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Peace, Love, and Rock-n-Roll from a proud Lefty, Liberal, Socialist Hippie

Thursday, January 26, 2012

New Democrat or Old Democrat - Which one defines you?

The 2012 election, perhaps even more that the 2010 elections, will be a defining movement in our country’s social and political evolution. Watching the circus on the right unfold, the definite theme of defining the government’s role in our lives is becoming more and more evident. However, for Democrats this is an increasingly difficult battle to wage as, year after year, the FDR/LBJ wing of the party seems to be fading further and further into the background while the Clintonian wing takes deeper root. The once proud heritage of New Deals and Great Societies is being supplanted by centrist “3rd Wayism” or “New Democrat” language that espouses social liberalism but produces Republican-lite results. All the while, the Middle Class dwindles and the poor fall deeper and deeper into the abyss.

What is at the heart of the debate between the two factions is the notion that Democrats are inherently anti-business and weak on defense. This meme has been thrown around by the Republicans since Richard Nixon; and Ronald Reagan rang it like a bell for 8 years. Progressive Democrats have always maintained that there is a difference between “mom and pop” small business and detached; unfeeling Big Business. They have insisted that putting people before profit made the whole country stronger and promoted small business as the true engine of growth in America. Progressives have argued that diplomacy; not militarism should be our most used weapon in times of conflict while our military should always be prepared to defend our citizens and our vital resources. However, after Democrats stumbled in a couple of elections – arguably due to bad candidates/campaigns - the “New Democrat” emerged; ready to cave to the anti-business/soft on defense meme, and running as a more “business friendly” Democrat.  Since the Clinton Administration, we have seen people calling themselves Democrats voting for rules such as the so-called Bankruptcy Reform Law of 2005that punished consumers for falling prey to the unethical business practices of the mortgage industry and the insurance industry; and standing ready to derail organized labor by signing on to a series of “Free” Trade bills that tilted the playing field against American workers and leading to a mass exodus of American manufacturing jobs to countries with lower labor costs but abysmal human rights records. These same New Democrats were happy to vote with their Republican counterparts to reduce or even eliminate necessary regulations that had held Wall Street and the banking industry in check for over 40 years. The current economic disaster we are facing today can be traced directly back in a large way to the end of the Clinton Administration and the repeal of Glass-Steagall. Just recently, one of the Democratic candidates running in the new 1st Congressional District, when asked if she would join the Congressional Progressive Caucus if elected answered:

“I would most likely not be in the Progressive Caucus. I would expect to be in the New Democrats Caucus. I think that’s a place that is fit for what I think needs to happen in terms of getting our economy moving and for breaking this idea that Democrats aren’t also supportive of business in our economy and I think that’s where the New Democrats have made a lot of progress.”


Suzan DelBene addressing the King County Democrats 01/24/2012

Look at where our country is today. We are as close to Oligarchy as we have ever been; certainly since before the Great Depression. The gap between rich and poor makes the Grand Canyon appear as a crack in the sidewalk. Unemployment and underemployment are at critical levels. Homelessness and hunger are at totally unacceptable levels.  Our vital infrastructure is crumbling at alarming rates, and our investments in education, healthcare, and the arts are in danger of totally vanishing. While it would be great if we could simply blame all of this on the Republicans (who currently only control only one half of one branch of the government); we must accept the fact the both parties played a role in placing us where we are. But we can change that. Progressives must work to change this. It is time to stop buying in to the notion that someone can’t be elected because he or she is “too liberal for this district.” We must fight to ensure a Progressive agenda gets a full hearing in every district where a Progressive candidate is willing to stand up and deliver.

Rather than continue down the road of phony compromise; with the end result being the shifting of the center further and further to the right, we must start electing Progressives wherever they run and reclaim the agenda that saw us lifted out of a Great Depression and guarantee a safety net for our elderly and the most vulnerable in our society. We need to stop running away from a platform that promotes work over “Vulture Capitalism”; that declares that our investment in education, healthcare, the arts, and other human studies should be equal to our investment in death and destruction. We need to remind our fellow Democrats that being “business friendly” does not mean that we are no longer “people friendly.” I keep hearing it said that, if we want President Obama to pursue a more Progressive agenda, we need to push him and show him we have his back. It will take a Progressive Congress to push a Progressive Obama. I will promise you that “New Democrats” will not do this.

In 2012, let’s be proud to be Old Democrats.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Haditha Massacre "Trial" Ends in Plea Bargain

In November, 2005 a squad of US Marines entered the Iraqi town of Haditha after a roadside bomb exploded near their convoy; killing one of their comrades and injuring two more. When they left, 24 men, women, and children (including a man in a wheel chair) had been killed in one of the most notorious massacres of civilians by American forces since Mai Lai during the Viet Nam conflict. Yesterday, the last defendant in the military’s “trial” entered into a plea bargain that could see him serve only three months in prison for his role in the event.

Marine SSGT Frank Wuterich may only serve 3 months for his role in Haditha Massacre


Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, 26, who led the Marine squad into Haditha, pleaded guilty to dereliction of duty; a penalty that could see a maximum sentence of three months in prison, two-thirds forfeiture of pay and a rank demotion to private. As part of the deal the court will drop the nine counts of manslaughter and assault which had been originally filed against Wuterich. Of the other seven Marines initially charged in the massacre, six have had charges dropped or dismissed (including some in exchange for testifying at the trial) and one was acquitted. The trial was delayed for years by pre-trial wrangling between the defense and prosecution.

Coming not long after the release of the photos of prisoner abuse by U.S. soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison, the killings in Haditha fueled widespread anger in Iraq and were a deciding factor behind demands by Iraqis that U.S. troops not be given immunity from their court system. The immunity issue was at the heart of the failure of the Obama Administration to extend America’s military presence in Iraq beyond the December 2011 date negotiated by George W. Bush.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Monday, January 23, 2012

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 01/23/2012
Total Americans Killed: 1,886
Post Obama Inauguration: 1,286
http://icasualties.org/

“…We will finish the job…” Pres. Barack Obama

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

Latest Confirmed Casualties:


*Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin B. Wise, 34, of Little Rock, AR died Jan. 15 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, of injuries sustained on Jan. 9 in Balkh province, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Jon-Luke Bateman, 22, of Tulsa, OK died Jan 15 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Cochran, 20, of Wilder, ID died Jan 15 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Keith D. Benson, 27, of Brockton, MA died Jan. 18, in Paktika province, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Phillip D. McGeath, 25, Glendale, AZ died Jan. 18 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Joseph D. Logan, 22, of Willis, TX died January 19 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Kevin J. Reinhard, 25, of Colonia, NJ died January 19 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Jesse W. Stites, 23, of North Beach, MD died January 19 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*MSgt. Travis W. Riddick, 40, of Centerville, IA died January 19 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Capt. Nathan R. McHone, 29, of Crystal Lake, IL died January 19 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Capt. Daniel B. Bartle, 27, of Ferndale, WA (48th Washingtonian) died January 19 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.



Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Sunday, January 22, 2012

DFA Endorses Darcy Burner in the "New 1st" - Will you?

Darcy Burner, DFA Endorsed

A little over a week ago I wrote here about the opportunity for Progressives to help define the newly drawn 1st Congressional District.

“I guess the thing that has sparked my interest the most is that, with an open seat, comes an opportunity for a real debate between an unabashed, unapologetic Progressive Democrat and the party’s new “moderate wing” [aka conservadems] for a spot on the general election ballot.” I define the choice this way, ” This year’s contest offers the voters a choice between a champion of Progressive values and activism in Darcy Burner (formerly of the 8th CD and currently Executive Director of ProgressiveCongress.org) and a truly unabashed moderate (founding member and leader of the centrist Roadkill Caucus in Olympia) in State Senator Steve Hobbs (D-44th LD).”

Well it would appear that one of the country’s largest progressive action organizations agrees with me. As I reported at the Examiner on Thursday, Democracy for America (DFA) has released its initial round of endorsements for the 2012 primary elections and Darcy Burner is included in that group of 5. Obviously for Darcy this means access to a large database of Progressive activists and donors from around the country but, more than what this means for the candidate is what it should be saying to Progressives in the district and in surrounding districts – there is an expectation that we will stand up for our values and do what we can to help the candidate who best personifies those values to advance in to the general election and on to Congress.

The 1st CD is as diverse in geography and population as our state has to offer and yet there is a common thread that runs through all of the country these days; a desire for political candidates and elected representatives who are not afraid to define themselves and who are proud to stand behind their principles. Darcy Burner is such a candidate. There are those who will say that she is “too liberal” for the district. To these folks we must respond that this district has yet to cast a single vote in an election and, therefore cannot be defined as liberal or conservative. The only question we should be concerned with is: Who would best represent the interests of the people? Who will work hard to bring jobs that won’t devastate the environment or force working people to still apply for food stamps because their wages simply won’t stretch far enough to support their family? Who will continue to fight to move us closer to universal healthcare through a Medicare for All approach, rather than move us further down the dead end road of for profit healthcare? Who will fight for budgetary equality between feeding and educating our children and sending them off to war? Who will work for greater energy independence though clean energy initiatives rather than continue us down the destructive path of fossil fuel dependency? Who will fight for a 1st rate free public education for all our children rather than gamble our hard earned tax dollars on “reform” schemes that will take those dollars away from our children’s futures? Who will lead the fight to ensure that businesses who might otherwise exploit the workers or risk the health and well being of the consumer are regulated and those regulations are enforced rather than leave the foxes in charge of the hen house?

For many Progressives, the first term of President Obama has been less than hoped for. Much of the blame may be left at the Oval Office door; and yet a large portion of the blame lies with a Democratic Party and Congress that has failed to stand up for the principles outlined above. Darcy Burner has been an advocate for these principles and more; both as a candidate for office and more importantly through her works in Washington DC with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Now is the time for Progressives in the 1st CD and across the state to advocate for those values which we all hold dear by advocating for Darcy Burner in Washington’s new 1st CD.

Howard Dean speaks on Darcy's behalf during her 2008 campaign in the 8th CD - Photo Credit: NPI

Find out how you can help by visiting her website and her Facebook page. (or if you would prefer to donate right now, simply click the link on the left: “The Left Shue Supports”) The Democrats have a real chance to re-claim the US House this year. Let’s make it a Progressive House.

Peace,
Chad (the Left) Shue

Friday, January 20, 2012

Keystone XL - The Temporary Cease Fire

Environmentalists and Clean Energy advocates from across the country are expressing appreciation along with a proper dose of apprehension at President Obama’s statement this week that, at least temporarily, puts the brakes on the XL Pipeline. Here is the official statement from the White House:

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
January 18, 2012
Statement by the President on the Keystone XL Pipeline
Earlier today, I received the Secretary of State’s recommendation on the pending application for the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.  As the State Department made clear last month, the rushed and arbitrary deadline insisted on by Congressional Republicans prevented a full assessment of the pipeline’s impact, especially the health and safety of the American people, as well as our environment.  As a result, the Secretary of State has recommended that the application be denied.  And after reviewing the State Department’s report, I agree.   

This announcement is not a judgment on the merits of the pipeline, but the arbitrary nature of a deadline that prevented the State Department from gathering the information necessary to approve the project and protect the American people.  I’m disappointed that Republicans in Congress forced this decision, but it does not change my Administration’s commitment to American-made energy that creates jobs and reduces our dependence on oil.  Under my Administration, domestic oil and natural gas production is up, while imports of foreign oil are down.  In the months ahead, we will continue to look for new ways to partner with the oil and gas industry to increase our energy security –including the potential development of an oil pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma to the Gulf of Mexico – even as we set higher efficiency standards for cars and trucks and invest in alternatives like biofuels and natural gas.  And we will do so in a way that benefits American workers and businesses without risking the health and safety of the American people and the environment.

While the president’s statement offers welcome relief for those who have been fighting tirelessly to protect our environment from the devastating effects of an almost certain “accident” and those who are standing firm in the cause of moving our country’s economy away from fossil fuel dependency; the statement stops well short of ending this “disaster in waiting.” Indeed, rather than defend the country’s environment and lead us into a clean energy future, President Obama says, This announcement is not a judgment on the merits of the pipeline, but the arbitrary nature of a deadline that prevented the State Department from gathering the information necessary to approve the project and protect the American people.” and the goes on to say, “In the months ahead, we will continue to look for new ways to partner with the oil and gas industry to increase our energy security –including the potential development of an oil pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma to the Gulf of Mexico…”

And so, at least through the ongoing election cycle, we can feel somewhat comforted in the “cease fire” created by an overreaching Republican Party; we must not forget that this is only that – a short respite in which the forces should be reinforcing and mobilizing for the battle ahead.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue