Saturday, April 23, 2005
YO!
Don't fuget ya bunch o meatheads. A big tuh doo tomorrow at dah lame-caster town hall. Ya betta believe I will be deh. In full force baby!
Lancaster Caucus and Coos County Dem Meeting Sunday 4pm
Lancaster Town Hall
Lancaster Caucus and Coos County Dem Meeting Sunday 4pm
Lancaster Town Hall
Friday, April 22, 2005
Souuuueeeee!
House passes pork-laden energy bill
The House of Representatives approved broad energy legislation yesterday by a vote of 249 to 183. The 1,000-plus-page bill contains some $12 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for energy companies, less than 5 percent of which go to clean energy or energy conservation. It contains a provision that would funnel $2 billion to deep-water oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. It would open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. It would allow "downwind" states to delay meeting air-quality standards until "upwind" states have met them. And it would protect from liability lawsuits the makers of MTBE, a fuel additive that has contaminated some 1,800 community water systems in 29 states, with projected clean-up costs of $29 billion. All of these measures, say critics, pad the pocketbooks of large political contributors but do next to nothing to solve the country's long-term energy problems or current high gas prices. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Joe Barton (R-Texas) was philosophical: "well, isn't something better than nothing?" The bill's fate in the Senate is uncertain, but a supportive Bush administration is optimistic.
straight to the source: The New York Times, Carl Hulse, 21 Apr 2005
straight to the source: The Washington Post, Justin Blum, 22 Apr 2005
straight to the source: USA Today, Associated Press, 21 Apr 2005
from daily grist http://www.grist.org/news/daily/2005/04/22/
I thought Will would like this one.
The House of Representatives approved broad energy legislation yesterday by a vote of 249 to 183. The 1,000-plus-page bill contains some $12 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for energy companies, less than 5 percent of which go to clean energy or energy conservation. It contains a provision that would funnel $2 billion to deep-water oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. It would open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. It would allow "downwind" states to delay meeting air-quality standards until "upwind" states have met them. And it would protect from liability lawsuits the makers of MTBE, a fuel additive that has contaminated some 1,800 community water systems in 29 states, with projected clean-up costs of $29 billion. All of these measures, say critics, pad the pocketbooks of large political contributors but do next to nothing to solve the country's long-term energy problems or current high gas prices. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Joe Barton (R-Texas) was philosophical: "well, isn't something better than nothing?" The bill's fate in the Senate is uncertain, but a supportive Bush administration is optimistic.
straight to the source: The New York Times, Carl Hulse, 21 Apr 2005
straight to the source: The Washington Post, Justin Blum, 22 Apr 2005
straight to the source: USA Today, Associated Press, 21 Apr 2005
from daily grist http://www.grist.org/news/daily/2005/04/22/
I thought Will would like this one.
Next Door Neighbors
Howard Dean has said no, so it looks like Bernie might be the man to replace Jeffords in Vermont.
And, according the sirotablog, Dems are quickly coalescing around Bernie Sanders for U.S. Senate.
The Boston Globe reports that Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) said if/when Sanders declares his candidacy, "senior members of the [Democratic] party would discourage other Democrats from challenging Sanders, avoiding a three-way race that could tip the election to a Republican in the liberal-leaning state." Meanwhile, AP reports that Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), head of the Democrats Senatorial campaign committee, said it is "very possible" that Democrats would back Sanders.
Washington Post reports, "Sanders has proved an effective vote-getter in Vermont since winning his House seat in 1990, often appealing to working-class conservatives by stressing trade protection, jobs and higher wages." The paper continues, "he has been treated as a Democrat in the House and likely would face only GOP opposition."
Moveon.org, the terrific grassroots progressive organization, today sent out a note asking Vermonters whether it should aggressively back Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in the 2006 open-seat Senate race.
If you are a Vermonter, go to Moveon's special Vermont site to respond to their letter - and let them know Bernie deserves their support in 2006.Why is this important? Because Bernie doesn't take corporate PAC money, meaning he has to raise money the old fashioned way: through the grassroots. Groups like Moveon will be critical to raising the small dollar, grassroots contributions that he needs to keep this seat for the Democrats.
All of this post comes from the siroateblog. Here is the moveon post and here is Dems support bernie post.
And, according the sirotablog, Dems are quickly coalescing around Bernie Sanders for U.S. Senate.
The Boston Globe reports that Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) said if/when Sanders declares his candidacy, "senior members of the [Democratic] party would discourage other Democrats from challenging Sanders, avoiding a three-way race that could tip the election to a Republican in the liberal-leaning state." Meanwhile, AP reports that Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), head of the Democrats Senatorial campaign committee, said it is "very possible" that Democrats would back Sanders.
Washington Post reports, "Sanders has proved an effective vote-getter in Vermont since winning his House seat in 1990, often appealing to working-class conservatives by stressing trade protection, jobs and higher wages." The paper continues, "he has been treated as a Democrat in the House and likely would face only GOP opposition."
Moveon.org, the terrific grassroots progressive organization, today sent out a note asking Vermonters whether it should aggressively back Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in the 2006 open-seat Senate race.
If you are a Vermonter, go to Moveon's special Vermont site to respond to their letter - and let them know Bernie deserves their support in 2006.Why is this important? Because Bernie doesn't take corporate PAC money, meaning he has to raise money the old fashioned way: through the grassroots. Groups like Moveon will be critical to raising the small dollar, grassroots contributions that he needs to keep this seat for the Democrats.
All of this post comes from the siroateblog. Here is the moveon post and here is Dems support bernie post.
Political Songs
Here is a cool song I heard on the Mike Mallory Show:
Elroy - Republicans Suck
You can download it for free here.
As always you can download my Anti-Bush Songs here. I recommend Bushism 102.
Elroy - Republicans Suck
You can download it for free here.
As always you can download my Anti-Bush Songs here. I recommend Bushism 102.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
A rose by any other name...
Some definitions from economic expert.com for some commonly thrown around words:
Liberalism is a political current embracing several historical and present-day ideologies that claim defense of individual liberty as the purpose of government. It typically favors the right to dissent from orthodox tenets or established authorities in political or religious matters. In this respect, it is held in contrast to conservatism.
With the coming of industrialization, a new wave of liberal thinkers began seeing government as a tool to encourage social progress and hence supported government action as a means to this end. This was a departure from the belief that government interventionism restricted liberty and thus inevitably retarded progress. The change led to a fundamental split in "liberalism" as a broad ideology, with one wing believing that the tenets of liberalism had been set by the late 18th and early 19th century, and another believing that liberalism was an evolving commitment to progress.
These two diverging branches of liberalism are known in the United States and some other countries today as libertarianism and social liberalism.
Neoliberalism is a political philosophy and a political-economic movement beginning in the 1970s – and increasingly prominent since 1980 – that de-emphasizes or rejects positive government intervention in the economy, focusing instead on achieving progress and even social justice by encouraging free-market methods and less restricted operations of business. In some areas of the world, it is simply called " liberalism". Though many liberals adhere to neoliberalism, their ideology has a broader content and other liberals oppose neoliberalism.
Libertarianism is a political philosophy which advocates individual rights and a limited government. In common with many other modern political ideologies, Libertarians believe that individuals should be free to do anything they want, so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others. Libertarians typically emphasize civil rights (such as the right to a fair trial or political participation, sometimes thought of as negative rights) over social rights (the right to a free education or employment, sometimes thought of as positive rights).
Classical Conservatism - Opposition to rapid change in governmental and societal institutions. This kind of conservatism is anti- ideological insofar as it emphasizes means (slow change) over ends (any particular form of government). To the classical conservative, whether one arrives at a right- or left-leaning government is less important than whether change is effected through rule of law rather than through revolution and sudden innovation.
Ideological conservatism - In contrast to the classical conservatism, ideological conservatism is, as its name implies, ideological. It is typified by three distinct sub-ideologies: social conservatism, fiscal conservatism, and economic conservatism. Together, these subideologies comprise the conservative ideology in most English-speaking countries:
Social Conservatism is generally dominated by defense of existing social norms and values, of local customs and of societal evolution, rather than social upheaval, though the distinction is not absolute. Applied to foreign policy, a mild social conservatism manifests itself in Rudyard Kipling's defense of the Indian natives against British imperialism and in American opposition to the "forced democratization" of post-war Iraq, but conversely, betraying the complexity of ideology, the vast majority of American conservatives in keeping with their accepted values fully support the current effort in Iraq. In its more extreme foreign-policy manifestations, social conservatism breeds nationalism, tending towards isolationism, on the order of Pat Buchanan's anti-immigration, anti- internationalist stance.
Fiscal Conservatism is the stance that the government must "live within its means". Above all, fiscal conservatives oppose excessive government debt; this belief in balanced budgets tends to be coupled with a belief that government welfare programs should be narrowly tailored and that tax rates should be low, which implies relatively small government institutions.
This belief in small government combines with fiscal conservatism to produce a broader Economic Conservatism, which wishes to minimize government intervention in the economy. This amounts to support for laissez faire economics. This economic conservatism comes from two schools of thought: the classical conservative's pragmatism and the libertarian's notion of "rights." The classical conservative maintains that free markets work best, while the libertarian contends that free markets are the only ethical markets.
Neoconservatism -- strictly a U.S. term -- refers to the views of a subclass of conservatives who support a more assertive foreign policy coupled with one or more other facets of ideological conservatism. Historically, conservatives tend to be mildly isolationist, but with the rising internationalism represented by such groups as NATO. Neoconservatism is a somewhat controversial term referring to the political goals and ideology of the "new conservatives" in the United States.
But as a certain Massachusetts senator once said:
"But look, what's really important, ...is the president is just trying to scare everybody here with throwing labels around. I mean, "compassionate conservative," what does that mean? Cutting 500,000 kids from after-school programs, cutting 365,000 kids from health care, running up the biggest deficits in American history."
Liberalism is a political current embracing several historical and present-day ideologies that claim defense of individual liberty as the purpose of government. It typically favors the right to dissent from orthodox tenets or established authorities in political or religious matters. In this respect, it is held in contrast to conservatism.
With the coming of industrialization, a new wave of liberal thinkers began seeing government as a tool to encourage social progress and hence supported government action as a means to this end. This was a departure from the belief that government interventionism restricted liberty and thus inevitably retarded progress. The change led to a fundamental split in "liberalism" as a broad ideology, with one wing believing that the tenets of liberalism had been set by the late 18th and early 19th century, and another believing that liberalism was an evolving commitment to progress.
These two diverging branches of liberalism are known in the United States and some other countries today as libertarianism and social liberalism.
Neoliberalism is a political philosophy and a political-economic movement beginning in the 1970s – and increasingly prominent since 1980 – that de-emphasizes or rejects positive government intervention in the economy, focusing instead on achieving progress and even social justice by encouraging free-market methods and less restricted operations of business. In some areas of the world, it is simply called " liberalism". Though many liberals adhere to neoliberalism, their ideology has a broader content and other liberals oppose neoliberalism.
Libertarianism is a political philosophy which advocates individual rights and a limited government. In common with many other modern political ideologies, Libertarians believe that individuals should be free to do anything they want, so long as they do not infringe upon the rights of others. Libertarians typically emphasize civil rights (such as the right to a fair trial or political participation, sometimes thought of as negative rights) over social rights (the right to a free education or employment, sometimes thought of as positive rights).
Classical Conservatism - Opposition to rapid change in governmental and societal institutions. This kind of conservatism is anti- ideological insofar as it emphasizes means (slow change) over ends (any particular form of government). To the classical conservative, whether one arrives at a right- or left-leaning government is less important than whether change is effected through rule of law rather than through revolution and sudden innovation.
Ideological conservatism - In contrast to the classical conservatism, ideological conservatism is, as its name implies, ideological. It is typified by three distinct sub-ideologies: social conservatism, fiscal conservatism, and economic conservatism. Together, these subideologies comprise the conservative ideology in most English-speaking countries:
Social Conservatism is generally dominated by defense of existing social norms and values, of local customs and of societal evolution, rather than social upheaval, though the distinction is not absolute. Applied to foreign policy, a mild social conservatism manifests itself in Rudyard Kipling's defense of the Indian natives against British imperialism and in American opposition to the "forced democratization" of post-war Iraq, but conversely, betraying the complexity of ideology, the vast majority of American conservatives in keeping with their accepted values fully support the current effort in Iraq. In its more extreme foreign-policy manifestations, social conservatism breeds nationalism, tending towards isolationism, on the order of Pat Buchanan's anti-immigration, anti- internationalist stance.
Fiscal Conservatism is the stance that the government must "live within its means". Above all, fiscal conservatives oppose excessive government debt; this belief in balanced budgets tends to be coupled with a belief that government welfare programs should be narrowly tailored and that tax rates should be low, which implies relatively small government institutions.
This belief in small government combines with fiscal conservatism to produce a broader Economic Conservatism, which wishes to minimize government intervention in the economy. This amounts to support for laissez faire economics. This economic conservatism comes from two schools of thought: the classical conservative's pragmatism and the libertarian's notion of "rights." The classical conservative maintains that free markets work best, while the libertarian contends that free markets are the only ethical markets.
Neoconservatism -- strictly a U.S. term -- refers to the views of a subclass of conservatives who support a more assertive foreign policy coupled with one or more other facets of ideological conservatism. Historically, conservatives tend to be mildly isolationist, but with the rising internationalism represented by such groups as NATO. Neoconservatism is a somewhat controversial term referring to the political goals and ideology of the "new conservatives" in the United States.
But as a certain Massachusetts senator once said:
"But look, what's really important, ...is the president is just trying to scare everybody here with throwing labels around. I mean, "compassionate conservative," what does that mean? Cutting 500,000 kids from after-school programs, cutting 365,000 kids from health care, running up the biggest deficits in American history."
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Silencing the Majority
Time to save the Filibuster!!
Given that the judges and justices have life tenure, for the democratic minority party to have this kind of input seems not only reasonable, but necessary. But now the Republicans want the Democrats, to have no input at all.
That is particularly unfortunate given that Senate Democrats represent the majority of Americans - as Washington Post columnist E. J. Dionne Jr. has pointed out.
Dionne found, based on July 2004 Census Bureau figures, that the 44 Democratic Senators represent 148,026,027 people, while the 55 Republican Senators represent 144,765,157. Independent Vermont Senator Jim Jeffords, who votes with the Democrats on such issues, represents 310,697, making the gap even greater. { From the Left Coaster}
If the filibuster is ‘nuked” that means when Bush puts up his Ultra Conservative Anti Abortion Nominees for SUPREME COURT all the Dems can do is watch.
Long story short the republicans need 50 people to vote to get rid of the filibuster. We have all 44 Dems and Jeffords. We have McCain and Chafee.
These are the swing votes. We need four of them.
Collins (ME)Hagel (NE)Snowe (ME) Sununu (NH)Gregg (NH)Lugar (IN)Warner (VA) {from the DailyKos}
Pick up the phone and call. Tell them that you what Gregg/Sununu to vote KEEP the filibuster and the right of the minority in the senate to have a say in judicial nominations. Make sure you tell them your name and address.
Judd Gregg(202) 224 - 3324SEND AN EMAIL
John Sununu(202) 224-2841SEND AN EMAIL
Given that the judges and justices have life tenure, for the democratic minority party to have this kind of input seems not only reasonable, but necessary. But now the Republicans want the Democrats, to have no input at all.
That is particularly unfortunate given that Senate Democrats represent the majority of Americans - as Washington Post columnist E. J. Dionne Jr. has pointed out.
Dionne found, based on July 2004 Census Bureau figures, that the 44 Democratic Senators represent 148,026,027 people, while the 55 Republican Senators represent 144,765,157. Independent Vermont Senator Jim Jeffords, who votes with the Democrats on such issues, represents 310,697, making the gap even greater. { From the Left Coaster}
If the filibuster is ‘nuked” that means when Bush puts up his Ultra Conservative Anti Abortion Nominees for SUPREME COURT all the Dems can do is watch.
Long story short the republicans need 50 people to vote to get rid of the filibuster. We have all 44 Dems and Jeffords. We have McCain and Chafee.
These are the swing votes. We need four of them.
Collins (ME)Hagel (NE)Snowe (ME) Sununu (NH)Gregg (NH)Lugar (IN)Warner (VA) {from the DailyKos}
Pick up the phone and call. Tell them that you what Gregg/Sununu to vote KEEP the filibuster and the right of the minority in the senate to have a say in judicial nominations. Make sure you tell them your name and address.
Judd Gregg(202) 224 - 3324SEND AN EMAIL
John Sununu(202) 224-2841SEND AN EMAIL
Liberal Patriot Newsletter LAUNCHED!
The Liberal Patriot Newsletter’s first issue is finally out! The newsletter will be a monthly publication promoting progressive local and national politics. Currently the newsletter takes the form of a 8.5" x 14" double sided sheet of paper. But like so many of my projects this one also has a web component.
Now the paper version is much more beautiful, so definitely check it out, but for those of you who just can't wait to lay you hands on it... here is the ONLINE VERISON.
The Liberal Patriot Newsletter webpage is here.
Now the paper version is much more beautiful, so definitely check it out, but for those of you who just can't wait to lay you hands on it... here is the ONLINE VERISON.
The Liberal Patriot Newsletter webpage is here.
Monday, April 18, 2005
ORDINARY PEOPLE
Here is a story from Terri Jones
For those of you out there who are complacent and under the impression that every is OK in the land of the free, think again.
Recently, during one of my trips to Lancaster, I made my usual stop at a well known shop on Main Street. Being acquainted with two ladies who are volunteers, we exchanged small talk about the weather, etc. The subject of President Bush came up and I voiced my unfavorable opinion about him and his administration. I was firmly told that "We do not talk about HIM like that here."
At first I thought they were joking, but as I continued to add a few more comments, I was told "Stop it, right now!" in a very loud manner. I kept my mood as light as I could, wished them good day and left.
I cannot help but wonder--would these ladies turn me in if they could? Would I be visited by the thought police in the dead of night? Would my family be watched and monitored? Would my property be seized by the Far Right and my life given over to their mercies?
I will continue to visit the shop, but I will never feel the same about these two
ladies again. I am sure readers would be amazed and appalled if I were to reveal
their identities.
They are your neighbors, your mothers, your grandmothers, your aunts and maybe your very own sisters.
Charlies Bass, Republican Toady
Recent House Votes
Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act - Vote Passed (272-162, 1 Not Voting)This House bill would permanently repeal the estate tax.
Rep. Charles Bass voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act - Vote Passed (302-126, 7 Not Voting)The House gave final approval to this bill intended to make it harder for people who declare bankruptcy to get out of paying their debts.
Rep. Charles Bass voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act - Vote Passed (272-162, 1 Not Voting)This House bill would permanently repeal the estate tax.
Rep. Charles Bass voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act - Vote Passed (302-126, 7 Not Voting)The House gave final approval to this bill intended to make it harder for people who declare bankruptcy to get out of paying their debts.
Rep. Charles Bass voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Recent Senate Votes
Family Planning Amendment - Vote Agreed to (52-46, 2 Not Voting)
During consideration of the $34 billion Foreign Affairs Authorization Act, the Senate approved this amendment that would reverse a U.S. policy that prohibits foreign aid from going to organizations that provide or discuss abortion services.
Sen. Judd Gregg voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. John Sununu voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
During consideration of the $34 billion Foreign Affairs Authorization Act, the Senate approved this amendment that would reverse a U.S. policy that prohibits foreign aid from going to organizations that provide or discuss abortion services.
Sen. Judd Gregg voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. John Sununu voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Republicans on the DeLay dole...
Here is a tip from susanb.
Next time you hear mention of Tom DeLay - don't forget his good buddies:
Charlie Bass took $14, 233 in campaign contributions from the Bugman's PAC.
Sununu got $15, 703, and Bradley $15,000.
No wonder Bradley was heard defending him on NHPR - and turned tomato red when asked about taking campaign $$ from DeLay at his extremely unsuccessful (unsuccessful for him - HUGELY successful for constituents) meeting in Moultonborough on March 29.
Bradley will get another warm Carroll County welcome in Eaton, on April 23.
Entire story Here
Next time you hear mention of Tom DeLay - don't forget his good buddies:
Charlie Bass took $14, 233 in campaign contributions from the Bugman's PAC.
Sununu got $15, 703, and Bradley $15,000.
No wonder Bradley was heard defending him on NHPR - and turned tomato red when asked about taking campaign $$ from DeLay at his extremely unsuccessful (unsuccessful for him - HUGELY successful for constituents) meeting in Moultonborough on March 29.
Bradley will get another warm Carroll County welcome in Eaton, on April 23.
Entire story Here
NEWS
Bolton Accused of Physically Harassing Whistleblower
Frank Rich Get Tom DeLay to the Church on Time
A Day in Iraq: 150 Hostages and 19 Deaths
White House Knew Reporter Was on Payroll
Old School GOP Accuses House of Protecting DeLay
GOP Support for Bolton Wavering
White House Blocking Propaganda Probe
Special Interests "Giddy" over Bankruptcy Victory
'Nuclear' Showdown All but Certain in Senate
10,000 Fugitives Nabbed, Officials Admit PR Stunt
Carnage in Iraq as Car Bombs Kill and Injure Dozens
Gitmo Detainee Sues US for Video of His Torture
Frank Rich Get Tom DeLay to the Church on Time
A Day in Iraq: 150 Hostages and 19 Deaths
White House Knew Reporter Was on Payroll
Old School GOP Accuses House of Protecting DeLay
GOP Support for Bolton Wavering
White House Blocking Propaganda Probe
Special Interests "Giddy" over Bankruptcy Victory
'Nuclear' Showdown All but Certain in Senate
10,000 Fugitives Nabbed, Officials Admit PR Stunt
Carnage in Iraq as Car Bombs Kill and Injure Dozens
Gitmo Detainee Sues US for Video of His Torture
