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2007 Victories Lead to Even More in 2008
When I think of what we've done in the past few weeks, my mind just staggers. We took back the governor's seat in Kentucky, wrapped up the biggest online presidential poll of the cycle, and endorsed Rick Noriega for Senate in Texas on the day before President Bush showed up to fundraise for his opponent. Then we held SiCKO House Parties around the country and spoke to Michael Moore to learn more about what comes next in the Health Care for America campaign. And then we made 2,399 phone calls to Senator Reid's office, changed Sen. Feinstein's heart on FISA and showed Washington the power of the grassroots. This weekend, I hope everyone in the DFA community takes a moment to relax and enjoy our successes.
But even as I'm writing this, I'm wondering what's next. We've got a big year ahead of us, and we'll be boots on the ground for candidates across the country. Do you know someone who's running for office? Are you taking the step to become a progressive leader? I hope you'll apply for an endorsement at www.democracyforamerica.com/application and start the process of building our community towards victory in 2008.
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Happy Birthday Howard Dean.
Here's a video from CNN last night....short post debate interview with him.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2007/11/15/long.howard.dean.interview.cnn
Can't find the one he did pre-debate with Blitzer. Looks like some Deaniac would have it up on You Tube by now.
And more: Tired of people comparing Howard Dean and Ron Paul. They are nothing alike at all.
I can think of a new title for the next year, audrey...DFA chairman and SAKAL. That way he would not have to talk like the DC insiders.
Here's what a SAKAL does.
Happy Birthday, Howard!
I don't understand, Phil, why you attribute hate crimes to Lou Dobbs. Did I miss something?
Floridagal....
I'm waiting for Pres. Howard Dean.
Just got back from our college trip but wanted to wish Howard a very happy birthday.
I miss him during this primary season. sigh...
Nite all.
Seashell...
I didn't get that either. Maybe Phil will explain.
intellectual blessing of mainstream media for division compliments rovian politics such that objects of hate have to be created out of difference
for the politics of division to work by creating fear and anger of the different
hate groups just see themselves as a natural part of the political spectrum if Tom Tancredo can be on stage as a legitimate Republican Presdidential candidate
Lou Dobbs gives them cover
divide and conquer
mary posted before I started posting
it is impossible to carry on a diologue with a broken clock
Happy Birthday Howard.
ÅTTN: HQ
We have til Dec. 11 to register our opinions to the FCC which is trying to further consolidate the media.
Let's get behind this as the spunky DFA group that we are, instead of having piddly letters going out to the FCC. Post the info on a thread, along with all necessary phone numbers, email addys, names etc.
Without something to focus on and get behind, this blog is not functioning up to capacity. Look how we influenced the Feinstein issue. Please, put us to work.
Frankly, I think the WH gives them cover.
Plus, hate crimes were here long before Dobbs had his show.
The divide and conquer couple are bush/cheney.
Phil....
I'm not making the connection. Are you saying that all anti immigration from Mexico is racist?
Immigration works as a Republican issue.
demonstrates the failure of Government (to secure border)
creates "them" (see above)
aren't islamofascists brown too?
Democrats allow it to be "the" issue of 2008 at their peril.
a Republican President will sign domestic Blackwater contracts
ALERT:
MILK FROM CLONES TO HIT U.S. MARKET SOON
The Senate is still wrangling over the 2007-2012 Farm Bill. One new consumer-friendly amendment, vehemently opposed by the biotech industry, would force the FDA to reverse its current controversial regulations on milk from cloned animals. Despite widespread opposition from the OCA and other consumer groups, the FDA has approved the commercialization of milk from cloned animals as "safe" and will not require labels. The newly proposed Mikulski amendment to the 2007 Farm Bill would require the FDA to place a temporary moratorium on cloned milk and examine its potential health hazards for animals and humans. We have updated our Farm Bill alert to address this issue. Contact your Senators here:
Take action here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7765.cfm
HBD - HD!!!
Lou Dobbs is a mixed bag. Many say that his 'outbursts' and diatribes are 'scripted' for - ratings.
If you watch his show (I don’t any more) Dobbs has NEVER received an email that disagreed with him, on the contrary – they are, every one of them, telling him how great he is. That’s a fix. He is second in viewers only to Larry King on CNN and making lots of money and MORE money from his books. He appeals to a certain group of people on the immigration issue - that 30% that do not want any kind of earned citizenship, etc. The joke is – “Lou Dobbs could probably finance the whole fence along Mexico”.
Bad: Christine Romans gave a report on his program…. that 7,000 cases of leprosy had emerged in the U.S. within the previous three years, an increase attributed mostly due to immigrants. When in fact, the actual number of leprosy cases had reached 7,000 in the registry over thirty years. When confronted with this fact, Dobbs compared his critics from the left and right political spectrums to "commies" and "fascists
Good: Dobbs is pro-choice and generally supportive of gay civil rights.
Bad: Dobbs said: "I don't think that we should have any flag flying in this country except the flag of the United States", and "I don't think there should be a St. Patrick's Day
Good: Dobbs is strongly against the Bush tax cuts, which he argues favor the wealthy, and argues for raising the U.S. minimum wage)
Bad: Dobbs' critics, including the American Enterprise Institute, have accused him of inciting xenophobia. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus asked him to cease his negative portrayal of Hispanics...and treat the issue of immigration in a responsible manner." [18]
Good: Dobbs favored John Kerry in the 2004 election
Bad: Dobbs made a donation of $1,000 to the Bush-Cheney campaign in January 200l.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_DobbsBush and Cheney are a couple. What that couple is capable of is a constant source of wonder.
answer the question
"Which Party is pumping up immigration in the same manner as gay marriage of the last cycle?"
how does it work to their advantage?
Democrats have already fallen into the trap.
WHOLE FOODS MARKET SELLING FACTORY FARMED MEAT
The FDA recently sent a warning letter to one of the largest feedlots in the U.S.. According to the FDA, the company, Beef Northwest, has been administering drugs to its livestock above legal limits. The company has also been receiving complaints from employees of three of its feedlots for exploiting its workers and blocking their right to form a union. The meat is sold under the brand "Country Natural Beef". A full 60 percent of this meat is sold by Whole Foods Market. Please join workers in calling for Whole Foods to take action. Demand a public accounting of what steps they have taken to ensure that the Country Natural Beef sold in their stores does not contain unsafe levels of drugs. Demand that Whole Foods respects the rights of workers to form a union. Send your e-mail today!
Go to: http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/beef?rk=V138M1K1QK3eW
ALERT UPDATE:CONGRESSMAN SLAMMED FOR CALLING ORGANIC CONSUMERS "DUMB"
Thousands of readers responded to the Organic Consumers Association alert last week regarding an outrageous statement made by Democratic Congressman Collin Peterson. Speaking to the U.K. Financial Times, Peterson uttered the following: "For whatever reason, people are willing to pay two or three times as much for something that says 'organic' or 'local'. Far be it from me to understand what that's about, but that's reality. And if people are dumb enough to pay that much then hallelujah." The Congressman's low regard for local and organic food is especially unfortunate, given that he is the Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, formulating farm policies, programs and funding for agriculture across the nation. After a deluge of irate letters from OCA readers, Congressman Peterson seems to have undergone a miraculous change of heart, stating in a press release: "I will continue to seek solutions and identify opportunities to improve public policies that support organic, locally grown and sustainable agriculture." With respect for anonymity, we have removed all identity and contact information and have posted copies of many of your letters to our website. Read what other organic consumers had to say to Mr. Peterson:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_8153.cfm
Phil....
We're borrowing money from Mexico to fight our wars. Mexico is not a poor country, they need to provide for their own people. We need to do away with NAFTA that caused the problem, and the corporate employers who are illegally hiring these workers need to be made accountable. Is that hateful or racist?
If that is the Dem position, it could be a problem on election day.
HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK:
MOST FLU VACCINES CONTAIN MERCURY
Flu season is right around the corner. Although the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that almost everyone, including pregnant women, get flu vaccinations, few of the 130 million people receiving this vaccination each year realize that most flu shots contain harmful dosages of mercury. About 80% of all flu shots distributed in the United States contain a mercury-based preservative called thimerosal. According to health officials, people getting flu-shots need to request a thimerosal-free vaccination. These vaccines cost roughly $4 more to manufacture and distribute.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_8370.cfm
QUICK RELATED QUOTE & FACTS:
QUOTE: "There's no conclusive scientific evidence that the amount of mercury one might get from a flu shot is linked with any neurological development outcome that's negative." --- Jeanne Santoli, deputy director of immunization services division for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
FACT: A typical flu shot contains 50,000 parts per billion of mercury.
FACT: The EPA classifies a liquid with 200 parts per billion of mercury as hazardous waste.
FACT: The legal "safe" limit for mercury in drinking water is 2 parts per billion
FACT: For each flu-shot, a 22-pound baby gets more than 25 times the amount of mercury considered safe. And doctors are recommending that many babies and children get two flu shots this season.
FACT: A material safety data sheet from Eli Lilly and Co., a former producer of flu vaccines, says exposure to thimerosal may include "fetal changes, decreased offspring survival and lung tissue changes. Exposure in utero and in children may cause mild to severe mental retardation and mild to severe motor coordination impairment."
Fred
replicative cloning isn't a danger, but transgenic modification relies on cloning to succeed commercially
the milk from current cloned cows is safe they are simple copies of their "parent" (?), a breeding tool
that doesn't mean Congress shouldn't have oversight
there are dangers in future uses and not all cloned cows milk may be safe in the future, but the few hundred now in existence produce safe milk
Hillary got the question right in the first debate question about Spitzer..
everything since then has been giving in to the fear mongers
of course it is a state's issue as to who should get a drivers liscence
Bill Richardson answered the debate question correctly in Vegas.
undocumented workers are only "illegal" because of a breakdown in the implementation of exisitng law and Congress could make it all go away with one vote of clarification on visas
not that such a vote is possible now that Lou Dobbs has drummed up support for the Republican Right's position
and again every post of mine has an implicit IMHO
nite all
Audrey, your post at 27 is not bad for dems. In fact it could be a blessing since it's the repugs who are protecting NAFTA and corps who hire illegals.
I think many many dems would like to see NAFTA gone.
Fred - THANK you for the information on 'mercury' - I've been looking for that.
What do we really know about our Mexican neighbors?
Mexico: Popluation 109 million.
Mexican annual population growth has drastically decreased in recent years.
Substantial Army, Navy and Air Force
Mexico is home to the largest number of U.S. citizens abroad –over one million.
Mexico allows ‘60’ languages the status of ‘national languages”.
In 2004, the literacy rate was at 91%, and the youth literacy rate was 96%,
World Bank, the population in extreme poverty has decreased from 24.2% to 17.6%
National Autonomous Univ. of Mexico with 269,000 students. Three Nobel laureates
Monterrey's Technological and Higher Education Institute (ITESM). Ranked by the Wall Street Journal as the 7th top International Business School worldwide.
Trade with Mexico has become a critically important element of the economic growth of the United States, with U.S.-Mexico - $232 billion in 200l.
Mexico is the second largest importer of United States' goods, and second largest exporter of goods to the United States.
Money sent home from immigrants to families in Mexico, remittances are the third largest source of income for Mexico, after petroleum and tourism, amounting to$20 billion a year.. (of which many U.S. imports are BOUGHT).
350,000 immigrants have returned to Mexico since September 11th. .
There is a huge increase in one way tickets from immigrants – returning to Mexico.
Normally, over a million Mexicans make round trips to work in the US. and return home every year. .
Apprehension of illegal immigrants on California borders has dropped by 57%
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico
Sea.....
A few, like Kucinich, but I think most Dems would be more for some unenforceable ammendment requiring safe work place etc. a placebo. It'll take some doing to get over the Bushes and the Clintons. nite..zzzzzzz
Recommend this Birthday thread with the CA speech that started it all in 2003.
This is a must read!
"....Regarding Al Gore, having been an advocate, supporter, friend, whatever, for a very long time, I reserve the right to say this:
It is a damn shame that he feels he has more important things to do than be president of the United States and leader of the free world with our country engulfed in divisiveness and our world threatened with a planetary emergency that will not be solved by prizes, awards or venture capital funds.
Those who believe in him the most are reduced to being virtual beggars (a position I will not take, which is why I have simply written him off for 2008 after my best efforts have come to naught).
In my view, no candidate was even remotely as right for the times as Gore in 2008, and no result is more tragic for the times than the fact that he concluded he was above participating in American democracy in the one way that matters the most.
Gore can win the Oscar, the Emmy, the Nobel and win every award except being named the manager of the New York Yankees, and join every venture capital fund and private equity fund and make important documentary films, but the planetary emergency, the crisis of $100 oil, the evils and dangers of this, are about
power and powerful forces that create these dangers and corruptions. Those powerful forces are now laughing and mocking and feeling great relief that one more threat to their power structure, a president who understands the danger and solution the most, has chosen to watch from outside the one arena that truly matters.
How sad and symbolic: for us, for him, for our democracy.
Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) is a more complicated story because he is trapped in a political party that he could have led to renewed greatness but which treats him as a prophet without honor.
Like Al Gore for the Democrats, being right does not reap the great rewards in our current system, which has created the tragedies we watch every night on the network news.
Chuck Hagel is one of the great senators who walks the floor of that chamber, which is no longer what the Founding Fathers intended, which is not nearly what it used to be, a man of enormous credibility, patriotism and respect from both sides of the aisle, who has an extraordinary reach of admiration from those who opposed the Iraq war the strongest to those who have served our country the most bravely, who view him, correctly, as a great and true champion of active-duty troops and American veterans.
Gore and Hagel may well have greatness in their futures, but what is sad for our democracy is the role they play, and do not play, in our present. Something about our democratic system pushes our best people out of it,
depriving our citizens of the best men and women who should lead our country, depriving our world of the best leadership America can provide, depriving our troops of the wisest and most noble commanders in chief, who choose not to compete in the arena to be commander in chief.
We leave the arena to those who hunger for power the most, who raise the most money, who have the most consultants, who utter the trite and insignificant platitudes and bromides in debates that do not equal what our best young men and women can say in their civics classes in school.
Imagine what could have been, with an October debate about the future of America with Al Gore representing the Democrats and Chuck Hagel representing the Repubicans (or Independents, a subject for another day)."
more
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/11070
article tools: email | print | read more David Michael Green
The third smartest thing that the Democratic Party could do for themselves (and for us) would be to nominate a decent candidate for president next year.
The second smartest thing they could do would be to assist the Republicans in nominating a loser.
And the very smartest thing they could do, of course, would be to relocate their long-lost spines and then immediately schedule a surgery to have them reinserted and arc-welded into place.
That first item is probably not going to happen, what with the inexplicable Hillary Train chugging along relentlessly toward victory (what's up with that, Democratic voters?), and the third item is the subject of a whole 'nuther discussion altogether (what's up with that, Democratic 'leaders'?), so, instead, let's talk about winning the old-fashioned way: by using some smart guerilla warfare tactics against your opponent.
article continues...article tools: email | print | read more Cindy Sheehan
There were two reports on CNN this morning that I found especially relevant to the human condition in the USA today. The first item was a very sad story. Many years ago a couple in Florida lost a son that was kidnapped and murdered by a man who is scheduled to die in Florida's death chamber today. The execution is questionable because he would be receiving the "cocktail" of lethal chemicals that has been determined as "inhumane."
The second story had to do with a six year old boy nicknamed the "Deer Slayer" because he has killed six deer in the past year; the last one being a 140 pound doe. There was film of his mom showing him how to aim and the proud papa extolling the brilliance of his son. His prowess with the gun is being celebrated and he was being feted as a prodigy. One can only imagine the potential of this talented young man and deer all over his community should tremble at his name.
article continues...Impeach Cheney/cut off funds/bring them home/send putz to The Hague.
Soldiers strained by six years at war are deserting their posts at the highest rate since 1980, with the number of Army deserters this year showing an 80 percent increase since the United States invaded Iraq in 2003.
Instead of all this fooldarah, why not pass a bill to make recess appointments punishable by impeachment? Ah, yes, the repugs wouldn't go for that, automatoms that they are. Over the cliff with 'em all.
No conflict of interest here cuz we have the Clear Skies initiative that's going so well.
Now this should be debated and discussed at length. If we think Iraq and Iran are a problem.....
Militants Gain Despite Decree by Musharraf
www.nytimes.com/2007/11/16/world/asia/16swat.html?hpsent by emf since 1 day 3 hours 34 minutes Gen. Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistani president, says he instituted emergency rule for the extra powers it would give him to push back the militants who have carved out a mini-state in Pakistan’s tribal areas. But in the last several days, the militants have extended their reach, capturing more territory in Pakistan’s settled areas and chasing away frightened policemen, local government officials said.
I believe Clinton last night said that sometimes human rights have to be sacrificed for security. That's what we're living under right now with putzie. Now I can't remember if they all agreed or who didn't.
The point is that Clinton was clear about that, sending shivers up my spine. She'd be the first American dictatoress.
The more I think about what the article said about Gore, the more I agree. It's his patriotic duty to run. Maybe he's waiting to see if Clinton gets the nod from the sheeple and then jump in. Maybe he's just too comfortable with his fame and various projects. With him and a dem congress, oh what wonders we could do in a fairly short time.
What is all that white space? Good grief, fix the *&^%^ blog.
PAPER: THE DOLLAR'S DECLINE... SHUNNED CURRENCY...
Saudi minister warns of dollar collapse...
W/O bush in office, we may have already had cures for some major diseases. Of course, they may not have made it past most big pharma. CEO's don't make money off of healthy people.
OMG,it's almost morning. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10134118
IN 1929, days after the stockmarket crash, the Harvard Economic Society reassured its subscribers: “A severe depression is outside the range of probability”. In a survey in March 2001, 95% of American economists said there would not be a recession, even though one had already started. Today, most economists do not forecast a recession in America, but the profession's pitiful forecasting record offers little comfort. Our latest assessment (see article) suggests that the United States may well be heading for recession.
[...]
_______________________________
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10134077
[...]
What's more, the squeeze on consumers will last longer than many expect because it involves the unwinding of an asset-price bubble and attendant financial excesses. Just as corporate spending stayed weak for years after the 2001 recession, so consumer spending will be crimped for more than a few months. There seems little reason to expect, as many analysts seem to, that the housing bust will be history by the second half of 2008.
Finally, policymakers' responses may be more muted. In 2001, the economy was cushioned by a large fiscal boost, thanks to tax cuts and bigger spending, as well as much lower interest rates. A big tax cut now seems extremely unlikely. At the same time, the weak dollar and global economic strength that softened the downturn will also complicate the central bankers' ability to respond. Based on underlying inflation expectations, real interest rates are still above 2%. Central bankers often push short-term real rates to zero, or even below, in a downturn, suggesting there is plenty of room to cut, particularly since the housing glut means lower interest rates may pack less punch. But high oil prices and a falling dollar may preclude such an aggressive response, as Mr Bernanke worries about rising inflation expectations. Recession or not, America faces a tricky road ahead.
By MARTIN GRIFFITH, Associated Press Writer
[...]
"Anybody who tells you that the Republicans know how to manage the budget and balance the books, you tell them you don't know where they've been living the last 6 1/2 years because that is not the facts," Clinton said.
"It gets me a little agitated to think that 6 1/2 years ago we had a balanced budget and surplus in America and it's all been squandered. We now have a $9 trillion deficit."
She also expressed disappointment over Congress's inability to pass legislation to bring the troops home from Iraq.
Their latest defeat came Friday when Senate Republicans blocked a $50 billion bill that would have paid for several months of combat but also would have ordered troop withdrawals to begin within 30 days. The measure, narrowly passed this week by the House, also would have set a goal of ending combat in December 2008.
"We don't have enough Republicans who will vote with us yet. We need more," she said. "But the facts are pretty clear. Our young men and women in uniform have done everything they were asked to do. I do not want them remaining as referees of an Iraqi civil war any longer."
Good morning, everybody
This is a sample of what you should be looking for:
NEW HAMPSHIRE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ANNOUNCES DELEGATE SELECTION CAUCUS LOCATIONS
On December 15, 2007, Presidential campaigns will hold district delegate selection caucuses, one in each Congressional district, where district-level delegates will be elected. Convention delegates selected at the district-level shall be allocated in proportion to the percentage of the primary vote won by that presidential candidate in that district. Each presidential candidate who receives at least 15% of the primary vote will be awarded delegates who will represent New Hampshire at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. New Hampshire will send a total of 34 delegates to the Convention, 14 of them district level delegates (7 from each district).
New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Raymond Buckley says:
"The delegate selection process is one of the most important parts of the primary process and the New Hampshire Democratic Party is committed to reaching out and empowering every interested Democrat to have a meaningful role in the Party. We have implemented affirmative action programs to ensure our delegation to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado represents the diversity of New Hampshire including a pledge signed by each Presidential campaign that states they will strive for diverse caucuses. We encourage as many people as possible to attend these caucuses and run for delegate and are excited to be working with the Presidential campaigns to select the 34 delegates that will represent New Hampshire at the Convention."
The filing period to run for delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention is now open. In order to qualify for candidacy you must file a statement designating your presidential preference and a signed pledge of support for that candidate with the New Hampshire Democratic Party by December 5, 2007 by 5pm. Candidacy declaration forms are available at www.nhdp.org.
Below are the delegate selection caucus locations:
Biden:
1st Congressional District
Sweeney Hall, Room 210
NHTI-Stratham
2nd Congressional District
Simon Center, Trustees' Room
New England College, Henniker, NH
Clinton:
1st Congressional District:
IUPAT District Council 35 Union Hall
34 Commercial St, Brentwood, NH
2nd Congressional District:
IBEW Hall
48 Airport Rd, Concord, NH
Dodd:
1st Congressional District:
Alpine Club
175 Putnam St, Manchester, NH
2nd Congressional District:
New Hampshire Technical Institute
31 College Drive, Concord, NH
Edwards:
1st Congressional District:
Edwards for President Portsmouth Office
Parade Mall
195 Hanover Street, Suite 34, Portsmouth, NH
2nd Congressional District:
Bow Town Hall
91 Bow Center Rd, Bow, NH
Obama:
1st Congressional District
Iber Holmes Gove Middle School
1 Stephen Batchelder Pkwy, Raymond, NH
2nd Congressional District
Rundlett Middle School
144 State Street, Concord, NH
Richardson:
1st Congressional District
The Sweeney Post
251 Maple St, Manchester, NH
2nd Congressional District
Concord High school
170 Warren St, Concord, NH
Caucus locations for Kucinich and Gravel campaigns TBA
To find out more about the delegate selection process, please visit our website at www.nhdp.org
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By audrey.nc on Nov 16, 2007 9:59 PM ESTGov. Howard Dean, MD, DNC Chr. is first here.
What new title in the coming year?
Happy Birthday Howard !!