John Aravosis As Drama Queen Boycott America Blog Not the DNC

Someone told me once that boycotts don’t work and I think this one won't work either.

I think that John Aravosis over at America Blog and some other leaders of the gay community have gone too far in calling for a donor boycott of the DNC, as they have done today, because of their perceived lack of progress by the Obama administration on the major gay issues of the day. Aravosis lists in manifesto style a number of grievances in his “don’t ask don’t give” call for a boycott.

He then goes on to demand that the Obama administration immediately address the major concerns of the gay community. They want what they want when then want it I guess. The list includes all the major concerns of the gay community, including repeal or reform of DATA, DOMA and ENDA before we should once again begin sending our donations to the DNC. I guess we are suppose to not make contributions up until the 2010 elections if necessary even though common sense would tell you that most of these issues have little real chance of being resolved even if the Obama administration started today with new resolve to address them.

Aravosis has been rather out spoken in his on going attacks on the President’s agenda, gay and otherwise, since the election. But what appears to fuel the attacks on the President is Aravosis somewhat personal agenda and timetable on the lack of progress by the new administration on gay issues. Aravosis may of been pushed over the edge by comments made last week by the treasurer of the DNC who indicated in a leaked email that America Blog continuing attacks on Obama were at the heart of growing "gay problem". America Blog editor and co-boycott creator Joe Sudbay when ballistic in a response and Sudbay and Aravoisis have probably been stewing for payback every since.

Today we got the announcement of the boycott. Making me think that the boycott is more about John Aravosis personally and America Blog then a constructive ways to bring about changes in gay rights. After reading the anti Obama rants of Aravosis for a long time I find him to be rather predictable.

I expect that I will be looked upon as being homophobic or worse for questioning the boycott. Bloggers like Aravosis and Dan Savage are not often questioned from those on the left, but I simply disagree. What I see is high handed and counterproductive grandstanding, personal score settling and actions that can do real harm to the long term agenda of both gays and progressives. I'm reasonably sure most lefties will more then willingly jump on the boycott bandwagon. I would hope you'd think for yourself on the wisdom of this ploy.

I assure you I believe that gay rights are paramount and certainly something that the Obama administration needs to vigorously address. But I also think that this type of action hurts all Democrats and gives the enemies of the party fatter to attack the liberals in general and influence the future of votes by moderates. Much of the responsibility for the problem is also misdirected as the responsibility of the President or his administration when action by the Congress is certainly part of the any equation or action on the gay concerns that Aravosis lists. Obama can not arbitrarily undo most of these policies just because he wish it where so. He must build a consensus and he must work with the members of Congress and citizens.

As I have pointed out before at length the gay community has to realize that there are priority when one governs a nation such as ours at this troubling time in our history. Furthermore, one should have to look no farther then to the results of the recent gay civil rights ballot issues here in Washington and in Maine. In Washington more than 47% of voters oppose the ballot issue. In Maine a gay marriage issue outright failed after it was rejected by just over 50% of the voters. Whether right or wrongly the outcome in Maine, a State known for its independence, and the voting from Washington represents nearly half of the people in both States who we know are not sufficiently convinced that gay rights are important or even needed. This is unfortunate but also revealing in what is says about the political power that will have to be harnessed whenever you bring about change on issues that involve the hot button issue of gay rights. Progressive realize that it’s wrong to oppose gay rights but politically it is also necessary to get a majority of people to agree with you before you can actually implement the needed changes.

The other bit of reality needed here is a question of priorities. Should the need for reform on gay issues supersede and risk progress on the other major issue of the day including such things as health care reform or the war in Afghanistan, Iraq or the economy? Sure peoples rights are important but you must also have the political power to make such significant change. Demanding it or wishing it were so will not work if you don’t have the votes or support of the moderates and blue dog conservative law makers.

• But won’t your pledge hurt Democrats?
• But if you don’t give money to the DNC, won’t that help elect Republicans who are even worse on gay issues, and other issues Democrats care about?
• You have to admit, gay rights is controversial – wouldn’t it be political suicide for Democrats to push gay rights? No matter how disappointed you are, aren’t Democrats still better than Republicans?
• President Obama has only been in office less than a year, why the rush?
• But aren’t there bigger priorities than gay rights for the Democrats to deal with, like health care and the economy?

Aravosis goes on in his post to list (above) and individually address expected objections to his boycott. I think he then rather self-servingly pooh-poohs all these objections. I would argue that the concerns Aravois himself raises are valid and progressives should think seriously for themselves on each before deciding to join this boycott.

Is Brian Baird Becoming Washington’s Liebermann?

What’s up with Southwest Washington Democrat Brian Baird. He voted with the Republicans to reject the health-care reform bill passed by the House of Representative yesterday. Unlike the other 38 Democrats who voted with the Republicans, and who for the most part come from conservative leaning congressional districts that went for McCain in the 2008 general election, Baird is from a mostly liberal district that overwhelmingly voted for Barack Obama. One would have to say that the majority of voters in WA CD 3 probably expected Baird to vote for passage of the bill.

Baird claims that he was concerned about the rules that governed procedure on the bill limiting any amendments and that the premiums for people with existing insurance may actually go up. He claims he is waiting for more information from the bean counters and therefore could not support the bill. "For these reasons, until more information is available on premium estimates and Medicare impacts, I will vote against the legislation in its current form," Baird is quoted as saying.

Well don’t go all mavericky on us Brain. I wonder if Brian would of changed his vote if he realized the bill was going to fail without it. It actually only passed with two votes to spare 220 to 215. Someone should ask him that question. The defeat of the bill would of probably killed health reform for the foreseeable future. And been a major embarrassment to the President and Democratic leaders in the House. So Baird’s game of chicken was a major gamble for him. Let’s say the bill had not of passed. We probably be calling for his head on a political platter this morning.

Or is Baird crazy like a fox? Maybe knowing his vote was not actually needed meant he could vote no and look like he’s more concerned and into the weeds on the micro details of the 2000 page bill then other Democrats while at the same time throwing a bone to the large number of tea party types that live in the the Third District. Time will tell. We certainly need to keep Mr. Baird’s feet to the fire and make sure he’s not getting so independent minded that he thinks he can override the will of those who elected him.

There will be no perfect bill. If Baird is willing to throw the health reform baby out with the bath water just because he personally requires certain guarantees in the final bill, that's not a good thing. America and WA State need major health reform now even if some aspects of this massive reform bill turn out to be flawed. Overall the bill will be a major step in the right direction. Corrections can be made as needed in the future. One hundred years of whipping this horse is long enough.

Are Proselytizing Atheists Becoming Just Like The Religious Bigots They Condemn

I like Frank Shaeffer , the writer who grew up in the midst of the beginnings of the modern Christian evangelical movement who now rejects their fanatical and heavy handed methods. His new book, Patience with God: Faith for People Who Don’t Like Religion (or Atheism) gives us a look at the other side of the religious coin, so to speak. It claims that atheists often are not really that much different in their fanaticism when compared to the actual organized religious fundamentalist types they are vehemently condemning as lacking in reason or as stupid crackpots.

Shaeffer’s point is that no one really knows the truth. Because humans are incapable of knowing beyond any doubt what the truth is when it comes to the existence of god or non-existence of God. He thinks that both sides should start from a place of humility and open-mindedness when they claim that their truth is the only truth. Most often delivered with the added claim that any belief other then their own also renders one ignorant or stupid. Bill Maher, Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins come to mind. I enjoy all three of these men’s ideas, but sometimes I think they take on a rather self righteous attitude and smugness when they argue in support of their atheist beliefs.

My personal experience is one of a person raised as a Catholic who fell away from that religion because of trouble with a number of its tenets. Later in life due to a personal crisis I began to look at spirituality in a different light. It lead me to a belief in god, but this time it was a god that was very personal and surprisingly actually worked in such a way as to revolutionize my perception of what it means to be human and alive. I would also argue that you needn't look to far to see the the destructive nature of dogma, and rigidness of any kind.

The important thing here is my experience of spirituality is extremely personal and what works for me may not necessarily work for you. Being an atheist may work for you after all. But it’s not my experience and I have no right really to dictate or claim or condemn you for what works for you. I guess what’s important is, does what you believe actually work to make your life better and happy and above all make you useful as a human being in concert with other human beings and nature.

I liked Shaeffer’s thinking because I’ve often noticed on a personal level the tendency of religious types to claim that there is only one way to salvation. He makes the point in his book that atheists are in fact claiming rather snobbishly the same thing by condemning and belittling those who believe in god. Who really knows? I guess the question is does what you believe or not believe work for you, and it’s really not anybody’s business to dictate to you what you should believe or condemn your beliefs, no matter what they are.

Here a video excerpt from a interview with Shaeffer from GRITtv about his new book.

Republican Anal Poisoned Mostly White Guys Shout Down Lie Exaggerate Mislead Obstruct In Final Attempt To Block Heath Care Reform Vote In House

Rush Limbaugh, in continuing fixation with his ass or getting penetrated from behind, said you can get anal poisoning if you support liberal ideas. If you can stomach the health care debate in the house you can watch the debate on CPAN live. Below is MSNBC Keith Olbermann segment on Republican strategy of doing nothing. from November 5th show.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Unfolding Blowback Shooting Incident At Fort Hood Shouldn't Be Really Surprising

Whether it's a soldier(s) with PTSD, right wing military trained fanatics who snapped or a latent terrorist attack from al Queda going on at this US Army base in Texas it's the type of blow-back you should expect when you meddle in the affairs, politics and kill people of other nations without real justification. The unfortunate thing about it is that soldiers are both the pawns and casualties, along with their families, of this type of government policy.

Prima-Donna Progressives With Hurt Feelings Decide Not To Vote

Continuing a pre Obama trend…… Or have we not learned anything? For example here in Washington State liberal laziness has most likely placed Referendum 71 in a closer then needed race for approval.

Daily Kos Markos Moulitsas complains that the progressive base didn’t turn out yesterday to vote in large numbers, while the Republican base did, because our feelings were hurt over a perceived lack of progress on major issues we cared about when we all voted in large numbers for Obama in last year's election. If true it really shows that progressives have a perception problem an a very unrealistic view of what is required to bring about major political chance in this country over the long haul, plus their just plain lazy. But, of course if Kos or Huffington Post says it's true then it must be. Every lefty blogger I'm sure will pick up on this shortsighted narrative like the sheep that the conservatives often claims we are.

After all the work of the last few years required in electing a Democratic President I for one have had it with much of the negative bitching and sniping from the left. You’d think nothing has been accomplished. In a continuing sign of the need for instant gratification in every aspect of our life progressives have apparently become disgruntled, having apparently reached the time limit on when their personal political wish lists should have been completed by the new administration and the US Congress.

It seems to me that Liberals and progressives fail to give the Obama administration credit for the progress it has made both in saving the country from complete economic collapse after eight years of the Bush debacle, and historic progress on healthcare reform, mentioning only a few of the accomplishments of the Obama administration in less then a year in office. Instead many progressive and the gay centric blogosphere would rather hang Obama on the cross of you didn’t repeal DADT or DOMA as a litmus test of the success of Obama’s first year in office. As I have said before, gay rights issues are important and crucial but simply not the highest priority given all the major issues and crises which this country faces at this moment in history including two wars.

Kos attempts to make its point with nonsense like, “If you forget why you were elected -- health care, financial services, energy policy and immigration reform -- you will lose votes.” Since when has the Obama administration forgotten about these issues? Last time I looked there has been major and historic progress made on health care and the other issue mentioned are certainly in the hopper. Once again showing that Kos apparently does not have a full understanding of the political process involved. Sure there have been some missteps and false starts by the Obama Administration. But, given the mess they inherited only the unreasonable would not give them credit for what they have done.

Rome wasn’t fucking build in a day folks! I’m sick and tired of all this BS coming from the likes of Kos, Americablog and Arianna Huffington and the rest of the Obama whine filled liberal blogs. It’s one thing to hold the President’s and the Congress’s feet to the fire, its another thing to enable progressive's apathy, bitching or excuses for not showing up to vote based on some exaggerated perception that your not getting your way on your pet issues you think deserve special priority. We should be looking to were we'd like to be in 4 years for god's sake.

Michelle Obama Harvesting The White House Garden

I love this report. It shows Michelle Obama harvesting the White House Garden. Costing about $200 to plant it has produced over 800 lb. of food. Excuse the commercial.

Free Boeing Labor Betrayal Poster

Union busters beware or the thing that is coming...

click on image to enlarge

Baseball Players Union Supports EFCA With Newspaper Ads

Don't we wish that all unions had the leverage that the ML players association has. Go Phillies!


via mlbefca -

Time To Remove The Obstructionists On Seattle City Council

If you read my blog you know one of my consistent rants has been that the Seattle process and political culture of talking endlessly about issues and ending up doing nothing needs to change. That is one of the main reasons I support Jessie Israel for City Council.

Letter To Senator Sleaze Bag Liebermann

My email to Senator Liebermann. Why don't you send one also.

Senator Liebermann,

You may be the most egotistical snake in the grass in politics today. And that's saying something given the quality of most of your Republican and some Democrats colleagues in the US Congress.

Health care reform and the public option is not about your ego Senator.

You may not personally, or the conservative ditto-heads in your state, may not like any form of the public option but your announced intent to vote with the Republicans against cloture denies the rest of the country from ever having the OPTION to even choose the public option in our own State.

You’re a phony and for sure finished in politics once your regrettable term as a US Senator is over. I am sure you've been totally bought and sold by the insurance industry, which explains your actions. Otherwise you'd vote for the public option that would make them compete like any other American business.

History will show that low-life's like you were never really the friend of working class people to whom you pandered for support and votes and from whom you owe most of your sleazy power. Your disgusting!

In Washington State we’d of run you out of office long ago. I hope the citizens of Connecticut do the same as soon as possible whether by election or other legal means.

Daniel O’Brien
Vashon, WA

“It’s like two quarter-pound stools of alien space shit crashed into a toxic waste dumpster in Stamford, Connecticut, fucked, and out came their mutilated, blood-soaked carcass of a baby rat-child, Senator Joseph Lieberman.” Wonkette

Too Hip For SLOG

You figure it out...

Video Evidence That Right to Lifer Randall Terry Is Shitbird Crazy

What twisted Christian righteousness driven mental illness looks like and I needed a Halloween theme post anyway.

Kaboom! New Scientific Study Says Vast Magma Pool Under Washington State

Viaduct about to collapse in earthquake followed by Mount Rainier, St. Helens and Mt. Adams blowing up.

Time For Talk And Stalling On Viaduct And Seawall Replacement Should End

Can you hear me Mike McGinn?

McGinn Banks On Hysterical Tunnel Cost Overrun Distortion

Mike McGinn having based his entire campaign on the deep bore tunnel and then lost the debate on whether to get on with building the deep bore tunnel to replace the viaduct now turns to pushing his rather hysterical argument about the possible cost overruns. Fuck the facts. Here is a interview done on the Dave Ross show on KIRO involving Representative Judy Clibborn, the author of the language in the legislative bill, dealing with tunnel cost overruns.

Dave Ross: The amendment that you wrote does not in fact have the force of law? So does it or not?
Rep. Judy Clibborn: I don't think it does.
Ross: Then why did you write it?
Clibborn: Ok, I wrote it because there were a number of people who were very uncomfortable, I wouldn't say a large number, but a few people who felt that... those people who benefited from the tunnel, mainly those people on the waterfront should in some way be held on the hook for cost overruns.
Ross: I get why you would want to write it, I'm just surprised you would write something that, to me, looks like it would have the force of law but which doesn't because that would seem to be trying to trick people into thinking they're protected when they're not.
Clibborn: It was a way to get three more votes and get the tunnel bill passed.

Okay there are going to be cost overruns. Grow the fuck up people. Any politician worth their salt or any brain dead engineer knows that. Why, Because huge billion dollar government capital projects and your own home remodel always cost more then you think they will. The main problem here is Joe Mallahan realizes that the cost overruns will be a issue to deal with and is willing to deal with it at the time it happens. He knows that the State, no matter what the law says, cannot impose a tax on the city without further negotiations and agreement.

McGinn meanwhile uses the issue as a tool to frighten people into voting for him even though it stalls or stops progress on finally fixing one of the biggest tansportation problems the region has on the table. The candidates stances on this issue show Mallahan as a reality based business man and McGinn as the opportunistic policy wonk who strikes me as knowing little about running a business. Just what Seattle needs, another inbred anti-business policy wonk to discuss the finer points of the cosmic effect on the average citizen of ever doing anything from start to finish ever. Let's fucking talk over the fine points Ad nauseam instead of being leaders who make big decisions.

Something tells me that voters will soon be thinking, if their not already, that Greg Nickels wasn't so bad after all. But then again he had to go because of the totally unreasonable stand on dealing with nightlife and clubs didn't he?

The deep bore tunnel is a 100 year fix, it's not a small deal. It cost money. But in 10 years your going to love that someone had the leadership to get it done and it will turn out to be a great deal for the taxpayers. No matter what McGinn and the milk toast peer driven lefty talk it to death blogosphere thinks now.

Chevron With Deathtron

I'm sick of watching American multinational energy companies portray their company in their advertising as your new best friend busy finding new ways to supply the gas you need for your 15 miles per gallon car while of course being champions of the enviornment.

But in reality they're really busy killing both people and the environment.

Here's the image they like:

Here's the reality:

Was Suspicous Fire At Teamster Hall In Tacoma Aimed At ACORN?

BREAKING NEWS DEVELOPING

Was a suspicious fire at Tacoma Teamsters hall last night aimed at the community group ACORN? It appears that ACORN has a office at the same address of 220 S. 27th Street. Wonder why the MSM hasn't put this together yet and started to ask the obvious questons. My efforts to contact the ACORN office both in Tacoma and Burien were unsuccessful in trying to get a live person on the phone to ask them about the fire.

Glenn Beck and the rest of the red neck talking heads may of pushed some Pierce County wingnut over the edge. If this fire turns out to be arson it will certainly add to the belief that hate speech can have grave consequences.

Another American Idiotic Media Frenzy

And another great American balloon disaster.

Gays Need To Consider Realties Of Governing A Nation That's Deeply Divided

I want what I want when I want it... modern politics.

The gay centric blogosphere is in a tizzy over statements attributed to a White House source calling them members of a loosely defined “Internet left fringe”. The statements were apparently made in the context of a White House that believes that 90% of Democrats support the President in his attempts to deal with major changes on healthcare reform, the financial meltdown, the economy and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thus with all that's on the President’s plate at this moment his administration apparently does not want to risk its limited supply of political capital on fights to also immediately take on anti-gay laws like DADT and DOMA.

I agree with the White House on this.

There seems to be a I want what I want when I want it attitude with the gay blogosphere that denies the real realities of governing this country at this time in our history. This is not to belittle the righteous of the gay communities cause or their valid concerns, but simply put, this President is under siege to reform many things that impact the majority of people rather than one loud and powerful and increasingly impatient interest group. It is commendable that the gay blogosphere and community has keep the Presidents feet to the fire, but it is counterproductive to attack the President as a fraud in a rather knee jerk fashion just because he has not made popular gay concerns the number one priority of his Presidency.

The other reality is that although public opinion on gay issues has improved favorably in the direction of gays, there still remains widespread ignorance in the nation and with the Republicans that could most certainly become a large distraction towards the ultimate success of other issues like healthcare reform, the economy and war and peace. In this atmosphere and in the world of politics the old axiom still exists in that one should know when to pick one’s battles.

I have little doubt that issues like DOMA and DADT and other gay concerns will in the end be dealt with under this President. It is a question of when, not if that happens. After only 10 months in office the President should be given credit for the things he has done already and not immediately condemned for some of the things that he has not done but, will most certainly get done if given time.

Rio Has Olympics And Government Run Healthcare

Barack Obama shouldn’t be blamed for not being able to bring the 2016 Olympic games to Chicago. I think that the blame, if there is blame to be considered, should be shared by most of us as a nation.

Yes, it’s probably true that the vote for Rio was a forgone conclusion based on the fact that the Olympic games have never been held on the South American continent and that Madrid had the head of the Olympic Committee, a Spaniard, supporting that city which pulled votes away from Chicago in the all important first round of voting.

But, what I believe the vote today really shows is more empirical evidence that this country has lost it audacity. It’s ability to pull off greatness and it’s ability to manifest our dreams. It’s officially become a trend.

Reports indicate that European delegates heavily influence the Olympic Committee. It doesn’t take a wizard to realize that at this particular time in history the United States is not held in the same regard as it once was in the eyes of the Europeans or the rest of the world, in spite of the election of Barack Obama. After eight or more years of Republican cowboy foreign policy blunders under George W Bush and others before him it’s no wonder they’d be more inclined to support other than an American city for the games.

Need I remind you that for the last eight years Bush more of less thumbed his nose at the Europeans and started a war in Iraq that many Europeans saw as evidence of government sanctioned criminal behavior, that as of yet has gone unpunished. That alone would turn the entire world against you so I won’t mention the complete collapse of the economy system or the American responsibility for wide spread torture as reasons why the rest of the world would be somewhat skeptical about what America stands for as a country at this particular moment. No one likes a bully or a know it all so why reward one with an Olympic games.

America has been given a timeout by the Olympic committee.

America has lots of explaining to do. Granted we have a great communicator in the new President who means well, but when the rest of the world looks at the facts they still see the moronic conservative political party and movement in this country that is still powerful enough to obstruct progress on just about every issue that faces us. Even stopping progress on the no-brainer like providing health care coverage for your citizens as part of a overall social safety net. Or a nation that could literally blow up the world by bumbling itself into electing a neo conservative leader who’s policy would be based more on crackpot religious dogma then reason or fact. They see a violent country happy to allow guns everywhere even if it makes no sense.

We are a country with a failing educational system, and a country that predominates in an every man or woman for himself philosophy of life devoid of empathy, which often leaves the weak to fiend for themselves, in spite of all our Judeo-Christian or other organized religious proselytizing. The problem actually spans both major political parties.

The Democratic Party version is acted out in the form of an ineffective, corrupt and badly compromised entity expected to manifest change, but that is unable to do so even though they control most of the power.

This vision of America certainly must trouble the citizens of other nations as much as it troubles many progressive Americans. We have lost our way. It’s not just the cowboy Republicanism and crazy talk but a sense that America’s time maybe passing. We are a country involved in two wars and a country that not too long ago came dangerously close to total financial collapse. On a personal level most members of the middle class find themselves heavily leverage financially and emotionally. We have become a nation that is often ruled by fear rather then hope on both a political and personal level.

The answer seems to be no we can’t, rather then the stereotypical American idea of a people willing to take bold risks that eventually would return a large return. We are forgetting how to dream or make the dream a reality. We are not open-minded about new ideas or cultures. We have become more protectionist and xenophobic towards the world as a whole. We seem to have spiraled into our own selfishness.

Alan Grayson For Majority Leader

What a pleasant thought. A majority leader in the House of Representatives who's knows how to fight with bare-knuckles. This is something the Republicans understand and have used effectively for years.

Everyone is flipping out over Congressman Alan Grayson of Florida and his floor speech about the Republican health care plan. To summurize: "Don't get sick" and if you do "die quickly". Most of the backlash, of course, is of the fake outrage kind which the right has down pat. But, sad to say, some members of Democratic party are acting squeamish about the tough talk too.

Get a fucking life Reid and Pelosi! Grayson is exactly what the Democrats need. Someone with guts and conviction who can articulate his point clearly and identify the Republican "lie factory" for what it is, pure corporate loving bullshit. Like so many Americans, I've had enough of the mamby-pamby mealy-mouthed BS coming from the Democratic leaders. We sent you to Congress to do a job.

I say lead or get out of the way.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Republican Heathcare Plan Finally Revealed

Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson of Florida did some research and discovered what the Republican Party's real plan is for health care reform. This is the type of tactic that Republicans have been using effectively to kill reform. Representative Grayson should be congratulated for turning the tables with this somewhat hilarious yet poignant presentation.

5 Democrats Sellout On First Vote On Public Option Before Senate Finance Committee

Here are the Democratic sellout artists. The vote on the first amendment for a public option failed 15 to 8.

Baucus (MT)
Nelson (FL)
Lincoln (AR)
Carper (DE)
Conrad (ND)

Update: Senator Nelson of Florida and Carper of Deleware voted for the second version of the public option called the "level playing field option". It also failed by a vote of 13 to 10. Senator Cantwell of WA voted for both amendments for a public option.

Progressive Ad Takes On Max Baucus

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee has a new ad that attacks Montana Senator Baucus healthcare reform sandbagging and his ties to the insurance industry. Call Senator Baucus's office and tell them you want the Senator to support the public option and stop sandbagging the Senate Finance Committee's healthcare bill.

Final Push This Weekend For Public Option Now Before Senate Finance Committee

Daily Kos has an excellent assessment of the life or death of the public option being considered by the the members of the Senate Finance Committee. A vote on the amendment that would include a public option in the committee's bill is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday. The Daily Kos post gives a rundown on the key pro and con Senators and who's votes will be needed for the public option to survive. Also provided are links to email or to call key blue dog Democrats who have been against or noncommittal on the public option. The final battle for the public option is more likely to occur in the Senate when a bill reaches the floor then in the house.

In recent days polls have been indicating that most Americans support the idea of a public option, even in the districts of many of the Blue Dogs who are not now supporting it. So the next three days are critical. NOW IS THE TIME TO EMAIL AND CALL THESE SENATORS.

If an amendment is approved by the Senate Finance Committee it would mean that all the health reform bills being considered by the Congress, both House and Senate, would include a form of a public option. Making the likelihood of it being part of any final health reform bill excellent.

How Will I-1033 Affect Washington's Economy?

Ask people in Colorado where a similar law had to be eventually repealed.



via" NO on I-1033

Number Of Americans Who Believe In Higher Power But Have No Religious Affiliation Grows

It's not surprising to me that surveys show that the number of Americans who believe in a higher power but are rejecting organized religions has grown. I personally am amongst that group. I've had it with organized religion long ago. I don't think I need to go into a litany of reasons. All I would offer is look around and you'll find that most of the conflict in the world in this day and age is rooted in fanatic or near fanatic organized religious dogma. I'm not just referring to Muslim extremists in some far away cave, but also to the American Christian Right, who also reject reason and fact, and helped indirectly to promote war in places like Iraq.

Hopefully I'm not throwing the baby out with the bath water. I also would add a caveat to the observation in that many organized religions provide hope and help to many who are in need. Both in a spiritual and corporal way. But quite often in my opinion organized religions involve themselves in areas of life in which they have no business, i.e. politics. They are so involved in converting people to their dogmatic causes and congregations that they fall into the thinking and trickery of thinking that their truth should be sold as the one and only truth or the only path to salvation.

The belief in Deism , which this new spiritual thinking is associated with is not new, but the interesting aspect is that it was thought to have been something that had enjoyed its peak in popularity long ago. In fact it was popular belief system with Thomas Jefferson and the founding fathers of this county. Apparently this new group of people, known as "nones", is growing. It's currently estimated to represent about 15% of the US population. If true it represents a group that is larger then most of the major denominations of the well known American organized religions.

Majority of Americans Support Public Option And The Myth Of Need For 60 Votes In Senate

Democracy for America's and Governor Howard Dean provide several surveys that show Americans support the public option. They also explain that 60 votes may not be necessary to pass reform. How does your Representatives and Senators stand on the pubic option? Click here to find out.

FOX News Turns Jim McDermott Into Republican

Fox News turns ultra liberal Congressman Jim McDermott (WA-7) into Republican when they think it will serve their purpose of misrepresenting who gets credit for unemployment insurance extension bill now being considered by congress.


via: crooks and liars

"You can't complain about healthcare reform if you're not willing to reform your own health"

Bill Maher can be rather snobby, rude and condescending sometimes, but more often then not he hits the nail right on the head with his non PC reflections on the issues. Maher is a master of saying things that need to be said in a rather uninhibited strait forward matter of fact way.

His new rule on healthcare reform "You can't complain about healthcare reform if you're not willing to reform your own health", is one of those times he points out the elephant in the room that none of our political leaders seems to be talking about when it comes to American health issues and healthcare reform. I think I hear more about this from talking heads on the right then on the left. Except maybe the ditto heads use it for an excuse for not reforming healthcare more then as what it really should be, a value added aspect of overall reform of the healthcare system and our eating habits.

Whether it's all the fat teabaggers mostly from down south who have the highest rates of obesity going because of overly fat diets and eating habits, smoking or the general lack of exercise in America generally, we are not a very healthy country period. I recently started smoking again even though I knew full well that not smoking is the number one way to prevent a number of major causes for eventual death. So forgive me for the pot calling the kettle black here. But, of course, I'm about to quit.

I work as a volunteer at the VA and one of the things you notice if you pay attention is the VA is very concerned about obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, and diet. As one of the major health delivery systems in the country they realize by encouraging patients to live a healthier lifestyle they also keep the enormous cost of any eventual treatment down. Which makes them one of the most efficient delivery systems in the country.

Maher criticizes Obama for picking a "fat" surgeon general. Or for not getting out front on issues like taxing soft drinks. It would make sense to me if you tax booze and cigarettes then you should tax the shit out of all the other things that lead to obesity and health problems. Maybe the money raised could help pay the way for healthcare reform. Seems logical. But have you seen the laughable ads already being broadcast and paid for by the soda pop industry? How about getting rid of corn syrup for starters? Here's a transcript:

"Now, President Obama has identified most of the problems with the healthcare system, but there's one tiny issue he refuses to tackle. And that's our actual health. And since Americans can only be prodded into doing something with money, we need to tax crappy foods that make us sick -- like we do with cigarettes, and like we do with alcohol. And alcohol actually serves a useful function in society, in that it enables unattractive people to get laid, which is certainly more than I can say for Skittles.

Now, I'm not saying we tax all soda, but certainly any single serving of soda larger than a baby. If you don't know whether you burp it or it burps you, that's too big.

We need to make taking care of ourselves an issue of patriotism. And if you are someone who condemned Bush for not asking Americans to sacrifice for the war on terror, sorry, but the same must be said for Obama and healthcare.

The president has already made it clear, there'll be no "sin tax" on food on his watch. And at a time when it's important to set new standards for personal responsibility, he appointed a surgeon general who is fat". I'm sorry real fat. Certainly too heavy to be a surgeon general. You know, it's a role model thing. It would be like appointing a Secretary of the Treasury who didn't pay his taxes. Oh, he did? He did. My bad.

And get this: our new surgeon general, Regina Benjamin, had previously been a nutritional advisor to Burger King. Which sells something called an "Angry Whopper Triple" that has 1,300 calories and 91 grams of fat. The only advice a health expert should give Burger King is to stop selling food.

The nutritional adviser job was described as, get this, "promoting balanced diets and active lifestyle choices." And who better to do that than the folks who hand you meat and corn syrup through a car window?

You know, when you have a surgeon general who comes from Burger King, it's a message to lobbyists. And that message is: "Have it your way."

Evangelical Sub Culture And Racism Drive Wacko Right-Wing Protest?

I like Frank Schaeffer especially because he is highly disliked by right-wing nut-balls and teabaggers. Their hatred stems from his continuing exposure of what maybe really underlying the nut-job arguments and what is driving the increase in dingbatism within the Republican Party.

So the protesters really aren't interested in protesting an alleged bad policy. Their anger and philosophy is based in evangelical Christian end times, crank religious dogma, anti secular, pro life extremist movement beliefs mixed with lots of old school institutionalized racism. More often than not this philosophy rejects fact, science and reason and even, I would argue, the teachings of Jesus himself.

The Party Of No's Favorite Movie Trailer

Don't act, think, of do anything every. Because!

Mary Travers Remembered

The stunningly beautiful Mary Travers of sixties folk revival hit group Peter Paul & Mary died Wednesday. The acoustic nature, harmonies and music may seem a bit corny to the uneducated but this group had a wide influence on the folk music renaissance and the success of contemporaries like Bob Dylan and many others. The idealism of the music and it's themes of social justice were at the heart of the coming social revolution.

5th CD Republican Kathy McMorris Promotes New Wingnut Claim "Disabled Kids Death Panels"

I grew up in Washington and it embarrasses me every time I think that no nothing a-holes like Cathy McMorris-Rogers and Doc Hastings are actually representing this state in Congress. My kids call me from back East and complain because they thought Washington was a blue state.

McMorris-Rogers jumps on Republican health reform bullshit spreader with this wack job like doozy. "Republicans warn of rationing for disabled children". Here's a taste.....

"McMorris-Rodgers could not point to any specific language in the legislation currently before Congress that would deny health care to disabled children, but she said she and the families were worried that a government-run health insurance plan would give power to a government bureaucrat who would be able to decide whether or not "certain procedures or certain devices" would be covered for individuals. The independent fact-checker PolitiFact wrote last month that there "is no panel in any version of the health care bills in Congress that judges a person's 'level of productivity in society' to determine whether they are 'worthy' of health care."

Rachel Maddow had a segment about this story on her show on MSNBC tonight where McMorris is making an ass out of herself while standing on the steps of the nation's capitol doing a her version of a Michele Bachmann imitation attempting to spread this lie. Fact: Government run SCHIP and Medicaid programs provide health coverage for all children now. So I guess McMorris is against that since some bureaucrat is getting between the kids coverage and their doctor's right to send them before these new socialistic nazi kids death panels.

We Should Shapoopi The Health Care Debate Narrative

I think that Vern Fonk should be hired to do the ads for health care reform. The nearly always hilarious Fonk ads may appeal to the simple minded on the right by keeping it funny and yes, simple. Just close your eyes and imagine what Fonk could come up with to sell the public option or employer mandate.

My Letter To Senator Max Baucas

Dear Senator,

When your old and gray and no longer a Senator, I hope, and your sitting on your porch enjoying the sunset I hope this thought comes to you.

By your complete capitulation to the corporate powers in the health insurance industry you will literally be responsible for the deaths of many ordinary folks long before their time. Furthermore you will have literally taken bread out of the mouths of the children of working people all over this country. In addition, your actions will have helped destroy the trust that Americans should have in the process and justice of government.

Your a gutless tool of corporate America. All their money and favors are not going to change that, because you have decided that your ego and apparently your lust for power, money and your beloved Senate seat are more important to you than the general welfare of this nation or it's people. Your a disgusting phony who I will work to defeat in any election where your name is on the ballot even if I have to drive 1000 miles to do it.

In the end you will have to live with this personal failure on your conscience knowing that you have sold out the vary people who put you in power in the first place, including the weak, the powerless, and those without a voice who long for someone who will bring justice to them. As the President said, this is a moral issue, not some backroom corporate sham or deal like you apparently have made it.

After all these months of fighting for health reform, and after all your stalling only to benefit the powerful, you have deliver a bill that will actually do nothing to protect working people or make the insurance industry honest. In fact it will make them even more powerful and greedy. There's a Woody Guthrie song where the lyric goes. “some people rob your with a gun some people rob you with their pen”. You, of course are in the category of hold-up men who are doing the latter.

It's funny how these right wing and corporate types are always yelling for competition except when they are the ones who are expected to compete. Your bill does nothing really to control the cost of health insurance and its burden on American families. Instead it will make your allies in the insurance industry, who have apparently bought and sold you, even more embolden to rob, and yes, kill people. Don't try to put lipstick on this pig either, because you will fool no one really except the ignorant.

But you know what going on Max don’t you? Maybe not...

I will be sure to tell my children that if your bill or anything similar to it passes as health insurance reform that the blame for the sham and complete sellout should be directed at Montana Senator Max Baucus. Furthermore, I hope your branded with a reputation for failure and selling out working people for the rest of your life. If you came to my home I’d throw you out into the street with the rest of the rife-raft and con-men. You’ve disgrace your state, a state I’ll have you know where my grandmother was born and once had a history of caring about protecting the welfare of working class people. How times have changed.

In the final analysis it's not about you or your power or Montana or even your Senate seat after all Senator. It's about having the courage and backbone to do what's right when the political going gets tough. People like you are seldom remembered in history because really you stand for nothing except your own self-aggrandizement.

So thanks for nothing! Hope the millions in corporate contributions make you happy.

Daniel O'Brien
Vashon, WA

p.s. I urge you to also contact Senator Baucas by clicking here.

New Website: Bombard Baucus!

A simple way to access information for contacting health care reform obstructing Blue Dog Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee including Fax Max Baucus, Ben Nelson, and Ken Conrad.  Call their office today and tell them to stop blocking health reform and the public option. Tell you friends.

Robert Reich's Straight Forward Short Video Explaining The Public Option

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich's gives us a concise video where he explains the public option and a need for your involvement in the fight for reform NOW.  That would be right NOW.

My Blog Post That America Blog Editors Didn't Want You To See

The other day I wrote a blog post based on the premise that the blogosphere is somewhat overly gay-centric. The thinking is that many major gay bloggers are in a snit over the failure of Obama to move legislation dealing with gay civil rights forward quickly enough, and this bad feeling has spilled over into a general bashing of the President for anything they perceive as failure or lack of leadership by the White House on other major issues of the day. Apparently. an observation that Im not alone in wondering about after seeing this post on Open Left this morning.

I posted a comment on a America Blog story that was bashing the president one more time with a link to my blog story. My comments were subsequently removed and are now lost forever.  I believe it is because the people at America Blog didn't like what I was saying in the linked blog post not the comment itself because it didn't agree with their views or hit a little close to the heart. I realize that it's their blog and they can accept or delete whatever comments they wish. They accused me of bashing the editor John Araviosis and only posting a link to my blog to gain traffic. Two things I deny. I think it was rather heavy handed given that the thrust of my post and link was on point with their story and what could be their possible motivation for their continued slamming of Obama.

Update: Found the comment posted under my facebook username Ricky Cresciend'o that started the brouhaha:

"Ricky wrote a comment on AMERICAblog via DISQUS: "Mr. Aravosis could you please stop bashing the President. The has become more then just worthwhile or productive criticism. It actually helps Republicans and in the end you will get nothing accomplished that improves the situation. For more of my opinion about what's really going on here please reference: http://artistdogboy.blogspot.com/2009/09/does-gay-centric-blogosphere-exist-and.html"

As you can see although my comments were blunt they were far from anything over the top in my opinion. My complaining has now got me blocked from posting any further comments..... on America Blog. I think I'll slit my wrists, not.

What If Everyones Wrong And Substantial Health Care Reform Is At Hand

The left is in a snit over the possibility of no public option. The right hopes the summer of teabagging the health care town halls has won the day. But what if both are completely wrong. What if substantial reform of health care is really on the doorstep and the overly partisan forces on both sides have only been yelling at each other from inside their respective echo chambers?

President Doesn't Back Off Public Option In Labor Day Speech

In spite of all the negative chatter about the President dumping the public option when it comes to health care reform. It didn't sound that way in his Labor Day speech at a Cincinnati Labor Day rally today. To quote the President, "I continue to believe that a public option within that basket of insurance choices will help improve quality and bring down costs".

Does The Gay-Centric Blogosphere Exist And Has It Had It With Obama?

Lately you can hardly find a major left leaning blog that’s not busy bashing President Obama. Whether it’s calling him a wuss for allowing the narrative on the Health care debate along with the so call public option to go off the rails or for his failing to immediately address and deal with LGBT community poster child issues of don’t ask don’t tell and gay marriage civil rights.

Only six months ago everyone on the left was totally ecstatic about the election results. It was the dawning of a new era of change. Maybe Obama raised our sights to high with his lofty rhetoric or made promises that in reality were not achievable even within his first term, given the unseen and now well known failures by the Democratic Party’s new control of Congress. Congress’s failures are not necessarily the responsibility of the President I would argue. So, In other words thank Senator Baucus and Harry Reid if the public option fails, don’t blame Obama.

America Blog’s openly gay John Araviosis was posting so much on gay issues, especially DADT and gay marriage civil rights, he had to create a separate blog just so the flagship blog would be actually reporting on anything else. Now a day doesn’t go by without Aravosis in someway slamming Obama as incompetent or worse. Why so much venom? There is something else going on here. It’s not politically correct and the elephant in the room and surely I will be thought of as a dick for saying this. But, is there a gay-centric bias prevalent in the lefty blogosphere and media, and is it fed up with Obama because of its disappointment with him over not addressing gay-centric political issues? Has this spilled over into a general tendency by these pundits to trash the President whenever the going gets tough on other major political initiatives?

By this I mean that often issues that involve gay rights appear to be getting more attention then other major issues of the day that are systemically more important when it comes to setting national priorities for change and for the continued vitality of our republic. Are LGBT civil rights issues, although vitality important, as important as many leading bloggers, pundits, and major media types think they are when compared to issues that more directly effect everybody else in society. If tomorrow you had the power to choose between health care reform and repealing don’t ask don’t tell, which would you choose? You can only pick one. Ending the war in Afghanistan or passing laws creating marital civil rights equality for gays?

These are in effect the types of priority battles that the President must choose to take on each day.

Dare I say that I believe what’s at the heart of this negativity is not so much disapproval or the lack of clarity coming from the White House on the major issues of the day. But, rather I think what’s at the heart of this disappointment is a gay-centric blogosphere and liberal media with a axe to grind. The sentiment and thinking I believe is based on a belief that because the President has not immediately and decisively moved gay civil rights issues to the head of the line, where the LGBT believe they belong, he is suddenly not the same Barack Obama they remember electing. Because of this thinking there is a tangible snit going on. There is the tendency to avoid looking at the bigger picture, and a backlash of negativity and even talk of a failed presidency, and this after only 9 months in office.

Gay bloggers, writers and media pundits are pissed about the lack of action on issues they hold dear and I think this is clouding much of their thinking about the President’s progress and priorities or lack of it in general. I think gay influence on the blogosphere and media is real and profound. I also think it’s good except when it effects your overall vision of the world and fails to realize that most of the world is not gay and arguable not seeing every issue based on the personal experience of being gay.

So is the President misguided for not championing major LGBT community issues and giving them top priority? It is not he alone that governs after all. He has an indecisive, muddled and Reid and Pelosi led Congress to convince and like someone said, “it’s like being Michael Jordan on a bad team”. So he must pick his battles carefully no matter how righteous the cause may seem to you personally. If anything the attacks should be aimed at the Congress not the White House. This nonsense of calling the president incompetent only emboldens the Republicans and weakens progressives in the end. As important as LGBT concerns about civil rights are they simply do not out weigh the need for other major initiatives in the long list of national priorities.

How soon we forget the past and how counterproductive this type of mind set becomes will be important in the immediate future in determining what type of government we get in the end under Barack Obama. Obama inherited a complete mess and here we are only 9 months down the road and people are acting like nothing has been accomplished. Much of this negativity I believe is centered in the above mention disappointment over the fact that Obama did not on his first day in office strike down all laws, and institutions that affront gay rights. A power he doesn’t really possess individually. You can also blame it on short-term memory loss and the all American spoiled need nowadays for instant gratification.

In the end I believe that gay civil rights issues will by address by the President to the general satisfaction of all those concerned about these inequities. His inability to do so now will be forgotten. In the mean time lets get our priorities strait and stop unfairly blaming him for everything that's wrong with the process.

Jackson Brown's Tribute to Harry Bridges

From the PBS special From Wharf Rats to Lords of the Docks. The story of Harry Bridges and the ILWU

My Ode To Labor Day Save The Economy By Buying Shit You Don't Really Need Made By Slave Labor

One of the major reasons we are in a protracted and recurring economic downturn is that we don't really make anything in this country anymore. All those union wage manufacturing jobs got shipped off to China, Mexico or some other free market third world country. Some American home grown capitalist who's commercial makes you all warm and fussy about being American and who use to make things here can now make even bigger and more scandalous profits on the backs of the powerless workers in the many sweat shops of the world, just to sell it back to you here in la la land. Along with the jobs goes the flow of capital to the corporate masters and governments of other countries while America is left swimming in debt.

It may not be as simple as just creating more manufacturing jobs again, though. As the Springsteen song Your Hometown says,"these jobs are going boys and they ain't coming back". But working people can certainly demand better wages and working conditions which can give them more buying power which will increase consumer spending which will lift the economy. The labor movement can play a major role in the recover. That's why the proposals like The Employees Free Choice Act could be crucial in creating an atmosphere where workers can be on a level playing field with employers should they wish to join a union. Paul Krugman made this point in a open letter to the President in January citing approval of card check and real health care reform as crucial to a overall plan for economic recovery.

You don't see it that way I know. You think that it's neat that most of the wealth in this country is concentrated among a relatively small number of rich people. Leaving only the income crumbs for the rest of the workers who, by the way, produce that wealth in their be thankful you have a job, job. It's all the better that way to keep you from complaining about it. Thinking all the time that somehow your going to be the one that breaks the mold. Maybe that could happen if we realized they have more in common with the working class then chasing a delusional dream that I'm better then being just working class.

Rather snobbish and condescending I'd say. This of course flies in the face of the belief that either your a person who is working class and therefore the real salt of the earth one who makes their living with dignity and honor or a your a moron who has no initiative. Common corporate induced stereotypical propaganda themes. It's not enough to be contently producing wealth for oneself, your family and the boss. Isn't it a truism that material possessions have little to do with real happiness in an enlightened society. So what's the point in compiling lots of stuff anyway?

Making people think there's a simple or less effortless way to be happy is the key to the man keeping you in the everlasting mode to buy cheap shit that you don't really need that has a 9 out of 10 chance that it was made in China or Mexico by some poor stiff who's working for close to slave labor wages. The false belief is that there's no actual work involved, it's just a matter of finding the silver bullet short cut to a wonderful life that awaits for those without love handles or labor union membership.

Okay you go to Walmart, who's reputation for exploiting their workers is well documented, because you can't figure out that your caught up in the wasteland lifestyle that is an American in bred tendency of not giving a shit about the long term effect of your misguided consumerism or how it effects other workers in this world.

Still in that dead end job? That's the plan that someone forgot to explain to you when you bought hook line and sinker that American dream. Your in debt up to your eyebrows beholden to the credit card industry or your bank and looking for some way to forget. They've got you right where they want you. Broke, desperate, demoralized, and driven by fear. How much more of a capitalistic whore can you be? Shopping for cheap shit to get that temporary endorphin rush hoping it fills that empty spiritual hole in your freaking soul that you don't realize or deny even exists, and I'm not talking about the corrupt spirituality of organize religion here.

Well, at least if your going to work in a job you don't really like you deserve fair paid, real health insurance reform, better working conditions, a secure retirement and lots of time off to workout with your thigh master or to buy more unneeded crap. Maybe you should considering joining a union which may be the ticket to all that plus regaining your dignity while helping the economy and showing some solidarity with other workers in this world. Most of us are in the same boat after all.

O'Reilly The Ugly American Idiot Blowhard Trashes Amsterdam

Bill O'Reilly once again proves he's a moron. This is a common problem with many Americans. Being morons, they criticize European culture but have no direct experience gained by actually living or visiting there.

The truth is most European Union nations, and Canada next door, have social and government institutions that are superior to those provided in most of the US. Let's take crime rates, health care, environmental protection, education, a strong social safety net, and even the success of the so called nuclear family unit. I like the quote O'Reilly spouts, "the way they do statistics in the Netherlands is different", when one of the Fox News blond bimbo talking heads presents statistical feedback that he maybe fucking wrong.

Must See Bill Maher Interviews Bill Moyer On Health Reform

Bill Moyer can articulate the issue of health care reform better then most. The interview from Bill Maher's Real Time Show last Friday is compelling and informative.

All The Kings Men

I remember sitting on the floor of my Uncle's house on his farm just outside CleElum, WA on the summer night in 1960 when John F Kennedy was nominated by the Democratic Party to be their presidential candidate. As a rather impressionable 13 year old Irish Catholic boy I considered it quite a moment in time. We rarely were allowed to watch Television. So it was special. My Uncle, an Italian, was an Eastern Washington farmer, gypo-logger and a Democrat. A rare find in Eastern WA today.

Many of my ilk didn't believe it could happen then. But the Kennedy guile made Catholics and especially those who considered themselves mostly Irish proud of our heritage. A heritage, I may add, that was the backbone of the American Labor movement, and gave us many of the social reforms and protections working class people take for granted today in America. The Kennedy brothers were a extension of that progress.

This was the begining of the Kennedy brothers long legacy in American politics. Although the Kennedy's were imperfect, rich and mortal most of the time they were also champions for weak, poor and the working class. Their idealism, oratory, and wit inspired us. With the passing of Teddy today the final Kennedy brother of that generation is now gone. Teddy had his flaws, his boozing, his womanizing, but he still seemed to never forget that he was an important voice for the middle class, the common folk and the vulnerable everywhere. I think in many ways the Kennedy's imperfections and their absolute zeal for living is what endeared them to many Americans. People recognized in the Kennedys their own imperfections and most reasonable people often forgave the brothers for theirs.

Like his brothers before him, Edward Kennedy fought for civil and human rights, dignity for all, and organized labor and he especially fought for health care reform. A battle he lead for nearly 49 years. It is too bad that he will not be here with us to see that chapter in his life successfully completed. But, maybe his passing will become the impetus or spark that will make enough people and their representatives realize that real health care reform's time has come in this nation in spite of the demagoguery and lies of the Republican Party, their corporate numskulls or the loony of the radical right.

National Sick Out For Heath Care Reform October 9th

Is the health care reform debate making you sick?. Then call in sick on October 9th to show your support for health care reform and a viable public option.

This is my attempt to start a grass roots based action that will give people a vehicle to show that they are sick of insurance companies and their duped politicians and crazies controlling the debate. I believe the majority of Americans support health reform with a strong and viable public option, but they feel somewhat impotent about what to do about it. This could be their chance.

I need your help spreading the word. Post this link to your facebook, myspace or twitter account. Lets show the health insurance industry that we mean business with a national day of action.

Here is the website I've just put up.

Danny O'Brien

What The Hell Are We Doing In Afghanistan?

I think many on the left have a sinking feeling about America's present strategy in Afghanistan. This Robert Greenwald film does little to quell that feeling. Maybe it's time for a reboot before we escalate the situation into another American nightmare.

I'm A Jeffersonian Asshole

How many crazy town talking points does it take to make you a twit.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Sarah Here's A Reality Check On Health Insurance Reform

The white house new website with some great videos addressing the major wingnut myths about health insurance reform.

It’s Time To Put Nick Licata Out To Pasture

He maybe the sweetheart of the fussy, knee jerk echo chamber occupying artsy-fartsy lefties and to the hipster writers at the SLOG who cream their jeans all over their computers at the thought of their champion. Apparently they support Licata’s feeling groovy ideology rather then for any known major civic accomplishment over the last 11 years. Most of Nick's accomplishment tend to be a subtraction rather then a addition to the vitality of the city I think.

He’s well meaning and probably a real nice guy, but its time to put Nick Licata’s parochial, vision less obstructionism and phony political posturing on the Seattle City Council to an end. 12 years of keeping Seattle from being visionary or obstructing meaningful progress and projects whenever he can should be enough.

Change is good people! Especially in a city known for taking as much time as possible to get anything meaningful done, also known as the Seattle process. At the center of that process stands one Nick Licata, chief civic bullshitter and mouse milker.

Licata said it himself in 1989 when he pushed for a two-term limit for City Council members. Believing at the time that allowing 3 terms would produce bored, lazy and unimaginative lawmakers. Well I don’t know about the bored or lazy part, but Licata has nailed the unimaginative part almost every time some big challenge or issue faces the city. It's just say no Nick. That’s fine if you want to live in Hicksville, but it doesn’t pay the rent if you want to act and be a metropolitan worldly world-class city.

Let’s look at some of the record. Licata fought light rail in favor of buses. He favored the reconstruction of a new even bigger monstrosity of a viaduct. He opposed the Mariners and Seahawks stadiums, now both successes. While president of the Council he opposed the Olympic Games 2012 bid, effectively helping to kill it. Meanwhile Vancouver, BC will welcome millions in tourist dollars next year by staging the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Much of the money Vancouver is getting to underwrite and build for their games will be Canadian federal funds that will leave long term civic infrastructure improvements once the games leave. As it was in Salt Lake City when they hosted the winter Olympics. But Licata didn't see that opportunity when Seattle wanted to step up to the plate. Instead, he wanted to ban circus animals from the city limits in a classic snobby, condescending, example of social engineering and overreach of his role. He led the charge that drove the Sonics to Oklahoma City. Hey basketball and NCAA tournament fans remember that? I only hope you remember to vote on August 18th.

Licata has done some good things. He been a advocate for the homeless, housing and supporting the arts. But I just don't think his record warrants making him practically a Seattle City Council member for life.

Many think driving the Sonics out was a good thing. The effect of their loss on the city will be “next to zero” Licata told Sports Illustrated at the time of the debate. Well tell that to the merchants, nightclub operators or their former employees on lower Queen Anne, or to basketball fans. Not to mention the potential lost tax revenue and the harm it did to the city in the way of our image as a city that could get and keep it’s shit together enough to save the franchise.

He opposed the SLUT streetcar saying it only benefited Paul Allen. He is often anti-business in favor of elements of the community that are consumers rather then those that produce jobs and business tax revenue. There has to be a balance for a city to be viable folks. We don’t need a Council full of members who are forever caught up only in their own tired mostly anti-business ideology, a Licata specialty, because you won't have a place to freaking work and earn a living people.

But, the most annoying thing about Licata is his penchant for posturing and obstructing on an issue up until he sees that it’s politically advantages to flip flop. Usually after irreparable damage has been done. This was especially evident on the viaduct replacement and transit issues. Licata often supports the status quo or is seldom for something, just mostly against. His positions and policies seemed like they are aimed at returning Seattle permanently to Podunkville. It’s time we had some different and hopefully visionary leadership on the council. Seattle could be a player not a city known for not being able to get big things done as it has become with Licata muddling up the works.

My endorsement goes to Jessie Israel because I think she's the best of the two candidates running for his seat, and I think the effect of loss of Licata will be as he himself put it, “next to zero”.

Note: Licata is opposed in the August 18th primary for City Council position 6 by King County Parks Manager Jessie Israel and Architect Marty Kaplan.

Crazy for God Author On Town Hall Hooligans... "The Election Broke Their Brains"

The video below I think this is one of the most precise and insightful interviews I seen on TV about what is going on behind the hooliganism and violence we see at town halls across the country and what part talk radio and to a certain extent the religious right are playing.

It's a violence prone and dangerous gambit.

He points out the people showing up at the meetings are white people who are not well informed or educated who have bought into the lies about the health care system and reform. "The election broke their brains". The people showing up and closing down any real discussion are mainly pawns in a elaborate right wing game. Many of them have been dupped into doing something that isn't good for their own personal interest.

Appearing on Rachel Maddow show on Friday Frank Schaeffer, a co-founder with his father Francis Schaeffer of the modern evangelical movement and author of the best seller Crazy for God, stresses that the right has crossed the line by associating Obama with Hitler.

They are "un-American, and want the country to fail." He also points out that he thinks the right wing talkers like Beck and Limbaugh and others are "bad Americans" who are, "leaving a loaded gun on the table and saying the first person who comes along who wants to use this, be our guest". Schaeffer denounces the right for fermenting hatred and facilitating the phony rage and shout down battles that block the real debate on health care reform policies. Their goal is only to stop reform. It's not really about reform of the health care system at all but a violence promoting attempt to maintain the power of the insurance companies and health industry.

Ironically, he believes the tactics used by the right and the corporate backers of the hooligans are akin to the brown shirts of Nazi Germany. A minority who used many of the same tricks to break up popular political meetings and suppress dissent in Germany in the late 1930's. It's the pot calling the kettle black.

Jewish Groups Don't Like Conservatives Comparing Obama's Policy Agenda to Hitler's

Jews should know. Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and a few other crackpots new wrinkle the last couple of days is trying to sell the half baked conspiracy theory to their ignorant hardcore listeners that somehow health care reform and other Obama policies amount to some new form of the Third Reich's National Socialism.

What the fuck does reforming the health care system, lowering the cost of coverage or saving the economy have to do with Hitler? Answer is nothing. If nothing else Obama's policies are more centrist and mainstream American then most on the left would like to see. Limbaugh and Beck like to prey on the misinformed masses out there in an effort to improve their ratings and feed their egos. Much of this crap is far off point of course, but it muddles or blocks the real debate. In the fifties it was the commies are coming to get us. Now our brains are being taken over by some unseen Nazi agenda to place computer chips in your soon to be ethanized granny's head.

White House Fires Back At Drudge False Claims On Health Care

The White House, is responding to a misleading and out of context Drudge Report linked video that catches Obama in 2003, that's six years ago, talking about how he would favor a single payer plan. Well good for him I'd say. But to the wingnuts it just more fuel for the socialist conspiracy mind meld takeover bullshit.

The rebuttal features Linda Douglass, formerly an ABC News correspondent and now a White House official, showing Drudge’s homepage on the screen of her office computer.

Keith Olbermann On Why Some In Congress Are Selling You Down The River On Health Care Reform

It's a battle to the death people.... I know this has been posted lots of places, but it just too good not to get posted one more in hopes that someone who may not of seen it, will.

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Teabagging The Townhall Healthcare Reform Comics

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I hope Norman Rockwell and FDR will forgive me.

Saturday...

Tron Legacy