In which I don the tinfoil hat

I need to go in for a half day of training at my temp job this morning, so forgive me for just doing a copy and paste of a post I did at My Left Wing last night. The bottom line, whatever you think of my nutty speculations below, is that rapid response is going to be crucial. I recommend keeping an eye on Huffington Post, which has been a useful source of information to me recently. For example, it pointed me to this story in the Canadian press:

Harper aide accused of sparking NAFTA-gate
Prime minister calls leak 'blatantly unfair' to Obama

Interesting that Maryscott should have a post today about Hillary Clinton and the state of the delegate math. Will add my 2 paranoid, conspiratorial cents, which I just posted in the comments at another blog earlier this evening.

Here's what Rush Limbaugh has said:

"I want Hillary to stay in this…this is too good a soap opera," Limbaugh told fellow conservative talk-show host Laura Ingraham on Fox News Friday. He reiterated the comments on his Monday show and replayed the exchange with Ingram.

He also said Clinton is more willing than the Republican National Committee and John McCain's campaign to criticize Barack Obama.

"We need Barack Obama bloodied up politically. It's obvious that the Republicans are not going to do it, they don't have the stomach for it," Limbaugh continued. "As you probably know we're getting all kinds of memos from the RNC saying we're not going to be critical. Mark McKinnon of McCain's campaign said he'll quit if they get critical over Obama. This is the presidency of the United States we're talking about. I want our party to win I want the Democrats to lose.”

We hear again and again that it's nearly impossible for Clinton to earn enough delegates in the primaries and caucuses to clinch the nomination. But isn't it mathematically impossible for Obama to clinch the nomination without superdelegates?

Regarding superdelegates, the common refrain from people speaking on Clinton's behalf is that they are supposed to use their independent judgment, based on what's best for the party. So, rather than voting to reflect the wishes of their constituents, they are supposed to vote for the person who is most "electable".

Is it possible that Clinton's goal is to get Obama "bloodied" enough by (or before) the convention that she and her surrogates could make the case that he's simply not electable?


Haloscan comment thread

Thoughts on the so-called "dream ticket"

Apparently Hillary Clinton, while making the morning show rounds to bolster her "important states have spoken" narrative, has said that it's possible that she would select Barack Obama as her running mate. I'm seeing headlines everywhere saying "Dream ticket is possible".

I've never agreed with the idea that having both candidates on one ticket would be a "dream ticket". I suppose in a superficial, identity politics way, it would make some sort of statement. But I don't see the appeal. At all.

And I think this is really about Hillary hoping to undercut some of Obama's softer support. Read: "He can still be president, when it's his turn".

Except...why would she select someone as her vice president when, in her own words, his only accomplishment is a speech he gave in 2002? The man she chastised, with my governor nodding in the background, saying "shame on" Barack Obama for using tactics right out of Karl Rove's playbook. (And then pulled out her own dog-eared copy of the Karl Rove Playbook, and used it every single day leading up to yesterday's primaries.)

I agree with Demetrius' assessment:

Why on *EARTH* would Obama want to be Hillary's second banana? He would have to stuff his honesty and integrity into a tiny hidden box and go out on the trail to say what a great POTUS she would be. (Pardon me... I just threw up a little bit in my *soul*.) Then, if they *won* he would have to rubber stamp whatever stupid idea she came up with. He could kiss his "Agent of Change" mantle goodbye.

Obama is a young man. He can run again. And, no one would be able to say then that he doesn't have enough experience. Hillary's chances of another run are significantly worse. She needs *him* on the ticket much more than he needs *her*. If Obama doesn't win it in his own right he should stay clear of this next administration!

(Didn't mean to displace floridagal's post so soon, but I wanted to respond to this "dream ticket" nonsense while it was timely.)

By the way, the Strickland bumper sticker is officially off our car now.

Haloscan comment thread

Howard Dean says if race goes to convention...no time left to heal.

Dean had a very good interview today on the Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. He said two things that really struck me. He said that there will be no healing time left after a brokered convention with only about 8 weeks until the election. He fears it will split the party.

Here is the video from CNN.

Dean: Primaries are a 'walk in the park' compared to the General Election

BLITZER: Explain why you're concerned if this were -- were to go to the convention floor. Why would that be a bad thing?

DEAN: Well, if you go to the convention floor with eight weeks to go -- I've been to those kinds of conventions before. We had one in '68, but I didn't go to that one. But that was the most outrageous.

In '72, there was a big fight over seating delegates. In 1980, there was a division between Senator Kennedy and President Carter. Divided conventions were people walk out and there's a lot of to do, it takes time to heal. And this convention is very late because of the public finance rules.

So I would strongly prefer to have a -- there's no reason not to have a nominee -- a clear nominee -- before the convention starts. And that solves all the problems of Florida and Michigan. And it solves unifying the party again.

He also reiterated that you can not change the rules of the primary after it has already begun. He says everyone knew the rules, even Florida and Michigan.

More from the CNN Transcript

BLITZER: You're not one of those Democrats who says whoever gets the most pledged delegates must get the nomination, forget about the super-delegates?

DEAN: My job is to follow the rules, to follow the rules regarding what states have done and if they're eligible or not and to follow the rules regarding super-delegate. Everybody knew what the rules were when they got into this. So to change the rules in the middle of the game is clearly unfair, no matter what candidate it benefits.

Once you start the game, you can't change the rules, because everybody knew what those rules were. They knew that there were 20 percent super-delegates. They knew that Florida and Michigan delegates couldn't participate in the nomination. And to change those rules, you either have to have a nominee who agrees to it or both campaigns that agree to it. And I don't think that's going to happen.

BLITZER: And --

DEAN: So the rules are not going to be changed.

I don't think Hillary will drop out. I think she will go after the Florida delegates at least. I think Governor Dean will be in control of this. I think they underestimate him.

I wish it did not have to be this way, but a sense of entitlement is there. I hope the 50 Superdelegates that Brian Williams said would appear for Obama are going to show up soon.

Haloscan comment thread

Might we appeal to "party elders"?

The beat goes on... Hillary Goes Orwellian on Iraq

"We have given them the gift of freedom, the greatest gift you can give someone. Now it is really up to them to determine whether they will take that gift."

Can we please get some party "elder statesmen" to have a word with this woman? I'm not even saying to push her out of the race, but if she stays in, she's got to stop this "by any means necessary" crap, which includes providing John McCain with quotes he can use against Obama, should he become the nominee. Or running ads that sound for all the world like "breaking news reports" until the very end where listeners are informed that the news they just heard was actually a Clinton ad.

In a year when Democrats are breaking records for voter turnout, which many commenters have suggested bodes well for Democratic victories in November, these kinds of scorched earth tactics could do a lot of damage. I know I'm not a "big name" blogger who could successfully launch a major action item. But I'm posting this in the hopes that people who agree with the above concerns will help spread the word. Maybe even find a way to actively pursue this.

Here's a list, provided by Mark Halperin, of Dems who might have the needed influence. If you click the link, you'll see that he's referring to them as people who might have influence with regard to pressing Hillary Clinton to bow out. But I imagine the same people could have the necessary clout to ask her to "tone it down".

Especially now that Ohio exit polls confirm that Clinton's last minute round of attacks worked, I'm concerned that she's likely to continue along those lines. Behavior that is rewarded tends to increase--at least that's what they told me in my psychology classes. So I'm afraid that the next month of campaigning promises to be even uglier, now that gutter politics have proven so successful for the senator from New York. At least in the short term. I'm really hoping that there are some respected grown-ups in the party who can remind her gently but firmly--and publicly--of the damage she might be doing in the long term.

Haloscan comment thread

My emotion detector

...has spoken. Or rather, has hovered next to me, and tried to climb into my lap, in response to what he perceives to be emotions that could spell trouble for "the pack". I guess it's a collie thing. But sometimes I think of him as a lamer version of Star Trek: The Next Generation's Deanna Troi.

I sense...intense emotions.

They aren't even all that intense. But as I was sitting here typing a response in the previous thread, Brady's "something is not right" sensors picked up on something, and he got all worried. I don't want to put him in the yard, since it's raining out. So probably the best course of action right now is just to get offline and work on other things.

Hope, not fear!

Haloscan comment thread

This is what "experience" gets us?

Via AMERICAblog

"I think that I have a lifetime of experience that I will bring to the White House. I know Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience to the White House. And Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002," Clinton says.

Er, no. The *correct* response, as we saw during any one of the earlier debates, is, "Of course any one of us here on this stage would be a better president than John McCain."

And by the way...

Maybe I've been slow on the uptake, but this didn't occur to me until I saw it discussed recently. (Can't recall exactly where at this point)

--Obama was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996.

--Clinton was sworn in as United States Senator on January 3, 2001.

So, Hillary has held one elected office, and she has spent less time as an elected official than Barack Obama.

How the hell does she get away with claiming that she has soooo much more experience?

I look forward to having a woman president one day. But I'm more than happy to wait for one I can actually feel proud of.

Haloscan comment thread

Compare and contrast

I have to admit, I'm a little perplexed that there are bloggers out there who are so zealous in their willingness to carry water for the Clintons. This article from the Nation is a good example of why I find that somewhat baffling.

The race for the Democratic nomination is a window into how the candidates view the future of the party, which is being shaped in large part by Dean's efforts. Are Clinton and Obama similarly committed to Dean's fifty-state strategy? How much faith would each, as the Democratic nominee, put in the party's grassroots? In the Internet era, the party is less about elder statesmen sitting in Washington than millions of people across the country organizing locally around issues and candidates. Dean and Obama have understood how the party is changing--and have embraced it. Clinton, thus far, has not.

Haloscan comment thread

It's the Weekend! Play like a cat!

OPEN PLAYFUL THREAD

Haloscan comment thread

Hope, not fear

I really like this quote from Barack Obama's town hall meeting in Parma, Ohio.

...America is at its best when it's not fearful. Our most shameful times are when people are afraid. We need a president who projects the confidence of America -- our values and our ideals.

Haloscan comment thread

Open Thread

Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!

Haloscan comment thread

Happy Leap Day

I looked for a picture that involved "leaping" and found this. Click the image for the story.

This is an open thread.

Haloscan comment thread

Clinton claims Richards' "endorsement", over family objections

This is just *wrong*. To use Hillary's own words, shame on you, Hillary Clinton.

"So many women around Texas and America are saying, `Wish Ann was here, for us and for Hillary,'" a female voiceover says on the video.

"Today Ann would be asking all of us to make a statement. She would be traveling to every small town and big city in Texas, urging us all to take a stand, be counted, to make a difference, to make history," it says while a picture of Richards and Clinton appears on the screen. "This one's for Texas. This one's for our country. This one's for Ann."

Click here for more. Richards' two sons, Dan and Clark Richards, have asked the Clinton campaign not to use the video.

Update: via Brilliant at Breakfast, here's the video



By way of clarification, Richards' daughter gave permission. But since the sons asked the campaign not to run the ad, the classy thing to do would be to honor that.
Haloscan comment thread

Obama in Columbus

Here's a post from the Ohio State University Lantern:

Obama rally to inspire voters, cause parking problems

Will add links to reports on the event once I find any.

I wasn't able to make it to the rally, but unlike "Obama girl", I did actually vote. Given the iffy weather these days, I highly recommend taking advantage of early voting.

Any Ohioan can vote early by going to your local Board of Elections. This page lists all of the BoE locations.

Also, I haven't heard any reports yet on crowd size, but these are the weather conditions that the people standing in line outside St. John Arena faced.

Obama calls Tuesday debate 'terrific' during university rally

Obama Late; Supporters Say He's Worth The Wait

Local ABC affiliate--report with video

Haloscan comment thread

DEBATE TONIGHT

I understand they will be liveblogging tonight's debate over at Buckeye State Blog.

Dodd Endorses Obama

The above is thanks to Renee
The below is thanks to floridagal

Sometimes a great cartoon just must be posted somewhere.

I guess so much has been written about how Florida leaders manipulated the primary date to be important, to get attention the week before Super Tuesday. This cartoon from Chan Lowe at the Sun Sentinel Cartoon Gallery just about says it all.



Halo Scan Comments

I voted today

I went to the Board of Elections today and took advantage of the early voting option. Thought I'd pass this along for any fellow Ohioans who might not be aware of this. While Dennis Kucinich's name does appear on the ballot--and was included in some of the recent polling--there are notices at the polling place indicating that a vote for Kucinich will not be counted. Same with Giuliani on the Republican ballot. I guess it's the difference between withdrawing from the race and suspending one's campaign.

Haloscan comment thread

Dear Governor Strickland...

Governor Strickland, I supported you in your run for governor. Participated in a blogger conference call and transcribed it, and also did a bit of transcribing of your debates against Ken Blackwell. A Strickland bumper sticker still graces the back of my car. Admittedly, that's partly because we haven't bothered to scrape it off, but also because we haven't felt any pressing need to remove it. After all, we're kind of proud that our state has moved beyond Taft/Blackwell style corruption.

