Setting Some Things Straight

DLC Leadership Team

From David Sirota comes this link to a Newsweek interview with DLC Chair, Harold Ford (most recently one of the few Democratic losers in 2006). If I weren’t so concerned about 2008 becoming the second straight election cycle where the Democratic nominee for president has been pre-selected by some bizarre confluence of K-Street and the media, parts of this interview were total SNL material.

The interview, conducted by Jeffrey Bartholet began with the premise that the DLC might be slipping into irrelevance within the party.

"Bartholet: When the DLC held its annual convention in August, none of the candidates showed up. Yet most of the Democratic candidates attended the Daily Kos convention of netroots activists a few days later. Why?

Ford: You'd have to ask the candidates. I can only surmise that if you look at how Democratic and Republican primaries happen, they are really efforts to appeal to the far-right and the far-left wings of the party. But I take vindication as much as comfort in the fact that if you look at recent polling, the majority are rejecting the extremes of both parties. I'll make you one promise: next year the Democratic nominee will be at our convention."

I’m not quite sure which polling Ford is referring to but the most recent stuff I’ve seen would tend to suggest that the American people seem to be pretty much fed up with the race to the right that is going on in this country. On one of the major differences between the DLC and the rest of the Democratic Party, Iraq, Ford continues to beat the LIEberman/Clinton drum.

"Bartholet: The war is an important issue, and the DLC was pro-war.

Ford:I wouldn't call it pro-war.

Bartholet:It was [pro-war] in 2003.

Ford:Well, pro-war doesn't mean that we support the way this president has gone about fighting. We were supportive of removing Saddam Hussein, instilling stability in the country, reducing the threat that America faced from Al Qaeda and, equally important, the threat we thought was posed by Saddam Hussein. If we knew then what we know now … I was in the Congress; I would not have voted for the resolution. But at the same time, we're in a different place now. I caution anybody who continues to talk about the past on this issue."

Ok, sounds pretty pro-war to me. Same argument we have been hearing from this group since the advocated FOR the vote to authorize the use of force. ‘We aren’t against the invasion – only the way Bush is doing it.” As far as the “caution” about remembering the past; Harold and the DLC are still not willing to end the occupation, they just want a chance to “do it better.” Which brings us to Hillary Clinton and the DLC:

"Bartholet:Does Hillary Clinton still have a formal role at the DLC?

Ford:No.

Bartholet:She's still listed on your Web site as part of the DLC leadership team.

Ford:Right. But you can't have a formal role and still run for president with the DLC. You can be on various committees, but you can't have a formal role, no.

Bartholet:What does it mean that she's part of the DLC leadership team?

Ford:Meaning she's a former DLC chair. Meaning two years ago she chaired another effort in the DLC … on how to expand home ownership, how to expand college opportunity, how to expand job creation. John Edwards is on the leadership team as well. So is Joe Biden.

Bartholet:But her picture is right there with yours and others as a prominent leader … She's the one who is listed there. It's not John Edwards.

Ford:You ought to go back and look. I think you may see others listed as well. As you know, it is illegal for the organization to endorse anybody.

Bartholet:Right. That's why I was wondering, because it looks like an endorsement in a way … I'm just going to read to you here [from the DLC Web site]. It says, "DLC Leadership Team." Leaders: Harold Ford Jr., Tom Carper, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Jennifer Mann, Michael Coleman. That's the list.

Ford:Because they are vice chairs of the organization.

Bartholet:So Hillary Clinton is a vice chair of the organization?
Ford:No. Tom Carper is."

This is so twisted and spun around it makes my head hurt. She doesn’t have a “formal role” at the DLC because you can’t have a “formal role” and still run for president. You can be on the “Leadership Team” and featured on the website with other “leaders” but, because you can’t have a “formal role” and still run for president, you don’t have a “formal role.” And the people in the photo?

”Ford:Because they are vice chairs of the organization.” “They?” ‘Yeah, they be Tom Carper.’

So there you have it. The DLC is not pro-war unless it means overthrowing Saddam Hussein and they can be in charge. Hillary is in every way a leader in the DLC except where it may cost her votes with the rest of the party during the primary.

"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Komen Community Challenge

An important message from Susan G. Komen for the Cure

The Komen Community Challenge is coming to Seattle on Thursday, November 8!

Join breast cancer advocates and special guests at the Town Hall in Seattle to discuss the state of breast cancer care in Washington.

We’ll hear from breast cancer survivors and community leaders, as well as speakers such as Mary Selecky, Washington State Secretary of Health. And you’ll have a chance to meet and mingle with other advocates from across the state!

What: The Puget Sound Komen Community Challenge - “Close the Gap!” Town Hall Discussion

When: Thursday, November 8, 6:00 p.m.

Where: Town Hall Seattle ~ 1119 Eighth Avenue (at Seneca Street)

Who: Breast cancer survivors and families, health care officials, breast cancer experts – and you and your friends and family! Reserve your place HERE

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

FUSE

There's a new Progressive Action organization in the State; FUSE
From their website:

"The Fuse organizations are a new team of state-based online advocacy groups working together to provide a cutting edge online organizing and communications hub for Washington State. Fuse Washington, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, is focused primarily on securing major advances in progressive public policy for Washington State. Fuse Innovation Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, focuses primarily on building a broader, stronger progressive movement in Washington."

While they are a relatively new organization, the movers and shakers behind FUSE are an experienced and highly successful group of political activists from a variety of backgrounds. The Board consists of leaders in the environmental, political, and communications fields with familiar names like Futurewise, Progressive Majority, and Move-on.org. The day to day operation is likewise in very capable hands. Executive Director, Aaron Ostrom, held that same position at Futurewise for the past eight years. Chris McCullough is the Political Director for the organization. I have know Chris for some time as the Campaign Manager for 1st CD Congressman, Jay Inslee. In 2006, Chris was instrumental in guiding I-937 (The Clean Energy Initiative) to passage. Rounding out the staff is Peter Hester, in the position of Outreach Director. Peter has served as the Deputy Campaign Manager for 8th CD congressional challenger, Darcy Burner and, in 2004 worked for the Patty Murray re-election campaign.

The Organization will act as a sort of hub for Progressive action in the state; much as Move-on.org and DFA do on a national level. Again from their website:

"Fuse will combine online organizing and communications with real world action to rebuild Washington’s future. Our goals are to:

* Build a stronger progressive movement in Washington. We will use innovative, internet-based organizing and communications to dramatically expand active public support for progressive causes and leaders.

* Secure major advances in progressive public policy. Working with our partners, we will use the power of serious numbers of real people to generate bolder leadership from our elected officials."

Their first major action was to encourage an email campaign to ask the Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) to deny an application from Energy Northwest to build a new coal power plant in Kalama along the Columbia River. According to Chris McCullough, "We sent our first email out two weeks ago, asking folks to send a message to EFSEC regarding Energy Northwest's application to build a coal plant in Kalama. We got a thousand emails sent in within 24 hours..." Pretty impressive for a new and relatively unknown organization.

Their most recent action is in support of "Approve R67." In this effort, they have allowed their creative juices to flow with this video presentation:

I am looking forward to more from this group and am encouraging all who read here to check them out; sign up for their email alerts; be a part of the FUSE Team.

It starts right HERE

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Frickin' Socialist!

(h/t to Sirota)

Bernie Sanders addresses "Richistan" on the floor of the Senate.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Experience and Leadership - Bill Richardson

Cross posted Here

On wednesday, New Mexico Governor and Presidential Candidate, Bill Richardson ordered two fire crews (strike teams, with 5 engines and 21 crew members each) to California to assist with the wildfires devastating that state. He also contributed $10,000 from his campaign to the American Red Cross and invited everyone to do what they can.

He then issued a statement asking, "Where is Our National Guard?" Just as during the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, George Bush's mis use and abuse of our National Guard has left our states vulnerable in times of emergency. Gov. Richardson'e statement reads in part:

"...I look at the natural disaster in California and feel compelled to also ask President Bush and every candidate who thinks it is okay for our troops to remain in Iraq until 2013 or longer - where is our National Guard?

It is a sad irony that yesterday, the very day I sent fire crews to California, 300 more New Mexico National Guard members were sent to Iraq. Just when we need them most at home, more of our brave men and women, true public servants, are sent away to a war we cannot win.

Never before in our history has our National Guard, a group of dedicated men and women who serve our country and provide critical aid in the time of natural disasters been used, and re-used, for so long to fight a war tens of thousands of miles away."

I believe now, just as I did when I was supporting another governor running for President, that we need experience and leadership in the oval office. No one running for the office today has the experience and knowledge in both the domestic and international arena as Gov. Richardson.

Congressman, Cabinet Member, Diplomat, and Governor.

It's time for Experience for a Change.
Peace,

Chad (The Left) Shue

Stark Falls on Sword

After surviving a (too close) vote tabling a motion to censure him for remarks made in a passionate floor speech on S-CHIP, California Congressman Pete Stark delivered a gentleman’s apology for those remarks:

As I say, the vote was too close due to the 5 DINOs (Jason Altmire (PA), Chris Carney (PA), Joe Donnelly (IN), Brad Ellsworth (IN), Heath Shuler (NC)) voting with the John Boehner-led Republicans and the 8 dems (Dan Boren (OK), Lincoln Davis (TN), Baron Hill (IN), Tim Mahoney (FL), Charlie Melancon (LA), Dennis Moore (KS), Dave Loebsack (IA), Emanuel Cleaver (MO)) voting “Present”

It seems there may have been a closer vote without the apology. From Down with Tyranny

”UPDATE FROM JANE

A Firedoglake reader called Stark's office to complain about the apology. "The person answering the phone told me that Stark had no choice; Stark was told before the vote was taken that should he not apologize, the vote to censure would pass. According to his office, that is the only reason he apologized."”

Any guesses on who got to Congressman Stark?

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Bill Moyers on Trade

Just click and watch

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

DFA Calling Al Gore

About a week ago the folks at Democracy for America sent out an email asking their members to vote for their top three picks for president. All of the announced Democratic candidates were listed as well as a selection for “other.” The intention was to determine if DFA would be endorsing any candidate during the primary season.

Today DFA has sent out an interesting email with regard to their ongoing poll and a certain former Vice-President of the United States:

”Dear Chad,

Our challenge to Al Gore: Jump In or Drop Out!

Something surprising is happening at Democracy for America; former Vice President Al Gore is leading the race for the DFA Presidential endorsement -- as a write-in candidate.

Voting is still open until November 5 at midnight, and there is plenty of time for any candidate to win. All your candidate needs is your vote right now:
http://www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/PulsePoll

Despite the fact that Al Gore has not announced that he will run and wasn't even included in the endorsement poll, DFA members have seized the power and written him in. With over 65,000 votes cast so far, the time has come for Vice President Gore to make a decision.

The clock is ticking. We are deep into the 11th hour. There are fewer than 90 days until the first votes are cast. And filing deadlines to be on the ballot start closing in just days.

You deserve to know. Is Al Gore in or out?

Together, we are the boots on the ground that knock on doors, make phone calls, and recruit new supporters whether advocating for the next president or electing Governor Howard Dean to Chair the Democratic National Committee. DFA members are working to take our country back and the DFA endorsement is worth more than just words to the candidate that wins.

Vote for your candidate now:

http://www.DemocracyforAmerica.com/PulsePoll

Of course, this is not an ordinary endorsement poll. All voters are asked for their top three choices. And in the end, only an announced candidate can win the DFA endorsement. That means this will be the first poll in the nation that can accurately report both the remarkable support Al Gore has in the progressive grassroots AND which announced candidates earn that support if he never jumps in.
When we announce the results on November 6th, one year from Election Day, everyone will be watching.

Don't keep us waiting, Mr. Gore. It is time for an answer.

Arshad Hasan

Executive Director”

For those who are interested, Here are the current results:
Total Votes: 71781 as of Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:52:37 -0400
Candidate-------------Votes-------%

Al Gore---------------21145-----29.46%

Barack Obama----------15606-----21.74%

John Edwards----------13096-----18.24%

Dennis Kucinich-------12666-----17.65%

Hillary Clinton--------3718------5.18%

Bill Richardson--------2065------2.88%

Other------------------1487------2.07%

Joe Biden---------------797------1.11%

Mike Gravel-------------649------0.9%

Christopher Dodd--------550------0.77%

While I am pretty disappointed at where my “fall back candidate” Bill Richardson currently sits, I am truly hoping that Al will be looking at these results and realize that his country is calling him back to serve.

Go – Vote!

[UPDATE 2:49PM 10/24/07] Kucinich is surging in the most recent numbers on the DFA Pulse Poll. Overnight he has moved from 4th position to 2nd position behind either Al Gore or Barack Obama.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

No New Funding

According to “The Hill”, George Bush has issued his latest challenge at the feet of the “new Democratic majority” in Congress. On Monday, Bush sent forward a $196.4 billion supplemental spending bill to continue killing Americans, Iraqis, and Afghanis. Because there is no history of resistance from Congress in the almost five years of the Iraq debacle, Bush feels extremely confident that he will get whatever he asks for.

To ensure that Democrats continue to cave on every funding demand that he puts before them, Bush continues to employ the “support the troops” rhetoric that has replaced any reasoned debate between the branches of government. In sending up this latest funding scheme Bush says,

“I often hear that war critics oppose my decisions, but still support the troops. Well, I’ll take them at their word — and this is the chance to show it, that they support the troops.”

Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, who came into the leadership position in January amid claims that the days of a “blank check Congress” were over, said that the Senate would hold the funding bill, “up to the light of day and fight for the change in strategy and redeployment of troops that is long overdue.”

I guess the question remains; what is the best way to support the troops? In my mind it is time to stop the “new funding” and bring them home. Before anyone tells me about 60 votes or 67 votes to over ride; if the Democrats want to lead, they will simply let this bill die due to lack of daylight. Do not bring it to the floor unless it contains language that brings the troops home.

Not One More Dime – Not One More Life

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

For Whom Would You NEVER Vote for President of the US?

Ron Beasley over at Middle Earth Journal brings us this interesting poll from Zogby International:

Whom would you NEVER vote for for President of the U.S.?

Apparently, while the media is busy anointing “front runners” based upon “possible” and “likely” caucus voters or some straw poll taken at some county fair or clam bake, they seem to completely ignore the offsetting negatives for each of the candidates. I think the information is very interesting:

The online survey of 9,718 likely voters nationwide, conducted Oct. 11–15, 2007, asked the question, “Whom would you NEVER vote for for President of the U.S.?”

Clinton (D) 50%
Kucinich (D) 49%
Gravel (D) 47%
Paul (R) 47%
Brownback (R) 47%
Tancredo (R) 46%
McCain (R) 45%
Hunter (R) 44%
Giuliani (R) 43%
Romney (R) 42%
Edwards (D) 42%
Thompson (R) 41%
Dodd (D) 41%
Biden (D) 40%
Obama (D) 37%
Huckabee (R) 35%
Richardson (D) 34%
Not sure 4%

Now anyone who knows me knows that I am no rocket scientist but I think there may be something here. Let's just assume for a minute that no one has voted yet in any caucus or primary and that the assumption of Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee is based almost entirely on her ability to raise money and cash in on her husband's massive political machine. What this tells me is that Democrats have nominated someone that some 50% of the country would NEVER vote for.

Oh Wait! No one HAS voted yet.

Before you leave, you should take a look at who is the "Least Objectionable" to the American people.......I'm just sayin.........

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Support Pete Stark

On Friday I posted a link to Congressman Pete Stark’s remarks from the floor of the US House. Of course, before he was done with his remarks the right wing would be out for blood:(From the folks at Crook and Liars dot com)

Now I have to say that I am heartened by the percentages as they are reflected here in support of Pete but after the vote to “repudiate” Move-on I’m not so sure that we can count on our Democrats to defend their own. I mean, I’m still waiting for somebody to demand an apology for this

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Welcome Back Riverbend

Monday, October 22, 2007


Bloggers Without Borders...

"The first weeks here were something of a cultural shock. It has taken me these last three months to work away certain habits I’d acquired in Iraq after the war. It’s funny how you learn to act a certain way and don’t even know you’re doing strange things- like avoiding people’s eyes in the street or crazily murmuring prayers to yourself when stuck in traffic. It took me at least three weeks to teach myself to walk properly again- with head lifted, not constantly looking behind me.


It is estimated that there are at least 1.5 million Iraqis in Syria today. I believe it..."

"...The first evening we arrived, exhausted, dragging suitcases behind us, morale a little bit bruised, the Kurdish family sent over their representative – a 9 year old boy missing two front teeth, holding a lopsided cake, “We’re Abu Mohammed’s house- across from you- mama says if you need anything, just ask- this is our number. Abu Dalia’s family live upstairs, this is their number. We’re all Iraqi too... Welcome to the building.”

I cried that night because for the first time in a long time, so far away from home, I felt the unity that had been stolen from us in 2003."

Baghdad Burning

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Are We the World's Bully?

"We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon." I hear these words and I can’t help but wonder when it was decided that the United States - the single largest contributor to nuclear proliferation in the history of the planet and the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of chemical and biological weapons/technology in the world – should be the final arbiter of what weapons any other country in the world may or may not possess?

Oh don’t get me wrong, I am not in favor of more countries acquiring nuclear weapons technology but I mean really, when did we simply give up on the notion of moral leadership in favor of “might makes right?” Look at Iran’s regional neighbors – India, Pakistan, and Israel. India and Pakistan continue to teeter on the verge of all out war over border disputes while Pakistan continues to play host to Osama bin Laden and Al Qaida. And then there is Israel. The United States not only doesn’t seem to have any problem with all of this; we actually are engaging in technology sharing with all three countries. These are countries with nuclear WEAPONS! Iran, on the other hand, insists that they are only pursuing nuclear energy. You might ask why we should believe that. I will simply say that there is no credible evidence to the contrary. Again, however, looking at Iran’s “neighbors” could you really blame them if they decided to join the “A-Bomb Club?”

"We will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” Maybe the thing that really worries me is who is issuing the threat. Dick Cheney continues to beat the drum for war as loudly as anyone in our country’s history. Having just watched the Frontline documentary on Cheney’s intention to create an irreversible imperial presidency, his motives are crystal clear. Having watched our country start down a path of pre-emptive war based on propaganda and lies, I can’t help but feel that this is just the continuation of the strategy that has placed amazing unchecked power into the hands of the “Unitary Executive.”

It is time to stop this insanity but how? Congress seems to be a willing accomplice as they pass saber rattling resolutions and many of the presidential candidates - Republicans and Democrats - feel that the path to the Whitehouse must include unveiled threats against “a nuclear Iran.”

I can only hope that my fellow Americans will stand up and say “ENOUGH!” before it’s too late.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Experience for a Change

You can help bring diplomacy back into the American vocabulary:


Contribute what you can

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Cheney's Law

Last week I urged you to watch the Frontline documentary on Dick Cheney's assault on our Constitution.

If you did not catch it live on Tuesday night (and you have a good high speed link to the internet), please consider inviting a few of your friends and relatives over to catch a viewing from the Frontline website.

Oh yeah, if you happen to know a member of Congress, you might invite them over as well and ask them when they are going to sign on to Rep. Kucinich's resolution to bring articles of impeachment against Dick Cheney.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

The Losers Gallery

To use one of my favorite politically inspired rhetorical phrases - The are "some" who ask why I seem to spend so much energy questioning the Democrats who would seek to govern our country when it is the Republicans who represent all that is evil.

I am proud to present my lesbian girlfriend and Air America Host, Rachel Maddow who explains why I shouldn't have to worry about the Republicans (if there is any sanity remaining in this country)

Of course, as was witnessed in 2004, we know that there are still some folks in this country who would vote for the devil itself if it meant stopping the overthrow of our country by the "gay illegal immigrants bent on forcing socialized medicine down our throats." I mean, my god, those Democrats are actually running a woman, a black man, and a latino (probably undocumented too) for Commander in Chief. However I believe even those folks have finally begun to see the light.

At the end of the day the question to me is, if this is the best the Republicans can muster, what better opportunity for the Democrats to end this pandering to an imaginary "swing voter" and actually seek out the best person to be president? I truly believe that the American people are not interested in who "can do it better than George Bush." I believe they want someone who will do it different than George Bush.

Peace,
Chad The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 10/21/07
Americans Killed: 3834
Americans Wounded: 27,996
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqis Killed: 655,000+
http://www.thelancet.com
"...a small price..." Rep. John Boehner
-----------------------------------------

Latest Casualties:

*Pvt. Nathan Z. Thacker, 18, of Greenbrier, AR died Oct. 12 in Kirkuk, Iraq.

*Spc. Frank L. Cady III, 20, of Sacramento, CA died Oct.10 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt.1st Class Justin S. Monschke, 28, of Krum, TX died Oct 14 in Arab Jabour, Iraq.

*Pfc. Kenneth J. Iwasinski, 22, of West Springfield, MA died Oct 14 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*1st Lt. Thomas M. Martin, 27, of Ward, AR died Oct 14 in Al Busayifi, Iraq.

*Spc. Jason B. Koutroubas, 21, of Dunnellon, FL died Oct 14 in Tal Afar, Iraq.

*Spc. Micheal D. Brown, 20, of Williamsburg, KN died Oct.16 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany after being transported from Tikrit,Iraq on Oct.15.

*Spc. Vincent A. Madero, 22, of Port Hueneme, CA died Oct 17 in Balad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Jarred S. Fontenot, 35, of Port Barre, LA died Oct. 18 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Cpl. Erik T. Garoutte, 22, of Santee, CA died Oct. 19 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Wayne M. Geiger, 23, of Lone Pine, CA died Oct 18 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Hillary and the Weapons Industry

From my good friend and fellow Progressive Caucus member, Dr. Rebecca Wolfe, we are directed to this interesting article from UK news outlet, “The Independent”:

Clinton bucks the trend and rakes
in cash from the US weapons industry

By Leonard Doyle in Washington
Published: 19 October 2007

” The US arms industry is backing Hillary Clinton for President and has all but abandoned its traditional allies in the Republican party. Mrs Clinton has also emerged as Wall Street's favourite. Investment bankers have opened their wallets in unprecedented numbers for the New York senator over the past three months and, in the process, dumped their earlier favourite, Barack Obama.

Mrs Clinton's wooing of the defence industry is all the more remarkable given the frosty relations between Bill Clinton and the military during his presidency. An analysis of campaign contributions shows senior defence industry employees are pouring money into her war chest in the belief that their generosity will be repaid many times over with future defence contracts.”

I say that this is interesting yet not in the least surprising given Senator Clinton’s calculated political moves to develop her image as a “defense hawk”; a calculation that began with the DLC inspired vote to support an invasion of Iraq in 2002 and most recently exhibited in her willingness to embrace the saber rattling of the Bush Administration with regard to Iran.

According to article in “The Independent,”

” So far, Mrs Clinton has received $52,600 in contributions from individual arms industry employees. That is more than half the sum given to all Democrats and 60 per cent of the total going to Republican candidates. Election fundraising laws ban individuals from donating more than $4,600 but contributions are often "bundled" to obtain influence over a candidate.”

Senator Clinton will be in Seattle tomorrow to keynote the “Maggies.” I wonder if an ulterior motive might be to pick up some of that Boeing money in person?

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Thank You Pete Stark

Unfortunately I have been unable to post the actual video on this site. However I hope that you will follow this link to watch California Congressman Pete Stark unload on the Republicans and George W. Bush as they refuse to fund children's healthcare yet have no problem borrowing the money to kill our troops in Iraq.

"Congressman Pete Stark

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

"Free Trade" Kills

David Sirota once again points us to the absurdity of so called Free Trade.

Guatemala union heads killed despite US trade deal

MORALES, Guatemala, Oct 17 (Reuters) - ”Masked gunmen dumped a Guatemalan banana picker's bullet-ridden corpse yards from fields of fruit bound for the United States, a grim reminder of the risks of organizing labor in the Central American country.
Marco Tulio Ramirez, killed last month, was the fifth Guatemalan labor leader murdered this year.

Activists say the deaths show promises to protect labor rights under a U.S. trade pact have changed little at a time President George W. Bush is pressing for similar deals in other Latin American nations with bad labor records.”

Guatemala is one of the CAFTA countries. Today Congress is looking at a similar deal for Peru – and many Democrats again seem willing to close their eyes to such evidence of labor abuse and sign more American jobs and Central American lives away. This would include one very prominent presidential candidate.

Just in case there is any confusion over Labor’s continuing position on these NAFTA/CAFTA type trade deals, here is what Teamsters President, James Hoffa has to say:

Hoffa Responds to Bush Speech in Miami

”(Washington, DC) – Teamsters President Jim Hoffa on Friday refuted President Bush’s claims that free trade is good for the American economy.

“When President Bush says the economy benefits from trade deals, he must mean the part of the economy he cares about – the top one percent,” Hoffa said. “It’s not competition we’re afraid of, but the global capitalists who rig the system against the American worker.”

In a speech before a Miami audience, Bush called on Congress to pass free trade agreements in Latin America with Peru, Colombia and Panama, and also work toward passing an agreement with South Korea.

“The purpose of trade deals is to make Wall Street richer and to make the average working man and woman poorer. It’s no accident that average income actually fell between 2000 and 2005,” Hoffa said.
Hoffa was referring to new IRS data that shows the rich in 2005 had the biggest share of U.S. income since the 1920s.

“It’s especially outrageous that President Bush would urge the passage of a treaty with Panama when the president of the country’s national assembly, Pedro Miguel Gonzalez, killed a U.S. soldier near the Panama Canal in 1992,” Hoffa said.

“We need to re-evaluate existing trade deals and put a stop to the ones we’re considering—not just Panama, but Peru, Colombia and South Korea.”
Congress is expected to vote on the Peru and Panama trade agreements in the coming weeks.”

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in Canada and the United States.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

NukeFree.org

From our friends at Act for Change and Working Assets:

Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, Ben Harper and Bonnie Raitt

"We ask that all members of Congress join us in working to remove from the pending Energy Bill massively expensive loan guarantees---potentially a virtual blank check from taxpayers--- for the building of many more nuclear power plants.

We strongly support those parts of this Energy Bill that advance Renewable Portfolio Standards, increased fuel efficiency for automobiles, and other safe, clean solutions to global warming.

The tragedies of September 11th, 2001, underscore how vulnerable atomic reactors are to terror attacks by airplanes and missiles. Chernobyl and Three Mile Island remind us that major nuclear accidents can also be caused by human error.

The problem of radioactive waste remains unsolved. All reactors create deadly by-products that must be isolated for centuries. These wastes will have to be moved throughout the nation on trucks and trains, which could themselves have accidents and become terror and proliferation targets. There is no storage site even planned for the wastes that would come from new reactors. The controversial dump under construction at Yucca Mountain in Nevada, which may never open, cannot handle even the waste from reactors already in existence.

Huge quantities of energy are used for nuclear fuel enrichment, transportation, construction and waste storage. This is no solution to global warming. Reactors in Alabama and France have already shut because they are super-heating nearby rivers and streams.

The "new generation" nuclear plant now being built in Finland is already 18 months behind schedule and $900 million over budget. This is a design planned for our country. If construction begins here, tax and ratepayers will be stuck with the bill.

The Senate version of the Energy Bill could authorize the Department of Energy to provide virtually unlimited guarantees for backers of new reactors. The industry indicates it wants $25 billion in guarantees for 2008, and another $25 billion for 2009, with untold billions more to come after that.

The industry wants these subsidies because after fifty years, atomic power has been rejected by the marketplace. The first commercial nuclear reactor opened in 1957. But after fifty years of proven failure, Wall Street will not independently invest in more of them, and still no private insurance company will underwrite the possibility of a major reactor disaster.

In fact, nuclear power has been left behind by a profitable revolution in safe, clean, renewable energy sources, and in energy efficiency. Wind, solar, bio-fuels, geothermal, ocean thermal and more are shaping a green-powered Earth that produces jobs and sustainability. This is the true solution to global warming.

These wasteful reactor loan guarantees would siphon away resources better spent on truly competitive sources of power.

So we ask that they be removed from the Energy Bill. Higher auto mileage standards, biofuels, energy efficiency and requirements for renewable energy are what we need to survive and prosper, not more taxpayer bailouts for the proven failure that is atomic energy.



Signed by:

Bonnie Raitt, Ben Harper, Graham Nash and Jackson Browne
NukeFree.org"

You can add your name HERE

peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Continuing Bush's String of Victories?

Are we looking at another case of “Bush Wins!”?

Senate and Bush Agree On Terms of Spying Bill

Some Telecom Companies Would Receive Immunity

By Jonathan Weisman and Ellen Nakashima

Washington Post Staff Writers

Thursday, October 18, 2007; Page A01

”Senate Democrats and Republicans reached agreement with the Bush administration yesterday on the terms of new legislation to control the federal government's domestic surveillance program, which includes a highly controversial grant of legal immunity to telecommunications companies that have assisted the program, according to congressional sources.
Disclosure of the deal followed a decision by House Democratic leaders to pull a competing version of the measure from the floor because they lacked the votes to prevail over Republican opponents and GOP parliamentary maneuvers.
The collapse marked the first time since Democrats took control of the chamber that a major bill was withdrawn from consideration before a scheduled vote. It was a victory for President Bush, whose aides lobbied heavily against the Democrats' bill, and an embarrassment for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who had pushed for the measure's passage.”

It seems to me that it was just a month ago that the Democrats in Congress allowed Bush to declare another victory in his assault on the 4th Amendment. Is it really too much to believe that “supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States” should be more than mere words?

[UPDATE 2:30PM PST] This just in from Crooks and Liars dot com

BREAKING: Chris Dodd puts hold on Telecom Immunity Bill

"Senator Chris Dodd plans to put a hold on the Senate FISA renewal bill because it reportedly grants retroactive immunity to telephone companies for any role they played in the Bush administration’s warrantless eavesdropping program, Election Central has learned.

Dodd will send a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid this afternoon informing him of his decision..."

Could this be the rebuke Bush has never seen; or will Reid force the bill out of Dodd's committee? Stay tuned.

[UPDATE 12:50PM 10/19/2007]

Senator Dodd pledges to filibuster telecom immunity - in his own words:

Go to his site and sign the pledge

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Gov. Richardson Agrees With The 12 Captains

Dear Chad,

I want you to see a column that ran in yesterday's Washington Post:

"Five years on, the Iraq war is as undermanned and under-resourced as it was from the start. And, five years on, Iraq is in shambles."

That sounds like something I'd say. I've been calling for an immediate withdrawal of all U.S. troops since I entered this race.

But I'm not the one who wrote yesterday's column.

Twelve U.S. Army captains wrote it. And they join a growing chorus of military voices demanding an immediate change in our country's disastrous Iraq policies.

The other Democratic primary candidates would keep troops in Iraq until 2013 -- or even 2017. But that strategy has failed. Get the troops out now!

All the Army captains who signed yesterday's column served in Iraq, many on multiple tours. Captain Gary Williams served in Baghdad. Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan served in Anbar and Nineveh. Captain Elizabeth Bostwick served in Salad Ad Din and An Najaf. And so on.

And what did they recommend?

Not a "troop surge." Not a scaled withdrawal, or a phased draw-down, or a partial reduction of force. Not a renewed focus on training the Iraqi security forces.

"Our best option," they said, "is to leave Iraq immediately."

Twelve experienced U.S. military leaders have evaluated the situation they saw on the ground, and they now say to America that the best option, short of a military draft, is to get out of the way and let the Iraqi civil war play out.

Is there a clearer message for our Congress and our President than this?

In my years as a Congressman, and a Cabinet secretary, and an Ambassador, and now as a sitting Governor, I've learned that an important skill of leadership is to be able to take advice from your people in the field.

Nobody knows the real situation like your people in the field. When they tell you to move, you move. And on this issue, I'm with the Army captains.

As they said in their letter, it's time for our country to make a choice.

More politics? More "revised strategies"? More injuries and deaths to U.S. soldiers caught in the crossfire of another country's civil war?

Or the troop withdrawal that you and I know we need?

These twelve Army officers have seen the real situation on the ground. And for the sake of our military men and women, and their families, we must demand that they be heard.

Sincerely,

Governor Bill Richardson

If you would like to help Gov. Richardson end the occupation of Iraq please contribute what you can to his campaign.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

SUPPORT KSER - 90.7 FM

To my Progressive friends and the greater Progressive community in Snohomish County and beyond:

If you believe like I do that Commercial Media is a large part of the problem with our country today and that we must support alternative resources to get more and better information out to the general public, then now is the time to act. KSER-90.7FM in Everett is in the final week of their annual Fall Membership Drive.

Why is KSER so important that I should be asking to you to contribute your hard earned money? After all, if you are reading this, you have a computer with internet access and you can hear almost everything that KSER broadcasts from any number of other sources. From Democracy Now! to BBC News, to Alternative Radio you and I can simply listen directly from the host website. But that is not what is important here!

What is important is that the news and views that are expressed from these sources be heard by folks who do not have computers or access to the internet. And while you might suggest that people who only listen to the radio could simply tune in to Air America for their “dose of reality” the fact is that Air America is “preaching to the choir” and we know it. What we have with KSER is a LOCAL, NON-COMMERCIAL; INDEPENDENT station broadcasting Community Based Programming (even the DJs come from the local area) that reaches an audience that might otherwise never hear Amy Goodman or Jim Hightower.

And before you think that KSER only rebroadcasts national and international programs, you should know that one of the most important services provided by the station is a venue for local and regional people and organizations to come speak directly to their audience on air. Every morning between 8:00 and 9:00, News and Public Affairs Director, Ed Bremer hosts “The Morning Program” on which he discusses events of local interest and interviews various folks from the community including other media folks as well as community activists. One of the more intriguing things that they offer is an open microphone to anyone who may wish to offer a commentary on an issue of concern or to counter something one might have heard on a previous broadcast.

So my friends, it is time to contribute toward a solution. You may contribute online or by phone at 425 303-9070 You can tell them that The Left Shue sent you (I receive ZERO compensation) or simply listen for a bit and contribute because you are moved to do so on your own. As they say on their website

”KSER is the only independent community radio station in Western Washington and one of only three such stations in the entire state.”

We Progressives have a real obligation to ensure this resource can thrive.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Frontline Documentary on Dick Cheney Starts October 16th

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Appeal for Redress to Be Presented to Congress

Congressional Progressive Caucus
http://cpc.lee.house.gov ___________________________________________________________________
72 Strong and Growing: Open to New and Different Ideas

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR NEWS CONFERENCE

On Wednesday, October 17, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. in the Rayburn Building, 2456 RHOB, active-duty members of the U.S. military will hold a press conference calling for an end to the U.S. occupation of Iraq.

Over 2,000 signatures from active duty, Reserve, and National Guard service
members will be presented to Members of Congress asking for an "Appeal for Redress." Their petition states:

“As a patriotic American proud to serve the nation in uniform, I
respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to support the
prompt withdrawal of all American military forces and bases from Iraq.
Staying in Iraq will not work and is not worth the price. It is time
for U.S. troops to come home.”

Members of the Appeal will be joined by U.S. Representatives Bob Filner--Chair of the House Veteran's Affairs Committee, Lynn Woolsey and Barbara Lee – Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, actress Eve Ensler, and author David Cortwright plus additional Members of Congress

"With recent posturing on Iran, the urgency of not repeating the
mistakes of Iraq and ending the war becomes all the more important.
Congress should listen to those of us who have served and continue to
serve in the midst of a civil war," said Seaman Jonathan Hutto,
co-founder of the Appeal for Redress. "Over 2,000 brave service men
and women have added their voices to the vast majority of America that would like an end to this unwinnable conflict."

For more information, contact Bill Goold at 202-226-4055 or Erik Leaver, 202-234-9382, erik@ips-dc.org.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Gov. Richardson on Countdown

Former Congressman, former UN Ambassador, former US Energy Secretary, current New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson appeared on Keith Olbermann's "Countdown" to discuss recent statements from retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez. Sanchez who previously held the position held now by (Bush Administration Spokesman) Gen. David Petraeus; commander of coalition forces in Iraq, said on Friday,

"A failure of the national political leadership is responsible for the nightmare of the Iraq war." He added, "The officers and military leadership involved in the planning for the war in Iraq suffered from an absolute lack of moral courage to stand up and do what was right in terms of planning."

Gov. Richardson repeats his commitment to bring all American forces out of Iraq (as opposed to Hillary's commitment of a continued US presence there well into a second term) and goes on to discuss the importance of maintaining a real diplomatic relationship with Russia in light of that country's threat to pull out of an important arms control agreement in the face of the Bush Administration's continued threat to place "Star Wars" weapons systems in Europe.

Experience for a Change

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Cowboy George and the Mercenaries

Imagine that you are a young man of 18 and you feel a call to serve your country in its armed forces; particularly in the fervor of patriotism that sweeps the country in the months following September 11, 2001. Now imagine that it is some five years later and you are a staff sergeant with an infantry unit in Iraq; you are on your third tour of duty there, occasionally wondering if the situation will ever improve enough for you to come home but determined to do your duty as a soldier. Now read the following:

(With thanks to the folks at Crooks and Liars I was directed to this article from October 15 Newsweek.)

Blackwater Is Soaked

An arrogant attitude only adds fuel to the criticism.

By Rod Nordland and Mark Hosenball

Newsweek

Oct. 15, 2007 issue - ”The colonel was furious. "Can you believe it? They actually drew their weapons on U.S. soldiers." He was describing a 2006 car accident, in which an SUV full of Blackwater operatives had crashed into a U.S. Army Humvee on a street in Baghdad's Green Zone. The colonel, who was involved in a follow-up investigation and spoke on the condition he not be named, said the Blackwater guards disarmed the U.S. Army soldiers and made them lie on the ground at gunpoint until they could disentangle the SUV. His account was confirmed by the head of another private security company…”

Now flash back to the infamous statement from then Defense(less) Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, ”…you go to war with the army that you got…” For years the Republicans have gotten away with accusing the Democrats of being anti- military and weak on defense and yet I cannot imagine an administration that has been more callous and disrespectful of the American military as the crop of chicken hawks who have been running our government for the past six years. For the record, while my fictional staff sergeant is pulling in something like $45,000 per year, his Blackwater alternative is soaking in some $100,000 to $200,000 in US taxpayer funds.

Is this how we support our troops?

Not One More Dime – Not One More Life

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 10/13/07
Americans Killed: 3826
Americans Wounded: 27,946
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqis Killed: 655,000+
http://www.thelancet.com
"...a small price..." Rep. John Boehner
-----------------------------------------


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Spc. Vincent G. Kamka, 23, of Everett, WA (79th Washingtonian)died Oct. 4 in Bayji, Iraq.

*Sgt. Joseph B. Milledge, 23, of Pointblank, TX died Oct. 5 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Jason N. Marchand, 26, of Greenwood, WV died Oct. 5 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Cpl. Benjamin C. Dillon, 22, of Rootstown, OH died Oct. 7 in northern Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Jeremy W. Burris, 22, of Tacoma, WA (80th Washingtonian) died Oct. 8 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Cpl. Gilberto A. Meza, 21, of Oxnard, CA died Oct. 6 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Jason M. Lantieri, 25, of Killingworth, CT died Oct. 10 in Iskandaryah, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Eric T. Duckworth, 26, of Plano, TX died Oct. 10 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Lillian Clamens, 35, of Lawton, OK died Oct. 10 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Samuel F. Pearson, 28, of Westerville, OH died Oct. 10 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Donald L. Munn II, 25, of Saint Clairs Shores, MI died Oct. 11 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Gore Wins Nobel Peace Prize

Al Gore, U.N. panel win Nobel Peace Prize

Ex-VP, intergovernmental body jointly honored for global warming work

"OSLO, Norway - Former Vice President Al Gore and the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Friday for their efforts to spread awareness of man-made climate change and lay the foundations for counteracting it.

"I am deeply honored to receive the Nobel Peace Prize," Gore said in a statement. "We face a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity.""

Now its on to the Whitehouse!

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

In the Court of King George

I first heard the story of Khaled el-Masri some time back on Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now broadcast. el-Masri, a German citizen of lebanese descent had been the victim of George Bush’s “extraordinary renditions” program. He had been abducted by the CIA, flown to a secret prison in Afghanistan, tortured and interrogated for FIVE MONTHS before he was unceremoniously released in the dead of night on a deserted roadside in Albania– a victim of MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

That was in 2004. Since that time, Khaled el-Masri has been trying to have his case heard in an American court. Having run into a US judicial system that has also been hijacked by the Bush Administration, el-Masri has seen his case passed from court to court; not based upon any lack of merit to his story but simply because the Bush (in)Justice Department has argued that having to defend their actions would be a breach of “state secrets.” On its face, the argument that there is anything “secret” about the extraordinary renditions program seems like so much baloney. However in the case of Khaled el-Masri it is simply absurd. The fact that el-Masri is free and able to speak about his ordeal simply leaves the U.S. in a position of either admitting or denying his story. And then there is this:

German Arrest Warrants for CIA Kidnapping, Torture of Khaled El-Masri Come as US Extraordinary Rendition Scrutinized Around the Globe

”German prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for thirteen CIA operatives linked to the kidnapping and torture of German citizen Khaled El-Masri.”

Which brings us to this:

Court nixes man’s suit claiming torture by CIA

” WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Tuesday terminated a lawsuit from a man who claims he was abducted and tortured by the CIA, effectively endorsing Bush administration arguments that state secrets would be revealed if the case were allowed to proceed.”

There is a famous story that, upon exiting the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was approached by a group of citizens asking what sort of government the delegates had created. His answer was: "A republic, if you can keep it." With each passing day of the Bush regime I am more convinced that we have lost it.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Richardson Joins Gregoire to Sue George Bush

Dear Chad,

Last Tuesday, I joined 28 other Governors, from both parties, in signing a letter to President George W. Bush, urging him to sign the bill extending the popular children's health care program known as SCHIP.

SCHIP funds basic health care for over 6 million of America's children in all 50 states -- mostly children from poor families with little or no access to other health services.

Checkups for poor children sounds like a no-brainer, doesn't it? It's a proven fact that children with early access to immunizations and regular checkups do better throughout their lives. And in fact, 72% of Americans in a recent poll said they supported SCHIP.

But last week, President Bush got our letter ... and he threw it in the trash.

He vetoed the SCHIP reauthorization bill the very next day, and he tried to use his veto to make a political point. Congressional supporters are now trying to line up the votes for an override next Thursday.

This wasn't a surprise. The President has been openly hostile to children's health care. New SCHIP regulations that his Administration issued in August violate the intent of Congress, interfering with the states' existing SCHIP programs and limiting their expansion.

And now we're joining forces with New York, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Washington, Arizona, and New Hampshire -- and we're taking President Bush to court.

Here's what our President -- tone-deaf on health care, as on so many other issues -- had to say about health care back in July:

"I mean, people have access to health care in America. After all, you just go to an emergency room."

Is he kidding? When was the last time that George W. Bush -- son of a President, grandson of a Senator -- tried to get basic health care in an emergency room?

Has he ever set foot in the kind of overtaxed, underfunded hospital that serves low-income neighborhoods in America's cities? Has he ever waited all day to see the traveling doctor who visits a rural community one afternoon a week? Sat in a crowded hospital triage room for four hours? Waited six weeks for an appointment at a public clinic?

Has George W. Bush ever been turned away for medical services -- for anything -- because he couldn't afford to pay?

It's easy for President Bush to play politics. But the lives of real children are at stake. Here in New Mexico, where I am Governor, the SCHIP-funded New Mexikids program brings immunizations, regular checkups, and other health services to 19,000 low-income children. We're poised to expand the program to cover 11,000 more.

Basic health services, like immunizations and regular checkups, are one of the most cost-effective ways of giving children a leg up in life. But our short-sighted President would rather turn his back on America's children.

We must not let this happen. Please join me today, help us win our lawsuit, and protect this critically important program from political interference.

Sincerely,

***
The best way that we can help Gov. Richardson (and our own Gov. Gregoire) is to help ensure an over ride of Bush's veto. Write or phone the three Republican congress members from our state, Doc Hastings; Cathy McMorris Rodgers; and Dave Reichert and ask them (in the most respectful way you can) to set aside partisanship and vote with the bipartisan majority of the House to override the Bush veto of this vitally important children's healthcare program. The key point to make is that, while they had the opportunity to cast their vote against this program, they have also had the time to witness the breadth of support this program has across the country (including members of their own party) They should not allow pure partisan politics to defy the will of the American people or deprive deserving children of the healthcare they need.

Richard (Doc) Hastings:

1214 Longworth HOB

Washington, DC 20515-4704

Phone: (202) 225-5816

Cathy McMorris Rodgers:

1708 Longworth HOB

Washington, DC 20515-4705

Phone: (202) 225-2006

Dave Reichert:

1223 Longworth HOB

Washington, DC 20515-4708

Phone: (202) 225-7761

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Anti-Terror Spy Network Wrecked by White House Leak

Joby Warrick, reporting for the Washington Post, writes that a small
private intelligence company that monitors Islamic terrorist groups
obtained a new Osama bin Laden video ahead of its official release
last month and notified the Bush administration of its secret
acquisition. It gave two senior officials access on the condition
that the officials not reveal they had it until the al-Qaeda release.
The founder of the company says the White House's premature
disclosure of the tape tipped al-Qaeda to a security breach and
destroyed a years-long surveillance operation that the company has
used to intercept and pass along secret messages, videos and advance
warnings of suicide bombings from the terrorist group's
communications network.


How many of these intelligence helpers are now dead because of this
Incompetent Administration?

Full Story

If I Had Known Then........

In a story that has been getting a bit of coverage recently, “She Who Would Be President” seems to be either surprised or a touch paranoid by repeated questioning of her recent vote to begin diplomatic talks with Iran by first labeling them terrorists.

While there does seem to be some legitimate concern over the claims of Mr. Rolph that he was previously non-committed in his choice for presidential nominee prior to his questioning of Senator Clinton at an event in Iowa, the fact that, as part of her exchange, she says, ”"Well, then, I apologize. It's just that I've been asked the very same question in three other places.” suggests to me that she truly does not grasp the concern that many have over that vote.

Just as we put up with for the entire 2004 campaign, will we have to put up with lame explanations about floor speeches and intent rather than action? For “SWWBP” to continue to aid in Bush’s saber rattling and still claim that she is taking a hard line against military action against Iran just sounds too much like, ‘I only voted to authorize military action. How was I to know he would actually act upon it?’ Maybe she could have listened to Sen. Jim Webb prior to the vote:

Of course none of this will mean anything if W doesn’t attack Iran before January of 2009. I mean he’s learned his lesson from Iraq right?

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Yes on 4204

h/t to Howie in Seattle

Go HERE to find out how to help.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Soldier In Finance Unit At Bagram Air Base Was Found Dead After Having "Discovered Things"

This story got very little coverage in the US Corporate controlled media but I wanted to share it with the group. I have checked further into this case and there are some other points that should make one more suspicious.

Ciara Durkin was gay and she thought that her life was in danger.

What kind of world have we allowed to evolve because of apathy and self absorbed interests?

With the piece I offered earlier about "Imagine" what can we do to honor Ciara Durkin,her family, Pat Tillman, his family and all the other families of yesterday,today and tomorrow who have been killed for lies and gross corporate gain?

Our families of this planet deserve far better than what they are left with.

I am pleading with everyone to show your compassion and honor these folks with action, truth and your strength to put and end to this madness that has befallen the country.

Please do the right thing and don't mask political ideology under the auspices of justice in the fight against corruption by hiding them under the banner of groups like the DLC ,the DCCC and others. The Republican leadership is doing nothing but covering up and maintaining the status quo for the most part. But there are a few who are starting to become honest about the issues and are coming to the table. I fear the Republican base is still in denial and may never redeem themselves. The democratic base has expressed the frustration and anger for the current leadership by the record low approval of congress including the Republicans!
Reid and Pelosi are under ext ream pressure to take viable action. Mrs. Sheehan is probably going to beat Speaker Pelosi in the next election and then the Democratic leadership will have cause to respect the wishes of the base and not just the corporate lobby. It will be a turning point in the Democratic party and a positive boon for the troops overseas.

If you think of these people as all of our children it will open minds and hearts in this battle.
Read this from a parents point of view. PLEASE!

Ozy

After Suspicious Death, Guard Laid To Rest

QUINCY, Oct. 7, 2007

---

(CBS/AP) A member of the Massachusetts National Guard found dead under suspicious circumstances in Afghanistan was laid to rest in her hometown of Quincy Saturday.

Specialist Ciara Durkin was discovered, with a single gunshot wound to her head, in a secure area of Bagram Airfield last month.

On Saturday the 30-year-old, born in Ireland and raised in the United States, was buried with full military honors. Durkin was promoted posthumously to corporal.

Residents held flags in silent tribute to the fallen hometown soldier.

Joe Brill of Quincy said, "The least we could do is thank this young woman for giving her life and serving our country," CBS Station WBZ reported.

The service held at St. John the Baptist Church in Quincy was also attended by Governor Deval Patrick and Senator John Kerry.

Her brother Pierce delivered a eulogy, recalling his sister's selflessness and ready smile. Her large family sat next to her flag-draped coffin.



She had joined the Army National Guard in October 2005 after getting laid off from her information technology job. Her duties included making sure the finances of soldiers were in order and that their families were getting benefits.

The death of Durkin, who was found dead within the confines of a secure air base on September 28, were made more mysterious by news she told her family while visiting home three weeks before she was killed. Durkin's said Ciara told her she had "discovered some things I don’t like and I made some enemies because of it," and asked if anything happened to her, to make sure it was investigated.

Her family initially complained that military officials told them she was killed "in action," but then later said she died in a "non-combat related incident."

Durkin's family met with Army investigators this week and were reassured everything was being done in the investigation. The family discounts the possibility of suicide.

FULL STORY

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 10/06/07
Americans Killed: 3815
Americans Wounded: 27,924
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqis Killed: 655,000+
http://www.thelancet.com
"...a small price to pay..." Rep. John Boehner
-----------------------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Sgt. 1st Class Randy L. Johnson, 34, of Washington DC died Sept. 27 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. 1st Class James D. Doster, 37, of Pine Bluff, AR died Sept. 29 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Donnie D. Dixon, 37, of Miami, FL died Sept. 29 in Baloor, Iraq.

*Sgt. Robert T. Ayres III, 23, of Los Angeles, CA died Sept. 29 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Chirasak Vidhyarkorn, 32, of Queens, NY died Sept. 29 in Diwaniyah, Iraq.

*Sgt. Randell Olguin, 24, of Ralls, TX died Sept. 30 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Gunnery Sgt. Herman J. Murkerson Jr., 35, of Adger, AL died Oct. 1 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Seaman Apprentice Shayna Ann Schnell, 19, of Tell City, IN died Oct. 1 while assigned to Naval Security Force Bahrain, Jebel Ali Detachment, United Arab Emirates.

*Sgt. Ricardo X. Rodriguez, 23, of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, died Oct. 4 near Bayji, Iraq.

*Spc. Rachael L. Hugo, 24, of Madison, WI died Oct. 5 in Bayji, Iraq.

*Spc. Avealalo Milo, 23, of Hayward, CA died Oct. 4 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Experience for a Change

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Polling News

According to the latest Associated Press/Ipsos poll the most successful worst president in American history continues to plummet in public approval.

5:23 PM EDT, October 4, 2007

WASHINGTON

”Public approval for President Bush and Congress has fallen to the lowest levels in The Associated Press-Ipsos poll.
With the Iraq war dragging on and recession fears mounting, only 31 percent of those surveyed said they approve of the job Bush is doing, according to the poll released Thursday.

His lowest previous approval in the survey was 32 percent -- a virtual tie with the new reading -- and that rating was recorded several times, most recently in June…”

Wow, I don’t know how it could be much worse……..

”Congress' performance was approved by just 22 percent, continuing a steady decline since Democrats took over in January. With lawmakers unable to force Bush to pull large numbers of troops from Iraq, just one-quarter of Democrats gave a thumbs-up to Congress' work, about where they have been for months, compared with one-fifth of Republicans and independents.”

Oh yeah, I guess there is that.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Sirota: Bipartisanship vs. Buypartisanship

With continuing appreciation to our friend David Sirota comes this from that ultra-liberal rag, “The Wall Street Journal”:

Republicans Grow Skeptical On Free Trade

By JOHN HARWOOD

October 4, 2007; Page A1

WASHINGTON – “By a nearly two-to-one margin, Republican voters believe free trade is bad for the U.S. economy, a shift in opinion that mirrors Democratic views and suggests trade deals could face high hurdles under a new president…”

Echoing the sentiments of rank and file Democrats for over a decade (since Bill Clinton saddled us with NAFTA and the WTO) it seems that the continued bleeding of living wage American jobs and declining product quality has finally started to have an impact on the heretofore oblivious Republican base.

”Six in 10 Republicans in the poll agreed with a statement that free trade has been bad for the U.S. and said they would agree with a Republican candidate who favored tougher regulations to limit foreign imports. That represents a challenge for Republican candidates who generally echo Mr. Bush's calls for continued trade expansion, and reflects a substantial shift in sentiment from eight years ago…”

“While rank-and-file Democrats have long blasted the impact of trade on American jobs, slipping support among Republicans represents a fresh warning sign for free-market conservatives and American companies such as manufacturers and financial firms that benefit from markets opening abroad.”

While the news that Republicans are finally beginning to understand the realities of so-called Free Trade, I don’t think we can be as quick as the writer is to assume that, ”… trade deals could face high hurdles under a new president.” In a trend that David Sirota and others have been documenting for years (and especially in this first year of the new Democratic Majority), it seems that the new “K-Street Dems” have become much more willing to turn a deaf ear to the American public while they cozy up to their new found friends from Lobby Town.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Powerfully White

Thanks to Darryl over at Hominid Views

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Finally a Democratic Leader?

As previously mentioned the new Democratic majority in Congress seems to continue to have a problem grasping the possibilities of the majority. However there may still be hope:

From The Huffington Post comes this latest glimpse of hope that the new Democratic majority may have some fight in it after all.

According to the post from Michael Roston

”The Democratic chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee said today that he was ready to go to the mat with President Bush over further funding for the war in Iraq.
Rep. David Obey (D-WI), who spoke today with Reps. John Murtha (D-PA) and Jim McGovern (D-MA), says he has "absolutely no intention of reporting out of Committee anytime in this session of Congress any such request that simply serves to continue the status quo."”

If Rep. Obey’s actions match up to his rhetoric it will be the first time since the Democrats were afforded the congressional majority that a member of the leadership will have fully exercised “the prerogative of the Chair” to set the agenda. Obey’s statement follows:

”In addition to the regular defense appropriation request of $463 billion, the President is asking Congress to appropriate an additional supplemental request of almost $200 billion - a blank check to finance U.S. activities in Iraq - and he clearly expects that request to be repeated for years to come.
"I would be more than willing to report out a supplemental meeting the President's request if that request were made in support of a change in policy that would do three things.

1. Establish as a goal the end of U.S. involvement in combat operations by January of 2009.

2. Ensure that troops would have adequate time at home between deployments as outlined in the Murtha and Webb amendments.

3. Demonstrate a determination to engage in an intensive, broad scale diplomatic offensive involving other countries in the region.

"But this policy does not do that. It simply borrows almost $200 billion to give to the Departments of State, Defense, Energy, and Justice with no change in sight.
"As Chairman of the Appropriations Committee I have absolutely no intention of reporting out of Committee anytime in this session of Congress any such request that simply serves to continue the status quo.

"I also have no intention of acquiescing in a policy that will result in draining the treasury so dry that it will result in the systematic disinvestment of America's future.”

To be sure, Obey’s “demands” still only call for setting “goals” and there is no talk of defunding or even reducing the amount of the request. However, so long as the bill remains in committee, there is time to influence our members of Congress to make the appropriate “corrections” to the language. At this point I am just pleased to hear that there is finally a Democrat who seems to understand the language of the majority. Stay tuned......

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Dem Majority Fails (again) to Lead

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chris Shields 202-225-5187

October 2, 2007


WOOLSEY:
IRAQ BILL “misses an opportunity to hold the President accountable”


WASHINGTON, DC - The Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and a Co-Founder of the Out of Iraq Caucus, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) today issued the following statement following the passage of H.R. 3087, the so called ‘Tanner-Abercrombie-English bill':


“Four and a half years after the invasion of Iraq the American public is fed up with the President’s failed policy, and is demanding that the Congress stand up to him and force him to bring our troops home. Regrettably today’s vote is a day late, and a buck short in that regard, and will do nothing to remove our brave young men and women from the President’s quagmire.

“If we have learned one lesson in the run-up and the execution of the war it is that we cannot trust this President. That’s why as a coequal branch of government the Congress must use our constitutional powers, and the power of the purse, to take control of the war and force the President to bring our brave young men and women home.

“Unfortunately, this bill misses an opportunity to hold the President accountable by simply calling for a ‘status report,’ on the existence of any redeployment plans, a loophole that would allow the President to continue his occupation indefinitely. We should instead be forcing him to submit time bound redeployment plans which would fully fund the safe and orderly redeployment of all of our troops and military contractors from Iraq by a date certain.



“With almost four thousand of our young men and women dead, and just under 28,000 wounded, we are far past the time for ‘status reports,’ such as those outlined in this bill, and we cannot allow the President the wiggle room to continue his occupation indefinitely. The American public is counting on the Congress to stand up to the President and end this war, and this bill just doesn’t do it.”
*******

Not One More Dime - Not One More Life

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Voting Integrity - Texas Style

h/t to Justin Krebs at Working for Change

Dare we ask..........?

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Real Diplomacy

In recognition of Bill Richardson's leadership and diplomatic experience, President Bill Clinton appointed Bill the United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

Ambassador Richardson might have been surrounded by tradition and formality -- but the cowboy boot-wearing New Mexican was always true to his Western heritage. On his first day at the UN, Bill tried to shake the hand of every single delegate -- an idea that baffled his colleagues -- there were just too many of them! Bill was also a frequent visitor to the U.N. cafeteria; he would eat lunch and get to know the UN's regular employees -- many of whom spoke Spanish and who lived in New York and New Jersey. It has always been Governor Richardson's style to reach out to everyone around him and to try to hear every point of view -- he may have the ears of Presidents and international leaders, but he always listens to the men and women working in the kitchen too.

Bill Richardson has traveled to Africa multiple times on diplomatic missions. As Ambassador he traveled to Zaire(now the Democratic Republic of Congo) to try to ease that country's transition to Democracy. He has secured the release of hostages from Sudan and just this January negotiated a fragile cease-fire in Darfur. The trips to Africa have changed Governor Richardson's life -- he has seen first-hand the suffering that can exist in the world, and he has seen the hope that persists in the most persecuted heart. Touring refugee camps, witnessing the effects of famine, disease and unnecessary violence, has given Bill a uniquely personal perspective on global conflict, and what the United States can do to prevent needless suffering.


Bill has gone toe-to-toe with some of the world's toughest characters -- Saddam Hussein, North Korean generals, Burmese military leaders, Sudanese President al-Bashir and Fidel Castro -- to name a few. Presidents, Secretaries of State, and Prime Ministers soon came to know Bill as the go-to guy for tough hostage negotiations.

In 1994, Bill was on a fact-finding mission in North Korea when he learned that the North Koreans shot down a U.S. Army helicopter that had strayed into their airspace. President Clinton asked Bill to stay in North Korea until he got the soldiers out, and he went right to work. After days of tense discussions and stonewalling by the North Koreans, the world learned that pilot David Hilemon died when the helicopter went down, but that Bobby Hall, his co-pilot, was fine. Richardson refused to leave North Korea until he secured Hilemon's remains, and Bobby Hall was released a few weeks later.

The next year, two American contractors got lost in the Iraqi desert by mistakenly crossing the border and were arrested as spies by Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard. The negotiations weren't going well and Bill was sent to see what he could do. Bill met with Iraq's Ambassador to the United Nations, and Tariq Aziz, Iraq's foreign minister -- but the discussions kept stalling. Saddam would make the final decision, so a resolution depended on Bill's ability to negotiate a meeting and convince Saddam himself to release the hostages.

Bill traveled to Baghdad and met with Saddam and Aziz in one of the Royal Palaces. Saddam kept stalling for concessions and refused to consider release at first, but Bill eventually convinced Saddam to do the right thing. The two Americans were released to Bill and were home days later.

Governor Richardson knows the Middle East, and he knows diplomacy can work there -- he has done it before. Bill's understanding of the Middle East, and his belief in international diplomacy, have come together to form Bill's plan for Iraq. He knows that the only way to begin to stabilize Iraq, and the entire region, is for all American troops to be withdrawn. Once we are completely out of Iraq, then the hard diplomatic work must begin.


Governor Richardson's diplomatic missions have given him valuable first-hand experiences in some of the world's most dangerous places -- and in areas that America must focus on as we move deeper into the 21st century.

When the Governor was recently in Darfur, he kept being asked the same questions: "Where is America? Why don't they do anything? "

The United States has moved away from diplomacy under the Bush administration, but Bill Richardson believes that America must work with the rest of the world to solve our common problems. He has seen the impact of war, and it has reaffirmed his belief in the power of America and the power of diplomacy to end suffering.


In recognition of his efforts around the world, Bill has been nominated four times for the Nobel Peace Prize. Each nomination has focused on his international peace mediation, hostage rescue and his commitment to justice. One of the nominating letters put it best: "Bill Richardson has shown his fight in the struggle of humanity by shining the beam of reason into those corners of the world darkened by nuclear peril for far too long, helping to ensure that we can live in a world where arms hold us together -- they don't keep us apart."

This is the kind of leadership America needs.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue