for the Ten Commandments debable) and William H. Pryor, Jr. (who believes that homosexuality is a crime, and should be punishible by execution). Or what about Republican Mayor James West, of Spokane? He was outed last week, and didn't deny it. But West has a long history of blocking the rights of homosexuals, from banning gay men and women from public schools to firing gay employees of the state. Do as I say, not as I do, eh?
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December 29, 2005
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Tuesday's Links
Activism
Protect Online Political Speech. If you listen to enough stodgy "pundits", you'll hear them say that the internet is problematic because it's "unregulated" and you can't hold anyone accountable. Well, really, the only problem with the internet is that those in power don't understand it. The internet played a crucial role in the last election, and hopefully that's going to continue for the foreseeable future. But for it to remain a powerful and democratic tool, we have to continue to fight for it, and make sure it's not compromised by those who are threatened by democracy. Go here to see what's at stake, and then take the poll above to help educate the Federal Election Commission about how normal people use the internet and why its independence must be protected.
News
Today in Iraq. We'll probably add this link to our list on the left of the page, but for now, hop over to "Today in Iraq" for the daily war news. Normally we don't just link to a blog, and instead point you to a specific article, but it's really staggering how every single day there are tens of stories about death and destruction and failure in Iraq. Scroll through their pages if you doubt it. Just yesterday we had "Thirty four bodies found in Baghdad, Ramadi and Latifya, two drivers taken hostage in Baghdad, two Iraqi journalists and their driver killed in ambush in Mahmudiya, two civilians killed in bomb attack on Iraqi convoy in Baghdad, four Iraqi troops killed by mortar attack in Khan Bani Saad, three civilians injured in mortar attack in Baqubah, an Iraqi policeman and his wife gunned down in Aalgaya, and four gunmen killed in failed assassination attempt on Iraqi army general in Baghdad." And that's just the reported news! In a single day! Bring 'em on, indeed...
Religion Is the Answer! At least, we think that's the motto of our president. How else do you explain his recent budget decisions to cut funding to traditional organizations that work to wipe out poverty and enhance the budget of faith-based and religious organizations? Bush's cuts would wipe out programs that have existed for decades, programs that have been proven to work. And if that was the extent of it, we'd just call it "cutting domestic funding." But with the increase to faith-based and religious organizations, specifically for the purpose of curtailing poverty, Bush is saying that religion is a better answer to those in need. Is it? We're no experts, but if the money is provided for these programs to help others, do they really need to feel like they are entering a contract with a religious group just to get the help? We're not suggesting that faith-based groups can't be a part of this - far from it. But it makes no sense to simply cast aside programs that have worked for 50 years. Instead, we get religious groups like Project ARISE, who tell despaired clients, "God loves you, God made you special." For a Christian, that's fine. But what about others?
Polls. With everything that's going on, we like to look at how America is responding. Turns out that the public is pretty well informed. Although the majority of Americans aren't following the filibuster saga, the majority oppose the rule changes. Interestingly, more independents think that Bush is responsible for this mess, instead of Senate Democrats. Americans see far more bickering in Congress than "usual." Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of the Congressional job approval of Republican leaders, and are almost split on Democrats. Bush's approval rating has slipped to 43%, down 6% from March, and the most pressing issue to Americans is the cost of gas (58%). It appears that now would be the best time for Democrats to woo independent voters. But they can't do that without a clear message, which is something we've been asking for since last November. Any suggestions?
Editorials
Centrist Courage on Abortion. In EJ Dionne, Jr.'s latest editorial, Thomas Suozzi sums up our feelings on abortion perfectly. Instead of worrying about whether abortion is legal or not, shouldn't we, instead, be focused on reducing the number of abortions? There's no doubt that, were abortion illegal, many women would still seek and find a way to have one, only in far less sterile environments. Abortions should be available and legal, so that the 14 year old who is raped doesn't have her life irrevocably changed. But the centrist idea of shifting the argument away from legality and over to education (shared by folks like Hillary Clinton) is where Democrats need to focus their energy. We're never going to win the argument of "is it legal" or "when does life start?," because conservatives will never be able to see anything other than "no" and "at conception."
McClellan Says No Need to Notify Bush in D.C. Scare. It's been 1,334 days since September 11, 2001. Homeland Security and the Secret Service have, we assume, implemented and augmented plans in the even that, say, the White House was to be attacked. Yet last week, when a Cessna plane flew dangerously close to the White House, and didn't respond to the F-16s alongside demanding that it change course, the White House and Capitol were ordered to evacuate. During all of this, Bush was in Maryland enjoying a bike ride. What's interesting to note is that Bush wasn't notified of the then-crisis (and yes, until the Cessna was brought down and landed, this was a legitimate crisis) until several hours later. When reporters finally pulled their heads out of the sand and question White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan on why he wasn't notified, McClellan continually referred to "protocols" that didn't require the president to be notified. Never mind that his wife and most of the cabinet were a part of the evacuees. Never mind that, if the plane had to be shot down, Bush would be the one to make that decision. Whatever protocols have been put in place, they surely need to be looked at again.
Just How Gay Is the Right? Frank Rich looks at how the right has treated homosexuals. You don't need him (or us) to tell you that the answer isn't good. Look at the judicial arguments swirling around our country now - if the right had their way, we'd have lifetime appointments for judges like Roy S. Moore (infamous for the Ten Commandments debable) and William H. Pryor, Jr. (who believes that homosexuality is a crime, and should be punishible by execution). Or what about Republican Mayor James West, of Spokane? He was outed last week, and didn't deny it. But West has a long history of blocking the rights of homosexuals, from banning gay men and women from public schools to firing gay employees of the state. Do as I say, not as I do, eh?
|
December 29, 2005
Protect Online Political Speech. If you listen to enough stodgy "pundits", you'll hear them say that the internet is problematic because it's "unregulated" and you can't hold anyone accountable. Well, really, the only problem with the internet is that those in power don't understand it. The internet played a crucial role in the last election, and hopefully that's going to continue for the foreseeable future. But for it to remain a powerful and democratic tool, we have to continue to fight for it, and make sure it's not compromised by those who are threatened by democracy. Go here to see what's at stake, and then take the poll above to help educate the Federal Election Commission about how normal people use the internet and why its independence must be protected.
News
Today in Iraq. We'll probably add this link to our list on the left of the page, but for now, hop over to "Today in Iraq" for the daily war news. Normally we don't just link to a blog, and instead point you to a specific article, but it's really staggering how every single day there are tens of stories about death and destruction and failure in Iraq. Scroll through their pages if you doubt it. Just yesterday we had "Thirty four bodies found in Baghdad, Ramadi and Latifya, two drivers taken hostage in Baghdad, two Iraqi journalists and their driver killed in ambush in Mahmudiya, two civilians killed in bomb attack on Iraqi convoy in Baghdad, four Iraqi troops killed by mortar attack in Khan Bani Saad, three civilians injured in mortar attack in Baqubah, an Iraqi policeman and his wife gunned down in Aalgaya, and four gunmen killed in failed assassination attempt on Iraqi army general in Baghdad." And that's just the reported news! In a single day! Bring 'em on, indeed...
Religion Is the Answer! At least, we think that's the motto of our president. How else do you explain his recent budget decisions to cut funding to traditional organizations that work to wipe out poverty and enhance the budget of faith-based and religious organizations? Bush's cuts would wipe out programs that have existed for decades, programs that have been proven to work. And if that was the extent of it, we'd just call it "cutting domestic funding." But with the increase to faith-based and religious organizations, specifically for the purpose of curtailing poverty, Bush is saying that religion is a better answer to those in need. Is it? We're no experts, but if the money is provided for these programs to help others, do they really need to feel like they are entering a contract with a religious group just to get the help? We're not suggesting that faith-based groups can't be a part of this - far from it. But it makes no sense to simply cast aside programs that have worked for 50 years. Instead, we get religious groups like Project ARISE, who tell despaired clients, "God loves you, God made you special." For a Christian, that's fine. But what about others?
Polls. With everything that's going on, we like to look at how America is responding. Turns out that the public is pretty well informed. Although the majority of Americans aren't following the filibuster saga, the majority oppose the rule changes. Interestingly, more independents think that Bush is responsible for this mess, instead of Senate Democrats. Americans see far more bickering in Congress than "usual." Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of the Congressional job approval of Republican leaders, and are almost split on Democrats. Bush's approval rating has slipped to 43%, down 6% from March, and the most pressing issue to Americans is the cost of gas (58%). It appears that now would be the best time for Democrats to woo independent voters. But they can't do that without a clear message, which is something we've been asking for since last November. Any suggestions?
Editorials
Centrist Courage on Abortion. In EJ Dionne, Jr.'s latest editorial, Thomas Suozzi sums up our feelings on abortion perfectly. Instead of worrying about whether abortion is legal or not, shouldn't we, instead, be focused on reducing the number of abortions? There's no doubt that, were abortion illegal, many women would still seek and find a way to have one, only in far less sterile environments. Abortions should be available and legal, so that the 14 year old who is raped doesn't have her life irrevocably changed. But the centrist idea of shifting the argument away from legality and over to education (shared by folks like Hillary Clinton) is where Democrats need to focus their energy. We're never going to win the argument of "is it legal" or "when does life start?," because conservatives will never be able to see anything other than "no" and "at conception."
McClellan Says No Need to Notify Bush in D.C. Scare. It's been 1,334 days since September 11, 2001. Homeland Security and the Secret Service have, we assume, implemented and augmented plans in the even that, say, the White House was to be attacked. Yet last week, when a Cessna plane flew dangerously close to the White House, and didn't respond to the F-16s alongside demanding that it change course, the White House and Capitol were ordered to evacuate. During all of this, Bush was in Maryland enjoying a bike ride. What's interesting to note is that Bush wasn't notified of the then-crisis (and yes, until the Cessna was brought down and landed, this was a legitimate crisis) until several hours later. When reporters finally pulled their heads out of the sand and question White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan on why he wasn't notified, McClellan continually referred to "protocols" that didn't require the president to be notified. Never mind that his wife and most of the cabinet were a part of the evacuees. Never mind that, if the plane had to be shot down, Bush would be the one to make that decision. Whatever protocols have been put in place, they surely need to be looked at again.
Just How Gay Is the Right? Frank Rich looks at how the right has treated homosexuals. You don't need him (or us) to tell you that the answer isn't good. Look at the judicial arguments swirling around our country now - if the right had their way, we'd have lifetime appointments for judges like Roy S. Moore (infamous for the Ten Commandments debable) and William H. Pryor, Jr. (who believes that homosexuality is a crime, and should be punishible by execution). Or what about Republican Mayor James West, of Spokane? He was outed last week, and didn't deny it. But West has a long history of blocking the rights of homosexuals, from banning gay men and women from public schools to firing gay employees of the state. Do as I say, not as I do, eh?
