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Five Years Later
Last March, thousands of college students around the country protested on the day after the fourth anniversary of the year in Iraq. At UNC Chapel Hill, hundreds of students walked out of class at 12 noon and rallied against the many injustices underlying the occupation in Iraq. At the time I was feeling a little discouraged, and I didn't see how a drum circle was going to bring home the troops.
Looking back, the UNC walkout and the other rallies that day did not end the war. They probably didn't raise a single brow in Washington. But they did raise many discussions about the state of student activism, the efficacy of a protest, and what issues matter most as we struggle to build a grassroots movement that can bring our troops home. The walkout reminded the community that we needed to regroup, examine our strategy and find a way to move forward in the struggle to end the Iraq War.
One year later, we're stronger. We're bringing people into the movement. We're voting in record high numbers. We're forcing our elected officials to talk about the war and talk about ways to end it. Some of our DFA-List candidates are even taking the lead: www.responsibleplan.com
So as we reflect this week on five years of antiwar activism, I offer up the questions that many of us were pondering a year ago.
You can listen for yourself, here.
It's been a frustrating few years. We've marched, lobbied, and called upon our officials to end the war and still the violence continues. But we can't give up yet. The people in this documentary talk about marches, sit-ins, economic activism, and lessons from past grassroots movements. I want to challenge each and every blogger and reader at BFA. What will you do to end the war this year?
3:15 PM EST
What will you do to end the war this year?
+++
Julia -
My answer to your question:
I already voted for Barack Obama in mt state's primary election and hope to vote again for him in the general election.
Rep. Jane Harman (D-Elite) by: David Dayen
Thu Mar 20, 2008
It is well-known that, shortly after elements of President Bush's illegal warrantless wiretapping program was divulged by the New York Times in December 2005, Rep. Jane Harman wasn't happy. She went on Meet The Press shortly thereafter and blasted the paper for leaking the details. But we did not know that she actively sought to cover up contents of the program PRIOR to the Pulitzer Prize-winning story.
Eric Lichtblau, who along with James Risen broke the story, has a new book coming out which details the wrangling between the NYT and the Administration which caused a one-year delay in the revelation of the warrantless wiretapping program in the press. During that time, Lichtblau ran into Jane Harman in the Capitol.
In his book, Lichtblau tells how a few months after the story was held, he happened to be covering a House hearing where he heard Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) argue passionately for stronger civil liberties safeguards in the reauthorization of the Patriot Act.
Lichtblau saw this as an opportunity to question Harman about the warrantless wiretapping program, since Harman, as a member of the "gang of eight," was one of the four Democrats who'd been briefed on it. He writes:... full article: http://www.calitics.com/showDiary.do;jse...
typo - in mt state's primary election
s/b - in my state's primary election
(lest someone think I live in Montana)
McCain aide suspended (but not fired) for anti-Obama video.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3/20/...
mary vb, I see quite clearly - all sides. You just don't like the links that put BO in less favorable a light. I don't believe she ever called him "rotten." If so, will you please post that post?
Since when is "ciao" a bad word? I'm surprised she isn't totally defensive due to the nasty attacks. I should know, shouldn't I, about being *attacked*? (but don't make the mistake of confusing me with a victim)
There is absolutely no basis for saying she "hates" BO. Has she said that? Where? Post that quote please.
The logic here goes like this: If you don't defend and protect BO at all times, and badmouth HC, you are considered to hate BO and be an HC shill.
Linda NM has a lot of courage IMO.
There are some very respectful BO supporters here...and then there are the others.
If Howard reads this blog, he must be appalled.
The first half hour on MSNBC after Keithie is very interesting. The panel pursues lies and truth and shades in between. BO AND HC are revealed. Lots of it is not flattering to either one. Would anyone here watch that?
now done with this for the day! :-)
Examining Senator Obama's Iraq Record
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7XtIsI1c...
seashell, how nice of you to say, thank you. I'd say you're quite a courageous person yourself.
seashell - Implying rottenness - how's that? No, I'm not buying them apples. Sorry. She comes here now for a purpose of posting only anti-Obama crap. I read it all btw. But why doesn't she ever post any PRO-Hillary stuff that puts her candidate in a positive light? Last I'm responding about Linda or her posts.
So why does the repug MI legis. not want a do-over? If it's true that it would favor HC and if it's true that the repubs want to face HC in the gen'l, thinking she'd be easier to beat, why not do it and give HC more of a chance?
Do the repugs think BO would be easier to beat? I personally think he would be...at this point in time...
I'm paying close attention to who is most electable becuz that's what it comes down to for me. McC must not be prez.
Some good news (and bad) with SUSA polling. It's early yet.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3...
seashell from last thread...
The defense of BO reaches hysterical proportions and the hateful name calling is certainly projection.
*hysterical proportions* is quite a stretch of the imagination.
Has there been some mischief to prevent a do-over?
If you're asking if the Michigan Republican-controlled Legislature is up to mischief, than the answer is an astounding "YES"!
Michigan could caucus to allocate delegates at their District Convention like Iowa does and then proceed to elect them on the spot and do it at no cost.
Clinton opposes the use of a caucus mechanism and is using the old rovian trick of attack where you are weak.
A caucus is face to face, no room for Rush driven Republican crossovers. an instant honest accounting
what is it about Hillary that she fears an ooportunity for her supporters to stand up in public and be counted?
Michigan delegates have been punished with being seen as being lead by ego trippers who would rather break the rules than making sure they were seated in Denver, and Hillary at least has realized that a contest that didn't even have Obama on the ballot is not going to be recognized by anyone. Just have the caucus and get seated. Obama and the Rules Committee will sanction a vote that stays within the rules, and will accomodate an apology.
Mary, who are you kidding? Everyone here knows no matter what I posted I got attacked. Whether I posted pro candidate diaries or not. That I had "nerve posting that on this blog". You all just won't admit that you all consider me a traitor because I didn't join the anything for Obama blog. And you all resort to any means to push Obama, regardless that you all post lies or name call. And the last thread showed that.
But hah, carry on folks. I wouldn't want to interrupt your "circle".
Oh wait, you all invited me to come back post other things except Candidate info. Gee how nice, but you all couldn't take a time out from posting your hate, name calling, racism, or lies on Clinton.........or me.........hmmmmm.
Linda is quite in the tradition of the way Sitka treated Edwards. free speech zone here
So why does the repug MI legis. not want a do-over?
seashell~
They want to prolong the Barack/Hillary thing as long as possible to advantage McCain.
Huron,that was a great post last thread about BO's Iraq speech. My thoughts exactly...you too, Mike.
Either way, troops will come out of Iraq and go to Afghan..that is directly and concisely what BO meant when he said we have to win the war in Afghan. Throwing kisses and flowers will not do it.
HC has not said the same thing and I'm listening for it...but I have little hope that either of them can/will end the mess in the ME .... unless... until.... I/P horror show is resolved. And they are not addressing that.
Has there been some mischief to prevent a do-over?
Thinking that asking such a question in itself provides the answer is McCarthyism -- or O'Reillyism.
post whatever you damn well please Linda (every once in a while could you throw in a cute polar bear cub?)
(Reposting from the end of the last thread...)
I'm no friend of the Democrats in Florida at this point of my life, and up until two days ago I was steadfast in my belief that I would be voting for Ralph Nader come November. I will now be voting for Obama should he become the nominee.
That being said, Obama supporters had better take seriously the feelings of disenfranchisement Democrats in Florida. They are bitter, and are swinging wildly against the DNC, the Florida Democratic leadership, their elected Democratic officials and the Republican legislature. If it were isolated to a few LTEs or random calls to local talk radio I would dismiss it as much ado about nothing. But as every plan for a redo falls through and the Democrats continue their bickering, the anger being released is significant.
The result could be that many Democrats stay home on election day. While this probably would not alter the result (as I beleive that FL will go Red regardless of the nominee) the effect down ticket would be enormous. There are a half dozen or more vulnerable Republicans being challenged in this state by Democrats, some of which could be easily defined as progressive. There are also a few vulnerable Dems at the federal, state and local levels that would be adversly affected.
A plan to seat the delegates must be found that satisfies both Obama and Clinton, but more importantly quells the outrage felt by the Florida voters.
Linda is quite in the tradition of the way Sitka treated Edwards.
Yeah, posting his record was really mean of me.
Linda in NM~ Your posts are fine but not the venom that goes along with them.
Clinton opposes the use of a caucus mechanism and is using the old rovian trick of attack where you are weak.
I've corrected this before too. The rovian trick is to attack your opponent's strength.
Good article on Harmon: Excerpt
Still, we have this portrait of Harman, eager to cover up, convinced that what she is told must stay secret has to stay secret, untrained in the Constitution enough to see that warrantless wiretapping is unnecessary under FISA and in defiance of the Fourth Amendment. It's relieving a bit that the past few years, with the help of the blogosphere, have given many in the Congress an education on the document they swear to uphold and defend. It's also completely sad.
5.
seashell :-)
Thu, 03/20/08
Reply to this
mary vb, I see quite clearly - all sides. You just don't like the links that put BO in less favorable a light. I don't believe she ever called him "rotten."
Sea...of course not, but that doesn't mater to them. Just like when you call them out for calling me racist, troll, not nice, pod person....oh my, the list goes on....They will say....as on last thread....I didn't say SHE was, I was talking about others (wink wink).....or I was just "giving the similarities between her and them" (wink wink)
They really don't like looking in the mirror. The meanness and hate is what people are seeing.
I just couldn't resist posting information that was pertinent to the Thread Topic being this website was still up on my screen. But I'm leaving....don't worry *rd, no, I won't be back. I know you have EXCELLENT experience posting that you're leaving here, to return just moments, not even days later. But As we see, even if I make an appearance every few weeks, the vitriol actually gets worse and I don't like it.
Ciao!
what is it about Hillary that she fears an ooportunity for her supporters to stand up in public and be counted?
A lot of voters want their privacy.
Can we have a no polling zone?
I didn't think so.
Look, polls (as reported publically) are useless.
Detailed polling with breakouts and crosstabs can be useful to understand a candidate's strengths and weaknesses among voters to a campaign. Even then, it is only a snapshot at a point in time far removed from the actual vote.
So, some poll that says "candidate X will beat candidate Y by 45-41" is useless in so many ways!
McCain aide suspended (but not fired) for anti-Obama video
Yep, they'll just stuff him in the backroom until this dies down a little then let him resurface.
if you attack where you are weak, expose (or create out of whole cloth)a flaw in the opponent that you yourself are sure will come out about yourself , when it does, "well they both are like that" and your weakness becomes a draw
the Ohio NAFTA story Clinton spun was a classic use of that rovian technique
Phil, no, I can't. Each time I try to just pop in....it's not a nice place to be.
if this is what you all want, go for it. Not me.
Be well.
I don't speak Spanish how do you spell "ola" (how I hear it) and is it the same word as ciao?
Gallup ratings for Pres. candidates on honesty/trustworthiness.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0...
30.
Sitka
Thu, 03/20/08
Ciao!
I don't speak Italian. Does "ciao" mean, "I'll be back in 5 minutes,"?
Probably in your dictionary.
Linda NM, perhaps it's time to post some more pro-HC articles, just to prove that you'll still be attacked.
Or maybe I will. :-)
34. ola is Hola, the H is silent, en espanol. Hasta (h silent) (bye)
Linda in NM
regardless that you all post lies
I've not seen any posts that aren't accompanied by documented links.
I love posts on the environment and anything relating to Al Gore. Just sayin.
oops, sorry, forgot the other part of the question Phil, Hola is Hi! or Hello.
You all just won't admit that you all consider me a traitor because I didn't join the anything for Obama blog.
Actually, by the way you've jumped from Gore to Edwards to Hillary and attacked the others as incarnations the devil at each stage of the process before eventually supporting them, I'd just say you're "flighty," and will support Obama too when he secures the nomination.
"Ciao" means "hello" and "goodbye". However, it is used in an informal sense and you usually use it when you are familiar with someone. You should not use it the first time you meet someone (even if that person is introduced to you) - see if they say "ciao: when leaving you, and then you know it's Ok to use it when you next see them. A safer way of greeting someone is "Salve", the polite and formal "hello". Rather than saying "ciao" when leaving the company of someone, use the formal "Arriverderci" ("Goodbye").
Linda
I tried to get a conversation going about how extricating ourselves from Iraq would entail a repproachmant with Iran that would cause axiety with our good friend Israel because of Iran's ties with Hezbullah, and how Obama made a more perilous political move by advocating talking with Iran than did Hillary voting for Kyl Lieberman, even as Obama has a more forward thinking and nuanced policy.
I would be happy to solicit a response from you on that topic which Hillary ducked on the fifth anniversary by fussing about Michigan, while Obama took it on head on with a major speech.
point me to a Hillary link defending her Kyl-Lieberman vote
Wiki:
Hola
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Look up Hola in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary."Hola" means "hi", "hey" or "hello" in Spanish or Catalan. It is the opposite of adiós, which is Spanish for "goodbye".
Hola, Kenya
¡Hola!, a weekly magazine, published in Spain. The Spanish equivalent of Hello Magazine.
Pierre Hola, Tongan rugby union
Michigan could caucus to allocate delegates at their District Convention like Iowa does and then proceed to elect them on the spot and do it at no cost.
Phil~ There just isn't the will of the people to do anything here.
what is Italian for Hola?
what is spanish for ciao?
Hillary on children
**********************
Marian Wright Edelman, my friend and founder of the Children's Defense Fund, says it best: "If we don't stand up for children, then we don't stand for much."
In my 35 years as an advocate for children and families, I have never met a child without potential. But I've met plenty of children growing up in extraordinary hardship and lacking the basic tools they need to succeed. Even in the United States, the wealthiest nation in the world, 13 million children still live in poverty and 5 million live in extreme poverty. Too many children are expected to overcome these hurdles, become productive citizens, and compete in a modern global economy without the benefit of sound schooling, decent housing, proper nutrition, and adequate health care.
huffington_post:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hillary-clinton/child-poverty_b_89089.htmlBuzz up!on Yahoo!This is not just an economic problem. It's a moral outrage.
I've been working to better the lives of children for 35 years, and the future of America's children will be a centerpiece of my presidency. The issue is personal for me. My own mother struggled through a childhood of neglect to give her own children the opportunities she never had. My mother taught me at a young age that all children deserve the chance to live up to their God-given potential and make the most of their lives.
For the better part of my professional and public life, I've focused on issues like children's health care, education, foster care and adoption, child care, and education -- all of which have a direct impact on children and their families. I took an extra year in law school to study child development and to work on legal assistance for the poor. Then I went to work for the Children's Defense Fund, where I represented abused and neglected children and children with disabilities. In Arkansas, I was tasked with leading an effort to reform the state's education system, then ranked near the bottom. I started a special program for mothers of pre-schoolers to get their kids ready for kindergarten, and also worked on reforming the state's rural health care system, which helped many poor families and their children. As First Lady, I pushed the effort to expand Head Start and help create Early Head Start, to reform our nation's foster care and adoption systems, and to strengthen child care across the United States.
After universal health care didn't succeed, I helped create the Children's Health Insurance Program, which now covers six million children in need.
Running for president has only strengthened my resolve to find solutions to problems affecting our children. In southern Ohio today, I announced a plan to take on child poverty -- and to end the moral outrage of children living in such neglect.
I have two bold goals: First, we're going to end child hunger by 2012. It's a national crisis and a national disgrace that more than 12 million children in America go hungry every day. I will do everything I can to reduce that number to zero.
Second, we're going to cut child poverty in half by 2020, lifting more than 6 million children above the poverty line.
You can learn the full details of my plan on my website.
point me to a Hillary link defending her Kyl-Lieberman vote
Paz Peace~ Obama supporters had better take seriously the feelings of disenfranchisement Democrats in Florida.
I've heard that said here in Michigan, as well. The voters feel left out by their party. They're upset the Michigan Dem Party set this whole thing up without even consulting with the voters when they moved the primary up therefore causing the brouhaha. Actually, this is primarily Sen. Levin's fault, he was the instigator. I'm not holding any warm fuzzy feelings for him at the moment.
I'm a little torn, because I get better reception on my rabbit ears for the ball game if I shut off the computer.
little help Daniel? I need some tin foil here
Obama and McCain both chose UNC to win the NCAA championship.
Wilson's defense of HC's Kyl-L vote.
Note to Joe Wilson: Good Defense of Hillary but "Together We Can Do Better" on Iran
Posted November 5, 2007 | 12:25 PM (EST)
Read More: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Iran, Joe Wilson, Breaking Politics News
stumbleupon :Note to Joe Wilson: Good Defense of Hillary but "Together We Can Do Better" on Iran digg: Note to Joe Wilson: Good Defense of Hillary but "Together We Can Do Better" on Iran reddit: Note to Joe Wilson: Good Defense of Hillary but "Together We Can Do Better" on Iran del.icio.us: Note to Joe Wilson: Good Defense of Hillary but "Together We Can Do Better" on Iran
100506Hillary2.jpg
Joe Wilson has penned an interesting essay at Huffington Post defending Hillary Clinton's complex stand on Iran and challenging Obama with some soft gloves.
In one section of the piece, Wilson writes:
As one who practiced diplomacy on behalf of our country for decades, including as the acting ambassador in Iraq during Desert Shield, where I personally confronted Saddam Hussein and his henchmen, Senator Obama's approach seems to me to misunderstand diplomacy. Needless to say, profound distrust of Bush and the administration is more than merited. I yield to nobody in my own efforts to bring their lies to public attention. But the Durbin version of Kyl-Lieberman and the November 1 letter are clear in drawing lines in not granting the Bush administration authority it does not have.
The administration has rightly been criticized for its refusal to use the broad array of tools at our disposal other than military action in the conduct of national security. War has been its first, second and final option -- its preferred option -- with disastrous results. Successful policy-making requires the use of complex diplomacy, carrots and sticks -- incentives, such as structured talks, and disincentives, such as sanctions against rogue elements. Coping with the Bush administration should not cause us to ignore at our peril very real adversaries that would do us harm. These clearly include Iran and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
I have a few reactions.
First and foremost, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Harry Reid, Richard Durbin, James Webb, and the rest would do the country a great favor by actually 'passing' the Webb-introduced legislation barring monies spent on military action against Iran without explicit Senate consent. A resolution that languishes in the Senate that has Hillary's co-sponsorship but that has not benefited from her ascending political weight does not change the political facts as they are now.
Joe Wilson is correct to note that Hillary Clinton, Durbin, and others have made statements that their support of Kyl-Lieberman do not, in their parochial view, authorize the Bush administration to take military action against Iran.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/note-to-joe-wilson-good_b_71183.html?view=print
As everyone knows, rabbit ears work much better if you hold them. Of course, that means typing on the computer one-handed.
I forgot to put this in bold for people who skim
A resolution that languishes in the Senate that has Hillary's co-sponsorship but that has not benefited from her ascending political weight does not change the political facts as they are now.
Joe Wilson is correct to note that Hillary Clinton, Durbin, and others have made statements that their support of Kyl-Lieberman do not, in their parochial view, authorize the Bush administration to take military action against Iran.
37.
Sitka
Thu, 03/20/08
I've corrected this before too. The rovian trick is to attack your opponent's strength.
=====================
That's what she did with her demeaning comments about "just speeches" and "just words" of Obama.
I'm paying close attention to who is most electable becuz that's what it comes down to for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ya. That pretty much was the last election's reasoning in favor of John Kerry. Get it done before everyone's had a chance to hear Howard.
Worked very well, didn't it?
The defense of BO reaches hysterical proportions and the hateful name calling is certainly projection.
It is always difficult to admit that you may have jumped onto a band wagon a little too early. Just human nature.
32.
Linda in NM
Thu, 03/20/08
Examining Senator Obama's Iraq Record
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7XtIsI1c...
==============================
This link...
Fox news analysis on a series of short ambivalent, ambiguous Obama quotes out-of-context?
You can do better than that, Linda.
Voted like Hillary did on funding. Than why does Hillary attack him on those votes as she did not?
Insidious spin. Her hallmark, not his.
Funny about the poor MI, FL voters, and feeling left out. My primary's in May. . . .
(Who the *hell* would *plan* a May primary? And why?)
And did I miss the street demonstrations by the MI, FL voters who wanted to play by the rules?
37.
Linda in NM
Thu, 03/20/08
Reply to this
seashell, how nice of you to say, thank you. I'd say you're quite a courageous person yourself
========================
It is not courage, it's denial.
In your case, Linda, it's obsessive pride.
Both of you have been blinded IMO. You have to start looking at the person and not the Clinton camp characterization of him.
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By Tom Bearse on Mar 20, 2008 1:05 PM EDTDean is first in peace and first in the hearts of BFA bloggers.