Please don't make me want to remove that bumper sticker. I don't want to become disgusted and fed up with you, so I've avoided following your remarks at Hillary Clinton events. Yesterday, though, it was impossible to miss you standing behind Senator Clinton and nodding as she delivered her "shame on you" tirade. This morning, I was disheartened to read your remark about Obama supporters “following their heart without engaging their head in the process.” Yes, I know you said some Obama supporters, but you're playing into stereotypes, which I hope you don't really believe. Please be careful. Once you've said something, you can't really unsay it, you know?

Hillary is already going very negative these days, insulting both Senator Obama and his supporters. Her behavior right now is so off-putting that even if she does find a way to turn this thing around and somehow secures the nomination, some Democrats are going to have a hard time supporting her. And that has the potential to affect not only the presidential race, but down-ticket contests as well.

Haloscan comment thread

Barack Obama in Texas

Thank you, Karen, for linking this article. I saw it posted over at Booman this morning, and meant to link to it. But it slipped my mind (been that kind of day) so I was glad to be reminded.

"Mr. Obama walks out, left hand stuck in his suit pants pocket, looks around, the klieg lights casting him in a bright glow. After a throat-clearing word or three, he rubs his hands together in anticipation, the crowd tenses, and he says:

“All right. O.K. Let’s go to work here and talk some [big pause] politics!”

YAH! The crowd bounces and roars. So cool! Nothing like a rocking Friday night in Texas.

He lists the arrows that critics sling his way. He’s too hopeful, too inexperienced, not tough enough. At mention of the last, he bobs his head, steps toward the crowd, leans in and says: “Listen, I’m a black guy named Barack Obama running for president. You want to tell me that I’m not tough enough?”

He smirks. “Shoot.”

Haloscan comment thread

You wanna rumble, Hillary?

Fine, let's do this thing.

Yes, I'm ticked. I just read that Hillary, in her utter desperation to win at any and all costs, is comparing Barack Obama to George W. Bush.

Pot? Kettle here. You're Bush!

Yesterday, I read an analysis that seemed really spot-on to me, about how Hillary is campaigning the way she would govern.

That Clinton blew through $100 million in a few months with so little to show for it is a problem in itself. More frighteningly, though, she appeared oblivious about her burn rate and the potential effects on her campaign, a terrible indictment of her financial management skills. Again, this is not exactly what one would be looking for in a president, especially one who is touting her ability to manage the economy back to recovery. Administering a campaign's finances is not exactly a complex task when compared to managing the multi-billion dollar US federal government budget.

There's more. You know *why* Hillary is oblivious? Because, like Bush, she's surrounded herself with loyalists who won't confront her with hard truths. That, by the way, doesn't bode well for who she might choose to be part of a theoretical Hillary Clinton administration.

Hillary and her surrogates have been dismissive of states that didn't vote for her, saying that they aren't representative of the electorate. George Bush marginalized those who participated in the huge protests against his planned invasion of Iraq (you know, those of us who were "clairvoyant") by comparing them to "focus groups". He narrowly "won" re-election in 2004 and declared that he had a "mandate".

Also, as I've written earlier

Last year, someone I know went to hear Hillary Clinton speak at a fundraiser for the Ohio Democratic Party. He was very impressed with her speech, and went on about how inspiring it was. I commented that I was unable to support her because of her repeated, calculated refusal to admit that her vote on the Iraq war resolution had been a mistake. My acquaintance said, "Oh, you have to get over that!"

No, I most certainly do not have to get over that! I mean, this is basic, basic stuff. We all make mistakes. The important thing is to have the humility to admit that, and to learn from your mistakes so that you don't repeat them. I expect this of my kids...why should I expect less of my elected officials? And what's more, refusing to ever admit you were wrong is not a sign of "strength". It is, on the contrary, a dangerous weakness, and I don't believe America can afford another president who stubbornly refuses to ever admit a mistake.

That refusal to EVER admit a mistake? Also vintage Bush.

Clinton's communications director, Howard Wolfson, said back in July of 2007

And, with all due respect, if you want to talk about tactical political maneuvering, it's about one Democrat comparing another Democrat to George Bush. That's the worst kind of tactical political maneuvering.

After 11 straight losses, I guess Hillary has decided that she really *does* want to win "in the worst way". Because that seems to be how she's going about it.

Haloscan comment thread

Jane Goodall, tree-kisser

I was just watching a video called "Reason for Hope" about Jane Goodall. I've probably posted a link to Goodall's essay, "My Four Reasons for Hope" at some point, although I can't recall if it was here or somewhere else. The video is quite interesting. I learned about the group "Roots and Shoots" that Jane Goodall founded to get young people involved in saving the planet. I also learned that Jane kisses each tree she plants (this picture is from the United Nations web site).



And here's an essay Jane Goodall wrote in 2002: You may be only 1 in 6 billion, but every person can make a big difference

Not feeling especially wordy or eloquent tonight, but I thought this stuff was neat and wanted to share.

Haloscan comment thread

Open Thread

Just saw this video posted on Buckeye State Blog, and thought I'd snag it for an open thread before I turn in for the night.




Haloscan comment thread

TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE in honour of SUSAN's BIRTHDAY!

Photo by listener's Son*in*NC (300mm lens)

Halo Scan Comments

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUSAN!!

Video added by Renee after Susan's comment here.

Halo Scan Comments

Nelson and Levin say no revotes in their states.

They have done everything in their power to thwart the DNC policy. They have been disrespectful toward Howard Dean and the DNC. They both seem to exert great power over their state parties. They both have effectively worked with other state leaders to keep the voters from having a say in the primaries.

Nelson and Levin: No Revotes

Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) dismissed the possibility in interviews on Tuesday. Levin and Nelson said caucuses would effectively void the primaries in each of their states, and are pushing to have their delegates receive full voting power at the convention.

“You can’t undo an election with a caucus, especially one where 1.75 million Florida Democrats voted,” said Nelson, who filed an unsuccessful lawsuit last year seeking to overturn the national party’s decision to strip Florida of its delegates.

Levin had similar thoughts. “It would not be practical or fair to hold a caucus,” Levin said. “You’ve got 600,000 people who voted. You can’t just throw out the votes of 600,000 people.” Levin said the state will appeal to have its delegates restored by the party convention’s credentials committee this summer....

Asked about the fact that Clinton appeared on the Michigan ballot and Obama did not, Levin noted that it was Obama’s choice to withdraw his name.

Senator Nelson's office has a lot to answer for anyway. This is just one thing among many. His office lied to me about his vote on telecom immunity. When questioned they just kept spinning.

Nelson voted for telecom immunity after saying he was against it

His office said he would vote against it, but all the while he was saying things like this.

But Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, agrees with the White House position. "At the end of the day we have to have the cooperation of the telecommunications companies, and they should not have the threat of a spurious lawsuits hanging over their heads," he said.

There is a word for what they did in the primary....manipulation of the voters. There is a word for what Bill did about telecom immunity...lying.

Halo Scan Comments

How the Dean Campaign Is Helping Obama

First, there's the website. Joe Rospars, 26-year old head architect of Dean's internet team is Obama website designer and team manager.

Second, the fundraising model is the same as Dean used in 2004. Without this strategy as someone said, Obama would have been blown out of the race a long time ago.

Third, the Dean campaign itself. The momentum of the campaign propelled Dean into the DNC chairmanship. If Don Fowler or some Clinton crony would have gotten the gig, it could've totally shifted the playing field in favor of Hillary. We all remember how DNC Chairman McAuliffe (now Hil's campaign chair) stood by and failed to intervene as his former campaign client Dick Gephardt, tore Dean to shreds, along with Lieberman and other shadow Democrats in 2004.

When I go over to Obama's blog and read the comments, it reminds me so much of the comments that we read in 2004. Let's hope for the country's sake that the Dean legacy can continue to help Obama and bring about a better outcome.

Haloscan comment thread

Update on Ally

Just got an update on Ally. It's not going so well today.

She's really uncomfortable and they may need to start the chemo early, with just a general kind,
since maybe they can't wait for the test results.

For those who don't know, Ally is listener's grand-niece, who was diagnosed on Valentine's Day with stomach cancer, just two weeks after her first birthday.  
The complicating factor is that the tumor is pressing on her aorta, causing high blood pressure.

Check on Baby for the full update as of 4:13pm Sunday, now up.
http://eatapyzch.blogspot.com
{♡ Thank-you, dear puddle! ♡}

Ally's Candle Page:



listener | Homepage | 02.17.08 - 5:04 pm |


Haloscan comment thread

Open Thread

moar humorous pics

I've added a few new shared items via Google Reader.

Haloscan comment thread

A time for saying "Yes"

I originally posted this on Friday at Street Prophets. Initially I didn't feel the need to crosspost it, but given the recent spate of accusations of "cultishness" against the supporters of Obama, I've come to change my mind

So here it is, the first Friday in Lent. Even if I weren’t tuned into the liturgical year, it would be hard not to notice the arrival of the season. Because everywhere I look, I see fast food places advertising their “limited time only” fish sandwiches. Incidentally, when I was growing up Catholic, I absolutely detested fish, so my most frequent, informal prayer on Fridays during Lent was, “Please let it be cheese pizza tonight!”

By the time I was in high school and was preparing my own breakfast, I would sometimes get halfway into preparing a ham and egg sandwich before realizing that it was Friday. With a quick glance upward, I would silently, rhetorically ask, “Wasting food would be worse than eating meat on Friday, right?” And then I would finish cooking and eating my breakfast.

At some point during elementary school, my religion teacher introduced the notion of doing something special during this season rather than “giving something up”. Mind you, that didn’t let me off the hook as far as meat on Fridays, but the idea of finding something positive to do really captured my imagination.

Many years later, after having children of my own, I would leave the Catholic church, spend some years “wandering in the desert”—or “church hopping”, if you want to be prosaic about it, before finally settling in the Episcopal church. But I’ve continued to think of Lent as a time to find something to say “yes” to.

In fact, it was four years ago on Ash Wednesday that I was officially received into the Episcopal church. I didn’t have to make things official in that way, as I was attending a progressive Episcopal church held the philosophy, “if you consider this your home church, then you’re a member”. But four years ago, you’ll recall, we were wrapping up another primary season. It was the first election that I’d really paid attention and actually gotten involved, and I’d been pretty disillusioned by the whole thing. When the media and the Democratic party leaders pushed the narrative that the nominee had been decided, way before I had a chance to vote, I was seriously ticked off. I wanted to find some meaningful way to tell the party where they could stick it, but it turned out that in Ohio, you declare your party by voting in a primary. So I didn’t have the option of leaving the Democratic party in some symbolic gesture.

What’s more, I was frustrated that, months away from the general election, I was stuck with a candidate I didn’t like, but had to vote for to get Bush out of office. And I would be going to the polls to say “no” to Bush, rather than “yes” to someone I genuinely believed in. Anyway, long story short, this was also the time when the Episcopal church was taking some heat for upholding the election of Bishop Gene Robinson, and some people were leaving the church. I thought, fine, you may be losing members, but you’ll gain at least one, because I believe in rewarding good behavior. And I really needed something to say “yes” to just then.

So, anyway, now that it's that time of year again, I'm thinking about what I can do that's positive...what I can say "yes" to. And, maybe this seems a bit remedial, but given that I've had such a long, relatively dry spell, I think that saying "yes" to blogging more is a step in the right direction.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Postscript...I had really resigned myself to this primary just being about saying "No!" to Hillary. (And it is a loud, powerful, resounding "No!") I only slowly, gingerly began to move toward sayind "Yes" to Barack Obama as a candidate. It can't be a "jumping in with both feet" kind of yes--I'm still too cautious for that. But even a little bit of optimism feels better than what I had before, which was just a glimmer of hope that Hillary's "inevitability" was not a foregone conclusion. And I'm not a strong enough person that it's easy for me to protect and nurture that small seedling of hope and optimism in settings that are rife with cynicism and punchbowl-p!ssing. 'Cause, dang it, it feels good to hope, and to say yes--even a little bit--and I'm not about to let go of that just now.

Haloscan comment thread

OPEN THREAD WITH BIRD & SNOW & SUPERDELEGATES

Just as I snapped this photo earlier this week, the Common Redpoll chomped
down that bit of snow in about three bites ~ must have been very thirsty!

It was reported today that of Vermont's 23 superdelgates, 7 are free delegates.
Five have declared for Obama, one for Clinton, and the other one is just not saying
because he needs to remain neutral in his role as the DNC Chair!
Vermont has the most super superdelegate of all, because Howard Dean is first! ♥

~ listener

Haloscan comment thread

Like hope, but different

Hat tip to Plunderbund for pointing out this parody of the Yes We Can video.



Haloscan comment thread

HOLY HURRAH, STEPHEN COLBERT!

Dr. Philip Zimbardo, professor at Stamford University, author of The Lucifer Effect
was a guest on The Colbert Report on Monday, 11 February 2008.

In his book, The Lucifer Effect, Professor Zimbardo suggests that we have a tendency to conform, and we shouldn't conform mindlessly. We shouldn't obey authority unjustifiably. We need to use critical thinking.
Zimbardo: "We underestimate the power of social situations. We think everything comes from within us, that we are born with good or bad genes, we have good or bad personality characteristics."

Colbert: "The Garden of Eden. That's where good and evil started."

Zimbardo: Well, why did the Devil make Adam and Eve eat the apple? What was he thinking of?

Colbert (emphatically): Because he disobeyed the authority of God! He was 'non-conformist,' doing his own thing, letting it all hang out, did not want to serve the ultimate authority like you say he shouldn't, and I'm sorry the title of the book turns the argument [that ordinary people given roles of authority will act cruelly] on its head.

Zimbardo: "Lucifer is God's favorite angel."

Colbert interjects: "Until he disobeys. Go ahead-"

Zimbardo: "But why does he disobey? It's because God says, 'I have created this perfect creature, Adam; and everybody has to obey him.' Lucifer says, 'Wait a minute, he's a mortal. Mortals are corruptible; we're angels. I refuse.' And that's disobedience of authority. So the reason Lucifer, as the devil, seduced Adam is to say, 'God, I'm right and you're wrong. This guy is corruptible; he's not someone we should respect. He is an ordinary mortal.'"

Colbert: "But in that case Lucifer was right."

Zimbardo: "Lucifer was right, and God was wrong..."

Colbert: "Heyyy."

Zimbardo: "If God was into reconciliation, he would say, 'I made a mistake.' Okay?
God created hell. Paradoxically it was God who created hell as a place to put Lucifer and the fallen angels. If he had not created hell then evil would not exist. So you would not have had this..."

Colbert interrupts: "Evil exists because of the disobedience of Satan! God gave Lucifer and the angels and men free will. Satan used his free will and abused it by not obeying authority. Hell was created by Satan's disobedience to God and his purposeful removal from God's love. Which is what hell is: removing yourself from God's love. You send yourself to hell; God does not send you there."

Zimbardo: Obviously, you learned well in Sunday School.

Colbert: I teach Sunday School, you *bleep*!

~~~~~

HOLY HURRAH, Stephen Colbert!!
As a person who meets with people seeking spiritual guidance, both clergy and lay people, I stand in joyful ovation at hearing such a theologically sound and succinct explanation of evil and hell. I am greatly encouraged to know that someone out there is teaching this to children today, and (imagine!) in church! Seminarians would do well to take notes.
God must be grinning tonight.

Gratefully, listener

Haloscan comment thread

Clinton sees no momentum problem

Via MSNBC's First Read: Clinton Sees No Momentum Problem

And from CNN's Political Ticker: Clinton dismisses weekend losses

In other words, "It's just a flesh wound!"

Yeah, I know. Not the most substantive/mature post. But I think Clinton is showing amazing arrogance in her dismissal of Obama's wins. To wit:

The Clinton camp hopes to stop the Obama bandwagon by winning Texas and Ohio primaries on March 4, after which Mrs Clinton is planning to call on party grandees including Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Harry Reid, the party's leader in the Senate, to persuade Mr Obama to stand down.

Gotta hand it to her, I guess. Few mere mortals can pull of that kind of chutzpah and maintain a straight face.

Haloscan comment thread

HAPPINESS THREAD

Interesting post on Booman about the delegate situation.

But mostly, we needed a new thread.

Haloscan comment thread

Obama sweeps February 9 Contests

Story here.

Update: Thought this needed a pic. Here's one of a baby playing "got your nose" with Senator Obama. ;)

Also, the Cleveland Plain Dealer is endorsing Obama.

Haloscan comment thread

Is Hillary trying to get Shuster fired? Looks that way.

Here is something from The Politico. A letter she wrote to MSNBC. There is a difference in concern for your daughter and in actually shutting up a station that is trying to get some truth out. Who's next...Keith?

Hillary Rips Shuster

ORONO, MAINE — Hillary Rodham Clinton on Saturday morning ripped MSNBC over reporter David Shuster’s suggestion that Chelsea Clinton was “sort of being pimped out” by the campaign.

“I found the remarks incredibly offensive,” Clinton told reporters in this snowy town outside Bangor. Earlier, she sent a letter to NBC brass that called for swift action against Shuster, who was suspended Friday by MSNBC.

“Nothing justifies the kind of debasing language that David Shuster used and no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient,” Clinton wrote to NBC News President Steve Capus, who apparently had already called Clinton to personally apologize.

“I would urge you to look at the pattern of behavior on your network that seems to repeatedly lead to this sort of degrading language,” Clinton wrote. “There’s a lot at stake for our country in this election. Surely, you can do your jobs as journalists and commentators and still keep the discourse civil and appropriate.”

NBC did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment.

Okay, who wants to pull me down from the ceiling I just hit.

Haloscan comment thread

Overheard at the gym

First, a disclaimer...I would very much prefer not to overhear other people's conversations at the gym. I try to go at least twice a week, three times if I'm lucky, and what I want to do is get in the pool and move. I'm not much of a swimmer, but I used to take water aerobics classes, and now I just go to the pool when I have the opportunity and do "freestyle water aerobics for one". I don't ask for much--I just want my own little spot near a wall where I can just do my thing and tune everybody else out. If conditions are right, that's where I can do some of my best creative thinking. But if people within earshot are having a conversation, then conditions are most definitely not right, and I can't seem tune them out no matter how hard I try.

I was actually in the shower, not the pool, so I couldn't see who was talking, but I had passed some older women on the way to the shower. Several of them--I'm guessing at least three--were having a conversation that I kept catching bits and pieces of...

"I stayed up way too late last night watching the returns."
"So, what do you think?"
"I don't knooow!"
"Well, our governor has endorsed Clinton."
"Boo!"
"I'm not ready for a woman president."
"Me neither."

At this point, I *really* wanted to be able to tune out, because I was afraid I might hear something that would annoy me enough that I'd feel compelled to butt into their discussion. But the water wasn't loud enough to drown them out, so as I finished up my shower, I heard the conversation turn to the subject of women priests, and how one of the women had a friend who is one, but, "something about that is just not right." Also, apparently the women's movement is to blame for "the mess we're in today". Whatever that is.

But I wouldn't be sharing this story with you now, if it didn't have a positive twist. Here it comes. One of the women said (paraphrased)

"I used to think like that. Then my husband left me when I was 40, and I was totally unprepared to support myself. I vowed that I would never again let myself end up in that situation. ... Sometimes your situation changes, and then you change."

I didn't hear what the other women said in response, but inside I was saying "Right on, sister!" Because every day, in small ways we have opportunities to speak up and give the other side of the story. And an alternative perspective, when shared by "someone like you" has a better chance of taking root and possibly, as time goes on, softening (or even changing) some of the judgments people make.

Haloscan comment thread

Nice blog at Huff Post...how Dean begat Obama.

The post is quite true in many ways. The enthusiasm, the involvement, the passion. The willingness to work. Interesting in its comparison.

How Dean Begat Obama

Seeing the crowds of young supporters at Barack Obama rallies, commentators have been trying to locate the precise source of the apparently sudden swell of the "youth vote." It's Facebook! It's a greater focus on students by campaign field operatives! Or maybe the relatively young candidate himself is the cause. But as I watched Super Tuesday returns alongside members of Manhattan Young Democrats and the liberal ACT NOW organization at a packed Irish pub in midtown Manhattan, I got a different answer over and over again: we were engaged years before Obama hit the scene, and we'll be engaged even if he doesn't wind up with the nomination.

.." So when were all these young hardcores formed? Another answer was consistent: many had been "Deaniacs," or supporters of Howard Dean's 2004 presidential bid."

...."Though the young "Deaniacs" who helped fuel the former Vermont governor's presidential bid did not wind up deciding the 2004 Democratic primary or the general election, Trippi (until recently an adviser to John Edwards) says it was the first presidential cycle since the 60's in which Democrats gave youth participants a sense of ownership. "I think what [youth activists] weren't used to was a campaign saying, 'Here, this is yours, too.' They were used to protesting totally outside any political institution -- whether it was the World Trade Organization protests or anything else -- because no one was giving them something to mold and help shape. And here they had a shot at impacting something, winning and changing things. The Dean campaign was one of those things.

Well, though, of course all of us Deaniacs know who is still first. But if we have to settle, Barack will do.

Thanks, Howard Dean, for the inspiration and hope.



HaloScan Comment Thread

New thread

Talk amongst yourselves.


Haloscan comment thread

Open Thread

Updated election returns can be found here.

This picture, from the Honolulu Star Bulletin, shows Barack Obama with his grandmother in Kenya.



And reflecting another side of the Illinois Senator's roots: Tiny Irish village claims Obama as its own

Haloscan comment thread

An Even MORE Super Tuesday, thanks to Jessica!

Ok, I promised an announcement today, so here it is:

*******************

Breaking News!

******************

The 5th Annual DemocracyFest will be held in Dulles, VA (just outside Washington DC) on August 16-17, 2008.

Tickets will be on sale soon! (Hopefully within the next couple days!)

******************
Jessica Falker | 02.05.08 - 12:58 pm

See more details on this thread (see approx. 4pm)~!
Haloscan comment thread

Super Monday Endorsement!

From the National Nurse Newsletter
February 4, 2008
www.nationalnurse.org

via listener
(who just bought 20 more "I support the National Nurse" buttons for her legislators!) ♥


The National Nursing Network Organization (NNNO) is pleased to announce the endorsement of the International Parish Nurse Resource Center to establish an Office of the National Nurse. Our gratitude goes out to Reverend Dr. Deborah L. Patterson, Barbara Wehling, RN, PhD and the 12,000 parish nurses in the United States for their support and for the great work they contribute in helping to keep so many Americans well. Dr. Patterson refers to the Nightingale Initiative for Global Health (NIGH), who endorsed The Office of the National Nurse initiative in April 2007. You may visit the NIGH website: http://www.nightingaledeclaration.net/ and join the thousands who have signed the Nightingale Pledge https://www.nightingaledeclaration.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=18

HAVE to add a Dean photo with Nurse Teri in it! (on the right with big smile):

Gee, and there I was thinking of posting a Mundane Monday thread,
so we could all catch our breaths between yesterday and tomorrow. LOL!

XOXOXXX listener


Haloscan comment thread

There's some major sporting event today, right?

Oh yeah, today is Puppy Bowl Sunday!

The intro piece above is from last year's festivities.

And something completely different. Demetrius and I laughed out loud at some of these...
The 9 Manliest Names in the World

Haloscan comment thread

Religion editor suggests "opt-out" option for evolution.

I suspect part of this is a tongue in cheek given to the religious community, part in a serious vein. The last sentence seems rather to say to the religious minded that they should stop holding back progress. There is a movement here in Florida especially in the Southern Baptist churches to urge parents to remove their children from publics schools which obey the state rules in teaching the new standards.

Our society is used to conscientious objection to all sorts of things. It is an accommodation we have made in the public square for military service, for sex education, for medical treatment in some cases. We should allow those whose beliefs clash with this teaching of modern science to exempt their children on the same grounds.

It's not a perfect solution, but it would allow society to move forward.

I have read a lot of his work, and I think he is rather upset with those who simply deny science. I think he knows that fellowship well enough to know they will not change, and this might allow "society to move forward."

Evolution And the Opt-Out Option

For the first time, Florida's students would be explicitly required to learn about the theory of evolution. Until now, the standards have had some vague language about "biological changes over time." From the experience my children have had in science classes, I can testify that they did not learn much about the theory of evolution, and I'm sure that instruction about the theory varies from one school to the next, even from one classroom to the next in the same school.

So it's no wonder that changes are being considered. The independent Thomas B. Fordham Institute gave the state a grade of F in science. Because the federal government is pushing for improved math and science education, the heat is on the state board. The new standards under consideration are comprehensive and generally get high marks - except when it comes to high school biology.

The battle is heating up between a vocal minority who oppose the teaching of evolution and those who think the teaching of scientific principles shouldn't be, well, monkeyed with. As many as seven county school boards - most in Northern Florida - have passed resolutions opposing the evolution standards, according to the St. Petersburg Times, and more could follow. A majority of school board members in Polk County, where I live, have gone on record expressing their opposition.

..."Let's cut to the chase - those who object at all costs to having their children learn about evolution are conservative Protestants who have a religious basis for their objection.

First, these folks must realize one thing: The theory of evolution eventually will be taught in public schools. It is as inevitable as the sunrise. There are far too many people who not only have no objection to the theory of evolution, they insist their children learn it as part of a complete education. And, the nation's security depends on having its children literate in science, including biological science.

So here's my proposal: Let those parents who have a religious scruple about this part of the curriculum sign a waiver exempting their children from learning it.

He then reminds the parents who are objecting that their kids who go on to higher education with be tested on it anyway, whether of not they believe it.

A final caveat to conservative Protestants: My proposal would not get your children entirely off the hook. It's unlikely they would be exempted from being tested about evolution in the battery of standardized tests mandated by the state and federal governments. And colleges are not going to be interested in your children's explanations about why they scored poorly on the science sections of the SAT and ACT. Even if you tell your children not to believe it, it would not hurt them to learn what the theory of evolution is.

In case you missed it, here's some background on the battles on evolution going on here in this state. Even school superintendents believe there are holes in the evolution theory you could drive a truck through.

Florida...shades of Kansas and Tennessee.

Haloscan comment thread

"Yes we can" video

Thanks to Holly for posting about this powerful video in the comments earlier today. And since every other liberal blogger in the world (at least it seems that way to me) has front paged the video, it occurs to me that I should too.

Imbolc

Alexandra Lynch at Street Prophets just reminded me that, in addition to being Groundhog Day, today also marks the Celtic festival of Imbolc.

Some links:

Imbolc: Feeding the Body & Soul

The Wheel of the Celtic Year: Imbolc

By the way, I didn't learn until today, as I was searching to find out more about Imbolc, that there actually was a connection with Groundhog Day:

Imbolc was much concerned with fertility and weather prognostication. According to Gaelic folklore, the hag goddess Cailleach would gather firewood on Imbolc. If she intended to prolong winter she would make the day bright and sunny, the better to gather firewood. If Imbolc turned out overcast, it meant that Cailleach was asleep in her den and that there would be an early spring. Sound familiar? Most Groundhog Day reference sources cite this bit of Scottish verse:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,

Winter has another flight.

If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,

Winter will not come again.

Amazing how many things I've gone most of my life not knowing...

Haloscan comment thread

Open Thread

I'm not sure if I mentioned this--maybe I mentioned it in the comments, but not on the front page here, but Demetrius and I have been doing some work for Maryscott O'Connor on the My Left Wing store. Here's a design Demetrius just added...

And here's a picture of Bart, the new pup Mom will be raising for Canine Companions for Independence.

Talk amongst yourselves...

Haloscan comment thread

Actually, Hillary...

you can't make those delegates from Florida count just by coming to this state and saying you will count them. It is a little bit of grandstanding you are doing, isn't it?

Here is a scenario presented by the blog at Convention Watch 2008.

How would the Florida and Michigan delegates actually be seated?

And we have a vote, state-by-state, the first meaningful state-by-state roll call at a Democratic Convention since 1980. Clinton would need a majority of the delegates (not including Florida and Michigan) to approve the Minority Report.

And then reality strikes. If Clinton can get a majority of delegates to support the Minority Report, than she has a majority of the delegates supporting her anyway, and she doesn't need Michigan and Florida.

But if she doesn't have a majority of the delegates supporting her, its hard to see why delegates supporting other candidates would vote to seat the two delegations, essentially helping her out. After fighting for the nomination for 2 years, why would Obama or Edwards and their delegates give up the fight in this way. It's just not going to happen. The delegations will NOT be seated if the nomination is contested.

Bottom line is my vote won't count at all toward choosing the nominee. It did not count in 2000 because the Supreme Court took it. It did not count in 2004 because my candidate dropped out a month before our vote.

It does not count this time because my state party leaders and legislators preferred get the limelight a week before Super Tuesday. They could have waited a week, and we could have helped choose the nominee.

Haloscan Comment Thread

D.I.Y. Thread

If anyone wants to post some new content, here, go ahead. But if nothing else, here's your new thread for comments. --Renee

Update: A few shared items.

Haloscan comment thread

DEAN AND ME

Thankful and I, wearing multiple Dean buttons, went to see Heath Eiden's Grassroots movie today at the Roxy Theatre in Burlington.


                       ~ listener and Thankful

One of my sons joined us there, and I saw a few other people I recognised, but not as many as I expected. There were probably 60 people present. Heath was present and took questions and comments afterward.

This is my take on it. Thankful is on the road home now, and will offer her take after she's home, maybe later tonight.

Members of my family and I were present when Dean announced his campaign's beginning and it's end, and were volunteers at Dean HQ in Burlington. I mostly stuffed envelopes for meet-ups and fund-raising from October 2003 (just after a son's wedding) on through the beginning of 2.0., but also answered phones during the wildest 8 weeks of mid-December 2003 to mid-February 2004. So I was braced for a rough ride today, not sure I had really prepared myself to "see it all again" and to reflect again on the events of those painful days, which remain largely unresolved.

The movie was 88 minutes and really different than what I expected. At Deanfest I, I had seen a video that made me cry. Some of you will remember how hard it was to see the vivid memories and the clips of Howard Dean speaking, shaking hands, and shaking up the political world, all while smiling and raising his eyebrows and offering the occasional wink.

There was some of that in this video as well, even a good close-up of a twinkly wink. But it didn't make me cry like before. I will say I definitely got misty-eyed when it hit a bit too close to home, and I saw my eldest son on camera, larger than life, at the Blogger's Breakfast in Iowa...with an inrush of memory of his hopes at that time, his diligent work for and donation to the campaign, and his loss (as well as all of ours) when it floundered there.

Otherwise, though, it was ... well ... description doesn't reveal itself easily. As Thankful said, and will surely expand on later (after mulling it on her long drive home): "something was missing." I'm not quite sure what. It is not a documentary. There are no voice-overs. It is the splicing together of a lot of video clips and TV event sound bites, with a little human interest video (even clips of Heath's children) thrown in. So it's a bit organic, and it's a bit limited, but it also has some merit. Bloggers will want a copy if only to have some video from the Blogger's Breakfast (we saw Nurse Teri!) and a comment by Charlie Grapski.

I'd say it's one observer's collection of those days. Heath goes to a lot of events, from house parties to canvassing to conventions. He sees a few people multiple times, such as a young reporter from Massachusetts (whose comments I found quite interesting) and pundit Tucker Carlson. Carlson is friendly toward Heath, says great things about Dean when not on media camera, then speaks of Dean as angry when on live TV. There is a priceless clip Heath got at the peaceful demonstration during the Republican convention, when a plain-clothes police officer runs his motorcycle into a crowd, seemingly to incite a riot, then calls the police to come break up the riot with force. There are comments from average Americans and celebrities alike, here and there, some simple, some begrudging, some poignant.

Nonetheless, we would probably need videos from a spectrum of participants to get the full picture. In some ways we each have that in our memories, from all we have seen and heard. I didn't really need a voiceover to tell what was going on; but as Thankful pointed out, most people probably would. There was less of Dean than I expected ... not comprehensive of his views or policy or happenings. But there were also clips I had never seen, bits of speeches I had never heard. And Heath only lightly brushed up against the reality that what happened in Iowa was engineered by the Kerry and Gephardt camps. He showed more bits which speak to what Harvard professor and commentator David Gergen described well in the movie: that Howard Dean's appeal was at the local, in person mode, during which he really connected with the people and became one with them; but this appeal somehow did not translate the same way in the bits and sound bites (even commercials) in the media at the national level.

I still can't quite put my finger on what's missing, so I hope Thankful has a revelation on the way home. My suggestion is that this movie be shown at Deanfest this summer, that there be a gathering afterwards (perhaps the next day to give folks time to mull it or see it twice) during which the movie is discussed (maybe over a Blogger's Breakfast?). Then maybe some bloggers would offer their personal take on it, on camera, which clips could be added to the end of the movie, allowing a spectrum of reflections to help viewers begin to reflect on that time. Perhaps this would serve to bring the movie full circle...back to the people.

As I said to Heath at the end of the comments time today, the movie is a slice of history. Howard Dean gave articulation to our voices and helped us realise that we have the power. When the campaign crashed, we crashed with it (I heard a murmur of assent when I said that), but it also exposed what was going on in the media and the political sphere, and we will never see it the same again. We will never be the same again.

~ listener

Haloscan comment thread

Obama wins South Carolina

Via Yahoo News

Barack Obama routed Hillary Rodham Clinton in the racially charged South Carolina primary Saturday night, regaining campaign momentum in the prelude to a Feb. 5 coast-to-coast competition for more than 1,600 Democratic National Convention delegates.

Pardon me a moment of self-indulgence here.

Here's a link to Caroline Kennedy's op-ed, A President Like My Father.

Update: Hat tip to Alan for posting a link to Obama's victory speech. (Speeches by the other candidates, of both parties, can be seen at that link.)

Haloscan comment thread

Open Thread

Image courtesy of the Brick Testament

I've added some new shared items (including a couple about Hillary's recent stunt) here.

Update: Watch for South Carolina primary results here, after 7 p.m. Eastern time on January 26.

Haloscan comment thread

VPR interview with the guy who is previewing the Dean movie

in Burlington and Montpelier next week.

VT Edition Interview: Heath Eiden on his film "Dean and Me: Roadshow of an American Primary"

Four years ago, when Howard Dean's presidential campaign was heating up, Stowe resident Heath Eiden grabbed his camera and hit the campaign trail alongside the candidate. What he captured during those tumultuous weeks is now collected in a documentary, "Dean and Me: Roadshow of an American Primary. " Eiden spoke with VPR's Jane Lindholm about the film and about what he learned on the campaign trail.

Here are more details. Wish we Floridians could see it. I will supposedly get a DVD later because of our early on donation to Heath. Jealous.

Two Very Special Sneak Previews In Vermont

Jan. 26, Sat., 11am @ THE SAVOY in Montpelier, VT

Jan. 27, Sun., 11am@ THE ROXY in Burlington, VT

In the spirit of the Dean Movement we ask for a small donation ($10 or what you think it's worth).

Heath has been working on this movie about the Dean campaign since the campaign ended. A lot of us donated toward it, and he keeps in touch. Check out this post at the Vermont Daily Briefing. The movie is almost ready to roll out...with previews in Vermont.

Vermont Daily Briefing post about Dean and Me

Instead I get to be in this state and listen to the all the media blitz when Hillary wins the non-countable primary here next Tuesday. I get to watch all the local news and read the local media presenting only one side.

I am very tired of it, and I am very tired of politics in general.

Haloscan Comments Thread

Open Thread (with puppies)

My mom is about to get one of these puppies, or one of their siblings--all I know for sure is that it will be a yellow male, and his name is Bart--to raise for Canine Companions for Independence. I think he's arriving at the CCI branch in central Ohio this Friday.

By the way, Haloscan is having some serious issues today. No idea what the problem is, but no, you weren't imagining it.

Update: In fact, I have now tried about a half dozen times to post a comment saying "New thread", to no avail. Anyway, I tried.

Another update--I've gone ahead and made a Blogger comment thread for this post, since Haloscan is currently not working here, nor is it working at Americablog, which also uses Haloscan commenting.

Good night, everyone.

Haloscan comment thread

Dean: "We have been here before in this country"

Yes, I know. I am doing it again. Posting something Dean said. But I am in a real funk right now with my vote not counting because our Florida Democrats tried to be Big Shots. And to make matters worse, the party leaders here are insulting, the press is obnoxious, and the Florida bloggers are mostly silent. So it is an irritating time for hubby and me.

To make matters even more annoying the attacks on him in Florida will get worse as the primary nears on January 29. I dread it.

And besides his words still give me hope. It was a time of hope for many of us...we thought we could make a real difference. The time was not right then, and the country continues on its sharp right turn.

Dean's speech when he left the race...February 18, 2004, in Burlington

DEAN: Change is difficult. You cannot expect people with great privileges taken at the expense of ordinary working people to surrender them lightly. But the history of humanity is that determined people will overcome obstacles.

And we will overcome the problems that this country is facing as a result of George W. Bush and as a result of a Washington establishment that has forgotten who sent them there.

(APPLAUSE)

Some of you have been on the road with me or have seen the speeches have heard this before, but it's true. We have been here before in this country. When William McKinley was president, enormous trusts were put together which made it impossible for ordinary Americans to start their own business, make any money without enormous pressure from those trusts, which destroyed their business.

Teddy Roosevelt came along, busted up the trusts and made it possible to earn a living for ordinary Americans and small businesses again.

Under Harding and Coolidge and Hoover, Calvin Coolidge said, The business of America is business, but (he) forgot that human beings are not meant to be cogs in an enormous government corporate machine; that we are spiritual people who need connections and have to have community again.

Franklin Roosevelt came along and took America back for ordinary working people again.

A great part of that speech that day, which unfortunately was not to come to pass that year...still is funny.

My favorite, however, is this one. In 1824, John Quincy Adams, the son of a one-term president, John Adams...

(LAUGHTER)

... beat Andrew Jackson of Tennessee in an election where Andrew Jackson received more votes.

It was decided in Congress by one vote, electing John Quincy Adams as president.

In 1828, four years later, John Quincy Adams became the one-term son of a one-term president.

(APPLAUSE)

Unfortunately, the Little Emperor Bush was a two term guy.

Ah, what might have been.



The full speech in Burlington that day.

Announcement of end of campaign

Haloscan comment thread

Happy Former President Bush Day

I know, I know. I really wish we could push that eject button today instead of waiting another year. But, hang in there, world.

And, a lot of us are really really sorry about this whole Bush fiasco. He never should have even been allowed one term, and somehow we let him have two? I know a lot of you had to be wondering what was wrong with us. Well, it's almost over now--just one more revolution of the earth around the sun. And we're going to try really hard not to do anything that stupid again

Haloscan comment thread

Open Thread

moar funny pictures

Update from the world of electoral politics:

"I guess this is how the West was won," Clinton told cheering supporters in Las Vegas. She captured the popular vote, but Obama edged her out for national convention delegates at stake, taking 13 to her 12.

Haloscan comment thread