Open Thread

I'm sad, catnip is leaving Bootrib. :-(

Well, I'm Back...

I spent the long weekend in the remote forest area of Eastern Arizona with my dad. As I get older, I am noticing the convergence of our personalities and find that he and I can communicate better than when I was a child.

One of the big differences between us though, is our view of politics and the role it plays in everyday life. My dad has a longstanding, burning hatred for the political process. He has never voted and automatically assumes a disgusted look when he sees elected officials on t.v.

I, on the other hand, have always been intrigued with politics and governance. The thought of ideas and organization being used for the greater good has always appealed to me. For as long as I can remember, one of my "mission statements" in life was to leave the world better than I found it; whether it was among my circle of friends, at church, in my community or within the walls of my work complex. It's what has always driven me.

The thing is, my dad has every right to feel the way he does. The impact of politics has been predominately negative in his life. Union strikes due to unfair wages at the copper mines, economic packages that sucked the savings out of his bank account, or simple spats such as having to get a zoning permit to build his garage in his backyard. They are valid reasons for his dismissal, because they are valid to him.

It is my opinion that the key to winning a progressive majority in this country is to find a way to reach out to people like my dad. It is not about the issues all the time, the deeper goal should be for us to empower our fellow citizens to participate fully in the democratic process. Our elected leaders need to learn how to spark a fire in the people rather than stand at a podium and pontificate.

We have seen that "freedom" and "democracy" can be used for greed and division, but I believe that we can change the wind and reclaim those terms for the greater good. We have no choice, it is the only way to save the soul of our country.

It can be done. I believe it.

Should I laugh or cry?

A South American scientist from Argentina, after a lengthy study, has discovered that people with insufficient sexual activity read their e-mail with their hand on the mouse.


Don't bother taking it off now, it's too late.

Open Thread

Here's some stuff that caught my attention:

• Presidential Aide Traitor Takes Aim at Democrats
• Bush to counter Democrats
• Mass. Democrats Angered by 'KKK' Joke - (fascist F*CKS!)
• US senators demand report on secret CIA prisons abroad
• Congressional split stalls US budget cuts

And one for fun:

• Lemur Species Named After John Cleese

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!

Veterans' Day Cold Shoulder

Why am I not surprised? (via ThinkProgress)

On Tuesday -- three days before Veterans Day -- House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Steve Buyer (R-IN) announced that for the first time in at least 55 years, "veterans service organizations will no longer have the opportunity to present testimony before a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees."

As you can imagine, there is extreme outrage being raised from the various groups of veterans. Here is a snippet from the press release of the Disabled American Veterans group.

For several decades now, these joint hearings have been held each year to allow the elected leaders of veterans groups to discuss their organization's legislative agenda and foremost concerns with the lawmakers who have jurisdiction over federal veterans programs. Senators and Representatives who serve on those committees also get the rare opportunity to address the hundreds of constituent members from these organizations' who make the annual pilgrimage to Capitol Hill.

"The right to fully participate in the democratic process is a cornerstone of our nation," said Commander Jackson. "Eliminating these joint hearings is an insult to the men and women who have fought, sacrificed and died to protect our Constitutional rights, including the right to petition the government."

This important dialog between veterans and their elected representatives is crucial to the democratic process and a unique opportunity for the men and women who've put their lives on the line for America. Many of the veterans who take part in the hearings view it as their patriotic duty, as well as a fundamental right.

Can someone explain to me how the Republicans are the party that supports the troops? (beyond their role as cannon fodder)

This is a slap in the face to anyone who has worn a military uniform. I spoke to one of my best friends who enlisted in the Army last year and he was outraged. He's preparing for his second tour in Iraq and is disgusted at the level of disconnect between the civilian leadership and the "boots on the ground".

Here is the contact information for Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN) who is the Chairmen of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee:

Washington, DC
2230 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5037

Monticello, IN
100 S. Main Street
Monticello, IN 47960
(574) 583-9819

Plainfield, IN
148 N. Perry Road
Plainfield, IN 46168
(317) 838-0404

Bedford, IN
1801 "I" Street
Bedford, IN 47421
(812) 277-9590

I hope you join me in expressing displeasure at the middle-finger treatment given to our veterans. They deserve the opportunity to raise concerns before their elected officials. Regardless of how fucked up Iraq has become, the politicians on Capitol Hill need to remove their ear filters and hear the truth of the damage their policies are inflicting on our military.

Crossposted at Booman Tribune

Shake and Bake

not your conventional recipe, unless you're interested in cooking up some real-life horror.

Support the Troops...

...or if you're a Republican, only support the troops who agree with you, right? If not, then how about giving these patriots some assistance:

Nearly four years after the beginning of the War on Terror, the U.S. continues to struggle with the issue of torture. With the exception of the demotion of a Brigadier General, not a single investigation has had the scope to look beyond low ranking enlisted soldiers and junior officers.

Senate Republicans, led by Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, have proposed legislation which would restrict the United States from the abuse of prisoners. This legislation, known as the “McCain Amendment,” currently faces a veto threat from the White House.

This week a group of nearly 4,000 military veterans and family members published an open letter calling for the creation of an Independent Commission to investigate the torture scandal.

Follow the link above for contact information as well as the sign-up for their email newsletter. The rules in the Geneva Conventions exist for a reason: they protect our soldiers when they are in harm's way.

They must be reaffirmed, not blurred, as the Bush Regime has done over the past five years.

Mocking the Truth

Ya know, it's bad enough that the Republican cabal went to unprecedented lengths to sell an illegal and immoral war to the American people; but now that the truth is starting to make its way out, they are stonewalling and mocking the process.

It's in vogue on Capitol Hill these days to belong to a club. Senators negotiating a compromise over judicial nominees call themselves the "Gang of 14." When congressional leaders go to the White House, they are "the Big Five."

Then there are the half-dozen senators negotiating this week over a new intelligence committee probe: "The Sissy Six."

This unfortunate sobriquet, divulged by a committee staffer to reporters yesterday, comes from the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence acronym, SSCI. As it happens, the Sissy Six are under pressure to demonstrate that they don't deserve the name (emphasis mine)

"The Sissy Six" - nice. Glad to see our government is serious about transparency and accountability.

Yesterday was the beginning of a change in tide across this country. Democrats who are fighting back against the fascists in power are winning by holding true to their values and telling the truth. Corruption is rampant throughout the Republican caucus and it's time they relinquish their death grip on this country or have it forced away from their greedy hands vote-by-vote.

Enough is Enough!

Dems Kick Ass in Tucson!

This is GREAT news for Democrats in Arizona! There were three open seats on the Tucson City Council. The Democrats ran unopposed for one of those seats and mounted strong challengers to the other two (formerly) held by Republicans Fred Ronstadt and Kathleen Dunbar.

VICTORY news from the Tucson Citizen:

Ward 3

Kathleen Dunbar (Rep): 21511
38.43%

Karin Uhlich (Dem): 34395
61.45%

Ward 5

Steve Leal (Dem): 40501
97.49%

Ward 6

Fred Ronstadt (Rep): 19495
34.67%

Nina Trasoff (Dem): 36662
65.19%

Proposition 100 (Mayor & Council raises)

Yes: 27317
49.09%
No: 28325
50.91%

Proposition 400 (Home rule)

Yes: 30348
62.65%
No: 20417
37.35%

(emphasis mine)

I attended the Democratic VICTORY party at Hotel Congress and can testify that morale has never been higher for the party. This is a big win for Tucson and will change the dynamic of the council dramatically. Smile Big Dems! We are going to reclaim this country city-by-city.

WE KICKED ASS!

Crossposted at Daily Kos

Election Day

Today's Tucson City Council election provides the Democrats a chance to pick up two seats. The party has mounted a strong challenge to Fred Ronstadt and Kathleen Dunbar with candidates Nina Trasoff and Karin Uhlich respectively.

As usual, today's election will be decided by the GOTV efforts of the various political camps. I hope enough people will be disatisfied with the direction of our country and city to show up to the polls and make some changes. It's time for some fresh blood in our government at all levels.

For full election coverage in Tucson, check out this azstarnet link.