Friday Pep-Talk

(Note: Let this serve as a Saturday Pep-Talk. It has taken me all day to complete this and to get it up. I do not feel very peppy and I have been absorbed in reading all day, trying to come to terms with what happened yesterday and how we move forward. I am tired, but I will not give up.)

I am emotionally hung over this morning. Watching America’s Soul die yesterday was just about too much for me.

I fought with my husband. I yelled at my neighbor. I really fell into deep despair, anger, outrage, disbelief, sadness and desperation. I was on the verge of tears all day long and I cannot find the right words to express how absolutely devastated that I am.

Not much of a pep-talk so far, eh?

We cannot stop fighting. It is now more important than ever that we regain control of the Congress. We have to get some accountability in Washington DC. We have to make certain that there is some oversight of the out-of-control practices of this overreaching and morally bankrupt Administration.

It physically hurts to consider what is being done in my name.

However, it does not hurt me as much as it hurts those who are in custody at this moment by an Administration that spits in the face of human rights and dignity. For that reason we need to keep fighting. They do not have a voice; we must be the voice for them.

Remember, these people running our Country have a philosophy based on the belief that the reason that we lost in Vietnam was due to the dissent voiced here at home. They believe that it was the war protesters fault – not poor planning, incompetence, lack of realistic strategy or an illegal and immoral war. This Administration has a pathological aversion to taking responsibility for anything and they will go to any lengths to squash dissent.

This is why the current protests are not showed on the television news – they absolutely do not want to allow the truth to be told or let anyone know about how many people are saying no to their policies.

We must continue to call the Congress. We must continue to write to the Congress. We must canvass and doorbell and send in money to campaigns. We must protest and march and stand up for what is right. We must sign the petitions and educate ourselves and continue to stand up for freedom, humanity and the rule of law.

Goddammit. Let it never be said that we did not do everything in our power to stop the atrocities that are occurring now.

We – the Progressives of America are the true Patriots. We love our Country and we love the ideals that our Country was founded on. We love and will protect, with everything that we have, the ability to speak out and to tell the truth. We love our Constitution and will defend it as though we took the oath of office that our elected representatives did. We will protect our Constitution from enemies foreign and domestic. We will fight for freedom.

Freedom.

Remember the ideal that our Country was founded on when you consider who the true destroyers of America are. The people who have taken our Bill of Rights and shredded them into non-existence; the 65 Senators who voted yes on the Military Commissions Bill aka the Torture, Indefinite Detention, Restoration of Tyrannical Rule in America Bill.

Fighting for freedom is not being “soft on terror.”

Fighting for America and what we were founded on is true Patriotism.

The Dems have all of the issues and all of the solutions. We absolutely cannot allow these people and their propaganda to paint us as unpatriotic. These Republican Neo-Cons are the people who are destroying what it means to be American. To say that we cannot dissent is unpatriotic and to say that dissent equals surrender is the most absurd contradiction that they can throw at us.

We will fight and we will win because truth and justice is on our side. They cannot, no matter how hard they try, rewrite what is written across the sky with the blood of all of those who have died due to their incompetence and malfeasance, to benefit their campaigns. They know this, which is why they believe that they have to steal the elections and disenfranchise as many people as possible.

Dammit people, get to work. There is no time to hand-wring or cry or give up on our Party. We cannot turn our backs on the very last bastion of hope to bring our Country back to a civilized Nation; the Dems. Quit yelling that they are not doing enough and get involved. This Neo-Con take over has been long in the making. We can trace it back to the Civil War and those red-staters who wish that we still had slaves. We can trace it back to FDR and the New Deal and the Pukes who have been trying to overturn the Enlightened approach of believing that all people, not just the elite, deserve a chance.

We have only ourselves to blame for allowing it to get this far. We were not taking to the streets in 2000 when our election was stolen from us. It was then that we should have been camping out on the doorsteps of every courthouse in the Country until all votes were counted.

Let it never be said that, this time, we did not stand up and do everything possible to save this Country from complete ruin.

Now is the time to fight, here are some places to start:

• Demand emergency paper ballots.

• Protect worker rights at Hugo Boss.

• LCV asks that you demand clean energy now.

• Make sure that you are registered to vote.

• Demand paper ballots.


• Protect teens from Republican attack.


• Vote on the science idol.

• Stop the disinformation campaign.

• Save Darfur

• Human Rights First has several active campaigns. They also have a great statement on the atrocity that is S3930.

• Visit verified voting to see how you can help to save our elections.

• Fight global warming.

• Thank Leader Pelosi for going on the offense and attempting to move the House into closed session and address with the NIE.

• Attend a 50 State Event.

• Help to secure real sex-ed.

• Support the peace movement by purchasing peace holiday cards.

• Support Prop 87

• Spread the word about the NIE.

• Protect food safety.

• Increase fuel efficiency.

Must Reads:

• Abramoff who?

• Scary – under-reported news – especially #14 (thanks SOS).

• BBC reports on our meltdown of democracy.

• A couple of great quotes here:

o “After all, by way of our passivity, we’re at least partially responsible for letting a million Rovian Turd Blossoms bloom.”

o “Bush’s manufactured image is a hack's construct of mythic American manhood: He was sold as an uncomplicated man of action -- a Christian cowboy redeemer -- a man who could kill evil-doers at fifty paces. Just from a single whiff of his manly phenomenal musk, our enemies would flee back to their caves and cower in abject terror. Although events have shown, to appropriate an overheated metaphor from the Christian fundie End Time lexicon, Bush is in fact closer to an Angel of Idiocy come with a Sword of Stupidity to reveal the rot of our corporate dystopia.”


• Read updates on Progressive Patriots.

There Was No Cloture Vote

It took some time wading through Roll Call Votes, Thomas, and calling Senators, but I finally received a response from Senator Feingold’s staffer explaining what happened with the atrocity that is S3930, the Military Commissions Bill.

I had heard it reported on Olbermann last night that the Senate had made a deal to not filibuster in exchange for the opportunity to introduce the four amendments (all of which were voted down on Party line) to this dangerous bill which is the end to America as we know it.

“In exchange for” is not really the proper terminology. It was explained to me that the Dems did not have the 41 votes necessary to filibuster this legislation. Their only option – since Frist had threatened to hold the vote on the bill immediately – was to attempt to be able to strengthen it a little, including adding the Habeas amendment (failed 48-51) to try to protect us.

The bottom line is that they knew that they could not stop it so they did attempt to protect us. They did. Yes, there were ultimately 12 Dem Senators who betrayed their oaths to the protect and defend the Constitution, I can never pretend to explain why this happened – but it did.

I am angry and yes, we should be afraid. Pay attention to number fourteen. Blah, blah, blah – we are just conspiracy theorists… no, we are not. There is a record here of incorrectly detaining people and illegally and immorally torturing them.

The DoD can decide who is an enemy combatant. I repeat, any one of us can be determined to be an enemy combatant. This is true because the term is not defined, it is left up to the President. One person, who has already proved to us that his judgment is less than clear or sane when it comes to the treatment of human beings.

Do not forget that this legislation is designed as an attempt to keep Bush out of jail.

The only saving grace is that the bill itself may be a violation of the Geneva Conventions and Unconstitutional. Senator Smith of Oregon even stated that he hoped that the courts would straighten out the illegality of the revocation of habeas.

It may just come down to International Law saving us from our own government. One can only hope that something will.

I Am Speechless

Keith Olbermann did it again.

Keith’s special comments have become the highlight of any my television viewing. He always encapsulates my emotion and he says what he says with the passion and eloquence that I could only hope to achieve in my lifetime.

He is brilliant. The poetry of what he writes and the delivery of his speech is absolutely unmatched. I cannot thank him enough.

And so must we all.

Please write to Keith, MSNBC, the Countdown Producers, Microsoft and NBC Corporate. We must let the media know that this is what we want. We want the truth. We want people to report on the dangers to America; our civil liberties, our moral authority, our treasury, our blackened Soul.

Email addresses are:

• Countdown@MSNBC.com

• KOlbermann@MSNBC.com

• ViewerServices@MSNBC.com

• DAbrams@MSNBC.com

For good measure, send a hard copy thank you letter as well:

• MSNBC on the Internet
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052

• NBC News
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10112

• MSNBC TV
One MSNBC Plaza
Secaucus, N.J. 07094

No Room for Despair

Time to get busy. There are too many things that need our attention; we cannot succumb to the depression that comes with realizing what they are. When we are awake to the gravity of what faces us it can seem overwhelming. We must take this Country back.

That is exactly what the Reich wants. They are hoping that we become apathetic due to the sheer exhaustion of the insurmountable battles that we face.

We cannot. And we cannot afford to eat our own. Now is the time to stick together. We absolutely must take this Country back from those who truly hate America and what she stands for.

Petitions:

• Pledge to vote pro-choice.

• Stop an attack on Iran.

• Support Prop 87

• Stop genocide in Darfur.

• Join the virtual protest to support worker rights at Smithfield Foods.

• Sign the ONE voter pledge.

• Save the Internet

• Stop the disenfranchisement legislation.

• Stop extraordinary rendition.

• Protect Habeas rights.

• Defend real American values.

• Tell Congress to invest in America.

• Eliminate the Donut Hole.

• Several alerts at USAction.

• MoveOn has several campaigns.

• Protect food safety laws.

• Support the Peace Alliance


People seeking donations:

• DCCC

• DSCC

• DNC


• Open Voting Consortium.

• Wildnerness Society

• Public Campaign Action Fund

• UFPJ


Phone calls to make:

• First things first. We absolutely must contact our Senators and stop the torture and spying legislation. The Capitol switchboard is 1-202-225-3121.

• URGENT: Stop the surveillance bills.

• We do not support torture.


Events:

• Taking it to the streets. Help to elect a pro-choice Congress.

• Today, 1:30 PM ET Dem Caucus meeting with Retired Generals re: Pre-War planning, stream on CSPAN3.

• Attend a free screening of “Iraq for Sale”

• Five former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs standing up against Bu$hCo. Not an event, just interesting news.

• Attend a Voter Engagement School

• Walk with Code Pink

Civics 101

Besides being extremely physically ill today I am emotionally tortured by what has become of America. I am sickened by how quickly a Country can turn from a place admired by the rest of the world to a Country feared, despised and ridiculed. We were admired – not because we were so superior, as the Nationalistic blind followers want to proclaim – but because we were a Nation of laws, not of men. We were a Country that was governed by the people. We were a shining example of a Representative Democracy, where the government derived their powers from the consent of the people.

The rest of the world had faith that we the people would never stand for a brutal and out of control Executive. How disappointed the rest of the world is…we have let them down, we have not stood up against this Administration, we have not stormed the streets and demanded accountability, we have proven them all wrong – we are no longer a Representative Democracy. We are a tyranny, and by default, we have consented.

It is the rule of law that made our Country great and now that rule of law has been squandered, slandered, beheaded and neutered. What are we teaching our children if we say to them that it is OK to break the law, just change it and make the changes retroactive?

Even more disturbing is that this Congress is changing the law to allow for the torture and the illegal imprisonment of people. To the blind followers: these are not “dangerous terrists”, these are people. They have not yet been convicted of anything and most have not yet even been charged.

There are a couple of great posts at Digby and at Balkanization about this. Unfortunately, there is not very much information at our Democratic leadership’s sites or at any of the campaign committee sites. They seem to have nothing to say about the sellout of America’s humanity.

America was founded on the ideal that we would no longer put up with tyranny.

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security."

The men who signed their names to this document, our Declaration of Independence, knew that they were committing an act of treason with the stroke of their pen. They knew that they had put their own lives in danger and their families. They knew that they could be hanged and they understood that their personal futures were bleak. Most of them died penniless and in hiding. It did not matter to them because the ideal of the future that they were creating, for their posterity, far exceeded the personal danger that they faced.

The power and hope in the few words of this declaration are unmatched. They are unmatched because this was the beginning of a thinking society. A period of enlightenment, an age of reason, where we would throw off the shackles of superstition and irrationality and move forward with reason and study and bold new frameworks for existence.

We hold these truths to be self-evident:

"That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;"

This passage declares that we all have rights. It does not exclude terrorists – or those proclaimed terrorists by this villain sitting in the Whitehouse. America threw off the noose of a king when those men signed this document. We remained free until the 2000 election. America was hijacked then, a coup took place and we did nothing.

Eleven years after this Declaration was signed we held a Constitutional Convention, a very well studied and discussed deliberation where we decided what we would accept as the governing framework of our land. In response to a growing concern that the Constitution, as it stood, allowed for too strong a central government, and without further restraints would lead to tyranny, The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments were adopted.

I am quoting all of them, in full. It has become clear that Americans need a reminder of what these are and what they mean to us as a society.

I - Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

II - Right to keep and bear arms

A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

III - Conditions for quarters of soldiers
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

IV - Right of search and seizure regulated

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

V - Provisons concerning prosecution

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.

VI - Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc.

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

VII - Right to a trial by jury

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

VIII - Excessive bail, cruel punishment

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

IX - Rule of construction of Constitution

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

X - Rights of the States under Constitution

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Amendments IV, V, VI, VII and VIII are violated with this proposed legislation. There is no discussion of the seriousness of this by our elected Representatives and we are not taking to the streets and demanding that this be stopped.

I wonder what it will take for Americans to stand up. I just hope that it is not too late.

We’re Not Gonna Take It

Enough!

OK people, we absolutely must turn our anger into action. The despair that I feel over this compromise that McCain and the Whitehouse came up with must be put into proper terms.

Thom Hartmann puts it in proper terms.

This law is designed to keep the President and his Administration out of prison.

Michael Ratner, the President of the Center for Constitutional Rights is currently speaking on the Thom Hartmann show and has stated, in no uncertain terms, that this legislation turns America into a police state.

It removes Habeas Rights – 800 years after the Magna Carta – and it immunizes this Administration from being prosecuted for War Crimes. The simple act of passing this legislation is itself illegal – you cannot retroactively immunize someone from War Crimes prosecution.

“Law. Not War.” This is a powerful statement by Ben Ferencz, prosecutor at Nuremburg. He knows a little about War Crimes.

Remember the Holocaust, when you consider that we hold people (these are people, not 'terrists', no one has yet been convicted of anything) without any rights to even defend themselves or to ask what crime they are being held for. Americans seem awfully ignorant to the fact that any one of us can be shipped off to Gitmo. If someone wanted revenge on a person - just accuse them of being a terrorist - we are all eligible for this treatment. Remember, even the Nazis were given fair trials.

This legislation also immunizes the President from prosecution for crimes that he has already been found guilty of committing.

All over the Internets, people are talking about how the Dems should do this and the Dems should do that and why didn’t they do this…ad nauseum. There is only one thing that they can do;

I have only found one reasonable response to this legislation, they must all walk out.

Every single Dem Representative, the entire Democratic Caucus, must walk out and protest this legislation.

We need them to march in front of the Whitehouse. Leave their offices, leave the floor of the House and the Senate, leave their homes, and protest this atrocity.

The Dems need to stand up loud and clear and let it be known to the whole world that we will not stand for torture. We will not stand for illegal imprisonment. We will not stand for law breaking – especially by our elected officials.

Blog this message anywhere that you can.

We must make certain that these people who we have elected to do our business, our employees, stand up and protest this disaster before we have no democracy left. We must make sure that these people know what we expect from them.

Give your Reps a call as well, the Capitol switchboard is 1-202-225-3121. Tell them that you want them to walk out.

Hat tip to Coyote for pointing out Bob Johnson's idea. And hat tip to Bob Johnson for calling on the Dems to do the right thing.

Keep Fighting

We are not barbarians - we are civilized!

The simple fact that we are debating whether or not this Country will condone torture, throw out habeas rights, wiretap without warrants – proves that we have stepped over the line into tyranny.

This is the fight of our lives.

First, call your Senators and demand that they stand up and speak out against the torture and pardon legislation! Call now 1-888-355-3588.

UPDATE - the toll-free number to Congress has just been disconnected [I used it about an hour ago]. The switchboard operator says that they only purchase the toll-free numbers for a short period of time and that the Capitol operators do not even know the number. It is very important that we demand that it be re-established. People have the Constitutional right to petition their government. The right to do this should not be contingent on the ability to afford a call. When you are on the line to your Senators and Rep, ask that the toll-free number be reinstated.

The Capitol switchboard is 1-202-225-3121.

Do not pardon illegal spying.

$1000 Bounty What are they doing?

Put on your marketing hat.

Support clean elections.

Fight against condoning torture.

Destroying studies and “reporters” on the government payroll. Wonder why the Dems get no press?

Stop it - Tell the FCC to release the truth.

We do not condone torture!

Another case for impeachment book. They are selling them at a WS price for non-profit orgs that want to resell them.

Host a call for change party.

Still trying to save the Internet.

Tell Congress we are a Nation of Laws.

Today is Women for Peace Day. Why not contact the media and ask them to cover this and Camp Democracy?

Protect religious freedom.

Talking points on the failed Iraq policy.

Contribute to the DCCC now, to help stop Swift-Boat attacks, and triple match your contribution.

Read the newest update on Suzanne Swift and send a note of encouragement.

Vote on a Progressive Patriot.

Have you switched to Working Assets Long Distance yet? Do it – fabulous service, fabulous cause. Easy way to contribute to Progressive causes. Also, you get 2 free calls, per day, to Congress - which you now need due to the toll-free number being disconnected.

National Conference for Media Reform

Demand that Chevron support Prop 87.

Save our Oceans.

Stop illegal spying.

OK - Time to get to work. We have a lot to do if we are to save our democracy.

Quick - Call Now - Stop Disenfranchisement

These bastards on the Reich know that the only way that they can win elections is to disenfranchise as many voters as possible. They have been doing this the last six years and now they want to make it Federal Law.

The House of Representatives is currently debating HR 4844. It is a closed rule - meaning Dems cannot offer any amendments.

You can sign a petition against this here, but you also need to call your Rep right now.

1-888-355-3588

HR 4844 requires everyone to show photo ID and prove they are a citizen in order to vote in Federal Elections. Nothing to insure a paper trail. Nothing to have voting machines that are tamper proof. Nothing to allow voting machines that are auditable. Nothing to demand that our vote is not privatized.

These people will stop at nothing.

Take Action Monday

The Bush Administration is desperate.

As it becomes clearer that the American public will no longer put up with the disaster that is Republican control, their attacks become more cruel and frequent. As we get closer to the mid-terms and closer to electing a Congress that is accountable to the people, and holds this Administration accountable, the necessity to hurry and pass laws that will retroactively immunize Bu$hCo and his minions from criminal prosecution becomes frantic.

The more that all of this occurs, the more that we must roll up our sleeves and get to work. This is the greatest fight of our lives.

My inbox is full – let’s send these people a message.

Petitions:

• Support DC Representation

• We do not condone inhumane treatment.

• Support public financing of elections.

• We do not condone torture.

• Tell the GOP Do-Nothing Congress to get to work.

• Support HR 4232 – Get Out of Iraq Now

• Save our forests.

• Tallitsch petition to stop illegal wiretap legislation.

• Improve the way films are rated.

• Demand UN Peacekeepers in Darfur.

• Hold war criminals accountable.

• Support impeachment inquiry.

• Stop Darfur atrocities.

• WA – Support I937

• End the donut hole.

Events:

• DFA Night School – learn how to get involved

• Volunteer to be a pollworker. In addition, Dems are calling for everyone to vote absentee. Let’s ban electronic voting.

• Open Vote Consortium needs volunteers.

• Volunteers needed for WA State Dems.

• See “The US Vs. John Lennon" in Seattle – for free!

• Attend a Move-On Call for Change house party.

• Find a 50 State Event

• Advance screening of “The Wire” in DC

Items of Interest:

• Thank Wyden & call your Senators and ask that they support this.

• Amazing Lie By Lie Timeline

• What SS Privatization will cost you. (PDF)

• See how the Bush Admin has broken our military.

• Talking Points – Dems demand accountability.

• OpEd News offering to help support the candidates that you believe in.

Apathy is Deadly

So says the bumper sticker that I purchased yesterday.

I normally do not boutique shop, but I also spent way too much money on this t-shirt.

“Stop Bitching – Start a Revolution”

I do not blame anyone, after traveling this frightening political landscape, for becoming pessimistic about our future. However, look at what is at stake, the entire existence of our Country, and perhaps this planet, are contingent upon us taking our Country back.

The future wrests in our hands.

This is the most important fight of our lives and we cannot afford to fall into the discouragement and hand wringing and sense of doom that the Right wants us to. They want us to give up. They count on us staying home and not voting. Their goal is to encourage apathy in us. The fewer people involved, the lower the turnout at the polls, the greater their chances at stealing another election.

Goddammit – I know that it is frustrating and I know that we are not hearing from the Dems the words that we wish that they would say. One of the difficulties is that the Dems are denied a platform to speak. They are asking for equal time and some networks secretly acknowledge that the bully-pulpit has been unfair.

So, I ask – who will speak for the Democratic Party? I do not mean which spokesperson will they put forward. What I am asking is that we speak out for the Dems. They need our voice and they need us to be loud.

It is a shame when the supposed “freest” Country on earth needs to cheer, and start a letter campaign of thanks, when one media personality speaks the truth.

Look at the monsters who we are up against. How can anyone support this kind of behavior and these kind of people? I doubt that if Americans knew the truth and had it presented to them in the correct manner, that they would continue to support the Right.

In fact, Americans support impeachment, they do not support a get out of jail free card as Specter proposes. We absolutely must contact our Senators and Harry Reid and demand a filibuster on this tragic legislation. 1-888-355-3588

The facts are simple: if the President was within the law (a Federal Judge found that he was/is not) then there would be no legislation necessary to allow him to wiretap without a warrant.

Here are some fabulous talking points on the lawlessness of this administration. Feel free to offer other sites that have talking points; every little bit helps.

Here is an excellent site for talking points about issues that the middle class cares about. We need the Suburban vote. Use it. Talk to people. We absolutely must educate the public. We cannot afford to count on the media or the Democratic Leadership – who is denied a platform to speak. It is up to each of us. We must be the voice for the Democratic Party.

It is our Government. We are the Government. Remember this – a Representative Democracy is only a Representative Democracy when we participate.

If you cannot find anyone to talk to,attend one of these events.

Apathy is Deadly.

Quick - Call Now

Senator Reid has introduced an amendment to the Port Security Bill.

This is terribly important and the Pukes are claiming that it is partisan and not in order.

Call your Senators and demand that the Senate vote on this amendment and not throw it out due to an 'out of order' claim.

1-888-355-3588

Wednesday Petition Round-Up

A lot of petitions today, get out your auto fill form.

Protect Tasmania’s forests.

Give Peace a vote.

How should UFPJ respond to squashing of the 1st Amendment?

Protect real American values.

Demand the Senate not approve American gulags.

Support AmeriCorps

Tell Congress to say no to DOPA

LCV needs your vote on who they should defeat at the polls.

Suzanne Swift needs us to sign her petition and to call Congress.

Give That Man a Raise

Once again Keith Olbermann spoke the truth that so many of us feel.

It is difficult to comment on his speech; he said it better than I could ever say it.

He was amazing last night. Brilliant, eloquent, poetic, honest, gut-wrenching, bold and loud.

Loud.

We desperately need, in America, more of this truth speaking. He did not hold back and spoke directly to this Administration.

"And anyone who claims that I and others like me are "soft," or have "forgotten" the lessons of what happened here is at best a grasping, opportunistic, dilettante and at worst, an idiot whether he is a commentator, or a Vice President, or a President."

Wow.

"Five years later this is still just a background for a photo-op."

"It is beyond shameful."

Shameful indeed.

Keith Olbermann left nothing out of his “special comment.” He took everyone to task.

"They spend the money on irrelevant wars, and elaborate self-congratulations, and buying off columnists to write how good a job they're doing instead of doing any job at all."

Again, he speaks directly to this President and his failures.

"Five years later, Mr. Bush, we are still fighting the terrorists on these streets. And look carefully, sir, on these 16 empty acres. The terrorists are clearly, still winning."

I felt like he was speaking directly to me, and my sadness, when he reminded America of what the President pissed away with his arrogance and bravado.

"History teaches us that nearly unanimous support of a government cannot be taken away from that government by its critics. It can only be squandered by those who use it not to heal a nation's wounds, but to take political advantage."

Then he did it. Then Keith Olbermann uttered the words that we have been begging our political leaders to say. The words that we say in hushed crowds of people who agree with us – stating them in mixed company brings about scolding, at best, and being added to the ‘terrorist watch list,’ at worst.

"The impolite phrase is "impeachable offense.""

I cannot read these words without crying. I cannot. Mr. Olbermann has brought home to me the desperate desire that I have for our elected leaders to fix this.

Please, fix this disaster that America has become.

"How dare you, Mr. President, after taking cynical advantage of the unanimity and love, and transmuting it into fraudulent war and needless death, after monstrously transforming it into fear and suspicion and turning that fear into the campaign slogan of three elections? How dare you -- or those around you -- ever "spin" 9/11?"

I ask our politicians, those who we have employed and who are still – even if they forget – our employees. People who we send to Washington DC to perform our will, not theirs, to remember their duty to the Constitution, and to us, and to hold to account these monsters.

"When those who dissent are told time and time again -- as we will be, if not tonight by the President, then tomorrow by his portable public chorus -- that he is preserving our freedom, but that if we use any of it, we are somehow un-American...When we are scolded, that if we merely question, we have "forgotten the lessons of 9/11"... look into this empty space behind me and the bi-partisanship upon which this administration also did not build, and tell me:"

"Who has left this hole in the ground?"

"We have not forgotten, Mr. President."

"You have."

"May this country forgive you."

Mr. Olbermann is far more generous than I. Forgiveness for the monstrous and traitorous activities of this Administration will have to be begged for, and granted, by a being far greater than I will ever be. I do not forgive them.

I am afraid that Keith Olbermann treads on thin ice. I am afraid that his days are numbered and unless MSNBC hears from us, he will not be allowed to stay on the air.

Please write Keith:

KOlbermann@MSNBC.com

His Producers:

Countdown@MSNBC.com

The Network:

viewerservices@MSNBC.com

If you have more than one email address, write from all of them. We absolutely must show our support for Keith Olbermann.

In addition, call your Democratic Representatives, 1-888-355-3588 and tell them to speak these truths. Tell them to come out swinging.

Steve at TLC reminds us what they are not doing and what they need to do.

I ask the Universe to keep Keith Olbermann safe. He is our last hope for an independent media and an educated society.

Criminally Negligent

I crawled out of bed about 6:00 am PT this day five years ago. I turned on NBC local news as I always did, every morning, nothing was different - yet. The first plane had just hit and local news was interrupted by the Today Show which was already playing on the East Coast. Katie and Matt were attempting to figure out what was going on, the camera was on the towers – I watched the second plane hit in real time.

I was awe struck, as was everyone, on this day five years ago. I could not believe my eyes and I was mesmerized by what was occurring on my TV screen.

How I feel this morning, as MSNBC replayed that Today Show in real-time, and I was transported back in time to a different room on a different day watching events unfold that would change this Country in ways that I never could have imagined, is angry.

I am furious.

I wonder if the propaganda will backfire on this Administration. Everyone knows about the ABC crapumentary that is being shown blaming the Clinton Administration for the events on that day. Well – of course they needed to put out something to blame someone else.

No one has been held accountable for the incompetence and negligence that occurred on 09.11.2001.

Tom Brokaw was on that replay in real-time this morning. He said it then, and I will say it now. ‘Someone will be held responsible for these intelligence failures.’

No one has been.

The investigations were unwelcome and most attempts at accessing information were blocked. The 9/11 Commission attempted to get the data to fully investigate and there was meager cooperation. The Bush Administration did not want anyone looking at their failures.

I have studied many alternative theories to the official ‘conspiracy theory’ that has been told to the public for the last five years. I do not know what the truth is. I believe that there is more that we do not know than we do know.

We may never know what really happened.

What everyone can agree on, I am certain, is that the Bush Administration is Criminally Negligent for what occurred on that day and no one has been held to account.

When I watched the Ted Koppell special last night on the danger to our civil liberties and our Constitution as a result of the exploitation of 9/11, I thought to myself, this Congress would never have allowed Clinton this power grab. That thought was instantly supplanted with the realization that Clinton never would have had a chance to power grab: this Congress would have impeached him for the failure to prevent 9/11.

Bu$hCo is walking free and plays the photo-op part so well. Walking from mass-grave to mass-grave, placing wreaths and feigning grief.

He has absolutely no right to copy the grief of those who have really paid the price, when he has never apologized or been held to account for his failures or explained ignoring the PDB of August 6th. What part of "Bin Laden determined to strike” was so difficult to understand?

I am angry. I am far away from the tragedies both physically and personally. I do not know anyone directly involved. What I do know is that the family members are asking for a new investigation and for people to be held to account. In honor of them and for our Country to heal, I agree.

Sunday Link Fest

Things to Read and Ponder

• The truth about Iraq war deaths; a father’s story.

• BYU Puts “9/11 Truth” Professor on Administrative Leave

• Interesting Time poll

• Amazing site on Iraq

• What every soldier needs to know.

• Citizens for Legitimate Government has some interesting reading.

• Union of Concerned Scientists has some great articles.

• Straight Talk offers excellent talking points. Great reading on how to combat the right’s deceptions.

• (PDF) NWLC has a startling fact sheet on Women and Poverty and how women are losing ground.

• Fiction: also known as ‘president’s speech’.

Petitions and Such

• Tell the FEC to come down on ABC for their right-wing election propaganda. The 9/11 movie is nothing more than a six-hour republican campaign ad.

• Act for Change has several great campaigns.

• Citizens for Legitimate Government has several great campaigns.

• Leave My Child Alone Support efforts to reverse the NCLB Act provision which gives military recruiters complete access to our children and all of their information.

• Tell Congress to reject Bush’s military tribunals.

• Dump Sheldon We need Progressives, not DINOs.

• Tell the GOP Do Nothing Congress to Get to Work

• Defenders of Wildlife ongoing campaigns

• No Confidence on Rumsfeld

• Give Peace a Vote

Upcoming Events

• 9/11 Kean Commission Report Exposed as 'Fraud of Historic Proportions' on 9/11 Fifth Anniversary by Former 'Star Wars' Program Director and Top 9/11 Authors and Researchers at National Press Club Press Conference Just Before Kean-Hamilton Luncheon Address, Edward R. Murrow Room, 9:30 a.m.

• Washington State Courts in danger of being taken over by right-wing judges…tell WA voters.

• United for Peace and Justice has several events including Sept 19th in New York, Stand Up to Bush at the UN

• Young Global Leaders Summit

Activities and the Like

• Bob Hagan asks: Marc Dann is a progressive Democrat that needs our vote in Newspaper Poll being taken as we speak...cant contribute money...send this out to your friends and tell them to scroll down to the right side and vote for Marc Dann for Attorney General.

• MSNBC 9/11 poll

• Koppel Discovery Channel special on 9/11 and civil liberties

• Mainstreet Moms has several great activities.

• You can get a copy of Kerry’s speech from yesterday. It is good – but his performance on Late Edition this morning was excellent.

• Do you know Hong Tran? Neither did I, the Democratic Party in WA State wants to avoid a Leiberman. She is looking for activist support.

• ACLU Conference in DC

• CCR will be on Koppel’s Discovery Channel Docu. Watching this is a better choice than the ABC propaganda.

• The Secretary of State Project Protecting our vote by electing Secretaries of State with integrity.

• Stand Up Against Poverty

It's My Blog, Just Posting it Because I Can

The Trade

We are broken,
America,
all of us.

The State of imbalance,
ready to tip and fall
into the black abyss of crumbled empires
and ruptured spleens
of the body politic.

It is not enough, anymore,
to learn the truth of
blood stained streets and mass murder.

Our shores are covered with crimson lies.
They wash over fields,
drowning amber waves of grain
in their search for justice.

Prisons are built
with the mortar
of my name,
to hold people
who once believed
in the democracy here.
There is nothing to believe in anymore.
Lady Liberty’s light has gone out
(threats of terrorism have closed it down,
the stairs are off limits
and liberty is out of reach.)

A soldier,
who traded his arms
for the shackles of resistance
told me why:
“we have traded our humanity for patriotism.”

-Anjha
September 09. 2006

Stopping Right Wing Propaganda - Part 2

One petition at a time.

Steve at TLC has an excellent update on this propaganda and a truly terrifying look at who is behind this film.

Media Matters has done a tremendous job of documenting all of the media misinformation.

Think Progress has also rounded up a massive amount of data, including numerous calls to pull the film.


So far, I have received *seven petitions demanding that ABC not air this rubbish:

• Democratic Party

• Act for Change

• Congresswoman Slaughter

• Think Progress

Feel free to add more.

UPDATE (Friday 09.08) Two More Petitions

• Move On

• Stop Big Media Stop Big Media is an ongoing campaign to end big media consolidation. This 9/11 fiction piece is a prime example of what happens when all of the power is in a few hands.

UPDATE (Saturday 09.09.06)

• Media Matters

• Call Bob Iger & report your call here.

• People for the American Way are also asking that you report your call here.

Camp What?!

Did y’all know that there are three weeks of protest currently taking place in Washington DC? Probably not.

“The revolution will not be televised.”

The schedule of events can be found here. These events are coordinated through Camp Democracy.

I have been stating for a very long time that this mode of protest – blogging – although it is extremely cathartic and it is very educational, it diminishes the need of people like us to get together and share our outrage and actually do something about it.

Because we have this outlet for our rage, frustration and disgust we do not meet in kitchens or student unions or church basements. We do not get together and formulate plans on how to take our Country back.

Of special interest at Camp Democracy is the Bush Crimes Commission. I recommend reading through this site. I recommend seeing what we are up against and what is at stake.

The trial of Don Rumsfeld, This Can’t Be Happening dot net, and After Downing Street dot org all have more evidence of what we need to protest against.

This Administration is the most enormous threat facing America and the world. People need to fully understand what our future holds if we do not stand up and take our Country back from the criminals.

Get outraged. Show up. There is no more important event in our lives. Many protests are happening around this Country.

United for Peace and Justice is a tremendous resource for events and local chapters.

If you are able to travel to DC, may the road rise up to meet you and may the wind be at your back.

UPDATE: Saturday 09.09.06

You can listen to some people reporting from Camp Democracy as well as some PSAs here.

Videos from Camp Democracy can be seen here.

Forward Into Light

“Mr. President, how long must women wait for liberty?” These were the last words of Inez Milholland, a leader in the women’s suffrage movement.

Unfortunately, little is taught about the history of this movement. Many people do not know about the 72 years that women fought in order to gain the right to vote.

Last night we watched Iron Jawed Angels. A tremendous movie that documented how these women were also labeled “appeasers” and “treasonous”. Isn’t that always the way it goes; those who speak truth to power are marginalized and labeled enemies of the state? As documented in this movie, they are also treated extremely badly by the very government that is supposed to support and protect them.

These women, led by Alice Paul and members of the National Women’s Party, were thrown in prison for petitioning their government. They refused to pay the fines for the trumped up charges of “blocking traffic” and were subjected to torturous force-feeding when they went on a hunger strike as political prisoners.

Alice Paul fought her entire life for women’s rights. She gave up so much and suffered so deeply for me. I must honor her sacrifice.

The fight is not over. The Equal Rights Amendment has still not been ratified. Although there are many organizations who have picked up the torch, few people in America understand what is at stake or pay attention to the backwards spiral that the women’s movement has been in.

That is not really the purpose of this post though. This morning I received an email from Emily’s List stating that this November many women will not be coming to the polls.

Let me repeat that, this November women will not vote.

After everything that these women went through – as well as the women before and after them – in fighting so that we could have the right to have a say in the laws that we must abide by…

They deserve the honor and recognition of our votes. At the very least, out of respect for all of them, women must turn out at the polls.

Stopping Right-Wing Propaganda

One petition at a time.

As so aptly pointed out by Steve at TLC and Paradox at TLC and Steve, yesterday, at TLC as well as many, many other Progressive Blogs, ABC will be showing Right-Wing propaganda billed as a "docu-drama".

So far, I have received four petitions demanding that ABC not air this rubbish:

• Democratic Party

• Act for Change

• Congresswoman Slaughter

• Think Progress

Feel free to add more.

UPDATE (Friday 09.08) Two More Petitions

• Move On

• Stop Big Media Stop Big Media is an ongoing campaign to end big media consolidation. This 9/11 fiction piece is a prime example of what happens when all of the power is in a few hands.

My Hero, Senator Russ Feingold

Many of you might already know that I believe that the greatest hope for America’s future is Russ Feingold for President - 2008.

Senator Feingold is the only person who speaks the truth, speaks it loudly and is beholden to no one except his constituents, his Country and our Constitution.

In July Senator Feingold, through his PAC the Progressive Patriots Fund, created the Patriot Corps. He took applications from all over the Country and through our donations was able to hire these field organizers.

The Patriot Corps are a group of on the ground organizers who will fight in specific races to take our Country back. It is only through grass-roots organizing that we will be able to do this. Once again, Senator Feingold leads the way.

You can meet the Patriot Corps here.

Senator Feingold describes where these initial organizers will be sent.

And look, Anjha has a page at the Progressive Patriots where you can sign Feingold’s petitions and donate to support this excellent PAC.

Senator Feingold offers us hope. He offers us a future where the American Dream is still alive and well. A future where America is once again the shining light of the world as a place where the rule of law is king and people - all people - are valued. A future much different from the one of fear and danger and horror that the other side preaches.

I much prefer Feingold’s America.

Back to Normal

School started today and Congress is back in session; time to get to work.

Let’s remind the Congress, on their first day back, that we are paying attention. As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, we need to ask our Senators to sign on to Feingold’s Censure Resolution and demand that they denounce Specter’s ‘it’s OK to break the law’ Surveillance Bills S2453 & S2455.

EFF is asking that we remind everyone we know to call in and attempt to stop this nightmare legislation.

I have a few other petitions and such and then I need to get moving.

Demand that ABC to tell the truth about 9/11.


Here’s a special offer from the publishers of Thom Hartmann’s new book – Screwed: The Undeclared War on the Middle Class


Union of Concerned Scientists asks you to vote for the new science idol.


Support Unions.


Check out Charles Sanders campaign ad.


Wilderness Society asks that we attempt to stop oil and gas leasing in Alaska’s Teshekpuk Lake Region.


CodePink reminds us of the September 21st Nationwide Declaration of Peace. There are events all over the Country.


The Nation has a great resource for College and High School educators.


Stop the War on Iran.


For those in Iowa, Tom Harkin invites you to a steak fry.


OK everyone – have a great day. Time to get busy.

Love is but a Song We Sing

And fear's the way we die.

You can make the mountains ring

Or make the angels cry.

Though the bird is on the wing

And you may not know why.


C'mon people now

Smile on your brother

Ev'rybody get together

Try to love one another right now


Some will come and some will go

And we shall surely pass.

When the one that left us here

Returns for us at last.

We are but a moment's sunlight

Fading in the grass.


C'mon people now

Smile on your brother

Ev'rybody get together

Try to love one another right now


If you hear the song we sing

You will understand.

You hold the key to love and fear

In your trembling hand.

Just one key unlocks them both

It's there at your command


C'mon people now

Smile on your brother

Ev'rybody get together

Try to love one another right now

Right now Right now


Get Together

1969
The Youngbloods

Someone’s Knockin’ at the Door, Somebody’s Ringin’ the Bell

Do me a favor…

Actually, do the United States and the World a favor: canvass, doorbell, pound the pavement, get out the vote.

We are facing the most important election in America’s history and it is up to us to make sure that the Dems take control of the Congress. We have to be the voice for the people, we cannot count on the traditional media – they are in bed with the Whitehouse and their affair continues to spread disease all over this Country and the world.

Thom Hartmann succinctly lays out the threat that we face, and it is not external terror. We are facing a new Fascism, an American Fascism, a Fascism that we were warned about in the last century.

If you have not yet watched Olbermann’s most eloquent speech from Wednesday it is a must see. I am grateful that there is a single media person who remembers that because they use the public airways, they have a duty to be of service to the public.

We know the threat – the solution is to make certain that we have a Democratic Congress elected in November so that we can have some accountability in Washington DC. This will not be easy. We have to get enough votes to counter the number of votes that the Repukes will steal.

This is important; they have stolen the last three elections. We absolutely must make sure that there is a large enough turnout that any inconsistencies will be easily fought. (Side note: in CA 50th CA no longer has jurisdiction to fight the outcome of the election. Because Dennie Hastert swore in Bilbray, before the official vote count and before the election was verified jurisdiction in this matter is now in the US House of Reps. This is an outrage. It was a premature swearing in of Bilbray. What this means is that the House of Reps can avoid any count of any election by just swearing in the candidate prematurely. Do we really want Dennie Hastert to decide who our Reps will be?!)

Back to the topic…we must make certain that we get people to the polls. We can only do this by going door to door and talking to people. The Dems have all of the issues. We are on the side of the people. We just need to make certain that they will show up on November 8th.

You can locate canvassing events here. If you cannot find one, you can volunteer to host one.

In addition, I recommend finding your local Democratic Party (Google your County Democratic Party or your State Legislative District Dems.)

Take for example the 47th Legislative District. It has the links to every candidate’s site that the 47th District Dems need to be supporting. Each of their websites have an Events page, or a volunteer page - the events include meeting for canvassing. I know that there are events every Saturday, from now until Election Day. There are also, in some instances, daily canvassing events.

Get out and walk, get out and talk. It is up to us to take our Country back and to save the world from the disaster that is the neo-con agenda.

Friday, I Have Work to Do, You Tell Me, Open Thread Edition

I really have to get some work done today so I will not be around much.

I am hoping, that in edition to Open Thread ramble, perhaps you can tell me some Progressive Action that you have taken this week that actually made you feel like you were participating. This is important, the feeling that we get when we are making a difference, being a part of and impacting the political process, will help to take us through, and lift us out of, the despair that we feel when we watch the disintegration of our Country.

Being a citizen is not something that is granted to us as a birthright or comes with a piece of paper during Naturalization. Being a citizen is what we earn when we become involved in the administrative process of running our Country. Being a citizen is what we earn when we police the media and demand accountability. Being a citizen is what we earn when we pay attention, become informed and do something with the information that we uncover. Being a citizen is what we earn when we tell our employees what we expect from them.

We are a Representative Democracy. We are the employers, the politicians work for us.

OK, talk amongst yourselves.