eye opening to be sure...Life in Occupied Palestine: Eyewitness Stories & Photos ..A MUST SEE!

Anna Baltzer presents...

Life in Occupied Palestine: Eyewitness Stories & Photos

This was an eye-opening 59 minutes to be sure and then the hour after with a handful of folks who showed up was very helpful. My question to this moment is “what is the end game?” so far, all I can come up with is it’s a natural resource grab by a group who is dominating some of the people who have been living and using the resources of the region also. Palestinians have been designated “the other” in the same way other groups of indigenous peoples have many times in the past. As I have explored more at Anna Baltzer’s site, I have seen a movement that I can really stand with. Oh and I really recommended the 2 clips from her quest appearance on Jon Stewart that are linked from her home page.

As a human community I believe we have to constantly recognize each other and stand with those who stand for the common human values we share. It is my belief that humans everywhere want the same things. We all want to live on planet earth with enough water, food, shelter, safety and our communities are the ways we can work together for that life for all humans.

I was very touched by a Jewish woman visitor from New York who attended. She was very knowledgeable and she introduced the word “genocide” and said that she rarely did that because it immediately took on a life of its own and ended any discussion. It’s hard not to ask the question when you witness the living conditions of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. I put myself in their place and I can’t even imagine getting through one day. I travel freely at any time I choose. Just having to wonder if it will take 30 minutes or 8 hours to work 25 miles away seems unimaginable and this is a daily fact for many Palestinians. Not knowing if me or my family would be able to reach a hospital if we had an emergency, because it was on the other side of a checkpoint (aka roadblock, in my world), is chilling.

I am horrified that my tax money is going to support a country continuing to violate human rights and my country continues to block UN efforts to hold Israel accountable. Occupations are not won, occupations are ended.
I will be exploring what ways I can be part of the Boycott/Divestment/Sanctions movement. It is the nonviolent organized movement that makes sense and gives hope for our human future.
Thank you Code Pink Rebekah for bring this to us.

this issue of Newsweek explains alot to me......we are not getting the facts about what is happening there.

hope is fading.....

This “health care reform” (without the public option and medicare buy-in and with the mandate) is just a big sloppy wet kiss to the gangster profiteers who have been stealing from us all along. This Bill Moyer’s journal speaks to how this is happening. His 2 guests agree and come to opposite conclusions about voting for this sorry bill. Matt Taibbi has it right. If this bill passes, it will load this gang of robbers with even more money to prevent the people from ever getting our hands on our own health care. We need to entirely remove the profiteering middle men and this bill will keep them firmly in place. We don't need the middlemen. We the people can hire good people, our fellow citizens, accountable to us, to administer payment to good people, our fellow citizens, accountable to us, to provide our healthcare. There is a system set up now, running at 3% (max) administrative cost- Medicare. And if there are people who don't wish to buy in to Medicare part E-verybody, they can opt out and purchase insurance from the private profiteers, whose administrative costs run upward to 30%. It costs alot of money to pay huge CEO compensations, with stock options added, and pay stockholders to sit by the pool and wait for the dividend checks. It isn’t even about whether the bill has got any "good qualities." "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." (ad nauseum) It’s about filling the trough for these pigs to continue bilking us. The losers will be the people....AGAIN. We are held hostage by these greedy selfish corporatists and there is no end in sight. And there is no hope in sight. So much for “hope” “yes, we can” and empty slogans.

December 18, 2009

Amidst fading hopes for real reform on issues ranging from high finance to health care, economist Robert Kuttner and journalist Matt Taibbi join Bill Moyers to discuss Wall Street's power over the federal government.

watch this episode of Bill Moyer's Journal here

sign firedoglake "kill the bill" petition here


addendum....*if a good enough bill is reconciled in conference committee and the House of Representatives and the Senate to vote on it and they pass it to President Obama and he signs it, you will hear me cheering and giving credit.

real hope for the future

Evan so eloquently put into words much of what I am feeling these days and he gives me hope for the generations to come. I remember listening in horror to Obama's Afghanistan speech, screaming at the radio practically the whole time. And then, when I talked to fellow Democrats, many supported his position and praised the good speech. Now I hear from Evan that many young folks are not falling for this war mentality and it gives me the hope I felt was lost. Thank you Evan for being the wonderful human you are and for continuing on. You bring a very important perspective at a time when corporate marketing seems to rule the day.

here is Evan's piece published at Common Dreams.....

The Betrayal of Generation Hope
by Evan Knappenberger
Published on Sunday, December 13, 2009 by CommonDreams.org

As I sit here preparing for my final college exams, I can't help but think back on the ups and downs of the past two years. Ups: the defeat of the Republican Party in 2008, my own graduation from college, and the formation of progressive student and veteran movements; and downs: suffering through a war and hospitalization due to post-traumatic stress, watching my friends die in foreign countries, and now, the betrayal of my generation by a President who we put our utmost faith in.

full article

and here is a summary of the 7 day tower vigil by Evan back in june of 2007 where he educated many folks about stop loss, myself included.

Healthcare rally... the time for action is now!!

Health Care Reform Rally

a call to action!!




citizens from all over the county gathered to (joined by citizens in nine Washington cities to hold Health Reform Rallies) ask that we move to healthcare reform that brings healthcare to all citizens.


it was a cold, clear day and the energy of a community coming together

for our common good was palpable.
thanks once again to the tireless amazing folks who never give up working for healthcare for all of us.
and thanks to all of us who showed up......amazing!

killing by the numbers

this, over at Air America by Megan Capentier, is enough to kill the holiday spirit.

is this who we are???

Is The Military Fudging Civilian Casualties To Avoid Pentagon Oversight? Thursday December 10, 2009 6:19 p.m

Sar Bland, an Afghan man who was injured in Monday's rocket attack in Tagab, lies on bed at a hospital at the U.S. base at Bagram, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009. An official said the deaths of 14 civilians in the rocket attack on Monday presumably aimed at military officials and local leaders underscores the inability of NATO to successfully defeat the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)

By Megan Carpentier
On Monday, the anonymous blogger Security Crank noticed something interesting: all the U.S. and NATO airstrikes in Afghanistan seemingly kill exactly 30 people every time. How can that be?

Security Crank documented no less than 12 occasions in which news reports, relying on field commanders' estimates, noted that exactly 30 suspected Taliban were killed in airstrikes and, occasionally, artillery attacks. He said:

But the much more important point remains: how could we possibly have any idea how the war is going, here or anywhere else, when the bad guys seem only to die in groups of 30? The sheer ubiquity of that number in fatality and casualty counts is astounding, to the point where I don’t even pay attention to a story anymore when they use that magic number 30. It is an indicator either of ignorance or deliberate spin… but no matter the case, whenever you see the number 30 used in reference to the Taliban, you should probably close the tab and move onto something else, because you just won’t get a good sense of what happened there.

So, why is it always 30? Do thirty casualties seem like enough to justify a military attack, or few enough to not attract too much attention to an incident?

Another blogger, Joshua Foust of the Central Asia blog Registan, seemingly stumbled upon the answer. In a tweet, he noted:

In 2003, an air strike killing 30 civilians could be launched w/o issues. 31 dead civilians and Rummy had to approve.

Foust then linked to an LA Times article from last July by Nicholas Goldberg that documented what field commanders were told.

full article

stop the reappointment of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke

here are a couple of places to sign petitions in support of Senator Sanders hold on Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke's reappointment.

huh...scooby do moment with Dana Perino

really Dana? no terrorist attack during bush's administration...and sean, didn't you catch that lie???? (stupid or mouthpiece????) wow!!!! history is revised in plain sight......
our symptoms are showing.... what a profoundly sad time we live in....



and then this....huh....what??..keep your enemies close ????? wow

November 19, 2009, 8:53 pm Obama Has a Job for Dana Perino. Really.
By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG
From the Department of Unlikely Events: George W. Bush’s press secretary has been asked to serve in the Obama administration.

Well, sort of.

Dana M. Perino, Mr. Bush’s fourth and final press secretary, was nominated Thursday by President Obama to serve on the Broadcasting Board of Governors, an independent agency responsible for overseeing the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and other non-military broadcasts sponsored by the federal government.
full article

wake up america!!

Congressman Larsen visits 42nd LD Democrats

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The 42nd LD Democrats had its regular monthly meeting Saturday and Congressman Larsen dropped in to give us an update on what's going on in D.C..

thank you Joe Sustek !!

A great big tip o' the hat to Joe Sustek today for getting the back of the Justice Dept Attorney General Eric Holder and the Obama Administration as the do they right thing today. As a great American, who truly understands what, in my opinion, the county stands for, he will make a great Senator. (as he makes a great Representative now)

....and thanks to Randi Rhodes for having Rep. Joe Sustek on in the second hour of your program (could still be heard on AM 1090 after the 7pm top of the hour)

Atty Gen Holder: 9/11 Mastermind, Others To Face New York Justice
12:06 pm
November 13, 2009
By Frank James

Attorney General Eric Holder made official Friday morning what was reported by the media for hours beforehand, the Obama Administration's intention to bring the alleged 9/11 conspirators who've been held at Guantanamo for years to trial in New York.

At a press conference Friday, Holder, a former federal judge and prosecutor, expressed faith in the federal judiciary, prosecutors and New York City officials to manage a high-profile trial of self-proclaimed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Muhammad and other suspected terrorist detainees.

full article

Unduly Burdened By B.I.A. Bullshit

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I ran across an article written by Bill Quehrn - Executive Officer, Building Industry Association of Whatcom County. The title of the article is "Those Unduly Burdened, Rise and Fight!". The article lays out some inaccurate and misleading arguments about "takings" and then concludes, "However, recent actions by county government strongly suggest that it is time individual citizens … and even our county’s small towns and other municipal jurisdictions … start reminding Whatcom County’s elected and appointed officials that they will not be “taking” this kind of burdensome abuse or disregard of our Home Rule Charter any longer. It’s time to rise up and fight! CAPR’s time certainly seems to have come!"

I was going to write something to expose just how dishonest and deceptive the Executive Officer of the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County was being, but then I realized someone else had laid out the way developers and large real estate speculators have heightened fears and exacerbate problems to recruit the very rural people they'd like to displace by suburbanizing all of our rural areas.

Fourteen years ago, Jay Tabor wrote a report, "Wise Use in Northern Puget Sound" that covers what BIAWC, CAPR and the developers and large real estate speculators behind them are trying to do... AGAIN!

... Movements are defined by the shared values of followers. These values are not the normative values of society but rather the values of a loosely linked sector of society in opposition to an establishment. The most commonly shared value of the Wise Use groups is their determination overturn or weaken environmental laws and open up public and private lands for unrestricted development and exploitation.

The Wise Use Movement is riddled with contradictions. The different levels of the movement have goals directly in conflict with each other. For example, many of the people that are attracted to the property rights and county secession groups in the western Cascade foothills are drawn by slogans such as "Protect Our Rural Heritage" and "Lower Taxes." The middle level organizers of these groups are mostly developers and large real estate speculators who want to suburbanize these areas. Not only will this remove the rural character, but the added long term infrastructure costs will inevitably raise property tax assessments and revenue budgets. Likewise, out on the Olympic Peninsula, the large timber corporations exporting raw logs played a far greater role in closing the small mills than environmental regulations.

It is the hallmark of Wise Use to play on these tensions, heighten the fears and exacerbate the problems. The aggressive scapegoating of regulations and targeting of environmental activists for hostility serves to provide a distraction from the contradictions. In full cry, the Wise Use activists often succeed in suppressing or intimidating any opposition, thereby preventing the open discussion that would lead to the exposure of their hollow program. ...

(http://www.publicgood.org/reports/wuinps/preface.htm)

Not just the property rights movement is a rerun, the mis-use of "takings" claims as a tactic is being trotted out AGAIN.

Appendix I:
The Growth Management Act and "takings" claims

One of the major thrusts of the Growth Management Act was the imposition of "impact fees" that would make developers directly responsible for the infrastructure
costs of new construction. A major tax subsidy for development and land speculation was threatened. If developers couldn't buy cheap land, put up large projects that counties hadn't included in the long-term budget forecasts, and then stick the taxpayers with the tab, a whole industry would have to restructure itself around the real cost of doing business. Suddenly, Wise Use in Washington discovered the "property-rights" movement.

It was a marriage made in hell, but the happy couple of rural people and city-based developers were willing to overlook that. It was also a godsend to Gottlieb's faction of
the Wise Use Movement. Gottlieb and Arnold had failed to cash in on the big bucks now flowing from timber, mining and other industries to Wise Use operations like People For the West!, the Blue Ribbon Coalition, Putting People First, and Alliance for America. The Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise was handed a literally golden opportunity with the advent of land-use planning laws like the Growth Management Act.

The key to the development industry's agenda and a mainstay issue for many of the property rights groups that the industry created is the issue of "takings." The phrase has all sorts of resonances, since it implies expropriation. Many of the Wise Use participants share the right-wing belief that rights are a dispensation granted by the
powerful. This is most clearly seen in the oft-repeated catch-phrase, "they are taking our rights." The takings issue was first set forth by economist Richard Epstein. The use of the work "taking" comes from the Fifth Amendment in the Bill of Rights, which states in part, "nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation." Epstein argues that most regulatory actions are a "taking" and thus require compensation.

The notion of easy money from the government has great appeal. Chuck Cushman frequently leads crowds in chanting, "Compensation. Compensation. Compensation." The phrase "property rights" has become a codeword for the takings issue. The issues that property rights groups put forward often revolve around the issue of paying compensation to anyone who complies with a regulation under protest. The alternative to payment is to waive the regulation. This is actually the agenda for industry; they have found an argument by which the government must either pay the cost of regulatory compliance or forgo the regulation. In law, the practice is usually called extortion.

(http://www.publicgood.org/reports/wuinps/append1.htm)

So... while Querhn has been writing fear-mongering articles about "takings", he has also been, quite cynically, telling the Bellingham Herald: “The first thing I would ask them is to find anywhere in the public record where the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County has made any kind of suggestion that paving the county would be the appropriate thing to do,” he said. “You ain’t gonna find it.”

Well gee Bill... just because we "ain’t gonna find it" "in the public record" doesn't mean we ain't on to you.

Wise Words from Digby

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Wise words and penetrating analysis from Digby: "... the Republicans have managed to rebrand themselves from an epic screw-up party to a batshit crazy party ..."

Whatcom County Election - Mayors Endorsement?!?

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I was surprised that the small city mayors joined together to endorsed the (Republican recruited) conservative candidates.

So I decided to look a little deeper into the endorsement.

What my sources told me, was that the small city (Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, Everson, Nooksack & Sumas) Mayors are mad about the Urban Growth Area (UGA) update process and decided to "send a message". The Mayors aren't so much in favor of the conservative county council candidates as they are angry at Carl Weimer, Laurie Caskey-Schreiber and Ken Mann.

I can appreciate that the small city Mayors have, what they see as, their city's interests to look out for, but as one of Whatcom County's rural residents who has no local government other than the County Government, I really don't appreciate them trying to swing the County Council race just because they didn't get their way on one issue.

The small city Mayors did not meet as a group and interview the conservative candidates. I was also told that the conservative candidates weren't seen as being up to speed on local issues. As a matter of fact, one of the Mayors admitted to having met only one of the conservative candidates, briefly, and not having been impressed, that candidate was described as "well meaning, but..."

Net Neutrality Could Be In Danger

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Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has introduced something called the “Internet Freedom Act.” The legislation would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from enacting Net Neutrality rules to making sure that Internet service providers don’t create a pay-for-play system where they could selectively block or slow content and applications.

Telecoms largely support blocking net neutrality rules, and McCain is a long-time friend of these businesses. McCain was the top recipient of campaign contributions from the telecom industry, taking in $894,379 in the past two years.

"Whenever there's a fight on the Internet, it's always good to side with the geeks who built the Internet, rather than the fat-cat telecom lobbyists."

Rachel Maddow has the details:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The Public Option Is The Compromise

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Darcy Burner on ABC News Now's TopLine: "If [Obama] wants the bill to pass, it's going to have to include a public option.

Progressive Change Campaign Committee PAC (http://boldprogressives.org/home.html)

Rethink Afghanistan

I just saw the film Rethink Afghanistan with a small group of other humans. There is absolutely nothing to be accomplished there with more military engagement. I am unclear what our military occupation has ever been about. Only a humanitarian mission could improve anything for the humans in Afghanistan. I guess you could make a case for an international law enforcement mission if it was the instigator of 911 you wanted. Hard to make that case in light of the fact that Osama was offered and our government refused him.

We should immediately cease funding the military industrial complex. I was horrified at the inhumanity we are visiting on the humans in this part of the world. Only when begin to show concern for the humans who live where earth’s natural resources and the routes to bring them to us are located, will we give the humans everywhere a chance to continue life on earth. This is the legacy I hope to leave for those who come after. If we don’t learn how to life within our means, no one, including our children and grandchildren, will enjoy life on earth. Considering that we are 4% of the world’s population, using 25% of the planet’s resources, we have an opportunity to really make a difference.

If we stop using earth’s dwindling resources to fight over earth’s dwindling resources and build infrastructure we can pass on the legacy of a good life on earth. The humans in Afghanistan want the same things as we do. They love their families just like we do. The images in this movie are heartbreaking. And the fact that my tax money is funding this congressional military industrial complex adventure is abhorrent.

thank you, Rebekah, our Bellingham Code Pink , for showing this film.

sign to demand civilian solutions for Afghanistan here


I include this 10 minute segment from the film that addresses the plight of women in Afghanistan. If you watched corporate media during our occupation you would believe the myth that freedom is on the march and women are enjoying their lives as never before.

Bombs will kill women in Afghanistan
Posted by robertgreenwald on July 8th, 2009
Self immolation is a method of suicide by lighting oneself on fire. According to the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, self immolation has never been such an epidemic in Afghanistan as it is today. This is one fact that leads people to the sobering reality that our efforts in Afghanistan have done nothing for the vast majority of women there.




full post here

Vote Yes - Whatcom library proposition 1

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Some details about the Whatcom Library levy on the November 2009 ballot. For more info please visit www.yeslibraries.com

Whatcom County Elections - Have You Noticed - #2

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Have you noticed the Letters To The Editor, supporting the "conservative" candidates, from people in the land development business who want to "take back our county"?

I didn't know the county belonged to the Realtors & Building Industry associations, did you?

Whatcom County Elections - Have You Noticed - #1

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Have you noticed that all the "conservative" candidates yard signs seem to be planted on the public right-of-way in front of vacant property?

Sanders Unfiltered

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Senator Sanders makes a lot of sense... and every time he talks, you can hear the ditto-heads exploding in the background.

Senator Sanders and Michael Moore

Get weekly Sanders Unfiltered delivered to you on Facebook, email, Twitter, or podcast. Go to SandersUnfiltered.com http://sandersunfiltered.com/ And, be part of Senator Sanders weekly show. Submit your video question using YouTube, then post it as a video response!

"We need Democrats with guts."

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Rep. Alan Grayson discusses the Republican health care plan and GOP charges about him with Ed Schultz on Oct 1, 2009.

If you're impressed with his guts, throw in a few bucks to support Alan Grayson's campaign for re-election in 2010. It's a good way to let him and other Congressional Democrats know that standing up for progressive values pays off.

just for fun....the road to nowhere

today Carl Wolfson and Christine Alexandra (morning crew Portland’s Progressive AM 620KPOJ), filling in for Thom Hartmann, had a "call in challenge" to name Sarah Palin's new book ...(limit 6 words) my favorite was a fella who called in

"Sarah Palin-the road to nowhere"

with a sub-title....

" I can see myself from here"

it worked especially well for me cuz i consider herself a glaring symptom of our national diagnosis (well, one of the major ones) Narcissistic personality disorder.

Glenn Beck Blows Thru Mt. Vernon

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Skagit County Young Democrats organized the protest. Some folks from Whatcom County went down to add their voices... I recognize several familiar faces in the video's.

KOMO4 - W. Washington greets Glenn Beck with huzzahs, hisses



Mt .Vernon says NO to Mad Hater Glenn Beck




Glenn Beck Recieves The Key To Mt. Vernon, Washington



Mount Vernon City Council Rejects "Glenn Beck Day"

Protect Insurance Companies PSA

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Protect Insurance Companies PSA

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

a g-zillionth wake up call from Kunstler

I always enjoy reading this righteous pessimist, with keen observational skills, a quest for knowledge and a very sharp intellect. He levels the g-zillionth wake up call, hoping we will be our best selves and go optimistically in search of a new way of living that offers future generations a home on planet earth. Oh, did I mention his quick wit!

Reality Receding
public James Howard Kunstler
on September 14, 2009 6:33 AM

...........We have to dismantle things that have no future and rebuild things that will allow daily life to function. We have to say goodbye to big box shopping and rebuild Main Street. More people will be needed to work in farming and fewer in tourism, public relations, gambling, and party planning. We have to make some basic useful products in this country again. We have to systematically decommission suburbia and reactivate our small towns and small cities. We have to prepare for the contraction of our large cities. We have to let the sun set on Happy Motoring and rebuild our trains, transit systems, harbors, and inland waterways. We have to reorganize schooling at a much more modest level. We have to close down most of the overseas military bases we're operating and conclude our wars in Asia. Mostly, we have to recover a national sense of common purpose and common decency. There is obviously a lot of work to do in the list above, which could translate into paychecks and careers -- but not if we direct all our resources into propping up the failing structures of yesterday.

full article

prepare to live differently.

we're #37

this is hilarious and speaks (or sings) to the insane chaotic drama code playing out in this country. we pay 40% more than others and rank 37.... it begs the question...where, oh where, did the money go?? or for some more fun.... where did the money go?

Another Rightwing Smear of ACORN

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Foxnews runs the video over and over again, without having bothered to check whether it was for real, because it fit the politics they're pushing. When that happens it's called propaganda, not news.

Fox News Caught in a Smear: Media Matters calls for accountability following shameful omission during ACORN reports

And it didn't take much digging to begin uncovering the truth about the Rightwing political operative that Foxnews calls "a filmmaker":
Right Wing Darling James O’Keefe: The Man Who Exposed ACORN and Lucky Charms

Zachary Roth at TPM Muckraker gets to the heart of what's really going on here:

Conservatives and Republicans have longed waged a campaign against ACORN, focused mainly on the group's voter registration activities. During the 2008 cycle, ACORN, by its own tally, helped register over 1.3 million low-income, minority, and young -- in other words, predominantly Democratic -- voters across the country.

Health Care Reform March

today about 200 folks showed up to voice our support for sweeping reforms to our current healthcare system. it was a beautiful day in Bellingham and it was a pleasure to be with all who came to take part. many of those there have been working tirelessly on this for years. thank you!!! we are in this for the long haul .... the healthcare profiteers have no intention of stopping the feeding at our public trough. here are a few photos and there will be video to follow....

A coalition of Bellingham and Whatcom County organizations are sponsoring the Bellingham Health Care Reform March at noon on September 12 at Maritime Heritage Park at 500 W. Holly in Bellingham. The public is invited.


The Whatcom Democrats, United for National Healthcare, MoveOn Bellingham Council, Organizing for America, Jobs with Justice, Whatcom Peace & Justice Center & other local groups are participating in the march. All of these groups support sweeping reforms in the current health care system. Some of these groups support private health insurance reform, others support a national single payer health care system, and still others support a mixed system with private insurance and a national public insurance option.

Dr. Chris Covert-Bowlds came over on his lunch hour and eloquently made the case for healthcare reform....

A Public Option Isn't Scary

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Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich explains what a public option for healthcare coverage really means for working people.

Doug Ericksen's Town Hall Meeting

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A brief report on Doug Ericksen's town hall meeting.

The high point of the meeting came at the beginning. When Doug and his helpers couldn't find an American flag, they ad-libbed by putting a yard sign with a picture of a flag up on an easel and asked everyone to pledge allegiance to that.

After that, it became much less entertaining. Doug's presentation was billed as the Washington State House Republicans plan to reform health care, but it turned out to be just a rehash of all the bills they didn't get out of committee last session. They don't seem to have any new, or realistic, ideas.

The one, possibly, new idea was the final bullet in Doug's powerpoint presentation. Something about an amendment to the State Constitution that would affirm that the U.S. Constitution has a tenth amendment. I took that proposal to be a little, coded, red meat for the Republicans wingnut base who want to reinterpret the Constitution.

The attendees of the town hall were Doug's Republican supporters, that always turn out for him, and a mix of people who support real National health care reform. The tea party people were no where to be seen. So, the Q&A was a polite and orderly affair.

HealthCareCantWait.com - A Message To Grassley

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Main Street Bipartisanship

--http://HealthCareCantWait.com -- The Progressive Change Campaign Committee & Democracy for America announced this at on Aug. 31, 2009 info@boldprogressives.org

must see...end mountain top removal now !!

i just recieved my copy of this powerful collection from Christians for the Mountains. the people of the Appalachian Mountains need us all to help stop the destruction of their home. i have ordered extra copies i hope to put copies in the hands of my Christian friends so, hopefully, we can all stand up and save this 2nd most diverse forest on planet earth and home to some amazing folks. the legacy of this beautiful place and the wisdom of the people of these mountains is priceless.
wake up america!!

Christians for the Mountains presents


The Mountain Mourning Collection
produced by B. J. Gudmundsson

Portraits of the Human Spirit featuring Traditional Appalachian Music
Includes “Mountain Mourning,” “Look What They’ve Done,”
and “Keeper of the Mountains.” View Previews

In the Southern Appalachian Mountains, a coal-mining process known as Mountaintop Removal is devastating God’s creation. And global warming is being accelerated by Mountaintop Removal. Demand for electricity overshadows weak environmental laws. Coal industry profits outweigh quality of life. As our oldest mountaintops vanish, the people are left behind. Having paid the highest price – they are abandoned in what is called “the sacrifice zone.” These are their stories.

Christians for the Mountains is a non-profit, grass-roots organization that encourages the preservation of God’s Earth and its human communities. We call upon Christians, church communities and people of conscience to join us in advocating for personal responsibilities and public policies that conserve the use of earth’s resources and address abusive coal extraction processes.

“The Mountain Mourning Collection” is a powerful viewing experience. For those who are familiar with mountaintop removal these films evoke strong emotions while being affirming and hope inspiring.

“Mountain Mourning” is the feature film of the collection. It gives an overview of the basics of mountaintop removal within the context of the Appalachian culture.

“Look What They’ve Done” and “Keeper of the Mountains” included on the DVD, are stories told by persons directly affected by mountaintop removal mining. Mountaintop removal is not an abstraction. It adversely affects the lives of real human beings. These films capture Maria Gunnoe’s and Larry Gibson’s love of mountains and mountain folk and also their pain and anguish over the devastation of the land and its people. These films should break a heart of stone.

Also on this DVD
“A Call to Action” which is a short message from Christians for the Mountains co-founder, Bob Marshall.

“Bringing Down the Mountains” excerpts. The film is a project by Pennsylvania high school students that can inspire young people to engage pressing issues of our time in order to make a positive difference for their future.

Christians for the Mountains provides more information about their efforts to stop mountaintop removal as well as a Viewing Guide and “5 Ways You Can Make a Big Difference” on their website:

ChristiansfortheMountains.org

info on DVD here

How Hate Talk Radicalized the American Right

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Interview with David Neiwert author of "The Eliminationists: How Hate Talk Radicalized the American Right".

- The Eliminationists: How Hate Talk Radicalized the American Right

attention: true patriots

i love this over at Brasscheck TV ...bottom line "if you love America, you throw money in it's hole."

fight wall street wealthcare

the progressive caucus has taken a strong stand and we can get their back.....help fight dumber than joe the plummer from being suckered by these theives again..... here's a couple of ways to get their backs and make it possible for them to continue to fight on our behalf.

Standing Up For The Public Option
by Blue America

Distributed among the recipients below

These are the progressive members of Congress with the guts to stand up to Big Insurance, Big Pharma and to the pressure from their own party bosses. They stood with the American people and ordinary working families when push came to shove and both political parties decided propping up a disastrous health care system and a corrupt Insurance Industry was more important than keeping the promise made over and over to working families. These were the men and women who promised to vote against any health care reform bill that didn't include, at the minimum, a robust public option. 60 signed a letter to Secretary Sebelius and 18 took the FDL Pledge.
Democratic members of Congress need to understand that a healthcare reform bill with a Public Option is simply not an option-- it's a requirement. The congressmembers on this list have said in no uncertain terms that they will not vote for a bill without a public option all the way through Conference. That takes courage, and we need to show them how much we appreciate them for doing so. Please make a contribution-- and thanks for everything else you're doing for the public option.

Please Help Us Fight the Teabagger Army from Derailing Health Care
The lobbyists are packed six deep into every nook and cranny on the Hill, and it's going to take everything to fight this. Americans are dying. At the same time, corporate-funded teabaggers are trying to shut down all debate.
We need to raise $250,000 to fund our fight to stop the teabaggers from derailing health care. After two months of your hard work, 65 members House drew a line in the sand: no public option, no health care reform. Now that we've shown progressives in the House it's possible to stick together, it will be our job to make sure these members hold the line on a strong public option.Will you help us fight the insurance industry lobby in the battle for affordable health care for all? Contribute what you can below. Thanks for all you do.

Eve Gittelson NYCEve
Jane HamsherFiredoglake.com

Canadian healthcare on Big Eddie today

Today on The Ed Schulz Show, Michael J Sullivan spoke about the healthcare of the Canadians his union, Sheet Metal Workers International Association, represents.

He said the common complaint he heard when talking with them was how their conservative government was trying to take their coverage away from them.

An individual said of his healthcare... "I have cancer, it's in remission, and I still own my house."

Ed is doing a superhuman job of caring the water on getting healthcare for all humans here in our great nation. huge tip O' the hat and much gratitude Ed !!! hope you have big fun fishin' this weekend.

bipartisonship now

i say we all stand up for health care for we the people by we the people.... i wrote this to comment on a letter to the editor by Vern LaFave i read in the paper this morning. i guess he will appear on line tomorrow ....his letter was advocating medicare for all and he stated it extremely well. i will post a link to his letter when it appears in the letters to the editor at the Bellingham Herald.
i will be up early in the morning to say "well said, Vern!" with this comment he inspired.

Well said Vern!

This is about us paying for us to have healthcare. Administrative costs for Medicare are about 3% as opposed to for profit health insurance, which can be 30%. We should be opting to pay for our healthcare. We can save enormous amounts of money. We can hire good people (our fellow citizens), accountable to us, to administer the payment to good people (our fellow citizens), accountable to us, to provide our healthcare.

Standing in the way of this are 13 senators (from both parties) sitting on the Finance Committee and Commerce Committee who have been bought and paid for by the for profit health care industry and big pharma. And what a bargain, most come from small states and rural areas representing 13 million people (4% of the U S population). It only cost the profiteers about $12,000,000 in campaign contributions. That is on a par with the annual compensation of one bargain CEO of some these same organizations. Many of these greedy profiteers are collecting far more. (Don’t forget to breath when you see their take when they collect their stock options.) Hmmm, I’m no math whiz, so correct me if I’m wrong, I believe it would take, 100 humans paying $10,000 a year in premiums to get the first $1,000,000 to pay one CEO. The cheap ones go for over $5,000,000 in annual compensation, not counting stock options. These are the same folks who brought us the bloated, big slobbery kiss to themselves, Medicare part D. People should have been out in the streets when our children and grandchildren were gifted with that legacy.

At least 46 million of our fellow citizens now have no health insurance. We all pay when people are forced to get healthcare at expensive units of hospitals designed to provide emergency care. And good luck getting well care there to prevent and get early detection of serious or life threatening illnesses.

I would feel a lot safer in my community if I knew all the humans I come in contact with as I go through my day had healthcare. Healthcare profiteering is right up there with war profiteering. I want healthcare by doctors and healthcare professionals, not wall street.

Remove the profit from primary healthcare. We are humans, not consumers.

Medicare for all! That’s a real bargain !!

well maybe i missed something but i haven't seen Vern's letter on line yet so here it is.....

I've Got Facts & You've Got Glenn Beck!

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From Crooks & Liars; a video clip from Congressman Rick Larsen's Everett town hall meeting.

I've Got Facts On My Side & You've Got Glenn Beck On Your Side! Rep Rick Larsen Town Hall

single-payer healthcare NOW !!

pay or die....or....us paying for us ??? hmmmm

ATTENTION CONGRESS:
specifically....Rep. Rick Larsen, Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray

i am for all of us making a good living for a good contribution to the quality of life of all others living on planet earth.
we can hire good people (our friends, family and neighbors) , who will be accountable to us, to administer the paying of good people, accountable to us, (our friends, family and neighbors) to provide our healthcare. the administrative costs can be kept under 3% (like medicare, only better, everybody in, nobody out). i will feel safer in my community because all the other humans i meet as i go thru my day will be able to get good healthcare.
everybody does better when everybody does better. we can decide how we want it to be in our communities across the nation. unbelieveable amounts of our treasure is being funneled up to the healthcare profiteers (AT BREAKNECK SPEED) !

healthcare by wall street or doctors???

single payer (us) NOW !

greed is not a family value...healthcare for all humans is.

CEO salaries

WRSP and its agents Smear Larsen (WA-02)

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In today's MCCLATCHY article "Baird to skip town hall, cites 'lynch' mentality of conservatives", long time Republican Party activist, Lynn Carpenter is quoted; "But she said Larsen, her representative “won’t talk to us and won’t listen to us.”"

Carpenter isn't being honest and as proof I give you this post from the B'ham Tea Party blog:

Friday, July 17, 2009
Discussion With Rick Larsen's Office Staff

by Karl Uppiano -

[I posted this comment over at the Bellingham Herald Politics Blog -- KU]

A few of us from the Tea Party protest went upstairs to Congressman Larsen’s office to make sure our voices were heard. Standing on the street below doesn’t guarantee that anybody will pay attention.

We had a polite, but direct conversation with Rick Larsen’s office staff. They seemed surprised to hear that we want no government involvement in our health care at all. It seems that most of the people they deal with, who object to the bill, simply want parts of it “tweaked” to provide more benefits for them specifically. They were not prepared to deal with the concept that health care is not a legitimate function of the federal government under the Constitution. They kept offering various “what ifs” and options that they hoped would satisfy us.

They mentioned that the current system varies state to state — as if that were a flaw. They blinked when I pointed out that what they were calling a flaw, represents states’ rights, diversity and individual choice. If we don’t like the system in our state, we’re free to try to change it, or move to a state that better suits us. If the federal government enforces uniformity in all states, then we lose our freedom to choose. It was as if they had never heard that argument before. I thought it was a discouraging
conversation.
(http://bhamteaparty.blogspot.com/2009/07/discussion-with-rick-larsens%20office.html)

Congressman Larsen's staff undoubtedly briefed him on what the TP delegation had to say and Carpenter knows that.

But being truthful doesn't fit the Republican strategy. Carpenter has to stick with lies about Larsen because her bosses in the WA State Republican Party (WSRP) are mounting a smear campaign against him.

WSRP Luke Esser issued a lie filled press release claiming that Congressman Larsen told Veterans that they couldn't talk about health care.

In reality, Larsen specifically told teabagger intruders that the meeting was about Veterans issues and if they wanted to talk about the health care reform bill, they were in the wrong place.

We've Got Your Number, Republicans

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Enough with the astroturfing. Enough with the fearmongering. We all know the "Tea Party" is just a front that gets its marching orders from corporate lobbyists and their Republican lackeys.

DNC Web Ad: "Enough of the Mob"

One Year Ago: Knoxville Church Shooting

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One Year Ago Today...
By Coury Turczynon July 27, 2009 10:24 AM

...Knoxville experienced a nightmarish attack when Jim David Adkisson decided to strike out against liberals and "kill them where they gather." He chose the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church as the site of his rampage--on a day when children were performing Annie Jr. Greg McKendry and Linda Kraeger were killed, and six others were wounded. It could have been even more horrific were it not for the brave liberals who tackled Adkisson.

Today at 7 p.m., the TVUUC is holding the "Instruments of Peace" concert as a thank-you for the support it received from the Knoxville community. Folk musicians Guy and Candie Carawan are performing. ...

Jim Adkisson didn't see his intended targets as human beings, he only saw them as "liberals". He got his sick twisted ideas from the so-called conservative media. Adkisson's apartment was filled with books and newsletters penned by Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, and other right-wing hate talkers.

Right-wing hate talk had worked on Adkisson. Before setting out to murder "liberals" at a Knoxville church that had come to his attention because they welcomed gay people, he wrote in what he intended to be his 'suicide note':

"Know this if nothing else: This was a hate crime. I hate the damn
left-wing liberals. There is a vast left-wing conspiracy in this country &
these liberals are working together to attack every decent & honorable
institution in the nation, trying to turn this country into a communist state.
Shame on them....

"This was a symbolic killing. Who I wanted to kill was every Democrat in
the Senate & House, the 100 people in Bernard Goldberg's book. I'd like to
kill everyone in the mainstream media. But I know those people were inaccessible
to me. I couldn't get to the generals & high ranking officers of the Marxist
movement so I went after the foot soldiers, the chickenshit liberals that vote
in these traitorous people. Someone had to get the ball rolling. I volunteered.
I hope others do the same. It's the only way we can rid America of this
cancerous pestilence."

"I thought I'd do something good for this Country Kill Democrats til the
cops kill me....Liberals are a pest like termites. Millions of them Each little
bite contributes to the downfall of this great nation. The only way we can rid
ourselves of this evil is to kill them in the streets. Kill them where they
gather. I'd like to encourage other like minded people to do what I've done. If
life aint worth living anymore don't just kill yourself. do something for your
Country before you go. Go Kill Liberals.

Although one would have thought that Adkisson's manifesto/suicide letter and his reading list would have given rightwing talkers pause, a year later, nothing seems to have changed.

On our local talk/news station, KGMI, still plays syndicated rabid Rightwing fearmongering and scapegoating from 9 to 5; Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity. It's our own little Radio Rwanda.

And this Right-wing brainwashing is working, you can see the signs (pictured to the right) just a couple weeks ago in front of Congressman Larsens Bellingham office.

Sara Robinson did a great job of summing up some of what we can learn from that sad event, a year ago in Knoxville:

Nicely done, Messrs. Hannity, Goldberg, Limbaugh, Savage and O'Reilly -- and all your lesser brethren who keep the hate speech spewing 24/7/365 across every field and into every shop in the country. There is no more debate to be had, no more doubt about it: What you did in the name of "entertainment," and for the sake of the almighty ratings, raised and animated a monster like Jim Adkisson, gave him a list of targets ("the 100 people in Bernard Goldberg's book"), and was directly responsible for the deaths of two brave and decent people. Adkisson was clearly angry and crazy -- but his "manifesto" draws the clearest, brightest line possible between the media he consumed and his actions that terrible Sunday morning.

Progressives should take three lessons away from Knoxville:

One: we are no longer safe, not even in our own houses of worship. It's ironic that progressives -- the subgroup of Americans who were most determined not to abandon reason and succumb to overblown fears of Islamic terrorism in the wake of 9/11 -- now have good, serious reasons to fear real domestic terrorism against themselves.

Two: A significant part of this country's media infrastructure is thoroughly devoted to inciting people to commit horrific acts of violence against us -- and now, we know for a fact that people are acting on those incitements. It's time to start taking this far more seriously. What goes out across our airwaves these days isn't all that different from what went out over Radio Rwanda a decade ago, spurring that country to genocide. At this point, it's only a difference of degree.

Three: The right wing has, as usual, grossly underestimated our courage and our commitment. The members of Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist quickly and effectively disarmed and captured this man within seconds after he opened fire. Adkisson expected fear; what we got was determined resistance. It's why he's still alive today, and why more UUs aren't dead by his hand. The TVUUA congregation should be our enduring example of liberal grace under fire.Adkisson's "manifesto" should end any doubts we ever had about how virulent and dangerous hate talk is, or whether or not that talk will eventually translate into action.

Congressman Larsen Wants To Fix The Public Option

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Congressman Larsen's position isn't what a lot of people think it is... check it out.

KGMI - Morning News Extra for 7/24/09 - Congressman Rick Larsen
Congressman Rick Larsen talks about the reasons why he wants health care reform in America, and the recent criticisms he has heard from local groups on both sides of the debate.
Listen to the podcast

Larsen's office also put out a press release that doesn't seem to have been picked up by the press.

Reforming Health Care: Larsen Pushes Fair Deal for Washington State

July 13, 2009

Washington, D.C. — As Congress works to reform health care to bring down costs and ensure, quality affordable health care, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) is working to get a fair deal for Washington state. Specifically, Larsen is pushing to protect access to health care for Washington state patients by ensuring that Washington state is rewarded, not penalized, for providing high-quality, low-cost patient care.

“Lower Medicare payment rates mean fewer providers in Washington state, and fewer providers mean less access to care for local seniors and other patients,” said Larsen. “Washington state should be rewarded, not penalized, for providing quality, efficient care. That is why I’m working to get a fair deal for our state and make it easier for local seniors and other patients to see a doctor when they need to.”

Larsen is pushing for stronger reforms to help Washington state by changing the way health care is delivered to reward “value not volume” – value for the patient, not volume of tests or procedures. To that end, Larsen has sent a bipartisan letter to House leadership along with 27 of his House colleagues led by Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04) urging action to fix Medicare geographic disparities in reimbursement.

Washington state is one of several states in which the quality of care exceeds the national average and Medicare costs per patient are substantially lower than the national average. For example, the average federal Medicare payment per patient in Everett, Washington is $6,905 while McAllen, Texas averages $14,946. Studies have shown that increased spending per patient has no correlation with quality of care. While the quality of care in Everett is the same if not better compared to McAllen, medical providers there get paid more than twice as much, costing taxpayers more than twice as much. So while Washington state provides higher-quality, lower-cost care in many cases and delivers better results for patients, Washington state is penalized by the current Medicare reimbursement formula.

Larsen has joined a number of his colleagues to request a meeting with House leadership to restore fairness for Washington and other states before the bill comes up for a House vote. Democratic leaders have agreed to meet with Larsen and his colleagues, but a date has yet to be set.

###

A Message To Blue Dog Democrats

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I couldn't have said it better than Headzup has:

Oh, and by the way... Whatcom County Democrats aren't very pleased with New Democrat Congressman Rick Larsen's (WA-02) negative position on health care reform.

Whatcom County Democrats
P.O. Box 3095, Bellingham, WA 98227-3095
• Phone: (360) 647-7661 •
Office Location: 215 W. Holly Street, Suite B-27, Bellingham, WA 98225


- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

*Whatcom Democrats Disappointed With Congressman Larsen's Stance on Health Care Reform*

The Whatcom County Democratic Party passed a resolution at their July membership meeting expressing profound disappointment with Congressman Rick Larsen's statement that he would not support the public option in current health care reform legislation.

Whatcom County Democrats are in complete agreement with President Obama's stance that a public option is essential to increase competition and keep insurance companies honest. The opportunity to pass meaningful health care reform is at hand and lesser issues such as Medicare reimbursement rates can be dealt with later in separate legislation.

The Whatcom County Democratic Party platform endorses a national single-payer health care plan with privately-delivered services that cover all medically-necessary services.

However, since single payer health insurance legislation is not currently being considered in Congress, Whatcom Democrats consider inclusion of a public health insurance option an essential part of any Health care reform Bill.

A new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll shows that 76 percent of the American public feel it is important to "give people a choice of both a public plan administered by the federal government and a private plan for their health insurance.", which shows that Whatcom County Democrats views on a public health insurance option are completely in line with an overwhelming majority of the American public.

"While Congressman Larsen's dedication to securing more equitable Medicare compensation for Washington state physicians and hospitals is commendable, tying his vote on a public option to changes in Medicare rates is a baffling stance that is counter to his previous stated goal of seeing health insurance coverage for all Americans", said Whatcom Democrats Chair Natalie McClendon.

Chairwoman McClendon also said that Whatcom County Democrats sincerely hope Congressman Larsen will reconsider and vote yes on the public health insurance option while continuing to pursue fair Medicare compensation for Washington state physicians and hospitals.

###

TARGET: Max Baucus!

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Wake up Max. If you stand in the way of progressive change, you'll get run over.

ANNOUNCEMENT: After over 60,000 votes cast, you chose Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) as the #1 target for our public option accountability campaign. The PCCC & DFA will air the below TV ad in Montana. Our goal is to keep the pressure up for the next critical two weeks.

You can help keep this ad on TV in Montana

Health Care Reform Cannot Wait

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President Obama says "... any plan I sign must include an insurance exchange: a one-stop shopping marketplace where you can compare the benefits, cost and track records of a variety of plans – including a public option to increase competition and keep insurance companies honest ..."

The Bush/Republican Budget Deficit

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Numerous economists have noted, Bush administration policies are responsible for a large portion of the current deficit, but you won't hear that from the Republicans or their pals in the media .

Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, stated that "the overwhelming majority of the budget deficit that the Republicans are now complaining about is directly attributable to President Bush's policies. The additional deficit for 2009 that it is attributable to President Obama's efforts to fix the disastrous economy that he was handed by President Bush is trivial in comparison, as can be clearly seen."

Here's my slightly enhanced version of Baker's graph:

in support of Don Siegelman

i sent these emails to:

Tim Kaine Chairman,
Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St.
SEWashington, DC 20003 202-863-8000 email
and

Rahm Emanuel (Hon. Rahm Emanuel, Chief of Staff to President Obama,
The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20500 202-456-1111
fax:
202-456-2461 email

today on behalf of Don Siegelman who is facing more prison time as a result of this travesty of "justice" perpetrated by the previous administration and if there ever needed to be change this is screaming for attention.....

Dear Hon. Tim Kaine

i am writing to ask you to please help to ensure that President Obama's, not bush and roves procecuters, decide the fate on Don Siegelman.

Please do everything possible to influence Eric Holder to remove the partison prosecuters involved.

remove Leura Canary and her prosecutors NOW....please

thank you



Dear Rahm Emanuel.,
i am writing to ask you to please help to ensure the President Obama's, not bush and roves procecuters, decide the fate on Don Siegleman.

remove Leura Canary and her prosecutors NOW....please

thank you

healthcare by wall street or doctors???

attention all who represent us in congress and President Obama:

who do you want between you and your doctor??? insurance companies or "the gov-ment" ??? the "gov-ment" is supposed to be us. when are we going to take it back from the greedy selfish wall street profiteers. they are turning us against each other to continue looting our treasure. shame shame shame!!!!....if we make health and healthcare a priority we can choose to have it for all of us. or we can continue to allow the selfish and greedy among us to continue on their corporate jets with gold plated everything. they are spending millions of dollars to market their agenda to keep we the people from using our treasure for the good of we the people ....shame shame shame!!!!.... do these people not have children and grandchildren......?????

end healthcare profiteering!!! make stuff (shoes tv's computers) , hopefully employing we the people, and we will buy it for a profit.

thanks to button man for sending this amazing Bill Moyers interview with Wendall Potter along.......

single payer now!!! at the very least, a public option....no cooperatives or triggers or whatever phrases the greedy think of to try to fool us so they can keep stealing.

TeaBag Boneheads

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I read a (July 8th) post on the B'ham Tea Party blog and was amazed at the pure boneheadness. Aside from the writers fantasy that no one refers to the 4th of July as Independence Day, the most revealing bit of obstinate ignorance was this: "..., our own President won’t even place his hand over his heart during the pledge ...". Obviously something the writer wants to believe in spite of the fact.

That's a smear that's been debunked for a very long time. FactCheck set the record straight a year and a half ago: http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_obama.html

freedom still on the march....or 10 minutes with the women in Afghanistan

as we continue to export the corporate war machine and expect others to host the nightmare in their country, we bankrupt ourselves and squander the dewindling resources of our planet (and no, there is no planet b) how long will the other humans on our beautiful planet continue to live the nightmare as we over consume and live our national narcissist disorder. ENOUGH!

RETHINK AFGHANISTAN and let's rethink our descendants future. (check out the $$$$clock on this site and look your children and grandchildren and great grandchildren in the eye as you continue to hand over their credit card)

i say we follow the best model and look out 7 generations.

Tim Eyman, Spending Your Tax Dollars, Again!

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hmmm... once again Tim Eyman is using our tax dollars to experiment with how to create an initiative that will suck people in. He's filed an experimental initiative, he has no intention of gathering signature for, to get Secretary of State's office to do his legal research for him.

Eyman wants to extend the time allowed to gather signatures for initiatives from 10 to 16 month, keep anyone who opposes an initiative at least 25 feet away from his paid signature gatherers, prevent verification that petition signers weren't tricked into signing and make the names of petition signers secret.

Here's the details from the Washington Office of the Secretary of State’s blog:

R-71 monitoring plan draws Eyman fire

by David Ammons June 26th,2009

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman is taking aim at potential harassment of signature-gatherers and people who sign their petitions. One feature of his new initiative says the names, signatures and addresses of people who sign initiatives and referenda would be blacked out before petition sheets are made public by the state Elections Division.

This grows out of announced plans by some supporters of a new “everything but marriage” domestic partnership law to put online the names and addresses of all who sign petitions for Referendum 71. The referendum is sponsored by people who oppose the new law, Senate Bill 5688, and seek a public vote this fall.

Some opponents of R-71 say they want to create a database of the names and addresses so that opponents can talk with them about the ramifications of the
referendum. The referendum sponsors, though, say it amounts to bullying and that the threat of publicizing the signers is aimed at suppressing signatures.

Eyman’s “Protect the Initiative Process” measure, filed Friday with the state Elections Division as an initiative to the 2010 Legislature, says redacting the names and addresses from petitions that are made public would “ensure the safety of individuals … and protect them from and make them less susceptible to, intimiation, retaliation, harassment and identity theft.” His measure also includes other protections for signature-gatherers and would extend the amount of time sponsors have to collect signatures.

Eyman will have until the end of the year to gather about 241,000 valid voter signatures to win a place on the Legislature’s agenda.

Lawmakers could pass his plan, ignore it and allow it to go to the ballot, or send it and a legislative alternative to the ballot. Another route is for Eyman to switch his goal and try to send it directly to the 2010 ballot and not go through the Legislature.

R-71 sponsors have until July 25 to turn in at least 120,577 valid signatures. The Elections Division has said it has no authority to withhold or redact petitions from review as a public-records request.

UPDATE: Tim Eyman says this proposed initiative is “one of several ideas we’re doing R&D (research and development) on as an initiative in the future,” possibly as an initiative to the people next year. If history is a guide, a 2010 initiative to the voters would be far more likely than Eyman actually pursuing signatures this year for a plan he would route through the Legislature. He says he hopes his proposal will generate discussion about the issue, and that he will announce specific plans once they firm up. He notes that he went through more than a dozen drafts of his current I-1033 before actually going to the street to get signatures. That one deals with revenue limits at state, county and city levels, with any excess collections going to property tax relief.

5 minutes in West Virginia

or can this planet be saved??? mountain top removal of the 2nd most diverse forest on our planet, largely responsible for some of the best news following the last ice age, will foreclose on a grim future for our descendants. along with the rainforest protection, what we do now will determine the future for those who come after......it matters and it's up to us ....ATTENTION CONGRESS !!!!!!!!

STOP MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVAL!!!!!!!




oh and attention President Obama and Michelle Obama too....

A President Breaks Hearts in Appalachia A mountaintop coal mining site at Kayford Mountain in West Virginia. (By Jeff Gentner -- Associated Press)

By Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Friday, July 3, 2009

Mountaintop removal coal mining is the worst environmental tragedy in American history. When will the Obama administration finally stop this Appalachian apocalypse?

A mountaintop coal mining site at Kayford Mountain in West
Virginia. (By Jeff Gentner -- Associated Press)

If ever an issue deserved President Obama's promise of change, this is it.
Mining syndicates are detonating 2,500 tons of explosives each day -- the
equivalent of a Hiroshima bomb weekly -- to blow up Appalachia's mountains and extract sub-surface coal seams. They have demolished 500 mountains -- encompassing about a million acres -- buried hundreds of valley streams under tons of rubble, poisoned and uprooted countless communities, and caused widespread contamination to the region's air and water. On this continent, only Appalachia's rich woodlands survived the Pleistocene ice ages that turned the rest of North America into a treeless tundra. King Coal is now accomplishing what the glaciers could not -- obliterating the hemisphere's oldest, most biologically dense and diverse forests. Highly mechanized processes allow giant machines to flatten in months mountains older than the Himalayas -- while employing fewer workers for far less time than other types of mining. The coal industry's promise to restore the desolate wastelands is a cruel joke, and the industry's fallback position, that the flattened landscapes will provide space
for economic development, is the weak punchline. America adores its Adirondacks and reveres the Rockies, while the Appalachian Mountains -- with their impoverished and alienated population -- are dismantled by coal moguls who dominate state politics and have little to prevent them from blasting the physical landscape to smithereens.

full post

also see The myth of clean coal
ok so 5 minutes was the just a start ....i love these mountain people !!