[Jane of Arc]

When I watched Senator Byrd stand there on the Senate floor and support Alito I nearly cried. To quote a Progressive, Rob Kall at OpEdNews: http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_rob_kall_060130_no_filibuster_2c_no_re.htm "We need leaders who will go to congress and not be cowed by the seniority system. They represent constitituents who are just as important as the senior members. So **** the seniority system. **** Barack Obama for selling out the people who put their trust in him. Here's the list of the "Democratic" senators who betrayed us.
Akaka (HI), Baucus (MT), Bingaman (NM), Byrd (WV), Cantwell (WA), Carper (DE), Dorgan (ND), Inouye (HI), Johnson (SD), Kohl (WI), Landrieu (LA), Lieberman (CT), Lincoln (AR), Nelson (FL), Nelson (NE), Pryor (AR), Rockefeller (WV), Salazar (CO)"

Democrats Come Home! There are millions of us across America who have no party. Who are we? We are all those people standing waaaaaaaaaay to the left. We are all those people who don't even recognize the Democratic Party of FDR and Kennedy any more. What we see when we look at the Democrats is a water-downed, weak imitation of a Republican Party. At least the Republicans listen to their base. They listen to all the people on the faaaaaaaaar right. When people in this forum on the right, like snowdog, criticize the flip-floppers listen up! He's right. It pisses me off that all these so-called liberals voted for an illegal war. Boo-hoo, they were lied too? Of course they were lied to! This is George W. Bush! It's time to stop being "Rebuplican-lite." It's time to get down, get dirty and get real and take a few lessons from our South American neighbors.

You want to start winning elections again? Listen up. Can you imagine the impact on the coming elections if ALL millionaire Democrats in Congress gave one half of their salaries to the poor? Hell, they could afford to give ALL their salaries to the poor. It's time for the Democrats in Congress to start copying the tactics of the left, not the right. It's time for them to unite in protest. It's time for them to care enough to go to jail for what they believe in. Want to see things change? Learn from Mandela. It's time for each and every Democrat to hold a "sit-in" on the Congress floor ... and stay there until legislation is passed for honest, verifiable elections in this country. Otherwise, this country is screwed. Take a lesson from Rosa Parks. It's time for every Democrat in Congress to LISTEN to the majority of the American people who want this Iraq War ended ASAP! And if they have to take to the streets ala Mr. King and march until this war is over, then so be it. It's time for the Democrats of Congress to chain themselves to the White House fence until NSA stops illegal spying on American citizens. It's time for Hillary Clinton to stop posturing with symbolic 'flag legislation' and tie herself to a tree because global warming is damn real and soon we won't recognize this planet. It's time to take out a can of FDR social morals, Martin Luther King courage and Nelson Mandela whoop-ass because these are dangerous times.

[-V-]

DNC:lazer: let 'em have it Jane of Arc! they deserve ever blast.

sure, generally speaking both parties need to compromise and work together with every administration or we'd never get anything done.

but the half hearted opposition that this opposition party has put together for THE worst president in American history is disgraceful.

[Nicodemus]

Cool Beans...

[Jane of Arc]

Welcome aboard Nicodemus! Happy you're here!!! Thanks for joining.

[Jane of Arc]

What I want to know ... and what I still don't understand ... is why aren't Democratic legislators chaining themselves to the Lincoln Memorial en masse until we have transparent, honest, non-privatized elections with independent, public oversight in America? I could go chain myself to the Memorial. Or someone like Cindy Sheehan could go do it. But, we would be marginalized and mocked on corporate TV. If ALL the Democrats or even a bunch of Senators and Congresspeople chained themselves to the Lincoln Memorial until dishonest elections were corrected ... that would work.

Otherwise, the elections are meaningless.

The same corporate-friendly Republicans and Democrats will get 'elected' with corporate money on corporate voting machines. Look what happened to your honest candidate in Ohio, haus. Could the present Democrats in power, as well as Republicans, be benefiting too much from the system to rock the boat and change the system?

I've given a bunch of money to MoveOn.com in the past, but why aren't dishonest elections their NUMBER ONE issue? And why are they named "moveon"? I think I'll go email them. :thumbup:

I know Democrats don't like to hear this. I hated it when I was a Democrat. BUT WE DON'T HAVE HONEST ELECTIONS, SO ELECTIONS ARE NOT THE ANSWER. In 2000 and 2004 I worked SO hard as a Democrat. I almost HAD to believe in the 2 party system. Anything else seemed too hopeless, powerless and impossible for me. I couldn't fathom that our system was so broken. And I trusted that even if it was broken, John Kerry would take the 50 million he collected and go to war and fix it. NOT CONCEDE!!! I was duped. I couldn't stand Ralph Nader. I hated the man. Now, I know he was right. Weird and kinda creepy, but right. The American people have to demand honest elections from our Congress. We have to demand honest elections from our rooftops. We have to stand up and say "NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!" Or the hope for American democracy is gone ... it's simply gone.

[-V-]

And why are they named "moveon"? I think I'll go email them.

It's difficult to get through to moveon with all the mail (and hate mail) they receive.

Ironicaly, they are named "moveon" because they started up when Clinton was being hounded about the Monica scandal and their message was "move on" from the witch hunt. They never imagined there would be a real coven of wicked witch's in the west wing and that they would be the primary hunters. They should consider called themselves "pileon.com" until the next election is over.

[Jane of Arc]

Thanks-V-for the info on moveon.

I've always really appreciated their work and supported them.

I've just recently noticed that people are complaining about their current stances on some issues. The voting rights activists complain about them.

And read this on the much loved Thom Hartmann site, OpEdNews.com. Rob Kall blasts moveon in an article called Progressive, My Ass:

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_rob_kall_060223_progressive_2c_my_ass.htm

[-V-]

people are complaining about their current stances on some issues

it would be a historical first if some people did not complain about specific stances that any large group undertakes. Progressives may be like-minded but they are not "one minded". I don't agree with everything moveon does, or PETA or Greenpeace, etc.. But they are the heroes putting words into action and it is our responsibility to keep them on course by taking their surveys and donating either time or money to the campaigns that we do fully endorse.

The author you cite seems to be complaining about their endorsement in a local election. I applaude his criticism. But moveon is a body of work in progress. It is us.

[Jane of Arc]

Great response! Color me wiser. :sunny:

[haus]

The Texas primaries are tonight. Some interesting stuff is happening.

1) DeLay looks set to get the Republican nod. Probably the best thing that could happen for Nick Lampson.

2) At the moment (http://204.65.107.70/dem1race5.htm?x=0&y=295&id=124), progressive sweetheart Ciro Rodriguez (http://www.issues2002.org/TX/Ciro_Rodriguez.htm) is whomping DINO Henry Cuellar by more than 2-1. The primary winner is virtually assured to go to the House. There is no republican challenger in the district.

Up-to-date results are here: http://204.65.107.70/dem1race5.htm?x=0&y=295&id=398 and here: http://www.mydd.com.

This is also a bellweather race on the question of retaking the party. It's often compared to the upcoming senate race in CT between Ned Lamont and Joe Lieberman.

[Jane of Arc]

Enough of the D.C. Dems
By Molly Ivins
March 2006 Issue

Mah fellow progressives, now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of the party. I don’t know about you, but I have had it with the D.C. Democrats, had it with the DLC Democrats, had it with every calculating, equivocating, triangulating, straddling, hair-splitting son of a bitch up there, and that includes Hillary Rodham Clinton.

I will not be supporting Senator Clinton because: a) she has no clear stand on the war and b) Terri Schiavo and flag-burning are not issues where you reach out to the other side and try to split the difference. You want to talk about lowering abortion rates through cooperation on sex education and contraception, fine, but don’t jack with stuff that is pure rightwing firewater.

I can’t see a damn soul in D.C. except Russ Feingold who is even worth considering for President. The rest of them seem to me so poisonously in hock to this system of legalized bribery they can’t even see straight.

Look at their reaction to this Abramoff scandal. They’re talking about “a lobby reform package.” We don’t need a lobby reform package, you dimwits, we need full public financing of campaigns, and every single one of you who spends half your time whoring after special interest contributions knows it. The Abramoff scandal is a once in a lifetime gift—a perfect lesson on what’s wrong with the system being laid out for people to see. Run with it, don’t mess around with little patches, and fix the system.

As usual, the Democrats have forty good issues on their side and want to run on thirty-nine of them. Here are three they should stick to:

1) Iraq is making terrorism worse; it’s a breeding ground. We need to extricate ourselves as soon as possible. We are not helping the Iraqis by staying.

2) Full public financing of campaigns so as to drive the moneylenders from the halls of Washington.

3) Single-payer health insurance.

Every Democrat I talk to is appalled at the sheer gutlessness and spinelessness of the Democratic performance. The party is still cringing at the thought of being called, ooh-ooh, “unpatriotic” by a bunch of rightwingers.

Take “unpatriotic” and shove it. How dare they do this to our country? “Unpatriotic”? These people have ruined the American military! Not to mention the economy, the middle class, and our reputation in the world. Everything they touch turns to dirt, including Medicare prescription drugs and hurricane relief.

This is not a time for a candidate who will offend no one; it is time for a candidate who takes clear stands and kicks ass.

Who are these idiots talking about Warner of Virginia? Being anodyne is not sufficient qualification for being President. And if there’s nobody in Washington and we can’t find a Democratic governor, let’s run Bill Moyers, or Oprah, or some university president with ethics and charisma.

What happens now is not up to the has-beens in Washington who run this party. It is up to us. So let’s get off our butts and start building a progressive movement that can block the nomination of Hillary Clinton or any other candidate who supposedly has “all the money sewed up.”

I am tired of having the party nomination decided before the first primary vote is cast, tired of having the party beholden to the same old Establishment money.

We can raise our own money on the Internet, and we know it. Howard Dean raised $42 million, largely on the web, with a late start when he was running for President, and that ain’t chicken feed. If we double it, it gives us the lock on the nomination. So let’s go find a good candidate early and organize the shit out of our side.

[MAGI]

I too, love that gal and that article! One really gutzy lady!

:thumbup: :sunny:

[MAGI]

In my mail today from Congressman Conyers about our voting Rights:

"Voting Rights Act

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a crucial element of our country's civil rights movement. Nothing is more important in a democratic society than the free and unfettered right to vote. Unfortunately, we are still challenged by forces that seek to deny or discourage people from exercising their right to vote. Election Day intimidation and irregularities continue to be a problem. We have also been forced to combat efforts by our own Department of Justice which sought to allow some states to impose a Voter ID program requiring citizens to pay $20 for the right to vote.

I have devoted much of my life-long service on Capitol Hill to protecting the rights of voters. The Voting Rights Act is up for renewal now and I will be working to strengthen this Act by adding additional safeguards and protections for voters. If you have encountered any challenges voting that you think I should be aware of, please email me and let me know by clicking here."

(john.conyers@mail.house.gov Subject: Voting Experiences. I inserted this because it didn't register from the letter)

"Thank you for your time in reading this constituent report. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have at my office at (313) 961-5670.

Sincerely,

John Conyers, Jr. "

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Magi2]

Jane of Arc I am so missing YOU!

"The Times, THEY ARE A-CHANGING" once again!

In my mail today,
What a good DAY!:

Ed O'Reilly Forces Kerry into Primary Battle!

Dear Magi,

We did it!

PDA-endorsed Healthcare NOT Warfare candidate Ed O'Reilly made history at the Massachusetts Democratic Convention last Saturday! He will face John Kerry in the September 16 primary, the first time Kerry has faced a primary opponent since 1984. This is a big victory for PDA--read more here.



O'Reilly Successfully Challenges Kerry at Convention
June 7, 2008, Lowell, MA
Today at the Massachusetts Democratic convention, PDA Healthcare NOT Warfare candidate Ed O'Reilly successfully challenged Sen. John Kerry by attaining twenty-two percent of the delegate votes, surpassing the threshold necessary to have his name placed on the ballot. This is the first time since 1984 that Kerry has faced a primary challenge.

Progressive Democrats of America endorsed O'Reilly in January. Members of the organization have actively supported his grassroots campaign because Kerry has failed to filibuster on Iraq funding, take leadership on single-payer healthcare legislation in the Senate, and pursue impeachment--a challenge O'Reilly has accepted.

“While we have great respect for Sen. Kerry, we are elated that Ed found more than enough support among the delegates to make the ballot," said Tim Carpenter, PDA National Director, from the floor of the convention. "For too long congressional Democrats have let their Republican counterparts hijack the agenda instead of standing firmly for our American--our Democratic--values."

In a letter to PDA, O'Reilly writes: I want to thank all of the Progressive Democrats of America who made today’s victory possible! There is no doubt that this could not have been done without your efforts. You are all such loyal and committed friends. We have some more to do, but I wanted to make sure you know how grateful I am to all of you! Thank You!!

Kerry delivered an inspiring address to the delegates, which ran twelve minutes over the allotted time. "We would be delighted if Sen. Kerry took the energy he brought to that twelve minutes back to the Senate and used it as the first twelve minutes of his filibuster against more funding for the occupation of Iraq," stated Carpenter.

It is hoped that should O'Reilly fail to capture the party's nomination, his campaign will at least force Kerry to take the measures necessary to bring a swift end to the occupation of Iraq and finally take the lead in creating a Senate version of HR 676, the House bill to create single-payer healthcare for all Americans, two key components of PDA's Healthcare NOT Warfare campaign

http://pdamerica.org/articles/campaigns/2008-06-07-15-29-08-campaigns.php

YIPPEE!
Out with the corporate TOOLS!


:thumbup::thumbup:

[Jennifer_SFBA]

Well, MAJI, that certainly appears to be a left turn for the better, Skull & Bonesman John Kerry out, Ed O'Reilley, PDA candidate in.

Jane of Arc, come home (take a SHARP LEFT); I miss you too. There is a lot more to say about goings on in our world.

[Magi2]

Page 2.



Internally, we're planning a PDA Grassroots Leadership Conference in Chicago the first weekend of August--our fourth birthday. Although we're still firming up the details, the cost of the event is $260 including lodging (based on double occupancy), meals, and the conference. Keep an eye out for the details of the event, and check on airfare prices now. Let us know if you have interest in attending by voting in this poll.

While you're there, check out our redesigned and updated blog. Virtual outreach coordinator Bryan Buchan has done a great job. He's looking for PDA photos from years past, so if you have any relevant media, please forward it to Bryan@pdamerica.org.

We're really excited to announce our summer intern program. Soon, you'll be hearing from Brad Kennedy, a student from George Washington University, as he rotates into our Field department. We hope to add more interns and will keep you posted.

It's amazing what we can accomplish together. We can become even more of a force with your financial help. We've done the above on a shoestring budget with limited staff, and with only one percent of members contributing to us. If we can raise that number to 5%, we would be able to hire regional coordinators to help our chapters get established and organize.

Please become a Change makes Change partner today as a monthly sustainer for $10 a month. You'll make PDA stronger, and in so doing, help to change the face of American politics. If you haven't already signed the Healthcare NOT Warfare petition, please take a minute to sign it here. And please watch our short video.


Yours in the movement,

Tim Carpenter and Laura Bonham

Healthcare NOT Warfare



http://pdamerica.org/index.php

:thumbup::thumbup:

[Magi2]

Page 1.

https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/personal2.asp?formid=healthpet

"The Times, They are a-changin"
I hear this every time I see or hear good news such as this e-mail today:

Good Vibrations for PDA

Dear Magi,

We're having "excitations" about all the good news we have to report. Who would have thought six months ago we would see our inside/outside strategy develop so well?

On the inside, PDA-endorsed Healthcare NOT Warfare candidate Donna Edwards made history by winning the special election in Maryland's 4th Congressional District on June 17; she'll be sworn in Thursday as the first African-American female member of Congress from Maryland. And, in Massachusetts, John Kerry is facing his first primary challenger since 1984 in Ed O'Reilly.

For the past few months, PDA volunteer coordinator Tom Pallow has been appearing at Democratic state conventions along the eastern seaboard to promote the Healthcare Not warfare campaign. This weekend Tom will be at the North Carolina convention to support Harry Taylor's bid to unseat Republican Susan Myrick in the 9th Congressional District general election.

And now, we're looking forward to a thrilling convention in Denver with Obama as the Democratic nominee. What a turn of events from January when Clinton appeared to have the nomination in the bag. Look for upcoming news about PDA's exciting plans for the DNC convention in Denver.

On the outside, PDA has been in the news a lot lately.

Tune into Air America every Tuesday night at 9:00 PM EDT and listen to Richard Greene's "Clout." For the next 14 weeks, PDA and our endorsed Healthcare NOT Warfare candidates will be featured. Tentatively scheduled for next Tuesday are Samm Simpson, Harry Taylor, and Ed O'Reilly. Find your local affiliate here.

On Tuesday June 17, PDA Advisory Board Chair Mimi Kennedy appeared on Laura Flanders' "Grit TV." Watch it here.

And in this article last week, John Nichols of The Nation discusses the Democratic platform and PDA's efforts on that front.

On June 19th, the Leadership Conference on Guaranteed Healthcare is sponsoring a huge rally in San Francisco and across the country. For details and to learn more, click here.




see page 2. for the rest of the e-mail

[Magi2]

Dear Jane of Arc,
I know how hard you worked for Kerry
and know I love you and understand your feelings after you put your ALL into that campaign. These last posts are not meandt to hurt your present position, just to signify hope...............my way of cope-ing these days.