Senate

Every day, I still see people driving around with their Bush/Cheney '04 bumper stickers proudly displayed on their cars. (Often they're right next to the American flag stickers collecting auto exhaust and road grime, which strikes me as real desecration, if you want to get into desecration, bubbas.)

Despite his low approval ratings, Bush continues to skate on all the crap he's pulling on the American people, such as:

• Signing laws, and then declaring that he's not going to follow them;
• Crying gloom and doom about the "evil-doers who will stop at nothing to destroy America" ... and then complaining that people don't believe him when he says the war on Iraq is just jim dandy;
• Continuing to babble the same talking points about the Iraq war as a year ago;
• Spying on Americans, and sneering at anyone who criticizes such illegal behavior;
• Dodging and squirming and doing everything he can to avoid owning up to his shit, like leaking Valerie Plame's then-secret status as CIA operative;
• ...and more of the waddayagonnadoabowdit behavior we've seen from him and his homies.

There are some obvious implications to this arrogance that we all should be considering.

Personally, I find the fact that fully 1/3 of Americans fully approve of Bush's conduct to be rather disheartening. I'm also, let's say, "disappointed" that Democrats who were so eager to jump on the Clinton-bashing bandwagon over oral sex refuse to even consider censure -- let alone impeachment -- for a president who is lying to the American people every day.

I remember all the hubbub over Monica's blow job, but have trouble seeing anywhere on C-SPAN or any of the mainstream media any critical discussion of Bush's own compensating for his own shortcomings. I mean, we're talking about another order of magnitude of the fragile male ego.

So boys will be boys, and middle-aged men will miss their cock-sure clarity of their 20s. But in counter-constructive acting out behavior, Bill had an affair, but George launched a war on a country quite a ways down on the national security threat scale. Collateral damage: an intern's career vs. tens of thousands of lives lost. Clean-up: removing cum stains with a long-overdue dry-cleaning, vs. banning the press from covering the return of flag-draped coffins of Americans who gave their lives as a matter of doing their duty.

Kos, who seems to have suddenly realized that primaries are important and manufacturing consent doesn't really work, still bangs the party drum.

We are in the minority. At this point, we need all Democrats, even the "bad" ones, to rescue the country from the reactionaries currently running it into the ground.

You know, there's one big problem with that logic: The "'bad' ones" are reactionaries, too. Taking money from the Democrats doesn't suddenly make a reactionary into something less. But it will be interesting to see him rooting for Joe Lieberman this fall.

First thing I heard at 5 AM, Pacific time, was that Reid is threatening ... a filibuster. Stop laughing. He is our leader. And his Everlast wardrobe closet is ... ready to go. Those are NOT mothballs you smell. Stop with the jokes.

Leader Reid fights for us and he picks his battles. He warehouses his powder. We need to be appreciative.

Gagging yet? Have a dog bone... and the b-b-blogs will be back to saying all of the above pretty soon.

There is a co-option of message on the b-b-blogs, as they sense some real rebellion in the ranks. No shit. DC looks to be somewhere out past Pluto in terms of being clued into anything on earth... Meanwhile they bluster: gosh! they missed how weak DC is -- Duckworth juuust scraped in, despite spin from DC that the boyos (say they) fell for, shock in the electronic town square.

Stop laughing, you might choke on your dog bone...

There are signs all over, from MyDD in full genuflection to "not getting it" and, for those around for a while, in the upper corner today at MyDD is a pic of Ginny Schrader... the last anti-establishment candidate (PA-8) rally run out of Dkos/aligned blogs (7/'04).

Like Chris, I screwed up on Cegelis.

I didn't realize that the party establishment was as weak as it was, and I didn't get the basic dishonesty of the DCCC in this fight. The DCCC was squeezing donors hard to give to Duckworth, as did golden boy Barack Obama who appeared in Duckworth's commercial.

But what offends me is not that they weighed in on Duckworth's side, but that they pretended like Cegelis did not exist. I bet that a substantial portion of Duckworth's voters simply did not know that Cegelis was a Democrat. They probably saw Duckworth on TV with Obama, got some mailers, and figured, hey, I'll vote for the Democrat.

Cue the smoke and mirrors. Certainly on the establishment acting like Cegelis "did not exist".

Kos dropped her, hugged Duckworth and the lambkins followed suit. DC needed to deliver on Duckworth... return on investment, face saving, you name it... and the play is old. Decades old, but a recent one was the SF mayoralty run, Nov 2003. They dared not have DLCer Newsom (oh don't be taken in by gay marriages, it was all so cynical on his part) lose to a just-barely-not-a-Green anymore (Gonzales) at the start of the GE season. Marina District (Newsom's neighborhood) pulled in late and put him in. Sound familiar?

Blogs are in a hiccup, an interruption of the establishment message...grateful for Domenech, Lieberman ("Lamont! loves you, NARAL sells you out, click, donate and add a penny!") and even, just now, for Feingold. They shifted FEC hate to Pelosi. I say they - and the big bad DC Dems - want a pro lifer in that spot. Book end with Reid.

But let's get back to Leader Reid... and his big bruiser of a filibuster ... threat:

SAN DIEGO - As the Senate prepares to tackle the most sweeping immigration reforms in years, a top Democrat vowed Wednesday to do everything in his power, including filibuster, to thwart Majority Leader Bill Frist's proposed overhaul.

Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he would "use every procedural means at my disposal" to prevent Frist from bypassing the Judiciary Committee. Frist, R-Tenn., has made clear the Senate will take up his proposal next week if the 18-member committee fails to complete a broader bill.
"If Leader Frist brings a bill to the floor that does not have the approval of the Judiciary Committee, it will not get out of the Senate," Reid told reporters at the San Ysidro border crossing, a few steps from Tijuana, Mexico.

Bob Stevenson, a spokesman for Frist, did not immediately respond to a call Wednesday evening.

I am sure the Republicans feel properly warned and are girding for battle with "Give 'Em Hell, Harry" (Daily Kos needs to copyright that whopper)...

Toy poodle, "white girl", 200 USD on the tiny hoof

And lest she be left out, Hillary is on the record: no criminalisation should be part of any bill (there are several pending, Sensenbrenner, Spector and McCain-Kennedy, NYDN gives a fast overview, along with Schumer's position). I am certain the clinic docs at the last women's health care clinic in SD are relieved, she will fight criminalisation.... Kidding! We know that is filed under "tragedy".

I am all for sane immigration, amnesty, guest worker programs... but as a native Californian, I have never seen any, other than the one big amnesty program of long ago.... Nor any worker program, from "bracero" forward, that was not abused by the Anglo business community. For the past nearly 10 years (yes some things do pre-date Big Bad Bush) we have had relentless militarisation of the US Mexico border in California. Feinstein and Clinton (Bill) agreed on that... And I oppose any criminalisation of those who might help undocumented workers. We have enough laws, we really do. Coyotes and those who leave them to die in the desert (where we drove them to die) - are different.

However, I don't think the Dems mean much of anything with all this... bluster. Hoopla. Part of 'bitch and capitulate'.

And with photos like this, from the NYT - it accompanied today's story in the NY Region section, Hillary should not be talking about "plantation". AND pointing fingers. From her royal barge floating toward the WH from Chappaqua. Neither Hollywood nor DC does replay well.

[NYT]

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton invoked the Bible yesterday to criticize a stringent border security measure that, among other things, would make it a federal crime to offer aid to illegal immigrants.

"It is hard to believe that a Republican leadership that is constantly talking about values and about faith would put forth such a mean-spirited piece of legislation," she said of the measure, which was passed by the House of Representatives in December and mirrored a companion Senate bill introduced last week by Senator Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican and the majority leader.

"It is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scripture because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably even Jesus himself," she said. "We need to sound the alarm about what is being done in the Congress."

Mrs. Clinton, who is running for re-election this year and is leading in polls for the Democratic presidential nomination, spoke at a news conference in Manhattan with more than 30 immigrant leaders after meeting with them privately.

The meeting took place in an atmosphere of mounting urgency, as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops called on its flock to oppose the measure, and tens of thousands of immigrants around the country stepped up a series of protest rallies in anticipation of a Senate vote on competing immigration bills next week.

One issue is cleared up early, VP choice will be JeeeeeSUS! In a heart beat. The crowded field shaping up for '08 should note*.

*Walter Shapiro in Salon, and worth the ad.

Addendum, 3:11 PM, PT: Kos senses malaise, due to the low fibre kibble.

On the front page of the Orange Star, DarkSyde writes, "Are You Mad Enough Yet?":

The opposition is banking, literally, on our apathy. Karl Rove is depending on you not to register to vote. Dick Cheney is praying you won't talk two into joining you. Jerry Falwell and James Dobson are anointing themselves with magic wingnut oil to keep you from checking with your local party HQ to see if there's a candidate who needs volunteers, or something as simple as signatures to get a local candidate on the ballot. There are plants and trolls here specifically to stir up division and to spread the idea that your vote won't be counted, no matter where, no matter what.
It's rather amusing to me, given that the Orange Star leadership set the tone by stirring up division with spirited attacks on progressives and progressive organizations. Kosniks are now well-versed in anti-feminist and anti-environmentalist rhetoric. Oh, I have no doubt that wingnut trolls wade into that pond and stir things up there, as they have on occasion here. But Kos and Company seem to manage to stir up division quite well on their own.

Been attacked for your "ideological purity"? That's a right-wing talking point. Been labeled as a "single-issue voter"? Right-wing talking point. Dismissed for your "pet cause"? Yes, another right-wing talking point. Since when did so-called Democrats attack progressives with right-wing talking points? Ask the DLC. Why does it persist? Ask Kos and Company.

They will argue (over and over again) that they don't need to stand for anything, because Bush and his Republican cohorts are just so evil. It may be true, but Bush isn't running again, and all the Republicans have to do is seem not quite so evil and the whole Dem strategy falls apart. This is the soft underbelly to DarkSyde's front-page rant. Because people don't just vote against people and parties -- we saw how successful that strategy was in 2004! No, people vote for people. People vote for ideas. People vote for vision. And that's because people vote their identity -- they see what they want embodied in a candidate, and they get fired up and vote.

Right now, the Democrats have no identity, except as weak, cowering second fiddles to the GOP bullies. We see it in their rhetoric, we see it in their lack of cohesiveness on issue after issue, we see it in their seeming inability, after many months, to come up with their own sort of Contract On America, and we see it in how they recruit and pave the way for candidates who do not believe in Democratic principles....

...candidates who advocate forced pregnancy, for example.

The Democrats are un-done by their "big tent." They're so all over the map, they can't agree to be for anything ... except getting re-elected.

How ironic, then, to see what the Orange Star himself posted just two days ago:

And Democrats are doing everything in their power to ensure that people have no reason to go to the polls. They aren't going to vote for Republicans. That much is clear. But why should they vote for Democrats, the same Democrats who have failed to stand up to Republican excesses over the past five years?...

...These risk averse Dems think that by merely having a pulse, voters will gladly rush to them to save them from Republicans. But in reality, voters (including much of the Democratic base) are disillusioned. Why vote for Democrats who haven't shown an ounce of fight the last six years? What's the point?
Kos doesn't mention how he has attacked the Democratic base, and in the litany of Republican abuses he offers in this post, nary a mention of South Dakota or how the fanatics on the right are legislating into reality the Handmaid's Tale. What seems clear, despite his new author-of-the-month status, is that he doesn't really understand what the grassroots are about.

Voting for something.

Flash back a few years: Why did Dean get so much grassroots support in his presidential nomination bid? Because people were for him -- not because they were against everyone else. People get out of bed in the morning to do something, to support someone, to effect positive change -- not simply to stop something.

Look at Ralph Nader. Most of his supporters wouldn't have voted at all if he weren't running. (That's why he didn't spoil Gore's victory.) Imagine if the Democrats fielded a candidate who actually appealed to the progressive base of the Democratic Party! (Someone like the Al Gore of today, rather than the Al Gore of 2000.)

Yet the Democrats continue to turn their backs on progressives, offering up either bland baby-food candidates or salty right-wing nutjobs who think Sam Alito is just hunky dory for the Supreme Court. And they continue to struggle.

Will the Democrats -- and the Big Orange bloggers -- ever realize this? Maybe, but probably not in time for the 2006 elections.

Sorry, but you're not going to see masses of voters coming out to vote against something. People vote for change when there's a clear change offered. But when the Democrats continue to refuse to stand for anything -- especially people's fundamental human rights and equal protection under the law -- well, it's hard to get all fired up about what kind of "change" the Democrats might offer.

Back to what DarkSyde writes:

I know for a fact that many here are busting their ass to stop the GOP machine. Their commitment is admirable, downright inspiring. But I'd guess there's a few readers who keep meaning to do something as simple as register to vote, or contact their local Dem HQ, but haven't gotten around to it. Maybe you moved recently, maybe you just reached voting age, maybe you've been sick, or bogged down working two jobs just to stay afloat. The Republican Culture of Corruption is betting you won't get around to it in time. Question is, are you mad enough to prove them wrong, yet?
The real question is, Are the Democrats strong enough to offer a reason for people to get out and vote for them? Bush and the Republicans may be suffering in public opinion, but the Democrats' poll numbers are pretty crappy, too. Why?

I submit that it's because they stand for nothing. The Republicans at least say what they're about. I find it offensive -- and I will vote against wingnuts every election -- but I'm already engaged in politics, active on this blog, paying attention to what's happening. But many people just shrug. Why? Because no alternative is ever offered up.

I'm sorry, but "Not as bad as the Republicans" is not much of a get-out-the-vote strategy for November.

Ya think?

When was she not, I say.

She must do something about getting a stump... er, fire hydrant speech. Just has to. After La Kerry we cannot have another self-impressed nom, who also does not have a credible stump speech. Kerry drooled his speeches, she spits out lectures.

As I type this just the memory of her voice grates in my ear. Quite aside from the guff she upchucks (10K to Casey).

Meanwhile Bill is handy. Useful, ministering, evangelising Bill.

Spoiled Sparky [not kidding, that is his name]

A little Bush Biz, some Africa Biz with Holbrooke (no pic, he is not a dog, he is a rock that speaks), some Ports Biz, little phoning to our (that means Bush and Clinton) friends. You know them: the UAE team for global security and ports and terminals administration.

Schumer?

This is our Poodle Whirligig. It is 15 inches tall and has 10 inch legs. Available in black and white. $29. Look at our other dog whirligigs!

Oh planning on adding enough senate seats to get to majority. Opera glasses at the ready!. This will be fun. Have some champagne, the bubbles help keep one upright in turgid times....

And Rahm, doing what poodles like Rahm do.

Fun stuff - fun for them. Much fuss and bother, accomplishing little.

And all the while the party is: