tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18778104505062262552024-03-12T21:14:03.811-07:00Talking Stick RulesThe Talking Stick was used by Native North American tribes at council meetings. The Talking Stick was passed from person to person. Only the person holding the Talking Stick was allowed to speak. The Talking Stick allowed all council members to present their Sacred Point of View. Today, the Internet has expanded our conversation beyond our intimate circles to the entire world. The Talking Stick Rules still apply.
Express opinions. Respect others.Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.comBlogger245125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-7910502451628908442009-06-02T12:44:00.000-07:002009-06-02T12:50:59.655-07:00The Extended HoneymoonRasmussen reports that nearly <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/62_say_bush_not_obama_to_blame_for_ongoing_economic_problems">two-thirds of Americans</a> continue to place blame for the nation's economic troubles on Bush, providing Obama much-needed manuevering room to take dramatic steps (nationalizing a bankrupt GM, for instance) to put the economy on a more solid footing.Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-52516038648758080972009-06-01T10:31:00.000-07:002009-06-01T10:35:50.213-07:00Cheney, Cheney, EverywhereI remember fondly the days our former Vice President Dick spent holed up in his "undisclosed location." Today, I am flicking across the channels on the teevee and lo and behold, there he is again. He's at an event honoring Gerald Ford at the National Press Club and he's pontificating about 9/11, terrorism, North Korea and nuclear proliferation. Now, I'm not going to deny him his right to free speech, but I wonder does the traditional media need to put him on camera each time he opens his mouth?Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-34816055976253972552009-05-29T07:08:00.001-07:002009-05-29T08:57:45.005-07:00Making it PersonalThe most personally wrenching moment in the Oscar-nominated film "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Rwanda">Hotel Rwanda</a>" <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">occurred</span> for me not during the scenes depicting the horrific barbaric butchering that terrorized the central African nation. It was a scene during which the voice of American President Bill Clinton emanates from the radio. His declaration that the United States did not believe a genocide was occurring in the war-ravaged nation.<br /><br />It's a powerful scene. By denying the reality of the horror all around them, Clinton's message essentially extinguished the hopes of rescue for the poor souls barracaded in the hotel. The world had determined there was no political will to engage, so it was simply decided to deny reality.<br /><br />At that moment my anger, outrage and disgust at the inhumanity of the crisis was transformed into a profound shame. No longer was watching this movie a historical experience. Sure, movies about prior genocides, like Schindler's List were eye-opening and soul-wrenching. But there was always the distance of time. Besides, in most of the stories we are taught in our youth, Americans are on the side of justice.<br /><br />Now, however, here was something I could not depersonalize. The comfort of time and distance evaporated in an instant. A man I had cast a vote for, a man I believed would do the right thing (especially when confronted with evidence of genocide), chose the politically expedient option. I felt dirty, ashamed. At that point, I became responsible.<br /><br />Now, with US Army General Antonio Taguba (the one who investigated the Abu Ghraib crimes) revealing <a href="http://www.truthout.org/052809A">the contents of the photos </a>President Obama has chosen to keep from the public, a sinking feeling overcomes me. Is another president putting political expediency over doing what's right? To make it worse, the potential crimes were committed by Americans against prisoners. And they were done in the name of keeping me safe.Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-16275359626619916872009-05-27T10:29:00.000-07:002009-05-27T12:44:05.015-07:00Gay Marriage Fight Creates Strange BedfellowsWhen former Bush II Solicitor General Ted Olsen <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/05/bush-v-gore-rivals-challenge-prop-8-in-federal-court.html">unites with his former Bush v. Gore adversary </a>David Boies one realizes how dramatically the politics of marriage equality have shifted.<br /><br />I'll say this again, although it isn't all that popular. The passage of Proposition 8 was a pivotal event in the fight for LGBT civil rights. A community has been transformed. Yesterday's court decision is another important step forward, despite the defeat. The public debate (although at times ugly and nasty) is creating more <a href="http://pollingreport.com/civil.htm">support for equality</a> more quickly than any court-ordered mandate ever could have accomplished.Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-84625497032375501362009-05-26T13:26:00.000-07:002009-05-26T13:45:15.919-07:00Mitch's Filibuster Flip FloppingMitch's band of Roadblocking Senate Republicans are elevating hypocrisy to new levels. Three years ago, they hyperventilated over the prospect Democrats might filibuster Bush judicial nominees, decrying the move as unconstitutional. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, they're singing a different tune.<br /><br />Thanks to Media Matters, we've got <a href="http://mediamattersaction.org/democracyorhypocrisy/">video footage </a>of these fools.Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-90113655606705126022009-05-26T11:38:00.001-07:002009-05-26T11:46:45.124-07:00Will They Listen to the Generals Now?Recall the Republican argument used to disarm Democratic opposition to the 2007 Iraq surge? They paraded the military leaders, led by Gen. David Petraeus in front of Congress, the television cameras and challenged Democratic politicians to "listen to the generals."<br /><br />Now that Petraeus <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/26/petraeus-endorses-obamas_n_207513.html">has come out in support of closing Gitmo</a>, will they follow their own advice? Or will Rush, Hannity and Beck pillory their once-beloved general to protect Darth Cheney?Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-18077266032120162272009-05-26T11:02:00.000-07:002009-05-26T11:05:45.405-07:00"Torture and Abuse Was Counterproductive to What We Were Trying to Accomplish"Dick "Four Deferrals" Cheney doesn't know what he's talking about:<br /><br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SfYov5o5_2s&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SfYov5o5_2s&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-8531940946536198642009-05-24T05:26:00.001-07:002009-05-24T06:13:00.152-07:00The Sunday Muse, Memorial Day Edition<span style="font-family:courier new;">Random clippings from this week's news:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;"><strong>Business/The Economy</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Wall Street:</span> <a href="http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/1380769.html"><span style="font-family:courier new;">This</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"> is what happens when a political party devoted to small government and lax regulation is in charge:</span><br /><br /><blockquote><p><em><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">The Securities and Exchange Commission abandons investigations for lack of resources, allows corporate wrongdoers to skip fines and drops cases because of a bureaucratic culture of risk aversion, according to a recent federal report.</span><span style="font-family:courier new;">.. </span></span></em></p><p><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;"><em>The report raises questions about how well the SEC can do its job protecting investors with such glaring deficiencies. </em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;"><em>The number of SEC enforcement attorneys declined 11.5 percent from 2004 to 2008 while cases were closed prematurely or not investigated at all, the report says. </em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;"><em>Although a wide range of cases is pursued, "one attorney told us of closing several cases that were promising but which could not be pursued for lack of resources," according to the report.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:100%;"></span></p></blockquote></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">With such lax oversight, how can investors and American taxpayers regain the confidence in the financial system necessary to revive the global economy?</span> </span><br /></span><p><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;">Detroit: It was once unthinkable, but </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/05/22/news/news-us-autos.html?_r=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;">now seems inevitable</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;">.</span> </p><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;">Capitol Hill: The Roberts Court does </span><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/05/25/090525fa_fact_toobin" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;">corporate America's bidding</span></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><strong>Science/The Environment:</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Has anyone checked the temperature in hell </span></span><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-climate18-2009may18,0,3340196.story" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;">lately</span></a></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">? </span><br /></span><p><span style="font-family:courier new;">Republican talking heads, full of hot air and </span><a href="http://mediamatters.org/research/200905210011?lid=1037507&rid=28010243" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">blinded to science</span></a>. </p><p><span style="font-family:courier new;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Politics:</span></strong> </span></p><span style="font-family:courier new;">GOP 2012: In the race to crazy that is the GOP nomination fight, Sarah proves she's </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/05/21/us/AP-US-Palin-Stimulus.html?_r=2" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">still in the game</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Education:<br /></span></strong><br />The Golden State's tarnished future: California's kids </span><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-schools21-2009may21,0,3183642.story" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">to pay the price</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"> for political failure. The draconian spending cuts now facing the state's school districts is an unconscionable abandonment of the state's children, it's most important resource. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><strong>Foreign Policy/Military Affairs:</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><strong></strong><br />South Central Asia: As President Obama goes "</span><a href="http://www.truthout.org/052109T?n" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">all in</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">" in AfPak, I find myself wondering if anyone has clearly defined America's end goals in a region known as the graveyard of empires.<br /><br />Capitol Hill: Disappointing the anti-war left that propelled them to power over the past two elections, a Democratic Congress </span><a href="http://www.truthout.org/052209J?n" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">passes another "no-strings attached" Iraq/AfPak war supplemental funding bill</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">. But this year, it's a Democratic President who launched his national career as the anti-war candidate who receives the money. Was this the change we had in mind?<br /><br /></span>Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-63305130924380731012009-05-23T15:39:00.000-07:002009-05-23T20:50:01.435-07:00The Senate Scaredy-CratsMany of us hoped Karl Rove's post 9/11 fearmongering political strategy had become a relic of the past with the Democratic victories of 2006 and 2008. We viewed the ridicule that greeted "A Noun, A Verb, 9/11" Guiliani's stillborn presidential campaign as a sign the electorate had grown wise to being manipulated by images of terrorists on every corner. Surely, the landslide election of a president who rose to prominence through his opposition to a war launched on false claims of imminent mushroom clouds allowed us to dream the voters had seen through the Republicans' scare tactics.<br /><br />Turns out all of that was nothing more than wishful thinking, if the behavior of Senate Democrats is any indicator. They are still acting as if this were Memorial Day Weekend 2002.<br /><br />How else could one explain the ever-shrinking Republican minority's ability to successfully return to their "Terror, Terror, Everywhere!" playbook and masterfully play Master Harry and his spineless caucus. Cowering to the specious specter of terrorists running rampant through the streets if America followed through on President Obama's first-day-in-0ffice pledge to close Gitmo, the Senate Scaredy-crats abandoned their Commander-in-Chief and disappointed their political base.<br /><br />Gitmo - and the enhanced interrogation techniques that unfolded there - will be remembered as one of the more shameful chapters in American history, alongside the Alien and Sedition Acts and the WWII Japanese internment camps. Closing the prison is a critical step in restoring America's moral standing, at home and abroad. Gitmo is not merely a "taint" on America's image, it's continued existence makes us less safe. With each passing month Guantanamo remains open the terrorists ranks expand. Osama bin Laden's most effective recruiting tool must be closed.<br /><br />But under Harry Reid's intrepid leadership, <a href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00196">fifty Democrats</a> (including the two independents) joined with every single Republican (there's the bipartisanship Rush Limbaugh was looking for!) supporting an amendment to the Supplemental Appropriations Bill barring the transfer of Gitmo detainees to prison facilities within the United States.<br /><br />Sensing he may have boxed himself in and needlessly created a political problem for the president, Harry the Decisive quickly backtracked. As Greg Sargent <a href="http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/terrorism/reid-spokesperson-signals-wiggle-room-on-guantanamo/">reports</a>, despite his embrace of Republican talking points and apparently unequivocal statement, “You can’t put them in prison unless you release them. We will never allow terrorists to be released in the United States,” Reid is now searching for wiggle room.<br /><br />Wishy-washy, which-way-is-the-wind-blowing decision-making is embarassing, Senator Reid.<br /><br />You have to wonder how the President - who wants to move past the sins of the Bush era as quickly as possible - views the recent missteps by Pelosi and Reid that have only served to put a spotlight on the issues he wants to put in the rearview mirror?Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-29143168317888370062009-05-22T09:22:00.000-07:002009-05-22T10:11:06.776-07:00The Purity Purge ContinuesCharlie Crist's decision to jump into the Florida Senate race threatens to open<a href="http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003123576"> a deeper rift </a>between the party's conservative base and leadership in DC. NRSC Chair John Cornyn's endorsement of Crist (<a href="http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2009/02/cristobama-manhug-irks-gopers.html">the Obama hugger</a>) over conservative Marco Rubio has enflamed the base. Red State's Erick Erickson is urging party donors to withhold funds (@ <a href="http://boycottnrsc.blogspot.com/">Not One Red Cent</a>) from the NRSC.<br /><br />In the past, most party committees stayed on the sidelines in primary fights. After losing over a dozen seats in the past two elections (and the possibility of losing 3-5 more in 2010), Cornyn finds himself in desperate circumstances, so he chose to back the popular moderate governor who has a substantial lead in early polls. But by rejecting a young conservative Hispanic did he risk further alienating a critical voting bloc?Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-70096111643694706312009-05-22T07:29:00.000-07:002009-05-22T07:58:14.794-07:00Dueling BanjosThe media fascination over the past twenty-four hours over the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyKvD-4IxOY">Dueling Banjos</a> played by President Obama and former Veep Dick Cheney makes it clear how difficult moving forward without looking back is going to be. Beyond the fact the chattering class has legimitized Cheney's tired and worn-out fearmongering (didn't Americans reject this approach during the most recent election?), it's clear that the absence of torture investigations HASN'T made it easier for the nation (or the Administration) to focus on the domestic agenda.<br /><br />In fact, it may have emboldened the former Vice President to continue his crusade.<br /><br />Denouncing the president's approach to closing Gitmo and ending torture as American policy as "recklessness cloaked in righteousness," Cheney continues his aggressive and unprecedented attacks. I wonder if his cage-rattling might be making some in the Obama Administration reconsider their desire to turn the page on torture investigations.Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-79327308048381173442009-05-19T07:54:00.001-07:002009-05-19T10:14:02.186-07:00Never Having to Say Your SorryEmbattled RNC Chair Michael Steele will rally the irrelephants today <a href="http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/19/ap6438513.html">by declaring</a>,<br /><br /><em><blockquote><p><em>"The era of apologizing for Republican mistakes of the past is now officially over. It is done," Steele said in remarks prepared for delivery Tuesday to state party chairmen. "We have turned the page, we have turned the corner. No more looking in the rearview mirror. From this point forward, we will focus all of our energies on winning the future."</em><br /></p><p></p></blockquote></em>I have no problem with a party leader talking about the future (that is his job, afterall) but I am perplexed. Did I miss something? When has anyone in the Republican Party actually admitted responsibility for the disasters of the Bush Administration?Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-8065739033652531282009-05-18T07:32:00.000-07:002009-05-18T08:36:10.260-07:00George Bush's Holy CrusadeGQ <a href="http://men.style.com/gq/features/topsecret">reveals the religious cloak</a> Rumsfeld's Pentagon used to push the invasion of Iraq at Bush's White House. <br /><br />Is it any wonder the Islamic world eyes American military policy as a 21st Century Crusade when Intelligence updates to the President use biblical verses like, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." ~ Joshua 1:9<br /><br />I shudder when I see how Rumsfeld reinforced Dubya's belief he was Chosen as an instrument of God by quoting Peter, "It is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men." <br /><br />How can we not tremble at America's role in this clash of civilizations when "Onward Christian soldiers!" is the White House's marching orders for the military?Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-1710720537421650962009-05-17T05:25:00.001-07:002009-05-19T11:28:14.327-07:00Sunday Muse, May 17<span style="font-family:courier new;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">This Week in Politics:</span></strong><br /><br />While planet Earth burns, the Republicans </span><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22495.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">continue playing their fiddles</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">.<br /><br />The Republican noise machine remains potent. Remember that DHS report on </span><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/2009/04/14/dhs-report-right-wing/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Right Wing extremism</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">? In the immortal words of Gilda's </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Litella" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Emily Litella</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">, "</span><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/14/report-citing-vet-extremism-is-pulled/?page=2" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Never mind</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">."<br /><br />No one escapes his wrath. Rush Limbaugh </span><a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/14/limbaugh-hits-back-at-mccains-mom/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">lashes out</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"> at McCain's elderly mother.<br /><br />Does Obama's </span><a href="http://www.truthout.org/051609F?n" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">decision to revive military trials</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"> for Gitmo detainees threaten his left flank?<br /><br /></span><a href="http://mediamatters.org/research/200905160006?lid=1036301&rid=27787599" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Predictable</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">, yet diabolical. Hannity is falsely comparing Obama's plans to appoint his own US Attorneys to the Rove/Bush regime's politically motivated 2006 firings of nine US Attorneys. <br />Insiders blogging on DC's </span><a href="http://ninthjustice.nationaljournal.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">coming summer blockbuster</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">.<br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Lifestyles:</span></strong><br /><br />Older Americans feeling the pinch from this recession </span><a href="http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1223/not-your-grandfathers-recession-literally" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">less than younger generations</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">From the "What Else Did You Expect?" File:<br /></span></strong><br />More trigger-happy mercenaries working for The Company Formerly Known as Blackwater </span><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090516/ap_on_re_as/as_afghanistan" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:courier new;">find themselves in hot water in Afghanistan</span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">.</span>Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-86908152260906194352009-05-16T10:55:00.000-07:002009-05-18T06:22:03.138-07:00Ignoring that Face In the MirrorAs the nation's media has become increasingly distracted by the "She Said, He Said" Pelosi/CIA foodfight, I have one question: When did what she knew become more important than what was done? Lost in this diversionary storyline is the fundamental fact: America has endorsed torture. When a democracy allows its government to embrace the tools of tyrants and despots and holds no one accountable, we risk becoming that which we claim to detest.<br /><br />The way I see it, our nation faces a fundamental question about who we are as a society. How do we reconcile the use of torture in our names?<br /><br />Do we choose, as our president seems inclined to do, to move forward by turning the page without another glance? Politically, it's the easiest option. From the White House perspective, stirring up partisan rancor is to be avoided at all costs as the administration works to solve the recession, reform healthcare and address climate change. Focusing on the past will only undermine the agenda of change, or so the argument goes.<br /><br />I see it quite differently. It is less a question of looking backwards than a matter of looking honestly in a mirror. Any path to health (whether as an individual, a family, or a society) requires this step of self-awareness. Its the fundamental first step of any recovery. If you view what happened as torture (as the Red Cross does), it's unconscionable to simply shrug our shoulders and say, "what's done is done."<br /><br />If we choose expedience we willingly forfeit our moral standing internationally. It is outrageous that as Americans we are actually debating torture as a viable policy. A democratic society cannot survive if we embrace the tactics of tyrants and despots. By sweeping our sins under the rug, how can we ever hope to relight the beacon of hope that America once represented to the world's masses?<br /><br />I'll use vocabulary the Right understands.<br /><br />Torture is evil.<br /><br />Evil is never justified.<br /><br />Torture violates domestic and international law. What's so difficult to understand?<br /><br />Failing to acknowledge these crimes committed in our names could rank as one of the biggest mistakes any administration has ever made. I make this statement fully understanding America's original sin of slavery, our deliberate genocide of the indigenous population of this continent and the long tradition of civil liberty infringements throughout American history during times of war and conflict.<br /><br />We must understand this: the immediacy and scope of global communications changes the stakes. Failing to address this sin quickly will forever stain us in the eyes of a much more attentive world. The eyes of the world are on Obama. I expect his global admirers are going to be much more disappointed in this inaction than the "angry liberal bloggers."<br /><br />As for Democrats who fret about the risk of taking our eyes off the ball and derailing the domestic agenda, I simply do not believe this administration is incapable of addressing the economy, healthcare reform and education while torture investigations are underway. This president's team is a hive of multitasking overachievers. Besides, the White House would not be the locus nor the focus of the investigation.<br /><br />Might it threaten to alienate Republicans we need to enact meaningful reform? Perhaps, but a far different outcome may emerge as investigations proceed. We only need one or two Senators to move the agenda forward. And, I firmly believe there are a handful of Republicans here in DC who do have a conscience and are likely to become extremely squeamish in defending torture once those currently hidden pictures became public.<br /><br />And why? Because it's becoming increasingly clear that torture wasn't used to keep Americans safe, as Cheney keeps claiming. It was used as part of a desperate search to validate the invasion of Iraq.<br /><br />That sounds like tyranny.Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-56355378304226791582009-05-16T09:25:00.001-07:002009-05-16T10:06:05.469-07:00Take Me To Your LeaderRasmussen is <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/only_37_of_gop_voters_now_say_party_is_leaderless">polling Republican voters </a>about who they view as the leader of the rapidly shrinking GOP. Compared to Rasmussen's <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/republicans_see_their_party_as_leaderless">March 2009</a> numbers, the search for a new leader reveals a roster of golden oldies emerging to fill the power vacuum. Who has stepped forward to become the leading Goposaur? <table><tbody><tr><th></th><th>Mar-09</th><th>May-09</th></tr><tr><td>John McCain</td><td>5%</td><td>18%</td></tr><tr><td>Michael Steele</td><td>5%</td><td>14%</td></tr><tr><td>Sarah Palin</td><td>1%</td><td>10%</td></tr><tr><td>Mitt Romney</td><td>N/A</td><td>8%</td></tr><tr><td>Rush Limbaugh</td><td>2%</td><td>6%</td></tr><tr><td>Dick Cheney</td><td>N/A</td><td>4% <tr><td>No Clear Leader</td><td>68%</td><td>37%<br /><tr><td>Not Sure</td><td>17%</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Earlier this month, Rasmussen reported <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics2/69_of_gop_voters_say_republicans_in_congress_out_of_touch_with_the_party_base">deep dissatisfaction among the Republican faithful </a>regarding their congressional leadership, with 69% saying they have lost touch with their base nationally.Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-84799690122377569522009-05-14T06:07:00.001-07:002009-05-14T06:54:00.161-07:00Big Oil Extracts First BloodDavid Hayes, Obama's pick to be number two at Interior, became the Party of No's first victim, as his nomination was defeated simply <a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/12/obama-official-expected-to-be-rejected-by-senate-wednesday/">to send a message to the Obama administration</a> on behalf of the oil and gas interests who underwrite the campaigns of some powerful Western Republicans. Proving once again they are unwilling to acknowledge their 2008 defeat, the empty rhetoric of last year's GOP campaign chant, "Drill, Baby, Drill!" echoes across the barren wasteland that is the Republican Party.Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-28038910156791398902009-05-14T06:01:00.000-07:002009-05-14T06:06:37.130-07:00Can We Afford to Look Away?Over at DailyKos is one of the better posts, <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/5/14/731180/-This-Is-Us">This is Us</a>, I've read about Obama's decision to prevent the torture photos public release. I understand the fear of igniting the tinderbox that is Pakistan at this critical point, but preventing a long, hard look at what has been done in our names (and by default allowing Dick Cheney to frame a debate on the ethics and efficacy of torture) is a tragic mistake.<br /><br />If karma does indeed exist, then America's got serious worries.Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-79894090336736837932009-05-11T14:05:00.000-07:002009-05-11T15:10:49.799-07:00Scars That Won't Heal?Despite President Obama's <em>Team of Rivals</em> embrace of his vanquished primary foe, former surrogates are trying to <a href="http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/obama-clinton-play-silent-role--in-virginias-gubernatorial-race-2009-05-05.html">stir up the old intraparty rivalry</a> in this year's most critical Democratic primary - the Virginia gubernatorial race. The Clinton's uber-fundraiser and former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe is using his high-profile relationships to raise oodles of money. His path to vicotry depends on using that money to increase voter turnout beyond the traditional primary electorate. The off-off-off year elections in Virginia typically attract only the most committed partisans. Brian Moran, on the other hand, is hoping to claim Obama's message of change and motivate the liberal activists to carry him to victory.<br /><br />Despite the apparent unwillingness of Obama to engage in this skirmish, it's fascinating to see whether activists and the grassroots still cling to old loyalties. Will a McAuliffe victory be viewed by Hillary allies as a restoration of the old Democratic order? Will some see a Moran triumph as a final Clinton smackdown? What would a Creigh Deeds victory mean?Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-30424871158161396772009-05-11T13:08:00.000-07:002009-05-11T13:45:05.678-07:00A Failure to CommunicatePerhaps <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/environment/congress_pushes_cap_and_trade_but_just_24_know_what_it_is">this</a> explains why Democratic leaders have put Cap & Trade legislation on the back burner. From Rasmussen:<br /><blockquote><p><em>Given a choice of three options, just 24% of voters can correctly identify the cap-and-trade proposal as something that deals with environmental issues. A slightly higher number (29%) believe the proposal has something to do with regulating Wall Street while 17% think the term applies to health care reform. A plurality (30%) have no idea.<br /></em></p></blockquote><p>According to this poll, Democrats are less likely to accurately describe Cap & Trade as proposal to address climate change than their Republican or independent cohorts. What does this say about Democratic leadership's messaging efforts if they're own supporters are clueless on one of their top priorities?</p>Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-83189108938574170432009-05-11T07:56:00.000-07:002009-05-11T08:06:11.286-07:00Gregg's Judgment DayIf Judd Gregg – a man we know to not be a man of his word – listens to his colleagues entrities and decides to “unretire” next year and run for his New Hampshire Senate it could cause heartburn for the Republican Senate leadership. Democrats, who are currently eyeing Gregg’s open seat as a likely pick-up opportunity will still view the Granite State seat as competitive even with Gregg defending in the race.<br /><br />But if Gregg does manage to retain the seat CQ Politics tells us it could <a href="http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003111786">scramble committee assignments</a> among the GOPosaurs in the US Senate. The handshake deals between senior Republicans Chuck Grassley and Jeff Sessions could be in jeopardy if Gregg sticks around and asserts his seniority. While I'd rather see Gregg shuffle off to an early retirement in favor of a New Hampshire Democrat, it might be entertaining to watch the GOP feathers fly.Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-27164502333430957312009-05-07T08:58:00.001-07:002009-05-16T13:55:27.940-07:00Obama in a WordPew Research has another <a href="http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1218/changing-in-a-word-impressions-of-barack-obama">cool interactive graphic</a> showing the public's changing impression about President Obama. Top six words used to describe the Commander in Chief:<br /><ul><li>Intelligent</li><li>Good</li><li>Socialist</li><li>Liberal</li><li>Great</li><li>Confident</li><br /></ul><p>Coming in at #7 was "Inexperienced." Thirteen respondents described the president as such in April 2009, a dramatic fall-off from the 55 respondents who used the term last September.<br /></p><p></p>Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-26325496048873051322009-04-18T18:23:00.001-07:002009-04-22T13:15:26.895-07:00The GOP's Tar Heel TroublesRichard Burr, already suffering anemic approval numbers as he approaches his 2010 reelection campaign appears to be positioning himself to challenge Arlen Specter and Jim Bunning as this cycle's most vulnerable Republican incumbents. <br /><br />Following on their success in knocking off Liddy Dole, the DSCC has this put together this ad attacking Burr:<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D8psSJTwIqU&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D8psSJTwIqU&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-45421857826853084842009-04-16T08:38:00.000-07:002009-04-16T09:08:25.691-07:00Nobody Likes a Sore LoserIt looks like two closely contested elections are going to be decided soon in favor of the Democrats. In Minnesota and <a href="http://realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com/2009/04/15/fat-lady-warming-up-for-tedisco/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=rcp-today-newsletter">Upstate New York</a>, Republicans hopes of grasping an electoral victory on which to pin their "we're on the rebound" talking point are rapidly evaporating. But the news is worse than the simple loss of a Senate and House seat. Republican strategists "win at all costs" approach have been dangerously short-sighted, threatening to undermine their future viability in critical swing regions.<br /><br />Former Senator Norm Coleman's stubborn insistence to continue fighting for a seat even conservatives now believe has been lost <a href="http://realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com/2009/04/15/nearly-two-thirds-of-minnesotans-say-coleman-should-concede/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=rcp-today-newsletter">is alienating voters</a>. Will his inability to "do the right thing" have repercussions for current and future Republican candidates in the North Star State? Beyond the local ramifications, his intransigence has put the squeeze on Gov. Tim Pawlenty's presidential aspirations. One of the more moderate voices in the modern Republican Party, Pawlenty is forced by Coleman's refusal to throw in the towel into a difficult political dilemma as to whether or not to sign the looming election certificate. Refusing to sign (and ignoring state law) would delight the conservative base but undermine his moderate credentials.<br /><br />In New York state, the bizarre and desperate attempts to challenge multiple absentee ballots shines the spotlight on the ugly reality of bare-knuckled political fighting. While both parties always look bad in tight tussles, the tactical blunder of challenging the legitimacy of Sen. Gillibrand's ballot scars the Republicans most deeply. If a Republican resurgence is possible in the northeast, it is in the traditionally conservative regions of Upstate New York. At this point, it looks like that renaissance is a remote possibility.Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1877810450506226255.post-3788481583365247522009-04-16T07:12:00.001-07:002009-04-16T07:21:11.777-07:00The Irrelephants by the NumbersPew Research provides <a href="http://pewresearch.org/databank/dailynumber/?NumberID=757">more statistics</a> revealing just how far Karl Rove's Permanent Republican Majority has sunk.<br /><em><blockquote><em>Among registered voters, 28% call themselves Republicans, a decline of five points since 2004 and only a point above a </em><a href="http://pewresearch.org/pubs/773/fewer-voters-identify-as-republicans"><em>record low</em></a><em> level of Republican self-identification in 16 years of polling by the Pew Research Center, found in March 2008.</em></blockquote></em><br />It gets worse for the party of no solutions:<br /><br /><em><blockquote><p><em>Among voters who now identify as Republican or Republican-leaning, roughly two-thirds (68%) identify themselves as conservative, and of the conservatives, three-quarters think the party should </em><a href="http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1032/high-marks-for-campaign-high-bar-for-obama"><em>turn further to the right</em></a><em>. While a majority of moderates and liberals within the party advocate a centrist approach (66%), they make up fewer than a third (31%) of Republican voters overall. As a result, 60% of all Republican voters support a more conservative direction for the party.</em><br /></p><p> </p></blockquote></em><br /><br />As the country shifts toward the left, the opposition party hurtles to the right. Will a moderate voice emerge within the Republican Party?Chrispy67http://www.blogger.com/profile/10987206233257188373noreply@blogger.com0