Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 08/25/2010
Americans Killed: 1,244
Americans Wounded: 10,000+
Post Obama Inauguration
Americans Killed: 614
http://icasualties.org/

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

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

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Chief Petty Officer Collin Thomas, 33, of Morehead, KY died Aug. 18 in eastern Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Martin A. Lugo, 24, of Tucson, AZ died Aug. 19 in Puli Alam, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Christopher J. Boyd, 22, of Palatine, IL died Aug. 19 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Cody S. Childers, 19, of Chesapeake, VA died Aug. 20 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Christopher S. Wright, 23, of Tollesboro, KY died Aug. 19 in Pech, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Nathaniel J. A. Schultz, 19, of Safety Harbor, FL died Aug. 21 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Alexis V. Maldonado, 20, of Wichita Falls, TX died Aug. 21 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Steven J. Deluzio, 25, of South Glastonbury, CT died Aug. 22 at Paktika, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Tristan H. Southworth, 21, of West Danville, VT died Aug. 22 at Paktika, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Pedro A. Millet Meletiche, 20, of Elizabeth, NJ died Aug. 22 at Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Jason D. Calo, 23, of Lexington, KY died Aug. 22 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Ronald A. Rodriguez, 26, of Falls Church, VA died Aug. 23 in Helmand province,
Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Robert J. Newton, 21, of Creve Coeur, IL died Aug. 23 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Rick Larsen's 2011 Challenge

For the last few days I have been engaging with a few folks over on Facebook about a couple of assertions I have made about the current race in the 2nd CD. Basically I have been writing at the Examiner about the closeness of the race between 5-term incumbent Democrat, Rick Larsen, and the Sara Palin endorsed Tea Party/Republican, John Koster. The most recent count as of Friday evening had Larsen ahead by a scant 126 votes with Koster actually leading in Snohomish and Whatcom Counties. [UPDATED: Moday's count put's Larsen's lead at 364] Apparently some are taking exception to my suggestion that the significant numbers of Progressives who voted for either Diana McGinnes or Larry Kalb (close to 11%) might not just fold into the Democrat’s camp for the general election; at least not without some cajoling or concession. The basic retorts are: “The primary is over. You lost. Get over it.” And: “It’s the lesser of two evils. You know the drill.” (Paraphrasing of course)

Well yes, actually I do know the drill. But I also know that I am not a part of the drill team. And, for the first time in a number of years, Progressive Democrats are actually in a position to play some political hardball of their own – if only they will.

Let me start with what should not even need to be said. John Koster is probably the last person any Progressive should want to see with his hands anywhere close to our Federal government. His social “values” alone are enough to disqualify him for any office that is responsible for representing anyone outside of his immediate family. The fact that he seeks election to a position in the very institution that he feels is the biggest danger to the people (the government) makes me shake my head in wonder. Having said that, I don’t believe that I must therefore be an automatic vote for a congressman who I do not feel has fully represented me on some of my most critical issues. Now I know this flies in the face of the “logical” argument, “One of them is going to go to DC. If you don’t vote for the lesser of the two evils, you thereby help elect the other.” Let me put this to you as plainly as I can. I believe “None of the above” is a valid selection and should be included on every ballot printed.

Why do I feel the way I do and what is so special about this year? Good questions (I’m glad I asked them). It is time to end the worship of the Military Industrial (Congressional) Complex. Rick Larsen has proven time and again that he will not do that. Single Payer healthcare is a proven practice in every other industrialized country and yet Rick Larsen won’t even fight (never mind lead) on a more robust version of the so-call public option (or, Medicare for All). On ending (rather than escalating) military action in Afghanistan, Rick Larsen; while decrying the corruption of the very government our government is supporting, says we must ‘stay the course’. He likewise has no problem in housing 50,000 American troops for (at least) another year in Iraq while the numbers of mercenaries being introduced into the country grow without end in sight. Where is Rick Larsen on the questions of war crimes, torture, violations of the 4th Amendment to our Constitution by the Bush Administration? He says we must look forward and not back. He went so far as to vote to “table” Dennis Kucinich’s privileged resolution calling for the Impeachment of George Bush and Dick Cheney rather than even allow the resolution to be heard. More recently he voted to increase the 2011 DoD budget; even over the objections of the Secretary of Defense AND President Obama. He voted against an amendment to the most recent supplemental for Afghanistan and Iraq that would have required a time-table for withdrawal. And, he is squarely at odds with the Progressive community over the issue of Net Neutrality. Will he change his positions on any of these issues? Not likely.

This is not to say that Larsen has not voted for any Progressive causes. In fact his sponsorship and fight to achieve what is now known as the Wild Skies Wilderness area in our district is a major Progressive achievement and he is to be commended for that effort. It should also be remembered that in an early vote in his career, he voted against the authorization for George W. Bush to invade Iraq. He was widely praised by Progressives throughout the district for that vote. Unfortunately the shine soon wore off when time and again he voted for every penny to be spent (or borrowed and spent) in that ongoing mistake.

Why this year? Actually I haven’t voted for Rick Larsen in the last two elections. But, of course, in those elections Rick was going to win without a fight and in a large way. My vote wasn’t missed. This year, with some 11% of the primary vote going to Progressive candidates (against Larsen) and Larsen actually trailing the combined totals of Koster and Bellingham Republican, John Carmack, the incumbent will be in need of votes rather than having a double digit lead at his disposal. I have already been told by some of Larry Kalb’s supporters that they will be sitting out the general election and ex-candidate Diana McGinnes has told me that she fully intends to launch a new campaign for the seat as early as January, 2011. They tell me politics is a game of compromises. Until this year, Rick Larsen hasn’t had an opponent. I wonder how well he can play.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

A quick Primary re-cap

Well most of the 2010 Primary Election ballots are in and it’s a pretty mixed bag; as was expected. From this Progressive’s point of view there were some clear wins, some (while not unexpected) disappointing loses, and a few surprisingly close calls. I have written about a few of these races over at the Examiner. I was very happy to see the strong numbers posted by our Snohomish County Progressive Posse of Hans Dunshee, Mike Sells, Marko Liias, Mary Helen Roberts, and of course Marilyn Chase. It’s good to see some new Progressive faces coming on to the scene in Cindy Ryu and Nick Harper* (*more on this race later). I am obviously disappointed that there won’t be a Progressive advancing in the 44th LD race or in the 2nd CD race, but the odds were always long in these races and I am still proud to have supported Lillian Kaufer and Larry Kalb in their efforts to advance a Progressive agenda. And while the numbers appear to be improving for my friend and sometime singing partner, Luis Moscoso, I have to admit that I was genuinely shocked at the closeness of his race in the 1st LD. While I had expected his Tea Party/Republican opponent to garner a fair number of votes for an open seat, I was not prepared for this obviously well connected and supported candidate to be battling for a spot on the general election ballot against a totally unknown and unfunded candidate who chose the label “Prefers Democratic Party” for his ballot ID. The fact that Luis is barely beating out stealth “Democrat”, David Griffin, in the Snohomish County voting is most upsetting. Another race that has me very concerned is for state senate in the 45th LD where Sen. Eric Oemig has been a stalwart for Progressives in the state senate and yet is currently coming in 2nd to his Republican challenger in the primary voting. I hope that all Progressives in the state that have time and resources will help to turn that situation around in the general election.

A quick word about the race for state senate in the 38th LD. While I am happy to see a Progressive challenge to Sen. Berkey and I believe that Nick Harper has the right credentials to take on the job; I am much less than impressed or happy about the approach taken during the primary election by Harper’s benefactors. As a Progressive, I believe that elections should be decided on the positive message of the candidate. I will cite the examples of those Progressives I listed above; all of whom were able to run on (not away from) records of Progressive accomplishment and effort for their constituents. While the direct campaigning I saw from Nick Harper reflected that approach to a certain degree (I realize it is difficult to run with no incumbent’s record of one’s own to point to); I was left flat and disappointed by the efforts of Nick’s numerous surrogate camps that flooded my mailbox and TV with a constant barrage of negativity directed toward Sen. Berkey. By election day I was almost ready to join Berkey’s campaign. A word of advice for what it’s worth – If Sen. Berkey makes it to the general election she will have the benefit of the more centrist to moderate vote that previously went to Rod Rieger. That; coupled with probability that the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee will most likely lend their support to hold this incumbent seat (and Committee Chair); not to mention that there are bound to be more like me who are turned off by the bombardment of negative campaigning, I would hope that Mr. Harper will devote his campaign resources to telling voters why they should vote FOR him and not AGAINST Jean Berkey. IMHO, of course.

Stay tuned for a longer post on the race in the 2nd CD and the role of Progressives in this election.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 08/20/2010
Americans Killed: 1,233
Americans Wounded: 10,000+
Post Obama Inauguration
Americans Killed: 603
http://icasualties.org/

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

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

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Pfc. Paul O. Cuzzupe, 23, of Plant City, FL died Aug. 8 in Akhtar-Mohammad-Khan, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. John E. Andrade, 19, of San Antonio, TX died Aug. 7 at DE Khak Chupan Turah, Kandahar, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Jose L. Saenz III, 30, of Pleasanton, TX died Aug. 9 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Christopher N. Karch, 23, of Indianapolis, IN died Aug. 11 in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Kristopher D. Greer, 25, of Ashland City, TN died Aug. 8 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Michael A. Bock, 26, of Leesburg, FL died Aug. 13 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Derek J. Farley, 24, of Nassau, NY died Aug. 17 at Bala Boluk, Farah, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Benjamen G. Chisholm, 24, of Fort Worth, TX died Aug.17 in Kunar province, Afghanistan.

*Pvt. Charles M. High, IV, 21, of Albuquerque, NM died Aug.17 in Kunar province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. 1st Class Edgar N. Roberts, 39, of Hinesville, GA died Aug. 17 at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., of wounds sustained June 26 at Sayed Abad, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Kevin E. Oratowski, 23, of Wheaton, IL died Aug. 18 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Kalb and Larsen should advance to November election

As you may have noticed, I haven’t been posting much (if anything) about endorsements from the corporate media. This is mostly because the endorsements have been about as predictable as the rag that issues them. Today I make an exception because I believe the folks at the San Juan Journal have got it exactly right for the primary contest in the 2nd CD. :

“America and Americans are struggling financially. We’re divided on whether the Stimulus Act was a bailout or an investment in the economy. The jobless rate in Washington state is at 8.9 percent.

But the solutions are more complex than simply “cut taxes” and “lower government spending,” which is what many candidates are spouting. Lowering taxes is one thing. Bringing in enough revenue to cover the cost of providing public services is another.

No, today’s candidate has to be creative and innovative, as well as knowledgeable. We need ideas, not slogans.

The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the Nov. 2 general election. Based on their records and statements, The Journal would like to see the following advance to the general election.

U.S. House of Representatives, District 2:
Rick Larsen and Larry Kalb

Larsen, D-Bellingham, has served our district well in his five terms: the Wild Sky Wilderness Act, which protects 106,000 acres of wild lands in the heart of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest; a Veterans Administration outpatient clinic for veterans in San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties; the transfer of Mitchell Hill to San Juan Island National Historical Park; and pending funding for pedestrian and vehicle traffic improvements at the Friday Harbor ferry terminal.

He’s pushed for legislation to prevent and treat meth addiction. He supported the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act. He’s a member of key committees: Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Budget.

Democrat Kalb, past president of Health Care for All — Washington, presents the biggest challenge to Larsen, and he presents the most radical ideas.

Kalb wants to renegotiate our free trade agreements to improve exports and keep more jobs from going overseas. He opposes recent healthcare reform legislation and believes Americans should have the same access to quality health care that members of Congress do. “Americans have the highest drug prices in the world. We should eliminate direct-to-consumer advertising.”

His vision of immigration reform: reform visa programs to keep families together, protect workers’ rights and ensure that future immigration is regulated and controlled; implement enforcement measures targeted at the worst violators of immigration and labor laws; and respect the due process rights of all in the United States.

We’d like to see the issues discussions continue between Larsen and Kalb.”

Now obviously I have personally endorsed Kalb in this race but the bottom line is: two people will emerge from the primary and I believe John Koster is far too extreme to be one of them. And, given that the remarks from Whitehouse Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs just yesterday sounded very much like conversations I and others have had with Rick Larsen over the years, I believe the debate that needs to take place is between the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party (Kalb) and the so-called “New Democrats” represented by Larsen.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Olbermann gets it right again

What he said

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

PDA extends national support to Larry Kalb

2nd CD candidate, Larry Kalb is receiving some national support in his effort to unseat 5 term incumbent Democrat, Rick Larsen. The national organization, Progressive Democrats of America has just sent the following email to its membership asking them to show their support for their endorsed candidate by making phone calls for Larry Kalb.

“In the next two weeks, three of PDA’s endorsed candidates are facing primary elections. Each of these candidates represents PDA’s core values and embraces PDA’s positions. And, each of these races can be won if we all step up and donate an hour or two to make phone calls into their districts. First up is Larry Kalb, who is running in Washington’s 2nd congressional district. He has a long history of grassroots organizing in support of single-payer, Medicare for All healthcare. Larry is running a grassroots-driven campaign against the incumbent, Rick Larsen.
This is a race where progressives can show the party we mean business! Kalb’s primary is August 17. You can read Larry’s answers to the PDA endorsement questionnaire here.

To make phone calls for Larry, contact callsforlarry@pdamerica.org.

Marleine Bastien’s and Doug Tudor’s primaries are on August 24th—we’ll be sending you another phone banking request for these candidates next week.

With our help, we can push Larry over the finish line and score a progressive victory. It’s easy to make calls; we provide everything you need. Contact us at callsforlarry@pdamerica.org to get started—and thanks in advance for stepping up!
Yours in building a progressive majority,


Conor Boylan,
Field Coordinator for PDA”

If you are one of those Progressives who wants to make real difference in this election cycle; here is a good opportunity.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 08/10/2010
Americans Killed: 1,221
Americans Wounded: 10,000+
Post Obama Inauguration
Americans Killed: 591
http://icasualties.org/

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

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

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin McNeley, 30, of Wheatridge, CO died July 23 in Logar province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Abram L. Howard, 21, of Williamsport, PA died July 27 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Petty Officer 3rd Class Jarod Newlove, 25, of Renton, WA (36th Washingtonian) died July 23 in Logar province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Shane R. Martin, 23, of Spring, TX died July 29 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Michael L. Stansbery, 21, of Mount Juliet, TN died July 30 near Kandahar, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Kyle B. Stout, 25, of Texarkana, TX died July 30 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

*Master Sgt. Jared N. Van Aalst, 34, of Laconia, NH died Aug. 4 in Kunduz province, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Max W. Donahue, 23, of Highlands Ranch, CO died Aug. 7 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Kevin M. Cornelius, 20, of Ashtabula, OH died Aug. 7 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Vincent E. Gammone III, 19, of Christiana, TN died Aug. 7 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Andrew C. Nicol, 23, of Eaton, MI died Aug. 8 at Zhari Kandahar, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Bradley D. Rappuhn, 24, of Grand Ledge, MI died Aug. 8 at Zhari Kandahar, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

State Progressive Caucus makes pitch for Larry Kalb

Judith Shattuck, Chair of the State Progressive Caucus, released a statement of support for Larry Kalb, Democratic candidate for congress in the 2nd Congressional District. Kalb was endorsed by the caucus earlier this year. Shattuck's statement follows:

Dear Progressive Voter,

We can elect a real progressive to Congress; however, this can only happen if the progressive voters in the 2nd congressional district do not split their vote between candidates. Only one candidate has earned the endorsement of both Progressive Democrats of America and the Washington State Democrats Progressive Caucus. Please cast your primary vote for Larry Kalb.


He'll vote to bring our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan so we have the money to spend on things we need here at home: education, health care, and jobs that don't make people or the planet sick. He’ll continue to work for health care for all. The incumbent recently voted once again to fund American wars abroad.

He'll vote to rein in the corporate abuses of power that have crashed our economy and trashed our environment. He'll vote to get the big money out of politics - he's not taking corporate contributions. The incumbent has consistently voted with special interests.


Don't just take my word for it. Check out his voters' guide statement, his website at http://kalbforcongress.com, give him a call at 360-927- 02729, or send him an e-mail at: lkalb@openaccess.org


Vote Larry Kalb for Progressive change. Please get your ballot in the mail by August 17th.


Thank you for your consideration.

In Solidarity,

Judith Shattuck, Chair
Washington State Progressive Caucus
www.waprogressives.org

As a member of the caucus I am happy to bring you this message.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue