IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 11/29/06
Americans Killed: 2885
Americans Wounded: 21,678
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 54,191
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 150,000
Iraqi Health Ministry
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts": General Tommy Franks
.......................................................

Latest Confirmed Casualties:


*Spc. Eric Vizcaino, 21, of New Mexico, died Nov. 21 in Balad, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Joshua C. Alonzo, 21, of Dumas, Texas, died November 22 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

*Sgt. James P. Musack, 23, of Riverside, Iowa, died in Samarra, Iraq, on Nov. 21.

*Sgt. 1st Class James D. Priestap, 39, of Harwood, Mich., died Nov. 23 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. James R. Davenport, 20, of Danville, Ind., died Nov. 22 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pvt. Heath D. Warner, 19, of Canton, Ohio, died Nov. 22 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Cpl. Nicholas P. Rapavi, 22, of Springfield, Va., died Nov. 24 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Cpl. Michael C. Ledsome, 24, of Austin, Texas, died Nov. 25 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Jeromy D. West, 20, of Aguanga, Calif., died Nov. 25 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Capt. Jason R. Hamill, 31, of New Haven, Conn. died Nov. 26 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*1st Lt. David M. Fraser, 25, of Houston, Texas died Nov. 26 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pvt. Joshua C. Burrows, 20, of Bossier City, La. died Nov. 26 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Michael A. Schwarz, 20, of Carlstadt, N.J., died Nov. 27 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Daniel M. Morris, 28, of Clinton, Tenn., died Nov. 25 in Al Judiah, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

This Class Brought To You By:

Thanks to Pen over at Washblog for directing my attention to the referral piece by Sara Robinson over at Orcinus. Sara directs us to a piece in the November 26th Washington Post by Laurie David, one of the producers of the documentary film “An Inconvenient Truth.” Apparently the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) has some problems with receiving and distributing copies of the documentary about Global Climate Change.

It seems that David extended an offer of some 50,000 copies of the DVD to the NSTA for distribution to their member science teachers to show as a part of their curriculum. The offer was refused. Now you might wonder what type of problems an association of science teachers might have with this presentation – over half of which is filled with charts and data that, if presented in any other form, would have most of the movie going public sound asleep before the opening credits ended. Well, according to David’s article, ”In their e-mail rejection, they expressed concern that other "special interests" might ask to distribute materials, too; they said they didn't want to offer "political" endorsement of the film; and they saw "little, if any, benefit to NSTA or its members" in accepting the free DVDs.” David is quick to point out that Al Gore is not running for any political office and, as far as “special interests” are concerned, among the primary endorsers of this documentary are climate change SCIENTISTS and the governments of Sweden and Norway where the film is already part of the required science curriculum. As far as questioning the “benefits” of receiving FREE DVDs complete with well-documented scientific research…well, you get the point. Perhaps there was still another reason for the rejection.

” But there was one more curious argument in the e-mail: Accepting the DVDs, they wrote, would place "unnecessary risk upon the [NSTA] capital campaign, especially certain targeted supporters." One of those supporters, it turns out, is the Exxon Mobil Corp…” “…NSTA says it has received $6 million from the company since 1996, mostly for the association's "Building a Presence for Science" program, an electronic networking initiative intended to "bring standards-based teaching and learning" into schools, according to the NSTA Web site. Exxon Mobil has a representative on the group's corporate advisory board. And in 2003, NSTA gave the company an award for its commitment to science education…” Bingo! But wait; there’s more. ” NSTA's list of corporate donors also includes Shell Oil and the American Petroleum Institute (API), which funds NSTA's Web site on the science of energy. There, students can find a section called "Running on Oil" and read a page that touts the industry's environmental track record -- citing improvements mostly attributable to laws that the companies fought tooth and nail, by the way -- but makes only vague references to spills or pollution. NSTA has distributed a video produced by API called "You Can't Be Cool Without Fuel," a shameless pitch for oil dependence.”

Cut to the chase. What can you do? As Sara Robinson concludes: ”Memo to parents: It might be time to find out if your kids' science teachers are members of this group, and have a word with them about it. If you -- or the teachers -- want to complain directly to the NSTA, the complaint form is here. They need to hear from everyone who still thinks that scientific truth shouldn't be auctioned off to the highest donor.” You might also care to drop a line to Laurie David (laurie@lauriedavid.com) to say thanks – first for helping bring “An Inconvenient Truth” to the American public but also for sharing this information about a fundamental flaw in the education system in this country.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Oh Bobby, Where Art Thou?

In one of life’s interesting moments, political activist, blogger, and author David Sirota and I went to see the movie “Bobby"……...in different theaters and certainly in different time zones.

On the day after Thanksgiving my wife and I went to see “Bobby”. While it is our tradition to go to the movies on Thanksgiving and Christmas, I couldn’t bear the idea of watching something so emotionally draining on the same day I had been so overwhelmed by the closeness and warmth of family. I am glad that we waited. While I was less than impressed with the “overall” of the movie, the emotions of the times were captured via the well-placed clips of RFK on the campaign trail and, especially, his speeches that so moved so many to hope and to act. The climax of the film, although knowingly anticipated by the “boomers” who made up the bulk of the audience, brought that same familiar lump in the throat and the twin urges to cry and strike out.

This morning (Saturday), during my regular reading of the blogs, I read this from Sirota, ” I just returned from seeing the new movie “Bobby” about RFK. It was a very rich, textured movie, and one that left me with an incredibly empty feeling. I wasn’t around back then, but from what I can tell as an amateur student of history and political junkie is that, at least at the end of his life, RFK managed to inspire people; to make them feel like the day-to-day issues they faced were finally being confronted by the political Establishment; and to let them know that politics could be an arena where citizens - regular citizens - could be part of something larger than themselves. He did this by using the celebrity power that came with his family name to shine a bright light on the taboos the Establishment back then and now would rather sweep under the rug: war and economic inequality.” Sirota’s next thought, and his glaring omission, are what compelled me to post today. ” What brings me down about the movie is not only that RFK was killed, but that there are so few leaders today who aspire to his model.”

After Bobby was assassinated and Nixon slithered his way in to the Whitehouse – with his racially divisive “Southern Strategy” – the activism that had been fueled in almost equal measure between anger and hope became almost exclusively anger. There were some who tried to pick up the mantle. Jesse Jackson and “Teddy” are quick to come to mind but Jesse has never been able to fully bridge the divide between black and white and Teddy had his own demons to tackle and, to so many, the Kennedy magic had become a curse. By the time Nixon was forced from office what had been a growing movement that pulled together Americans of all stripes – Black, Brown, White, Poor, Affluent, Educated, Illiterate, Young, and Old had become many separate groups working toward independent goals. After some years it was becoming difficult to discern between the two major political parties on a host of issues; including, some would argue, war and peace. Would we ever see another Bobby?

Sirota brings out the obvious with his nod to Bill Clinton. ”Yes, there have been flashes. Bill Clinton’s populist campaign in 1992 was a flash, even if Clinton’s behavior in office and historical revisionism in Washington has now converted it into the supposed triumph of microwaved Fortune Magazine talking points.” He goes on to produce a list of “could be’s”, ” …To hear Bobby Kennedy’s voice in this movie, you can hear traces of people like Sherrod Brown, Bernie Sanders, Russ Feingold, Brian Schweitzer, Byron Dorgan, Jim Webb, John Edwards and, of course, RFK’s brother Ted Kennedy - people who are at least willing to talk about the immorality of economic inequality and of Old…” But there is a glaring (and I would hope unintentional) omission in this list. I sometimes (actually more often than I care to admit) find it odd that people with whom I share much in ideology come to this place from such differing backgrounds. Unlike David Sirota, I was around back then – all of 15 years old, caught up in the angst of the day. Vietnam, race riots, poverty; all of these things were defining elements in my life and Bobby Kennedy – so much more than Jack – incited the activist in me. In early 2003, after standing on the sidelines and watching our country fall deeper and deeper into the grip of a government that looked more and more like a corporation that actually held its citizens in open contempt, with the drums of war again pounding louder and louder I heard a voice that was speaking my words and asking my questions. I was drawn to act like I had not been since those before days when I felt like what I did mattered. The voice kept asking, “What I want to know is…” And kept demanding, “You have the power!”

Howard Dean reminded us that his activism came from Bobby. Like RFK, Dean always told his supporters that they were responsible for making this country a better place; that people like him were only there to be a representative of the people. In August of 2003, thousands of people – young and old, rich and poor, white and non-white, stood for hours in Seattle’s Westlake Center to hear Howard Dean talk about a country where healthcare and education should be a right not a privilege. He spoke about a government that should be bringing people together, not dividing them over social issues or matters of conscience. Perhaps most importantly he spoke about a “50 State Strategy” whereby he would abandon a Democratic Party electoral scheme that would choose to discount almost 2/3 of the country for the sake of grasping and holding power. Howard Dean wanted to be president of all the United States – including the guys with the Confederate flags on their pick-up trucks. Even after his presidential campaign was politically assassinated by that same party, he has continued to fight to bring this country together in all 50 states. Many of the people that Sirota mentions might still be another Bobby, but I would argue that they might be only because Howard Dean has challenged them to be.

The next question you must answer however is will you participate, will you remain active, and will you continue to remain engaged? Many of the same issues that Bobby Kennedy addressed are still with us today. However, if we stand close enough to each other I believe we will find that Bobby is still here as well. If you think you can use a bit more inspiration, listen to Bobby’s words:

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Happy Holidays

The United Nations has released a report claiming that 3,709 Iraqis were killed in October, making it the deadliest month for Iraqis since the US invasion of their country in March of 2003. Also in October some 110 “coalition” troops were killed, including 106 Americans – the highest monthly count in 2006 and the 4th highest monthly total since the invasion. My question – especially to my Congressional delegation – is this: If a “pre-mature (?)” withdrawal from Iraq will only make matters worse, how many more innocent Iraqis will have to die so we can say we stayed “long enough”?

Just as in the time of the Vietnam debacle, our government finds itself floundering for answers and options. Bush says ‘Stay the Course’, Democrats say ‘Year of Transition’, Murtha says ‘Regional Redeployment’, and McCain and Lieberman say ‘More Troops’. All the while, more and more Americans say ‘Bring them home’. And don’t discount the Iraqis who more and more say ‘Yankee go Home’. The slogans are as offensive today as they were in 1968 – “Standing them up so that we may stand down”, “Putting a Vietnamese/Iraqi face on the effort”, “If Vietnam/Iraq falls, so too will the rest of the region”. We now have a new one from the military, “Go Big, Go Long, or Go Home”.

In January, after American troops have spent yet another Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year’s Day away from their loved ones; after more families receive word that their soldier will be coming home in a box; and after thousands more Iraqi women and children have proven their “resilience to violence”, there will be a new Congress. What course will they set? Who will lead? Who will say this must stop? We know from one of the “real” lessons from Vietnam that the only way to stop an administration bent on war is to pull in the purse strings. Will this new Congress have that courage? Senators Murray and Cantwell and Representatives Inslee and Larsen will you lead or simply repeat the tired line, ‘It’s more complex than you know’?

Will more Iraqis die when we leave? Yes, absolutely. Will they eventually become stable and self-governing? Yes, as much as they ever have. Will we have learned from this experience? Only time will tell.

Peace (if you want it),
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 11/22/06
Americans Killed: 2867
Americans Wounded: 21,678
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead Est.: 52,642
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
Iraqi Dead Est.: 150,000
Iraqi Health Ministry
Iraqi Dead Est.: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
"We don't do body counts.": General Tommy Franks
........................................................

Latest Confirmed Casualties:


*Sgt. 1st Class Tung M. Nguyen, 38, of Tracy, Calif., died Nov. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Eric G. Palacios Rivera, 21, of Atlantic City, N.J., died Nov. 14 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

*Sgt. 1st Class Schuyler B. Haynes, 40, of Manhattan, NY died Nov. 15 in Baquba, Iraq.

*Spc. Mitchel T. Mutz, 23, of Falls City, Texas died Nov. 15 in Baquba, Iraq.

*Capt. Rhett W. Schiller, 26, of Waterford, Wisconsin, died Nov. 16 in Balad Ruz, Iraq.

*Spc. Justin R. Garcia, 26, of Elmhurst, NY died Nov. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Col. Thomas H. Felts, 45, of Sandston, VA died Nov 14 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Cpt. John R. Dennison, 24, of Ijamsville, MD, died on Nov. 15 in Balad, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Jeremy S. Shock, 22, of Tiffin, Ohio, died Nov. 19 in Al Anbar province,
Iraq.

*Spc. Bradley N. Shilling, 22, of Stanwood, Mich., died Nov. 18 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Deportees

Our friend Bill Philips shares this enlightening information: (The forum he refers to is the message board of the Progressive Caucus of Snohomish County Democrats of which he is a respected member):

Bill writes:

It's been said many times on this forum that 70% of Americans want all undocumented immigrants to be returned to their countries of origin. I did some research; simple facts check on Polling Report.com. It is true that, in Gallup polling, 66% state the opinion that undocumented immigrants cost too much. However, mass deportation is balked at - here is the result of the Gallup question on deportation. So can we please retire the canard that 70% want undocumented workers deported? It is simply not true.

From the Gallup Poll:

"Which comes closest to your view about what government policy should be toward illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States? Should the government deport all illegal immigrants back to their home country, allow illegal immigrants to remain in the United States in order to work but only for a limited amount of time, or allow illegal immigrants to remain in the United States and become U.S. citizens but only if they meet certain requirements over a period of time?" Options rotated.

6/8-25/06
Deport All: 16%
Remain for limited Time: 17%
Remain – Meet Requirements: 66%
Unsure: 1%

5/5-7/06
Deport All: 21%
Remain for limited Time: 15%
Remain – Meet Requirements: 61%
Unsure: 3%

4/7-9/06
Deport All: 18%
Remain for limited Time: 17%
Remain – Meet Requirements: 63%
Unsure: 2%

Thanks Bill.

If you’re in the mood for a more provocative view of the subject, I found this vintage performance by Joan Baez and Bob Dylan – Woody Guthrie’s “Plane Wreck at Los Gatos (Deportees)”:

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Gonzales: 'Let's Torture the Judges!'

Attorney General Alberto (‘Torture’s Cool’) Gonzales spoke at the Air Force Academy the other day. Part of his lecture was a complaint about a federal judge’s ruling that the Bush Administration’s use of warrentless wiretapping was unconstitutional. At one point in his talk he went so far as to proclaim that the judge’s definition of freedom, ”… is superficial and is itself a grave threat to the liberty and security of the American people.” The ruling was handed down by U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor, a Carter appointee to the bench.

Gonzales, in his role as “wartime consiglieri” to the Bush Administration, has written memos and made speeches that defend the various abuses of civil liberties this crowd has made famous. While Gonzales’ in- Justice Department is appealing the judge’s ruling he is also hoping that the current lame duck Congress will follow the precedent of the “Military Tribunals Act” and poke another stick in the eye of the courts by passing a law that would specifically allow the continuation of the warrentless wiretapping program.

It is assumed that, as part of the preparation for the appeal of the court’s ruling, Gonzales has ordered DOJ lawyers to review the library records of Judge Taylor to ‘see where she came up with such a cockamamie view of civil liberties.’

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Bush Does Tour in 'Nam

Almost forty years overdue, George W. Bush finally did a tour in Vietnam. No, not a combat tour but, rather, a scenic tour that took him past the lake where Senator John McCain’s plane crashed nearly 40 years ago, where Bush commented on the fact that “he (McCain) was, literally, saved, in one way, by the people pulling him out.” Apparently George’s new found affection for methods of torture has instilled a new appreciation for McCain’s captors.

Also on display in that country that, decades before, he had so easily avoided visiting was Bush’s astute understanding of Vietnam’s place in American history. When asked if there might be any lessons learned from Vietnam that might apply to Bush’s adventures in Iraq, he didn’t miss a beat when he said that chief amongst the lessons should be, “we’ll succeed unless we quit.” I’m not quite sure what the Vietnamese people might think of that comment but considering that fact that, since this country “quit” killing their countrymen (and women and children), Vietnam has become a united country where Bush is now seeking “favored nation” trading status, I’m pretty sure they are happy we did.

Standing in a country where some 58,000 Americans died after being placed in harm’s way over the last “big lie” (see Gulf of Tonkin); while Americans at home were being treated to a variety of reasons for our involvement there followed up by countless “revised strategies for success”, George W. Bush continues to exhibit his almost legendary ability to damn the facts and proceed down his own path. Rather than accept the real lesson of Vietnam – that interjecting military force where diplomacy is called for only leads to death and animosity and that “democracy” cannot be forced through the barrel of a gun, Bush will continue to tumble down the rabbit hole until, as in the waning months of the Vietnam adventure, Congress responds to the demands of the American people and closes the check book as its only means of oversight and control. I only hope that the “new bankers” start exercising that oversight in January.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 11/17/06
Americans Killed: 2865
Americans Wounded: 21,678
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 52,349
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
Iraqi Dead Est: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Staff Sgt. William S. Jackson II, 29, of Saginaw, Mich. died Nov. 11 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Misael Martinez, 24, of Chapel Hill, N.C. died Nov. 11 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

*Sgt. Angel De Jesus Lucio Ramirez, 22, of Pacoima, Calif. died Nov. 11 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

*1st Lt. Michael A. Cerrone, 24, of Clarksville, Tenn. died Nov. 12 in Samarra, Iraq.

*Pfc. Harry A. Winkler III, 32, of Clarksville, Tenn. died Nov. 12 in Samarra, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Kristopher C. Warren, 19, of Resaca, Ga., died Nov. 9 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Timothy W. Brown, 21, of Sacramento, Calif., died Nov. 14 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pfc. Daniel J. Allman II, 20, of Canon, Ga. died Nov. 13 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Jang H. Kim, 20, of Placentia, Calif. died Nov. 13 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Mario D. Gonzalez, 21, of La Puente, Calif., died Nov. 14 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Michael D. Scholl, 21, of Lincoln, Neb., died Nov. 14 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

More Bush Through the Looking Glass

From today’s Seattle Times:

U.S. defends its tactics on global warming

By Elizabeth A. Kennedy
The Associated Press

NAIROBI, Kenya — The United States, the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, staunchly defended its record on battling global warming Wednesday, as the U.N. chief lamented a "frightening lack" of international leadership on climate change.

"The United States is committed to addressing the serious global challenge of climate change," said Paula Dobriansky, a U.S. undersecretary of state and head of the American delegation to the U.N. climate conference in Nairobi.

-- Begin Sarcastic Commentary –

Dobriansky went on to say, “The Bush Administration has worked tirelessly for the past six years to completely eliminate global warming……………

………………………..

………………………..

…………………………

from every official government document we can get our hands on!”

-- End Sarcastic Commentary –

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Any Soldier

From our good friend Rita:

Greetings,

With the holiday season coming up, you may wonder what can I do for our soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Go to: www.anysoldier.com

You can select a name and decide who you would like to work with to support our troops.

Have a good day!

Rita
****************

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

George W Bush's America

• Theft of a US Presidential election

• The USA Patriot Act

• The Congressional Resolution Authorizing the Use of Force Against Iraq

• The Establishment of “Free Speech Zones” during Presidential Events

• The unprovoked invasion and ensuing/continuing occupation of Iraq

• The establishment of Gitmo Detention Center and “Enemy Combatants”

• Abu Ghraib

• CIA Black Sites – Extraordinary Renditions

• Illegal Domestic Wiretapping

• Military Tribunals – Authorization of Torture - Suspension of Habeas Corpus

• Suspension of the Insurrection Act and the Posse Comitatus Act

• Detention of Foreign Aliens on US soil as Enemy Combatants:

US: Immigrants may be held indefinitely

By MATT APUZZO, Associated Press Writer Tue Nov 14, 6:39 AM ET

”WASHINGTON - Immigrants arrested in the United States may be held indefinitely on suspicion of terrorism and may not challenge their imprisonment in civilian courts, the Bush administration said Monday, opening a new legal front in the fight over the rights of detainees.”

“Ali Saleh Kahlah Al-Marri, a citizen of Qatar, was arrested in 2001 while studying in the United States. He has been labeled an "enemy combatant," a designation that, under a law signed last month, strips foreigners of the right to challenge their detention in federal courts.”

“Government attorneys said “foreign fighters” arrested as part of an overseas military action have no constitutional rights and are being afforded more legal rights than ever. In its short filing in the Al-Marri case, however, the Justice Department doesn't mention that Al-Marri is being held at a military prison in South Carolina — a fact that his attorneys say affords him the same rights as anyone else being held in the United States.
The Justice Department noted only that the new law applies to all enemy combatants "regardless of the location of the detention." The Bush administration maintains that al-Marri is an al-Qaida “sleeper agent”. The Defense Department ordered a review of Al-Marri's status as an enemy combatant be conducted if, as requested, the case is thrown out of court.”

When they come for you, who will remain to speak out?

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Well Done, Eric Teegarden

I am looking at the current vote totals in Snohomish County. Unfortunately my hopes of seeing Eric Teegarden elected to the PUD Commission were quickly dashed in the early returns and I am looking for any clues in the closing numbers. The PUD race was one of only a handful of county wide contests; the only ‘Snohomish County specific’ contested race. Here are the county wide contested races and the total votes cast for each (and the vote total for the prevailing side in red):

US Senate – 175,562 (101,715 for Cantwell)
US House (1st and 2nd CD) – 173,998 (113,608 for Inslee/Larsen)
I-920 – 172,326 (106,273 No)
I-933 – 172,462 (105,492 No)
I-937 – 169,363 (85,600 Yes)
HJR-4223 – 167,237 (131,963 Yes)
Supreme Court Pos. 2 – 154,539 (90,459 for Owens)
PUD Commissioner Pos. 2 – 147,989 (84,851 for Vaughn)

The first thing that jumps out from these numbers is that the Democratic position prevailed in every instance except the PUD race. Perhaps the number that stands out the most, however, is the contest for I-937. If there was a more direct tie-in between races, I couldn’t tell you when I’ve seen it. In his race for PUD Commissioner, Eric made clean energy and conservation a cornerstone. He included information and his endorsement of I-937 on his own literature. The bottom line is this: If the same Snohomish County residents who voted in favor of I-937 had voted for Eric, he would be the next Snohomish County PUD Commissioner.

Now this isn’t to say that the folks over at I-937 (or any other campaign) had any special responsibility for helping Eric over the finish line. Each candidate and campaign should be responsible for their own success or failure and I am sure that Eric feels the same way. Still, I am left wondering here if some tighter alliances might not have been built. I do know for instance that Chris McCullough, I-937 campaign manager, was asked about a relationship with Eric’s campaign and basically said that, while they would be pleased to have Eric mention them on his literature, they would not be endorsing any particular candidates. Again, while I respect this position, I would think they might have found it more to their advantage to promote a “clean energy friendly” candidate over an incumbent PUD commissioner who had spoken out against I-937 as an “unfunded mandate” and has reaffirmed her opposition to the measure since her re-election.

Sadly, the one person I was most disappointed in this campaign season is Jay Inslee. Congressman Inslee was a primary spokesperson for I-937 and one of the most prominent backers for Democratic candidates throughout the state. Yet when he was asked on numerous occasions about providing any visible support to Eric’s campaign, Jay either avoided returning calls or emails or, on the one occasion I know of where he was approached face to face (at the Snohomish County Democrats October Gala), he told Jackie Minchew – 44th LD Vice Chair and Teegarden steering committee member - that he “was still considering any involvement.” Even though Eric and Jay come from the same party and, this year, championed clean energy in Snohomish County and the fact that Jay is a constituent of the Snohomish County PUD, he remained silent until the end.

I do want to add a quick word about the support of the Snohomish County Democrats at this point. Eric was, in fact, endorsed by each and received funds from many of the seven Democratic LDs in the county as well as the county organization itself. While my information tells me that he was basically shunned by the (un) coordinated campaign during phone banking operations, he was invited and accepted the invitation to include his literature in “stuffings” for precinct “lit drops” that the county party organized.

In the end, I am proud of the race that Eric ran. He managed a county wide campaign from a dining room table with an all volunteer staff of amateur campaign advisors and a dedicated cadre of campaign volunteers. Most of his support came from the ranks of the Progressive Caucus of Snohomish County Democrats, the Stanwood Democrats, and Democracy for Snohomish County. He managed to keep a two term incumbent to less than 60% of the vote. To date, Eric has received some 62,479 votes; just 6,000 fewer than republican US Senate candidate Mike McGavick (certainly better funded in a much higher profile race) and some 2,300 MORE than the combined total of the republican candidates for US House in the 1st and 2nd CDs. He has not hurt himself for any future political run and has certainly positioned himself as a valuable asset and spokesperson for the renewable energy community in Snohomish County. I hope he and his supportive wife Heather (along with new son, Jack) will take the necessary time to unwind from this race and will come back to the public arena when they see the right opening and time.

In the mean time, I can’t imagine a better way to say “thank you” to Eric than to visit his website (Teegarden4Pud.com) and help him retire any associated campaign debt that may remain.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 11/14/06
Americans Killed: 2853
Americans Wounded: 21,572
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 52,142
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
Iraqi Dead Est: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Cpl. Kyle W. Powell, 21, of Colorado Springs, Colo., died Nov. 4 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Cpl. Jose A. Galvan, 22, of San Antonio, Texas, died Nov. 5 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Chief Warrant Officer John R. Priestner, 42, of Pennsylvania died Nov. 6 in Balad, Iraq.

*Chief Warrant Officer Miles P. Henderson, 24, of Amarillo, Texas died Nov. 6 in Balad, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Ryan T. McCaughn, 19, of Manchester, N.H., died Nov. 7 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Sgt. Lucas T. White, 28, of Moses Lake, Wash.(55th Washingtonian), died Nov. 6 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. 1st Class Rudy A. Salcido, 31, of Ontario, Calif., died on Nov. 9 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Richwell A. Doria, 25, of San Diego, Calif., died on Nov. 7 in Kirkuk, Iraq.

*Sgt. Courtland A. Kennard, 22, of Starkville, Miss. died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Nov. 9.

*Staff Sgt. Gregory W. G. McCoy, 26, of Webberville, Mich. died in Baghdad, Iraq, on Nov. 9.

*Sgt. Bryan K. Burgess, 35, of Garden City, Mich., died Nov. 9 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

End the Blank Checks

According to a recent article on Forbes.com (via our friends at Truthout.org):

” The U.S. armed services have requested a $160 billion supplemental appropriation to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the remainder of fiscal year 2007--a staggering amount that, if approved by the Defense Department, may hasten the showdown between resurgent congressional Democrats and the Bush administration over the budget-busting War on Terror.

The request--which will likely include all costs related to the war on terrorism--far surpasses the $94 billion supplemental authorized earlier this year* to fund the ongoing wars as well as hurricane recovery in the Gulf and is nearly double the $82 billion Iraq war supplemental outlay of 2005. It comes within days of Republicans' stunning losses in the midterm elections and the resignation of embattled Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who was set to decide on the request Nov. 15.” (*Emphasis TLS)

Of particular interest in this request should be the fact that, according to Tom Donnelly, a defense expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, ”While a good chunk of the $160 billion request will be used to replace worn equipment, it also covers additional systems, armor and weaponry and thus is a blueprint for pressing on with the current troop levels in Iraq and strategy in the War on Terror” Or, as Donnelly puts it, "It's not just going to be 'I broke my tank, and I want to fix it,”.

As most who read here know I have long been a critic of the Bush tactic of funding operations in Iraq and Afghanistan “off budget.” As a matter of fact I was heartened this year when an amendment to the 2007 Defense Appropriations bill was passed that would finally require the Bush Administration to begin placing all new funding for those operations “on budget”. However my satisfaction was short lived when I heard, first on Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now and then read a report from the Council on Foreign Relations that included the following bitter pill:

”Senator John McCain (R-AZ) passed an amendment in October that requires operations in Afghanistan and Iraq to be funded in the main defense budget, but President Bush attached a signing statement to the bill that would allow for future supplemental requests.”

With Donald Rumsfeld on his way out at the Department of Defense, will this supplemental be his parting gift from the Bush Administration and the lameduck republican Congress? The American people have just spoken to say that there must be a change. Run, do not walk, to your phone or fax or email your current AND future representatives and demand that they fully examine this incoming request. The days of blank checks must stop. Let the new days of real oversight begin now!

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Community Forum on Immigration

The Institute for Washington’s Future
and
Community to Community Development

Invite you to attend a
Community Forum on Immigration
To discuss the impacts of our broken immigration system in Snohomish County


Thursday, November 16

Hosted by The Tulalip Tribes

at

Quilceda Village Conference Center, Suite D
8825 34th Ave., Tulalip, Washington 98271

6:30 pm Reception
7:00 pm Program

*Welcome & Convocation
Deborah Parker, Governmental Affairs, Tulalip Tribes

*Background & Introductions
Rosalinda Guillen, Executive Director, Community to Community (C2C) and

Luis Moscoso, Board President, Institute for Washington’s Future (IWF) will provide an over view of recent meetings held around the state calling for comprehensive immigration reform.

*Input & Testimony
Local community groups, government, law enforcement and public institutions have been invited to present their hopes and concerns for addressing the impact of immigration in Snohomish County.

*Community Dialogue
A facilitated discussion will take place to consider the observation that comprehensive immigration reform may be the most important civil rights and economic development issue facing the USA at this time.

Co-sponsors:

Communities of Color Coalition of Snohomish County;

Hate Free Zone;

Snohomish County Democrats;

39th LD Democrats;

Progressive Caucus of Snohomish County Democrats

FREE and open to the public.

For more information call 425.776.9061 or 360.738.0893

A "Wild" Win

To Congressman Rick Larsen:

Rick,

Congratulations on your victories on Tuesday night. While I am sure that you were quick to acknowledge the overwhelming vote by which the 2nd CD has returned you to Congress, I do hope that you were also as keenly aware that the rest of the country had granted you yet a second victory even as the votes were still being counted in Washington State. (In a related note; it was with great satisfaction that I watched the defeat of Richard Pombo in California’s 11th CD.)

With the control of Congress safely back in Democratic hands, the Wild Sky Wilderness Act, for which you (and Senator Patty Murray) have worked so tirelessly for over four years, should finally become a reality early in the 2007 congressional session.

While it is well known that you and I have had occasion to disagree on certain issues, I have never doubted your dedication to the environment and I look forward to the day (hopefully a nice sunny Spring day) when you return to the district to announce the official dedication of this great gift to our future generations; made possible through your hard work and perseverance.(The Wild Sky Wilderness Area)

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Celebrating Howard's Birthday

From Cherise over at Washblog:

Send $20.06 to the DNC on 11/17

By Cherisse
Wed Nov 08, 2006 at 10:50:28 AM PST Section: Diary Topic: Democrats

Many people have been wondering how to thank Gov. Dean. His birthday is 11/17. Please consider mobilizing and getting people to send a contribution in the amount of $20.06 to the DNC on that day.
If we start now, letting everyone on our lists/blogs know about this, it could result in, not only a symbolic gesture of appreciation, but a significant amount of fundraising for the DNC.

What better birthday gift could there be for Gov. Dean?

Crossposted at Daily Kos. Please recommend.

Friends,

I couldn't agree more. Howard Dean's 50 State Strategy and his resolve to put the grassroots before the tired and failed policy of "cherry picking the electorate" by the DCCC and the DSCC (including the all too public criticism from folks like Chuck Schumer and Rahm Emanuel) have to be credited for the overwhelming Democratic victories last night. What better way to send a message to the party than to "pay it forward" for 2008.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

More on Public Campaigns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: Jean Carlson
206-329-2725
jean.carlson@att.net
Washington Public Campaigns
www.washclean.org

Why Public Financing of Political Campaigns

Journalist Bill Moyers narrates in the short video "Clean
Elections" to be shown at the Whidbey Island Coupeville Elementary School,

6 S. Main St., Thurs., Nov. 9, at 7:00 PM.

Washington Public Campaigns volunteer John Lynes of Port Townsend will lead a discussion about the Maine and Arizona models for publically financed campaigns and how they can work in a non-partisan way in our state.

This event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Whidbey Island; public campaign financing is endorsed by the League of Women Voters of WA.

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

The 44th Legislative District Democrats will offer an abbreviated version of the Washington Public Campaigns presentation by WPC volunteer Wes Gallaugher of Edmonds Thurs., Nov. 9 at the Snohomish S. D. Resource Center, 1601 Avenue D Snohomish, their general monthly meeting, 7-9 PM.

For Whidbey information contact Gerry Mathis gmathis@pioneer.net;

for Snohomish information contact JWMchew@aol.com or 425-238-8657.

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

For those who are unable to make either of these meetings, I encourage you to attend the Democracy for Snohomish County General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, November 14th at 7:00PM in the Edmonds PUD Auditorium (21018 Highway 99, Edmonds 98026) for still another presentation by Washington Public Campaigns.

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

Washington Public Campaigns
www.washclean.org


Why Public Financing of Election Campaigns?

Democracy in America is threatened. Increasingly, ordinary citizens have lost their influence over lawmaking and public policy, because candidates must raise huge sums to run for office, and because our elected representatives - often concerned about financing their next campaign – tend to follow the bidding of big donors rather than the true interests of voters in their district. The result is public policies that often fail to meet the needs and desires of most Americans.

Furthermore, citizens are increasingly cynical and jaded toward our political system and politicians, with declining participation in our democracy and low turnout in voting. People say, "what's the use?"
We need full public financing of election campaigns - so that candidates who represent the people can afford to run, and so that once in office, elected representatives are not obligated to special interests and their lobbyists, for fear of losing campaign contributions. This won't solve all of our problems, but it will go a long way to breaking the link between big donors and public officials and to restoring democracy to the people. This is fundamental to getting government "of, by, and for the people."
This work is not just a pipe dream. The states of Maine and Arizona have led the way, adopting public financing of election campaigns through citizen initiatives, in 1996 and 1998, respectively. Each year in those states, more candidates choose to run with what is called Clean Money, Clean Elections. Today, over three-fourths of the members of the Maine state legislature were elected through clean elections. And in these states, there is higher voter turnout, wider discussion of important issues, and tough new laws on issues such as prescription drug prices, universal health care, and closing unneeded tax breaks.

Washington Public Campaigns is organizing toward public financing of all election campaigns in Washington. We want to launch a statewide conversation about how we might reclaim our democracy – and our voice – through public financing of campaigns, to limit the influence of money in lawmaking. WPC is preparing a model bill for consideration by the 2007 state legislature, working with key legislators who plan hearings on the proposals. If it appears unlikely the legislature will act, we are considering a citizen initiative - perhaps an initiative to the 2008 legislature, which would automatically be placed on the November ballot that year if it is not adopted by the legislature.

Also, we want the Legislature to remove language in state law that prohibits cities and other local jurisdictions from using public funds for local election campaigns. In the past, Seattle used public financing for city council races. However in 1992, voters approved Initiative 134 - touted as `campaign financing reform’, but which contained fine print that outlawed using public funds in any fashion for state and local campaigns. Some local jurisdictions today would experiment with their own public financing programs, if only state law were changed to allow it.

We can do it here! – but, grassroots support is essential!

> Talk with friends and neighbors. Explain how public financing of campaigns can restore our voice.
Write letters to your local paper, expressing support.

> Ask your local legislators to support public financing of campaigns, to eliminate “dialing for dollars” and
to restore our citizen voice in lawmaking and public policy.

> Join Washington Public Campaigns as a supporting member. Sign up, to receive periodic updates.

> Make a contribution toward our expenses for voter education, lobbying and local organizing.

Join us in this effort! Visit www.washclean.org for more information.

****Together, we can reclaim our voice – and our democracy!****

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 11/08/06
Americans Killed: 2838
Americans Wounded: 21,419
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 51,843
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
Iraqi Dead Est: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Pvt. Michael P. Bridges, 23, of Placentia, Calif., died Nov. 2 in Taji, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Luke B. Holler, 21, of Bulverde, Texas, died Nov. 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Cpl. Michael H. Lasky, 22, of Sterling, Alaska, died Nov. 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lt. Col. Paul J. Finken, 40, of Mason City, Iowa died Nov. 2 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Lt. Col. Eric J. Kruger, 40, of Garland, Texas died Nov. 2 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Joseph A. Gage, 28, of Modesto, Calif. died Nov. 2 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. James L. Bridges, 22, of Buhl, Idaho, died Nov. 4 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Douglas C. Desjardins, 24, of Mesa, Ariz., died Nov. 5 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. James E. Brown, 20, of Owensville, Ind., died Nov. 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Jason D. Whitehouse, 27, of Phoenix, Ariz., died Nov. 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*2nd Lt. Mark C. Gelina, 33, of Moberly, Mo., died Nov. 4 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pfc. Kevin j. Ellenburg, 20, ofMiddleburg, Fla. died Nov. 1 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Heck of a Job, Rummy!

According to an Associated Press story dated November 4th, (as reported on Fox News ) ”The U.S. government conducted a series of secret war games in 1999 that anticipated an invasion of Iraq would require 400,000 troops, and even then chaos might ensue.” The report which was obtained under a Freedom of Information Act request by the George Washington University's National Security Archive, reached conclusions that very much foretold the situation we find ourselves in today.

The war games, labeled “Desert Crossing”, involved a cross section of military, diplomatic, and intelligence officials. Amongst some of the reports findings were:

"A change in regimes does not guarantee stability…" "…A number of factors including aggressive neighbors, fragmentation along religious and/or ethnic lines, and chaos created by rival forces bidding for power could adversely affect regional stability."

"Even when civil order is restored and borders are secured, the replacement regime could be problematic - especially if perceived as weak, a puppet, or out-of-step with prevailing regional governments."

"Also, some participants believe that no Arab government will welcome the kind of lengthy U.S. presence that would be required to install and sustain a democratic government."

Hey Mr. Rumsnamara! I’ll bet you could have gotten this same information just by walking down the hall a few steps. Probably wouldn’t even have had to get a Freedom of Information Act request or anything. Oh wait! That’s right; you got your information from Perle and Wolfowitz. And how’s that workin out for ya?

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Deeper Down the Rabbit Hole

Apparently it is not enough for George W. Bush to have the authority to declare any person to be an “enemy combatant”, employ “rough interrogation techniques” of his own definition, and deny habeas corpus (the right to challenge the evidence and the accuser) to said “enemy combatant”, now the accused must not be allowed to discuss their detention even with their own attorney.

According to a story in the Washington Post , ” The Bush administration has told a federal judge that terrorism suspects held in secret CIA prisons should not be allowed to reveal details of the "alternative interrogation methods" that their captors used to get them to talk. The government says in new court filings that those interrogation methods are now among the nation's most sensitive national security secrets and that their release -- even to the detainees' own attorneys -- "could reasonably be expected to cause extremely grave damage."

Citing government filings that would make Lewis Carroll proud, the WaPo story cites an affidavit from CIA Information Review Officer, Marilyn A. Dorn:

” Because (Majid) Khan (one of the 14 detainees who were recently transferred from one of the CIA “black sites” to Guantanamo) "was detained by CIA in this program, he may have come into possession of information, including locations of detention, conditions of detention, and alternative interrogation techniques that is classified at the TOP SECRET//SCI level,"

Gee, do you think so? Now it is reasonable (?) to believe that the detained may not know where they were but how could it be even remotely reasonable to expect they would not know the condition of the facility or the very techniques that were used on them? I think Dick’s had too many tokes on that hookah.

At some point the Bush regime will fall; hopefully as the result of overdue congressional hearings or, at the very least, at the ballot box in 2008. When it does, I hope that the United States will return to the rule of law and that George W and his appointees will be held to account – after they are afforded every basic human right that they will have denied to thousands of randomly selected detainees, of course.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 11/03/06
Americans Killed: 2826
Americans Wounded: 21,419
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqi Dead: Est.: 50,127
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/
Iraqi Dead Est: 655,000
http://www.thelancet.com/
.......................................................


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Sgt. 1st Class Tony L. Knier, 31, of Sabinsville, Pa., died Oct. 21 in Bayji, Iraq.

*First Sgt. Ricky L. McGinnis, 42, of Hamilton, Ohio, died on Oct. 26, in Balad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Patrick O. Barlow, 42, of Greensboro, N.C., died on Oct. 18 in San Antonio, Texas, from a medical condition contracted while stationed in Iraq.

*Sgt. Luke J. Zimmerman, 24, of Luxemburg, Wis., died Oct. 27 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Troy D. Nealey, 24, of Eaton Rapids, Mich., died Oct. 29 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pfc. Jason Franco, 18, of Corona, Calif., died Oct. 31 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Sgt. Michael T. Seeley, 27, of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, died Oct. 30 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Kenneth E. Bostic, 21, of Hawthorne, Nev., died Oct. 30 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Kraig D. Foyteck, 26, of Skokie, Ill., died Oct. 30 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Cpl. Gary A. Koehler, 21, of Ypsilanti, Mich., died Nov. 1 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Minhee Kim, 20, of Ann Arbor, Mich., died Nov. 1 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Sgt. Michael R. Weidemann, 23, of Newport, R.I., died Oct. 31 in Hit, Iraq.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Oversight not Overlook

February and July, 2001

Who will investigate the lies? Dick Cheney's friends Dave Reichert, Cathy McMorris, and Doc Hastings?

Or Darcy Burner, Peter Goldmark, and Richard Wright?

It is your choice.

Make it count.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Public Financing of Political Campaigns

I posted recently on Libertarian candidate, Bruce Guthrie liquidating his life’s savings for the “privilege” of appearing in a televised debate for US Senate. I believe that public financing of political campaigns should be at the top of anyone’s priority list if they truly wish to see a return to a government of, for, and by the people. If you are one of those people, please take the time to watch the following three videos:

On November 14th, speakers from Washington Public Campaigns will be featured at the Democracy for Snohomish County (PAC) general meeting in Edmonds. Law in Washington State currently prohibits public financing of political campaigns. WPC is working to advance and pass legislation that would allow us to make legal public financing at the local (municipal) level. This is only the start. A bill to accomplish this was successful in passing the State House but stalled in committee in the State Senate last year.

I encourage everyone who is able to attend this meeting on Wednesday, November 14th at 7:00PM in the Edmonds PUD Auditorium (21018 Highway 99, Edmonds 98026). Our government should not belong to the highest bidder.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Gallows Humor?

Apparently John Kerry botched a joke about George W. Bush. It has been under-reported that the text of Kerry’s prepared remarks was distributed to the media prior to his misstatement. The text includes the words "end up getting us" before the offending "stuck in Iraq". It clearly shows his remarks were aimed at Bush and not the troops. Bush and the republicans were quick to attack Senator Kerry. Here is the video of Kerry’s remark:

Now I would like you to compare Kerry’s attempt at humor to a different attempt at joke making:

You decide who will be "the last comic standing" on Tuesday, November 7th

UPDATE: David Horsey gets it over at The Seattle PI - (Hat tip to Howie )

UPDATE II: Even the PI Editorial Board gets it: "...Kerry's intended point was obvious. President Bush didn't do his homework before he ordered the invasion. He didn't study the intricacies of Mideast religion, culture, politics and tribalism. He wasn't smart about it and we are stuck in Iraq." They conclude: "Apologies? Sure, from the cut-and-run Democratic candidates who've cancelled appearances with Kerry."

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue