Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 10/27/2010
Total Americans Killed: 1,352
Post Obama Inauguration: 722
http://icasualties.org/

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

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

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Sgt. Ian M. Tawney, 25, of Dallas, OR died Oct. 16 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Jorge Villarreal Jr., 22, of San Antonio, TX died Oct. 17 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Francisco R. Jackson, 24, of Elizabeth, NJ died Oct. 19 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Joshua J. Cullins, 28, of Simi Valley, CA died Oct. 19 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Gerald R. Jenkins, 19, of Circleville, OH died Oct. 20 in Maquan, Zhari district, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Kenneth K. McAninch, 28, of Logansport, IN died Oct. 21 at Yahya Khel district, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Ronnie J. Pallares, 19, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA died Oct. 23 in Andar district, Ghazni, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. 1st Class Charles M. Sadell, 34, of Columbia, MO died Oct. 24 at National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD of wounds suffered Oct. 5 at Arif Kala, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Steven L. Dupont, 20, of Lafayette, LA died Oct. 24 at Rangrizan, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Thomas A. Moffitt, 21, of Wichita, KN died Oct. 24 at Sarobi District, Paktika Province, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Easy Choice in the 1st LD

Do the voters in the 1st LD really want this person making decisions about the funding of their children's education:



The choice is pretty clear. Vote for Luis Moscoso.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

The continuing story of John Koster and the company he keeps...

So I’m following up with the story about John (Freedom County) Koster ducking out on a televised debate with Rick Larsen (originally scheduled for today) starting with the story from Sharon Salyer at the Everett Herald. According to the article, the Koster camp has been unhappy with the reporting of Herald columnist, Jerry Cornfield for some time – a bit of information they have apparently withheld from the newspaper for the duration of the campaign until now. But wait! The story only gets better. Check out this excerpt from the article:

“We didn't feel we should waste our precious time debating in a setting that wasn't going to be fair and balanced,” spokesman Matt Parker said. “Repeatedly to this campaign, (Cornfield's) played gotcha with us all the time. He's trying to make John look like an extremist. We didn't feel that was what we needed in a debate.”

OK. OK. We all know that Cornfield has nothing to do with the fact that Koster IS an extremist but did you wonder as I did about who this new spokesman, Matt Parker, is? According to Sharon Salyer; Parker is …”president of Front Porch Strategies, a political consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio. He also is running the campaign of Ohio GOP congressional candidate Rich Iott.”

Rich Iott? Why is that name so familiar? Oh wait! I know… He’s this guy (see the red arrow):

Rich Iott playing "dress up" in his cute little SS uniform

Well I guess Matt Parker would know an extremist if he ever met one. I don’t know if there is anything that would surprise me now from the Koster campaign. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep him out of Washington DC!

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Koster ducks live debate apparently afraid of Jerry Cornfield

According to a story in The Everett Herald, Tea Party/Republican John Koster has pulled out of a scheduled debate with incumbent Democratic congressman, Rick Larsen (D-WA02) that was to be broadcast live on KCTS television on Thursday 10/21/2010. At the heart of the decision to duck the live debate was the inclusion of Herald political reporter and blogger, Jerry Cornfield. Herald reporter, Noah Haglund quoted would-be ‘Congressman Koster’:

“We told KCTS if Jerry [Cornfield] was in, we were out. That was KCTS' decision,” he said. “The campaign's feeling pretty strongly about it.”

John Koster flanked by Tea Party supporters / Photo: Curt Eidem

In a press release issued upon hearing the news of the cancellation, Brooke Davis of the Rick Larsen campaign said:

“You can’t run for Congress and run from the voters. This is now the fourth public forum that John Koster has ducked. If you are applying for the job, you can’t blow off the interview.

“It is now clear that John Koster is trying to hide his extreme views from the voters of Northwest Washington. Not only are Koster’s extreme views out of touch with the people, he cannot even be bothered to show up and defend them.

Rick Larsen has proven that he is willing to go anywhere and debate anyone on the solutions we need to move this country forward. It is a shame that John Koster is not willing to do the same.”

In fact Larsen has been praised by friend and foe alike for his willingness to engage in public forums even in settings that might be seen as “hostile environments.” Last year, during the height of the turmoil surrounding the Healthcare Reform debate, Larsen actually expanded his venue to a local baseball stadium rather than the much smaller indoor conference room that had been initially announced. He garnered national attention for this “bold move” at a time when other incumbent Democrats were scaling back their “town halls” to telephone conference calls in an effort to avoid the open hostility some of their colleagues had been experiencing. During this campaign Larsen has appeared at every forum where his congressional schedule has allowed; including a Tea Party sponsored event in Bellingham.

