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A while back I was able to write a post letting you all know how effective you have been. Today I get to do it again. I love writing posts like this. You people inspire me so much.
You may recall a couple weeks ago we asked you to call, fax, email your opposition to the appointment of Hans Von Spakovsky to the Federal Elections Commission? You remember the guy who fired all the career DOJ attorneys in the Civil Rights Division and then brought bogus "voter fraud " cases while refusing to prosecute obvious election fraud cases?
And you didn't hesitate, but manned the phones with gusto. We didn't have much hope of success b/c Harry Ried agreed to some obnoxious deal that allowed Von Spakovsky's nomination to be tied in a package to three other nominees.
I have happy news for you, ...............................
Bradblog is reporting that Barack Obama put a hold on Van Spakovsky's nomination, and later Feingold joined him! Things are still kinda touch and go as this post over at TPM explains. So, this is no time to let up. For those of you in Obama or Feingold's states (or who like to call other people's Senators) give 'em an attaboy will ya? For the rest of you--especially those of you with Republican Senators, let 'er rip!
Obviously this will have to wait until tomorrow 'cause the government is closed today, and any way it's suppertime here on the East Coast, soooo.....
On a somewhat related topic, I would like you to give a read to a rather longish diary that was up on Kos (H/T to Bob in HI for sending it to me). Read the whole thing. There are two things I want you to get out of this post:
1) Contacting only your own local Cong. Rep. won't help so long as Nancy keeps Impeachment Off the Table. We have to focus our efforts on only two people, Pelosi and Conyers. The rest of the House Judiciary Committee has gotten (to varying degrees) the message. It's Nancy and Conyers who must have our attention or there will never be an Impeachment Inquiry to uncover all the things that have been done in our name, yet kept hidden from us---can you say secret torture memos?
2) Please take careful note of how the Village Democratic Club is going about it. Not just meeting with their Congressman, but setting up a table every Saturday in Washington Square park to get citizens to sign letters calling for Impeachment.
It's not just the the letters people!
That table is a form of weekly non-violent protest. It is a "demonstration" happening every week in Jerry Nadler's district. That not only gives Nadler "pressure", it gives him COVER. He can say, "I have to take this position, look how passionate my constituents are about it."
So, those of you in California, will you step up? In Pelosi's District and in Conyer's District, the must be some Farmer's Market or other gathering place where you can replicate this.
And those of you in Maryland, in Pelosi's old stomping grounds? How about you? Anybody else got a good idea for how to get through to her? The Pump's pretty well Primed folks, now it time to fill some buckets with action!
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LHP!
kudos to lhp!!
loosehead, i really did call the minute i saw your post! tx.
Dirty Fucking Hippies anyways.
That is some good news finally. Any time the plans of the cretins get a monkey wrench thrown into them is a good day.
LHP–There is a wonderful Farmer’s Market just outside the Ferry Building in S.F. that would make a very interesting place for a table. (I live north of SF).
What do you true SF-ers think? Kirk? TSF?
Hi looseheadprop!
WooHoo!
Is there a downside to the “hold” on the von Spakovsky’s vote? The thugs say they will block the other three and therefore prevent a quorum for the FEC. So what. No FEC until 01/20/09 is better than one controlled by Hans. Am I missing something?
Speaker Pelosi, Put down that fuzzy navel and impeach!
Hi, LHP. Great post, but I have a question. That is, I read somewhere that the problem is, either they need to vote Von Spakovsky in along with the other 3, or the FEC could remain in limbo, without their proper membership, for the entire election season. My understanding was that Rethugs could cause this to happen, since the nominees got out of committee as a block. I also heard that there is more danger in leaving those seats empty during election season than Von Spakovsky could do as a member. How much truth is there in this?
delurking to say Woo Hoo - you guys rock!
Steve-AR @ 7
Nevermind what the Repubs say. They are not in control, even though they want us to think they are. They have not woken up to the fact that they are losers and lost the ‘06 elections. They are arrogant and overly proud of their obstructions, and they are heading for a fall. No fear anymore. None. Just get in their faces and let the chips fall where they may.
Jo in Nashville @ 10
don’t go back! Tell us more.
LS @ 11
go girl go. That’s the way!
Ghostman
Ann in AZ — The only reason the block discussion has come up is because McConnell brought it up. It’s a red herring — McConnell himself along with other GOP leadership had an individual vote on FEC nominations in 2000 when the GOP ran the Senate. The “precedent” he’s talking about is wafer thin and bullshit flavored…
Anyone may join me in writing your Speaker of the House here:
http://www.speaker.gov/
Eureka Springs @ 15
Short and sweet. This administration kidnaps citizens and renders them for torture in other countries. Things have changed. Step up to the plate and hit the home run. Impeach. No excuses.
LHP… Celebrate well, almost anyway. Thanks for the heads up about more phone calling. Will do and will send the announcement far and wide.
As I have mentioned before some friends and I have been setting up Impeachment days on the main drag going to our local mall and Farmers Market. I can tell you the thumbs up and horn blowing to thumbs down or the finger are running 30 (thumbs up) to 1 (finger). I still am aware that the older men and women (over 70) really like the “give Impeachment a Chance”sign. Next Saturday I plan to wear a Bush mask (really hate mask) and have a sign that says “Impeach me for blowing my job” please.
At many points during our two hour sessions there are so many horns going off that it is deafening and really inspiring. We just have to remind people to make those phone calls, send those e-mails and think IMPEACHMENT.
We are having fun with this and four people joined us so we were a group of 9 this past Saturday. The funniest comments were “move to Canada” ,”speak Arab”. This is the one that really gets me “freedom isn’t free”.
As LHP has said “it’s time to fill some buckets with action”
Although I clearly know this is an action crowd.
Thanks LHP!
We won’t get impeachment until there is a drumbeat from the public.
And to help get it along, we should get Hugh’s list published in the New York Times. (How much does an ad cost? ;)
LS @ 11
That was my point..fuck the thugs..so what if there is no FEC.
OT..This is sickening..
Right Wing Launches Baseless Smear Campaign Against 12 Year Old Recipient Of SCHIP
link
Elliott @ 18
-
Send the list to Moveon and/or spotlight it.
I very much like the petition idea. So ‘Constititional’ — right of assembly and petitioning sort of thing. I think the politics makes sense, too, in a larger context. We Progressives have to put pressure on people who are basically on our side to give them ‘cover’, just as LHP observes above. Otherwise, some other interest group that does not have our interests or, to be more accurate, the interests of the American people, will push to get their side ‘covered’.
OBama’s hold is excellent news. A nice tactical play on his part, and good for all of us. I still can’t believe he got past the Senate Committee.
Thanks lhp! You rock, as always.
Elliott @ 18
Full page is well over 100k unless your name is Rudy. A smaller ad with a web addy might be a good idea.
October 8th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Christy Hardin Smith at #14 says:
Yes, but isn’t it true that Rethugs could hold up the other 3 nominees until/unless von Spakovsky’s nomination is confirmed, or leave the FEC without board members? It is obstructionism, but that’s what they’ve promised, and what have they got to lose by being an obstruction to Dems? OTOH, they have shown Dems to be willing to capitulate already a handful of times, and it shows lack of political will or political know-how, one. So, as a strategy, can we win this one?
posaune @ 3
See? And it worked!
Laura Doty @ 5
Now That’s what I’m talkin’ about!!
That’s the spirit!
LHP,
Thanks for following up on this!
And how about this way to blow kisses at Pelosi: How about we invite Cindy Sheehan, who’s running as an independent against Pelosi, to the Lake for a fund-raising chat? Cindy probably has no chance, but you never know, and at least it may force Pelosi to actually have to campaign, like y’know, to get re-elected!
Bob in HI
Steve-AR @ 7
Nope, you’re not missing a thing. This is game of chicken. This could be that showdown that finally forces the Dems to flex some muscle.
Harry Reid has a teeny tiny revolt on his hands. Teeny, but High profile. The dems have to make it too costly for the Reps to pull this stunt.
Ann in AZ @ 9
If they call bullshit on this and Shrub appoints recess appointments, we are no worse off than if Von Spakovsky gets in through the front door. The political cost to the Reps will be huge though and it will be harder to use the FEC to pull a fast one because there would likely be greater press attention paid to controversial recess appointments.
looseheadprop at #29, well that sounds promising, and I hope it works out well. I’m just so very worried that everything the Rethugs do is geared toward stealing another election.
OT
new movie by Iraqi insurgents
it’s being shown to our troops in Iraq
Meeting Resistance
(it was news to me -from ABC news)
Laura Doty @ 5
Go Sf-ers!
Elliott @ 18
Well if you get the “standby rate” like Move On and Rudy, it’s around $64,000
looseheadprop @ 33
I would throw my youngest kids next college payment at this. Hugh’s list in the New York Times yes!
Great news! The table idea is inspired. One that I think is very good and effective.
Ann in AZ @ 24
Because it Obama! The dems can’t fold on a guy who could be their next president! It puts Harry Reid in a box. I still can’t believe Obama did something this risky. I read the article twice before I believed it.
Millineryman @ 35
It is a wonderful idea. I hope Laura gets the SFers inspired. Go Laura!
looseheadprop @ 33
IIRC, when MoveOn learned that the “standby” rate was inappropriate for an add scheduled for a specific date, they ante’d up the difference. I have not seen anything indicating that Rudy did — initial reports said his campaign “refused.”
I keep running across the phrase “centrist Democrat”. Can someone, anyone, explain what this animal is? What are the centrists positions on war, health care, global warming, accountability, Middle East policies, education and a host of other critical situations? Will the Demo convention be stuffed with “centrists”? Who among the Democratic presidential candidates best typifies a centrist?
Ann in AZ @ 30
Having Von Spakovsky get in the FEC with full Senate Approval will allow him to do any dirty deed he chooses without press scrutitny.
It is only the controversy of a recess appointment that will get a spotlight on the FEC–I’m for it.
Maybe that’s why Obama is doing this? he doesn’t want to be the victim of a stolen election?
Getting MoveOn to publish Hugh’s list in a NYT ad would be HUGE!
looseheadprop @ 36
Bold mine, now if we can just keep him there and find a matching one for Pelosi.
Millineryman @ 35
Maybe the sign up table with letters to send to Congress is the “protest sign” of our generation?
This is the most basic type of non violent protest. And it’s hard for “the MAN” to cordon you off or claim you were rowdy or whatever, if you are just a stationery little card table with people filling in form letters.
It is simultaneously a passive/peaceful kind of demonstration, yet because of the letters generated, a very active kind of demonstration.
And it has that PTA/Girlscout cookies kinda vibe. It’s so wholesome.
msmolly @ 41
Hugh’s List
Conchita’s “rather longish” diary on her visit to Jerry Nadler is still up where LHP linked to it, but the comment period is closed. Consequently I’ve posted a brief note over at dKos so you can comment on her long diary over there, as well as here. Her post only got *9* comments when she originally posted. Let’s give her some more props this time!
Bob in HI
I have to say, this move by Obama scored some points with me. I’m not a fan, still not one, however I do have to give him credit where due.
looseheadprop @ 33
That rate was a mistake. When MoveOn was notified by the NYT they immediately wired a greater amount, payment in full. Rudy’s campaign who had been criticizing MoveOn for their low initial rate also paid the same low rate. When Rudy’s campaign was contacted by the NYT with a rate correction they declined to pay the difference. This story is now weeks old and Rudy may have changed his mind but I have read nothing suggesting he did so.
Here is the problem also, as I see it. The Dems care about the children, the Repubs don’t. the Dems care about the troops, the Repubs don’t. The Dems care about civil liberties, the Repubs don’t. The Repubs don’t care whether they pass bills or not. They are only playing a political game. The Dems have to play better p*ker. The Dems have the country behind them and they are holding all the great cards.
The battles are won by the Repubs frequently, because the issues are “emotional” issues that they use as bargaining chips for other matters that they want passed. The Dems have to stop buying into the inner voice that tells them how horrible they are and fall into that “we’ll feel so guilty”, so in order to protect the children, we have to give up power. That is a huge strategic mistake that only reinforces the “weakness” image. It is wrong. The Dems have to stop bargaining. No compromise. Tell them that unless they assist in overriding the veto, not one more bill will be presented that they are interested in, and that the remainder of the Repug’s terms will be vigorously devoted to defending themselves from corruption exposure, and impeachment will be back on the table. Get all hardass on them for once. Something like that. JMHO.
Edited * and released by MOD.
A stationary stationery table, eh? I’m guessing Kirk and TSF are still at work (as I am, she said virtuously). I emailed another SF pal to ask if he had ideas re: the table, or knew some political types who might want to organize it. I’m in for a shift, if it manifests.
By the way, in my hometown, the Santa Rosa City Council takes up the proposal to vote for impeachment on 11/6–also known as General Strike day.
We in this house will continue to hammer the DLC. The Democratic Leadership Council. Just exactly who are they ‘leading’ and what is their constituency?
Seems like Obama didn’t have much of a choice but to put a stop on this one. Civil rights are at stake. I’m surprised Hillary didn’t think of it first! Good for Obama.
(and thanks ES for the link to Pelosi)
Go LHP!
Millineryman @ 46
Doing the right thing, right now, with Russ!
bobschacht @ 45
Bob, What a good idea!
Laura Doty @ 48
Bless you. If it happens every Saturday from now until Election Day…..? Would be pretty powerful
Just think how much you can accomplish with a folding card table and some pre-printed form letters. Does anyone know how to get hold of Conchita? Maybe she can send you a sample letter.
General Strike proposal by Garrett Keizer, in Harper’s:
Awake and sing, oh ye who sit in dust.
Petraeus still busy “betraying us” and Iran.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/.....-says-iran’s-ambassador-to-iraq-is-in-elit
e-force/
[Mod Note; not sure why that link doesn’t want to work, but try this instead.]
Steve-AR
don’t they have him confused for Bush? and I thought they supported this kinda thing…
Hi, Firepups-
I’m looking in from Marquette, Michigan briefly. Been away from any news since early Saturday. My Brother-in-Law just died without warning.
Wrote about it briefly on my blog.
We are numb with grief.
BobbyG @ 58
(((((((Bobby))))))) I a so very sorry.
((((BobbyG!))))
What a tragedy! you have my condolences.
BobbyG @ 58
Gosh, I’m so sorry for you and your family. You wake up in the morning and never know what will happen. That is a tragedy.
Laura Doty @ 49
uhhh…not so virtuous here…playing on Indigenous People’s Day.
Love this idea, and I’d be delighted to take a shift at the Sat Farmer’s Market.
I see tabling for politicians on the sidewalk (Embarcadero) in front of the south half of the Ferry Plaza Bldg every Saturday - can’t imagine we couldn’t be there.
I shan’t be at the Market this Sat, but could be there next Sat.
What fun!
Laura Doty @ 48
Hi Laura,
I live south of SF but would love to participate. I imagine a large inflatable Peach on a very large table, maybe with Mint? You know, the size of those photos on the crazy postcards with a mega zucchini on top of the station wagon.
Just right for Farmer’s Market!
I hope if something develops, it will be posted here.
((((((BobbyG & family))))))
BobbyG @ 57
((Bobby)) just saw this after I posted. I’m so sorry for your shocking loss.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 39
ok,
Harold Ford is a centrist democrat. A Centrist capitulates to the repugs and often spouts their talking points as well.
IMO, Hillary is a centrist too.
Elliott @ 18
Yo,Doggs!
I spent an afternoon with a bunch of other people with “Impeach” signs, standing on the corner of two of the busiest intersections in Denver back in June, I think it was. As I commented at the time, the response, measured in car horns and thumbs up, was about 90% positive, and cut across ethnic & economic groups (as determined by vehicle driven.) This tells me there’s a groundswell there, it just needs to be brought to the surface.
Sorry for your loss BobbyG.
I suppose I will watch Fred Thompson ‘debate’ tomorrow night.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 39
Are the Centrists the ones who think that a Dem cannot win without taking positions that allow him/her to get crossover votes from Repubs? This view contaminates every action that follows. Presently, I would guess that anybody with the last name ‘Clinton’ would qualify. Among others.
Counterexample: Kucinich would not be a Centrist
BobbyG @ 58
Man. I served in the Delta in 68-69 and my work in Adult Literacy education is another connection I feel with Tony. The work he did was so meaningful and I salute him and his family.
BobbyG:
My condolences to you and your family.
Sorry for your loss Bobby G.
This guy Cramer says to Matthews a few ago that seven million families are poised to lose their homes to forclosure. This is an issue my party needs to “capitalize” on. Beat the GOP over the head with this and Iraq.
BobbyG @ 58
BobbyG - I read the tribute on your blog site. I am so sorry for your family. I’m sure he will be terribly missed by you. What a wonderful life he had. So many people are the richer for having him touch their lives.
In addition the Pelosi at http://www.speaker.gov/ or http://www.house.gov/pelosi/contact/contact.html
Let Conyers have a piece of your mind (if you can spare it).
http://judiciary.house.gov/contact.aspx or
John.Conyers@mail.house.gov
and we love reading your posts. thanks LHP!!!
OKK, what’s on your mind? Thinking about what the Dems (or whoever) would look like if they acted without trying to siphon Repub votes?
The simple fact of the matter is, is that my party needs to be much more ruthless with the Republicans. Can you imagine eight years of Prez Rudy?
raven @ 70
Thank you all for your kind words.
Here’s the extent to which my Brother-in-Law was a saintly dude. After he got his Master’s degree (he got 2) he told his students, all of them them hard-case maximum security prisoners, 3/4 of them black, that they would thereafter have to address him as “Massah Poggi.”
Only Tony could get away with that. The inmates loved him.
We are all just reeling at the premature loss.
Oh no, I’m so sorry, BobbyG. My thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
(((Bobby G. and Family)))
behindthefall @ 78
My thought is most Republicans are not going to vote Dem. I’m really after the indies. ;0)
BobbyG @ 58
My condolences to all concerned.
Kirk–I wonder if we’d need a permit. Do you have any locally active politcal contacts who’d know….(and/or anyone who’d be able to organize this?) I’m good for a shift–or even a full day, but I’m too far from the center of things to organize this.
do-si-do, your peach idea is beautiful. Is that something you could make? Or…I wonder if we could take a piece of fruit label art and blow it up somehow….and cut it out so the peach part really stood out.
Postcards to write on, pens, and a large jar for postage donations. (ooohhh: maybe earn money by selling AFterDowningSTreet impeachment bracelets….) Should we organize via facebook?
Elliott @ 44
today hugh’s gotten a couple thousand hits from democratic underground. if any of you are members, you could make the suggestion there too.
oddball @ 73
(((((((((Bobby G & Family))))))))))
Oklahoma kiddo @ 39
IMHO there are two species, maybe three, of “centrist Democrats”:
1. Democrats who associate with the Democratic Leadership Council, of which the most prominent member is Hillary Clinton.
2. Blue Dogs (see Wikipedia)
3. Bush Dogs, the most recently discovered species.
Here’s another way to measure the “centrists”: by using the ratings at Progressive Punch. For the Senate, let’s say Democrats who rank with Joe Lieberman or lower. I don’t know if this table will work, but the first column is their PP rank (1= walks on water, 100=bottom feeder of the worst sort).
Second column is PROGRESSIVE ‘07-’08 SCORES(%),
Third column is PROGRESSIVE LIFETIME SCORES(%),
Fourth column is CHIPS ARE DOWN ‘07-’08(%) rating.
46 80.82 76.55 75.62 Lieberman, Joseph (I-CT)
47 80.00 77.40 73.12 Pryor, Mark L. (D-AR)
48 79.45 79.65 80.62 Bayh, Evan (D-IN)
49 77.88 74.49 72.15 Landrieu, Mary L. (D-LA)
50 65.45 49.96 61.25 Nelson, Benjamin (D-NE)
For the House, I’ll just list the 10 who vote least progressive:
Matheson, Jim; Boren, Dan; Ellsworth, Brad; Donnelly, Joe; Altmire, Jason; Shuler, Heath; Lampson, Nick; Taylor, Gene; Barrow, John; and Marshall, Jim.
Bob in HI
Lieberman is NOT a democrat!
Loo Hoo. @ 89
Actually, didn’t he recently re-join on the QT?
Democracy Now
http://www.democracynow.org/ar.....08/1340244
frightening description of the Rape of women, children and babies in the Congo. Very tough to listen to. 38,ooo dying a month. 4 million have died in the Congo
do-si-do @ 56
Here is the real story on the “rich” Frost family:
link
This is the typical family that Bush says doesn’t need that Commie medical care from the Gubmint.
Kirk James Murphy, M.D. @ 62
There’s two people! Any lurkers want to step up to the plate? Nad Kirk, could you give a post with tales of you successes?
I see DLC types as extreme right wing of the D party.
I see Richardson and Dodd types as centrist.
I am still smarting over how a few Democrats threw Ned Lamont to the dogs.
Hmmm…Tweety just said about Clinton, “The term, “Roving” (his emphasis on “Roving) Ambassador seems to fit.” I hope I’m just paranoid and reading into that comment.
OKK: Nope; hadn’t let myself down into that particular dark hole.
But now that you mention it, it makes it harder to defeat him (or the other Repubs) if the Dems candidate(s) keeps trying to ‘triangulate’ (or interpolate or split the difference). That lessens the distinction between them and, say, Rudi, and voters then must say, well, can’t decide based on the issues, so must do it on charisma, schlock, ‘manliness’, etc.
The way you defeat the Repubs is by taking VERY DIFFERENT POSITIONS … unapologetically. IMHO. And this has led me in the past few days to imagine the fate of a party that decided to do just that. And on the face of it, it seems that such a party just might win. (It would, BTW, let Kucinich, just to take a random example, speak as the representative of a multitude instead of the odd man out in the Dem party.)