Why writers are important.
By Tom | November 18, 2007
If you can, support the writers.
By way of Eschaton and Avedon
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Time to DO Something.
By Tom | November 11, 2007
On election day 2007, I was at my precinct (I’m the captain) at 5:30 a.m. , in the rain, with a cold wind blowing. I spent the next three hours passing out sample ballots, greeting people, monitoring turnout. I rushed to D.C. for a four-hour business meeting I couldn’t miss, then back to my precinct for another four hours. Then, inside the polls, I watched the count, which took another two hours.
At the Democratic victory party that night, I celebrated with hundreds of volunteers who did the same things I did. We had a great time complaining about the weather, patting each other on the back as things started looking pretty good in Virginia. The Governor dropped in. Mark Warner was there. Candidates celebrated as the returns were posted on the big screen.
Then, driving home, I found out that Harry Reid called a quick vote, and Michael Mukasey was confirmed 53-40 as attorney general. So much for fun and celebration. Did Schumer really say he was “wrong on torture” but otherwise OK? And voted for him? Then all the nonsense over Kucinich’s impeachment resolution. Referred to the Judiciary Committee to kill it?
Military Commissions Act, FISA, billions thrown into the Iraq rat-hole. Screw the Constitution so you can send a health care bill to the White House for a veto and claim you’re doing something worthwhile? Excuse me, but until we deal with what needs to be repaired, we’re spinning our wheels.
The next day I got a call from the DCCC, reminding me of a pledge I’d made but had not, in the rush around the election, bothered to fulfill. I exploded at the poor young woman on the phone, I’m sorry to say. What I said to her was simple:
1. I’ll give money to DCCC when the House Democrats grow a backbone.
2. If House Democrats are going to spend all their time pleasing the GOP and the White House, start asking them for support.
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Big change.
By Tom | November 10, 2007
I’ve been away from Polimania for awhile.
Elections. (More on that later.)
The ground has moved a little, here in Virginia. Many others have covered the details.
With the governor’s mansion and the Senate in Democratic hands (and a smaller GOP majority in the House), a Democrat in the U.S. Senate and the likelihood of another next year, Virginia may be in play for the presidential candidates for the first time in my memory, which goes back to when I moved here in 1978.
Time to get ready for the onslaught.
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Thank you. Now Sen. Clinton?
By Tom | October 25, 2007
Sen. Barack Obama has declared unequivocally that he will filibuster any legislation that gives retroactive immunity to Telcos who provided phone records to the NSA. That’s the only reasonable stance consistent with his obligation to defend and uphold the Constitution. Thank you for joining Sen. Dodd.
Sen. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, says based on what she knows now, she’s opposed to the bill, but, essentially, reserves the right to change her mind. In a word, that’s unacceptable. You can’t say you’re up for preserving the Fourth Amendment now, but reserve the right to demolish it later.
A cynic might read the Clinton statement as being the equivalent of “Hey, I haven’t received any of the Verizon money, where’s mine?” or perhaps “You know, I might need to know who those guys in the vast right wing conspiracy are calling….”
Just saying.
Time to step up and lead, Madame Senator.
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Leadership. And not.
By Tom | October 19, 2007
Today, Sen. Obama said he opposes the FISA bill reported out of the Senate Intelligence Committee — with Telco immunity included. No word so far from Sen. Clinton.
The statement released by the Obama campaign, says this:
“I have consistently opposed this Administration’s efforts to use debates about our national security to expand its own power, whether that was on the Iraq war, or on its power grab to curb our civil liberties through domestic surveillance programs. It is time to restore oversight and accountability in the FISA program, and this proposal — with an unprecedented grant of retroactive immunity — is not the place to start.â€
Notice that there is nothing here that says what the Senator/Presidential Candidate would actually DO about his opposition. He doesn’t even say he’ll vote against it, let alone join Sen. Dodd blocking the measure.
Leadership is about doing the right thing and doing it visibly, when it matters, and with passion, so the people you represent have someone and something to follow. It is not waiting until the issue is resolved (even temporarily) and then issuing a tepid statement or slipping in at the last minute to quietly cast a vote on a bill that’s already decided.
Sen. Obama: if you’re not willing to do what’s right on your own, at least hire a new consultant.
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