Thus far the Koster campaign has not given any specifics as to their aversion to Jerry Cornfield being on a debate panel; he is, after all, the political reporter for the largest newspaper in the 2nd CD. I have an email in to Cornfield requesting a comment from him as well.

In a very tight contest it is disappointing for the voters to miss out on the only opportunity for this type of live interaction between the candidates and I hope that Mr. Koster will reconsider his decision.

Peace,
Chad Shue

Suzan DeBene for Congress

Dave Reichert: Part of the reason for the financial mess we are in? Certainly not part of the cure for the problem…

Question: I agree with you that overregulation is not a good thing, but do you think that they should reinstate The Glass-Steagall Act and at least separate the banks' ability to gamble with our money?"

Reichert: "Well, the Glass-Steagall Act is one that I'm not familiar with. I'm sorry I have to go back and look at that, but I do agree it's something that we haven't dealt with on the House side in committees that I've had, so I'd be happy to look at that and come back and give you an answer on that."

 

 



Arrest “the Sherriff” and send Suzan DelBene to Congress from Washington’s 8th CD.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 10/17/2010

Total Americans Killed: 1,342
Post Obama Inauguration: 712
http://icasualties.org/

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



Latest Confirmed Casualties:


*Pfc. Jordan M. Byrd, 19, of Grantsville, UT died Oct. 13 in Yahya Kheyl, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Irvin M. Ceniceros, 21, of Clarksville, AR died Oct. 14 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Joseph C. Lopez, 26, of Rosamond, CA died Oct. 14 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Alec E. Catherwood, 19, of Byron, IL died Oct. 14 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Joseph C. Lopez, 26, of Rosamond, CA died Oct. 14 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Carlos A. Benitez, 24, of Carrollton, TX died Oct. 14 between Moqur and Darreh-Ye-Bum, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Rafael Martinez Jr., 36, of Spring Valley, CA died Oct. 14 between Moqur and Darreh-Ye-Bum, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Tramaine J. Billingsley, 20, of Portsmouth, VA died Oct. 14 between Moqur and Darreh-Ye-Bum, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Eric C. Newman, 30, of Waynesboro, MS died Oct. 14 in Akatzai Kalay, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. James D. Boelk, 24, of Oceanside, CA died Oct. 15 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

WSRP and John Koster give new meaning to 2nd CD "Race"

Apparently John Koster and the Washington State Republican Party (WSRP) believe that supporting President Obama not only makes you a ‘Socialist’ but also can affect your skin color. A recent mailing; paid for by the WSRP and supporting Tea Party/Republican, John Koster, has a photo of President Obama flanked by House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and 2nd CD incumbent Democrat, Rick Larsen.

And, I guess, just to be sure folks know John Koster is "one of them", the flip side of the mailer emphasizes just how non-dark he and his supporters are.

By the way, for those who will point out that the mailer is not a product of the Koster campaign but an independent effort from the state Republicans (as duly stated on the front of the piece) please allow me to direct your attention to Mr. Koster’s own website; where, just below the same photo, is a list of Larsen's 'liberal voting record' which includes his vote to repeal DADT (which has been supported by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and General, and former Secretary of State, Colin Powell).

What saddens me most about this type of trash hitting our mail boxes, is not that Koster would have anything to do with it (He is noted homophobe, Larry Stickney’s, legislative mouthpiece after all) but that there is in fact a certain segment of the population of the 2nd CD that will actually respond favorably to the not so subtle message.

Peace
Chad (The Left) Shue

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 10/15/2010
Total Americans Killed: 1,334
Post Obama Inauguration: 704
http://icasualties.org/

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

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

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Lance Cpl. Scott A. Lynch, 22, of Greenwood Lake, NY died Oct. 6 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Stephen C. Sockalosky, 21, of Cordele, GA died Oct. 6 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Hospital Corpsman Edwin Gonzalez, 22, of North Miami Beach, FL died Oct. 8 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. John T. Sparks, 23, of Chicago, IL died Oct. 8 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Frank R. Zaehringer III, 23, of Reno, NV died Oct. 11 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Dave J. Weigle, 29, of Philadelphia, PA died Oct. 10 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. David A. Hess, 25, of Ruskin, FL died Oct. 10 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Matthew C. Powell, 20, of Slidell, LA died Oct. 12 at Ghunday Ghar, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Raymon L. A. Johnson, 22, of Midland, GA died Oct. 13 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Justin J. Cain, 22, of Manitowoc, WI died Oct. 13 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Phillip D. Vinnedge, 19, of Saint Charles, MO died Oct. 13 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Joseph E. Rodewald, 21, of Albany, OR died Oct. 13 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Victor A. Dew, 20, of Granite Bay, CA died Oct. 13 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

The Party of No Clue

I attended a candidate forum last night sponsored by the Snohomish County Farm Bureau. What follows are a few specifics and some observations from the event.

The forum was held in the auditorium of the Snohomish County PUD Administration Building in Everett. The auditorium which seats 300 people, at the high attendance mark of the forum, appeared to be less than 1/3rd full. All of the congressional and legislative candidates who will appear on Snohomish County ballots this year were invited; however less than half actually participated. Incumbent Democrat, Jay Inslee and his Republican challenger, James Watkins, represented the 1st CD. There were no candidates from the 2nd CD. Republican, John Koster, did send his campaign manager (and noted anti-gay activist) Larry Stickney to represent his campaign (Please see my Special Note below). There were no candidates from the 1st or 10th LDs. From the 21st LD, the two Republican House candidates, Elizabeth Scott and Ed Borey were present but their Democratic counterparts (and the incumbents in these races) Marko Liias and Mary Helen Roberts were not. Incumbent Democratic State Senator, Paull Shin sent his campaign manager, Zach Sheldon while his Republican challenger, David Preston, was not represented. There were no candidates from the 32nd LD. The 38th LD had the best representation (perhaps due to the fact that the forum was being held in that district). Incumbent House Democrats, John McCoy and Mike Sells were both in attendance as was McCoy’s Republican challenger, Hugh Fleet. Iris Lilly, Sells’ Republican challenger was a no-show. Democrat, Nick Harper, and Republican, Rod Reiger, both participated as candidates for 38th LD State Senate. (Incumbent Democrat, Jean Berkey, was eliminated from this race during the August primary.) The 39th LD was represented by its two incumbent House Republicans, Kirk Pearson, who is running unopposed, and Dan Kristiansen. Kristiansen’s Democratic challenger, Eleanor Walters did arrive at the venue but took ill and excused herself from the forum. Finally, from the 44th LD, incumbent Democratic State Senator Steve Hobbs and Republican House challenger, Bob McCaughan had the floor to themselves as incumbent House Democrat, Hans Dunshee and Republican senate challenger, Dave Schmidt did not attend. Also absent from the 44th was incumbent House Republican, Mike Hope who is running unopposed.

38th LD Rep. Mike Sells "debates" empty chair

The format for the event was pretty simple. The congressional candidates opened the event. Each candidate was allotted 5 minutes for introductory remarks and then all candidates answered the same question from those submitted from the audience. There was no plan for direct give and take between the candidates and the hosts offered no questions of their own. A matter of note was the fact that the Farm Bureau has already released its list of endorsed candidates and, as near as I could tell, in all but one of the races they had pre-endorsed the Republican candidate. The sole exception was Sen. Steve Hobbs who won the endorsement over his challenger, Dave Schmidt.

The questions ranged from: “Do you support the 2nd Amendment as it was intended by the Founding Fathers?” (I think Larry Stickney might be the only one to have time traveled back to ask the founders their intent) to: “How much 1st hand experience do you have with farming?” (Here I believe it was Ed Borey who announced that without America’s farmers we would have to import most of our food.) to (and here you get the true slant of the audience): “Why do you think the Democrats passed that stupid healthcare bill?” (To which the only rational answer came from Jay Inslee who said, “To save American lives.”)

For the majority of the evening (the forum went over 3 hours) the Republicans complained about taxes, regulations, and the “out of control spending” in Olympia. The Democrats (except Steve Hobbs) spent most of the night suggesting that the spending was needed in large part to fund necessary services and that the state really has a rotten tax system. The fallacy of the Republican thesis really came out, however when a question I had submitted early in the evening finally came up with the two Republican incumbents from the 39th. The question: “Do we have a spending problem or a revenue problem? If spending, name three items or areas where you would cut. If revenue, how would you suggest we change the current system.” Both Kirk Pearson and Dan Kristiansen jumped all over the “out of control spending.” And yet – they did not (could not?) name ONE THING they would cut. Kristiansen, after almost 2 ½ minutes of his 3 minute answer time was gone, finally said, there are just so many things, how can I name just three?

Now obviously, as an unabashed Progressive/Liberal, I have a definite bias. However I really was hoping for at least a glimmer of honesty and integrity from those who speak as if they hold the answers to our problems. Will you cut aid to the poor and sick? Will you cut K-12 or Higher-Ed? How about a few less cops? With all the talk of “out of control spending”, you might have thought there would be at least one or two or three specific examples. Instead, what I heard was three hours of complaints without one minute of real solution.
The sad thing is; far too many folks are going to cast their ballots for this empty rhetoric because it is more appealing than hearing the truth.

Special Note: In what may easily be interpreted not as an endorsement FOR Rick Larsen but rather a ringing endorsement AGAINST John Koster, I am publicly proclaiming my intention to vote for Rick Larsen if only to do anything I can to keep Larry Stickney as far away from the seat of government as is possible. Those who know me know that I do not make this statement lightly but, after watching the man in all of his McCarthy-ite, Palin-Beck loving glory last night, I cannot live with the thought that I might have done anything to advance his right-wing homophobic bigotry beyond his already too large sphere of influence. I do not fool myself into any false sense of influence peddling; however for anyone who does read these pages and has not made that final decision in this race, I humbly ask that you ask yourself the same question I have: Would my time be better spent actively campaigning for a more Progressive choice for the 2nd CD between 2010 and 2012 rather than fighting to hold back the open assault on the civil rights and human equality of our neighbors that would surely define a Koster/Stickney reign for the next two years? The answer for me is a vote against Stickney/Koster.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Happy Milestone (Millstone?) Afghanistan

Afghanistan Body Count: 10/07/2010
Total Americans Killed: 1,321
Died on Bush’s Orders: 630
Died on Obama’s Orders: 691

Afghanistan Body Count: 10/07/2010
Total Americans Killed: 1,321
Died on Bush’s Orders: 630
Died on Obama’s Orders: 691

Afghanistan Body Count: 10/07/2010
Total Americans Killed: 1,321
Died on Bush’s Orders: 630
Died on Obama’s Orders: 691

And the beat goes on…
Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 10/07/2010
Total Americans Killed: 1,321
Post Obama Inauguration: 691
http://icasualties.org/

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

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

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Staff Sgt. Willie J. Harley Jr., 48, of Aiken, Sc died Oct. 1 in Paktika province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Luther W. Rabon Jr., 32, of Lexington, SC died Oct. 1 in Paktika province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Anthony D. Matteoni, 22, of Union City, MI died Oct. 1 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. 1st Class Lance H. Vogeler, 29, of Frederick, MD died Oct.1 in Bastion, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Joseph T. Prentler, 20, of Fenwick, MI died Oct. 4 in Mama Kariz, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Brian J. Pedro, 27, of Rosamond, CA died Oct. 2 in Pol-e-Khumri, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Cody A. Board, 19, of McKinney, TX died Oct. 4 at Mirwais, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Ryane G. Clark, 22, of New London, MN died Oct. 4 in Shekhabad, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Karl A. Campbell, 34, of Chiefland, FL died Oct. 4 in Babur, Afghanistan.

*Senior Airman Daniel J. Johnson, 23, of Schiller Park, IL died Oct. 5 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 10/03/2010
Total Americans Killed: 1,311
Post Obama Inauguration: 681
http://icasualties.org/

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

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

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Lance Cpl. Anthony J. Rosa, 20, of Swanton, VT died Sept. 23 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Clinton E. Springer II, 21, of Sanford, ME died Sept. 24 in Kabul, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. William B. Dawson, 20, of Tunica, MS died Sept. 24 while traveling between Ghanzi and Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Jaysine P. S. Petree, 19, of Yigo, Guam died Sept. 24 while traveling between Ghanzi and Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Mark A. Simpson, 40, of Peoria, IL died Sept. 26 at Kandahar, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Donald S. Morrison, 23, of Cincinnati, OH died Sept. 26 at Kandahar, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Ralph J. Fabbri, 20, of Gallitzin, PA died Sept. 28 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Senior Airman Mark Forester, 29, of Tuscaloosa, AL died Sept. 29 in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. 1st Class Calvin B. Harrison, 31, of San Antonio, TX died Sept. 29
in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Timothy M. Jackson, 22, of Corbin, KY died Sept. 30 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Justin A. Officer, 26, of Wichita, KS died Sept. 29 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue