Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Obama: Let's Challenge the Murdochization of Our Media

The Nation reports:
"In a speech Sunday, Barack Obama said he would pursue a vigorous antitrust policy if he becomes U.S. president and singled out the media industry as one area where government regulators would need to be watchful as consolidation increases.

His statement signals a key opening for media and democracy reformers and the movement they have spawned in this last decade--a movement The Nation has been centrally involved in ever since we launched our National-Entertainment series (complete with glossy centerfolds) in 1996. Working with this movement, an Obama Administration could effectively challenge the destructive and concentrated attack by corporate media consolidation on the integrity of our democracy...."
Cartoon Credit: THE iPINIONS JOURNAL

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Monday, May 26, 2008

Expert: Obama in good shape with white working-class voters

John Harwood (NYT) writes:
"Ruy Teixeira, a Democratic analyst of voting trends, wrote the book on the core issue in the endgame of the party’s nomination fight. Its title is “America’s Forgotten Majority: Why the White Working Class Still Matters.”

One might conclude that Mr. Teixeira is troubled by Senator Barack Obama’s performance in recent primaries against Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton among the voters known by nicknames like Joe Sixpack or Nascar Dad or Waitress Mom.

Actually, he is not...."
Illustration: Kevin Kallaugher (via The Atlantic Community)

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Sunday, May 25, 2008

Barack Obama at Wesleyan Commencement Ceremony

Barack fills in for Teddy Kennedy as the commencement speaker at the Wesleyan University graduation ceremony on Memorial weekend.



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McCain Shows His Bad Temper with an Anti-Obama Rant


The Republican reveals his inner hot head with an audacious shot across the bow to Obama in the Senate.

If John McCain goes ballistic every time he's mildly criticized by Barack Obama, this is going to be a much more interesting campaign than I thought.
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Hillary: "All About Eve"

Maureen Dowd (NYT) writes:
"...In politics, there are many unpredictable and unsavory twists and turns. That’s why she’s hanging around.

[...]

Maybe a tired, stressed Hillary was giving an unfiltered version of a blunt conversation that she’s had with her husband and advisers about staying in the race, using R.F.K. as an anything-can-happen example, in the same way she fantasizes about Sean Hannity breaking a story that would demolish Obama.

[...]

Obama now has the perfect excuse not to pick Hillary as his running mate. She has been too unseemly in her desire to be on the scene if he trips, or gets hit with a devastating story. She may want to take a cue from the Miss America contest: make a graceful, magnanimous exit and wait in the wings.

That’s where the runners-up can be found, prettily lurking, in case it turns out the girl with the crown has some naked pictures in her past."
Cartoon credit: Warrentoons.com

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Fox News Jokes About Killing Obama

Brace yourself! And if your bothered by this, voice your displeasure to: FNS@foxnews.com

While commenting on Hillary's RFK gaffe, Liz Trotta on Fox News Channel first referred to Barack Obama as "Osama" and then laughed that they should both be killed...



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Roger Cohen: It's the networks, stupid

Roger Cohen (The International Herald Tribune) writes:
"More than any other factor, it has been Barack Obama's grasp of the central place of Internet-driven social networking that has propelled his campaign for the Democratic nomination into a seemingly unassailable lead over Hillary Clinton. Her campaign has been so 20th-century. His has been of the century we're in...."
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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Take Action: Stop Bush from Bombing Iran



This, today, from TrueMajority.com:
"The Jerusalem Post broke the news this morning: George Bush intends to attack Iran in his final months in office.
'The official claimed that a senior member of the president's entourage, which concluded a trip to Israel last week, said during a closed meeting that Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney were of the opinion that military action was called for.'1
Congress has the power to stop him. There is a resolution already in the Senate called S. Res. 356. It's a straightforward and simple resolution that says, 'A resolution affirming that any offensive military action taken against Iran must be explicitly approved by Congress before such action may be initiated.'

