The Clinton Deception Continues
The Clinton Machine continues to lie and luckily this time, they got caught.
Obama camp: Clinton would be ‘deeply flawed’ nominee
The Obama campaign launched some of its sharpest attacks to date on Hillary Clinton's candidacy Friday, telling reporters on a conference call that the New York senator is a dishonest politician who has consistently misled voters.
What Happened to Free Speech?
After reading the condemnation coming from so many people regarding Mr. Wright’s alleged anti-American remarks I think it’s important for everyone to take just a minute and recall exactly what is said in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. For those of you that need a little refresher course, here it is: “Congress shall [...]
What’s Hillary Hiding? Where are her Taxes?
Why is is that Hillary hasn't released her Taxes? What's she hiding? Middle East Oil Money? Shady deals? Enron, Qwest and Tyco stock gains? We'd all love to know.
Currently Playing...
Barack Obama: The Cost Of War
Added on 20 March 2008
View More Videos:
Green Diary Rescue & Open Thread
03 July 2009
For nearly four decades, since environmental legislation was first enacted, ecp-groups have found the Supreme Court to be more or less favorable to the cases they have brought before it. Not so with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. at the helm. Adam Liptak writes at The New York Times Environment Groups Find Less Support From Justices The Supreme Court heard five environmental law cases in the term that ended Monday, and environmental groups lost every time. It was, said Richard J. Lazarus, a director of the Supreme Court Institute at Georgetown University Law Center, "the worst term ever" for environmental interests. The court allowed Navy exercises using sonar that threatened whales off California. It limited the liability of companies partly responsible for toxic spills. It made it harder to challenge Forest Service regulations and easier to dump mining waste into an Alaskan lake. And it allowed the Environmental Protection Agency to use cost-benefit analysis to decide how much marine life may be killed by cooling structures at power plants. Business groups expressed measured satisfaction with the decisions. "The court does seem to be bringing more common sense back to environmental law," Robin S. Conrad, a lawyer with the United States Chamber of Commerce, said at a recent news briefing. = = = The rescue begins below and continues in the jump. (The next Green Diary Rescue appears Sunday at 9:30 p.m.) = = = The Cunctator informed us that DK GreenRoots: ExxonMobil Is Still Funding Global Warming Denial Groups!: "From 1998 to 2005, ExxonMobil directed almost $16 million to a group of 43 lobby groups in an effort to confuse Americans about global warming. After being criticized by the Royal Society in 2006, Exxon promised to end funding to groups questioning climate change. In May 2008, Exxon again issued a public mea culpa and pledged to cut funding to groups that ‘divert attention’ from the need to develop and invest in clean energy. Yet, in 2008, while cutting contributions to the most extreme groups, Exxon still funded the National Center for Policy Analysis, the Heritage Foundation, and the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, all groups which publicly question or deny global warming." DK GreenRoots sarahnity, whose Saturday Frugal Fridays series is always green, went a little further in Saving Some Green by Going Green: "Too often, we think that it costs money to be environmentally friendly. While that can be true, the fact of the matter is that there are plenty of things you can do every day that take little effort and often no upfront costs. There are lots of ways you can change your home or your lifestyle to reduce the amount of energy and other natural resources you consume, but in this diary I want to focus on some of the easiest (and cheapest) changes you can make that will still make a significant difference. The most important thing to keep in mind if you are looking for places to save resources is to first look to where your biggest usage is and try to trim that. If you can save just 2% of the power on something you use 40% of the time, that is going to be a much bigger savings than if you save 50% of the power on something you use 5% of the time. Your goal should be to stop the hemorrhaging before you start worrying about the skinned elbows." DK GreenRoots = = = The Overnight News Digest is posted. Included is the story Education secretary challenges NEA on teacher pay
Posted in Daily Kos, NewsComments (0)
Open Thread and Diary Rescue
03 July 2009
Tonight's Rescue Rangers are vcmvo2, shayera, noddem, jennyjem, grog, and ybruti while the jet-lagged editor is dadanation. The rescued diaries Username4242 posts great pictures (along with very informative text) of the candidates for Bonus Dinosaur of the Week! My five favorite finds. (ybruti) WIds presents in Palin's Poetry a free verse transcription of the surprising speech today by Alaska's soon-to-be former governor. (ybruti) arendt reflects on various schools of thought on human behavior discusses how these differing schools are personified in many interactions on dKos in Increasing the gap between impulse and action. A thought-provoking diary. (vcmvo2) Casual Wednesday writes this contribution to the week's environmental diaries about the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming in DK Greenroots: Considered Forthwith. (vcmvo2) blue meme, in the aftermath of the "PR" disaster yesterday at the Washington Post, wonders Did the WaPo violate the Lobbying Disclosure Act? (vcmvo2) count takes a look at recently released information and asks Employment data: OH YEAH? (shayera) Something the Dog Said continues his series First Amendment Friday 10 - Hustler V Falwell with an analysis of this important free speech case. (grog) I love OCD relates the hard work and mental challenges of dealing with a parent with dementia in The Greatest Generation - A Caregiver's Story. (grog) mspicata channels Billy Mays in this attempt to bail out California: Golden State Blowout Sale!!!! (grog) gjohnsit offers up a real solution to the mess in California with A progressive solution to California's economic crisis. (jennyjem) Avenging Angel summarizes the mounting evidence against the former Vice President in DOJ Confirms Cheney's Key Role in CIA Leak Case. (jennyjem) JohnCos gives a personal example of just how low the political discourse has sunk in They Called Him A Coward... (jennyjem) Deep Brain Diarist reflects on a time of recovery and gives an update of his condition after having Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery -- Part 3. Two Years Ago Today! (noddem) Tasini shares the story of Victory At SmithField: An Independence Day Symbol. After 17 years of fighting for their rights, workers at a pork plant have won the rights to which we are all entitled. (noddem) The regular extras jotter has High Impact Diaries: July 2, 2009. BeninSC has Top Comments - Sanford and DeMint. The reminder Please use this as an Open Thread as well as your chance to promote your favorite diaries of the day. Respectful engagement is most welcome here. Please keep in mind that each Diary Rescue's daily purview extends from 3pm PST yesterday to 3pm PST today. Shamelessly self-promote or pimp for a friend in this Open Thread!
Posted in Daily Kos, NewsComments (0)
Polling and Political Wrap-Up, 7/03/09
03 July 2009
I was busy most of the day, but I heard that something might have happened with regard to the 2010 elections. Some sort of a candidate announcement. Might have been a governors race? Perhaps someone here can fill me in.... :) MN-Gov: Apparently, Norm Coleman IS Serious About This Norm Coleman is obviously trying to resemble one of those sandy-bottomed childrens toys that you keep knocking over, only to see it rise again to your endless amusement/frustration. According to this article, a Coleman advisor is saying that he is actively discussing a 2010 gubernatorial bid with Republican activists. This comes, of course, less than 72 hours after he finally conceded the 2008 Senate race, in which he was defeated by Democrat Al Franken. OH-Gov: Poll Confirms Softening of Strickland's Position A new poll from Quinnipiac shows that the state's financial dire straits have had a political effect on the state's first-term Democratic governor, Ted Strickland. Once considered in a strong position for re-election, Strickland now leads his potential GOP rivals by single digits. Strickland holds a one-point edge over former Senator Mike DeWine (41-40) and a five-point edge over former Congressman John Kasich (43-38). In early May, Quinnipiac had Strickland leading both GOP candidates by double-digit margins. NATIONAL: The Dire Straits of Republican Governors As Sarah Palin jogs off into the sunset (for now), Kyle Munzenreider of the Miami New Times has a pretty solid read on a topic that will probably unleash a little healthy weekend schaudenfreude in these parts: the shockingly swift descent of the Republican governors, once considered to be the bedrock upon which the GOP resurrection would be built. The gallery of GOP gubernatorial drama alone is worth the visit. IL-Sen/IL-Gov: Could Kirk's Statewide Plans Get Scuttled By Right-Wing? Mark Kirk has taken most of his abuse lately from the political left, in particular for his somewhat dangerous attempt to give Barack Obama and the Democrats a swift kick in the knees by telling China that America's government could not be trusted. Now, he is taking on water on the starboard side. Yep, the right-wing in his state is less than thrilled that he was one of eight Republicans to support the President on last week's very tight Clean Energy vote. NV-Sen: Heller Looking Less Likely As A Senate Challenger in 2010 Barely a week after John Cornyn insisted that a Republican challenger to Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid was forthcoming, the main target of the NRSC's recruitment efforts seems to be intent on staying put. Dean Heller, who has served northern Nevada in Congress since 2006, has not made up his mind definitively, but the signs are pointing towards him not running for statewide office in 2010. This is doubly good news for Democrats, since not only does this mean that he is unlikely to challenge Reid, but it also means that he is unlikely to challenge incredibly vulnerable GOP Governor Jim Gibbons. Top Republicans seem resigned to a Heller non-candidacy: John Thune, now in the Senate leadership, simply said of Heller, "I think he likes the job he has."
Posted in Daily Kos, NewsComments (0)
Polling and Political Wrap-Up, 7/03/09
03 July 2009
I was busy most of the day, but I heard that something might have happened with regard to the 2010 elections. Some sort of a candidate announcement. Might have been a governors race? Perhaps someone here can fill me in.... :) MN-Gov: Apparently, Norm Coleman IS Serious About This Norm Coleman is obviously trying to resemble one of those sandy-bottomed childrens toys that you keep knocking over, only to see it rise again to your endless amusement/frustration. According to this article, a Coleman advisor is saying that he is actively discussing a 2010 gubernatorial bid with Republican activists. This comes, of course, less than 72 hours after he finally conceded the 2008 Senate race, in which he was defeated by Democrat Al Franken. OH-Gov: Poll Confirms Softening of Strickland's Position A new poll from Quinnipiac shows that the state's financial dire straits have had a political effect on the state's first-term Democratic governor, Ted Strickland. Once considered in a strong position for re-election, Strickland now leads his potential GOP rivals by single digits. Strickland holds a one-point edge over former Senator Mike DeWine (41-40) and a five-point edge over former Congressman John Kasich (43-38). In early May, Quinnipiac had Strickland leading both GOP candidates by double-digit margins. NATIONAL: The Dire Straits of Republican Governors As Sarah Palin jogs off into the sunset (for now), Kyle Munzenreider of the Miami New Times has a pretty solid read on a topic that will probably unleash a little healthy weekend schaudenfreude in these parts: the shockingly swift descent of the Republican governors, once considered to be the bedrock upon which the GOP resurrection would be built. The gallery of GOP gubernatorial drama alone is worth the visit. IL-Sen/IL-Gov: Could Kirk's Statewide Plans Get Scuttled By Right-Wing? Mark Kirk has taken most of his abuse lately from the political left, in particular for his somewhat dangerous attempt to give Barack Obama and the Democrats a swift kick in the knees by telling China that America's government could not be trusted. Now, he is taking on water on the starboard side. Yep, the right-wing in his state is less than thrilled that he was one of eight Republicans to support the President on last week's very tight Clean Energy vote. NV-Sen: Heller Looking Less Likely As A Senate Challenger in 2010 Barely a week after John Cornyn insisted that a Republican challenger to Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid was forthcoming, the main target of the NRSC's recruitment efforts seems to be intent on staying put. Dean Heller, who has served northern Nevada in Congress since 2006, has not made up his mind definitively, but the signs are pointing towards him not running for statewide office in 2010. This is doubly good news for Democrats, since not only does this mean that he is unlikely to challenge Reid, but it also means that he is unlikely to challenge incredibly vulnerable GOP Governor Jim Gibbons. Top Republicans seem resigned to a Heller non-candidacy: John Thune, now in the Senate leadership, simply said of Heller, "I think he likes the job he has."
Posted in Daily Kos, NewsComments (0)
Top 10 reasons for Palin resignation
03 July 2009
Feel free to add your own theories in the comments.
Posted in Daily Kos, NewsComments (0)
Palin secedes from office. Also.
03 July 2009
So Sarah Palin has resigned. From four colleges. From her job with the Oil & Gas Commission. And now finally, from her job as governor. Highly unusual for someone once so determined to climb the political ladder that she stayed on in Texas to deliver a speech to the Republican Governors' Association, even as she went into labor with her fifth child. But, hey, that's Sarah. Also. Now, my first thought was that she merely meant that she was tired and wanted to recline, but alas, she left little doubt about her actual intentions with her extended, often rambling speech, during which the local waterfowl laughed repeatedly. Palin's first draft, by the way, reportedly began: "When in the course of human... stuff... (also)." It's truly been an amazing few weeks for the America, as we found out that GOP governors celebrate Father's Day with adultery, and July 4th by resigning from office. This is a pretty amazing abdication of responsibility, I must say. I think back to John McCain's flaky "suspension" of his campaign over the financial crisis, and when you put it side by side with Palin's freak-out, I'm really astonished that they were ever considered a legitimate presidential ticket. How she ever made it all the way through field dressing a moose without getting bored and quitting, I'll never understand. But then again, this was someone who probably winked because she couldn't commit to finishing a blink. I'm appreciative, at least, that she went out in a blaze of glory, with one last incoherent blast of public word spray. I think I'm seeing starbur... ah, screw it. I don't feel like finishing that sentence. Best of luck to you in whatever you do next, Sarah. Rumor has it that you quit for an offer of $50 an hour to go pick lettuce in Yuma for the whole season. But I think you can't do it, my friend.
Posted in Daily Kos, NewsComments (0)
The Worst Health Care Reform Money Can Buy
03 July 2009
This will shock you, I know, but corporate interests have signficiantly outspent consumer groups in the health care reform debate. In the first three months of 2009, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has spent more money on lobbying since 1998 than any other company, trade association, or advocacy group, and the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America (PhARMA)--the No. 6 all-time spender--paid lobbyists a combined $22.5 million to promote their interests. Meanwhile, prominent champions of the public insurance option spend very little on lobbying or campaign contributions. Families USA, a self-described consumer watchdog dedicated to health care issues, for example, has spent a mere $10,000 on lobbying this year and only $32,000 total in 2008. Health Care for America Now (HCAN), a national network that unites doctors' associations, consumer groups and other activists, spent $80,000 last year. And the National Health Council (NHC), which has remained mum on this issue but supported putting pressure on insurers to cover pre-existing illnesses, has not spent any money on lobbying since 2007. Of these more prominent organizations, in fact, only the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a major lobbyist--$4 million spent so far this year and $158.8 million since 1998--but the group has not publicly endorsed or rejected the president's proposed legislation. Yowza. All that money spent to keep us getting lousy health care. Or, rather, paying exorbitant costs for insurance and prescription medications--there isn't a lot of actual "care" involved in those pursuits. Is it likely to make a difference with our (ahem) public servants? Nate thinks so, after doing some of his famousl number crunching: The insurance industry's influence appears to swing about 9 votes against the public option. Whatever number of senators wind up supporting the public option, add 9 to it, and you'll have a decent ballpark estimate for what the level of support might be if not for insurance industry contributions... The single senator who's position on the public option is most likely to have been changed by lobbying money is Mark Warner of Virginia, who has already raised $69,000 from insurance industry PACs in spite of having been in the Senate for less than six months. Absent industry money, the model estimates about a two-thirds likelihood that Warner would support the public option; with it, the model thinks the chances are very low. Indeed Warner has been mum on the public option to date. Ranking next on the list is Harry Reid, who has taken some $78,800 from insurance industry PACs and who has also yet to articulate a position on the public option in spite of his status as Majority Leader. If the model is right, Reid's noncommittal stance on the issue might be better conceived of as tacit, if somewhat soft, opposition. Following Reid is Kent Conrad of North Dakota, who has floated a compromise bill that would replace the public option with a co-op system, a version of which the Senate Finance Committee appears likely to adopt. There are many issues in which I think a "with us or against us" attitude is short-sighted and politically damaging. On health care, it's different. It's us, the consumer, the people who are having to shell out all this money for health "care" vs. the people taking all of our money and giving us shoddy product. And then taking all that money and pouring it into lobbying the people who are supposed to be representing our interests. Nine votes, many of them on the Finance Committee, conveniently. Mosey on over to slinkerwink's action diary, and make a call or two to the Senators on the Finance Committee. They'll also all probably be home for the 4th recess, and will be having townhalls and constituent meetings. Ask them point blank, are they with us, or against us? Are they among those nine Senators who will be swayed by campaign contributions from industry PACs, or are they looking out for us? (That's a really good question to ask in a public setting.)
Posted in Daily Kos, NewsComments (0)
Cheers and Jeers: Mutton and Hard Cider Friday!
03 July 2009
From the MASSACHUSETTS-ANNEXED FRONTIER TERRITORY OF MAINE... The Declaration of Independence: Brittle Parchment of Liberty If you are going to sever ties to your Commonwealth through bloody struggle, it is considered polite to write down why. Nobody wants to get three years into a revolution only to realize the whole thing was a Three’s Company-esque misunderstanding. The Declaration of Independence was the laundry list of grievances stating America’s case for freedom. Its accusations against the King ranged from egregious ("He has plundered our seas, burnt our towns and ravaged the lives of our people") to the trifling ("Sometimes when he sees us at a party he acts like he doesn’t know us"). But proud men would not take up arms against the Crown solely because the King had "erected a multitude of new offices." The authors of the Declaration knew they would also have to appeal to man’s higher nature, to stir men’s souls. They needed something with some zazz. Enter a hot-shot tobacco executive from Virginia, Thomas Jefferson. His task would be to synthesize the unique brand message of America down to something that would captivate the hard to reach "12-28 ragtag militia" demographic, all the while not offending traditional "Butterchurn Moms." His first attempt at a Preamble was: - AMERICA. A is for All the tea they taxed. M is for the Minutemen they shellaxed..." - It tested poorly. But his rewrite would be win-win: - "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." - In a scant 35 words, Jefferson had given the nation the kind of positive brand identity that tendered moot the issue of whether or not we had to live up to its ideals. Still, knowing the inherent contradiction between their noble words and the reality of a slave-owning nation, Jefferson and the Founders wisely decided to strike from the Declaration of Independence the phrase "or your money back." ---From America (The Book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction Happy 233rd Birthday, America, We The People luv ya. The original Cheers and Jeers from July 4, 1776 starts in the Commonwealth of There's Moreville... [Washington's sword: Swoosh!!] RIGHTNOW! [Liberty Bell: Gong!!]
Posted in Daily Kos, NewsComments (0)
- Subscribe
- Latest
- Comments
- Tags
- The Clinton Deception Continues
- Obama camp: Clinton would be ‘deeply flawed’ nominee
- What Happened to Free Speech?
- What’s Hillary Hiding? Where are her Taxes?
- My Three Reasons to Vote for Obama
- Clinton desperate to keep plan for two revotes alive
- Barack Obama Delivers the Most Important Speech on Race in Decades
Stay up to date
- Subscribe to the RSS Feed
- Subscribe to the feed via email
