Dean = 1

mainefem wrote "Tom is mucho more progressive a Democrat than is **Howard Dean**."

So, what is this, speaking of Blue Dogs, New Dems, let's have a thread of one? OY!

What, because the House has an election every two years, 

it gets a little trickier when having to face the elctorate on your promises and voting along DLC/NDC  WHATEVER, is opposite of what you CAMPAIGNED ON.....

I guess we'll see Kristen's reversal in voting now too.

 

please.  such disapppointment.   

Keith,

It is important to praise those when they vote correctly. And kudos to Patrick Murphy. I've had my doubts about him but this time he came through. And I hope he gets support within the District that he will need.

However, why not criticize other Dems who capitulated completely and voted with Rethugs to give Bush a blank check. My new Dem, BushBluedog Donnelly, voted proudly to give Bush the money. This after PROMISING in his campaign last year that he would not give Bush a blank check.

Let's not shy away from criticism and even condemnation of Democrats who enabled Bush this week on the war.

Indy, How did Kirsten vote on this Bill Patrick finally opposed?

One impression I get from all the alphabet soup, Bluedogs, DLC, NDC, NDN, is that somehow they believe we're all one big happy family as "progressives" (and Democrats). As Rosenberg says, "we're all the same team". They are trying to lay claim to that name because it has become the new buzzword.

But they are really corporatists posing as Progressives. They use the language they want to try to gain credibility, but one has to look under the hood to really determine what they stand for. And it's damn difficult.

For  your edification, this is a good video to see how slick they are.

http://www.ndn.org/media/2006annualmeeting/rosenberg.html

I hope we will begin to understand how cooptation takes place.

I''m off, 

A little humor brought from SuperNews at Current.com,

best viewing in IE 

 

Linda wrote "So, what is this, speaking of Blue Dogs, New Dems, let's have a thread of one?"

Ha ha.  Better check the list.  Maybe he disenrolled without publicly declaring his estrangement.

5.

Linda*in*SFNM
Fri, 12/21/07

She voted for a blank check to Bush! That's what I've been trying to shout out to DFA. We need for them to hold her accountable. She has betrayed us several times.

Took our money and endorsement and flushed it. NEVER SUPPORT HER AGAIN. Sorry, Andrew White, who talked her up here. Even local folks make mistakes.

Dear (Friends),

At a time when Americans are celebrating the holidays with
friends and family, on Wednesday the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency, Stephen Johnson, showed up as
the Grinch.

Two years ago on this very day, California announced plans to
combat the dire consequences of global warming by filing a
waiver request with the EPA, seeking federal approval to
regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. The Clean
Air Act gives states the right to set stricter vehicle emissions
standards as long as they obtain waivers from the EPA -- waivers
which have been granted to California 50 times in the past and
never denied. Now 16 other states are in the process of adopting
similar standards as California, collectively covering nearly
150 million Americans.

Unfortunately, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson put politics
over science and, in the dead of the night as lawmakers were
leaving town for the holiday recess, announced that he planned
to stand in the way of our fight against global warming by
denying California's common-sense waiver -- a decision that
would affect nearly half of the country as we work to combat
global warming.

We can't let government bureaucrats like Stephen Johnson stand
in the way of California's efforts to protect our environment
and lead America's fight against global warming.

Forward an email to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson now -- and
urge him to reverse his decision on California's common-sense
waiver request so 150 million Americans can fight global
warming!

http://ga6.org/campaign/epa_waiver/iwb65w74hiwebw7?

Under these standards, California would be cutting greenhouse
gases by an amount equal to taking 6.5 million cars off the road
by 2020 -- and if these 16 other states join California,
emissions would be reduced by the equivalent of 22 million cars
by 2020, cutting gasoline usage by up to 11 billion gallons per
year.

Now, during a season when we all are thinking about how to make
our world a better, safer, and more peaceful place, EPA
Administrator Stephen Johnson has delivered the worst possible
news to the people of California and 16 other states who are
leading the fight for the survival of our planet.

Administrator Johnson's ill-advised decision to deny
California's waiver turns its back on science, turns its back on
fairness, turns its back on states' rights, and turns it back on
precedent. We can't let it stand.

Forward an email to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson now -- and
urge him to reverse his decision on California's common-sense
waiver request so 150 million Americans can fight global
warming!

http://ga6.org/campaign/epa_waiver/iwb65w74hiwebw7?

Make no mistake about it -- the reason that EPA Administrator
Johnson waited until late December to issue his controversial
decision, overruling the unanimous recommendations of his
agency's legal and technical staffs, was to try to minimize
public backlash.

Well, it's time that EPA Administrator Johnson knows that we're
watching -- and we're outraged by his decision to put politics
over science.

We won't let Stephen Johnson be the Grinch who steals
California's emissions standards and sets back America's fight
against global warming.

Forward an email to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson now -- and
urge him to reverse his decision on California's common-sense
waiver request so 150 million Americans can fight global
warming!

http://ga6.org/campaign/epa_waiver/iwb65w74hiwebw7?

Thank you for helping me speak out on this critically important
issue. I will not rest until Administrator Johnson's terrible
decision is overturned so that California and every state can
protect their citizens from the catastrophic effects of global
warming -- and your voice will really make a difference.

In Friendship,

Barbara Boxer
U.S. Senator

P.S. I know we're all busy during this holiday season, but
taking just a minute to forward an email and place a phone call
to Stephen Johnson's office will really make a huge impact.
Please email and phone EPA Administrator Johnson now -- and urge
him to reverse his decision on California's common-sense waiver
request!

this from talking points memo. a great article on howard and the netroots.

keep on fighting the fight.

Looking Forward: Prospects for Carrying on the Legacies of the Dean and Lamont CampaignsBy Tom Swan | bio

It is difficult to write about the legacy of the Dean campaign because the forces that catapulted that campaign are still actively trying to change the public discourse and it will be years before the real impact can be measured. It should be noted that much of the leadership of the Lamont campaign was active in Connecticut on the Dean campaign and had even spent some time in New Hampshire for the primary.

The Dean and Lamont campaigns in many ways were closer to movements than any other recent consultant driven political campaigns I can think of. They challenged political orthodoxies, threatened Washington insiders, and provided hope and opportunities to be involved for thousands of people at the grassroots level in a personalized way.

The campaigns were a visible part a larger change in American politics. We were blessed with candidates that had the courage to take significant risks and were willing to speak out against George Bush’s illegal war in Iraq, but the candidacies were only a part of the change.

Indy, I just learned that Pelosi's daughter worked with her.  ...explains a lot.

mainefem wrote "Don't any of you DARE to label Tom in that manner in the future.  He's more progressive than is Howard, for Christsakes."

BTW, in that video, Rosenberg admits he is pro-Iraq war funding, and he supported Lieberman. Yet he calls himself a LEADER of progressives through his NDN.

Sharks infest our waters, posing as friends.

Tom Allen would never become associated with the DLC like Howard Dean did.  Of the two, he must be the progressive candidate.

The version of "progressive" that DLC, NDC and NDN pimp is a "centrist" progressivism. They are trying to capture the progressive movement as their own. Meanwhile, they support whatever they feel is the "center", constantly moving to find that "moderate" position halfway inbetween "left" and "right" which is nowhere. Beware of "progressives" using the rhetoric but who do not share our values.

We are not on the same team.

Indy wrote "The version of 'progressive' that DLC, NDC and NDN pimp is a 'centrist' progressivism."

This helps shed some light on mainefem's argument.  Tom Allen is more of a "centrist" progressive than Howard Dean.

off for some last minute shopping . peace to all.

This metaphor as a team that Rosenberg talks about. To him and his DLC brethren, it is about getting on top of this progressive movement and make sure we "stay on their team". It means accepting THEIR vision of how much we have to capitulate, dodge and weave to gain a majority. Listen to it critically and it is revealing. He really has disdain, however, for the netroots unless we play along with HIS and centrist Democrat's game.

I just don't know how much DFA exists to just keep us in their game. Feeling rather discouraged that DFA is just another tool to keep us controlled an on board.

Here's the Rosenberg video, for those who want to dig deeper. It's worth the time to understand we 've go to beware.

http://www.ndn.org/media/2006annualmeeting/rosenberg.html

Tom didn't.

http://tinyurl.com/ywczhd

I already knew he wasn't a member of either NDOL or NDN.

Harold Ford is an abject insignificant disgrace (as is Simon Rosenberg, who perceives himself as a so-called "think tank").

Bullshit.

I vet my own candidates--grab an ActBlue account; and do the same, IndySteve.

Be your own PAC via ActBlue...vet 'yer own (shades of "roll 'yer own").

Voting records are available in less than a few seconds on Google search. Don't pass me off on some stale piece of crap obscure portal, either.

There's no need whatsoever of any blogger not knowing how any of 'em vote--esp. considering the thousands of hrs. they're online per yr.

I can't wait for a few BFA bloggers to start labeling freakin' Ned Lamont as a DLC/BlueDog, too?

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraiser...

He endorses both Tom and Chellie, BTW (as does Blue America '08).

Duh.

Are Blue America '08 members/supporters also "not progressive enough?"

17.

Tom Bearse
Fri, 12/21/07

Tom,

You are welcome to be sarcastic. But the net isn't a good place to do so. Might want to put a snark after your comments since you are OFTEN in fights because people think you mean what you write.

FWIW, i think you'd benefit from reflecting on what I'm saying. Listen to Rosenberg, You may like what he's saying, but I'm saying it's like a viper in our midst.

Yes, kudos to Patrick Murphy:

http://cbs3.com/local/Patrick.Murphy.Barak.2.311071.html

18.

linda b
Fri, 12/21/07

Linda,

Whaddya mean? Last minute is still three days away!

Mainefem wrote: I vet my own candidates--grab an ActBlue account; and do the same, IndySteve.

Oh, I do. I'm not going to donate through DFA until they hold their DFA-List candidates accountable. We have no message from them on how they have voted or performed. And yet they still ask for more money and for us to support their candidates.

DFA ignores this demand at their own peril. I have a feeling they are sinking fast.

Publicly and privately, I am calling on DFA to publicly criticize Kirsten Gillibrand for her vote to send Bush a blank check. That is a minimum for me. She must be publicly rebuked.

Andrew White, if you're around, how are you feeling bout your support for her which is a big reason DFA did what it did.

Just dropping by for a few minutes ... it's been much TOO busy around here since our return and I literally have not had a moment ... still no Xmas decorations even up.

linda b ... good to catch a *glimpse* of you. I so appreciate all your hard ... and effective ... work.

Indy: DFA is OUR tool. If you really believe that DFA is controlling *us,* then IMHO you've got it backwards.

And this report should make Indy feel a bit more sanguine about his candidate's chances.

==================
Clinton slips, Edwards climbs in New Hampshire poll
POSTED: 1701 GMT (0101 HKT), April 4, 2007
[...]
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/...

Cong. Wexler is amazed at the response to his call for the Judiciary Comm. to begin hearings on Impeaching Cheney.

Over 100,000 have gone to his website to sign the petition in 5 days. He said that in January he will write a formal letter to John Conyers who is Chr. of the Judiciary Comm. on which he sits. wexlerwantshearings.com

Thank you Dennis Kucinich, it's your bill that you brought to the floor of the house for our Constitution and country. You started it, and now others are beginning to listen.

mainefem ... right on!!!

Haven't had time to check through the threads so if this has already been posted, sorry for the repost.

But yet again, we have met the enemy and the *enemy* is US.

======================
Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007
Did GIs Sell Guns in Iraq?
By Brian Bennett

The Pentagon is investigating whether some of the 190,000 weapons the U.S. military lost track of while training Iraqi troops were peddled on the black market by American soldiers and contractors, federal law-enforcement and congressional sources tell TIME. In recent weeks, Claude Kicklighter, the Pentagon's inspector general, has privately told lawmakers that the Defense Criminal Investigative Service has launched a probe into whether U.S. military and civilian contractors intercepted up to 110,000 AK-47 assault rifles and 80,000 pistols intended for Iraqi security forces in 2004 and '05 to sell on the Iraqi black market. A Pentagon official declined comment.

[...]
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/articl...

Indy wrote "Might want to put a snark after your comments since you are OFTEN in fights because people think you mean what you write."

I'd hate them to think that.  Still, that seems to me too obvious.  I'd rather people found out  whether I mean what I write by responding to it rather than coming right out and saying whether I do or not.  It lends that element of mystery.

Judy wrote: Indy: DFA is OUR tool. If you really believe that DFA is controlling *us,* then IMHO you've got it backwards.

I used to believe that. But lately, I don't think DFA has been responding at all. They need to hold DFA-Listers accountable in order to maintain trust when they announce the latest round of candidates.

That should start with callling out KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND on her vote on Iraq. That is a bellweather for me. Otherwise, I believe DFA is just doing it's own thing. They don't listen to the grassroots. You can believe otherwise if you want.

I read FEC reports (DFA), also--posted it last week, Indy.

Nobody here took the time to read it (too busy being reactive and defensive).

Things have changed since '04--dramatically...no need for a "bat."


With ActBlue, anyone *becomes* a PAC, so to speak (very post-modernist in nature).

This is a hoot: Joe Donnelly's raised a whopping $1,387.00!

http://tinyurl.com/2ernsv

Follow a candidate's voting record (incumbents); and proceed accordingly.

I distinctly recall harping on you to obtain one during your primary race (I'll nag anyone).

It's like this:

Gates Criticizes Congress on War Funding

WASHINGTON (AP) - Paying for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in fits and starts undermines military planning and risks gains made by U.S. troops over the past year, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday.

For once I aree with the Bushevik. Demcrats should either fund their damned occupation upfront or stop playing the utterly transparent "put it off and then collaborate" game. They're no longer fooling anyone with it anyway.

Also a drive by from your features and travel editor lol --

Link to my blog with 2 new posts -- scroll down to the second for a couple of pictures of Rene Pape taking a bow.

http://www.annilow.blogspot.com/

and a few vacation pictures I uploaded to DFA link-hope this works

http://www.dfalink.com/profile_photos.ph...

and one message -- to listen to NPR -- this will vary -- but in my town it's tomorrow night (winter solstice) listen to Paul Winter Consort Solstice Concert from the Cathedral of St. John Divine -- this is the one I attended last Xmas.

2:13 PM ET

Tom, you confuse "mystery" with misunderstanding. Sarcasm doesn't work on the net.

(too busy being reactive and defensive).

Ms. Pott, meet Mr. Kettle.

Thanks, Indy, I will continue to believe otherwise.

And my time is now UP.

Indy wrote "Tom, you confuse 'mystery' with misunderstanding. Sarcasm doesn't work on the net."

Try not to worry about it too much.  Other people sometimes get it even if you don't.  If that happens, we can have a fight and clear everything up.

34.

Sitka
Fri, 12/21/07

What? Don't you believe Nancy and Harry when they said no vote on funding without withdrawal timelines? {obvious snark}

Seriously, we have been betrayed big time. And if we don't have a massive response to DEMOCRATS, we will be seen as paper tigers. What to do? DFA could start by publicly REBUKING KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND.

That should start with callling out KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND on her vote on Iraq.

We owe you thanks for doing it. 

38.

JudyforDean
Fri, 12/21/07

Fine with me. got any evidence that DFA is listening? And responding to anything? Only when they want money.

Indy wrote "What? Don't you believe Nancy and Harry when they said no vote on funding without withdrawal timelines? {obvious snark}"

I almost thought you were serious.  It's a good thing you added that stage direction at the end. 

DFA rarely writes anything for the blog any more. They post a lot of poorly written crap, promoted I suppose. I mean, this is a barely functioning organization any more.

Don't any of you DARE to label Tom in that manner in the future.

I think we've determined that he is no longer a DLCer (probably).

43.

Tom Bearse
Fri, 12/21/07

You can use this place as your personal playground and chat room. I won't.

BBL

DFA rarely writes anything for the blog any more.

Sheri Divers was calling out the rotten Dems before she vanished. 

Indy wrote "BBL"

We'll all be waiting.

Seriously, we have been betrayed big time. And if we don't have a massive response to DEMOCRATS, we will be seen as paper tigers.

My guess is they see us as chumps who will keep falling in line at election time just as we always have. 

Go fetch their FEC reports, Sitka.

Prove me wrong.

I'm a tightwad w/money.

And *I* am "The Decider," re: how it is spent, & whom I endorse (in any race across the country).

That's why I grabbed my own ActBlue PAC account last winter (for Jean's campaign).

www.jeanhaybright.us

DFA blew her off--as did the majority of the testosterone-fueled netroots (she's moreso progressive than is Tom--a rarity in Maine politics).

The netroots was too obsessed w/supporting so-called "Fighting Dems," who've mostly betrayed us, once they got in through the proverbial D.C. Beltway door.

Linda*in*SFNM didn't (thank you)!

The day Chellie announced, she took off like a bullet via ActBlue.

Smart move. If she wins her primary (against all that testosterone in CD#1), she's in.

Yay, Chellie!

www.pingreeforcongress.com

www.tomallen.org

Women don't win races w/o *early seed monies* (esp. anti-war non-incumbent status; and most certainly if they're progressive Dems.).

We're stuck w/Snowe until 2010, as a result.

Go figger.

Snowe & Collins are all teary about Lott's retirement, so never believe the "moderate" meme, folks.

They both bring home the pork for General Dynamics.

Barf.

[...]

"Lott's departure to become a lobbyist will affect Maine politically. With Lott gone, Snowe will rise in seniority on two committees, gaining influence on a variety of policy matters. Bath Iron Works, one of the state's largest private employers, could also benefit from the resignation of the senator who lives in the hometown of BIW's biggest competitor, Northrup Grumman, formerly Ingalls Shipbuilding."

[....]


http://tinyurl.com/2wf7pc


TTT doesn't have one as yet, BTW (#98 in OH).

Prove me wrong.

It's more effective to prove yourself right. But about Tom Allen, Indy did it for you so it's all the same in the end.

But then, it was amply proven that he's a former DLCer. 

 

Merry Christmas from Baghdad:

Baghdad: Some Muslim families, particularly those living in Baghdad's few remaining Christian neighbourhoods, also get into the spirit of Christmas by erecting a tree. “The Christians respect our religion and we respect theirs".

My guess is they see us as chumps who will keep falling in line at election time just as we always have. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Well this is ONE chump who aint gonna fall in line no more................

Merry Christmas from your Commander in Cheap:  Our President...

 

1. Required that soldiers discharged early because of battlefield injuries repay their enlistment bonuses.

2. Sent the longest-serving National Guard unit home after 729 days of combat in Iraq - one day shy of the 730 that the soldiers needed to qualify for education benefits.

3. Omitted 20,000 cases of brain trauma from the official tally of troops injured in Iraq.

4. Denied medical benefits to 22,000 veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress by discharging them for having enlisted with "pre-existing personality disorders".    http://www.RollingStone.com

Well this is ONE chump who aint gonna fall in line no more................

I just hope there other people or parties on my ballot. Last time there weren't. That's where they stick us, with the false choice. 

The perfect choice in a perfect world would be Mike Gravel or Dennis Kucinich. Unfortunately we do not live in such a perfect world. Neither Gravel or Kucinich have been able to make any real inroads in the lead up to the Democratic primaries. They have been deemed "unelectable" and as such it has become a self fulfilling prophecy thus it feels like a lost cause. What will it really prove if Kucinich gets 3% of the vote instead of 2%?

My paramount interest in the matter is proving to myself that I have a conscience, and also the self assurance to not let how others say they will vote determine how I do.

The rest of the post is at the end of the previous thread and is a polemic for Ron Paul -- who is where in the polls? So, I must ask, what will it prove if Paul gets 2% instead of 1%? Just stick with your own conscience and you'll do your best.

Nice firstie Sitka.

Patrick Murphey -- NeoDem Coalition

Sitka wrote "Patrick Murphy -- NeoDem Coalition ."

He should have pulled his chute the way Tom Allen did.

From MSNBC, home of Olbernut: 

"WASHINGTON - Gas guzzlers could become relics of the past and farmers may rival oil companies in producing motor fuels under a new energy law. Consumers also will save electricity — and money — from more efficient refrigerators, furnaces and dishwashers.

There will be improved efficiency labeling on TVs and computers. And the office building of the future may need less energy and rely more on wind, solar or biomass, becoming zero emitters of greenhouse gases.

That's the future outlined by some energy experts as a result of new legislation President Bush signed on Wednesday."

Those stupid dems. Why did they cave again?

Will we find the moral courage to make the changes we need to solve the
climate crisis?
http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/23358...

also , new front thread.