Tell your Senator to support and fight for S. Res 356:
http://www.TrueMajority.org/dontbombiran


Today's story is just the latest to discuss the increasingly belligerent rhetoric of the Bush administration towards Iran. Just last week, President Bush compared anyone who seeks to negotiate with Iran to those who appeased the Nazis prior to World War II.

We only have a few months until our long national nightmare of the Bush Administration comes to an end. But, it is abundantly clear that they intend on going out with a bang. It's time for the Congress to embrace its role as a co-equal branch of government and stop them before it is too late.

Send a message to your Senator right now: http://www.TrueMajority.org/dontbombiran

Thanks for taking action to stop another war."

-- Ilya Sheyman, Online Organizer, TrueMajority.com

Also See:

The Candidates & The Military Industrial Complex

Kathy Kelly: The Dem candidates do not take on the defense industry

Kathy Kelly says that Democratic candidates talk tough on the war but are not ready to take on the defense industry. She says all candidates, including Obama, are developing plans to keep US troops in Iraq for several more years.

Watch the video; then follow her recommendation to lobby Obama on this crucial issue:


For more: The Real News Network - Story

Don't Underestimate the Power of your Voice and Action for Change:

  • Here Come the Millennials | New York Times:
    "...Whether young Americans can shift the balance of the presidential election is an open question. But there is very little doubt that over the next several years they are capable of loosening the tremendous grip that conservatives have had on the levers of American power."

Superdelegates Turned Down $1 Million Offer from Clinton Donor

If this isn't bribery, tell me what to call it. If it isn't illegal, why not? Hillary Clinton proves once again that she will use any means at her disposal to win the Presidency -- ethics are not even an afterthought. Those of you still supporting her, ask yourselves is this is the kind of "leadership" you are looking for? Is this the kind of woman you want representing you as the first woman President?

The Huffington Post reports:
"One of Sen. Hillary Clinton's top financial supporters offered $1 million to the Young Democrats of America during a phone conversation in which he also pressed for the organization's two uncommitted superdelegates to endorse the New York Democrat, a high-ranking official with YDA told The Huffington Post.

Haim Saban, the billionaire entertainment magnate and longtime Clinton supporter, denied the allegation. But four independent sources said that just before the North Carolina and Indiana primaries, Saban called YDA President David Hardt and offered what was perceived as a lucrative proposal: $1 million would be made available for the group if Hardt and the organization's other uncommitted superdelegate backed Clinton...."

Also See:

Barack Obama in Roseburg Oregon

Joe Leonardi | "The Man"
Directed by Tim Cash
www.ffefilms.com

ENJOY....



Trouble viewing this video? Click Here.

Monday, May 19, 2008

The REAL John McCain: Less Jobs, More Wars.

Turn John McCain's YouTube Problem into a Nightmare!

Click Here to forward this video to all your friends



"Brave New Films has been working hard to expose some of the most glaring hypocrisies and doublespeak that John McCain has been wrapped up in over the past couple months.

While many in the traditional media have yet to pick up on this storyline, it's important that we, the dedicated activists, send this video to as many of our friends as possible.

The wheels on the 'Straight Talk Express' are slowly coming loose and it's time to hold McCain's feet to the fire to ensure that he's telling the real story about his record to the American people.

Thanks for all you do. Enjoy this video."

--Mike Lux, American Family Voices

Also See:

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Gore Vidal on Obama

I knew JFK, says Gore Vidal, and believe me Obama’s the better leader | Times Online:
Gore Vidal, the writer and long-time Clinton supporter, tells why Hillary is insane to keep on fighting....
Photo credit: Gore Vidal. CommonDreams.org

Why McCain is Wrong for America

This world cannot survive four more years of McBush....
  • McCain Action Helped Arizona Developer: Report | New York Times:
  • "Presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain secured millions in federal funds for a land acquisition program that provided a windfall for an Arizona developer whose executives were major campaign donors, according to a USA Today report...."
  • McCain Can Run, but Bush Won’t Hide | Frank Rich | New York Times:
    "...[A]re independents suckers? They’d have to be to fall for the pitch that Mr. McCain is an apostate in his own party in 2008. He has been an outspoken Bush defender since helping him sell the Iraq war in 2002 and barnstorming for him in 2004. Despite Mr. McCain’s campaign claims to the contrary, he never publicly called for the firing of Donald Rumsfeld. He is still one of the president’s most stalwart supporters in Congress, even signing on to the president’s wildly unpopular veto of an expansion of children’s health insurance...."
  • Dire Consequences with a McCain Supreme Court? | AlterNet:
    "Imagine the dire consequences if McCain appoints a fifth radical Supreme Court justice who believes in an all-powerful Executive Branch...."
  • McCain's Lobbyists Continue to Cause Him Headaches | AlterNet:
    "Lobbyists turned campaign staffers resign over connections to military dictatorships...."
  • Free Ride- John McCain and the Media | Justin Cole (MediaMatters):
    Today, Paul Waldman and David Brock are releasing a new chapter to their book, "Free Ride: John McCain and the Media." The new chapter is an update to the media coverage of McCain since the book was published and is available at www.mccainsfreeride.com/addendum.

    Here is a sample from the new chapter:
    As Free Ride was nearing its release, we began to hear an interesting argument from those skeptical of the case we make. "Look at that story in the New York Times suggesting that McCain might have had an affair with a lobbyist," some said. "Doesn't that prove the press isn't in the tank for McCain?" The truth, however, is that the Times story proves just the opposite.

    The speculation about a possible McCain affair did not exactly set off a feeding frenzy among the press corps. Though one could argue ignoring such salacious rumors is exactly what the press should do, it is hard to imagine they would have been as restrained had it been a different candidate. Indeed, within hours, that aspect of the story simply disappeared from public discussion; instead, McCain and his press team managed to transform the controversy about him to a controversy about the New York Times.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Congressman Wexler: Inherent Contempt for Rove

Congressman Robert Wexler: "
Last night, I appeared on MSNBC's Verdict with Dan Abrams to discuss Karl Rove's outrageous refusal to appear before Congress regarding serious allegations that he used the US Justice Department to take down a prominent Democratic politician. It is alleged that Mr. Rove personally instigated the prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegleman. The case has been criticized by legal experts, and 52 former state attorney generals – both Republicans and Democrats – have criticized the case and called for an investigation. (You may view the clip here.)



If Rove refuses to testify voluntarily and ignores the subpoenas that will certainly be issued, he should be held in Inherent Contempt of the House of Representatives.

No American is above the law. None of us should be able to ignore Congress without consequence. If Mr. Rove ignores a subpoena from the Judiciary Committee, then the House of Representatives should pass an Inherent Contempt citation and exercise our right to send the House Sergeant-of-Arms to gather Mr. Rove and bring him before Congress to testify.

I do not advocate this option lightly, but the reality is that Congress has few options left against an Administration that totally refuses to submit to any type of reasonable Congressional oversight. Congress has both the right and obligation to investigate these matters. Never before has an Executive so upset the checks and balances inherent in our Constitution. If we back off or delay, we effectively forfeit the power of Congress to investigate the Executive branch.

Rove is not the first White House official to ignore Congress. We have seen a pattern of refusals based on laughable claims of executive privilege. First, White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers ignored subpoenas on the investigation into the firing of US Attorney Generals for partisan political motives.

Their refusal to testify was unprecedented: never before have executive officials totally refused to even show up before Congress. Bolten and Miers are the highest officials ever held in contempt of Congress. Unfortunately, Attorney General Mukasey – in a dereliction of duty – has refused to enforce the contempt decree and now Congress is suing them in District Court to demand compliance. Then, the Vice President's Chief of Staff, David Addington, refused to testify on the investigation into the Bush Administration's ordering of torture. Now, Rove continues this executive arrogance by also refusing to testify.

Enough is enough. We have a Constitutional obligation to provide accountability to a White House that is trying usurp the constitutional powers of Congress.

These are the very reasons why I have been pushing for impeachment hearings for Vice President Cheney. The Bush Administration has been running roughshod over the Constitution for eight long years. We should not allow the promise of a positive election be used as an excuse to ignore our duty to investigate crimes that weaken the very fabric of our Democracy.

I thank you again for your commitment to the causes that we hold so dear."

Also See:

Olbermann: Mr. President, the War Isn't About You

MSNBC:
"Olbermann reacts to President Bush's recent interview with Politico.com and online users of Yahoo. Olbermann takes issue with Bush's claim he gave up golf to honor dead GIs ...."
As usual, Olbermann shows how well the title "Idiot in Chief" describes the current occupant of the Whitehouse:



For complete transcript and video: Click Here.

Also See:

  • Will Bunch | President Bush Committed Political Treason Today
    "I've seen a lot of sad things in American politics in my lifetime -- the resignation of a president who became a national disgrace after he oversaw a campaign of break-ins and cover-ups, another who circumvented the Constitution to trade arms for hostages, and yet is now hailed as national hero. And those paled to what we have seen in the last seven years -- flagrant disregard for the Constitution, the launching of a "pre-emptive" war on false pretenses, and discussions about torture and other shocking abuses inside the White House inner sanctum.

    But now it's come to this: A new low that I never imagined was even possible...."

Friday, May 02, 2008

Pushing the Single-Payer Solution

Pushing the Single-Payer Solution | Amy Goodman:
"It's time for the candidates to stop dancing around real health-care reform and get behind a single-payer system.

As the media coverage of the Democratic presidential race continues to focus on lapel pins and pastors, America is ailing. As I travel around the country, I find people are angry and motivated. Like Dr. Rocky White, a physician from a conservative, evangelical background who practices in rural Alamosa, Colo. A tall, gray-haired Westerner in black jeans, a crisp white shirt and a bolo tie, Dr. White is a leading advocate for single-payer health care. He wasn't always...."

Gas Tax Gotcha



Hillary Clinton continues her dishonest campaign to say anything that might benefit her politically--no matter what the truth happens to be. The current debate over her and John McCain's proposed federal gas tax holiday is a case in point:

washingtonpost.com:
"...We have to agree with Sen. Barack Obama, the only candidate who has refused to play this game. 'It's not an idea to get you through the summer,' he said. 'It's an idea to get them through an election.' His opponents no doubt hope that Mr. Obama's stand will prove to be political suicide. We think it qualifies as political courage."

Also See:

Bill O'Reilly's Foxy Lady


AlterNet:
"...Clinton may never be the Democratic nominee for president.

But she's got the makings of a Fox New analyst: corrupt, partisan and ready to play ball with Bill O'Reilly."
Cartoon Credit: FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog |� Michael Ramirez on Hillary Clinton and Norman Hsu

Also See:

  • Think Progress | SURVEY: Daily Show/Colbert Viewers Most Knowledgable, Fox News Viewers Rank Lowest:
    "A new study by the Pew Research Study shows that viewers of the Daily Show and the Colbert Report have the highest knowledge of national and international affairs, while Fox News viewers rank nearly dead last...."
  • Think Progress | Who Do You Trust?:
    "A new Harris Interactive poll finds that over half of Americans — 54 percent — say they tend not to trust the press, “with only 30 percent tending to trust the press.” More Americans (41 percent) trust “Internet news and information sites” than they do the mainstream media. Radio tends to do best among Americans as 44 percent say they tend to trust it."

Cutting Through The Politics

"For those who stubbornly seek freedom, there can be no more urgent task than to come to understand the mechanisms and practices of indoctrination. These are easy to perceive in the totalitarian societies, much less so in the system of 'brainwashing under freedom' to which we are subjected and in which all too often we serve as unwilling instruments." -- Noam Chomsky